third party online support would be expensive yes but to throw in online
options on games with preconstructed engines seems to be logical and
enexpensive

I know that already but I wish Iwata would stop BS-ing about why they
haven't implemented online gaming yet and just admit that they're just
too cheap and focused purely on profits instead of claiming that online
isn't popular yet.

I think it's very short-sighted of Nintendo to be overlooking online
gaming and even worse to be making such stupid public declarations
regarding it. The only thing this will achieve is reinforce the negative
image that Nintendo isn't willing to keep up with the latest innovations
and technologies, and instead is only focused on obtaining the maximum
amount of profits with the least amount of spending.

I was already pissed when they started to milk the GBA-GC connectivity
feature (when such a feature was unnecessary) in Metroid Prime and
Animal Crossing. In FF:CC, Nintendo reaches a new level in greed IMO.

With no "official" online feature in Mario Kart: DD and FF:CC requiring
4 GBAs and 4 cables to enjoy it to the fullest, Nintendo is definitely
not making any efforts in confronting the image that Nintendo is stuck
in the past.

This doesn't mean I don't love Nintendo or its products. I just can't
stand seeing Nintendo being so blind and in denial regarding the failure
of their current business strategy and the negative publicity they are
getting because of it.

Adnan

It's easy to predict the answer to that question.  That's like asking who
prefers Internet access or his home LAN.

If Nintendo doesn't want online play, fine.  I wish they would focus the
effort used on GBA connectivity on further improving the individual games
themselves like Silicon Knights did with MGS:TS.  That would increase sales
more than connectivity.

i have to weigh in on this topic myself Nintendo is my system of choice
and always has been but they are severely fooling themselves if they
think the public doesnt like online gaming the only thing that deverted
time from my N64 was segas dreamcast with unreal tournament online was
awesome and also nintendos first party titles are ideal for online
gaming ie; mario cart,party,tennis,golf, it would probably be less
expensive yet more profitable to add online features and dump the
connectivity crap and also to have a machine thats capable of online but
refuses to follow the trend is like driving an 8 cylinder vehicle on
only 4 cylinders

Another question I'd like to ask is whether gamers would prefer a game
without any connectivity features (so that all the bonus features and
perks would simply be available without connectivity) or one that does,
regardless of whether it was online or not. Games like Metroid Prime,
Animal Crossing and FF:CC come to mind.

In other words, whether the game has an online feature or not, would
gamers prefer the games to support GC-GBA connectivity or not?

In my opinion, I don't mind if a game does support connectivity as long
as nothing is lost from the game if it's not used. Making this feature
optional (Splinter Cell) instead of essential (FF:CC) would be best.

And enough with using GBA-GC connectivity as an "unlocking" tool, like
with Metroid Prime. Now that's just lame. The only thing worse is the
E-reader feature in Super Mario Advance 4, Super Mario Bros 3.

Adnan

The connectivity gimmmick is lame and matter of fact online could do
the madden cards even better.

Aren't the subscription numbers skewed by the fact that Microsoft has been
giving Live away for free?  If you get it for free and have a broadband
connection, of course you are going to activate it, whether you normally
would have been willing to pay for it or not.  I wonder what their retention
rate for paid subscribers is?  That's the number that matters.

I started as a beta tester for Live and I just renewed for another year. I
play more single player games however I do enjoy an occasional hour or two
on Live. Not having online support did not stop me from buying 2 cubes
though. Now, I would like to see connectivity between cubes but I hate using
the GBA as a controller...it ruined FF CC for me.

Not where I live!

-Daniel "Mr. Brevity" Kolle; 15                        A.A. #2035
Koji Kondo, Yo-Yo Ma, Gustav Mahler, and Krzysztof Penderecki are my Gods.
Madly Insane EAC Scientist.

But you've got to take into account the number of computer illiterate people
too...  I was comparing games with an x-box owning guy at work last weekend
and he didn't even know what broadband was, he thought it was some sort of
wireless telephone...  (he almost passed out when I showed him my iPod)

Of the other three people I know who have x-box's, two of them don't even
know how to download stuff on their PC's (and are unwilling to try).  They
connect, log onto hotmail, and disconnect...  They wouldn't even consider
connecting up their x-box's unless someone did it for them...

None of them would be willing to pay a subscription to an online service...
(ALL would be willing to meet up and play split screen while downing a few
beers...)