“… Probably the other thing that we are desperate to realise is the core [online] business structure. Do we need to demand customers pay monthly fees to enjoy online activities? Or give an online subscription that is free of charge, but then offer something extra for people that pay, so that they get some extra value? With these core business strategies I think we are less active than we should be. To be honest, I think it’s rather unfair whenever I hear such comments – that Nintendo isn’t proactive when it comes to its online strategy. The fact of the matter is that we always want all Wii consoles to be connected online, all the time, so Nintendo has never been less than proactive in that kind of endeavour. It is true, though, that Nintendo hasn’t been very proactive in developing such online activities as an MMOG. But when it comes to our endeavours that try to take advantage of internet technology, where we can provide our customers with more fun and entertainment, then I think we can say we have been very, very proactive and well-received. And that attitude won’t be changed at all in the future.” - Shigeru Miyamoto

I think that if they wants to charge for something its better they totally change the all thing , maybe in a similar fashion of what MS did with the DashBoard , creats a system to put all the FC under your Wii number so once you add one person Wii number you all ready trades all the FC you haves with the other Wii and the list goes On , but its good to see that they at least will try to make it better.

Nothing beats 4 players (and friend players) laughing in the same room while playing NSMBWii, imo.

I really don't care much for online play... but yeah, lots of people do. So go for it, Nintendo!

I'm sorry but, what online efforts?

I won't pay to play online, bloody no. that's the worst thing people can ask me.

I already do purchase the console and games, now I need to pay to play them?

If it is for MMO's I'm ok. Servers for that type of games may be expensive, but for regular games I won't pay shit.

I'm not even so much worried about online play as I am about having a unified ID to which anything I download through Nintendo is attached. The inability to transfer anything I buy through the VC, WiiWare, or DSiWare when switching consoles is a pain, and it ensures I won't be switching to a black Wii or anything of the sort anytime soon.

As for the subject of online pay, paying for an entire service is not a good idea. Paying for "some extra value" in addition to online play is something I wouldn't mind, however, given I would only buy it if I felt the value was worth it.

The same goes for mario kart , but playing it on-line is a blast ! I just would like a unique on-line ID.

"To be honest, I think it’s rather unfair whenever I hear such comments – that Nintendo isn’t proactive when it comes to its online strategy. The fact of the matter is that we always want all Wii consoles to be connected online, all the time, so Nintendo has never been less than proactive in that kind of endeavour."

So Miyamoto thinks Nintendo is proactive with its online strategy because the console can be connected online all the time? lol...

I know where you're coming from with that - lack of online Nintendo games, but I'm sure he's referring to VC/WW/Channels/Netflix plus their online for games (which includes non-Nintendo games).   Also they have streaming TV in the UK and Japan and such. 

Nintendo wants Wii's online (so they can sell more WW/VC) but aren't too concerned with online games.

Shame a Pokemon MMO would be epic and would possibly knock WoW off it's perch but that comment just about squashes any hope of it happening.

Trying to copy what the other companies are doing is NOT the only measure of online efforts.

Well at least it is being recognized that the online setup when it comes to friends is very archaic. Given the popularity of facebook and myspace and Nintendo wanting to appeal to that same kind of crowd and have a similar method (ease of use) hopefully they'll start trying to incorporate it in that way with a Nintendo style of course. I don't want a pure copycat of XBL (which I still think is the best online setup) but I would like to see something more streamlined for people who who want to use it as social networking which has become increasingly popular.