Online gaming on consoles started way back in the sixth gen, were all four consoles (Xbox,ps2,gamecube and dreamcast) could allow a player to somewhat play games online. We all know how this gen ended, Ps2 dominated and the dreamcast and sega were never heard of after. During this gen Xbox released Xbox live which you needed to have to play online games but due to the lack of a huge marketshare which the xbox did not have, this type of online gaming  was not used by sony and nintendo on their next gen consoles.

During the seventh generation Wii was the best selling console, meanwhile the xbox 360 and ps3 at the end of the gen were at a parity. Due to a much higher marketshare which the xbox had and because  Microsoft made alot of $$$ not because of the amount of software or units sold but because of their online service ,which costed around $59.99 per year, Sony took notice.

Now at the preasent the ps4 and Xbox one both need a yearly/monthly subscription if one wants to play online games, meanwhile the wii u ,due to nintendo thinking that since they sold the most consoles last gen they were on the right track, does not require one to pay to play online.

After all of this I am here to tell you to support the wii u this gen for an free online gaming future. Please see that if you keep your console online playable for 6 years you will have spent around 300 dollars on the ps4 and 360 dollars on the xbox one excluding buying games and so on.

Please support the wii U for a no subscription online gaming future! 

I agree that people should support the Wii U (duh) but if I have to be honest I don't think a free online gaming future is anywhere near possible at this point.

Think about it. Does online gaming really need all of the extra bonuses such as *free betas*, *free games* and so on. No, all I want is to play with other people online really that's it. I highly doubt you would buy ps + if you could already play with other people without it, just because you get a discount on dlc's and all the other extra bonuses.

I hate the subscription fees. I just want to play online, I don't want all the extra crap.

Okay, that's good. But in all honesty do you think most did.

I'd rather pay for a good reliable service that pays for itself. And if you cant afford $40-$50 a year then that's your problem.

Please let's not start this whole "if you can't afford it debate". For all you know I may be the richest person on earth.

As someone who has no interest playing Nintendo's modern titles, no thanks. I'm not a fan of paywalls but (unfortunately) its going to be standard on Sony and MS consoles from here on out. Additionally, if a gamer is interested in third party and other similar games (on consoles) for online play.. its unlikey that they would be interested in a Wii U lineup for its online; and would be probably be better off with a PC instead. So yeah, preaching to the wrong crowd mate

TL;DR - There's always PC.

If you dont want it brought up you shouldn't use free online as your argument to why Wii U should be the market leader. People pay for online on PS4 and Xbox because its worth it.

It has nothing to do with being able to afford it.