Uncertain: Convenient time required for Wii U retail downloads (10GB+)

[Sal.Paradise]

happydolphin said:

Sal.Paradise said:

I understand why some people aren't upset about the external HDD thing, but it's not personal preference that matters here, it's the market. Why would a developer choose to release their content on a downloadable platform where the storage is an optional extra? You'll fill up that 8-16gb with only a handful of retail downloads,  after that there's another price wall between the customer and the content. 

Of course I have no idea at this point what sort of crowd will buy the Wii U, but if ta large number of owners are there for the casual or Nintendo titles with a few third party ones on the side, I'm betting the adoption rate for extra storage will be poor. The only way I see it taking off is if a Nintendo first party title requires you to get past that pay wall (ala SS with Motion Plus), but I don't expect that to happen soon - for the same reason a developer wouldn't release their game on the service in the first place. 

The assumption is that if you're going to choose the digital retail games, you are going to invest in an external HDD. They are pretty cheap on the internet I believe.

Developers wouldn't have to worry about digitizing their software, it will likely be part of the SDK or distribution package.

As for casual owners, Nintendo is going after the core this gen, they've made it clear. And even if they went for casual, we know alot of people are computer litterate now a days. Storing music an pictures on an EHD has never been an issue afaict.

Well that is certainly an assumption. And I did read Nintendo's intent on aiming for the 'core', but well, they've said that before. I'd like to see it happen, but I'm not convinced as of yet that the adoption rate will be sufficient to make it a healthy service. I could see Nintendo making a proprietary external drive with a nice glossy finish and Nintendo logo on the front, that could help. We'll have to see.