Harmonix on Wii: It Needs a Hard Driv

[greenmedic88]

The truth is, most Wii users DON'T care about the limitations of the light network capabilities of the console.

A sizable percentage of the user base doesn't own any other console, so there is no direct comparison to be made, nor any feelings of being "cheated" for not providing similar services available on the more expensive PS3 or 360.

As it's already been said, the only type of person who cares about the addition of an HDD for the Wii and regular integration of online play and DLC is the exact type of person who frequents sites like VGC. That person does NOT represent the typical Wii user. And that is not the typical user Nintendo is spending the majority of its resources attempting to court. They already know that gamer types who play Nintendo IPs have a Wii, or will buy one and most likely already have either a 360 or PS3.

When Nintendo chooses to adopt the industry standards of built in mass storage and a robust online network, they will. But given their past track record, odds are in favor of that happening in their next generation console rather than remaking a Wii 1.1 experience that better integrates online play with a better mass storage solution. The absence of either is not hurting the success of the Wii in any way shape or form.

Peripherals required for certain games, but not others beyond special controllers in general are not profitable. Anyone who believes the majority of Wii owners would go out and buy a Wii HDD if such a peripheral was introduced is kidding themselves. People will buy it if it's a part of a killer app package, but such a package would likely cost more than Wii Fit while generating less profit. I'd like to see a sheet on the actual cost of production for a Balance Board, but it's a safe assumption to say that it is very inexpensive to produce.

Figure unless HDD is incorporated into a majority of Wii consoles, developers are not going to integrate its use into their games by default. At best it would be for the purpose of adding additional, non-essential features for those with such a storage option. Features that the typical user will neither access, nor miss.

The best option would be a firmware update that enabled the use of any USB external HDD which is something I can't imagine Nintendo giving the green stamp. Too many issues regarding wider spread piracy which is already a problem in SE Asian markets.