http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/levelup/archive/2007/06/26/level-up-exclusive-on-nintendo-wiiware.aspx

What do you guys think? Cool stuff? Copycatting PSN and Live? What about storage space now? Will this eventually extend to indie developers?

Discuss! 

LOL, you beat me to it by a few seconds. Oh well, here is the text for those too lazy to click the link.

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=16636

Nintendo Embraces Original Downloadable Games with WiiWare

It's finally happening. The original Mario and Zelda games are great, but gamers want original downloadable games too. Nintendo will soon be joining the likes of Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network with a new online offering called WiiWare.

As was originally hinted at by System 3 CEO Mark Cale, Nintendo is indeed launching a complement to its Virtual Console – a service that will allow gamers to download original games designed for Wii, not just classics like those found on Virtual Console.

According to N'Gai Croal of Newsweek who broke the news late on Tuesday, Nintendo has decided to call this new offering WiiWare. Much like Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade or Sony's PlayStation Network, WiiWare should allow independent development and original ideas to flourish.

Moreover, it would appear that Nintendo is truly reaching out to the little guys as well. "What's more interesting is that Nintendo isn't only seeking WiiWare from established publishers and developers like Ubisoft and Sega. At a Nintendo developer's conference earlier this week, the company informed attendees that it was seeking from indie developers as well," said Croal. "Shorter, original, more creative games from small teams with big ideas; these are the buzzwords that you'll be hearing from Nintendo..."

Although Nintendo controls the platform and therefore will determine pricing for each game (in Wii Points, just like on Virtual Console), the titles will not actually be vetted by Nintendo. Nintendo will, however, check games for bugs and compatibility, and with developers and publishers to make sure their games have secured ratings with the ESRB.

The first batch of WiiWare titles aren't expected to launch until next year.

Also on Kotaku

I think it's a great idea. Just like how I don't think the PS3 copied the home button, offering downloadable original games is pretty common sense. Space is obviously going to be an issue, but that's why I don't think a Wii hard drive isn't impossible (though I have no clue where you would put the thing).

 USB? These are not really used at the moment (at least I am not using any of them) 

so what if nintendo copied somebody else? "to see far you need to stand on the shoulder of giants" or however that saying goes (who was it... newton or somebody).

"Look for the first WiiWare titles from Nintendo and third-parties to become available next year. "

wtf. it takes that long to create small enjoyable games? It took me a month to create a java based battleship game for a class. We should see Wiiware in a couple months, not a year.

 Didn't mean how it would connect, meant more of where would you put it?  The hard drive just sitting next to the Wii would look a little silly and there's no place to stick it on the Wii itself though.  If they did just make it like an external hard drive though, it would be incredibly awesome of Nintendo to allow you to use any external hard drive and have them sell their own versions like they do with SD cards.

http://www.digg.com/nintendo_wii/Nintendo_to_announce_Wiiware_tomorrow

Digg! :x

Does an external hardrive count as a major hardware announcement regardless it would be nice to have the option to buy one to put all these games if some of the developers want to make slightly larger games.

the strongest strategy would be:

release later this year, before x'mas, sell a version with bigger hard drive, put Wii Sports II or something like that on WiiWare, sit back and enjoy.