Nintendo thinks a bit differently, so it's hard to say why they left out cross-game chat. It wouldn't surprise me if they thought certain games, such as their own, would be hurt by people chatting.

My guess is that, since cross-game chat is only on the 360, it's only something a western gamer would consider important, and Nintendo, being quite Japanese-centric, just didn't consider it as anything more than a novelty. I think it's really just a simple cultural mistake more than anything, and perhaps that they didn't do enough research into the western market. Of course, it could also be Nintendo being somewhat arrogant after the success of the Wii, believing that Nintendo fans will buy whatever they are presented with--and some of them will.

All that being said, it could potentially be something Nintendo has viable workarounds for, or that could be added later. This might very well be a non-issue ultimately. However, I do think Nintendo should clarify or address this, because, like it or not, it is something that a good number of people would like to see on the Wii U.

Oh yeah I'm sure they will to. It's just a little odd that it isn't there at all.

I don't see the big deal as well, I never used it on my 360, it's just that there are millions who do use it and the hardware is certainly not limiting in any way so again, it's just odd that they wouldn't add it, because why not? It's not just CGC as well, it's the awkward way we're going to be using a mic on the Wii U that's more annoying.

Why would you want to mute someone, don't you want to hear what someone has to say while playing your game?

The whole "Wake up Nintendo" thing has nothing to do with it.

They had in-game chat since the Wii Speak (2008) as far as I know. Also, system-wide VOIP may not be a feature they consider worth their money right now. As others have said in the other thread (Scoobes), this may be a feature Nintendo will want to implement when the demand grows. So it has nothing to do with being behind the times, they just don't agree with the cost of the feature versus its value.

Common business guys, funny how none of you have mentioned that yet, and this is a vg business forum.

@cyber. APM is right, not wanting to hear other players is not an argument if the option is off. However, if you're saying that a good portion of the customers don't want it in the first place, then it might not be worth the cost. In that optic I see your point.

So no cross game chat? That's a huge issue. That feature alone is the dividing line for many gamers who chose 360 over PS3. Next gen Nintendo is going to be the odd man out for online network features. Cross game chat is the reason it is easier to develop a friends base on 360. That's why 360 does the best job selling online games, it is easier to invite people, suggest games to play, and grab others to join.

That's also why it costs a monthy fee to active a live account. You end up paying for two consoles over 6 years, and then some.

No, Nintendo will not be the odd man out, that is a non-Nintendo gamer's wet dream. (imho)

the big fucking deal is that nintendo's next gen system is lacking a very basic feature standard in current gen consoles. This isn't just about cross game chat, which by the way is more useful than many make it out to be if you have friends who own the same console as you. It's actually pretty useless in competitive games where you need to be talking to teammates, its whole purpose is so that people playing different games can have a nice conversation, especially useful with many of the casual games nintendo is well known for.

 Nintendo also made it up to the developers to implement voice chat, lets hope developers who aren't making games with competitive multiplayer decide to impliment the features...

And the pro controller doesn't even have a mic plug... You know the controller meant for "hardcore competitive gaming". Am I going to have to leave my WiiU pad turned on next to me while playing... Might as well remove wireless capabilities from the pro controller considering I'll be stuck where I am with my headset attached the the WiiUpad that I'm not holding.

And btw these complaints are coming from someone who has already preordered a deluxe wii u. I have every right to be mad that my next gen console can't compete with current gen consoles in something as simple as voice chat, and no the "possibility" of nintendo eventually maybe fixing this with a system update sometime in the future does not ease my mind.

That is not why it costs a monthly fee. They don't have to charge to provide that feature. The Vita has cross game chat btw.

I'll read the rest of your statement but when you first start with a sentence like that then that is a pretty bad stance.  You do realize cross game chat is only on the 360.  The PS3 doesn't even have it...  So 1/3 current gen systems having cross game chat makes it a very basic feature.

Reading further so the Wii U Pro controller doesn't have a mic plug is a big issue? You realize that there are 4 USB ports on the system.  You can have a USB mic for one and there is possiblity the system might even support bluetooth.

@Vita having x-game chat. That's a nice move by Sony to do that for free. I don't believe that requires Nintendo to be as generous, honestly.

No, you have absolutely no reason to get mad, because the headset may just be non-wired, so bluetooth. If you were really so concerned maybe, just maybe you would think of that.

As for cross-game chat, it is a nice added feature, but you are paying 350$ for something that does not include x-game chat, that is the price. If you want x-game chat, then get ready to pay more.

Plain and simple.

Also, devs may still be able to implement it, who knows.