Nintendo doesn't focus on online that much, at least compare to the rest. I think its main applications that need a good online infrastructure are:

-WiiU games: Mario Kart 8, Smash U, Splatoon (for now let's assume this one)...

-3DS games: Pokemon games, Smash 3DS...

- Sharing maps and stages: Mario Maker, Mario vs DK...

-Miiverse

-The online store

-Flipnote Studios

-Other apps: Youtube, Crunchyroll Netflix...

Just compare the demand of XBox life or PS Network in the online multiplayer with the Nintendo Network, it's light and day. Unless somehow its internet services start getting as big as the other two, we won't see paid online from Nintendo anytime soon.

Never. Their comments on how they want to implement it completely contradict a subscription model. They specifically talk about how onething they might do is make digital purchases cheaper the more games you buy per year. That completely goes against "rewarding" someone who pays $50 a year.

I'm confident it's never happening.

I would assume that eventually the infrastructure will get large enough and/or Nintendo will realize that they are missing out on a steady stream of revenue from sub's for online play... TBH a subscription model wouldn't currently work given the install base of the Wii U and the lack of games that really even have online features. I mean who's really going to pay $60 a year or whatever it would be to play Smash 4 and the few other titles that do?

A PC runs internet services bigger and better than the other two with more games, and there's no added subscription fee. The idea that you're paying for better internet is a lie. You're just paying for the permission to use it. PS Plus is proof of that. PS Plus was $50 a year last gen for specific services like "free" games. Online was free on PS3. PS Plus on PS4 is still $50, but is now required for online play. Online is better on the PS4 in everyway, meaning it should logically cost more to mainsain, and it is more valuable than it was on PS3 because there is more included in the total package, yet somehow PS Plus didn't get more expensive? (unless I'm mistake, of course)

None of the other consoles need a subcription model for online. They do it because they can.

I know.I'm still shocked that neither the PS4 or the XBone offers a free online multiplayer. If Sony announced free multiplayer for the PS4, it would kill half the sales of the XBone, killing the console in cold blood. The same with the XBone, a free multiplayer could gave it the edge it needs to threaten Playstation dominance. But both companies are too comfortable with their subscription systems.

Nintendo won't do that because it's position on the industry and the nature of their systems. In fact' a paid internet service from Nintendo would kill a good percentage of some of its best selling titles, like Mario Kart and Pokemon.

Oh my :/

This new system sounds interesting though.

It would single handedly stop me from buying Splatoon, that's for sure. Unless the Single player is robust enough to stand on it's own, which I doubt. Or unless the manage to squeeze in 4-player local multiplayer.

Any news about the EU one?

So instead of free games/stuff it will be discounts on games? I'm not so sure that is a good tradeoff. But then again who knows? Nintendo knows they need to do something to stand out against PS+ and Live Gold.