[Exterminieren]

A picture of the Japanese Final Fantasy: Theatrhythm box has been tweeted, and a logo for a "Nintendo Network" has been spotted.

The Nintendo Network name is what Nintendo have previously used as the network for their e3 coverage, as well as being used for Mario Kart 7's online.

What could this be? Distribution platform for DLC? Replacement for the Nintendo WiFi Connection? New unified network for 3DS and WiiU?

A financial report and investor's conference has been scheduled for next Thursday, so we may hear more then.

[cool_dude_2049]

for the lazy. Maybe it's a rebranding for their wifi service

[Bullza2o]

I guess it is the [better] replacement for WFC. Sounds good but too similar to PSN.

[Brazil]

Theatrhythm is a game we know will have DLC, so maybe that's it.

[Ashodin]

I guess it is the [better] replacement for WFC. Sounds good but too similar to PSN.

getting ready for Wii U son.

[Door2Dawn]

logo is terrible.

[EmCeeGramr]

"Wi-Fi Connection" always sounded so dumb.

[sixteen-bit]

"Wi-Fi Connection" always sounded so dumb.

Yep. Hopefully WiiU offers a wired option out of the box.

[botty]

I guess it is the [better] replacement for WFC. Sounds good but too similar to PSN.

I thought this is the one thing people wanted Nintendo to copy.

[weeaboo]

First downloadable demos. Now a Nintendo Network

WHAT IS THIS? IS THIS REAL LIFE?

[[Nintex]]

That logo is quite shitty I must say. A lowercase N and a thingy that looks like an RSS feed(the orange gives that vibe too). Is Nintendo going for a full rebrand with a new logo or what's that weird N doing there?

I could see Nintendo go full on Apple/HP on us and brand all their shit with a lowercase N.

[Takao]

Should've just called it Friend Connection, or Buy More Shit Connection.

More original.

[Captain Chaos]

I like the logo.

[LiK]

means nothing to me with friend codes still in effect.

[Exterminieren]

It's worth noting that the Nintendo WiFi Connection branding hasn't been used for a good long time; none of Nintendo's recent WiFi titles have used the branding.

[Neuromancer]

They're getting it, one small piece at a time.

[Fox318]

They are getting rid of using numbers and are now using stool samples to identify users.

[JWong]

getting ready for Wii U son.

You mean Origin/Uplay/Steam/...

[EmCeeGramr]

That logo is quite shitty I must say. A lowercase N and a thingy that looks like an RSS feed(the orange gives that vibe too). Is Nintendo going for a full rebrand with a new logo or what's that weird N doing there?

gonna go out on a limb and say the "n" miiiiight stand for "nintendo" and "network" and thus indicates the game in question supports said network

just making crazy guesses here

[[Nintex]]

gonna go out on a limb and say the "n" miiiiight stand for "nintendo" and "network" and thus indicates the game in question supports said network just making crazy guesses here

I know it just doesn't seem to fit with any of the current fonts/logo styles they use.

[Gospel]

Welcome to the next level nintendo

[Big B]

better nate than lever.

[Emitan]

Yep. Hopefully WiiU offers a wired option out of the box.

NOPE

[sakipon]

The logo looks like a doghouse to me.

[King of the Potato People]

It's for the Final Fantasy VII remake, which is actually DLC which retells the whole game with just beats.

[Skiesofwonder]

Theatrhytm is releasing (in Japan) on Feb. 16th. Nintendo is holding an investor conference next Wednesday, Jan. 26th. Expect to hear something about it then.

My guess is that Nintendo is going to announce an unified Network system for all their consoles. With their recent efforts on the 3DS, the Club Nintendo integration, their Nintendo Network E3 coverage, and rumors of the E-Reader Nintendo Powers to go along with VC content; I imagine Nintendo Network will be your access to everything Nintendo.

[Leonsito]

WiiU has HDMI?

3DS has Demos in Europe?

Nintendo Network?

HOLD ME GAF, I'M SCARED

[Kyoufu]

NOPE http://i.imgur.com/ZRx7d.jpg

No wired option? What...

...

[Jocchan]

Theatrhythm is a game we know will have DLC, so maybe that's it.

The name "Nintendo Network" doesn't sound very fitting for a DLC service.

NOPE

We still don't know what the orange port is for.

[Crumpet Trumpet]

I know it just doesn't seem to fit with any of the current fonts/logo styles they use.

It's a stretch but it sorta resembles the U

[Fantastical]

better nate than lever.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[rpmurphy]

It's also used for this: http://3dphoto-contest.nintendonetwork.net/

From that thread:

Interesting URL, that domain was only registered in October 2011, this is the first time I've seen it used... http://www.whois.net/whois/nintendonetwork.net

[[Nintex]]

We still don't know what the orange port is for.

It's for the Nintendo Network!

Now we know!

[Anth0ny]

NOPE

Surely we can use USB controllers.

[Hero]

NOPE

Because that's the final design form factor, right? rolleyes.gif

[H_Prestige]

NOPE

So Nintendo can only add one new port at a time? HDMI but no ethernet, lol.

[Cosmonaut X]

I know it just doesn't seem to fit with any of the current fonts/logo styles they use.

It looks a little like the GameCube-era typeface they used, or perhaps - though it's hard to tell from such a small image - even the typeface they use for the "Nintendo" part of the Nintendo DS/3DS logo. It's certainly not out of keeping with the typefaces on the 3DS game packaging, and the orange "N" is a bright, clear indicator that it has online functionality, and the two radiating curves (though a little cliche) are fairly familiar shorthand for "online" through use in other web logos.

It's not going to win any awards, but it's clear, eye-catching and it works with the rest of the packaging. Job done.

[sixteen-bit]

NOPE

Are you fucking kidding me?

I wonder how much they'll charge for the wired adapter.

Shame because wired provides me with the optimal online experience.

[Christine]

I know it just doesn't seem to fit with any of the current fonts/logo styles they use.

The same could have been said of the Nintendo WiFi Connection logo.

[Baconbitz]

First downloadable demos. Now a Nintendo Network WHAT IS THIS? IS THIS REAL LIFE?

Don't get your hopes up.

[LiquidMetal14]

WiiU has HDMI? 3DS has Demos in Europe? Nintendo Network? HOLD ME GAF, I'M SCARED

Welcome to 7 years ago.

[[Nintex]]

The same could have been said of the Nintendo WiFi Connection logo.

No, because they had all sorts of weird logo's that didn't fit together during those days. They dumped all that(Touch Generations, blah blah) shit recently.

[botty]

Can we check the box yet?

[Father_Brain]

Might just be a new, meaningless branding to emphasize online features... sigh.

[Fantastical]

None of the other online 3DS games even had the Wi-Fi symbol did they?

[Cosmonaut X]

Can we check the box yet?

Surely that's what we're doing here? ;-)

[Quadrangulum]

A unified network of some sort is an inevitability because it could be profitable in so many different ways. Even if this brand doesn't herald its arrival, I wouldn't be surprised to see something this year.

[FoneBone]

None of the other online 3DS games even had the Wi-Fi symbol did they?

No... but that doesn't necessarily mean that this is more than a rebranding of what they're already doing. (Just keeping expectations low.)

[Emitan]

No wired option? What... ...

Nintendo

We still don't know what the orange port is for.

The one labeled sensor bar in the image you quoted?

Because that's the final design form factor, right? rolleyes.gif

Why would they have WiFi attenas in the systems before ethernet?

[Jocchan]

The one labeled sensor bar in the image you quoted?

It's an old running joke.