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[Teuoxton]

When I purchase a disc, I'm purchasing a right to use all the content on that disc. If the developer doesn't like that, they need to make it downloadable content.
That's like saying I'm not allowed to mod my console because the hardware manufacturer doesn't like that. Perfectly legal.

This sums up my position on this perfectly!

 

[Hypron]

Would be cool if that convinced Nintendo to make the content available through other means than via Amiibos. Overpriced physical DLC is a pain in the ass. Not everyone's living in a large house with plenty of storage space. I buy all my games digitally to save space, so I ain't going to buy figurines.

 

[BlackJace]

I'm ok with this. Amiibo are anti consumer as fuck.

Anti-consumer has to be people's favorite word that they often misuse.

 

[Gucci Messiah]

Many of the fan-favorites (Captain Falcon, Pit, Fire Emblem characters, Ness, Shulk, etc.) are scarce.

Especially in the US; in many places you'll only find commons. The rarest amiibo I've seen out in the wild since winter has been a toon link.

 

[Shiggy]

No, legally, you are not. You're purchasing a license to play what the developer wants you to.

No. I'm purchasing a license to access the content on the disc. It would be illegal to alter the program code but it's not illegal to use the software in unintended ways or access all data in ways that weren't intended.

Obviously depends on the legislation.

 

[7DollarHagane]

Back before console makers had digital stores this was the popular justification people used to download roms. I've heard this reasoning time and time again from friends who packed their hard drives with roms.

I think it's still a totally valid use case for emulators and roms when there is no legal means to pay the copyright holder or creator for the content.

How am I going to pay technos Japan to play shadow force, an obscure arcade only beat em up from 93?

 

[KratosEnergyDrink]

"Piracy is okay when you don't like the way something is sold" is the message I am getting in here.

It's very weird how some people here try to justify pirating.

If some people don't want to pay developers and producers for their work because they can get it for "free" they should do that. But the attempts to justify this unethical behaviour are pathetic.

 

[border]

Anti-consumer has to be people's favorite word that they often misuse.

At this point, "anti-consumer" basically just means "a big company did something I don't like".

 

[7DollarHagane]

It's very weird how some people here try to justify pirating.

If some people don't want to pay developers and producers for their work because they can get it for "free" they should do that. But the attempts to justify this unethical behaviour are pathetic.

If only 200 copies of a book were produced in 1975 by a publisher that went out of business in 1983, leaving the rights in limbo and you needed or wanted information from that book would reading it online be unethical?

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

Why is the title in all caps? Is this the end of gaming as we know it?

I don't think most Amiibo owners use the Amiibo for functionality anyway so I doubt this really affects anyone. Amiibos have shitty functionality. But they're Nintendo figures.

 

[EloquentM]

Mario maker.

Except you can unlock every skin.

 

[PreyingShark]

It's nowhere near as bad as it was half a year ago. In the past month, I've seen 95% of the Smash Amiibos in-store, and the couple I haven't seen have been spotted by many others.

When you have nearly 70 figures in sale, it's always difficult to find some of them, and it's no better for Skylanders.

The only ones I've yet to see in shops are the knitted Yoshis, but it seems most of the stock for my country has been destroyed by a fire :/

Where do you live? I'm genuinely curious. Where I live, here's what you can actually find in a store:

Mario
Luigi
Bowser
Peach
Yoshi
Pikachu
Zelda
Pac-Man
Sonic
Link
Diddy Kong

And that's pretty much it. And the latter 4 will often require some driving around. You can get a few more for MSRP off, say, Amazon, but here it was better half a year ago because in addition to all the above (minus Pac-Man of course) you could also find things like Kirby, Toon Link, Donkey Kong, and Sheik.

 

[duckroll]

That logic would apply to all DLC/Expansions.

EDIT: Hell you could argue pirating console games is cool because you still have to buy the hardware using that logic.

Isn't the reverse actually more accurate in this case? Lots of people use emulators to play PS1, PS2, and Wii games. As long as the games aren't pirated, no one makes any fuss. The hardware is still being emulated and the BIOS is technically "copyright infringement". Kinda the same thing here. It's pretty shady, but it's not hard to see why people don't really equate Amiibos to DLC/expansions, or other forms of software purchases. The main value of an Amiibo for most is clearly the physical collectible toy.

 

[border]

I don't think most Amiibo owners use the Amiibo for functionality anyway so I doubt this really affects anyone. Amiibos have shitty functionality. But they're Nintendo figures.

I think that's the really crappy part about this Amiibo nonsense. The figures would sell just as well without the trivial game content unlocks, but Nintendo insists on having the dumb paywall in place.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Anti-consumer has to be people's favorite word that they often misuse.

I stubbed my toe on the coffee table, IKEA is mad anti-consumer

 

[Oregano]

Isn't the reverse actually more accurate in this case? Lots of people use emulators to play PS1, PS2, and Wii games. As long as the games aren't pirated, no one makes any fuss. The hardware is still being emulated and the BIOS is technically "copyright infringement". Kinda the same thing here. It's pretty shady, but it's not hard to see why people don't really equate Amiibos to DLC/expansions, or other forms of software purchases. The main value of an Amiibo for most is clearly the physical collectible toy.

True but that comparison would only really make sense if you could buy the software key separately(which would be a good idea). If you were to emulate something like the free Mii Plaza games from the 3DS that would be piracy by virtue of those only being available with the purchase of the hardware.

 

[KratosEnergyDrink]

It's very weird how some people here try to justify pirating.

If some people don't want to pay developers and producers for their work because they can get it for "free" they should do that. But the attempts to justify this unethical behaviour are pathetic

If only 200 copies of a book were produced in 1975 by a publisher that went out of business in 1983, leaving the rights in limbo and you needed or wanted information from that book would reading it online be unethical?

Oh my... this thread is about games and figurines from 2014/15 not books from 1975.

 

[Hugstable]

People use the features? haha I get amiibo cause I like the characters and they look cool chilling on top of my PC and PS4

 

[duckroll]

True but that comparison would only really make sense if you could buy the software key separately(which would be a good idea). If you were to emulate something like the free Mii Plaza games from the 3DS that would be piracy by virtue of those only being available with the purchase of the hardware.

My point isn't about what is or isn't "piracy" but why it makes sense that many consumers don't view it that way.

 

[Velcro Fly]

Oh my... this thread is about games and figurines from 2014/15 not books from 1975.

People think if you can't readily get something for MSRP whenever they want, it's ok to do whatever you want to get that item. Sometimes the mental gymnastics are amazing.

Bottom line is this Nintendo characters and they unlock things in Nintendo games. It's the Nintendo brand that is selling.

 

[rrs]

It's nowhere near as bad as it was half a year ago. In the past month, I've seen 95% of the Smash Amiibos in-store, and the couple I haven't seen have been spotted by many others.

When you have nearly 70 figures in sale, it's always difficult to find some of them, and it's no better for Skylanders.

The only ones I've yet to see in shops are the knitted Yoshis, but it seems most of the stock for my country has been destroyed by a fire :/

I went to a nearby target and most of the not common ones are just gone, like Nintendo still underestimates the market or I went at a bad time

Most of the people in this topic are unlikely wanting to pay 13 dollars to legitimately own these figures I would imagine. Scalper pricing is not likely the fuel for this.

Could also be why

 

[pinkurocket]

My wife got really into Splatoon and was disappointed when I told her she couldn't order some of the gear because it was Amiibo exclusive.

This thing isn't going to do much for her, but yes, some people would like to have the benefits without buying a $13 toy.

Yea but that's the thing though. The stuff Amiibo unlock are neat, but not that interesting that it really impacts your enjoyment of the game if you don't have the amiibo functionality. Like what, would you play $1 instead to unlock the Amiibo DLC? It's not even worth that.

The only dubious Amiibo implementation so far has been Mario Party 10 in my opinion, but that entire game is wack and I blame the developer Nd Cube for that. They were just uninspired with that game and shoehorned in the most forced Amiibo functionality.

Using a hack to unlock stuff would be stupid and really borderline pirating for that 3DS Animal Crossing NFC card game. Even moreso once that F2P Wii U Animal Crossing hits.

 

[7DollarHagane]

Oh my... this thread is about games and figurines from 2014/15 not books from 1975.

I'm not any more capable of buying a little Mac or pit at retail than I am some out of print book from 40 years ago.

 

[Peltz]

I think he's making a moral argument rather than a legal one. I mean, the chances of getting sued for low level copywrite violation are so low that that's the only relevant question really.

I honestly think he's making a decent legal argument rather than a moral one. Sure, a consumer won't get sued, but the amiiqo's manufacturer may need to lawyer up if this device gets popular.

 

[Oregano]

My point isn't about what is or isn't "piracy" but why it makes sense that many consumers don't view it that way.

Yeah, fair enough.

 

[cyba89]

If only 200 copies of a book were produced in 1975 by a publisher that went out of business in 1983, leaving the rights in limbo and you needed or wanted information from that book would reading it online be unethical?

Wow, this thread got weird really fast.

People really bending here to somehow justify piracy.

 

[ViolentP]

I support this. A fool and his money are easily parted, but maybe sometimes they can be forced to hold on.

 

[Booker.DeWitt]

nintendo can't control everything. If that was the case, we would not have R4 and other nintendo DS pirate devices

 

[border]

Nintendo comments!

http://www.polygon.com/2015/8/18/9171719/amiibo-store-device-amiiqo-wii-u

Update: Made aware of amiiqo, Nintendo gave this statement to Polygon:

"Nintendo actively monitors threats to its product security and the unauthorized use of its intellectual property. Nintendo will vigorously enforce its intellectual property rights and will work to protect its greatest assets, its beloved characters and products."

 

[chrisPjelly]

I'm actually kind of fine with this. Locked content is always a no-no, and the only people that should stress out about supply constraints are people who are hardcore collectors. No should be forever screwed in the case of no availability

 

[Gucci Messiah]

Wow, this thread got weird really fast.

People really bending here to somehow justify piracy.

In what way is that weird? The point that poster was obviously making is that many amiibo are impossible to find at retail in the US forcing you go online and pay a ridiculously inflated price to some 3rd party scalper. If Nintendo refuses to meet demand or provide other means to get the content, what other option is there? That is the issue at hand here, it's not as simple as people being too cheap to give Nintendo money for a product so they steal it. Piracy is bad but at what point does the manufacturer take some blame for not making the content available for purchase? That's the question I wrestle with.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Wait, people buy the amiibo for the locked on content!?

 

[Alfredo]

Now I can make my own custom high quality Amiibos instead of the cheap crappy figures that Amiibo actually are. And by that, I mean buying stuff like Figmas and Nendoroids and gluing them to whatever this Amiiqo thing is.

 

[qko]

Anti-consumer has to be people's favorite word that they often misuse.

I don't like this thing, but it sells like gangbusters and is influencing the things I do like... Such Anti-consumer.

 

[sixteen-bit]

lol, the stand-in figs are clip art tier

 

[fernoca]

Now I can make my own custom high quality Amiibos instead of the cheap crappy figures that Amiibo actually are. And by that, I mean buying stuff like Figmas and Nendoroids and gluing them to whatever this Amiiqo thing is.

Don't glue them though.
The amiiqo costs around $70, and since you can store multiple data on it, you'll be better by just putting a Figma close by and pretend is an amiibo.

 

[Ivan Amiibo]

bu bu bu it's technically piracy i hope ninty steps in

jk

 

[Fdkn]

Anti-consumer has to be people's favorite word that they often misuse.

I don't know, there was some sort of consensus about on-disc dlc being anticonsumer.

Maybe that has changed now that they ask you for an overpriced toy instead of some small fee

 

[Alfredo]

Don't glue them though.
The amiiqo costs around $70, and since you can store multiple data on it, you'll be better by just putting a Figma close by and pretend is an amiibo.

Glue the figures onto stands and velcro then.

 

[.hacked]

if I had a wii u id get one. Dont want the toys just skins in games and stuff.

 

[openrob]

I think most people are more interested in the figurines than the trifling bullshit they unlock.

Yeah, this

 

[Orbis Tabula]

I really want some Amiibo content but don't feel like buying Amiibo. Especially with how much of a hassle it can be. This is so tempting. But, in the end, I'm not all about that piracy, so I'll just have to go without all that cool Amiibo content. THANKS NINTENDO.

 

[cyba89]

In what way is that weird? The point that poster was obviously making is that many amiibo are impossible to find at retail in the US forcing you go online and pay a ridiculously inflated price to some 3rd party scalper. If Nintendo refuses to meet demand or provide other means to get the content, what other option is there? That is the issue at hand here, it's not as simple as people being too cheap to give Nintendo money for a product so they steal it. Piracy is bad but at what point does the manufacturer take some blame for not making the content available for purchase? That's the question I wrestle with.

I understand the problem, but this book-comparison he makes is really reaching. Amiibo rights are in limbo now?

But I'm in Germany where almost every Amiibo is readily available so what do I know.

 

[Gaiaknight]

Wait, people buy the amiibo for the locked on content!?

yep its the reason i started collecting had these not unlocked content i would have never bought them as i have never been the kind of person to collect figures.

 

[CSX]

If only Nintendo just made the DLC part of ammibos standalone purchases...

 

[PSqueak]

Thsi could be useful for loading all your amiibos and unlocking things with just one stand, specially if you want your amiibos for the collectable angle rather than funcionality, collectors who are also avid gamers will love using their amiibos without getting their figurines off their shelves.

 

[NeonBlack]

If only 200 copies of a book were produced in 1975 by a publisher that went out of business in 1983, leaving the rights in limbo and you needed or wanted information from that book would reading it online be unethical?

We're talking about hard to find and barely supplied amiibos here. There was no reason for you to make a fake example.

Plus its pretty cray-cray

 

[Gaiaknight]

Also nintendo will have this shut down so fast just like activision shut down people that tried to do the same thing with skylanders.

 

[ThatsMytrunks]

I've got a pretty complete collection of amiibos but I don't want to open them. If this thing isn't too pricey, I could see it being useful for me.

 

[PaulExcellent]

Can I load only the Amiibo I use/have?
If so, I want one to keep mine in packages.