this is something we have not really touch upon... I wonder if Nintendo will want to charge for an online service like MS/Sony have
I know they like it free but they have never pushed their online as much as they say they plan to this time around so I will not get my hopes up on free when everyone is charging something
still if they have an app store that sells well hmmm so many things to think about for the new thread
I highly doubt they'll be charging for the standard online access (online play etc) but I do believe that they are open to subscription based accounts for 3rd party services (CoD Elite etc) on top of the normal access.
XBL might be good value in the US, but here in Austria, paying for what amounts to basic online play and some crappy ass movie rental service is just not cutting it for me anymore. I was willing to pay for Gold back when PSN was worthless and XBL really added features that are of value to me personally, but now? Party chat was the last real addition that was of any importance to me.
Personally I would have no problem with having a PSN+ style account for the WiiU. Make it optional, let basic access to online features be free, while offering a paid subscription for hardcore fans to get early access to demos, trailers, betas, exclusive wallpapers, Mii Hats, discounts, competitions etc.
I really hope Nintendo considers something like that.
As for apps, there could be a lot of stuff that comes to mind:
Organize U: Basic App that keeps track of what your friends are doing, their game history, scheduling for tournaments or raids etc... With plug ins for services like COD Elite or Battlelog, automated Facebook and Twitter postings etc.
Stats Tracker: An App that combines all the stats that are accumulated throughout your games in one place (Headshots, K/D ratio, KOs, Fatalities, Highest Damage taken in Smash Bros, Lives lost in Mario Universe, Fairies used in Zelda, Metroids humped with Samus etc) while having online leaderboards and easy comparisons to friends.
Call it achievements 2.0 as it would allow for a much more accurate e-peen measurement.
I just want Capcom and Platinum Games support. That's all I ask for. All the rest will be an added bonus for moi. Btw, I just saw the thread for probably another Marvel vs. Capcom 3 version so I'm guessing Capcom will milk that even on Wii U. That or Super Street Fighter x Tekken Wii U Edition.
I'm totally expecting Rayman Origins at Wii U's release lol. The last three Nintendo console/handheld releases got a Rayman game at launch.
It's going to be a Rayman 2 port.