Awesome new channel. Will use.
JonathanEx said:
It does reflect how split the regions of Nintendo are: Microsoft and Sony have differences between regions, but they at least try and unify their online experiences.
Actually, this is incorrect. Trying to unify their online experiences causes them and their users uncertainty and frustration.
I spend the majority of my time living in Japan, and yet often spend time in the UK. Having a games system which still thinks it's in Japan even if it's not is one of the greatest gifts Nintendo have given this gen.
My DSi will always access the J-store. My Wii will always access the J-store. Anything I can get inside Japan, I can get outside. Even Karaoke Joysound Wii subscriptions. No licensing worries. I pay in Japan, and I download from Japan.
My 360? Not so much. 'This content can't be downloaded from your current location' is the bane of my LIVE existence. As for PS3, my Euro account allowed me to download Towers of Topoq, but for no apparent reason it just doesn't work on my Japanese PS3.
So, having a system which is always, 100% tied to its region of origin has many strong plus points. The blurred lines of the region-free machines, which still need to manage different content licenses etc, make for a much less pleasing or predictable consumer experience.
JonathanEx said:
But at the same time, it's got to be a minuscule percentage who actually regularly use the news and weather channels.
Though I'm not disputing it's got to be a small percentage, I think you'd be surprised of the number. Even a small percentage of 40 million+ is pretty good going.
I mean, it's got to be appealing to some, because Life With PlayStation.