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Nintendo's two week digital download exclusivity for Wind Waker is an insulting bribe

T

Tiktaalik

Member
For those unaware, Nintendo released the Wind Waker remake on the Wii U eShop on September 20th but the brick and mortar release date is set for October 4th.

I recognize that Nintendo is eager to increase user adoption of its digital download services, but they should do this by increasing the quality of the digital download service and value proposition not by withholding product from the consumer's who aren't yet on board.

I've refrained from significantly engaging in Nintendo's eShop service because I'm not comfortable with spending money on a platform without the sort of unified account system scheme that every other digital download platform has adopted. Furthermore Nintendo's eShop differs from other platforms in not offering significant day one discounts, despite there being dramatically less costs from the physical product.

If Nintendo wants gamers like me to flock to the eShop they should fix these core issues and make their product better. Unfortunately Nintendo is not making their product better and they've chosen to try to bribe me into using a poor service by offering me a product two weeks early. I'm insulted that I've been relegated to a second class of customer just because I don't yet feel their online service has better value than in store purchase.

Edit:

To be more clear. I don't mind the concept of digital downloads coming earlier than physical releases in general. I love Steam for example. My issue is that I think the eShop has a lot of core problems that need to be addressed before buying an eShop game is as good of a value proposition as buying a retail release. Nintendo should be addressing that core problem before offering additional eShop incentives.
 
Or maybe it's also because the game is finished but the discs haven't finished printing/shipping.

I don't know for sure, but I think a couple weeks isn't going to kill you.
 
I like the idea of buying digital/digital first, retail later. More incentive for Wii-U owners to connect their Wii-Us online and use the online features.

But I get where you're coming from.
 
Nintendo probably sees that the numbers aren't very good, so it's giving this tactic a shot to boost user participation with the marketplace. What else can Nintendo do at this point? It's probably not feasible to add a proper user account system to the Wii U.
 
Based on what hints and such we've seen dropped by BOARD INSIDERS, what could sales really be on eShop? 20k? Paging John Harker
 
I don't see a reason games shouldn't just go up when they go gold, especially in scenarios where Wii U shelf space at retail probably isn't exactly expanding.

Though I think TW101 would be a better candidate for this initiative than Wind Waker.
 
Oh quit moaning.

At least you can fucking play it. We here in the UK have to wait another two weeks.

You've been given essentially a way to get it two weeks earlier than everyone else. How is that not a good thing?
 
This is basically a more extreme version of the digital preinstall.

I for one as a digital first guy love it.
 
Good post, good way of looking at it which I didn't see. Totally agree with you, their online services should be the focus of their efforts, next to that developing games/getting 3rd parties on board.
...Its more insulting they didn't do it over in the UK though... ;)
Nah, even if they did, its still £50 apparently, which is insane, it shouldn't even be £40, yet it is online atm sadly.
 
Silky said:
I like the idea of buying digital/digital first, retail later. More incentive for Wii-U owners to connect their Wii-Us online and use the online features.

But I get where you're coming from.
Click to expand...

I always buy my games physical and yet I'm still okay with these early digital releases. Having to wait a bit is not a big deal for me.
 
Seems like a viable strategy to me. I've actually wondered before why more companies don't do this since the game is finished long before it is put on disc shipped to stores and put up for sale.
 
Why hold back digital release between the time a game goes Gold and when it arrives at retailers?

GTA V went gold on the 25th of August. It should have been available digitally the next day.
 
The game was always scheduled for early October. It takes time to print and ship discs. This way people have an option of playing it closer to the time they actually finished making the game. I see nothing wrong with that.
 
I feel like this is how it should be. If the game is ready and able to be downloaded, don't drag the release date down for manufacturing times.

Your issues with Nintendo's eShop service are entirely valid, mind you. But this is a trend I want more publishers to get with.
 
Ala Alba said:
Or maybe it's also because the game is finished but the discs haven't finished printing/shipping.

I don't know for sure, but I think a couple weeks isn't going to kill you.
Click to expand...

Or maybe it's because Nintendo doesn't want to pay retailers any money. I think it's pretty shitty myself. It should be released digital and physical at the same time, like all retail games on PS4/Xbone will be.

Confidence Man said:
Are digital games still tied to the console?
Click to expand...

Essentially yes.

Jaded Alyx said:
OP, is this you by any chance?
Click to expand...

That's even worse than discrediting someone via their avatar...
 
Haven't they sort of increased the value proposition of the digital version temporaily with the early access?
 
If the game is ready to be released, why hold it back for the physical release just to be fair? It's not like this is an online multiplayer game where getting it sooner gives you an advantage.

Assuming they didn't hold the physical release back just for the digital exclusivity, you're getting the game at the same time either way, but this way you're getting the option to buy it digitally sooner.

entrement said:
2 weeks ain't that bad. I just hate the Wii U Bundle is a downloaded version :(
Click to expand...

Isn't the MSRP the same price as the regular deluxe WiiU? Making the game literally free? Much as I dislike download pack-ins myself, if it's free..
 
I think it is a fine tactic. I am not buying it digitally and will not switch to digital for my purchases, but think this is a good way to up the value of digital to people.
 
It really drives me crazy.

I'm in an awkward position as a consumer.

I love things Zelda. I bought a WWHD Wii U yesterday. But I want a physical copy, I don't want a shitty digital copy on Nintendo's shitty digital service. So I'm tempted to also buy a physical copy (because I wanted that Ganon figure too but now I learned that they're all gone).

Ugh.

Danthrax said:
Nintendo probably sees that the numbers aren't very good, so it's giving this tactic a shot to boost user participation with the marketplace. What else can Nintendo do at this point? It's probably not feasible to add a proper user account system to the Wii U.
Click to expand...

I just don't understand why Nintendo wasn't smart enough to make a decent online system when this console was their second chance to do so. It's the most bewildering ignorance of industry standards I've ever seen.
 
I see no issue with releasing the digital version early of a game that has no multiplayer mechanic that would give players a headstart. Since this is a single player adventure, I see nothing wrong with launching it before it makes it to stores. It's nice for those who were planning on downloading it anyways. Hell, I hope this encourages Microsoft and Sony to do the same because I plan on going full digital and if the digital version is available a week or 2 before the physical copy, then I'm in.
 
Dragon said:
Or maybe it's because Nintendo doesn't want to pay retailers any money. I think it's pretty shitty myself. It should be released digital and physical at the same time, like all retail games on PS4/Xbone will be.
Click to expand...

This is the only time they have ever done this. All games are released digitally the same day as the retail versions.

(except Activision games, which aren't on the eShop)
 
The Lamp said:
It really drives me crazy.

I'm in an awkward position as a consumer.

I love things Zelda. I bought a WWHD Wii U yesterday. But I want a physical copy, I don't want a shitty digital copy on Nintendo's shitty digital service. So I'm tempted to also buy a physical copy (because I wanted that Ganon figure too but now I learned that they're all gone).

Ugh.
Click to expand...

Then sell the code
 
noquarter said:
I think it is a fine tactic. I am not buying it digitally and will not switch to digital for my purchases, but think this is a good way to up the value of digital to people.
Click to expand...

Does Nintendo give discounts for buying digitally vs. physically?

Jaded Alyx said:
This is the only time they have ever done this. All games are released digitally the same day as the retail versions.

(except Activision games, which aren't on the eShop)
Click to expand...

So why are they doing this then?
 
ShockingAlberto said:
I don't see a reason games shouldn't just go up when they go gold, especially in scenarios where Wii U shelf space at retail probably isn't exactly expanding.

Though I think TW101 would be a better candidate for this initiative than Wind Waker.
Click to expand...
Problem here is they are VASTLY more expensive in digital form so the incentive is pretty much non-existent for me. I buy games at retail typically at 2/3 of the cost of Nintendo's digital price.

Also, many gamers like to play when their friends do and share the excitement and hype. If you don't get a game until 2 weeks later it can diminish the experience. I just think it's not good form in general.
 
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