Nintendo's lead designer Shigeru Miyamoto expresses his thoughts on online play.
In an interview with Edge, Shigeru Miyamoto commented on Nintendo's current online model. He expressed that Nintendo needs to decide whether to keep their online services free or to implement an online subscription mode.
“Probably the other thing that we are desperate to realise is the core [online] business structure, do we need to demand customers pay monthly fees to enjoy online activities? Or give an online subscription that is free of charge, but then offer something extra for people that pay, so that they get some extra value? With these core business strategies I think we are less active than we should be.”
Regardless of his thoughts on the current online model, Shigeru Miyamoto stated that,
“It is true, though, that Nintendo hasn’t been very proactive in developing such online activities as an MMOG. But when it comes to our endeavours that try to take advantage of internet technology, where we can provide our customers with more fun and entertainment, then I think we can say we have been very, very proactive and well-received. And that attitude won’t be changed at all in the future.”