Nintendo Explains Its Decision To Charge For Online Services

But will their customers see it that way?

Posted By | On 13th, Apr. 2017

Nintendo became the last console manufacturer to also charge for online access on its systems when it announced that the online services for Switch would be gated behind a paywall earlier this year. And while since then, details have come to light that indicate that the service will ultimately be far cheaper than Xbox Live and PSN, there is still the overarching question of- why charge for these services at all?

In a recent interview with Famitsu, Nintendo’s managing executive officer, Shinya Takahashi explained that the company is charging for online to be able to deliver the kind of functionality that customers expect, and be able to maintain that functionality.

“We decided to charge for the service because we are concerned with customer satisfaction,” said Takahasi (translation via Gaming Respawn). “We’ll be maintaining the online service and providing new services that we haven’t had up until now, and there are costs associated with those.”

“We’d also like to maintain a stable playing experience and provide proper support. We are working to prepare all of the features until the service begins in the fall of 2017, and details on the service will be available at a later time.”

As of right now, it is unclear whether Nintendo can provide the kind of experience that one gets on Xbox Live or even PSN, especially with their decision to mandate a smartphone for most functionality- but given that it is cheaper than those two, I suppose customers might be willing to grant Nintendo more leeway in that regard.


Tagged With: ,

Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

Share Your Thoughts Below  (Always follow our comments policy!)



Keep On Reading!

The Last of Us Season 2 is Coming in Spring 2025, HBO Confirms

The Last of Us Season 2 is Coming in Spring 2025, HBO Confirms

The acclaimed adatation's second season was previously given a general 2025 release window, which HBO has now ...

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Will Support DLSS 3 and DLAA on PC

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Will Support DLSS 3 and DLAA on PC

PC players can expect the upcoming flight sim to launch with the full backing of Nvidia, for those who intend ...

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Will Launch with DLSS 3 Support on PC

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Will Launch with DLSS 3 Support on PC

The upcoming open world survival horror shooter will also support Nvidia Reflex for significant reductions in ...

Warcraft 3: Reforged Update 2.0 Brings Overhauled Visuals, Revamped UI, and More

Warcraft 3: Reforged Update 2.0 Brings Overhauled Visuals, Revamped UI, and More

The remaster now also allows players to swap between its multiple visual styles, which includes a new remaster...

Mortal Kombat 1 Trailer Showcases Brutal Ghostface Gameplay

Mortal Kombat 1 Trailer Showcases Brutal Ghostface Gameplay

Scream's Ghostface will join Mortal Kombat 1's roster of characters as guest DLC fighter later this month, on ...

Warcraft: Remastered and Warcraft 2: Remastered Announced, Out Now on PC

Warcraft: Remastered and Warcraft 2: Remastered Announced, Out Now on PC

Both remasters are available for $9.99 on Battle.net and include wide-screen support, updated artwork, and qua...