Wii U forgoes online subscription, Miiverse will be free to all users

Published Jun 29 2012, 11:17 BST  |  By Liam Martin

Nintendo will not charge users a subscription fee to access the Wii U's online features.

Speaking to shareholders, Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata said that paid membership was not the best approach for the Miiverse, reports Andriasang.



Though not opposed to a paid model, the Nintendo CEO said that the Miiverse would benefit from complete user interaction, which would drive hardware and software sales.

Iwata also revealed the firm's strategy for increasing third-party support. In addition to sharing platform information from an early stage, Nintendo has held Wii U seminars and dispatched employees to other companies.

Finally, he said that there are no plans for additional 3DS models beyond the recently announced XL.

Nintendo's Miiverse online platform was announced prior to the E3 Gaming Expo.

It features a Twitter-like messaging system, which will allow all Wii users to communicate and share game tips.

The Wii U home screen, meanwhile, acts as a social hub, showing the activities and locations of friendly Miis.

The Wii U is scheduled to launch later this year. Reports have linked it with a November or December release.

Watch Digital Spy's Wii U hands on video below: