Wi-Fi Connection (WFC)

• Game publisher Nintendo’s first official entry in the world of online video gaming • Play against close friends or random players around the world over IEEE 802.11b • Series of public Wi-Fi hubs and residential wireless broadband connections provide access • Master servers maintained by Nintendo • Service architecture maintained by IGN Entertainment • For use with Nintendo DS and Nintendo Revolution game systems Why Study Nintendo WFC?

• Chance to explore a service from first public announcement to launch date and beyond • Familiar topics take on new features • Service has potential to reinvent online portable and console gaming • Potential for free service and accessible technology to expand gaming demographic • Firsthand experience and developer access •Nostalgia Service Types and Fees

• Three levels of service – Play against random players chosen by the system based on skill level or geographic location – Play against known friends through an approved “Friends List” – Download game content (new levels, new items, etc.) • Gameplay access is free for Nintendo-published titles; third-party publishers may charge a fee • Downloadable content to be available for a fee • Aims for transparent access; most users need not configure Nintendo DS manually by default WFC-enabled Titles

• Nintendo DS – Kart DS (Now) – Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land (Now) – Animal Crossing: Wild World (December 2005) – Metroid Prime Hunters (March 2006) • Nintendo Revolution – Super Smash Bros. 3 (working title; TBD 2006) – Nintendo “” offers downloads of classic titles dated 1985-2000 (2006) DS Connections For Everyone

• Automatic configuration • Manual configuration –SSID – WEP key – IP address – Subnet mask –Gateway – Auto-obtain DNS – Primary and Secondary DNS • Wi-Fi Connector • Wayport wireless hotspot Connections For Everyone Nintendo Wi-Fi Connector

• Allows Nintendo DS to access wired broadband connections • Includes software and driver for Windows XP • $35 price tag encourages adoption • Available direct from Nintendo’s online store initially • Available at retail in March 2006 • DS needs no manual configuration when using the connector. • Connector software allows users to set permissions on a per-NDS basis. • Software upgradeable for Nintendo Revolution use in 2006. Let’s Go For A Race

• Select WFC option • Confirm WFC connection • Choose race type • Pause for the system to gather up to three other players • Select character and kart • Vote on racetrack •Race! Customize and Personalize

• Player names appear during play • Unique custom emblems add personality • Emblems appear on karts and next to player names during play Organize Friends

• 12-digit Friend Codes are generated by the WFC system • Swap codes with friends and input those codes into NDS • Race against friends on WFC • Some limitations Nintendo WFC Hub

• Web hub for WFC information and statistics • Track personal game progress and records • System stats available via XML • Possibility of user-made system tray tools and toolbar widgets • NintendoWiFi.com Room To Improve

• Only 20 of Mario Kart DS’s 32 tracks are available on WFC • Battle Mode unavailable on WFC • Races limited to 4 players on WFC • Communication between players not possible on WFC • Sore losers drop connection during play to avoid score penalties Room To Grow

• 52,000 (42%) of Mario Kart DS owners played on WFC in the first week of release. • Nintendo aims to increase this number to 90% by the end of January 2006.