Nintendo Launches WiiWare Channel

Game developers will be able to distribute their games through the Wii's online marketplace, making room for smaller companies to get in on the action.

Nintendo is attempting to reach out to smaller game developers and simultaneously build available content for the Wii by launching WiiWare, an online channel for distributing games without the barriers involved with traditional publishing. Although the unusable channel has been visible to Wii gamers for some time, Nintendo officially announced their intentions for WiiWare Tuesday morning.

“Independent developers armed with small budgets and big ideas will be able to get their original games into the marketplace to see if we can find the next smash hit,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime, in a statement. “WiiWare brings new levels of creativity and value to the ever-growing population of Wii owners.”

WiiWare will use the existing Wii Shop Channel, allowing gamers to download games using Wii Points that can be paid for with a credit card. The pricing plan will be flexible, so developers may scale the cost of their games appropriately. According to Nintendo, gamers can expect the first WiiWare titles to be available in early 2008.