OK, so maybe Nintendo isn’t being totally arrogant when it comes to embracing the need for online gameplay, though it is easy to jump to that conclusion. With only Elebits and the upcoming Pokemon Battle Revolution featuring any sort of online connectivity, it certainly feels as if Nintendo needs to shift gears and adopt a new solution to sooth gamers’ collective online woes. That solution, it would seem, is GameSpy.
Officials from GameSpy announced today that it will provide multiplayer technology to game publishers developing titles for the Wii. As part of an ongoing partnership with Nintendo, GameSpy has developed middleware technology to enable Wii titles to offer community features, such as friend rosters, matchmaking capabilities and comprehensive rankings data. The aforementioned Pokemon Battle Revolution will leverage off of this technology.
Prior to this development agreement for Wii, GameSpy and Nintendo also partnered to offer wireless online options for owners of the Nintendo DS.
“This partnership will expand our wireless community of players on Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “Millions of Nintendo DS users have already logged on using GameSpy’s technology, and now Wii owners will be able to do the same in a fun and easy-to-use environment.”
