WiiWare Launches - Digital Downloads Growing Rapidly

Today, Nintendo’s new download service launches, with a bevy of titles launching with it. WiiWare is a download service, where smaller, and “indie” type games are available for Wii users to download. What some might see as just another service offered by Nintendo, this is yet another step towards the changes of how electronic media is distributed.

Why would you leave your house to purchase a product, if you could just as easy click a button and download it. iTunes has really ushered in this new era, when it was released back in 2003. Before iTunes, most media downloads were limited to illegal means by way of Napster and KaZaa. It’s kind of funny how something that started out as an illegal practice has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry.

With the release of WiiWare, it’s yet another step for video games to become part of this download phenomena. The difference between video games and other electronic media in terms of downloading, is file size. A full song or even a full-length movie are minscule in size compared to a standard major release video game. So, with video game download services, smaller and independently produced games are getting some limelight. WiiWare is no exception to this, as a majority of their WiiWare launch games are produced by companies with no more than 8-10 people on staff.

LostWinds - One Of The Anticipated Titles From WiiWare

It’s going to be interesting to see how buying practices change in the future. It’s possible although unlikely that download services could one day replace physical retail stores. I believe people will always need to fill that urge of leaving the house to physically purchase something. Also, customer service is a factor, especially when purchasing something with a limited knowledge of the product.