Nintendo's detailed new NFC technology set to be incorporated into the Wii U's controller.
The new tech will also, in theory, allow the Wii U to pay for purchases via compatible bank and credit cards.
"By installing this functionality, it will become possible to create cards and figurines that can electronically read and write data via noncontact NFC and to expand the new play format in the video game world," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told investors.
"Adoption of this functionality will enable various other possibilities such as using it as a means of making micropayments."
In the same investors meeting Nintendo announced its Nintendo Network service and confirmed a new 2D Mario game for release before March 31, 2013.
Comments
13 comments so far...
KillerKing on 27 Jan '12 said:
the wii u controller: it does everything. literally, we've installed a sandwich toaster into it.
spunwicked on 27 Jan '12 said:
Is nobody else suspicious of the mention of micropayments?
kirankara on 27 Jan '12 said:
Can someone please explain what the heck this article meant?
Asinine on 27 Jan '12 said:
Sounds to me that they are incorporating a NFC reader into the controller so that you can pay for stuff without having to buy tokens, vouchers or type your credit card details into a website.
Just swipe your NFC enabled credit card or mobile phone (when either eventually get here) and you can (get raped/pay) for as many transactions as you like.
kirankara on 27 Jan '12 said:
Sounds gloriously pointless.., with only reason I can think of for that being that maybe Japanese aren't keen on inputting details onto a network, so they see this as way around it . Maybe some reaction to psn issues too???
What was the bit about activision and figures all about?
me4pd on 27 Jan '12 said:
I.... what...... why.........for............... but.............. surely.....................................
???
Asinine on 27 Jan '12 said:
Not sure, but it sounds a little like being able to unlock digital tat if you've bought real world NFC enabled tat.
Possibly also with the option a little like Neoreader and other visual cards that Sony and Nintendo already use for some DS, 3DS and PS Eye titles so that you can interact with crap in the real world?
Skyly on 27 Jan '12 said:
NFC is indeed popular in japan, where you input your card details into your phone & can pay for train tickets etc. just by swiping your mobile near (like an oyster card).
It CAN do so much more, it depends on how inventive people are, the next Sony phone comes with NFC tags that you can customise, so when you swipe it changes your phones profile & starts/ends apps etc.
Interested in seeing how games-makers use it, could be inventive.
Oh, & I think the London Olympics will have NFC points, remember reading somewhere...
corkscru74 on 27 Jan '12 said:
Skylanders is a Spyro "game" where you buy additional figurines that, once placed on a little pad, are able to communicate with the game e.g. You buy a brawler action figure and this unlocks a brawler character in the game.
It all looks like a glorious way to rinse parents of their hard-earned money
billysastard on 27 Jan '12 said:
at least no one would have your cc details to hack using this system and can you imagine the sales potential of a pokemon game that used skylanders style toys where its used the nfc on the controller to allow you to select which pokemon you put into battle?
rip_it_up on 27 Jan '12 said:
One example of nfc is you could touch your nfc mobile to the nfc wii-u controller and have your music etc copied to the wii-u via bluetooth without having to pair devices.
also contactless payments is cool, ill rob my mates debit cards! haha
Balladeer on 27 Jan '12 said:
This is what worries me. It looks like a brilliant way to pour all sorts of microtransactions into games.
shogunreaper on 28 Jan '12 said:
Seems like the only ones who benefit from this are developers who want to milk their fans dry.