Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/06/28/nintendo_readies_wii_programming_tool/
Nintendo is to follow Microsoft's lead and offer a downloadable games programming package for its latest games console.
The software is called WiiWare. Like the XNA Game Studio that Microsoft released in December 2006 (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/12/ms_ships_xna_xbox_coding_kit/) for Xbox 360 and Windows game programming, WiiWare is aimed at amateur coders, though the company admitted it may not be for people who've never done any programming before.
Both programming tools allow users to create small games which they can then post online and allow other gamers to download and try. Whether coders will be able to charge money for their efforts, and what cut, if any, Nintendo will take, isn't clear at this stage.
WiiWare itself will cost Wii Points to download once it's posted in the console's Wii Shop Channel. It's not clear when the software will be made available: Nintendo said: "The first WiiWare content will launch in early 2008," but that appears to mean games rather than the coding software itself. If Nintendo means WiiWare istelf, that's a long wait.
Nintendo leads DS gamers up the garden path (4 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/04/nintendo_ds_chibi_robo/
MS announces revamped Xbox 360 coding kit (14 August 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/14/ms_announces_xna_2/
Wii sales top 3m in Japan (20 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/20/wii_tops_3m_in_japan/
Nintendo yanks Mario Party 8 - offensive language to blame? (17 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/17/nintendo_mario_party_8/
Nintendo to let Wii gamers go for their guns (12 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/12/nintendo_wii_gun/
Intel schemes to confound online gaming cheats (6 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/06/intel_fogs_cheats/
Nintendo launches face training game (6 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/06/nintendo_face_game/
How hot is your Xbox 360? (4 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/04/xbox360_temp_case/
Six Wiis sold for every PS3 purchased in Japan (3 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/03/wii_sales_outstrip_ps3/
Wii gets wee add-on screen (22 June 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/06/22/wii_clipon_screen/
Manhunt 2 shut out by Sony and Nintendo (22 June 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/06/22/sony_nintendo_manhunt_2/
US PS3 sales hold up as Wii, Xbox 360 numbers dip (15 June 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/06/15/us_may_console_sales/
Nintendo pledges to pour out more Wiis (27 April 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/04/27/nintendo_to_boost_wii_production/
MS ships 'free' Xbox 360 coding kit for amateurs (12 December 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/12/ms_ships_xna_xbox_coding_kit/
MS to offer Xbox 360 programming tool for amateurs (14 August 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/08/14/ms_opens_xbox360_games_devt/