New Information on WiiWare File Size, Pricing

By Christopher Holzworth / Wednesday, 14 November 2007

Media outlet IGN shared new details regarding Nintendo's upcoming download service known as WiiWare. Users will be able to access WiiWare through the Wii Shop Channel and purchase original software titles beginning in early 2008.

Although Nintendo has not specified a price point for WiiWare titles, IGN stated that developers should be able to set the price of their own games freely. Previous reports noted that most downloaded games would not cost more than $10 USD or 1,000 Yen. Square Enix's first WiiWare title, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Little King and the Promised Country, is expected to carry a 1,200 Yen price point upon release next March.

Industry rumors claim that Nintendo will impose a maximum file size limit of 40MB per game. The company has recently gone on record, however, stating that while there will be no strict parameters set on file sizes, it strongly advocates smaller file sizes for the WiiWare games.

According to IGN's sources, Nintendo will offer WiiWare developers a 65:35 split on their game's profits - with Nintendo taking the lower share. The average budget for WiiWare development is expected to fall between 50,000 and 150,000 dollars, although most of them will apparently fall under 100,000 dollars.

Lastly, Nintendo has confirmed that developers will initially be limited to one game release per month. The reason for this, according to the company, is to address potential volume issues following the service's launch.

The IGN podcast report can be found here.

Stay tuned The Wiire Channel, also known as thewiire.com, as Nintendo sheds more light on WiiWare.