[Tetlee]

Not sure how much solid information there is regarding the Euro & US WiiWare channel just yet, but will try to compile a FAQ on what we know so far.


1. What is WiiWare?
WiiWare is the soon to be released service for offering original titles of a small file size, low priced games, downloadable in a similar vein to the current Virtual Console titles in the shop channel. Think of it as the Wii equivalent to Xbox Live Arcade or the Playstation Network.

2. When will these WiiWare games be available to download?
Already released in Japan, as far as I'm aware no solid UK release date has been announced as yet. For NTSC console owners, WiiWare has been confirmed for US release on May 12th 2008.

3. Where will these games be found?
Once the service has launched they should be found within the Wii console shop channel(in a different section from the Virtual Console titles).

3. Where will these games be stored once downloaded, will I need an additional hard drive?
The games will be downloaded to the Wii system memory, as yet there has been no announcement of an external hard drive for the Wii console. Of course the file size of these games should be very small so the average person should have space for a good few games within the system memory.

4. How will I pay for these downloads?
The same way you pay for your Virtual Console titles, Wii Points, purchased either through registered credit card or from buying Wii Points cards available from numerous high-street shops and online stores.

5. What will be the points price of the WiiWare games?
No prices have yet been confirmed as far as I'm aware, however Nintendo have stated that it would be for the developers to set the prices for their own games rather than Nintendo themselves, so I guess we should see a wide range of pricing(hopefully encouraging competitiveness). The US launch day release of Defend Your Castle has been priced at 500 points.

6. What will be the maximum file size for the WiiWare games?
Again, I don't think Nintendo have confirmed a file size limit for WiiWare titles. With the lack of any Wii hard drive support I imagine the file limit for these games will be quite small, will update here if & when more information becomes available on this.

7. Will there be downloadable playable demo's as with XBLA & PSN games?
Sadly no, at least there hasn't been any mention of this from Nintendo so far, looks like we'll just have to read about the games carefully before clicking to download.

Which control schemes will be supported?
I think this will be vary and be down to the individual game developers, apparently the WiiWare remake of Dr. Mario will support four control schemes.

8. Any of these games playable online?
Yes, obviously this will depend upon the titles, not all will contain online mutlplayer but some will(including the WiiWare remake of Dr. Mario).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

ok, that's all I can think of for now, this FAQ will continue to be updated as more information becomes available, feel free to suggest any information you feel should be added, if appropriate I will add it to the list