Anyone Can Make a Wii Game

If you have ever fancied yourself as a computer games creator you will now have the chance. Hit games console, Nintendo's Wii, has made a tool set available that allows yet undiscovered game making gurus to create games for the Wii, reports the BBC.

The special tool kit released by Nintendo for its Wii games console provides all of the necessary data that would allow a game creator to write a game for the console. The information includes what needs to be done for the game to work with the Wii's revolutionary controller.

Finished games will be put on the Wii's Internet shop facility where any Wii user will be able choose and download the games of their choice.

In a statement by Nintendo the first public games created for the Wii should be online and available for download sometime in the beginning of next year. A spokeswoman from Nintendo talked about the game creation tool kit. She said, that the tool kit was aimed at those that had at least a basic knowledge of game creation and programming.

Nintendo of America stated that, "Independent developers armed with small budgets and big ideas will be able to get their original games into the marketplace to see if we can find the next smash hit." (Washington Post)

The new tool kit now being offered is called WiiWare. Not all games will be made available through the Wii shop. Each game will first have to pass quality testing by Nintendo. Once the game passes it will be made available for download on the Wii Shop.

The games will also not be free for download. Each game will cost a number of Wii points. Wii owners wishing to buy a game must first purchase points. They can then use the points to buy what they want from the Wii shop.

Nintendo are not the first gaming company to open up its console to one-man game making operations. Popular Xbox makers, Microsoft released a tool kit called XNA that allows enthusiasts to create games for the Xbox.

By allowing small games developers create games for their consoles Nintendo and Microsoft are allowing a wider variety of games to enter the market that otherwise would not of been available due to a small audience. Because of the cost involved for big games companies to develop games, the games they develop tend to be appealing to a wide user group. This new opportunity will cater to niche audiences looking for innovative, unusual and creative games that are different from the common options.

Sources

Washington Post report about Wii tool kit
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/27/AR2007062701454.html

BBC report about Wii game kit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6248780.stm