Nintendo users now have access to the "Nintendo Account," an improved version of the familiar but somewhat lackluster Nintendo Network.
DeNA, the Japanese mobile gaming publisher, partnered with Nintendo to create the new account system. The purpose of the cooperation is to implement full online capabilities to Nintendo's devices, and to help users stay connected across platforms. The poor cross-platform integration has been Nintendo's bane for years and players have complained about it constantly. Nintendo's inertia might be a reason for it ranking last in console sales, lagging notably behind the PlayStation 4 from Sony or the Xbox One from Microsoft.
Ninendo had an investor meeting in Tokyo, where CEO Tatsumi Kimishima presented the new account system, explaining that the platform allows Nintendo hardware, PCs and smartphones to stay connected to each other. The new accounts can be created by using Google Plus, Facebook, Nintendo Network ID, Twitter or their personal email.
The Japanese console company stated that it prepared a loyalty system that substitutes the archaic Club Nintendo. It does not have a name yet but the loyalty system will allow players to gather points by playing or by making purchases. The respective points are redeemable for in-game items, discounts for new titles or original items.
The game publisher pointed out how important it is that users are given the possibility to login into their games from any device, and the new Nintendo Account aims to make that a reality.
One novelty is that saving game data will belong in the cloud. Following in the steps of PlayStation Network, Steam and Xbox Live, even if you play a game on one machine, Nintendo takes the saved data and syncs it throughout every connected device linked to your account. This way, you can keep playing wherever you are, provided you do have access to one of the connected devices.
Nintendo also revealed that its first handset game, Miitomo, is getting the release date pushed back to 2016. In compensation, the company said that a couple of titles will hit the 3DS and Wii U this holiday season.
The Nintendo Account might prove elemental to the new device, called Nintendo NX. The upcoming console from the Japanese producer improves on the heritage of Wii U and 3DS, and voices close to the developer claim that the system will receive home units as well as portable ones.
