Rumour: eShop Developers No Longer Required To Have A Physical Office
Posted by Damien McFerran
Dan Adelman drops a hint on Twitter
One of the early rules put in place by Nintendo for developers on its digital platforms was the need for a physical office - a move which was no doubt intended to ensure a certain "quality" of developer.
However, since the days of WiiWare the playing field has shifted - the number of professional coders migrating to platforms such as iOS and Android has increased, and many of these talented people are simply working from home - and don't have a proper office, as such.
Thankfully, it would seem this archaic stumbling block is in the process of being removed - as you can see from Dan Adelman's not-so-cryptic tweet:
@daxhalo @spiltmilkstudio Ask me again in a couple weeks.
— Dan Adelman (@Dan_Adelman) January 19, 2013
This is definitely a good move - you only have to look at the explosion of top-notch indie coders on mobile platforms to see that.
While we're here, have you checked out our exclusive interview with Adelman?
#1
Rizsparky said:
Nice, hope this spawns some more good quality eshop 'minis'
#2
soracloud28 said:
I've been working on a few concepts and emailed nintendo about releasing them on the eshop. I received an email back letting me know I needed a dedicated office space, so this I definitely good news
#3
DarkCoolEdge said:
Good news. They're taking steps in the right direction.
#4
Peach64 said:
Fantastic news, but should have been dropped a long ago.
#5
drdark said:
I do not comment on rumours or speculation.
#6
AmishThunder said:
@drdark I do not speculate on rumors or comments.
#7
MushroomCooCoo said:
Let's hope that Nintendo will have to play and okay before their games get released.
#8
MeowGravy said:
"You have an office?!"
"Ok the trunk of my car!!"
#9
Omega said:
That reminds me off Killer 7. That game with all the crazy and exploding people trying to hug you.
#10
pixelman said:
#11
Windy said:
It did feel like Eshop developers were in some kind of Office club
#12
SheldonRandoms said:
I wish I was an eShop developer, if I was, then i'm at my office right now.
#13
rayword45 said:
This wasn't a limit during WiiWare/DSiWare IIRC. I know 2D Boy had no set office (made the game in coffee shops) and DSiWare had lots of one man teams (although Hugo somehow got a 3DS kit)
#14
Morphtorok said:
UGH after all that money I put into building an office.
<on the phone> Start the demolition plans!
#15
Retro_on_theGo said:
Kid Tripp for eShop 20wheneverit'sfinished!
This is good news though. I really hope it's true.
#16
TenEighty said:
Finally! This has been an issue for quite some time.
#17
XCWarrior said:
Whatever increases the number of titles released on the Wii U and 3DS' eshop is a good thing. Though I do want the quality to be high, not just the quantity.
#18
FOREST_RANGER said:
I wonder if Nintendo hands out developer licenses to sole-proprietor companies?
#19
beatalLiToaD said:
You know what that means, nl. Time for you first game, guys.
#20
ramstrong said:
"Ask again in a couple of weeks" does not mean the requirements is being dropped, but only that he will take the suggestion to the higher ups. I think it's a good idea that the requirement should be dropped, but it's possible that you have to connect with an established "gateway" developer instead.
#21
StarDust said:
An office has a physical address.
A home has a physical address.
An office can occupy space in a larger building with other businesses, or occupy the entire lot. Ditto for apartment living vs individdual lots with houses.
What's the big freaking difference between a business address and a home address?
Does Nintendo actually look up the local zoning ordinance of the city in question to determine if the street address of the "office" is located in a residential or business district?
Nintendo must hire a lot of private sleuths to investigate potential developers and make sure their street address is kosher. Geeze, Nintendo, get a life...
#22
SKTTR said:
Great news. Need a Wii U development kit now.
#23
Metal_Slugger said:
I think for the wii u the eshop could be the real game changer not necessarily the gamepad's new style of gameplay. We'll see I think were in for some crazy good times.