Zarf's Journal: I wanna program for the Wii but they won't let me.

So I was thinking... I've got some extra dough and I've never actually _bought_ an SDK. Why not buy the SDK for the Wii. I mean it's not like I'd *force* them to sell my game or to even put any kind of endorsement on it. I'd just like to play with some Wii hacking at night from my home office.

So how does one get a Wii SDK? Well, you buy one. It runs about $2,000 USD. Buy you have to apply for the privilege of buying one... check out these requirements...

An Authorized Developer will have demonstrated the ability to develop and program excellent software for Nintendo video game systems or for other game platforms. In addition, an Authorized Developer will have a stable business organization with secure office facilities separate from a personal residence ( Home offices do not meet this requirement ), sufficient resources to insure the security of Nintendo confidential information and in order to ensure an effective environment for working with Nintendo and/or its Licensees

Well, crud. That rules out the home office. I'd need to have a separate office ... and get this ... it would have to have some kind of "security" so that way I could keep Nintendo's secrets. Yipes! It looks like you don't just do game development on a whim like you do web development.

Unfortunately, It looks like the most open and free of the game platforms is currently the Microsoft XBox. No Really. Check this out OpenXDK an open source kit for XBox.

Still, I have my heart set on doing some Wii coding because I want to swing the Wiimote around like I did the CaveGL wand when I was doing VR work. Now I do have hope in WiiWare but I understand that this may in fact open you up to a potential $1,000,000 fine from the ESRB if you produce a game that accidentally has a tree that looks like a wanger or a pair of twin peaks in it. But, that could just be Microsoft FUD mongering. They want you to use XBox.

So I don't get it. What does Nintendo think is so secret in their Wii? Honestly, after the thing shipped we all figured out the IR and accelerometer tricks... (and though: wow why didn't I think of that?)

2K is not that much...

[(H)elix1]

considering what the other SDK's cost to develop for a console platform. Granted, not $200 would be a better price for someone wanting to kick around a home brew idea... but on the commercial side -- that is still dang cheap.

(Was thinking the same thing... but the upfront costs were to big for me to 'play' with.)

Re:

[Zarf]

$2k is what you pay if you are deemed worthy. You can't use a home office and you have to prove you have sufficient resources and security systems to keep Nintendo's secrets.

I don't mind the $2k. The $2k price tag is awesome. The requirement that I must have published a successful video game already and have a secure separate facility is a bit much. I could rent office space down the street for $300 a month and charter a corporation and then hire a security firm... I think that bumps my total up around $