freeloader
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How freeloaders help free-to-play games succeed
Do those scruffy-looking nerfherder freeloaders (like many of us here at Massively) actually contribute value to an MMO? A new article at Gamasutra argues that yes, they do, and in fact are necessary to a free-to-play game's monetary success. "If you are going straight after this demographic at the expense of a wider audience, you will struggle if you want to be a worldwide success," the introduction explains, "especially if you want to be seen as real AAA-title rather than, say, a casual game. This is due to the fundamental fact that free-to-play works best at scale." The article lists three primary reasons why non-paying customers help a game. The first is that they bring new users via word of mouth, and a certain percentage of those new users will become paying customers. The second is that freeloaders can show appreciation in other ways, such as cross-promotion between games and generating community content. Finally, this segment of players can be the targets of advertising, which is in itself a huge revenue generator.
Chaos Theory: The (F2P) future of The Secret World [Updated]
[Ed: Look for an official Funcom statement regarding the anon tipster email at the end of the article.] Scott Jennings ended a blog entry about The Secret World with a telling phrase this past week. "This is why we can't have nice things," he said. This was preceded by what can only be called a lament, as Jennings laid out how Funcom did something that most MMO developers are loath to do these days: It made an original game. And the reward for such was a dismal quarterly report and a round of layoffs. That The Secret World attempts to break from the putrid post-World of Warcraft MMO mold is not up for debate. What is debatable is whether breaking from said mold can be profitable.
Future for Freeloader looking decidedly bleak
Datel's Freeloader for Wii met its sad demise many moons ago. At the time, witnesses at the scene claim they saw Wii Menu Update 3.3 standing over the fallen bootdisk, a bloodied machete in hand. But is there a chance we could see a newer version, allowing us to get back to playing imported titles months early? Er, no, actually.N-Europe reader 'ThePigMarcher' took a break from parading porkers to contact Datel and ask what was happening on the Freeloader front. And, if the past was grim, the future isn't exactly glowing. "At this early stage," replied Datel, "we are not sure when, if ever, we will be able to release a new version of Freeloader that will run on consoles that have been updated with the version 3.3 firmware." Oh well. The dream looks to be over, but it was fun while it lasted, right?
Datel pulls Freeloader from its site
As one would expect, Datel has gone ahead and pulled the Wii Freeloader from its website. No longer are they selling the product, what with Wii Menu Update 3.3 killing the thing and all.Spencer over at Siliconera discovered that you can still access the product's page through Google search, but all internal searches for the product on its official website come up empty. Not that you'd want to buy it now or anything. You're probably going to need to update your Wii sooner or later.
Nintendo adds Update 3.3 to repaired Wiis, internet not happy
Usually, the news that Nintendo updated the firmware on your Wii while it's away for repair would hardly count as news at all. Since yesterday, however, when everybody caught wind of how the latest Wii Menu Update knocked the Twilight Hack and Freeloader on the head, Nintendo's meddling hasn't been as appreciated.A group of disgruntled Wii owners whose consoles have been repaired and updated with new firmware congregated on the forums of GBAtemp.net, in a thread titled "CURSE u NINTENDO!," to howl about Nintendo's repair team and their habit of adding unwanted updates. While we can only sympathize with them, we should probably let this serve as a warning to others: if you are a homebrewer or importer with a Wii that's conked out, you might want to think twice about sending your machine to Nintendo.[Via Go Nintendo]
New Wii update spells the end for Freeloader [Update 1]
Turns out the Twilight Hack wasn't the only casualty of the latest Wii Menu Update. Import gamers everywhere are turning on their Wiis to find that the Freeloader disc they purchased to play (for example) Super Smash Bros. Brawl (remember that?) on their PAL Wiis is also rendered useless by the update. Slotting the Freeloader disc into a Wii now results in a message telling you that:1. An error has occurred.2. You'll need to eject the disc and turn off your Wii, please.3. Your worth as a human being is infinitesimal at best. Why do you even bother going on?So there you go, folks -- say goodbye to playing imports early, and hello to waiting for big-name releases that already appeared elsewhere months ago.[Update: Corrected "infinitesimally small"][Via videogaming247]
Homebrew program enables region-free, Freeloader-free gaming
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Homebrew_program_enables_region_free_Freeloader_free_gaming'; This isn't quite the perfect solution yet, but homebrewer Nuke's latest program is pretty damned amazing, if it works like it says it does. Gecko Region Free is a homebrew loader for Wii games from any region! It's sort of a free Freeloader without the disc.Why "sort of?" Well, obviously, you have to be able to run Wii homebrew to operate this, and there are still some challenges in that area. Like the ten-minute limit on the recent "Homebrew Channel." And the Twilight Princess requirement. In other words, you still need a disc -- but not the Freeloader disc. And we think that homebrewers are going to do a better job of staying ahead of Nintendo's patching than Datel will.[Via DCEmu]
Retailer confirms Japanese Mario Kart Wii working with Freeloader
When NCSX got their shipment of Japanese copies of Mario Kart Wii, they immediately popped a disc into a U.S. system to test the rumor that it wouldn't work with the Freeloader. At first, their experience bore that rumor out: the game boots to a black screen. But what we thought would break Freeloader support actually seems to have fixed it: after updating the Wii's firmware to version 3.1U (with a Brawl disc), Mario Kart ran just fine through the Freeloader. Of course, this is no guarantee all updates will be so accommodating to the Freeloader, but you've at least got the green light to import Kart.
Rumor: Freeloader not compatible with Mario Kart Wii
If you tried importing the Japanese version of Mario Kart Wii to Europe or the U.S. in order to get your copy early, you may have received this message from Play-Asia: "We received the first small delivery today for testing and unfortunately we have to inform you, that the game is not compatible with the Datel Freeloader (US and PAL Version)."However, we've heard from NWF reader Nils that this isn't true, and an imported copy of Mario Kart has worked just fine on his Wii (we're still waiting to hear back on what version he imported). Still, we're sure Play-Asia wouldn't make such things up, since this will only lead to the site losing sales. So, at this point, just be cautious with your imports, and let's hope that Datel's Freeloader isn't outdated already.We'll update the post if we find or hear more accounts from Mario Kart Wii importers, so be sure to tip us if you've tried it first hand.%Gallery-4772%[Via Go Nintendo]
Supercharger solar panel promises to give Freeloader a boost
Solar Technology's Freeloader solar charger was already a pretty attractive option as it was, but the company's now looking to give the portable charger a bit of a boost, with its new Supercharger panel promising to cut the charging time in half. As you can see above, that's possible in part thanks to its larger size, but it's apparently also aided by some more powerful than usual photovoltaic cells (rated at 1.5 watts). All that should translate to a four hour charging time for the Freeloader, which can be done in any weather conditions thanks to the panel's weather-proofing (although some weather conditions will obviously be more effective than others). If that sounds like what you've been looking for, you can grab the Supercharger now for £20 (about $40), or grab it as part of a new Globe Trotter bundle (including a Freeloader, a Supercharger, and a carrying case) for £50, or just under $100.[Via SmartPlanet]
Wii Warm Up: Loading
The Freeloader seems to be of primary importance to European gamers who want to play games the year they come out. But a side effect of that functionality is something that many American and European gamers have always striven for: the ability to play Japanese games. And as for Japanese gamers, we're sure there's something they haven't gotten yet -- like Ninjabread Man.Now that (for twenty bucks) the world of Wii gaming is wide open, what import would you most like to play? And don't say Smash Bros., because that's boring. We know Smash Bros. Think of something else. As for us, we have this embarrassing temptation to play Miburi & Teburi.
Wii FreeLoader now available, mod-less region-free gaming
Finally! After being rendered useless by an August update (that is, if you could get yours to work at all) Datel's previously Gamecube only FreeLoader disc has been released for Wii, promising region-free gaming without the hassle of modding your console. Available in the US for $19.99 and the UK for £9.99, it should be enough to keep European gamers from waiting a rumored three extra months to play Super Smash Bros. Brawl ... which may be just enough time before Nintendo releases another system update, and we begin the whole process over again. [Thanks, Marlon]
Where is the Wii Freeloader? Oh, it's finally here!
For those of you looking to import games for your Wii, Datel's Freeloader will likely be the solution for you. But, where exactly is it? We haven't hear anything about the device since 2006 (although there were some rumors floating around last year about it releasing).But now, finally, it looks like the Wii Freeloader has released. In checking out Datel's official website, we came across the product. It's for sale, right now, so we can only assume that most retailers will be getting their shipments in soon, if they already haven't. So now you can get back to enjoying your import GameCube games again, not to mention the Wii titles that will be fun to get ahold of.What's your first import going to be?[Via DCemu; thanks, Craig!]
Wii update renders Freeloader useless
And don't expect Nintendo to do anything about it. The recently released and pointedly punctual Wii system update 3 added limited USB keyboard support but removed the system's ability to run Datel's Freeloader discs. Originally intended for Nintendo's previous console, the Freeloader would (usually) allow the user to play Gamecube games from other regions, an ideal tool to help pass the time between those lethargic localizations. Nintendo told Eurogamer that due to the Freeloader's status as an unofficial product, there was nothing they could do to "fix" the problem.If you still hope to play your imported Gamecube titles, you can either dig your old system out of the closet or stare at that new Wii clock while you wait for Nintendo to abandon its draconian console region encoding policies. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Latest firmware update kills Freeloader
One of our readers wrote in to inform us that, with the latest firmware update for the Wii, Freeloader no longer works with the system. In trying to load the software, the Wii merely spits error messages at the user, laughing maniacally as they attempt to use it. This is just another feature that snuck its way into the update.Eurogamer contacted Nintendo in regards to the issue, but Nintendo could only display apathy. What with it not being an official Nintendo product, they see no problem with the newly-found incompatibility of the two.
Rumor: Wii Freeloader this month?
This particular bit of news concerns PAL gamers, but-- if it's true-- we can all benefit soon enough. A listing has popped up for a Wii Freeloader on an Italian shopping site called YouToo.it. The listing says that it will be released on June 30 for € 24,99 ($33.59), but that the price and release date are subject to change. In addition, that box looks exceptionally mocked-up, so take this whole thing with a grain of salt.A NeoGAFfer named radioheadrule83 then contacted Datel's technical department to try to get more information. The Datel rep told him that "Its my understanding that there is a product on the way that will work for Wii games as well, yes" but also that "There's no release date as yet". We may yet enter a world in which we can all play games when they're released. [Via NeoGAF]
Solar Technology's Freeloader saps power from USB, the Sun
While it won't do your laptop any good, this new Freeloader gig from Solar Technology should be able to provide juice to just about every other gadget in your repertoire. The device contains its own li-ion rechargeable battery, which it can fill up from your laptop or desktop's power via USB, or using its 120mA crystalline solar cells. From there you've got a master cable and eleven adaptors to get the electricity into your phone, camera, PDA, GPS, gaming handheld or DAP. Solar Technology seems to have most of the big brands covered, and claims it can fuel an iPod for 18 hours, a mobile phone for 44 hours, PSP for 2.5 hours and a PDA for 22 hours -- not too shabby for the 6.5 ounce unit. Sure, we've seen plenty of similar chargers before, but the combination of device compatibility and relatively low price (£30, about $59 US) makes this a decent option for those sun-drenched road warriors out there.
Wii Freeloader is en route
After a bunch of Perrin Kaplan flip-flopping and general mass hysteria, it turned out that the Wii would in fact be region-specific after all. Importing games that the world has deemed too insane for the American public is one of our greatest joys in this world, and lo, Nintendo cut us down without mercy. But in this rare tale of Nintendo playing the role of evil, a shining knight gallops toward us with an interesting coat of arms adorning yon shield ... it's Datel, Advanced Gaming Technology™! Yes!Apparently, Datel has announced plans to bring a Wii version of their popular Freeloader boot disc, allowing a gamer to essentially ignore any and all region-locks. Though the updatable nature of the Wii theoretically might allow Nintendo to block this product in the future, we'd imagine that even evil has unexpected bouts of lenience.
FreeLoader GC doesn't work in our Wii
Despite a report to the contrary, we can't get the GameCube FreeLoader to work on a Wii. We've tried to use FreeLoader to play GameCube titles from other regions, but the sad, unrecognized-disc screen taunts us over and over.We're using FreeLoader 1.06B -- alleged to be the right version by internet posters -- and a fully updated Wii (2.0U). We've tried inserting the disk when the Wii is off, then restarting. We've tried cleaning the disc. We've tried a special dance and blew in an NES cartridge slot as an offering, but nothing gets our FreeLoader started.Datel told us that it doesn't yet have a Wii for testing and couldn't offer any more help. The company is also waiting for a Wii to determine if it can make a FreeLoader for Wii games.Readers, have you gotten a GameCube FreeLoader working with a Wii? If so, how?See also:Wii not even remotely region-freeNOA's Reggie Fils-Aime skirts region issues
