Currently, the Taiwanese company Acer is trying to buy iGware.  iGware is the company that provides the online features to Nintendo’s various console and handheld systems, such as the Wii, DS, 3Ds and the upcoming Wii U.

The purchase of iGware is going to cost $320,000,000 USD to Acer.  Acer plans on charging Nintendo approximately $30,000,000 USD per year for the cloud-based services.  A figure has not been released as to how much Nintendo currently pays for the same deal.

iGware has a very long history with Nintendo.  This is because the owner of ArtX, Dr. Wei Yen designed the Nintendo GameCube’s graphics processor over a decade ago.

Dr. Wei Yen founded iKuni which has been rebranded as AiLive.  Yen’s company currently works with Nintendo to develop software tools for developers making games for the Nintendo Wii.  AiLive developed the WiiMotion Plus accessory.  This accessory is necessary to play what could be the Nintendo Wii’s final big blockbuster which is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

This is a similar move that happened when Nintendo was shifting from the GameCube to the Wii at the end of 2006 when they release The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.  iGware will become known as Acer Cloud Technology Company and will continue to provide cloud services.