EDIT: A developer (@apachehavok) who has released several games in the past has made a good point:

If you still want to read my previous opinion, feel free to read it below:
Original Opinion:
So, Nintendo has their new developer program (technically not, though, they just allow indies in). This blog post is to convince you to NOT sign up for it unless you legitimately want to develop and release a game on the Nintendo eShop.
My Story
I am an independent game developer. I've been programming since I was 6, and I'm currently a junior in college working towards a degree for Game Development and Animation. My dream since I was young was to code a video game, and I've made quite a few small games for my personal enjoyment.
Today, I have enough programming knowledge to make a legitimate game, and I've been working on a rhythm game for Wii U for the last 6 months. Yes, I was a part of the original Wii U developer's program for independent developers.
In case you don't know what the original developer program was, it was made specifically for indie developers who wanted a chance to make a Wii U game. Unlike every one developer program which requires you to have already released a game, Nintendo was nice enough to allow anyone to join, if they had a good idea. It took 6 months before they accepted my application. I was overjoyed.
For the next 6 months, I worked on my game, and it's almost ready to be kickstarted. This game is full of blood, sweat, and tears. I'm proud of it, and none of this would be possible without Nintendo's desire to let anyone join, no matter their previous experiences in development.
Nintendo loves indies.
Now, Nintendo has done something incredible. They've given indies EVERYTHING that big name developers get. No more being stuck with Unity and Web Framework, and plus we can make games for 3DS now too.
The best part, though? No more waiting period. This is a huge blessing, seeing as it took me 6 months to be accepted. I managed to switch over my project from the old developer program to the new one in only 3 hours. I am overjoyed.
The Reason You Shouldn't Sign Up
Now, don't you think Nintendo will find it odd that all these people are signing up for the developer program and never releases a game? Don't you think they'll find it interesting that people are leaking the SDKs?
What do you think Nintendo will do to stop this? Let me give you some options:
1. Add an unneeded waiting period
2. Add background checks
3. Require more info
4. Require phone interviews
5. Require previous released games
6. Require an office (no home address)
7. Give independent developers less privileges
This won't just stop non-developers from getting accounts, but it will also stop REAL indie developers too.
Do you really think, that by signing up fake accounts, Nintendo will do nothing? Really?
Summary
Now, I know this is the Internet. I know that changing people's opinions is near impossible. But, I hope I can at least help you understand why you shouldn't make a developer account without plans to develop games for the eShop (or just to develop games in general). Doing this will only make it harder for real independent developers being able to release their first game. It hurts people like me, who just need a chance.
Please, at least consider my point of view.
If you have any questions, leave a comment below. I'll try to answer them in a respectable way.
I guess I've still got a lot to learn about console development, and I'm willing to admit that I was wrong. What he says makes a lot of sense, so I guess feel free to sign up.And until you shell out the cash for the Dev kit to get a proper build, your game is NEVER going to see the light of day. What does it take to get a DEV kit even if you have the cash? Everything you mentioned. That dev kit with its software is CLOSELY monitored by Nintendo. They give zero fucks about who is a "Nintendo game developer" according to their site. Once you actually get the devkit hardware, then and ONLY then are you a certified Nintendo Developer. Go ahead and sign up! Don't listen to OP.
SOURCE: Shipped 4 Nintendo game products.
If you still want to read my previous opinion, feel free to read it below:
Original Opinion:
So, Nintendo has their new developer program (technically not, though, they just allow indies in). This blog post is to convince you to NOT sign up for it unless you legitimately want to develop and release a game on the Nintendo eShop.
My Story
I am an independent game developer. I've been programming since I was 6, and I'm currently a junior in college working towards a degree for Game Development and Animation. My dream since I was young was to code a video game, and I've made quite a few small games for my personal enjoyment.
Today, I have enough programming knowledge to make a legitimate game, and I've been working on a rhythm game for Wii U for the last 6 months. Yes, I was a part of the original Wii U developer's program for independent developers.
In case you don't know what the original developer program was, it was made specifically for indie developers who wanted a chance to make a Wii U game. Unlike every one developer program which requires you to have already released a game, Nintendo was nice enough to allow anyone to join, if they had a good idea. It took 6 months before they accepted my application. I was overjoyed.
For the next 6 months, I worked on my game, and it's almost ready to be kickstarted. This game is full of blood, sweat, and tears. I'm proud of it, and none of this would be possible without Nintendo's desire to let anyone join, no matter their previous experiences in development.
Nintendo loves indies.
Now, Nintendo has done something incredible. They've given indies EVERYTHING that big name developers get. No more being stuck with Unity and Web Framework, and plus we can make games for 3DS now too.
The best part, though? No more waiting period. This is a huge blessing, seeing as it took me 6 months to be accepted. I managed to switch over my project from the old developer program to the new one in only 3 hours. I am overjoyed.
The Reason You Shouldn't Sign Up
Now, don't you think Nintendo will find it odd that all these people are signing up for the developer program and never releases a game? Don't you think they'll find it interesting that people are leaking the SDKs?
What do you think Nintendo will do to stop this? Let me give you some options:
1. Add an unneeded waiting period
2. Add background checks
3. Require more info
4. Require phone interviews
5. Require previous released games
6. Require an office (no home address)
7. Give independent developers less privileges
This won't just stop non-developers from getting accounts, but it will also stop REAL indie developers too.
Do you really think, that by signing up fake accounts, Nintendo will do nothing? Really?
Summary
Now, I know this is the Internet. I know that changing people's opinions is near impossible. But, I hope I can at least help you understand why you shouldn't make a developer account without plans to develop games for the eShop (or just to develop games in general). Doing this will only make it harder for real independent developers being able to release their first game. It hurts people like me, who just need a chance.
Please, at least consider my point of view.
If you have any questions, leave a comment below. I'll try to answer them in a respectable way.
Last edited by Wellington2k,