Net Shopping in Dragon Quest IX?

Details have leaked out from Weekly Jump regarding upcoming download content for Dragon Quest IX.

Remember those hints at download content from last week? They were apparently spot on. Dragon Quest IX uses Wi-Fi Connection for shopping and download quests.

That's right, shopping -- although I don't think this is the kind of shopping that uses real money. Using Wi-Fi Connection, players download a shopping list from Roxanne in the pub (she's one of pub's four bartenders). Players can then purchase new items from the item shop in towns and villages.

Items up for buy include rare products as well as normal items available at discount pricing. Square Enix will be updating the product lineup daily and plans special holiday commemorative items and events.

The multiplayer part of the game appears to be tied in closely with this whole downloadable shopping list thing. Players will all get a unique item list! When playing multiplayer in another player's world, you'll be able to check their item list by simply speaking with their version of Roxanne.

As for the download quest part, Square Enix plans on offering downloadable quests starting on release day and continuing for a full year with new downloads every week. Quest types include requests for treasure hunts and monster fights, and even the occasional substory!

Jump doesn't mention anything about pricing, so I'm going to assume everything is going to be free. Paid downloads would, honestly, be a bit out of place with Dragon Quest.

I don't actually have this issue in my hand, so take this as a rumor for now. The last official DQ update came on a Monday rather than the usual Friday so... well, I haven't the slightest clue when official word on this new bit will go out.