Konno: 3DS awareness will be spread by word of mouth, online convenience important
Hideki Konno, manager of Software Development Group 1, Nintendo EAD discussing the origins of the 3DS…
“When I was developing Luigi’s Mansion, we experimented with having an additional display, a panel, to attach to the screen in order to enable 3D effects. At that time, because of the high cost of the 3D panels and the low resolution of the game, it wouldn’t show 3D sufficiently, but we hoped that some day the technology would support 3D.”
Konno on the possibility of advertising in cinemas…
“Our key point with 3DS is that you don’t need glasses, which you obviously need to use in cinemas. So we think regular marketing and promotional activities will be very tricky for us. I think that a lot of awareness about 3DS will be spread by word of mouth.”
Konno on whether players will experience any side effects with long sessions….
“I think the sense of eye fatigue differs for each individual. We’ve provided flexibility to allow users to adjust back to 2D. I think the solution is simply that when you feel dizzy, close down the system and take a break. Like with the Wii – don’t swing too much or you’ll tire your arms.”
Konno on moving forward with online, without hassling consumers…
“I wanted the system to be as convenient as it can be in the online field. I wanted to realise a situation where you wake up in the morning, open your 3DS and there’s new content already downloaded and waiting for you, not because you went looking for it but because we pushed it to you. Maybe one day consumers will open their 3DS and find that their daily paper or magazine subscription has already been delivered to their device.”
