Paid transaction systems in the works for 3DS and Wii U
We knew that Satoru Iwata recently touched on digital downloads/DLC and how Nintendo feels it’s important. Now we have a few more details from Iwata’s Q&A session. Here’s a rundown of what he outlined:
– Paid item transaction system will be available later this year
– System also in the works for Wii U
– Nintendo might not use the system for itself
– Iwata said that paid download content would probably increase short term profits but wouldn’t let them build a long term relationship with customers
– Nintendo believes they shouldn’t have this type of paid charge system for their own games
– Iwata isn’t against the concept in general, though questions the concept of free-to-play games in which you play a game for free and then have to buy items
– He feels that this would damage the premium value of Nintendo’s content
– 3DS Internet connection rate far beyond the DS
– This rate still isn’t at a 100% satisfaction level
– Only a fraction of these users are purchasing download paid content
– Iwata hoping the eShop will have a larger presence over the next three years
– Iwata wants this to amount to a more drastic change than something like increasing ten percent from the current five percent
– Nintendo will be working on a future where players will pay for digital content just like normal with no reservations over the next three years
– Nintendo won’t be leaving packaged software
– Iwata hopes digital business will be another pillar for Nintendo
