Nintendo 3DS gets paid DLC
Reggie Fils-Aime says "it makes sense to the consumer"
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has confirmed that the next 3DS system update will allow for paid DLC.
"In terms of what the next system update will allow, it will allow developers to sell add-on content, and whether that's for a physical game or a digitally released game," he told AOL Games.
"In terms of how it will work, it's up to the developer whether they want to make it to buy new levels, new items - all of that is up to their imagination. Essentially, what we're doing is creating the framework for those transactions to happen."
The update for the handheld is due next month. Previously Nintendo has offered DLC for DS titles, but those have all been free.
"I've had this conversation with a number of our key developers, and their mentality is, 'Reggie, when we sell a game, we want the consumer to feel that they've had a complete experience,'" he added.
"Now, in addition, if we want to make other things available, great, and we'll look at that. But we're unwilling to sell a piece of a game upfront and, if you will, force a consumer to buy more later. I think the consumer wants to get, for their money, a complete experience, and then we have opportunities to provide more on top of that."
Following its financial results late last month, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata promised "new genres of software" to attract more gamers to the company.