Reggie Fils-Aime Speaks About Disposable Software #1 at Nintendo Cubed3

In a recent interview with GameTrailer’s Geoff Keighley, US Nintendo President, Reggie Fils-Aime, spoke about various features of the 3DS as well as how the system fits into the videogame industry and who it appeals to.

During the interview, a question was brought up surrounding Apple's App Store and how their system offers many games at very cheap prices and would 3DS software really present good value compared to those games? For an example Geoff asked, would Steel Diver really support a $35 - $45 price tag? “Absolutely” said Reggie. Which then lead him onto discussing how these cheap and “candidly disposable” games are threatening the industry.

I actually think that one of the biggest risks today in our industry are these inexpensive games that are candidly disposable from a consumer standpoint.

He was then asked whether he thought Angry Birds was “disposable” and followed up by saying that was one the few of the many games available that was an exception and claimed that it was a great piece of experience. Overall though Reggie feels these games create a mentality for the consumer that software should come at cheap prices.

Angry Birds is a great piece of experience but that is one compared to thousands of other pieces of content that for one or two dollars I think actually create a mentality for the consumer that a piece of gaming content should only be two dollars.

Rounding up on the subject, Reggie jokingly said that he thinks some of those games are actually overpriced at one or two dollars, but that was a different story.

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meeto_0 on 10.02.2011 at 14:27#1

There is a market for these $2 (�£2) games. I see both women and men on the tube all the time on their BB's, HTC's and Iphone playing these cheap games. The gameplay looks at times repetitive and limited but provides the pick up and then forget template perfect for tube rides.

I stopped playing FF3 on the DS for a few months and really struggled to know where I was going when I came back to it.

I agree with him that people who dont takes games seriously as a hobbie will build a mentality that games should be really cheap.

What I could never grasp is why/how a gamer who would buy a DS or PSP would prefer to play these cheap games instead. How is this model impacting these companies.

Ifrit XXII on 10.02.2011 at 14:42#2

He can't really say much when 60% of DSiWare offerings are god-awful throwaway trash.

I'd rather pay ��£30 for a game on the scale of Ocarina of Time than pay ��£30 on 10-20 crappy little games I would tire of after a couple of plays each. Smilie

( Edited 10.02.2011 13:42 by Ifrit XXII )

Darkflame on 10.02.2011 at 18:20#3

I think the app-store model is also heavily relaying on people that don't use PC's much during their day too.
While it is nice to have cheap and quick thoughaway games - I think logging onto a random website to "get the fix" is going to be the preference rather then paying for most.

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Canyarion on 10.02.2011 at 22:11#4

Who's going to teach this guy some mathematics?

Costing development = x
Price per copy sold = y
Amounts of copies sold = n

y*n>x means profit.

meowthemouse on 10.02.2011 at 22:51#5

Hmm, I wonder how steam sells BIG games for LOW prices. Valve FTW

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Darkflame on 10.02.2011 at 22:52#6

Depends if the crapness of the game you released then turns people of buying your next 10 games, however.

Ubisoft had this somewhat with their DS game sales. Strong at first and then utterly awefull.

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vivisapprentice on 11.02.2011 at 00:14#7

What Nintendo should do is open a new division or two and start making cheap games for the 3Dsware. They could make simple games featuring Mario or Zelda, a new 2d Metroid. Not only can they turn a quick profit but increase exposure to these franchises

Darkflame on 11.02.2011 at 13:48#8

Or damage the franchise's reputation.
I think they would be better of making more new IPs like fluidity, or hyrdroventure or whatever its called.

That way they can try out new teams and don't lose much if the results arn't great.

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Ifrit XXII on 11.02.2011 at 14:29#9

I just hope they seperate non gaming apps from the games on the 3DS eStore.

Scrolling through the DSiWare library is a pain when you have to pass a lot of crap such as calculators, flashlights (seriously) and calenders.

GreythaGreat on 11.02.2011 at 16:01#10

Nintendo does need to push these chap games; however, they need to make sure they are unique to what the 3DS has to offer. Nintendo needs to push more games like Photo Dojo, Warioware Sanpped!, and Flipnote Studio.

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EdEN on 11.02.2011 at 17:38#11

Sure, there's a market for cheap $1-$2 games but those last you an hour or two at most and then you move on to the next one. I've spent $20 on my iPhone verus $500 on my DS in the last 6 months.

Raff on 11.02.2011 at 23:51#12

Strange words coming from a company that doesn't even track digital purchases with an account.

It's going to be shit and you jolly well know it.

Sonic_13 on 12.02.2011 at 08:22#13

Raff said:
Strange words coming from a company that doesn't even track digital purchases with an account.

1) I would think his words would go perfectly with such a setup

2) Nintendo does track digital purchases with an account. That's how you get credited coins in Club Nintendo for purchases on the Wii/DSi Shop Channel.