Nintendo Enables Paid DLC on 3DS, But Doesn't Like It

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said in a recent interview with AOL Games that Nintendo is giving 3DS developers the ability to charge for downloadable content, even though they aren't that excited by the idea of charging consumers.

"We're interested in it to the extent that it makes sense to the consumer," Fils-Aime said. That new feature is part of a 3DS software update coming next month and will allow developers who want to sell DLC to do so if they want to.

"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," Fils Aime said. "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."

Nintendo has offered DLC for many of its own releases recently, including extra new puzzles for its Professor Layton series of games and new challenges in Mario Kart Wii. Those updates were all free, though.

"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.'"

"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," he continued. "That's what they don't want to do, and I completely agree. 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."

Source: AOL Games