Nintendo may explore 'games that require a monthly subscription fee'

"We think that digital distribution of packaged software is only the first step in expanding our digital business," Nintendo's CEO said.

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Nintendo's jump into digital gaming has been a success so far. But, there's much more to do than simply offer retail games as downloadable titles on the eShop. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata knows this, saying that "we think that digital distribution of packaged software is only the first step in expanding our digital business." The future of Nintendo lies in expanding their digital offerings to include free-to-play, and even games with subscription fees.

Already, Nintendo has begun to experiment with DLC, with New Super Luigi U being the company's next big digital expansion pack. However, Iwata told investors that "we might have many other types of business models in addition to packaged software. For example, we might see more games that are similar to free-to-play games, games that cost much less or games that require a monthly subscription fee."

Nintendo has previously admitted that if it were to make a free-to-play game, it would want to do so with an entirely new IP.

While Nintendo has no concrete announcements to make regarding free-to-play and subscription games, Iwata does point out that "Nintendo 3DS and Wii U have flexible systems to handle such trends, so it is now a question of putting these ideas into action."

"I can definitely say that Nintendo will make new offers that go well beyond simply replacing packaged software with digital software."

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    April 30, 2013 10:10 AM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Nintendo may explore 'games that require a monthly subscription fee'.

    "We think that digital distribution of packaged software is only the first step in expanding our digital business," Nintendo's CEO said.

    • reply
      April 30, 2013 10:33 AM

      [deleted]

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      April 30, 2013 10:35 AM

      We're sorry Mario, but the princess is in another castle. To explore these castles you will need a mushroom kingdom pass which costs 9.95 a month.

    • reply
      April 30, 2013 10:36 AM

      Legend of Zelda Online

      The World of Animal Crossing

    • reply
      April 30, 2013 10:44 AM

      Pokemon MMO! I CHOOSE YOU!

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        April 30, 2013 10:59 AM

        This, a million times this.

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        April 30, 2013 11:17 AM

        As long as there is a natural re-population rate of creatures that can be over pokeballed to the point of extinction in the wild. Thus slowly transitioning the lush world into a desolate one as the food chain is destroyed.

        Just two to three years after launch the only creatures that are born are the most popular and come from labs attached to stadiums where the common people gather for their bread and circus. This animal blood sport representing the last vestiges of their living world thus distracting them from their increasingly dead world.

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          April 30, 2013 11:26 AM

          You can have my $15 a month.

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          April 30, 2013 11:31 AM

          PIKA

          CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

          *slam cut to*

          POKEMON ARENA

          RATED MA

      • reply
        April 30, 2013 11:22 AM

        I would play it.

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          April 30, 2013 11:32 AM

          But would you play it...to the death, like a true Asian fan?

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        April 30, 2013 11:29 AM

        Probably more like Pokemon League of Legends.

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        April 30, 2013 12:00 PM

        yes please

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        April 30, 2013 12:16 PM

        [deleted]

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        April 30, 2013 12:44 PM

        If this happened, it would be the ultimate money hat for Nintendo.

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        April 30, 2013 12:47 PM

        Zelda MMO could be interesting as well.

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          April 30, 2013 12:48 PM

          I don't think that lore would work as an MMO but the universe would be fun to play in, just would have to have something other than Link, Zelda, and Ganon in it...

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      April 30, 2013 11:57 AM

      I think releasing a console that doesn't suck balls and some good 'ol Nintendo style games that don't suck balls, would be the first step in expanding their business, period.

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      April 30, 2013 12:25 PM

      World of Smash Brothers!

Hello, Meet Lola