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Topic: Nintendo: Low app prices threaten industry,so says Reggie Fils-Aime

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OldBoy

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-02-04-nintendo-low-app...
Cheap, disposable smartphone games are one of the biggest problems facing the games industry today, according to Nintendo US chief Reggie Fils-Aime.

When asked by GameTrailers whether 3DS games priced between $35 and $45 present good value compared to $1 or $2 App Store downloads, Fils-Aime seized the opportunity to vent some spleen.

"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 insisted.

Questioned as to whether he would consider mobile phenomenon Angry Birds "disposable", he replied that it was a rare diamond in the rough, adding that the low price points of mobile games are instilling unrealistic expectations in consumers' minds when it comes to more substantial portable titles.

"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.

"I actually thinks some of those games are overpriced at one or two dollars but that's a whole different story," he joked

So do you think Reggie has a point or is this a sign that Nintendo is getting worried about the competition?

[Edited by OldBoy]

What's this bit for again?

edhe

I think if people want to buy love testers and fart generators, then they should be given the chance to. Besides, these apps largely appear on iOS (and some other phones), which aren't intended to be gaming platforms anyway.

But speaking of "overpriced", I think Mario/Animal Crossing clock (DSi) can be accused of being a bit expensive for what they're probably worth.

[Edited by edhe]

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y2josh

Reggie doesn't have much right to talk. Look at all the shovelware on DSiWare, WiiWare, and Wii. And none of those games are cheaper than 5 dollars.

Edit: Forgot about the 2 dollar DSiWare games.

[Edited by y2josh]

y2josh

Corbs

I just don't see a problem with it. I still think you can have games that are $1 and $2 and games that are $35-$50 as long as you have a significant quality difference to warrant the extra money. What it does do is put more pressure on developers to deliver on the product if they're planning on charging upwards of $40 for a game. And as was stated, there are many games on the DSiWare and WiiWare services that would be a tough sell, even at $1 or $2. It still comes down to what a game is ultimately worth and if developers and publishers want to charge top end price, they'd better deliver a top end experience.

[Edited by Corbs]

Plain old gamer :)

brooks83

Looks like Reggie's obsession with bringing casual gamers into the market is coming back to bite him.

brooks83

SuperMarioFan96

No Reggie, just stop. It's called competition, sorry that you suddenly have some, I know what an inconvenience it can be.

Overpriced at $2? I could say the same about plenty of DSiWare. I could also say the same thing about many $50 Wii games, and those are $50, not $2. So Nintendo, it doens't threaten the industry. It just threatens your company.

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