Extra downloadable content is a fertile field for developers, allowing them to extend the appeal of their game long after it's left the charts. While some Wii games allowed for paid DLC under the system's "Pay and Play" feature, it was never really a big focus for the console, something Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is keen to change with the company's new machines.
During a recent investors Q&A translated by Andriasang, Iwata spoke of both 3DS and Wii U getting paid DLC in the future, with the service available to 3DS developers by the end of the year. That doesn't necessarily mean we'll see downloadable add-ons to purchase this year, though.
Nintendo's not quite sure how it's going to use this service for itself: Iwata and right-hand man Shigeru Miyamoto are interested in adding on extra stages and new features, but aren't so keen on paying to unlock content already on the disc, statistic increases and so on. Iwata feels that these kinds of downloads would not allow Nintendo to "build a long term relationship with customers", something on the forefront of the company's collective mind considering the 3DS's fortunes of late.
Will we see new quests in future Zelda games or extra stages to prolong Mario's adventures? Only time will tell.
[source andriasang.com]
Comments (87)
Hopefully DLC Mario Kart 7 tracks.
I hope they don't abuse this feature like Capcom does.
_Is it just me or is the picture not loading?
Anyway, this is a stretch, but I would love to see some new places open up the open empty field that is Hyrule field, with some dungeons and new weapons/magic to find and whatnot.
I agree with Nintendo. I don't like the idea of DLC for things that are alreay on the disc. I also don't like DLC that just unlocks things for lazy people who would otherwise need to beat an in-game challenge to unlock a game mode, or whatever.
Extra stuff developed after the release of the game is what DLC should be for, and I belive Nintendo won't disappoint with this.
That would be cool I guess.
Mario Kart Tracks please
the ideas always seemed like a rip off to me would have to see what its like when up and running
Interesting. Still, I hope they stick with cash cards like they've been doing with 3DS. I don't really like using a credit card unless I have to.
@TeeJay: It's not just you.
Mario kart tracks((( new stages in super maio land 3D(((( and if we get SSB, new characters and stages :3
This could be interesting...
I am not in favor of this new direction.
DLC for my games, yes.
DLC for my games that I have to pay, no. >_>
@TeeJay Not just you.
@JDT nods
I love this. DLC is great!
Infinite monster hunter wiiU awesomeness.
Make that game a badass game please. I'm waiting.
edit: by the way, does this mean that I'm best off hanging a usb terabyte drive onto my wiiU? Would make sense, imagine a call of duty expansion pack or a monster hunter monsters pack - those aren't small files at all. I hope they think their storage through, properly. And +1 to not allow lazy / rich people to be able to buy their way through. I pay for content only.
And with that statement, Nintendo goes over to the Dark Side.
I hate paid DLC. You know it's stuff they purposely held from initial release to squeeze more out of the consumer later.
I feel like every decision Nintendo is making lately is making me like them less and less.
New track for Mario Kart! Only $5.99!
>.>
I have mixed opinions on DLC as there are pros and cons to having it availible.
I agree with more stages on Mario Kart AND if a New Super Mario Bros. 3DS comes out...well I would Be soooooooooo happy for DLC on that too.
Also @erv .....Godly my friend. That would be godly.
I'd rather they allowed for level creation for games like New Super Mario Bros. and multiplayer Zelda games. I'm pretty sure that allow for more longevity than the actual downloadable content.
Well, it's good I guess. I kinda like Nintendo giving some free DLC (or sticking with it), but it sounds like their DLC will have more substance than Capcom charging a pretty penny for costumes for characters :3
That's a great point, not to unlock content already on the disc... It would simply feel like cheating! You purchase something and can't use it unless you pay more?
Extra stages would be great, I sincerely hope they go well beyond and make real new content, like Red dead redemption did with Zombies... Loved that.
As long as they don't abuse it, and make it meaningful, like to pump new life into a dead online game. Also, PATCHES PLEASE.
ssb characters and stages will do
I like these comments that completely ignore Iwata's quote
Gah. I hate DLC. I can accept it if the game itself is free, but from Nintendo I just want to buy a game and be able to play all of its' content without having to fork over more cash at periodic intervals. That way you might as well put a price-tag of £60 on Mario Kart 7 or even £70 on Mario Land 3D, it's just a subtle way of gleaning more money from a customer. Very irritating. On the flip side, they could somehow make it worthwhile, but I haven't figured out how yet. Even if it's cheap it will still annoy me.
Sounds interesting, they seem to know what about DLC perturbs fans, so maybe this won't be concentrated evil like all other DLC... somehow.
Downloadable stages and characters for the Super Smash Bros. games please
You guys. The data won't already be in the game. Nintendo will create new content and THEN we'll pay for it. It's not like Nintendo is purposefully holding content for ransom.
DLC seems cool but nowadays it's a nightmare. Most developers make a game and on the day of release put out paid content that obviously could of been on the original game.
Smash Bros. Characters!
If DLC is only utilized to really extend the game experience with stuff they couldn't all have in the original release, I won't complain, as long as the pricing is reasonable. But I hope they keep up the free DLC the 3DS is already offering.
Wait, isn't this what Play Coins are for?
Also, I think I remember reading somewhere that Nintendo themselves won't be using this feature, but will rather let third party companies have the option.
YEEEEEEESSSSSS!!!! Downloadable content is the DREAM of a game fan. If there's a game you fall in luv w/ (b/c your luck w/ chicks ain't so hot), it's like Christmas mornin when they offer new levels to download. You're basically gettin a cheap sequel. Nintendo has been way to strict w/ their online stuff, so I'm glad to see they're loosenin up. But I also like how they're regulatin it to keep the downloadable trash off there. But...there will eventually be that thing called 3DSWare, right?
I don't expect Nintendo to make use of paid DLC, personally - I would think this was mainly for third-party developers.
See this is the stuff that Nintendo should have been offering with the Wii to keep up with Microsoft and Sony. I mean the motion control was great at first and exciting but you can only ride that train for a bit and Nintendo counted on that alone to put them ahead of the console wars.
Its nice that they are thinking about DLC and HD now but I fear it might just be a little too late.
Paid DLC, that could be any thing you pay for and you download
I still want Monster Hunter 3DS. Capcom owes me.
I'm hoping for retro track DLC in Mario Kart 7.
monster hunter Wii U DLC!! new monsters and unlimited fun! tho..if i have to pay i could care less about monster hunter. and then i would buy the psvita just for monster hunter
"Iwata and right-hand man Shigeru Miyamoto are interested in adding on extra stages and new features, but aren't so keen on paying to unlock content already on the disc." I'm sold. Anyone else?
Now I know that this might sound controversial, but I think I would rather have DLC on the card or disc, because that means that the hard drive or SD card will have more space. This way, I can download more games and have more space for them to go, while still having all of my DLC I pay for.
I hope with DLC they mean the continuation of the Wii Shop (Virtual Console, WiiWare, Channels/Apps, and WiiUWare).
If it is Pay&Play I'm not going to support this idea. It's just taking away money that could be spend on full games.
@Teh-Ray
Play coins are more to encourage the use of the 3DS as a pedometer and just access unlockables in the game, not necessarily DLC, since it is made readily available.
Also, no patches!
I am not going to going to pay money to be a beta tester. I got fed up with that years ago on the PC. If it takes extra time to find and quash all of the bugs, I don't care. That's what I am paying for when I purchase a game.
the only thing i would pay for would be new mario kart courses
As long as the DLC is substantial, and not that should have been there at release, than I'll accept this as good news.
If they try to pull any "This new update will make the gameplay the way it was supposed to be at launch!" crap, then I'm out.
YEAH! More game content! I just hope they don't overprice it like CoD DLC.
15.00 for 5 maps? NU-UH.
Yeah extra characters and circuits in MarioKart 7 and PLEASE add new characters for smash bros. 3DS/WIIU by dlc
More tracks, carts and characters on Mario Kart 7 and the inevitable Wii iteration of Mario Kart would be sweet. The Smash Bros. series could get more arenas and characters as well as costumes. It would be pretty sweet to see new levels in Super Mario 3D Land for download as well, priced at maybe $.99 US for a pack of 3 or 4 levels.
I wouldn't be angry if they gave us 16 new and 16 bestof-old tracks in Mario Kart and then charge around 5€ for another retro pack (16 tracks, 20 on GBA and SNES).
But I guess the paid content is more like a move for third-party developers, so that they don't have to do any extra-programming for multi-consoleros.
Only real DLC needed for Nintendo first party games Are tracks and or karts for Mario Kart, Stages and or moves in Super Smash Bros and maybe a side story with quests in Legend of Zelda.
Thing is, that the 3rd parties and Facebook/Mobile developers have shown gross abuse of this system.
This should be fun. With the way Nintendo has nickel and dimed its consumers for years I can't wait to see what they'll be offering. They may make the slop Crapcom offers seem reasonable. But Nintendo's fanbase doesn't mind getting it up the rear from them so whatever.
@DrKarl Yet we've already had some patches for Ridge Racer.
As long as the dlc is worth the price I'll buy it. And as long as it is not locked content on a disk
i still think that monster hunter on the 3ds is a good idea, and with the dlc there could be new downloaded monsters, quests, weapons and armor. it would never get old :3 i just hope capcom and do it, but my gut tells me that there not going to do it.
Well I like that they are respectful with the DLC but even if it’s new content I can't justify paying for some kind of data only thing to add on to my games. I can't get behind this and hope Nintendo stays away from things like this.
@NassaDane: Then don't buy it
Most DLC on the computer = Yay!
Most DLC on consoles = :/ Mreh...
So long as Nintendo does meaningful dlc that isn't on the disc already, then I'm just fine with this. None of that 99 cents for a costume that doesn't affect gameplay at all.
At the very least, this'll make it easier to get more 3rd party support for Nintendo.
It has a possibility of being extremely annoying, or really cool.
So we'll just have to wait and see.
As with anything Nintendo does regarding online, I think extremely annoying is much more likely than really cool.
"but aren't so keen on paying to unlock content already on the disc"
I agree: If it's on the disc, you have already payed for it!
Why is everyone opposed to locked content on a disc? I get that you want what you pay for, but that's extra, and if the DLC is on the disc, you'll have more memory space on the SD card for the 3DS and Wii U. As long as I get my content, I don't really see why it bothers people so much. Can somebody help me out? Am I the only one that thinks this?
DLC could be a good idea. I mean for SSB4 at least.
@chronicler Because, if the content has already been made, then why not just let the people who buy the game see the content? By locking some of the game, it's just a way to charge the consumer more money for the same content.
DLC makes sense to fix bugs, and DLC makes sense to add extras to a popular game. But if the content was planned to be included in the game from day one, charging to unlock it just forces users to pay more for the full game.
Yes, Nintendo is finally embracing something that has existed for years now.
@chronicler
I agree and disagree.
The idea for extra space so you can make sure your DLC can be downloaded is an excellent idea. But it's like what EarthboundBenjy said, then they'd just be milking it.
And we all know how gamers are with money.
Also, am I the ONLY one that wants The Mercenaries 3D DLC?
Here's a question: how is it DLC if it's already on the disc (referring to stuff already on the disc)?
Not a fan of DLC, but Nintendo needs to have it so 3rd parties can do it if they want to.
"Pay $20 for a new shirt for your Mii to use in Wii U Sports Fit Resort Motion Music Play!"
More Mario Kart tracks and Super Mario 3D levels would be sweet.
@birdfreak you download the 100KB file that unlocks it. So you paying for a key to an unknown locked lock.
My only comment about DLC? Use it, DON'T abuse it.
if the content has already been made, then why not just let the people who buy the game see the content?
Nope. DLC is usually things that have been created to sell as DLC. That if it weren't to be DLC sold seperately then it wouldn't have been created in the first place.
It can be a good thing. Extra levels, tracks, missions extend a games life.
It can also be a bad thing. Extra levels, tracks, missions that could easily have been put into the original shop retail game. And anyone that actually buys things like extra outfits for characters must be either stupid or far too rich.
@ Sh00kst3r,
"Also, am I the ONLY one that wants The Mercenaries 3D DLC?"
No you're not. I would download extra areas for this game. Not characters, outfits or weapons. However, it's not going to happen unfortunately.
At the very least this should give 3rd parties the possibility to handle DLC like they do on the other consoles.
James wrote:
That’s at least something that sounds right about this statement.
I don’t really like the idea of paid DLC costumes or characters in multiplayer games. The game wouldn’t be the same to everyone anymore. And for that alone I’d scream “tacked on!”.
When it comes to paid track packs or stages for Brawl and Mario Kart there would have to be a separate online mode so someone that doesn’t download this stuff isn’t left out of the fun with just the pure original game.
Also it’s hard to imagine good paid DLC for Nintendo’s platformers. The main motivation to me is to get to and beat the final boss. I don’t think the dramaturgy and suspense can be accomplished by paid DLC. So it’s more than likely that it would feel tacked on and unnecessary. The same goes for single player Zelda games.
I can only think of a few good paid DLC from Nintendo
And all of this content is only great as long as it doesn’t take away too many resources from developing completely new and fresh game experiences.
But who are we kidding. DLC that sells well will be seen as good DLC. No matter what.
I would have been totally open to Wii DLC for new worlds and such that didn't make it into the final cut of Mario Galaxy 2. Sadly, there was no infrastructure for such content on the Wii. If you think DLC of a particular type is stupid (characters, etc), do not buy it. I would have given my left foot to play as Rosalina in Mario Galaxy 2. It would also be equally awesome if we could download special bonus cups in Mario Kart Wii-U, as four-packs of new or retro tracks. I'm also open to idea of new characters/ karts, on the provision that they they're stats don't provide a huge competitive edge over base unlockable content (that would create an unfair advantage in online matches).
Another thing to bear in mind regarding DLC content, is that in order to use such content (costumes, characters, karts, etc) in online matches, the data must also be present in some form on all users' consoles, usually preinstalled or via automatic patches/ updates.
First they "ripoff" the iPad, now they start planning for "in-game purchases". This really is one huge attempt to get in on the mobile gaming market!
I guess this means that 3rd parties will really have no excuse for not giving Wii players all of the features in a game (British Bulldog, WCW Nitro & The Nexus in SvR 2011 & Extra AFC uniforms in Madden' 11)
Another thing to bear in mind regarding DLC content, is that in order to use such content (costumes, characters, karts, etc) in online matches, the data must also be present in some form on all users' consoles, usually preinstalled or via automatic patches/ updates.
Unless its already included on the cart itself. SSFIV on the home consoles gets around this by showing a characters standard costume if you haven't downloaded the costume that the other person is using.
I also want MH Wii U and 3DS
they better have DLC for SSF4 cause i dont want to buy it again
New MarioKart Track! Only $253.95 Buy It Now Ftw!
Ftw? I say Wtf...
Nintendo is slowly turning into Sony and Microsoft. Just look at everything.
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