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[rpmurphy]

From video interview: http://www.destructoid.com/nicalis-nintendo-has-turned-things-around-with-the-eshop-221258.phtml

The eShop, I feel, has really turned things around for Nintendo on the digital side because the storefront is heavily feature-driven. Any publisher can still produce whatever it wants, similar to iOS in both regards. However, given the feature-oriented nature, the eShop is quasi-curated without being some lame PR line like, 'consciously developing a curated portfolio' . That’s a steaming pile of PR right there, but that’s another story altogether.

If we look back at WiiWare, that system was broken because it was trying to be fair and feature nothing. WRONG. In the WiiWare system all games were created equal, but life’s not fair and all games are NOT made equal. Some suck hard, particularly on WiiWare. However, that doesn’t matter much in a system like the WiiWare shop because customers aren’t being directed anywhere. The top 20 is the easiest filter and being on the top 20 doesn’t mean a game is good/great, it just means they sell. Frogger, really?

I’m pretty certain that the number of total downloads (across all games etc) on most platforms typically hovers around the same rough figure. So, say you have 200 total customers to a given service per day, in the case of WiiWare, they’re getting lost in an ocean of blah. Other services, like eShop, have systems in place to control what people get to see and, to me, this is ideal.

Since the eShop is heavily feature-driven, this not only helps promote titles, it forces publishers and developers to make better games, hopefully. You want to get featured? You better have something good to show, curated or not. Will this change in the future? I have no idea as I’m not Mr.Iwata, but I do know that compared to how we did on WiiWare and DSiWare, eShop has a much better outlook.

Hopefully Nintendo will continue to improve on the storefront design. The web store too can't come soon enough.

 

[lupinko]

I want full 3DS games on the eShop, I'd like to make use of a 32GB SDHC one of these days.

Also next year I plan to be moving to a different region from my current, and due to region lock I'd like to make importing more convenient with the potential of digital.

But this is Nintendo, so I shouldn't hold my breath, sigh.

 

[Bullza2o]

I like where Nintendo is going in regards to online stuff. eShop was definitely in the right direction, and I'm interested how they are going to improve it once Wii U comes out.

 

[Lord Ghirahim]

I want full 3DS games on the eShop, I'd like to make use of a 32GB SDHC one of these days.

Also next year I plan to be moving to a different region from my current, and due to region lock I'd like to make importing more convenient with the potential of digital.

But this is Nintendo, so I shouldn't hold my breath, sigh.

Iwata said they are technically prepared for full DD, but they haven't decided on marketing. I hope they figure it out as soon as possible, DD would make my life a little easier.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Well they couldn't have done much worse, so the result of actually bothering to try makes it automatically better

 

[weeaboo]

meanwhile at Cave Story DSi (EU)

 

[NM0dz]

From video interview: http://www.destructoid.com/nicalis-nintendo-has-turned-things-around-with-the-eshop-221258.phtml


Hopefully Nintendo will continue to improve on the storefront design. The web store too can't come soon enough.

With direction from Nintendo like this, and the analysis made, I can't help but feel Nintendo is going after the iOS market to some degree.

the 3DS eShop, the tablet controller and the announcement of 'apps' for said controller. it feels like nintendo is allowing either itself or 3rd parties to entice the apple-gamer directly. Honestly, it feels like a very intelligent direction for nintendo to go in.

 

[Emitan]

Can they just bring La-Mulana to the eShop instead? By the time they get it out, no one will care any more. Especially with how successful the eShop seems to be.

 

[rpmurphy]

I want full 3DS games on the eShop, I'd like to make use of a 32GB SDHC one of these days.

Also next year I plan to be moving to a different region from my current, and due to region lock I'd like to make importing more convenient with the potential of digital.

But this is Nintendo, so I shouldn't hold my breath, sigh.

This is their current status on full game DD:

What I told you today is that we already have the necessary infrastructure to digitally distribute the software on a scale as large as the packaged software. We can start it as soon as we decide to do so. We have prepared the structure because we anticipate that it will increase in importance in the future, and I wanted you to know as a part of my presentation today that the company is not denying the future possibility of doing such activities. As for the actual digital distribution method, we need to consider what kind of cooperation we can make with wholesalers and retailers, but we think that there must be various solutions other than just positioning digital distribution as an enemy to them. Upon close consultation with them, we would like to determine the details of our digital distribution.

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/120127qa/02.html

It sounds like it won't come any time soon.

 

[ShinNL]

Why not a Steam-like system though? I hate the shelve system, I never click on them.

 

[Jocchan]

Can they just bring La-Mulana to the eShop instead? By the time they get it out, no one will care any more. Especially with how successful the eShop seems to be.

Seriously.

 

[seady]

The eShop is on a roll lately with many great contents.

 

[A Twisty Fluken]

all games are NOT made equal. Some suck hard, particularly on WiiWare.

That is some funny shit. I'm guessing the tone of this interview means VVVVVV has done rather well.

 

[Mafro]

Can they just bring La-Mulana to the eShop instead? By the time they get it out, no one will care any more. Especially with how successful the eShop seems to be.

And Cave Story DSiWare to Europe. A joke that it's still not out yet.

 

[btkadams]

i'm kind of confused. are they talking about content or how it's organized? i got a 3ds last friday and i haven't been impressed with the store at all. it's noticeably worse than psn/live and apple's app store. i'm not trying to troll or anything, but it just seems a bit lackluster in comparison (and even psn/live/appstore have problems). i don't have a wii though so i guess i wouldn't know if it's THAT much better than nintendo's attempt with the wii's store. is it just that much better than the wii that it's a step in the right direction?

 

[Bullza2o]

This their current status on full game DD:

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/120127qa/02.html

It sounds like it won't come any time soon.

Is Sony doing something different that strikes a balance between happy retailers and happy publishers? Or are retailers mad at Sony due to the cheaper DD service? (see JP Vita software sales)

 

[blu]

And Cave Story DSiWare to Europe. A joke that it's still not out yet.

Worry not, we'll get NightSky on 3dsware in no time.

 

[Wichu]

...and VVVVVV in Europe too. Though that's not really their fault.

EDIT: Spoke too soon; apparently it just got rated by PEGI. So it should be coming in a week or two

 

[Doc Holliday]

I've bought way too many games on eShop lately. Cave story and VVVVVV included, so I guess it's working.

 

[TheNatural]

What annoys me is the potential double and triple dipping on the same digital download. Someone could have bought Punch-Out on Wii, then I think I read it just went up on the 3DS shop, and then there will most certainly be some type of service on Wii U.

So instead of transferring what you bought to each one, you'll have to buy it three times? That's insanity.

 

[Emitan]

I'm assuming Nintendo will sell DD vouchers in stores so retailers don't feel shafted.

 

[Lord Ghirahim]

Is Sony doing something different that strikes a balance between happy retailers and happy publishers? Or are retailers mad at Sony due to the cheaper DD service? (see JP Vita software sales)

How cheaper than MSRP are PSN Vita games in Japan?

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

Can they just bring La-Mulana to the eShop instead? By the time they get it out, no one will care any more. Especially with how successful the eShop seems to be.

Wii U owners will be able to buy La-Mulana on that system's eShop. I think the game could have a bright future yet.

 

[H_Prestige]

What annoys me is the potential double and triple dipping on the same digital download. Someone could have bought Punch-Out on Wii, then I think I read it just went up on the 3DS shop, and then there will most certainly be some type of service on Wii U.

So instead of transferring what you bought to each one, you'll have to buy it three times? That's insanity.

This is the stupidest thing of all. They should set up NES/SNES/N64 "Classics" like Sony does and have each line of software run on all their systems. Just buy it once and run it on everything.

 

[King_Moc]

I've bought quite a lot from the eShop. It's not that easy to use, but i actually find the search options easier to use than the XBL one and i like how user friendly the streaming video's are.

What's the size limit for SD card's on the 3DS? I don;t know how long the 2GB one will last at this rate.

 

[Bullza2o]

How cheaper than MSRP are PSN Vita games in Japan?

I'm not sure, but in NA it's supposed to be around $5 cheaper.

 

[rpmurphy]

Is Sony doing something different that strikes a balance between happy retailers and happy publishers? Or are retailers mad at Sony due to the cheaper DD service? (see JP Vita software sales)

I assume that they had to go through similar negotiations with retailers and publishers. I don't think we will know for sure until the system is released worldwide and how the DD library goes over time.

 

[Emitan]

Wii U owners will be able to buy La-Mulana on that system's eShop. I think the game could have a bright future yet.

It would be funny if they made it Wii U only. UltraJMan getting a Wii U at launch confirmed?

What's the size limit for SD card's on the 3DS? I don;t know how long the 2GB one will last at this rate.

32GB

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

What annoys me is the potential double and triple dipping on the same digital download. Someone could have bought Punch-Out on Wii, then I think I read it just went up on the 3DS shop, and then there will most certainly be some type of service on Wii U.

So instead of transferring what you bought to each one, you'll have to buy it three times? That's insanity.

Nintendo will undoubtedly do a Wii -> Wii U transfer path, like they did for DSi -> 3DS. They still segregate along home vs portable lines, but it'll just be two purchases max.

 

[tim.mbp]

What annoys me is the potential double and triple dipping on the same digital download. Someone could have bought Punch-Out on Wii, then I think I read it just went up on the 3DS shop, and then there will most certainly be some type of service on Wii U.

So instead of transferring what you bought to each one, you'll have to buy it three times? That's insanity.

I put that in every Club Nintendo survey I do. I want one unified VC service. Hopefully with the Wii U being account based, there will be someway to associate a 3DS with an account.

 

[King_Moc]

32GB

That's a lot more than i expected. Yep, on a handheld that's definately enough for downloadable retail games.

 

[Father_Brain]

Nintendo will undoubtedly do a Wii -> Wii U transfer path, like they did for DSi -> 3DS. They still segregate along home vs portable lines, but it'll just be two purchases max.

It'll likely be possible to tie a 3DS to a proper Wii U-based Nintendo Network account, though I'm less optimistic that the account system will be fully implemented on 3DS.

 

[rpmurphy]

What annoys me is the potential double and triple dipping on the same digital download. Someone could have bought Punch-Out on Wii, then I think I read it just went up on the 3DS shop, and then there will most certainly be some type of service on Wii U.

So instead of transferring what you bought to each one, you'll have to buy it three times? That's insanity.

There is not too much overlap between Wii and DSiWare/eShop at the moment, but yeah as they plan to expand their VC library across both console and handheld, they should consider a unified purchase system.

 

[Bullza2o]

I assume that they had to go through similar negotiations with retailers and publishers. I don't think we will know for sure until the system is released worldwide and how the DD library goes over time.

I think that Nintendo is waiting to see how Vita handles DD first before making a move. Then they'll make a similar plan.

I wish we can "install" our cartridges into the SD card, which would make the cartridge useless unless we transfer the game back there again. Then you'd have to put the cartridge into the system periodically, say once every week, to prevent piracy/borrow+install, etc. Something like this would be cool.

 

[watershed]

This is good to hear. I've been really curious about sales on the eshop, hopefully the numbers are high and we'll continue to get great games like we have been for 2 or 3 months now.

 

[jman2050]

i'm kind of confused. are they talking about content or how it's organized? i got a 3ds last friday and i haven't been impressed with the store at all. it's noticeably worse than psn/live and apple's app store. i'm not trying to troll or anything, but it just seems a bit lackluster in comparison (and even psn/live/appstore have problems). i don't have a wii though so i guess i wouldn't know if it's THAT much better than nintendo's attempt with the wii's store. is it just that much better than the wii that it's a step in the right direction?

They're talking about how the eShop selectively features worthwhile content in the form of themed categorizations that make sense, as opposed to something like Wiiware where games received no form of promotion whatsoever or the app store where there's no real avenue of getting any store visibility without actually selling well in the first place.

The UI of course is another story and eShop's is not really optimal. That wasn't the point though.

 

[botty]

What exactly is people's beef with the eShop's UI?

 

[nincompoop]

What exactly is people's beef with the eShop's UI?

It's extremely disorganized. The categories they group games into are arbitrary and meaningless and change every week and sometimes don't even feature the game pictured next to the category name

 

[Verelios]

Episodic pokemon ranger games. Do it. Now.

Actually, pokemon DLC for new title. Ie. old zones like Johto, etc, being playable.

 

[StreetsAhead]

It's extremely disorganized. The categories they group games into are arbitrary and meaningless and change every week and sometimes don't even feature the game pictured next to the category name

Yeah, 'Mario Games' 'Zelda Games' 'Games recommended for men/women' 'new releases' 'highly rated titles' 'demos' 'virtual console' 'DSiware' '3DS Software' and 'All Games' are so arbitrary...?
(That's the Japanese shop, though - and those categories have been pretty stable for a while).

There's also a search and a 'watch list'.

 

[Davey Cakes]

It's extremely disorganized. The categories they group games into are arbitrary and meaningless and change every week and sometimes don't even feature the game pictured next to the category name

Yeah, I've gotten confused a few times now and I've only used the eShop a few times!

 

[Kurdel]

There were weeks when there were no new 3D games, but they made a new icon for the 3D games section.

It is like a store that keeps changing decorations, but only gets a worthwhile product every 6 weeks.

Their DD solution is the number one reason I sold my 3DS today. It is backwards and empty. No matter how curated the store front can be, you can only try to sell me Super Mario Land 2 so many times...

 

[The Technomancer]

It's extremely disorganized. The categories they group games into are arbitrary and meaningless and change every week and sometimes don't even feature the game pictured next to the category name

That and just scrolling left and right feels clunky.

 

[Yoona]

Then get some (good) 3D games on the damn thing.


And no, I don't mean VVVVVV for $8

 

[StreetsAhead]

There were weeks when there were no new 3D games, but they made a new icon for the 3D games section.

It is like a store that keeps changing decorations, but only gets a worthwhile product every 6 weeks.

Their DD solution is the number one reason I sold my 3DS today. It is backwards and empty. No matter how curated the store front can be, you can only try to sell me Super Mario Land 2 so many times...

That and just scrolling left and right feels clunky.

Ok, guys that was hilarious, but some people might take you seriously! Watch out!

 

[Hale-XF11]

My body is ready for Tetris Axis DD edition.

 

[lenovox1]

Can they just bring La-Mulana to the eShop instead? By the time they get it out, no one will care any more. Especially with how successful the eShop seems to be.

The WiiWare games will probably be available immediately on the Wii U's store. So if it's a good game, it'll get attention there.

 

[delta25]

The eShop is defiantly making great strides in helping Nintendo compete. I think we're all in for a big surprise with the Wii U and its online capabilities. Dear I say, MS may finally have some stiff competition in the foreseeable future.

 

[Jarsonot]

i'm kind of confused. are they talking about content or how it's organized? i got a 3ds last friday and i haven't been impressed with the store at all. it's noticeably worse than psn/live and apple's app store. i'm not trying to troll or anything, but it just seems a bit lackluster in comparison (and even psn/live/appstore have problems). i don't have a wii though so i guess i wouldn't know if it's THAT much better than nintendo's attempt with the wii's store. is it just that much better than the wii that it's a step in the right direction?

Yeah, basically it's better than the Wii. I don't feel it's up to par with PSN/Xbox Live/App Store either, but it's a step in the right direction, and hopefully a sign that they'll take another step for the Wii U. (And then update the 3DS to follow suit, would be nice)

 

[Kurdel]

The eShop is defiantly making great strides in helping Nintendo compete. I think we're all in for a big surprise with the Wii U and its online capabilities. Dear I say, MS may finally have some stiff competition in the foreseeable future.

What? How can online content promotion make the eShop a credible competitor? Nintendo's issue has always been content, not presentation. Every single online platform has this type of store front, even the App Store.

What Nintendo needs, is full, downloadable 3DS games from the eShop. Until they get that, they are still behind the curve.