14 DAY TRIAL // Nintendo is interested in exploring new types of games, as its president, Satoru Iwata, has confirmed that the company will focus on downloadable titles, free-to-play experiences, and online subscription-based games.
Nintendo has been very slow to adopt digital distribution, as only its recent consoles, like the Wii U or 3DS, have a full-fledged eShop online store.
Even so, the company isn't oblivious to the new trends in the industry and has confirmed through the voice of its president, Satoru Iwata, that it will explore new ideas like digital downloads.
"We think that digital distribution of packaged software is only the first step in expanding our digital business," Iwata told investors in a recent Q&A session on the company's website. "We will not simply change our existing packaged software distribution channel. Rather, we might have many other types of business models in addition to packaged software."
Iwata exemplified this new strategy with things like free-to-play experiences or titles that require a monthly subscription, saying that both the 3DS and Wii U can support such games.
"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. Digitalization allows for greater flexibility, whereby having more ways to make payments, both software developers and consumers have more options."
"And 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."
As of yet, however, Nintendo is purely focusing on offering retail games through the eShop in order to make them accessible to customers who prefer downloading titles over going to stores in a traditional way.