Nintendo has traditionally produced physical game releases on cartridges and later discs for its NES, SNES and other consoles. Since we’re in a new era of downloadable games, however, it’s decided to shift its focus a bit to meet that market
During a Q2 earnings Q & A held earlier this week, the company stated that it will have a sharper focus on digital releases for its new IP, with more original efforts for both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Today’s release of Wii Sports Club will lead the charge, featuring online-compatible versions of its popular bowling and tennis activities.
“When we launch a brand-new IP or when we release a game with well-known characters but with brand-new gameplay that our consumers are not familiar with, it is hard for them to anticipate and appreciate the value of the content before actually purchasing and playing with it,” said Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.
“For these titles, if we take the ordinary approach of selling the packaged software, the software might not reach its full sales potential. When we offer our consumers such new play experiences exclusively in a digital format, we intend to have wide flexibility in terms of their prices and ways to market them.”
Not to worry, Nintendo fans, this doesn’t mean the end of retail games. “I do not deny the possibility that Wii Sports Club may become packaged software in the future. However, for the future of Wii U, we have prioritized releasing tennis and bowling by the end of this year,” concluded Iwata.
Check out Wii Sports Club on the Wii U eShop now. Each activity runs $9.99, but comes with a 24-hour trial period.
Source: MCV UK
