Automatic 3DS Downloads: A Good Idea?

There was a time when turning on a game system without plugging a cartridge into it first would yield an ominous black void on the television screen, and nothing more. Those days are long gone, lost in a modern era featuring downloadable demos, built-in Internet browsers, social media options, and much, much more. Whereas the game console once served a single purpose, now our systems are arguably the busiest appliance in the house.

That goes double for portable systems. Our smartphones do everything except blow our noses for us (though as far as we know, maybe there is an app for that), and even so-called “dedicated” portable systems–namely, the Nintendo 3DS–can do a whole bunch of neat stuff besides play game cards.

Nintendo believes the 3DS and the upcoming Wii U have the ability to do more, however. At an investors’ Q&A, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata suggested that the 3DS  (and eventually the Wii U) might soon gain the capability to automatically download demos as a way to warm up users to new game ideas.

“When Nintendo would like to ask users to try a specific new game, we should deliver it to their Nintendo 3DS, and possibly Wii U, with their prior consent and recommend that they just try it and, if they like it, they can pay for it,” Iwata said. “In this way, we need to introduce users to unknown products.

“Consumers are likely to be convinced to pay about 5,000 yen [approximately $61.50 USD] for a well-established franchise product, but not all the people are willing to pay a certain amount of money for an innovative but unknown product. Now is the time to prepare for these situations.”

It’s not hard to see where Iwata is coming from on this issue. It’s a busy time for video games, but it’s also a time when some titles are starting to look a little, well, similar to one another. We all have a tendency to fall into comfort zones, which is why sequels and nostalgia-based games sell well. It can be hard to convince someone, “Here’s a new idea! Try it!” unless you get all up in their face about the matter.

Thing is, people aren’t always appreciative when a company like Nintendo does decide to get all up in their face. Moreover, it’s not really cool to download a demo to someone’s SD card without clearing it with them first. Given our constant fights with spyware and viruses, we automatically bristle when we catch something stealthily downloading in the background.

However, Iwata does mention that the download wouldn’t happen without the user’s consent. That said, getting poked every time we loaded up the 3DS, or the eShop or whatever would get old. We would need to have an option to turn off notifications permanently.

Iwata’s vision is still an interesting one, and his drive to introduce us to new ideas is impressive. Nintendo’s suggestions will certainly be appreciated–but ultimately, we need to have the final say on whether or not we want to endure the sales pitch.

About Nadia Oxford
Nadia is a freelance writer living in Toronto. She played her first game at four, decided games were awesome, and has maintained her position since. She writes for 1UP.com, Slide to Play, GamePro and other publications, and is About.com’s Guide to the Nintendo DS.

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