Fire Emblem introducing paid DLC to 3DS - Report
Nintendo confirms strategy series debuting on latest handheld April 19 in Japan; Nikkei reports game will be first to charge players for add-on content.
Nintendo first confirmed it would introduce paid downloadable content on the 3DS in August, but the company's plans are only now firming up. According to Andriasang, The Japanese Nikkei news outlet is reporting that the 3DS maker will roll out its first paid DLC next year with the portable's debut installment in the Fire Emblem series of strategy games.
In a video presentation following the Nikkei report, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced that Fire Emblem will arrive on Japanese shelves April 19. However, he did not unveil DLC plans for the game.
The Nikkei report did not include details on what the DLC would consist of or how much it would cost, but Iwata has previously addressed the company's general strategy for DLC. In August, he stressed that it would be unwise for Nintendo to pursue paid downloadable content of the small-scale variety, such as stat increases. Selling this type of content, he said, could increase short-term sales, but it would damage the long-term relationship Nintendo has with its customers. He added that the company also does not plan to pursue the free-to-play model, where developers release a game for free and monetize it through microtransactions. This type of business model, he said, would be a disservice to Nintendo's content.
Aside from dating Fire Emblem, Iwata's video presentation provided concrete details for numerous titles in Nintendo's Japanese first-quarter lineup. Of particular note, Iwata nailed down a March 8 release date for Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, as well as a March window for Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.
Content you might like…
Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Xbox One has preowned fee - Report
Microsoft confirms all discs must be installed to HDD to play; secondhand owners required to pay an unspecified fee. Full Story
- Posted May 22, 2013 2:44 am SST
-
Xbox One will launch this year
Microsoft formally announces Xbox 360 successor during media event; will support live TV and Skype; features 500GB hard drive, 8GB RAM, Blu-ray drive; 64-bit architecture. Full Story
- Posted May 22, 2013 1:09 am SST
Featured Stories
-
The Simpsons writer signs on for Angry Birds movie
Emmy-winning writer Jon Vitti, who penned "Mr. Plow" episode of The Simpsons, working on 2016 film based on Rovio's game. Full Story
- Posted May 21, 2013 3:23 am SST
-
Grand Theft Auto V premium bundles revealed
$150 Collector's Edition includes money bag, snapback hat, blueprint map, artwork, and various in-game items and bonuses; all preorders receive access to pilot atomic blimp vehicle. Full Story
- Posted May 23, 2013 8:44 pm SST
-
Atari to sell RollerCoaster Tycoon, Test Drive franchises at auction
Bankrupt publisher hoping to bring in at least $22 million from upcoming asset auctions. Full Story
- Posted May 24, 2013 12:43 am SST
-
38 Studios court case begins
Arguments in legal battle between defunct Amalur developer and Rhode Island presented in court today; state claims it has "avalanche" of evidence against 38 Studios. Full Story
- Posted May 23, 2013 4:51 am SST
-
Katie Couric acknowledges one-sided violent video games report
Network journalist acknowledges one-sided violent video game report; invitations to Bungie and the Entertainment Software Association were declined. Full Story
- Posted May 21, 2013 1:45 pm SST
Related Game
Fire Emblem: Awakening
- Publisher(s): Nintendo
- Developer(s): Intelligent Systems
- Genre: Strategy
- Release:
- MDA:







