Nintendo has so far resisted the gilded allure of microtransactions. They’re pretty new to the DLC thing, and have only just attempted free-to-play with Steel Diver, but the company’s stayed away from microtransactions and the smartphone gaming market. One of its investors has sent a letter to Nintendo urging the company to start .
“Nintendo needs to embrace this thematic change in consumer demand, behaviour and expectations to stay relevant,” said Hedge Fun manager Seth Fischer – whose company Oasis Management Co Ltd is a Nintendo investor – to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata in a letter.
“Just think of paying 99 cents just to get Mario to jump a little higher,” Fischer said; a statement that is currently causing my eyeballs roll back in my skull.
“We believe Nintendo can create very profitable games based on in-game revenue models with the right development team,” he went on. “The same people who spent hours playing Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and Legend of Zelda as children are now a demographic whose engagement on the smartphone is valued by the market at well over $100 billion.”
Nintendo’s in enough trouble, and doesn’t have the public image it once did – especially where “core” gamers are involved. Implementing this sort of thing, though it might lead to short-term fiscal increases, would only hurt, something Iwata understands.
“If I was to take responsibility for the company for just the next one or two years, and if I was not concerned about the long-term future of Nintendo at all, it might make sense for us to provide our important franchises for other platforms, and then we might be able to gain some short-term profit,” Iwata said last year, when investors tried to convince Nintendo to make mobile games.
“However, I’m really responsible for the long-term future of Nintendo as well, so I would never think about providing our precious resources for other platforms at all.”
Funnily enough, the “whales” that make up so much of the cash-generating Smartphone gaming bubble account for 0.15% of the userbase – and make up 50% of the revenue. That’s pretty sobering stuff. without whales, the entire freemium premise would fall on its head.
Last Updated: February 27, 2014
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 27, 2014 at 15:01
Header is both hilarious and flippen scary as hell
Jaded_Reprobate
February 27, 2014 at 15:07
i hope whoever invented this microtransaction bullshit lives for eternity with an unscratchable ball itch
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 15:12
Phone the Japanese, get the whale boats ready!
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 15:14
“without wales, the entire freemium premise would fall on its head.” Damn Welsh people ruined everything.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
February 27, 2014 at 15:17
llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogofuckyerself. 😀
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 15:20
lol
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 15:22
lol
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 15:17
ROFL
Milesh Bhana
February 27, 2014 at 15:16
not a terrible idea. I think the microtransaction model would work really well with Pokemon. They’d make a killing!
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 15:18
Master Balls $10 a pop
Macethy
February 27, 2014 at 15:17
“Nintendo needs to embrace this thematic change in consumer demand, behaviour and expectations to stay relevant” We don’t demand microtransactions, they are forced upon us. We expect microtransactions, because we know how greedy the industry has become.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 15:19
Fucking suits. All about his goddamn dividend. Fuck everyone else. Never mind that what made the company successful in the first place, and attracted your stupid investment, was doing right by the customer.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 15:21
Maybe this is why Nintendo is having trouble getting 3rd party support. Being unwilling to buy into this crap. This makes me want to buy a WIIU
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 15:22
You know what? Those whales are going to wake up when Ahab shoves that microtransaction of reality up their bank accounts. It’s going to fall on its head, and the reputations that once held strong will crumble like castles built on the ashes of my dead dreams.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 15:26
Bunch of moby DICKS.
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 15:29
Well done! 😛 PS, enjoying book. 3/4 way through.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 15:23
0.15% sounds small enough to be kids with their parents credit card details
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 15:30
Would you mind if I charge you?
Understand that I need to
Wish that I had other choices
than to rob the one I love
What have you done now?!
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 15:31
I think oVg just read this article. I’m sure I heard a building explode in CT.
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 15:35
Too soon man, too soon 0-O Protesters still hanging about station!
Umar Reborn
February 27, 2014 at 15:32
Free Willy!! No!……God NO!!