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Report: Nintendo to begin releasing paid DLC starting with 3DS Fire Emblem

Get ready to see Nintendo try to figure out paid DLC

Words: on December 26, 2011
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It has been a while since we've heard Nintendo talk about Fire Emblem, and though we're excited to hear it bring up the franchise again, we think that we'd rather it not have been like this. According to sources, Nintendo will begin dabbling in paid downloadable content in the coming months, starting off with – wait for it – the 3DS version of Fire Emblem.

Apparently, said 3DS iteration will be launching in March in Japan, and Nintendo is planning on micro-transaction-ing the crap out of it. It's said that Nintendo has already updated the 3DS's firmware to allow this to work, letting gamers use pre-paid cards or credit cards to make in-game transactions. While this will only be available to Nintendo at first, a third-party roll-out is expected soon after, coming in as soon as the Summer of 2012. 

This tech will also carry over to the Wii-U, allowing developers the ability to add paid DLC to their games when the system launches in the second half of 2012. It's expected that Nintendo will elaborate on this during its streaming press conference later today, so be sure to check back for more information.

Related

Platforms:

3DS, Wii, Wii U

Topics:

3DS, DLC, Fire Emblem

36 comments

  • FoxdenRacing - December 28, 2011 7:47 a.m.

    My one question is how will this conflict with Miyamoto-san's "A game should be a complete product" philosophy? (A sentiment I share wholeheartedly; I'll happily buy well-executed expansions, but no game should have "required" extra purchases. "The Secret Armory of General Knoxx" good, 'You must have [3 maps from the last game] pack to enter into matchmaking' bad) Executed well, it could be a boon. Executed poorly, it could be the death knell for 'no additional purchases required' gaming. All eyes are on you, Nintendo. And for the love of good, give us Fire Emblem in the west!

  • IcePotato - December 27, 2011 8:27 p.m.

    I will probably buy a 3DS for Fire Emblem.

  • espenrio - December 27, 2011 7:57 p.m.

    I absolutely love Fire Emblem and this makes me happy if only because it hopefully means this game will come to the US. Not that I'm happy to have paid DLC, but I probably will go for it as I love the series so much. I just hope there aren't any problems with it or if Japan doesn't like having DLC in Nintendo games and boycotting it because it might complicate its release over here.

  • codystovall - December 27, 2011 6:44 p.m.

    Id prefer a hard copy. But Im a fan of these mini ds cartridges.

  • nick-ilic - December 27, 2011 6:23 a.m.

    okay blah blah blah DLC...... whens fire emblem coming out NA that's what a i really want to know.

  • WTeen8 - December 27, 2011 6:16 a.m.

    Praise the heavens, Nintendo's finally doing it! This means a lot of games can get new content. Like what xarab4lyfex said, and new levels in Sonic Generations, Costume Packs for SF43D and the AE characters, missions for Pilot wings (because we know the staff loved that game...well one of them, I'm just terrible with names.), Star Fox 64 3D planets, all the possibilities.

  • samsneeze - December 27, 2011 9:18 a.m.

    So, basically, you want the same thing other game developers are doing? I don't see how DLC from Nintendo is better because it's coming from Nintendo. Especially when we haven't actually seen anything for the 3DS yet. In all honesty, I'm kind of put off by it since it seems Nintendo is taking the whole "Announcing DLC before release" to a new extreme. There's no telling what kind of content is being withheld from the game to be charged for later. I don't hate DLC, but I don't think we should be jumping on board with this just because it's Nintendo seeing as how they have only been, in my opinion, borderline decent in recent years.

  • MetroidPrimeRib - December 27, 2011 9:19 a.m.

    Holy shit idiot this is NOT A GOOD THING

  • shawksta - December 27, 2011 1:02 p.m.

    Good point but we gotta see how Nintendo takes this, the other companies, they'll do what they always do(Especially Capcom), Nintendo didnt want to do DLC to begin with, we should wait and see if itll be worthwhile before judging, as stated before, Nintendo doesnt want crap DLC, this could be interesting.

  • samsneeze - December 27, 2011 6:40 p.m.

    1. Nintendo is a business. 2. What exactly is "crap" DLC and what isn't? 3. They really aren't showing themselves to be not like Capcom when they announce DLC for a game that isn't even out yet. 4. Name a major decision that Nintendo has made recent years that isn't going to or hasn't already come back and bite them in the ass.

  • WTeen8 - January 1, 2012 12:54 p.m.

    Crap dlc: When a publisher blatantly leaves something out for a quick buck, stuff from previous games that are readily available on it's respective games, but dlc'd for money (like how people re-release maps from one game, to another on the same console) Or on-disc dlc. Expensive stuff. Any combo of this. Good dlc: Extra things that enhance the experince, but couldn't be fit on the disc, or was thought up a few weeks/months after the game was released, but didn't need to be in it to make it complete. Like the dlc from Mass Effect or Red Dead.

  • samsneeze - January 1, 2012 2:04 p.m.

    But what you listed was ninety-nine percent of all DLC. It's like you're fighting for both ways. You're crazy if you believe Mass Effect didn't already have DLC planned before release. The game shipped with, in my opinion, a false ending(Two more than one in this case). The only way you'd get the best experience for the title would be to buy all the things that should have been included in the first place. What people fail to realize about DLC is that there is rarely any need for. Companies will always find a way to screw people over. I honestly wouldn't have a problem with DLC except the fact it's usually on disc, released or announced two or three weeks after game. The worst case scenario, announced before the game comes out at all. Which is exactly what Nintendo is doing here. I have no hope for a company that is willing to go back on their DLC policy and outright announce it before a game even comes out. The only game I've played with good DLC was Red Dead: Redemption and its Zombie pack. That was it. It's the only game I've played where the DLC actually felt right. Dead or Alive: Dimensions also impressed me with its once a day free costumes and once a week throw down challenge.

  • IChooseUAntistaMON - December 27, 2011 4:50 a.m.

    Fire Emblem is Nintendo's best series I had more time in FESS in a week than I did in any other 3ds game

  • xarab4lyfex - December 27, 2011 3:13 a.m.

    This is actually a good idea. I'd love to pay money for more content if it's comin from nintendo. Especially if it's maybe like more tracks and karts and characters for mario kart 7 or new levels for super mario 3D land

  • MetroidPrimeRib - December 26, 2011 11:50 p.m.

    Good Job Nintendo Now add some Season Passes and DRM and you'll be right on track to ruining the industry

  • ThisIsMyFuckingThirdAccount - December 27, 2011 7:49 a.m.

    I think they'd need more forced gay sex.

  • BladedFalcon - December 26, 2011 10:32 p.m.

    In before MetroidPrimeRib Starts bitching about Paid DLC, and how Nintendo sucks ass now because of it.

  • fthel - December 26, 2011 11:56 p.m.

    you predicted the future

Showing 1-20 of 36 comments

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