Nintendo will embrace independent spirit on 3DS

Nintendo’s stance on the proliferation of low-priced, low-quality mobile games - and the independent studios primarily responsible for them - has been pretty unequivocal in recent times.

First, Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Amie bemoaned the race to the bottom on mobile app stores, to the point where consumers become reluctant to shell out more than 99c for any gaming content.

Then, the company’s president Saturo Iwaka expressed grave concern at GDC about the overwhelming number of free titles on smartphones and the financial, value, and investment implications for developers.

Garage doors are open

In a statement which could be construed as a minor backtrack, though, Nintendo’s director of PR Marc Franklin states the Japanese video game giant isn’t closing off its doors to the smaller devs, including the two-man band garage teams.

"Nintendo always appreciates good quality content regardless of whether that's coming from an indie developer or a more established publisher."

"For example, we've worked with 2D Boy, the people behind World of Goo for WiiWare," Franklin said. "This is a group of guys who don't even have an office. So we embrace that kind of independent spirit and it's ultimately the most innovative content that will rise to the top."

Whilst Nintendo’s latest portable console hit UK shelves on Friday morning, the accompanying cash-based eShop won’t open for business until May.

Once the proverbial ribbon is cut on this digital storefront, it’ll be interesting to see the launch day price points for the expected wave of smaller, bite-sized offerings it will house.

[source: Gamasutra]