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Nintendo makes free-to-play foray with 'tactical submarine simulator' Steel Diver

Favours smaller franchise for first step

Nintendo makes free-to-play foray with 'tactical submarine simulator' Steel Diver
It's no secret that Nintendo's been flirting with the idea of launching a free-to-play game for some time now.

But during the crush of news from E3, Nintendo's CEO Satoru Iwata disclosed that the venerable hardware and software creator will release its first free-to-play game before April 2014.

As for what that game will be, it won't be from the Pokemon, Harvest Moon, or Animal Crossing franchises - all of which, arguably, are well-suited to the free-to-play model.

Down bubble

Instead, Nintendo's foray into free-to-play will take the form of a follow-up to the 3DS launch title Steel Diver, a tactical submarine simulator.

Although it's not clear what consoles the free-to-play Steel Diver game will appear on, Shigeru Miyamoto - creator of the Mario and Legend of Zelda franchises - noted that it won't be a simple rehash of the 3DS version.

This is because the pricing model will change the game's design, and will also support a new four-person multiplayer mode.

Nintendo also didn't disclose what pricing model it will follow for the new Steel Diver game, namely whether it would require a recurring membership fee of if it would be driven by micro-transactions, but noted that it's aiming to keep the game "balanced and reasonable".

[source: IGN]

US Correspondent

Representing the former colonies, Matt keeps the Pocket Gamer news feed updated when sleepy Europeans are sleeping. As a frustrated journalist, diehard gamer and recovering MMO addict, this is pretty much his dream job.