Dear Reader:
You are viewing
a story from GN Version 4.0.
Time may not have been kind to formatting, integrity of links, images, information, etc.
SEGA open to more free-to-play 3DS games, Initial D can be played without spending money
Coming from a Famitsu interview with SEGA's Toshihiro Nagoshi...
“Sega have had success with titles like Samurai & Dragons, and it’s become an age where we’re seeing all kinds of different F2P games. Even for home console games, it has become normal to simply download them, so to an extent, having F2P games is a given. I believe the strategy [of making an F2P game] simply came to be, after going with the flow.
In order for a F2P game to succeed, well basically, the device must be spread out in terms of popularity—that’s the condition you must meet. In Japan, the most widely used handheld device is definitely the smartphone; but following that, it is definitely the Nintendo 3DS.
I understand that the market is different, but on the other hand, I believe that everyone is aware of that, and that’s how the Nintendo 3DS has kept going on without having to release F2P titles. So, I’d like to try it out, and see the results for myself. As a game creator and producer, I’m very interested in seeing what happens.
Of course I believe that we might see some unexpected results. It might not even go too well, and there are many possibilities. The Nintendo 3DS has a wide audience from elementary school to high school students, but that’s not all. I believe there’s a business chance in the older market. However, nothing is certain for now, but to a degree, giving that a shot is a Sega-like selection. I’m sure if fans take it that way, they will understand.
We had various plans, but the reason we went with a racing game is because we wanted something that can be played lightheartedly with replay value. Initial D isn’t a pure racing game, but it has the right characteristics and uniqueness, along with an earnest essence to it.
We thought about going with an original game and not using an existing IP, but racing games aren’t as popular as before. Those who aren’t used to them will pass on them, so we figured that a name like Initial D would bring more power to [the game].
When there’s something special that you’d want, you can purchase points to get it, it’ll work like that. You’ll also be able to accumulate those points in the game by simply playing it.
We don’t intend to stop with this title, and after looking over its results, we’ll think about what to do next. However, unlike games for smartphones, I believe there’s a perfect shape of ways to do things, somewhere out there, for the Nintendo 3DS. I believe that finding it will be our challenge, and in many ways, Initial D will be our first step.
At the moment, I can say that we’ve been thinking about plenty of things. We have suggestions amongst ourselves like ‘wouldn’t this be a perfect game for a F2P title on Nintendo 3DS’ and many more. So when the time comes to talk about it… we’ll just leave it at that for now."
Link
“Sega have had success with titles like Samurai & Dragons, and it’s become an age where we’re seeing all kinds of different F2P games. Even for home console games, it has become normal to simply download them, so to an extent, having F2P games is a given. I believe the strategy [of making an F2P game] simply came to be, after going with the flow.
In order for a F2P game to succeed, well basically, the device must be spread out in terms of popularity—that’s the condition you must meet. In Japan, the most widely used handheld device is definitely the smartphone; but following that, it is definitely the Nintendo 3DS.
I understand that the market is different, but on the other hand, I believe that everyone is aware of that, and that’s how the Nintendo 3DS has kept going on without having to release F2P titles. So, I’d like to try it out, and see the results for myself. As a game creator and producer, I’m very interested in seeing what happens.
Of course I believe that we might see some unexpected results. It might not even go too well, and there are many possibilities. The Nintendo 3DS has a wide audience from elementary school to high school students, but that’s not all. I believe there’s a business chance in the older market. However, nothing is certain for now, but to a degree, giving that a shot is a Sega-like selection. I’m sure if fans take it that way, they will understand.
We had various plans, but the reason we went with a racing game is because we wanted something that can be played lightheartedly with replay value. Initial D isn’t a pure racing game, but it has the right characteristics and uniqueness, along with an earnest essence to it.
We thought about going with an original game and not using an existing IP, but racing games aren’t as popular as before. Those who aren’t used to them will pass on them, so we figured that a name like Initial D would bring more power to [the game].
When there’s something special that you’d want, you can purchase points to get it, it’ll work like that. You’ll also be able to accumulate those points in the game by simply playing it.
We don’t intend to stop with this title, and after looking over its results, we’ll think about what to do next. However, unlike games for smartphones, I believe there’s a perfect shape of ways to do things, somewhere out there, for the Nintendo 3DS. I believe that finding it will be our challenge, and in many ways, Initial D will be our first step.
At the moment, I can say that we’ve been thinking about plenty of things. We have suggestions amongst ourselves like ‘wouldn’t this be a perfect game for a F2P title on Nintendo 3DS’ and many more. So when the time comes to talk about it… we’ll just leave it at that for now."
Link