Iwata: 3DS Not the "Formal" Name for New Handheld
Nintendo president also discusses potential for higher 3DS development costs and the system's target audience.
By Kris Pigna, 05/11/2010
*
*
* 0diggsdigg
* 15
Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata recently participated in a Q&A session with investors in Japan (via Andriasang), where he dropped a few new details and elaborated on a few old ones regarding their upcoming Nintendo 3DS handheld -- including the fact that "3DS" is not actually the official name for the hardware.
"We've said that it will be released during this term, so the announcement of the formal name will not be too far off," said Iwata in response to one question about naming, indicating that "3DS" is not in fact the formal name but simply a placeholder.
Iwata also addressed speculation that development of 3D games would require higher development costs, which is a proposition he doesn't agree with. "If a game is originally made as a true 3D space, you make the 3D image by drawing two lines, one matching the left eye and one matching the right eye, so converting a game that already takes place in a 3D world into 3D is not all that difficult," Iwata said.
He went on to explain that 3D visuals on their own won't improve a game, but that it'll require "trial and error" to create "interesting" interactive experiences combined with 3D visuals. "It is that trial and error alone that could see an increase in development cost," Iwata said. "However, the trial and error is there for any development where you try to make new entertainment experiences, and not just 3D."
Another topic Iwata touched on was his own recent revelation that the 3D functionality of the 3DS could be switched off due to health concerns. "This isn't limited to just kids, but we're aware one in some tens of people, including adults, has difficulty with three dimensional visuals," he explained. "So, while the 3D image is a special feature of the 3DS, we won't force the player to use the 3D functionality. By making it so that the player can at all times play with [the 3D feature] off, we believe we can comply with those who have difficulty with the 3D view or those who are worried about their child's eyes."
A few more bits and pieces from the Q&A session: Iwata said the 3DS's target audience would not necessarily skew more toward hardcore gamers just because of the 3D visuals, as it'll have both casual games and games with "high-level productions"; he also explained the 3DS's early leak was due to Nintendo having to inform outside developers about the hardware in order for them to have an idea of what they could make on it, which spread the information in a way Nintendo could no longer control; and lastly Iwata also commented on the Wii successor, saying they have nothing to show on it and that "We are in no way thinking 'the Wii is near the end of its platform cycle so we will limit our investments.'"
Rotflmao 
