Nintendo 'looking into' SpotPass for automatic 3DS firmware updates

by JC Fletcher on Oct 1st 2010 6:01PM

During an investor Q&A (translated by Andriasang), Nintendo president Satoru Iwata outlined a potential method of keeping the 3DS from becoming as beset by piracy as the DS platform -- and it uses one of the new 3DS features. Iwata told investors that "As part of the functionality of SpotPass, we're looking into having automatic system updates via the internet." That means that the 3DS would be able to download firmware updates automatically whenever in contact with a WiFi signal, a functionality that Iwata also wants to use to add new features.

Iwata also said that Nintendo expected to keep game prices around the same price point as current DS releases. "We don't believe that the world is in a state where high priced software will sell well, so we don't believe it will be in a price range too far off from current DS software." And then Square Enix games will be ten dollars higher than that range.

Via: Andriasang
Source: Nintendo (Japanese)

Tags: 3ds, ds, firmware, nintendo, piracy, satoru-iwata, spotpass

Reader Comments (55)

If the only wifi signal is pay-by-whatever, Odds are its a secure network and the only way to access it is to start up an account with the provider and register said device.

All the 3DS will do is see a network see its secured, might give it a try get shot down by the network and stop but my money says it doesn't even try.

Now we are gonna need Faraday cage cases

Consider me on board until Some jacked up firmware update bricks a quarter million plus 3DS systems. Then consider me on board the class action.

Just don't screw up and everyone wins ...... only problem is it only takes one and everyone loses.

Unless these are either user serviceable (lol yeah that would defeat the whole purpose) or have internal dual bios in case the unthinkable happens they can resurrect themselves. But that would cost extra money so I'm thinking they won't.

The DS is still making money even with all the piracy. Try to control your userbase and you'll see profits drop, Nintendo.

Maybe they could stop spending time and money on combating a made up problem and not charge more for a handheld than the Wii.

I'm not saying that people don't use unauthorized copies, but what is the problem? Industry is making more and more money. Studies outside of companies hired by the industry who have a vested interest in showing the industry what they want to see show that unauthorized downloading tends to increase the market much like used game sales.

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