The Nintendo President presents his thoughts on the value of game content.
Nintendo is not interested in doing business with garage developers.
Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime reiterated Nintendo's stance on working not with "hobbyist developers." Noting the distinction between individuals making games in their free time and independent development houses, Fils-Amie stated that "[Nintendo is] absolutely reaching out to the independent developer."
However, "In our view, [working with hobbyist developers]... is not a business we want to pursue." Nintendo adopted this policy because they feel industry is risking undermining the value of games by selling software too cheaply.
"When we talk about the value of software, it could be a great $1 piece of content or a $50 piece of content," he says. "The point is: Does it maintain its value over time or is it such disposable content that the value quickly goes to zero? … We want consumers to see value in the software, whatever that appropriate value is. And we want to see that value maintained over time."
This echoes statements by Nintendo Co. Ltd. President Satoru Iwata during his GDC keynote address.