As the Nintendo 3DS launches across the UK, we spoke to Nintendo UK’s Marketing Manager about everything from the lead up to the system’s debut to what we can expect in the following months.
GamerZines: How are you feeling about the 3DS launch weekend?
James Honeywell: "We’re feeling really good. Obviously we have a massive number of pre-orders, just over 140,000 so far. If we manage to confer all of those sales this will be out biggest launch ever"
GZ: Is it important for Nintendo to be first to the post with this glasses-free 3D technology?
JH:"I think we’ve seen 3D build momentum in the last couple of years. We’ve seen a lot of 3D movies and there’s a few 3D TV’s out there. With the launch of Nintendo 3DS, this will really be the year of 3D. If we do sell those 140,00 systems in the next two days then we will have sold as many 3DS systems as the’ve sold 3D TV’s in the UK in the last year. We really are exposing a wide audience to 3D, possibly for the first time."
GZ: How successful have the 3DS tours been in securing a successful launch?
JH:"We’ve embarked on our biggest ever sampling tour. I think we’re all aware that experiencing Nintendo 3DS is crucial so we’ve just tried to get the system out to as many locations as possible and give people a chance to try it out."
"Even to the point of the TV adverts, we’ve actually got genuine people there. I know we’re often questioned whether or not they’re paid actors but they’re actually genuine people we pulled from our sampling events to experience the Nintendo 3DS and show off the results. – that’s what you see in our campaign!"
GZ: How will the 3DS campaign continue post-launch?
JH: "So up until now, we’ve only shown people’s initial reactions and we’ve been trying to intrigue but we haven’t really been showing what people actually see on the screen. We want people to come down and experience it for themselves."
"Now that the Nintendo 3DS is out there and they’ll be in the hands of lots of people, our campaign will switch into a different way of doing things. We’re already starting to show the actual graphics but obviously we have to show them in 2D. I think the 2D graphics are actually fantastic so we’re looking forward to showing people Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, Pilotwings: Resort, Pro Evo Soccer 2011 3D and Nintendogs Cats. That will increase people’s anticipation even more."
GZ: Do you think that the health warnings and press reports on the dangers of glasses-free 3D has affected the 3DS hype in any way?
JH: We’ve always tried to be very upfront about it. I think a lot of those stories have actually come because we published our thoughts on it. We try to act like a responsible company, speaking to the researchers out there. Along side all of that research, children under the age of six should not view 3D images – that’s not just specific to Nintendo 3DS, that’s just general 3D."
GZ: Do you think those reports perhaps generated more interest in the system?
JH: "It’s possibly a good think that we’ve highlighted that and possibly a lot of people out there are unaware of the fact 3D should not be viewed by children under six but I don’t think that putting this information out there has dampened consumer’s anticipation for the 3DS in any way. We’ve got out biggest number of pre-orders ever so there’s clearly an appetite for it."
GZ: Which titles are you expecting to push sales at launch?
JH: We can see obviously our own pre-orders and games Nintendo is launching that Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition is going to do very well. Pilotwings looks like it’s going to perform fantasticaly and Nintendogs Cats I think everyone would do well. In terms of third parties, Pro Evo 2011 3D is hotly anticipated – the people I’ve spoken to at our sampling events seem to think that one really pops out! All the games should enjoy a successful launch weekend."
GZ: We’re big fans of the AR Games, are there any plans to bring new cards and games that use the Augmented reality features of the Nintendo 3DS?
JH:"I don’t know of any plans for new AR cards at this time. There are AR features built into some of the games for example: in Nintendogs Cats, you can use cards to project your puppy onto the card. I’m sure other titles coming in the future will use utilize the AR functionality but at the moment we have nothing to announce."
GZ: Would you have prefered to have the eShop available day one for the 3DS?
JH: "It’s always nice to have lots of features available at launch but it’s nice to habve new things introduced along the way. I know personally from my experience, when I got my Nintendo 3DS it didn’t have any software at the time but it made me explore the system and use stuff like Mii Maker, Mii Plaza and Street Pass Quest. There’s a lot in there I probably would have missed. Hopefully, you’ve got all those features built-in, loads of great software and if you have new features for people to look forward to in the future, that will keep people interested over a long time."
GZ: How is the software line up looking as we approach E3?
JH:We’ve got plenty of games still to come. Games like Dead or Alive: Dimensions, Steel Diver which is actually one of my favourites. There’s a lot of varied titles, possibly the biggest one that a lot of people are anticipating is the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. Watching people at events, they rush at that game and want Zelda to be their first experience in 3D. There’s really something for everyone over the Summer period.
GZ:Do you have plans for release The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D soon?
JH:"We haven’t announced a release date for Ocarina of Time 3D yet but we’ll be ready to announce details very soon."
GZ: What would you say to consumers who are on the fence this weekend about buying a Nintendo 3DS?
JH:"I’ve seen recently there’s been a lot of price activity even the day before launch retailers are getting very competitive with their prices. I suggest people get out there and take advantage of those offers right now. With all the technology we’ve got in the 3DS, all the things it has to offer, there really is no reason to wait. It’s available for a great price and you can get some really good bargins in a very competitive market. Don’t wait, I think now is a good time to get one and experience 3D for yourself."
The Nintendo 3DS launched today in the UK. For reviews on the launch titles, keep your eyes peeled for the next issue of PlayZine hitting digital shelves on Monday.
Tags: Nintendo 3DS
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