Why Nintendo isn't interested in paid DLC

Nintendo hasn't jumped on the paid DLC bandwagon with its first party titles as it wants customers to feel they've paid for a "complete experience", according to NOA chief Reggie Fils-Aime.

Speaking in an interview with AOL's Games blog, Fils-Aime explained that it was open to offering additional content post-launch, but only when it makes sense to do so and not necessarily for a charge.

"We're interested in it to the extent that it makes sense to the consumer," he said.

"I've had this conversation with a number of our key developers, and their mentality is, 'Reggie, when we sell a game, we want the consumer to feel that they've had a complete experience.'

"Now, in addition, if we want to make other things available, great, and we'll look at that. But we're unwilling to sell a piece of a game upfront and, if you will, force a consumer to buy more later.

"That's what they don't want to do, and I completely agree. I think the consumer wants to get, for their money, a complete experience, and then we have opportunities to provide more on top of that."

Nintendo has offered DLC for many of its recent releases - additional puzzles for the Professor Layton games and new challenges in Mario Kart Wii, for example. However, these updates have all been free of charge.

As previously reported, a 3DS system update due next month adds the functionality for developers to sell DLC.

"In terms of what the next system update will allow, it will allow developers to sell add-on content, and whether that's for a physical game or a digitally released game," Fils Aime explained.

"In terms of how it will work, it's up to the developer whether they want to make it to buy new levels, new items - all of that is up to their imagination. Essentially, what we're doing is creating the framework for those transactions to happen."