It seems like we’re nearing a point in time when a handheld manufacturer that doesn’t have an app store of some kind will be bigger news than a company that does. The apparent next in line for some app store love — Nintendo. Develop is reporting that the gaming giant is calling out to third party developers in an effort to push non-game content through its on-device portal, DSiWare. This past week at the Nintendo Developer Conference in London, Nintendo is said to have been out in full force in an effort to encourage developers in attendance to start thinking about various applications that might be hocked in its virtual shop. One developer had this to say:
Given the advanced functions in the DSi, such as the microphone and camera, the company told us that there are a variety of opportunities for a variety of apps, both in a games sense and a non-games sense, that we could offer.
And why not? Nintendo’s handheld sales are still through the roof despite tumultuous economic times and with so many handhelds in the hands of the public, adding another source of post-sale revenue beyond game titles is a logical progression. As has become painfully obvious over the past year, on device portals make it oh so easy for customers to spend money and Nintendo would be remiss if it didn’t capitalize on the trend. Parents, guard your wallets.
[Via Kotaku]
