Topic: Nintendo Releases Information Kiosks to Japanese Stores

[NWR_pap64]

Japanese fans curious about the latest Nintendo games will be able to learn about it at a nearby store.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20598

 In order to generate more interest in Nintendo and educate consumers about their latest products, the company has begun testing a new Japanese marketing initiative involving information kiosks.  These kiosks will provide consumers information on Wii and DS games.    

Named "Wii/DS Software Search Guide", the kiosks are composed of a touch screen monitor and a camera. Placing a game box in front of it will generation information and video about the title.  Users of the kiosk can search for titles in several ways:  

 
• Search by New Titles: The user will see the newest games released in the last two weeks.
   




• Search by Commercials: It will display games based on the commercials currently airing.
   




• Search by Everyone's Recommendations: Only applicable to Wii software, this displays the top titles based on the user ratings featured on the Nintendo Channel.
   




• Search by Sales: Displays titles that have sold over 300,000 copies.
   




• Search by Keyword: Users input a specific name or keyword in order to learn more about the title.
   




• Search by Other Conditions: Players will be able to learn about titles according to hardware, genre, maker, recommendations, and sales.
 

 In addition to learning about the latest software for the Wii and DS, kiosk users will be able to learn about the systems themselves and how to connect them to the internet.    

The initiative will run through February. Depending on consumer reactions, Nintendo may extend it. At the moment only four stores in Japan feature the information kiosks.

[BlackNMild2k1]

So now publishers have a goal of selling 300k units of their game just so that it can be featured in the Nintendo Kiosk and generate more PoP* sales. I don't know if Nintendo has the same 3rd party advertising problem that we have in the US, but it could make a small advertising budget for 3rd party games worth it if these kiosk become very popular.

PoP = point of purchase

[NWR_pap64]

I think the games will still be featured in the other categories, so it isn't necessary for the game to be a massive hit in order to be on the information database.

As for this initiative, this isn't the first time Nintendo has done this sort of thing. Back when I was a kid Nintendo used to have these information booths at stores like Sears and Toys R' Us. They consisted of a TV monitor and a panel with many Nintendo titles. When you pressed a button the monitor would then play a commercial for the game. I remember as a kid that's how I learned about F-Zero, Mario Paint and tons of other NES and SNES titles that I otherwise would have been clueless about.

I thought it was a great idea and its sad that Nintendo doesn't do it anymore.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Well now they could set up a kiosk that looks like a giant DS with a touch menu on the bottom screen and video display up on the top screen.


edit: And what I meant was that lots of people, like parents, will probably look for whats popular and get that for their kid or as a gift for whoever they are buying it for, and if some game maker can make sure their game makes that "popular" 300k+ sales list on the kiosk, it could increase that PoP sales and make a small advertising budget worth the cost.


I'm sure they will have all the games listed, but who wants to sort through that incredibly long list when you don't know what you're looking for?

[NWR_pap64]

I'm sure they will have all the games listed, but who wants to sort through that incredibly long list when you don't know what you're looking for?

That's what the scanning function is likely for. Players grab the game, scan it, and learn more about it.

Though, I don't know if Nintendo bothered to program over a thousand games just for that...

[Kairon]

Search by sales? Search by current commercials? Sounds like Nintendo is trying to incentivize publishers to set specific goals in sales and marketing.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Exactly what I was saying.

You're likely gonna have to advertise to get to your 300k sales, that will not only get you in a categorized search column, but you also have you commercial featured on the kiosk for On Demand viewing.

It's a 2 for one. Not to mention that if It's a new title and it happens to good, you will also be on the recommended list.

[Kairon]

Of course, this is in Japan... I would love to see a similar thing in the US, but would they do it here?

[BlackNMild2k1]

They need to. If at the very least they put it inside of every Wal-mart and Toys R Us I think it could help a whole lot on the awareness of lots of good titles that could use a small marketing push. Ofcourse the publishers of those games will need to atleast spring for enough money to produce a commercial, but you know how the whole carrot and stick thing works.