New 3DS eShop Features Mark Nintendo's Digital Push

Nintendo revealed today that it is planning an update to its 3DS eShop that will see new functionality added to the online store as a means of "accelerating our digital business." The eShop was launched earlier this year, and provided Nintendo 3DS users with a place to download digital gaming content for the handheld console. As part of a semi-annual financial results briefing with investors, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata explained that the functionality for developers and publishers to be able to release add-on content, or DLC, for their games will soon be included in the eShop. Publishers will also be able to provide demos of their games via the eShop. Finally, improvements are also due to be made to the eShop to fix "several issues" that users are having, said Iwata. These features will be made available as part of next month's update, which also features the previously-mentioned 3D video recording capabilities. Iwata then went on to detail another new upcoming eShop addition, which will not be part of the next update. Nintendo plans to make the eShop available via both web browers and smartphones, allow users to check games in the shop and read reviews through devices other than the 3DS. "[The eShop] does not have a great affinity with the social media which are currently being used as a means to spread information," Iwata explained. "In other words, even if a software title receives an incredible review, majority of people will not know about it unless they access the Nintendo eShop with their Nintendo 3DS system. We would like to solve this issue by making the Nintendo eShop accessible via PCs and smartphones as well." The Nintendo president noted that users will not be able to purchase content through their PC or smartphone to begin with, but that this functionality will be added later on.