Nintendo considers combating 3DS piracy with automatic firmware updates
Speaking at an investors briefing two days ago, Nintendo CEO and president Satoru Iwata offered some ideas his company is tinkering with to prevent the DS’s rampant piracy problems from spreading to the 3DS.
“As part of the functionality of SpotPass, we’re looking into having automatic system updates via the internet,” said Iwata, according to a report from Andriasang.
Spotpass, for those of you who haven’t followed the torrent of 3DS news raining down on us this week, is the system’s way of automatically downloading “information, game data, free software, pictures,” and other content from wireless access points while the portable is in sleep mode.
Of course, people could always turn off the 3DS’s WiFi capabilities with the new switch on its side, but Nintendo also intends to have the firmware updates built into retail carts, similar to Sony’s approach for the PSP.
Iwata maintains that Nintendo will use automatic firmware updates not just to fight piracy but also to introduce new features. Unfortunately, that increased security will also lock out consumers who want to use their flashcarts for less nefarious purposes.
Buy: Nintendo DSi XL (Blue, Burgundy, & Bronze), Standard Nintendo DSi (White, Pink, Black, & Blue) See also: Hella posts about the Nintendo 3DS [Image via Calvin Cha]
