Selling hardware at a loss and expecting software sales to make up the difference is a common business model for console manufacturers. Unless, of course, you are Nintendo. Their devices have almost invariably been able to turn a profit from the moment they hit store shelves. And the 3DS which has been making waves all over the industry looks to be no different.
According to an interview with VentureBeat, Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata believes that their upcoming 3D handheld has, “value worthy of the production cost,” and believes that the device can sell without losing money on every sale.
I was already curious as to how much the 3DS is going to retail for when it releases, but this kicks that interest up a notch. It’s a startling new technology, one which actually seems to work, and that’s almost never cheap. Which begs the question, is this new 3D technology less expensive than it seems to be or are we going to get some serious sticker shock when Nintendo announces the price?
Nintendo CEO reveals how company toiled for years on 3DS concept [VentureBeat]