Mere days after its release, Super Mario Run amassed an incredible 40 million downloads at the Apple App Store. Nintendo has attracted flak, however, after it was made known that players will have to shell $9.99 to unlock the full game.
Outrage On Pricing
Naturally, a debate soon raged afterward about the Super Mario Run pricing and you may be sure that the press covered every detail of it. Negative reactions dominated the conversation so far to the point that if you head to the App Store, you will find that the game is earning a 2.5 rating on the average in a platform where it is accorded an Editor's Choice tag. The bulk of users have given it the lowest rating out of sheer disappointment.
"It was fun at first, but offering only 3 levels before hitting the pay wall is just plain greedy & stingy and feels very wrong," a user commented.
Super Mario Run Survey
The survey that Nintendo has sent to a select set of iOS players indicates that the company could be feeling the heat. One of the questions therein entailed a query on the players' feelings about having to pay the steep price in order to play the game.
The question specifically asked how much players are willing to pay for the full game Super Mario Run. A blank box was provided so respondents can put their desired amount. Based on the current state of things, Nintendo will likely modify the game's price point accordingly.
Otherwise, Super Mario Run could face a backlash. Aside from its dismal rating at the App Store, Nintendo's stocks have also plummeted this week and it is potentially caused by the users' reactions.
Nintendo should probably learn from the experience of its previously released mobile game called Miitomo. On the strength of the Nintendo brand, it was initially a hit.
Afterward, its user base eventually declined partly due to its game mechanics. The same could happen to its latest title, which is unfortunate because it has been trying to stage a comeback as one of the world's leader in gaming.
Sequel And Always Online Requirement
On a more positive note, the Nintendo survey revealed that a Super Mario Run series could very well be in the pipeline. One of the questions sought to gauge players' reactions on the possibility of a game sequel. It is not surprising to hear of this plan this early given the initial popularity of the app.
There are some segments who noted that the survey lacked any questions addressing the Super Mario Run online requirement. Many players are unhappy that they will not be able to use the game without internet connection. This aspect, however, seems to be non-negotiable. Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has previously stated that this is a mechanism to ensure that the game is not pirated.
Super Mario Run is still currently exclusive to the iOS platform. Nintendo said it will be heading to the Android universe next year.
