Nintendo president takes blame (and 50 percent pay cut) for 3DS woes

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is taking a slap on the wrist for poor sales of its 3DS ... a slap with a yardstick wrapped in barbed wire and set on fire. Kotaku Japan reports that Iwata addressed shareholders in a meeting with the news that he's taking responsibility for the 3DS, which will result in a whopping 50 percent cut in his pay.

"For cuts in fixed salaries, I'm taking a fifty percent cut, other representative directors are taking a 30 percent cut, and other execs are taking a 20 percent cut," Iwata said. Nintendo announced yesterday that its 3D successor to the crazy successful DS line of consoles, the 3DS, would have its price chopped down to $169.99 from its $249.99 launch price. That's an $80 drop, and the system just released this March.

During a Q&A, Nintendo admitted that it must provide something that mobile phones--like the iPhone--cannot offer. While that's telling of Nintendo's increased focus on its online offerings with the 3DS and its upcoming Wii U console, that's still a tall order. The 3DS, which still uses the Friend Code format, does not have a social gaming ecosystem comparable to even the iPhone's mildly-appealing Game Center. Nintendo is clearly making strides toward the digital age of gaming, but it might need a few pole vaults to catch up.

Like cutesy birds? How about ropes? Then you'll love Rope Rescue

How do you best the crazy success of two of your most beloved iOS games? Make one game to rule them all! At least that's what seems to be EA and Chillingo's idea behind Rope Rescue. This upcoming game for iOS devices is set to release "soon," according to video posted by Kotaku's Brian Crecente (found below).

The game was spotted at an EA fall preview event, and it challenges players with--using a rope attached to one bird across pulleys and avoiding obstacles--freeing a slew of caged birds. Hmm, colorful, animated birds guiding ropes that are in danger of being cut?

That sounds as if Chillingo and EA are looking to hook Angry Birds and Cut the Rope (you know, the two astronomical iPhone games?) fans--though, that could entirely coincidental. In the duo's defense, neither are these birds "angry" nor is the goal of the game to "cut the rope." (In fact, your mission is to keep the rope intact amidst floating knives, bursts of flame and other threats.)


There looks to be around 60 levels that will be ready at launch, which will grow in complexity as you progress. And as you rescue more birds, they will be featured in a bird sanctuary of sorts. It also displays secret butterflies, should you manage to find them in each level. No official release date or price was announced during the event, but Kotaku seems to think we'll be seeing the game this September. Stay tuned, folks: This might be the next Angry Birds ... or should I say Cut the Rope? Oh, whatever.

[Image Credit: Modojo]

Are you psyched for an iOS game that has both birds and ropes in it? Do you think Rope Rescue could take off like Angry Birds and Cut the Rope did for Chillingo?