11.2 Add-On Content

11.2.1 Clearly Indicating What is Included in a Content Set

You must clearly state what add on content items are included in a content set if your application supports sales of content sets containing multiple add-on content items.

You are welcome to discount the price you set for content included in a content set compared to the price you set for content items sold individually. However, Nintendo recommends that you inform the user of any potential disadvantage associated with purchasing the content set (such as when the set includes content items that the user has already purchased separately).

11.2.1.1 Supporting Sales of Content Sets

Guideline Item

If the application supports the sale of multiple add-on content items as a content set, what items are included in the set must be clearly stated.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that provide multiple pieces of add-on content as a content set.

Test Method

Check how the content set is displayed.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the add-on content items included in the content set are clearly indicated.

11.2.2 Data Title Icons and Titles

Be sure to configure an icon and a title for the data title as a whole, not just for each content item. Check whether icons have been configured properly from the Data Management screen of System Settings.

If you have multiple data titles that correspond to a single title (that is, if you have multiple variations on that title), you must configure these settings for all your data titles.

The Data Management screen of System Settings displays the icon and title of the data title with the smallest variation number out of all of the data titles downloaded to the local system.

11.2.2.1 Data Title Icon and Title Settings

Guideline Item

An icon and a title must be configured for the data title itself.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that use add-on content

Test Method
  1. Enter the application's purchase sequence, and check the list screen.
  2. Return to the HOME Menu, and check the data title's icon and title by selecting System SettingsData ManagementNintendo 3DSDownloadable Content.

Note: In situations where it is not possible to check each data title individually (such as when initializing multiple data titles at once), perform the test by checking the icons and titles under the CFA 1 tab of Master Editor.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if in step 2, the data title's icon and title are displayed.

11.2.3 Items Included in Add-On Content

■ Prohibition of Changing Add-On Content Item Names After Items Have Been Released

If you change the item name of an add-on content item on IMAS, the item name displayed on the user's purchase details in Nintendo eShop is also changed. To avoid cases where the item name displayed at time of purchase does not match the item name displayed later in the purchase details, it is prohibited in principle to change the item name of any add-on content after releasing it.

■ Compatibility with the Application

If your application has revisions (either patches or remastered versions), or if there have been changes to its add-on content, all versions of add-on content must work without problems in all versions of the application, in all possible combinations. In general, partial deletion and/or alteration of purchased content is prohibited. However, if a bug is discovered in add-on content, it is acceptable to replace it with corrected content.

■ Prohibition on Ratings Deviations

Add-on content must not exceed the application's age rating. For example, it is prohibited to provide add-on content that contains violent imagery for an application rated for all ages.

 

11.2.3.1 Prohibition of Changing Add-On Content Item Names After Items Have Been Released

Guideline Item

It is prohibited to change the item names of add-on content after releasing the add-on content.

Software to Be Tested

Applications with already-released add-on content.

Test Method

Check the catalog on IMAS.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if there are no changes to the item names.

11.2.3.2 Compatibility with Applications

Guideline Item

All versions of add-on content must work without any problems with all versions of the application.

Software to Be Tested

Applications and/or add-on content that have revisions (either patches or remastered versions).

Test Method

Play through every mode of the application where add-on content is used, using all combinations of all add-on content versions with all application versions.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the application can be played without problems.

11.2.3.3 Prohibition on Deleting or Altering Subsets of Sold Content

Guideline Item

Once content has been sold, it must not be deleted or altered in subsequent revisions.

Software to Be Tested

Add-on content with revised versions.

Exceptions

If the content was revised to fix an issue with the content.

Test Method

Check the source code.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if content which has been made available for sale is not deleted or altered.

11.2.3.4 Prohibition on Rating Deviations due to Add-On Content

Guideline Item

Add-on content must not deviate from the rating of the application.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that use add-on content

Test Method

Check the source code.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the add-on content does not deviate from the rating of the application.

11.2.4 Sale of Executable Data

In principle, the sale of executable data, such as DLLs, is prohibited.

11.2.4.1 Prohibition Against Sale of Executable Data

Guideline Item

The application must not support the sale of executable data.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that use add-on content

Test Method

Check the add-on content.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if executable data is not included in add-on content.

11.2.5 Precautions Regarding Save Data

■ When Linking Save Data to Add-On Content

It is not a problem to link save data to specific pieces of add-on content, but as a general rule the save data must be usable without problem (no lockups, no prevention of game progress, etc) if that add-on content is deleted.

For example, imagine that you save while your character has equipped the "Mario Suit" add-on content, and then you delete the "Mario Suit." If you then load your save data, the application will not be able to find the "Mario Suit." In this case, it is preferable if the application can continue without the "Mario Suit" equipped.

As long as your application provides a way for the user to redownload the add-on content and prompts them to do so by displaying instructions or a similar message, it is acceptable if deleting add-on content prevents the user from progressing any further in your application.

There are several ways to cause a situation where required content has been deleted. For example, deleting data titles from the Data Management screen of System Settings or swapping out the SD Card can cause this situation.

 

■ When Including Add-On Content in Save Data

If you save actual add-on content data inside save data or extended save data, be aware that the add-on content can then be used by systems which either never had the license to use it or have lost the license to use it. Nintendo recommends not saving such data in save data or extended save data.

11.2.5.1 When Linking Save Data to Add-On Content

Guideline Item

The application must run without issues when add-on content that is linked with save data is deleted.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that use CTR-ECDK and that link add-on content to save data.

Exceptions

Cases where all of the following conditions are met:

  • If the application has become unable to progress because it depends on add-on content that has been deleted, it provides a way for the user to redownload the add-on content.
  • In the scene beyond which the user cannot progress, the application displays a message informing the user that they must redownload the add-on content to progress further in the game.
Test Method
  1. Purchase an item that will be linked with save data when you save.
  2. Create save data linked to the add-on content.
  3. Return to the HOME Menu, and select System SettingsData ManagementNintendo 3DSDownloadable Content. Next, delete the add-on content.
  4. Launch the application using the created save data and play through all modes of the application from beginning to end.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if in step 4, the application is playable without any problems.

11.2.6 Precautions When Distributing Add-On Content

When distributing purchased add-on content to another Nintendo 3DS or other device via the network, such as when displaying add-on content to a communication partner during online play, you must encrypt the channel by which the content is sent and prevent it from being saved on the other system or device.

This requirement is intended to prevent the interception, hacking, and illegal copying of purchasable add-on content. Therefore, it does not apply to free add-on content (including item download codes that are distributed free of charge), or to data that is included in purchasable add-on content but would be meaningless if intercepted or illegally saved, such as the text string of the name of an additional stage.

By design, it is not possible to transfer the license of add-on content. For this reason, if a user gives data to another user and that data no longer remains on their system, then as long as they have a license for the data they can redownload it. In contrast, if the user who received the data has no license for it, they cannot redownload it. If your application distributes add-on content, be aware of this point and consider how best to handle it in a robust and user-friendly way. Nintendo recommends explaining this to users to avoid confusion, as well as avoiding mechanisms that allow unlimited proliferation of copies.

11.2.6.1 Encrypting Add-On Content When Distributing, and Preventing Saving

Guideline Item

The application must encrypt purchased add-on content when distributing it to devices other than the Nintendo 3DS on which it was purchased (such as other Nintendo 3DS systems), and must prevent it from being saved on such other devices.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that are able to use add-on content through communication with other devices.

Exceptions
  • Free add-on content (including item download codes).
  • Add-on content that would be meaningless if intercepted or illegally saved.
Test Method
  1. On Nintendo 3DS A, purchase an item that can be distributed to another device (such as another Nintendo 3DS system).
  2. Distribute the purchased item from Nintendo 3DS A to the other device.
  3. Check the distributed item on the other device.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if all of the following conditions are met.

  • In step 2, the content is distributed to the other device over an encrypted channel.
  • In step 3, there is no feature on the other device for saving the item.

11.2.7 Redownloading Add-On Content

Implement your add-on content so that once the content license has been purchased or redeemed via a download code, the user has an option to download the content again at any time, even if the content has been deleted from the SD Card. For example, implement a management menu within the application that lists content for which the user has purchased a license, and allow the user to redownload content from this list (via the application calling the nn::ec::EcApplet::RequestDownloadContents function).

If you add a redownload feature to a menu listing purchasable items (that is, the menu includes items for which the user has not yet purchased a license), make sure the display clearly distinguishes between items available for purchase and items available for redownload. Avoid implementations that could confuse the user, such as listing prices for all items including those for redownload.

11.2.7.1 Support for Redownloading Add-On Content After It Is Deleted

Guideline Item

Applications must implement add-on content so that once the add-on content license has been purchased or redeemed via a download code, the user has an option to download the content again at any time, even if the content has been deleted from the SD Card.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that use add-on content

Test Method
  1. Purchase an item.
  2. Return to the HOME Menu, and select System SettingsData ManagementNintendo 3DSDownloadable Content. Next, delete the add-on content.
  3. Redownload the item purchased in step 1.
  4. In the application, use the item that you redownloaded in step 3.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if all of the following conditions are met.

  • A feature for redownloading the item is implemented in step 3.
  • The item can be used without problems in step 4.

11.2.7.2 Distinguishing Purchasable Items from Purchased Items

Guideline Item

If the list screen has both purchasable items and purchased items at the same time, it must distinguish between the two.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that display redownloadable items together with purchasable items on the list screen.

Test Method
  1. Purchase an item.
  2. Return to the HOME Menu, and select System SettingsData ManagementNintendo 3DSDownloadable Content. Next, delete the add-on content.
  3. Check the screen in the application that lists items.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if in step 3, there is a clear distinction between purchasable items and purchased items.

11.2.8 Handling Discontinuation of Sales

Implement your add-on content so that users can still redownload the content even after the sales period has ended. It is acceptable to display just those items available for purchase on a list of purchasable items, or to display all items with some indication shown for items that are no longer available for purchase. Implement this even if there are no current plans to end sales in preparation for future legal issues or similar problems that would end sales. Call the nn::ec::ContentSetCatalogFilter::SetSelectionFilter function and pass SELECTION_FILTER_ALL as an argument to get information about items for which the sales period has ended.

11.2.8.1 Support for Redownloading Add-On Content After Sale Is Ended

Guideline Item

The implementation must enable users to redownload any add-on content they have purchased before at will, even if sale of that content has been discontinued.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that use add-on content

Test Method
  1. Purchase an item.
  2. Return to the HOME Menu, and select System SettingsData ManagementNintendo 3DSDownloadable Content. Next, delete the add-on content.
  3. Use IMAS to discontinue sales of a purchased item by setting the item's end-of-sale date to a date in the past.
  4. Redownload the item discontinued in step 3.
  5. In the application, use the item that you redownloaded in step 4.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if all of the following conditions are met.

  • A feature for redownloading the item is implemented in step 4.
  • The item can be used without problems in step 5.

11.2.9 Size Restrictions

■ Size Restrictions

The upper limits for data title sizes are given in Table 11-2 Add-On Content Limits. When creating your data titles, take care not to exceed these limits. Contact Nintendo at support@noa.com if you must exceed the 512 MB limit for a single add-on content item. Depending on the details of your design, Nintendo may grant an exception to this limit. The number of add-on content items that can be saved at one time to an SD Card is limited on the system side to 2,000 items per data title. Note that required content is counted as one item.

Table 11-2 Add-On Content Limits
  Upper Limit
Capacity Per add-on content item Up to 512 MB
Number of add-on content items that can be sold at one time Per data title 2,000 items maximum
Size of metadata content Per data title Up to 5 MB
Size of 1 data title Per data title Up to 2 GB

 

■ Restrictions on Number of Data Titles

In general, use one data title for one game title. This does not apply to sequels of previously sold data titles.

11.2.9.1 Compliance with Size Restrictions of Add-On Content

Guideline Item

The size of a data title must not exceed the upper limits given in Table 11-2 Add-On Content Limits.

Software to Be Tested

Applications that use add-on content

Test Method

Check the add-on content.

Note: In CTR Master Editor, for each item of add-on content it is possible to check whether the metadata content and the overall data title comply with the size restrictions. If the size exceeds the restriction, the result is output as an error in the error information. For details, see the CTR MasterEditor manual.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if all of the following conditions are met.

  • Size of individual add-on content items: Up to 512 MB
  • Number of add-on content items that can be sold at one time: Up to 2,000
  • Number of add-on content items that can be saved to an SD Card simultaneously: Up to 2,000
  • Size of metadata content items: Up to 5 MB
  • Size of entire data title: Up to 2 GB

11.2.10 Implementing a Deletion Feature

Nintendo recommends implementing a feature in your application to select specific add-on content and delete it.

This is to provide the user with a feature to delete specific add-on content when the SD card is full so that the user can purchase new add-on content. Otherwise, the user must go to the Data Management screen of System Settings and delete an entire data title.

No required guideline items.

11.2.11 Restrictions on Number of Mounted Files

There are limits on the number of add-on content items and metadata items you can mount simultaneously, because doing so consumes the system's globally shared resources.

The nn::fs::MountAddOnContent function can mount a maximum of two add-on content items at a time.

The nn::ec::CTR::MetaDataReader::Initialize function can mount only one metadata item at a time.

No required guideline items.

 


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