It is possible to create a Nintendo 3DS application that is played by moving the system, using the built-in accelerometers, gyro sensors, and cameras to detect movement.
On the other hand, it is possible that users will unintentionally perform unsafe operations in such applications. To promote safety, be sure to factor in the guidelines in this chapter when designing applications.
4.4.1 Moving the System
Applications are prohibited from requiring or prompting users to perform the following motions.
Prohibited Motion | Why Is This Prohibited? | Illustration |
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Waving or swinging a Nintendo 3DS system |
The system could slip out of the user's hands and/or bump into nearby people or objects. |
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Vigorously waving or shaking a Nintendo 3DS system |
The system could slip out of the user's hands and/or bump into nearby people or objects. |
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Waving or shaking a Nintendo 3DS system while holding it in one hand |
The system could slip out of the user's hands and/or bump into nearby people or objects. |
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Strongly hitting or striking a Nintendo 3DS system |
This could damage the system. |
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Contact Nintendo at support@noa.com if you want to have users perform any motions similar to those shown below. It is prohibited to create applications that require or prompt users to perform the following motions without permission from Nintendo.
Motions That Require You to Contact Nintendo | Reason(s) That Contacting Nintendo is Required | Illustration |
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Moving a Nintendo 3DS system rapidly in the direction in which the system opens and closes |
This could damage the system. |
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Rapidly moving a Nintendo 3DS system from hand to hand |
The user could drop the system. |
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Having the user themselves move while holding a Nintendo 3DS system |
The user or system could bump into nearby people or objects. |
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Having the user turn around quickly while holding a Nintendo 3DS system |
The user or system could bump into nearby people or objects. |
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Other potentially unsafe motions |
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When contacting Nintendo, include the following information.
- An overview of the game.
- An overview of the desired motion.
- Any investigations or discussions you have had regarding considerations of the safety of said motion.
There is no need to contact Nintendo regarding the following motions, since it is comparatively easy to ensure safety when performing them.
See section 4.4.2 Designing Applications Played by Moving the System, and take appropriate considerations.
Motions That Do Not Require You to Contact Nintendo | Illustration |
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Motions which involve moving a Nintendo 3DS system while it is within the user's field of view |
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Slightly tilting a Nintendo 3DS system |
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Having the user move around an AR card while holding a Nintendo 3DS system |
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Having the user turn around slowly while holding a Nintendo 3DS system |
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4.4.1.1 Prohibition Against Potentially Unsafe Motions
Guideline Item |
The application must not require or prompt the user to engage in potentially unsafe motions. |
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Software to Be Tested |
Applications played by moving the system. |
Test Method |
Play through all modes of the application from beginning to end. |
Pass/Fail Determination |
Passes if the application does not require or prompt the user to engage in the following motions.
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4.4.1.2 Prohibition of Unauthorized Use of Operations That Involve Moving the System
Guideline Item |
The application must not require or prompt the user to perform operations that involve moving the system without Nintendo's permission. |
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Software to Be Tested |
Applications played by moving the system. |
Test Method |
Play through all modes of the application from beginning to end. |
Pass/Fail Determination |
Passes if the application does not require or prompt the user to engage in the following motions, or permission has been obtained for the following motions.
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4.4.2 Designing Applications Played by Moving the System
Nintendo recommends that any application played by moving the system includes measures to prevent the user from accidentally performing unsafe motions. These considerations can be applied in various ways, including the application's controls and rules. Below are a few examples:
- Design the application as follows to discourage the user from "waving or swinging the Nintendo 3DS system."
- Adjust the sensitivity of the controls so that the application responds without users having to move the controller excessively.
- Add application rules to penalize the user for moving the controller vigorously.
- Display a cautionary message to the user when unexpectedly vigorous movement is detected.
- Design the application so that the user can hold the system naturally in both hands in order to prevent the user from "waving or shaking the Nintendo 3DS system while holding it in one hand."
- Display a message or screen to the user that reminds them to hold the system properly and be aware of their surroundings before starting to play.
- If your application has the user move the Nintendo 3DS system rapidly in the direction in which the system opens and closes, display a message prompting the user to support the upper screen of the system in accordance with Figure 4-3 Holding the Nintendo 3DS While Supporting the Upper Screen, in order to prevent excessive stress being placed on the hinge.
Examples of how existing games handle this issue are noted here for reference.
Title Name | Overview of the Motion | Handling |
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Software built-in to the Nintendo 3DS system AR Games |
By imaging the AR Cards packaged with the Nintendo 3DS system with the system's outer cameras, the user can cause targets and enemies to be projected onto the Nintendo 3DS screen, and fight them while moving the system and changing the angle and orientation at which the AR Card is imaged by the cameras. |
When launching the game, a sequence of messages and images similar to the following are displayed with the title Getting started...
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Software built-in to the Nintendo 3DS system Face Raiders |
Move the system in order to aim and attack enemy characters projected onto images taken by the Nintendo 3DS outer cameras. |
The following message and an image are displayed when a game is started for the first time.
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No required guideline items.