12.1 Demo Restrictions

12.1.1 ROM Size [Common]

You must make your ROM as small as possible. The maximum size for a ROM file is 128 MB.

Networked RID demos and downloadable demos are distributed over the network. Their size thus impacts download times. Nintendo also recommends eliminating any unneeded resources or processing. However, if you create separate demos for each environment, standalone RID demos can go up to 2 GB in size and networked RID demos can go up to 256 MB.

Contact Nintendo support if your application's specifications absolutely require your demo to exceed these limits.

12.1.1.1 Compliance with ROM Size [Common]

Guideline Item

The ROM size must be within the designated value.

Software to Be Tested

All demos.

Test Method

In Master Editor, go to the Basic info (CIA) tab and check what is displayed under File size.

Pass/Fail Determination

Downloadable demos:

Passes if the numeric value displayed is 128 MB or less.

Networked RID demos that are not also distributed as downloadable demos:

Passes if the numeric value displayed is 256 MB or less.

Standalone RID demos distributed in no other format:

Passes if the numeric value displayed is 2 GB or less.

12.1.2 Prohibition of Specifications That Require Excessive User Motion [RID]

It is prohibited for a demo to require the user to turn around widely, or excessively swing around the Nintendo 3DS system.

Demos are able to use the accelerometer, gyro sensor, and cameras. However, if standalone or networked RID demos require wide or excessive motions, there is a danger that the user will collide with other customers waiting in line, and that the cord connecting the RID's Nintendo 3DS system to the product shelving will become tangled up. There is no problem with having the user turn in a slow twisting motion, as long as the demo does not encourage the user to move the Nintendo 3DS system quickly. Note that in some cases, the only networked RID that enables users to experience game effects from turning around is the integrated wall-mounted model.

For standalone or networked RID demos that require the user to turn slowly in a twisting motion, display the specified message onscreen for at least 1.5 seconds prior to the scene requiring the motion. Use the message corresponding to the demo's target region and the system's language setting. Display this message as closely as possible to the scene requiring the user to make the twisting motion.

You may display it on either the upper or lower screen. It is not possible to change the system's language settings in networked RIDs in the Americas. Messages on these RIDs thus, in principle, always appear in English, but if the game has an internal language-selection menu, display the message in the language that the user has selected on that menu.

For details on the message to display, see Warning Message List for Applications Requiring Physical Motion.xls, included in the Nintendo 3DS Demo Creation Procedures package. Altering the wording of this text is generally prohibited, but contact Nintendo support if you want to make minor changes.

Table 12-1 Types of Applications Requiring User Motion for Standalone Demos and Networked Demos
Action

Speed and Abruptness of Motion

Slow and Gentle Excessively Swinging Nintendo 3DS System

 

Degree of turning around

Small motions involving no twisting of the body No special handling necessary. Prohibited
Motions involving slow, gentle twisting of the body Display the specified text. Prohibited
Motions where user turns around widely Prohibited Prohibited

 

12.1.2.1 Prohibition of Potentially Unsafe Motions [RID]

Guideline Item

Applications are prohibited from implementing operations whose safety is difficult to ensure in the in-store Retail Interactive Display space.

Software to Be Tested

Standalone RID demos and networked RID demos.

Test Method

Play through all modes of the application from beginning to end.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if all of the following conditions are met.

  • The demo does not require the user to turn around, or excessively swing around the Nintendo 3DS system.
  • Passes if the specified message is displayed on-screen for at least 1.5 seconds.
  • The specified message is displayed prior to the scene requiring the twisting motion.

12.1.3 Saving and Using Data [RID]

Standalone and networked RID demos are prohibited from saving or loading data.

RIDs are not pre-installed with Mii characters, photos, or other shared data. Since RIDs are available to the general public, you must ensure that no user play data, photos, or other data is left on the Retail Interactive Display.

When creating a demo that uses the cameras or microphone, be sure to delete the photo data or voice data when the demo ends. Nintendo also recommends displaying a message to the user stating that any photos taken during play will be deleted when the demo ends.

12.1.3.1 Prohibition of Saving or Using Data [RID]

Guideline Item
Demos must not save data, and must not load data in order to use it.
Software to Be Tested

Standalone RID demos and networked RID demos.

Test Method
  1. Create all possible types of data.
  2. Restart the application, and verify the state of the data created in step 1.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if all of the following conditions are met in step 2:

  • The data created in step 1 has not been saved.
  • The data created in step 1 cannot be used.

12.1.4 Prohibition of Application Jumping [RID]

It is prohibited to implement an application jump feature in an RID demo.

Jumping to other applications (System Settings, Internet browser, Nintendo eShop, Miiverse, etc.) from within an RID demo is prohibited, because these applications can change settings that Nintendo does not want it to be possible to change on Retail Interactive Displays.

If you wish to implement an application jump feature in an RID demo, contact Nintendo at support@noa.com.

12.1.4.1 Prohibition of Implementing an Application Jump Feature [RID]

Guideline Item

Demos must not implement an application jump feature.

Software to Be Tested

Standalone RID demos and networked RID demos.

Test Method

Play through all modes of the application from beginning to end.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the demo does not implement an application jump feature.

12.1.5 Prohibition of Using Communication Features [Common]

Standalone RID Demos and Networked RID Demos

Use of any communication features (including activating StreetPass or registering a download task) is prohibited.

Allowing RIDs to access communication features could adversely impact Nintendo Zone or other wireless distribution services in the store. Because RIDs do not have communication partners, also make sure to remove any messaging related to such communication features. For example, "Activated StreetPass" must not appear in these demos, because it may make users think that StreetPass was activated for the demo when it was not.

Downloadable Demos

Use of the following communication features is prohibited in principle.

  • SpotPass (including registering download tasks)
  • Infrastructure Communication
  • Download Play

Allowing a downloadable demo to access communication features via a Nintendo Zone could impede access to the Nintendo Zone by other users. Also, embedding a Download Play client program in a demo is prohibited in principle, because the system is not able to distinguish it from a Download Play client program that originates from a full retail version. Contact Nintendo if you absolutely need to use the communication features listed above in order to promote sales of your application. It is not required to contact Nintendo regarding an application jump to Nintendo eShop, since it is clear that the aim of jumping to Nintendo eShop is to promote sales.

 

12.1.5.1 Prohibition of Implementing Communication Features [Common]

Guideline Item

Demos must not implement communication features.

Software to Be Tested

All demos.

Exceptions
Downloadable demos which have received Nintendo's approval in advance.
Test Method

Play through all modes of the application from beginning to end.

Pass/Fail Determination

RID:

Passes if no communication-related features are implemented in the demo.

DL:

Passes if no SpotPass (including download task registration), infrastructure communication, or Download Play features are implemented in the demo.

12.1.6 Prohibition of Dated Text [Common]

Do not include any text within the demo that could become out of date, such as the price or the specific date/time frame of launch.

This is because demos can be re-purposed as well as re-released, and might be available for a long time. Specifically, phrasing such as, "On sale in 20XX," "$XX Suggested Retail Price," "Current Bestseller," "Now available," or "Coming soon" is prohibited. Contact your Nintendo licensing representative if you would like to include specific date/time frame information within your demo.

12.1.6.1 Checking Phrasing [Common]

Guideline Item
Demos must not use dated phrasing which could eventually become obsolete.
Software to Be Tested

All demos.

Test Method
Play through all modes of the application from beginning to end.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the application does not display product information such as the release date or price, or any other dated phrasing or information.

12.1.7 Handling Promotions [Common]

For the Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong Markets:

It is acceptable to promote the full version with a message such as the following: "The demo ends here. Enjoy the rest of the game with the full version."

For the Americas, European, and Australian Markets:

For 1) ALL titles in the European (NOE) and Australian (NAL) Regions and 2) 1st and 2nd party titles in the Americas (NOA) Region, it is prohibited to include direct purchase language to prompt the user to purchase the full version in the demo or video.

This is to account for various laws/regulations regarding promoting purchase to children. For example, expressions such as “Buy the full version” or “Play the full version” are prohibited. However, text that is softer (not direct) or emphasizes that the demo is only a demo, such as “You can continue your journey in the full version of the game” or “Thank you for playing the demo” is acceptable.

12.1.7.1 Checking Promotional Content [Common]

Guideline Item

It is prohibited to promote your application by directly prompting the user to purchase the full retail version.

Software to Be Tested

Demos for the Americas, European, and Australian markets.

Exceptions
3rd-party titles released in the Americas (NOA) region.
Test Method

Play through all modes of the application from beginning to end.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the demo or video does not include any direct language that prompts the user to purchase the full version.

 


CONFIDENTIAL