In other parts of the world, fans get register their games, systems, or other products and earn points, with which they can collect and buy cool stuff with. Here in North America, we don’t get points. We register Brain Age 2 and get 7 DS styluses. Whoop-de-freakin-doo. Why no points system? Outgoing Nintendo of America VP of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Perrin Kaplan, explains:

Kaplan: You know we’ve taken a really close look at what they’re doing in Europe and what they’re doing in Japan. You have to remember that, geographically, we’re much bigger here and cost-wise, it is much more expensive to run a program like that. We try to do pre-sale with our retailers as often as possible. You’re talking about a scale that is much larger. But we do look at the differences in markets and what consumers are liking. It’s just a difference in scale.

Multiplayer: You’re looking at it. Do you have any plans to change it?

Kaplan: We don’t have anything right this minute. But let me just say that we continue to look at those kinds of programs and ways to reward consumers for their loyalty and for continuing to enjoy our products.

Alright, so they have a legitimate reason - it costs money. But didn’t they recently spend millions on offering to ship Wii Remote Jackets to all Wii owners? And aren’t they rolling in dough right now? Anyway, the link below has the full second-half of MTV’s interview with Kaplan, where she talks about the Nintendo Seal of Quality, Nintendo Power, and - my favorite part - some of her memories and best experiences during her tenure at Nintendo of America.

MTV Multiplayer

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