Fewer changes in the gaming industry over the past few years have caused more debate than the rise of down-loadable content — and even hardware executives are chiming in. Speaking to Gamasutra, Sony Computer Entertainment America vice president Rob Dyer explained why he wants to see more content going on discs and less sold later on the Internet.

“That way, 100 percent of the users are going to get it. 100 percent,” Dyer said. “What are we, north of 70 percent [of PS3 owners] on the [PlayStation Network] now? 73, I think. Microsoft probably the same… [That's] still a significant number of people that aren’t able to get [it], whether they don’t have broadband, whether they just flat out can’t get on the network. Whether or not you do it, they’re not using it. I want it on the disc, that way when they buy it, they get it. So, if I can do that, that’s great.”

Still, Dyer also acknowledged why DLC does remain a component in today’s videogame market. “Now, you can talk about why DLC is important to help limit the used game business and to keep people holding onto [the game],” he said. “I’m all about that, too. I love that. But I want it on the disc so that 100 percent out there that can play this thing.”

There’s barely an action film coming out these days that isn’t either being shot in 3D or converted to it later, and according to Ubisoft’s estimations, the same could be happening in gaming over the next couple of years. During their investors’ conference call yesterday (via GamesIndustry.biz), CEO Yves Guillemot said he expects as many as 50 percent of all games to be 3D by 2012.

“The 3D games are going to come more and more with the TV screens that are available,” Guillemot said. “We did Avatar last year and the experience was enhanced by the 3D experience. On 360, PS3 but also maybe on hand-held machines. So we can count on substantial growth on the 3D aspect just because it’s more immersive.”

Just how substantial? “I think next year we should maybe see 15-20 percent of games that will be 3D on next-gen consoles. And then the following year it will be 50 percent,” Guillemot said. Sony has been leading the charge with 3D on the PlayStation 3, but Nintendo, of course, is also planning to reveal the Nintendo 3DS soon.

Despite all the economic upheaval over the last year or so, game creators are still generally happy with their jobs. Game Developer Research recently put together a study on the overall outlook of game industry employees, and their findings showed a predominantly positive attitude towards development.

According to Game Developer Research’s report, 86 percent of 2,263 developers surveyed said they were at least “somewhat satisfied” with their careers. Two thirds of that majority reported being “satisfied” or “extremely satisfied” with their jobs, while just 14 percent of those surveyed claimed to be dissatisfied.

Additionally, developers were asked whether or not they agreed with the statement, “The game industry is still a great industry to work in.” Only 12 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed, while an overwhelming 88 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed. Even with the unfortunate string of layoffs and studio closures that have occurred, 58 percent said there’s more opportunity in today’s gaming industry than ever.

On this day in 1991, Nintendo purchased a 25 percent share in British developer Rare Ltd, beginning a relationship that would produce award-winning titles like GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark and Banjo & Kazooie.

Rare’s Donkey Kong Country, launched the previous Christmas, was the fastest-selling videogame in history at that point, having pushed over 7 million units in under half a year. Nintendo’s 25 percent acquisition (which eventually grew to 49 percent) ensured that the game would see three sequels.

Telltale Games may have pioneered episodic gaming on the PC, but it’s consoles that are making up an increasingly large share of the developer’s business. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Telltale CEO Dan Connors said sales on down-loadable console platforms are making up approximately 40 percent of the sales for each season they do.

“We generally launch with one console partner during the run of the season, and usually does about 40 percent of the revenue,” Connors explained.

“They have big audiences there – they’re all gamers, and they’re all used to spending money on games. Compare that to online, where it gets noisy – Steam for us is an amazingly effective channel, and so is TelltaleGames.com, but the console channels are probably equal to those.”

The Nintendo DS stands as a colossal success in Japan, but how do our friends across the Pacific feel about the recently revealed 3DS? According to Japanese research site What Japan Thinks (via Kotaku), a recent poll shows little Japanese interest in purchasing the 3D handheld.

The poll, conducted by Japan’s goo Research, asked some 1,059 people for their opinions on up-and-coming tech. Over 42 percent of the respondents said that they already own some form of the Nintendo DS — far more than any other platform on the poll. Of those surveyed, however, 702 answered the question about the 3DS, with only 8.8 percent responding that they “want to buy” the new Nintendo device.

That leaves 55.8 percent who replied that they’re interested in the 3DS, but don’t currently want it, and 35.3 percent who flat-out do not want the handheld. Granted, nobody outside of Nintendo has actually seen the 3DS yet, so that ought to help tip the scales one way or the other.

Microsoft previously hinted that big savings on XboxLive Arcade games were on the way for the week of April 1, and it looks like they weren’t messing around. XboxLive director of programming Larry Hryb has revealed the full list of reduced-price XBLA titles on his Major Nelson blog — a list which spans 10 steeply discounted games.

These prices are set to last until next Wednesday, April 7. Check out the full rundown on this week’s deals below:

• South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play! 50 percent off at 400 Microsoft points (£5)
• Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix 53 percent off at 560 Microsoft points (£7)
• Defense Grid: The Awakening 50 percent off at 400 Microsoft points (£5)
• Rocket Riot 50 percent off at 400 Microsoft points (£5)
• Mad Tracks 50 percent off at 400 Microsoft points (£5)
• Track & Field 40 percent off at 240 Microsoft points (£3)
• Lumines Live 50 percent off at 400 Microsoft points (£5)
• Age of Booty 50 percent off at 400 Microsoft points (£5)
• Schizoid 50 percent off at 400 Microsoft points (£5)
• Wallace & Gromit Episode 1 Fright of the Bumblebees 50 percent off at 400 Microsoft points (£5)