Nintendo has decided to release Flipnote Studio 3D outside of Japan as a free gift to all members of Club Nintendo due to its planned closure in America this June (September in Europe).Nintendo of America said:As a gift to Club Nintendo members, the Flipnote Studio 3D software will be available to download for free in February. This software will allow users to create unique three-dimensional animations and to exchange their creations via local wireless with others who also own Flipnote Studio 3D. Users who uploaded creations to Flipnote Hatena will be able to download their personal animations from the Nintendo DSi Library menu in Flipnote Studio 3D software. Flipnote Studio 3D will be available to Club Nintendo members until June 30. The ability to create a new Club Nintendo account will end on March 31. All users who register to Club Nintendo before registration closes will be eligible to receive Flipnote Studio 3D.
The highly popular title Flipnote Studio was released for free for the Nintendo DSi in 2008 in Japan, launching the next year in other regions. It was included with all DSi units with the introduction of firmware version 1.4. It included a feature which allowed users to share their animations on the Internet through the Flipnote Hatena service. This service was officially shut down in May 2013.
Flipnote Studio 3D is the successor to Flipnote Studio and was released in Japan in July 2013. it was originally planned to be released in other regions, however unexpectedly high usage of the service caused the release to be delayed. In November 2013 the ability to share flipnotes between friends was removed due to the possibility of minors sharing inappropriate content using the service. This further drove the nail in the coffin for the hopes of a Western release.
However Nintendo has seen the closure of Club Nintendo as an opening to release the service for free elsewhere. It will be primarily an offline experience; flipnotes can only be shared via local communication. Flipnotes created in the DSi version will be able to be downloaded to the 3DS version via the Internet. Sign up for Club Nintendo before March 31st to receive this deal!