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[Draxal]

Creep into MS/Sony's market? I don't know what the hell that even means. But there is no reason why Nintendo can't make competent hardware on the same level as Sony's and Microsoft's next boxes, have third party support, and offer their great exclusives.

Um, no they can't and Iwata basically admitted they can't. Microsoft and Sony can take a hit on their hardware when they launch them (as they traditionally have); Nintendo tries to avoid this.

end of losses and start of massive profits. Nintendo on smartphones is the best thing they could do.

I don't think you understand the mobile market one bit, tradiitonal ips aren't doing great there, it's the ones that exploit IAP, something Nintendo would get killed for trying to do so.

 

[jwhit28]

Why do you think that was an Iwata decision any more then anyone else who works over there? The reason they dont microtransact their games, is becasue their games as they are have value, Iwata is not the only one who gets this. I think people in the US are going to the wrong guy to praise if they like the culture of Nintendo, Reggie is a much better communicator then Iwata and is also a great guy.

It's ultimately Iwata's decision.

 

[Delio]

More people bought a smart phone in 2013, then people who have watched Avatar in theatres LTD. Including people who re-watched it.


What the fuck. Why is this company ignoring that market???

Arent they all ignoring mobile atm? I mean I guess PSNow is Sony's "mobile" plan but what about Microsoft?

 

[Nintentoast]

Why would the quality be inferior is the only way for them to provide a competitive hardware is for it to be similar to what the competition have? What Nintendo game would be worse played on PS4/Xbox One? The game pad was just a disaster, could have easily been replaced by a portable or tablet second screen experience, in the rare event if was needed.

To me consoles wars aren't worth the risk for Nintendo, its like Disney getting excessively involved in a format war when they can just ride whatever wave there is(they will try to influence as much as they can, but they won't go down with the boat).

Are you honestly going to tell me that a twitch based platformer like Super Mario Galaxy or a sprawling adventure game like Zelda would work on a phone or tablet without sacrificing quality? I'm talking about mobile here. I never said anything about PS4 or XBO.

 

[JoeM86]

Why do you think that was an Iwata decision any more then anyone else who works over there? The reason they dont microtransact their games, is becasue their games as they are have value, Iwata is not the only one who gets this. I think people in the US are going to the wrong guy to praise if they like the culture of Nintendo, Reggie is a much better communicator then Iwata and is also a great guy.

Because he said so in an interview...

 

[Freeman]

What makes you think that their games will sell?

Confidence in Nintendo as a developer?

 

[Dr. Feel Good]

Why do you think that was an Iwata decision any more then anyone else who works over there? The reason they dont microtransact their games, is becasue their games as they are have value, Iwata is not the only one who gets this. I think people in the US are going to the wrong guy to praise if they like the culture of Nintendo, Reggie is a much better communicator then Iwata and is also a great guy.

Because ultimately Iwata has the final say. Investors would likely push short term profits and actually request heavy micro transactions on the consumer, and most CEOs would succumb to that pressure. While Iwata might not be the only responsible for the idea, he's the one who has to stand behind it and face investor criticism. That is what should be admired.

You're arguing comes off as extremely flawed man.

 

[Mysterious]

Screw consoles. Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox should become services for hardware devices that sell 1B units a year. Microsoft should pull an IBM and drop all hardware too at this point. Seriously, what the fuck.

Although Sony and Microsoft are gearing up for that (inevitable) future with PlayStation Now (The Last of Us on my iPad!!) and Xbox as a service. In fact, I think Satya is moving Microsoft away from Devices & Services to Services & Cloud.

Arent they all ignoring mobile atm? I mean I guess PSNow is Sony's "mobile" plan but what about Microsoft?

Based on Nadella's comments, Xbox is going to become a service sooner or later. I mean, on Windows 8, it's already a service.

 

[deriks]

Yamauchi was a genius, but his son is what?

 

[Guest12345678]

using the term scheming just gives me a vivid image of Nintendo nobles plotting to overthrow a king

Iwata is the earthking in ATLA, the people planning to over throw him are the Dai Li agents, and Kaz Hirai is leading the charge and hes Azula. It all makes sense.

 

[Nintentoast]

Um, no they can't and Iwata basically admitted they can't. Microsoft and Sony can take a hit on their hardware when they launch them (as they traditionally have); Nintendo tries to avoid this.

Show me were Iwata admitted that. Also saying "Nintendo traditionally never takes a hit on their hardware therefore they could never do x, y, z" is garbage.

 

[unbias]

You're making the assumption that a bigger market equates to more sales. That is illogical. If the market doesn't care for Nintendo software regardless of many consumers are in it then why will simply switching over drive more revenue? There's also the factors such as the sharp margin loss due to having to go from charging $30-$60 per title to less than $10. Honestly that graph provides no evidence in your conclusion, it just simply shows that the mobile pie is bigger. Big deal.

Are you serious? You are making the statement that they wouldnt make more money in the mobile market? You realize they can do both right? Handheld and mobile, one is much more niche, but still. I honestly cant believe you dont think Nintendo would make more and sell more on the mobile market. A bigger market does lead to more sales if you a big fish with a known great product. This isnt some indie dev trying to make it big in the mobile market, the idea that they couldnt turn a profit is just silly, literally. I'm not sure if you just hate the idea of Nintendo making a mobile product or what.

 

[Freeman]

Are you honestly going to tell me that a twitch based platformer like Super Mario Galaxy or a sprawling adventure game like Zelda would work on a phone or tablet without sacrificing quality? I'm talking about mobile here. I never said anything about PS4 or XBO.

Obviously not. Why would they be forced to go smartphone only? But Smartphone/Tablets evolve fast, a proper solution for gaming input could come up given enough incentive.

I could easily picture myself playing Pokemon or Fire Emblem on a tablet/smartphone, would likely be a better experience given the 3DS shit screen.

 

[Coffee Dog]

Confidence in Nintendo as a developer?

What makes you think that nintendo's style of game would appeal to the mobile markets?

 

[Delio]

Based on Nadella's comments, Xbox is going to become a service sooner or later. I mean, on Windows 8, it's already a service.

It does feel like "gaming as a service" will happen sooner or later. I just wonder how people will react to it.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Creep into MS/Sony's market? I don't know what the hell that even means. But there is no reason why Nintendo can't make competent hardware on the same level as Sony's and Microsoft's next boxes, have third party support, and offer their great exclusives.

There isn't a big enough piece of the pie left for them in the current home console market. Nintendo's name doesn't resonate enough with the types of people that buy consoles, Playstation and Xbox do. There are too many question marks in the console market anyway it'd be a huge risk for Nintendo to spend the R&D on something that is on par with PS4/One, or PS5/XboxTwo. Nintendo need to think outside the box if they are going to survive as a games hardware/software company. They need to make something that attracts a completely new type of gamer and audience. Just trying to jump on the sony/ms bandwagon is a sure failure.

 

[Abounder]

Nintendo is a dinosaur. They need leadership that embraces the online era instead of guys who made their livings through the arcades. Nintendo needs to embrace the online mobile world if they want to grow their fanbase and introduce new kids to their brands; they're all going to Apple and Minecraft instead

Arent they all ignoring mobile atm? I mean I guess PSNow is Sony's "mobile" plan but what about Microsoft?

Microsoft bought Nokia and has Windows phones/Surface/etc

 

[Eolz]

Heh, it's sad when you see Nintendo get compared to Sony(A company in constant fear of having to sell its kidney).

Did you even read what I was replying to?

But oh well, leaving this thread as this just became like most Nintendo corporate threads here during the last few years (nobody listening, "they should go third party because I want to play their games but not buy their consoles", " mobile is the devil, no it's not", people not understanding how company work but being armchair CEOs nonetheless, etc). I don't see the point.

 

[Kai Dracon]

The rumor represents the hardcore game pundit's worst nightmare. Lurid fanboy conspiracy theories about firing Iwata confirmed! But at the cost of Nintendo drifting into the mobile phone black hole consuming the rest of Japan.

 

[hwy_61]

What makes you think that nintendo's style of game would appeal to the mobile markets?

Because Nintendo is capable of developing a game for mobile. They have the best talent in video games, you think they can't develop a mobile game?

 

[MilesTeg]

Um, no they can't and Iwata basically admitted they can't. Microsoft and Sony can take a hit on their hardware when they launch them (as they traditionally have); Nintendo tries to avoid this.

And with Wii U and 3DS Nintendo did a terrible job in that regard, particularly compared to past Nintendo devices. The Gamepad and 3D screen + second screen have both cost Nintendo dearly. Not only did these features fail to sell their hardware to the consumer, this has added significant cost to the retail price and has not allowed Nintendo to get aggressive with price drops.

A well designed Nintendo home console should be like the GCN, where worst case scenario they can go crazy slashing the price allowing for at least some kind of profitable userbase to sell games to.

 

[Delio]

Microsoft bought Nokia and has Windows phones/Surface/etc

But are they actively pushing their gaming brands on those phones. That's what I ment with that.

 

[JoeInky]

Are you serious? You are making the statement that they wouldnt make more money in the mobile market? You realize they can do both right? Handheld and mobile, one is much more niche, but still. I honestly cant believe you dont think Nintendo would make more and sell more on the mobile market. A bigger market does lead to more sales if you a big fish with a known great product. This isnt some indie dev trying to make it big in the mobile market, the idea that they couldnt turn a profit is just silly, literally. I'm not sure if you just hate the idea of Nintendo making a mobile product or what.

If they sold games on mobiles they'd be making less money outright, giving royalties to apple and the consumer hasn't bought that device from nintendo to play the game.

So what if you have half the market share if you're making 3-4 times as much money per customer?


And doing both just takes away developers from working on actual games, Nintendo doesn't have thousands of devs that they have just lying around to develop mobile games.

 

[kiunchbb]

So sacrificing their entire console and handheld market with 1 to 2 competitors and compete with millions other iPhone developer.

It will just be the Wii all over again, you get profit for a few years, then slowly die off because casual doesn't have the same brand loyalty. Only this times there won't be hardware sales, only software.

 

[Draxal]

Show me were Iwata admitted that. Also saying "Nintendo traditionally never takes a hit on their hardware therefore they could never do x, y, z" is garbage.

You can do your own work, its out there though. It's not really rocket science either, Nintendo is a company whose sole source of income is video games, while Microsoft and Sony are huge conglomerates that offer other services. Microsoft always took a hit on the XBox in the past.

And with Wii U and 3DS Nintendo did a terrible job in that regard, particularly compared to past Nintendo devices. The Gamepad and 3D screen + second screen have both cost Nintendo dearly. Not only did these features fail to sell their hardware to the consumer, this has added significant cost to the retail price and has not allowed Nintendo to get aggressive with price drops.

A well designed Nintendo home console should be like the GCN, where worst case scenario they can go crazy slashing the price allowing for at least some kind of profitable userbase to sell games to.

The biggest issue Nintendo faces (that I believe personally) is they don't have nearly enough output to cover two systems worth of games, I think they done enough damage to their brand on the console market, but are still king of handhelds which they can leverage with how insanely strong the pokemon IP is.

 

[Mysterious]

It does feel like "gaming as a service" will happen sooner or later. I just wonder how people will react to it.

We used to have a need for independent devices, due to technological inadequacy. Now we are able to create powerful all-in-one devices. The need for a camera is gone. Radio has become a service (Podcasts and iTunes Radio, etc). TV has become a digital service (cable model -> Netflix model). Maps have become a service. Libraries and book stores have become a service.

I don't see why gaming is going to be exempt from this.

You can do your own work, its out there though. It's not really rocket science either, Nintendo is a company whose sole source of income is video games, while Microsoft and Sony are huge conglomerates that offer other services. Microsoft always took a hit on the XBox in the past.

Generally, if you claim something, you back it up. Also 3DS/WiiU were sold at losses, so I guess your "historical trendzzzz" have been messed up no? Especially since those were the two hardware systems to be fully developed under Iwata.

 

[AyaisMUsikWhore]

This doesn't sound too good. I'm taking it with a grain of salt, but I'm still not sure what iwata could do differently. Bring Mario to mobile is there only beef?

 

[Drkirby]

I do hope if Iwata is ousted as President HAL can get him back with them.

 

[Freeman]

What makes you think that nintendo's style of game would appeal to the mobile markets?

Their fans wouldn't die all of the sudden, some of their games could easily work on smartphones and tablets, there would be a great incentive for practical solutions for gaming input to come up and they could always release their games that couldn't make the transition to more traditional platforms like PC/PlayStation/Xbox/Apple whatever.

Should Sony release a follow up to the Vita? Fuck no, they need to come up with a completely different solution. The same apply to Nintendo and their platforms.

In its entire existence Nintendo released one single traditional console that sold more than the PS3. The market is likely shrinking they need to get out while they can. Also, does anyone believe that a 3DS successor will sell more than the 3DS? The market for a dedicated gaming machine the way we know them is being destroyed.

 

[Phoenician_Viking]

No. It would damage the company drastically in the longrun.

It may be able to make short term profits (I italicised it because the smartphone gaming industry is NOT a good place to make money. Even Apple is moaning that people aren't spending money on games ther), but it would damage everything irreparably

No it would not. Put legacy titles on smart devices, price them between 0.99 and 4.99$, and watch money roll in. They are not doing much with legacy titles anyway.

 

[hwy_61]

So sacrificing their entire console and handheld market with 1 to 2 competitors and compete with millions other iPhone developer.

It will just be the Wii all over again, you get profit for a few years, then slowly die off because casual doesn't have the same brand loyalty. Only this times there won't be hardware sales, only software.

who says they need to scrap their hardware? Why can't they develop mobile games to compliment their hardware games? They certainly have the money to do so. Hire teams, acquire studios!

 

[Dr. Feel Good]

Are you serious? You are making the statement that they wouldnt make more money in the mobile market? You realize they can do both right? Handheld and mobile, one is much more niche, but still. I honestly cant believe you dont think Nintendo would make more and sell more on the mobile market. A bigger market does lead to more sales if you a big fish with a known great product. This isnt some indie dev trying to make it big in the mobile market, the idea that they couldnt turn a profit is just silly, literally. I'm not sure if you just hate the idea of Nintendo making a mobile product or what.

Because there's more factors to be considered. Will going mobile dilute the brand? In face of heavy competition will the value of their product become minimized? Will lower entry price make up for similar cost structure? Consumers, especially casual markets, have turned on Nintendo multiple times, and have proven to Nintendo they are a volatile base to chase towards who could care less about the Nintendo name.

Again yes, a bigger market could lead to more sales, but Nintendo would rather sell 100,000 copies of a game for $50 than 1,000,000 copies for $1. So again your logic doesn't make sense.

 

[Chindogg]

I don't want to play a platformer on a screen with no buttons, full of shitty IAP, only to be cast aside for a clone that's "free" with ads.

There's zero guarantees that somehow Nintendo will make a magical quality game on phone that people will actually pay for. There are just too many garbage, borderline copyright infringing games existing right now that the casual payee will take over a legitimately better quality game.

The X-Com argument is specific in that the game doesn't require precision movement that requires responsive hard buttons. They could make Fire Emblem but then what do they do with their handhelds? It's a situation the ultimately buries a fairly large division within the company.

It's a very difficult decision for them to make but the philosophy worked for Wii and DS, it just didn't work for 3DS and Wii U. I just don't see how mobile or spending on the levels of two major conglomerates will work out for them.

 

[DNAbro]

What makes you think that nintendo's style of game would appeal to the mobile markets?

there is another thread going around that says a rip off of pokemon has become one of the best selling games on the app store in a few short days. Nintendo would be able to make money off of it, though i don't think they should.

 

[Night_Trekker]

The "Nintendo needs to port their games to smartphones" refrain has to be one of the most short-sighted in gaming discussion. Absolutely, embarrasingly asinine.

Almost as stupid as the people who think the WiiU's problem is horsepower. smh.

 

[Guest12345678]

What makes you think that nintendo's style of game would appeal to the mobile markets?

Well a lot of wii and ds titles catered successfully to the audience that has likely shifted to mobile.

 

[orioto]

Problem is and always will be the software. Nintendo forgot that (yeah i know they claim otherwise).

People are thinking "where should go nintendo games to bring money" when the problem is "why nintendo games are not relevant enough, nowadays, to make their console a leader".

 

[JoeM86]

And with Wii U and 3DS Nintendo did a terrible job in that regard, particularly compared to past Nintendo devices. The Gamepad and 3D screen + second screen have both cost Nintendo dearly. Not only did these features fail to sell their hardware to the consumer, this has added significant cost to the retail price and has not allowed Nintendo to get aggressive with price drops.

A well designed Nintendo home console should be like the GCN, where worst case scenario they can go crazy slashing the price allowing for at least some kind of profitable userbase to sell games to.

3DS was actually sold at a profit initially, but it didn't take off and so they price cut it and was selling at a loss. It then took off at that price (11 million sold between Price Cut and the end of that fiscal year) and thus Nintendo's first ever financial loss was posted.

Taking a loss on hardware is good when you're going to make it up. They took the risk with the Wii U, and unfortunately, the Wii U didn't do well, so it collapsed and hurt their bottom line further, because they weren't recouping the money with software sales and third party royalties.

Microsoft, cumulatively speaking, is still VERY in the red for their Xbox division, and Sony has had some horrific years in their game division. If Nintendo had the years MS and Sony had with their products, despite those products selling, they'd have bankrupt a long time ago.

 

[Delio]

We used to have a need for independent devices, due to technological inadequacy. Now we are able to create powerful all-in-one devices. The need for a camera is gone. Radio has become a service (Podcasts and iTunes Radio, etc). TV has become a digital service (cable model -> Netflix model). Maps have become a service. Libraries and book stores have become a service.

I don't see why gaming is going to be exempt from this.

I think what worries me about this future is that games are pretty huge unlike a lot of those other media. Streaming them will be a tall order. If PSNow shows it can be done perfectly then I would see us moving that way.

 

[hwy_61]

The "Nintendo needs to port their games to smartphones" refrain has to be one of the most short-sighted in gaming discussion. Absolutely, embarrasingly asinine.

Why?

 

[Chindogg]

who says they need to scrap their hardware? Why can't they develop mobile games to compliment their hardware games? They certainly have the money to do so. Hire teams, acquire studios!

Why would people pay full price for a game and console they can get for a dollar on their phone?

 

[flozuki]

I can't wait for Iwata to go. He represents everything that is wrong with Nintendo to me.

So you want Nintendo IPs on Smartphone? If so you represent everything that is wrong with gaming companies for me.

 

[Mysterious]

I think what worries me about this future is that games are pretty huge unlike a lot of those other media. Streaming them will be a tall order. If PSNow shows it can be done perfectly then I would see us moving that way.

Ironically it will probably be Japan to adopt streaming as a service first, since their Internet is pretty good. USA and Canada will probably be around the last to adopt, amongst first world countries.

 

[Nintentoast]

There isn't a big enough piece of the pie left for them in the current home console market. Nintendo's name doesn't resonate enough with the types of people that buy consoles, Playstation and Xbox do. There are too many question marks in the console market anyway it'd be a huge risk for Nintendo to spend the R&D on something that is on par with PS4/One, or PS5/XboxTwo. Nintendo need to think outside the box if they are going to survive as a games hardware/software company. They need to make something that attracts a completely new type of gamer and audience. Just trying to jump on the sony/ms bandwagon is a sure failure.

I disagree. Nintendo should offer their own unique twist on hardware, but they shouldn't settle for secondary console. Also, you make it sound like Nintendo doesn't have billions of dollars to do R&D.

 

[Draxal]

Generally, if you claim something, you back it up. Also 3DS/WiiU were sold at losses, so I guess your "historical trendzzzz" have been messed up no? Especially since those were the two hardware systems to be fully developed under Iwata.

Oh gee, WiiU/3DS sold at losses during a time period when the war chest they've saved up during the DS/Wii era somehow disproves my point that Nintendo tries to avoid selling systems at loss.

 

[Koppai]

I don't think Iwatas doing the best job at the moment either, but putting Mario and other franchises on smart phones is a terrible idea.

Yeah releasing games on smartphones devalues brands in my opinion.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Why would people pay full price for a game and console they can get for a dollar on their phone?

It wouldn't be the same games. I don't think putting Mario Kart and Mario Galaxy on phones is what people necessarily had in mind, but creating something like NES Remix, something that is tailored to mobile but uses familiar and nostalgic sprites and characters, is what people are getting at. Personally I'm not so sure how successful it will be but it's not as crazy as people are making it out to be, and it wouldn't signal the death of Nintendo by any means. It would just be them trying to find alternative revenue sources.

I disagree. Nintendo should offer their own unique twist on hardware, but they shouldn't settle for secondary console. Also, you make it sound like Nintendo doesn't have billions of dollars to do R&D.

This is operating under the idea that Nintendo still has some sort of great cache in the console space. They don't. If you put 3 systems with similar specs, at similar prices, on the market made by MS, Sony and Nintendo, and even give Nintendo some increased third party support, the console consumer will likely still choose an Xbox or Playstation. These people aren't moved by Mario Kart and Zelda as much as you'd think. They want to play Halo. They want to play Last of Us. They want to play these games with their friends who also have Playstations and Xboxes. Nintendo trying to break that market would be like Microsoft or Blackberry trying to break into the smartphone OS market.

 

[outunderthestars]

But are they actively pushing their gaming brands on those phones. That's what I ment with that.

Halo Waypoint

Kinectimals

Age of Empires:

 

[hwy_61]

Why would people pay full price for a game and console they can get for a dollar on their phone?

Who says they have to make ports of their legacy titles? Can't Nintendo make mobile games too?

 

[zhorkat]

Don't worry folks, Nintendo's way ahead of you when it comes to getting Mario on smartphones.