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[Agent Unknown]

That sums up my feelings on today's Direct perfectly. Reggie didn't even seem enthused himself with the hot garbage he tried to pass off today. His same old tired showman schtick smells now and he knows it. In my opinion, NOA needs new leadership. Reggie started off nicely but for many years now he has increasingly come off across as a stingy, conversative, overly cautious numbers man with a rigid, inflexible view of his market while trying to pass off lemons and endlessly cutting corners.

It's bad enough Europe got the early N3DS purchase Ambassador program, but I tried my best to counter that with the expectation and excitement of eventually getting one here. The problem? Not everybody wants an XL. I've used the XL many times while playing with my friends and the larger form factor just doesn't work for me. I still love my OG launch 3DS because its size is perfect for me as I take it everywhere I go daily even during my work routine. There's also the slight resolution hit and "color warmth" difference on the XL. For a company that tries to casually imitate Apple, deliberately withholding the standard size 3DS from the U.S. seems very unfriendly, rigid and foolish. Imagine a bizarro world scenario where Apple released new IPad models but only allowed certain countries to purchase IPad minis? That's what this feels like.

My other notable complaints on Reggie and NOA are the usual suspects:

-Stonewalling the re-release of Earthbound on VC for roughly seven years because he thought it wouldn't sell. After Itoi and Iwata publically aknowledged the fan outpouring on Miiverse, NOA finally announced EB for NA/EU VC in the Mar/April 2013 Direct. When Earthbound was released on VC later that summer, the annoying "when-will-they-stop-asking-me" cult SNES game from 1994 which Reggie didn't think would sell was the number one selling title on the eShop for roughly seven months (maybe someone can clarify with some data/charts?). In fact it wasn't until not long ago that Earthbound finally dropped out of the eShop top ten.

-Getting back to N3DS, his supposed quote that 'white doesn't sell as well' in the U.S. is hogwash considering the DS Lite launched in white in 2006 and sold out consistently everywhere for many months.

-Holding back Xenoblade and the rest of the Operation Rainfall titles until the bitter end. Then after finally releasing Op Rainfall titles he went on to diss fan campaigns which stands in sharp contrast to the kind words Itoi and Iwata had for fans who campaigned on Miiverse for EB.

-Gradually marginalizing the value of Club Nintendo in the U.S. Awful reward disparity aside, new systems will no longer earn coins. But what do you expect from a company to cheap to pack in a simple AC adaptor?

So, what are your thoughts on Reggie and where NOA stands in comparison to NCL and NOE?

-Where and when did NOA start to become in the eyes of fans arguably the worst branch of Nintendo?

-In your opinion, how does Reggie's tenure, accomplishments and treatment of the U.S. fanbase compare to the Howard Lincoln/Arikawa era?

 

[10k]

He's a tub of garbage and needs to be thrown out with Iwata in the compost.

Edit: It started when the Wii started to dwindle down around 2011 and the whole Operation Rainfall started. Refusing to bring over already translated games in a barren calendar year that only had skyward sword and kirbys return to dreamland in Q4 2011. Hubris.

 

[Banjotanooki]

Doesn't he take orders from Iwata? I'm guessing he has a say as well...

 

[SURGEdude]

I agree. I really liked Reggie at first. He seemed aggressive in a way Nintendo has lacked. But I was wrong. They seem totally out of touch. I have a strong belief that Nintendo is an important player in this industry, sadly the leadership of NOA seems to make misstep after misstep.

 

[Ibuki]

I just wish they made better decisions, or at least payed attention to the other branches and copied some of their good ideas.

 

[brinstar]

iirc, Earthbound didn't come out on the Japanese VC either. So I don't think that was Reggie's doing.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Iwata is the boss of NoA

 

[Neiteio]

He's a tub of garbage and needs to be thrown out with Iwata in the compost.

You say that now, 10k, you say that now. But when you're standing on the edge of a bridge, staring at the drink far below, and you're about to step forward, it will be Reggie's warm, meaty paw that clamps down on your shoulder.

"Don't do it," Reggie will whisper.

"But... but you only gave us the XL."

"Because the XL," he'll reply, "is the measure of my love."

 

[Aaron]

NOA doesn't have leadership. They do as they are told.

 

[Tobor]

What difference would firing Reggie make? Iwata runs NOA.

You cut off the snakes head, not its tail.

 

[entremet]

iirc, Earthbound didn't come out on the Japanese VC either. So I don't think that was Reggie's doing.

It had to do with some copyright issue with the music if I recall.

 

[Spyder_Monkey]

I can't wait 'til this hype backlash blows over and people go back to making memes about the guy.

 

[Hours Left]

As I said before, it doesn't matter who's fault it is, but things definitely need to change.

NoA's treatment of the fans is totally brutal, and their constant double talk and non-answers are immensely frustrating. Stop treating the majority of your customers like braindead sheep.

 

[Eolz]

How many threads do we need about this?

 

[fernoca]

I agree with all the points, but again: The n3DS AC removal was something Japan and Europe did years ago, so let's not throw that to NOA...like the many threads has been doing today.


And yeah, Iwata took charge of NOA. Heck some of the points could be blamed to him (i.e. worse Club Nintendo rewards) ;p.

 

[sprsk]

I nominate Bill Trinen

 

[bomblord1]

You say that now, 10k, you say that now. But when you're standing on the edge of a bridge, staring at the drink far below, and you're about to step forward, it will be Reggie's warm, meaty paw that clamps down on your shoulder.

"Don't do it," Reggie will whisper.

"But... but you only gave us the XL."

"Because the XL," he'll reply, "is the measure of my love."

This is my comment of the year.

 

[DigitalRicket]

Iwata is the boss of NoA

Yeah, in 2013 Iwata took over as CEO of NOA. So Reggie's not commanding the ship there I'm afraid.

 

[Slowdive]

Iwata is the CEO of NOA.

 

[Gonzo The Great]

You do realize that Iwata is the CEO of Nintendo of America, right? Reggie is basically just a powerless figurehead. He's here to shout memes at fans and maintain positive PR.

I don't know how many times this needs to be said before people finally understand.

 

[Coins]

How many hate on Reggie threads will we have today? Lol

Let me tell you a secret. He's not in charge.

 

[JayEH]

Is today I hate Nintendo day? I missed the memo.

 

[10k]

You say that now, 10k, you say that now. But when you're standing on the edge of a bridge, staring at the drink far below, and you're about to step forward, it will be Reggie's warm, meaty paw that clamps down on your shoulder.

"Don't do it," Reggie will whisper.

"But... but you only gave us the XL."

"Because the XL," he'll reply, "is the measure of my love."

Lol. I've always wanted the XL. But it's stupid to not sell the regular version in the US, and don't get me started on the adapter, operation rainfall or the dodging of questions in interviews.

How many threads do we need about this?

One for each controversial thing Nintendo did today. So about six or seven.

 

[Neiteio]

Personally, I think the titles are just a formality, and Reggie is more like the miniboss in Final Fight who comes charging down the subway train or explodes through a concrete wall. He suplexes you a few times and then you throw a pipe at him and advance to the next screen. But he'll be back.

 

[SRTtoZ]

Nothing makes me happier than when Geoff Keighley grills him every E3 and makes him look foolish.

 

[Agent Unknown]

Yeah, in 2013 Iwata took over as CEO of NOA. So Reggie's not commanding the ship there I'm afraid.

Good point but Reggie was still not doing well long before Iwata took over.

 

[SMgamer83]

Sigh

 

[ChrisD]

You say that now, 10k, you say that now. But when you're standing on the edge of a bridge, staring at the drink far below, and you're about to step forward, it will be Reggie's warm, meaty paw that clamps down on your shoulder.

"Don't do it," Reggie will whisper.

"But... but you only gave us the XL."

"Because the XL," he'll reply, "is the measure of my love."

Neiteio, I don't know what you're on, but I love it.

 

[Remark]

Bruh why you still on iOS6?

Reggie very trash doe. We need someone fresh and new willing tontry new ideas or replicate EU.

 

[Vena]

-Stonewalling the re-release of Earthbound on VC for roughly seven years because he thought it wouldn't sell.

I mean... at least check if the things you say are real.

Earthbound wasn't being stonewalled for shits and giggles.

 

[Neiteio]

In all seriousness, I don't see how questions were dodged today, at least where the regular N3DS is concerned. They said they think it won't sell. How much more direct do you want them to be with their reasoning?

 

[Vylash]

if you feel like whining about how NOA needs new leadership, you should at least know who the guy in charge actually is

 

[Elfforkusu]

He's a tub of garbage and needs to be thrown out with Iwata in the compost.

Edit: It started when the Wii started to dwindle down around 2011 and the whole Operation Rainfall started. Refusing to bring over already translated games in a barren calendar year that only had skyward sword and kirbys return to dreamland in Q4 2011. Hubris.

Unless Iwata is making all the localizing decisions (and has been for the last decade), I'm not a fan of throwing him under the bus on this.

But it started well before 2011. I think the nasty Wii software drought was in '08-'09, where they had basically nothing new coming out for the system, and a half dozen titles that they flat out refused to localize.

It's completely mind-boggling that the same company that invests in a loss-leader games like Xenoblade and Bayonetta has a division (NoA) in charge of their largest market that is seemingly terrified to take a loss on a game.

 

[Shaanyboi]

Iwata is the head of NoA, not Reggie. And most key decisions are made by Japan. Even with new leadership, what needs to happen is they need to rethink how they prioritize NA when it comes to informing their decisions.

 

[Duxxy3]

Iwata should have been fired years ago. It is remarkable that investors keep voting him back.

 

[Nesther]

Never really liked him, glad people are coming to their senses. The memes surrounding him gave him this popularity I've never quite understood. He always just seemed to be a cars salesman to me who occasionally made quick-witted remarks that went viral.

I find Bill Trinen far more agreeable.

 

[Team Top Hat]

Bunch of Team Top Hat threads lately.


Glad people are seeing the light now.

 

[Social]

I dislike Reggie but I really think Nintendo is making a lot of improvements lately. I've been happy with the new games and footage in the Directs.

 

[Coins]

Bruh why you still on iOS6?

Reggie very trash doe. We need someone fresh and new willing tontry new ideas or replicate EU.

Reggie can't try new ideas or decide to replicate the EU doe.

 

[alr1ght]

NOA is just a patsy for NCL.

 

[Beelzeboss]

Good point but Reggie was still not doing well long before Iwata took over.

I imagine the relationship was still very similar with NoA getting orders from Japan.

 

[Neiteio]

Never really liked him, glad people are coming to their senses. The memes surrounding him gave him this popularity I've never quite understood. He always just seemed to be a cars salesman to me who occasionally made quick-witted remarks that went viral.

I find Bill Trinen far more agreeable.

Bill Trinen was so tan today

He was probably back from a vacation of running down a beach holding hands with Miyamoto, translating happy remarks like, "Oh look a seagull"

 

[Daingurse]

Reggie is just a mouthpiece. Can't really blame the brother.

 

[Yado]

Good point but Reggie was still not doing well long before Iwata took over.

Iwata was always pulling the strings. Reggie is just a mouthpiece

 

[GamerSoul]

You say that now, 10k, you say that now. But when you're standing on the edge of a bridge, staring at the drink far below, and you're about to step forward, it will be Reggie's warm, meaty paw that clamps down on your shoulder.

"Don't do it," Reggie will whisper.

"But... but you only gave us the XL."

"Because the XL," he'll reply, "is the measure of my love."

Bravo, sir. Bravo.

 

[vinnygambini]

NOA needs new leadership period.

Iwata should not be CEO, and neither should be Reggie - both need to go, and Iwata's case, back to Japan. New blood is needed.

 

[Remark]

Reggie can't try new ideas or decide to replicate the EU doe.

No way Iwata like "See what EU and JP doing, don't do that how or I'll beat you"

 

[The Boat]

On the other hand, NoA has been amazing with indies and it drastically improved the way it communicates with the community, especially with the Treehouse live shows, Smash tournaments and demo tours.

Above all, as many said, this is probably on Iwata, although one could say Reggie could stomp his foot harder.

 

[Ferrio]

I never understood the Reggie love to begin with. He was PR head from pizza hut among other things, and people worshipped that. Idol worship alone baffles me... but a marketing guy... that just always felt weird.

 

[Green Wiggly]

Personally, I think the titles are just a formality, and Reggie is more like the miniboss in Final Fight who comes charging down the subway train or explodes through a concrete wall. He suplexes you a few times and then you throw a pipe at him and advance to the next screen. But he'll be back.

At least there's delicious floor turkey.