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Nintendo Going Mobile: Smartphone Game Deal with DeNA [First Games Fall 2015]

For me at least, "going mobile" implies to stop making consoles and go for mobile content only. They are going to also do mobile content.

Yeah, it will be a side business with games like Metroid Pinball or Pokémon card games, simple games that are suited for touch screen only controls. I doubt this will have much effect on their dedicated system output.
 
"To further emphasize the point that Nintendo isn't giving up on dedicated games systems, president Satoru Iwata said at a press conference in Tokyo today that Nintendo is working on a new console, codenamed NX, with a "brand-new concept." No further details were revealed, and NX will be some way off; Iwata says the company hopes to announce more next year."


NEW CONSOLE CODENAMED NX
 
I gotta say, they were very clear with what this news means lol

No real room for interpretation on anything. Nipped a lot of shit in the bud before it could even become a messaging issue.

Yeah, they've communicated this pretty well. Whether that stops misinformation from spreading remains to be seen.
 
Lets use one platform that will likely provide us a larger return on investment per project because of the way F2P game economics works, to prop up development of hardware and software that is larger, carries more risk, and has less opportunity for a high ROI.

Said no company ever.

Nintendo has a flat out failing console business and their mobile hardware is in decline. Nintendo investing in mobile development is not to prop up their other businesses. If anything this will be an earnest attempt at entering the mobile market, in some fashion.

Trying to upsell people playing iOS/Android games so they buy a console is going to fail hilariously if that is the strategy.
It's not about propping up their consoles, it's about propping up their IPs. They're going to do their console thing regardless. It's all about brand awareness. The amount of awareness that mobile games will bring to Nintendo's brand is what they're hoping will prop up every aspect of their business.
 
Posted this in another thread but this seems more active:

Could you theoretically use your phone to scan Amiibos because of the NFC chip or is that not how it works? Imagine all these iPhone and android games with Amiibo support.
 
You complained about the need of using the touch screen in Wii U and Nintendo listened. Now you can extend your complain to a whole new gaming area.
 
Nintendo and DeNA expect to develop a new core system compatible with a variety of devices including PCs, smartphones and tablets as well as Nintendo’s dedicated video game systems

So, am I totally interpreting this wrong, or does this suggest we may get to a stage where DeNA developed Nintendo IP games are able to be simultaneously (or likely timed or whatever) released on the next Nintendo console, mobile devices, and the PC?
 
Yeah, they've communicated this pretty well. Whether that stops misinformation from spreading remains to be seen.

The initial rush to just post news without thinking almost did that. Thankfully more stories are getting posted after the conference was over with correct information.
Lets use one platform that will likely provide us a larger return on investment per project because of the way F2P game economics works, to prop up development of hardware and software that is larger, carries more risk, and has less opportunity for a high ROI.

Said no company ever.

Nintendo has a flat out failing console business and their mobile hardware is in decline. Nintendo investing in mobile development is not to prop up their other businesses. If anything this will be an earnest attempt at entering the mobile market, in some fashion.

Trying to upsell people playing iOS/Android games so they buy a console is going to fail hilariously if that is the strategy.
Yeah, they actually mentioned that they would like it to become a new business for them, not a replacement or exit strategy.
Yeah, it will be a side business with games like Metroid Pinball or Pokémon card games, simple games that are suited for touch screen only controls. I doubt this will have much effect on their dedicated system output.

It's going to be a new business venture for them that they appear to be taking very seriously, which is good for everyone. It should also allow for more experimentation in making new IP at a lower cost too.
 
Posted this in another thread but this seems more active:

Could you theoretically use your phone to scan Amiibos because of the NFC chip or is that not how it works? Imagine all these iPhone and android games with Amiibo support.

Oh shit... Good point and yes nfc is nfc
 
It's not about propping up their consoles, it's about propping up their IPs. They're going to do their console thing regardless. It's all about brand awareness.

There's two groups of (potential) users who are going to be impacted by this:

A: Smartphone users with no exposure to Nintendo's IPs who might get influenced to buy into the Nintendo hardware as a result of the new titles' appeal.
B: Nintendo system users for whom the new titles is sufficient for their enjoyment, and see little reason to continue buying Nintendo hardware.

I suspect the key is that Nintendo now believe group A is larger than group B. I have to admit, I'm not convinced.
 
Yeah, it will be a side business with games like Metroid Pinball or Pokémon card games, simple games that are suited for touch screen only controls. I doubt this will have much effect on their dedicated system output.

If this is going to be a meaningless "side business" that has no impact on any of their output they would not be doing this:

Moriyasu:

In addition to the business alliance, we also formed a capital alliance where both companies own part of each other’s stock. Under the alliance, both companies will share each other’s unique know-how, and this allows for a firm, long-term relationship.



Moriyasu:

There are a few other reasons why we also entered into a capital alliance. We want to scale our business alliance on a long-term basis rather than short. Additionally, we plan to pursue other opportunities to enhance both companies’ corporate value without limiting our joint efforts just to the new alliance. So please stay tuned to both companies for more news in the future.



Moriyasu:

Lastly, I want to make a comment as a fan of games. I grew up playing Nintendo games, and I’m already excited that I will soon be able to play Nintendo IP games on smart devices.

At DeNA, we are aware that Nintendo has been the most beloved company in the gaming console space for quite a while. As such, I would like us to be a team that delivers the best games that truly delight our customers.

Thank you.



Iwata:

Generally speaking, an alliance is an approach that aims to realize certain objectives by leveraging the strengths of the other party in areas where each company could not easily succeed by itself. In that sense, there is a large significance in these two companies with different strengths working together, and so that we can review this business alliance in the medium to long term, we decided to make the capital alliance as well.

Lastly, allow me to add some final comments to express my aspirations for this alliance.

Many content providers who are succeeding on smart devices are depending on single hit titles. One of my goals here is, now that we are challenging ourselves with this endeavor by making use of Nintendo IP, to produce multiple hit titles at an early stage after we start releasing our software on smart devices.

Also, until now, when we said, “platform,” it meant a specific video game platform. Now that we are going to release games on smart devices and make use of globally widespread PCs and smart devices for our new membership service, we would like to offer more consumers with software that is suited to their tastes. In other words, we are challenging ourselves to redefine what “Nintendo platforms” mean.

With this collaboration with DeNA, a partner with different strengths, we aim to achieve this goal as soon as possible.
 
Mind blown.

I guess it was inevitable, but still.

abyY16X_460sa.gif

lol
 
Yeah, this was inevitable, I guess. Good for Nintendo, lots of cash going their way!

And I hope that they can port DS games to Android, like Capcom did:

The_World_Ends_With_You.jpg

screen568x568.jpeg


And where did you guys read about a new console announced? I'm not seeing anything. :p
 
They've stayed out of the market for years. If anything, they have been very cautious.

What is most interesting to me is the thought that it may have actually benefited them -- all the spinoffs and other worthless bullshit have been built and their ships have sailed. Now its time for the giant to enter the ring...

That is definitely true, and coming in now is a great time with people eager to try a proper port of Pokemon/Zelda or whatever have you.
 
Of the three announcements:
- Develop game content for smart devices.
- Dedicated game platform with a brand-new concept under the development (NX)
- Digital platform in cross development with DeNA which support (almost) every devices under the sun (Nintendo proprietary devices, smart devices and PC).

I think the latter one is potentially the more impactful in the mid-long term.
Nintendo seems very serious about it or else wouldn't have bought 10% in DeNA.
It's obvious that in this business alliance Nintendo is the bigger partner.
 
Yeah, it will be a side business with games like Metroid Pinball or Pokémon card games, simple games that are suited for touch screen only controls. I doubt this will have much effect on their dedicated system output.

You don't hope to reach 'hundreds of millions of people' and invest so heavily in DeNA with a side business. Nintendo Playing Cards are a side business, this deal, along with their account system sounds like it's going to have a big impact on their future.
 
I was waiting for the time to see Nintendo way of dealing with the changes, and that's what I kept saying previously if Nintendo doesn't change they will diminish like other companies did and maintaining Nintendo relevant smaller size is the source of their power that let them adapt quickly when and stop the bleeding.
 
So, am I totally interpreting this wrong, or does this suggest we may get to a stage where DeNA developed Nintendo IP games are able to be simultaneously (or likely timed or whatever) released on the next Nintendo console, mobile devices, and the PC?

Yes you are misinterpreting.

It means that you'll be able to use your account across those devices, not that the games will be released on them all.
 
And where did you guys read about a new console announced? I'm not seeing anything. :p

They mentioned it when saying that making mobile games doesn't mean they are quitting making games for dedicated Nintendo platforms.
To basically put his money where his mouth is, Iwata said they are developing a new dedicated gaming console, known as "NX".
 
Yeah, this was inevitable, I guess. Good for Nintendo, lots of cash going their way!

And I hope that they can port DS games to Android, like Capcom did:

The_World_Ends_With_You.jpg

screen568x568.jpeg


And where did you guys read about a new console announced? I'm not seeing anything. :p

Remember!! They are not porting any existing games!!
 
Yes you are misinterpreting.

It means that you'll be able to use your account across those devices, not that the games will be released on them all.

Ah ok.

Makes sense for Nintendo to roll out a unified account system to get people buying across platforms.

You like something from their PC or mobile stuff, you might be inclined to buy a dedicated system.
 
Of the three announcements:
- Develop game content for smart devices.
- Dedicated game platform with a brand-new concept under the development (NX)
- Digital platform in cross development with DeNA which support (almost) every devices under the sun (Nintendo proprietary devices, smart devices and PC).

I think the latter one is potentially the more impactful in the mid-long term.
Nintendo seems very serious about it or else wouldn't have bought 10% in DeNA.
It's obvious that in this business alliance Nintendo is the bigger partner.

Fuck the mobile shit, THIS is the real news to come out of the conference.
 
Am I complaining because of the thread content, which is fine, or about the click bait title?

How is it clickbait? Nintendo are going to develop mobile games using the entire range of their IP, Iwata said it's a medium-long term partnership, they've partnered with a mobile company in which they have bought a percentage of each others stock.

How exactly is "Nintendo Going Mobile: Smartphone Game Deal with DeNA Reply to Thread" clickbait?
 
You don't hope to reach 'hundreds of millions of people' and invest so heavily in DeNA with a side business. Nintendo playing cards are a side business, this deal, along with their account system sounds like it's going to have a big impact on their future.

Nope, It's guaranteed that as soon as people see the words "Super Mario" and the name Nintendo on the Play Store or Apple Store, even a pinball game will sell millions.
No doubt about it.
 
Also, until now, when we said, “platform,” it meant a specific video game platform. Now that we are going to release games on smart devices and make use of globally widespread PCs and smart devices for our new membership service, we would like to offer more consumers with software that is suited to their tastes. In other words, we are challenging ourselves to redefine what “Nintendo platforms” mean.

If that means I could be playing Zelda U at 1080p/60fps on my PC with a pro controller then I'm in.
 
My speculation about the "platform" and the "leveraging one-hit mobile apps into a platform thing":

Nintendo App:
- You can use the app on mobile/pc/wiiU/3DS/NX.
- It includes miiverse and is Nintendo's way of forcing the mobile users to receive information about nintendo games and services.
- Connect using your NNID
- You get nintendo coins every time you check into the app. It will be named differently, but that will be the idea.
- It's a information hub, but also the hub for in-game coins/hearts/jewels etc for all the compatible Nintendo/DeNa games in a F2P environment
- there are bonus coins for certain tasks / real world purchases.

For example: Buy & register Pokemon for NX, receive 500 coins nintendo coins that you can use in nintendo compatible apps.
Scan in an Amiibo for the first time: 50 nintendo coins that you can use in nintendo compatible apps.

The real world purchases of software and hardware lead to bonus points/coins/items in the F2P apps for mobile. This also eliminates the big problem that children don't have credit cards. They won't need them - they just need to ask their parents for amiibo's for christmas so they can get advantages in their free F2P games on mobile.

If they can create a "hit" F2P title, they will not only receive the in-game purchases, but also as a benefit encourage people to buy more into the Nintendo eco system. They can even involve third parties (buy Yukai Watch - receive stuff) - and become the platform owner for this eco system on mobile devices.

Edit: some corrections. Also, blizzard does this already for example, if you play Heartstones you can get extra items for WoW.

There will be tons of misunderstanding about this. Iwata only mentioned the NX to counter this but oh well. There will be gaming applications for smartphones by Nintendo. That´s the big news here. You will have a unified account on everything that´s avaiable - that´s the other one.

What you won´t get is unified games. On the contrary. Both parties mentioned the importance of IPs. Iwata said it word by word that software has to be unique to the hardware to not damage the IP with bad controls or sluggish performance.

No ports. Unique software. Nintendo still doing a dedicated system, No hybrid.
The market will decide if it stays that way but thats where we are now.

Nintendo in 2017:

- QoL business: health, education. Whatever. Same shared account. Unique hardware.
- Dedicated consoles and handhelds. Yes both. At least one more time. Iwata said as much in this very year. No hybrid.
- Smart devices. Unique Nintendo software with well known IPs on smart devices. Thats new. Different software than on their own hardware, shared IPs to boost recognition.

That´s it and thats huge enough.
No hybrid.

Agree.
 
Ah ok.

Makes sense for Nintendo to roll out a unified account system to get people buying across platforms.

You like something from their PC or mobile stuff, you might be inclined to buy a dedicated system.

You can already use your NNID on the PC. With the new Club Nintendo successor, of which this is a large part, there will be more PC stuff. Probably web eShop etc.

If that means I could be playing Zelda U at 1080p/60fps on my PC with a pro controller then I'm in.

It doesn't. Read the quote
Also, until now, when we said, “platform,” it meant a specific video game platform. Now that we are going to release games on smart devices and make use of globally widespread PCs and smart devices for our new membership service, we would like to offer more consumers with software that is suited to their tastes. In other words, we are challenging ourselves to redefine what “Nintendo platforms” mean.
 
I'm not sure if mobile will treat Nintendo nicely. In Japan it might since those fuckers eat up micro transactions in their games .

Western audience..not so much.
.unless its Pokemon main game-y I still would not touch a mobile Nintendo game unless it was free to play. Even then lol I would never buy something from in game purchase.
 
Yes you are misinterpreting.

It means that you'll be able to use your account across those devices, not that the games will be released on them all.

There will be tons of misunderstanding about this. Iwata only mentioned the NX to counter this but oh well. There will be gaming applications for smartphones by Nintendo. That´s the big news here. You will have a unified account on everything that´s avaiable - that´s the other one.

What you won´t get is unified games. On the contrary. Both parties mentioned the importance of IPs. Iwata said it word by word that software has to be unique to the hardware to not damage the IP with bad controls or sluggish performance.

No ports. Unique software. Nintendo still doing a dedicated system, No hybrid.
The market will decide if it stays that way but thats where we are now.

Nintendo in 2017:

- QoL business: health, education. Whatever. Same shared account. Unique hardware.
- Dedicated consoles and handhelds. Yes both. At least one more time. Iwata said as much in this very year. No hybrid.
- Smart devices. Unique Nintendo software with well known IPs on smart devices. Thats new. Different software than on their own hardware, shared IPs to boost recognition.

That´s it and thats huge enough.
No hybrid.
 
This is a good thing. Hopefully, Nintendo can raise the overall quality of mobile games, and earn a little bit of extra cash along the way.

I also really think the NX will be a mobile device of some sort.
 
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