Launch definitely feels underwhelming. It's amazing how many things are just not ready after they delayed it specifically for the purpose of having games. Few online features, no VC, no Miiverse, no expected apps like Netflix... it truly feels like a beta until they roll this stuff out HOPEFULLY this holiday.
Polygon: Nintendo is already repeating the Wii U's mistakes with Switch
- Thread starter LordOfLore
- Start date
LordOcidax
Member
TheWhiteWolf
Banned
I'm surprised people actually expect LTE-options on a gaming device. Hell, even on tablets it's not even worth it unless you use it for business purposes.
That's a pretty major oversight.
So if something like Overwatch comes to the Switch then you'll still be confined to playing it in your home unless you live in Japan or a busy city area with really generous hotspots.
Still got my pre-order locked but yeesh.
Then again, free wifi is everwhere here (Netherlands), maybe it's a different story in other countries.
"History has a way of repeating itself. Its been 703 days since Nintendo revealed plans to succeed the flagging Wii U with a new console, the Nintendo Switch (then-codenamed NX), and it had a Switch reveal event in New York City last month, roughly two months before the consoles planned March release."
A bit confused by this. Wasn't the main Wii U reveal event in New York, while the Switch event there was a hands-on event, with the reveal event in Tokyo?
Seems to be forcibly pushing the "history repeats itself" thing where it doesn't quite fit, unless I misunderstand.
A bit confused by this. Wasn't the main Wii U reveal event in New York, while the Switch event there was a hands-on event, with the reveal event in Tokyo?
Seems to be forcibly pushing the "history repeats itself" thing where it doesn't quite fit, unless I misunderstand.
Joelstinton14
Member
Do think that the title is perhaps harsh on the Switch. You can't argue against his argument against lack of information regarding certain elements of the switch, Mainly lack of online info and Virtual console stuff.
But overall i think the Switch has been learning from it's mistakes from previous consoles, and it has done a lot of things right - mainly making a desirable product and the marketing so far as been really good.
Although we are yet to be let in on their online plans - so far the news that has trickled out has been fairly positive - It seems we have a proper account system and that its paid online is going to be relatively cheap - £17-26 is the quoted price. The OS is slick, featureless, but there are pointers in the OS to suggest certain things like media playback (netflix) will be eventually implemented.
It would be nice if nintendo provided a tentative road map of features to come because it would answer questions people have. But i think the title of the article is slightly harsh/clickbaity.
But overall i think the Switch has been learning from it's mistakes from previous consoles, and it has done a lot of things right - mainly making a desirable product and the marketing so far as been really good.
Although we are yet to be let in on their online plans - so far the news that has trickled out has been fairly positive - It seems we have a proper account system and that its paid online is going to be relatively cheap - £17-26 is the quoted price. The OS is slick, featureless, but there are pointers in the OS to suggest certain things like media playback (netflix) will be eventually implemented.
It would be nice if nintendo provided a tentative road map of features to come because it would answer questions people have. But i think the title of the article is slightly harsh/clickbaity.
What focus in motion controls? Only 2 Nintendo games focus on motion controls, and one of them (Arms) can be played with traditional controls too.
Just because I didn't tell anyone what I ate for breakfast today doesn't make it a secret. It's just really standard and boring my breakfast.
Buy a switch, put in a game and play. In summer they will release an app for smartphones that will bring some extra features to the online play, and in fall they will start charging a yearly fee between 2000-3000 yen to use the service. What the app looks like, or the order items in the settings menu in the Switch are very very mundane and unimportant details that we will find out in due time. They are not secrets.
The Switch is doing alright so much better than the Wii U
It is known, people care about it, has great games in the first year, and the marketing has been spot on, the hybrid messaging has been spot on
I have casual friends and gamer friends that did not purchase a Wii u but pre order a switch
It is known, people care about it, has great games in the first year, and the marketing has been spot on, the hybrid messaging has been spot on
I have casual friends and gamer friends that did not purchase a Wii u but pre order a switch
LordOcidax
Member
One and done.... btw... is going to fail because the 0.00000000000001% aroundthe world wants LTE on their Switch.
Yep. That switch conference in January made me do a 180 and it's all been downhill since then.
lwilliams3
Member
Perhaps it should be mentioned in the thread title that the article is mainly focusing on the online features. That is something that Nintendo needs to address by releasing more info soon.
Why?
Why?
I'm excited for others but more so about RPG's right now. I know that, again, for me, it'll have what I like long term so I'm not worried. Nintendo Direct through out the year, other events, E3... Yeah. I see your point and it's a fair one but I'm thinking long term.
I quite enjoyed my Wii U. Launch was poor but Zelda will last me a long time. It's also coupled with the fact is have a ps4 pro too so I don't have any droughts for the type of games I play Hah.
I don't get it. Why don't they just tether their Switch to their smartphone and call it a day. Certainly cheaper than paying for an LTE modem and a second cellular plan.
Nintendo have been making just about all the right calls with the Switch lately, that if I was a betting man, I would have lost considerable money betting against them by using their pass mistakes as my guide. Barring some catastrophic internal issue, it would be strange if they didn't do their diligence to improve one of their most criticized feature aslo.
This is a bit disheartening, but I don't think I'm ready to count them out just yet. I think I'll be worried during the final week to launch if they haven't at least address this concern. That said, this feature may be late/last-minute, but they'll have something in place. At the very latest, March 24th. How else will you have a Splatoon Test Fire 2?!
I'm concerned, but not very worried. I'm more anxious about the actual quality of the service when it rolls out, and please Nintendo, no crazy large day1 patch!
This is a bit disheartening, but I don't think I'm ready to count them out just yet. I think I'll be worried during the final week to launch if they haven't at least address this concern. That said, this feature may be late/last-minute, but they'll have something in place. At the very latest, March 24th. How else will you have a Splatoon Test Fire 2?!
I'm concerned, but not very worried. I'm more anxious about the actual quality of the service when it rolls out, and please Nintendo, no crazy large day1 patch!
Exactly.
Gotta pay them premium prices for the super high tech rumble, Joy‑Con Charging Grip or that super advanced docking station.
LordOcidax
Member
Thats a great idea... hummm
Jack The Nipper
Banned
How many games do people need if they are multiplat gamers, which I assume a lot of us here are. I can't even finish what I want on one system much less what zelda will do to me.
echoshizzle
Neo Member
I skimmed the article and noticed that he absolutely nails it regarding tablet functionality. The key to grab wii-like sales from non-gamers is to give it tablet functions and applications/games so your parents want one. I understand they are catering to gamers, but they could really take the tablet market by storm as well.
The lack of info on the VC and online functions actually doesn't bother me, I won't own any online games for a few months and by that time I'm sure they will release more information.
I think it's likely Nintendo is still working on their online functions and also saving the information for e3 or other Nintendo events to build the Christmas hype.
What's crazy to me is this console was so secretive it didn't even hit e3 last year. It doesn't surprise me they are still secretive about other aspects. Maybe Nintendo has way more to come to keep the hype rolling.
The lack of info on the VC and online functions actually doesn't bother me, I won't own any online games for a few months and by that time I'm sure they will release more information.
I think it's likely Nintendo is still working on their online functions and also saving the information for e3 or other Nintendo events to build the Christmas hype.
What's crazy to me is this console was so secretive it didn't even hit e3 last year. It doesn't surprise me they are still secretive about other aspects. Maybe Nintendo has way more to come to keep the hype rolling.
LordOcidax
Member
Agree with you, make a third horse for a race that is totally dominated by Sony... Half Gen... Is really a great idea....
D.Lo
Member
I just won't understand how anyone can say with a straight face that 'it's the Wii U all over again'. You can maybe point out a couple of irrelevant parallels 'we still don't know x', 'both are a tabet' but it seems like trolling to go beyond that.
The Wii U was a colossal messaging and design fuckup on every level. Mainly because of the insane name, It took years for many people to work out it wasn't just a new Wii controller. The 'ugly controller with a screen but you can't use it without the console box' thing sold it to basically nobody. Because of the hardware Wii backward compatibility, and the expensive controller as the gimmick, it was far too expensive for the graphical level it delivered for a home console tethered to a TV. And the marketing ranged from pathetic to non-existent.
I eventually bought the Wii U for the games despite the console. I seriously think the Wii U was a rushed 'got to get something out there' release, because other plans fell through.
The Switch has an extremely good, very clear console name, it's super clear what it is and what it does, it's being strongly marketed, and brand awareness is through the roof.
The Wii U was a colossal messaging and design fuckup on every level. Mainly because of the insane name, It took years for many people to work out it wasn't just a new Wii controller. The 'ugly controller with a screen but you can't use it without the console box' thing sold it to basically nobody. Because of the hardware Wii backward compatibility, and the expensive controller as the gimmick, it was far too expensive for the graphical level it delivered for a home console tethered to a TV. And the marketing ranged from pathetic to non-existent.
I eventually bought the Wii U for the games despite the console. I seriously think the Wii U was a rushed 'got to get something out there' release, because other plans fell through.
The Switch has an extremely good, very clear console name, it's super clear what it is and what it does, it's being strongly marketed, and brand awareness is through the roof.
GinoFelino
Member
It's so weird how so many people seem to think Nintendo is doing nearly everything right, and then there's this equally convinced group that thinks Nintendo is doing everything wrong.
It goes beyond just a difference of opinion. What those two groups want the Switch and Nintendo to do is wildly different, it seems.
It goes beyond just a difference of opinion. What those two groups want the Switch and Nintendo to do is wildly different, it seems.
Your username does you disservice lol
Yes, in this case it really seems Nintendo just can't win.
I feel it's smart they do their own thing instead of chasing MS and Sony in the spec war, even though it disappoints people who look forward to a technical advanced Nintendo game.
I can't help but feel that this article, and many posters here, are projecting quite heavily. The Wii U did not fail because we knew little about its online service before launch, it failed because it was an unmitigated disaster in marketing, launch lineup and product. Whether the Switch has a web applet for connecting to Hotel/University wi-fi networks and whether it has LTE support are not things the general consumer cares about, and I'd say the same with the Virtual Console as well. There's also no evidence to suggest that, if they were being as open as they really should be, the Switch would be a massive success; the Vita was and look how that turned out.
It's ultimately not Wi-Fi, but I've had some fine matches with Overwatch, GTA and Rocket League over 4G.
TLZ
Banned
I don't think there's enough solid variety to call it a solid launch. Just Zelda and not many people are into this kind of game. The rest of the games are rubbish fillers IMO.
Yes parents can't wait to get on this tablet thing. It's the future.
D.Lo
Member
Exactly, it reads like the author dug up every tiny parallel they could, just to say 'and that's also why the Wii U failed'.
I personally think the Wii U name alone cost it 10-20 million in sales.
BoxManLocke
Member
I don't think the lack of info on the online infrastructure will be much of a problem for the Switch in the grand scheme of things, but it's still part of a series of baffling decisions from Nintendo in regards to the Switch that will come back to bite them in the ass soon after launch IMO. That includes the lineup and general pricing.
Yes, the Switch was marketed better than the WiiU, no doubt about it. But people knowing about your product, and people thinking your product is worth buying are two very, very different things.
As things stand now, I still see the Switch as a console mostly for Nintendo fans and the minority of enthusiasts who are willing to have a secondary console (that right there is why it'll sell better than the WiiU). If Nintendo thinks what they've shown can accomplish more than that right now, then they are fucking delusional.
Yes, the Switch was marketed better than the WiiU, no doubt about it. But people knowing about your product, and people thinking your product is worth buying are two very, very different things.
As things stand now, I still see the Switch as a console mostly for Nintendo fans and the minority of enthusiasts who are willing to have a secondary console (that right there is why it'll sell better than the WiiU). If Nintendo thinks what they've shown can accomplish more than that right now, then they are fucking delusional.
I'll qualify this by reassuring you that I am buying $750 worth of Switch products at launch.
My own biases in Nintendo's favor aside, this thing reeks of failure. At least Wii U didn't look phoned-in. The Switch has extremely dated tech, peripherals sold at premium, online chat and matchmaking through a phone app, no exclusives, immediate game drought, fairly-dated games, games that still look like tech demos, bizarre soft launch window, et al.
Don't begrudge Polygon for picking some low-hanging fruit. Begrudge Polygon for every other way it's Polygon.
My own biases in Nintendo's favor aside, this thing reeks of failure. At least Wii U didn't look phoned-in. The Switch has extremely dated tech, peripherals sold at premium, online chat and matchmaking through a phone app, no exclusives, immediate game drought, fairly-dated games, games that still look like tech demos, bizarre soft launch window, et al.
Don't begrudge Polygon for picking some low-hanging fruit. Begrudge Polygon for every other way it's Polygon.
And thats why this is a great strategy for nintendo it just shows there gamble paid off, as I said in the past confident nintendo is the best nintendo, we are in an era that the young guns are at the helm and where feeling it bit by bit, very exciting for gaming this year.
boiled goose
good with gravy
The narrative that Nintendo is incompetent at online services exists because of Nintendo.
It's their own damn fault.
They've have over a decade to get up to speed and a console in 2017 is launching with a seemingly half baked online system.
We dont know if online functionality is os level and well integrated (Unlikely)
We probably still dont have a proper hardware agnostic account system.
VC "upgrade" fees likely again (this is so damaging)
We still don't understand how voice chat or matchmaking will work.
No browser
No video services
Unclear what vc looks like
This vacuum of information and justified skepticism is what leads to the narrative.
RichiRamjag
Member
Posts like these are the biggest reason why we need a direct. If nothing is shown people won't just wait to find out how it is. They'll say they're barely making improvements or other silly statements we have no way of knowing as of yet.
Nintendo needs to better control the information flow before possible misinformation gets spread.
b00_thegh0st
Member
All of this is true but this time the product is clearly defined: a hybrid system that you can play on the go or on your TV set. At the time of Wii U launch average Joe had no idea if the system was a Wii add-on or its own thing altogether.
What?
Really dated tech? I must've missed all these Switch-like consoles, only thing slightly comparable is the Vita.
Premium devices get premium peripheral prices
Just the voicechat goes through the app. I still use Discord or Skype instead of the Steam app for voicechat. Steam is horribly outdated.
What?
Ahuh, What?
Dated? I'll go and try BotW on my Iphone, see how that holds up. You know what, I'm going to stop here. There's nothing substantial in your post.
Oh and "Et al" means and other people, which makes my post worth slightly more since you learned something new today. Still my post is fairly void of information as well.
I can't agree with you there. Your analogy doesn't work. it's more like you made breakfast for you and a group of people. You made a post about it to the internet. Everyone's asking to see what you made. Someone at the breakfast takes a picture of just half their plate and posts it on the internet. You see it and tell them to take it down. They take it down, citing "Ktslime didn't want me to show any contents of the breakfast".
You don't think people are going to interpret that as secretive?
Poimandres
Member
The reality is usually somewhere in the middle. They are doing a lot of things right with the Switch (definitiely avoiding some past mistakes) but other things are real head scratchers (poor launch lineup, app support missing, unanswerd questions about certain functions).
It doesn't have to be all positive or all negative.
Mass Appeal
Member
I dont fully agree with the article since I think Nintendo ia doing a much better job marketing The Switch BUT I cancelled my preorder a few weeks ago.
The lack of games is the main reason but also price at launch and everything I have read about its online infastructure makes me think Nintendo is still beta testing this.
Also with games like Nioh, Horizon: zero dawn, Nier Automata, and Mass Effect: Andromeda all launching within a month of each other, I got plenty of games to play so Zelda can definetly wait. I think waiting till this up coming holiday season and E3 will definetly tell Alot if I will be buying the Switch or not.
The lack of games is the main reason but also price at launch and everything I have read about its online infastructure makes me think Nintendo is still beta testing this.
Also with games like Nioh, Horizon: zero dawn, Nier Automata, and Mass Effect: Andromeda all launching within a month of each other, I got plenty of games to play so Zelda can definetly wait. I think waiting till this up coming holiday season and E3 will definetly tell Alot if I will be buying the Switch or not.