This is what I am saying. They should have created first party western developers to better address the US market. All they've done is Retro and some outsourced sequels like Pilotwings, Punchout, Luigi's Mansion, etc.
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Iwata implies he may resign over poor business performance
- Thread starter Cheesemeister
- Start date
This is what I am saying. They should have created first party western developers to better address the US market. All they've done is Retro and some outsourced sequels like Pilotwings, Punchout, Luigi's Mansion, etc.
DreadPirateRoberts
Member
Probably because the last two times Nintendo pushed for power they got burned.
I think the "3rd party games don't sell on Nintendo consoles" stigma is doing a lot more harm than the power of the system.
The teams could probably be interested but ultimately it's the publisher decision and that i would really doubt....
I would absolutely love if the Wii U 2 was more powerful than the PS5/X1080 because it would take away some annoying memes, but is it really realistic that's the question.
I'm guessing we're talking about digital content?
Because Nintendo's consumer service is ranked number one.
Nintendo doesn't force you to buy season passes.
Nintendo doesn't have on-disc DLC
Nintendo doesn't purposefully release incomplete games and force you to buy more DLC
Nintendo doesn't make you pay to play games online
Nintendo doesn't collect your personal information without your permission
Nintendo doesn't doesn't sell your personal information to the highest bidder
None of this discounts your point about digital content (which I THINK you were trying to get at), but let's not miss the forest for the trees. All-in-all Nintendo is a very consumer friendly company. Digital content and digital rights is their one blemish/black mark.
Yeah, it seems they're trapped in their obsession for perfect backwards compatibility. I guess they could spend some R&D money in a different way instead of trying to modernize an old CPU, but maybe a drastic architectural change would mean that they would need to create new developement tools and game engines.
Still, it seems like their goal for perfect bc (i think emulation would be better) and low energy consumption resulted in a not so capable machine, and they could provide a better one with the same money.
Doc Holliday
SPOILER: Columbus finds America
N64 had cartridges, GameCube launched a year after the ps2, was purple and didn't play DVDs. Just like the wii they were missing things that kept from being easy port machines for 3rd parties. Wii u is just launching too late with only slightly better tech and a tainted brand for 3rd parties.
Am i the only one who thinks its clear as day that the only way Nintendo will ever solve this is by funding new western studios? if they stuck to it they could show third parties that their system will really be flooded with core games for the western gamer/dude bro gamer....that's the only way, these supposed crossovers and deals won't do nothing....they need to step up...
This is probably the way to go. At least they should have a steady stream of content if they will be developing for one hardware.
boiled goose
good with gravy
Region locking and a terrible localization record is another huge blemish.
The fact that a game like Xenoblade almost doesn't get localized is a symptom of something going very wrong at NOA.
Happened in the GC era for most western titles that weren't too compromised by the Mini-DVD storage limitations.
Fourth Storm
Member
Funding new studios is high risk (you gotta pay for all those new employees, facilities, etc for one), but is it necessarily high reward?
We all (and I'm including myself) rant on that if Nintendo appealed more to core gamers or Western gamers, that it would solve their current problems. Such a massive investment would be an unprecedented move on their part and there's no way of telling which way it could swing. Companies such as Capcom have been attempting this over the last generation and the results have been hit or miss. I'd like to believe that Nintendo are more competent, but to see it as anything less than a huge risk is making light of the matter.
Linkstrikesback
Member
How will wildly building a bunch of new studios solve any problem? Sure, they could poop out a shooter or two. And? The "dudebro" gamer won't care because it'll be a nintendo game, regardless of how many bald space marines they stick in.
Fortunately, you've already declared that the crossovers and deals "won't do nothing", so obviously you think they'll be a massive success i.e. not doing nothing.
They don't need to fund new western studios, they need to fund western-style Wii U exclusive games. They have essentially 5 NA studios, but they are all developing under the watchful eye of SPD. Tanabe seems like a cool guy, but the Japanese influence is the problem. Nintendo has no Western identity.
Ghosts'N'Goblins on NES also has blood.
Kinda bummed out about where Nintendo is right now, though there's always the "don't count Nintendo out!" element in the background. People talk about Nintendo needing to do something "big" and drastic. I think that's exactly what they tried to do with Wii U and it's a cute idea but clearly not a panacea. How about just make good games and market them well? That's traditionally worked out well for them. You don't need to invent the fucking iPad.
JordanN
Banned
You think I care? I'm a gamer, not a shareholder. The burn doesn't bother me when I'm playing Mario in 1080p.
Region locking isn't unique to Nintendo.
Also, localisation is being rectified. You just need to look at Pokémon X & Y for that.
I'm not seeing the implication that he is to resign in this, anyway.
Hero of Legend
Member
Anyone else want the thread title changed? Iwata really doesn't hint of a possible resignation, it's the writer getting the wrong idea.
And by trying a appease everyone, they end up pleasing no one. Iwata gets a lot of praise for being smart and insightful about the state of the industry, but I feel like he's fighting the tide and trying to force the industry to behave the way he thinks it should rather than accept market realities and adjust accordingly. Looking at sales charts, it's obvious that if they want the West then Nintendo needs dudebro games but they haven't made any visible effort to secure those. Instead they're taking what works in Japan (Monster Hunter, Animal Crossing) and trying to force it into popularity in the rest of the world. That doesn't work, but Nintendo doesn't seem to recognize that.
Third party support is Nintendo's biggest problem. If they fixed that, 75% of their other issues would fix themselves. If Iwata isn't willing to do what it takes to appease 3rd parties, then perhaps he needs to be replaced by someone who will. There's no excuse for GTA V not being on Wii U or for the current state of Nintendo's relationship with EA. Nintendo needs a CEO who's willing to do what it takes to get them back to SNES levels of 3rd party support.
I hope not, Iwata seems like the most level headed CEO in the industry who speaks with knowledge from both sides of the coin. His Iwata Asks series is some of the most insightful and informative articles we have regarding video game development.
I do hope that he has learned from the 3DS and Wii U launches and can appropriately shift some gears and make Nintendo adapt to how things are.
Wonder what should we call it if 3DS price drop and afterwards was Nintendo Beast Mode.
While I don't disagree with most of the things you said in this post, I have to disagree with this one. Nintendo basically gifted third parties with the 3DS by not releasing any high-quality first party Nintendo software at the launch of the system and arguably until Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land came out. It was an opportunity for third parties to release something worthwhile and that would be a good seller and outside of Capcom with Super Street Fighter 4, nobody did.
I do hope that he has learned from the 3DS and Wii U launches and can appropriately shift some gears and make Nintendo adapt to how things are.
Wonder what should we call it if 3DS price drop and afterwards was Nintendo Beast Mode.
While I don't disagree with most of the things you said in this post, I have to disagree with this one. Nintendo basically gifted third parties with the 3DS by not releasing any high-quality first party Nintendo software at the launch of the system and arguably until Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land came out. It was an opportunity for third parties to release something worthwhile and that would be a good seller and outside of Capcom with Super Street Fighter 4, nobody did.
Pie and Beans
Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
They have the only region locked handheld right now, and to degrees of difference, the only hardware locked home console.
Sure, point taken. So..region locking, and digital rights management. Two important issues...no doubt.
Does this mean that AS A WHOLE, Nintendo is an anti-consumer company? Not even close. Doesn't mean that those two things shouldn't be looked at and worked on. But it's not necessary to go down the NeoGaf way of "Awesome" or "Evil". There is an in-between there.
Spirit Icana
Member
Hey Iwata, you're developers are a little out of control. Zelda and Super Mario Bros. are being mismanaged (among other lesser IP's as well like Metroid and Star Fox.) The newest 2D Mario titles are half-hearted efforts and are not new enough. Make another one for the Wii U and make it better and brand new.
Wind Waker is not a very popular Zelda title outside GAF circles. GameCube is not a very popular system so don't bother Wiimaking or porting games from that system anymore. They didn't do anything for Wii, they're not going to do anything for Wii U.
3D Mario is not even half as popular as the 2D Mario games so don't bank too much on the newest game turning fortunes around for Wii U. Super Mario Galaxy did nothing for Wii's decline in Japan back in 2007, but it maybe played a small role and appeased the core/current customers for the sold out Wii's in America where Wii Sports, Wii Play, and Guitar Hero were all the rage.
Put good resources and research into the next Mario Kart (Wii's biggest seller, non pack-in) and Wii Sports. Smash Bros should sell systems too. New IPs are a must as well.
Do what you can with the big third publishers, but don't count on getting big exclusives from them. Some of them might not even be around after next gen. Start looking at the indie crowd and smaller developers and publishers. Wii U needs GAMES first and foremost. The next big hit could be anything. Game Boy's biggest game at launch was Tetris, some weird game with blocks made by a guy from Russia. That very same Game Boy was revived by Pokemon, a weird game from a small team in Japan. That black and white gadget could not be dethroned by more powerful competitors. The next hit could be a Barney the Dinosaur game for all we know. The question is, will it be on Wii U?
Wii U hardware can still sell in this marketplace. In fact, it can be #1 with the right games, good support, and a good price.
Good luck.
Wind Waker is not a very popular Zelda title outside GAF circles. GameCube is not a very popular system so don't bother Wiimaking or porting games from that system anymore. They didn't do anything for Wii, they're not going to do anything for Wii U.
3D Mario is not even half as popular as the 2D Mario games so don't bank too much on the newest game turning fortunes around for Wii U. Super Mario Galaxy did nothing for Wii's decline in Japan back in 2007, but it maybe played a small role and appeased the core/current customers for the sold out Wii's in America where Wii Sports, Wii Play, and Guitar Hero were all the rage.
Put good resources and research into the next Mario Kart (Wii's biggest seller, non pack-in) and Wii Sports. Smash Bros should sell systems too. New IPs are a must as well.
Do what you can with the big third publishers, but don't count on getting big exclusives from them. Some of them might not even be around after next gen. Start looking at the indie crowd and smaller developers and publishers. Wii U needs GAMES first and foremost. The next big hit could be anything. Game Boy's biggest game at launch was Tetris, some weird game with blocks made by a guy from Russia. That very same Game Boy was revived by Pokemon, a weird game from a small team in Japan. That black and white gadget could not be dethroned by more powerful competitors. The next hit could be a Barney the Dinosaur game for all we know. The question is, will it be on Wii U?
Wii U hardware can still sell in this marketplace. In fact, it can be #1 with the right games, good support, and a good price.
Good luck.
lwilliams3
Member
The 3DS situation is now stable, and it has a good overseas lineup this year, so I believe that Iwata should be able to complete his goal due to that alone. I don't think some of the issues with the Wii U will be completely dealt with this year, but it doesn't have to as long as Nintendo can make sure the Wii U marketability doesn't implode into a black hole. I'm hoping that Nintendo has already made good progress with improving third-party relations, but the games are still in development.
I do like that Iwata is honorable enough to put himself on the line. It shows how committed he is on ensuring that their systems will succeed.
I do like that Iwata is honorable enough to put himself on the line. It shows how committed he is on ensuring that their systems will succeed.
Metroid In A Glass Tube
Banned
Nintendo should have launched an epic 3D mario with this console, it would have been a game changer imo.
This is sad news.
This is sad news.
DonMigs85
Member
It's true, many major 3rd party titles did receive a GC port. It probably had the strongest, most on-par 3rd party support of any Nintendo console. EA even ported SSX On Tour and NBA Street V3 with Mario characters. It's a shame Burnout 3 didn't make it though ;_;
It's sad that most western 3rd Party (except Ubisoft) doesn't like Nintendo. I really hope that Rayman Legends sells well - and I think it will, it's exclusive and it's not like it will have some competitor on Wii U.
Also, "Nintendo's audience" likes plataform games, so I think it's safe that most of NSMBU buyers will also buy Rayman. Actually, Rayman could even sell more because lots of people don't bought NSMBU because the graphics/reused assets.
It's hard to Nintendo sustain its consoles alone =/
Also, "Nintendo's audience" likes plataform games, so I think it's safe that most of NSMBU buyers will also buy Rayman. Actually, Rayman could even sell more because lots of people don't bought NSMBU because the graphics/reused assets.
It's hard to Nintendo sustain its consoles alone =/
MisterHero
Super Member
Here's some western studios Nintendo has supported in some capacity
n-Space - Nintendo worked with them for 4+ years on Geist
Kuju - Battalion Wars series is great, but didn't sell
Silicon Knights - they couldn't let go of Too Human
Monster Games - ExciteTruck/Bots aren't huge sellers, neither was Pilotwings Resort
Fuse/Silverball Games - Mario Pinball was awful, but Metroid Pinball was great. They're a pinball game company
Factor 5 - killed by LAIR
Left Field - Nintendo doesn't have any stake in them now, but some sports games could be good
Eurocom - commissioned GoldenEye remake by Nintendo, but under Activision control.
Some of these devs have great potential, but Nintendo has to find the right projects for them. The games that get them the most money can already be done by their in-house groups.
DreadPirateRoberts
Member
It would probably bother you when you never get another Mario game again, that path clearly wasn't working for them financially.
Do you honestly think they would be in a better position right now had they pushed for a system on par with the 720/PS4?
Yeah and that is kind of the point I am making. I am not of the belief that bleeding edge tech matters... seeing how Microsoft has re positioned the 360 as a casual device. And the fact that it is working out with what the have on market now, that is just a matter of fact. But Come the next gen... I would expect more of a focus on that than having "the radest box" on the market. Keep in mind that Mircosoft has yet to post a profit as it stands with the xbox and the 360. I would think that they want to change that with a new platform.
I can't imagine a better fit for Nintendo Pres than Iwata. Even if Nintendo has been hesitant and unwilling to respond to some issues, overall they have responded and they are generally headed in the right direction and they've made a lot of good choices. I'd rather have a cautious Nintendo than a company that would throw out everything they've built in a rash effort to stay profitable.
I love this news.
It shows me again how great asian people are sometimes. "Work" and "Honnor" going together. I prefer this mentality over the lame american mentality of "sky is the limit, fuck people". I believe in Iwata and that Nintendo won't be in the red next year, seriously, I don't think the situation is that bad.
It shows me again how great asian people are sometimes. "Work" and "Honnor" going together. I prefer this mentality over the lame american mentality of "sky is the limit, fuck people". I believe in Iwata and that Nintendo won't be in the red next year, seriously, I don't think the situation is that bad.
Nintendo limited devs at first because the biggest contributing factor to the great video game industry crash was devs flooding the market with low-quality games.
Nintendo policed violence because ESRB did not exist yet and they wanted to avoid the US government getting involved. Once ESRB came about, Nintendo no longer had a need to do this.
TreasureHunterG
Banned
Great post. It annoys me that Iwata's defenders try to support this idea just to say Nintendo isn't wrong.
Abandoning hardware power was one of the primary reason on why Wii life went downhill. I even think people way overestimate Iwata's smartness because if he was so smart as everyone think he is, he wouldn't repeat the same mistake again with Wii U and not give proper power for it.
And this the "Nintendo can't compete" excuse to not support strong hardware is simply ridiculous because always in Nintendo's history it relied on hardware power on all of it's systems, the only time they didn't follow this direction was with Wii and, as a long-term strategy, it revealed to be a mistake.
Yeah, yeah, the average Iwata defender will show up and say Nintendo failed with N64 and GameCube and they can't compete on the hardware power. But to put the blame on the failure of N64 and GCN solely on hardware power, which is the least of the problems for both of them for their respective "failures", is a complete narrow and simplistic overview of the facts.
Deadpandas
Member
Like I said in that other thread - Iwatat got lucky. The DS and Wii were the right systems at the right price at the right time. He's not a business man and he hasn't got a clue
Retro nearly blew up in their face at least twice: first when they canned every game they were making except for Metroid Prime and sent Miyamoto over to save that game, and again when their Art Director, Design Director, and Principle Engineer left so they could make HD games (and ended up making the Vita port of MGS HD instead).
That doesn't instill Nintendo with much confidence for acquiring or starting new Western studios. Where's timetokill? His stories of how hostile the Western development community is towards Nintendo are eye-opening.
Fixed
.I was. Those 4 + Headstrong/Kuju. Although Headstrong is in London, not NA.
JordanN
Banned
There's no evidence they will die. Stop clinging to the past and look at the future. Good marketing triumphs ALL.
Spieler Eins
Member
Now the Nintendoomed articles will only increase, my god.
Fourth Storm
Member
Some of the games on this list go to prove my point of the huge risk involved. Look at Geist. Interesting premise. It had broad market potential, being not too juvenile while at the same time not ultraviolent. It flopped. What happened? Speaking personally, I was intrigued, but when it came time to shell out the cash, I was scared off by somewhat mediocre reviews. I had a PS2 and there was a myriad of titles that I did not yet own that I was more confident in gaining enjoyment from.
The software that comes out of any proposed collaborations or acquisitions needs to be of the highest quality, or else the investment is not worth it.
I find Excitebots to be quite an interesting case study. Here you have a new IP with new crazy characters. It was also, by all accounts, a quality game. You know a company like Nintendo has the capability of going all out on marketing with toys, cartoons, etc. Yet, Nintendo sends the game to die with little marketing! What was the point of funding development in the first place?
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