Nintendo to meet UK retailers after unofficial Wii U price cuts fail

Is the idea of Nintendo only focusing on the Japanese market where they thrive in the handheld sector, and becoming a much smaller businesses in the distant future really that crazy? Or do they have to have complete global saturation domination?

Unless they go private? Yes, someone will buy them before they let those valuable ips go japan only
 
Nintendo has always released like 1 game a month (average) at max.

And thats just not enough if you are the only publisher publishing games on a platform. Nintendo is not microsoft or sony that get plenty support from ea, activision, ubi, capcom, konami, square enix, namco bandai, tecmo koei. Nintendo is in a situation where a game on the wiiu is an anomaly.
 
You could see this coming a million miles away. This was never going to be the Wii again. Everything about it, even the market confusion about what the Wii U even was was nothing short of a disaster.
Everyone knew that. The amazing part is that this thing may not even be 3/10ths(talking sales here) of a Wii when it's all said and done.
 
Price cut will almost always fail in the middle of a software drought. Nintendo just doesn't have anything to release for the thing. We still don't have dates for the games that moved out of the launch window.

Also true. I was trying to think about games mainstream gamers would want to buy, and the only thing I could come up with off the top of my head was New Super Mario Bros U. So yeah, they definitely need to get going and get some great first party titles on here.
 
Is the idea of Nintendo only focusing on the Japanese market where they thrive in the handheld sector, and becoming a much smaller businesses in the distant future really that crazy? Or do they have to have complete global saturation domination?

It's dangerous. If you're downsizing because you've got too many fingers in too many pies, like Sony has right now, then it might be a necessity. But for a company that already has a razor-sharp focus like Nintendo, shrinking because you have some sort of ideological zeal for one particular business model is pretty insane.
 
Can we lose the ever-moronic 'are Nintendo going third party' posts? Even taking the points of my previous post into account, the Wii U could fold tomorrow and Nintendo would still be financially fine and more than capable of releasing hardware for many generations to come.

Nintendo says it needs to get its operating profit to 100 billion yen ($1.05 billion) by March 31st, 2014.

Iwata said the ONLY way to do that is through the sales momentum of the Wii U "dramatically improving" throughout the year, and for the 3DS sales to be "a good deal more than 3DS sales from April 2012 through March 2013."

Considering that Iwata's job is very well on the line because of this... Nintendo is not going to do that. Not in the near future. Lackluster Wii U sales are unacceptable for Nintendo...going forward into this next year.
 
It's dangerous. If you're downsizing because you've got too many fingers in too many pies, like Sony has right now, then it might be a necessity. But for a company that already has a razor-sharp focus like Nintendo, shrinking because you have some sort of ideological zeal for one particular business model is pretty insane.

Yeah I see, I just get this feeling the Wii caused Nintendo to get way too big way too quick.
 
Price is an afterthought if you have no games for you damn system.

They need to start pumping out software like crazy. A price cut would probably hurt them on the long run, given how after 3ds price drop everyone is expecting one for this one too. It'd probably be worse for their next hardware release if this one gets a price drop too.

They need to just hold it and release software.
 
People also continue to forget that the whole world is an economic mess at the moment. Due to this, people are being far less adventurous with their spending. Phones & Tablets still sell because people argue they need it for work etc., but a console is far more frivolous

I have no doubt this will be mirrored with the PS4 and Durango, especially considering rumoured prices.
 
Looks like WiiU might go in a cult direction. If this generation Nintendo ends up like a GameCube/Saturn then keep your collectors' eyes open since there's likely to be a lot of cult releases. Consoles outside of the mainstream often get the wacky experimental titles some of us enjoy (think Cubivore, Burning Rangers,etc.)
 
Nintendo says it needs to get its operating profit to 100 billion yen ($1.05 billion) by March 31st, 2014.

Iwata said the ONLY way to do that is through the sales momentum of the Wii U "dramatically improving" throughout the year, and for the 3DS sales to be "a good deal more than 3DS sales from April 2012 through March 2013."

Considering that Iwata's job is very well on the line because of this... Nintendo is not going to do that. Not in the near future. Lackluster Wii U sales are unacceptable for Nintendo...going forward into this next year.

They didn't say need, they said they want. It is by no means a necessity, and it was said that he would take responsibility for it if not, not that he was going to resign, that's just the implication some outlets took from his statement.

I also fail to see why this is suddenly an issue. We knew this was going to be the situation. If after next month things haven't improved, considering we now have a relatively steady stream of games from this week, then yes there is a problem.
 
Why would anyone buy one, even after the unofficial price cuts?

Can't wait to buy a late port, plug my pad in to recharge three times whilst it slowly downloads, experience hard locks, miss out on DLC and probably the sequel, all the while watching the older, cheaper platforms getting all the other games I want to play!

It just isn't a tempting proposition.

Even a $100 price cut doesn't negate the fact that there are no killer exclusives outside of ZombiU, and that alone is not enough. It won't really matter what this retailer meeting yields without actual games.
 
they rushed the WiiU launch.....should've had a bit lesser specs than the 720 and PS4 and released a month or two before those systems... I'm sure they would've had a better launch lineup than they had releasing in 2012.

I would've bought one for a next gen Mario.
 
I think Nintendo should go 3rd party because what there offering is poor value, who wants to buy a video games platform that only gets 1st party titles and scraps.

thats like EA having a console for just there games

having a Nintendo console just for Nintendo games is ridiculous because people buy a video games system as a platform for games, buying a console for a select few titles from one developer is very poor value.
 
They didn't say need, they said they want. It is by no means a necessity, and it was said that he would take responsibility for it if not, not that he was going to resign, that's just the implication some outlets took from his statement.

I also fail to see why this is suddenly an issue. We knew this was going to be the situation. If after next month things haven't improved, considering we now have a relatively steady stream of games from this week, then yes there is a problem.

Making such bold statements means they willl be measured by the industry and their shareholders by these numbers. If iwata wants his job he needs to convince people in the next general meeting (april 14th supposedly) that they are likely to reach that target.
I think Nintendo should go 3rd party because what there offering is poor value, who wants to buy a video games platform that only gets 1st party titles and scraps.

thats like EA having a console for just there games

having a Nintendo console just for Nintendo games is ridiculous because people buy a video games system as a platform for games, buying a console for a select few titles from one developer is very poor value.

So you think nintendo should go third party because you dont like nintendo games... Okay
 
Yeah I see, I just get this feeling the Wii caused Nintendo to get way too big way too quick.

Quite the opposite, I think. If Nintendo had made moves like significantly expanding first-party development or merging their handheld and console R&D teams back when 3DS and Wii U were in early R&D, they'd be in much better shape right now.

Making such bold statements means they willl be measured by the industry and their shareholders by these numbers. If iwata wants his job he needs to convince people in the next general meeting (april 14th supposedly) that they are likely to reach that target.

24th, actually. But yeah, that'll be a very interesting investor briefing. I expect at least one desperation Nintendo Direct, a la January's first-party Wii U showcase, before then.
 
Making such bold statements means they willl be measured by the industry and their shareholders by these numbers. If iwata wants his job he needs to convince people in the next general meeting (april 14th supposedly) that they are likely to reach that target.

Right. For Iwata, 100 billion yen operating profit is a necessity. It is a commitment. It is a promise.

Especially when their entire business is only measured in the console video game sector. This isn't a multi-faceted corporation here. Console video games are everything. They CANNOT be making an operating loss by the end of each fiscal year.
 
I think Nintendo should go 3rd party because what there offering is poor value, who wants to buy a video games platform that only gets 1st party titles and scraps.

thats like EA having a console for just there games

having a Nintendo console just for Nintendo games is ridiculous because people buy a video games system as a platform for games, buying a console for a select few titles from one developer is very poor value.

Notsureifserious.gif



NeoGAF is on an absolute roll today. WOW.
 
Yea I feel sorry for the ones that got the system at lauch , the lack of exclusives during these months hurt the users and the sales. I got the console last week and as a new user there are enought games to keep me busy.

New releases ( Undercover , NFS ) came to late ; Nintendo kows that and will put all their resources to release new games as soon as possible.
 
Quite the opposite, I think. If Nintendo had made moves like significantly expanding first-party development or merging their handheld and console R&D teams back when 3DS and Wii U were in early R&D, they'd be in much better shape right now.



24th, actually. But yeah, that'll be a very interesting investor briefing. I expect at least one desperation Nintendo Direct, a la January's first-party Wii U showcase, before then.

Yes i agree. Nintendo is still sub 5000 employees. Its crazy if you think about other publshers like ea, activision etc.
 
I never read that comment but I did read them say "If we ever have to stop making hardware than we'll leave this industry all together".

But really, there's no reason Nintendo should go third party, same for Sony/Microsoft.

I don't really understand why people hope any of them will leave, it will just hurt the industry.

It's funny isn't it. No one is expecting Microsoft or Sony to start putting their exclusives on competing systems. I just wish people would stop asking if Nintendo will go third party.
 
I expect they will 'relaunch' the console in the Fall after we've seen the games at E3. There's no point spending marketing money when you've got no games to show.
 
Quite the opposite, I think. If Nintendo had made moves like significantly expanding first-party development or merging their handheld and console R&D teams back when 3DS and Wii U were in early R&D, they'd be in much better shape right now.

I agree, but I get this, sentimental feeling if you want to call it that, of a company that makes fantastic games and systems, but don't cater to the new generation of games as much as they used to. They still make bank and Nintendo games are still the best selling ones out there, but I feel like the expectations are way to high. I mean the sky is the limit for Nintendo, but past console sales don't match the insanity of the Wii's.
 
They didn't say need, they said they want. It is by no means a necessity, and it was said that he would take responsibility for it if not, not that he was going to resign, that's just the implication some outlets took from his statement.

I also fail to see why this is suddenly an issue. We knew this was going to be the situation. If after next month things haven't improved, considering we now have a relatively steady stream of games from this week, then yes there is a problem.

Nintendo's goal of 100 billion yen is, in Iwata's words, a commitment. So making the distinction between "need" and "want" is completely pointless, since the company will be working in order to meet that goal regardless of whether or not it's a necessity or not.
 
Yea I feel sorry for the ones that got the system at lauch , the lack of exclusives during these months hurt the users and the sales. I got the console last week and as a new user there are enought games to keep me busy.

New releases ( Undercover , NFS ) came to late ; Nintendo kows that and will put all their resources to release new games as soon as possible.

Tbh i dont feel sorry about myself. I was curious and i paid to satisfy my curiosity, plain and simple. I have enough games on my pile of shame to last about 5 years without buying a single game at this point.
 
Yea I feel sorry for the ones that got the system at lauch , the lack of exclusives during these months hurt the users and the sales. I got the console last week and as a new user there are enought games to keep me busy.

New releases ( Undercover , NFS ) came to late ; Nintendo kows that and will put all their resources to release new games as soon as possible.

Don't. I feel sorry for people who have yet to play it. It is the greatest console I have ever played and I don't regret my purchase one iota
 
Which is a complete and total lie. They arent throwing away shareholders money out of spite. Nintendo shouldnt go 3rd party though. They just need completely new management

Which I hope it happens. Iwata's business model not longer fit the reality of today's gaming market and keeping it will damage Nintendo even further.
 
To people complaining about no marketing, there's nothing to market, that's why.

Nintendo need a stream of quality games, matched with a pricecut and a strong marketing campaign in order to get the Wii U back on track. Since 3rd parties aren't going to do shit, it's all on Nintendo, and even they can't pump out a ton quality titles in next to no time (Especially with the problems they've had with the HD jump and the fact they've trying to sort the 3DS out in the West).

Also, people expecting Durango/Orbis to burst out of the gate are going to be disappointed. I can't see both of them having great launches, one, yes, but both? Doubt it. Although a lot of this depends on the price/launch titles.
 
Nintendo says it needs to get its operating profit to 100 billion yen ($1.05 billion) by March 31st, 2014.

Iwata said the ONLY way to do that is through the sales momentum of the Wii U "dramatically improving" throughout the year, and for the 3DS sales to be "a good deal more than 3DS sales from April 2012 through March 2013."

Considering that Iwata's job is very well on the line because of this... Nintendo is not going to do that. Not in the near future. Lackluster Wii U sales are unacceptable for Nintendo...going forward into this next year.

Sure, the Wii U's failure would hurt and Iwata would quite right lose his job (much as I like Iwata as the company's adorable public face, he's severely screwed up recently, particularly in not learning a single lesson from the 3DS launch), but Nintendo would still be able to operate quite comfortably. They've got something like $11bn in reserves* and no amount of idiocy is going to wipe a significant portion of that out in a single stroke, no matter how hard Nintendo seem to be trying.

*Not to mention that, presumably, they're doing pretty well on the back of the 3DS now, which should at least partially cover the Wii U's struggles.
 
I think Nintendo should go 3rd party because what there offering is poor value, who wants to buy a video games platform that only gets 1st party titles and scraps.

thats like EA having a console for just there games

having a Nintendo console just for Nintendo games is ridiculous because people buy a video games system as a platform for games, buying a console for a select few titles from one developer is very poor value.

Oddly enough I agree,

Having owned all Nintendo consoles up to wii, I can honestly say I dont see myself buying another Nintendo console in the future. Im sticking to xbox. Id love to see Nintendo games on other platforms.

At least with the 360/Ps3 you get a selection of multiplatform games to build up the software.

Nintendo hasnt releases a new WiiU game since January. Thats pathetic.
 
Making such bold statements means they willl be measured by the industry and their shareholders by these numbers. If iwata wants his job he needs to convince people in the next general meeting (april 14th supposedly) that they are likely to reach that target.

So you think nintendo should go third party because you dont like nintendo games... Okay


no I think nintendo should go 3rd party because having a system with mainly there games is poor value.
 
To people complaining about no marketing, there's nothing to market, that's why.

Nintendo need a stream of quality games, matched with a pricecut and a strong marketing campaign in order to get the Wii U back on track. Since 3rd parties aren't going to do shit, it's all on Nintendo, and even they can't pump out a ton quality titles in next to no time (Especially with the problems they've had with the HD jump and the fact they've trying to sort the 3DS out in the West).

Also, people expecting Durango/Orbis to burst out of the gate are going to be disappointed. I can't see both of them having great launches, one, yes, but both? Doubt it. Although a lot of this depends on the price/launch titles.

Durango will sell better in NA while Ps4 will sell in UK/Japan.

I can see both doing well though, theyre looking to be very different systems though.

One for gaming, the other for entertainment.
 
I honestly believe that one day Wii U will be the greatest Nintendo console ever released. HD versions of its core franchises + Bayo 2 + W101 + no doubt more, Wii's excellent and broad library, and several generations of classic system catalogues playable via VC, will cement its position as a true gamer's console of choice.

But that day is a very long, long way away.
 
Even a $100 price cut doesn't negate the fact that there are no killer exclusives outside of ZombiU, and that alone is not enough. It won't really matter what this retailer meeting yields without actual games.

Calling Zombie U a "killer exclusive" is really stretching it.
 
Oddly enough I agree,

Having owned all Nintendo consoles up to wii, I can honestly say I dont see myself buying another Nintendo console in the future. Im sticking to xbox. Id love to see Nintendo games on other platforms.

At least with the 360/Ps3 you get a selection of multiplatform games to build up the software.

Nintendo hasnt releases a new WiiU game since January. Thats pathetic.
no I think nintendo should go 3rd party because having a system with mainly there games is poor value.



"Should" from a perspective of nintendo or from a perspective as a consumer that doesnt care enough about nintendos releases to pay 300 dollars for it?

That should be clarified.
 
They need to get the price down quick, and get some games out. The console just doesn't offer value for money right now.

At the current price point of the premium (£300), it doesn't make sense to buy it over a PS3 or 360 which are nearly half the price.

If they got the premium down to £150, I'd find it very hard to resist buying one, even with the lack of games.
 
Oddly enough I agree,

Having owned all Nintendo consoles up to wii, I can honestly say I dont see myself buying another Nintendo console in the future. Im sticking to xbox. Id love to see Nintendo games on other platforms.

At least with the 360/Ps3 you get a selection of multiplatform games to build up the software.

Nintendo hasnt releases a new WiiU game since January. Thats pathetic.

What was the last first party game Microsoft published?
 
There's nothing to market. The Wii U needs compelling software, and fast. What the hell have they been doing for the past two years? The Wii has been dead since 2011.

There was a handheld release somewhere in there, an over confident Nintendo, a fucked launch, and the resources required to go full throttle and turn the situation around (aka "Panic mode Nintendo"). Then, they remembered they had a console to launch and software to finish for that too.

That's probably what they've been doing the last two years.

If I was a betting man, I'd say we are nearing the equivalent full throttle panic mode for Wii U. only problem is, it's much harder to turn churn out acceptable software for hardware that is substantially more powerful.
 
Notsureifserious.gif



NeoGAF is on an absolute roll today. WOW.
There aren't many first party driven platforms these days if you think about it. Sega ain't around anymore, the 360 is far more successful than the Xbox ever was and Sony platforms have always been driven by third parties. Even the Juggernaut that was the Wii couldn't maintain it's health for more than three and a half years on Nintendo titles alone.

It's not that crazy an idea when you consider that Nintendo's third party relations have only gotten worse and their sales moved down with relations.
 
There was a handheld release somewhere in there, an over confident Nintendo, a fucked launch, and the resources required to go full throttle and turn the situation around (aka "Panic mode Nintendo"). Then, they remembered they had a console to launch and software to finish for that too.

That's probably what they've been doing the last two years.

Veery probable scenario
 
People also continue to forget that the whole world is an economic mess at the moment. Due to this, people are being far less adventurous with their spending. Phones & Tablets still sell because people argue they need it for work etc., but a console is far more frivolous

I have no doubt this will be mirrored with the PS4 and Durango, especially considering rumoured prices.

I doubt a very large proportion of tablets are purchased for genuine productivity or out of necessity. In the main, they are just as disposable as games consoles.
 
A bit off the mark but to do with price. The Gamepad. I hear this is the most expensive compnent of the Wii U. How much more would it have cost to make it an actual stand alone tablet too? Even if its just some sort of dual boot Android/Wii U thing. Of course thsat would require the Game Oad to be more than just a monitor basically so could add a lot actually...

But anyway, that would help increase the appeal. There would be some of "great, another tablet. Woope" but for people who didn't have one it would seriously add value to the device.

As for Iwata. Like his predcessor if he wants the company to keep growing he needs to think outside of the current market. Thats how Nintendo went from being a playing card company after all...

But yeah Wii U software is so bad the top 5 in Sainsburys has the following games:
Nintyland, NSMBU, ZombiU, Nintyland, NSMBU
Hopefully LEGO City and MH change that.

Below the GameCube, UK retailers. It's charting BELOW the GameCube, with fewer retail space than the GameCube, fewer third-party support, lower lifetime sales, and a shorter lifespan.
Thing is Gamecube had a good software lineup at launch window with actual killer apps (well I felt SSBM and Rogue Leader were that anyway...SMB was good too) so in that sense I'd hope Wii U does worse.

Anyway, once you got over the fact that Argos, Dixons (& the rest of DSG group), Comet and Woolworths didn't stock it (most of those are dead now...) you just got with life. Personally I wonder how much the Xbox plaid in that (you have limited shelf space and suddenly you've got 4 consoles once again*).

*-I recall Dreamcast and N64 were dead retail late 2001-mid 2002 (Europe got Gamecube in May). PS1 and 2 were around.
 
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