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[Van Owen]

There's no defense for Iwata.

No games on either of your home platforms for years despite promises if a steady flow. No virtual console at launch. Huge day 1 update for basic functions. Underpowered hardware. The list goes on and on.

Thus guy has bungled his last two product launches. Wii was an anomaly that won't be repeated.

 

[Aquamarine]

Do you have data on what their profits were by year?

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Lz9oh4S.png[/IMG]

 

[Daingurse]

Because motion controls arent unique anymore. Every Device with the slightest gaming capabilities has a motion mechanic implemented in this day and age. But not everyone has a screen built in as a home console.

Don't get me wrong I would have MUCH preferred a Wii remote successor. But this is probably Nintendo's thought.

I agree with this, but as you would probably also agree, motion controls are still far more intuitive and thus more appealing to the casual consumer. Making the Gamepad ever more baffling. I despise motion controls, but I understand the appeal 100%.

 

[Nekofrog]

How is he the worst? Is he putting games out requiring DLC? Requiring microtransactions for basic things?

Do tell

Who is requiring microtransactions for "basic" things? Who is "requiring" DLC? Nobody is. They are all optional in almost every case.

Meanwhile at Nintendo, all your digital purchases are tied to that specific system. You want the full experience for a game? Gotta buy both the Red/Black/Pearl/Fuchsia version! Oh, the default controls for our handheld suck? Buy our shitty afterthought add on! $250 for a handheld that is inflated in price even at $150? $350 for a half-baked console stuffed with technology from 8 years ago? BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLIANT

 

[nekomix]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Lz9oh4S.png[/IMG]

Thanks for your numbers. Now we can understand why the board still has some confidence towards Iwata. And, yes, FY 2014 is crucial for him.

 

[Neiteio]

Dat data.

 

[Father_Brain]

I don't think any reasonable person doubts that when Smash and 3D Mario and Mario Kart and Retro's game and (insert whatever else you are personally pumped about here) make it to the marketplace the situation will improve. What's in doubt is the extent. That November 2013 won't have NPD numbers as laughably awful as January 2013 is a given. Whether or not November and December are the start of strong, sustainable sales that completely correct the current trajectory in the long term is another matter entirely.

Yes, there'll be some big, marketable titles people will want to play. But there'll also be two new consoles releasing, and a new GTA, and whatever other big third party titles for current gen systems that won't see a Wii U release due to poor third party support.

Well said.

Though re: the bolded: without naming names here, there are a few generally reasonable people who seem to equate any suggestion that the aforementioned first-party titles will significantly (relative to current performance) boost hardware sales with the notion that it'll start doing 3DS or 360 numbers.

 

[jcm]

Which nobody ever did.

I guess I misunderstood what you meant when you said "It's not just expected, they even announced in their last forecast that they'd be posting a loss like this."

 

[Little Green Yoda]

Who is requiring microtransactions for "basic" things? Who is "requiring" DLC? Nobody is. They are all optional in almost every case.

Meanwhile at Nintendo, all your digital purchases are tied to that specific system. You want the full experience for a game? Gotta buy both the Red/Black/Pearl/Fuchsia version! Oh, the default controls for our handheld suck? Buy our shitty afterthought add on! $250 for a handheld that is inflated in price even at $150? $350 for a half-baked console stuffed with technology from 8 years ago? BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLIANT

Oh, the irony of including the bolded complaint in a post with that opening paragraph.

 

[krypt0nian]

This thread...

Just wow. Straight up, trolling, deathwishes for Iwata (Posting a seppuku drawing is just that, don't try to defend it. It can't mean anything else), gifs calling him a Bitch.

smh.

Theres nothing to defend. Seriously. Im not talking about the news here. This is about GAF not being able to have a fruitful discussion about ANYTHING Nintendo. If people are willing to go this far just to shit on a company then its not even worth for me to start. If i need future proof that GAF is not a board for Nintendo fans, i just need to link to this thread.

This topic is worth having a thread and a discussion. Good and bad news are worthy of a discussion. But not like this!

Ironically if theres good news, all those people jumping happily into every bad news Nintendo thread are MIA. Oh gee what a surprise. Good Nintendo news rarely reach 3 pages on GAF (50ppp). Cant give credit when they do good stuff (example: The last Nintendo Direct).

Too bad a discussion cannot be had about Nintendo on NeoGAF.

Im 28 years old now. Im too old for this behavior and certanly won't drop to such a sameful level. Its just Videogames people.

As meltdowns go, it could use some work.

 

[Nekofrog]

Oh, the irony of including the bolded complaint in a post with that opening paragraph.

There's a huge difference between fucking horse armor and Nintendo's splitting of SKUs.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

This thread...

Just wow. Straight up, trolling, deathwishes for Iwata (Posting a seppuku drawing is just that, don't try to defend it. It can't mean anything else), gifs calling him a Bitch.

smh.

Theres nothing to defend. Seriously. Im not talking about the news here. This is about GAF not being able to have a fruitful discussion about ANYTHING Nintendo. If people are willing to go this far just to shit on a company then its not even worth for me to start. If i need future proof that GAF is not a board for Nintendo fans, i just need to link to this thread.

This topic is worth having a thread and a discussion. Good and bad news are worthy of a discussion. But not like this!

Ironically if theres good news, all those people jumping happily into every bad news Nintendo thread are MIA. Oh gee what a surprise. Good Nintendo news rarely reach 3 pages on GAF (50ppp). Cant give credit when they do good stuff (example: The last Nintendo Direct).

Too bad a discussion cannot be had about Nintendo on NeoGAF.

Im 28 years old now. Im too old for this behavior and certanly won't drop to such a sameful level. Its just Videogames people.

Bravo sir. Bravo. That is one fine troll you got there.

As meltdowns go, it could use some work.

I thought it was a troll...

Oh...

 

[Little Green Yoda]

There's a huge difference between fucking horse armor and Nintendo's splitting of SKUs.

Yeah, you HAVE to pay for one of them if you want it. Never mind the fact that the SKU differences are just as optional.

 

[Somnid]

There's a huge difference between fucking horse armor and Nintendo's splitting of SKUs.

Yes, yes there is, though rather than equate them you seem to have confused them for one another.

 

[marc^o^]

Who is requiring microtransactions for "basic" things? Who is "requiring" DLC? Nobody is. They are all optional in almost every case.

Meanwhile at Nintendo, all your digital purchases are tied to that specific system. You want the full experience for a game? Gotta buy both the Red/Black/Pearl/Fuchsia version! Oh, the default controls for our handheld suck? Buy our shitty afterthought add on! $250 for a handheld that is inflated in price even at $150? $350 for a half-baked console stuffed with technology from 8 years ago? BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLIANT

Just read through your (Nintendo/off topic) post history, and boy was I not disappointed.

 

[Diablos54]

Smaller loss than least year is a step in the right direction, hopefully Nintendo can get back to making profit as soon as possible.

Concerning Iwata, it's a tough one, and I can see why some people would want him out. He's made some big mistakes, there's no denying that. Personally, I don't feel like now would be the right time to axe him though, the Wii U is already out and Nintendo have no choice but to try and support it as best they can. If they still can't manage to get it to respectable numbers in a few years (Say, N64 level), then that would be the time to bring someone new in for their next home system IMO, kinda like how Iwata became CEO in the first place during the GC era.

Iwata's shown that he at least understands the market, even if he's had trouble transforming that understanding into sales, especially with the Wii U. The 3DS started very slow, but he's managed to turn it around very well and it's well on its way to having one hell of a library so that's a plus (Although it's also a minus for the start it had lol). He just better hope he can do the same with the Wii U.

And to that dude who said putting Pokemon on iOS as well as the 3DS would be a good idea. You're insane. Pokemon IS the handheld system seller. To put it on a iOS device is practically burning money, both from software ($40 iOS game? Wouldn't go down well) as well as the loss of hardware sales that Pokemon would bring in. iOS has no value for Nintendo as a game platform, Mario Kart DS made more money for Nintendo than the whole of iOS did in a year. One game. I think Iwata's got the right idea in trying to put things like Miiverse and the eShop on iOS rather than full on games.

 

[Nightstick11]

There will not be any significant releases until July/August. That is about 10 months after launch. Monster Hunter could be argued as the only piece of software the could have moved hardware and by all accounts it didn't.

Do you not see the problem? Nintendo basically had 10 months to itself and it did didley squat. As the advertizing campaigns begin to taking hold for the PS4/Xbox 3, you best believe that the Wii U will be even more ignored by retailers, the press, and many gamers.
Again, this isn't an issue for me as I bought the Wii U for Nintendo games but for the health of Nintendo it's irresponsible. My only real problems with Nintendo's handling of the Wii U are their digital distribution system, the OS, and their terrible handling of the Virtual Channel.

Oh, I wasn't trying to insinuate that I thought there wasn't a problem here. There is. What I was pointing out actually was the fact that some dolts are taking the data now and extrapolating it over a 5-year generation.

Who is requiring microtransactions for "basic" things? Who is "requiring" DLC? Nobody is. They are all optional in almost every case.

Meanwhile at Nintendo, all your digital purchases are tied to that specific system. You want the full experience for a game? Gotta buy both the Red/Black/Pearl/Fuchsia version! Oh, the default controls for our handheld suck? Buy our shitty afterthought add on! $250 for a handheld that is inflated in price even at $150? $350 for a half-baked console stuffed with technology from 8 years ago? BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLIANT

Is this a serious post?

Let's deconstruct this splendid sophistry. Also, you should try buying a Nintendo console/handheld; they have some great games.

Microtransactions: See: Take Two, EA, Microsoft, Horse armor, et. al. You can't seriously be arguing this point; you are supporting DLC costumes, stages, "season passes", etc.? What is wrong with you.


Red/Black/Pearl/Fuchsia: If you have ever actually played a DS or Pokemon, which is clear that you haven't, you'd be well aware it is possible to trade Pokemon online with random strangers, but hey, let's not let a little thing like facts get in the way.

Frankenstick: Is it ironic that you are defending "optional" DLC, well in the same breath blasting an actually optional peripheral?

The 3DS is one of the greatest platforms this generation. It is a shame your view is too simplistic to enjoy it.

 

[Azih]

He's right that the drought hurts momentum, and he's also right to absorb the hit when the alternative (rushing out unpolished titles) sacrifices the quality of the company's core business (software).

If Nintendo was making one game at a time sure, but Nintendo is large enough that they should have multiple teams and have a plan for a steady flow of software from those teams to the formats that they're trying to support. Failure to do so time and again is crazy.

Irrational is not a good comparison. 2K games is a much better one and even there 2K doesn't have a mandate to maintain any platform as Nintendo does.

Why does Iwata keep saying he'll do better to ensure a constant flow of games and then keep failing to do so? What's going wrong?

Nintendo is a developer as well. Them publishing their own games does not invalidate the comparison. I could say the same for Valve.

Alright Valve *is* a much better comparison as Valve is a game developer/publisher and have a platform to maintain as well (Steam).

You know what the difference is? Gabe Newell/Steam have earned for themselves so much 3rd party support that they don't need to push out any of their own games to support the viability of Steam at all. Iwata/Nintendo have failed spectacularly in that regard.

The health of the format is the question and the question remains why Iwata keeps on promising to do better to provide a healthy flow of software and failing?

 

[QaaQer]

It offers context. Suggesting these numbers are terrible is by all accounts, incorrect.

How does it offer context? Why not post some numbers from iOS revenue growth and APPL share prices? Or Xbox division? or Android? Naw, all it does is try to make Nintendo look good by contrasting it with the catastrophe that was PS3 06-09. It would be like if in every Vita thread, there were posts and gifs of VirtualBoy, + charts of its sales.

Here is how most investors think when they invest:

• This stock is going to go up in price, I can make money.
• This stock will provide me with a reasonable yearly dividend. I can make money.

When the above doesn't happen, people get upset and see the results are seen as terrible. All you need to do is look at the seething APPL investors in the past 12 months to see what I mean. So yes, a company losing $200 million USD and/or failing to provide shareholders with a yearly dividend is terrible.

Now if Nintendo was private, all bets would be off. Private companies have a lot more tactical and strategic freedom.

 

[AOC83]

If they had 3.06 million in the channel at the end of December they could easily have had 4 million in the channel by March 31st.

Haha, not even close.

 

[QaaQer]

Does Bloomberg count eShop sales? NO! Didn't think so. This analysis is flawed.

??

 

[Kimawolf]

Haha, not even close.

It's not? Why isn't it?

 

[D-e-f-]

I guess I misunderstood what you meant when you said "It's not just expected, they even announced in their last forecast that they'd be posting a loss like this."

Could've been phrased a little better, yea.

 

[AOC83]

It's not? Why isn't it?

WiiU was at 3 million shipped and (according to Nintendo) 2.1 million sold through at the end of 2012. They have maybe sold another 500.000 to 600.000 worldwide form January to March. That means the retailers are still sitting on the 2012 shipments.

 

[Twilight Gap]

That's what happens when you release expensive consoles with no games.

Nintendo has to get their act together so I can be a fanboy again.

 

[royalan]

Why does Iwata keep saying he'll do better to ensure a constant flow of games and then keep failing to do so? What's going wrong?

This is the kicker here. This is why so many people are calling for Iwata to be ousted, despite the fact that he helmed two of Nintendo's most successful products. It's not just that he's made some mistakes; it's that he continues to make the SAME mistake. Repeatedly. This calls his vision into question. Makes you question whether or not he can incite this shake-up Nintendo desperately needs when he can't seem to not make the same mistakes over and over again. The REAL issue is Iwata's perspective.

Maybe the two failed hardware launches would be forgiveable if they were botched for completely different reasons - if both were the result of a wildly different vision and approach just misapplied. But they're not. The 3DS and Wii U both stumbled (or, in the Wii U's case, completely failed out of the gate) because Iwata attempted to hammer the market with the strategy that worked for the Wii and DS, only without ANY thought to how the market might have changed in the time since then. And, worse, when he saw that strategy fail with the 3DS, instead of changing his approach with the Wii U, like he swore to shareholders he would, he tried to hammer the Wii U in the exact same way and it failed in the EXACT. SAME. WAY.

At this point it's clear that Iwata's vision is the problem. And the people expecting him to just wake up one day and drastically change his approach haven't been paying attention. It's not so much the mistakes, but the context and thinking behind them. At this point Iwata has PROVEN that his perspective is just far too rigid for him to be the one the helm the changes Nintendo needs. It's time for new blood.

 

[D-e-f-]

WiiU was at 3 million shipped and (according to Nintendo) 2.1 million sold through at the end of 2012. They have maybe sold another 500.000 to 600.000 worldwide form January to March. That means the retailers are still sitting on the 2012 shipments.

They have also 'shipped' out the ZombiU Deluxe SKU (North America), the Dragon Quest X Deluxe SKU (Japan) and the MH3U Deluxe SKU (Europe) which at least increases the units in the channel by a fair amount.

 

[AOC83]

They have also 'shipped' out the ZombiU Deluxe SKU (North America), the Dragon Quest X Deluxe SKU (Japan) and the MH3U Deluxe SKU (Europe) which at least increases the units in the channel by a fair amount.

Hard to tell how many of these were shipped, but if i had to guess i´d say less than a 100.000 worldwide.

 

[D-e-f-]

Hard to tell how many of these were shipped, but if i had to guess i´d say less than a 100.000 worldwide.

Like you say, impossible to tell.

 

[AOC83]

Like you say, impossible to tell.

The exact number is impossible to tell, but one thing is for sure, it won´t be anywhere near a million. Retailers wouldn´t accept this many bundles while they are still sitting on a shitton of WiiUs.

 

[sparky2112]

Nintendo will get ZERO mojo back until their next system. Until then, they tread water financially and in the markets. Doesn't matter what they sell at this point - it will come nowhere near where they were at peak Wii/DS levels. Yes, they'll sell a lot of their current offerings, but that's not how valuations work. Look at Apple right now - same position, although Apple has a ton of cash. If you're not growing the business, you are punished. Period.

 

[jvm]

Do we know the basic mix they used worldwide for that 3 million? My concern is that they shipped (e.g.) 50/50 Basic and Deluxe and therefore there are a ton of the Basics sitting around on shelves and in warehouses. So they could ship more to cover demand for Deluxe models, and get closer to the 4 million target, but that could simply cover up that the Basics didn't sell.

It reminds me of the 20GB PS3, but in reverse. I feel like those things were like hen's teeth back at launch in November 2006.

 

[CoffeeJanitor]

This thread...

Just wow. Straight up, trolling, deathwishes for Iwata (Posting a seppuku drawing is just that, don't try to defend it. It can't mean anything else), gifs calling him a Bitch.

smh.

Theres nothing to defend. Seriously. Im not talking about the news here. This is about GAF not being able to have a fruitful discussion about ANYTHING Nintendo. If people are willing to go this far just to shit on a company then its not even worth for me to start. If i need future proof that GAF is not a board for Nintendo fans, i just need to link to this thread.

This topic is worth having a thread and a discussion. Good and bad news are worthy of a discussion. But not like this!

Ironically if theres good news, all those people jumping happily into every bad news Nintendo thread are MIA. Oh gee what a surprise. Good Nintendo news rarely reach 3 pages on GAF (50ppp). Cant give credit when they do good stuff (example: The last Nintendo Direct).

Too bad a discussion cannot be had about Nintendo on NeoGAF.

Im 28 years old now. Im too old for this behavior and certanly won't drop to such a sameful level. Its just Videogames people.

The pocahontas gif is hilarious though

 

[Aquamarine]

??

I know right?

What are Wii U eShop sales right now for big titles...like <1% of retail sales?

 

[D-e-f-]

I know right?

What are Wii U eShop sales right now for big titles...like <1% of retail sales?

How is anyone supposed to know?

 

[Aquamarine]

How is anyone supposed to know?

It was a hypothetical question.

 

[Nirolak]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Lz9oh4S.png[/IMG]

Is the net income in the OP supposed to be for the quarter or for the FY?

I was assuming the first was the first year (the loss) and the 14 billion yen was the quarter.

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

Man those WiiU speculation threads were something. We should have a PS4 and 720 one just to see the amount of crow that is dished out.

 

[Aquamarine]

Is the net income in the OP supposed to be for the quarter or for the FY?

I was assuming the first was the first year (the loss) and the 14 billion yen was the quarter.

Net income + operating income projected by Bloomberg is for the FY ending March 31st, 2013 (FY 2013).

 

[ColdBlooder]

Bravo sir. Bravo. That is one fine troll you got there.



I thought it was a troll...

Oh...

You got a weird definition of Troll/Meltdown

And you out of all people chose to speak about trolling?

 

[Nekofrog]

Just read through your (Nintendo/off topic) post history, and boy was I not disappointed.

Care to elaborate?

 

[marc^o^]

Care to elaborate?

Your ratio of Nintendo ridiculing posts vs rest of your posts is the highest I've seen on this board!
Please know I'm not judging this passion you have, as I'm mostly you in reverse, spending lots of time commenting on platforms I really like.

 

[prwxv3]

You got a weird definition of Troll/Meltdown

And you out of all people chose to speak about trolling?

Your post really is a perfect example of a meltdown.

 

[Ol No Bones]

Yeah, it isnt 'that' much.

That is a lot of money. There is no way around it. The goal of any company is to make money not lose it. I'm not saying Nintendo is going to die this year but they better turn it around.

 

[Nekofrog]

Your ratio of Nintendo ridiculing posts vs rest of your posts is the highest I've seen on this board!
Please know I'm not judging this passion you have, as I'm mostly you in reverse, spending lots of time commenting on platforms I really like.

I'm sorry, I'm passionate about a company I love going down the toilet.

 

[Yamauchi]

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Lz9oh4S.png[/IMG]

I remember in 2003 when Nintendo posted a loss for the first half of the year, that was seen as such a massive failure. Now you have Mr. Iwata facing down the possibility of posting a second full year loss. My how times have changed.

 

[JordanN]

It'll be interesting to see the reactions if the Nextbox and PS4 have console sales similar to the Wii U.

If that happens, it means video games outside of casual smartphone games and PC games, are dead.

Which would be very unusual since sites like Neogaf are very alive. I also know many people who still play console games in real life.

 

[Shaanyboi]

It's been a very shitty year for them for obvious reasons, but I'm not about to call for Iwata's resignation yet.

For all intents and purposes, they've steered that 3DS ship right around and I'd say a sizeable chunk of GAF would agree.


I want to see what they say and do at E3. That's the key moment where we can see where they're going. The WiiU situation can be fixed. Its key software has yet to come out (or even be formally announced) but we all fucking know it's coming.

This loss is big, but it's not exactly apocalyptic levels for them. I'm convinced they can come back swinging with the right moves (and no, relaunching the WiiU without a gamepad, or scrapping the console altogether or something equally crazy don't classify as "the right moves")

 

[AniHawk]

If that happens, it means video games outside of casual smartphone games and PC games, are dead.

Which would be very unusual since sites like Neogaf are very alive. I also know many people who still play console games in real life.

neogaf also gave the vita and wii u something like 100k+ posts each in speculation threads and post-release hardware threads.

 

[Cosmozone]

If that happens, it means video games outside of casual smartphone games and PC games, are dead.

No, it would just mean that the customers wouldn't see a point in new consoles anymore. Games production will be continued and newer models will eventually replace the old ones. Just like with cars for example.