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Nintendo Has no Plans For 'Mario on Smartphones'
- Thread starter Wishmaster92
- Start date
Freemium Mario. No, I had enough of that already. :S
jts
...hate me...
I often mistake those laughs for port begging cries, could be wrong though...
In any case, I hope those types take a seat and prepare to keep laughing (or crying) for a long ass time.
heh, look man I'm with you guys. This is not a scenario I wish was playing out. But I have yet to see any alternative ideas proposed by anyone that seem to be realistic at having a shot at turning things around from their current trajectory. I wish I was wrong on that score, so I keep asking people to describe scenarios in which it happens
akidnamededdy
Banned
Is there some precedent for "game developer porting their old games to smartphone = mad crazy money" that I missed that's causing people to think this is something Nintendo should be doing? Like, are there a bunch of PS1/2 or XBox games floating around in the Google Play store that I'm just not seeing for some reason?
I know SE's been porting older FF games to mobile, but FF isn't really a great example of a brand on the upswing in strength lately.
Nintendo-branded games/companion apps made specifically for mobile device though, that's the more logical outcome here.
I know SE's been porting older FF games to mobile, but FF isn't really a great example of a brand on the upswing in strength lately.
Nintendo-branded games/companion apps made specifically for mobile device though, that's the more logical outcome here.
Nintendo doesn't need to release games on smartphones. They need to get their head out of their asses and open their eyes. This passive shit that they've being doing for the last decade doesn't work. They need to get out there, admit that Sony & Microsoft are their competition and bring the pain. The Wii U failed because of Iwata's ignorance and arrogance. Waiting nearly a full year to address the issues is ridiculous. It's time for some new blood and new leadership.
They can say whatever they want, the market will force then somehow. Or they'll die.
Of course, a miracle can happen. They happen, right?
EDIT: BTW, don't think I'm happy with this direction too. Being a handheld gamer for so much time, smartphone games are my kryptonite and I hate seeing the industry going towards this bubble... =/
Of course, a miracle can happen. They happen, right?
EDIT: BTW, don't think I'm happy with this direction too. Being a handheld gamer for so much time, smartphone games are my kryptonite and I hate seeing the industry going towards this bubble... =/
how would the 'pain' be brought in such a way that made them legitimately competitive with Microsoft and Sony?
GillianSeed79
Member
Making a f2p Mario or any kind of Nintendo content for smartphones isn't supposed to be for core fans. They don't need core Nintendo fans to pick up a WiiU or 3DS, a lot of them, at least in the case of the 3DS, already have or have the intention to. Content for smartphones isn't supposed to be for core fans, it would be to try to capitalize on the giant smartphone market to try drive people or potential core fans in the making to Nintendo devices.
If it didn't work for the last decade why did the Wii succeed?
Or is this just hyperbole.
Osiris
I permanently banned my 6 year old daughter from using the PS4 for mistakenly sending grief reports as it's too hard to watch or talk to her
I've often seen in similar threads people saying "Nintendo don't need to do this" in response to 3rd party / smartphone options, but never specific suggestions as to what they should do.
And "bring the pain" is as unspecific as you can get. instead of shitting on ideas you disagree with, those of you who do this, what do you think they should be doing, specifically, to change their trajectory?
What legacy games do you think would actually functionally transfer over to touchscreen-only devices? Maybe Nintendogs but certainly not Mario platformers, right?I don't know what investors are expecting to change strategically then if he's unwilling to even consider this yet. Price drops? That's not going to change what's going on. More Mario games? A rental service or something?
This seriously continues to show a real stubbornness that is going to continue to make 2014 impossible for them, and 2015 as well.
Come back here in 5 years >
I made a thread about this few weeks ago:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=747821
I am always confused when people try to force the narriative that Nintendo should/inevitably-will dump all of their legacy content onto iOS/Android.
Principate
Saint Titanfall
The core fans care about general content. As we've seen assuming core fans will remain is a sure fire way to lose them you can't have it both ways. Either admit core games are no longer your primary fan base are attempt to expand that core.
blazeuk
Member
Nintendo will go back to their failed Virtual Boy attempt and will jump back into the VR market now it's more developed - everyone will jump all over it like they did with the Wii and motion controls and the terrible sales of the Wii U will be forgotten in the madness...
Really though, people who enjoy their cheap mobile gaming are crazy for wanting the big publishers like Nintendo to release AAA games on the mobile platforms, the only thing that's going to do is raise prices across the board. Even if Mario/Pokemon/AC did end up on mobiles they're going to cost pretty much the same as they're charging now - the only other alternative would be releasing cut down versions full of ads and/or in app purchases. Nintendo more than anyone value their games highly and don't like to see prices fall, something mobile gaming goes against.
Really though, people who enjoy their cheap mobile gaming are crazy for wanting the big publishers like Nintendo to release AAA games on the mobile platforms, the only thing that's going to do is raise prices across the board. Even if Mario/Pokemon/AC did end up on mobiles they're going to cost pretty much the same as they're charging now - the only other alternative would be releasing cut down versions full of ads and/or in app purchases. Nintendo more than anyone value their games highly and don't like to see prices fall, something mobile gaming goes against.
As I said, they don't necessarily have to be traditional. For example, if they bring Mario, they don't need to make it a traditional Mario platformer. They could make a unique game utilizing Mario that focuses on the strengths of the iOS platform (think the way the Rayman runner game for iOS utilized that IP but in a unique way that made sense).
But there are plenty of series they have that do make perfect sense directly.
Earlier Mario Party was mentioned. I added Wario Ware to the mix. Perfect games for the platform. Someone mentioned Animal Crossing, again... really perfect and easy to adapt or the platform (I hate the series, but it makes them money). Pokemon too can be easily adapted in such a way that works perfect on these platforms.
And they have a billion things that they can do completely unique. It's not about simply taking an IP and porting an old game or taking an IP and trying to force its classic gameplay around iOS. It's Nintendo using their creativity to find ways that they can use these properties in unique scenarios on iOS.
Aaron Strife
Banned
Can anyone explain to me why Nintendo would cannibalize their successful and profitable 3DS business by releasing those games on iPhone
They've made millions from selling games like Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Animal Crossing, Pokemon X and Y, etc. etc. at $40 a pop. Even if it wasn't these games, but "new innovative Mario experiences for iPhone" as amir0x suggested, wouldn't they stand to make more money cranking out 3DS sequels to those games?
Especially in Japan which is their primary market and almost everything they've released has sold decently at worst and extremely well at best. No, the DS juggernaut is still unmatched, but I can't imagine they're too unhappy with their portable business
They've made millions from selling games like Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Animal Crossing, Pokemon X and Y, etc. etc. at $40 a pop. Even if it wasn't these games, but "new innovative Mario experiences for iPhone" as amir0x suggested, wouldn't they stand to make more money cranking out 3DS sequels to those games?
Especially in Japan which is their primary market and almost everything they've released has sold decently at worst and extremely well at best. No, the DS juggernaut is still unmatched, but I can't imagine they're too unhappy with their portable business
How long did that fad last again? 2months?
Lalalalaal I am not listening, now if you will excuse me I am off to bury my head in the sand.
Nintendo handheld has buttons, a crappy smartphone doesn't. Not that it matters since Pokémon won't be on the handheld.
That's the million dollar question.
I would start by taking a loss on the hardware and lower the MSRP to $249 (if they still insist on the GamePad) or $199 (if they go with the "get rid of the GamePad and include a Pro Controller, instead, crowd). Update the System UI to make the GamePad completely optional and sell it as a separate accessory for $79-$99. Beef up advertising. Not some cutesy, kid-friendly bullshit like they've been doing - but something akin to the other "next-gen" ads from Sony & Microsoft, showing off the best that the system has to offer. Even tease MK8 and SSBU. It may be too late for the Wii U to win this generation, but it's never too late for them to make the case for it be a must-own machine to compliment the PS4 and/or XBox One library.
Principate
Saint Titanfall
Price their software at affordable levels, price their hardware at impulse buy level ($99) and heavily encourage and promote paid smart phone ports.
Paid content still has a place in the future (otherwise a lot more product would be free). They need to embrace that while keeping it as affordable as possible.
They have the software quality and brand for people to at least take notice.
Magicpaint
Member
Agreed. But it's incumbent on Nintendo to prove otherwise. This is a short term solution at best and I'm glad they're not that short sighted, but the burden of proof remains. People severely overestimate how much revenue there is to gain in the smartphone business. Nintendo would have to bend their entire philosophy behind game design to stand a chance of making any kind of bank that will reverse their recent fortunes.
heh, look man I'm with you guys. This is not a scenario I wish was playing out. But I have yet to see any alternative ideas proposed by anyone that seem to be realistic at having a shot at turning things around from their current trajectory. I wish I was wrong on that score, so I keep asking people to describe scenarios in which it happens
Just saying. If Nintendo goes that route I won't follow them. Even some of the most "benign" mobile games like the Rayman ones are incorporating more and more freemium shenanigans.
Not, I don't want to sync the game with my Facebook/twitter accounts. Can you stop asking? Is irritating.
The Wii succeeded because people were drawn in by the Wiimote. Nintendo got lucky by taking a risk.
Their gaming dedicated handheld market is shrinking everywhere. The problem with just continuing course is that it's a super short term solution. Yes, 3DS will probably finish out OK, even though trends are massively downward for gaming dedicated handheld hardware worldwide. But what would happen after that? Do you think they can sustain such a downward trajectory for their next handheld?
And why not just both? It's not necessarily an either/or proposition. They can have a group that focuses on making unique iOS/Android games, and a group that focuses on utilizing the unique strengths of their hardware.
The problem people have is that we don't actually see HOW it is possible for them to turn around the trends on their gaming consoles or their handhelds. Things are now on a clear decline and the causes, while not all obvious, do seem to suggest it is going to get harder and harder for Nintendo to come up with ways to avoid complete irrelevance in that section. How many gimmicks can Nintendo come up with to grab the headlines? There's only so many out there that exist. And Sony and Microsoft and super far along in their plans to start leveraging true consumer level VR. Don't you think that's going to make it even harder for Nintendo to stand out?
Sho_Nuff82
Member
If VC on mobile is completely off the table, I don't really see what Nintendo can do to assuage fears that 2014 will be as bad as 2013. I also don't think VC is a selling point for hardware, nor do I think mobile ports of classic titles create expectations that modern games will arrive in short order.
Remember, GTA V was the fastest selling game in the series even after the smartphone ports of III, Vice City, and San Andreas.
Remember, GTA V was the fastest selling game in the series even after the smartphone ports of III, Vice City, and San Andreas.
Osiris
I permanently banned my 6 year old daughter from using the PS4 for mistakenly sending grief reports as it's too hard to watch or talk to her
The market is shrinking and your solution is to increase costs and reduce revenue.
Wow.
That's a bit like driving towards a brick wall at speed and reacting by slamming your foot on the accelerator, amazing!
Ok, we are fairly on the same page.
I think the issue is just that people interpret legacy content to mean different things. The part that I bolded is the specific notion that I was arguing against but I can see from that that we agree.
Padawan of Windu
Member
Hallelujah! No telephone games from Nintendo, ever!!!
Principate
Saint Titanfall
Shrink revenue, how did you come to that conclusion, the per unit sales of software are that low largely because they are so expensive and do not drop in price, total inflexibility.
Handhelds don't exist in isolation, the same industry in which your implying people are only spending money in IAP is the same market in which a game is sold at $70. Why do you think people spend that money or games like GTA are a massive success (already over 30 million sales).
perceived quality and value. It is Nintendo's primary advantage in the mobile space, and currently it's quality is not matching it's value. That doesn't mean it's value is worthless but they need to lower the entry price.
f2p isn't some miracle income source your implying, precisely what happens when the f2p bubbles burst (or at least Nintendo's), They're in a worse position than they're currently in.
Nintendo simply won't make enough money to justify it. Let's say they release Mario for a dollar and a million people download it. Well, they made about $700,000. New Super Mario Bros. 2 sold 6.5 million copies at $40, with Nintendo taking 100% of the profit on many of those sales from the eShop.
But you are not counting all the potential revenue brought in by the whales who will pay to unlock all the power-ups and timers for $100+!
Yup. Certainly not worth devaluing the franchise over.
Not a Pokemon game and Pokemon Company is its own entity.
Companion apps will happen. Full fledged Mario, Metroid, Star Fox, ect will not.
This was already laid out by Iwata and Reggie.
Osiris
I permanently banned my 6 year old daughter from using the PS4 for mistakenly sending grief reports as it's too hard to watch or talk to her
What is going to make those "companion apps" compelling enough for a non-Nintendo fan to bother with if they are not games in their own right?
Don't know. In the same way I don't know why think putting up their games for .99 cents will help Nintendo.
D
Deleted member 20415
Unconfirmed Member
Because why would you jump into a market that is flooded with giants and well-funded upstarts?
To break into the market, they'd have to partner with someone that knows the space better - and then you'd profit share, which is already undesirable. If they went it alone, they'd BURN cash just trying to get their foot in there. The smartphone market is way too mature, especially in their home country.
Everyone is out of their minds if they think that's a viable strategy.
They dont just devalue their 3ds offerings, they devalue the 3ds itself.
peanutbutterlatte
Member
Um, not so sure about that, sorry. Hardly looks like it has the potential behind it.
Osiris
I permanently banned my 6 year old daughter from using the PS4 for mistakenly sending grief reports as it's too hard to watch or talk to her
My opinion is that the market can, (and should) bear higher priced mobile games from the right developers, and Nintendo are one of the few, if not one of the only companies that could lead this.
Not $20 admittedly, but they could certainly raise the premium price for mobile gaming into the $4.99 to 6.99 range.