NOA needs new leadership

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I just called my local GameStop, they told me that they were told by management that Nintendo told them that the regular n3DS is coming out in North America eventually, but not for a few months after the XL launches so they can get rid of the old stock OG XLs (to get more shelf space back) as well as not confuse customers by having one console work with faceplates while the other does not. I called a couple other stores and they corroborated this information.

I wouldn't be shocked if NoA is releasing the 3DS XL first for the early adopters and core gamers who probably would only get that version, and is coming out later with the regular version for general consumers at a more wallet-friendly cost.

Still an absolutely ridiculous business decision, but at least it looks like North America is in fact getting it.
 
Btw, Agent Unknown, some friends and I watched that Mystery Science Theater show at a Halloween party (some werewolf movie featuring a relative of Martin Sheen), and I'm reading all of your posts in your avatar's voice.

It's AMAZING.
 
I agree, this would be a nice thing to do for the fans, if it could be arranged.

But as for retail in general, I'm inclined to believe they have a good reason.

Thanks, I enjoyed your replies, you make some good points and possibilities I hadn't thought of. On the other hand, in light of that it still doesn't quite make sense to me why EU gets two skus.
 
And Iwata's take over happened in mid-2013... so a lot of the issues are entirely on NoA's own head.


To be honest, I'd be really happy if Reggie goes in the next year or so, and they bring in some new blood to re-invigorate NOA for next gen.

North America is the biggest console market. Nintendo needs to give autonomy back where it belongs. They need sports, racers, star wars, shooters, and things that western audiences want.
 
C'mon man, not even a digital release on the eShop? They have GBA games there, you know?

Where there's a will theres a way. And Nintendo of America doesn't care.
That waste of money and resources, Where there's a will theres a way mean noting if there no money to be made.
 
I don't know if it's Reggie alone to blame, but NoA does need a wake up call with the way they have treated their fanbase, especially when you consider how competitive the NA console market is.
 
Thanks, I enjoyed your replies, you make some good points and possibilities I hadn't thought of. On the other hand, in light of that it still doesn't quite make sense to me why EU gets two skus.
We can't really say unless we look at their data and hear all of their reasons. There must be variables that make the retail situation and buyer's market in Europe, different from that in North America.

I agree it would be nice if they could at least offer the regular N3DS on their website or some such.
 
To be honest, I'd be really happy if Reggie goes in the next year or so, and they bring in some new blood to re-invigorate NOA for next gen.

North America is the biggest console market. Nintendo needs to give autonomy back where it belongs. They need sports, racers, star wars, shooters, and things that western audiences want.

My money is on Trinen taking over as he's becoming a big, public face for NoA as of E3.
 
The white console argument always seemed particularly ridiculous to me. Reggie's job is to organize and market a brand. If Japan tells him they are producing red and blue 3DS consoles, he can voice his displeasure, but at the end of the day he can't stop the presses and he has to sell the product.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, I don't think GAF understands a global company.
 
Btw, Agent Unknown, some friends and I watched that Mystery Science Theater show at a Halloween party (some werewolf movie featuring a relative of Martin Sheen), and I'm reading all of your posts in your avatar's voice.

It's AMAZING.

First half of today's Direct (gif aside YMMV);

mst3kuhoh.gif


Reggie/N3DSXL segment:

werewolf-crash.gif
 
Hopefully that GameStop rumour is true. Guess I will wait it out a few months and see what happens.

Hahaha, that second gif is from the movie we watched at Halloween! XD

"Werewolf" with Joe Estevez, one of the greatest MST3K episodes ever.

Professor guy examining the werewolf skeleton:

"At the risk of sounding insane..."

Crow: "I've replaced my toes with grapes!!!!"

Joe Estevez:

"CALL AN AMBULANCE!!!"

Crow: "Wellll, I'm not really allowed to listen to people who AREN'T in the movie but..."

"I'm Sam! The Keeper! *sad voice* I'm the good guy...."

Crow: "Right folks?"

Ditzy female paleontologist:

"WURWILF?"
 
Hopefully that GameStop rumour is true. Guess I will wait it out a few months and see what happens.



"Werewolf" with Joe Estevez, one of the greatest MST3K episodes ever.

Professor guy examining the werewolf skeleton:

"At the risk of sounding insane..."

Crow: "I've replaced my toes with grapes!!!!"
Hahaha, that whole movie was just surreal, lol
 
This thread bums me out the fact it exists.

Just emphasizes how much someone/thing can do a mountain of (mostly) good things and the consumer isn't given exactly what they want but just almost nearly and the huge thumbs down gets thrown out.

I say just give em a chance. As always, people's dollars will do the voting.
 
This thread bums me out the fact it exists.

Just emphasizes how much someone/thing can do a mountain of (mostly) good things and the consumer isn't given exactly what they want but just almost nearly and the huge thumbs down gets thrown out.

I say just give em a chance. As always, people's dollars will do the voting.

I'm bummed your "tsk tsk" sad sack reply exists. Give me a break. I and others here have complained about a lot more than just the regular N3DS being held back. I went over many additional complaints regarding NOA in the OP than just N3DS.
 
This is my comment of the year.

You have really low standards.
You must like Reggie AND Iwata.

Iwata needs to go.
Reggie, he is phony and Irritating but I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say that I would wait to see how he does with better leadership.
 
Ha, the craziest part was the whole time, I was like, "That guy... He looks familiar... He looks like Martin Sheen..." And then I discovered the connection and had my mind blown, lol.

He's also in "Soultaker," another hilarious movie where he has a much larger role;

smallfacesoultakermst3k.jpg


To keep this on topic, my favorite alternate use of the Gamepad: web browser + YouTube + MST3K:

F6F6E1E3-DD30-456F-9E44-B789B6D09D92-277-000000856D2A4F12.jpg
 
I think the stockholders of Nintendo should be upset and I am surprised Iwata has not been forced out. Appointing himself head of NoA is short sighted since he does not know the American market (large multinational companies need to have branches that operate somewhat flexibly from each other) and a lot of the mis-steps and inability to adapt to change at Nintendo fall on him.

I mean, the modern expectation is that a console is adequate at performing media capabilities (if only by being open to developers for video apps) and well connected to the net. The Wii U (beyond the idiotic naming setup) should not be released without the ability to do that. If Nintendo cannot internally develop it, they have enough money to hire consultants or new talent.
 
Who's responsible for the NA Virtual Console?

Fire that guy.

Well, "that guy" quit but it was NOA not liking him being too open to communcating info to fans on twitter, not how he helped manage VC in the U.S.:

sörine;131523521 said:
The problem with VC is Nintendo's ideology. They view it more as filler to support new releases and something to fill the cracks around that rather than as a viable attractive ecosytem unto itself. They also believe a curated drip feed model leads to more sales for games and so VC is seen as the first thing to cut back on when the schedule gets full.

Also you can thank Dan Adelman for a lot of that. He's a big proponent of the drip feed model and still stands by it. He also claims Nintendo have sales data to back it up. It's no coincidence Virtual Console was handicapped right when Wiiware launched, thanks Dan.

Didn't know that, link/quote?

sörine;131552273 said:
It was in the NWR podcast with him several weeks ago. I almost shat myself with rage when Dan casually let those nuggets drop.
 
I don't think people understand that NOA doesn't call the shots. They do what Japan tells them to do or they work with what Japan gives them.
 
I don't think people understand that NOA doesn't call the shots. They do what Japan tells them to do or they work with what Japan gives them.

So why did Europe get Xenoblade, Pandoras Tower, and The Last Story publised by Nintendo there.
But the US only got Xenoblade after much fuss in a limited print, and the other 2 from other publishers?

So does Nintendo of Japan just not like America?
What about the Amiibo availability? Europe is just fine with that to.
Or at least more so than NA.
 
His public speaking ability doesn't have anything to do with how he runs his day to day operations. I'm curious what you think he does? You think he makes all decisions and its not a board/group who discuss with Iwata in Japan. NOA has made some poor decisions I agree but you can't blame a single person for that.
 
I don't think Reggie is the one who needs to go necessarily. I've been a proponent of Iwata leaving for a while, or at the very least, leaving his position as CEO of NoA. They need a massive shake-up, more autonomy, and some new blood.
 
I don't think people understand that NOA doesn't call the shots. They do what Japan tells them to do or they work with what Japan gives them.

Back then was Reggie at the helm.

Iwata only took over in mid-2013 after the market on 3DS/WiiU started to collapse in the states. He managed to save the 3DS... WiiU, well, that little guy didn't make it.
 
Reggie is the Jay Cutler of the video game industry right now, what we need is a new face that will take the NA market to the next generation
 
Who's responsible for the NA Virtual Console?

Fire that guy.

Yeah whoever it is, he's doing a horrible job at it. Actually, fire the entire eShop team and hire people who actually know how to organize a freaking storefront and put things on it on an decent schedule, alongside having decent sales.
 
Yeah whoever it is, he's doing a horrible job at it. Actually, fire the entire eShop team and hire people who actually know how to organize a freaking storefront and put things on it on an decent schedule, alongside having decent sales.

He already got fired.

I think Treehouse has mostly taken over working with marketing/eshop stuff in NA.
 
Definitely seems like they're grooming him for something.

He's so soothing. They should use him to calm wild badgers.
And the man speaks fluent Japanese which has got to be a plus for communication with NOJ. I'm going to assume Reggie doesn't.
 
Trinen told Aonuma that the Zelda cycle is a real thing tho.

Is he wrong? lol

Forgot to say thanks for that info. Hopefully it pans out.

We shall see. The reasoning is sound, at the very least.

As of so far, this day has only offered me one befuddling decision that is indefensible but all the same minor: the adapter. I personally have multiple and don't care, but its a weird decision. I suspect it has to do with the packaging to minimize shipping costs for bulk shipments of the N3DSXL.
 
I don't think Reggie is the one who needs to go necessarily. I've been a proponent of Iwata leaving for a while, or at the very least, leaving his position as CEO of NoA. They need a massive shake-up, more autonomy, and some new blood.

I think NOJ should let NOA do their own thing to a degree.
 
D9242DE1-CCA4-45C0-8089-126A8061D067-1525-0000013FFEBFC0BE_zps6481a869.jpg


That sums up my feelings on today's Direct perfectly. Reggie didn't even seem enthused himself with the hot garbage he tried to pass off today. His same old tired showman schtick smells now and he knows it. In my opinion, NOA needs new leadership. Reggie started off nicely but for many years now he has increasingly come off across as a stingy, conversative, overly cautious numbers man with a rigid, inflexible view of his market while trying to pass off lemons and endlessly cutting corners.

It's bad enough Europe got the early N3DS purchase Ambassador program, but I tried my best to counter that with the expectation and excitement of eventually getting one here. The problem? Not everybody wants an XL. I've used the XL many times while playing with my friends and the larger form factor just doesn't work for me. I still love my OG launch 3DS because its size is perfect for me as I take it everywhere I go daily even during my work routine. There's also the slight resolution hit and "color warmth" difference on the XL. For a company that tries to casually imitate Apple, deliberately withholding the standard size 3DS from the U.S. seems very unfriendly, rigid and foolish. Imagine a bizarro world scenario where Apple released new IPad models but only allowed certain countries to purchase IPad minis? That's what this feels like.

My other notable complaints on Reggie and NOA are the usual suspects:

-Stonewalling the re-release of Earthbound on VC for roughly seven years because he thought it wouldn't sell. After Itoi and Iwata publically aknowledged the fan outpouring on Miiverse, NOA finally announced EB for NA/EU VC in the Mar/April 2013 Direct. When Earthbound was released on VC later that summer, the annoying "when-will-they-stop-asking-me" cult SNES game from 1994 which Reggie didn't think would sell was the number one selling title on the eShop for roughly seven months (maybe someone can clarify with some data/charts?). In fact it wasn't until not long ago that Earthbound finally dropped out of the eShop top ten.

-Getting back to N3DS, his supposed quote that 'white doesn't sell as well' in the U.S. is hogwash considering the DS Lite launched in white in 2006 and sold out consistently everywhere for many months.

-Holding back Xenoblade and the rest of the Operation Rainfall titles until the bitter end. Then after finally releasing Op Rainfall titles he went on to diss fan campaigns which stands in sharp contrast to the kind words Itoi and Iwata had for fans who campaigned on Miiverse for EB.

-Gradually marginalizing the value of Club Nintendo in the U.S. Awful reward disparity aside, new systems will no longer earn coins. But what do you expect from a company to cheap to pack in a simple AC adaptor?

So, what are your thoughts on Reggie and where NOA stands in comparison to NCL and NOE?

-Where and when did NOA start to become in the eyes of fans arguably the worst branch of Nintendo?

-In your opinion, how does Reggie's tenure, accomplishments and treatment of the U.S. fanbase compare to the Howard Lincoln/Arikawa era?

Feels like the second time this thread has popped up, but I'll respond again:

For starters, today, Nintendo of America isn't ran by Reggie Fils-Aime. It's ran by Iwata. He took over as CEO of NoA in 2013. That means that if your upset with any decisions hte last 2 years, it's not Reggie's fault.

Loclization wise, he certainly has a say, but the final call comes out of NoJ, or in this case today, Iwata. Xenblade, as an example, was already in debate for release before Operation Rainfall even really got going. What ultimately decided it is well... who knows?

I think a lot of this comes down to a one fundmental question:

How much does he actually have control over, especially since Iwata is the CEO of NoA? I he just dealing with whatever is thrown his way for marketing, or does he get a direct say on the subject? Take the no AC adapter for the New 3DS - that's what happens in Japan, where Iwata is also CEO (and president of the whole company). He is CEO in the US. Now it's happening here. Coincidence?

I don't know that Reggie actually has much say anymore, and I am not sure he ever really did have much say.

The real puzzling thing is that Nintendo of Europe, which I undertand deals with many more countries and thus, is a very complicated ordeal... seems to to get a lot of leeway in things they want to do - so either Reggie or someone above or equal to him doesn't have the balls to bring up good ideas with localization, bundles, etc... or, NoE is just allowed more freedom because NoJ doesn't concern itself with their sales market - they care about their two biggest sales markets, so they are more hands on.

Hard for me to know where the blame should be pointed since we don't know how they function internally. The only person we know for sure can take any blame is the CEO, since he has the final call on everything.
 
Nintendo is first and foremost a Japanese Company.

Reggie is just the US figurehead.

I guess part of his job description is to take the heat when his Japanese masters make unpopular decisions for his region and try to spin it into a positive.

Reggie is most likely powerless when it comes to making any kind of major decision.
 
Why is NoA being cheap and ghetto? Because the games and systems aren't selling in the US like they should. NoA is currently the worst-performing division of the company. What happens to the worst performing divisions? They get squeezed.

Why aren't the games and systems selling like they should? I'll give you a hint: it's not because of NoA leadership. It's because the US consumer doesn't care about the games or the systems.

Um I'm pretty sure both the 3DS and Wii U are selling better in the US alone (probably NA as well) compared to the EU, so I don't quite get it.
 
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