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[E-phonk]

Or perhaps a way of making sure to keep the people they do have stay satisfied and don't slowly go away. While they're (include myself) mainly there for Nintendo's game they do want other experiences in between and if they aren't there the desire for them might grow and they'll jump ship and that will mean even less sales for Nintendo's bigger titles in the long run.

I would think a certain level of customer maintenance is required. Games like Bayonetta 2, Wonderful 101, and even Hyrule Warriors might be thought of as an investment so the Mario, Zelda, etc titles sell as they should in the long run. Otherwise you have a situation where customers leave because there is nothing and a title that should sell extremely well doesn't like Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Which I think can be argued would have and should have sold better had Nintendo not allow the Wii to collapse in the end. Especially when there is no third party support and all that is left is first party, indie or smaller dev Digital games, and whatever deals can be made. Or do people think this is something that should never be done? Am I completely off the mark here?

I agree - nintendo needs these games not for the sales they gather but to bring a steady flow of (quality/interesting) releases on it's platform.

 

[Mpl90]

Thx

How Phantasy Star Vita is doing compared to the PSP games?

I've yet to make comparisons about Phantasy Star Nova because I think it's too soon to make them: the game releases in two months or so, it's not time for comparisons yet, IMHO. Much better when it's around one month before the release. Next times, I could still post how is it doing as a stat, without comparisons, though.

 

[sörine]

I can't see that happening, unless the Wii U will really see a seasonal peak stronger and longer compared to last year. And I doubt that.

It's easily possible. The game is already closing in on 700k and maintaining a relatively stable 5-6k weekly. Even if there's zero holiday lift it'll be over 750k by the end of the year.

I think even 900k is more likely than not honestly. Holiday lift + DLC push. If Nintendo really wants to push it with concentrated advertising or a bundle it'll go much higher than that too.

 

[Hellraider]

Because clearly the last one did so well on PS3/360 that they could get the sequel greenlit for PS3. Come on, now.

Original Bayonetta's sales were great. The problem was Sega and their policy change at the time. Anything that wasn't top tier got the boot.

 

[crinale]

It had more to do with Sega cutting down on everything that wasn't the most profitable and instead focusing on what was (like Sonic etc.).

Yeah we must consider that while prequel sold rather decently, we don't know how much it costed SEGA to sell that much of copies. Games that sells like 10-20K can still be profitable, while some games sells 10x more than that can still be un-profitable.

By looking how log it took Platinum to release Bayo2 they may not be efficient enough.

 

[BadWolf]

Is their activision game small?

Its a budget digital release with a very short production cycle so yeah.

 

[Exile20]

well Nintendo is trying hard to appeal to at least the character action fans. they published Ninja Gaiden 3 at launch, had W101, allowed Bayo 2 to exist, included Bayo 1 with it, allowed Devil's Third to exist, and had Hyrule Warriors. there might be some that I'm forgetting. yeah all of those either did or will likely bomb but you can't really say Nintendo is relying on one game to change anything.

Ye Nintendo is trying. I am definately buying devils third if only for the online.

 

[E-phonk]

By looking how log it took Platinum to release Bayo2 they may not be efficient enough.

To be honest i'm with the conspiracy theorists that think bayonetta (and hyrule warriors) were near finished a few months ago, but not released because nintendo needed software for their (traditionally) strongest sept-dec periode.

 

[BeatResetsTheWorld]

Do we know the digital sales of Bayo 2 at all?

 

[Aostia]

It's easily possible. The game is already closing in on 700k and maintaining a relatively stable 5-6k weekly. Even if there's zero holiday lift it'll be over 750k by the end of the year.

I think even 900k is more likely than not honestly. Holiday lift + DLC push. If Nintendo really wants to push it with concentrated advertising or a bundle it'll go much higher than that too.

Mmhh...maybe you are right. let's see.

Just bring the hybrid next E3 and put this shameful console out of its misery. This is getting too embarrassing to watch.

yeah, a middle finger to the actual wii u owners (that up to now would be the only interested in a next nintendo console) would be a great idea.

Its a budget digital release with a very short production cycle so yeah.

Thank you, I didn't know about it

 

[Astral Dog]

It's definitely a possibility, but that would be a little foolish of PG to accept the deal from them without shopping around the idea to other publishers. Unless, they didn't give a crap about sales and just desired to make a sequel to Bayonetta.

Whe dont know that, we know Platinum didnt think the game was going to be made at some point, but what if they did? Nintendo was one of the more popular publishers, especially in Japan, they offered to fund the sequel and the port of Bayo 1, i cant blame them or Nintendo for helping make the game, of course, Microsoft or Sony COULD had funded it or they could NOT. but thats another universe.

 

[metalslimer]

Or perhaps also a way of making sure to keep the people they do have stay satisfied and don't slowly go away. While they're (include myself) mainly there for Nintendo's game they do want other experiences in between and if they aren't there the desire for them might grow and they'll jump ship and that will mean even less sales for Nintendo's bigger titles in the long run because money will be split between a competitor's product.

I would think a certain level of customer maintenance is required. Games like Bayonetta 2, Wonderful 101, and even Hyrule Warriors might be thought of as an investments on that front (even though they'd be happy if they were huge hits) so the Mario, Zelda, etc titles sell as they should in the long run. Otherwise you have a situation where customers leave because there is nothing for long periods of time and a title that should sell extremely well and not just well doesn't like Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Which I think can be argued would have and should have sold better had Nintendo not allow the Wii to collapse in the end. Especially when there is no third party support and all that is left is first party, indie or smaller dev Digital games, and whatever deals can be made. Or do people think this is something that should never be done? Am I completely off the mark here?

It would be one thing if these games would sell a decent amount because it would show the userbase actually had an interest, but instead, they are selling miniscule amounts and I don't see how they actually keep the people who buy the other customers happy when they don't even buy them.

 

[TMaakkonen]

I can think why 3DS got increase in sales. Smash 3DS had so good word of mouth, that it increased 3DS sales.

Vita is passable since its still above YoY overall and did better than last years week.

 

[crinale]

To be honest i'm with the conspiracy theorists that think bayonetta (and hyrule warriors) were near finished a few months ago, but not released because nintendo needed software for their (traditionally) strongest sept-dec periode.

It makes sense for Nintendo to even out the software output, so I won't even call it conspiracy. Yeah your theory may be right on but who knows.

Do we know the digital sales of Bayo 2 at all?

The e-shop version of Bayo2 barely fits to 32GB WiiU (don't even mention about 8GB WiiU). I doubt that many ppl went for digital version.

 

[Mory Dunz]

Hm, guess the holiday caused the Wii U bump and not Bayo. Couldn't even do that.

Sony can't be happy with the Ps4 drop. Also, the Vita is doing poorly. Remember when the 3DS and Vita were battling early this year? Oh , predictions were made...

n3DS week will be interesting. MK is really faltering. It needs its DLC or a bundle.

At least Smash is doing well.

 

[shinra-bansho]

yeah, a middle finger to the actual wii u owners (that up to now would be the only interested in a next nintendo console) would be a great idea.

If their strategic focus is centred around catering solely to the whims of that same market segment, then that situation isn't going to change by simply increasing the duration of the console's life span.

They could instead attempt to create a product with broader market appeal. I know it's a crazy idea.

 

[frankie_baby]

It makes sense for Nintendo to even out the software output, so I won't even call it conspiracy. Yeah your theory may be right on but who knows.



The e-shop version of Bayo2 barely fits to 32GB WiiU (don't even mention about 8GB version). I doubt that many ppl went for digital version.

Anyone that seriously buys digital versions of retail games will surely have a hard drive so I doubt storage is an issue

 

[Lexxism]

I can think why 3DS got increase in sales. Smash 3DS had so good word of mouth, that it increased 3DS sales.

Vita is passable since its still above YoY overall and did better than last years week.

It was mentioned that Sept 15 was holiday in Japan. Make sense why it got a bumped.

 

[mrmickfran]

Bayo 2 probably bombed because it's so fucking expensive.

Over $80? WTF?

 

[phanphare]

If their strategic focus is centred around catering solely to the whims of that same market segment, then that situation isn't going to change by simply increasing the duration of the console's life span.

They could instead attempt to create a product with broader market appeal. I know it's a crazy idea.

well yeah they obviously need to expand their market, but they can't do it at the expense of their existing fan-base. that'd be all kinds of stupid.

 

[Mory Dunz]

Bayo 2 probably bombed because it's so fucking expensive.

Over $80? WTF?

Other one was just as expensive.

 

[frankie_baby]

Just noticed, Dragon quest 10 hit 100k on famitsu, impressive

 

[Aostia]

If their strategic focus is centred around catering solely to the whims of that same market segment, then that situation isn't going to change by simply increasing the duration of the console's life span.

They could instead attempt to create a product with broader market appeal. I know it's a crazy idea.

that's a good idea, obviously.
but making a middle finger to the actual owners would be a mess, to me.
you don't know if a broader market will be actually interested in you product before the release (of course, otherwise every product would be a great success), and burn those who actually bought your latest one would be even riskier than the Wii U.
If the Wii U will propose software just until 15 with the games already announced at the last E3, it would mean a three-year and a half lifespan. I don't know how many people would buy another dedicated home console for 250/350$ to play for such a short period of time.

 

[Spieler Eins]

yeah, a middle finger to the actual wii u owners (that up to now would be the only interested in a next nintendo console) would be a great idea.

That's what they already did with 2 years of almost no games and desperately trying to recapture the Wii Fit audience with lazy cash grabs at a ridiculious price point instead. I still can't believe that poor, yet fullpriced Wii Sports HD was actually a thing. These subpar Bayo 2 sales (and let's not pretend it's gonna be that much better worldwide) show that many Wii U buyers already don't give a shit anymore. And despite the hardware sales, which imo are just natural for such unappealing consoles (esp. in Japan), don't change the fact that there still has been lots of successful home console software in these past years, so not even reaching Bayo360 levels is not defendable.
A fresh start is the only way out. Sweeping the Wii brand under the rug, which has been completely devalued at this point. I guess a Twilight Princess situation for the final Wii U projects would ease some of the remaining Wii U fans (who would buy the next Nintendo machine anyway).

 

[MrNyarlathotep]

And on a somewhat related note, I don't really get why Platinum's string of bombs keep landing them work.

If you (the hypothetical you as a videogame publisher, not the actual you) consider game publishing to be anything more than pushing boxes at minimum cost for maximum profit, then there is a non-financial incentive to fund projects that are critically acclaimed and raise your prestige without ever being profitable.

 

[BeatResetsTheWorld]

The e-shop version of Bayo2 barely fits to 32GB WiiU (don't even mention about 8GB WiiU). I doubt that many ppl went for digital version.

I'm not sure that's really a valid reason...if someone is committed to digital they'll buy a new HDD, unless you have numbers that show if the default storage space is too small people will move toward buying retail versions

 

[shinra-bansho]

well yeah they obviously need to expand their market, but they can't do it at the expense of their existing fan-base. that'd be all kinds of stupid.

It's a poor decision if alternative market segments aren't attractive enough, significant in terms of size and profitability, and can't be maintained. Sure.

I don't think that's the case. And if it is, Nintendo's may as well get the hell out of dodge then.

Furthermore, people overplay the potential attrition.

 

[Usobuko]

yeah, a middle finger to the actual wii u owners (that up to now would be the only interested in a next nintendo console) would be a great idea.

Well, looking at the output which include announced games on both Wii and Wii U, I already like the latter more. It's just missing another Galaxy game.

 

[saichi]

After YW, it's been crystal clear Level-5 know how to make a successful IP.

It was already obvious after they had success with both Layton and IE11. People just expect every project they do turns into gold.

As a sidenote it's kinda crazy that in the end GTAV ended up as the game with best legs on PS3 in Japan. Almost a year since launch and still charting in top 20. Can't remember any PS3 title charting more than couple of months. It has Nintendo like legs (of course still lower total sales). Maybe it has still small chance to million on PS3 alone if it gets some kind of holiday boost? With PS4 version sure million seller and first game based on western ip doing million in Japan since Crash Bandicoot 3 if I remember right.

a little misleading, isn't it? It's the Bargain edition charting, not the initial release.

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

It was already obvious after they had success with both Layton and IE11. People just expect every project they do turns into gold.




a little misleading, isn't it? It's the Bargain edition charting, not the initial release.

I'm pretty sure the original version was charting till the bargain version was introduced.

 

[RM8]

Man, N3DS is almost there and Japan keeps buying lots of old 3DS systems. I don't understand, but it's good to see it selling well :3

 

[phanphare]

It's a poor decision if alternative market segments aren't attractive enough, significant in terms of size and profitability, and can't be maintained. Sure.

I don't think that's the case. And if it is, Nintendo's may as well get the hell out of dodge then.

Furthermore, people overplay the potential attrition.

I don't think that's true in the slightest. not only would Nintendo decrease their fan-base's confidence in their ability to support a console for a reasonable amount of time, they'd probably decrease the confidence in the potential markets that they would try and appeal to. if Nintendo cuts support for the Wii U after 3 years it wouldn't send the best signal to prospective owners of their next console.

 

[Jackano]

Bayo isn't that ridiculous when you see what Hyrule Warriors do.

I just hope (not going to happen) looking at the Wii U no-bump, Nintendo understand that a strategy consisting of funding ONE game from a different style from theirs isn't enough.
They need to embrace a more broader strategy than that, having not one but a string of games in a particular genre to successfully generate hardware sales and create a user base.

 

[Bruno MB]

	[B]Xbox[/B]		[B]Xbox 360[/B]	[B]Xbox One[/B]	
	2002.02.22	2005.12.10	2014.09.04	
Week	Weekly	LTD	Weekly	LTD	Weekly	LTD
01	123.929	123.929	62.135	62.135	23.562	23.562
02	37.147	161.076	12.320	74.455	3.574	27.136
[B]03	10.930	172.006	7.315	81.770	1.536	28.672[/B]
04	7.924	179.930	12.755	94.525		
05	5.005	184.935	8.655	103.180		
06	5.157	190.092	4.620	107.800		
07	3.188	193.280	2.762	110.562		
08	2.532	195.812	2.095	112.657		
09	3.286	199.098	2.022	114.679		
10	5.112	204.210	1.463	116.142		
11	3.326	207.536	1.212	117.354		
12	1.872	209.408	1.082	118.436		
13	834	210.242	1.020	119.456		
14	6.447	216.689	1.035	120.491		
15	5.912	222.601	1.181	121.672		
16	2.836	225.437	1.550	123.222		
17	4.359	229.796	2.636	125.858		
18	3.358	233.154	1.752	127.610		
19	3.218	236.372	1.780	129.390		
20	3.111	239.483	2.852	132.242		
21	3.218	242.701	2.742	134.984		
22	2.958	245.659	2.021	137.005		
23	6.047	251.706	1.496	138.501		
24	3.826	255.532	1.415	139.916		
25	3.135	258.667	1.218	141.134

 

[Javier]

Guess it's all about 3DS (starring Smash Bros. and featuring Yokai Watch) this week.

Those XB1 numbers... damn.

well Nintendo is trying hard to appeal to at least the character action fans. they published Ninja Gaiden 3 at launch, had W101, allowed Bayo 2 to exist, included Bayo 1 with it, allowed Devil's Third to exist, and had Hyrule Warriors. there might be some that I'm forgetting. yeah all of those either did or will likely bomb but you can't really say Nintendo is relying on one game to change anything.

There's also Lego City Undercover.

 

[LayLa]

Correct. I'm not sure why you'd think the migration would be exaggerated; what implicit motivation would those exaggerators have? By contrast, some people who talk about the success of, say, the 3DS might blow it out of proportion, because they're big fans of Nintendo or of the 3DS in particular and are motivated to make its success seem bigger than it is. There are a lot of Playstation fans who hang on every scrap of success the Vita or PS4 have in Japan, as well.

There are so few mobile fans on GAF, however, that virtually no one is motivated to exaggerate mobile's success. If anything, there are a good number of traditional Japanese game fans who earnestly wish this transition wasn't happening and would be motivated to downplay the success of mobile platforms.

Yeh the size of the mobile market really gets downplayed around here. For example David Gibson tweeted the other day that nearly 40% of games at TGS were for mobile, up from 24% last year. Entirely possible that there will be a majority next year.

 

[SwiftDeath]

Better than I expected for Bayonetta 2. Still not particularly good though

PS4 sales stayed a bit higher than I expected. Will surely drop next week I think

XB1 sales right around where I expected. Three digits next week seems likely

 

[BeatResetsTheWorld]

Bayo isn't that ridiculous when you see what Hyrule Warriors do.

I just hope (not going to happen) looking at the Wii U no-bump, Nintendo understand that a strategy consisting of funding ONE game from a different style from theirs isn't enough.
They need to embrace a more broader strategy than that, having not one but a string of games in a particular genre to successfully generate hardware sales and create a user base.

Isn't that what they're doing? Publishing NG3:RE? W101? Bayo2? Devil's Third? They're clearly trying to do this with action titles. I'm not sure what qualifies as a "string of games" for you

 

[Aostia]

That's what they already did with 2 years of almost no games.

sorry, I stopped here.

 

[ArchedThunder]

Man, those Bayo numbers are depressing. Hopefully it does better in the west.

 

[shinra-bansho]

I don't think that's true in the slightest. not only would Nintendo decrease their fan-base's confidence in their ability to support a console for a reasonable amount of time, they'd probably decrease the confidence in the potential markets that they would try and appeal to. if Nintendo cuts support for the Wii U after 3 years it wouldn't send the best signal to prospective owners of their next console.

The general populace essentially doesn't care about the Wii U. They don't care it exists. They don't care how long it exists. I highly doubt it enters into their mind frame.

If it does, I don't particularly know why extending the stench of failed product on the market with perpetual software drought is supposed to be particularly inspiring for future purpose.
It certainly won't inspire confidence in retail and publishing partners.

Who are the prospective owners? What do they care about?
That's what should be running through Nintendo's executives' minds.
They should be working on a product towards appealing to those broader markets, as quickly as possible, and launching it when it make sense for that product.

Not simply ensuring the continued support of the last remnants of their most ardent fanbase by protracting its lifespan. Because again, if that's the extent of the market they're catering to, then it's an exercise in futility. You keep those few million people on board again next time around in 2018 after a "full" console cycle? Okay. So you have Wii U take two then.

 

[phanphare]

sorry, I stopped here.

you should have stopped at the "posted by __________" bit

The general populace essentially doesn't care about the Wii U. They don't care it exists. They don't care how long it exists. I highly doubt it enters into their mind frame.

If it does, I don't particularly know why extending the stench of failed product on the market with perpetual software drought is supposed to be particularly inspiring for future purpose.
It certainly won't inspire confidence in retail and publishing partners.

Who are the prospective owners? What do they care about?
That's what should be running through Nintendo's executives' minds.

Not simply ensuring the continued support of the last remnants of their most ardent fanbase. Because again, if that's the extent of the market they're catering to, then it's an exercise in futility. You keep those few million people on board again next time around? Okay. So you have Wii U take two then.

well then we just disagree is all

 

[Pie and Beans]

Cant tell where I feel with the Bayo 2 numbers. It being WiiU makes it a sort of "Almost 40k!" miracle after things like W101 and Yakuza Collection ultra bombas, but then Bayonetta 1 sold 200k so "Oh boy, not even a quarter!!" is pretty shit standing.

Poor Platinum.

 

[theprodigy]

Man, those Bayo numbers are depressing. Hopefully it does better in the west.

There sure is a lot of hope for Bayo 2 sales in the west in here for some reason.

 

[Culex]

Looks like Yo-Kai watch 2 will end the year as the biggest sales surprise.

Level 5 must be happy cashing those checks, since it's been one of their most profitable games.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

Cant tell where I feel with the Bayo 2 numbers. It being WiiU makes it a sort of "Almost 40k!" miracle after things like W101 and Yakuza Collection ultra bombas, but then Bayonetta 1 sold 200k so "Oh boy, not even a quarter!!" is pretty shit standing.

Poor Platinum.

on the plus side, Bayo1 just sold 40k more copies!

 

[BeatResetsTheWorld]

There sure is a lot of hope for Bayo 2 sales in the west in here for some reason.

Because almost every game sells better in the west...

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

XB1 <1k next week?

 

[Tizoc]

What was my prediction for Bayo 2? Glad to see it made 30K+, here's hoping for 100K combined in coming months.

 

[Nirolak]

I don't think that's true in the slightest. not only would Nintendo decrease their fan-base's confidence in their ability to support a console for a reasonable amount of time, they'd probably decrease the confidence in the potential markets that they would try and appeal to. if Nintendo cuts support for the Wii U after 3 years it wouldn't send the best signal to prospective owners of their next console.

Well, after a console with a four year cycle, Microsoft launched the wildly more successful Xbox 360, so there's a precedent for going from a short cycle to big success.