Well, this is so much fun (trying to guess what the NX will be).
So, now I'm thinking about SKUs.
Since everybody is saying that is a hybrid and it will have a dock, some people (like me) is thinking about the dock having extra hardware to improve quality. But this would also make the NX more expensive, so it may not be a good idea. So I was thinking about something like this:
1) Portable SKU
2) Expansion dock (could be in a bundle with portable SKU to be less expensive)
3) Complete hardware "console"
I think everyone is overlooking that they could sell the touch screen alone, very cheaply, with some basic hardware enough for them to target young children('s parents) who currently buy their kids el-cheapo tablets. Controller is an SCI, Dock is one too. $50 screen only + $100 controller and you've got yourself a $150 handheld. $100 more buys the dock and you've got a console. This would literally be trying to offer something for everyone...
At least that's my idea until i start thinking of how they'd handle software and software costs. Would the screen alone have enough juice to play all the games (greatly reduced settings, motion and touch control only)? Or do they only let you buy $5 throwaway games when they detect you're just using the screen? Sounds too confusing and complicated.
Could they do tiered same-software prices. ie Mario Kart 9 is a single game with 3 offerings:
- screen/motion controls only experience $10 (some mini-game esque component of the full game)
- handheld experience $40 (buys you the full game with low end assets)
- console experience $60 (full game high end assets)
Course if you buy the dock for console experience, and you previously bought a bunch of handheld-tier games... you're looking at software upgrade fees.