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[messiaen]

Continuing to show their ignorance toward Western audiences. Seriously hope they get their shit together. It's painful to watch.

 

[WaffleTaco]

Unless you are a die-hard fan of First Party Nintendo games then there really is zero reason to be excited for the Switch. It's actually kind of sad that Nintendo is doing nothing to entice potential new customers who might want more than just Zelda and Mario.

This is kind of a duh answer! Nobody buys Nintendo devices besides the ones that love Mario or Zelda. You buy their first party, and it's why a lot of Nintendo fans have been wanting them to go third party so we don't have spend more money just for one console. This is also why a hybrid system is good for them, as you get their full output but in one device.

 

[Icedburden]

What's the suggestion here, that if Switch doesn't have these extra apps then someone is going to be less likely to buy games for it? Basically, to succeed, that it has to do everything and appeal to everyone for every reason?

Apologies if I've misunderstood, but if that's what you guys are saying... Well, I just don't agree with that. I have to believe that a dedicated gaming device can not only survive, but flourish, if it offers a strong, varied library of gaming experiences.

Surely for a gaming company that's a possibility worth working toward?

If this were the 90's and alternatives didn't exist, then yes, all day a dedicated gaming device could 'flourish'. But it's not.

We live in an age where a device NEEDS to go that extra mile to stand out. Carving out a portion of that mindshare means everything.
It doesn't have to appeal to everyone, but as a home console first, as Nintendo has more or less positioned it, it's extremely limited in its tool set.

Want to watch Netflix? Use a PS4
Want to talk to your friends in a game? Your phone is needed and the PS4 does that natively.
Want to listen to music? PS4 does that.
Watch YouTube on the go? Use your swi... nope. Use your iPhone and it's far more affordable apps and games.

It's very unfortunate that they (Nintendo) lives in the past. As they keep their flag in the ground back in the 90's, the other companies adapt and position themselves far better for the future.

 

[unrenowned]

The reveal trailer was all teens and 20-somethings. They're not aiming at kids at this point in the lifecycle, they're going after fans and early adopters. Video apps will happen in time.

Kids must still be a big demographic for them since they seem to focus on their parental control system. One of the few things we actually have detailed information about at this stage.

 

[oti]

This was probably never going to happen, but I feel like Nintendo could have done something to address the "thousands of free games" on mobile by launching the system with a robust store that supported developers bringing lot of iPad/iPhone (mobile) ports.

If you've got a system that has a browser, VOD, YouTube, small "budget" titles from mobile and "console" sized games, I think that's a much more compelling system than one that just has the latter. But like I said, that wasn't going to happen so this is all really an irrelevant hypothetical I suppose.

It would be the model that is successful and that consumer have embraced, for better or worse.

But let's say it had all those iPad ports, how much would they cost? If they were free, which is the standard nowadays, how could developers like Devolver and others sell their games for up to 40€ on the eShop? You'd get the same devaluation we're seeing on iOS and Android nowadays, where people don't want to pay a single Euro for anything. Cheap download games do exist on 3DS already, but they're not free. I'm sure we'll see some free games on Switch but not to the extent that would make the Switch a serious substitute for a dirt cheap Android tablet or would significantly lower consumers' willingness to pay on the eShop.

The overall question here for me and the entire market is whether Nintendo is just desperately trying to fight a battle they can't win. Like taxi drivers and the music industry maybe the sweeping changes technology has caused in the past few years all make sense and F2P is the way to go on mobile. Of course Nintendo doesn't want to hear that and many people here on this forum don't want to hear that. We'll see.

At the same time I don't think Nintendo can compete with Sony either. Nintendo is just in an odd position right now but it can do and try stuff that others could not, all thanks to their own IP.

 

[RPGam3r]

Say I can get a Switch or an iPad for my kids to use at home and bring on trips, can't afford both. Which device do you think would have the most entertainment value? Wouldn't Nintendo want people to get a Switch instead of a tablet? I suppose you don't think such a situation could be real?

Its not that I don't think that will happen it is that I don't think video playback is top on that list.

 

[Jo Shishido's Cheeks]

Yea, it's really an odd decision. Has there been any details why it's not available, or even any speculation that makes sense?

Nintendo intend for you to carry a smart phone to use the Switch to the fullest.
So I guess their idea is since you'll have your phone on you already, you'll do all communication/multimedia functions through it as you likely already do on a daily basis.

It's a flawed idea sure, but not really that odd.

 

[orthodoxy1095]

It would be the model that is successful and that consumer have embraced, for better or worse.

But let's say it had all those iPad ports, how much would they cost? If they were free, which is the standard nowadays, how could developers like Devolver and others sell their games for up to 40€ on the eShop? You'd get the same devaluation we're seeing on iOS and Android nowadays, where people don't want to pay a single Euro for anything. Cheap download games do exist on 3DS already, but they're not free. I'm sure we'll see some free games on Switch but not to the extent that would make the Switch a serious substitute for a dirt cheap Android tablet or would significantly lower consumers' willingness to pay on the eShop.

The overall question here for me and the entire market is whether Nintendo is just desperately trying to fight a battle they can't win. Like taxi drivers and the music industry maybe the sweeping changes technology has caused in the past few years all make sense and F2P is the way to go on mobile. Of course Nintendo doesn't want to hear that and many people here on this forum don't want to hear that. We'll see.

At the same time I don't think Nintendo can compete with Sony either. Nintendo is just in an odd position right now but it can do and try stuff that others could not, all thanks to their own IP.

The Wii U and 3DS eShop are pretty full of sub $5 games already, so I don't think this is necessarily as big of a problem as you think in terms of devaluation. I think you could do some experimentation with sub $5 pricing, demos, free versions with ads, etc and maybe stick that in its own section of the App Store. Dunno, I haven't really thought about this that hard, so I'm just spitballing.

I do agree with your point about the overall questions and issues Nintendo has to contemplate.

 

[SURGEdude]

I think it's this opinion that continues to relegate Nintendo to distant last place as far as consoles go.

I'll be honest here, the likelyhood that I'd use Netflix on the Switch is extremely low. However, that's because I'm going to use it on my PS4 that also has Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Crackle and it's own Sony media store. It's just easier.

That said, it never had to be that way. For a long time I was running Windows Media Center to my TV, with launchers for Hulu, XBMC and a host of others for all my media needs. The DRM race began, plugins started getting broken for weeks at a time as Hulu and others tried to stay ahead of the people making the plugins, Microsoft abandoned Windows Media Center and now none of it ever worked as well as it did. So XBMC on my TV has all my media and all my streaming media's done through my PS4.

Which brings me to the PS4, which also never had to be that way. Microsoft was well ahead of them in that space and Sony could have looked at Microsoft and said "we'll never match what Microsoft's doing, lets not bother," but they did and because they did I use the console almost every day. More than my PC and infinitely more than my Wii U.

Now to why that matters. First, psychologically, to me, using something every day imbues it with a sense of value. I'm much more likely to stay current on my PS Plus subscription for a device I use all the time versus something I sporadically use. Even if my online gaming was non-existent that month. Second, I know what was released and what was on sale because, well, why not check while before I log off for the night after watching Hulu? I can not tell you the amount of money I've spent buying a game I want that happened to be on sale that I didn't have time to play just because I saw it up there.

I know not everyone's like me. But everyone's also not like you. To me, there's not a chance in hell a Nintendo system could be my primary device. I mean, there is, but Nintendo's shown they have no desire to make a device that'd fill that role. But to someone else maybe these stupid media apps are what would decide whether it gets used every day or once every couple of months when the next Nintendo game is released. And that's huge because that incentivizes that person to stay current on their Nintendo Network payment, it means they have a higher chance to make impulse purchases on the eShop. It'd color their decision to pick up a multiplatform game on their Switch over another platform they may own because they use it often and like the convenience. All of these things impact one another. And the fact Nintendo's basically forfeiting that audience, not trying and failing to meet their expectations but flat out not bothering is telling.

As far as competition goes, you can't be number one by gunning for last. While the chances of them beating Microsoft and Sony in the console space are slim I think anyone will tell you that they have no chance to do so if they don't try, and, even if the goal is lofty the more effort put in should generally lead to greater success even if they don't come out number one. Right now I think Nintendo's mindset is downright toxic to their longevity and they should be called out on this shit.

And lastly, no, doing more doesn't take away from what it does. Nintendo allowing a media app isn't taking someone away from Fire Emblem or some shit.

This is a really good post. I've had a similar ecosystem "stickiness" recently with my Xbone thanks to backwards compat. For 2 years my Bone got not much love because as a multiplatform device it's not as enticing as a PS4, and I'm not a huge fan of MS's exclusives. Because of that I bought most of my content on PS4, monitored it's PSN sales, and just generally preferenced it for everything from media and gaming. The fact that it was on and I was using it all the time lent itself to more money and engagement with it.

With BC being a big part of my gaming time I see the same kind of thing on my Bone.

Point being that the more somebody is using any particular device the more they are going to assign value to it. And that means they are going to spend more, forgive it's flaws, and recommend it to others.

 

[ArkkAngel007]

I think it's this opinion that continues to relegate Nintendo to distant last place as far as consoles go.

I'll be honest here, the likelyhood that I'd use Netflix on the Switch is extremely low. However, that's because I'm going to use it on my PS4 that also has Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Crackle and it's own Sony media store. It's just easier.

That said, it never had to be that way. For a long time I was running Windows Media Center to my TV, with launchers for Hulu, XBMC and a host of others for all my media needs. The DRM race began, plugins started getting broken for weeks at a time as Hulu and others tried to stay ahead of the people making the plugins, Microsoft abandoned Windows Media Center and now none of it ever worked as well as it did. So XBMC on my TV has all my media and all my streaming media's done through my PS4.

Which brings me to the PS4, which also never had to be that way. Microsoft was well ahead of them in that space and Sony could have looked at Microsoft and said "we'll never match what Microsoft's doing, lets not bother," but they did and because they did I use the console almost every day. More than my PC and infinitely more than my Wii U.

Now to why that matters. First, psychologically, to me, using something every day imbues it with a sense of value. I'm much more likely to stay current on my PS Plus subscription for a device I use all the time versus something I sporadically use. Even if my online gaming was non-existent that month. Second, I know what was released and what was on sale because, well, why not check while before I log off for the night after watching Hulu? I can not tell you the amount of money I've spent buying a game I want that happened to be on sale that I didn't have time to play just because I saw it up there.

I know not everyone's like me. But everyone's also not like you. To me, there's not a chance in hell a Nintendo system could be my primary device. I mean, there is, but Nintendo's shown they have no desire to make a device that'd fill that role. But to someone else maybe these stupid media apps are what would decide whether it gets used every day or once every couple of months when the next Nintendo game is released. And that's huge because that incentivizes that person to stay current on their Nintendo Network payment, it means they have a higher chance to make impulse purchases on the eShop. It'd color their decision to pick up a multiplatform game on their Switch over another platform they may own because they use it often and like the convenience. All of these things impact one another. And the fact Nintendo's basically forfeiting that audience, not trying and failing to meet their expectations but flat out not bothering is telling.

As far as competition goes, you can't be number one by gunning for last. While the chances of them beating Microsoft and Sony in the console space are slim I think anyone will tell you that they have no chance to do so if they don't try, and, even if the goal is lofty the more effort put in should generally lead to greater success even if they don't come out number one. Right now I think Nintendo's mindset is downright toxic to their longevity and they should be called out on this shit.

And lastly, no, doing more doesn't take away from what it does. Nintendo allowing a media app isn't taking someone away from Fire Emblem or some shit.

Yup. More options increases value and possible use, rather than this idea it either takes away or has no impact.

My XBO has been used near exclusively as a HBO machine. Now that HBO Go is allowed through Comcast on the PS4, I see little reason to use the former outside of exclusives I get around to when I do (Sunset Overdrive and Forza 5 are still sitting untouched).

The Switch will be on that backburner, just as the Wii U, 3DS, and Vita have been.

 

[SuomiDude]

All I really want is Netflix, I used it a lot on Wii U, so hopefully I don't have to have both system hooked up all the time just for that. But I can wait if Netflix is coming at some point.

 

[Cuburt]

It will come when it comes. Don't need it personally at the moment but it would be one of the devices I would get the most use out of the app.

 

[Terrell]

I had a thought about this at work today. This lack of any focus on anything that's not video games could come across as Nintendo being hyper-sensitive about another screw-up in their messaging of their new product.

For instance, if they advertise and promote things like Netflix, people might refer to it as a tablet device. Hell, even without that, some people still do. And when your product is associated with a particular type of product, it changes how it is perceived.

Nintendo is smack-you-over-the-head-til-you-get-it clear that they want you to see this as a video game console, so not providing things like Netflix at launch may be a deliberate tactic to control public perception in ways that clearly got away from them the last time around due to their own muddling of things. This may just be an extreme reaction in the opposite direction.

Continuing to show their ignorance toward Western audiences. Seriously hope they get their shit together. It's painful to watch.

Yeah, because North Americans and Europeans are the only ones who care about things like access to streaming video options... are you kidding me with this shit?

 

[guek]

I had a thought about this at work today. This lack of any focus on anything that's not video games could come across as Nintendo being hyper-sensitive about another screw-up in their messaging of their new product.

For instance, if they advertise and promote things like Netflix, people might refer to it as a tablet device. Hell, even without that, some people still do. And when your product is associated with a particular type of product, it changes how it is perceived.

Nintendo is smack-you-over-the-head-til-you-get-it clear that they want you to see this as a video game console, so not providing things like Netflix at launch may be a deliberate tactic to control public perception in ways that clearly got away from them the last time around due to their own muddling of things. This may just be an extreme reaction in the opposite direction.



Yeah, because North Americans and Europeans are the only ones who care about things like access to streaming video options... are you kidding me with this shit?

That's possible. That might be why there were rumors Nintendo prioritized dev kits for game developers. It could also just be though that the Switch development timetable would have been better suited for a Fall launch, and stuff like this simply isn't ready yet but they're launching in March anyway. I think Nintendo believes they have to get a new product out as soon as possible because the Wii U is dead as dirt.

 

[Doctre81]

I don't understand. This required very little work from Nintendo, correct? You just send a dev kit to Netflix

They probably sent them dev kits late for fear of leaks.

 

[i-Jest]

No youtube app? Okay, I have other things for that.

 

[Night Angel]

They probably sent them dev kits late for fear of leaks.

Better that no details leak than have expected features at launch.

 

[Schnozberry]

This isn't ever going to replace my iPad Air 2 as a tablet. This has yet to convince me to replace my 3DS XL as a portable gaming machine. This has definitely not convinced me to add another home console to my house when my currently owned systems have tons of games coming out that I want. What is this device supposed to do for me again? I watch YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix on damn near every device that has the apps available depending on what room I am in, who else is using the devices, and how sleepy I am.

If I were to consider purchasing a Switch, I would want the convenience of being able to quickly hop out of a game, and into a YouTube video or movie. Without powering down the system and turning another one on.

A premium price-tag for a cheap and lazy product. No thanks.

This is exactly why these apps aren't all that important. This is a device people are going to buy to play games. It will certainly be nice to have them whenever they arrive, but it was far more important for the Switch's first six months to have these dev kits go out to people making games.

 

[Malakai]

I don't think the Switch, in it's current form, even have children in mind as a potential owner. The Switch is a very child unfriendly device due to the most likely easy to lose yet expensive to replace Joy-Cons and having a vent w/ a fan (I suspect crumbs and dirt would easily get stuck in vents). Switch, I think, is a very grown up device vs other other handheld consoles that Nintendo have released.

 

[Steve.1981]

You have the option to not install the apps. There, now can you please stop with this wierd spin? It's really forced.

That's the second time you've called me weird in this thread. Thanks for that.

And no, I'll not stop doing anything because you want me to.

Want to watch Netflix? Use a PS4
Want to talk to your friends in a game? Your phone is needed and the PS4 does that natively.
Want to listen to music? PS4 does that.
Watch YouTube on the go? Use your swi... nope. Use your iPhone and it's far more affordable apps and games.

Not interested in any of that and just want to play the same library of great games at home on your big TV or out on the go, wherever you might be? Use the Switch.

All I'm saying is maybe that's the priority. It could work or it could flop, I guess we'll find out soon.

 

[jts]

Wouldn't waste precious Switch battery on video streaming. But I guess it could be cool for home usage, as a 3rd or 4th option there.

 

[Fox_Mulder]

"We have a product for that...it's called the

Spoiler

Scorpio!

"

 

[oti]

The Wii U and 3DS eShop are pretty full of sub $5 games already, so I don't think this is necessarily as big of a problem as you think in terms of devaluation. I think you could do some experimentation with sub $5 pricing, demos, free versions with ads, etc and maybe stick that in its own section of the App Store. Dunno, I haven't really thought about this that hard, so I'm just spitballing.

I do agree with your point about the overall questions and issues Nintendo has to contemplate.

I'm sure there will be free games. But not to the degree that it would make Switch competitive in the real tablet market or to devalue the platform as a whole.

Nintendo is all about value. The moment people aren't willing to pay full price for their games over a very long period of time, Nintendo is done.

 

[irrotational]

If you sell 20m or 50m or 100m of something then an awful lot of those are going to the mass market, not GAF.

It's worth looking at different markets. For parents of young kids, not having YouTube or Netflix could be a plus, as it helps keep dodgy content away from their eyes.

Not having the YouTube kids app could be a big oversight though!

I often see families out and the phone is deployed as an entertainment device to keep the kids happy for a bit and the parents get some peace and quiet in their lives. If the switch wants to take that spot, and the parents get their phone back, them it could really use YouTube kids at least.

For older kids and teens out and about...Who knows...They probably have a phone anyway so for them the switch will always be a secondary, gaming, device.

For the family at home then video apps aren't NEEDED at all...But the more time using the system the better. There is a stickiness to using devices and people might be more likely to flick between YouTube and Zelda if they could do it on one device rather than having to change TV inputs.

 

[NimbusD]

Pretty sure this is the most *no shit Sherlock* news about the Switch that there is. I mean, they barely supported video apps on the Wii and Wii U, and the even scoured the TV what-it's-name app on the Wii U.

They will add it later.

Just like they added 2-tablet fuctionality to the Wii U.

It'll be awesome.

Fuck man. One of my bIggest gripes and why this is so worrying to me. Nintendo didn't even think that having 2 gamepads was something people might want until after revealing the Wii u and of course people immediately asked about it. Then they promised it and immediately forgot about it.

This is Nintendo, who doesn't even understand how people perceive or use their own devices and seem to repeat the same mistakes over and over never learning.

 

[Panajev2001a]

What's the suggestion here, that if Switch doesn't have these extra apps then someone is going to be less likely to buy games for it? Basically, to succeed, that it has to do everything and appeal to everyone for every reason?

Apologies if I've misunderstood, but if that's what you guys are saying... Well, I just don't agree with that. I have to believe that a dedicated gaming device can not only survive, but flourish, if it offers a strong, varied library of gaming experiences.

Surely for a gaming company that's a possibility worth working toward?

The expectations for $300 devices (without any game, anything to do unless you buy a game) have risen since the days of GCN and GBA... (and sometimes the enjoyment Nintendo flavoured utility apps brings is quite high: I used the DS alarm function a lot and the 3DS activity tracking too... I found Wii's TV channel themed UI amazing and the apps like the weather channel really endearing to use too).

While there can be something as too much media/non gaming focus, I think modern gaming devices are fully featured computers which should provide options and be able to give you a wide array of functionality (which can tie really well to games).

I think PS3 had the best mix of gaming and non gaming features (although it lacked PS4's powerful sharing features and of course in game XMB was a lot lot slower than the current PS4 UI is when you pause a game, but I do not see XMB implemented on PS4 as being that much slower either), but even a decisively gaming focused PS4 launched in a more versatile state.

Devices should integrate together, smartphones and tablets and PC's, which actually Apple itself got so right. When I am on my MacBook, I can send text messages and iMessages from the Mac, I can start and receive Facetime calls, I can use WhatsApp, I can pick Safari browser tabs/links where I left off on the tube, I can see and write Notes items to remind me to do things later on when ai go back home, etc... alll thanks to the connection features between macOS and iOS.

Apple's own response was not to take those features off the Mac because... hey you have a smartphone right? It was to let your Mac take advantage of the phone and let the Mac do even more as a result. Being able to take and place regular phone calls and send regular SMS from the Mac when your phone is in Bluetooth range is powerful and very nice to use indeed.

This is what Nintendo should have aimed at, not an excuse to ship a console before it fully baked in the oven. I really do not know why we are forcing ourselves to see a silver lining to a rushed launch...

 

[Panajev2001a]

Fuck man. One of my bIggest gripes and why this is so worrying to me. Nintendo didn't even think that having 2 gamepads was something people might want until after revealing the Wii u and of course people immediately asked about it. Then they promised it and immediately forgot about it.

This is Nintendo, who doesn't even understand how people perceive or use their own devices and seem to repeat the same mistakes over and over never learning.

They have learned that they have a core of people who will buy what they manufacture almost no matter what and why not raise the prices on them and get mad profits at launch? It kind of feels like that...

 

[Panajev2001a]

If you sell 20m or 50m or 100m of something then an awful lot of those are going to the mass market, not GAF.

It's worth looking at different markets. For parents of young kids, not having YouTube or Netflix could be a plus, as it helps keep dodgy content away from their eyes.

Not having the YouTube kids app could be a big oversight though!

I often see families out and the phone is deployed as an entertainment device to keep the kids happy for a bit and the parents get some peace and quiet in their lives. If the switch wants to take that spot, and the parents get their phone back, them it could really use YouTube kids at least.

For older kids and teens out and about...Who knows...They probably have a phone anyway so for them the switch will always be a secondary, gaming, device.

For the family at home then video apps aren't NEEDED at all...But the more time using the system the better. There is a stickiness to using devices and people might be more likely to flick between YouTube and Zelda if they could do it on one device rather than having to change TV inputs.

Parents may think that they do not need another gaming device for kids when the iPad / <Other Tablet> already provides plenty of games in addition to all the media apps they need. This is the hard part, well it would be if Nintendo were honestly thinking about those consumers at launch, why should they also buy an expensive NX over an iPad mini 4 or in addition to the existing tablet they have? Especially a console that essentially depends on their smartphone or tablet anyways without adding much beyond more games to the mix?

That is not that trivial to address and so would be the apparent scarcity of third party games... no parent wants to be the one buying a console that does not have The Popular Games for their teenagers. We will see .

 

[opricnik]

If you sell 20m or 50m or 100m of something then an awful lot of those are going to the mass market, not GAF.

It's worth looking at different markets. For parents of young kids, not having YouTube or Netflix could be a plus, as it helps keep dodgy content away from their eyes.

Not having the YouTube kids app could be a big oversight though!

I often see families out and the phone is deployed as an entertainment device to keep the kids happy for a bit and the parents get some peace and quiet in their lives. If the switch wants to take that spot, and the parents get their phone back, them it could really use YouTube kids at least.

For older kids and teens out and about...Who knows...They probably have a phone anyway so for them the switch will always be a secondary, gaming, device.

For the family at home then video apps aren't NEEDED at all...But the more time using the system the better. There is a stickiness to using devices and people might be more likely to flick between YouTube and Zelda if they could do it on one device rather than having to change TV inputs.

I didnt know i was buyung a glorofied child toy . Thanks duh

 

[LordRaptor]

Want to listen to music? PS4 does that.

Does the PS4 play MP3s now? Because it pretty famously didn't at launch.

 

[Panajev2001a]

I had a thought about this at work today. This lack of any focus on anything that's not video games could come across as Nintendo being hyper-sensitive about another screw-up in their messaging of their new product.

For instance, if they advertise and promote things like Netflix, people might refer to it as a tablet device. Hell, even without that, some people still do. And when your product is associated with a particular type of product, it changes how it is perceived.

Nintendo is smack-you-over-the-head-til-you-get-it clear that they want you to see this as a video game console, so not providing things like Netflix at launch may be a deliberate tactic to control public perception in ways that clearly got away from them the last time around due to their own muddling of things. This may just be an extreme reaction in the opposite direction.



Yeah, because North Americans and Europeans are the only ones who care about things like access to streaming video options... are you kidding me with this shit?

They are choosing a tough battle if in a world where this kind of device is known as a tablet that can dock to a TV, they are trying to make people think of it as a console you can take around with you.

Especially after doing this with Wii U and now wanting to distance themselves from it while essentially trying to say that it is like Wii U but you can now take it out of the house. Yet it can do less stuff than you could do with the Wii U... :/.

 

[jts]

Parents may think that they do not need another gaming device for kids when the iPad / <Other Tablet> already provides plenty of games in addition to all the media apps they need. This is the hard part, well it would be if Nintendo were honestly thinking about those consumers at launch, why should they also buy an expensive NX over an iPad mini 4 or in addition to the existing tablet they have? Especially a console that essentially depends on their smartphone or tablet anyways without adding much beyond more games to the mix?

That is not that trivial to address and so would be the apparent scarcity of third party games... no parent wants to be the one buying a console that does not have The Popular Games for their teenagers. We will see .

Damn. Sounds like what one could have said about the 3DS, ipsis verbis.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Damn. Sounds like what one could have said about the 3DS, ipsis verbis.

Except that it doesn't... still, a $300 3DS would have sold...? Am I remembering right being part of the ambassador program after the great successful launch at $249 (they decided to set this higher launch price after seeing the post reveal reception IIRC) ?

When selling an additional device (general tablets are also cheaper and much better now than they used to be, people have other cheaper options than an iPad) asking for $199 or $299 is quite a big jump for that certain audience, but if I am wrong and tons o kids are going to play with NX in a few months... good too, we will see .

Funny enough you could do way more stuff with a 3DS than you can do with an NX even without buying your first game (even more if you considered MiiVerse integration people have now)... not even considering BC with DS.

 

[jts]

Except that it doesn't... still, a $300 3DS would have sold...? Am I remembering right being part of the ambassador program after the great successful launch at $249 (they decided to set this higher launch price after seeing the post reveal reception IIRC) ?

When selling an additional device (general tablets are also cheaper and much better now than they used to be, people have other cheaper options than an iPad) asking for $199 or $299 is quite a big jump for that certain audience, but if I am wrong and tons o kids are going to play with NX in a few months... good too, we will see .

Funny enough you could do way more stuff with a 3DS than you can do with an NX even without buying your first game (even more if you considered MiiVerse integration people have now)... not even considering BC with DS.

I don't think any of the non-gaming features (or even BC) were determinant for the success of the 3DS/2DS. Games were. And as you pointed out with the Miiverse integration, some of that other stuff can be added later.

Also given the architecture, technology used and what's in this initial SKU, there's plenty of room for price reductions with the Switch as well, so they can repeat success in the same way. It's just price skimming.

 

[Brohan]

As someone who doesn't yet own a tablet the Switch not having apps like Netflix is a real bummer. Sure i could just use my smartphone but that has a much smaller screen.

To me the Switch with the stand would be an awesome way to watch movies during travel and i don't think i'm the only one who feels that way.

Just seems like it would make the switch have alot more value specially with so few games at launch.

 

[KingSnake]

Kids aren't that simple. I know I wasn't. And I grew up in the 80s.

My kid is. YouTube and Minecraft and Lego games occupy most of his tablet time. YouTube taking more than half of that.

 

[test_account]

Does the PS4 play MP3s now? Because it pretty famously didn't at launch.

Yes, it was added in firmware 2.00, over two years ago.

 

[LordRaptor]

Yes, it was added in firmware 2.00, over two years ago.

Oh, a thing people complained about not being there at launch was added later, and is now no big deal to anyone?

I see...

 

[jts]

Yes, it was added in firmware 2.00, over two years ago.

And it was available on the PS3 and Wii 10 years ago.

Point is PS4 still launched without it and people didn't bat an eye at it.

 

[DirgeExtinction]

Wasn't the PS4 criticized a ton for not having a media player for a long while? Now when Nintendo won't, it's okay?

Also, the PS4 didn't have a YouTube app at launch, and people criticized it for that as well.

There seems to be a bit of a double standard when it comes to Nintendo and how they're not held to the standards of other gaming companies.

 

[KingSnake]

Point is PS4 still launched without it and people didn't bat an eye at it.

This is revisionist history at its best.

 

[test_account]

Oh, a thing people complained about not being there at launch was added later, and is now no big deal to anyone?

I see...

Wont be a big deal when its added, complaining about it then wont change anything I really dont think its a big dealbreaker for many people, but i do understand if people want it there from day 1.

And it was available on the PS3 and Wii 10 years ago.

Point is PS4 still launched without it and people didn't bat an eye at it.

I just answered his question.

People did bat an eye to it on PS4 too. Here is a thread with nearly 3500 posts about it: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=706751 | All of those posts were made in 2-3 days as well, so it was a hot topic.

Didnt Nintendo remove MP3 support from later Wii units by the way?

 

[LordRaptor]

I wasn't trying to make a SonyToo! point, more that the nature of modern gaming systems and regular firmware feature updates renders most complaints about whatever OS features are or aren't available day one somewhat moot.

 

[Brofist]

Don't worry, you'll be able to use your mobile devices apps to watch videos!

 

[test_account]

I wasn't trying to make a SonyToo! point, more that the nature of modern gaming systems and regular firmware feature updates renders most complaints about whatever OS features are or aren't available day one somewhat moot.

Yeah, i didnt really read it like that. I read it as you didnt know that MP3 was supported on PS4, so i just answered to that and when it was added.

 

[LordRaptor]

Yeah, i didnt really read it like that. I read it as you didnt know that MP3 was supported on PS4, so i just answered to that and when it was added.

Well, yeah, I didn't know if it had been or not, I just recall there being a big burst of outrage and then nothing more, and as its now being used as the case for why the PS4 is so great, I figured it must have been added at some point post launch, which seemed particularly ironic given the topic.

e:
I mean, its no PS3 clock fix

 

[jts]

This is revisionist history at its best.

People did bat an eye to it on PS4 too. Here is a thread with nearly 3500 posts about it: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=706751 | All of those posts were made in 2-3 days as well, so it was a hot topic.

Didnt Nintendo remove MP3 support from later Wii units by the way?

Sorry I should have been more clear. There's a GAF thread for nearly everything but I mean the console's sales didn't skip a beat, mp3 or no mp3. People didn't bat an eye at it when they were pulling their wallets out.

Of course, if you ask me I will tell you that is better to support mp3 or to have any feature than not to. Just trying to figure out how much that ends up impacting sales. The "start off from basics" strategy worked out pretty well for Sony with the PS4.

And yes it is true that later on Nintendo pulled mp3 in favour of AAC to save money. And that was reprehensible.

 

[E_Darkness]

So what can I do with a Switch after I finally beat Zelda?

 

[jts]

So what can I do with a Switch after I finally beat Zelda?

How much do you enjoy milking cows?

 

[DirgeExtinction]

Sorry I should have been more clear. There's a GAF thread for nearly everything but I mean the console's sales didn't skip a beat, mp3 or no mp3. People didn't bat an eye at it when they were pulling their wallets out.

Of course, if you ask me I will tell you that is better to support mp3 or to have any feature than not to. Just trying to figure out how much that ends up impacting sales. The "start off from basics" strategy worked out pretty well for Sony with the PS4.

And yes it is true that later on Nintendo pulled mp3 in favour of AAC to save money. And that was reprehensible.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems playing music files aren't as big of a deal as streaming/playing video.