The plan is to literally throw crap at the wall and hope something sticks. They're trying to catch lightning in the bottle again like they did with Wii. It's just not going to happen.
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Nintendo's Q3 Investors' Meeting slides, now in English
- Thread starter Richie
- Start date
The plan is to literally throw crap at the wall and hope something sticks. They're trying to catch lightning in the bottle again like they did with Wii. It's just not going to happen.
Sakura
Member
Really interesting read. Especially the bit about the rethinking on the way things are priced. If games can be cheaper for people like me, who buy many games a year, then this could be great. Would also be a great incentive to get the people that only buy a few games a year to buy more.
Starphoenix
Member
At this point they're just trying to salvage what they have, hope they can make it profitable and put on a brave face while they develop the next system. They know the Wii U is deader than a door-nail, just don't expect them to say it right now.
It's absurd to think that Nintendo, of all companies, would give up on innovating on the game side. It's extra absurd when Iwata explicitly says videogames will continue being their main business.
The fact they're looking another direction with the QoL agenda shows to me that they have given up on trying to innovate on the gaming side. In that slide, they're HOPING that they get some inspiration back to their game platform.
Instead, they're going to whore out their IP in order to leverage their existing assets and make more money. Seems desperate.
I see posts here and related threads of people acting as if Nintendo will suddenly stop the pursuit of making the high quality games they're known for and I have to wonder, how disconnected from this subject do you have to be to really believe this,
High-quality games with Nintendo IP does not equate to market-shifting innovation that they'll need to be relevant again.
They've given up on innovation within the core gaming space. They did it before with the casual gaming market with the Wii. Hence the focus on QoL.
It was the most interesting aspect to me as well, alongside the DS VC. It's also a magnificent opportunity to get in third party's good graces; support their efforts on the platform, and get discounts on future titles of theirs, alongside Nintendo's own releases.
CartridgeBlower
Member
Yeah, and what part of all that sounds appealing again?
I don't think Nintendo has ever given up on doing that, but I feel this is a discussion that will lead us to nowhere.
lwilliams3
Member
That is my interpretation as well. If you just look at what Iwata actually said:
He basically stated that was the strategy in the short term. What is the mid/ long term? It appears to be the future systems.Iwata said:
MetalGuardian
Banned
This -at least- clarifies some of the confusion that was brought about from the tweets and WSJ liveblog that where covering this. I wasn't entirely sure if Nintendo's "wellness" or "QOL" approach would be directly tied into hardware and software, or if it would be a completely separate branch of business altogether. I'm glad to see it's the latter, but as someone who has been a lifelong fan of the company, I have zero confidence that they won't completely fuck it all up.
My favorite piece of news is probably that they are going to license out some of their franchises to other developers. I'd love to see certain, specific studios' takes on some of NIntendo's biggest IPs, as opposed to only ever seeing Nintendo's ideas for what the franchise would be. I'd LOVE a Platinum Games Starfox, for example.
My favorite piece of news is probably that they are going to license out some of their franchises to other developers. I'd love to see certain, specific studios' takes on some of NIntendo's biggest IPs, as opposed to only ever seeing Nintendo's ideas for what the franchise would be. I'd LOVE a Platinum Games Starfox, for example.
Father_Brain
Banned
Iwata said:
That's the entire philosophy of Iwata-era NCL in a nutshell: ignore the rest of the industry as much as possible, pretend as much as possible that Nintendo isn't competing with either Sony/MS consoles or smartphones/tablets, and pray that we can catch lightning in a bottle again. Good luck with that...
metalslimer
Member
It's an especially stupid strategy because you can't just avoid competition forever especially for a company like Nintendo is so invested in one particular area. People in business classes will probably read Iwata as a funny reference in like 30 years.
Father_Brain
Banned
Well, the QoL platform could be construed, generously but not wholly implausibly, as a recognition that it's increasingly difficult to avoid competition in the gaming space and that the blue ocean has to be found elsewhere.
It's just so vaguely defined, and the way Iwata announced it was so weird (presenting "non-wearable" as an advancement over "wearable," without any explanation of what the former term means), that I can't really bring myself to form an opinion about it yet.
DragonSworne
Banned
Considering that Nintendo isn't going to be expanding their workforce, any resources dedicated to QoL is less resources dedicated to gaming.
Iwata is effectively shrinking Nintendo's involvement with games. Given Iwata's philosophy, he'll abandoning gaming if QoL takes off.
umm they been expanding their work force for the last few years
If it takes off its gonna help the company as a whole in making money, they clearly said that game hardware and software is their number 1 business and its not going anywhere. So I dont know why you and others keep spreading this crap about them leaving gaming, they are just doing something else to help the company make money, there is nothing wrong with that.
Exactly the slides clearly show that these brands are the ones moving into the QOL stuff
Aaron Strife
Banned
Yeah but who do you think's going to be designing these games, the Galaxy team?
It'll be the Wii Fit/Wii Music/Wii Sports/Brain Age/Nintendogs etc. crew.
So it'll be the guys who stopped making Star Fox, F-Zero and Advance Wars.
This. It's fucking painful to read. He just doesn't get it.
I honestly thought the failure of the Wii U would be the slap in the face he needed. I guess not!
Now I'm worried. You should have known him better. He will now bring out some O.Zen copy for 200 and will then wonder why it's not selling too well.
POWERSPHERE
Banned
This is what I want. Excellent.
I actually wonder if this QoL thing is going to be their real move into smartphones and tablets. Generate a new arm of Nintendo that is not necessarily games focused. Put it where the mainstream are and get them into it. Have crossovers into your gaming arm (MiiVerse for instance, or super enhanced versions on their own hardware). Therefore the smartphone software has next to zero impact on your gaming business and if anything will trickle down (maybe negligibly) into gaming.
I do think that it's smart that they are looking to do something completely new to expand their business. It reduces reliance on just pure gaming but I am very worried that it will effect their gaming business due to their limited resource and I also feel that their statements about blue ocean wrt gaming mean we won't see them going 'core' on their next console. If true it basically spells the end of my relationship with Nintendo. I won't do another console of theirs that doesn't have a reasonable focus on pure gaming tech.
I do think that it's smart that they are looking to do something completely new to expand their business. It reduces reliance on just pure gaming but I am very worried that it will effect their gaming business due to their limited resource and I also feel that their statements about blue ocean wrt gaming mean we won't see them going 'core' on their next console. If true it basically spells the end of my relationship with Nintendo. I won't do another console of theirs that doesn't have a reasonable focus on pure gaming tech.
The slide talks about steps being made towards this being an end goal, but didn't offer any specifics about when. Only that the next platforms are being built without the device-specific hurdles of 3DS and Wii U.
While everyone freaks about about the "QOL" thing and the fact that they're not dropping the Gamepad like any sensible individual would have deduced, THIS is the news of the day.
And not just purchase volume incentives, but incentives for recommending and promoting content to other usersl a true "ambassador program" baked right into the platform.
People are always asking Nintendo to do something that rewards their customers? THIS is the way to do it.
But never mind that. After all, Nintendo is clueless and that means absolutely nothing to GAF, even though many here have been talking about/asking for/demanding an aggressive digital pricing structure for years. Because Nintendo.
lwilliams3
Member
They are not "ignoring the rest of the industry" when they are opening up their licensing and collaboration.
There is a difference between choosing not to go a certain path than to be pretend the other path doesn't exist. Time will tell how Nintendo will rebuild themselves.
The blue ocean stuff is completely separate from their gaming hardware and software business and has nothing to do with their next handheld and console.
They even explain in this about them combining the OS of console and handheld, the QoL stuff is just another business venture to help make money and expand the brand
Yeah it doesn't sound like they have a definite plan on what to do in the future, just some vague ideas.
They want to repeat a Wii-like success, but it doesn't seem likely. Unfortunately it seems they are out of touch with what their core audience wants, and they still focus on how to get moms and grandmas on board. Really disappointing.
If you want to believe what Nintendo said they are making moves for the future that could be good for core gamers, but we obviously won't know more for a while.
John Harker
Definitely doesn't make things up as he goes along.
Sounds good to me
Wolfgang Jr
Banned
OLED 2K screen in the GamePad and save Nintendo!
What the fuck is all this shit about "improving QOL"? Are they completely nuts?!
I see that stuff like Wii U or Eye training or whatever is very successful, but creating a whole business on it?
Next, finally they will do a account system not tied to the hardware. Congratulations, you are only one decade too late based on your competitors plus this won't bring me back my digital games worth hundreds of Euro because I've sold my 3DS/Wii/Wii U.
I loved Nintendo so damn much to the bottom of my heart during my childhood/teenage, but I'm completely done with these jerks.
I see that stuff like Wii U or Eye training or whatever is very successful, but creating a whole business on it?
Next, finally they will do a account system not tied to the hardware. Congratulations, you are only one decade too late based on your competitors plus this won't bring me back my digital games worth hundreds of Euro because I've sold my 3DS/Wii/Wii U.
I loved Nintendo so damn much to the bottom of my heart during my childhood/teenage, but I'm completely done with these jerks.
So... what, they shouldn't do it at all? That would be preferable or something? Yeah, it'll be late, but that doesn't invalidate it as a positive thing for consumers who want to keep consuming Nintendo products, no matter how hard you wish it not to be.
I'm starting to think that for all the people who want Nintendo to smarten up, they actually don't, if commentary like this is anything to go by.
After seeing this, I feel Nintendo's going to end up dead in the water.
They have no clue what they're doing and ignoring the large smartphone and tablet market as competitors is a huuugee mistake.
Thank god I never bought into Wii U. They'll be lucky to survive until 2015 at this rate.
They have no clue what they're doing and ignoring the large smartphone and tablet market as competitors is a huuugee mistake.
Thank god I never bought into Wii U. They'll be lucky to survive until 2015 at this rate.
1st Course
Member
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/140130/04.html
I thought this part was very interesting.
They are doooomed!
Lets cut through the marketing bull crap.
Quality of life platform = Series of non traditional gaming products such as Wii Fit and Brain Training apps. These apps will reinforce the Nintendo ecosystem by rewarding your account with play coins which let you buy little hats for your Mii.
Non wearable = Dont buy other "self improvement products", just use our apps cause they're cooler...you dont even need to wear em'.
Quality of life platform = Series of non traditional gaming products such as Wii Fit and Brain Training apps. These apps will reinforce the Nintendo ecosystem by rewarding your account with play coins which let you buy little hats for your Mii.
Non wearable = Dont buy other "self improvement products", just use our apps cause they're cooler...you dont even need to wear em'.
michaelius
Banned
As I told many times each day with Iwata as CEO brings us closer to 3rd party future
Basically yeah. I think they're taking a reasonable approach. Of course it's hardly what some people expected but there are plenty of genuinely good ideas there.
That was my favorite part. Hopefully they can implement something like that.
Bill Rizer
Member
Things are getting worse and worse. Miyamoto on Gamepad-centric software? What a waste. Let's hope at least in another meaty game from each EAD Tokyo and Retro. Glad at least we got 3D World (and f*ing Donkey Kong) before crash.
Glass Rebel
Member
I was so close to having a public meltdown but now that I've had a good dose of sleep I came to realize that at the speed Nintendo operates, all of this won't matter to me since I'll be dead by then.
I'm guessing they're going to move onto Nintendo's next platform before making another Wii U game.
That's not what they said though. In that context it essentially means Nintendo is making hardware that utilizes GamePad. So essentially the same they have been saying for two years now.
Although I totally expect that mysterious Miyamoto project using GamePad in some big way so there's that.
coinoperatedboy
Banned
I'm pretty happy about what I hear. If they can branch out into other areas and still keep a good stream of games coming I think it's fine.
Very pumped about the VC info.
Very pumped about the VC info.
They might have their reasons (albeit very poor ones), but I really expected them to come up with a gamepad less SKU. I really hope they can come with excellent ways to use the gamepad, because that would be the best long term solution. But if they can't... oh well, let's just say dropping the gamepad would be much better speaking in the short term.