The hardcore want a significant hardware upgrade. That would cost Nintendo hundreds of millions of dollars. You know what's a way cheaper way to curry hardcore favor? Find a failed, niche, but well like franchise dropped because it was a money losing proposition and "save" it. Total cost: ~$10 million, and suddenly you're "basing your launch around the hardcore". One fucking game!
No, that's throwing the hardcore a bone in hopes they won't notice that your new system has no clear identity and no significant upgrade from the aging systems everyone is losing interest in. It's the very definition of transparent pandering.
So now you're dictating what all hardcore gamers want? A real gamer will care about gameplay before graphics. A real gamer will recognize a great game, no matter what system it's on. Why do I have the feeling you don't fall in this group?
Also it's not my fault if you can't see the efforts that Nintendo is making right now. Trust me, I agree that having older current gen ports is not that impressive, but it's still a clear sign that they are pursuing the games many "core" gamers take an interest in. That says something IMO. On top of that, Bayonetta wasn't a failed game IIRC, it made a profit and could be considered a success.
I also like how you just assume that the system isn't much better because there is no obvious upgrade in the current software. It's been explained time and time again that Nintendo cannot keep up with the spec war, they do not have the resources to lose billions at launch like Sony and MS can. Their current strategy of profitable hardware has always been there, but the jump in cost to maintain performance parity with the competition has moved out of their reach unless they wish to go bankrupt. You're expecting too much from the company and I think most people would prefer they stay on their current path, and in business, instead of closing down to cater to people who likely wouldn't buy their console anyways.
I'll believe it when I see it. Their leaked strategy document seemed to suggest hanging their hat on Halo, Forza and Fables again was what they'd do. And since most of their success this generation were carried over from the first Xbox with, you guessed it, Halo, Forza and Fables, I'm not expecting a lot of new 1st part stuff from the 720. It's unlikely the Epics or Bungies of the world will be as willing to sign exclusivity agreements next time around, either.
Ok so they have been opening studios for the last couple years just to keep pushing out Halo, Forza, and Fable......makes sense! /sarcasm.
You can hang on that outdated document all you want, but there is history, logic, and signs to better support the theory that they (along with just about every other publisher) will release new IPs next gen.
I don't, I just don't think it will serve them well if they do.
Are you saying that objectively or because you don't care for alternative control methods? I don't care for anything beyond a regular controller myself, but if both MS and Nintendo offer at least an optional SKU with additional options, that may look good on Sony's part.
So, no different than what you do? Of course not. Everyone is projecting, except KageMaru!
Don't be stupid. There's a difference between looking at things openly and allowing your obvious preference effect your judgement.