Is it simply hubris that makes a Japanese company like Nintendo think they cannot release their IP's on other platforms? Look at Sega, they were almost done before they stopped developing expensive hardware to ultimately released their games on all platforms. Nintendo's stash of IP's far exceeds Sega's and everyone elses except Disney.
Nintendo should be raking in cash from all directions at this point, their strategy makes absolutely no sense.
These last two quarters are the only ones in Nintendo's long history in which they haven't made a profit. Nintendo does rake in cash from all directions. They're a very successful company and they have an excellent business model.
Sega going 3rd party was their only option other then to go bankrupt. The situation is not comparable.
Why are you of the belief that Nintendo needs to bow out of the hardware business? I could see this line of thinking in... 2004? But in the last 5 years Nintendo has seen wildly uncontrolled profits rolling in from the DS and Wii. The 3DS is beginning to pick up now too, after a slow launch.
Nintendo has a viable, innovative product in the gaming industry. They make games for their platform because their platform is unique and their games take advantage of that. Because of this, they are raking in cash from all directions.
They are really late to the game. Apple, Google, and Amazon are still on a trajectory to eating Nintendo's lunch completely.
Until Nintendo announces specifics for developers as well as the percentage take they'll get, it's hard to get excited. I'd be really surprised if they even allow indy devs in like the App Stores, and also if they don't charge 4-10k per dev kit.
Nintendo already support Indy games in WiiWare. My boys 7 & 10 love their 3DSs & Wii and rarely use the the iPod touch or XBox. Nintendo is after a younger market. There is lots of room for them. They have been pronounced "nearly dead" many times.
Talk about too little too late. 90% of my gaming is on iOS, with the remaining 10% reserved for blockbusters on 360 or ps3. Nintendo is the next RIMM in terms of company direction. The Wii U will officially usher in the next "Gamecube" era. Sad times for Mario fans.
I think Nintendo has three advantages in the mobile-space (Nintendo 3DS vs. iOS/Android). #1, Nintendo-branded games. They're the "Disney" of video games, and have a large loyal following.
#2, dedicated gaming controls. Certain games need D-pads, analog sticks, and tactile buttons. Hard-wired controllers allow for more accurate control, and are essential in some "twitch-based" video games. Touchscreen's are phenomenally good for some types of games like board games and Angry Birds, but terrible for others like platformers and FPS's.
#3 is price. $40/$30 for a new game is extremely expensive for iOS games, but not 3DS ones. This may attract bigger budget games to the 3DS since developers/publishers could potentially make more on the 3DS than on iOS/Android. This can be considered a disadvantage too, since consumers may be deciding between one $40 3DS game, or 40 $0.99 iOS games. 3DS games will have to offer more perceived-value to justify premium pricing.
Currently I see #2, controls, as the biggest problem in the mobile-phone gaming space, which is why you're seeing 3rd-party solutions (iCade, 60beat GamePad, etc). Since 3rd-party solutions are not widely adopted and will result in high fragmentation, it'll probably require Apple or Google to design and release an "official" controller of some sort (ideally built into each device). If this never happens, there will still be a clear distinction between "portable gaming system" and "portable mobile phone/tablet".
Another of these "this thing is dead" pronouncements. Those tend to turn out wrong.
RIMM? Really? So you think Nintendo's new market strategy is to run around suing everybody over questionable technology ownership claims? Because that's RIMM. I'm not getting the comparison.
EDIT: wait, RIMM, wrong company in my head. I would still disagree with the comparison though.
Too little too late? Is that in general or just for you? Because I don't assume to guess the future of the market based on such a small sample size.
They are the better part of an entire decade late on this. And now they have to compete against entrenched competitors with that much more development, improvement, and network effect accumulation in their favor.
To be honest, I sort of wish Nintendo would just give up making consoles and stick to making and release games for other systems.
The Wii had much success in the market without much if any online presence. Nintendo has always been precautions of online due to their younger user base, but obviously they need to be in that space.
The good new for Nintendo is that its not Millions (xbox live or PSN) vs Zero, Nintendo has millions of consoles out there, and Wii U will probably sell millions of consoles as well, especially with the added value of an online network.
All Nintendo needs to do to catch up in the online space is sell a bunch of consoles.
I for one, am glad to see Nintendo fight the good fight. The world doesn't need any more Nokia's or Palm's.
natesm|14 years ago
* you can't actually ask them that, since you can't talk.
laconian|14 years ago
evo_9|14 years ago
Nintendo should be raking in cash from all directions at this point, their strategy makes absolutely no sense.
Tiktaalik|14 years ago
Sega going 3rd party was their only option other then to go bankrupt. The situation is not comparable.
83457|14 years ago
No
freehunter|14 years ago
Nintendo has a viable, innovative product in the gaming industry. They make games for their platform because their platform is unique and their games take advantage of that. Because of this, they are raking in cash from all directions.
foobarbazetc|14 years ago
I.e., idiotic.
The worst thing Nintendo can do is to release their IP on other platforms. That's like saying Apple should start releasing software for Android.
chaostheory|14 years ago
Until Nintendo announces specifics for developers as well as the percentage take they'll get, it's hard to get excited. I'd be really surprised if they even allow indy devs in like the App Stores, and also if they don't charge 4-10k per dev kit.
talmand|14 years ago
Raphael|14 years ago
peterb|14 years ago
zinkem|14 years ago
Alcedes|14 years ago
dgallagher|14 years ago
#2, dedicated gaming controls. Certain games need D-pads, analog sticks, and tactile buttons. Hard-wired controllers allow for more accurate control, and are essential in some "twitch-based" video games. Touchscreen's are phenomenally good for some types of games like board games and Angry Birds, but terrible for others like platformers and FPS's.
#3 is price. $40/$30 for a new game is extremely expensive for iOS games, but not 3DS ones. This may attract bigger budget games to the 3DS since developers/publishers could potentially make more on the 3DS than on iOS/Android. This can be considered a disadvantage too, since consumers may be deciding between one $40 3DS game, or 40 $0.99 iOS games. 3DS games will have to offer more perceived-value to justify premium pricing.
Currently I see #2, controls, as the biggest problem in the mobile-phone gaming space, which is why you're seeing 3rd-party solutions (iCade, 60beat GamePad, etc). Since 3rd-party solutions are not widely adopted and will result in high fragmentation, it'll probably require Apple or Google to design and release an "official" controller of some sort (ideally built into each device). If this never happens, there will still be a clear distinction between "portable gaming system" and "portable mobile phone/tablet".
talmand|14 years ago
RIMM? Really? So you think Nintendo's new market strategy is to run around suing everybody over questionable technology ownership claims? Because that's RIMM. I'm not getting the comparison.
EDIT: wait, RIMM, wrong company in my head. I would still disagree with the comparison though.
Too little too late? Is that in general or just for you? Because I don't assume to guess the future of the market based on such a small sample size.
freehunter|14 years ago
InclinedPlane|14 years ago
To be honest, I sort of wish Nintendo would just give up making consoles and stick to making and release games for other systems.
schraeds|14 years ago
The good new for Nintendo is that its not Millions (xbox live or PSN) vs Zero, Nintendo has millions of consoles out there, and Wii U will probably sell millions of consoles as well, especially with the added value of an online network.
All Nintendo needs to do to catch up in the online space is sell a bunch of consoles.
I for one, am glad to see Nintendo fight the good fight. The world doesn't need any more Nokia's or Palm's.