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Topic: NX Interview by Scott Moffitt

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Aozz101x

Financial Post published a new interview with Nintendo of America’s executive vice-president of sales, Scott Moffitt. Topics include lessons learned from this generation, third-parties, when we’ll be hearing more about NX, and more.

We’ve posted some excerpts from the interview past the break. The full discussion can be read here.

On lessons Nintendo has learned this generation that it will apply to future products…

First, it’s really important to have the right content. Software drives hardware. We’ve proven that multiple times. The right game can really lift a system. With The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild being among the titles we’re working on for NX, we’re very excited it will be an immediate reason game fans will want to buy the hardware.

Second, it’s important to have clear positioning for your proposition and be able to explain it to consumers in a simple and easy way. Those are among the things that we are working on for NX.

Third, we need to showcase all the things that make Nintendo great. When we bring out a title it has to be of exceptional quality, it has to be fun, it has to be an immersive experience, and put a smile on families’ faces. As long as we stay true to those things, we’ll deliver what we want.

And certainly there are other factors, like third-party content. Our mission is to create the largest install base possible so that third-party developers will want to bring their content to our systems.

On whether amiibo is still performing well…

Amiibo has been a very strong new platform for us. With the expansion into Amiibo cards last year it brought a new form to the toys to-life category. And Amiibo continue to perform well for us. So far this year Amiibo is actually leading the toys-to-life category in sales. We’re still focused on this category. We’re bringing out new Amiibo, enhancing the gameplay, and providing game fans tons of fun new ways to play. We will continue to be committed to growing that part of the business. We want to bring new ideas, and we have a strong slate of Amiibo coming this year. It’s become one of the most collectible collectibles in the gaming industry.

On third-party partners…

That’s a great question, and one that we give a lot of thought to. There’s a tendency for people to focus on certain publishers or certain titles. But when you step back and take a look at it, we have great publisher relationships with companies like Ubisoft – which had some exciting announcements this week – Capcom, and Warner Bros. They have been strong and will continue to be strong partners in the future.

Having said that, what will attract even more partners to our platform — which, of course, is something we’d like to do — is having a piece of hardware that provides interesting ways for these companies to bring their game creations to life, one that’s easy to program and work on, and that has a large enough install base of game fans that are looking for a variety of content.

So, for an avid gamer a game like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of those that you can’t not play. It’s a new high point for the franchise that offers gamers incredible freedom. Your gaming arsenal will not be complete without a Nintendo system and this game in your house.

On how much longer will Nintendo will support Wii U with new first-party software now that the NX is on the horizon…

We’ve announced that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be coming out on both Wii U and the NX. Released at the same time for both. But it’s not the only game we’re working on and have in development for Wii U. This week we’re showing Paper Mario: Color Splash, a fantastic new game in the Paper Mario series. We’re also showing Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, and we have content coming from Ubisoft and others.

And the library of games on Wii U for fans who haven’t played them all has never been more affordable thanks to the Nintendo Select line of games priced at $19.99, which continues to grow. There’s certainly plenty of content for existing Wii U owners, but there’s plenty of reasons for people who’ve never owned the console to grab one now while they last. We will be transitioning production to NX, so our message to fans is to grab a Wii U while you can, because they won’t be around forever.

On when we’ll hear about NX…

There will be more information coming out later this year. We certainly understand everyone’s desire and interest to learn more. We can’t wait to tell you all about it. But E3 was not the time. We wanted to focus our efforts on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of Fire, and also on Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon, a fantastic new experience in that franchise. But later this year you can expect to get more information on NX.

http://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-zelda-botw-is-a-reason...
http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/post-arcade/ni...

My Top 9 Favorite Games of All time.
1. Judgement
2. Baldur's Gate 3
3. Bully (Rockstar)
4. Person 4 / Golden
5. Sonic Adventure 2
6. Xenoblade X
7. Ape Escape 2
8. Animal Crossing: New Leaf
9. James Bond 007 Nightfire

Switch Friend Code: SW-5070-3616-4044 | 3DS Friend Code: 4828-8466-0472 | My Nintendo: Aozz101x | Twitter:

Bolt_Strike

Frustratingly uninformative as usual.

Bolt_Strike

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Bluefiregamer

Did anyone catch "The Legend of Zelda Breath Of Fire". Im pretty sure You meant breath of the Wild. Just sayin.

Its dangerous to go alone take this.

Aozz101x

@Bluefiregamer i know , i just catch this error when reading and even he can't get it remember .
(unless you were talking to me, in which this case, i didn't type that i copy and paste the interview and it has that in their.

My Top 9 Favorite Games of All time.
1. Judgement
2. Baldur's Gate 3
3. Bully (Rockstar)
4. Person 4 / Golden
5. Sonic Adventure 2
6. Xenoblade X
7. Ape Escape 2
8. Animal Crossing: New Leaf
9. James Bond 007 Nightfire

Switch Friend Code: SW-5070-3616-4044 | 3DS Friend Code: 4828-8466-0472 | My Nintendo: Aozz101x | Twitter:

skywake

They're making all the right noises here. I guess we'll just have to wait to see if they can follow through....

Edited on by skywake

Some playlists: Top All Time Songs, Top Last Year
"Don't stir the pot" is a nice way of saying "they're too dumb to reason with"

iKhan

I hate that Nintendo is still caught up in this "software drives hardware" thing.

Software can drive GOOD hardware. But if hardware isn't appealing in itself, then software won't have much of an impact. This is why the Wii U and Gamecube ultimately struggled despite some really strong software. People ultimately didn't want them.

Currently Playing: Steamworld Heist, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Tales of Graces F

skywake

iKhan wrote:

I hate that Nintendo is still caught up in this "software drives hardware" thing.

Software can drive GOOD hardware. But if hardware isn't appealing in itself, then software won't have much of an impact. This is why the Wii U and Gamecube ultimately struggled despite some really strong software. People ultimately didn't want them.

The Wii U and Gamecube struggled because software drives hardware. These consoles didn't have the software that consumers wanted during the period when they needed to drum up an install base. The idea that they did is nothing short of re-writing history. You're looking at the libraries after the fact in isolation and with the advantage of hindsight.

Think about it, put yourself in a shop in mid 2002. No context about what games will end up being classics. No idea about what games are coming out soon. You look at the games of each of the three systems on display. The PS2 has a wall of software including games like GTA 3, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid and so on. Then there's the XBox which is more expensive but has high end specs and games like Halo, Project Gotham Racing etc. Then there's the Gamecube which is priced between the two and has Smash Bros, Resident Evil and a bunch of games you've never heard of like Pikmin and Luigi's Mansion. And as we all know, the PS2 won that battle by a country mile. Why? Because software drives hardware

Edited on by skywake

Some playlists: Top All Time Songs, Top Last Year
"Don't stir the pot" is a nice way of saying "they're too dumb to reason with"

Octane

@skywake Not sure if these are the words I want to hear; it's PR stuff, I know. But when he pointed at Ubisoft and Capcom as examples of great third party support I was a little worried. The last thing I want to see is for Nintendo to release console with Just Dance and Skylanders and call it a day on the third party front. As you said yourself; they need that big wall of games to be there as well.

Ubisoft announced an NX game during their conference, but the fact that Just Dance was the only game, made me a little worried. Unless there's some strict NDAs regarding other games; NX probably won't be getting those when they launch on PS4 and XOne.

Octane

skywake

@Octane
I think you're merging the two points that they were making there. Ubisoft, Capcom and Warner Bros have been strong supporters of Nintendo's platforms. Even on the Wii U there was Rayman, Zombi U, Just Dance, Batman, The Lego games, Resident Evil, Monster Hunter. Those guys have supported Nintendo even when publishers like EA and Activision wanted nothing to do with them. So that's what this paragraph was about:

There’s a tendency for people to focus on certain publishers or certain titles. But when you step back and take a look at it, we have great publisher relationships with companies like Ubisoft – which had some exciting announcements this week – Capcom, and Warner Bros. They have been strong and will continue to be strong partners in the future.

Which is nice. But it was what they said next that was what I think we all wanted to hear

Having said that, what will attract even more partners to our platform — which, of course, is something we’d like to do — is having a piece of hardware that provides interesting ways for these companies to bring their game creations to life, one that’s easy to program and work on, and that has a large enough install base of game fans that are looking for a variety of content.

Edited on by skywake

Some playlists: Top All Time Songs, Top Last Year
"Don't stir the pot" is a nice way of saying "they're too dumb to reason with"

Octane

@skywake Fair enough, but I sure would've loved to see other companies announce NX games as well, now that's apparently a thing.

Octane

FragRed

@Octane I am hoping that publishers are waiting for Nintendo to officially reveal the NX at which point they will all begin to announce what games they have in development for it.

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WebHead

@Octane I have a feeling ubisoft didn't ask permission regarding just dance lol.

WebHead

3DS Friend Code: 4296-3217-6922 | Nintendo Network ID: JTPrime

skywake

Anyways, as I posted earlier they're making the right noises. They're talking about how software drives hardware sales and how they need to make it easier for third parties. All of this is what you'd want to hear. But from memory they said similar things about the Wii U so lets just see whether or not it actually plays out like that.

Edited on by skywake

Some playlists: Top All Time Songs, Top Last Year
"Don't stir the pot" is a nice way of saying "they're too dumb to reason with"

Octane

@WebHead Then why not announce another game for NX? Just Dance is the last game to get people excited about a console. The game's even coming to the Wii. That may also be the reason why they included NX, because it's basically coming to every console in existence.

@skywake Reggie copied that ''It's not about the specs, teraflops and horsepower'' talk straight from a 2013 interview about the Wii U too. I'd love it if they can prove me wrong.

Octane

skywake

Octane wrote:

@skywake Reggie copied that ''It's not about the specs, teraflops and horsepower'' talk straight from a 2013 interview about the Wii U too. I'd love it if they can prove me wrong.

Well it's also true. These new revisions are only going to be worth it if you're doing VR or have a TV that's pushing beyond 1080p 60fps. I think it's fair to assume that Nintendo is not interested in running after either of those things. So for once them saying that they're not interested in the spec wars? It might not hurt them.

Edited on by skywake

Some playlists: Top All Time Songs, Top Last Year
"Don't stir the pot" is a nice way of saying "they're too dumb to reason with"

Grumblevolcano

I agree with @Octane, if they weren't allowed to announce games for NX but did it anyway for Just Dance 2017 then they'd do it for other games too if there were other NX Ubisoft games say for example Watch Dogs 2 as the first game came to Wii U. To me it shows Just Dance 2017 is the only multiplat coming to NX from Ubisoft.

Combine it with Reggie's comment about power not being important tells me that Nintendo is chasing after the smartphone/tablet market who used to be the Wii/DS market

Edited on by Grumblevolcano

Grumblevolcano

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whodatninja

Again, so much for NX not replacing Wii U. That's how much Kimishima's words are worth apparently. When Zelda releases, it's pretty much over for Wii U.

"There's certainly plenty of content for existing Wii U owners"
Now that's a funny joke Nintendo!

whodatninja

Nintendo Network ID: whodatninja117

Grumblevolcano

@whodatninja You could argue it's over after Color Splash as that 5+ month gap is ridiculous.

Grumblevolcano

Switch Friend Code: SW-2595-6790-2897 | 3DS Friend Code: 3926-6300-7087 | Nintendo Network ID: GrumbleVolcano

whodatninja

@Grumblevolcano I look forward to seeing how Nintendo will spin the drought into something positive.

They never actually said Zelda was a NX launch title right? It may be way more than 5 months, lol...

whodatninja

Nintendo Network ID: whodatninja117

GrailUK

I think they announced Just Dance on the NX because they seemed to revel in the idea it was coming to every platform you can think of. Mentioning the NX highlighted this. I think that is all.

I never drive faster than I can see. Besides, it's all in the reflexes.

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