The Switch may be a runaway success but Nintendo isn't content to sit back and take it easy now the cash is rolling in; it has announced that it is collaborating with San Francisco-based Scrum Ventures to find startup companies which can unearth new ways to leverage the power of the console.
The Nintendo Switch + Tech program will look for startup firms, groups within larger companies or university researchers developing new tools to augment the capabilities of Switch. Developments will be strictly hardware-based, and will cover new components, sensors, chips and other add-on devices.
Scrum and Nintendo will be on-hand to provide assistance to bring products to the market, but neither firm plans to invest directly in the startups and groups involved in the program. Scrum has stated that it will choose which ideas are best to pitch to Nintendo, and successful applications could find their way into official Nintendo products.
Nintendo is clearly keen to expand the horizons of its Switch system; this month will see the launch of Labo, a cardboard construction system which uses the console's features - most notably the Joy-Con's IR camera - to create functionals objects such as cars, fishing rods and pianos.
Ko Shiota, a senior executive officer at Nintendo, said:
We are always exploring ways to evolve entertainment. As one of our approaches we look forward to discovering unique technologies that add to the Nintendo Switch experiences through the program managed by Scrum Ventures.
The market has reacted positively to the news, with Nintendo's share value rising 1 percent on Friday.
This unique approach shows the company is focused on keeping the Switch as vibrant and exciting as possible, but it also contrasts sharply with the accepted way of doing things in the games industry, where new hardware ideas are often developed in-house at a staggering cost, or licensed directly from other established tech firms.
Could this venture result in some new and groundbreaking Switch accessories and add-ons? Let us know what you think by posting a comment.
[source bloomberg.com, via switchplustech.com]
Comments 19
Maybe in the future, we can :
1. Cook
2. Have Virtual Pets
3. Use as Telephone
From Nintendo Switch.
Switch fart sensor. It's gonna be huge, folks.
Oh for crying out loud, more crap on the way.
There aren't that many games are taking advantage of the Switch hardware features anyway. Unless something amazingly cool comes along, I doubt we'll see many more either.
This is where Nintendo needs to be leading the way with trying to push what the Switch can do, not endlessly bringing out dx versions of previous games.
@mailman Switch is a more powerful unit. It has the ability to take over the world. PS5 and XBONE won't...
Very happy to see Nintendo talk about there likely being other interesting ideas out there than HMD-based AR and VR.
I think LABO is mighty cool, and if these ideas expand that line, or grow into new wacky ideas, I'm all for it.
@Dizzy_Boy can I refer you to what we don't yet know?
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/04/gamestop_ceo_says_unannounced_titles_will_help_switch_to_very_very_strong_2018
I’d prefer more games to play than more ways to play
It's hard not to look at that photo and think that this is all some joke that got out of hand, but whatever...
I'd still love an upgrade to the Wii vitality sensor pitch they did - would be great for the horror genre!
@cfgk24 that doesn't prove anything other than more games are on the way. If the first year is anything to go by, then my point still stands.
As I said, Nintendo needs to lead the way with the switch capabilities, which is something they should have done in the first year, not wait until the second.
Is this some joke that Nintendo is playing? Enough with the multitude of accessories already. Fans want games, not more junk to bog down the system! Besides, this is something Nintendo should of thought of before the Switch was launched, not a year in it's life cycle. Although, I think Labo is a good idea, this just seems like a pathetic attempt to continue to keep the Switch relevant. I guess as long as it doesn't hamper game development, I'm all for it, but I can't think of anything like this that would appeal to me.
How about adding a web browser and Netflix. Now that’s an idea!
@mailman it won't. Wallcarpet size visual market is oversaturated with two such boxes on top of PC as it is - the third will be too much even if it has Mario and Zelda. So Nintendo is not really interested in doing another Gamecube.
That's it - they've run out of ideas already. Preorder cancelled.
I already see a lot of comments that seem to (mis-)interpret this as something negative, but it isn't.
This isn't about 'bogging down' or 'hampering' a system, or about more plastic/cardboard accessories that don't do anything other than add extra appendages to the Switch and its controllers.
It clearly says: 'As one of our approaches we look forward to discovering unique technologies that add to the Nintendo Switch experiences through the program managed by Scrum Ventures.'
They are talking about leveraging, augmenting and/or empowering/expanding the capabilities and power of the Switch through tech, so adding hardware that actually does something, NOT about adding a tennis racket handle to a JoyCon...
This news pleases me. More than a few companies are starting to turn to startups and individuals who have more than a few unique ideas; I'm glad Nintendo is one of them.
@Dethmunk They're a fun bunch in here sometimes. Some of them make me laugh with their sheltered viewpoints.
@Dizzy_Boy It does prove that neither you nor I know what the Games release schedule is whereas Mr Gamestop CEO does. I would prefer to go on his judgement.
You also don't understand that certain hardware, software and Innovations require an established larger userbase to be successful.
By successful, I mean units sold quickly in volume to enable efficient and profitable manufacturing, shipping and production costs to be achieved.
As the userbase is looking to be well proven, a lot of projects will have now been given the green light but will still take some time to come to market. On the investment side, this is actually good as! Units will then be sold due to an even larger install base.
@mailman I'd rather have a system with games than an overpowered paperweight with no games like the Xbone X.
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