The Wii U was and is a fantastic console. As a gaming system it did few things wrong and I truly believe it deserves to stand as one of the best systems to own this generation.
Having said that, marketing and software releases were nothing short of an absolute disaster that just seemed to happen - constantly.
How the system survived this long to go on and sell even 15m units is a bit of a mystery to me, but I suppose it's also a testament to the quality and reach of Nintendo's IP.
Game design and execution is still to this day Nintendo's no' 1 strength and in that regard Wii U has delivered. Even if it took this long to have a lineup that's worth investing in, it got there in the end.
Sad though that with Switch's release as imminent, gamers are not likely to take advantage of Wii U's lineup in favour of new hardware.
The gamepad was for the most part a missed opportunity. But, when it was utilised - it delivered. I'm actually an advocate for gamepad gaming all the way. Off Tv Play was its least standout feature for me. Map inventory, freeing up screen real estate all gave the games that used it wisely a sense of immersion that other consoles hadn't yet achieved. At least until VR. Still, AR in my opinion is the better option compared to the isolated experience of VR. But, granted - VR has shown it can deliver on a pure immersive experience. Back to the gamepad though, and I think it also made console web surfing and menu navigation that much more intuitive. Beating out even the Wii mote and Nunchuck combination.
I never had an issue with the consoles hardware. Wii U was powerful enough to deliver engaging experiences and Nintendo's first party titles have proven that time and again over the last 4 years. It's sad that a combination of architecture differences and low install base meant luke-warm response from third party studios and publishers. The fault here though ultimately lies with Nintendo, their mixed marketing messages and unforgivable software delays. The onus is and always will be on them to drive the software experiences and install base of their own hardware. Without exception. It is their shortcomings in this area which resulted in commercial failure. This is the defining reason why 3rd parties could not find an audience for their particular brand of games 9 times out of 10.
All in all though, in and of itself, Wii U is a great little box full of hours of fun and enjoyment. Local multiplayer action or online. Nintendo even managed to provide engaging titles from their own development studios to cover those bases.
Bitter Sweet is Wii U's inherent flavour today. A real gem and a pity...
@JHDK
Reggie wasn't wrong when he said that games drive the install base. Although Wii U had a lot of potential support on launch day, unfortunately NSMBU was "not" the Mario game people wanted. And, it's all related.
Had Wii U launched with SM3DW and maybe WWHD or Pikmin 3 together, things would have been a lot different for consistent sales throughout the early to mid months of 2013.
This likely would have driven the install base and in turn the adoption of third party content.
Sadly, Wii U ports also suffered a no' of issues from; feature omissions, patchy performance or frankly, a lack of genuine relevance.
These factors combined pretty much sealed the deal on Wii U third party support. PS4 and Xbox One revisions before their respective launch dates also had something to do with that topic as well.
This is why I think, although you're absolutely correct; support can disappear at the drop of a hat. Switch is looking a lot more promising not just for unit sales and first party software, but for third party titles as well - if they can have Zelda and a new genuine 3D Mario game at launch.
I have to admit. I wasn't expecting Nintendo to break past the hype with their reveal. But, I'm gladly surprised at what was shown and how it was communicated.
Switch looks slick and capable. The message simple yet effective.
Have to say. Impressive stuff...
That and I'm quietly almost exclusively an Nvidia subscriber for my GPU's. Very happy about that collaboration.
@MADGAZ With all due respect neither can anything under a decent fully fledged standalone GPU.
I would be very surprised if the Scorpion turns out anything at 4k native worth talking about.
With the next console revisions its really all just about upscaling to 4k.
If the Switch can handle 1080p native of late generation titles at any kind of decent framerate then it's doing ok for the package and for the majority of existing HD tv sets.
I got the impression that any sort of mobile or touch functionality that we're used to wasn't shown in this reveal in order to keep the gaming message clean and precise.
I'd be willing to bet that it can be used as a tablet of sorts. Otherwise hugely wasted opportunity. But, the message would have suffered had they focused on those aspects, even just a little.
I think making the unit. dock and controllers a singular focus a breath of fresh.. wind lol for their marketing.
Assuming details are even close to accurate, given Ubisofts record - 2018 is plenty of time to omit features, delay for multiplayer development and release last. Lol.
I don't see the price tag at those levels being an issue, depending on the package. What is NX? That's the only real determining factor right now to be fair.
As far as Mario Run being a missed opportunity, it's probably too early to say. In any case these kinds of statistics really do need context and real case studies to be objective. Reaching 40% of a global iOS market is still potentially a substantial no' of devices and consumers to further test the waters.
@gcunit I very rarely squid jump anywhere when playing competitively. It's really only useful when you're dominating, or as a way to escape being cornered.
There's many reasons why Splatoon was and is appealing. Awesome concept and execution.
What I probably appreciate the most about Splatoon is it's layers and matching. I can jump online and compete against skillful players and be challenged, while my son can play on the same account and not find the challenge too overwhelming.
Nintendo's design teams are still some of the best at making games that can be enjoyed on multiple levels by different age groups and skill levels.
Splatoon in that respect is a finely crafted experience.
Turok blew me away back in day. T2 even more so and the first or second game I used together with the RAM expansion pack, which delivered on a noticeable visual upgrade.
N64 was just such a unique console. Personal favourite Nintendo platform to date.
@Nintendian Not sure Nintendo really had a choice. Once they realised the consequence of their actions in doing so, they must have surely concluded that there would be far less Unity based games making it through QC...
@liveswired
Hopefully it's that 4K one. Lololol.
You know, the one that gives you upscaling only in games from 1080p instead....
Forget 2.5k to 4K like what would be the difference between 720p and HD native. No no, that's more like getting ER Standard to full HD standard.
Gimping consoles is marketing them as beasts, then delivering them as watered down entry level PC''a without any of their versatilities.
Sorry, I tell a lie. We now have 3 pre-set graphic options to choose from thanks to the pro...
@ThanosReXXX
We have similar life experiences. Self Employed medium sized enterprise focusing on Turnkey ERP solutions based in HK. 10 years younger than yourself, but I have worked for some (2) of the larger companies on the planet in sales/ marketing and financial departments.
I'm always open to any viewpoint that is made in earnest. Sometimes people with much less "professional experience" can determine opinions worth taking note of. In those cases I colour myself fortunate to have made discussions with them.
I'm not really sure if I'm placing a lot of my own professional experience into current opinions on ways Nintendo might take it. But, certainly they must influence opinions on some level.
I've been a gamer for as many years as I can remember having memories and a Nintendo gamer for almost as long as that. My interests in gaming stems from the hobby formed over the last 30+ years. I like to discuss more so my opinions on gaming topics from that perspective.
Looking forward to further discussions in gaming with you. I'm relatively new to this community, but not new to topic discussions on gaming around the net in general. Looking for a place where such discussions can be made with like minded people on the topic of gaming and Nintendo in general.
Cheers.
I couldn't agree more regarding Nintendo's "need" to step up to the plate and play ball with NX and genuine, focused marketing. Last generation I got the impression Nintendo's development and executive divisions were out of sync and as such, they failed to promote a coherent message. NX cannot afford the same mistakes.
@Jayvir
This is true of course but there's no reason at this stage from a technical POV why Nintendo wouldn't want to focus on an average performance goal of 1080p native/ 60fps going forward.
All games benefit from that bump in frame rates so long as the result is free of slow down and/ or micro stutter. The latter rarely an issue for closed system programming.
It's not about 30fps being unplayable, that view point would be unrealistic and untrue at the same time. 30fps is highly playable for 90% of games out there.
60fps benefits all games in providing a smoother experience which only holds true if the framerate is consistent. This is a technical issue/ debate. Granted, certain games benefit more noticeably than others.
@SetupDisk
I would disagree here. I think Nintendo mostly agree's as well with what I'm saying. Which is why they will aim for that 60fps when the hardware allows. The difference between frame rate is purely a technical limitation against the vision of the title being made and the hardware it's made on. That's all it is.
Whereas the perceivable difference between consistent displays of both is tangible.
I'm not saying I disagree with 30fps as an acceptable result. Effectively a consistent 30fps in almost any title can be easily workable. What I do believe given my experiences with multiple hardware is that 60 fps consistently results in a smoother refresh regardless of the type of game being played.
@ThanosReXXX Yes, what they actually do is anyone's guess given their history. I also believe that a device trying to do two things at once would require some kind of breakthrough in hardware's performance to cost ratio.
There's potential problems in any direction Nintendo takes it and that's just part of the terrain for them given the Wii and Wii U disparity all round. (Not making any judgements on games, still Nintendo's strength. Or strictly a hardware comment. More so the differences between how the two relate to their respective generations and in terms of how they compare to each other in consumer popularity).
On the mobile discussion, I'm undecided. I've seen my own fair share of derailments in products and marketing priorities. Regardless of what types of experiences Nintendo will focus on with casual platforms, those experiences are beginning to gain real weight. I'd like to place my confidence in Nintendo's continued focus on dedicated experiences and I don't see that changing any time in the immediate future as the NX is real. However, a lot I think depends on how that turns out. Cheers.
@SetupDisk This comment I can't really agree with. 30fps is fine for many games "IF" that's what you have to settle on. But, 60fps if it can be done consistently/ smoothly should always be the minimum target.
Differences in the experience are night and day on almost any title between the two frame rates....
While I quite enjoy tweaking my PC's for best performance, watching the stats as the overlay tells me everything is working to it's best potential - I can't quite fault Nintendo's direction. Should they maintain a market and consumer base in the coming years, given their ability to create tightly designed games around their own hardware - with solid performance across the board. I'm confident that eventually the technology and their creativity from a overall performance perspective will come together again.
Making a stand on gameplay, while providing vibrant and colourful game worlds to interact with complete with consistent performance is commendable.
As technology continues to progress and as the reach for console to bridge the gap between budget/ performance focused hardware and PC is seen for the illusion it really is. When the dust settles, it will be the experiences that define the victors - not the hardware.
To be honest and I'm not strictly disagreeing with you here, is that it's probably a little too early to say how Nintendo views mobile - as they only just start to provide experiences for that platform.
I'm quite ok with the strategy to turn casual gamers into core gamers and read that also back when it was articulated. And yet, we have no real idea on how mobile will shape Nintendo's focus towards mobile experiences should their popularity continue to show such promise. In another way, Mario Run is a top franchise IP shaped for the platforms it will be playable on. It could be simply said that not making console experiences on a mobile platform something more akin to common sense.
From where I'm standing currently I would wager that NX is a concept of two independent halves. Like you've speculated, not a true "hybrid" device and that would be perfectly fine. In fact, so would a truly hybrid device if Nintendo had all the parts to put it together in a package that satisfied the needs of both physical play types. They certainly have me wanting to know more, but the latter as we both agree I think could be beyond Nintendo's ability to deliver.
Personally I think you make some good points about the difficulties of pulling off a console/ handheld hybrid as a marketable device, that delivers on the promise of both. And, I also wonder if Nintendo has the ability to successfully market such a device, even if the technology and infrastructure was mature enough to do so - for both.
Having said that, things do change in terms of company statements and direction. We only need to look as far as DeNA to see the truth of that. Or Mario Run etc.
Certain developments may have come together that has Nintendo believing they can deliver on the promise of both and if so, then I'd still be interested in seeing that happen. But again, you do bring a common sense argument to all the speculation.
Any way Nintendo has chosen to play it, I just hope they reveal the thing soon. They've got us all hanging on, now's the time to let the concept drop and begin building on the reality of marketing their next system.
I could see any one or a combination of those methods working so long as Nintendo understand clearly who their target audiences are and tailor make targeted campaigns towards them. A successful message is what NX needs to have to connect.
A Direct would be great, but tailor make that message to existing fans for eg. You're not going to reach the masses by using a Direct. But, they could add to any campaign by having a Direct that builds on a reveal to existing Nintendo platform owners - who are the main audience there.
Whatever combinations they choose, each one needs to know its audience and how to reach them. In other words the message needs to be clear and simple. And, it needs to be direct to each audience it's targeting.
@Mario_Fart This pretty much sums up Nintendo's main issue with their current home console. Lack of frequent releases.
Looking at the games that have released from their own studios, it's easy to see that from Nintendo's corner; all they have to do to improve hardware adoption is to provide more IP, more often and sales will build. Wii U lacked consistent momentum the whole way. But, it's first party software sales speak for themselves.
Now that they've combined development houses between platforms and considering rumoured versatility with their next system, game droughts theoretically should become far less of an issue.
Comments 31
Re: Feature: Reflecting on Four Years of the Wii U
@AndrewJ
I think your perspective would be common for anyone that managed to pick up the system from 2015 onward.
Spared all the droughts, delays and unknowns - a newcomer in 2015 onward would and will be quite spoiled for choice.
Re: Feature: Reflecting on Four Years of the Wii U
The Wii U was and is a fantastic console. As a gaming system it did few things wrong and I truly believe it deserves to stand as one of the best systems to own this generation.
Having said that, marketing and software releases were nothing short of an absolute disaster that just seemed to happen - constantly.
How the system survived this long to go on and sell even 15m units is a bit of a mystery to me, but I suppose it's also a testament to the quality and reach of Nintendo's IP.
Game design and execution is still to this day Nintendo's no' 1 strength and in that regard Wii U has delivered. Even if it took this long to have a lineup that's worth investing in, it got there in the end.
Sad though that with Switch's release as imminent, gamers are not likely to take advantage of Wii U's lineup in favour of new hardware.
The gamepad was for the most part a missed opportunity. But, when it was utilised - it delivered. I'm actually an advocate for gamepad gaming all the way. Off Tv Play was its least standout feature for me. Map inventory, freeing up screen real estate all gave the games that used it wisely a sense of immersion that other consoles hadn't yet achieved. At least until VR. Still, AR in my opinion is the better option compared to the isolated experience of VR. But, granted - VR has shown it can deliver on a pure immersive experience. Back to the gamepad though, and I think it also made console web surfing and menu navigation that much more intuitive. Beating out even the Wii mote and Nunchuck combination.
I never had an issue with the consoles hardware. Wii U was powerful enough to deliver engaging experiences and Nintendo's first party titles have proven that time and again over the last 4 years. It's sad that a combination of architecture differences and low install base meant luke-warm response from third party studios and publishers. The fault here though ultimately lies with Nintendo, their mixed marketing messages and unforgivable software delays. The onus is and always will be on them to drive the software experiences and install base of their own hardware. Without exception. It is their shortcomings in this area which resulted in commercial failure. This is the defining reason why 3rd parties could not find an audience for their particular brand of games 9 times out of 10.
All in all though, in and of itself, Wii U is a great little box full of hours of fun and enjoyment. Local multiplayer action or online. Nintendo even managed to provide engaging titles from their own development studios to cover those bases.
Bitter Sweet is Wii U's inherent flavour today. A real gem and a pity...
Re: Nintendo Encouraged by Third-Party Interest in the Switch
@JHDK
Reggie wasn't wrong when he said that games drive the install base. Although Wii U had a lot of potential support on launch day, unfortunately NSMBU was "not" the Mario game people wanted. And, it's all related.
Had Wii U launched with SM3DW and maybe WWHD or Pikmin 3 together, things would have been a lot different for consistent sales throughout the early to mid months of 2013.
This likely would have driven the install base and in turn the adoption of third party content.
Sadly, Wii U ports also suffered a no' of issues from; feature omissions, patchy performance or frankly, a lack of genuine relevance.
These factors combined pretty much sealed the deal on Wii U third party support. PS4 and Xbox One revisions before their respective launch dates also had something to do with that topic as well.
This is why I think, although you're absolutely correct; support can disappear at the drop of a hat. Switch is looking a lot more promising not just for unit sales and first party software, but for third party titles as well - if they can have Zelda and a new genuine 3D Mario game at launch.
Re: Japan Is Getting A Yellow And White 2DS This December
Funky
Re: Guide: Everything We Now Know About the Nintendo Switch
@Equinox
That is the one question I want to know at this point...
Re: Say Hello to the Nintendo Switch, a New Concept for Gaming
I have to admit. I wasn't expecting Nintendo to break past the hype with their reveal. But, I'm gladly surprised at what was shown and how it was communicated.
Switch looks slick and capable. The message simple yet effective.
Have to say. Impressive stuff...
That and I'm quietly almost exclusively an Nvidia subscriber for my GPU's. Very happy about that collaboration.
Re: Reaction: Our Early Thoughts on the Nintendo Switch
@MADGAZ
With all due respect neither can anything under a decent fully fledged standalone GPU.
I would be very surprised if the Scorpion turns out anything at 4k native worth talking about.
With the next console revisions its really all just about upscaling to 4k.
If the Switch can handle 1080p native of late generation titles at any kind of decent framerate then it's doing ok for the package and for the majority of existing HD tv sets.
Re: Reaction: Our Early Thoughts on the Nintendo Switch
I got the impression that any sort of mobile or touch functionality that we're used to wasn't shown in this reveal in order to keep the gaming message clean and precise.
I'd be willing to bet that it can be used as a tablet of sorts. Otherwise hugely wasted opportunity. But, the message would have suffered had they focused on those aspects, even just a little.
I think making the unit. dock and controllers a singular focus a breath of fresh.. wind lol for their marketing.
Re: Reaction: Our Early Thoughts on the Nintendo Switch
@MailOrderNinja
Agreed
Re: Rumour: New Beyond Good & Evil Title Set to Be A 'Semi-Reboot' and NX Exclusive
@MrHaggi
Nintendo does have a talent for "popularising" products and concepts. That's really all that needs to be considered.
Re: Rumour: New Beyond Good & Evil Title Set to Be A 'Semi-Reboot' and NX Exclusive
@allav866
No that's just Uplay. It's an odd, odd app to be sure.
Re: Rumour: New Beyond Good & Evil Title Set to Be A 'Semi-Reboot' and NX Exclusive
Assuming details are even close to accurate, given Ubisofts record - 2018 is plenty of time to omit features, delay for multiplayer development and release last. Lol.
Re: Random: Nintendo NX Rumours From French Media and an Analyst Report, While Zelda Williams Fends Off Anxious Fans
I don't see the price tag at those levels being an issue, depending on the package. What is NX? That's the only real determining factor right now to be fair.
As far as Mario Run being a missed opportunity, it's probably too early to say. In any case these kinds of statistics really do need context and real case studies to be objective. Reaching 40% of a global iOS market is still potentially a substantial no' of devices and consumers to further test the waters.
Re: Random: We Explore What the NES Classic Edition Will Fit Inside, in the Name of Science
@DarthNocturnal
That's because Nintendo don't want you to know that the NES Mini - was inside the NES all along...
Re: Splatoon Producer Reflects on the Game's Popularity
@gcunit
I very rarely squid jump anywhere when playing competitively. It's really only useful when you're dominating, or as a way to escape being cornered.
Re: Splatoon Producer Reflects on the Game's Popularity
There's many reasons why Splatoon was and is appealing. Awesome concept and execution.
What I probably appreciate the most about Splatoon is it's layers and matching. I can jump online and compete against skillful players and be challenged, while my son can play on the same account and not find the challenge too overwhelming.
Nintendo's design teams are still some of the best at making games that can be enjoyed on multiple levels by different age groups and skill levels.
Splatoon in that respect is a finely crafted experience.
Re: Nintendo 64 Classic Turok 2 Is Getting The Remake Treatment
Turok blew me away back in day. T2 even more so and the first or second game I used together with the RAM expansion pack, which delivered on a noticeable visual upgrade.
N64 was just such a unique console. Personal favourite Nintendo platform to date.
Re: Ice Station Z Is Bringing Open World Zombie Horror To The 3DS This November
@eltomo
Lol. I like that...
Re: Ice Station Z Is Bringing Open World Zombie Horror To The 3DS This November
@Nintendian
Not sure Nintendo really had a choice. Once they realised the consequence of their actions in doing so, they must have surely concluded that there would be far less Unity based games making it through QC...
Re: Weirdness: Desperation for NX Details Even Makes an Old Forum Post Interesting
@liveswired
Hopefully it's that 4K one. Lololol.
You know, the one that gives you upscaling only in games from 1080p instead....
Forget 2.5k to 4K like what would be the difference between 720p and HD native. No no, that's more like getting ER Standard to full HD standard.
Gimping consoles is marketing them as beasts, then delivering them as watered down entry level PC''a without any of their versatilities.
Sorry, I tell a lie. We now have 3 pre-set graphic options to choose from thanks to the pro...
Re: Weirdness: Desperation for NX Details Even Makes an Old Forum Post Interesting
@AlexSora89
Super soldiers have to do something in their spare time. Frisbee is as good a hobby as any.
Re: Fresh Retail Source Reportedly Reinforces and Outlines New Nintendo NX Rumours
@ThanosReXXX
We have similar life experiences. Self Employed medium sized enterprise focusing on Turnkey ERP solutions based in HK. 10 years younger than yourself, but I have worked for some (2) of the larger companies on the planet in sales/ marketing and financial departments.
I'm always open to any viewpoint that is made in earnest. Sometimes people with much less "professional experience" can determine opinions worth taking note of. In those cases I colour myself fortunate to have made discussions with them.
I'm not really sure if I'm placing a lot of my own professional experience into current opinions on ways Nintendo might take it. But, certainly they must influence opinions on some level.
I've been a gamer for as many years as I can remember having memories and a Nintendo gamer for almost as long as that. My interests in gaming stems from the hobby formed over the last 30+ years. I like to discuss more so my opinions on gaming topics from that perspective.
Looking forward to further discussions in gaming with you. I'm relatively new to this community, but not new to topic discussions on gaming around the net in general. Looking for a place where such discussions can be made with like minded people on the topic of gaming and Nintendo in general.
Cheers.
I couldn't agree more regarding Nintendo's "need" to step up to the plate and play ball with NX and genuine, focused marketing. Last generation I got the impression Nintendo's development and executive divisions were out of sync and as such, they failed to promote a coherent message. NX cannot afford the same mistakes.
Re: Poll: Exceptional Graphics or 60fps, Which is More Important for the NX Generation?
@Jayvir
This is true of course but there's no reason at this stage from a technical POV why Nintendo wouldn't want to focus on an average performance goal of 1080p native/ 60fps going forward.
All games benefit from that bump in frame rates so long as the result is free of slow down and/ or micro stutter. The latter rarely an issue for closed system programming.
It's not about 30fps being unplayable, that view point would be unrealistic and untrue at the same time. 30fps is highly playable for 90% of games out there.
60fps benefits all games in providing a smoother experience which only holds true if the framerate is consistent. This is a technical issue/ debate. Granted, certain games benefit more noticeably than others.
Re: Poll: Exceptional Graphics or 60fps, Which is More Important for the NX Generation?
@SetupDisk
I would disagree here. I think Nintendo mostly agree's as well with what I'm saying. Which is why they will aim for that 60fps when the hardware allows. The difference between frame rate is purely a technical limitation against the vision of the title being made and the hardware it's made on. That's all it is.
Whereas the perceivable difference between consistent displays of both is tangible.
I'm not saying I disagree with 30fps as an acceptable result. Effectively a consistent 30fps in almost any title can be easily workable. What I do believe given my experiences with multiple hardware is that 60 fps consistently results in a smoother refresh regardless of the type of game being played.
Re: Fresh Retail Source Reportedly Reinforces and Outlines New Nintendo NX Rumours
@ThanosReXXX
Yes, what they actually do is anyone's guess given their history. I also believe that a device trying to do two things at once would require some kind of breakthrough in hardware's performance to cost ratio.
There's potential problems in any direction Nintendo takes it and that's just part of the terrain for them given the Wii and Wii U disparity all round. (Not making any judgements on games, still Nintendo's strength. Or strictly a hardware comment. More so the differences between how the two relate to their respective generations and in terms of how they compare to each other in consumer popularity).
On the mobile discussion, I'm undecided. I've seen my own fair share of derailments in products and marketing priorities. Regardless of what types of experiences Nintendo will focus on with casual platforms, those experiences are beginning to gain real weight. I'd like to place my confidence in Nintendo's continued focus on dedicated experiences and I don't see that changing any time in the immediate future as the NX is real. However, a lot I think depends on how that turns out.
Cheers.
Re: Poll: Exceptional Graphics or 60fps, Which is More Important for the NX Generation?
@SetupDisk
This comment I can't really agree with. 30fps is fine for many games "IF" that's what you have to settle on. But, 60fps if it can be done consistently/ smoothly should always be the minimum target.
Differences in the experience are night and day on almost any title between the two frame rates....
Re: Poll: Exceptional Graphics or 60fps, Which is More Important for the NX Generation?
While I quite enjoy tweaking my PC's for best performance, watching the stats as the overlay tells me everything is working to it's best potential - I can't quite fault Nintendo's direction. Should they maintain a market and consumer base in the coming years, given their ability to create tightly designed games around their own hardware - with solid performance across the board. I'm confident that eventually the technology and their creativity from a overall performance perspective will come together again.
Making a stand on gameplay, while providing vibrant and colourful game worlds to interact with complete with consistent performance is commendable.
As technology continues to progress and as the reach for console to bridge the gap between budget/ performance focused hardware and PC is seen for the illusion it really is. When the dust settles, it will be the experiences that define the victors - not the hardware.
Re: Fresh Retail Source Reportedly Reinforces and Outlines New Nintendo NX Rumours
@ThanosReXXX
To be honest and I'm not strictly disagreeing with you here, is that it's probably a little too early to say how Nintendo views mobile - as they only just start to provide experiences for that platform.
I'm quite ok with the strategy to turn casual gamers into core gamers and read that also back when it was articulated. And yet, we have no real idea on how mobile will shape Nintendo's focus towards mobile experiences should their popularity continue to show such promise. In another way, Mario Run is a top franchise IP shaped for the platforms it will be playable on. It could be simply said that not making console experiences on a mobile platform something more akin to common sense.
From where I'm standing currently I would wager that NX is a concept of two independent halves. Like you've speculated, not a true "hybrid" device and that would be perfectly fine. In fact, so would a truly hybrid device if Nintendo had all the parts to put it together in a package that satisfied the needs of both physical play types. They certainly have me wanting to know more, but the latter as we both agree I think could be beyond Nintendo's ability to deliver.
Re: Fresh Retail Source Reportedly Reinforces and Outlines New Nintendo NX Rumours
@ThanosReXXX
Personally I think you make some good points about the difficulties of pulling off a console/ handheld hybrid as a marketable device, that delivers on the promise of both. And, I also wonder if Nintendo has the ability to successfully market such a device, even if the technology and infrastructure was mature enough to do so - for both.
Having said that, things do change in terms of company statements and direction. We only need to look as far as DeNA to see the truth of that. Or Mario Run etc.
Certain developments may have come together that has Nintendo believing they can deliver on the promise of both and if so, then I'd still be interested in seeing that happen. But again, you do bring a common sense argument to all the speculation.
Any way Nintendo has chosen to play it, I just hope they reveal the thing soon. They've got us all hanging on, now's the time to let the concept drop and begin building on the reality of marketing their next system.
Re: Talking Point: What Approach Should Nintendo Take With Its NX Reveal?
I could see any one or a combination of those methods working so long as Nintendo understand clearly who their target audiences are and tailor make targeted campaigns towards them. A successful message is what NX needs to have to connect.
A Direct would be great, but tailor make that message to existing fans for eg. You're not going to reach the masses by using a Direct. But, they could add to any campaign by having a Direct that builds on a reveal to existing Nintendo platform owners - who are the main audience there.
Whatever combinations they choose, each one needs to know its audience and how to reach them. In other words the message needs to be clear and simple. And, it needs to be direct to each audience it's targeting.
Re: Talking Point: Unique and Affordable - Nintendo's NX Needs to Avoid Direct Competition With PlayStation and Xbox
@Mario_Fart
This pretty much sums up Nintendo's main issue with their current home console. Lack of frequent releases.
Looking at the games that have released from their own studios, it's easy to see that from Nintendo's corner; all they have to do to improve hardware adoption is to provide more IP, more often and sales will build. Wii U lacked consistent momentum the whole way. But, it's first party software sales speak for themselves.
Now that they've combined development houses between platforms and considering rumoured versatility with their next system, game droughts theoretically should become far less of an issue.