@coolaggro Like Playstation Now. I agree. Funny you picked Netflix as the example though; there isn't going to be a Netflix app on the Switch. At least not at launch and there's speculation there won't be for some time.
A subscription service that included a Playstation Now type service would be far more viable and attractive than what they are suggesting.
Earlier I posted about my concerns regarding this added cost and this insane launch. I wanted to add one more thing:
While we are talking about the added cost of a subscription to a potential $400 to 500 investment without a game, let's also talk about the storage situation as it all factors in when you're talking about digital downloads, the potential and possible need for cloud storage services and how they may factor into Nintendo's online service offerings in the future.
Here we go. I'll use the PS4 as an example, as it has the greater breadth of genres and plenty of jrpgs/rpgs... something Nintendo is pushing with early software support news.
You can get one of the competitors system's with a game and 500GB of storage for around $299.
To match that on the Switch, you'd have to pay $299 for the system (which will have nom streaming/ multimedia capabilities at the very least at launch), $60 for a game and to match the storage, around $300+ dollars for a 512GB card (Even if you only wanted a 256 card, it's still $150 - 200 depending on the brand/quality). Then add extra controllers for $80.
So to break it down, I could buy a PS4 Slim Uncharted 500GB bundle for $318 right now, bundled with an extra Dual Shock 4 controller, and I could add a PSN subscription for $50 (with free games every month), and I'd only be spending just under $400 with tax.
To get the Switch with extra controller and 500GB of memory and one game (but no online subscription): $740.
This is insane... and they want you to pay for online service too?
Honestly, it's really irritating to hear people say that it's perfectly fine for Nintendo to charge. This is a greedy money grab at the expense of long-time Nintendo fans who have supported them and kept them afloat while they beta tested their mediocre online service on us. Charging for a service that makes you use your cell phone for chat and takes away your 'free' game at the end of the month? This is asinine.
The system is priced too high and the peripheral/controller prices are obscene. No charging dock for the joy cons, just a dummy shell to attach them to - an extra $30 if you want the privilege of charging your extra joy-cons that you just bought for $80. $40+ for a tech demo that should have been bundled - no pack-in game for your last-ditch effort to stay in the hardware game, a March launch (seriously... this is still a big wtf. Nintendo's Japanese execs need their heads examined - the only thing I can think of is that this is just to hit the numbers in the first and second fiscal quarters to appease investors and has absolutely no video game industry wisdom or sense behind it) in a fiscal quarter that is notoriously slow for video game sales. And they are doing so with what? 5... 6 games? And only a couple are stand-outs?
Ooooh... And let's not forget that Nintendo also wants us to pay an extra $90 for what is essentially a hunk of plastic that charges and allows for throughput of video to a TV. 90 freakin' dollar docks. $10 bucks more and I have an Apple TV, which is filled with far more tech goodness; Nintendo HAS to be out of their freakin' minds or their hive-mind has succumbed to a collective narcissism. And why are there no press asking... no, demanding answers to these questions and not just letting Reggie the pimp regurgitate marketing bullcrap?
And now there's news that there will be no streaming/multimedia apps or functionality at launch and possibly not in the foreseeable future. No Netflix. That's not unlike the Dreamcast launching without a DVD player, but worse; people expect it and are already paying for it. The easiest way to keep your system in rotation and keep other systems out of people minds is to make yours the go-to device for everything. Don't make people flip to their other devices because yours doesn't provide a service they want. Bad form. Really bad choice.
Everything about this launch feels broken, rushed and ill-conceived. And the online service offers next to zero value added propositions. The amount of free games and real discounts you get with either of the competitors makes the subscriptions worth the price. Nintendo's greed and arrogance are on parade again like it's the 1980s/90s. It's liked the Wii U was a huge success and we should all be grateful they took our money and are allowing us the privilege again.
Edit: And just to be clear, this takes nothing away from the concept, the system and it's features or the idea and promise of New 1st party games and New Nintendo IP that take advantage of what this system can do. I just feel that most everything else surrounding this interesting piece of hardware is broken, ill-conceived and over-valued. I really like the Switch.
Yeah... my preorder is probably going to get flipped. I no longer want to be a part of this farce of a launch. There's exciting tech here, but Nintendo's greed, ego and self-worth are destroying any chance of a viable launch.
All of this gouging after ignoring the NA market completely for a couple of years... and NOW they want us to buy, hype and then carry yet another system through poop sales for them?
Paid online service with chat they control and must be handed through a mobile device, borrowed games you lose at the end of the month, over-priced controllers, no charger grip in the box, no pack-in game when the perfect one already exists, pricing said tech demo at a full retail cost, piss-poor launch (and launch window) lineup, middling 3RD party support, and $299 for a system set to go up against 2 established systems with larger games libraries, impressive budget lines and upgraded systems...
Screw you Nintendo! Your greed is out of hand and your megalomania out of control.
This is complete bullcrap and Reggie has become nothing more than a greasy pimp of a snake oil salesman. I have zero respect for him at this point. It would have cost them nothing to install the game and looking back at the price point of the Wii U, they still managed to include a copy of Nintendoland... and we know THAT hardware wasn't cheap. So he can kiss my shiny metal ass. And cut the crap. I'd say this corporate shill thing he now has going on is beneath him, but it's been happening for a while now, so... I'm done with listening to anything he says anymore. Zero credibility.
And holy crap... 1 2 Switch has more content and variety? Just more proof he's spinning as hard as he can and looks more pathetic and useless than ever. Stay in your corporate office Reggie... I really don't want to hear you speak any more.
Reggie - who has been turned into a greasy, snake oil pimp - went on and on about all of the lessons that Nintendo has learned about launches, including the absolute necessity of having a large and diverse launch catalog and the must have nature of a Mario title at launch. He made sure to mention on multiple occasions that this launch would be a result of those lessons. Either he is completely divested from reality or he's a lying corporate shill. I'm going with some combination of the two. I'm done with Nintendo. Cancelling my preorder... or selling it to someone who thinks this is a good launch line up. Hell, it's not even a good launch YEAR line up.
That was one of the worst, most mind numbing, plodding, lack-luster, corporate dreck laden, poorly conceived events I have ever endured. Sooooo freakin' boring and unfunny and unfun. Stiff, poorly executed and a terrible start for their marketing efforts. The interpreter was PAINFUL to listen to. He found a way to make the already dry and awkward presenters even less watchable.
The system? Pretty cool. The big kick off? Just horrible. Absolutely painful and uncomfortable to watch... when there was something worth watching. And the audience and their complete lack of reaction or interaction. Holy crap. Chairs full of corpses.
They need to turn this around immediately. Between the freakin' cost of the system, the cost of the joy-cons, screwing everyone with a paid online service that has to go up against the big two online console services that give away games as part of their subscription and no Mario at launch (even though Nintendo said repeatedly they had learned their lesson), the last thing they needed was this PTA meeting of a kick off. Snooooooooze.
Preordered a Switch from Amazon. The system and a game or two will break me. I can't afford another subscription service. I may cancel my order. The games I want to play.are mostly multiplayer with online play. I have some time to think about it, but holding off on pricing pissed me off. If I get the system and find out in the fall they think they have robust enough online to go toe to toe with the big boys... who offer free games as well... and price the same, I'm done.
I just want to point out that the statement that the Dreamcast was a commercial failure is just blatantly wrong. SEGA was already in the red and hemorrhaging cash before the launch and sunk insane amounts of money into marketing the system. It was a debt they couldn't overcome. They set insane goals for sales and in the chase the Dreamcast continually broke sales records for the time. At the end of it's life before the plug was pulled because they couldn't meet the ridiculous goals set for them the Dreamcast was shifting 100,000 units a day. A DAY. Had SEGA not been so in the hole when they took on SONY/had deeper pockets, they'd still be around today and the Dreamcast would have a proper legacy. It was an incredibly ambitious system that was ahead of it's time in many ways, and at the same time crippled by NOT embracing one major technology... once again because of money and the price point they wanted to hit: DVD. A DVD player, a bankroll to go the distance against SONY and the story would have been different. But the Dreamcast was NOT a commercial failure... SEGA was, but not the system.
From an interview with Peter Moore:
'We were selling 50,000 units a day, then 60,000, then 100,000, but it was just not going to be enough to get the critical mass to take on the launch of PS2. It was a big stakes game. Sega had the option of pouring in more money and going bankrupt and they decided they wanted to live to fight another day. So we licked our wounds, ate some humble pie and went to Sony and Nintendo to ask for dev kits.'
@Pahvi It's been rumored that it's possible for games to be run in dock mode on the go, based on speculation that the large vents on the Switch mean variable speed fans with decent cooling without the dock. Just speculation though and a huge assumption.
@Cypronia Thank you for responding. I'll look for the demo in the coming months and to see what you have cooking for the Switch. The Cube Life Shooter game has me intrigued. Looking forward to more info on that as well.
@Cypronia Unlike many posting, I'm willing to give your 'side project' a chance and wait for reviews. Of course hands-on is the best way to decide on a purchase. Any chance there will be a demo?
I'm really sorry you're catching so much crap here; you don't deserve it. It's sad how people haven't even played the game, yet they are experts on it and have already 'reviewed' it. I'm embarrassed for them.
At any rate, good luck... especially with your shift to developing for the Switch. And as I said, I'll reserve judgement on your game until I get to play it or bare minimum, get to see some reviews from people who have actually played the game.
@Pikachupwnage it's fairly easy to see that this game has 1000% more effort, creativity and original content than any (or all of them combined) RCMADIAX crap. It even looks to have some (minimal and fleeting) entertainment value. Something that I can't say for any of the RCMADIAX crapathons. And given that it's more of a promised gift to those who bought their Minecraft clone - for free - I'd say this release is far and away a better product than anything RCMADIAX has released or is capable of. Just sayin'.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE And they are free to try, but it's still way too much for what you get. Nintendo have been aggressively gouging for games on the virtual console and that tradition is apparently going to continue on mobile. Damn shame too.
We typically don't have great data connectivity where we are; it's inconsistent. This will not be a download for me. Stiffing the Android market and making it always connected.
I've largely held my tongue this year as the crap has flowed unabated into the eShop, but it's December and I'm done. I really wish Nintendo would tell RCMADIAX to just go away. He gives indie game development a bad name and stigmatizes budget games. Every time I see the RCMADIAX name pop up, the gamer in me throws up in my mouth a little. The fact any money goes his way and reinforces his lazy and quite frankly offensive approach to the eShop is sad and disappointing.
Good thing we have so many industry analysts and people who have been hands-on with the system and fully briefed on everything it has to offer in this community! It makes dooooom so much easier.
Oh... and how awesome they have already seen Nintendo's marketing plan for the system. AND inside of 3rd party's heads!
Please make sure to read the above to yourself one more time with maximum snark in play. For the lova crap, people...
'Kimishima suggested that the Switch is part of a bigger ecosystem. "It may be appropriate to call them accessories. Or it might be better to call them add-on hardware. It’s probably more correct to call them accessories. You can assume that there will be a wider array."'
I have to laugh a bit - this whole debate is hilarious. At the end of the day, it doesn't change the functionality of a system that hasn't even been released yet. Nintendo has already let us know what it is, what it is about and how they intend to present and support it through a variety of comments to the press.
Meanwhile, the subject of this article - accessories - has fallen by the wayside. For instance, did anyone notice that the links are now broken? The pages no longer exist.
@TwilightOniAngel You couldn't be more wrong. Many games are shown in rough form and not optimized a few months out from release, only to materialize fully baked and running smoothly. Additionally, if the rumors are true we won't see a release until at least June of next year. But if it makes you feel better, keep spreading the doom and gloom. There's no way Nintendo would release a Zelda game - one of their biggest and most iconic IPs - with frame rate issues that bad. And we also have no idea what build this is either.
I've really wanted to get Dimensions and the packs, but it's a chunk of change and can be a barrier to entry. If I can find a good sale during the holiday season, maybe I'll bite.
I mean seriously... I love LEGOS and I love the pack's pop culture fan service. My daughter loves LEGOS, but is 16, too cool for school and afraid her friends will find out that she thinks 'kids' toys are still fun. This could also be a way for her to be a kid a little while longer but not face the teen etiquette 'firing squad'.
The summer or later timeline makes more sense than March if it's true that localization isn't finished yet. Even the game-mill publishers need time to test their rushed and buggy product before it's prematurely shoved to market and this is Nintendo and further more a Zelda title. They will take whatever time is needed.
I find it more interesting that on this slide of important marketing waypoints and events, E3 is missing entirely from their key annual events... a list that includes Comic Con, May the 4th and Geek Pride Day.
@invictus4000 @ThanosReXXX - invictus4000 and I and 3 of my friends - all PowerUp Rewards members - didn't get the survey, which means we don't even know the size of the sampling group. So if only 27% of... let's go crazy and say 50% (although the actually sampling is probably lower and skewed demographically) of members, that's NOT a really big number, nor would I call it a mandate or consensus that reads 'smash hit'.
I'd love to see the real data broken out demographically.
@OorWullie @Moroboshi876 but we are talking about at launch, which doesn't bode well. The XBOX ONE took a beating and it wasn't until after they lost the Kinect and dropped the price that they began to see competitive sales. After that, bundles and a few big titles and now the 's' model have finally given the brand real legs. And in Japan, the system was all but dead on arrival. In that light, I'm not over the moon about the news, but it's better than the buzz for the Wii U. I remember talking to GameStop employees who a month out from the Wii U launch were only vaguely aware of the system and couldn't explain anything about it in any detail.
@WilliamCalley The load times were annoying, but to be fair - the frame rate never got so bad that it disrupted gameplay and it mostly ran at or near 30, with drops to the levels you speak of (at least it certainly felt like it, and most review I read seemed to agree). It did struggle, but that had more to do with the programmers and it being an early game on the system, so I really I fully expect a smoother game. Hell... if this came out on the Wii U this last year, I think it would have run smoothly being a later generation game.
Scalpers are greedy worthless lowlife's and should be banner from all auction and resale sites. Period. The world sucks enough and it far too full of greedy, selfish people... eBay are douches for egging them on and enabling their sociopathic greed. I'm so sick of people justify and defending obscene greed. It's not ok.
@MentalFear That's pretty rich and incredibly rude for someone who has absolutely nothing to add to the conversation. This is a person who is well-known and has a very respected place in the gaming community (unlike you) and has proven to be an really reliable source. She has insider info, probably because she is just that trustworthy and people who stand to get in trouble trust her with secrets.
Regardless, joking about mental health and people's personal lives is out-of-bounds. Wish I could see your face when she gets most of this right.
A friend I went to school with is behind the camera for the Ben Heck show/does the production as well. Max occasionally even gets in front of the camera or yells crap from off camera. As I have watched Ben's show grow and catch it's stride Max has officially become one of the people in my life who I am most envious of...
I can agree with a couple of his points: The online experience is actually fun and in some ways fresh and different. Not getting the best and most fun aspect of the game into reviewer's hands is b.s. and there's no doubt in my mind that scores would have been higher had reviews played a full fledged online mode.
Also, NoA didn't do a damn thing to promote this game.
So that's 2 definite strikes against Nintendo.
However, expecting Nintendo to pressure reviewers is ridiculous and dude seems a bit off and full of himself. The reason that I believe he's right in saying that scores would have gone up, is that the single player mode was fairly broken/ill conceived. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good... which stands in contrast to a very playable and fun multiplayer mode. So of course scores would have gone up. They still would have been middling reviews once the two experiences were weighted and averaged out. I do believe that if Nintendo had supported the launch and highlighted the online play, sales would have been noticeably better. It wouldn't have put up impressive numbers, but it probably would have performed respectably.
@BensonUii I keep trying to explain that the numbers won't tell the story because Nintendo will spin the shortage news. What we do know is that retailers have gotten next to nothing and in many cases received less than the actual case quantity. These come 6 to a box and many retail stores got less than that per location.
But you're kidding yourself if you think that Nintendo has abandon the practice. It's in their marketing and sales DNA and Nintendo is very, VERY slow to change their ways... especially if it's been working for them.
Hell, even the Microsoft crew knows what they are up to and are disappointed in them for pulling this crap.
While I understand that any new tech or concept should be met with due diligence regarding it's viability and research into how to play to it's strengths, what I don't understand is the trepidation regarding the ability to take it on the go, especially with gamers who also own a handheld. These are two different experiences. There's no down side if you already have a 3DS or PSP or whatever. We are talking about something that's been on gamer's minds for decades. The handheld/mobile experience is short sessions, pick up and play, convenient stow and go gaming. The Switch is a home console with potential for the complete hi-end home gaming experience (4K isn't worth mentioning for another couple of years). And holy crap, you can break it out and game at a friend's house... or in their car. It also puts an end to the 'Honey let's go we're gonna be late' "Ok... let me just finish this level" home gaming experience. Now it's 'Honey let's go we're late' "Ok you drive... I'll finish this level on the way" and the very clear 'no need to pause to take the dog out' type scenarios. The games will have a different vibe, a huge jump in graphics and cater to console gaming and maybe even laptop gamers. It doesn't compete or cannibalize, it augments and compliments the pure handheld experience and makes console gaming a far freer experience.
There will be no way of knowing if product was held back. Sales numbers don't tell you anything like that. You still don't get it; it's not overt, it's a behind the scenes thing. Otherwise it wouldn't work.
@BensonUii I have tried to explain how it works and how it benefits Nintendo... I suppose you think it's a coincidence that it happens every time Nintendo launches something. As if, after many decades of doing this they somehow just can't get it right and are blind-sided every time. Poor Nintendo.
Not.
Again, you're not even attempting to understand how this all works. It's not a conspiracy, it's an actual way of doing business.
The key is knowing when to open in valves a little and make it seem that you are empathetic and are responding to consumer's needs while still keeping interest and demand high; it's a high-risk game with big payoffs if you master it, which Nintendo has.
@BensonUii Um... just no. This does not in any way shape or form compete with them; they have nothing in this market space. I really don't think you're understanding how things work. Sell them now, or sell them later... either way Nintendo will sell what they manufacture. Again, they aren't losing anything and are getting the sort of exposure that would normally cost them millions. The people who can afford the scumbag scalper's pricing are a small group that won't have any impact on retail sales, other than perhaps to fuel scalpers to reload their depleted stock... and again, Nintendo still sells the unit.
They come 6 to a case. There are stores in large chains that got less than that to sell. Is anyone honestly naive enough to think Nintendo - a company that's been in the video game industry for decades - has botched every major launch of in-demand product in the history of ever? That they accidentally miss the supply mark so ridiculously every time? Come one people.... seriously?
@BensonUii They aren't losing any sales. Even when they ramp up production/release stock, they will still sell through their stock. It's win win for them. They're getting insane free press and hype for the product and calling it to the attention of many who didn't know it was a thing. They've added thousands, if not tens of thousands of new consumers to the list of people who want one. They lose nothing.
Not to mention the post-holiday sales they will rake in. Gift cards and Christmas money... and more systems waiting to be scooped up with said monies after the holidays.
@TheAceofMystery What you'd expect is that in 2016... especially since everyone knew the games they played with Amiibo manufacturing and stock... that Nintendo wouldn't be the same douche bag company it was in the 80s, but that's expecting too much I guess. Reggie has just turned into a greasy pimp. So sick of their crap. And then you blame people for not waiting in line for several hours in the middle of the night? Really?
That's just unrealistic. Not everyone can do that, nor should they be expected to.
Nintendo - just manufacture the damn systems, quit limiting production and manipulating the supply chain and stop being douche bags.
ps. I managed to get one by chance and circumstance, so I'm not bitter for not having gotten one fyi.
@BensonUii It's not a conspiracy, it's shady but effective ,marketing and business practices. And it's a thing; don't kid yourself. Nintendo wasn't the first and won't be the last... they are just the douchy-est in recent memory.
Nice. And about time. Nintendo unfortunately seems to think it's still in a position where it can charge premium prices for it's product... even though it's way past it's expiration date from a tech standpoint. No one can deny that there are great games on the systems, but pricing definitely needs to come in line with it's age...especially with the NS on the way. No it's not a portable, but it crosses over and it's a really hard sell to have 6+ year old tech (some withered tech after all) priced anywhere in the neighborhood of newer tech. 3DS family sales have been slipping and with quality games on the systems, I think it really does come down to a pricing and time on market.
Let's hope this creates renewed interest in the system and speaks to those who were holding off. Here's to some great Black Friday deals and bundles too...
Comments 747
Re: Talking Point: Considering the Paid Online Service for the Nintendo Switch
@coolaggro Like Playstation Now. I agree. Funny you picked Netflix as the example though; there isn't going to be a Netflix app on the Switch. At least not at launch and there's speculation there won't be for some time.
A subscription service that included a Playstation Now type service would be far more viable and attractive than what they are suggesting.
Re: Talking Point: Considering the Paid Online Service for the Nintendo Switch
Earlier I posted about my concerns regarding this added cost and this insane launch. I wanted to add one more thing:
While we are talking about the added cost of a subscription to a potential $400 to 500 investment without a game, let's also talk about the storage situation as it all factors in when you're talking about digital downloads, the potential and possible need for cloud storage services and how they may factor into Nintendo's online service offerings in the future.
Here we go. I'll use the PS4 as an example, as it has the greater breadth of genres and plenty of jrpgs/rpgs... something Nintendo is pushing with early software support news.
You can get one of the competitors system's with a game and 500GB of storage for around $299.
To match that on the Switch, you'd have to pay $299 for the system (which will have nom streaming/ multimedia capabilities at the very least at launch), $60 for a game and to match the storage, around $300+ dollars for a 512GB card (Even if you only wanted a 256 card, it's still $150 - 200 depending on the brand/quality). Then add extra controllers for $80.
So to break it down, I could buy a PS4 Slim Uncharted 500GB bundle for $318 right now, bundled with an extra Dual Shock 4 controller, and I could add a PSN subscription for $50 (with free games every month), and I'd only be spending just under $400 with tax.
To get the Switch with extra controller and 500GB of memory and one game (but no online subscription): $740.
This is insane... and they want you to pay for online service too?
Re: Talking Point: Considering the Paid Online Service for the Nintendo Switch
Honestly, it's really irritating to hear people say that it's perfectly fine for Nintendo to charge. This is a greedy money grab at the expense of long-time Nintendo fans who have supported them and kept them afloat while they beta tested their mediocre online service on us. Charging for a service that makes you use your cell phone for chat and takes away your 'free' game at the end of the month? This is asinine.
The system is priced too high and the peripheral/controller prices are obscene. No charging dock for the joy cons, just a dummy shell to attach them to - an extra $30 if you want the privilege of charging your extra joy-cons that you just bought for $80. $40+ for a tech demo that should have been bundled - no pack-in game for your last-ditch effort to stay in the hardware game, a March launch (seriously... this is still a big wtf. Nintendo's Japanese execs need their heads examined - the only thing I can think of is that this is just to hit the numbers in the first and second fiscal quarters to appease investors and has absolutely no video game industry wisdom or sense behind it) in a fiscal quarter that is notoriously slow for video game sales. And they are doing so with what? 5... 6 games? And only a couple are stand-outs?
Ooooh... And let's not forget that Nintendo also wants us to pay an extra $90 for what is essentially a hunk of plastic that charges and allows for throughput of video to a TV. 90 freakin' dollar docks. $10 bucks more and I have an Apple TV, which is filled with far more tech goodness; Nintendo HAS to be out of their freakin' minds or their hive-mind has succumbed to a collective narcissism. And why are there no press asking... no, demanding answers to these questions and not just letting Reggie the pimp regurgitate marketing bullcrap?
And now there's news that there will be no streaming/multimedia apps or functionality at launch and possibly not in the foreseeable future. No Netflix. That's not unlike the Dreamcast launching without a DVD player, but worse; people expect it and are already paying for it. The easiest way to keep your system in rotation and keep other systems out of people minds is to make yours the go-to device for everything. Don't make people flip to their other devices because yours doesn't provide a service they want. Bad form. Really bad choice.
Everything about this launch feels broken, rushed and ill-conceived. And the online service offers next to zero value added propositions. The amount of free games and real discounts you get with either of the competitors makes the subscriptions worth the price. Nintendo's greed and arrogance are on parade again like it's the 1980s/90s. It's liked the Wii U was a huge success and we should all be grateful they took our money and are allowing us the privilege again.
Edit: And just to be clear, this takes nothing away from the concept, the system and it's features or the idea and promise of New 1st party games and New Nintendo IP that take advantage of what this system can do. I just feel that most everything else surrounding this interesting piece of hardware is broken, ill-conceived and over-valued. I really like the Switch.
Re: First Impressions: 1-2-Switch is an Ideal Pack-In Game That's Missing Its Chance
Yeah... my preorder is probably going to get flipped. I no longer want to be a part of this farce of a launch. There's exciting tech here, but Nintendo's greed, ego and self-worth are destroying any chance of a viable launch.
All of this gouging after ignoring the NA market completely for a couple of years... and NOW they want us to buy, hype and then carry yet another system through poop sales for them?
Paid online service with chat they control and must be handed through a mobile device, borrowed games you lose at the end of the month, over-priced controllers, no charger grip in the box, no pack-in game when the perfect one already exists, pricing said tech demo at a full retail cost, piss-poor launch (and launch window) lineup, middling 3RD party support, and $299 for a system set to go up against 2 established systems with larger games libraries, impressive budget lines and upgraded systems...
Screw you Nintendo! Your greed is out of hand and your megalomania out of control.
Re: Rayman Creator Discusses Legends: Definitive Edition for Switch
Switch not region locked.
Video of an interview about a reboot of a Wii U game is.
Really Ubisoft?
Re: Nintendo Switch Lacks Pack-In Title Because It's $299, Says Reggie Fils-Aime
This is complete bullcrap and Reggie has become nothing more than a greasy pimp of a snake oil salesman. I have zero respect for him at this point. It would have cost them nothing to install the game and looking back at the price point of the Wii U, they still managed to include a copy of Nintendoland... and we know THAT hardware wasn't cheap. So he can kiss my shiny metal ass. And cut the crap. I'd say this corporate shill thing he now has going on is beneath him, but it's been happening for a while now, so... I'm done with listening to anything he says anymore. Zero credibility.
And holy crap... 1 2 Switch has more content and variety? Just more proof he's spinning as hard as he can and looks more pathetic and useless than ever. Stay in your corporate office Reggie... I really don't want to hear you speak any more.
Re: Guide: A Breakdown of Confirmed Nintendo Switch Games and Release Dates
Reggie - who has been turned into a greasy, snake oil pimp - went on and on about all of the lessons that Nintendo has learned about launches, including the absolute necessity of having a large and diverse launch catalog and the must have nature of a Mario title at launch. He made sure to mention on multiple occasions that this launch would be a result of those lessons. Either he is completely divested from reality or he's a lying corporate shill. I'm going with some combination of the two. I'm done with Nintendo. Cancelling my preorder... or selling it to someone who thinks this is a good launch line up. Hell, it's not even a good launch YEAR line up.
Re: Dragon Quest Heroes 1 And 2 Are Brawling Their Way To Nintendo Switch In Japan
It's already listed on Bestbuy's NA site, for what it's worth.
Re: Poll: What Did You Think of the Nintendo Switch Presentation?
That was one of the worst, most mind numbing, plodding, lack-luster, corporate dreck laden, poorly conceived events I have ever endured. Sooooo freakin' boring and unfunny and unfun. Stiff, poorly executed and a terrible start for their marketing efforts. The interpreter was PAINFUL to listen to. He found a way to make the already dry and awkward presenters even less watchable.
The system? Pretty cool. The big kick off? Just horrible. Absolutely painful and uncomfortable to watch... when there was something worth watching. And the audience and their complete lack of reaction or interaction. Holy crap. Chairs full of corpses.
They need to turn this around immediately. Between the freakin' cost of the system, the cost of the joy-cons, screwing everyone with a paid online service that has to go up against the big two online console services that give away games as part of their subscription and no Mario at launch (even though Nintendo said repeatedly they had learned their lesson), the last thing they needed was this PTA meeting of a kick off. Snooooooooze.
Re: Nintendo Switch to Introduce Paid Online Service in Autumn / Fall
Preordered a Switch from Amazon. The system and a game or two will break me. I can't afford another subscription service. I may cancel my order. The games I want to play.are mostly multiplayer with online play. I have some time to think about it, but holding off on pricing pissed me off. If I get the system and find out in the fall they think they have robust enough online to go toe to toe with the big boys... who offer free games as well... and price the same, I'm done.
Re: Soapbox: The Nintendo Switch's Final Specs Don't Matter
I just want to point out that the statement that the Dreamcast was a commercial failure is just blatantly wrong. SEGA was already in the red and hemorrhaging cash before the launch and sunk insane amounts of money into marketing the system. It was a debt they couldn't overcome. They set insane goals for sales and in the chase the Dreamcast continually broke sales records for the time. At the end of it's life before the plug was pulled because they couldn't meet the ridiculous goals set for them the Dreamcast was shifting 100,000 units a day. A DAY. Had SEGA not been so in the hole when they took on SONY/had deeper pockets, they'd still be around today and the Dreamcast would have a proper legacy. It was an incredibly ambitious system that was ahead of it's time in many ways, and at the same time crippled by NOT embracing one major technology... once again because of money and the price point they wanted to hit: DVD. A DVD player, a bankroll to go the distance against SONY and the story would have been different. But the Dreamcast was NOT a commercial failure... SEGA was, but not the system.
From an interview with Peter Moore:
'We were selling 50,000 units a day, then 60,000, then 100,000, but it was just not going to be enough to get the critical mass to take on the launch of PS2. It was a big stakes game. Sega had the option of pouring in more money and going bankrupt and they decided they wanted to live to fight another day. So we licked our wounds, ate some humble pie and went to Sony and Nintendo to ask for dev kits.'
That's a LOT of systems.
Re: More Switch Rumours Emerge Online
@Pahvi It's been rumored that it's possible for games to be run in dock mode on the go, based on speculation that the large vents on the Switch mean variable speed fans with decent cooling without the dock. Just speculation though and a huge assumption.
Re: The Era of Meme-Filled 'Parody' Runners on Wii U Isn't Over - Here's Zombie Brigade
@Cypronia Looks very promising! Thanks!
Re: The Era of Meme-Filled 'Parody' Runners on Wii U Isn't Over - Here's Zombie Brigade
@Cypronia Thank you for responding. I'll look for the demo in the coming months and to see what you have cooking for the Switch. The Cube Life Shooter game has me intrigued. Looking forward to more info on that as well.
Re: The Era of Meme-Filled 'Parody' Runners on Wii U Isn't Over - Here's Zombie Brigade
@Cypronia Unlike many posting, I'm willing to give your 'side project' a chance and wait for reviews. Of course hands-on is the best way to decide on a purchase. Any chance there will be a demo?
I'm really sorry you're catching so much crap here; you don't deserve it. It's sad how people haven't even played the game, yet they are experts on it and have already 'reviewed' it. I'm embarrassed for them.
At any rate, good luck... especially with your shift to developing for the Switch. And as I said, I'll reserve judgement on your game until I get to play it or bare minimum, get to see some reviews from people who have actually played the game.
Re: The Era of Meme-Filled 'Parody' Runners on Wii U Isn't Over - Here's Zombie Brigade
@Pikachupwnage it's fairly easy to see that this game has 1000% more effort, creativity and original content than any (or all of them combined) RCMADIAX crap. It even looks to have some (minimal and fleeting) entertainment value. Something that I can't say for any of the RCMADIAX crapathons. And given that it's more of a promised gift to those who bought their Minecraft clone - for free - I'd say this release is far and away a better product than anything RCMADIAX has released or is capable of. Just sayin'.
Re: Miyamoto on the Reasoning Behind Super Mario Run's Pricing
@SLIGEACH_EIRE And they are free to try, but it's still way too much for what you get. Nintendo have been aggressively gouging for games on the virtual console and that tradition is apparently going to continue on mobile. Damn shame too.
Re: Super Mario Run Will Require a Constant Online Connection
We typically don't have great data connectivity where we are; it's inconsistent. This will not be a download for me. Stiffing the Android market and making it always connected.
Nope.
Re: Nintendo Download: 8th December (North America)
I've largely held my tongue this year as the crap has flowed unabated into the eShop, but it's December and I'm done. I really wish Nintendo would tell RCMADIAX to just go away. He gives indie game development a bad name and stigmatizes budget games. Every time I see the RCMADIAX name pop up, the gamer in me throws up in my mouth a little. The fact any money goes his way and reinforces his lazy and quite frankly offensive approach to the eShop is sad and disappointing.
Re: Talking Point: The Nintendo Switch Pitch - A Jack of All Trades
Good thing we have so many industry analysts and people who have been hands-on with the system and fully briefed on everything it has to offer in this community! It makes dooooom so much easier.
Oh... and how awesome they have already seen Nintendo's marketing plan for the system. AND inside of 3rd party's heads!
Please make sure to read the above to yourself one more time with maximum snark in play. For the lova crap, people...
Re: Talking Point: The Nintendo Switch Pitch - A Jack of All Trades
@3MonthBeef
'Kimishima suggested that the Switch is part of a bigger ecosystem. "It may be appropriate to call them accessories. Or it might be better to call them add-on hardware. It’s probably more correct to call them accessories. You can assume that there will be a wider array."'
Re: Retailer Accessories for Nintendo Switch Include Lengthy Charging Cables and Portable Cases
I have to laugh a bit - this whole debate is hilarious. At the end of the day, it doesn't change the functionality of a system that hasn't even been released yet. Nintendo has already let us know what it is, what it is about and how they intend to present and support it through a variety of comments to the press.
Meanwhile, the subject of this article - accessories - has fallen by the wayside. For instance, did anyone notice that the links are now broken? The pages no longer exist.
Oh well.
Re: Video: Nintendo Shows Off New Area in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
@TwilightOniAngel You couldn't be more wrong. Many games are shown in rough form and not optimized a few months out from release, only to materialize fully baked and running smoothly. Additionally, if the rumors are true we won't see a release until at least June of next year. But if it makes you feel better, keep spreading the doom and gloom. There's no way Nintendo would release a Zelda game - one of their biggest and most iconic IPs - with frame rate issues that bad. And we also have no idea what build this is either.
Re: Soapbox: In The Wii U's Final Days, Let's Be Thankful For Lego Dimensions
I've really wanted to get Dimensions and the packs, but it's a chunk of change and can be a barrier to entry. If I can find a good sale during the holiday season, maybe I'll bite.
I mean seriously... I love LEGOS and I love the pack's pop culture fan service. My daughter loves LEGOS, but is 16, too cool for school and afraid her friends will find out that she thinks 'kids' toys are still fun. This could also be a way for her to be a kid a little while longer but not face the teen etiquette 'firing squad'.
Re: GameStop Thinks We'll Be Playing Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Before April
The summer or later timeline makes more sense than March if it's true that localization isn't finished yet. Even the game-mill publishers need time to test their rushed and buggy product before it's prematurely shoved to market and this is Nintendo and further more a Zelda title. They will take whatever time is needed.
I find it more interesting that on this slide of important marketing waypoints and events, E3 is missing entirely from their key annual events... a list that includes Comic Con, May the 4th and Geek Pride Day.
Re: GameStop Says Nintendo Switch "Intent To Buy" Matches That Of The Xbox One
@invictus4000 @ThanosReXXX - invictus4000 and I and 3 of my friends - all PowerUp Rewards members - didn't get the survey, which means we don't even know the size of the sampling group. So if only 27% of... let's go crazy and say 50% (although the actually sampling is probably lower and skewed demographically) of members, that's NOT a really big number, nor would I call it a mandate or consensus that reads 'smash hit'.
I'd love to see the real data broken out demographically.
Re: GameStop Says Nintendo Switch "Intent To Buy" Matches That Of The Xbox One
@invictus4000 Neither did I and I messaged a few friends; make that 3 others who didn't get the survey besides us.
Re: GameStop Says Nintendo Switch "Intent To Buy" Matches That Of The Xbox One
@Snader Yes, it definitely has that going for it.
Re: GameStop Says Nintendo Switch "Intent To Buy" Matches That Of The Xbox One
@OorWullie @Moroboshi876 but we are talking about at launch, which doesn't bode well. The XBOX ONE took a beating and it wasn't until after they lost the Kinect and dropped the price that they began to see competitive sales. After that, bundles and a few big titles and now the 's' model have finally given the brand real legs. And in Japan, the system was all but dead on arrival. In that light, I'm not over the moon about the news, but it's better than the buzz for the Wii U. I remember talking to GameStop employees who a month out from the Wii U launch were only vaguely aware of the system and couldn't explain anything about it in any detail.
Re: Lego City Undercover Is Coming To Nintendo Switch And Other Platforms Next Year
@WilliamCalley The load times were annoying, but to be fair - the frame rate never got so bad that it disrupted gameplay and it mostly ran at or near 30, with drops to the levels you speak of (at least it certainly felt like it, and most review I read seemed to agree). It did struggle, but that had more to do with the programmers and it being an early game on the system, so I really I fully expect a smoother game. Hell... if this came out on the Wii U this last year, I think it would have run smoothly being a later generation game.
Re: Lego City Undercover Is Coming To Nintendo Switch And Other Platforms Next Year
Oh good... yet another remake for the 'Switch'.
Switch = Glorified Virtual Console at this point
Re: eBay Feeds The Scalper Within You By Offering Guaranteed Profit On Your NES Classic Mini
Scalpers are greedy worthless lowlife's and should be banner from all auction and resale sites. Period. The world sucks enough and it far too full of greedy, selfish people... eBay are douches for egging them on and enabling their sociopathic greed. I'm so sick of people justify and defending obscene greed. It's not ok.
Re: A Single Pokémon Card Just Sold For Over $50,000 At Auction
$50,000... well, that's stupid.
Re: Rumour: Nintendo Switch Release Date and Key Games Outlined
@MentalFear That's pretty rich and incredibly rude for someone who has absolutely nothing to add to the conversation. This is a person who is well-known and has a very respected place in the gaming community (unlike you) and has proven to be an really reliable source. She has insider info, probably because she is just that trustworthy and people who stand to get in trouble trust her with secrets.
Regardless, joking about mental health and people's personal lives is out-of-bounds. Wish I could see your face when she gets most of this right.
Re: Video: Get a Closer Look at the Virtual Boy in an Intriguing Teardown
A friend I went to school with is behind the camera for the Ben Heck show/does the production as well. Max occasionally even gets in front of the camera or yells crap from off camera. As I have watched Ben's show grow and catch it's stride Max has officially become one of the people in my life who I am most envious of...
Always good stuff and fun.
Re: Tomonobu Itagaki on Why Devil's Third Underperformed
I can agree with a couple of his points: The online experience is actually fun and in some ways fresh and different. Not getting the best and most fun aspect of the game into reviewer's hands is b.s. and there's no doubt in my mind that scores would have been higher had reviews played a full fledged online mode.
Also, NoA didn't do a damn thing to promote this game.
So that's 2 definite strikes against Nintendo.
However, expecting Nintendo to pressure reviewers is ridiculous and dude seems a bit off and full of himself. The reason that I believe he's right in saying that scores would have gone up, is that the single player mode was fairly broken/ill conceived. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good... which stands in contrast to a very playable and fun multiplayer mode. So of course scores would have gone up. They still would have been middling reviews once the two experiences were weighted and averaged out. I do believe that if Nintendo had supported the launch and highlighted the online play, sales would have been noticeably better. It wouldn't have put up impressive numbers, but it probably would have performed respectably.
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
@BensonUii I keep trying to explain that the numbers won't tell the story because Nintendo will spin the shortage news. What we do know is that retailers have gotten next to nothing and in many cases received less than the actual case quantity. These come 6 to a box and many retail stores got less than that per location.
But you're kidding yourself if you think that Nintendo has abandon the practice. It's in their marketing and sales DNA and Nintendo is very, VERY slow to change their ways... especially if it's been working for them.
Hell, even the Microsoft crew knows what they are up to and are disappointed in them for pulling this crap.
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
@PlywoodStick It's great to see it's in print. It's not something companies discuss often if ever. Thanks for the validation!
Re: EA Executive Clarifies Scope of Nintendo Switch Support, but is Cautious of Its Prospects
While I understand that any new tech or concept should be met with due diligence regarding it's viability and research into how to play to it's strengths, what I don't understand is the trepidation regarding the ability to take it on the go, especially with gamers who also own a handheld. These are two different experiences. There's no down side if you already have a 3DS or PSP or whatever. We are talking about something that's been on gamer's minds for decades. The handheld/mobile experience is short sessions, pick up and play, convenient stow and go gaming. The Switch is a home console with potential for the complete hi-end home gaming experience (4K isn't worth mentioning for another couple of years). And holy crap, you can break it out and game at a friend's house... or in their car. It also puts an end to the 'Honey let's go we're gonna be late' "Ok... let me just finish this level" home gaming experience. Now it's 'Honey let's go we're late' "Ok you drive... I'll finish this level on the way" and the very clear 'no need to pause to take the dog out' type scenarios. The games will have a different vibe, a huge jump in graphics and cater to console gaming and maybe even laptop gamers. It doesn't compete or cannibalize, it augments and compliments the pure handheld experience and makes console gaming a far freer experience.
EA and their people ARE super douchy though.
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
@BensonUii http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2016/11/15/mini-sold-out-why-didnt-nintendo-make-enough-nes-classic-editions/#591faf0a2bde
http://www.gamenguide.com/articles/67356/20161115/xbox-exec-explains-nes-classic-shortages-nintendo-to-produce-more.htm
^^^ 'Short baked' as in held back production. ^^^
http://www.polygon.com/2016/11/11/13597938/nes-classic-edition-shortage
^^^ The supposition that they are 'incompetent' is mostly there to contrast, I believe as it is nearly implausible as a scenario. ^^^
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
There will be no way of knowing if product was held back. Sales numbers don't tell you anything like that. You still don't get it; it's not overt, it's a behind the scenes thing. Otherwise it wouldn't work.
There's no smoking gun, just common sense.
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
@BensonUii I have tried to explain how it works and how it benefits Nintendo... I suppose you think it's a coincidence that it happens every time Nintendo launches something. As if, after many decades of doing this they somehow just can't get it right and are blind-sided every time. Poor Nintendo.
Not.
Again, you're not even attempting to understand how this all works. It's not a conspiracy, it's an actual way of doing business.
For example:
https://www.sitepoint.com/scarcity-marketing/
The key is knowing when to open in valves a little and make it seem that you are empathetic and are responding to consumer's needs while still keeping interest and demand high; it's a high-risk game with big payoffs if you master it, which Nintendo has.
Conspiracy theory? Yikes.
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
@BensonUii Um... just no. This does not in any way shape or form compete with them; they have nothing in this market space. I really don't think you're understanding how things work. Sell them now, or sell them later... either way Nintendo will sell what they manufacture. Again, they aren't losing anything and are getting the sort of exposure that would normally cost them millions. The people who can afford the scumbag scalper's pricing are a small group that won't have any impact on retail sales, other than perhaps to fuel scalpers to reload their depleted stock... and again, Nintendo still sells the unit.
The circle of greed.
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
They come 6 to a case. There are stores in large chains that got less than that to sell. Is anyone honestly naive enough to think Nintendo - a company that's been in the video game industry for decades - has botched every major launch of in-demand product in the history of ever? That they accidentally miss the supply mark so ridiculously every time? Come one people.... seriously?
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
@PlywoodStick Exactly... I'm glad someone gets it and has a sense of the history of Nintendo's market manipulations. The more things change...
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
@BensonUii They aren't losing any sales. Even when they ramp up production/release stock, they will still sell through their stock. It's win win for them. They're getting insane free press and hype for the product and calling it to the attention of many who didn't know it was a thing. They've added thousands, if not tens of thousands of new consumers to the list of people who want one. They lose nothing.
Not to mention the post-holiday sales they will rake in. Gift cards and Christmas money... and more systems waiting to be scooped up with said monies after the holidays.
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
@TheAceofMystery What you'd expect is that in 2016... especially since everyone knew the games they played with Amiibo manufacturing and stock... that Nintendo wouldn't be the same douche bag company it was in the 80s, but that's expecting too much I guess. Reggie has just turned into a greasy pimp. So sick of their crap. And then you blame people for not waiting in line for several hours in the middle of the night? Really?
That's just unrealistic. Not everyone can do that, nor should they be expected to.
Nintendo - just manufacture the damn systems, quit limiting production and manipulating the supply chain and stop being douche bags.
ps. I managed to get one by chance and circumstance, so I'm not bitter for not having gotten one fyi.
Re: Nintendo of America Promises 'Steady Flow' of NES Classic Edition Units Through Holiday Period
@BensonUii It's not a conspiracy, it's shady but effective ,marketing and business practices. And it's a thing; don't kid yourself. Nintendo wasn't the first and won't be the last... they are just the douchy-est in recent memory.
Re: Video: This Australian Wii U Commercial Is Perfect In Every Way, Apart From Its Timing
@Mogster It actually says DLC is a separate purchase and download a couple of times. Not sure what video your watching.
Re: Budget New Nintendo 3DS Models Announced for North America
Nice. And about time. Nintendo unfortunately seems to think it's still in a position where it can charge premium prices for it's product... even though it's way past it's expiration date from a tech standpoint. No one can deny that there are great games on the systems, but pricing definitely needs to come in line with it's age...especially with the NS on the way. No it's not a portable, but it crosses over and it's a really hard sell to have 6+ year old tech (some withered tech after all) priced anywhere in the neighborhood of newer tech. 3DS family sales have been slipping and with quality games on the systems, I think it really does come down to a pricing and time on market.
Let's hope this creates renewed interest in the system and speaks to those who were holding off. Here's to some great Black Friday deals and bundles too...