pitfallharry219
CAGiversary!
- Feedback
- 56 (100%)
Uh, in literal terms, May is spring. I can't believe this is even a debate here.
It's the internet, blasterman ain't the only person who jumps at any opportunity to criticize the wii u and Nintendo. It moved away from being on Microsoft after the X1 reveal, has gone to Nintendo, and will probably go back to Microsoft soon if the rumors of how bad X1 sales have tapered off in January.Uh, in literal terms, May is spring. I can't believe this is even a debate here.
What? I speak my mind. If I think that the Xbox One's DRM is bad then I'm going to say so. If I think that the Wii U is doing poorly and Iwata is making bad moves then I'll say so. If I think they're doing good things, then that too. If Sony had created those DRM policies I would have been equally critical there. I guess people shouldn't comment that they don't like things they consider bad. Got a plate full of shit for dinner? EAT IT AND SMILE.It's the internet, blasterman ain't the only person who jumps at any opportunity to criticize the wii u and Nintendo. It moved away from being on Microsoft after the X1 reveal, has gone to Nintendo, and will probably go back to Microsoft soon if the rumors of how bad X1 sales have tapered off in January.
The internet is a collective bully behind a keyboard, they look for weakness and just mercilessly pick on something when they see it. It's tired at this point.
My post was in reply to Timbo who said "In gaming terms, May is spring". :lol:It's the internet, blasterman ain't the only person who jumps at any opportunity to criticize the wii u and Nintendo. It moved away from being on Microsoft after the X1 reveal, has gone to Nintendo, and will probably go back to Microsoft soon if the rumors of how bad X1 sales have tapered off in January.
The internet is a collective bully behind a keyboard, they look for weakness and just mercilessly pick on something when they see it. It's tired at this point.
Fair enough. But it is also presumptuous to assume that your personal leanings deserve to be taken as critique. What you like and don't like can't be taken as analysis.I guess people shouldn't comment that they don't like things they consider bad. Got a plate full of shit for dinner?
So what I say can't be taken as critique but your opinion on marketing should be?Fair enough. But it is also presumptuous to assume that your personal leanings deserve to be taken as critique. What you like and don't like can't be taken as analysis.
The frustration with the Wii U's current situation isn't a matter of Nintendo making mistakes in game design, but in marketing. As a video game platform, the Wii U is solid, and in many ways is a boon to the industry. It's a complementary device that follows a different direction and design philosophy from its competitors. At the very least, it represents a broadening of options for both consumers and developers.
The issues that are plaguing the system come from the business and marketing side of the equation. The rampant competition in the industry is squeezing the Wii U from every direction. The area of the industry that is seeing the most growth (digital distribution and on-line play) is the one area that the Wii U is weakest in. While the Wii U is very much a deserving platform for game play and development, it is being marginalized by a marketplace that is spoiled for choice.
I didn't realize it was a specific reply to Timbo but I've seen the same sentiment here and on Reddit "OMGZ NintendoMy post was in reply to Timbo who said "In gaming terms, May is spring". :lol:
But it looks like he deleted his post.
Nintendo-Sega 2014!Iwata said the company "should abandon old assumptions about our businesses. We are considering M&As as an option. For this reason, we'll step up share buybacks."
Nintendo-Sega (along with Atlus) would be epic.So it looks like those stock buybacks did have a specific purpose other than just trying to inflate stock price, they're buying them back in preparation for potential mergers:
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/31/iwata-nintendo-considering-mergers-and-acquisitions-as-an-optio/
Nintendo-Sega 2014!
On a serious note, I doubt it'd be a merger on that scale.
That old "needs better marketing" argument is getting pretty tired. Marketing can't change the Wii U into a better product. The reality is that Nintendo chose to put a huge chunk of resources into the gamepad, leaving far too little left for the console itself. Thus many commonly expected features are either weak (RAM, CPU, GPU) or outright missing ( internal HDD, Ethernet port, bluray, DVD, analog triggers, etc).The frustration with the Wii U's current situation isn't a matter of Nintendo making mistakes in game design, but in marketing. As a video game platform, the Wii U is solid, and in many ways is a boon to the industry. It's a complementary device that follows a different direction and design philosophy from its competitors. At the very least, it represents a broadening of options for both consumers and developers.
The issues that are plaguing the system come from the business and marketing side of the equation. The rampant competition in the industry is squeezing the Wii U from every direction. The area of the industry that is seeing the most growth (digital distribution and on-line play) is the one area that the Wii U is weakest in. While the Wii U is very much a deserving platform for game play and development, it is being marginalized by a marketplace that is spoiled for choice.
That old "hardware" argument is getting pretty tired as well. As we all know, hardware doesn't mean jack for a console, games do(3DS vs Vita). Developers need to stop being such slaves to 'graphics' and 'power' and take a more creative approach to games like Nintendo has. Nintendo has also proved that the WiiU is a more than sufficient console for this generation with the games that's been realeased on it. (Super Mario 3D World, Wii Fit U, Wonderful 101).That old "needs better marketing" argument is getting pretty tired. Marketing can't change the Wii U into a better product. The reality is that Nintendo chose to put a huge chunk of resources into the gamepad, leaving far too little left for the console itself. Thus many commonly expected features are either weak (RAM, CPU, GPU) or outright missing ( internal HDD, Ethernet port, bluray, DVD, analog triggers, etc).
I do really wish Bravely Default was a Vita game, because the art is too beautiful constrained to the 3DS. But oh well, I'm glad it's made.That old "hardware" argument is getting pretty tired as well. As we all know, hardware doesn't mean jack for a console, games do(3DS vs Vita). Developers need to stop being such slaves to 'graphics' and 'power' and take a more creative approach to games like Nintendo has. Nintendo has also proved that the WiiU is a more than sufficient console for this generation with the games that's been realeased on it. (Super Mario 3D World, Wii Fit U, Wonderful 101).
The problem is that developers want to focus on graphics and horsepower. That is a totally different problem altogether.
I'm not arguing that better marketing can salvage Nintendo's current situation. What I'm trying to point out is the fallacy of assuming that what makes the Wii U a difficult console to sell also makes it a bad video game system.Obviously the competition in gaming is pretty fierce, with many different devices for the public to choose from (including the two last-gen and current-gen Sony and MS consoles), but just being "different" doesn't mean a device will be better. I think Nintendo tried too hard to be different, but sacrificed too much in terms of basic specs/features, which hugely damaged the future potential of their gaming hardware. Marketing can't fix that, though many people seem to latch onto that as a cure for the problem.
I'm for a merger or them buying other companies. This is exactly what they need to do. They should have bought THQ and Atlas studios but better late than never I suppose. They really need to buy some Western developers. Remedy would be a good one, they could steal Alan Wake from Microsoft. They need to expand the genres they have games in. If this is true, this is the best move they've done in a long time. Plus they could buy studios with experienced developers help them get through the HD hump.So it looks like those stock buybacks did have a specific purpose other than just trying to inflate stock price, they're buying them back in preparation for potential mergers:
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/31/iwata-nintendo-considering-mergers-and-acquisitions-as-an-optio/
Nintendo-Sega 2014!
On a serious note, I doubt it'd be a merger on that scale.
If they buy enough studios and put out a lot of games of a variety of genres, they'll sell all the consoles they could hope to sell. As I said earlier in this thread, gamers are fickle. They'll bitch about it one day but if a critical mass of games are released that they want, they'll buy it anyway.I'm not arguing that better marketing can salvage Nintendo's current situation. What I'm trying to point out is the fallacy of assuming that what makes the Wii U a difficult console to sell also makes it a bad video game system.
Nintendo has shot themselves in the foot somewhat with the design of their system. On this there is no debate. The results of how the system has fared in the marketplace is clear enough evidence. But it is a mistake to just jump from those conclusions to assuming that the Wii U is not a worthwhile platform. Let's not forget the GameCube, or the Dreamcast. Both were remarkably solid and worthwhile systems, even though they did not succeed or persist financially.
I would never use the Wii U as a media streaming device. It'sWith the Gamecube and Dreamcast, you could argue that the lack of a DVD player contributed to their failure. The Wii U has the problem of not being very useful outside of games, compared to the 360 and PS4. Although how much that's a factor with Netflix etc. is completely unknown.
I completely agree with everything you said. The fact is, they've got way more than just marketing as their problem. While I've been pretty down on Nintendo the last year or so, I don't believe that they're at the point where they can't turn the ship around. If they make the right moves (and good marketing is part of that), they can turn the Wii U around and make it a success. Nintendo is not immune to IP fatigue.Nintendo's problems are many.
That's the thing, I'm not sure the scenario you're describing would actually work. I don't think snatching up studios is enough. Besides, we've already seen what happens when Nintendo buys other studios.If they buy enough studios and put out a lot of games of a variety of genres, they'll sell all the consoles they could hope to sell. As I said earlier in this thread, gamers are fickle. They'll bitch about it one day but if a critical mass of games are released that they want, they'll buy it anyway.
I don't get this. You seem to be against anything that would involve Nintendo trying to expand the company out of the Mario, Zelda, et al games. To suggest that someone like Bungie is going to put out a subpar game until Nintendo molds them is crazy. Nintendo doesn't need to mold them, Nintendo needs to let them put out a Western shooter.That's the thing, I'm not sure the scenario you're describing would actually work. I don't think snatching up studios is enough. Besides, we've already seen what happens when Nintendo buys other studios.
It is a successful strategy that they've employed before to great effect. When Nintendo effectively "took over" Retro studios, they re-shaped the company from a somewhat mediocre studio into the team that brought us the Metroid Prime games. And the Donkey Kong game they worked on was quite good as well. But it took them years to coach that studio into a developer that they could use effectively. Nintendo needs to be hands-on with other studios in order to mold them. There is a finite limit to how quickly they can do that with their current capacity. There is also a limit on the size of the studios they could take in. No matter how you slice it, they can't simply purchase enough development clout to offset the major Western mega-publishers. (EA, Activision, Ubisort, etc...)
I do think they should start working on that strategy, and from the recent announcements from them it sounds like they are entertaining such ideas. But I just don't see them succeeding by throwing money at the problem. And gambling that much money on a dubious return on investment would kill their credibility with their stock-holders. The degree of competition I was mentioning makes ANY endeavor in this industry risky. The more money you're throwing at it, the riskier it becomes.
The kind of fans who would be swayed by a single title are already going to be on board for titles like Mario Kart and Smash Bros. (which are already in active development) And the lower they can get the price on the hardware, the easier it will be for someone to splurge on getting the system for a single game. For now, their best bet is to start broadening their development base and farming some of their popular IP out to solid third-party developers, while tightening their belts and getting ready for a few lean years.
Or they could try to merge/buy SquareEnix and Namco. That would break the back of the playstation brand in Japan.From all of the things that I've been reading I think what Nintendo needs to do is provide in-depth tutorials as to how Nintendo makes their games, code et all. Post information on a developer website, have representatives visit 3rd party studios and show them tips and tricks to how to better program on their system. Share this information with the indie devs as well. I think this might be a better strategy than to snatch up studios.
If I were Nintendo the only studio I would buy at this point would probably be Platinum Games. This is because most of their games share the same design philosophies and the two would get along very well together.
I'd rather get more thoughtfully-designed games like TLOZ A Link Between Worlds that is a way better homage to the classic it's based on than any New Super Mario Bros. game.I would think that they could crank out a shit ton of 2D games like NSMBU fairly quickly. Where is Super Metroid U, Yoshi's Island U, top-down Zelda U, etc.? These seem like no-brainers to me. Hell, I'd even take a complete remake of Super Metroid with updated graphics and nothing else.
If Nintendo is serious about buying some other companies how about starting with Capcom or even Konami? Can we please get a giant Mega Man U game with like 20 bosses and multiple paths through the game? Why can't we get a 2D Castlevania U? Look at how GREAT SFIV is and it is just the refinement of a great 2D concept that will always work because it is FUN. This isn't rocket science - this would be easy money and they could still push boundaries with their controllers and new game types. It doesn't have to be either/or.
2D game developer....that would be rather inexpensive to buy....and would allow them to put out IP's that are nothing like the stuff Nintendo does...lets see....on my list...Playdead...I'd rather get more thoughtfully-designed games like TLOZ A Link Between Worlds that is a way better homage to the classic it's based on than any New Super Mario Bros. game.
I wouldn't buy SquareEnix or Namco. They're not really willing to try anything new, other than on the 3DS(which is already a win for Nintendo). Mistwalker, on the other hand......Or they could try to merge/buy SquareEnix and Namco. That would break the back of the playstation brand in Japan.
Mistwalker would be good, completely agree. SE and Namco would be much more expensive as well so I think you're exactly right and it would no doubt help their install base in Japan.I wouldn't buy SquareEnix or Namco. They're not really willing to try anything new, other than on the 3DS(which is already a win for Nintendo). Mistwalker, on the other hand......
I've always entertained the idea of a local co-op 2D Metroid, one on the big screen, the other on the gamepad, either starting out in the same spot or working their way towards each other in separate sections of a map. You could either work together (easier for newcomers / kids) or just go hunt separately for the power ups (maybe sharing power ups when you meet up together again).I would think that they could crank out a shit ton of 2D games like NSMBU fairly quickly. Where is Super Metroid U, Yoshi's Island U, top-down Zelda U, etc.? These seem like no-brainers to me. Hell, I'd even take a complete remake of Super Metroid with updated graphics and nothing else.
Mistwalker is a pretty good developer but their games don't sell particularly well. They are very similar to Platinum games when it comes to critical acclaim and sales. SquareEnix on the other hand offers FF and DQ/DW which are huge hits in Japan. Granted Nintendo already has DQ in their pocket and I doubt Square has any interest in developing FF on the WiiU.I wouldn't buy SquareEnix or Namco. They're not really willing to try anything new, other than on the 3DS(which is already a win for Nintendo). Mistwalker, on the other hand......
That's basically what he said.Why would you think "molding into Nintendo" has anything to do with making more Mario games? lol.
But their 2 big console games were on Xbox 360 so it's not really that surprising that they didn't sell well. Especially in Japan.Mistwalker is pretty good developer but their games don't sell particularly well. They are very similar to Platinum games when it comes to critical acclaim and sales. SquareEnix on the other hand offers FF and DQ/DW which are huge hits in Japan. Granted Nintendo already has DQ in their pocket and I doubt Square has any interest in developing FF on the WiiU.
This 100%.I'd rather get more thoughtfully-designed games like TLOZ A Link Between Worlds that is a way better homage to the classic it's based on than any New Super Mario Bros. game.
No, lol he did not even say anything like that.That's basically what he said.
But their 2 big console games were on Xbox 360 so it's not really that surprising that they didn't sell well. Especially in Japan.
The point is they don't need to mold developers into making games anything like any of their games.Why would you think "molding into Nintendo" has anything to do with making more Mario games? lol.
It's not a matter of art style or vision. It's a matter of corporate culture. Nintendo has a very specific corporate culture. They've also had bad experiences when letting slip control of their IP. When they farm out the franchises to outside developers, they always make sure that they have a very hands-on relationship.The real risk is basically what Richard Kain was saying, they "have to" mold them into Nintendo. That's not at all true, molding some of these studios into making more Mario games and destroying their artistic talent is the WRONG thing to do.
I think this is where the confustion is. I think Blaster Man, and definitely myself, are arguing that the LAST thing Nintendo should do is buy up developers and farm out their IPs to them.It's not a matter of art style or vision. It's a matter of corporate culture. Nintendo has a very specific corporate culture. They've also had bad experiences when letting slip control of their IP. When they farm out the franchises to outside developers, they always make sure that they have a very hands-on relationship.
Precisely this and I think this is exactly what Iwata is saying.I think this is where the confustion is. I think Blaster Man, and definitely myself, are arguing that the LAST thing Nintendo should do is buy up developers and farm out their IPs to them.
Their IPs aren't selling Wii Us, and the 3DS is selling a ton less than the DS.
They need to buy up developers to make NEW IPs for them. Particularly new IPs in genres that gamers in the west give a shit about.
They can handle Mario, Zelda et al. in house, and should keep pumping those games out. Any devs they buy up they need to round out the library with genres they don't make in house like shooters and WRPGs and so on. Not just help them get out more mascot games.
Last Story didn't sell particularly well either and that was on the Wii. I am a fan of Mistwalker, loved Lost Odyssey and thought Blue Dragon was pretty good. That said, they don't move the needle like Square does. Also, IMO Monolith Studios is a better developer who is already in the fold and developing a pretty good RPG for the Wii U.But their 2 big console games were on Xbox 360 so it's not really that surprising that they didn't sell well. Especially in Japan.
You nailed it, but there aren't many Japanese developers who make those kinds of games. I think that was Richard's point, that if Nintendo does buy up developers they will most likely buy up other Japanese developers or developers who have a similar corporate structure.I think this is where the confustion is. I think Blaster Man, and definitely myself, are arguing that the LAST thing Nintendo should do is buy up developers and farm out their IPs to them.
Their IPs aren't selling Wii Us, and the 3DS is selling a ton less than the DS.
They need to buy up developers to make NEW IPs for them. Particularly new IPs in genres that gamers in the west give a shit about.
They can handle Mario, Zelda et al. in house, and should keep pumping those games out. Any devs they buy up they need to round out the library with genres they don't make in house like shooters and WRPGs and so on. Not just help them get out more mascot games.
I felt the same about the 360 games, Lost Odyssey was great and Blue Dragon was decent. That said, I didn't even realize that Last Story was them. I didn't play that game because by the time it came out I was sick of playing SD games on my HDTV. You also have to consider that sequels tend to do progressively better than the first titles in video games. For example, look at sales of each of the Saint's Row games. It wasn't until it got to 3 that it was a blockbuster.Last Story didn't sell particularly well either and that was on the Wii. I am a fan of Mistwalker, loved Lost Odyssey and thought Blue Dragon was pretty good. That said, they don't move the needle like Square does. Also, IMO Monolith Studios is a better developer who is already in the fold and developing a pretty good RPG for the Wii U.
A noble endeavor, to be sure. But the kind of strategy you are proposing is also fraught with risk. New IPs are always risky. They are an unknown quantity, and require substantial publicity investment just to get out the door. They are throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it will stick.They can handle Mario, Zelda et al. in house, and should keep pumping those games out. Any devs they buy up they need to round out the library with genres they don't make in house like shooters and WRPGs and so on. Not just help them get out more mascot games.
I listed a lot of developers, many of which are indies, that they could target. At some point they're going to have to take a risk. Just getting into video games in the first place was a huge risk for them and it worked out. They're going to have to continue to evolve.A noble endeavor, to be sure. But the kind of strategy you are proposing is also fraught with risk. New IPs are always risky. They are an unknown quantity, and require substantial publicity investment just to get out the door. They are throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it will stick.
That kind of strategy is high-minded, but ineffective in terms of a proposed business plan. Also, with the current state of Western development, do you really think that it would be a good idea to "buy" one of the studios over here? Most of the big developers over here are already owned by mega-publishers and are not for sale. They can't just purchase Bethesda in order to get the next Elder Scrolls on the Wii U, someone else is already pulling their strings. And most of the rest of the talent has been trained for years to be in Call Of Duty clone mode. (or World of Warcraft clone mode, or Zynga clone mode) The industry at large is just a little to fond of chasing popular trends. Most of the mid-size developers that they COULD buy would just give them another generic shooter that wouldn't stand out from an already crowded market. Just another shooter isn't the answer, they would need something that felt fresh and new, and Respawn's latest is already spoken for.
They got Wonderful 101, for better or worse. And they've managed to co-opt Bayonetta, for better or worse. So some efforts have been made on that front already. It would be great to see more, but new IP is not a viable investment. It's too big of a gamble to be making for a major company.
It would make much more sense for them to snatch up some promising indie devs. Indie developers aren't insulated by publishers, so they are easier to contact directly. The much smaller size makes them more malleable, and both easier and cheaper to maintain oversight on. And their output tends to be more friendly towards under-powered hardware. Since they require so much less investment of money, they can experiment more freely, especially with the exotic hardware that the Wii U provides.
Very true. Some manner of change is necessary. I just don't think what you're proposing is the correct direction. Everything you've been saying makes it seem like you want them to become more like Sony and Microsoft. And that simply wouldn't turn out well for Nintendo.I listed a lot of developers, many of which are indies, that they could target. At some point they're going to have to take a risk. Just getting into video games in the first place was a huge risk for them and it worked out. They're going to have to continue to evolve.
You honestly think their entire problem is one of marketing?Very true. Some manner of change is necessary. I just don't think what you're proposing is the correct direction. Everything you've been saying makes it seem like you want them to become more like Sony and Microsoft. And that simply wouldn't turn out well for Nintendo.
Nintendo is no stranger to change in the area of game design. It's within the scope of corporate structure and it's relation to the changing cultural landscape that they are the most moribund. That's where change really needs to occur. It's anyone's guess what shape its going to eventually take.
As to actual games, Nintendo is just fine. Two of the most critically praised games of last year, and often chosen as "Game-of-the-year" contenders and recipients, came from NIntendo. Both their major platforms are getting regular high-quality titles. That has never been an issue. Nintendo makes good systems, and good games to play on those systems. They are just falling behind when it comes to convincing people to buy those systems and games. The general consumer has never been known for having either sense or taste.
TBH, I'm tired of a lot of that shit too. Mostly I like indie games and games that tell interesting stories. Tomb Raider was highly acclaimed but I played through it and wasn't all that impressed. Before that I played Papo and Yo and was blown away by it. That last part of the game is something else. Of course I also really enjoyed The Unfinished Swan and Beyond Two Souls which are games that were really polarizing. On the other hand i thought Bioshock Infinite was very overrated.If Nintendo ever went away I think I'd be done with modern gaming except at a casual level (parties, friends).
The repetitiveness of the FPS genre and regurgitated franchises of today doesn't interest me.
The gaming industry has historically relied on Nintendo for gaming innovations (dpad, analog stick, Z targeting, rumble pak, [unfortunately] motion controls) which other companies use as a source to emulate and perfect. Without Nintendo I can see gaming consoles devolving into glorified media centers with annual releases, padded dlc, etc.
I'm probably just old and stuck in the past.