Recently, free-to-play has become all the rage. Xbox 360 started getting several free-to-play games as well as Playstation. It took Nintendo a little while to catch on, but eventually, they joined in.
Now Nintendo has games like Steeldriver Subwars and Pokemon Shuffle on the eShop with micro transactions. Wii Sports Club was introduced, too. It required additional in-game purchases as expected.
While some were pleased with this, some worried about stuff like "UR NUR! NINTENDUR IS GOIN BAD 'ND STUFF"
Guess what? Nintendo is a company. They exist to make money. They have to appeal to the market of 2015. Not the stiff people who expect gaming to be like it was in the "good old days". Don't expect that from Nintendo. They need to appeal to the public. Not just you... EVERYONE.
Just because they made a few free-to-play games and partnered with a company to make mobile apps, doesn't mean there won't be anymore console Zelda games or that Pokemon is going exclusively to iOS. They're still trying to appeal to several markets. Kids, teens, adults. They published Bayonetta 2 didn't they? They multi task. Stop being selfish.
The more markets they grab, the more money they have to make games.
Nintendo still makes games. They're working on a new fitness device. They're working on apps. This isn't Nintendo going downhill. This is Nintendo expanding.
Benjamin, my friend. The most amazing person on the planet and everyone's best friend. He makes the world a happier place.
But.
Nintendo's current business models were only bringing in Lincolns, hence their decision.
I'm all in with Nintendo's mobile apps decision, as long as they bring in a nice balance of quality and value with the monetization of their future mobile apps.
Basically, not to screw us over with terrible apps and horrid microtransactions.
They're going to make money somehow, so I can definetly see microtransactions becoming a norm for them.
I definetly see a formula for success here, too. Any of Nintendo's iconic characters on mobile could easily skyrocket Nintendo to the most successful developer spot of any app store. I just really hope that Nintendo does it right.
As for the Nintendo NX, well, I just don't see it selling, especially this early. Merging both console categories (home console and portable) can be tricky, because many people have different preferences. And the Wii U is only three years old, so I'm skeptical.
But we'll see how it plays out.
Waffle King
18 Mar 2015 18:15
In reply to Monstercat
The NX isn't coming out NOW.
There's nothing but the codename right now. I can see them announcing it and showing it off next year, and coming out roughly the year after. That'd give the Wii U a decent 5 year lifespan.
Monstercat
18 Mar 2015 18:20
In reply to Waffle King
Unless that thing can cure AIDS, it's not going to sell.
Waffle King
18 Mar 2015 21:14
In reply to Monstercat
nice meme
andrewjcole
18 Mar 2015 17:43
In reply to Monstercat
What's with everybody saying "this early"? You do know that every console developer starts on their next console like a year after their current one?
Monstercat
18 Mar 2015 17:54
In reply to andrewjcole
Uh, because the Wii U is just now beginning to sell at a better rate because of Smash Bros. and other first party releases.
Also because consoles generally have a lifetime of at least 5-7 years.
Decent blog. Could use a bit more length, but it's good enough. It's about as long as my blogs when I first joined the site, and you can see where that went.
True points, also. Nintendo is a massive company, operating all over the world. And different markets need different tactics. Not every iPhone user is a potential console customer. But every iPhone user that downloads a Nintendo app is now a Nintendo customer.
Nintendo has been strictly a game company for quite a while now. They're experts in their field. But they're not what's "hot" right now. And while they could certainly take big risks, big risks for a company with only one market could be potentially fatal failures. However, expand their net into a few new markets, get some back-up plans to draw in cash, and suddenly taking a big risk on a new system is a bit less worrying. Even if it fails, they've got other ways to draw in revenue.
Basic business knowledge. Don't take risks you can't afford unless you like living in a cardboard box and eating stray cat soup.
Monstercat
18 Mar 2015 17:09
In reply to Waffle King
>>experts in their field
>>NEW Nintendo 3DS
>>Wii U
>>brilliant names
Waffle King
18 Mar 2015 18:13
In reply to Monstercat
they're not professional namers
andrewjcole
18 Mar 2015 17:44
In reply to Monstercat
The Newer New 3DS XL. I can see it now. xD
andrewjcole
18 Mar 2015 17:08
In reply to Waffle King
Thanks! I probaby could have gone on longer, but it's hard to type on a 3DS.