8 replies to this topic

[MorbidGod]

Hello Folks,

It's been a while since I have talked here. I've posted here and there, but since I've hit financial trouble, sold my PC I built and Wii U, I have kind of gone away until I can buy a new Wii U (Which I fully plan on doing).

On that note, however, I do want to discuss what we know about 2014 for Nintendo and what it means for it's outlook.

First game I want to discuss is X. Or whatever they end up calling it. I truly believe this will make or break the Wii U in Japan. They love RPG's and this game looks huge and epic. ASSUMING NOA releases this game in USA, it should sell well but WILL NOT BE a system seller. I just don't see it.

Mario Kart 8. Need I say more? Parents all over will want to get this game and the Wii U for their kids. Hell, I am a parent and I WANT this game. Looks bigger and better than Sonic Racing that I am enjoying now. This will move at least one million units. Hopefully most of those sales come from NEW CUSTOMERS and not just current owners.

Super Smash Bros 4. This game will sell even more than Mario Kart and X. It's the one fangasim game that everyone - even Xbox and PS players want. And it's worth 300+ to play.

That's all the games that come to mind. I'm probably skipping some. But if I am, so are non Nintendo owners and thus Nintendo needs to tell us about these games.

So, I was reading IGN ( http://www.ign.com/a...the-wii-u-fails ) and I have to say ... I agree and don't agree. Agree that, yes the Wii U could fail and Nintendo will be fine. But disagree that all is doom and gloom. Remember, Sony and the PS3 was in the same spot right now. http://vgsales.wikia...i/Playstation_3 In fact, Sony only sold 2.33 million units in the forth quarter of 2008 which is the same quarter Nintendo is in. Wii U just sold a half a million in Dec 2013. I don't see a reason for that to slip, assuming DK, Mario Kart and X get released in this last quarter or 2013. If they don't have these and other games coming out, then they might not make my prediction.

And need I remind you, that the Sony PS3 ended up selling over 80 million units. And had, just like the Wii U, a rough start. And remember, my early prediction for total lifetime sales by 2017 is around 70 million. No where near the Wii sales numbers, but close to Sony's (which yea, that puts them in dead last). Buy is 70 million sales - of a console about fifty to hundred dollars more starting out - really bad? I don't think so. It doesn't meet expectations, sure. But maybe Nintendo had higher than realistic expectations. Maybe everyone else does.

So, what should Nintendo do? Work with third parties, like they did with Lego City Undercover, like they did with the Sonic exclusives. Like they did in the past for F-Zero. Choose these developers wisely. Let them use your IP Nintendo isn't planning on using. This will help get exclusive games to your system. And UP YOUR GAME. Need to make more games and get them out on time.

Cater to the Nintendo crowd. Screw everyone else. You can get to 70 million sales if you sale to the people who will buy a Wii U. Buy try to expand to people who won't waste money and resources. So don't.

Anyway, that's my ten cents.

[DéliopT]

Just to make it clear, Nintendo sold 1M worldwide in the last quarter of 2013. Which is 700K+ less than it did in December of 2012.
Wii U is not going to sell that much this quarter, too.

 

In terms of 3rd party relationships, they need to also focus on games that MS and Sony fans play. X and Bayonetta 2 are good bets. But they need shooters, racers, sports games.
Speaking of X, i was watching IW at gametrailers and the way they were talking about the game made me think if it isn`t going to be something like Destiny, instead of Xenoblade.

 

SSB4 and MK 8 will surely surpass Mario 3D World`s sales and popularity, without a doubt.

 

 

Oh, welcome back!

[MorbidGod]

Just to make it clear, Nintendo sold 1M worldwide in the last quarter of 2013. Which is 700K+ less than it did in December of 2012.
Wii U is not going to sell that much this quarter, too.

In terms of 3rd party relationships, they need to also focus on games that MS and Sony fans play. X and Bayonetta 2 are good bets. But they need shooters, racers, sports games.
Speaking of X, i was watching IW at gametrailers and the way they were talking about the game made me think if it isn`t going to be something like Destiny, instead of Xenoblade.

SSB4 and MK 8 will surely surpass Mario 3D World`s sales and popularity, without a doubt.


Oh, welcome back!

The quarter ends March 2014 I believe. Starts sometime in Dec. So, the quarter is not over.

Yeah, they do need to work more with third party devs. That's true.

And thanks!

[SailtheSeas]

People keep saying X will sell a shed load of Wii U's, but Xenoblade Chronicles sold 800,000 units worldwide, that's not a huge number is it?

 

Also as popular as Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros and Zelda U are the major problem for Nintendo seems to be their inability to get third party support. There are lots of Sony and Microsoft gamers who want to play Nintendo games, but don't want to invest in a system where they're only going to buy a handful of games and to them that doesn't represent a great investment.

[MorbidGod]

People keep saying X will sell a shed load of Wii U's, but Xenoblade Chronicles sold 800,000 units worldwide, that's not a huge number is it?

Also as popular as Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros and Zelda U are the major problem for Nintendo seems to be their inability to get third party support. There are lots of Sony and Microsoft gamers who want to play Nintendo games, but don't want to invest in a system where they're only going to buy a handful of games and to them that doesn't represent a great investment.

People might be saying X will be a system seller, however that's not what I said.

"ASSUMING NOA releases this game in USA, it should sell well but WILL NOT BE a system seller. I just don't see it."

Also, looking at Xenonlade Chronicles which was sold first in Japan and then limited release in USA isn't really a good judgment on how well X will do if it was fully released AND advertised in USA.

However, I still don't believe it will be a system seller in America.

And it appears you agree that SOFTWARE is the issue for gamers. They need MORE GAMES to buy for Wii U. So NINTENDO should work with third parties, give them IP like Sega did with F-Zero, and let THIRD PARTIES develop EXCLUSIVE games for Wii U.

Because, if you mean multoplats, why should Xbox One and PS4 gamers buy a Wii U when they can buy all the games they want on the system they have?

[DéliopT]

The quarter ends March 2014 I believe. Starts sometime in Dec. So, the quarter is not over.

Yeah, they do need to work more with third party devs. That's true.

And thanks!

 

Well, last year Nintendo sold 637K units for the last quarter. Even if it doubles that this year, it`s 1.274K.
Xbox 360 sold 1388K on it`s second 4Q

PS3 sold 2465K on it`s second 4Q

 

It won`t be an easy task for Nintendo to even double sales with just Donkey Kong on the horizon for this last quarter.

 

EDIT: I forgot to mention that i was speaking about the fiscal year!

Edited by DéliopT, 19 January 2014 - 09:48 AM.

[Rockodoodle]

I also think that Mario 3d, DKTF, Smash, Pikmin, W101, Mario Kart, Bayonetta, Hyrule will collectively increase sales..... With components coming down in price, it's not outside the question that the price drops to $250 by Sept.

[Nintyfan86]

Morbid God,

 

First and foremost, I am very sorry to hear of your financial difficulties. I hope things are turning around for you.

 

Iwata finally admitting that he needs to pay more attention to the other territories is the first step. Actually, this was probably admitted some time ago (earlier last year), and work was probably started to correct this situation.

 

I agree whole heartedly that Nintendo needs to get their franchises out the door. Actual development needs to begin on titles that satisfy all types of audiences (F-Zero, Star Fox, Metroid, Fire Emblem, etc.) needs to begin. Nintendo needs to also look at what makes these markets happy from a consumer utility perspective, and then give it to them. How hard would it be to create a coin system for achievements, and then create in game items to redeem the coins with? Actual trophies that people can see on the Miiverse could go along way, and increase the value proposition for third parties.

 

Fixing the eshop and getting all applications to work with the Wii remote would be helpful as well (why can't I use Netflix with the Wii remote?).

 

Oh, and a unified account system. Stop making people buy the same games multiple times.

 

Basically, they need to win hearts and minds in these territories. We need to see places like Neogaf talking about how awesome the 'new' Nintendo is. I can tell you what you already know, about how the 'Touch Generations' market has been divided by Google/Apple, and that gamers are what you have left. The only way to show those people the games would be through mini experiences, like what Reggie spoke of, to lure people to the main devices.

 

My apologies for the disorganization of this post, as this is some quick brainstorming. However, the point is that Nintendo is in a unique position to match the competition while offering something very different at the same time. This is their competitive advantage.

[SailtheSeas]

And it appears you agree that SOFTWARE is the issue for gamers. They need MORE GAMES to buy for Wii U. So NINTENDO should work with third parties, give them IP like Sega did with F-Zero, and let THIRD PARTIES develop EXCLUSIVE games for Wii U.

Because, if you mean multoplats, why should Xbox One and PS4 gamers buy a Wii U when they can buy all the games they want on the system they have?

 

Xenoblade Chronicles aside, I have never said that software isn't an issue, I said it is one issue of many surrounding the Wii U. Whether you like it or not, there are gamers who don't want the tablet controller, so they refuse to pay for it, the same is true with the Kinect 2.0. Consumers don't like having things forced upon them and kudos to Sony for actually listening to what gamers want and that's why despite not having that great of a games library the PS4 has shipped 4.2 million units in around five weeks.

 

Nintendo does need some more must have exclusives, but it also needs those multiplatform games you're dismissing. There are lots of gamers who still own a PS3 or Xbox 360 who haven't bought an eighth-generation console and Nintendo could have really tapped into this market had it released a few of its AAA first party titles, a few second party games, some must have third party exclusives and those multiplatform games. Console manufacturers need to have a wide variety of games  on their systems to appeal to a diverse range of gamers.

 

But importantly Nintendo need to go back to making a traditional console that will go toe-to-toe with their competitors. Nintendo is innovative with their software offerings and a result their software offerings are better than anyone else's. No other games developers makes games as good as Nintendo does, you can see the passion and the committment from Nintendo in making a highly polished and fun gaming experience for all ages. That said they don't need to do so with their hardware offerings. 

 

Whether you'll agree with me or not, consumers don't want weaker hardware at the expense of a gimmick and that is precisely what the Wii U is in comparison to the PS4. It's a weaker system with a gimmicky controller that is forced upon consumers. Now I don't really care about the hardware, it doesn't bother me, as long as I get an enjoyable experience from the console's software offerings that's all that matters and I do like the tablet controller, but I'm in the minority.

 

The majority of gamers don't want what Nintendo is offering with the Wii U and I doubt Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros, Zelda U and any other game on the Wii U will drastically change the opinions of the majority.