Nintendo software only.
- Thread starter VG_Addict
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Probably not given they're still dominating the hand held market, the Wii was so successful they're still living off the bags of money they made off that, and while the WiiU underperformed to say it wasn't a moderate success that's only disappointing in the face of how well the Wii and the other two current gen consoles have sold would be a lie.
When one compares the three companies currently in the console making market, Nintendo is quite frankly the least likely of them all to call it quits. Sony's PlayStation division has been operating at a loss most of its existence, Microsoft's had an ongoing argument within its leadership about whether or not to axe the Xbox division for years now without bothering to hide that fact, while Nintendo has only had 2 years of operating in the red over the past 30 years, a financial loss it has since made up for, and it's quite frankly of all video game companies the one that (openly) has the most money in its bank account. No debts and billions in the bank, none of the other 9 following largest gaming companies in the world can boast that.
And with how things are turning out, with a theme park, potential animated series and other expansions, Nintendo is honestly on course to be Japan's Disney in terms of being a multi-media empire.
When one compares the three companies currently in the console making market, Nintendo is quite frankly the least likely of them all to call it quits. Sony's PlayStation division has been operating at a loss most of its existence, Microsoft's had an ongoing argument within its leadership about whether or not to axe the Xbox division for years now without bothering to hide that fact, while Nintendo has only had 2 years of operating in the red over the past 30 years, a financial loss it has since made up for, and it's quite frankly of all video game companies the one that (openly) has the most money in its bank account. No debts and billions in the bank, none of the other 9 following largest gaming companies in the world can boast that.
And with how things are turning out, with a theme park, potential animated series and other expansions, Nintendo is honestly on course to be Japan's Disney in terms of being a multi-media empire.
It's actually disappointing in the face of every other Nintendo console ever made. It's their worst-selling console of all time.Zontar said:
NES - Money MachineKotaro said:
SNES - Money Machine
N64 - Not a Money Machine
Gamecube - Not a Money Machine
Wii - Money Machine
Wii U - Not a Money Machine
It's a tie.
They're probably at least considering it now. Whether it's likely is another story. I think this post has a good point, though.MysticSlayer said:
Even the 3DS was only a failure in the sense that it didn't meet their projected figures, their handhelds are still popular despite going up against smartphones, and if it was the only place for Nintendo material, they might even do better. Or worse, but still. Either way, I'd definitely see them trying the handheld market first.HybridChangeling said:
I could also see Nintendo trying to release their own tablet to try and capture that market. Or if not literally a tablet, something that falls between the Game Boy/DS and a true tablet.
And nobody said otherwise, no need to get eerily defensive.Kotaro said:
This is every Nintendo thread ever. You mention one negative thing about the company in light of historical retrospection and fans go WELL IT'S HERE TO STAY SO WHATEVER.
Fans: pretending it's all ups and no downs is no good.
And I'd hardly call the N64, Game Cube or Wii U "licenses to print money".
That's true though the 64DD was a peripheral, not a console, and I would find no pride in comparing my console favorably to the Virtual Boy.Imperioratorex Caprae said:
Unlikely. Nintnedo still has money in the bank. They could survive a multitude of failures before forcing into a situation like Sega. In addition, I could see Nintnedo focusing more on expanding its side stuff (movies, tv anime, theme parks, etc) for a console generation then come back with a vengeance the next using the previous stuff as momentum.
I could see this as well. Nintendo is starting a few mobile titles and the NX development site does mention tablets so it's possible.Something Amyss said:
Apparently, they said that they would rather commit company seppuku if it ever got so bad that they need to go third party. If that's actually true, then I'd rather they don't.
Personally, I'd welcome it. There have been plenty of Nintendo games I would have liked to have played over the years, but could not rationalize spending the money to buy a console just to play two or three games in a generation. And, just to clarify, that is my personal opinion and not an attack on Nintendo. Got it, NDF?
On the one hand, I could see it. With the exception of the mega selling Wii, their consoles have repeatedly sold less and less with each generation. Nearly 10 million units each time. And the Wii U does not seem to be repeating the Wii's success or even reversing the trend of their consoles selling poorer than previous ones (ignoring the Wii and comparing sales numbers to the Gamecube).
Only a complete fool would look at such data and conclude that continuing to make consoles is in their best interest. Especially if they can remove the cost of console production. I'm sure Sony or Microsoft would chew off a proverbial arm to secure even timed exclusivity of Nintendo published games like Mario and Zelda.
In many ways, going software only is a Win/Win scenario for Nintendo.
On the other hand, nothing Nintendo is doing seems to indicate that they are intending to change course. The handheld market is basically owned by Nintendo and nothing is taking the crown from them in the foreseeable future. Not sure if that means Nintendo is breaking even overall or profitable. The NX could always reverse their flagging console sales, too.
I'm really slightly worried about the apparent interest in mobile gaming they have indicated. That Pokemon Go game could be just the beginning. And I'm concerned what they might do from there. Mobile gaming is a scourge due to F2P games and that sort of thing could drag Nintendo products good name through the mud.
I guess you could say that they kinda are going software only with mobile gaming. Still not holding my breath for a Mario game on PS4, though.
On the one hand, I could see it. With the exception of the mega selling Wii, their consoles have repeatedly sold less and less with each generation. Nearly 10 million units each time. And the Wii U does not seem to be repeating the Wii's success or even reversing the trend of their consoles selling poorer than previous ones (ignoring the Wii and comparing sales numbers to the Gamecube).
Only a complete fool would look at such data and conclude that continuing to make consoles is in their best interest. Especially if they can remove the cost of console production. I'm sure Sony or Microsoft would chew off a proverbial arm to secure even timed exclusivity of Nintendo published games like Mario and Zelda.
In many ways, going software only is a Win/Win scenario for Nintendo.
On the other hand, nothing Nintendo is doing seems to indicate that they are intending to change course. The handheld market is basically owned by Nintendo and nothing is taking the crown from them in the foreseeable future. Not sure if that means Nintendo is breaking even overall or profitable. The NX could always reverse their flagging console sales, too.
I'm really slightly worried about the apparent interest in mobile gaming they have indicated. That Pokemon Go game could be just the beginning. And I'm concerned what they might do from there. Mobile gaming is a scourge due to F2P games and that sort of thing could drag Nintendo products good name through the mud.
I guess you could say that they kinda are going software only with mobile gaming. Still not holding my breath for a Mario game on PS4, though.
I'm not sure it works that way, though. Like it or not, Nintendo still has to impress investors. And investors don't want to hear "we have enough money in the bank to avoid bankruptcy for ten years." They want to hear what Nintendo is doing to make them money right now. If Nintendo continues to fall behind, then you better believe there are going to be some shakeups. Maybe not after one failed console, or even two, but if this becomes a pattern then they'll have no choice but to consider alternatives.xaszatm said:
That said, there are a lot of ways that Nintendo could capitalize on their IP's, even outside of gaming, so they're not going anywhere soon. I just think it's clear something needs to be done.
Ya, I just tossed the 64DD in because in a technical sense it was a console, even if it was an addon part. But even so the VB was the worst disaster, whereas the WiiU has sold poorly but isn't a total failure. I'm of the mind that Nintendo's longevity is an anomaly in the market, whether its trading on nostalgia and somehow beating the odds or the company is willing to take chances and innovate even if those innovations end up nowhere I've not a clue.Johnny Novgorod said:
They just won't give up and I feel short of a catastrophe in Japan, they'll be around after all others have tapped out. I like the WiiU, but I recognize its poor performance overall but it isn't a total failure just not the success they wanted it to be. I don't defend the WiiU though, even if I enjoy it. Its got the same love from me that the Vita does. I like them, but in no way consider them successful.
WiiU won't tank the hardware arm of Ninty, just harden their resolve to make whatever is next something special. Hopefully, for their sake I hope I'm right because I'd hate to see them disappear from the hardware market. They've kept the competition honest at the least, and come up with some interesting shit.
To clarify: They've probably discussed it, but I doubt they'll even come close to making plans until they're convinced they just can't survive in the console and handheld markets anymore. Considering the WiiU was an anomaly for them and their handheld systems are still going strong, I'd imagine we'll be seeing a few more consoles from Nintendo even beyond the NX regardless of how well it does.Something Amyss said:
I doubt they would switch over very fast, especially not with the DS since they can make a new one every week and it would still sell like cakes.
Their main console might go away but not for a number of iterations more, after all they don't play nice with anyone else and I can't see them letting other platforms get their precious gems of holiness.
Their main console might go away but not for a number of iterations more, after all they don't play nice with anyone else and I can't see them letting other platforms get their precious gems of holiness.
I'd say the "Nintendo is here to stay" comment is warranted simply for the fact that this general topic is bought up every other month. Even should the NX failing be enough to for Nintendo to change to developing software only, how long do you think it would be before Nintendo games on other platforms are realised? Here to stay for a damn while yet.Johnny Novgorod said:
OT: Nintendo have not given indication they are anything but still adamant they'll continue producing consoles. It would be pretty crazy for them to give it up too. There'd just be way too much value tied up years of brand recognition to simply walk away from consoles even if the NX is a failure (though the degree of failure would be still be significant).
Development costs for a single platform that they own is significantly less expensive than the alternatives. MS and Sony make more from software licences than selling the consoles. I think it would be fair to say that there is a potential to make more money while producing their own consoles.VG_Addict said: