On Stemming Nintendo's Exclusive Game Drought
Thanks to Nintendojo for its editorial discussing ways to help Nintendo increase the amount of GameCube-only titles it releases. The writer notes that "...it is all too apparent that Nintendo's exclusive games lineup is very thin at the moment", and suggests one of many possible solutions: "Nintendo must figure out a way to increase the [development] capacity of Retro Studios and/or Silicon Knights. These companies must have as much depth [in amount of releases] as Rare had at the latter part of its life." How would you like to see Nintendo partnering to release more high-quality GameCube-only games?
Once, Sega had a very successful console, the Genesis. Then, they released two expansions: the SegaCD, and later the 32X; neither was very successful. Sega could not support them properly, so most of their games were released for the Genesis anyway. People who believed these expansions would actually be the "next level" were obviously pissed off.
When the Saturn - the real "next level" - arrived, people no longer trusted Sega. They were known for not supporting their systems properly. But the problem was... they had too many systems to support.
Sega's damnation began when they decided to release those new systems without phasing out the previous one. They had too many systems at the same time. And this might happen to Nintendo as well.
If this "DS" portable is not to replace the GBA, it will ultimately be its rival. Keep in mind that developement resources are not infinite. Can Nintendo afford to develop for two portables and a home console? Three systems to support at the same time?
People will buy the one that has more games; developers will see a bigger installed base and make more games for that; again, people will buy that because it has more games. If Nintendo releases a new portable without phasing out the previous one, they will be shooting themselves in the foot, with a bazooka.
Hello, Virtual Boy 2... -_-''
Circumcision is child abuse.