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Nintendo's Early 2005 Strategy

Posted by Zonk on from the what-will-they-do? dept.

Gamespot has an overview of Nintendo's strategy for the next few months. DS sales, female users, and penetration of the older market is up, while DS software sales are down owing to bundled software. The Big N is still trying to decide how much information to share about the Revolution at E3. From the article: "We want to receive some level of evaluation, but releasing too much information is also another issue. We don't have the slightest intention of making a machine that follows the same path as conventional game hardware."

63 comments

  1. Could this be it? by dmauro · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Someone found something of interest that could possibly be linked to the Revolution on the Penny Arcade Forums. It's probably not directly linked, but it may share similar technologies with the upcoming Revolution.

    1. Re:Could this be it? by xgamer04 · · Score: 1

      That video is SICK! When I was young and played with RC cars, I always thought of something like that...I didn't believe it would ever be possible.

      --
      When you look at the state of the world, how can you not become a radical, liberal anarchist?
    2. Re:Could this be it? by Toxygen · · Score: 1

      The first reply to that thread may be one of the funniest things I have ever read about RealPlayer and sums up my attitude towards it perfectly. Where's the damn mpg, avi, or hell I'd even prefer wmv!

    3. Re:Could this be it? by Errabes · · Score: 1

      It's an old interview of a french company working on new tech. It doesn't looks like it's linked to Nintendo, but why not...
      It was shown on the French/German TV, Arte, the 03 june 2004
      You can switch the language to German, if you understand better :)
      Warning: don't look at the "Arte" front page today if you don't want nude girls on your screen. There will be something about porn this evening. This is /. so I guess it's a reversed warning...

    4. Re:Could this be it? by Errabes · · Score: 1

      Oh, I should have posted this url: technical doc in english about their stuff.
      It's available for PC, but it looks like they have no relationship with game makers, and they don't market it for games on their website.
      Nothing that big if you ask me, just an advanced eyetoy. But it looks great with all the real time reflection, real world interaction and stuff.

    5. Re:Could this be it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I believe later in the thread people posted re-encoded versions of the movie.

  2. Did you have to say by the_skywise · · Score: 4, Funny

    "female users and penetration of new markets..."

    together like that?

  3. Whole lot o' nothing by Telvin_3d · · Score: 1

    Well, other than some info on the sales of the DS, that artical said nothing at all. I mean, the info on the Revolution was 'We are trying to decide how much info to tell you at some future date' Between this and that Metroid advertising story a while back, it seems Nintendo is managing to release a bunch of news that consists of saying 'we have information that you would enjoy hearing' and nothing else.

    1. Re:Whole lot o' nothing by Rallion · · Score: 1

      This has been Nintendo's specialty for as long as I can remember. It's amazing how it pisses me off so much, yet works so well at the same time.

  4. BLAST! by the_skywise · · Score: 1

    "female users and older markets"

  5. Uh huh by finkployd · · Score: 1

    female users, and penetration of the older market is up

    You need only read the contents of my spam box to know this. Is Nintendo the one sending out all the milf spam lately?

    Finkployd

  6. Sell me Zelda by satanami69 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I only have a cube becuase of Zelda. Without that one game, I'd probably not have any consoles.

    --
    I really hate Dan Patrick.
    1. Re:Sell me Zelda by Paladine97 · · Score: 1

      Rumor has it that Zelda will be a Revolution launch game. I think it would be in Nintendo's best interest to have Mario + Zelda as launch titles. The Cube suffered precisely because of this.

    2. Re:Sell me Zelda by Paladine97 · · Score: 1

      Fill in the blanks. The Cube suffered because of the lack of a Mario launch title.

    3. Re:Sell me Zelda by dimator · · Score: 1

      Two A-list titles at the launch of a system? Doesn't make sense to me...

      --
      python -c "x='python -c %sx=%s; print x%%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))%s'; print x%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))"
  7. In other words... by MMaestro · · Score: 2, Insightful
    [We haven't decided] whether we will show the real machine, videos, or unveil the concept. ... We want to receive some level of evaluation, but releasing too much information is also another issue. We don't have the slightest intention of making a machine that follows the same path as conventional game hardware. Right now, we are thinking of how we can accurately convey to people at E3 the different path that the Revolution will take and how it will change the way that games will be enjoyed."

    In other words : 'We're gonna wait and see what Sony and Microsoft do and say before we do or say anything. So far we're waiting for some definative information on whats going on between the DS and the PSP as well. Finally, the days of the D-pad are gone. Look forward to new and innovative controllers in the next generation of video games.'

    Or in a nutshell : 'We're playing it safe for now.'

  8. Nintendo's fate by DarthMAD · · Score: 0

    I think there was an article here a little while ago about Nintendo possibly becoming the new Sega. Many disputed this assertion, but Nintendo has become increasingly reliant upon its existing franchises- especially Mario and Zelda (and to a lesser extent, Smash Bros. which includes both). Sales in the US are dropping for the Gamecube- of the people with consoles I know, only 2 have Gamecubes and neither uses it much since they also have PS2s/ Xboxes. Gamecube simply can't compete.

    1. Re:Nintendo's fate by Telvin_3d · · Score: 1

      Hardware wise the Cube COULD compete. But Nintendo has consistantly made things harder than they had to be on third party developers, so the best titles have ended up on the other systems.

    2. Re:Nintendo's fate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So from your small non-random sample of like-minded friends you can conclude that the Gamecube cannot compete? Brilliant!

    3. Re:Nintendo's fate by xgamer04 · · Score: 1

      I think Nintendo kind of made a bad decision with the 'Cube: no DVD support.

      With regard to your comment about going the way of Sega, I remember reading some exec at Nintendo saying something like "the day we stop making systems is the day we go out of the games business" (sorry, I don't remember where I saw it). I dunno how serious that statement was, tho.

      --
      When you look at the state of the world, how can you not become a radical, liberal anarchist?
    4. Re:Nintendo's fate by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Informative

      "Many disputed this assertion, but Nintendo has become increasingly reliant upon its existing franchises- especially Mario and Zelda (and to a lesser extent, Smash Bros. which includes both)"

      It's disputed because Nintendo has 6 billion in the bank to play with, whereas Sega had to drop the Dreamcast because they didn't have the money they needed to build DC units to sell. A million units cost like 200 million to build, and they didn't have the money.

      "Gamecube simply can't compete."

      It doesn't need to compete, it merely needs to make a profit. Since Nintendo's franchises are successful, they're not having a prob with that. They really should try to get more marketshare, but they're a long ways off from being the next Sega.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    5. Re:Nintendo's fate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "They really should try to get more marketshare"

      Fuck no they shouldn't! If they had adopted that attitude with the GC we wouldn't have awesome games like Pikmin, Viewtiful Joe and Donkey Konga, instead replaced by more generic bullshit. Innovation comes at the price of marketshare in the gaming world.

    6. Re:Nintendo's fate by snuf23 · · Score: 1

      I agree that they are relying on the old franchises a bit much - I think also that a lot of the games only appeal to the younger set.
      We have all three consoles at my house and the GameCube gets the most play. Certainly the most group play. This is because of my 8 year old son who loved to play things like Super Smash Bros and Mario Party, hell even Mario Golf.
      The PS2 doesn't get much use and the Xbox is primarily used for emulation and media playback.
      As far as I can tell there isn't all that much good family oriented content on the Xbox. Most of the library seems geared toward gamers in high school or older. Not a lot of cute going on.

      --
      Sometimes my arms bend back.
    7. Re:Nintendo's fate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think Nintendo kind of made a bad decision with the 'Cube: no DVD support.

      For the love of fuck, this AGAIN?

      If you want to watch DVDs, you can get a DVD player at just about any retailer for maybe $40.
      If you're watching DVDs on your game console, that means you're not playing games on it.
      Nintendo sells games and consoles, not DVDs and players.

      What the christ is so hard to understand about that?

    8. Re:Nintendo's fate by syrinx · · Score: 2, Funny

      of the people with consoles I know, only 2 have Gamecubes and neither uses it much since they also have PS2s/ Xboxes.

      Odd, out of people with consoles *I* know, everyone has a Gamecube, a couple have PS2s as well, and no one has an XBox.

      It's almost like personal anecdotes don't mean anything!

      --
      Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
    9. Re:Nintendo's fate by forkazoo · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Certainly, not many people play DVD's on their consoles, but you have to admit, when the PS2 came it, it *sounded* good. IMHO, the DVD drive is purely a marketing feature. It makes a casual buyer feel he is getting more for his money. The fact that I already had four different ways to play a DVD when I bought my game cube wasn't relevant to the grandma's buying birthday presents. They just know the nice man at the wal-mart had a longer list of nice things to say about the play station.

    10. Re:Nintendo's fate by aceadean · · Score: 1

      Fact of the matter is "The Best Titles" end up on Gamecube. Nintendo may have it's missteps, but designing Great, innovative software isn't one of them. Adam

    11. Re:Nintendo's fate by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Of the people with consoles *I* know, all but two have Gamecubes. The PS2s/Xboxes simply can't compete.

    12. Re:Nintendo's fate by BTS_WRKNG · · Score: 1

      I beg to differ: if I knew the ages of the two people posting here, it might mean quite a bit.

    13. Re:Nintendo's fate by Taiq · · Score: 2, Funny

      Of the people *I* know, he has a GameCube and an Xbox, but no PS2!

      --
      I make mistakes. Don't we all?
  9. The plan.. by Tepshen · · Score: 1

    .. Had better have this in blod accross the top as such:
    No More using outdated technologies (I.E. Cartridges) because we fear change.

    1. Re:The plan.. by Tepshen · · Score: 1

      of course bold would be acceptable as well... damn my human eyes!

    2. Re:The plan.. by Chonguey · · Score: 1

      I don't think Nintendo's decision to stick with carts in the past was based on "fear of change." Cartridges have next to zero loading times compared to optical media and can provide a seamless gameplay experience. Nintendo only moved to discs when the disc streaming technology had finally gotten to the point where you could enjoy the same level of seamless interaction as a cart. Personally, I love the fact that when I play Metroid Prime or Zelda that I never have to see a "Loading" screen. What's that you say? Cartridges and cube discs can't hold as much as a DVD?!? Oh no! Now the developer has to fill the game up with gameplay instead of gigabyte upon gibabyte of useless pre-rendered FMV. Boo hoo.

    3. Re:The plan.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      There are plusses and minuses on both sides of the cartridge versus CD debate, and they've been used again and again in flame wars for a decade now. I don't think there's any reason to get into it again.

      The lack of loading screens in Nintendo's games is due in small part to the disc size and in large part to clever design. In Metroid Prime, doors simply don't open until the next room is loaded. In Zelda, the huge open ocean hid the loading times. There are some more technical tricks they can employ, too.

      As for the size of the discs, I've heard that one of the reasons Grand Theft Auto 3 didn't make it to the Gamecube is that the game's world couldn't fit on one Gamecube disc. Since the entire city had to be traversable at any given time, it couldn't simply be broken up for multiple discs. If that's true, then it does suggest some amount of shortsightedness for not anticipating game worlds of such size and detail in this generation, but that's not something I think anyone can blame Nintendo for missing.

    4. Re:The plan.. by Bloomy · · Score: 1

      I thought you just misspelled blood, which would have helped dispel the misconception that Nintendo is a kiddie company.

    5. Re:The plan.. by Spleener12 · · Score: 1
      In Metroid Prime, doors simply don't open until the next room is loaded and the horde of pireates raping you in the ass gets a few more hits in.

      Fixed.

    6. Re:The plan.. by Spleener12 · · Score: 1

      Why the HELL don't I notice these spelling errors until AFTER I hit the 'submit' button?

    7. Re:The plan.. by fwitness · · Score: 1

      Yep. Pluses and minuses both ways. I think the N64 cartridge format wasn't the best design, but it worked pretty dang well. As for GTA not on the cube because of the huge game world, I don't know. 3D models take up space depending on their complexity, not physical size. Take a look at Metroid Prime 2 and you will see a hell of a lot of complex rooms and graphics. Far more than the entirity of GTA, which has a very low polygon count and detail level.

      What *could* be a factor is the massive amount of audio. Even the original GTA had to have a few hours of music in there, and music can only be compressed so much. In the end though, it's probably a licensing thing, or Nintendo being snobbish about Soccer Moms favorite excuse for misbehaved children. Then again, I think they do make GTA(1) for the GBA.

      --
      -- I have fans? Wow.
    8. Re:The plan.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because you don't hit Preview!

    9. Re:The plan.. by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      Looking at DS media vs PSP media, maybe Sony should have feared change a little more. DS chips don't fly out of the console.

  10. awww screw it... by the_skywise · · Score: 1

    I picked the wrong day to stop drinking Dew...

  11. Strategy? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I trust in Nintendo's strategy. They know what the consumer wants. Come on, we all wanted another cartridge based system with the N64....

    1. Re:Strategy? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, we sure as hell wanted a major portion of our free gaming time looking at loading screens, that's for sure. Loading screens are great!

    2. Re:Strategy? by Psiven · · Score: 0
      Well, we sure as hell wanted a major portion of our free gaming time looking at loading screens, that's for sure. Loading screens are great!


      Mod parent up!
  12. Bundled Software? by Dragoon412 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Bundled software my ass...

    DS sales are going down because there's been all of like 3 games released since the already-weak list of launch titles.

    1. Re:Bundled Software? by hibiki_r · · Score: 1

      IMO, this is not very different from what we saw when the GBA came out. At the US launch no third party released anything worth noting, while Nintendo was only offering ports (Some old mario game and Game & Watch gallery IIRC). If Nintendo expected huge sales while their flagship title is a N64 port, they must be dellusional. If Metroid Hunters or the new 2D Mario DS were launch titles, then we'd have seen good sales.

    2. Re:Bundled Software? by Bloomy · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      At the US launch no third party released anything worth noting

      ... except Konami with Castlevania : Circle of the Moon. Now that I have a DS, I'm going to go back and play through it so I can see everything.

    3. Re:Bundled Software? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Super Mario Advance, Chu Chu Rocket, Super Dodgeball Advance, and F-Zero Maximum velocity are all great games that were available at GBA launch and in the opening weeks. I bought my GBA on its North American launch day, and later that day, I picked up the import version of Super Street Fighter IIX Revival. That was an amazing haul for a launch.

      The DS has been relying on Super Mario 64 DS, Feel The Magic, and its ability to play GBA games. And still it sells like crazy. When the big DS software comes out, it will only fare better.

      BTW, Castlevania:COTM is my favorite Castlevania of all time. I own and have played all of them, including import-only versions of Dracula X and SOTN, and even though the weapons/cards don't vary by an enormous amount, it's just so fun that I prefer it even to SOTN and AOS. When Castlevania DS (sequel to AOS) comes out, I will definitely be putting it through its paces. These modern 2D Castlevania games are second only to Super Metroid and its 2D descendents as far as complex exploration platformers are concerned for me.

    4. Re:Bundled Software? by |/|/||| · · Score: 1
      Do you mean this game?

      It's a Castlevania game for the DS, but it apparently doesn't have a real name yet. I predict it will be a seller.

      --
      [javac] 100 errors
    5. Re:Bundled Software? by fwitness · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes, and this is really beginning to piss off this Nintendo customer. I RTFA and I couldn't help thinking "What bundled software? Oh, the *demo*?" Yeah, it was great but 20 minutes later you need a game.

      It's been well over a month since I got my DS and I've been dying to buy a game for it, but there are none. I've been thinking of buying Mr. Driller for lack of good stuff. Maybe animal keeper or whatever it's called but it was overpriced.

      --
      -- I have fans? Wow.
    6. Re:Bundled Software? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He was talking about the launch game for Gameboy Advance, not a forthcoming DS game.

      http://www.rif.org/

    7. Re:Bundled Software? by Aerion · · Score: 1

      Yeah, Mr. Driller's not bad - it's at least entertaining for a while (just try not to listen to the voice acting). It would have been much better if you could play multi-player with a single card.

      At this point you might as well just wait a couple more weeks for the next wave of software to hit.

    8. Re:Bundled Software? by xenocide2 · · Score: 1

      Jesus, did you even bother to look at all for reasons to own a DS before you bought it? Its more than just a geek sex symbol you know. Well, at least it should be. Turns out none of the good games will be available until at least March, and even then, there's nothing definitively good. I'll give it a second look when Metroid and DS Wars are out, or maybe if that dslinux stuff pans out. Till then, I'll just let my money sit in the bank and earn interest, let the DS hardware depriciate on the shelf, and continue to enjoy all the great games on the GBA. I wholly recommend Boktai (either one), though I don't know how well it works with the DS.

      Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of interesting possiblities on that thing, between the wireless and the touch screen. The problem is that it's gonna take time to get a product to market that actually uses these things effectively. The first will probably be either Animal Forest DS (in case it wasn't obvious, this is part of the DemaSked portfolio) or Metroid. In the meantime, Nintendo's hoping that their early release will help stave off the PSP, with yet more rehashes from almost ten years ago. Fortunately, when the PSP finally hits you'll have a nice array of games to brag about to those punks.

      Also, Mr. Driller was a great GBC game, and I while I haven't played it on the DS, it sounds like a decent grab.

      --
      I Browse at +4 Flamebait

      Open Source Sysadmin

    9. Re:Bundled Software? by rhpot1991 · · Score: 1

      Wario ware comes out on the 15th I believe, thats a must have. I only own Mario 64 for my DS, other than that I play gba games on it (which look great by the way) Go pick up a good gba game for rather cheap like Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls which is on sale at Circuit City this week I believe.

    10. Re:Bundled Software? by Psiven · · Score: 0

      Just make sure you get the japanese import of mr driller. The US game had its single cart multiplayer mode locked, so all players must own the game. Not to mention that the US version completely lacked a single player mode that is available in japan.

  13. Erp.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have a GameCube, a PSX, and a Xbox, and the GameCube gets played MUCH more than the other consoles, even though I get unlimited free games for the Xbox and PSX, but I have to pay for the GameCube games.

  14. N still trying to decide on information... by AzraelKans · · Score: 3, Interesting

    From the article:The Big N is still trying to decide on information to reveal on the e3

    Translation: They are weighting if they should let their fans know about the GBA Evolution so they dont buy PSP's OR let the sales for the DS rise a bit more first (they're aparently taking option b) .

    p.s. Please notice no new titles for the DS other than those already produced (metroid, puppies) were mentioned. The talk immediately went to the new rehash for the GBA instead.

    --
    Go ahead MOD my day!
    More opinions here
    1. Re:N still trying to decide on information... by White+Roses · · Score: 1

      I think I'll stick with the PSP in any case. As powerful as the PSP is, it seems to me that most of the games available for PSX and possibly some PS2 games can be ported as easily as buring the game data to the UMD format. The controller isn't terribly different (one analog stick rather than two, and one L and R shoulder button rather than two - I have a few PSX games that don't use the missing buttons in any way). So, just a gut reaction, but I think the game support for PSP is going to far outpace the game support for the DS, or even the GBE, if the GBE does indeed go with mini-discs like the PSP.

      --
      Do not touch -Willie
  15. This was my strategy too... by igorthefiend · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    "female users, and penetration" but then I got a DS and I don't have the time any more...

  16. I would start with the rinky-dink games first. by British · · Score: 1

    If I were to release a game console, I'd get the already tried-true game ports out there ASAP.
    You know, things like ports of Tetris, Columns, possibly Bejeweled. Release smaller games in packs for a dirt cheap price.

    Then move onto the card, gambling games, and maybe some board games(chess, checkers, etc).

    Then get licensing for the classic game ports(Atari, Namco, bunch of arcade ports, etc).

    Why? These games are (mostly) already made. No need to spend tons of $ on actors, writers, etc. Nintendo has done this to some extent by re-releasing NES games on the GBA, but they could go a bit further. Boom, instant seed library of games for a new console.

  17. Can't Compete? by DS_hacker · · Score: 1

    The Nintendo Gamecube, true, is not doing as well as the other two systems, but I and many others will buy nintendo systems unless they go bankrupt, along with the rich people. Plus, if you drop an XBox or old PS2 on your head, you'll get a worse cuncussion than with a Gamecube. The PS2 7000 is weak.