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Nintendo Faces Investor Pressure to Bring Games to iPhone
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Apple needs to do a better job of getting quality titles some face time on the App Store. I didn't even realize Final Fantasy Tactics had been released until I saw a blurb on twitter about it.
They could -- but they'd rather you buy a Wii or 3DS and download the titles through the Virtual Console (thus keeping all the money in-house and making money selling you hardware).
That's been Nintendo's business model for over 25 years: keep the quality titles they develop on their own platform so you need to go to them for your fix.
Playing using touch screen controls? No thanks, it's ridiculous, for ridiculous people.
As much as I would selfishly want Nintendo games on my Apple devices, this would (1) be essentially nailing their own coffin and (2) will never happen for a great multitude of reasons.
The recent casual/family surge aside, Nintendo games have always been about ridiculous amounts polish and incredibly precise controls. They don't release a main IP without making it feel like the system was designed around the game, not the other way around. Also, they thrive on a hardcore base that maintains their brand's value. A used Nintendo-published Gamecube game typically fetches 30+ dollars.
I don't think they will throw away decades of policy and brand integrity because they got a little too confident and priced the 3DS too high.
Investors don't really understand gaming. I have an iPad and iPhone but I still want a 3DS for a portable Nintendo console experience.
The recent casual/family surge aside, Nintendo games have always been about ridiculous amounts polish and incredibly precise controls. They don't release a main IP without making it feel like the system was designed around the game, not the other way around. Also, they thrive on a hardcore base that maintains their brand's value. A used Nintendo-published Gamecube game typically fetches 30+ dollars.
I don't think they will throw away decades of policy and brand integrity because they got a little too confident and priced the 3DS too high.
Investors don't really understand gaming. I have an iPad and iPhone but I still want a 3DS for a portable Nintendo console experience.
The trouble is, people obviously have a limited amount of disposable income to buy gadgets and as a populous, right now we spend most of our lives with our phones.
Now it's entirely feasible that one day people will stop calling a mobile phone "a phone" but a clever and influential company has to be able shift that market and general perception to do so. One day we will all be able to VoIP and message (and have many other methods of popular communication) using just data on our phones and computers and gaming devices, which will make the traditional mobile carrier model obsolete. But it's a fair way off.
The Vita is in a better position to provide this than the 3DS, but were all still stuck in a mentality that we feel we need a handheld lump to put to our ear, along with a universal number string to be contacted at.
Now it's entirely feasible that one day people will stop calling a mobile phone "a phone" but a clever and influential company has to be able shift that market and general perception to do so. One day we will all be able to VoIP and message (and have many other methods of popular communication) using just data on our phones and computers and gaming devices, which will make the traditional mobile carrier model obsolete. But it's a fair way off.
The Vita is in a better position to provide this than the 3DS, but were all still stuck in a mentality that we feel we need a handheld lump to put to our ear, along with a universal number string to be contacted at.
I'd love to have the Pokemon games on my iPhone!
I have no desire to buy a DS, but I'd buy some of the older games if I could.
All I know is I have over 8 folders of games on my iPhone, and there are still some popular titles I haven't bought, in fact, most of those games were free... I really don't see how you can get away with charging $40 for games anymore, no matter how good they are. Even Portal 2's price has gone down.
They could probably develop original titles for the iPhone or some type of mario iPhone version.
Their new system looks pretty innovative, so i'll be interested to see how that turns out.
When Nintendo actually develops a game in house it is top notch. I'd say they have some of the best, most enjoyable video games of all time.
I think Nintendo could survive solely as a software company if they had to. That being said i agree with the person that said they will be less inclined to make games for iOS without the availability of precision controls.
Their new system looks pretty innovative, so i'll be interested to see how that turns out.
When Nintendo actually develops a game in house it is top notch. I'd say they have some of the best, most enjoyable video games of all time.
I think Nintendo could survive solely as a software company if they had to. That being said i agree with the person that said they will be less inclined to make games for iOS without the availability of precision controls.
It's a can't miss
My son has a DS and 3DS and he still only wants to drain my 3GS battery all the time. It's so sad. I dropped cash on their new products and it's true the games are garbage.
When the iPhone 5 comes out my son is getting my 3GS as his gaming unit for the car now. Please Nintendo create smartphone games and just watch the money roll in. Save yourselves.
My son has a DS and 3DS and he still only wants to drain my 3GS battery all the time. It's so sad. I dropped cash on their new products and it's true the games are garbage.
When the iPhone 5 comes out my son is getting my 3GS as his gaming unit for the car now. Please Nintendo create smartphone games and just watch the money roll in. Save yourselves.
Thriving on gimmicks
While super successful, Nintendo has been thriving on gimmicks (dual screens, move controllers) for about 4 years now. 3D is proving out to be another gimmick and thankfully people are not falling for it (same will happen to movies and TV).
Nintendo needs for the Wii U to be successful to avoid having to become a software only company, but from the early looks I doubt it i'll sell as it will most likely sell at $350-$400 price points. And at that price level it'll have a hard time competing with iPad, PS3 and the new X-Box.
While super successful, Nintendo has been thriving on gimmicks (dual screens, move controllers) for about 4 years now. 3D is proving out to be another gimmick and thankfully people are not falling for it (same will happen to movies and TV).
Nintendo needs for the Wii U to be successful to avoid having to become a software only company, but from the early looks I doubt it i'll sell as it will most likely sell at $350-$400 price points. And at that price level it'll have a hard time competing with iPad, PS3 and the new X-Box.
its not just about it being apple, its about keeping pace with the modern platform. adapt or go out of business
You have to decide where your profit comes from.
I immediately thought of the parallels between Nintendo's situation here and Mac OS X too. I think the difference is, Nintendo has always focused on selling the software titles to generate their profits. Apple has always focused on being primarily a hardware company.
That's the decision you have to make in these situations, and IMO, Apple chose wisely, because they were able to keep creating hardware people were willing to buy (even at premium prices).
Nintendo, IMO, might be best served going the other direction. They've got more to gain by broadening the user-base for all of their game titles than they've got to lose by giving up some more hardware sales. (I'm not sure this move would necessarily mean they'd have to quit selling hardware anyway? Maybe phase out the hand-held consoles but focus on the full-size ones like the next generation of the Wii? That seems like a good compromise to me.)
I immediately thought of the parallels between Nintendo's situation here and Mac OS X too. I think the difference is, Nintendo has always focused on selling the software titles to generate their profits. Apple has always focused on being primarily a hardware company.
That's the decision you have to make in these situations, and IMO, Apple chose wisely, because they were able to keep creating hardware people were willing to buy (even at premium prices).
Nintendo, IMO, might be best served going the other direction. They've got more to gain by broadening the user-base for all of their game titles than they've got to lose by giving up some more hardware sales. (I'm not sure this move would necessarily mean they'd have to quit selling hardware anyway? Maybe phase out the hand-held consoles but focus on the full-size ones like the next generation of the Wii? That seems like a good compromise to me.)
+1
I agree. They can't be making much money off of these old title now. With 25 or 30 million new customers they would make a killing. Just the old school games are what I would want, Zelda, Mario maybe even Contra. I think it would be a wise decision just to try to port a couple of games over, if they don't make any money then don't do any more, however I have a feeling they would make turd loads of money.
I agree. They can't be making much money off of these old title now. With 25 or 30 million new customers they would make a killing. Just the old school games are what I would want, Zelda, Mario maybe even Contra. I think it would be a wise decision just to try to port a couple of games over, if they don't make any money then don't do any more, however I have a feeling they would make turd loads of money.
I guess the Investors don't Know that apple is taking a huge cut out of every sold program on iOS. So developing on iOS may sound interesting, but the profit would be a lot less than selling it on their own platform.
Not a N fan, but give credit when credit is due: the WII REVOLUTIONIZED the entire gaming industry with the WII Remote, and Sony and MS needed YEARS to catch up to it. Remember the WII is a 5 year old product now, and it has had over 70% market share while 'the big two' shared the remaining 30. It was as disruptive of a technology to the gaming business as the iPhone was to smartphones.
That said, I think they need to open up their games to other platforms and create a new WII.
Problem is that Nintendo has been pretty much reselling the same handful of games over and over again and has pretty much stopped pretending it isn't with the 3DS (e.g. Ocarina of Time port). If they release their games on the iOS it would significantly hurt their hardware sales. It wouldn't be in their best interest to start porting unless they decide to exit the hardware market.
Nintendo hit upon a good gimmicks with the original DS (and the lite made it better) and the Wii. Unfortunately, they spurned online stores and interaction (e.g. Friend Codes) which turned out to be a gimmick they needed (you can't replace online content with the Vitality Sensor). I don't know why they banked on 3D being the next gimmick, there were signs that people didn't see it as a selling point. So they pretty much have to tough it out this generation like they did with the Gamecube and hope they can hit gold again with a new gimmick.
What a Shame...Missed Opportunity
Nintendo would be smart to create an "official Nintendo" controller that wraps around the iPhone/iTouch and then release tons of games for iOS. They could easily make millions of dollars on Zelda alone I'd bet. Instead of being millions in the negative they could be in the positive by focusing on making great games, regardless of the platform.
Nintendo would be smart to create an "official Nintendo" controller that wraps around the iPhone/iTouch and then release tons of games for iOS. They could easily make millions of dollars on Zelda alone I'd bet. Instead of being millions in the negative they could be in the positive by focusing on making great games, regardless of the platform.