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Originally Posted by Aaronrules380

I don't think those games would help enough to justify the cost though. It's not just whether it helps, it's also whether it helps enough that it makes up for developments costs and the likes. If stuff like Zelda, Smash bros, Mario Kart, and the other much bigger names don't help the wii U, than in all likelihood nothing will. If they're desperate enough to try and rely on those franchises, they're probably far better off just pulling the plug and starting again

Well, I think they will so I guess we'll have to agree to disagree there.

Mario Kart is not going to bring a drastically different audience from what the current Mario games are already bringing and they're delusional if they think it will. Smash Bros potentially could but the 3DS version may hurt that and it isn't a sure thing. Zelda probably will, but that's just one game. That's why these others have to come.

Originally Posted by TDLink

Well, I think they will so I guess we'll have to agree to disagree there.

Mario Kart is not going to bring a drastically different audience from what the current Mario games are already bringing and they're delusional if they think it will. Smash Bros potentially could but the 3DS version may hurt that and it isn't a sure thing. Zelda probably will, but that's just one game. That's why these others have to come.

See the difference is Mario Kart will help encourage people who like that sort of game but would probably want more than one game to justify buying the system. And I'm sure they'd help, but not enough to make a difference or for the risk to be worthwhile. If the Wii U was doing decently, but needed a push to compete better, you might have a fantastic point. As it is right now, it's too much of a risk and it funnels resources away from much smaller risks

Right now I am perceiving a much higher quality of video game craftsmanship on both the Nintendo 3DS and WiiU than any other platforms except the PS3 in the last 6 months. Some could argue they are equal and some could argue one is better. I don't really care as I am enjoying them both immensely.

Fuck the computational potentials of these machines people. It's about games and the art of crafting them. Its about the fun we will have playing them.

People are pissed about the resentful and shameful behaviours of other platforms and developers regarding micro-transactions and always-online. Nintendo has never let you down in these respects and has you covered. They have always treated their fans and customers with the utmost respect and humble gratitude. Nobody ever points it out even when it is such a huge topic right now.

The problem I see with nintendo currently is two-fold:

1. (and most important) Nintendo has an image problem. It fails to communicate to the market the allure of their games and platforms. It needs to work much harder at giving the appearance of being age/generation neutral. Where it be in hardware or software design. It needs to market much more aggressively in proving that it makes amazing games for all ages and that some of the greatest video game craftsmen are behind them.
   
2. Increase 1st party and 3rd party development drastically. The latter being the most important. There is just no excuse other than paranoia that stems from a out-of-date business model regarding 3rd party fees.

Of course, the market needs time to react even when Nintendo ends up doing the right thing. It will take time to see any effects regardless of what they decide to do.

Originally Posted by Aaronrules380

See the difference is Mario Kart will help encourage people who like that sort of game but would probably want more than one game to justify buying the system. And I'm sure they'd help, but not enough to make a difference or for the risk to be worthwhile. If the Wii U was doing decently, but needed a push to compete better, you might have a fantastic point. As it is right now, it's too much of a risk and it funnels resources away from much smaller risks

Sure, more games of any sort are always good and will always get more people on board. However, the system already has 2 Mario games (plus another game-length DLC in NSLU). It's also getting a Donkey Kong Country game before Mario Kart comes next year. It also already has a Rayman game. It already has Sonic All Stars Racing 2 as well in terms of a Kart racer. There's nothing wrong with having any of these games. In fact, I would say they are all quality games and/or will be quality when the ones not out come out. However, they need more types of games than just those that appeal to "people who like that sort of game". Before this month they already sold ~4 million Wii Us, best case scenario this month/next month adds what, another 2 or maybe 3 million? I think at that point you have probably captured a large portion of people into those kinds of games. By all means, keep making great entries in those series and providing games for that audience. But they need to expand beyond that as well.

Now is the time to make big risks. They don't have the luxury to make small ones. Big risks are the only thing that can get them out of this hole. They have enough of a warchest, plus a successful handheld on top of that, that even if every single big risk they took right now failed they would still be well off as a company into the future. Small risks aren't going to get them shit.

Simple two step solution:

1. Make gamepad optional. Make whatever changes in the OS needed to make this happen. Sell console for $199 with pro controller. Better yet, two pro controllers. You're trying to sell to families with local multiplayer games, so throwing in an extra controller at an already affordable price would be huge. Or one controller and bundled with NSMB or MK. Whatever. Either way, the system would be in a good position against not only the ps4/xbone, but also the ps3/360 (yes, these will still be selling).

2. Rename "Wii U" to "U". Minimal effort to rebrand since U is already part of the name, and you automatically get rid of the Wii baggage.

Originally Posted by 69wpm

I'm way too tired to write about all points, but this just woke me up. Source for this bullshit?

I realize it's been addressed, but if you knew what sales of Wii U titles have been recently, you'd not have asked. I can't imagine any third party is going to want to develop for a Nintendo console for a long time, without some serious change in how Nintendo courts third party software.

The numbers are terrifying.

Edit: zomgbbqftw, great OP. Thanks for writing it.

There's a lot of work that needs to be done IMO, first off, don't kill the Wii U off, sets a terrible precedent. They need to support it as best they can for at least 3/4 years whilst preparing for next gen before they their next console.

So, preparation! First off, they need more internal Western development, it's obvious that what they have right now, while full of quality, just can't support 2 systems on their own, and a built in hybrid has always seemed like an insane idea to me because 2 > 1 (Unless the hybrid sold record breaking numbers). Scum's list above looks like a good start to me without going too over the top. Have them start developing titles straight away on the Wii U or 3DS/Next gen handheld so they're prepared for the next gen system. They need to offer genres/experiences that Nintendo don't correctly develop. An open world game of sorts (More GTA than X), online based FPS, semi realistic sports and racing titles (Like Excitetruck) as well as one or two dormant Nintendo IP's (Say, Starfox and F-Zero). That combined with whatever Japan bring would be a good start to the lack of software problem on Nintendo systems. They also need to develop more new AAA IP's. Now I know they develop a ton of new IP's, but they need more with the development and marketing budget of say, 3D Mario game (Xenoblade/X are a step in the right direction in this regard)

Stick to a traditional handheld/home console model, but develop them together, they need to be unified in as many ways as possible. Change their account system and develop a unified shop/VC which is able to be used and expanded on in the future, if they have to start from scratch then so be it. Remote play should be integrated within both the handheld and home console with all titles including VC games. They need one big combined Nintendo ecosystem, and make it as easy as possible to progress without losing their previous things (Like Apple have done, just plug your new iPhone in and bam).

Next, go to as many third parties, ask them what THEY would like, considering they will have been developing on the PS4/XB1 for a few years by then I'm sure they'll have some complaints. Do what they say, as much as possible while keeping the system price as low as possible (Around £280/£300 launch say...). Make it easy and cheap as for them to move their PS4/XB1/PC engines and games over to their new system, this is one of the most important things, if they make it cheap and simple enough, developers will do it, they'd be mad not too, even if it doesn't sell too well in the short term.

The launch/first year needs to have a steady (And by that I mean at least 1/2 games a month) flow of quality Nintendo games for a start, and at least 1 BIG launch title (3D Mario, Zelda, Smash Bros or Mario Kart). Hopefully they would have kept 3rd parties well in the loop in terms of development allowing them to have many of the bigger 3rd party games released throughout the year (Fifa, CoD and the like). They need as many of those as possible, and they need to be at least on par on the PS4/XB1 versions, if not better.

No Wii name. They need to get away from the Wii U, but still something which people know, like say, the Super Nintendo! With proper branding and good advertisement, assuming the support's there it could sell very well, and be right in the middle of PS4/XB1's lifespan which could be good or bad lol.

That's how I think they need to start at least.

Originally Posted by Diablos54

....

Stick to a traditional handheld/home console model, but develop them together, they need to be unified in as many ways as possible. Change their account system and develop a unified shop/VC which is able to be used and expanded on in the future, if they have to start from scratch then so be it. Remote play should be integrated within both the handheld and home console with all titles including VC games. They need one big combined Nintendo ecosystem, and make it as easy as possible to progress without losing their previous things (Like Apple have done, just plug your new iPhone in and bam).

....

After setting up the Western studios at NoA and NoE, this should be the next natural progression. Use Miiverse as the foundation for the unified online infrastructure.
Nintendo Network Nintendo Miiverse instead. Once you're in, it's all Miiverse ____ e.g. Miiverse eShop, Miiverse Plaza, Miiverse Communities and the like.

Originally Posted by Aaronrules380

You realize Nintendo only has so many studios and so many people and so much money right? They can't make all of the franchises they have right now at once and get them released at any sort of decent pace. Making a new ip from scratch would take even longer and be even more resource intensive because they'd have to try ideas and scrap them without any solid foundation to start from. Making a new ip right now DOES mean they can't be making a new Mario/Zelda/Metroid/etc. at the same time to a large extent. It's called opportunity cost

Nintendo have a shit ton of cash in the bank. It's time to invest it in first party studios in the west to create new franchises (non-Mario related) in popular western genres. People don't like Madden or FIFA, they like NFL and football. If Nintendo can come up with decent sports titles in at least these two genres then people who buy a Wii U know that they will get sports games from Nintendo. Nintendo also don't really make RPGs or action games internally, I guess Zelda on consoles is a bit of both, but they don't make pure RPGs (like Elder Scrolls) or pure action games (like Uncharted or AC). Those are both 5m+ selling genres that are not guaranteed to come to Wii U at all in the future. As a western buyer with western tastes, there is nothing outside of the standard fare Mario/Zelda titles that interest me. I will, however, spend time on PS4 playing PES/FIFA, I will play the next gen Elder Scrolls title and I will definitely play the next Uncharted title. I can't play any of those on the Wii U, or even an imitation of those.

It's fine for people to say, well Nintendo shouldn't spend too much money because they don't have a lot coming in, but investing in first party studios would put them in a good position for their next home console, it would ensure there are no droughts. If the formula is successful then the sales of their next gen console in 2015/16 will be good enough to warrant third party ports without begging/payola and they will make the money back on third party licencing income and via game sales.

Originally Posted by Aquamarine

Here is the list of 3rd-party publishers that have still been supporting the Wii U to some degree:

1) Activision
2) Capcom
3) D3 Publisher
4) Warner Bros. Interactive
5) Namco Bandai (only Western-oriented games like Pac-Man + deal they signed with Nintendo for Taiko no Tatsujin + Smash Bros.)
6) Disney Interactive
7) Majesco
8) Ubisoft
9) Nintendo / Nintendo of America
10) 505 Games

Here is a list of publishers that support the Wii U because they have some kind of deal with Nintendo...the only games they create for the system are the ones that are in the deal with Nintendo:

1) Sega (because of a deal signed with Nintendo for Yakuza + Sonic + Mario & Sonic)
2) Square Enix (because of a deal signed with Nintendo for Dragon Quest X + Deus Ex)
3) Atlus (because of a deal signed with Nintendo for Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem)

Publishers that have left the Wii U:

1) Electronic Arts
2) THQ (went bankrupt)
3) Tecmo Koei
4) 2K Sports


Capcom and Ubisoft are on the verge of leaving if this holiday season does't perform up to their standards (they're already announcing games for every platform except Wii U). Disney Interactive isn't doing much besides Disney Infinity, and Warner Bros. games have not been selling well on the system at all.

Really, the console is dangerously close to losing its third-party support altogether...outside of what Nintendo decides to moneyhat.

Thanks for the list, from those pubs I think Capcom, WB, Namco and Ubisoft are not going to continue releasing games. The sales are just too poor to warrant further support without Nintendo stumping up cash up front (which is unlikely). Sega will continue to release Mario+Sonic titles, but I don't see any mainline Yakuza titles being ported to Wii U, and Ishin certainly won't be. The deal with Atlus also can't be particularly decent otherwise they would have got Persona 5 on a multiplatform basis at least.

Originally Posted by Shikamaru Ninja

Well there are a couple of realities here. Nintendo does not have a competent world wide studio infrastructure. They have a meager amount of R&D outside of Japan and some of which has been poorly managed. NST in Seattle, or a smarter branding of EAD Seattle, should have been a legit studio for the company. The EAD Studio brand should have been taken globally instead of being kept insular and stifled in growth in the maximum capacity filled Kyoto office and smaller Tokyo office. Then there is the reality that you have a new generation of talented Japanese developers working for Nintendo, and they are mainly booked to create games perpetuating the ideals of Mr. Miyamoto. Why not stop with the Miyamoto PR, and make the EAD name as big as Naughty Dog.

Nintendo who gains a publishing revenue from software that is quadruple of SCEI, fails to invest or build the paradigmatic first-party development network that SCEI has in North America, Europe, and Japan. Which is why I think there is no imminent cure for Nintendo's R&D management, and their ideal situation would be to increase their first-party portfolio by using more contract developers in their network.

Will the quality drop because a game is being developed in Sweden by an independent company, instead of Japanese developers wearing Nintendo jackets? Absolutely not. NIntendo has an experienced external production unit that incubates the development, enforcing the philosophical ideals and providing ample funding to successfully create the product.

Do you think it would be feasible for Nintendo to ramp up western production internally rather than going to independent developers. I say this because going to independents seems like a short term solution to a long term problem. The creation of "Nintendo Sports" in the US with them putting out Football, NFL, Basketball and Baseball games would be viable IMO, however, I'm no expert on Nintendo corporate culture. I think there are a lot of opportunities in Europe as well for expansion, the UK has a whole shit ton of tax breaks coming up for game development, Nintendo should look at reforming a studio like Rare but this time keeping it a wholly owned entity. There has been very little new IP from Nintendo's first party studios and they are stuck in a never ending Mario/Zelda game cycle which is not enough to entice buyers any more.

Originally Posted by JoeM86

The problem with Nintendo Directs isn't what people think it is.

Yes, it gives the information to the people who seek out it, but that's not all. In addition to the Nintendo Direct, and right after it, they send out press releases and materials just like every other company does for each of their games. They put videos up and everything.

The Nintendo Direct before the press release is just gravy, but if you just erase the Nintendo Direct from your memory briefly, everything is IDENTICAL to how every other company does it.

The problem is, as said, the gaming press. It constantly rips into Nintendo, even when they're doing well and doing things right. Places constantly just ignore Nintendo news, whether released through a Direct or otherwise, unless it is a massive megaton.

The difference is that when Sony or Microsoft announce a title with gameplay, they hold an event at which the title can be played by the enthusiast press and even interested members of the mainstream press. It's not uncommon to see members of the press queueing up outside Sony's EU HQ behind Oxford Street waiting to go in to play the latest titles for previews and whatnot. Nintendo have taken a different road, one which has given them diminished status. By talking directly to the people and effectively excluding the enthusiast press, they are being sidelined. When was the last in-depth article about Nintendo, when was the last "exclusive" hand-on article for an unreleased title.

Nintendo have failed to court the press and unsurprisingly the press fell out of love with them. By going out of their way to replace their role in information dissemination with Nintendo Direct, the reaction has been to completely sideline Nintendo news. It's one thing to send over PR and trailers, it's another to invite them to NoA to get some hands on time with the title and interviews with key development staff. The former gets a few lines in a regular article, the latter gets a few pages and a "featured article" slot at the top of the website. If the concept is awesome like SM3DW it will even get a decent level of coverage from the mainstream press, something they won't do if it is just PR and a trailer accompanied by Iwata being a fool on YouTube.

Originally Posted by zomgbbqftw

Nintendo have a shit ton of cash in the bank. It's time to invest it in first party studios in the west to create new franchises (non-Mario related) in popular western genres. People don't like Madden or FIFA, they like NFL and football. If Nintendo can come up with decent sports titles in at least these two genres then people who buy a Wii U know that they will get sports games from Nintendo. Nintendo also don't really make RPGs or action games internally, I guess Zelda on consoles is a bit of both, but they don't make pure RPGs (like Elder Scrolls) or pure action games (like Uncharted or AC). Those are both 5m+ selling genres that are not guaranteed to come to Wii U at all in the future. As a western buyer with western tastes, there is nothing outside of the standard fare Mario/Zelda titles that interest me. I will, however, spend time on PS4 playing PES/FIFA, I will play the next gen Elder Scrolls title and I will definitely play the next Uncharted title. I can't play any of those on the Wii U, or even an imitation of those.

It's fine for people to say, well Nintendo shouldn't spend too much money because they don't have a lot coming in, but investing in first party studios would put them in a good position for their next home console, it would ensure there are no droughts. If the formula is successful then the sales of their next gen console in 2015/16 will be good enough to warrant third party ports without begging/payola and they will make the money back on third party licencing income and via game sales.

I think you're mistaken here. Nintendo never had those sorts of games, yet their consoles have managed to pull insane sales in the past. Wii and DS, specifically, was all about Nintendo games. I think they should dramatically increase their output, but remain faitfhul to their concept of intuitive and easy accessible games. Going for Uncharted-style or serious sports games would be a major mistake IMO. That's now what sells Nintendo hardware.

Originally Posted by zomgbbqftw

The difference is that when Sony or Microsoft announce a title with gameplay, they hold an event at which the title can be played by the enthusiast press and even interested members of the mainstream press. It's not uncommon to see members of the press queueing up outside Sony's EU HQ behind Oxford Street waiting to go in to play the latest titles for previews and whatnot. Nintendo have taken a different road, one which has given them diminished status. By talking directly to the people and effectively excluding the enthusiast press, they are being sidelined. When was the last in-depth article about Nintendo, when was the last "exclusive" hand-on article for an unreleased title.

Nintendo have failed to court the press and unsurprisingly the press fell out of love with them. By going out of their way to replace their role in information dissemination with Nintendo Direct, the reaction has been to completely sideline Nintendo news. It's one thing to send over PR and trailers, it's another to invite them to NoA to get some hands on time with the title and interviews with key development staff. The former gets a few lines in a regular article, the latter gets a few pages and a "featured article" slot at the top of the website. If the concept is awesome like SM3DW it will even get a decent level of coverage from the mainstream press, something they won't do if it is just PR and a trailer accompanied by Iwata being a fool on YouTube.

That's not true. There are usually loads of press events for press to go play the game. So often, too. There are also exclusive reveals and everything.

The issue is that the gaming press simply doesn't care about Nintendo much, unless they're trashing them for doing X or not doing Y. Nintendo is not seen as cool and that's why the press don't bother.