NeoGAF

Iwata isn't responsible for everything, many people are just using him as a scapegoat.

Investors don't really care about gaming, a submissive CEO would just fully embrace the mobile world, making stocks rise high for a while and then fall down into the abyss when people would get bored of all of it.

Smart investors are probably waiting for that to happen so they can sell their stocks for maximum profit and then leave the boat altogether while Nintendo *truly* becomes irrelevant then, basically the "Zynga Effect".

All the "Nintendo should go third/mobile" fuss doesn't take into consideration what Nintendo truly is at heart: an evolved Toy Manufacturer on steroids.
They don't want games on other systems because they want you to buy their "toys", that's their entire business model: they want to sell you their next "awesome" toy and design their games all around that hardware, not the other way around.
A "simple" software house Nintendo wouldn't be the same company we know of if not for the name.

If Doomsday truly arrives for Nintendo in the consoles market don't expect their games to come out on ps5/xboxtwo/steambox/applemachineofdoom, they would probably just leave the business altogether and make different things, taking their IPs to hell with them.

In short, they don't really need a new CEO, they need to revisit their strategies *on the long term* and come up with something amazing nobody expects, Nintendo style.

Originally Posted by Freezie KO

He's shown an incredible lack of foresight and understanding of the market. It's possible the next guy could be worse, but Nintendo needs a big shake-up.

but the games are soo good. like crack, man. you know you want it.

I'm more bummed that Nintendo introduces all this niche tech for the consoles then completely ignores using them in creative ways 90% of the time. Why not capitalize on what you present as your strong point?

Nah. If anything, he feels obligated to fix the issues that had happened on his watch. Leaving the company at a questionable state near Miyamoto's retirement and the possible fall of traditional consoles doesn't sound like a good idea. Iwata is already planning for things beyond the Wii U.

Nintendo still has 3DS, anyway, and it is holding its own now.

While people keeps saying that Nintendo should have done this or that after the 3DS, the Wii U was already in mid-production when the 3DS trouble took place. It will be interesting to see what they are planning on doing for their future hardware.

If DK is shown at VGX then yes.

Originally Posted by nynt9

Should people who make this same thread every week step down?



The 3DS is doing really well. The WiiU isn't Nintendo's only thing. People tend to forget that.

Isn't that worse? It seems like you are just brushing off 50% of their business

Originally Posted by "D"

As much as I like Mr. Iwata as he seems like a nice down to earth guy, every since he took Nintendo's reins around the time before Gamecube launched I believe, the main consoles NEVER got a strong foothold on third party support again and the primary focus was always its own IPs, plagued with delays and the like.

Third-party support were pretty good on the Wii; at least before the Wii was mostly dropped after 2010. Had plenty of great mid-sized/niche third-party games on the systems; too bad they were mostly overlooked. I'd say that the Wii was the best console since the SNES. Also, Iwata became president in 2002, after the Gamecube launched.

As for the question, it really depends on what alternative could serve to replace Iwata. I myself respect Iwata a lot and have really enjoyed the GBA, DS and the Wii (haven't gotten a Wii U or 3DS yet and I wasn't impressed with the Gamecube when I originally had it). However, I feel as he has not done his job in the past few years (especially with the Wii U) and feel as it may be time for a successor with a bold new direction for Nintendo. If such a successor is available (especially if Nintendo does release a new home console after the Wii U), then I think Iwata should leave. However, if Nintendo were to be going in a handheld-only direction (and the 3DS has been doing well) or if the replacement consist of bosses that serves as a "yes man" to investors, then I'd rather keep Iwata. The moment when Nintendo tries to emulate companies like Activision, EA, Microsoft, Capcom, etc is when I stop buying their consoles.

Originally Posted by UberTag

This is what will happen. We'll wax nostalgiac for the days when Iwata was doing Directs wearing a giant Luigi hat and the 3DS was flourishing with one of Nintendo's best lineups in years.

I can see this happening. A Nintendo CEO who bows down to investors is going to make people see the previous years as much better than they perceived, especially if said CEO engaged in more shady practices.

Maybe.

Every director that worked on Wii U should certainly be fired, if they haven't been yet. They got almost nothing right, from operating system to interface to controller to name to advertising to software production.

I say this is a conditionally very happy Wii U owner.

Originally Posted by michaelx

what are you reffering to?

referring to the fact that SONY's financial services division making the lion's share of SONY's profit. no one is really bullish on SONY's prospects to be profitable and as influential as they used to be. no one. wake up, Kaz's three pillars are just a fight to shrink the company down so it can compete better in fewer industries and turn a smaller profit than what it typical of the SONY corporation.

Originally Posted by michaelx

Last time you checked was clearly long time ago and I doubt you ever heard anything about Sony or Kaz Hirai not related to PS4 so I'll just end it here. I have no intention to debate over it with ill-informed persons.

okay...

Originally Posted by Kintaro

Either way, take at look at what the new SquareEnix dude has been spitting out lately and see if you want Nintendo to do the same. Yeah...

Except Squenix was always a software company.

Nintendo has been both hardware and software for a while. Even if they put out games on mobile, the idea they throw out their hardware division makes no sense business wise.

Is any investor even telling Nintendo to quit hardware? They only agree Nintendo should make mobile an option and that their third party support really sucks (which is true). I'm not sure how anyone can have a problem with that.

Sure, firing one man will totally solve all of their problems and make them like, billions of yen.

No, for reasons already discussed here. If he ever stepped down though, I'd love for him to be retained in a software development role (or overseeing the various teams).

I want to ask the people who are calling for Iwata's head: who would/should succeed him?

Originally Posted by michaelx

Yes, he did. He made some important cuts and renewed Sony's vision and decided to push PS even futher.

Last time you checked was clearly long time ago and I doubt you ever heard anything about Sony or Kaz Hirai not related to PS4 so I'll just end it here. I have no intention to debate over it with ill-informed persons.

Same goes to everyone.

Sony would go bankrupt.

http://bgr.com/2013/10/31/sony-earnings-q2-2013/

That's october, the 31st. How in the world would you call that "saved the company"?

I guess you're ill-informed, then?

Yes, he is insisting on running Nintendo like its the 90's.

In case anyone was wondering. For Nintendo's board to force out Iwata, The top ten shareholders, including the Yamauchi estate, would all have to agree and successfully find another 10 percent of the companies share holders to get on board.

Basically, he isn't going anywhere and no one is in a position to force him.

That wouldn't serve any purpose other than allowing a bunch of assholes to rejoice in anticipation of forum meltdowns so no.

Originally Posted by googleplex

Yes, he is insisting on running Nintendo like its the 90's.

but the games... so good

Originally Posted by JordanN

Except Squenix was always a software company.

Nintendo has been both hardware and software for a while. Even if they put out games on mobile, the idea they throw out their hardware division makes no sense business wise.

Is any investor even telling Nintendo to quit hardware? They only agree Nintendo should make mobile an option and that their third party support really sucks (which is true). I'm not sure how anyone can have a problem with that.

The problem is that putting the IP on other peoples devices devalues the hardware. If Pokemon is available on your smart phone then why would you bother buying a nintendo handheld?

Can you see now why someone might have a problem with that?

For someone else who is more aggressive and hungry for it? Yes. Without a doubt.

Honestly, what Wii U needs is a totally different, more aggresive, and more notorious marketing.

Change the Wii U Logo, the U is barely visible for "non-gamers" and make people confuse. Alternatively, change the console name.

IMO, the Wii U has a chance to be appealing, but shitty marketing/name, makes people think it is like some Wii expansion or something.

FIRE Iwata, bring in a hardass thats gonna force his hand on everyone including major players like Miyamoto who sometimes over steps his boundaries. Keep making games, no more future-console suggestions. Keep all of them away from hardware side of business and bring in COMPETENT people that can handle it.

I basically want someone that would have delayed 3D WORLD to add online and telling Miyamoto to suck it at the same time. Dumb example, but they need someone like that, gravitas and all.

oh, and someone tahts not gonna have the old attitude "oh, the 3rd party devs will come to us, and reach out TO US".

Originally Posted by "D"

Nintendo's investors meeting is in January I believe and obviously things aren't looking good. I know we still have Smash U, Zelda, Mario Kart and DKC looming but what about the larger picture? Do you guys think Satoru Iwata's time should be over and another, more core player-minded prez should step in to fill his shoes?

That would be business suicide. If they superficially chased after the core market the way they half-assed their attempts at the casual market lately, they would be utterly screwed.


Their business decisions make it seem like they don't understand what made their various series popular. If Iwata pulls himself together he could be the guy to do that. If he can't, and they find themselves someone who can, then they should change things up.

But,

Nintendoland was a horrible attempt at replicating the success of wii sports.

NSMBU reputedly has glorious level design, but the appeal of "NEW 2D MARIO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES" was no longer enough to get people pumped on its own, so 2d mario is probably no longer a system seller til they make a higher-budget entry that doesn't re-use the NSMB aesthetic.

Wii sports club won't sell consoles as a downloadable game and if the system doesn't show life by the time the disc edition is out, it will already be too late.

Zelda originally sold itself as a badass fantasy action-adventure. ALBW sounds like it is reversing some of the series' negative trends, but for the longest time Aonuma showed a strong preference for "quaint, whimsical, and puzzle oriented" over the series' original appeal, which gutted the series' sales potential.

3d mario is busting its ass to sell itself to the 2d mario audience, and they do not give a damn. 3D land did well but 3d world is a flop beyond flops so 3d mario would probably be better off pursuing a more distinct direction.

Sakurai makes ridiculous comments about how fighting games can't be mainstream, but smash will probably still turn out ok.

Even at its best, Metroid was a critical darling that sold decently but not a sales-record setter, and Other M struck that shit stone-cold-dead for now. A future CEO would have to be able to sniff out turds like that and willing to say, oh shit fool what are you even doing no this is not an ok way to spend our money. I feel like Iwata could probably do that if he wanted to.

I'm pretty interested in seeing how DKC does.

Pokemon and mario kart still seem to clean up, at least.

Most other games seem to be pretty fundamentally niche right now, but that would be ok if there were complimentary system sellers. I'm sure some of nintendo's games have the potential to make a jump to be bigger. I get the impression that FE Awakening expanded fire emblem's audience, for example, so maybe it could go even further, and Monolithsoft could probably hit it big with the right RPG.

Basically, it seems like the early success of the wii went to Nintendo's head. They figured "lol we can make whatever we want with this sick install base we just built" and started messing around. If Iwata has woken the hell up thoroughly enough to actually acknowledge that the games are also a part of the problem with their consoles, he could still work as CEO. I expect he's too legit shook to manage that, though. Horrifically wrong statements like the one about "Nintendo has never been good at competing" do not inspire confidence. I guess we'll see over the next 6 months to a year, when any more recent business decisions bear fruit.

I think he'll be able to keep himself in office a bit longer, though.

Originally Posted by Origami Superman

No. But their entire marketing department should.

This

Originally Posted by SethADrekin

In case anyone was wondering. For Nintendo's board to force out Iwata, The top ten shareholders, including the Yamauchi estate, would all have to agree and successfully find another 10 percent of the companies share holders to get on board.

Basically, he isn't going anywhere and no one is in a position to force him.

Yeah, there's nobody to fire him as such. He can step down, and he would, if he thought Nintendo had lost confidence in him. But they love him, because he's made the company an absolute fucking shit-ton of money, and because he's cool. So he won't.

I think it's inevitable. The 3DS is doing well, but could be a much better product with a more diverse line-up of games. I just don't see the promise for that platform going into 2014 outside of Smash. A new Kirby game? That's a red flag that things are winding down on the platform.

Originally Posted by Drona

FIRE Iwata, bring in a hardass thats gonna force his hand on everyone including major players like Miyamoto who sometimes over steps his boundaries. Keep making games, no more future-console suggestions. Keep all of them away from hardware side of business and bring in COMPETENT people that can handle it.

I basically want someone that would have delayed 3D WORLD to add online and telling Miyamoto to suck it at the same time. Dumb example, but they need someone like that, gravitas and all.

oh, and someone tahts not gonna have the old attitude "oh, the 3rd party devs will come to us, and reach out TO US".

it's not easy to do what you want such a "badass" supreme ruler of Nintendo to do, and also maintain Nintendo's traditional quality control. and i'm pretty sure many of us here would favor Nintendo games to have the dedication to the craft and polish than shake up the development groups there. i'm sure there is a way to do both, but it's not easy.

and online on 3D World was going to do what exactly for Wii U? besides missing the holiday season (according to your "delay 3D World" talk)

Not yet.

The tipping point should be the next Fiscal Year. Give him one more year of desperation. Desperate Nintendo can only mean a good Nintendo for consumers.

Originally Posted by Drona

FIRE Iwata, bring in a hardass thats gonna force his hand on everyone including major players like Miyamoto who sometimes over steps his boundaries. Keep making games, no more future-console suggestions. Keep all of them away from hardware side of business and bring in COMPETENT people that can handle it.

I basically want someone that would have delayed 3D WORLD to add online and telling Miyamoto to suck it at the same time. Dumb example, but they need someone like that, gravitas and all.

oh, and someone tahts not gonna have the old attitude "oh, the 3rd party devs will come to us, and reach out TO US".

Miyamoto would bounce sakurai style

But I like Satoru Iwata. Nintendo is amazing right now, the public just doesn't see it. I agree with those who have said they need new marketing.

And I think Nintendo of America just got some new marketing talent. Didn't Rich from IGN start working for Nintendo marketing recently? (I'm not certain about this so sorry if it isn't true.)

Originally Posted by JordanN

Except Squenix was always a software company.

Nintendo has been both hardware and software for a while. Even if they put out games on mobile, the idea they throw out their hardware division makes no sense business wise.

Is any investor even telling Nintendo to quit hardware? They only agree Nintendo should make mobile an option and that their third party support really sucks (which is true). I'm not sure how anyone can have a problem with that.

For reals lol? Why should Nintendo make games for iOS/Android devices when they have their own handheld? That makes zero sense.

Originally Posted by MrXavier

Not yet.

The tipping point should be the next Fiscal Year. Give him one more year of desperation. Desperate Nintendo can only mean a good Nintendo for consumers.

Half baked games rushed to the market? Sounds great!

Originally Posted by Macleoid

The problem is that putting the IP on other peoples devices devalues the hardware. If Pokemon is available on your smart phone then why would you bother buying a nintendo handheld?

Can you see now why someone might have a problem with that?

So because I can play Mario on the 3DS does that mean Wii U is worthless?

I don't only play 3DS for Pokemon nor should the value of a handheld go away entirely when it's still meant to serve other functions.

They also alienated people with their backwards online store. There's a reason some people don't ever dare to buy on eShop...

No, because shaking everything up because of one poor selling system would be silly when said person was in charge for three very successful systems.

Originally Posted by RustyNails

Yes. Reggie should step in. DO IT REGGIE

We need 2004-era Reggie to step in, kick ass, and take names.

Originally Posted by w1gglyjones

it's not easy to do what you want such a "badass" supreme ruler of Nintendo to do, and also maintain Nintendo's traditional quality control. and i'm pretty sure many of us here would favor Nintendo games to have the dedication to the craft and polish than shake up the development groups there. i'm sure there is a way to do both, but it's not easy.

The skills needed to patiently polish a game are different than the content of the game. Decisions like the non-existent overworlds of the DS zeldas were probably not made in the interest of time (Though if there was an iwata asks that proves me wrong, I would love to be informed as such). I would totally sacrifice a tiny bit of polish in order to avoid things that utterly miss the point like Zelda without an overworld or Metroid Other M.

Besides, Miyamoto himself is the source of the "delayed games eventually good, bad games bad forever" quote.

Originally Posted by gogogow

For reals lol? Why should Nintendo make games for iOS/Android devices when they have their own handheld? That makes zero sense.

Because iOS is a bigger market?

It's also effortless to make games for it?

No.

Originally Posted by JordanN

So because I can play Mario on the 3DS does that mean Wii U is worthless?

I don't only play 3DS for Pokemon nor should the value of a handheld go away entirely when it's still meant to serve other functions.

Hmmm not sure you've really thought that through?

you haven't thought about this at all have you?

Originally Posted by JordanN

So because I can play Mario on the 3DS does that mean Wii U is worthless?

I don't only play 3DS for Pokemon nor should the value of a handheld go away entirely when it's still meant to serve other functions.

Both of those are still made by Nintendo, therefore people still have to pay them money to buy the hardware to play them. Smartphones are not.

They need a CEO that will push third party devs to get games on the wiiu.he is not doing enough

Originally Posted by JordanN

So because I can play Mario on the 3DS does that mean Wii U is worthless?

I don't only play 3DS for Pokemon nor should the value of a handheld go away entirely when it's still meant to serve other functions.

That's because you already have a 3DS dude. There are a bazillion smartphones out there. And these people don't own a 3DS. When they can play Nintendo games on them, you still think they will buy a 3DS? No, they won't when the device they own can already play them. Even if the games are different, these casual Angry birds, Temple Run players won't see the difference or care.

Instead of talking about why he should step down, why don't we talk about the big question here:

And who would take the place?


Really, this is what is important.

Originally Posted by JordanN

Because iOS is a bigger market?

It's also effortless to make games for it?

Because having big sellers that are exclusive to only yourself, and then releasing them, for some reason, on the competition is an absolutely smart business decision.


The only thing they will release on Mobile are helping applications like the PokeDex. If Nintendo ever leaves the hardware business, the Pokemon Company will most likely buy itself back.

Originally Posted by fredrancour

The skills needed to patiently polish a game are different than the content of the game. Decisions like the non-existent overworlds of the DS zeldas were probably not made in the interest of time (Though if there was an iwata asks that proves me wrong, I would love to be informed as such). I would totally sacrifice a tiny bit of polish in order to avoid things that utterly miss the point like Zelda without an overworld or Metroid Other M.

Besides, Miyamoto himself is the source of the "delayed games eventually good, bad games bad forever" quote.

you don't seem to get that shaking up the dev groups will affect their ability to produce software of consistent quality. but okay... let's just slap online on everything and problem solved

Originally Posted by evilromero

Half baked games rushed to the market? Sounds great!

Anyone can agree that Nintendo, especially with the Wii U, was in a pretty desperate situation this year and they consistently delayed games. And when those games did eventually release, they generally met a high standard of quality.