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[ozfunghi]

Yep, I'm hoping this is the case. If you had a 3DS and a Wii U you'd have quite a bit to play on each, but if you only had one you'd be missing out on a lot.
All that's left is to space out the software accordingly. It's alright to skip January because that's a horrible month to release games in, but they can't leave summer completely empty while having 50%+ of their software out from september to november.
They also need to work with 3rd parties to make sure they don't clash.
And the cool thing is, the shared library would keep costs down but increase profits. There doesn't have to be a Bayonetta situation where because the install base is lacking the game has to die. If one it outperforming the other it's still good because it's still more software to sell.
If Nintendo plays their cards right, they can expand their market share and increase their revenue drastically in the next few years.
The only downside would be the games wouldn't be as impressive as we'd like, but if you put a big enough budget behind a game on a platform like that it can look pretty nice
(like Killzone on Vita)

And if you develop the game with the console in mind you can probably make some very pretty games on both systems especially if it's stylized (like Wind Waker, a GCN game which still looks great to this day with a simple up rez). Hoping it leads to 1080p 60fps console games as well

By just releasing one Mario Kart for both devices, or one smash bros, or Zelda... they can save resources to work on more IP, new or old. The userbase per game will be larger (across both platforms) and you will create a more dynamic online community.

They can still make impressive games, that look a bit less impressive on the handheld. Or portable games, that can be fun for a quick session on the home console.

 

[James Scott]

Depends on what you define as impressive. The main idea in combining libraries of handheld and home console - at least to a certain extent (there may always be games that won't work on both platforms) isn't to downgrade games, but to combine the libraries and simply allow gamers to play the games how they want to play them (at home on the TV, on the go, etc). Pokemon _ as an example isn't going to be lower quality because it might also be playable on your TV. We use to be able to do that back in the early days of Nintendo thanks to adapters. Doesn't change how good the game is.

Will Zelda NX be worse because it may ALSO be able to be played on the handheld, though at a lower resolution with a few minor alterations to make it work on the hardware? Probably not. You can always argue "NX Home Console version is superior" - but the sheer amount that it's better will probably be negligible.

They basically can solve droughts on both platforms by combining at least 50% of the library for both. How they choose to go about that is on them - but the idea with a unified platform is to be like Apple in that regard. I can play angry birds on my phone, on my ipad, and on my mac. Nintendo's approach seems to be similar, though naturally more specialized (IE, doubtful they scale back the entirety of a game to be the exact same on all platforms - far more likely they simply make it for the desired platform, then upport or downport for the other).

Would be nice if Nintendo would make a few console exclusives, but it would make sense for most of their titles to be on both. Looking at this gen, I think most Wii U games outside of X, Zelda U, and (maybe) Bayonetta 2 would likely work on the new handheld fairly well. Basically any 2D platformer like the NSMB, Yarn Yoshi, and DK would work well and likely scale well too. I'd imagine most Wii U games would work fairly well on the portable.
I'd like it if they would make an exclusive console Zelda and Xenoblade game, but that would likely be up to the console's sales in comparison to the portable.
There's also indies, UE4 games (it's scale-able and likely at least on the console, will it be on the portable too?), and stuff like that to consider. Depending on the console's power it could get 3rd party AAA multiplats while the portable doesn't.
It's an interesting situation, and I'm looking forward to it either way.

By just releasing one Mario Kart for both devices, or one smash bros, or Zelda... they can save resources to work on more IP, new or old. The userbase per game will be larger (across both platforms) and you will create a more dynamic online community.

They can still make impressive games, that look a bit less impressive on the handheld. Or portable games, that can be fun for a quick session on the home console.

Yeah, I can see Nintendo investing a lot of money in a very nice looking portable/console Mario Kart. Those freed up resources can be put to making even more unique non-MK games as well.
The online communities would be filled more often (assuming there's cross play).
There might be a few lost sales by not releasing two versions, but they can make up for it by releasing a lot of DLC (which is doing very well for Nintendo based on yesterday's info). Also increases longevity as well

 

[LizardKing]

No, if people wanted to play the game on both devices they'd buy it digitally (either on the eShop or buying a download card in-store). People who only want to play it on a single device and/or prefer physical games without usage restrictions could buy a physical copy, but would only be able to play it on the device they bought it for. Digital copies would probably be a little more expensive than retail (say $60 to $50), but that's not much different than it is now.

Hypothetically Nintendo could provide an "upgrade" service where, for a fee, you sent in your physical copy and received a download code for the digital version, but even without that you could just sell your disc/cart and buy the digital version the old fashioned way.

You would be severely hampering one of your main selling points (unified library) by forcing people to either buy two copies or buy digital to take advantage of it. That would be a huge turnoff for a lot of people attracted to the unified library. Why would Nintendo hamper themselves with such a disadvantage when trying to convince people to invest in their platform? Can't see that happening. You don't push someone to something they don't want, if they want the unified library but don't want to buy digital. That's a good way to lose a lot of sales. Sure, carts are going to cost a little more, but it's the only real option for what they are trying to achieve and a major added benefit to the added value of the platform.

 

[ozfunghi]

No, if people wanted to play the game on both devices they'd buy it digitally (either on the eShop or buying a download card in-store). People who only want to play it on a single device and/or prefer physical games without usage restrictions could buy a physical copy, but would only be able to play it on the device they bought it for. Digital copies would probably be a little more expensive than retail (say $60 to $50), but that's not much different than it is now.

Hypothetically Nintendo could provide an "upgrade" service where, for a fee, you sent in your physical copy and received a download code for the digital version, but even without that you could just sell your disc/cart and buy the digital version the old fashioned way.

Ok, so your solution would be to buy digital (once) and be able to play on both devices. Buy retail and pay extra for an "upgrade" to be able to play it on the second device? (Which is what i meant in my other post at the end). I could live with that, depending on the upgrade fee.

 

[LewieP]

A big reason to have a shared library in the first place is to lubricate converting owners of one form factor into owners of both. It would be madness to create barriers to this process, and they will need a clear and simple marketing message centered on this feature. If you can't explain it in seconds, it will fail.

If they do have an entirely/mosly shared library, both devices will use the same physical media.

 

[sometimes i game]

With Vita, the idea of playing the game on tv and on the go was so appealing but never truly came to fruition. This concept is awesome and hope Nintendo makes it happen.

That said, should we be concerned about proprietary memory cards or cartridge formats? Would rather it be all digital. Didn't fees to use Nintendo's invented formats deter developers in the past compared to basic Cd/Dvd competitors?

I want them to get out of their own way this time.

 

[LizardKing]

Ok, so your solution would be to buy digital (once) and be able to play on both devices. Buy retail and pay extra for an "upgrade" to be able to play it on the second device? (Which is what i meant in my other post at the end). I could live with that, depending on the upgrade fee.

It wouldn't work because that would be a good way for people to get their games at a fraction of the price. Buy physical ($60) > pay digital upgrade to play on second device (say $10)> sell physical ($50) = you just paid $20 for the game.

A big reason to have a shared library in the first place is to lubricate converting owners of one form factor into owners of both. It would be madness to create barriers to this process, and they will need a clear and simple marketing message centered on this feature. If you can't explain it in seconds, it will fail.

If they do have an entirely/mosly shared library, both devices will use the same physical media.

This. Though I disagree about converting owners of one to owners of both. I don't think they care if you buy one or both. It's about the total user base combined to sell their software to, that's where they will make their money. It's simply about which one you would prefer, if not both.

 

[TheAmazingXemo]

It wouldn't work because that would be a good way for people to get their games at a fraction of the price. Buy physical ($60) > pay digital upgrade to play on second device (say $10)> sell physical ($50) = you just paid $20 for the game.

Wasn't there a patent that said something about using a flash based media to physically distribute a game? Wouldn't it just be easier for them to have a card slot on both the console and the handheld, or have the console use the card reader that's on the handheld to access the physical copy of the game?

 

[LewieP]

This. Though I disagree about converting owners of one to owners of both. I don't think they care if you buy one or both. It's about the total user base combined to sell their software to, that's where they will make their money. It's simply about which one you would prefer, if not both.

My thinking is that owners of both will be far more engaged customers, spending more time/money on Nintendo games/games on Nintendo platforms than any of the wide range of competing platforms. This would be desirable for Nintendo.

I agree that the primary purpose of a shared library is not to make money by selling more hardware, but giving customers more options.

 

[Pokemaniac]

I don't know about that. The prospect of being able to buy one game and play it on both devices seems super enticing to me. It's reason enough to buy the two devices. It would actually piss me off, had i invested in both consoles, to find out that i can't play a certain game i want on the other device. They will put off more people by keeping part of the library seperate and lose just as much hardware sales that way, than they would gain just by keeping exclusives and "force" people to buy both consoles. I also doubt everyone will be swayed to buy the other device just for one or two games... but at the same time that means less software sales. It's basically goes against the entire concept of having a unified library.

The problem with forcing 100% of the games to be compatible with both form factors is that that artificially limits the games that can be made. Even completely regardless of power limitations, certain game designs simply don't work on handhelds or consoles.

 

[ozfunghi]

It wouldn't work because that would be a good way for people to get their games at a fraction of the price. Buy physical ($60) > pay digital upgrade to play on second device (say $10)> sell physical ($50) = you just paid $20 for the game.

Meager argument really. With a new account system, you could easily counter that type of behavior. Have the downloaded version migrate along with the the retail version once it's played on another account. Whenever your retail version is played on my console (/account), the installed version on your console will become inactive.

The problem with forcing 100% of the games to be compatible with both form factors is that that artificially limits the games that can be made. Even completely regardless of power limitations, certain game designs simply don't work on handhelds or consoles.

There is a difference between forcing exclusivity of a game that could easily be ported (just in order to push people to buy other hardware), like he was implying, and creating a game that would simply not work due to different control mechanisms (when lacking touchscreen or motion sensors) etc.

 

[Turrican3]

There's a lot of ways you can plan around a modest loss on hardware sold, so long as you're not unrealistic about it, so it's still very much an option for Nintendo to do so.

I know it was just an example, but you wrote something around the line of 50$ loss per unit. That's hardly a modest loss, and I would really, really surprised if Nintendo went this route.

Yet, this is Nintendo we're talking about, arguably the most unpredictable company in this industry, so anything could happen. Let's see.

Cartridges are just too expensive to use for home console games. Prices are always coming down, but they're still several orders of magnitude more expensive than optical media.

I don't know, I still think a shared physical media would hugely benefit their marketing, cementing the idea of a common NX software lineup. Not to mention retailers would just need one area to serve both home and portable audiences.

Costs are an issue of course compared to optical media, but since that didn't stop the DS - and to a lesser extent the 3DS - to sell games in the millions, I believe it's something publishers might come to terms with relatively easily.

 

[Pokemaniac]

There is a difference between forcing exclusivity of a game that could easily be ported (just in order to push people to buy other hardware), like he was implying, and creating a game that would simply not work due to different control mechanisms (when lacking touchscreen or motion sensors) etc.

It sounded like you were arguing for no exclusives period.

 

[10k]

Cartridges are just too expensive to use for home console games. Prices are always coming down, but they're still several orders of magnitude more expensive than optical media.

Nor do I think they're going to go the route of giving people a download code with their disc or cartridge purchase. Doing so would effectively require them to implement the same restrictive DRM that Microsoft were so heavily chided for attempting with the Xbox One.

The simplest option is to sell separate physical media for each of the hardware devices, but which has no DRM, internet requirement, etc. restricting its use or re-sale. Then give anyone who buys digitally (either on the eShop or with NFC download cards) access to both versions of the game.

Nintendo needs to push people into buying digitally, as it would considerably increase their profit per game sold. Currently digital purchases offer little more than a bit of extra convenience to customers and are almost always more expensive than retail due to Nintendo's desire to keep retailers stocking their products. Such a move would give people a big incentive to move to digital purchases, while allowing physical copies to be slightly cheaper, keeping retailers (relatively) happy.

SD cards are a lot cheaper than you think to manufacture.

Also, the NX is going to need to find a way to play the same physical media across both devices. 3DS-like carts would work on both platforms. A giant disc wouldn't unless you want the handheld to be the size of a Sony Walkman. They won't split the userbase this gen and realize two different storage formats (discs for console and carts for handheld)

 

[ozfunghi]

It sounded like you were arguing for no exclusives period.

I was arguing for not forcing exclusives to boost hardware sales like he was implying. Obviously I'd want as little as possible exclusives. And i'd especially try not to shoehorn certain control methods on games to prevent them from being ported to the other NX console.

 

[Skiesofwonder]

With the delay of the Nintendo's account system and first mobile entry to March of next year, I wouldn't expect to hear anything about the NX before then. I imagine these next four months will be focused on spotlighting upcoming software for WiiU/3DS, and tying up any loose ends left of this generation before moving onto the next.

But March-April does seem like a good time frame to reveal the NX. It's around the start of a new fiscal year, and the first reveal of the NX coinciding with the release of miitomo would clear up any possible confusion their entrance into the mobile market might bring.

 

[10k]

With the delay of the Nintendo's account system and first mobile entry to March of next year, I wouldn't expect to hear anything about the NX before then. I imagine these next four months will be focused on spotlighting upcoming software for WiiU/3DS, and tying up any loose ends left of this generation before moving onto the next.

But March-April does seem like a good time frame to reveal the NX. It's around the start of a new fiscal year, and the first reveal of the NX coinciding with the release of miitomo would clear up any possible confusion their entrance into the mobile market might bring.

Yeah my prediction for the "NX reveal event" was late March, just before the new fiscal year starts.

 

[KingSnake]

March makes sense for announcement because they need to present a forecast for FY 2017 which must contain also NX estimates. Unless they're not going too much into details regarding expected sales and expected revenue, but I don't know if that will be taken so easy by the shareholders.

 

[Vena]

With the delay of the Nintendo's account system and first mobile entry to March of next year, I wouldn't expect to hear anything about the NX before then. I imagine these next four months will be focused on spotlighting upcoming software for WiiU/3DS, and tying up any loose ends left of this generation before moving onto the next.

But March-April does seem like a good time frame to reveal the NX. It's around the start of a new fiscal year, and the first reveal of the NX coinciding with the release of miitomo would clear up any possible confusion their entrance into the mobile market might bring.

The delay seems intentional rather than not to overlap everything into one big presser.

 

[Pokemaniac]

I was arguing for not forcing exclusives to boost hardware sales like he was implying. Obviously I'd want as little as possible exclusives. And i'd especially try not to shoehorn certain control methods on games to prevent them from being ported to the other NX console.

Of course exclusives shouldn't be forced. Just don't be disappointed when you can't play Xenoblade 3, Rock Band 5, or Wii Sports (through VC) on the handheld.

 

[Hiltz]

I agree with those that say there is a clear issue with making both next-gen platforms have a 100% shared software library. For example, Miyamoto pointed out with the Pikmin franchise that Nintendo tried to experiment with putting the IP on the DS and 3DS, but found that the use of the touch screen was not as good a fit for the IP as initially expected. With the main Pokemon games, developer GameFreak still felt that the game was always designed for the handheld in mind, but it is possible that we could still see a port of it on the home console.

As many of us know, Nintendo values the significance of software exclusives in how they can take advantage of each platform's respective hardware specs and features.

 

[James Scott]

I agree with those that say there is a clear issue with making both next-gen platforms have a 100% shared software library. For example, Miyamoto pointed out with the Pikmin franchise that Nintendo tried to experiment with putting the IP on the DS and 3DS, but found that the use of the touch screen was not as good a fit for the IP as initially expected. With the main Pokemon games, developer GameFreak still felt that the game was always designed for the handheld in mind, and while that could possibly change with a potential port of a new game in the next generation, I don't think we'll ever get that Pokemon MMO some fans expect.

As many of us know, Nintendo values the significance of software exclusives in how they can take advantage of each platform's respective hardware specs and features.

Well, with the OG's tiny screen and resolution, yeah. I think a bigger screen makes sense and works well. Pikmin 3 is playable with touch controls and on the gamepad

 

[Azoo]

I'm sure there are going to be some games that'll be specifically for consoles or handhelds, etc etc. Not sure how they'd justify it on Nintendo's end for first party titles, but for third parties it sort of makes sense if they wouldn't want to go the extra mile to support the handheld version if they don't have to.

Especially for games that require extra peripherals such as Rock Band.

 

[James Scott]

I'm sure there are going to be some games that'll be specifically for consoles or handhelds, etc etc. Not sure how they'd justify it on Nintendo's end for first party titles, but for third parties it sort of makes sense if they wouldn't want to go the extra mile to support the handheld version if they don't have to.

Especially for games that require extra peripherals such as Rock Band.

Yeah, unless it's a game with local multiplayer only it's hard to justify a no console port of the handheld game, but I can see a lot of console games being exclusives

 

[Alebrije]

The day I see a Fallout/ Elders Scrolls/ GTA game on a Nintendo's console they will be on the right path , hope NX does.

 

[ozfunghi]

I'm sure there are going to be some games that'll be specifically for consoles or handhelds, etc etc. Not sure how they'd justify it on Nintendo's end for first party titles, but for third parties it sort of makes sense if they wouldn't want to go the extra mile to support the handheld version if they don't have to.

For 3rd parties, who usually shy away of including meaningful device specific features, it would make very much sense to go the extra mile to support the handheld version (if possible), as the handheld will very likely sell much more units.

Especially for games that require extra peripherals such as Rock Band.

Sure, that's a different issue.

Pikmin 3 is playable with touch controls and on the gamepad

Exactly, and they should just leave it up to the consumer to get whichever version he prefers. If the unified structure is there, then it shouldn't require many resources to provide the other version anyway. The original Pikmin games controlled just fine with the gamecube controller as well. Also a controlscheme supported in Pikmin3 iirc.

Of course exclusives shouldn't be forced. Just don't be disappointed when you can't play Xenoblade 3, Rock Band 5, or Wii Sports (through VC) on the handheld.

Well, if they can port Xenoblade to 3DS (in 3D), i don't see why it should be impossible to downport the next xenoblade to the NX handheld (without 3D). The others make more sense obviously.

 

[Azoo]

For 3rd parties, who usually shy away of including meaningful device specific features, it would make very much sense to go the extra mile to support the handheld version (if possible), as the handheld will very likely sell much more units.

Maaaybe. I don't know if they're really gonna want to try to optimize their games to fit the standards of the handheld device for similar reasons as to why the Wii U's limitations kept games from being ported over to it. Granted that could've mostly had to do with the gamepad being in the way, but I dunno.

 

[Pokemaniac]

Well, if they can port Xenoblade to 3DS (in 3D), i don't see why it should be impossible to downport the next xenoblade to the NX handheld (without 3D). The others make more sense obviously.

The point with me including Xenoblade was because those have huge open worlds. Those are typically RAM constrained, and, as such, don't scale down well due to that.

 

[Terrell]

I think they need to keep "true" exclusives if they want people to buy several form factors, instead of merging their userbases and eventually selling less hardwares.
3 or 4 titles per year shoudl be enough, though. The big March, May/June and holiday ones.

Nintendo doesn't need people buying several form factors. Yes, they have historically made money on hardware, but aside from Wii, it's a pittance compared to what they make on software each year,. Hardware is a means to an end for every hardware maker, not the end itself. So making 1 software SKU available on 2 platforms instead of 1 maximizes the money made from a single project, much like multi-platform releases do for 3rd-parties.

A big reason to have a shared library in the first place is to lubricate converting owners of one form factor into owners of both.

It's a great secondary talking point, but no, the point is to drive greater software sales with less manpower, not to drive hardware sales.

Cartridges are just too expensive to use for home console games. Prices are always coming down, but they're still several orders of magnitude more expensive than optical media.

Which do you think is more expensive: a disc AND a cartridge or just a cartridge? Unless you think their next handheld will have an optical drive.

Fewer SKUs, less spent in retail space while serving a larger amount of customers, less spent in shipping due to fewer SKUs and less packaging requirements so you can ship more copies per pallet...

The benefits extend beyond just Nintendo in terms of cost savings, too. Then there's potential benefits to load times, saves being moved off of the internal storage for easier portability, removal of an expensive hardware component that is the #1 reason for console repairs...

We've really got to a point where the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, now that the technology has caught up to (and in some ways surpassed) optical media.

Sony sticks with optical media because it has a stake in its future, not because it's better or even necessarily cheaper for the industry. And lord knows Microsoft would have gone all-digital this generation if they could have gotten away with it.

 

[InsaneZero]

Who even uses optical media anymore aside from movies and video games? Physical media like SD cards and USB sticks are handed out like candy nowadays.

It feels like I went back ten years whenever people continue to make the argument for discs.

 

[ozfunghi]

The point with me including Xenoblade was because those have huge open worlds. Those are typically RAM constrained, and, as such, don't scale down well due to that.

I'm aware that's why you included it, but everything depends on where they'll take the franchise next. Are they going to go "bigger" for the sake of going bigger. Or is XBX big enough, and might the next installment focus on other aspects than trying to create an even more immense world. So if they can fit the original on 3DS, then maybe it'll also be possible to downport a game like XBX to a next-gen handheld. If they really want to have as much of a shared library as possible, maybe they'll think ahead and make sure it's not memory starved. After all, XBX is running on "merely" 1GB.

But i understand your point. Whatever game pushing the NX homeconsole to it's limits regarding memory requirements, might not be possible on the handheld.

 

[James Scott]

NX and the whole shared library thing just makes a ton of sense. Oddly, I couldn't see Nintendo surviving another generation without doing that.
Nintendo's expecting a lot from it, and I think they're going to be pretty successful.
And it makes so much sense too. They can appeal to two audiences while keeping dev costs low and profits high (creating games for the base specs of the portable, selling it on console too)
Having a great synergy between the two is going to do wonders. Imagine not having one system canabalize the other in terms of games, audience, and marketing budget. One sale of either is a new potential customer for their games.
I'm excited, not for specs or anything like that, but for this new environment to pop up for more unique ambitious titles for mid tier developers.
If handled well it could be perfect for the likes of Atlus and Capcom, could take Japan by storm.
I'm also very excited for the amount of Nintendo games they'll be able to put out on these systems not having to make two different versions of MK, NSMB, Animal crossing, etc. opens a lot of possibilities for new experiences from Nintendo.
I hope I don't get disappointed, not expecting much from the specs but a lot from it as a gaming platform.
With mobile and licensing they also have a lot more sources of income to invest in marketing and more games. And while I'm not sure about the high end specs, Nintendo very well could release a very powerful console and a handheld and get two different audiences. If the console doesn't work out then it doesn't matter and it it does then that's great.

 

[AzaK]

]

Which do you think is more expensive: a disc AND a cartridge or just a cartridge? Unless you think their next handheld will have an optical drive.

It all depends on how many of each installed base there is and how many the expect to sell, possibly for each platform, and how much cross over there is.

If it's a game that most people play on console, why should they pay for expensive cartridges. If it's a game more suited to handhelds why charge console players more?

I agree that it's simpler all around but I imagine making a cartridge is an order of magnitude or more cost than a disc. If Nintendo doesn't eat that costs publishers will be pissed off.

 

[AzaK]

NX and the whole shared library thing just makes a ton of sense. Oddly, I couldn't see Nintendo surviving another generation without doing that.
Nintendo's expecting a lot from it, and I think they're going to be pretty successful.
And it makes so much sense too. They can appeal to two audiences while keeping dev costs low and profits high (creating games for the base specs of the portable, selling it on console too)
Having a great synergy between the two is going to do wonders. Imagine not having one system canabalize the other in terms of games, audience, and marketing budget. One sale of either is a new potential customer for their games.
I'm excited, not for specs or anything like that, but for this new environment to pop up for more unique ambitious titles for mid tier developers.
If handled well it could be perfect for the likes of Atlus and Capcom, could take Japan by storm.
I'm also very excited for the amount of Nintendo games they'll be able to put out on these systems not having to make two different versions of MK, NSMB, Animal crossing, etc. opens a lot of possibilities for new experiences from Nintendo.
I hope I don't get disappointed, not expecting much from the specs but a lot from it as a gaming platform.
With mobile and licensing they also have a lot more sources of income to invest in marketing and more games. And while I'm not sure about the high end specs, Nintendo very well could release a very powerful console and a handheld and get two different audiences. If the console doesn't work out then it doesn't matter and it it does then that's great.

A shared library is great from their development cost point of view. I'm not sure there's a huge need for consumers to have this. I play on Nintendo consoles and the chance of me buying one of their handhelds is pretty much nil. I expect there's a lot of other people like that so in reality I think the benefit will be much smaller that we might think. However I agree it makes sense to do it if you can without sacrificing a lot.

 

[Oregano]

A shared library is great from their development cost point of view. I'm not sure there's a huge need for consumers to have this. I play on Nintendo consoles and the chance of me buying one of their handhelds is pretty much nil. I expect there's a lot of other people like that so in reality I think the benefit will be much smaller that we might think. However I agree it makes sense to do it if you can without sacrificing a lot.

Well arguably the benefit would be massive for people like you because you'd now be able to buy their vast handheld library without having to buy a handheld.

 

[prag16]

Cartridges are just too expensive to use for home console games. Prices are always coming down, but they're still several orders of magnitude more expensive than optical media.

"Several orders of magnitude"?

You do know what an order of magnitude is, right? When all is said and done, it might be one order of magnitude more for cartridge vs. disc. This isn't the late 90s anymore.
And that is something that puts it within the realm of possibility, especially since they'll be pushing digital even harder this time.

 

[georly]

NX and the whole shared library thing just makes a ton of sense. Oddly, I couldn't see Nintendo surviving another generation without doing that.
Nintendo's expecting a lot from it, and I think they're going to be pretty successful.
And it makes so much sense too. They can appeal to two audiences while keeping dev costs low and profits high (creating games for the base specs of the portable, selling it on console too)
Having a great synergy between the two is going to do wonders. Imagine not having one system canabalize the other in terms of games, audience, and marketing budget. One sale of either is a new potential customer for their games.
I'm excited, not for specs or anything like that, but for this new environment to pop up for more unique ambitious titles for mid tier developers.
If handled well it could be perfect for the likes of Atlus and Capcom, could take Japan by storm.
I'm also very excited for the amount of Nintendo games they'll be able to put out on these systems not having to make two different versions of MK, NSMB, Animal crossing, etc. opens a lot of possibilities for new experiences from Nintendo.
I hope I don't get disappointed, not expecting much from the specs but a lot from it as a gaming platform.
With mobile and licensing they also have a lot more sources of income to invest in marketing and more games. And while I'm not sure about the high end specs, Nintendo very well could release a very powerful console and a handheld and get two different audiences. If the console doesn't work out then it doesn't matter and it it does then that's great.

Shared library is the gimmick they need to set them apart from xb1 and ps4.

What if NX has all the same 3rd party games as PS4/XB1 (in a perfect scenario)? How do you convert users who already have one to start buying them on your system? Normally, you can't. If you allow MOST (if not all) games to be played on both nintendo's console AND handheld, that might be a selling point for some people ("I can play mass effect 4 on the go!?"). Maybe not as a primary system seller, but if they are already getting an NX for some nintendo/exclusive, maybe they start to transition their 3rd party purchases to NX also, due to convenience.

The second thing you could do is make the account system worthwhile. If everything is integrated through mobile automatically, and the reward system (new club nintendo) is worthwhile to non-nintendo fans, by providing coupons/discounts/themes, then maybe they're more motivated to stay within the ecosystem because, maybe hypothetically, gamerscore equates to real world money, as far as discounts. Who knows?

I mean, Imagine you own a ps4, an XB1, and an NX... and imagine all 3 consoles are getting the latest call of duty, the latest madden, or the latest whatever big 3rd party game you like... which do you get it on? It'll be nintendo's job to make sure you pick them. If that happens, then the 'platform all my friends play on' could switch over.

That said, I don't think a feat like this has yet to be accomplished. I wish nintendo the best of luck.



I think a lot of us here are going to be disappointed if it's not this, and honestly, this is all a pipe dream. I think it's very very likely something like this won't happen, at least not this gen, but it *IS* the dream, and that's important to remember, it may just be that - a dream :/

Don't get too disappointed if it's not true.

 

[ozfunghi]

Shared library is the gimmick they need to set them apart from xb1 and ps4.

What if NX has all the same 3rd party games as PS4/XB1 (in a perfect scenario)? How do you convert users who already have one to start buying them on your system? Normally, you can't. If you allow MOST (if not all) games to be played on both nintendo's console AND handheld, that might be a selling point for some people ("I can play mass effect 4 on the go!?"). Maybe not as a primary system seller, but if they are already getting an NX for some nintendo/exclusive, maybe they start to transition their 3rd party purchases to NX also, due to convenience.

The second thing you could do is make the account system worthwhile. If everything is integrated through mobile automatically, and the reward system (new club nintendo) is worthwhile to non-nintendo fans, by providing coupons/discounts/themes, then maybe they're more motivated to stay within the ecosystem because, maybe hypothetically, gamerscore equates to real world money, as far as discounts. Who knows?

I mean, Imagine you own a ps4, an XB1, and an NX... and imagine all 3 consoles are getting the latest call of duty, the latest madden, or the latest whatever big 3rd party game you like... which do you get it on? It'll be nintendo's job to make sure you pick them. If that happens, then the 'platform all my friends play on' could switch over.

That said, I don't think a feat like this has yet to be accomplished. I wish nintendo the best of luck.

I think a lot of us here are going to be disappointed if it's not this, and honestly, this is all a pipe dream. I think it's very very likely something like this won't happen, at least not this gen, but it *IS* the dream, and that's important to remember, it may just be that - a dream :/

Don't get too disappointed if it's not true.

So, every form of progress is a gimmick these days?

And why i would buy the NX version of a third party game, is because (if they implement this correctly) it would allow me to play this Call of Duty at home, and as soon as i leave the house, continue where i left off, on the handheld. Without any form of lag. This wouldn't be a selling point to some people, like you say, but to a lot of people.

On top of that, it opens up the entire both 1st and 3rd party handheld catalog to home console owners. Imagine WiiU having all the 3DS games to play... No? Still a gimmick?

 

[ozfunghi]

A shared library is great from their development cost point of view. I'm not sure there's a huge need for consumers to have this. I play on Nintendo consoles and the chance of me buying one of their handhelds is pretty much nil. I expect there's a lot of other people like that so in reality I think the benefit will be much smaller that we might think. However I agree it makes sense to do it if you can without sacrificing a lot.

Hmmm, well you wouldn't HAVE to buy their handheld to play all of those games, because (almost) the entire handheld library, would be available on your console. Ideally, in better resolution and framerate as well. Home console games have a drought? What about playing the next Monster Hunter, or one of the many RPG's? Nintendo doesn't have to waste resources on two Mario Karts and two Mario platformers (for each device), that means they can put more resources towards more games or better features/DLC etc...

 

[jaosobno]

Personally, I'd love if every single game would be playable on both handheld and console, but I don't think that's happening. Handheld version of some games would work, but as time moves on, handheld might start to struggle running games, even with lower framerate, resolution and level of detail.

I see Nintendo giving the option to create both versions of the game, but I doubt they are going to force it. I'm hoping at least that Nintendo will provide devs with some kind of tool to help them downscale the game for the handheld version.

On the other hand, if that will be the case, I would at least love to see remote play capability out of the box. Nintendo did a great job with WiiU's off-TV play (I read it has great image quality and low latency), so I'm hoping for something similar again. This would be a great incentive for people like me (one TV in the apartment) since I would always have a dedicated gaming screen, in the case that "shared screen" (TV) was not available. If something like that happens, I'm definitely buying both versions of the console (hoping for a bundle).

 

[James Scott]

A shared library is great from their development cost point of view. I'm not sure there's a huge need for consumers to have this. I play on Nintendo consoles and the chance of me buying one of their handhelds is pretty much nil. I expect there's a lot of other people like that so in reality I think the benefit will be much smaller that we might think. However I agree it makes sense to do it if you can without sacrificing a lot.

There's benefit to developers AND consumers.
If a consumer is only mildly interested in Nintendo games they can get one of the two platforms and be infinitely more satisfied than the previous generation.
Have both and the ways to play are greatly increased as well. With the cloud based saves, I guess most games will be cross buy and cross save. Have both units and (as an example) you're playing MH5 on NX.
The handheld is the controller with second screen functionality with a map and all that always visible. You're playing on the TV in HD. You need to go grab a train or heck, even something to drink from the kitchen you could swap between the two and keep playing.
I think there's a lot of appeal to this.
For developers the benefit is obvious. Like mobile, each phone isn't a massive success on its own but being able to develop for several with little effort is a plus for them.
Have an indie game release it on two platforms at once. Games like MH benefit from the larger instalbase and gives consumers options. There might be some that wouldn't play it on a console but would pick it up on a portable (and vice verse)
Overall it just results in more sales and more profits.

 

[Mithos]

Well arguably the benefit would be massive for people like you because you'd now be able to buy their vast handheld library without having to buy a handheld.

I'm not AzaK, but I don't want handheld stuff on my homeconsole, unless they turn in to homeconsole version if I play them there as in taking Smash Bros for 3DS and playing it on Wii U it becomes/looks/plays like Smash Bros for Wii U.

 

[ozfunghi]

I think there's a lot of appeal to this.

Of course there is. People arguing otherwise have not thought it through. The only caveat:

They have to implement it correctly. If it doesn't work like we are describing, then it will all go to waste.

I'm not AzaK, but I don't want handheld stuff on my homeconsole, unless they turn in to homeconsole version if I play them there as in taking Smash Bros for 3DS and playing it on Wii U it becomes/looks/plays like Smash Bros for Wii U.

First of all, the next handheld will be more powerful, that means that the next handheld Zelda, will look a lot nicer than, say, Ocarina of Time 3D. The past few Monster Hunter games stayed on 3DS. If they are made for a more powerful handheld, they will also look better, and would become a more viable option to play on your home console. If the unified structure makes it much easier to cross-develop, there is no reason for developers of such games, to not include some benefits when playing on the home console instead of the handheld. Like better textures, higer resolution, better framerate, better (lighting) effects... So even if you don't want to play 2D RPG's on your home console or puzzle games, there will still be plenty of games to consider. You bring up SSB, i think that's a good example of how it could work. Especially since a new SSB would look a lot nicer on the new handheld anyway.

But like i said above; they have to implement it correctly.

 

[AppleBlade]

The day I see a Fallout/ Elders Scrolls/ GTA game on a Nintendo's console they will be on the right path , hope NX does.

Yes. This along with a modern online system/accounts would be the day I could stop buying multiple systems.

 

[takriel]

And the discussion goes on and on and on. You guys are tireless! Hope we get some new info soon, though.

 

[James Scott]

I'm not AzaK, but I don't want handheld stuff on my homeconsole, unless they turn in to homeconsole version if I play them there as in taking Smash Bros for 3DS and playing it on Wii U it becomes/looks/plays like Smash Bros for Wii U.

It would be like PS4 ports of vita games. All the assets would be easily portable but it would be up to the dev to make it look as nice as possible (1080p, 60fps, better/uncompressed textures, etc) It's not that the game will be the same but played via GBA player or something.

Of course there is. People arguing otherwise have not thought it through. The only caveat:

They have to implement it correctly. If it doesn't work like we are describing, then it will all go to waste.

True enough. Hope they do it right because they have a really good idea on their hands

 

[HYDE]

I think the portable will have cartridges that will play on the console. The console will play its own discs and portable cartridges. Maybe some downloadable games will play on both.

 

[georly]

So, every form of progress is a gimmick these days?

And why i would buy the NX version of a third party game, is because (if they implement this correctly) it would allow me to play this Call of Duty at home, and as soon as i leave the house, continue where i left off, on the handheld. Without any form of lag. This wouldn't be a selling point to some people, like you say, but to a lot of people.

On top of that, it opens up the entire both 1st and 3rd party handheld catalog to home console owners. Imagine WiiU having all the 3DS games to play... No? Still a gimmick?

Gimmick is the wrong word I guess? I think the word 'gimmick' has way worse connotations than it actually deserves. Is "New feature" better? We're all just assuming this will happen, but for all we know, it won't. It would definitely be a system seller, especially to those who haven't committed to PS4/XB1 yet.

I think it's nearly impossible to convert people who have 'nested' into PS4/XB1 already because they already have friends on those platforms.

If NX can have the 'best' versions of games (due to being a more powerful platform) AND you can play at home/on the go (which has been the dream since vita/transfarring was a thing), then NX can do pretty well. Or at least I hope.

 

[sörine]

It all depends on how many of each installed base there is and how many the expect to sell, possibly for each platform, and how much cross over there is.

If it's a game that most people play on console, why should they pay for expensive cartridges. If it's a game more suited to handhelds why charge console players more?

I agree that it's simpler all around but I imagine making a cartridge is an order of magnitude or more cost than a disc. If Nintendo doesn't eat that costs publishers will be pissed off.

I think publishers would rather eat the difference in manufacturing cost of rom vs disc given the significant savings it'd bring them in retail logistics and larger addressable userbase to sell to. Who knows, Nintendo may eat the cost themselves to stay competitive.

This isn't the mid 1990s where you're looking at a $10-20 cart versus a 5-10¢ CD. It's more like a $1-2 card versus a 10-20¢ BRD. A significant difference still, but ultimately not enough to really warrant passing up the advantages a solid state uniform media brings.

I'm not AzaK, but I don't want handheld stuff on my homeconsole, unless they turn in to homeconsole version if I play them there as in taking Smash Bros for 3DS and playing it on Wii U it becomes/looks/plays like Smash Bros for Wii U.

My guess is that'll be an option and some developers will have two sets of assets/lighting for each game on the card/download. Sort of like MH4U on 3DS/n3DS, which is different depending on the hardware you use to play it.

Others will simply develop to handheld spec and let the console version be the same but maybe with improved performance/resolution. Of course you can probably expect the handheld games to look roughly like Wii U games, so if you're cool with that level of fidelity it's probably fine.

I think the portable will have cartridges that will play on the console. The console will play its own discs and portable cartridges. Maybe some downloadable games will play on both.

No optical drive on the console imo, no need really. Dual media tends to make things more complicated than it's worth for everyone.

I do think we'll see console only games but then that spec could just be folded back into the next handheld for userbase continuity. Think of it like NX 1.0 (Handheld 1) to NX 2.0 (Console 1, Handheld 2), and then keep going from there.

 

[McHuj]

If NX can have the 'best' versions of games (due to being a more powerful platform) AND you can play at home/on the go (which has been the dream since vita/transfarring was a thing), then NX can do pretty well. Or at least I hope.

I don't think that's possible.

I don't think the hardware for the handheld and console can be that far off in tech to be able to both play on the go and offer the best versions of multi-platform games.

It would be too expensive.