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NX launching in March to make sure there are games to go along with it
- Thread starter AcademicSaucer
- Start date
I don't think it's a manufacturing issue as much as a PR move with motives I still can't get fully behind but are certainly rooted in Nintendo's willingness to separate itself from its competition in terms of message and market segment.
You don't show the NX at E3 since the PS4k and XBOne.one will probably be there, you'd be risking to confuse people with your new hardware ("So, this is the WiiU 4k then ?") but instead focus on a game you know is bound to be a system seller (though why show it in June when it's going to release 9 months later? That's mad). It's not ideal but it's still opening the field in terms of communication for the NX Direct later on (since it's also been said they'd give info about the new hardware before the end of 2016) without having to compete for that public attention like they would have had to do during E3. And if they're still aiming for casuals, there's very little E3 would do for them another random date couldn't achieve.
Let's say they do a September reveal, with a full launch line-up listing, princing and release date, and you know it'll get people's full attention, well into the holiday season, and this whether they're gamers ('nah I'm not buying this, it's releasing on NX in three month with this and this additional feature') and willing to listen, without caring much for casuals who will only come if the post release marketing draws them (like the Wii's did).
I'm not saying it's the best stance, but it makes "some" marketing sense. I still hate it though (especially if they are indeed trying to replicate the Wii's fluke).
Edit: Also, it's not so hard to believe it took them a long time to get third parties to buy into the NX and get their dev kits and concepts running.
You don't show the NX at E3 since the PS4k and XBOne.one will probably be there, you'd be risking to confuse people with your new hardware ("So, this is the WiiU 4k then ?") but instead focus on a game you know is bound to be a system seller (though why show it in June when it's going to release 9 months later? That's mad). It's not ideal but it's still opening the field in terms of communication for the NX Direct later on (since it's also been said they'd give info about the new hardware before the end of 2016) without having to compete for that public attention like they would have had to do during E3. And if they're still aiming for casuals, there's very little E3 would do for them another random date couldn't achieve.
Let's say they do a September reveal, with a full launch line-up listing, princing and release date, and you know it'll get people's full attention, well into the holiday season, and this whether they're gamers ('nah I'm not buying this, it's releasing on NX in three month with this and this additional feature') and willing to listen, without caring much for casuals who will only come if the post release marketing draws them (like the Wii's did).
I'm not saying it's the best stance, but it makes "some" marketing sense. I still hate it though (especially if they are indeed trying to replicate the Wii's fluke).
Edit: Also, it's not so hard to believe it took them a long time to get third parties to buy into the NX and get their dev kits and concepts running.
Gaiaknight
Member
Expecting Zelda at launch and 3d Mario being there 2017 big holiday game, Mario kart 9 in 2018. Splatoon 2 in 2018 also.
3DS: Pokémon Sun & Moon
Mobile: Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem
Wii U: ¯\_(ツ
_/¯I wouldn't rule out there being something else for 3DS, too. If Pokémon is October maybe they'll have something for a late November Thanksgiving release to complement that.
Soapbox Killer
Grand Nagus
So this is pretty much a 3 month delay if we assume it was originally going to come out in Nov. I don't believe Zelda is being delayed for Wii U "polish" but for the Nx Launch.
My point is it seems like there is another key here, mainly some big 3rd party publisher got on board late and said "you can have game x, but we need more time to complete it" I don't think there is any 1st party games that couldn't launch in 6 months since most of them have been quiet for 12-18 months anyway.
My point is it seems like there is another key here, mainly some big 3rd party publisher got on board late and said "you can have game x, but we need more time to complete it" I don't think there is any 1st party games that couldn't launch in 6 months since most of them have been quiet for 12-18 months anyway.
I'll say what I said in the other thread here as well: Isn't the Nintendo fiscal year end in April? Seems like March was as far as they could delay it while still being able to see its results this fiscal year.
It's still bizarre to me that at this year's E3 they won't be telling us anything about the system, and not demoing any games upcoming this year for existing systems. No NX at E3 also sounds to me like no NX games at E3, so when are they going to hype those up?
It's still bizarre to me that at this year's E3 they won't be telling us anything about the system, and not demoing any games upcoming this year for existing systems. No NX at E3 also sounds to me like no NX games at E3, so when are they going to hype those up?
Bots are better than you
Banned
I'd guess in the NX event. If they skip E³, due to whatever reasons, for a standalone event, they have to show games, and playable at best.
Wether skipping E³ wasn't due to problems (either hard or software), but a decision made by them, it could also be related to PS4K and XOne.5. Would be interesting to know if NX would have been shown at E³ if those weren't a thing.
cordonbleu
Member
It all seems remarkably smart, focus their E3 on Zelda exclusively, building incredible hype for a game whose Marketing engagement is going to be on the NX almost exclusively... Of course they will say it's held off because of the games, but in reality it's held off cause they chose too!
Refuse to have the announcement of their next console/concept buried in the mainstream press as a bookmark under the shenanigans of Sony and Microsoft.
Instead invite media to an event at a later date that Nintendo and the NX are the only focus of, control the narrative... To that point, it's possible that some media may be invited to road test and preview the NX behind closed doors at E3 under specific NDA to prepare coverage for a predetermined time in the future.
Release details on the next Animal Crossing Game for the NX system that is integrated within my.nintendo and the new Animal Crossing Game App... I believe that Animal Crossing for NX will release at launch or soon after to make the most of this pairing.
Not releasing the System in 2016 is also smart... It allows a sensible buildup of inventory and maximises first year sales, the consoles available at launch will sell out regardless of when it is released, it does not need a seasonal holiday for us nerds to jump on the bandwagon, then by Xmas there's NX with up to twenty or more great exclusive games and plenty of stock.
With the idea that NX is more akin to an operating system and therefore all Nintendo games will going forward be released for all systems the OS is attached to, either new ones or those retroactively enhanced, it's exciting that some 30 or so just Nintendo Published titles per year will be available.... If they pull that off it will be an incredibly great legacy for Iwata!!
Refuse to have the announcement of their next console/concept buried in the mainstream press as a bookmark under the shenanigans of Sony and Microsoft.
Instead invite media to an event at a later date that Nintendo and the NX are the only focus of, control the narrative... To that point, it's possible that some media may be invited to road test and preview the NX behind closed doors at E3 under specific NDA to prepare coverage for a predetermined time in the future.
Release details on the next Animal Crossing Game for the NX system that is integrated within my.nintendo and the new Animal Crossing Game App... I believe that Animal Crossing for NX will release at launch or soon after to make the most of this pairing.
Not releasing the System in 2016 is also smart... It allows a sensible buildup of inventory and maximises first year sales, the consoles available at launch will sell out regardless of when it is released, it does not need a seasonal holiday for us nerds to jump on the bandwagon, then by Xmas there's NX with up to twenty or more great exclusive games and plenty of stock.
With the idea that NX is more akin to an operating system and therefore all Nintendo games will going forward be released for all systems the OS is attached to, either new ones or those retroactively enhanced, it's exciting that some 30 or so just Nintendo Published titles per year will be available.... If they pull that off it will be an incredibly great legacy for Iwata!!
hemo memo
Gold Member
A 3rd part game big enough to delay a console launch?
Soapbox Killer
Grand Nagus
Interesting. What if they were shortsighted in the NX specs and had to bump up the pony power to compete with the mid-gen upgrades? Ps4k might be the NX equivalent and Nintendo went right to NX Turbo.
MatrixMan.EXE
Member
You're giving Nintendo way too much credit for this. I sincerely doubt this matches up with their original plans 1:1 at all.
That said, Pokemon Sun and Moon, DQVII and MHX will ensure I won't need anything else from Nintendo until March anyway.
Orniletter
Banned
You can't bump up the hardware chips in a significant way halfway trough development.
The basic design and whats on the chip is decided relatively early on, the only thing that could change rather late into development are stuff like clockspeed and RAM (like how Sony doubled the 4GB GDDR to 8, or MS upclocked the CPU by 10%).
Joelstinton14
Member
Could be one of a number of reasons. I'm kind of leaning on OS 'issues'. I mentioned this in the other thread: If this thing was to release in November, we are only 6 months away from that. Iwata had previously made references to IOS/Android and other tidbits have suggested that this is the way they are going.
All 3 Current gen consoles released, particularly the X1 and Wii U with barebones or unfinished OS that needed months and months of patching to bring it up to ..not usable but a decent standard. All 3 could have done with an extra 3 or even 6 months in the oven.
If Nintendo are planning to go the Operating system route (same OS on Multiple Devices) it might they just need more time to iron out quirks and make sure everything from Tab A slots into Tab b so to speak. Everything kind of needs to be on point from day one if Nintendo are going down the route that we think they are.
FF Seraphim
Member
If Zelda is day one release with the NX I will be first in line to buy it.
Lmfao. N64 launch was pitiful. If memory serves me correctly the NA launch had 2 games and the first month was 3 games. Mario 64, Blast Corps, Pilotwings 64.
Zelda at launch helps create that initial sales boom and positive press out of the gate, which Wii U lacked. Now they need a game for the mainstream like Wii Sports was.
GinoFelino
Member
Waiting to ensure a good games lineup at launch and having Zelda NX as a day-one killer app?
NINTENDO IS DOOMED ABANDON SHIP
NINTENDO IS DOOMED ABANDON SHIP
People keep looking for some deeper meaning when it really could just be to make sure the games are ready. So when it does come out there is a steady stream of games being release month after month so there are no post-launch droughts which all system go through and can definitely hurt system's adoption rate. I want them to make sure they have enough games that they can go from March to the holiday season and beyond with there being no talk at all about nothing coming out.
It sucks for those that want the spectacle when they want it but I want Nintendo to do this right. I don't want anything rushed or half asses. It's not like there aren't games to play or they won't have holiday games. Now it being games you want is a different story but people need to not act like there is nothing.
Also it's very likely inventory might be an issue as well. A world wide hardware launch requires a certain level of inventory
I'm excited for NX because it will launch with open world Zelda. I'm upset that it was pushed back. But I will still be there day one.
GinoFelino
Member
I think Xenoblade X is a technical marvel for how expansive it feels despite being on aging tech.
That said, I'm really glad I don't have to play Zelda with Wii U's technological constraints holding it back
and horrible Gamepad controls I'm sorry
Assuming NX has better specs, of course.
The12thGripper
Member
They will have Pokemon. Pokemon sells very well. There's also a handful of games from NoA (at least) that still have a vague 2016 date and could be released during Fall and Winter of this year.
Isn't PSVR and PS4.5 releasing later this year? The rumored XBO hardware upgrade? This E3 will be crazy considering that PS4/XBO are in their peak periods and with all the VR stuff.
Perhaps Nintendo wants to avoid being drowned in all the noise at E3, and the holiday period will be stacked so they shifted their plans a couple of months both for the NX reveal event and the hardware launch to get the spotlight all for themselves. If this strategy works out for them they will probably not attend E3 in a big way from now on and do their own thing.
Perhaps Nintendo wants to avoid being drowned in all the noise at E3, and the holiday period will be stacked so they shifted their plans a couple of months both for the NX reveal event and the hardware launch to get the spotlight all for themselves. If this strategy works out for them they will probably not attend E3 in a big way from now on and do their own thing.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
No, Triforce will be.
Makes Zelda at launch all the more important. Having a critically acclaimed and major title at launch will help move units and help Zelda a lot too. Will be the best chance for Nintendo to reach those LoZ/OoT/TP levels of sales again.
But they're going to need a few other solid apps too. The like 15th entry in a 30 year old franchise, no matter how critically acclaimed it may be is going to carry a system on its own. TP might have been the best traditional game on the Wii for a while, but Wii Sports was still the killer app that really rocketed the system into the lime light and there were still other solid games at launch as well. I don't think anything will reach that level again like Wii Sports, but if they can produce another Splatoon type of game, or two if they're lucky, that would probably make for a very good launch along with whatever else they have to offer.
Even if they're ports themselves bringing over Smash Bros, Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon would likely be a smart move as well. All of them did great numbers on the Wii U but well below previous console versions respectively. Even as ports all three would probably be extremely well received. Improved graphics and framerates would be great and justification for a good few fans and fence sitters, even better would be to sell them with all the DLC included.
But they're going to need a few other solid apps too. The like 15th entry in a 30 year old franchise, no matter how critically acclaimed it may be is going to carry a system on its own. TP might have been the best traditional game on the Wii for a while, but Wii Sports was still the killer app that really rocketed the system into the lime light and there were still other solid games at launch as well. I don't think anything will reach that level again like Wii Sports, but if they can produce another Splatoon type of game, or two if they're lucky, that would probably make for a very good launch along with whatever else they have to offer.
Even if they're ports themselves bringing over Smash Bros, Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon would likely be a smart move as well. All of them did great numbers on the Wii U but well below previous console versions respectively. Even as ports all three would probably be extremely well received. Improved graphics and framerates would be great and justification for a good few fans and fence sitters, even better would be to sell them with all the DLC included.
outunderthestars
Banned
It will end up being what five and a half years since Skyward Sword?
I kind of feel this way too. Wii U had amazing games. I had a lot of fun with it. Great Marios, great Smash, best Mario Kart, that Platinum love, etc. Droughts were an issue, but that's the lack of third parties. Literally, to have more games means you need more developers. Period.
Maybe Nintendo can up the pace with NX, but if it's still only Nintendo making games for its own system, is that enough? If Wii U had had double the output it had in the past year and a half, would it be enough? A slightly heavier trickle is still a trickle.
I think the marketing of the Wii U was a huge blunder. When people don't even know it's the next console, you've got a problem. I've seen nothing to indicate that they've got a good grasp on this for the NX. Everyone talks about delaying for more games, but will people even know to buy the damn thing?
Then there is the console gen situation, which nobody is talking about. Is NX going to be next gen? Is it current gen? Will people be confused and think it's s Wii U4K? What happens in 2019 or 2020 or 2021 when PS5 drops and a next gen NX shows its age? Or when PS5 drops and a current gen NX shows its age and is younger than Wii U was when it was abandoned? The PS4K seems to indicate that they are ready to stick with PS4 for a long run. So "next gen" will happen later rather than sooner and NX is either very late or very early.
Given the timing, NX seems more like a short term solution than a long term one. Customers will feel cheated (again!) if the NX is just a short-lived financial band-aid. The only saving grace for the gen-timing issue I can see is if either next gen is very close (not likely given PS4K and Xbox1.5) or if console gens are done being a thing (possible, given PS4K and Xbox1.5). But again, no one is talking about this. Everything is money and games NOW, or ASAP, never mind the next year, or next gen.
There is something dumb about not showing anything cause they want to keep the console secret.
They could show nice pictures of games in development, without revealing any of their gameplay nor any console gimmick.. And that would be enough to make the hype strain super strong...
They can't really let all that year hype die, now that we know E3 will be boring as fuck and there is nothing to wait for..
At E3 they should say nothing about the console but show a hype as fuck teaser for Mario, Metroid or anything they have in development.. It will work.
They could show nice pictures of games in development, without revealing any of their gameplay nor any console gimmick.. And that would be enough to make the hype strain super strong...
They can't really let all that year hype die, now that we know E3 will be boring as fuck and there is nothing to wait for..
At E3 they should say nothing about the console but show a hype as fuck teaser for Mario, Metroid or anything they have in development.. It will work.
Doesn't Nintendo have an insane war chest? Why the hell don't they just acquire every HD game developer in existence and throw them at their console? I mean holy crap, how can they STILL not know what in the sweet sam hill they're doing when it comes to developing AAA HD games?
This plays in my mind repeatedly every time they've delayed it. I hope this image lives on in infamy for eternity
This plays in my mind repeatedly every time they've delayed it. I hope this image lives on in infamy for eternity
OrbitalBeard
Member
If they are indeed launching NX in March 2017, there is zero chance they won't have revealed it by year end. My money is on September reveal/blowout with sizzle reals, pricing , specs etc and then another Direct slightly closer to launch confirming exact launch lineup, deals, preorder deets etc.
paragonpro
Banned
Corrected that for you
They need to do it sooner than that, IMO. They at least need to tell us SOMETHING else before then. Like...a box. A controller. A menu. A name. These are all things they need to do before going all out with it.
themagicalkitsune
Member
Cygnus X-1
Member
People here forget that Satoru Iwata died last year, also quite unexpectedly, since he was recovering after the 2014 surgery and death came suddenly. This, in particular, messed up the plans.
If the branding is different, then at least people won't assume it's another add-on.
ReyVGM
Member
Ok, they acquire all the so called "HD" developers. What happens when those devs leave the company? Nintendo will be left with an empty shell. Remember Rare and Microsoft?
And what the heck are you talking about Nintendo not grasping AAA HD games? Did you not play Mario Kart 8? Or Wind Waker HD? Or are those AA o just plain A games?
This not the first time a Zelda has been delayed, you know? Ocarina of Time was delayed several times tooa dn that wait was worse than this one.
blu
Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
PMs to gaf members.
Two examples whoa
I'm talking about their meager consistency, terrible output rate, constant delays for big titles, misguided secrecy policies and haphazard reveal schedule. They pale in comparison to other HD developers, still. In 2016. NX has to be an amazing console with dev support to high heaven or goddammit, they should just give it up
Maybe it's not that they couldn't have 2 new games and ports at launch. Maybe it's the post-launch. Maybe they saw they would have too large of a software drought after launch.
That would be the Wii U thinking. The NX thinking is the following:
Launch games:
Zelda NX
Mario NX
Mario Kart NX
Splatoon NX
Retro NX
There.
Just wanted to point out in addition to everything else, the two examples above are a game in Nintendo's top-selling franchise that was released 2 years after launch... and a GCN port.
OrbitalBeard
Member
MK8 launched 18 months after Wii U's launch, not two years.
Same thing happened with MK Wii. Double Dash launched two years after GCN's release. This is really nothing new. In fact, MK has never been a launch title or even something released during a system's launch window.
This would be horrible. Games like these need to be spread out over the system's first year, with smaller titles in-between. So many sales would be cannibalized with a launch like that.
Remember the theory that the Wii U was a "stopgap console" as part of a convoluted and meticulous scheme devised by Iwata in order to give them time to divert their real resources to the console afterward that would magically do everything right?
It's really funny that, despite the theory's ridiculousness, how plausible it becomes once you see the three or four incredible Wii U ports being targeted for NX's launch.
It's really funny that, despite the theory's ridiculousness, how plausible it becomes once you see the three or four incredible Wii U ports being targeted for NX's launch.
Cygnus X-1
Member
Ahàha, this is Nintendo. Moreover, Nintendo and The Legend of Zelda - a series living so long because of its excellent reputation. Screw one single mainline game and you possibly screw up the entire series. They will push the game back as long as needed to be perfect. And moreover, this is a strategic move to move the game onto NX as well.
And about the war chest: once one starts emptying it, it's difficult to stop. Moreover, that money is a life insurance against possible hostile takeovers. Also, buying developers means paying them every month, with little insurance that talent is going to stay. Nintendo is not stupid, better be the underdog, but with deep pockets. They are now able to survive, not losing money, with a dead system and a half-dead one. What do you think will happen if they are able to be successful again with a single system?
Orniletter
Banned
Yeah, and then nothing afterwards for the next 7 months.
They wont release 3 big, new AAA games on day zero. They don't need to. What they need is a constant stream of big-ish titles.
Zelda U or Mario day one alongside a bunch of WiiU ports/ deluxe editions . The big Mario or Zelda game one month later. Pikmin 4 the next. Some party game by Nd cube the month after, then Retro's game etc.
Just cramming everything into one day is not the answer.