Support NeoGAF

[frankie_baby]

The Android rumour is hilariously bad, no way would Nintendo open themselves up to such an insecure os, having said that anyone know what happened to that is that Nintendo started developing a few years ago then gave to Google (ES I think it was called)

 

[gashikunFLCL]

The Q & A from the investor meting is now up in English

 

[Sadist]

Huh, investors don't seem to know about the difference between the DS/3DS and Wii/Wii U.

 

[Cheesecakebobby]

Based on Iwata's final response, a show of hands: who would make a digital purchase of a Wii U game if it cost the same as the maximum it would cost in a store? I certainly wouldn't, especially considering that in my native UK, and in Japan where I will be living when it launches, there is often competitive pricing at launch and discounting within a month. I can't see the digital price decreasing so quickly, going on my experience with Microsoft and Sony's stupid pricing (it is always possible to find the physical version cheaper than the digital version).

 

[Log4Girlz]

Wii U and Android? LOL

Sadly, I really do feel they need to incorporate that OS. People want apps. But if 3DS didn't have Android, neither will Wii U.

Huh, investors don't seem to know about the difference between the DS/3DS and Wii/Wii U.

Investors rarely know anything, this is why people like Michael Pachter still have a job

 

[EatChildren]

Based on Iwata's final response, a show of hands: who would make a digital purchase of a Wii U game if it cost the same as the maximum it would cost in a store? I certainly wouldn't, especially considering that in my native UK, and in Japan where I will be living when it launches, there is often competitive pricing at launch and discounting within a month. I can't see the digital price decreasing so quickly, especially going on my experience with Microsoft and Sony's stupid pricing (it is always possible to find the physical version cheaper than the digital version).

If there's no discount for digital I see no real point of digital, and I see Nintendo exploiting consumers. They get a bigger cut distributing online, and full control of the experience. Paying them the same amount I'm already paying makes no sense.

So, instead, I will continue to shop at retail where I could potentially get the product for less, and have a physical copy. Or, as discussed earlier, I might even be able to get retail digital codes for less than physical and less than Nintendo's own digital prices, simply due to competitive in-store prices.

I'm hoping Nintendo understands and appreciates the advantages of digital distribution, both for customers and their own benefit, pricing their games accordingly to encourage digital sales without exploiting consumer interest.

 

[Kacho]

hey you guys,

5 weeks you guys

 

[Kjellson]

hey you guys,

5 weeks you guys

 

[Sadist]

Investors rarely know anything, this is why people like Michael Pachter still have a job

I suppose, but I just don't understand it. I mean, if I put some money in a company I want to know what they offer and their philosophy regarding developing their products. More importantly, I'd keep up with all the news around the company.

Oh wait, one investor knows whats up:

Question/Answers 4

Investor: Allow me to first say that I think President Iwata is now being exposed to a bashing from the mass media and I would like him to hold on and go undefeated by them.

Iwata: First of all, thank you for your encouragement. However, with the financial results that we have announced, it is natural that I am being criticized. I do not feel that I have been experiencing something unreasonable. I am making efforts so that the situation can change as soon as possible.

Q and A 4 is an interesting read btw.

 

[m.i.s.]

The Android rumour is hilariously bad, no way would Nintendo open themselves up to such an insecure os

Or an open os even. )

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

LOL! Im pretty sure we all feel like that lol..

 

[Truth101]

If there's no discount for digital I see no real point of digital, and I see Nintendo exploiting consumers. They get a bigger cut distributing online, and full control of the experience. Paying them the same amount I'm already paying makes no sense.

So, instead, I will continue to shop at retail where I could potentially get the product for less, and have a physical copy. Or, as discussed earlier, I might even be able to get retail digital codes for less than physical and less than Nintendo's own digital prices, simply due to competitive in-store prices.

I'm hoping Nintendo understands and appreciates the advantages of digital distribution, both for customers and their own benefit, pricing their games accordingly to encourage digital sales without exploiting consumer interest.

That problem is solved with retailers being able to sell digital codes and set the prices for those codes.

Bomba bin code purchases.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

That problem is solved with retailers being able to sell digital codes and set the prices for those codes.

Bomba bin code purchases.

I can see amazon taking advantage of that forreal they already sell xbl 12 months like 10$ less that retail and sometimes way lower than that.

 

[ColdBlooder]

I can see something like this happening:

Pikmin 3 gets launched on the eShop for 44.99

Retail Disc version would be 49.99

D/L card (NFC enabled of course. They got the tech, so use it!) with just a card in an envelope style packaging could cost 39.99 (retailer price for batteling amongst each other)

May even a "Special Edition NFC Figurine" edition that could cost 49.99 again

If it would turn out like that, i´d be happy

 

[BurntPork]

The Q & A from the investor meting is now up in English

Whoever asked the fourth question is now my buddy.

 

[EDarkness]

I disagree. Metroid Other M proved that fans would recoil in horror if Nintendo ever were to "evolve" their storytelling and character designs to keep pace with modern tastes, even if they were the ones who asked for it. If you ever wanted Zelda to "mature" as a series, the reaction to Other M pretty much guarantees that's not going to happen. Why risk it? I mean people accuse New Super Mario Bros. of being uninspired, but at least nobody's burning that director in effigy nor sending him death threats about how Mario is ruined forever. The last thing you can do with Metroid has have Retro turn out another Metroid Prime-ish game for old time's sake and relegate it to cameo status for a generation or two.

I don't know about anyone else, but I didn't mind the cut scenes. I thought the cut scenes in Metroid Prime 3 were awesome as hell. The problem I had with Other M was the depiction of Samus in general. She was just a better character in MP3 compared to Other M. She was on some emotional roller coaster ride. Sorry, that kind of stuff just doesn't fly with me.

I also thought the actress they chose for her voice was fine, but the script was so bad it must have been hard for her to read those lines. Surely they could have done a better job with it. So I've just come to the conclusion that Sakamoto shouldn't touch another Metroid. With a better writer and someone better at designing games, I think it would be fantastic.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

I can see something like this happening:

Pikmin 3 gets launched on the eShop for 44.99

Retail Disc version would be 49.99

D/L card (NFC enabled of course. They got the tech, so use it!) with just a card in an envelope style packaging could cost 39.99 (retailer price for batteling amongst each other)

May even a "Special Edition NFC Figurine" edition that could cost 49.99 again

If it would tun out like that, i´d be happy

I wonder if 3rd party games will stay at 50$ for WiiU or take that 60$ jump, havent even thought of pricing for Wii U games. If that stay at 50$ I can see WiiU having an advantage with the same games but 10$ less that 360 and PS3.

 

[Bullza2o]

I can see something like this happening:

Pikmin 3 gets launched on the eShop for 44.99

Retail Disc version would be 49.99

I hope this is the case, but I'm not sure if Nintendo's sticking with $49.99 MSRP.

 

[test_account]

About Android and WiiU, i think the key word to that rumor is "integrated". I guess it is possible to run it in a sandbox within the WiiU OS. This would mean access to Goole Play store.

I dont see it happening for 2 reasons though. 1) The WiiU tablet isnt multitouch, so it could be compatiblity issues with games/apps that uses multitouch. 2) Nintendo want all of this type of stuff to be sold directly through their own Eshop instead.

 

[udivision]

So... you can't just straight up go to the eShop and purchase a game then, right?

 

[AceBandage]

So... you can't just straight up go to the eShop and purchase a game then, right?

Yes. Of course you can.

 

[udivision]

Yes. Of course you can.

But... when you do... you decide what retailer to buy from?

It seems like we'd then have:
Buy in Retail for Retailers Price
Buy code in retail for Retailer's Price
Buy... in eshop from Nintendo?

 

[HylianTom]

If there's no discount for digital I see no real point of digital, and I see Nintendo exploiting consumers. They get a bigger cut distributing online, and full control of the experience. Paying them the same amount I'm already paying makes no sense.

So, instead, I will continue to shop at retail where I could potentially get the product for less, and have a physical copy. Or, as discussed earlier, I might even be able to get retail digital codes for less than physical and less than Nintendo's own digital prices, simply due to competitive in-store prices.

I'm hoping Nintendo understands and appreciates the advantages of digital distribution, both for customers and their own benefit, pricing their games accordingly to encourage digital sales without exploiting consumer interest.

Yup. And as much as I adore them, I trust absolutely no one when it comes to digital distribution, including Nintendo. The temptation to give in to that profit motive is just too great. So it's physical for me for as long as possible.

hey you guys,

5 weeks you guys

Indeed. Happy May, folks!

 

[ColdBlooder]

I just used those numbers as an example. Could also be the same with 10$/€ added... Thats one of my fears. Nintendo adding 10 bucks to the price.

If they could manage to keep it the same as with the Wii, it would be amazing.

 

[AceBandage]

But... when you do... you decide what retailer to buy from?

There are three ways to purchase a game.

1. Through the eShop from Nintendo.
2. Through a retailer via physical disc.
3. Through a retailer at their store via download code.

 

[AGITΩ]

I can see something like this happening:

Pikmin 3 gets launched on the eShop for 44.99

Retail Disc version would be 49.99

D/L card (NFC enabled of course. They got the tech, so use it!) with just a card in an envelope style packaging could cost 39.99 (retailer price for batteling amongst each other)

May even a "Special Edition NFC Figurine" edition that could cost 49.99 again

If it would turn out like that, i´d be happy

Though I would hope Nintendo keeps a $49.99 Price tag on their games. If retailers are able to decide the price of DD Games, whats to stop them from being the same price as retail games so physical retail has "even" footing?
Unless with teh DD version you get nothing and with the Retail you get some NFC Figures, that way price difference is "Justified" and physical retail keeps an edge.

 

[ColdBlooder]

But... when you do... you decide what retailer to buy from?

It seems like we'd then have:
Buy in Retail for Retailers Price
Buy code in retail for Retailer's Price
Buy... in eshop from Nintendo?

What?

You can purchase it in the eShop from Nintendo directly, OR go to your favorite retail store and purchase a download card there. And it only makes sense if those cards are cheaper than the regular disc version.

 

[udivision]

There are three ways to purchase a game.

1. Through the eShop from Nintendo.
2. Through a retailer via physical disc.
3. Through a retailer at their store via download code.

I'm not sure how the bolded would jive though. I guess Iwata addressed that already, but I thought one of the purproses was to not circumvent retail and go the "win-win" route. Nintendo "goes digital" but retailers still get a cut because they'll be selling the digital cards. Going directly to Nintendo kind of nullifies that.

 

[AceBandage]

I'm not sure how the bolded would jive though. I guess Iwata addressed that already, but I thought one of the purproses was to not circumvent retail and go the "win-win" route.

Because not everyone uses credit cards. So they will go to the store, buy a digital copy of the game directly from the retailer (thus, more money goes to the retailer) and then download it.

 

[ColdBlooder]

Though I would hope Nintendo keeps a $49.99 Price tag on their games. If retailers are able to decide the price of DD Games, whats to stop them from being the same price as retail games so physical retail has "even" footing?
Unless with teh DD version you get nothing and with the Retail you get some NFC Figures, that way price difference is "Justified" and physical retail keeps an edge.

Time will tell. I think we would need some time to let the "DD + Retail at the store" to really settle in. After the first 6 month we should be able to see where this is going. And if its going the wrong direction, i hope Nintendo steps in.

But i see this DD step optimistic, as long as theres a price advantage for the customer.

 

[RedSwirl]

please god, no more star fox. the only good game was remade for the 3ds. they've unsuccessfully been trying to make another good game in the series for over a decade now. just let it die. let it die.

The reason it all went downhill after 64 is because 64 was the last one Nintendo developed in-hosue.

 

[Cheesecakebobby]

What?

You can purchase it in the eShop from Nintendo directly, OR go to your favorite retail store and purchase a download card there. And it only makes sense if those cards are cheaper than the regular disc version.

In the Q&A, Iwata practically confirms that retailers will pay MORE for download cards than for physical copies, based on 'risk' factor. Even with that supposed risk factor, I can't see retailers selling the download cards any cheaper than the physical copies. Maybe the same price.

 

[udivision]

Because not everyone uses credit cards. So they will go to the store, buy a digital copy of the game directly from the retailer (thus, more money goes to the retailer) and then download it.

EDIT: wait, i'm confusing myself

I'm reading through the Q&A and the presentation and it doesn't seem like Nintendo will offer the games directly.

Maybe the eShop will link to different retailers.

 

[Sleepy]

I read this in the investor Q&A, regarding the 3DS games/sales:

You will also notice a change in this situation when a richer Nintendo 3DS software lineup in the overseas markets is announced around the time of the E3 show.

Does Iwata mean Western-developed games, or just games the US cares about?

 

[AceBandage]

I read this in the investor Q&A, regarding the 3DS games/sales:



Does Iwata mean Western-developed games, or just games the US cares about?

It just means lots of more games that will sell are being announced at E3.

 

[BurntPork]

If there's no discount for digital I see no real point of digital, and I see Nintendo exploiting consumers. They get a bigger cut distributing online, and full control of the experience. Paying them the same amount I'm already paying makes no sense.

So, instead, I will continue to shop at retail where I could potentially get the product for less, and have a physical copy. Or, as discussed earlier, I might even be able to get retail digital codes for less than physical and less than Nintendo's own digital prices, simply due to competitive in-store prices.

I'm hoping Nintendo understands and appreciates the advantages of digital distribution, both for customers and their own benefit, pricing their games accordingly to encourage digital sales without exploiting consumer interest.

I know this is unlikely, but what if Nintendo were to offer a buy back program where you can sell a game you bought on the eShop for, say, a third of the MSRP at the time of the trade in?

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

EDIT: wait, i'm confusing myself

I'm reading through the Q&A and the presentation and it doesn't seem like Nintendo will offer the games directly.

Maybe the eShop will link to different retailers.

Why would the eshop link to a retailer? Im pretty sure its gonna be the same as games on demand on xbl. No use for all that.

 

[test_account]

When Iwata says that there is no inventory risk with DD-codes in stores, how does he mean? I know that these DD-code (most likely) takes up less space, but how about unsold codes? What if "everyone" buys physical copies of the games instead, then your stuck with unsold DD-codes that you have money tied up to. I dont think that there is a buy-back program, at least in Japan, for unsold games (hence why some games get big price drops fast to clear inventory from the store).

 

[udivision]

Why would the eshop link to a retailer? Im pretty sure its gonna be the same as games on demand on xbl. No use for all that.

Because you're not going to be able to buy games directly from Nintendo, the eShop needs to show the wares of various retailers. It wouldn't need to link you anyplace, but when you search for Mario Kart, the Mario Karts from Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy should show up.

When Iwata says that there is no inventory risk with DD-codes in stores, how does he mean? I know that these DD-code (most likely) takes up less space, but how about unsold codes? What if "everyone" buys physical copies of the games instead, then your stuck with unsold DD-codes that you have money tied up to. I dont think that there is a buy-back program, at least in Japan, for unsold games (hence why some games get big price drops fast to clear inventory from the store).

Iwata talked about giving them the means of generating the codes (POSA), so you wouldn't have the cards until needed.

 

[AceBandage]

When Iwata says that there is no inventory risk with DD-codes in stores, how does he mean? I know that these DD-code (most likely) takes up less space, but how about unsold codes? What if "everyone" buys physical copies of the games instead, then your stuck with unsold DD-codes that you have money tied up to. I dont think that there is a buy-back program, at least in Japan, for unsold games (hence why some games get big price drops fast to clear inventory from the store).

I use to work in retail, and while a majority of games get slashed to hell until the sell, there are exceptions.
EA, especially, likes to buy back their games. For what purpose, I don't know.
I doubt that would happen for DD codes, though.

 

[Naked Prime]

there are no unsold codes. Codes are generated at time of purchase at the pos and prepaid cards are not activated until then. So no unsold codes

 

[frankie_baby]

The reason it all went downhill after 64 is because 64 was the last one Nintendo developed in-hosue.

64 was the only one developed in house really

 

[EatChildren]

That problem is solved with retailers being able to sell digital codes and set the prices for those codes.

Bomba bin code purchases.

That's what I was referring to: retail digital codes entering the world of competitive prices, despite still being digital. That's great for consumers. But I'd still like to see Nintendo price digital content accordingly, though I don't trust them to.

Yup. And as much as I adore them, I trust absolutely no one when it comes to digital distribution, including Nintendo. The temptation to give in to that profit motive is just too great. So it's physical for me for as long as possible.

I throw myself at the mercy of Valve, but only because I really do trust them. Steam owns, their services own, and I fully believe they have the consumer's best interests in mind. In the grand scheme of things there's always that worry if the service goes down for good you'll lose your games, but I don't believe Steam will in the forseeable future. It and GOG are the two big digital services that work wonderfully.

Nintendo's works well enough so far, in the sense they haven't screwed anybody, but like Microsoft and Sony I don't entirely trust their eShop plans. I think this is also due to the fact you're buying games for a closed, controlled environment. The open nature of PCs means all content tethered to my Steam account can be used anywhere, on any PC, from here until Valve is dead. 20 years from now I should still theoretically be able to download the games I bought last year, on my future awesome PC.

Consoles? Not so much. Even if it's account based, you're still potentially locked to playing your games on a singular system, which puts up a weird mental barrier in my head. I don't feel like I'm in complete control, and I don't like that.

I know this is unlikely, but what if Nintendo were to offer a buy back program where you can sell a game you bought on the eShop for, say, a third of the MSRP at the time of the trade in?

It wont happen. It would be neat, but not a big concern to me. I never trade in games. Rarely I'll sell them on eBay or something, but never trade. For me, the value of digital comes from control of my collection, accessibility and service, as well as competitive pricing. The cut Nintendo will get from digital sales will greatly outweigh retail, and I feel in a current market this needs to shape the price.

I'm okay with giving Nintendo my money because I like their games and the company's offerings. But I don't think it's fair they milk me for all I'm worth when I know they could charge less.

Fingers crossed they price competitively. If they do, I'll probably buy online quite a bit.

 

[frankie_baby]

Because you're not going to be able to buy games directly from Nintendo, the eShop needs to show the wares of various retailers. It wouldn't need to link you anyplace, but when you search for Mario Kart, the Mario Karts from Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy should show up.



Iwata talked about giving them the means of generating the codes (POSA), so you wouldn't have the cards until needed.

I'd guess there would probably be no cards at all, perhaps just the code on a receipt

 

[udivision]

Fingers crossed they price competitively. If they do, I'll probably buy online quite a bit.

Nintendo isn't doing the pricing, actually.

 

[EatChildren]

Nintendo isn't doing the pricing, actually.

Nintendo isn't pricing retail codes. They will certainly price their own games on their own service though, as in, buying them directly and avoiding retail entirely. If they weren't, who else would be?

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Because you're not going to be able to buy games directly from Nintendo, the eShop needs to show the wares of various retailers. It wouldn't need to link you anyplace, but when you search for Mario Kart, the Mario Karts from Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy should show up.



Iwata talked about giving them the means of generating the codes (POSA), so you wouldn't have the cards until needed.

Ok I am confused..what you're saying is when you attempt to buy a full game on WiiU it will give you options as to which retailer you want to download it from? That sounds ass backwards and seems irrelevant it'll be like buying gas, all the gas stations have almost the same price why choose between 5 different ones.

 

[test_account]

Iwata talked about giving them the means of generating the codes (POSA), so you wouldn't have the cards until needed.

If it is like that, that they wont tie any money into the codes before they have a buyer on the hand, then that is a very good system Iwata did however mentioned wholesale and DD-codes together, so i assumed that they were bought in advance.

I use to work in retail, and while a majority of games get slashed to hell until the sell, there are exceptions.
EA, especially, likes to buy back their games. For what purpose, I don't know.
I doubt that would happen for DD codes, though.

Yeah, there are exceptions indeed. Im my country, i think it is common that the supplier will give money to the store as a compensation if they drop the price (this must be arranged first though, the stores cant just drop the price at their own will and get compensation for it). I havnt heard about systems like this for Japan, but there might be some exceptions there too.

 

[Sleepy]

It just means lots of more games that will sell are being announced at E3.

So that could be anything, then.

Ok I am confused..what you're saying is when you attempt to buy a full game on WiiU it will give you options as to which retailer you want to download it from?

I think you get the codes from retailers that you then input into WiiU, or you bypass the retailer altogether and buy the game from eShop/VC.

 

[AceBandage]

Ok I am confused..what you're saying is when you attempt to buy a full game on WiiU it will give you options as to which retailer you want to download it from? That sounds ass backwards and seems irrelevant it'll be like buying gas, all the gas stations have almost the same price why choose between 5 different ones.

There are three ways to purchase a game.

1. Through the eShop from Nintendo.
2. Through a retailer via physical disc.
3. Through a retailer at their store via download code.

.