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[Malcolm9]

I think it's good news for any Wii U owners as it sounds like they'll actually be better at supporting the system, and look at getting more games out.

I'm happy with my Wii U alongside my PS4, and I've got some decent games on it I couldn't get elsewhere.

Nintendo just need to market it again in a way that shows it's not a Wii add on but a console in its own right. It will never compete with the PS4/XBO, but it can definitely have it's own niche in the market, plus games will be a lot cheaper to develop for than the other two consoles.

Also Nintendo has so many IP's that need to be brought back like F-Zero, Starfox etc, if they make new versions of these games it will sell more Wii U consoles that's for for sure.

 

[AzaK]

You have to be a complete and utter moron to not be able to keep track of the trends that have happened over the last 8ish years. Honestly, this borders on complete incompetence. Any person who spends 2 minutes a day following gaming in the West knew how it was panning out.

 

[EatChildren]

Misreading foreign trends and the globalisation of game development and culture has been Nintendo's Achilles heel since the Nintendo 64 launched, and no matter the company's issues they've done jack shit all to fix this.

We'll see.

 

[Pancakes R Us]

I really wonder if the 18-35 year old male core gamer is on the table for targeting by Nintendo, because if it isn't then these are empty words from someone who should be stepping down.

I think this market is completely out of reach for Nintendo. They've done too much to make it clear that they're not interested in this market. It's like Lego trying to release products for 18-35 year olds...the target market won't be attracted. If Nintendo wants this market, they're gonna have to do it with a non Nintendo brand.

 

[Gorillaz]

That's been their problem for over a decade

I guess now they finally have to call it out because the "party" is over

 

[SpinningBirdKick]

If Iwata thinks that is the problem then they have learned nothing from the poor performance of the Wii U.

There's no problem going your own way if you are producing compelling must have software.

What you definitely don't want to do is launch a console with no quality first party content and a bunch of old over priced ports and expect people to lap it up.

 

[Anth0ny]

Surprise could be good. I mean really, do we want Nintendo to just follow the trends and release a third identical console?

Nintendo need to continue to be unique while embracing things such as the online space.

I maintain that a Netflix style subscription to all VC titles would do wonders. That would be a nice surprise.

I was thinking they could do $60 a year for:

-ability to play games online (ala Xbox Live Gold and PS+)
-free games every month (ala PS+)
-Netflix style subscription to all VC titles (ala a service that would completely shit on PS+ and would get a ton of people paying Nintendo another $60 a year)

It's too late to launch something like this for Wii U. It needs to be there for the launch of their next console. Would make a big splash imo.

 

[Mpl90]

Misreading foreign trends and the globalisation of game development and culture has been Nintendo's Achilles heel since the Nintendo 64 launched, and no matter the company's issues they've done jack shit all to fix this.

We'll see.

It seems they're finally aware, this time. It sounds like that from their words, I wasn't expecting to hear that now, from Iwata.

Probably this is crazy, but I think Iwata realised this thanks to his NoA COO: being much more in touch with the US market could have been what ne needed for understanding what's wrong. I hope so, at least.

 

[Graphics Horse]

You have to be a complete and utter moron to not be able to keep track of the trends that have happened over the last 8ish years. Honestly, this borders on complete incompetence. Any person who spends 2 minutes a day following gaming in the West knew how it was panning out.

They're well aware of trends, they just think they're bigger than any of them and can go their own way.

 

[SolidSnakex]

While it's nice that he does seem to get it now, it also shows his biggest flaw is that Nintendo needs to be in trouble before he recognizes it. The "panic mode" that the company went into with when the 3DS got off to a slow start is another example. They shouldn't need to have to panic. Figure out what could possibly go wrong with your platform before you launch it so that those particular scenarios don't happen.

I do wonder what he's going to do about their position in the west. His comments seem to suggest that he has a good gauge on what goes on in Japan, but he can't read the west. So, who will he get to do that? And once he does that, will Nintendo actually listen to that person? Is there anyone at Nintendo that immediately sticks out as someone that can be trusted to read trends and those that might be coming in the future?

 

[CoffeeGames]

Hire Reggie for CEO

No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

While Mr. Pachter is apparently trying to make that happen, and won't place any blame on Mr. Fils-Aime or the U.S. team, they have PLENTY of blame to hold.

Mr. Fils-Aime already said he doesn't listen to fans, when asked about the Operation Rainfall Wii situation.
It is clear from the games NoA chose to localize and not localize on the Wii, they do not care about actually supporting their systems with a wide range of games.
Games that were 100% developed and translated.

Then we find out that one of Mr. Fils-Aime's hobbies is scuba diving, and it ALL MADE SENSE.
NoA couldn't be bothered to localize games like The Last Story, Pandora's Tower, and Disaster: Day of Crisis. Games that were already developed and 100% translated for the Wii.

YET, NoA took time to not only localize BOTH Endless Ocean games, but gave the sequel a special bundle with the Wii Speak accessory.

When you are the President and Chief Operations Officer of a video game company, and you ignore requests from gamers in your region...I think you are part of the problem.
Perhaps he should scuba dive less, and play Wii/Wii U games more and pay attention to the market. At least if he was paying attention to the market, then NoA wouldn't have released the worst launch ads of all the regions, and actually addressed the "name" problem when it launched.

 

[JoeM86]

It seems they're finally aware, this time. It sounds like that from their words, I wasn't expecting to hear that now, from Iwata.

Probably this is crazy, but I think Iwata realised this thanks to his NoA COO: being much more in touch with the US market could have been what ne needed for understanding what's wrong. I hope so, at least.

I think that it may be a large part of why he made himself head of Nintendo America.

 

[A_Gorilla]

I think this market is completely out of reach for Nintendo. They've done too much to make it clear that they're not interested in this market. It's like Lego trying to release products for 18-35 year olds...the target market won't be attracted. If Nintendo wants this market, they're gonna have to do it with a non Nintendo brand.

I know what you're getting at, but kind of a bad example with Lego. They have a substantial number of adult collectors. And many of their products are aimed at adults (Mindstorm, their larger sets)

 

[Poyunch]

For all of this fine and dandy stuff it's going to be a while until we actually see results. Until then we're going to see this continuous cycle of one side saying "Nintendo is doomed" and another trying to defend every action Nintendo makes.

The sooner Nintendo fixes their shiz the sooner we can find something else to complain about.

 

[Persona7]

They actually looked at market and trend data and they still made the decisions they did?


what

 

[ExFalsoQuodlibet]

kudos for finally admitting it

those WiiU commercials clearly shown that Nintendo is living in a bunker with no connection to the outside world

 

[Poetic.Injustice]

Is the Wii U really selling well in Japan? Don't see it selling beyond 20K in non release weeks.

 

[Hero]

Misreading foreign trends and the globalisation of game development and culture has been Nintendo's Achilles heel since the Nintendo 64 launched, and no matter the company's issues they've done jack shit all to fix this.

We'll see.

Is this the first time he's blatantly admitted to the fault though? Perhaps now the healing process can begin.

I was thinking they could do $60 a year for:

-ability to play games online (ala Xbox Live Gold and PS+)
-free games every month (ala PS+)
-Netflix style subscription to all VC titles (ala a service that would completely shit on PS+ and would get a ton of people paying Nintendo another $60 a year)

It's too late to launch something like this for Wii U. It needs to be there for the launch of their next console. Would make a big splash imo.

They really need to monetize on an XBL/PSN service like you mention. A NN+ for 50 bucks a year to get free eShop games and discounts. Maybe this is finally a way they can separate kids from adults.

Kids can get a free account for some games and adults if they have NN+ they can stop being so damn afraid of letting strangers communicate and share information.

Nintendo would need to really start developing the online infrastructure for a large network like that soon in time for the next system I would think..

 

[Anth0ny]

I really wonder if the 18-35 year old male core gamer is on the table for targeting by Nintendo, because if it isn't then these are empty words from someone who should be stepping down.

I think this market is completely out of reach for Nintendo. They've done too much to make it clear that they're not interested in this market. It's like Lego trying to release products for 18-35 year olds...the target market won't be attracted. If Nintendo wants this market, they're gonna have to do it with a non Nintendo brand.

It's the biggest market in video games. It fucking better be targeted by Nintendo. Numbers don't lie:

Besides 8, 9 and 10, those games are all aimed at that 18-35 male demo. Since coming into power, Iwata has done fuck all to try and capture said audience.

Nintendo had them with the N64 and Goldeneye. They just need to want it again, and market accordingly. currently, they don't want it at all.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

I think this market is completely out of reach for Nintendo. They've done too much to make it clear that they're not interested in this market. It's like Lego trying to release products for 18-35 year olds...the target market won't be attracted. If Nintendo wants this market, they're gonna have to do it with a non Nintendo brand.

That means do a Wii and DS again. Nintendo marketed those without the Nintendo logi anywhere for Wii I think so. All the ads were just the logo. They might do it again like

gameboy-DS Wii U-????

It would be some other console that will have a few Wii U games on it to make up for costs like X, and Zelda U. I mean im just being armchair here.

 

[Exokell]

buy more exclusives for japan...

 

[GamerJM]

I was thinking they could do $60 a year for:

-ability to play games online (ala Xbox Live Gold and PS+)
-free games every month (ala PS+)
-Netflix style subscription to all VC titles (ala a service that would completely shit on PS+ and would get a ton of people paying Nintendo another $60 a year)

It's too late to launch something like this for Wii U. It needs to be there for the launch of their next console. Would make a big splash imo.

On the flip side of things, if they do have free online but improve their infrastructure and get into direct competition with Sony/Microsoft I really think that could be an asset to them if they market it right. A lot of people, casual and hardcore, don't like having to pay for online.

 

[Toski]

I think this market is completely out of reach for Nintendo. They've done too much to make it clear that they're not interested in this market. It's like Lego trying to release products for 18-35 year olds...the target market won't be attracted. If Nintendo wants this market, they're gonna have to do it with a non Nintendo brand.

Nintendo isn't Lego, but for some reason they have the same mentality. The Wii U could've been that pivot, but we know what happened.

The fact that Nintendo doesn't have a Touchstone/Miramax to their Disney is mind-boggling to me, and Iwata should be forced to explain why.

 

[AzaK]

They're well aware of trends, they just think they're bigger than any of them and can go their own way.

Well that ain't what he said. If he is aware, then basically he's just bullshitting people some more.

 

[Onesimos]

We will have to see if Nintendo will actually understand the market and keep track of foreign trends better. I had to wonder that can apply to most Japanese developers as well, not just Nintendo.

 

[Carcetti]

YET, NoA took time to not only localize BOTH Endless Ocean games, but gave the sequel a special bundle with the Wii Speak accessory.

My Wii U would stop being the 'bedroom netflix tablet' if we got an Endless Ocean game with better graphics. You've convinced me Reggie needs to be CEO as soon as possible!

It's like Lego trying to release products for 18-35 year olds...the target market won't be attracted.

Recent Lego games such as Marvel (best Marvel game in years) and LoTR are actually very fun for that age bracket, plus the end of that bracket has kids to play together with. They need better marketing as well, too, to make that come across.

 

[rekameohs]

Is the Wii U really selling well in Japan? Don't see it selling beyond 20K in non release weeks.

Yeah exactly. The system's not selling well domestically either, Iwata; it's not just a foreign thing.

 

[Wolves Evolve]

Misreading foreign trends and the globalisation of game development and culture has been Nintendo's Achilles heel since the Nintendo 64 launched, and no matter the company's issues they've done jack shit all to fix this.

We'll see.

Exactly.

They refused to internationalise all the years that Sony proved it was the only thing worth doing. Microsoft achieved great things by brute force.

The point isn't even mobile / not mobile, its how much is Nintendo's internal structure going to change, and how much are their attitudes to game development going to change? Platforms and titles are almost secondary at this point because we're talking about YEARS without a mass-scale Nintendo presence in game culture.

 

[Sandfox]

Mr. Fils-Aime already said he doesn't listen to fans, when asked about the Operation Rainfall Wii situation.

All Reggie said is that he doesn't make business decisions based on petitions.

I think this market is completely out of reach for Nintendo. They've done too much to make it clear that they're not interested in this market. It's like Lego trying to release products for 18-35 year olds...the target market won't be attracted. If Nintendo wants this market, they're gonna have to do it with a non Nintendo brand.

They would have to do Wii launch level marketing and really prove it to that audience.

 

[evanmisha]

So, shortly after making Iwata the CEO of NOA, Iwata admits that he has difficulty keeping track of market trends in America.

Uh... that's a problem

 

[JoeM86]

Yeah exactly. The system's not selling well domestically either, Iwata; it's not just a foreign thing.

You do realise he's talking about their entire output, not just Wii U, right?

So, shortly after making Iwata the CEO of NOA, Iwata admits that he has difficulty keeping track of market trends in America.

Uh... that's a problem

No, that's part of his solution to the problem.

 

[methodman]

Always been a huge Nintendo fan, and in extension of that, an iwata fan as well. But... He's been saying this same shit for 7 years. Dude makes tons of excuses for not making correct changes and he's gotten so many chances. I hope he pulls Nintendo out of this somehow. I dunno this time tho

 

[Anth0ny]

On the flip side of things, if they do have free online but improve their infrastructure and get into direct competition with Sony/Microsoft I really think that could be an asset to them if they market it right. A lot of people, casual and hardcore, don't like having to pay for online.

I think, looking at the success of 360, PS4 and Xbone, this simply isn't true. No one is crying over having to pay for online. At this point, it's pretty much expected. Nintendo should just join the party, as long as they make it feel like the consumer is getting a good value out of it, like Sony did with PS+ and the PS4.

 

[BowieZ]

Dude should sign up to GAF. We all saw this coming in June 2011.

We will be your Antenna of the West, Iwata!

 

[Oddduck]

Misreading foreign trends and the globalisation of game development and culture has been Nintendo's Achilles heel since the Nintendo 64 launched, and no matter the company's issues they've done jack shit all to fix this.

We'll see.

"First of all, I am most sorry that the GameCube's performance is bad in Australia among any area in the world. One of the biggest things I feel unfortunate about is that I have not been to Australia. I am looking forward to learning more about Australia," said Iwata.

So yeah, I would say Nintendo is slow at globalisation and misreading foreign trends.

 

[JoeM86]

I think, looking at the success of 360, PS4 and Xbone, this simply isn't true. No one is crying over having to pay for online. At this point, it's pretty much expected. Nintendo should just join the party, as long as they make it feel like the consumer is getting a good value out of it, like Sony did with PS+ and the PS4.

I don't think that's necessarily true. Everyone I know complains about having to pay to go online, but they still do it because they want to play online. It's not a choice. They would much rather have to not pay for it.

 

[Graphics Horse]

Well that ain't what he said. If he is aware, then basically he's just bullshitting people some more.

It's always been their message to downplay the importance of following trends in games at least.

 

[evanmisha]

No, that's part of his solution to the problem.

I'm not sure I understand.

 

[JoeM86]

I'm not sure I understand.

His appointment at the top of NOA is pretty recent. The way I see it is, due to the Wii U's failure, he did it to try and get on top of the trends there.

 

[hongcha]

Let's see if it's just talk or they really intend to do something about it.

I hope it's the latter, but others aren't so optimistic:

"I hate to say this, but Nintendo is out of touch," said Yoshihisa Toyosaki, president of Tokyo-based IT consultancy Architect Grand Design Inc. "It has a chance to change course, but I doubt it's going to take it."

From the article in the OP.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Nintendo had them with the N64 and Goldeneye. They just need to want it again, and market accordingly. currently, they don't want it at all.

I've brought this up before, but this is the thing that amazes me the most about Nintendo's screwups over the years. They once controlled the FPS market on consoles. While MoH on the PSone was a success, that was mostly for its single player. If you wanted multiplayer FPS gaming you went to the N64. They dominated the multiplayer market in general with the N64. So, how the hell did they lose it all with the GC? The only competitive FPS they released on the N64 was Geist, and that came out at the tail end of the GC's time.

They really just allowed MS to walk in and take a market that was completely under their control without any resistance from them. Nintendo somehow had no competitive FPS games ready for launch or even shortly after launch. How do you make something like Goldeneye or Perfect Dark and not realize just how important that genre was to you as a company?

 

[redcrayon]

While, obviously, Nintendo is deep trouble strategically at the moment, I find it a bit odd that 2013 was the year when I've bought the most Nintendo games since the early 90s. Whatever they come up with next, I hope it doesn't impact on the software side too much.

I'd be happy with them having various devices that can all play the same games, that would fix the problem of the handhelds having similar games to the home consoles now, and pretty much satisfying the need for Nintendo games for a lot of people. Maybe a constant stream of different games, available on a PS plus style account as well as download sales, rather than different versions of Mario kart, Mario 3D etc available for both. New model hardware comes out more frequently, is relatively cheap, and is backwards compatible with everything.

Make it clear that all the hardware is is a portal to this awesome range of games that has been around forever and is constantly having new stuff added. That's the only real advantage they have as I can see, a rep for games development based on the consistent quality of the back catalogue.

Mario kart in particular is one I could see having new tracks and tournaments released each year, something like that. Centralise the whole online tourney thing, build on Miiverse etc for it. Make something more of the community thing they've got going on.

 

[EDarkness]

This is a very important statement. Hopefully his actions back it up.

Me, too. The first step is recognizing there's a problem. It should have been obvious from the way they designed the Wii U that they have no idea what foreigners want at least in consoles. Perhaps they can work on this as I think it's relatively easy to see where things are going in the West. The biggest issue for me is how they deal with third parties. They should be getting EVERY third party game coming up. Even if they have to put down a little cash for that to happen. Getting lost in the shuffle isn't doing them any favors.

 

[Tookay]

No, that's part of his solution to the problem.

Part of his solution to keep track of foreign trends is to be CEO of the NA division while in cloistered in Japan?

 

[boiled goose]

No shit.

.

Wiiu is not only not selling, it is costing nintendo.
DS-3DS transition and Wii-WiiU transition have been the least differentiated in nintendo's entire history.
3DS sells in spite of its hardware. WiiU doesnt.

Nintendo needs to make appealing platforms. goes beyond hardware. services services services.

WiiU launched without standardized online, proper account system, no support from 3rd parties. nintendo is completely out of touch with the west.

 

[SporeCrawler]

I really wonder if the 18-35 year old male core gamer is on the table for targeting by Nintendo, because if it isn't then these are empty words from someone who should be stepping down.

that market is lost for nintendo. There is no chance that anyone from that demographic is going to be interested in them anymore.

They just need to focus on the other demographics more. Thats kids, women, elder people etc. Nintendo was succesful with those people in the past. They just need to go full on on that. And that demographic is

1. Not spending as much money on games (price needs to be cheaper. Both for 3ds and wiiu)
2. Is using smart devices (so you need to either make games on that devices - short term solution that i think is not the way, or make games hardware that offers something smart devices just dont)
2. Is going fullon on the f2p trend (so just charge em with pretty dlc clothing. Something nintendo may be good at)

 

[Lunar15]

Personally, while I understand and do not completely disagree with the arguments being made about the 18-34 demographic, Nintendo's largest failure in the past decade is that they never made any significant reinvestments into younger generations. Say what you want, but Nintendo's core competencies have always been in making games for children. But in making so few new IP for kids, they've completely lost newer generations, in my opinion. They've coasted on the success of past franchises like Pokemon, thinking that's enough to keep getting newer generations.

Disney is at their strongest when they go back to their core competencies and repackage them for a younger generation. And when they're really doing well, they achieve all this without abandoning their fans as they grow older.

And it's not just Nintendo. The entire "old guard" of the gaming world has really neglected this, aside from a few guys like Activision. And you know what, it's going to come back to bite them in the ass. The industry's coasting on nostalgia and fads because they're not reinvesting into younger generations.

 

[Gormless Noodle]

Besides 8, 9 and 10, those games are all aimed at that 18-35 male demo. Since coming into power, Iwata has done fuck all to try and capture said audience.

Nintendo had them with the N64 and Goldeneye. They just need to want it again, and market accordingly. currently, they don't want it at all.

Yeah. What Nintendo should be doing, is get one or two studios in the US, they need a Naughty Dogg or a Bungee that focuses more on this demographic. But that also means that Nintendo can't be child-friendly ALL the time and that's something they will have to accept, even if people like Miyamoto may not be too fond of that. It also means that there will be a lot of focus on bells and whistles that Nintendo rarely indulges in when it comes to their games, which cost more money but that's also something they would just have to accept.

It all requires rethinking of their business culture which I have no idea of if they can pull it off.

 

[EatChildren]

It seems they're finally aware, this time. It sounds like that from their words, I wasn't expecting to hear that now, from Iwata.

Probably this is crazy, but I think Iwata realised this thanks to his NoA COO: being much more in touch with the US market could have been what ne needed for understanding what's wrong. I hope so, at least.

Is this the first time he's blatantly admitted to the fault though? Perhaps now the healing process can begin.

Dunno, but hopefully it is a sign. I worry mostly because neglecting the obvious has lead to the damage we see today, much of which could have and should have been avoidable. Recognising the problem while you sit on a landmine just makes it harder to get off.

Nintendo's probably the only major software publisher that has made almost no serious effort to expand into Western markets, in terms of acquiring or partnering with studios to grow their portfolio of software. We're seeing partnerships now and they have Retro, but it's incredible they've got very little if anything truly new to call their own born of the Western design philosophy (and "West" is vague, as it's US, Europe, Australia, etc). For a major hardware player, and a major publisher trying to conquer the global market, that's an unfathomably odd mistake to make time and time again.

I'm still sceptical, so we'll see.

Exactly.

They refused to internationalise all the years that Sony proved it was the only thing worth doing. Microsoft achieved great things by brute force.

The point isn't even mobile / not mobile, its how much is Nintendo's internal structure going to change, and how much are their attitudes to game development going to change? Platforms and titles are almost secondary at this point because we're talking about YEARS without a mass-scale Nintendo presence in game culture.

Ironically Sony doubling down on Western development has done them nothing but a world of good, and obviously worked for Microsoft being so familiar with the Western market compared to the Japanese.

And yeah, internal structure needs to change, it's just a matter of what that change will be.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

I've brought this up before, but this is the thing that amazes me the most about Nintendo's screwups over the years. They once controlled the FPS market on consoles. While MoH on the PSone was a success, that was mostly for its single player. If you wanted multiplayer FPS gaming you went to the N64. They dominated the multiplayer market in general with the N64. So, how the hell did they lose it all with the GC? The only competitive FPS they released on the N64 was Geist, and that came out at the tail end of the GC's time.

They really just allowed MS to walk in and take a market that was completely under their control without any resistance from them. Nintendo somehow had no competitive FPS games ready for launch or even shortly after launch. How do you make something like Goldeneye or Perfect Dark and not realize just how important that genre was to you as a company?

By releasing the gamecube with no online out the box.