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Iwata implies he may resign over poor business performance
- Thread starter Cheesemeister
- Start date
I agree. He's not claiming to put anything on the line.
We got Xenoblade, and a free 3DS game. I'm happy enough for now.Hopefully they keep localizing as many titles as possible, I don't want a return to the dark years.
We also have to wait until after 11pm to buy some games and if you've ever had to deal with their customer service... Dear god, I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
Called them on Wii U launch day because my VC games were missing from my Wii Shop history and I still haven't heard back yet.
grimshawish
Banned
Do you think its a market reality for Nintendo though? They couldn't survive a Sony; and they couldn't take the risks MS took.
This continues into this gen. Maybe Nintendo is niche; just Iwata has to take this more into consideration. Whilst he denies it specifically; if Nintendo is pleasing a more core audience whilst branching out (Animal Crossing in the end pleases another audience - I think people forget a Nintendo fan doesn't necessarily like one specific type of game) at times - it really would be best to move to a single system.
We'll see what they have in store I suppose. Iwata is now reacting well it seems to HD development problems and as quickly as he can. This is why I think hes the best leader they can have. Hes calm and learns as things happen.
I do feel his one mistake was maybe leaving motion controls behind. Wii contollers could have been given a strong update and probably rode in a new gen than WiiU. But it may have just added to development woes I suppose.
Just about getting through the generation now.
clay_ghost
Member
Change noa before noj. I am sure Iwata have something to show and be out before next year end. If Iwata goes down and the next guy pushes for IOS games and 3rd party, I hope they can release a Nintendo Nintendo game on wiiu before they "die". I will buy a Wii U for that game.
Well that's not exactly their fault, blame Germany.
Captain Smoker
Member
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/2012_04.html
FY3 2012 (Apr. 11 - Mar. 12) had a net loss of -43,204 million yen.
The current fiscal year is profitable (due to the yen), but they projected that their operating income is going to be worse, but that they ultimately should be on the plus side (still because of the yen).
Smiles and Cries
Member
What is so wrong with a Japanese company that has a little over 123 years of being Japanese saying Japanese? You want Reggie in Kyoto? Or maybe some ex-EA boss taking over for Iwata? Seriously this would still be Nintendo?
You can't change a company's identity overnight, you can have Nintendo carbon copy Microsoft and still people would not see them as a Western company. You can't change this, sometimes your foundation and what you are known for is the reason why people buy.
It would be far better for them to cave in and join Apple to be accepted than becoming more western copy that no one will accept.
The market is changing, Nintendo just needs to understand how to play its game in this new market. Partnerships would be better than giving people a false sense of change.
efyu_lemonardo
May I have a cookie?
yep, people here need to re-read the quote. It reminds me of Iwata's statements before Wii, about how he'd consider it a failure if their next console didn't exceed Gamecube level sales.
The world is too cynical. We aren't ready for people like Iwata..
Linkstrikesback
Member
Confidence is easily misplaced. That is a ridiculous target that Nintendo simply will not reach.
In Japanese business culture, if you say what he said and you don't come through with that in the end, you either resign or kill yourself (I'm not kidding).
Betting his position on a single year and number is incredibly rash and stupid. I mean, even if he didn't hit that target, Iwata is incredibly competent and is one of the strongest advantages of current Nintendo. If they hit a bad spot, they still need someone like him to lead them out of it.
And while all of that happens, Yoichi Wada is still CEO of Square Enix.
And while all of that happens, Yoichi Wada is still CEO of Square Enix.
grimshawish
Banned
I do wonder if NoA and NoE should merge under an umbrella.
They were formed at a time before the communications revolution we've seen in recent years.
NoA and NoE have things to benefit from:
- Translating English/Spanish/French together and localisation in general.
- If NoE has different release schedules to NoA it makes the UK a sort of odd place where the english press is discussing the new games but their not yet available. Same day launches over NoE and NoA would make for great efficiency savings.
Obviously a few things can't be put under an Umbrella:
- Marketing
- Supply
- Customer Support
- PR
End of the day those are the things NoA/NoE are there for. Japan offices can manage releases; this would be more a delegating of NoJ's responsibilities as well as NoA/NoE's to some sort of Overseas department.
They were formed at a time before the communications revolution we've seen in recent years.
NoA and NoE have things to benefit from:
- Translating English/Spanish/French together and localisation in general.
- If NoE has different release schedules to NoA it makes the UK a sort of odd place where the english press is discussing the new games but their not yet available. Same day launches over NoE and NoA would make for great efficiency savings.
Obviously a few things can't be put under an Umbrella:
- Marketing
- Supply
- Customer Support
- PR
End of the day those are the things NoA/NoE are there for. Japan offices can manage releases; this would be more a delegating of NoJ's responsibilities as well as NoA/NoE's to some sort of Overseas department.
You know, contrary to us, Iwata actually knows what Nintendo has in store over next 14 months. He also knows much more than us about Sony's and Microsoft's next generation efforts.
tiggerkiddo
Member
Tough to follow up such a smash hit.
See I don't want Iwata gone in this scenario. Hes still captaining the ship. They just need some more diverse voices saying hey lets not go so far left field when if we move to the right a little bit it leaves us more competitive in general.
The simple truth is Nintendo cannot sustain a console on their own without significant droughts. They know this and still take too many steps to left field that makes it easier and easier for 3rd parties to find ways out of developing.
grimshawish
Banned
Bollocks. People who drive their business into the ground or lose everything kill themselves as much across the rest of the world.
Sure there are cultural pressures but theres enough examples of the above NOT happening.
Kaz took over Sony afterall.
They'll hit their target.
They have some big games this year, Pokemon will clean up, new Zelda, there'll be a new Mario or 2 shown at E3. I don't think a billion is out of reach.
Look at the revenue COD and Halo can generate in a day, Pokemon and Mario Kart sell similar numbers, just without the fanfare.
They have some big games this year, Pokemon will clean up, new Zelda, there'll be a new Mario or 2 shown at E3. I don't think a billion is out of reach.
Look at the revenue COD and Halo can generate in a day, Pokemon and Mario Kart sell similar numbers, just without the fanfare.
Really? Cause Mikami still has his head last time I checked.
And Wada somehow still has his job despite driving S-E in the fucking ground over the course of this gen.
tearsofash
Member
Never understood the ethics of resigning.
You (laughs) you lose, I suppose.
You (laughs) you lose, I suppose.
Fried Food
Banned
What can he do?
Either people buy your games and systems or they don't.
Either people buy your games and systems or they don't.
1-Declining popularity and relevance of the Wii brand over the last 2 years.
2- 3DS price failiure to start, price cut and ambassador program to save face.
3- The Wii U launch was not the smash hit Iwata needed. Compared to the Wii, it is as of now a failiure in imagination and execution.
Iwata is an exec, and his job is to take the blame if things go wrong. Things have been going wrong for a while now, and someone needs to take the blame.
IrishNinja
Member
i like this idea on the surface, but given NOE's struggles to move units in EU right now, and NOA's awful marketing/localization in recent times, i feel there's no strong partner to life either in this equation, sadly
you just read james clavell's shogun, didn't you
be honest bro
SpookyBlackFish
Member
Hang in there, Iwata-san!
BishopLamont
Banned
I believe.
Forget the Wii U, the 3DS will be making plenty of money for Nintendo.
Thats not to say the Wii U won't pick up its pace. When 720/PS4 arrives we will feel the full force.
Forget the Wii U, the 3DS will be making plenty of money for Nintendo.
Thats not to say the Wii U won't pick up its pace. When 720/PS4 arrives we will feel the full force.
I wasn't seeing them as a market segment, just those who bought the game for a variety of reasons. What incentive did they have to invest in a new handheld and game? Nintendogs probably offered everything they needed.
Wii Fit U on the other hand seems to be offering far more incentives for upgrading.
The big success on the DS and Wii may be a one time thing because they have already served their purpose. Unless Nintendo can come up with a reason that will convince people to buy a new one I think it's pointless to just bring them back just because. Then even said that about Brian Training. There was no reason until a new book came out with new theories.
Smiles and Cries
Member
The market could turn on him, no matter what Nintendo has up its sleeves, maybe Sony has a Vita revival eating away at the 3DS.
Maybe Capcom announce a port of Monster Hunter 4 Vita months before the 3DS version
Maybe PS4 kills anymore Wii U sales
There are many ways to fail to reach the goal he set. Iwata will have to start delivering major games to both 3DS and Wii U to keep his job.
I would hate to see him go before seeing the merged fruits of the home console X portable plan
This seems a really strange thing to say given the Wii and all the "Wii" brand software titles, and the DS and "Touch Generations" brand software titles.
If anything Nintendo was on a very iterative, conservative path before he took over. Like the Gamecube.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
He's not going to resign becaue of the Wii U's struggles, he might after the Kamiya interview though.
He's a good person and president, but i wouldn't be sad to see someone else replace him. The Wii and Wii U has been disappointing in many aspects, be it lack of hardware power, lack of third party support, lack of decent online structure, unconventional controllers(as fun as they may be) that scares some developpers, etc.
Net_Wrecker
Member
Kinda feel bad for him, but a lot of this was brought on Nintendo by themselves. For a home console arguably 1 or 2 years late, the whole thing still feels like they're playing catch up. The recent Nintendo Direct made a lot of people happy though and hopefully they can maintain the steady stream of software incoming over the next few months. They also need a really good E3 at this point no matter how little they care about the show.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
This was possibly and very well true for the Wii in cases but definitely not for the Wii U, Nintendo seemed to make a concerted effort to actually adapt the new controller for third partys' needs and desires.
It might have backfired but them lying about the controller being complex shouldn't be taken seriously by anyone.
RurouniZel
Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
;_;
;_;
In this case i would be disappointed by the lack of fighting spirit if it's really what he wanted to imply. Leaving by himself, one year after the console launched, i would be perplexed.
Rebel Leader
THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
1-Declining popularity and relevance of the Wii brand over the last 2 years.
2- 3DS price failiure to start, price cut and ambassador program to save face.
3- The Wii U launch was not the smash hit Iwata needed. Compared to the Wii, it is as of now a failiure in imagination and execution.
Iwata is an exec, and his job is to take the blame if things go wrong. Things have been going wrong for a while now, and someone needs to take the blame.
so we are back to 1990's levels in the stock price..
Nintendo can't go high end. They're successful because their consumers are younger. They're bothered about getting their product out to kids and always have been. Nintendo are not luxury and have never been luxury in the same way you may be able to position a PS3.
Iwata's big issue is the Western market.
They should be asking themselves "How can we make our own franchises that we control that will appeal to the core 360/PS3 gamer in the West?" instead of either being resigned to say "We can't make those kind of games", or expecting a quick Wii U port of a few games to immediately put them on par with Microsoft or Sony.
In Japan, they've been pouncing all over trying to lock up any series that sells over there. They locked up Dragon Quest & Monster Hunter. They bought Monolith Soft and funded Sakaguchi making a game to try to make franchises that appeal to the core gamer in Japan. A lot of those efforts would be better spent in starting up their own studios in NA/Europe and creating new quality IPs that will appeal to someone who plays Uncharted or Call of Duty or Halo or GTA.
Now, if they had some new ideas for Wii U games to appeal to the casual market that were close to appealing as Wii Sports or Wii U, they could probably get away with not having their own AAA franchises that appeal to the West. But they don't have that either.
You add on top of that the marketing problems they've been having with people unclear on whether the 3DS is another DS revision (and the same thing for the Wii U).
Of course, that would cost a lot of money to do those things and put them in a worse short-term financial position with stockholders, even though the Wii U numbers would be better.
They should be asking themselves "How can we make our own franchises that we control that will appeal to the core 360/PS3 gamer in the West?" instead of either being resigned to say "We can't make those kind of games", or expecting a quick Wii U port of a few games to immediately put them on par with Microsoft or Sony.
In Japan, they've been pouncing all over trying to lock up any series that sells over there. They locked up Dragon Quest & Monster Hunter. They bought Monolith Soft and funded Sakaguchi making a game to try to make franchises that appeal to the core gamer in Japan. A lot of those efforts would be better spent in starting up their own studios in NA/Europe and creating new quality IPs that will appeal to someone who plays Uncharted or Call of Duty or Halo or GTA.
Now, if they had some new ideas for Wii U games to appeal to the casual market that were close to appealing as Wii Sports or Wii U, they could probably get away with not having their own AAA franchises that appeal to the West. But they don't have that either.
You add on top of that the marketing problems they've been having with people unclear on whether the 3DS is another DS revision (and the same thing for the Wii U).
Of course, that would cost a lot of money to do those things and put them in a worse short-term financial position with stockholders, even though the Wii U numbers would be better.
Huh? 5 years ago, yes, absolutely. The platform holders did a great job of cultivating a new audience. But the console market is in drastic decline and much of that addressable market isn't playing games on console right now.
IrishNinja
Member
yeah, a spec-only perspective is the only metric i can see that can possibly call the DS, wii, WU etc "conservative", agreed that they took much bigger chances than the GBA & GC ever did, for better or worse
jesus, they might as well just go 3rd party at that point
jesus, they might as well just go 3rd party at that point
Smiles and Cries
Member
The position Nintendo is in is the same position as say someone who is trying to get a Smartphone to sell more than an iPhone
It is not easy to overcome that hurdle. You are not dropping the most powerful monster tech out there when customers are hardcore tech hungry buyers. I saw 3DS having no chance versus Vita but it did not turn out as I expected. Now I see Wii U having no change in hell against PS4 and seriously do not see Sony dropping the ball on this. Notice I did not say anything about Microsoft because Sony is the only one that has a chance at Killing Nintendo at home in Japan that is all that needs to happen in the next 14 months for Iwata to be out of a job.
I think the Nintendo X Partner plan is a very good solution to what your are saying above though. But can this plan get the results needed in time?
Pokemon Wii U with NFC? What is the major boost that Iwata sees and we don't?
Rebel Leader
THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
That's what I fear
That would be a terrible idea, which is why I'm so afraid of a yes man replacing him.