Support NeoGAF

[ramparter]

Super Mario Run didn't make a dent. They even use the number of downloads in the info and a very old one.

Edit: roughly 4 mio. sold out of 78 mio. downloads. Decently, but nothing to write home about.

I think it's the best they could have hoped for with that price model. 4 million mobile users to pay 10$...

 

[D.Lo]

Forecasted R&D expenses for the next FY apparently will be higher than both 2015 and 2016... fascinating.
Advertising too but that's to be expected

Supplemental computing device, Switch Micro and Gamecube controller joycons confirmed.

 

[deleted]

So is it safe to say that Nintendo's plan to revitalize Animal Crossing 3DS in sales failed?
I guess it's hard to say without Amiibo numbers, but it seems like the patch didn't end in a new on on the 3DS version at least.

 

[Living the Dream]

So is it safe to say that Nintendo's plan to revitalize Animal Crossing 3DS in sales failed?
I guess it's hard to say without Amiibo numbers, but it seems like the patch didn't end in a new on on the 3DS version at least.

I would be willing to bet most AC owners are on the older 3DS and didn't feel the need to spend $199 + cost of Amiibo just to get small updated functionality.

 

[starmud]

So is it safe to say that Nintendo's plan to revitalize Animal Crossing 3DS in sales failed?
I guess it's hard to say without Amiibo numbers, but it seems like the patch didn't end in a new on on the 3DS version at least.

If it sold amiibo cards that's about all the update could be asked to do... the first print of the RV cards seemed small given how fast they sold out. I still don't get why the Sanrio edition cards didn't come to the U.S., money left on the table and I can't imagine Sanrio was a hurdle. The prices on eBay are still crazy for the cards... the packs are still asking around $50 for the euro edition.

 

[The Dear Leader]

If anyone still thinks they're killing the 3DS, just look at Sun/Moon's numbers. No way they would leave that sort of money on the table.

 

[Living the Dream]

If anyone still thinks they're killing the 3DS, just look at Sun/Moon's numbers. No way they would leave that sort of money on the table.

Exactly, which is why the rumors of Stars only coming to the Switch is dumb. It'll be on both systems.

 

[ggx2ac]

Sales in the category of Smart devices, IP related income, etc. was 7,275 mio Yen this quarter. The previous 6 months were only 3,408 mio Yen. While I assume that IP related income also increased, a decent chunk of this should be coming from Super Mario Run sales.

Also, forecasts for 3DS HW were adjusted.
3DS HW: 7.2 mio (before: 6.0 mio)

Considering 3rd Quarter Smart Device, IP income was ~$64 million, $27.3 million had to come Super Mario Run (assuming gross profit), the rest probably came from Pokémon Go if that is where Nintendo lists their earnings share from having stakes in The Pokémon Company and Niantic.

Considering 3DS Hardware sales are at 6.45 million for the year, that means they'd only need 800k more in the 4th quarter to make the forecast.

 

[Shiggy]

Considering 3rd Quarter Smart Device, IP income was ~$64 million, $27.3 million had to come Super Mario Run (assuming gross profit), the rest probably came from Pokémon Go if that is where Nintendo lists their earnings share from having stakes in The Pokémon Company and Niantic.

Considering 3DS Hardware sales are at 6.45 million for the year, that means they'd only need 800k more in the 4th quarter to make the forecast.

Profit sharing from Pokemon Go and the Pokemon Company is listed separately and thus not part of that category.

 

[gogogow]

Wow, N3DS is very low. No wonder faceplates dried up.

The average joe always wants bigger screens. But by reading GAF threads you'd think that everyone wants a N3DS and not an XL. That might be true for GAF, but GAF is just a tiny sample of the consumer base out there.

 

[opricnik]

Maybe Super Mario Run could get to 6 million total purchases or more when it comes out on Android in March.

Edit:



No, it's just I'm noticing the magnitude in difference of revenue for Super Mario Run and Pokémon Go.

Lol no, Android users dont buy paid games at 10$ period. They are though likely to spend money on Microtrans

 

[viHuGi]

3DS did great in the end even
with a bad launch and crazy competition.

Switch has everything to surpass 3DS.

 

[Bedameister]

Damn Pokemon is doing amazing. Imagine Nintendo wouldn't have that.

 

[Oregano]

The average joe always wants bigger screens. But by reading GAF threads you'd think that everyone wants a N3DS and not an XL. That might be true for GAF, but GAF is just a tiny sample of the consumer base out there.

It's also why Switch's size won't hold it back too much. We have a ton of evidence that people don't want small handhelds.

 

[Bitanator]

The average joe always wants bigger screens. But by reading GAF threads you'd think that everyone wants a N3DS and not an XL. That might be true for GAF, but GAF is just a tiny sample of the consumer base out there.

Japan never even thought twice about the regular new 3ds, faceplates have no selling power. XL rightful king

 

[ggx2ac]

Profit sharing from Pokemon Go and the Pokemon Company is listed separately and thus not part of that category.

Ahh. Found it, adding to OP.

Share of profit of entities accounted for using equity method: 4,757 million yen 3rd Quarter/16,781 million yen cumulative total

Currency exchange in US dollars gives:
~$41.78 million 3rd Quarter/~$147.36 million cumulative total

 

[mejin]

3DS did great in the end even
with a bad launch and crazy competition.

Switch has everything to surpass 3DS.

It won't be easy that's for sure.

 

[Mr Swine]

Great numbers for 3DS, glad that it managed to sell 65 million worldwide, I guess when all things are said and done it will be around 68-70 million when it's off the shelf.

If anyone still thinks they're killing the 3DS, just look at Sun/Moon's numbers. No way they would leave that sort of money on the table.

I don't know, having it on both platforms would potentially cut of a major amount of players that want to play and trade with each other if half owns 3DS or Switch version

 

[ggx2ac]

So combining the Smart Device, IP related income(and royalties) with the shared earnings from other entities(Pokémon Go) means Nintendo made about $105 million this quarter where some of that amount is due to mobile games. (Refer to OP)

 

[gogogow]

So combining the Smart Device, IP related income(and royalties) with the shared earnings from other entities(Pokémon Go) means Nintendo made about $105 million this quarter where some of that amount is due to mobile games. (Refer to OP)

That's 18.5% of their total profit ($568m). Should be nicely boosted when FE Heroes and AC Mobile gets released.

 

[Ushojax]

Wow. On another note: will be interesting to see if the Switch will sell better in its first year than WiiU did in its first year.

I think it's a virtual certainty, it is launching with a new Zelda game. It took a year for a title of equivalent quality to come to Wii U.

 

[Herb Alpert]

Last summer I was so sure this quarter would be a disaster : almost no games outside pokemon, WiiU lol, 3DS on its way out, no NX, I thought their sales would be horrendous.
And yet they managed to make some money. And then Pokemon GO happened.

I guess this time they can thank Niantic!

 

[ggx2ac]

That's 18.5% of their total profit ($568m). Should be nicely boosted when FE Heroes and AC Mobile gets released.

I should probably add in the OP that AC mobile is delayed because they didn't want it clashing with FEHeroes and the Android release of Super Mario Run.

So we might see a boost next quarter due to FEHeroes but I don't know about Pokémon Go.

Basically the shared earnings(Pokémon Go) was $100 million last quarter and went down to $42 million this quarter. Maybe this is because of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere, we'll see how it changes next quarter.

 

[gogogow]

Last summer I was so sure this quarter would be a disaster : almost no games outside pokemon, WiiU lol, 3DS on its way out, no NX, I thought their sales would be horrendous.
And yet they managed to make some money. And then Pokemon GO happened.

I guess this time they can thank Niantic!

They can thank each other. Niantic is making a shitton of money for such a small company. Nintendo makes some money, but the Pokemon brand is rejuvenated and helped the sales of Sun/Moon and 3DS even more.

I should probably add in the OP that AC mobile is delayed because they didn't want it clashing with FEHeroes and the Android release of Super Mario Run.

So we might see a boost next quarter due to FEHeroes but I don't know about Pokémon Go.

Basically the shared earnings(Pokémon Go) was $100 million last quarter and went down to $42 million this quarter. Maybe this is because of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere, we'll see how it changes next quarter.

Ah....didn't know AC Mobile was delayed. Regarding Pokemon Go, it's probably a bit of both, drop in users in general, drop in users because of the cold weather etc. Definitely interesting to see what will happen with the userbase once the weather gets gradually warmer.

 

[Rösti]

I am very excited for the Corporate Management Policy Briefing / Nine Months Financial Results Briefing tomorrow. The CMPB is usually packed with information (on various topics).

 

[Hero]

Ahh. Found it, adding to OP.

Share of profit of entities accounted for using equity method: 4,757 million yen 3rd Quarter/16,781 million yen cumulative total

Currency exchange in US dollars gives:
~$41.78 million 3rd Quarter/~$147.36 million cumulative total

So those two numbers are for Pokémon GO alone, right? 150 million profit off of it directly seems good, right?

 

[ggx2ac]

So those two numbers are for Pokémon GO alone, right? 150 million profit off of it directly seems good, right?

It might not be entirely from Pokémon Go. I just remembered a WSJ journalist citing it last quarter. There are other mobile games from The Pokémon Company like Pokémon Comaster and Pokémon Shuffle for example and Nintendo has stakes in Niantic which includes share earnings from their mobile games.

 

[LordRaptor]

Exactly, which is why the rumors of Stars only coming to the Switch is dumb. It'll be on both systems.

third version pokemons always sell less than half of the original release totals, and if the switch is indeed the basis of all future hardware that bandaid is better coming off sooner rather than later, especially if they need to start transitioning customers to a subscription model.

 

[18-Volt]

If Nintendo comes up with another 3DS revision, they could possibly hit 75m mark. It still needs some exclusive games in the future though. Yokai Watch 3? Megaton Musashi?

 

[Living the Dream]

third version pokemons always sell less than half of the original release totals, and if the switch is indeed the basis of all future hardware that bandaid is better coming off sooner rather than later, especially if they need to start transitioning customers to a subscription model.

There's no way in hell that someone will need to pay to play or trade Pokemon online.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Exactly, which is why the rumors of Stars only coming to the Switch is dumb. It'll be on both systems.

It's not like it's not already essentially on the system twice already.

If Nintendo comes up with another 3DS revision, they could possibly hit 75m mark.

Where's left to go, though? They've already done the upgrade and larger version, and they've already done the dumbed down cheaper version.

 

[Scrawnton]

Animal Crossing sold 10 Million on 3DS?! Yeah Switch version in 2018.

 

[Principate]

It's not like it's not already essentially on the system twice already.

Where's left to go, though? They've already done the upgrade and larger version, and they've already done the dumbed down cheaper version.

Clearly it's time for Switch 3DS separable controllers on your 3DS! It's like a mobile 3D TV!!!

 

[deleted]

I would be willing to bet most AC owners are on the older 3DS and didn't feel the need to spend $199 + cost of Amiibo just to get small updated functionality.

But wasn't the update made to a) sell Amiibos and b) revitalize the 3DS entry of the game? At least b) didn't work out and we don't know about a). Someone who didn't have AC until now and wanted to get in had the perfect opportunity for a N3DS and AC, or AC and an old 3DS, or 2DS since it was getting advertized again and it was the holiday season.

 

[Scrawnton]

But wasn't the update made to a) sell Amiibos and b) revitalize the 3DS entry of the game? At least b) didn't work out and we don't know about a). Someone who didn't have AC until now and wanted to get in had the perfect opportunity for a N3DS and AC, or AC and an old 3DS, or 2DS since it was getting advertized again and it was the holiday season.

I think it was because they were sitting on tons of unsold Amiibo Festival AC Amiibos. Heck, this update got me to buy three of them so they won me over.

 

[Ganondolf]

so Mario Run has sold 4M at $10 making $40m minus Apple's cut = $28M

not bad for a game that probably did not cost them much to make (although marketing budget may have been a fair bit).

 

[ggx2ac]

Roughly 64% of Wii U owners have Mario Kart 8. Really makes me wonder how Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will do on the Switch when it doesn't have new race tracks, just an improved battle mode.

Around 24% of 3DS owners have Pokémon X/Y, just for comparison of the biggest selling titles.

 

[D.Lo]

Where's left to go, though? They've already done the upgrade and larger version, and they've already done the dumbed down cheaper version.

Yeah no revisions IMO, just special editions and price cuts.

I can see a possible 10 million more, 3DS is still very expensive compared to older handhelds.

 

[Hero]

Roughly 64% of Wii U owners have Mario Kart 8. Really makes me wonder how Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will do on the Switch when it doesn't have new race tracks, just an improved battle mode.

Around 24% of 3DS owners have Pokémon X/Y, just for comparison of the biggest selling titles.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is coming a month right after launch and if the Switch succeeds in selling to non-Wii U owners it should have a healthy sales life, not to mention the fact that they could sell more DLC for the game. I'd much rather have that than a hypothetical Mario Kart 9.

 

[MANUELF]

Almost 15 million for Sun/Moon :O

 

[Shiggy]

Roughly 64% of Wii U owners have Mario Kart 8. Really makes me wonder how Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will do on the Switch when it doesn't have new race tracks, just an improved battle mode.

With more or less no other games coming out during that timeframe and it still being Mario Kart, it will be a big seller either way.

 

[Kureransu]

New3DS XL - 9,820,000
Total - 65,300,000

I didn't realize the new XL was doing so well. Looking at this and the fact that it retails for $199 (does it come with an AC adapter now?), $299 for the switch doesn't seem unreasonable at all. I can see why the devs were saying it was cheap now.

 

[Aleh]

Such awesome sales for Sun and Moon so late into the 3DS life.
But I still expect 2017 to be its last year, they need to focus on the future even if it means giving up some short-term profits.
I'm not surprised mobile games didn't make them earn crazy amounts of money yet, I think Animal Crossing with a f2p model will be the real deal and that's probably why it's the one that got delayed, they wanna do it right.

 

[deleted]

I think it was because they were sitting on tons of unsold Amiibo Festival AC Amiibos. Heck, this update got me to buy three of them so they won me over.

I don't think Nintendo has the manpower to take a studio or even some devs from some project to pump out an update to AC - at least spontaiously as a reaction towards declining Amiibo sales.

This is a planned move. Either as a rather safe experiment or to make a new team fimilar with the game because the main team is now the Splatoon team. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my speculation at least

 

[deleted]

Roughly 64% of Wii U owners have Mario Kart 8. Really makes me wonder how Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will do on the Switch when it doesn't have new race tracks, just an improved battle mode.

Around 24% of 3DS owners have Pokémon X/Y, just for comparison of the biggest selling titles.

With more or less no other games coming out during that timeframe and it still being Mario Kart, it will be a big seller either way.

Yep, but you also have to consider that this is one of the biggest local MP games. It was played by way more than 8m people.
Could be that they all already have enough of this particular Mario Kart, could be that they finally want to own a system where they can play it... Who knows...

 

[random25]

Roughly 64% of Wii U owners have Mario Kart 8. Really makes me wonder how Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will do on the Switch when it doesn't have new race tracks, just an improved battle mode.

I don't see MK8D selling much better than the original, but I can still see it sell big. Something like 3M-4M LTD worldwide is very much doable, since I can see the game cater to the non-Wii U owners more than the previous owners. It could do more if the Switch makes a positive impression post-launch especially to the casual crowd.

 

[Oregano]

MK8 is a prime candidate for a pack-in in the fall. It will have already made bank and will encourage people to pay into the online subscription.

 

[Interfectum]

Super Mario Run was a huge missed opportunity for them.

 

[Scrawnton]

I don't think Nintendo has the manpower to take a studio or even some devs from some project to pump out an update to AC - at least spontaiously as a reaction towards declining Amiibo sales.

This is a planned move. Either as a rather safe experiment or to make a new team fimilar with the game because the main team is now the Splatoon team. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my speculation at least

The only other possibility is that the Wii U AC that was most likely moved to Switch was an enhanced version of New Leaf and had this feature in it. They realized it would be too far off so they downported the feature into the 3DS version. That's my theory.

MK8 is a prime candidate for a pack-in in the fall. It will have already made bank and will encourage people to pay into the online subscription.

I bet Splatoon 2 is the Black Friday pack in. They already had Wii U Mario Kart bundles and it is just a port. Splatoon 2 is atleast a new game in their hot new franchise.

 

[KingSnake]

I think it's the best they could have hoped for with that price model. 4 million mobile users to pay 10$...

Sure. But the price and onboarding model used is subject to a well deserved criticism from a financial point of view.

Practically SMR sold less than any 2d Mario at 1/5 of the price and on a much bigger install base. Talking about not reaching the potential.