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[Yamauchi]

Well this is a million dollar question, no? This is surely on their mind, but the answer has to be shown, not told, and it took time.

I agree.

they don't know, of course. they didn't know brain training was going to sell millions either. they just try and create neat stuff and hope it catches on.

Well, I'm waiting for the 'neat stuff.' There's got to be more than Pikmin. Pikmin 1 and 2 were great, but they never were that successful in terms of sales, so I am not sure why they are expecting this to be the big title between now and the hoiday season.

 

[Deku Tree]

When we asked Mr. Iwata about his hopes for the coming year he responded that 'As we have no new hardware releasing this year, we must work hard to surprise and delight people with our software. I want this year to become one where many people can feel the bright future of the dedicated console gaming business. It was short and sweet and with it we feel Nintendo's strength and awareness with its unchanging position of calmness.

Please tell us more about the new Wii U software coming out this year to delight us Mr. Iwata !!! People are starting to doubt you with all the silence we get about your upcoming software...

 

[Phife Dawg]

I believe you can, but that in itself is another problem. Friends list is still another browser based app that takes forever to load.

There is no reason to go solely browser based. Miiverse, Friends List, and especially Notifications need to be integrated into the main interface. Make it seamless.

What I'm hoping is that they are using the browser apps as a stand in to test ideas while they are working on integrating them. This would cut back on the amount of updates they would need while getting it right. Hopefully...

Well it's in the main interface (menu screen), as I said accessing the apps is a tad bit slower than I would like so they definitely need to work on that. Doesn't mean they have to ditch the browser based approach (although hickups can and will occur I guess). And the reason would be future-proofing the service and making it available on different platforms, including ones where Nintendo has no influence on the OS (PC / smartphones).

They want to build their own community that people get invested in.

 

[Duxxy3]

Still rather have a cut down version that just uses the pro controller. I know I'm in the minority on that one.

 

[Penguin]

I agree.


Well, I'm waiting for the 'neat stuff.' There's got to be more than Pikmin. Pikmin 1 and 2 were great, but they never were that successful in terms of sales, so I am not sure why they are expecting this to be the big title between now and the hoiday season.

I don't think they expect Pikmin 3 to be their big title

They seem to be giving a bigger push to LEGO City Undercover. Getting its own commercial during the launch window, mentioned on Nintendo Direct, etc

 

[Kokonoe]

This might be the most inane non-sequitur first post ever.

Um, the thread is also about Miiverse and I'm voicing a complaint about the console I purchased but also a suggestion in hopes they make messaging more convenient like the other consoles from 2005-2006.

So your post makes no sense at all, care to elaborate why?

 

[eternalb]

It's not fair because the iPad is more capable, powerful and built around capacitive multitouch. Wii U is a cheaper alternative, but still significantly more than a Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire for audiences that aren't strictly gaming focused.

What? Have you used the Nexus 7? It's just as capable as the iPad, so I don't understand what you're trying to get at.

The GamePad is better as a gaming device than any of those by virtue of it being the only one with actual physical inputs.

 

[chertipros]

Iwata seems like a smart guy and comes off as really confident about the wii u. I wish him and his company well, but Nintendo seems experienced enough to not need my luck.

Spoiler

announce some fucking games nintendo

 

[Hiltz]

I really do like Iwata, but the fact of the matter is, actions speak louder than words. We'll see how things pan out for Wii U by the end of launch window in March.

 

[SolarPowered]

Nintendo's big hurdle with this one is that like it or not, the Wii U gamepad has to compete with the idea of an iPad or Android tablet filling the role of a second screen in the living room. It's not fair because the iPad is more capable, powerful and built around capacitive multitouch. Wii U is a cheaper alternative, but still significantly more than a Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire for audiences that aren't strictly gaming focused.

Can Nintendo create proprietary software and a user experience that rivals or surpasses what devs have done on Apple's OS, despite the gulf in hardware specs? That's what I would hope they were focusing on during those 2.5 years. Not sure if they've succeeded, but it's still quite early.

Don't forget Samsung. Their $200 Galaxy tab 2 is a real hit, it seems.

 

[MYE]

Miiverse on 3DS, get the fuck on it nintendo!

 

[TheCongressman1]

And the reason would be future-proofing the service and making it available on different platforms, including ones where Nintendo has no influence on the OS (PC / smartphones).

Which is why I said I hope they are perfecting the browser based system for other devices, and will eventually integrate it into Wii U's OS.

Give us the best posible experience on the Wii U where it matters most. Other devices can use the browser.

 

[Newton Crosby]

Or maybe, you could have not

1) Had 2 shitty E3s in a row that confused even the hardcore gaming enthustist as to what the Wii U was
2) Named it Wii U
3) Advertised it as a controller peripheral for the Wii


But hey, give it time, customers will eventually get it, even after not getting it for 2 years so far.

1) Exaggerated, the "hardcore gaming enthusiast" knew exactly what it was. Click-bait articles don't count as being "confused."
2) So what?
3) They never did that.

 

[The Hermit]

I think the WiiU is basically fucked, or at least in a very tough situation, because ir will compete not only with the next-gen systems, but with Ps3 and 360, those being actually very formidable adversaries, because of their library and prices.
Besides 1st party games there's little to no reason to buy a WiiU.

The Wii went against the Ps2, but the radically diferent controler made it prevail. This time both competitors have a motion alternative, making the distinction much harder.

I really hope it get more 3rd party games, but So far the future is very grim.

 

[Celine]

I really do like Iwata, but the fact of the matter is, actions speak louder than words. We'll see how things pan out for Wii U by the end of launch window in March.

Not much better than what is now if next march is your timeframe.

 

[axisofweevils]

As we have no new hardware releasing this year, we must work hard to surprise and delight people with our software.

Guess this means no 3DS redesign.

 

[AntMurda]

The thing about "increasing the gaming population" is that it happens naturally Mr. Iwata. Every year a new generation of gamers join the fold and the gaming population naturally increases as new people pick up controllers (or other devices). Iwata should worry about that large demographic of XBOX360/PS3 owners who buy more copies of Call of Duty in the West than any first-party Nintendo game in North America.

There are over 100 million iphones out in the world! That market just isn't as fruitful.

 

[donny2112]

I wish him and his company well, but Nintendo seems experienced enough to not need my luck.

They'll just leave it to Heaven.

 

[nhlducks35]

Guess this means no 3DS redesign.

"I really feel like I’m satisfied with the 3DS hardware as it is. I feel like it’s the best for this generation. What we’re thinking about right now is probably going to be for a future generation of handheld.”

- Miyamoto, two weeks before Nintendo announced the 3DS XL

 

[SolarPowered]

Guess this means no 3DS redesign.

No way we see that before Pokemon drops. It's not like the 3DS is doing horrible numbers right now. I was hoping for a new model before gen VI, but it is what it is.

 

[Chronos24]

Reading the post I feel that what they're on to is a great idea, but living in such a world where we expect instant gratification they can't get these ideas to fruition fast enough. They also need to market the WiiU's features MUCH more than they have and set it as far apart from the Wii as possible so people know that the WiiU is IT and a whole new experience.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

I think the WiiU is basically fucked, or at least in a very tough situation, because ir will compete not only with the next-gen systems, but with Ps3 and 360, those being actually very formidable adversaries, because of their library and prices.
Besides 1st party games there's little to no reason to buy a WiiU.

The Wii went against the Ps2, but the radically diferent controler made it prevail. This time both competitors have a motion alternative, making the distinction much harder.

I really hope it get more 3rd party games, but So far the future is very grim.

All the new consoles will be competing against the PS360 not just the WiiU, regardless of graphical differences. Games cost too much for the publishers to abandon the platforms that they sell millions of copies on for at least two more years.

 

[eternalb]

"I really feel like I’m satisfied with the 3DS hardware as it is. I feel like it’s the best for this generation. What we’re thinking about right now is probably going to be for a future generation of handheld.”

To be fair, it's not really a redesign. It is just what it states: an XL version of the 3DS.

 

[chertipros]

They'll just leave it to Heaven.

:Lol

 

[Tmdean]

As we have no new hardware releasing this year

Also, no 3DS revision coming this year.

I think it's interesting that he said no new hardware is coming this year. Maybe I'm parsing this too much, but I wouldn't expect Nintendo to release any new hardware for the next few years, as the Wii U just came out and the 3DS is still relatively new in handheld terms.

Maybe he meant all hardware, including new accessories, like maybe he would consider the balance board to be new hardware?

 

[Phife Dawg]

Um, the thread is also about Miiverse and I'm voicing a complaint about the console I purchased but also a suggestion in hopes they make messaging more convenient like the other consoles from 2005-2006.

So your post makes no sense at all, care to elaborate why?

You can message from the friendlist?

Which is why I said I hope they are perfecting the browser based system for other devices, and will eventually integrate it into Wii U's OS.

Give us the best posible experience on the Wii U where it matters most. Other devices can use the browser.

Well I for one would have them use resources necessary for this towards other, more pressing things.

To be fair, it's not really a redesign. It is just what it states: an XL version of the 3DS.

Nope, is has new stylus, new buttons, new 3D slider, product finish, product materials, different screens (bigger but also less glare), different speakers (worse though), less "border" around the top screen (which is pretty fundamental to the 3D effect) etc.

It did not add anything to the technical specifications but neither did the 3DS Lite.

 

[eternalb]

Nope, is has new stylus, new buttons, new 3D slider, product finish, product materials, different screens (bigger but also less glare), different speakers (worse though), less "border" around the top screen (which is pretty fundamental to the 3D effect) etc.

Acknowledged. Then there's this

As a bulletpoint list, it sounds like they changed a lot. In actuality, it's still just a bigger 3DS. There were no major (any?) additions or significant changes, besides the larger screens.

 

[farnham]

I think the WiiU is basically fucked, or at least in a very tough situation, because ir will compete not only with the next-gen systems, but with Ps3 and 360, those being actually very formidable adversaries, because of their library and prices.
Besides 1st party games there's little to no reason to buy a WiiU.

The Wii went against the Ps2, but the radically diferent controler made it prevail. This time both competitors have a motion alternative, making the distinction much harder.

I really hope it get more 3rd party games, but So far the future is very grim.

Ps4 and 720 will compete against ps3 and 360 too

 

[Pikma]

Acknowledged. Then there's this

As a bulletpoint list, it sounds like they changed a lot. In actuality, it's still just a bigger 3DS. There were no major (any?) additions or significant changes, besides the larger screens.

They improved everything that had room to be improved, do you own one? do you own one of the OGs? everything is better on the XL, way better, they fixed any issues the OG had + more, what did you expect? dual circle pads? more power? yeah, that would be a good way to split their userbase.

 

[Phife Dawg]

Acknowledged. Then there's this

As a bulletpoint list, it sounds like they changed a lot. In actuality, it's still just a bigger 3DS. There were no major (any?) additions or significant changes, besides the larger screens.

The form factor will stay roughly the same of course. But using your logic you can not consider the 3DS Lite a redesign either, it's just a smaller, more compact DS (with offering new and less offensive colours, which I wouldn't consider redesigning though).

 

[eternalb]

The form factor will stay roughly the same of course. But using your logic you can not consider the 3DS Lite a redesign either, it's just a smaller, more compact DS (with offering new and less offensive colours, which I wouldn't consider redesigning though).

You meant the DS Lite, I presume? That was actually a true redesign.

It actually did have a different form factor and most of the non-fixed elements (screens, primary buttons) were moved around (some of the buttons, stylus, microphone, and lights). And the Power button was changed to a switch and the system had a completely different hinge.

The XL is being sold entirely on the size of its screens; the DS Lite was sold mostly on its form factor (okay, the brighter screens helped too).

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

You cant message from friendslist. They do infact need to fix that. Make miiverse and friendlist one in the same or get rid of friendlist completely.

 

[watershed]

You cant message from friendslist. They do infact need to fix that. Make miiverse and friendlist one in the same or get rid of friendlist completely.

They need to make swapnote and the friendlist one in the same. Should have been that way right from the start. Swapnote is for private messages or messages to a select group so working it into the friendlist makes perfect sense. Miiverse is more like a public forum.

 

[Annoying Old Party Man]

Ps4 and 720 will compete against ps3 and 360 too

No, they won't. Well they will, but they're more suited to the natural cycle of the industry: new, expensive systems with increased audiovisual fidelity and technological prowess are introduced to the market. They are sustained in the first few years by the tech/geek/enthusiast audiences and then, as slowly the 3rd parties migrate to those systems, they become the de facto systems.

Wii U is a whole different situation, and Nintendo is obviously playing a very dangerous game. There is this plausible scenario where a part of the audience prefers their 360/PS3 because they're super cheap and have an amazing library of games, and another part prefers to give some extra cash to enjoy the super upgraded visuals and fanfare of the 720/PS4.

Nintendo believes they have another winner with the GamePad. The audience seems to ignore it for the most part. Will this change in the next few months? At the moment the system seems suddenly dried up. We will see what happens next holiday.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

They need to make swapnote and the friendlist one in the same. Should have been that way right from the start. Swapnote is for private messages or messages to a select group so working it into the friendlist makes perfect sense. Miiverse is more like a public forum.

Yep. Samething.

 

[Portugeezer]

4billion yen in reserves? I thought they had more?

 

[farnham]

No, they won't. Well they will, but they're more suited to the natural cycle of the industry: new, expensive systems with increased audiovisual fidelity and technological prowess are introduced to the market. They are sustained in the first few years by the tech/geek/enthusiast audiences and then, as slowly the 3rd parties migrate to those systems, they become the de facto systems.

Wii U is a whole different situation, and Nintendo is obviously playing a very dangerous game. There is this plausible scenario where a part of the audience prefers their 360/PS3 because they're super cheap and have an amazing library of games, and another part prefers to give some extra cash to enjoy the super upgraded visuals and fanfare of the 720/PS4.

Nintendo believes they have another winner with the GamePad. The audience seems to ignore it for the most part. Will this change in the next few months? At the moment the system seems suddenly dried up. We will see what happens next holiday.

what now? Will they compete or will they not. Ask yourself the question. If ms and sony make a contract that ms will cease delivery of 360s to japan and europe while sony will not release ps4 in america(or vice versa) will this be regarded as an cartel behavior or not?

Of course they are competing

 

[test_account]

They improved everything that had room to be improved, do you own one? do you own one of the OGs? everything is better on the XL, way better, they fixed any issues the OG had + more, what did you expect? dual circle pads? more power? yeah, that would be a good way to split their userbase.

Arent the speakers worse on the 3DS XL?

 

[TheCongressman1]

Well I for one would have them use resources necessary for this towards other, more pressing things.

Ok, such as? Whatever team they have working on the OS could be working on what instead?

Even if there are more 'pressing things', I don't know why you think this isn't pretty freaking important too. The usability of this system is godawful as it stands. Besides, you act as if this will take years to do, it would probably take a month, at most.

I would say the top OS priorities are: Integrated Miiverse and friends, notifications system, and voice chat.

 

[Chû Totoro]

Iwata is really a very smart person. I'm glad he's at the top of this company. Nintendo always kept its values and that's also what makes me like them for such a long time.

I'm going to keep my inner child alive till my death thanks to them.

Nintendo's E3 will be glorious. Can't wait!

 

[m.i.s.]

Iwata still sounds like a smart guy, and one with a unique vision, but words are cheap. For two years now he said nothing but smart considerate things, but his actions betray this. I don't know where in the process of decision making his visions get lost, but there is no denying that they are screwing up on delivering compelling products.

Furthermore they completely dropped the ball in delivering unique new IPs that would capture the interest of new and seasoned gamers.

I will respectfully take the same view as fab here. Actions speak louder than words and, in my view, Iwata's actions speak volumes on where Nintendo stands today after the launch of the Wii U.

I consider both motion controls and touch screen gaming to be the brainchild of Hiroshi Yamauchi, the former NCL President. Iwata certainly implemented his ideas to great effect on the Touch Generations software on the DS.

I see 3DS and Wii U, therefore, as Iwata's ideas from concept to market. And both concepts fall far short of their respective 3rd party goals, network connectivity and business and financial targets on both hardware and software. 3DS has consistently failed to meet Nintendo's own projections and Wii U, at it's current rate of sell-through, is unlikely to meet it's 5.5 million units sold target by the end of this FY.

I also have to question why Iwata felt the need to introduce touch screen gaming into the home console sphere where it was previously rejected [Nintendo opted to settled on the Wii motion controller].

 

[roddur]

all his brilliance will mean nothing if wii u doesn't perform.

 

[zroid]

Whatever his successes and failures, Iwata has always struck me as one of the most likable and down-to-earth CEOs in the industry.

It's hard not to root for him.

 

[TheCongressman1]

Whatever his successes and failures, Iwata has always struck me as one of the most likable and down-to-earth CEOs in the industry.

It's hard not to root for him.

True that.

 

[Phife Dawg]

You meant the DS Lite, I presume? That was actually a true redesign.

It actually did have a different form factor and most of the non-fixed elements (screens, primary buttons) were moved around (some of the buttons, stylus, microphone, and lights). And the Power button was changed to a switch and the system had a completely different hinge.

The XL is being sold entirely on the size of its screens; the DS Lite was sold mostly on its form factor (okay, the brighter screens helped too).

It is a different form factor just like the 3DS XL is to 3DS, the main form factor stays true to the original with slight changes to details. This includes width of the system, product materials, no more sandwiched (3 layer design of the OG 3DS) etc. Going from 3DS to 3DS XL the stylus was changed and moved, the mic was moved (only slightly though), the hinges were changed, the 3D slider was changed, start/home/select buttons were changed, power button was changed...

You cant message from friendslist. They do infact need to fix that. Make miiverse and friendlist one in the same or get rid of friendlist completely.

Well that's stupid then.

Ok, such as? Whatever team they have working on the OS could be working on what instead?

Even if there are more 'pressing things', I don't know why you think this isn't pretty freaking important too. The usability of this system is godawful as it stands. Besides, you act as if this will take years to do, it would probably take a month, at most.

I would say the top OS priorities are: Integrated Miiverse and friends, notifications system, and voice chat.

Work on the OS/apps, but not making a dedicated OS app for Miiverse on WiiU specifically. Load up times, responsiveness, browser (some issues with more complex html5 sites), all the things you mentioned etc.

Can't say anything about how long it would take to craft the service differently for WiiU and maintain it that way since I'm not a programmer.

Arent the speakers worse on the 3DS XL?

Yeah, then again not a big issue for me since I play with headphones anyway.

 

[DragonSworne]

Loading a browser should take milliseconds

There is something else going on in the OS when switching apps that are causing the slowness.


Maybe the WiiU is restarting the internal web server each time it loads an app? That could explain the issue

 

[n64coder]

OP, thanks for the nice translation of the article.

4billion yen in reserves? I thought they had more?

That's not much. Only $40M which leaves very little room to have a bad quarter/year. Nothing like Microsoft $66B cash reserves.

 

[ksamedi]

OP, thanks for the nice translation of the article.



That's not much. Only $40M which leaves very little room to have a bad quarter/year. Nothing like Microsoft $66B cash reserves.

I think its 10 billion. Probably a miss translation or speculation from the writer.

 

[chertipros]

I think its 10 billion. Probably a miss translation or speculation from the writer.

I remember reading something like that too. If it's not a mistranslation, then either someone at Nintendo has a gambling problem, or Nintendo bought exclusivity for GTA V-VIII

 

[StreetsAhead]

Whoops, went back and checked and the article says 4100 one hundred million yen (410,000,000,000 yen???). So, whatever that works out to in dollars and then I will update the OP.

EDIT: I figured it out (I think) and get 4.58 billion USD. Can anyone confirm? My maths is atrocious.