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Media Create Sales: Week 2, 2014 (Jan 06 - Jan 12)

I wonder how many people will defend Iwata if he says there is nothing actually wrong with their current strategy. Somehow he'll manage to keep his job when they eek out a profit after promising a 100 billion yen profit earlier. Also, while I laughed at the 3DS coming out this holiday, I would not be completely shocked if a new handheld was revealed sometime earlier next year for a holiday 2015 release.
 

test_account

XP-39C²
Yep. And if you'll recall Wii U hardware actually went down the week Wonderful 101 was released and only increased by about 100 units the week Wind Waker HD was released. Anything without Mario in the title seems to do little for Wii U hardware sales.

Based on its sales, Wii U is essentially a Christmas/New years gift for kids that has little appeal for Japanese consumers during most of the rest of the year.
Nintendo's new strategy: "We're trying to create more holidays that will be spread evenly across the year to maintain healthy sales".

Hehe, seriously though, i'm really curious to see what Nintendo's plans are for the WiiU.
 
Nintendo consists of smart businessmen. They know Wii U is a failure and a joke, but they have no choice but to continue throwing money and other resources into the hole, knowing that premature product abandonment is something that is long remembered and frowned upon in this industry.
 
I have just watched the first episode of Youkai Watch, it's amazing! It's my second anime so I can't make comparisons.

The concept is so cool, get money Hino! I recommend, Level-5 did a great job with the first episode, a perfect introduction to the series.

Waiting for Episode 2 now! When will Pokémon? *-*
 

Chris1964

Sales-Age Genius
...when even juggernauts like Pokemon and Monster Hunter did absolutely nothing for the system last year...

I know in these threads is paradise for misinformation and illutions.

Main reason 3DS had a bad December was that Nintendo it let without software releases last 2 months of the year. Zelda came out at the end of December and either way it's not a very big title. Mario Party could improve the situation.
 

Principate

Saint Titanfall
I have just watched the first episode of Youkai Watch, it's amazing! It's my second anime so I can't make comparisons.

The concept is so cool, get money Hino! I recommend, Level-5 did a great job with the first episode, a perfect introduction to the series.

Waiting for Episode 2 now! When will Pokémon? *-*

Second anime? Get to watching Legend of Galactic Heroes stat.
 

DaBoss

Member
I know in these threads is paradise for misinformation and illutions.

Main reason 3DS had a bad December was that Nintendo it let without software releases last 2 months of the year. Zelda came out at the end of December and either way it's not a very big title. Mario Party could improve the situation.
Wait, wtf? Mario Party didn't launch there yet?
 

Somnid

Member
I wonder how many people will defend Iwata if he says there is nothing actually wrong with their current strategy. Somehow he'll manage to keep his job when they eek out a profit after promising a 100 billion yen profit earlier. Also, while I laughed at the 3DS coming out this holiday, I would not be completely shocked if a new handheld was revealed sometime earlier next year for a holiday 2015 release.

They do a new handheld or revision every year so your guess isn't exactly bold.
 

Keyouta

Junior Member
So the one game in the near future - DCR:TF - that will bump for the Wii U is releasing one week before the PS4? Good luck to Nintendo.

I don't think MK and SSB will really boost the console's sales as much as they think it will. (Outside of Japan) Most people that want one already have one, there's certainly been enough sales below MRSP.
 

Principate

Saint Titanfall
That's like asking a people who just get into movies to watch 2001: Space Odyssey lol

what... no need to start him off on the normal mainstream fluff, also Galatic heroes is more in the top end of anime section than Space odessy. It'd be more akin to Citizen Kane at least (lol.... lol)
 
Wait, wtf? Mario Party didn't launch there yet?
20 March release.

Yeah they probably thought the MH4+Pokemon hardware effect would stretch longer into the holidays but the system had lost a lot of steam by then because the hardware bumps were somewhat front loaded and people didn't wait until the holidays to buy a 3DS for those games. That left a somewhat empty software schedule with no major hardware driver until Puzzle and Dragons Z. I think a November release for Mario Party would have helped.
 
Nintendo consists of smart businessmen. They know Wii U is a failure and a joke, but they have no choice but to continue throwing money and other resources into the hole, knowing that premature product abandonment is something that is long remembered and frowned upon in this industry.

This makes me think of Nintendo's other "failure and a joke" console---the Virtual Boy.


It's interesting how Nintendo was so eager to cancel the Virtual Boy...but how elusive they went about it. One day in early 1996 they just stopped shipping consoles and cancelled all game development. But, they never admitted it publicly.

At E3 1996 Nintendo said they would "continue to support" Virtual Boy, but only showed off two games that were cancelled quickly after E3 and never released.

"Nintendo continues to support its portable 3-D video game system, Virtual Boy, with two new second half software titles. Launching in August, Dragon Hopper is the latest 3-D action/adventure game. Also debuting in August, Bound High immerses players in multiple levels of challenging 3-D game play. In addition, Nintendo has announced new affordable price points for Virtual Boy with a manufacturer's suggested retail price for hardware at $99.95 and $29.95-$39.95 for software."

In Nintendo's 1996 Annual Report, they bragged about the SNES, Game Boy and N64, but they never even mentioned the Virtual Boy's cancellation. The only notification Nintendo ever gave in their annual report was the following:

"Sales of the Company's Virtual Boy system did not meet expectations."

That's all they ever said. It wasn't "We are going to discontinue Virtual Boy production." It was just "Sales didn't meet expectations," then a swift, silent cancellation.

It took fan letters to Nintendo to determine the official status of the system. Here's a response from Nintendo of America (mid 1996):

"Hello.

Thank you for your interest in the Virtual Boy system. As you've noticed, there aren't any new games being made for it. Let me take a brief moment to explain the status of this one-of-a-kind system.

Over the past few years, we have put a great deal of resources and investment into the success of the Virtual Boy. Due in part to the unpredictability and volatility of the video game industry, this system did not meet our sales expectations. We regretfully made the decision to cancel further development of Virtual Boy hardware and software and have decided to focus our development strength on our very successful premier product, the Nintendo 64.

We will continue to support the Virtual Boy in all facets of post-sale service, however. If you have any game play questions, need replacement parts or repair information, be assured that we will fully stand behind our product.

We are glad that you decided to play the world's only 3-D virtual immersion gaming system and we hope that you will continue to play and support Nintendo products in the future.

Although no new games are currently planned, please find below a list of the titles that have been released for the Virtual Boy:

Game Title Company Release Date
Galactic Pinball Nintendo August 1995
Golf Nintendo November 1995
Jack Bros. Atlus Software October 1995
Mario Clash Nintendo October 1995
Mario's Tennis Nintendo August 1995
Nester's Funky Bowling Nintendo February 1996
Panic Bomber Nintendo December 1995
Red Alarm Nintendo August 1995
Teleroboxer Nintendo August 1995
Tetris 3-D Nintendo March 1996
Vertical Force Nintendo December 1995
Virtual League Baseball Kemco September 1995
Wario Land Nintendo November 1995
Waterworld Ocean December 1995

Thanks again for your comments.

Nintendo of America Inc.
Robin Krouse"

I wonder if Nintendo has the balls to just abruptly, silently discontinue the Wii U like they did with the Virtual Boy so long ago. I guess circumstances might be different because of the ubiquitousness of the Internet and the exposure the console has already.

But if the console really is such a horrible failure that can't be recouped, I wonder if it could be a possibility. Gamers still purchased the Game Boy and Nintendo 64 despite getting burned with the Virtual Boy. It was just a blip on the radar.
 

Mpl90

Two copies sold? That's not a bomb guys, stop trolling!!!
This makes me think of Nintendo's other "failure and a joke" console---the Virtual Boy.


It's interesting how Nintendo was so eager to cancel the Virtual Boy...but how elusive they went about it. One day in early 1996 they just stopped shipping consoles and cancelled all game development. But, they never admitted it publicly.

At E3 1996 Nintendo said they would "continue to support" Virtual Boy, but only showed off two games that were cancelled quickly after E3 and never released.



In Nintendo's 1996 Annual Report, they bragged about the SNES, Game Boy and N64, but they never even mentioned the Virtual Boy's cancellation. The only notification Nintendo ever gave in their annual report was the following:



That's all they ever said. It wasn't "We are going to discontinue Virtual Boy production." It was just "Sales didn't meet expectations," then a swift, silent cancellation.

It took fan letters to Nintendo to determine the official status of the system. Here's a response from Nintendo of America (early 1996, pre-E3):



I wonder if Nintendo has the balls to just abruptly, silently discontinue the Wii U like they did with the Virtual Boy so long ago. I guess circumstances might be different because of the ubiquitousness of the Internet and the exposure the console has already.

But if the console really is such a horrible failure that can't be recouped, I wonder if it could be a possibility. Gamers still purchased the Game Boy and Nintendo 64 despite getting burned with the Virtual Boy. It was just a blip on the radar.

I fear Internet and social network make just impossible to cancel Wii U silently, as if it never happened. It's literally impossible in the current society to try to pull off something similar and think that only few people will notice.
 

Foshy

Member
This makes me think of Nintendo's other "failure and a joke" console---the Virtual Boy.


It's interesting how Nintendo was so eager to cancel the Virtual Boy...but how elusive they went about it. One day in early 1996 they just stopped shipping consoles and cancelled all game development. But, they never admitted it publicly.

At E3 1996 Nintendo said they would "continue to support" Virtual Boy, but only showed off two games that were cancelled quickly after E3 and never released.



In Nintendo's 1996 Annual Report, they bragged about the SNES, Game Boy and N64, but they never even mentioned the Virtual Boy's cancellation. The only notification Nintendo ever gave in their annual report was the following:



That's all they ever said. It wasn't "We are going to discontinue Virtual Boy production." It was just "Sales didn't meet expectations," then a swift, silent cancellation.

It took fan letters to Nintendo to determine the official status of the system. Here's a response from Nintendo of America (early 1996):



I wonder if Nintendo has the balls to just abruptly, silently discontinue the Wii U like they did with the Virtual Boy so long ago. I guess circumstances might be different because of the ubiquitousness of the Internet and the exposure the console has already.

But if the console really is such a horrible failure that can't be recouped, I wonder if it could be a possibility. Gamers still purchased the Game Boy and Nintendo 64 despite getting burned with the Virtual Boy. It was just a blip on the radar.
Very interesting post, thanks.
 
This makes me think of Nintendo's other "failure and a joke" console---the Virtual Boy.


It's interesting how Nintendo was so eager to cancel the Virtual Boy...but how elusive they went about it. One day in early 1996 they just stopped shipping consoles and cancelled all game development. But, they never admitted it publicly.

At E3 1996 Nintendo said they would "continue to support" Virtual Boy, but only showed off two games that were cancelled quickly after E3 and never released.



In Nintendo's 1996 Annual Report, they bragged about the SNES, Game Boy and N64, but they never even mentioned the Virtual Boy's cancellation. The only notification Nintendo ever gave in their annual report was the following:



That's all they ever said. It wasn't "We are going to discontinue Virtual Boy production." It was just "Sales didn't meet expectations," then a swift, silent cancellation.

It took fan letters to Nintendo to determine the official status of the system. Here's a response from Nintendo of America (early 1996):



I wonder if Nintendo has the balls to just abruptly, silently discontinue the Wii U like they did with the Virtual Boy so long ago. I guess circumstances might be different because of the ubiquitousness of the Internet and the exposure the console has already.

But if the console really is such a horrible failure that can't be recouped, I wonder if it could be a possibility. Gamers still purchased the Game Boy and Nintendo 64 despite getting burned with the Virtual Boy. It was just a blip on the radar.

Sounds like "1984" stuff almost.
 
The Wii U must be singing the song I heard a hundred times when travelling through Japan in december "last Christmas I gave you my heart but the very next day you gave it away".
 

Majmun

Member
Do we know when MS is going to release the X1 in Japan? Better question is: Should they bother? Considering how awful the X360 performed there.

I wonder if MS is going to moneyhat Japanese games this time around....
 

Shengar

Member
what... no need to start him off on the normal mainstream fluff, also Galatic heroes is more in the top end of anime section than Space odessy. It'd be more akin to Citizen Kane at least (lol.... lol)
Mushishi would be better start than LoGH
I mean, 110 episodes of pure awesomeness, I don't if anyone who just get into anime can take all of that alone lol
I wonder if Nintendo has the balls to just abruptly, silently discontinue the Wii U like they did with the Virtual Boy so long ago. I guess circumstances might be different because of the ubiquitousness of the Internet and the exposure the console has already.

But if the console really is such a horrible failure that can't be recouped, I wonder if it could be a possibility. Gamers still purchased the Game Boy and Nintendo 64 despite getting burned with the Virtual Boy. It was just a blip on the radar.

Isn't Virtual Boy install base very small, thus when they silently cancelled it no shit really happened to public? Wii U install base, albeit small, already reached millions and cancelled just mean Nintendo give up their heads on the plate. Their best bet now is to keep the current Wii U user satissfied, and grow the install base, even if it small, the new user will be significant for them. The question, is it the current Wii U install base enough to warrant profit for softwares?
 
Hasn't the WiiU already outlasted the Virtual Boy? Virtual Boy never even got to Europe. And back then they had other pillars they could count on for support even with the discontinuation - with the WiiU being positioned more as a major pillar, it is a much more critical product to their bottom line.
 
Hasn't the WiiU already outlasted the Virtual Boy? Virtual Boy never even got to Europe. And back then they had other pillars they could count on for support even with the discontinuation - with the WiiU being positioned more as a major pillar, it is a much more critical product to their bottom line.

Here is the data I have on it:

Shipments:
1.26 million

NA - 560K
Japan - 630K


Sell-through:

USA - 496K
Japan - 630K
 

Majmun

Member
I hope so - they nearly killed jrpg genre by their own stupidity this gen.

Some (timed) exclusive X360 JRPG's that I can think of:

Tales of Vesperia
Eternal Sonata
Infinite Undiscovery
The Last Remnant
Star Ocean The Last Hope

Sure, some of the games were eventually released for the Ps3 as well. But I agree that some Japanese devs made a stange and stupid decision when they started to support the X360 with their project instead of the Ps3. Those games would've made a bigger impact as Ps3 games.
 
Why wouldn't they? Money is money, this a business, everyone has a price.

Give a man a fish vs. teach a man to fish.

MS' funding of Japanese games at the start of last gen may have given the studios a financial boost but it didn't help them create a self-sustaining environment and they were left high and dry when the MS money stopped flowing. Some bounced back from it like Namco and the Tales series, others, like Tri-Ace, not so much.
 

AniHawk

Member
Mushishi would be better start than LoGH
I mean, 110 episodes of pure awesomeness, I don't if anyone who just get into anime can take all of that alone lol


Isn't Virtual Boy install base very small, thus when they silently cancelled it no shit really happened to public? Wii U install base, albeit small, already reached millions and cancelled just mean Nintendo give up their heads on the plate. Their best bet now is to keep the current Wii U user satissfied, and grow the install base, even if it small, the new user will be significant for them. The question, is it the current Wii U install base enough to warrant profit for softwares?

the other thing about the virtual boy was that i believe it was nintendo's intention to have it replace the game boy. i've never actually seen any quotes to that, but it always felt that from the naming and people involved, that it was supposed to continue that line (______ boy would have probably become something instead of game boy ______). at the time, sales of the machine were steady and they were still making software for it. then a freak accident happened and pokemon became one of the best-selling games of all-time, reviving the handheld.

a similar thing was happening a decade ago when the ds was failing. nintendo had been making a successor to the game boy advance (after dropping the game boy name from the ds, supposedly). after initial sales of the ds were slow, it seemed like another system they could have phased out. instead, it was the ds that saw the sudden sales boom. so nintendo didn't need to fall back on the game boy line once again, and retired it.

there's no fallback for the wii u. the wii's been dead for years. it's a really different situation unless they have some sort of ds-like console planned (stopgap 'third pillar' thing).
 

Mpl90

Two copies sold? That's not a bomb guys, stop trolling!!!
the other thing about the virtual boy was that i believe it was nintendo's intention to have it replace the game boy. i've never actually seen any quotes to that, but it always felt that from the naming and people involved, that it was supposed to continue that line (______ boy would have probably become something instead of game boy ______). at the time, sales of the machine were steady and they were still making software for it. then a freak accident happened and pokemon became one of the best-selling games of all-time, reviving the handheld.

a similar thing was happening a decade ago when the ds was failing. nintendo had been making a successor to the game boy advance (after dropping the game boy name from the ds, supposedly). after initial sales of the ds were slow, it seemed like another system they could have phased out. instead, it was the ds that saw the sudden sales boom. so nintendo didn't need to fall back on the game boy line once again, and retired it.

there's no fallback for the wii u. the wii's been dead for years. it's a really different situation unless they have some sort of ds-like console planned (stopgap 'third pillar' thing).

Nintendo PDS. A 3DS with phone features included. Easy tools for porting from iOS and Android, renewed eShop, Miiverse, more RAM, 16,900 Yen. With many cross-deals with phone operators for selling it with subscriptions. Let's-a-go.
 
Give a man a fish vs. teach a man to fish.

MS' funding of Japanese games at the start of last gen may have given the studios a financial boost but it didn't help them create a self-sustaining environment and they were left high and dry when the MS money stopped flowing. Some bounced back from it like Namco and the Tales series, others, like Tri-Ace, not so much.
I don't think they would have been able to make games without MS funding. I mean MS funded all JRPGs, who the hell is publishing JRPGs that aren't internally developed(especially AAA console ones)? Who would have published blue dragon and LO if MS didn't? How did MS put Tri-Ace in their predicament? They are in a bad place because no one wants to fund non internally developed JRPGs.
 

Mpl90

Two copies sold? That's not a bomb guys, stop trolling!!!
@Magicpaint: Eh, I thought it sold just 770...

That "770K" figure you see thrown around is just decades-old misinformation. I have no idea where that figure came from, but it's not accurate.

Oh, come on! You don't even let me ask about that!
 
It didn't turn out that well last time. Why would you knowingly tie yourself to the DOA console?
"Tie" yourself? Because you are getting paid to make a game for said console? Because you wouldn't be getting any work anyway? MS is allegedly getting a exclusive from platinum, if it weren't for MS, who would they be getting work from? They would probably do MGR2 for konami and that's it. MGR2 isn't enough to sustain the company. Who would have funded BD and LO if MS hadn't? Who would have gave Mistwalker chance to make a AAA console JRPG is MS hadn't? Tales was a timed exclusive from the beginning so NB didn't get hurt at all, not to mention they made bank off of MS in the process. So that leaves..... Idol master And Tri Ace (one again timed exclusive). The MS hurt Japanese developers angle is hilarious.
 

DaBoss

Member
I don't get it. Are you guys saying that MS should fund a PS3 game? Or are you saying independent development studios shouldn't accept a job where they get money and then get work who knows when?
 
The question, is it the current Wii U install base enough to warrant profit for softwares?

Not likely, in most cases.

Nintendo should be, but likely isn't, seriously reevaluating what to do with any Wii U title that isn't far enough in development to be considered a sunk cost (i.e., those releasing after the end of the 2014/15 fiscal year). Zelda U, if released as currently planned, might well be the biggest money pit in Nintendo's history.
 

Prelude.

Member
"Tie" yourself? Because you are getting paid to make a game for said console? Because you wouldn't be getting any work anyway? MS is allegedly getting a exclusive from platinum, if it weren't for MS, who would they be getting work from? They would probably do MGR2 for konami and that's it. MGR2 isn't enough to sustain the company. Who would have funded BD and LO if MS hadn't? Who would have gave Mistwalker chance to make a AAA console JRPG is MS hadn't? Tales was a timed exclusive from the beginning so NB didn't get hurt at all, not to mention they made bank off of MS in the process. So that leaves..... Idol master And Tri Ace (one again timed exclusive). The MS hurt Japanese developers angle is hilarious.
Funding is not exactly moneyhatting. Or at least that wasn't what I was referring to.

Btw, the exclusive Platinum game was from a batch of mostly (if not all) incorrect info by cboat so I don't really think it's gonna happen.
 

Pie and Beans

Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
Nintendo PDS. A 3DS with phone features included. Easy tools for porting from iOS and Android, renewed eShop, Miiverse, more RAM, 16,900 Yen. With many cross-deals with phone operators for selling it with subscriptions. Let's-a-go.

Nintendo would have to straight up buy HTC or a similar smaller smartphone fish to be remotely capable of pushing out a phone. Thats before the fact it would also have to be Android with a 3DS/4DS layer over the top of it because of facing up to Nintendo not exactly at 2013 OS level.

While in the west I guess theres still enough AAA houses and smaller PC game studios around that mobile gaming isn't strictly "the apocalypse", things must feel particularly on edge for the brave few bigtime console Japanese devs left with that smartphone explosion. Even weirder when I consider its almost all iOS unless Androids finally been making inroads in Japan?
 
I don't get it. Are you guys saying that MS should fund a PS3 game? Or are you saying independent development studios shouldn't accept a job where they get money and then get work who knows when?
That's what effectually happened last-gen.

Third parties were struggling to develop on Ps3. Along comes MS with a fat wallet and buys up exclusivity all the while same said developers used that money to tied them over while they get up to speed on Ps3.
 
Funding is not exactly moneyhatting. Or at least that wasn't what I was referring to.

Btw, the exclusive Platinum game was from a batch of mostly (if not all) incorrect info by cboat so I don't really think it's gonna happen.
Doesn't matter, you are still getting paid. If they didn't think the money was worth it, they wouldn't have accepted the money. I tell people the same shit when people say "I know EA is regretting the titanfall deal". Game publishers/developers aren't stupid. And it's only a matter of time before platinum is bought out by Nintendo, Konami or making mobile games. I just don't see them getting any more work outside of MGR2.
 

Prelude.

Member
Doesn't matter, you are still getting paid. If they didn't think the money was worth it, they wouldn't have accepted the money. I tell people the same shit when people say "I know EA is regretting the titanfall deal". Game publishers/developers aren't stupid. And it's only a matter of time before platinum is bought out by Nintendo, Konami or making mobile games. I just don't see them getting any more work outside of MGR2.
I don't think they expected the 360 to do that poorly in Japan. Following the fanbase (or at least where the fanbase is supposed to go) should be the priority since it's always the most profitable way.

The Titanfall deal is a perfectly fine deal on EA's side since it's not exclusive on the Xbone. They're not betting anything.
 

Principate

Saint Titanfall
Doesn't matter, you are still getting paid. If they didn't think the money was worth it, they wouldn't have accepted the money. I tell people the same shit when people say "I know EA is regretting the titanfall deal". Game publishers/developers aren't stupid. And it's only a matter of time before platinum is bought out by Nintendo, Konami or making mobile games. I just don't see them getting any more work outside of MGR2.

Honestly depends on how much they cost, a group of developers that talented won't have shortage of work, it just likely won't be full IP or they won't develop games by themselves. But considering Kojima productions was more than happy using them to save a failed project, I'll don't they have issues getting work.

It just likely won't be the work they want to do (new IP's etc).
 

urfe

Member
Is there any way the Wii U could not sell well, and still make a tiny profit?

Are the games being sold selling enough to turn profit?

I love my Wii U, and I don't mind if it doesn't get as many games because they're not profitable, but I really don't want Nintendo to make business decisions that make them like every other company. I don't need a phone or a tablet or buggy AAA titles.

Hopefully the 3DS can carry them.
 
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