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GDC State of the Industry: Devs optimistic about Nintendo Switch, 3% developing
Thursday War
Banned
more like dba
Isn't 135 developers basically more than what Wii U had in its whole lifetime? Ok, adding all indie games, there was probably more on Wii U (all those shitty shovelware games had different devs), but on the other hand, they've had many years to add to the number for Wii U devs while Switch isn't even launched, and it already has over 135 developers working on it and many more probably having their next game on the system. That's pretty damn good, especially if there's lots of bigger developers (like there is according to that picture showing off the developers already on it).
Sounds pretty moronic to indiscriminately ship dev kits for a console you're trying to keep under wraps.
serenewarfare
Banned
I think Oculus really fucked up by not launching with the Touch controllers. They seem better than the Vive stuff from my experience, but the Vive had eight months to steal all the development momentum.
I know it's kind of out of their control because the product just wasn't ready, but I think it's obvious that it massively hurt them.
TwilightPrincess
Member
This thread will not end well.
Killroyskbg
Member
Yeah when you have the all the garbage that steam and android/iOS gets it's not that hard to understand.
Outrun
Member
Yep, that's just me.
I do, so I guess we cancel each other out.
Yeah, it's all good.
So like, one team?
Schnozberry
Member
Whale Hunting is more popular than ever.
The same percentage as "Android Microconsole".
In comparison to PlayStation 4 (27%) and Xbox One (22%) that doesn't strike me as particularly positive for something that's only two months away from launch.
Those systems have been out for years and have sold over 70 million units. The Switch has sold 0.
Expectations for significantly more than this are totally unreasonable.
Interfectum
Member
I wouldn't be. A ton of indie devs with a Unity or Unreal license looking to be first to ride the wave.
Also, that 3% Switch number is going to shoot up after the full reveal and launch.
The thing is out in 2 months. There is nothing to keep under wraps. The thing should be in every developers hands who wants one at this point.
Papacheeks
Banned
No it doesn't? LOL.
What?
You can't expect to rely on how well the console sells to entice developers on your platform. There are other things at play. Having a open dialogue with signed and potential future developers is how your grow your library and relationship with good word and mouth.
Nintendo should have been reaching out like crazy, even if they didn't get a lot of calls or hear back from developers the word would spread that Nintendo is openly talking to developers and doing everything they can to have an open dialogue.
walking fiend
Member
The statistics is pretty much useless. 3DS has less support than Wii U? It most probably doesn't include in Japan and has a high number of random devs polled
Though it is clear next GTA is not in development for Switch
Though it is clear next GTA is not in development for Switch
I'm fairly sure those systems had much higher prerelease than this.
Papacheeks
Banned
Wow, Savage lol.
OK, any reason you quoted me to say that?
serenewarfare
Banned
To be fair, neither of those systems was the successor to an unmitigated disaster.
walking fiend
Member
Data to support your claim?
Principate
Saint Titanfall
Surely drumming up as much support for the consoles launch and year after is more important than keeping it "under wraps", especially when that under wraps period includes up to 3 months before launch.
Oculus also really fucked up by making a PC accessory with a software infrastructure designed explicitly to go against a central tenant of PC as a platform (interchangeability of components).
And their figurehead outing himself as a fuckwit doesn't help of course.
Interfectum
Member
Indie devs still trying to be the first with the big hit on another iOS platform. I'm surprised the % isn't higher tbh.
Cow Goes Moo
Member
it would be interesting to see if there's a graph of this for the wii u prior to its release
Meanwhile my Apple watch is only courting 0.8% of devs. ;_;
I see you, two guys from Niantic in the back! You rock!
I think you nailed it right there. Ofcourse they are interested.
They are not going to risk their bread and butter on it though.
Papacheeks
Banned
Yea, my hype just went down a little. Like reality is starting to really settle in.
Wait, HoloLens already? That's interesting. Wonder what will come out this.
serenewarfare
Banned
The only data you would need is that both PS4 and XB1 launched with an Assassin's Creed game which almost certainly had 500+ people working on it alone.
JonnyDBrit
Member
I don't suppose there's data from previous console launch periods available, for at least some context?
Principate
Saint Titanfall
TBF you could say the same of the 1000 or so that responded for the PS4.
Papacheeks
Banned
HAHAH hollyshit.
demosthenes
Member
Where is that 4500 number from?
For comparison:
GDC State of the industry report of February 2013 (pool: 2,500 NA game developers)
http://www.gdconf.com/news/gdc_state_of_the_industry_rese/
GDC State of the industry report of January 2014 (pool: 2,600 NA game developers)
http://www.gdconf.com/news/gdc_state_of_the_industry_ps4_/
I've chosen the reports that would be the best fit for Switch's situation, even if the launch in March and not in November makes it more apple-to-orangish as a comparison than I'd like.
GDC State of the industry report of February 2013 (pool: 2,500 NA game developers)
http://www.gdconf.com/news/gdc_state_of_the_industry_rese/
GDC State of the industry report of January 2014 (pool: 2,600 NA game developers)
http://www.gdconf.com/news/gdc_state_of_the_industry_ps4_/
I've chosen the reports that would be the best fit for Switch's situation, even if the launch in March and not in November makes it more apple-to-orangish as a comparison than I'd like.
That would make for a weird survey would it not? Polling people from the same dev team, doesn't that skew the numbers?
I thought they did this survey on a team basis and not on an each separate individual on a team.
Astral Dog
Member
50% being optimistic is not optimistic
Note that HoloLens is actually shrinking in the "are you developing for it" metric. It's popular in the "Interested" metric, but that seems like the least committed.