Will we receive the same software on their upcoming handheld/console? That's the big question. That'd definitely free some resources and could let the EAD teams escape their current sequelitis prison.
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Iwata: Redefining the definition of video game platforms will require about 2 years
- Thread starter Nirolak
- Start date
Will we receive the same software on their upcoming handheld/console? That's the big question. That'd definitely free some resources and could let the EAD teams escape their current sequelitis prison.
RobFox64tm
Member
I think it is very wise of Nintendo to be looking in the direction of smart phones/tablets instead of Sony/Microsoft's behemoth consoles for where to take their next line of hardware. I know that's probably an unpopular opinion to have around here, but I honestly don't see how Nintendo can compete on that level anymore. Better to go after the people who don't care rather than the people with an ax to grind. The former group is much bigger than the latter anyway.
OverturePT
Member
Wouldn't be the first time though. lolThats a bold ass confident ass statement.
"we bout to change the whole game up in two years,son! "
Well, new handheld/home console in two years? Two in one? Or two different consoles but will be able to play the same games on each, leaving the choice to the consumer on which "version" to get?
SlipperySlope
Banned
Will they be able to support their platforms on their own in future? Is the amount of 1st party titles available for Wii U enough for users? That's what they need to ask themselves.
If they could combine their 3DS and Wii U output, that should be more than enough IMO. They can't fully support two platforms on their own. Nobody can.
Freezie KO
Banned
Would this even really make much of a difference for Nintendo? Is a "unified ecosystem" really going to excite the public about Nintendo products?
If you can jump into the Nintendo ecosystem and get access to all Nintendo games (the equivalent of their combined output for Wii U and 3DS) for $200, yeah, I think that's a good deal.
You'll have fewer droughts, and the price point could be good for both a cheap alternative for kids/families and also a second platform for the core.
If they could combine their 3DS and Wii U output, that should be more than enough IMO. They can't fully support two platforms on their own. Nobody can.
For what it's worth, they are doing their best on 3DS and Wii U at the moment. But quite obviously, as sales indicate, it's not enough.
Would this even really make much of a difference for Nintendo? Is a "unified ecosystem" really going to excite the public about Nintendo products?
Well you'd get:
- The 3DS 1st party support
- The Wii U 1st party support
- The 3DS Japanese 3rd party support
- Indies
- Virtual console
All on one family of devices.
This is the direction I've wanted Nintendo to go for a while now.If you can jump into the Nintendo ecosystem and get access to all Nintendo games (the equivalent of their combined output for Wii U and 3DS) for $200, yeah, I think that's a good deal.
You'll have fewer droughts, and the price point could be good for both a cheap alternative for kids/families and also a second platform for the core.
If they could combine their 3DS and Wii U output, that should be more than enough IMO. They can't fully support two platforms on their own. Nobody can.
Yeah if you had every game for 3DS and Wii U available on one system, you'd have a pretty fucking great system.
Obviously some redundancies like NSMB, but you would be able to eliminate those redundancies and make other games.
For.
Unified software platform. Fewer software droughts. All Nintendo software plays on all Nintendo hardware. Cheaper for the general consumer to jump into the Nintendo ecosystem.
No more need to rush out games like NSMB2/NSMBU back-to-back. Free up teams (i.e. Mario Kart team) to release a Kart game every four years instead of every two because they needed to stay on four-year cycles for two platforms. Less redundancy in software means more creativity as Nintendo's teams are free to find the next big thing and not just redo the last big thing.
Yeah, NBM 2/NMBU also came to mind. If they can develop one title and than optimize for the plattform( Streetpass makes no sense on a home console, splitscreen no sense at a handheld etc.) , than they could develop far more faster.
Will we receive the same software on their upcoming handheld/console? That's the big question. That'd definitely free some resources and could let the EAD teams escape their current sequelitis prison.
I don't see why not, some games are pretty much the same gameplay-wise but different graphically (3DLand -> 3DWorld, MK7 -> MK8, Smash 3DS ->Smash Wii U etc). Plus, with the extra resources they can bring back some forgotten franchises or start new IP.
Absolutely, it lowers the barrier of entry across all platforms. It'll create very few situations in which one platform gets the short end of the stick when it comes to releases (which is exactly what's happening to the Wii U. Nintendo's output is grossly shifted towards the 3DS at the moment).If you can jump into the Nintendo ecosystem and get access to all Nintendo games (the equivalent of their combined output for Wii U and 3DS) for $200, yeah, I think that's a good deal.
You'll have fewer droughts, and the price point could be good for both a cheap alternative for kids/families and also a second platform for the core.
RobFox64tm
Member
If they could combine their 3DS and Wii U output, that should be more than enough IMO. They can't fully support two platforms on their own. Nobody can.
Agreed. Nintendo puts out plenty of software each year, but split between two (or sometimes more) pieces of hardware limits their reach. An OS based platform that supports both would definitely alleviate software shortages, even if they continue to have poor 3rd party support after the next transition.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
This...actually sounds promising. A unified software front across devices could be very cool
Colonel Mustard
Banned
Perhaps this would clear up issues with licensing and porting with the VC as well. Imagine if they focused on continually adding supported systems instead of drip feeding.
Another benefit of a common platform? I can finally play Etrian Odyssey on my TV and that's a megaton for me.
Another benefit of a common platform? I can finally play Etrian Odyssey on my TV and that's a megaton for me.
I don't see why not, some games are pretty much the same gameplay-wise but different graphically (3DLand -> 3DWorld, MK7 -> MK8, Smash 3DS ->Smash Wii U etc). Plus, with the extra resources they can bring back some forgotten franchises or start new IP.
I think it's a question of power. Nintendo consoles are traditionally more powerful than Nintendo handhelds, especially as their handhelds are rather low priced compared to the top-tech smartphones - and even those cannot rival the current console generation.
K
kittens
Unconfirmed Member
Godspeed, you nutty little man.
PhoenixDawn
Member
A shift into an ecosystem where all new hardware can run all/most old software would be wonderful for Nintendo. It could be a more natural extension of their Virtual Console system while also building off of the backwards compatibility that they have been strong proponents of in their systems. It could be allow for easy entry of people into the environment as they'd already have access to the vast Nintendo catalog of games while also letting them enjoy the new releases. This is all assuming that Nintendo starts treating VC right again and opens the floodgates again rather than the pitiful trickle offers they've had on Wii U/3DS.
Perhaps this would clear up issues with licensing and porting with the VC as well.
I'm thinking that's exactly why they're making GBA and DS emulators for Wii U rather than 3DS. Wii U architecture will live on unlike 3DS.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
I think it's a question of power. Nintendo consoles are traditionally more powerful than Nintendo handhelds, especially as their handhelds are rather low priced compared to the top-tech smartphones - and even those cannot rival the current console generation.
Dynamic graphical scaling. Believe
Well you'd get:
- The 3DS 1st party support
- The Wii U 1st party support
- The 3DS Japanese 3rd party support
- Indies
- Virtual console
All on one family of devices.
Would be an ideal starting point. One of many WiiUs problems is that pretty much every IP which will come on WiiU, is already there for 3DS, which is obviously cheaper.
So the Wii U has two years of life left. Maybe.
Previous statements indicate that it will start with WiiU.
Freezie KO
Banned
This is the direction I've wanted Nintendo to go for a while now.
Same, although I always imagined the solution as a hybrid handheld that would stream to the TV. Given costs though, a unified software platform across devices seems to make even more sense. And not only do you get their combined handheld/console output, you also get their entire VC. It's a really good value proposition.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Would be an ideal starting point. One of many WiiUs problems is that pretty much every IP which will come on WiiU, is already there for 3DS, which is obviously cheaper.
Previous statements indicate that it will start with WiiU.
Would that mean an entirely new firmware downloaded to the WiiU?
2016 would be reasonable for a new handheld and/or console. So, it'll be interesting if this unified architecture idea (which Iwata said would make both systems like brothers in January) will lead to their handheld and console releasing closer together or not. I mean when you think about a console life, 5 years used to be a decent number for a cycle and when you consider the Wii U's bad situation moving that ahead one year doesn't sound like a drastic move (but I think betting on it taking 5 may be safer). And most people have been saying 2016 for a new handheld for quite some time. My safe guess would be Q4 2016, handheld, Q4 2017, console -- but they could conceivably go Q1 2016, handheld, Q4 2016, console.
I've even had an idea of Nintendo releasing both at the same time and really advertising as brothers. Something like, you can by the Ultimate Nintendo Entertainment System Home Edition or the Ultimate Nintendo Entertainment System Portable Edition, but I think logistics would be an issue for that idea. (They would need to be going fully iOS style for this to work at all, though, because sharing a name would be a way to show games work between them, if you have to still buy games separate, and the plan is just porting then this doesn't work.)
It's really hard to support two separate devices, as we've seen. One always is dealing with a drought while the other is going strong. So, obviously Nintendo needs to go this way. Stuff like Luigi's Mansion on the Wii U would have helped during the drought.
It also can free them up from immediately having to work on making a game from a franchise for one system then working on putting a new entry on the other system. I mean think about Animal Crossing -- it works better on handhelds but they don't want to skip putting one of their popular franchises on their console. By using a unified architecture they could just worry about making AC and putting it on both, as opposed to having to finish on one entry and then immediately start working on the next one for their console.
I've even had an idea of Nintendo releasing both at the same time and really advertising as brothers. Something like, you can by the Ultimate Nintendo Entertainment System Home Edition or the Ultimate Nintendo Entertainment System Portable Edition, but I think logistics would be an issue for that idea. (They would need to be going fully iOS style for this to work at all, though, because sharing a name would be a way to show games work between them, if you have to still buy games separate, and the plan is just porting then this doesn't work.)
It's really hard to support two separate devices, as we've seen. One always is dealing with a drought while the other is going strong. So, obviously Nintendo needs to go this way. Stuff like Luigi's Mansion on the Wii U would have helped during the drought.
It also can free them up from immediately having to work on making a game from a franchise for one system then working on putting a new entry on the other system. I mean think about Animal Crossing -- it works better on handhelds but they don't want to skip putting one of their popular franchises on their console. By using a unified architecture they could just worry about making AC and putting it on both, as opposed to having to finish on one entry and then immediately start working on the next one for their console.
If they're really planning to introduce the new platforms in 2016, then 2015 will be the worst year for Nintendo by far. I'm sure Nintendo will stop all first party support (save for Zelda U) for both platforms for 3rd party to take stage, which they won't, because they don't exist.
Panajev2001a
GAF's Pleasant Genius
So basically in two years they are going to roll out something that shares code and releases whether you are playing at home or away.
It'll be like Vita and Vita TV, sort of.
That's my guess.
Hopefully something more like iPad Air vs iPhone 4.
It kinda seems like we'll be seeing some 2015 ideas at e3 and if they really wanted to they could just port/move projects over.If they're really planning to introduce the new platforms in 2016, then 2015 will be the worst year for Nintendo by far. I'm sure Nintendo will stop all first party support (save for Zelda U) for both platforms for 3rd party to take stage, which they won't, because they don't exist.
Does this mean more gimmicks or less?
It's Iwata. There is no reason unified software approach can't have gimmicks. In fact, since the hardware will share the same games, Nintendo might think they need a gimmick for each to help make the platforms feel different (meaning get people to buy both).
Well you'd get:
- The 3DS 1st party support
- The Wii U 1st party support
- The 3DS Japanese 3rd party support
- Indies
- Virtual console
All on one family of devices.
Ok but why would I buy both a Wii U2 and a 4DS if they both play versions of the same games? I would not. Likely, people will just buy the handheld and play all the games there. This would actually continue the decline of Nintendo's home console business, because in such a scenario there would be fewer console-exclusives.
(Yeah a few superfans will buy both)
The Cartographer
Member
Previous statements indicate that it will start with WiiU.
Is such a thing even possible?
Freezie KO
Banned
It also can free them up from immediately having to work on making a game from a franchise for one system then working on putting a new entry on the other system. I mean think about Animal Crossing -- it works better on handhelds but they don't want to skip putting one of their popular franchises on their console. By using a unified architecture they could just worry about making AC and putting it on both, as opposed to having to finish on one entry and then immediately start working on the next one for their console.
This is what's most exciting as a gamer. This gen has proven the limitations of Nintendo when they get stuck in the endless loop of franchises. Not only will a unified platform eliminate droughts, but the new games won't just be refreshing the same franchises.
--
Ok but why would I buy a Wii U2 and a 4DS if they both play versions of the same games? I would not. Likely, people will just buy the handheld and play all the games there. This would actually continue the decline of Nintendo's home console business.
Why do people buy iPads or Apple TVs if they can do everything on their phone?
Your definition of "home console business" is part of an older paradigm. The money in this business is selling games. That's why Sony and MS are willing to subsidize hardware. With a unified platform, Nintendo will have a combined userbase to sell to. If you only want to buy a handheld to buy their games, what do they care where you play it?
Panajev2001a
GAF's Pleasant Genius
If they're really planning to introduce the new platforms in 2016, then 2015 will be the worst year for Nintendo by far. I'm sure Nintendo will stop all first party support (save for Zelda U) for both platforms for 3rd party to take stage, which they won't, because they don't exist.
This idea of stopping first party development for your current generation platform when you are "close" to announcing/releasing the next-generation one is really upsetting and counterproductive for them. They should have more respect for their users.
NaaS
Nintendo-As-A-Service.
They'll ditch actual hardware, and instead reinvent themselves as a virtual platform. Access to new Nintendo games and their entire archive of classic games via Smart Devices on a monthly subscription plan. Nintendo sells high margin controllers & peripherals.
Nintendo-As-A-Service.
They'll ditch actual hardware, and instead reinvent themselves as a virtual platform. Access to new Nintendo games and their entire archive of classic games via Smart Devices on a monthly subscription plan. Nintendo sells high margin controllers & peripherals.
Colonel Mustard
Banned
If they're able to produce both machines with a low associated cost, it really doesn't matter which gets bought. The majority of their revenue comes from software anyway.Ok but why would I buy both a Wii U2 and a 4DS if they both play versions of the same games? I would not. Likely, people will just buy the handheld and play all the games there. This would actually continue the decline of Nintendo's home console business, because in such a scenario there would be fewer console-exclusives.
(Yeah a few superfans will buy both)
It's a business, the point is to seek profitability and sustained growth (which, per Iwata growth will probably happen when they venture in to other sectors) not to win a Gamefaqs-level dick waving competition over who sold the most hardware.
Ok but why would I buy both a Wii U2 and a 4DS if they both play versions of the same games? I would not. Likely, people will just buy the handheld and play all the games there. This would actually continue the decline of Nintendo's home console business, because in such a scenario there would be fewer console-exclusives.
(Yeah a few superfans will buy both)
You can ask the same question right now, the difference would be Nintendo saves development costs and time.
Panajev2001a
GAF's Pleasant Genius
Is such a thing even possible?
Yes, if they can get a handheld SoC derived from Wii U's architecture which is close enough to it architecturally (computing and graphics performance, memory capacity, latency, and speed, etc... differences aside) to allow developers to use the same tools and libraries to develop for both of them.
I believe it is doable and hopefully they can still get all the benefits an architecture designed from the ground up as a mobile ready one would bring.
If they're able to produce both machines with a low associated cost, it really doesn't matter which gets bought. The majority of their revenue comes from software anyway.
It's a business, the point is to seek profitability and sustained growth (which, per Iwata growth will probably happen when they venture in to other sectors) not to win a Gamefaqs-level dick waving competition over whole sold the most hardware.
Exactly. Does this mean it would be unlikely to have a DS and Wii situation again? Yes. But that was always unlikely. This way they could sell more games and sell a lot of units combined between their handheld and console. Basically, this would help eliminate the risk of a console having a low install base and affecting Nintendo's profits (Wii U).
manueldelalas
Time Traveler
Nintendo Fire TV on the way, i guess they'll try to make their own OS, a real one.
I would prefer they went with a proved one, or something done by other people, like Android or Steam OS.
I also expect them to begin releasing consoles every two years, like iPads.
I would prefer they went with a proved one, or something done by other people, like Android or Steam OS.
I also expect them to begin releasing consoles every two years, like iPads.
Beermeister
Banned
Also, the idea I mentioned about redefining the definition of video game platforms will also require approximately two years.
E3 2016 will be... interesting.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
Were I to take him literally, that's what I'd basically get out of the second quote block.
If that's what's on a two year time frame, then that feels like news.
However, he was kind of vague with the first quote and there's not much context, so I'm wondering if I missed something else this would refer to instead.
Seeing how vague is being, related to his mid-term plans, one have to wonder, if Iwata really has a clear plan now.
This talk of unifed hardware/ecosystem dosn't really fits with the whole QoL stuff...
Iwata trying to save his job for another 2 years. I honestly have no idea what Nintendo is doing. Such an unpredictable company.
Neither does Nintendo.
This is Nintendo responding to iOS and Android in 2016. Nintendo is just now saying, hey you know what, we should do that! Despite having the perfect opportunity with the Wii U / 3DS hardware generation.
In 2016 who knows what the tech landscape will look like with stuff like Oculus Rift gearing up, and whatever crazy shit Valve and Amazon and Apple and whoever do next.
Little late, Nintendo.
In 2016 who knows what the tech landscape will look like with stuff like Oculus Rift gearing up, and whatever crazy shit Valve and Amazon and Apple and whoever do next.
Little late, Nintendo.
So basically Steam Machines with Nintendo exclusives??
Or will they be the only ones handling hardware?
From the Q&A:
We have gathered experts from a variety of different fields for this department. By working with others in the R&D divisions, these members have already been acting as contacts for a variety of different business partners, and have been making proposals and planting the seeds for discussion. The Business Development Department will play an important role in our company producing tangible outcomes for the topics we have been discussing recently: the active use of our character IP, future approach for the new markets, future of the new business fields, how we are going to change the definition of our future platforms and how we will take advantage of smart devices.
Seeing how vague is being, related to his mid-term plans, one have to wonder, if Iwata really has a clear plan now.
This talk of unifed hardware/ecosystem dosn't really fits with the world QoL stuff...
What?
he is just confirming that nintendo is coding an os with a big fat abstraction layer that will allow software to run on different cpu/gpu/apus, just like iOS/Android/Windows.
I hope it works out, but the pessimist in me thinks this is going to be a disaster in terms of attracting 3rd parties.
I hope it works out, but the pessimist in me thinks this is going to be a disaster in terms of attracting 3rd parties.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
What?
That the unfied hardware dosn't really fits with what they said about QoL and how it will work.