Nintendo issues profits warning

[X-13]

I have a phone in my pocket that is probably far greater in power and performance than any of your previous handheld consoles, it has an App Store, let me download your games and play them.

 

Play them? With what buttons?

 

Phone games are usually because there are few options to actually control them, you definitely can't control them without covering up a large part of the screen with your hands.

 

And on-screen virtual controls don't work properly.

 

 

Look at the difference between Batman: Arkham Origins [i think it was Oigins] on PC/console and the phone version.

 

 

I like my handhelds... I like having a device that has 1 job, and that it does it perfectly.

 

As for having to carry yet-another-thing... I have a giant bag, it's not a problem.

Edited February 3, 2016 by X-13

[Zoom7000]

Play them? With what buttons?

 

Phone games are usually because there are few options to actually control them, you definitely can't control them without covering up a large part of the screen with your hands.

 

And on-screen virtual controls don't work properly.

 

Look at the difference between Batman: Arkham Origins [i think it was Oigins] on PC/console and the phone version.

 

I like my handhelds... I like having a device that has 1 job, and that it does it perfectly.

 

As for having to carry yet-another-thing... I have a giant bag, it's not a problem.

That's just it, don't have static virtual controls. Use gestures and swipes. But I didn't say limit the games to phones. It's an option and a highly viable one to make them some proper money. And if you really want hardware, they could release like a controller housing unit for the phone. Logitech were gonna do something similar. The point is giving the users that want them the games and not forcing another fail of a console down their throats.

 

As for the bag, it can be as big or as little as you like, but a lot of people simply don't want to carry one at all.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Zoom7000

[Arthur]

And on-screen virtual controls don't work properly.

A touchscreen with cutouts for physical controls would work however...

 

Nintendo touchscreen controller patent offers clues about upcoming NX

 

http://i.cubeupload.com/gROKwp.png

[Arthur]

Nintendo outlines launch plans for first mobile app, Miitomo

 

3rd February 2016 – Nintendo’s first app made exclusively for smart devices, Miitomo, will launch* in the UK and Ireland in March for both iOS and Android phones and tablets. Today, Nintendo outlined the steps that fans can take to be among the first to get in on the social fun.

 

Starting 17th February 2016, people in the UK and Ireland will be able to preregister for Miitomo by creating a Nintendo Account using their Nintendo Network ID, social network accounts or email address. People who preregister for Miitomo will be among the first to be notified about the availability of Miitomo when it launches in March.

 

Miitomo is a social experience that uses Nintendo’s Mii characters to engage friends in a lighthearted, playful and welcoming social setting. Mii characters first debuted on the Wii console and to date, more than 200 million Mii characters have been created around the world. Using Mii characters users will be able to interact with their friends in an entirely new way to spark fun and interesting conversations by answering questions such as, “What song has been stuck in your head lately?”, “Do you believe in aliens?”, or even, “If you saw a nose hair sticking out of your friend’s nose, what would you do?” By answering questions in Miitomo, users will be able to discover surprising information and secrets about their friends, as well as share their experiences with others easily by taking and sharing photos featuring their Mii using the Miifoto feature.

 

Nintendo’s new My Nintendo** rewards program will launch alongside Miitomo in March 2016, and will be able to connect with Miitomo. A special Miitomo bonus will be offered to anyone in the UK and Ireland that creates a Nintendo Account between 17th February and the launch of Miitomo in March. My Nintendo aims to become much more than a traditional rewards program. It is a more comprehensive service that rewards users for interacting with Nintendo products and services in a variety of ways. Miitomo users with a Nintendo Account will be able to take advantage of My Nintendo to enhance their experience.

 

Including Miitomo, Nintendo plans to release approximately five smart device applications by the end of March 2017.

[CAM]

That's not a game, that's a fancily dressed up ask.fm!

[sted]

Play them? With what buttons?

 

Phone games are usually because there are few options to actually control them, you definitely can't control them without covering up a large part of the screen with your hands.

 

And on-screen virtual controls don't work properly.

 

 

Look at the difference between Batman: Arkham Origins [i think it was Oigins] on PC/console and the phone version.

 

 

I like my handhelds... I like having a device that has 1 job, and that it does it perfectly.

 

As for having to carry yet-another-thing... I have a giant bag, it's not a problem.

 

depends on the game. Ive given up on phone games bar a few boggle/scrabble type ones as being either a frustrating as heck because of touchscreen/tilt controls that frankly arnt imo appropriate or the constant nags for micro transactions. Yes a phone can do any computing task it dosent mean its the right tool for the job for example you could technically write a novel like war an peace on a phone but practically anything with a keyboard would be quicker and easier so just because a device is cabable of something dosent mean that it should be used for it. Id also hate to play something like fire emblem on my phone with just a touchscreen you would either need so many are you sure screens it would slow the game down to a crawl or have to live with the whoops thats not what i meant to do problem that touchscreens create

[Sheepy]

I wouldn't mind some sort of hardware addon that would give my phone buttons

 

I do seriously wonder how Nintendo have managed to survive so long with losing so much money? Crazy crazy times. It does say something that the Wii had a massive install base of hardware but software sales where dismal. And I would suggest that its Nintendos constant push to be different that actually hampers any progress they could make. Also the online side of the Nintendo world is just naff, why do I need a friend code that is 18billion random characters just to add a friend? yet I can't even have voice chat or anything.

[sted]

I wouldn't mind some sort of hardware addon that would give my phone buttons

 

I do seriously wonder how Nintendo have managed to survive so long with losing so much money? Crazy crazy times. It does say something that the Wii had a massive install base of hardware but software sales where dismal. And I would suggest that its Nintendos constant push to be different that actually hampers any progress they could make. Also the online side of the Nintendo world is just naff, why do I need a friend code that is 18billion random characters just to add a friend? yet I can't even have voice chat or anything.

because unlike ms/sony they dont sell consoles at a loss so even if you never bought a single extra game for your wii its still profit to them wheras if every ps4/xbox one owner diddnt buy another game it would be a massive money sink for ms/sony. I dont think nintendo have lost money over a quarter more than a few times in decades they may not be the "top dog" like they once were but they still make money. As to the push to be different sometimes you win sometimes you loose is there any point going toe to toe with ms/sony if you wont sell the console below cost a wii-u with the same power as a ps4/xbone would of cost more and sold probably worse than the wii-u. AS to voice chat i kind of agree with nintendo there are too many foul mouthed yobbos out there that ruin the experience of multiplayer its more fun without them though maybe allow it between friends only

[Sheepy]

By losing money I mean going from the peak of selling tens of millions of Wii's to selling about 10million Wii U's... I feel the damage is already done to Nintendo from a hardware side of things because everyone will now associate Nintendo with the Wii... a console they bought to play tennis with a couple of times and then never fired it up again. The amount of people I have also had to tell that the WiiU isn't just an addon for the Wii and is in fact a brand new console.

 

Just because your console sells for more than it costs doesn't mean its ok not to sell any extra games for those consoles. Nintendo are kidding themselves if they think they can hack it in the console world these days unfortunately, retailers have lost faith in the brand and have stripped their consoles and games from stores. (Asda/Sainsburys/Tesco) Ok Game still has them in store but for how long?

 

Developers have all but given up hope on the WiiU. If EA cannot be bothered to port Fifa to the WiiU then your looking at serious failings imo. (not that im rating Fifa as one of the greatest games. But your kidding yourself if you think others might not see it as a system seller)

[Dos_Box]

I wouldn't mind some sort of hardware addon that would give my phone buttons

 

I do seriously wonder how Nintendo have managed to survive so long with losing so much money? Crazy crazy times. It does say something that the Wii had a massive install base of hardware but software sales where dismal. And I would suggest that its Nintendos constant push to be different that actually hampers any progress they could make. Also the online side of the Nintendo world is just naff, why do I need a friend code that is 18billion random characters just to add a friend? yet I can't even have voice chat or anything.

 

The Wii has been analysed quite a bit in hindsight, mainly in the context of why the Wii U bombed, and many articles on this came to the same conclusion. The Wii sold well as it was marketed as a family machine for the living room. The problem was, once the average 'non-gaming' family had Wii Sports and Wii Fit they didn't buy any new games.

For 'serious' gamers, the Xbox 360 had been launched the year before and the PS3 was intoduced at the same time as the Wii. Both of which had good online gaming capabilities and features.

 

I have to admit though, I'm more than happy to let my kids games online on the Wii U without worrying about idiots on there. Splatoon is a great example how Nintendo go this right (for once).

[sted]

By losing money I mean going from the peak of selling tens of millions of Wii's to selling about 10million Wii U's... I feel the damage is already done to Nintendo from a hardware side of things because everyone will now associate Nintendo with the Wii... a console they bought to play tennis with a couple of times and then never fired it up again. The amount of people I have also had to tell that the WiiU isn't just an addon for the Wii and is in fact a brand new console.

 

Just because your console sells for more than it costs doesn't mean its ok not to sell any extra games for those consoles. Nintendo are kidding themselves if they think they can hack it in the console world these days unfortunately, retailers have lost faith in the brand and have stripped their consoles and games from stores. (Asda/Sainsburys/Tesco) Ok Game still has them in store but for how long?

 

Developers have all but given up hope on the WiiU. If EA cannot be bothered to port Fifa to the WiiU then your looking at serious failings imo. (not that im rating Fifa as one of the greatest games. But your kidding yourself if you think others might not see it as a system seller)

i dont entirely disagree i honestly think the biggest mistake they made with the wii u was calling at a wii. And you now cant even buy credit top ups for them in asda which is annoying. I diddnt say selling no additional games was good but if you make money on the console its also not terrible

 

I think part of the problem is they are a very Japanese company and they are probably still number 2 over there as xbox sales are awful so its a bit harder to see the worldwide truth (or easier to ignore).

 

I honestly think the nx will be a make or break for nintendo. The gamecube did poorly, i dont think the n64 did that well, wii was an oddity and wii u while a good console with good ideas (when used well which granted isnt often the pad is good windwaker hd springs to mind as does lego city undercover) but yes the lack of 3rd party games killed it. If the nx dosent do well nintendo will be a software company

[sted]

The Wii has been analysed quite a bit in hindsight, mainly in the context of why the Wii U bombed, and many articles on this came to the same conclusion. The Wii sold well as it was marketed as a family machine for the living room. The problem was, once the average 'non-gaming' family had Wii Sports and Wii Fit they didn't buy any new games.

For 'serious' gamers, the Xbox 360 had been launched the year before and the PS3 was intoduced at the same time as the Wii. Both of which had good online gaming capabilities and features.

 

I have to admit though, I'm more than happy to let my kids games online on the Wii U without worrying about idiots on there. Splatoon is a great example how Nintendo go this right (for once).

thats the thing to some degree nintendo are after a different market to ps4/xbone would anyone ever main a multiplayer paintball game for xbox/ps probably not and as to online as said others do it better but im not sure the downside is greater than the upside so many trolls and splatoon just works as a multiplayer game you can win as a newb and its fun is cod online fun to me not slightly it goes start game get sniped respawn die get verbally abused quit

[sonofsanta]

Whilst I agree that the Wii U was a bomb all round, forgive me if I hold off on the doom-mongering. We've been here before with Nintendo--repeatedly--and yet they always manage to reinvent themselves and astonish everyone.

 

The console market was already declared dead, post-Atari, when they came in and resurrected it single-handedly with the NES.

 

The N64 was going to kill them because it didn't have CDs. Probably still one of the most fondly thought of consoles though, right?

 

The GameCube was going to kill them because it couldn't stand against the PlayStation. They tried to do what everyone wanted to do--appeal to hardcore gamers with exclusives like Resi 4 and a console built to be a straightforward games machine--and it was pretty much the low point.

 

What saved them then? Doing the weird an unexpected and coming out with the DS, which was huge.

 

What propelled them to the top of the last gen? Doing the weird and unexpected and coming out with the Wii. Yes, a lot of purchasers never bought another game--but as others have said, the key thing there was that the hardware made money from day 1. That was unheard of, IIRC; consoles were always a loss leader and you made your money back on licensing costs from 3rd party publishers.

 

Don't underestimate the size of the war chest built up with the Wii. And Pokemon has never stopped printing money for them. Sega were riddled with debts when they gave up on hardware.

 

Yes, the Wii U has been a wash, as has the 3DS to an extent; both feel like Ninty were playing to the market (3D! iPads!) instead of doing what they wanted to be doing. And that's why all the pronouncements about what Nintendo should do or where they've gone wrong are all empty and useless: because historically, listening to the market is what has hurt Nintendo most. Doing their own weird Nintendo thing is what has made them great. So I'mma leave 'em to it and sit back and see what they come up with, and hope it's weird and what they really want to do.

 

(I do want that new Zelda game though. Might have to buy a Wii U specially )

[Dos_Box]

Whilst I agree that the Wii U was a bomb all round, forgive me if I hold off on the doom-mongering. We've been here before with Nintendo--repeatedly--and yet they always manage to reinvent themselves and astonish everyone.

 

The console market was already declared dead, post-Atari, when they came in and resurrected it single-handedly with the NES.

 

The N64 was going to kill them because it didn't have CDs. Probably still one of the most fondly thought of consoles though, right?

 

The GameCube was going to kill them because it couldn't stand against the PlayStation. They tried to do what everyone wanted to do--appeal to hardcore gamers with exclusives like Resi 4 and a console built to be a straightforward games machine--and it was pretty much the low point.

 

What saved them then? Doing the weird an unexpected and coming out with the DS, which was huge.

 

What propelled them to the top of the last gen? Doing the weird and unexpected and coming out with the Wii. Yes, a lot of purchasers never bought another game--but as others have said, the key thing there was that the hardware made money from day 1. That was unheard of, IIRC; consoles were always a loss leader and you made your money back on licensing costs from 3rd party publishers.

 

Don't underestimate the size of the war chest built up with the Wii. And Pokemon has never stopped printing money for them. Sega were riddled with debts when they gave up on hardware.

 

Yes, the Wii U has been a wash, as has the 3DS to an extent; both feel like Ninty were playing to the market (3D! iPads!) instead of doing what they wanted to be doing. And that's why all the pronouncements about what Nintendo should do or where they've gone wrong are all empty and useless: because historically, listening to the market is what has hurt Nintendo most. Doing their own weird Nintendo thing is what has made them great. So I'mma leave 'em to it and sit back and see what they come up with, and hope it's weird and what they really want to do.

 

(I do want that new Zelda game though. Might have to buy a Wii U specially )

 

All valid points, but, unfotunately, that was then and this is now. The DS\3DS party (apart from some games sales) is all but over with casual gamers now using their phones primarily. Don't get me wrong, I think the tech in the 3DS is amazing, but phones get more and more powerful each month and the casual gamer would much rather pay £5 for a title rather than £35.

With no major console userbase games and hardware sales are down not helped with an almost total absence of third party titles.

As for thier financial warchest, this is now actively being eaten into, when the Wii U's woes were first reported almost 2 years ago people were already talking about Nintendos cash reserves tiding them over. That is fine, but they have now expended two years worth of those reserves and are now operating at a loss. Another couple of years like this and they will be in big trouble.

Edited February 5, 2016 by Dos_Box

[sonofsanta]

All valid points, but, unfotunately, that was then and this is now. The DS\3DS party (apart from some games sales) is all but over with casual gamers now using their phones primarily. Don't get me wrong,. I think the tech in the 3DS is amazing, but phones get more and more powerful each month and teh casual gamer would much rather pay £5 for a title rather than £35.

With no major console userbase games and hardware sales are down not helped with an almost total absence of third party titles.

As for thier financial warchest, this is now actively being eaten into, when the Wii U's woes were first reprted almost 2 years ago people were talking about Nintendos cash reserves tiding them over. That is fine, but they have now expended two years worth of those reserves and are now operating at a loss. Another couple of years like this and they will be in big trouble.

 

Oh yeah, I think portable's done; much like the best camera is the one you have with you, the best portable games device is the one you have with you, and apart from the lack of physical buttons (which only bothers a minority, myself included, but not enough to be more than niche) most phones are powerful enough. They're absolutely right to be moving into mobile gaming and making use of their brand there--so long as they stick to producing high quality, high content games, and don't dilute said brand with cheap 79p tat. I think Nintendo can get away with charging a bigger chunk for their games than most.

 

I also concede that all of the above may boil down to nothing more than me sticking my fingers in my ears and loudly chanting la la la la because I don't want to believe Nintendo are mortal

[CAM]

I don't think mobile gaming is quite there yet. I find it to be slow, awkward and constantly wishing a title would just be ported to PC so I can use a keyboard and mouse. The few titles that work well on mobile are sadly cash generators that get uninstalled once you get sick of the constant notifications and demands for your time and money.

 

The mobile gaming sector might be growing, but it's still young and needs a good clean-up as most of the titles are of such low grade quality that they barely qualify as a game.

[Sheepy]

I fear the brand damage is already done. And you can see the result of that with the WiiU. The amount of times I hear it from parents when their child asks if they can have the WiiU and mum and dad either reply with we are not buying that addon or even reply with why would we buy that we already have a Wii we don't use.

 

So I think Nintendo have a massive massive mountain to climb to change public opinion on the brand. And same goes with the developers and publishers, damage is done and it will take a hell of a lot of money and public opinion to change the path that Nintendo unfortunately find themselves in.

[AlfaTech]

Maybe Ninty think that their Amiibos will save the day, they seem to be really popular and selling like hotcakes.

 

Na I totally disagree with the nay-sayers and prophets of doom, Ninty's days are far from over and I too am just waiting to see what they pull out of the hat NeXt. They've got a massive fan-base (gargantuous in Japan!) and they will continue to innovate and capture people's imaginations... they've been going for over 100 years I'm sure they'll go on and on adapting and entertaining for years to come. OK granted that neither the WiiU and New 3DS were particularly innovative, just mark 2s, but you mustn't underestimate how the DS/2DS/3DS has and is performing (I've got 3 myself, plus a WiiU collecting dust) but the potential for another next gen handheld is still pretty much guaranteed to continue to be Ninty's domain (as the PSVita was a total flop, and yuh I'm sorry but mobiles don't quite cut it for portable gaming). Think of a world without Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, et al... na I can't imagine it. Ninty have their corner of the market - good clean family fun where people play together (not plugged in to VR or ground-hog-day nasty FPSs). Yeah there'll always be room for good old Nintendo. lol

[sted]

the thing about mobile gaming is this the 3ds is not comparable to your phone (mine barely leaves the house tbh though I did pick up a few spotpasses at bet) people wont pay £35 for a ios game but something like fire emblem or Zelda is not a game a casual gamer id probably going to play anyway but they are probably these days the big sellers on 3ds (I bought one basically for link between worlds stumbled across fire emblem awakening (and very glad I did)). Its to an extent a different audience I use the 3ds at the same time as say watching tv its harder to do that with an xbox one game (yes you can stream to a windows tablet but its a game designed for a big screen). If rumors about the nx being both a handheld and a tv console are anything like correct it could be another game changer

 

and amibos probably generate a tonne of cash ive got 2 smash brothers ones and I don't even own the game I just wanted them as ornaments (the other 5 ive got I do have uses for)

Edited February 5, 2016 by sted

[haldarulon]

I think here one of the issues with Nintendo is that they are so strict on the games that publisher make for the consoles. and that the quality has to meet Nintendos high quality that many publishers think I cant be bothered with that!

and another one I am sure I read somewhere that this new console will work with Wii U games...why would I buy a wii u now?

[Dos_Box]

Some more rumours on the NX launch: Nintendo NX release date set for 2016 as new handheld update is revealed | Gaming | Entertainment | Daily Express

Looks like we'll have to wait until June before we find out anything concrete.

I really hope it's backwards compatible with the Wii U though.

[sted]

Some more rumours on the NX launch: Nintendo NX release date set for 2016 as new handheld update is revealed | Gaming | Entertainment | Daily Express

Looks like we'll have to wait until June before we find out anything concrete.

I really hope it's backwards compatible with the Wii U though.

 

i suspect it wont be backwards compatible as the architecture of the nx is probably going to be so different gamecube/wii/wii u are related. at least straight away it mat get emulation like 360 games on xbone but thats just my hunch

[sonofsanta]

Nintendo halves profit forecast after yen strengthens - BBC News

[CAM]

Apparently a new Pokémon title is being announced today. I guess they figured they needed a cash injection and hit CTRL+C CTRL+V....

[Dos_Box]

Nintendo halves profit forecast after yen strengthens - BBC News

 

Still at least they made some! More interestingly still is this part:

 

Next month it is launching Miitomo, its first iOS and Android app, and is expected to release its new NX gaming platform in June.

 

 

if there is a June launch of the NX I would expect some 'leaks' such as pics and possible specs pretty soon!