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Forums - Nintendo Discussion - The Nintendo NX and Mobile Press Conference: What was said, what wasn't, what to take away

So Nintendo announced a lot of things:  NX, Mobile, apps on various smart devices outside that.  And this has caused complete chaos on the internet, as expected. 

So in an attempt to curb some madness, let's break this down, specifically the two biggest items: NX and Mobile.  No click bait, no alarmism, no more panic, no more melodrama.  Just what was said, what wasn't, and what we can take away (and what we cannot). 

So first, Mobile.  What was said: 

Nintendo is partnering with DeNa to create aps and games for smart devices that feature Nintenod IP.

Now,  what this means: 

Exactly what it says on the tin:  Nintendo is putting resources towards the creation of games for smart devices.  Mario and crew will appear on smart devices to some extent.  Which smart devices, we don't know.  And DeNa will be their primary developer for it.

What this does not mean:

Nintendo is not syphoning large ammounts of talent and resources from 3DS and Wii U and their dedicated gaming lines in general to make games for mobile instead of games for their dedicated devices.  This is precisely why they brought on DeNA, to mitigate the resource diversions needed.  And more importantly, if they wanted to bring something like Super Mario 3D Land or Legend of Zelda, then they wouldn't be bringing in a specialist in conventional mobile experiences to work on these games.  They would redirect the tallents of, say, Nintendo EAD groups to these apps in large numbers.   They have stated they will be codeveloping most of these, so some resources will move around for these projects, but with DeNA helping on the technical end (infrastructure, services, etc), the demands are not as high.  Also, it was stated that Nintendo is actually even more passionate in their development of the dedicated gaming device market in general, which precludes the diversion of massive ammounts of development resources from that sector to mobile.

It also does not mean Nintendo is abandoning conventional, dedicated gaming device markets.  For one, they pointed out Nintenod NX specifically for squashing this rumor. 

Lastly, it doesn't mean Super Mario Bros is necessarily coming to mobile.  Aside from the issue of DeNa not having the required skills and Nintendo not apparently sending them their way, but also Nintendo very specifically said games *featuring* their IP.  There is a difference between a game in a franchise and a game featuring an IP.  For example, both Hyrule Warriors and Puzzles and Dragons Super Mario Bros.  are games that feature IP without being part of a franchise. Nintendo also directly denied the idea of porting or all games being on all platforms, especially mobile, stating that they intend to build their mobile apps from the ground up for mobile.

What is uncertain:

What they will do with old IP.  Will they get some kind of revival?  We can't be sure, though there seems to be an implication of "no" given Nintendo wants to build these mobile games from the ground up for mobile.  Will the Virtual Console show up there?  It's possible.  But again, uncertain.

Also, what teams and resources actually will be sent to this new sector.  While Nintendo was very clear in stating they are dedicated to their dedicated gaming device experiences and are not sacrificing those in any way to replace them with mobile, they never discussed who would be working on these games.  If it will be small teams simply handling the gameplay aspects with technical personel exclussively being DeNA or what other structures they might employ.  But given the deal just happened, this is all a long ways off from being known.

Now, Nintendo NX.  What was said:

Nintendo is working on an all new dedicated gaming hardware platfrom codenamed NX.  At this time, they can only say that and won't have anything more to say until maybe 2016. 

What this does mean:

Nintendo is still staying in the dedicated gaming device market.  There is no doubt whatsoever about that with this statement.  This device will have new features and ideas.  The fact that it can only be referred to in passing in codename though does almost certainly mean the device is in early prototype stage most likely. 

This also means that you can almost completely put to bed any rumors of E3 hardware showings from Nintenod, the standard N3DS for the west being the only possibility.  If they aren't even certain they can talk about it in 2016, there's no way they will have a demonstration or even discussion in a few months.

What this does not mean

This does not mean "Wii U replaced in 2016 confirmed."  This statement was given, as Iwata said multiple times in the presentation, to squash any thoughts that Nintendo was bugging out on the console market.  Looking at history also shows why this is not a sure fire thing:  the Wii was teased in 2004, got a prototype showing in 2005, a finalized showing in 2006, and finally launched in 2006 holidays.  Wii U had rumors surrounding it's existence and a project codename at the start of 2011, a prototype showing at 2011 E3, a finalized showing at 2012 E3, and then a launch in holiday 2012.  If this pattern is to be believed, then it should be expected that the NX will likely get nothing this E3 (they pretty much said this ouright), a first showing at 2016 E3, a second showing in 2017 E3, and a launch in 2017 holiday.  At the very earliest, the console could launch in 2016 holiday with a 2016 E3 showing. 

What is uncertain:

The actual release date of the product is actually quite uncertain.  At this point, there is only a codename.  And this device was mentioned in the context of refuting rumors, not in the context of actually discussing hardware design or plans.  In other words, this device is at such an early stage that Nintendo is not going into any detailed discusion of it.  We do know it won't be showing up in 2015's E3.  But we don't know if it will be showing up in a serious way in 2016 either, thought Nintendo seems hopeful.  If it does show up in 2016, we don't know if it will be a prototype or full reveal, which will likely determine whether it is a 2016 or 2017 release.

We also don't know if the device is a handheld or home console.  The timing would point to handheld as the 3DS is older.  But if it is going to announce in 2016 and launch in 2017, it could easily be a home console.

What to take away and what not:

1) Nintendo is diversifying their offerings with mobile apps.  These apps are going to be developed from the ground up for the mobile environment by and in partnership with DeNa

2) Nintendo is not planning to bring their console and handheld games to these smart devices.  Ports are not the plan, these apps will be built from the ground up.  This plus the Dena partnership means Nintendo is not sending core Nintendo tallent and resources to these apps in any serious measure.

3) Nintendo is still in the dedicated gaming device business.  The NX is a dedicated gaming device for gamers, as Nintendo put it.  They're still making hardware, they are still first party.  Cool your jets.

4)  The NX will not be showing up at E3 2015 and is not a sure-fire to launch in 2016.  We know pretty much for a fact that 2015 conferences will probably have barely any mention (if any) of NX.  Look for that stuff in 2016.  As for launch, that is uncertain.  2016 is the earliest possible, but history points to a potential later date.

Food for thought:

One interesting thing to contemplate is that Nintendo essentially stated not too long ago that the Wii U (or you could say, Nintendo's home console branch) was going to take a more gamer-enthusiast/core audience approach.  And we certainly see that right now.  You have some casual staples and budget titles filling gaps in release schedules.  But Smash Bros, Bayonetta 2, Hyrule Warriors, Xenoblade, Devil's Third, Star Fox, The Legend of Zelda, and even Splatoon are all more gamer-focused (by gamer I mean people seriously interested in dedicated gaming devices) in mechanics and design.  The 3DS has always had Nintendo's focus in terms of middle ground experiences between mobile's more vapid gaming and consoles highly substantive gaming. 

This partnership with DeNa could be an opportune way fro Nintendo to sort of segregate the casual image and product lines from their home console sector and isolate it to a third pillar in the form of mobile.  Right now, Nintendo kind of juggles the two to the detriment of both.  What this could allow is for them to push more of the casual experiences to mobile.  For example, the QoL ideology could easily result in Wii Fitness mobile apps appearing that complement Wii Fitness apps available via other smart devices or as digital content on the home console line.   They could then use mobile as the primary promotion center for the Wii Fitness and similar titles rather than having that be juxtaposed with something like Xenoblade Chronicles X or Zelda. 

What this would allow is not for less focus on core gaming on consoles but for a more cohessive focus on it.  Rather than juggling the casual and core images of their home console, they can go all in with core with the home consoles and let their casual side do its thing on mobile. 

And the good part is that this particular type of third pillar doesn't come at the cost of consumer confusion or price issues.  Smart devices are in a huge number of hands, so it's not like Nintendo is saying "now you have to buy 3 of our devices to get our games," but rather that they will have a presence in nearly everyone's hands that can hopefully push them towards one or both of the other options in good time. 

But if nothing else, this definitely falls in the "supplemental revenue" category that Amiibos go under.  Even if this becomes a minor aspect of Nintendo's business, it is still easy supplemental resources. 

 

For a more detailed breakdown with more in depth look at all aspects of the conference, check this article:  http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/03/guide_everything_we_know_so_far_about_nintendos_deal_with_dena_smart_device_plans_and_more

 

 

PS:  Hopefully, this thread is differentiated enough to stand. 



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Ka-pi96 said:
Not really much to takeaway from it.

The mobile thing doesn't sound great, but we won't really know until we see just how far they are going with it. Likewise, NX doesn't really mean anything yet since we know even less about that.

Just got to wait and see I guess.

Yeah, this was definitely more about what *not* to take away than what *to* take away :P .  Every time Nintendo speaks the internet explodes with speculation, panic, NintenDOOM, and other madness.  This thread is more or less a bit of an attempt to keep things more rational.  I'm just waiting for that BGR article with the headline "Get Ready for Mario Kart 9 on IOS!" based on this very brief conference :P



I just hope this means I'll finally get the Angry Birdos game I've always wanted.



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Thanks for this thread, helps me understand a bit better.



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Skullwaker said:
I just hope this means I'll finally get the Angry Birdos game I've always wanted.

And Angry Birds with pokemon edition wouldn't be bad, especially if they used pokemon types and abilities to shake up the gameplay.  And would fit with the "games featuring Nintendo IP" statement. 



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They said something about it redefining what it means to be a game console.

My guess is this will be similar to the Wii or Wii U (take your pick) and not a "conventional" type of console. Weird/cool/crazy/wacky controller + unified OS + average/low specs is what I'd expect.

And they really can do whatever the hell they want now. With smartphone games giving them a steady future second revenue stream now, the pressure is really off Nintendo.



This article should be useful to clear up confusion and FAQs...



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Soundwave said:
They said something about it redefining what it means to be a game console.

My guess is this will be similar to the Wii or Wii U (take your pick) and not a "conventional" type of console. Weird/cool/crazy/wacky controller + unified OS + average/low specs is what I'd expect.

And they really can do whatever the hell they want now. With smartphone games giving them a steady future second revenue stream now, the pressure is really off Nintendo.

Good point on the redefining aspect.  That could mean a lot.  One thing I think all three companies (or two if Microsoft leaves) will do next gen is focus on the idea of game consoles as specialized gaming devices.  For the latter half of last gen and then this gen, consoles have tried to be all things to all people to a degree, with a large emphasis on multitasking in the living room.  But with smart devices - especially smart TVs - absorbing those functions, the greatest market for consoles is them being just that - consoles, targeting that enthusiast market who really wants that dedicated device, turn-key experience for gaming.  I expect each will try it their own way, but I think that this is fairly guaranteed.  Nintendo branching into mobile could help them do this, as they can bump a lot of casual or non-gaming/pseudo-gaming apps and functions to those devices. 



This pretty much just shows that Nintendo showed little when it comes to NX other than it will be a dedicated device. Which is fine. Wii U needs to be the star this year and next year. At least until E3 2016.



Platina said:

This article should be useful to clear up confusion and FAQs...


Nice article, made a couple minor edits and added the article in the OP.