| seiya19 said: Between this year releases and the ones announced for 2014, I see next year as the defining moment for the platform, when all these key releases are out there. Keep in mind though that I wasn't really aiming for spring per se, but around a time between Mario Kart and Smash. If Smash ends up being a holiday release, I would wait until summer for it. It's hard to pinpoint a specific time frame without knowing the exact release schedule, but what I would aim for is to be between these 2 releases and as close as possible to each other, while giving it time to get momentum going before the holidays. I'm obviously not opposed to the idea of bundles and memory increases to add value as a way to entice consumers. This kind of actions would be better suited for the holidays or close to them (either this year or the next) to complement the usual holiday deals from retailers. I do understand your point though of not having both price cuts too close to each other, but I don't really expect one in 2014 for 3DS, unless its big releases really dissapoint to substantially increase hardware as I'm hoping and expecting they do, or unless we see a new model, which would inevitably take a good deal of attention no matter when it happens. The way I see it, the price is already low enough for it to be a non-factor for most people, so I don't expect much from a new cut. The software will determine its potential from now on. Even if the device itself were doomed to failure as some claimed, the platform is already married to it. To remove the key hardware element that makes the platform unique at this point, ignoring the games that require it already out there and the ones that are being developed right now, is suicide. Personally, I believe that the issue with the gamepad's appeal lies mostly on its software. A tool is as good as what you do with it, and I don't see any critical flaw that makes its concept irrelevant. If the software is good enough, it will attract people, even if they end up using it just as a regular gamepad. After all, many popular Wii games didn't depend on the Wiimote either, and some games even used it sideways as a regular controller. |
Paragraph 1: I agree. A price cut in Q2 (April - June) would likely be the best. I wouldn't wait any longer than that though unless sales begin to pick up once high-quality games come out later this year. Waiting too long would make the price cut irrelevant at that point. Bundles do add value but you are correct, retailers often do this themselves, especially during the Holiday's. making an official bundle wouldn't do much.
P2: I don't think the price is low enough yet. I don't believe smartphones prevent gaming HH's from selling like they used to, but consumers do expect more for their money these days. Plus, as I said before, Nintendo's past HH's have all launched at a lower price than the 3DS currently is. The 3DS is more advanced for its time when compared to their other systems but the price is still a big factor to potential customers. Either way, a price cut would boost sales even more if the sales do continue to pick up with big releases. 3DS has a lot of potential left IMO. Unless Nintendo is planning to keep the 3DS for much longer than they have in the past, I would cut price soon.
P3: I don't have a Wii U so I can't really judge the Gamepad but it looks to be a nice little thing once you have it. I agree that it'd be dumb to take it out now. They haven't utilized it well but I think Wii Party U will help.
