How Long Will The Wii U's Lifetime Be?

[DaAndy]

Nintendo will have got a problem after the WiiU.
I guess it will be supported until 2018 max, in 2017 Nintendo will release a new system.
But Sony and MS will launch their new systems probably much later - not earlier than 2019.
Hardwarewise Nintendo can not do anything right then.

Option 1)
They take around "the same" hardware as PS4/XBO, but then it is just a late same console which does need much effort from the developer to port games to it and at the sime time increases the hardwarebase for this game just by a few percent.
Its the same as why WiiU gets not really a lot of PS360 Ports. To increase the hardwarebase from 150Million to 153Million is worth no investment.

Option 2)
They make a much stronger hardware then PS4/XBO. Then the user base is so small, that no 3rd wants to make games for it (so not a bit different from today^^), because they have as another option a 100Million+ Hardwarebase with PS4/XBO. And then when PS5/XBOT (Xbox OneTwo^^) launch in 2019, they have sooo much stronger hardware, that still nobody is interested in Nintendos system, as it is sooo weak.

Actually they have to go for Option 3)
Even if the WiiU dies soon, dont bring a new home console until MS and Sony do. Nintendo then has to use about the same Hardware as MS and Sony (I know, its 3 same consoles then again -.- ... i also dont like it, but otherwise Nintendo has no real chance), but until then they have to work towards this new generation.
They probably will lose money for a few years, but they have to invest heavily in more and more 1st and 2nd party studios and they have to prepare an crazy amount of VC titels in advance! with some kind of VC-flatrate. As Nintendo 1st Party games are very long at the same price, they can not offer something like PS+ - it would be too expensive for the customer, as Nintendo would have to take 10-20€ per month or so. Otherwise they would lose a lot of money.
Nintendo has to prepare much titles in advance, so that in the first year after the launch they have at least 2 good titles per month (so 24 first party titles in 1 year!) - including new IPs, usual IPs and old, but well known IPs, they did not used for a decade and more.
With this and a great VC with fair prices (flatrate!) and much games (at least starting with 50 games across NES/SNES/N64/GCN/Wii and adding at least 10 games per week - but of course not 10 NES games, but good mixed), sales will be very good and actually the 3rd party support should come from alone.
That is the only freaking possibility for Nintendo to gain ground in the home console market again. They have to "ignore" the present and look only straight into the future.
I know that all is sooo unrealistic, but i dont see Nintendo to have any other chance.


Option 4)
That would be the worst - going handheld only. They could prepare and support a massive lineup, Sony would not even need to try to release another handheld after Vita. But then that would not be Nintendo anymore.


It is soo difficult. Everything Nintendo does could be wrong, and nothing be right.

Again, i think WiiU will stop selling (that means about the weekly amount what the Wii and WiiU are selling now) in 2017 latest. Nintendo has no "clone" to rescue them, as in Gen7 X360 first rescued PS3 and later PS3 the X360 with all these multi titles.