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TheLastStarFighter on 22 January 2015
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spemanig said:
TheLastStarFighter said:

I didn't say subcription, but it may happen now. It most likely will happen with the next console.  But right now they need to move a simple model that is accessed easily every time you boot up your console.  I've never bothered with Club Nintendo.  But every time I turn on my new One I see games with gold promotions and deals that I can get as a subscriber.  Free game today?  Cool!  Nintendo needs something that is easy/near mandatory to use with Wii U's and handhelds.  Everytime you turn it on, you're logged in and your rewards or available prizes/offers are right there.  This will help lead toward the better customer retention that Gold/PS+ creates.  Nintendo is built toward having this better than any other console maker, but they have grossly failed.

Right now they should have (and I expect them to have if they are smart - which is debatable) a service which provides discounts or free games to your NNID.  Buy Super Mario Galaxy 3, get SMB and SM64 on VC for free.  Buy Zelda U?  Get discount on WWHD digital download half off.  Stuff like that but easy to use and automatic from your ID.

Then next gen they can create a subscription model where you get free downloads as part of your annual fee using the infrastructure created here.


See, everything works until you say subscription. The model I describe. AND the model you describe is much better than both PS+ and Gold, without paying a yearly subcription. A subscription goes against their whole company philosophy, and everything they've said on the subject.

"Right now they should have (and I expect them to have if they are smart - which is debatable) a service which provides discounts or free games to your NNID.  Buy Super Mario Galaxy 3, get SMB and SM64 on VC for free.  Buy Zelda U?  Get discount on WWHD digital download half off.  Stuff like that but easy to use and automatic from your ID. "

THAT is more in line with what they have been saying. The rewards system they've described is meant to reward players who purchase software at full price. We already saw this with Mario Kart 8. Buy MK8, get a full retail game for free. We saw it with the SMT x Fire Emblem promotion. Buy both Shin Megami Tensei IV and Fire Emblem: Awakening to recieve $30 in eshop credit. Buy both Smash Bros versions, get free Mewtwo DLC. (And a CD)

Instead of being accessable to everyone who pays a subscription, it's accessable to everyone with club nintendo, a free program.  It gets more people to pay full price for more software, so that they can earn discounts and free stuff for others. That is what they want to do. Sell more software at full price. Buy more games? Get more stuff. A subscription will and can never do that for them.

A subscription model is meant to provide a service to a paying customer. It's the opposite of a rewards program and clearly the opposite of what they are ever going to do.

Their goal is to create customer loyalty and generate consistent revenue, which is the same on both rewards plans and subscriptions.  Just like PS+ on PS3, Nintendo will use this new rewards program as a stepping stone to a proper subscription plan next-gen.  Your biggest flaw in what you are saying is "ever".  No one knows for sure what Nintendo will do this year or in 3 years time.  I am expecting further evolution, you are not.  I think I am right, the subcription with rewards model is too lucrative for Nintendo to not consider it.