What do you want from Nintendo's new reward program?

[TheLastStarFighter]

spemanig said:

TheLastStarFighter said:

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.

And they can do both better without a subscription model. Your biggest flaw is thinking that a subsription model is the only or the most efficient way to achieve their goals. It's simply not, especially considering the company's phylosophy and precursers on the matter. Sony didn't make preliminary steps towards PS+ like you're suggesting Nintendo is currently doing. They just offered a subscription and made it mandatory on the PS4 for online. Nintendo is doing the polar opposite of that. A subscription only benefits those subscribed. The flexible pricing/deals model benefits everyone. It effects 100% of Nintendo console owners and works to make 100% of those owners loyal. PS+, and every subscrition based "rewards" system can never hope to achieve that level of scope and consumer reach. A subcription model for Nintendo wouldn't be an evolution. You're expecting a deviation, and you're wrong.

Gold and Plus are generating $50 annually for MS/Sony, times about 50% of total console owners.  Sales for both companies are strong, current gen consoles are selling more than previous generation models, and most owners of a previous gen console don't want to give up their ID, friends list and acheivements by switching brands.

The model you are suggesting is "nicer" for the consumer, but doesn't work near as well to "trap" consumers into your brand.  I have a Wii U.  I get discounts on games if I buy more.  Yay!  But it doesn't discourage me in any way from stopping using my Wii U to play multiplat games and using another system if it offers a shiny new experience.  The subscription model is far more powerful for keeping customers as has been shown by Live,+, and Club Nintendo.  Nintendo needs to move in that direction, and the first step is linking rewards to Nintendo Network ID's.  Make people love their ID, get attached to it and then use it to generate revenue and discourage abandonment of it.

There is no possible way for Nintendo that a discount program woudl be better for them than a subscription model.  Even with Wii U's meager user base, they could be generating $200 million annually with only 50% buy-in.  That's enough to turn them from red to black financially.  What you are suggesting might be nicer for consumers but is in no way better for Nintendo.

Your biggest flaw in reasoning is that you say I'm wrong, it will never happen, and that the discount system would work on "100%" of customers and other absolute statements.  You may be right, I may be right and only time will tell.  But you shouldn't be so certain in your line of thinking.  We'll only now if I'm right as time passes and new products are released.