| JustBeingReal said: I'm thinking it'll be a new console, using a new SOC made using AMD's most current power efficient, but cost effective technology available in 2016, like a Puma or Excavator based APU (I would have sad Zen, but I think Zen will be coming to the server market first and supply volumes may not be sufficient for other markets until later), HBM and perhaps DDR4 if memory volume can't be provided all from HBM. Overall system performance would be at a decent leap over PS4 (it would be a system releasing 3 years after PS4), made to easily run current 3rd Party games, with Nintendo also partnering up with external publishers/developers to get more games to suit that market from the beginning. Price wise it would be in the same ballpark as PS4 when it releases. DeNA basically solves the issues Nintendo had with Wii U's online. The Nintendo spin for this is that it could basically run all software from home consoles to handheld machines, which would give the system a huge library of games to play from day one, plus there would be those new gen titles as well as the core selling factor. This cross play capability could be handled seamlessly by a secondary SOC or even an MCM similar to Wii U's, only using more up to date tech. Nintendo could also offer a standard free online system and a premium, subscription model like PS+ and XBL, which gives monthly games, but handled in a unique way to Nintendo. If NX isn't this, then I think the other possibility is that it's still a Wii U/3DS hybrid, but one that is slightly more powerful. I don't think the first NX system would be a handheld that can play Wii U games, just because it would be too pricy if it's releasing late next year and battery tech isn't quite capable enough to support a mobile system on that level. |
I like what you're saying. We're pretty much in complete agreement over what the NX will be.
Where we start to disagree is with the bolded. That's not happening. The online will definitely be free and, though there definitely be a loyalty program, it will also be free. It will be a rewards program that benefits everyone as opposed to a subscription that only benefits the subscribers. It will automatically give you rewards based on what games you buy, how many games you buy, etc.
Basically Club Nintendo and the Digital Deluxe Program combined, but without needing to go through a third party website or answer surveys. Get $5 of eshop credit for every $50 you spend, instantly. Buy SMT5 (plz NX), and get SMTxFE for 30% off. That sort of thing. But over a wide array of games and means. And it will be systematically designed to get people to spend less and less money on physical games, which will work because people will build huge libraries thanks to the NXDS being all digital. I also don't know if they will do the "free games monthly" thing, because they are pretty against devaluing video games like that. The free games with MK8 were a nice treat, but that game after buying a full priced game, and deals like that where infrequent for a reason. I think Nintendo's goal with the new program will be to get consumers to want to spend money on (digital) software. They want you to happily buy the games you'd get for free on PS+ because of the deals they'll offer, because it's already been stated by them that things like that devalues video games as a whole, do they already have a direct stance against models like PS+.
They're the same with mobile. Expect games like Rusty's RDB, a game that on the outside is "free to play," but on the inside is only "free to start" with a set, finite, but ultimately flexible ending price to really play the game. Don't expect something like Pokemon Shuffle which can be played pretty much entirely for free by anyone comfortably, and who's pricing model mearly involves making the players pay to not wait.
Why? Because they think the current popular pricing model for mobile devalues games and is bad for the industry. Same thing. It's also why there is parity between digital and physical prices at launch, at least for them. They feel like offering games for less universally on one platform mearly due to form factor devalues those games. It's why Nintendo doesn't significantly drop the prices of its games months and even years later. They don't want to devalue their brand.
And for once, I say good on them. Making people proud to spend their money and proud of what they spend their money on is good for everyone.
Also, the Vita isn't far off from being able to handle near Wii U-level games, and it's like 4 years old now? I'm positive the NXDS will be able to handle Wii U games at an affordable price. And by affordable, I mean $200-$250. Though the battery issue is a problem. But if they can do it, it will be huge.
