spemanig said:
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. |
I said free standard online, so I meant using multiplayer would be free, the paid part was for free monthly games, the Nintendo spin could be that Nintendo doesn't charge people to play online.
As for your comment on Nintendo being against devaluing their games, if customers are paying for a service they're not getting something for free and thus the value of the software isn't diminished, in fact if the games provided on the service have declined in monthly sales substantially compared to when they were released it actually brings new interest in those games.
Another thing I have to point out is that Nintendo's games aren't actually priced high, they're cheaper at launch compared to their competition and when cost is reduced value goes up.
A subscription service that gives gamers access to a title that has diminished in sales then gets people talking about that game again.
A PS+ like service doesn't have to offer only Nintendo exclusives, Nintendo can give 3rd party publishers and indie developers revenue for access of those games on the service.
Once the access period is over the games go back to regular retail price, so technically it's only for a limited time that gamers can gain access to those games. A service like this actually raises the company's positive image, because it shows they care about the gamer more, Nintendo could do with all the positive image they can get right now, this would definitely raise Nintendo's value as a brand, rather than reducing it just because it's a service that is clearly thoughtful towards the gamer.
As for your Vita comment, no, Vita's hardware isn't anywhere near that, I know, because I have one, even the best looking games like Killzone Mercenary are still miles away from something Zombi U. Tech is most definitely not anywhere near that level yet, definitely not with affordable technology.
At best Vita's visuals are around that of PS2 (even then performance is still somewhat lacking compared to even PS2), this is coming from someone who is pro vita, we won't be at Wii U level performance in an affordable, mobile package until closer to when PS5 or the Next Xbox release, which is probably going to be more like 2019.
