Nuvendil said:
Yes, Soundwave, we know the theory. And I say again, the business models are completely and totally different. I can get an iPhone for next to nothing by going with the right plan. Because it's a phone. That's why it works. It's also why the iPad, while succesful, can't even kiss the boots of the iPhone and is in decline. Because you have to buy it. That's also why the iPhone can have variants out the rear while the iPad is more limited. Unless Nintendo is going to start up a membership plan that you subscribe to and upgrade your product every two years (highly unlikely and potential business suicide), this won't be the case. |
Nintendo basically does already release new hardware models on a yearly basis, you guys just quantify in a different way, but I don't think it would be much of a stretch.
2010 - DSi XL
2011 - 3DS
2012 - 3DS XL, Wii U
2013 - 2DS
2014 - New 3DS XL
2015 - New 3DS Regular
In NX I think all these brand distinctions are going to be gone. It will be one brand, the NX main OS will be like a Nintendo version of Steam and all/most games will be shared. You simply pick the hardware flavor you like.
It's not that much of a leap. iPad sales have only slowed because a lot of people are buying the new larger iPhones, Nintendo wishes they could match iPad sales.
The smartest thing Nintendo could do is in a way get out of the "this is our hardware, you have to like it" business. Stop telling people what type of hardware they should want. Just give them several choices and let them choose which they want, the pointless bickering/arguing over what is the right hardware has led Nintendo to a situation where their hardware business is in massive decline.
Just sell the damn games. If someone wants a 1080P super-duper console, fine. If they want a portable, fine. If they want a game tablet fine. If they want even down the road a version that runs all the games at 4K resolution, fine. Just like I can get a Macbook or Mac Pro or iMac, Apple doesn't care as long as you buy one of them. I think Nintendo would be smart because right now them dictating hardware terms is not working, consumers are saying "no I don't want an outdated console with a giant controller" and that's the end of the discussion.
