Intrinsic said:
A couple of reasons. 1. You really must not know Nintendo. Nintendo has never adopted the loss leader model of console selling. So they always aim to make a profit on their hardware. 2. In fall 2016. The PS4 could very well be selling for $250. And that's under the assumption that Sony is either breaking even or making a profit anywhere between $20-$40 per unit at that price. The important thing to note here is that hardware built to the spec of the PS4 (and assuming you even have the engineering muscle of something like Sony behind you) WILL have a BOM of around $210-$250 at the time. So of Nintendo makes something very similar to the ps4 that's what it will cost them too. If they make something more powerful then it will cost them more. And more is not good, cause remember point 1. Especially when talking about Nintendo. 3. The NX isn't without competition. Its coming into a race at a time when the consoles already out are just hitting their mainstream stride. It will be going up against a PS4 with an install base of around 45M at the time and an XB1 at around 25M. Having just abandoned its last console in around 4yrs. It cannot afford to come in being the most expensive box on the block especially if all its doing is offering slightly better framerstes than the PS4. The PS2 was proof enough that you don't need to have the most powerful console on the market to win. If Nintendo comes in at $300, and Sony decides to take a git of $40 on every console they sell and drop the price of the PS4 to $199 (which they could) and with the kinda lineup Sony has next year and all that VR stuff.... nintendo will be DOA.
All this aside, I personally think its just a flat out stupid idea for Nintendo to launch a console next year. But what do I know? |
1. Actually I very good know Nintendo and way of their thinking (just look my image and nick :)), they had only loss with Wii U at launch, and I am pretty sure they will aim to have profit on launch with NX. But that doesnt mean they can't make little stronger console with price point $300 at end of 2016.
2. Official PS4 price is currently $350, that means that in best case at end of next year official price will be $300. Again I dont see why Nintendo cant make little stronger hardware with build cost of around $270 at end od 2016.
3. Agree, that's why NX needs strong launch with strong games (new 3D Mario and Zelda U port are almost certain for NX launch) with launch price $250-300, also integrated-unified platform will be probably way more attractive than 3DS and Wii U separate were. Also I don't think Nintendo will make stronger hardware than PS4 because there is no really no need for something like that, I think it will be somewhere between Xbox One and PS4 in power, in best case on similar level of power with PS4 (likely with stronger CPU), but my point was that they could make stronge hardware than PS4 for $299 without loss if they really want that.
Well certainly would be more stupid idea to launch console in 2017. and 2018. because if they wait so long they will have similar Wii U situation, not to mention that they would be stuck with Wii U and terrible sales another 2-3 years. Nintendo is in very tough position, but if you thinking a little, launch of new platform in 2016. is best possible decision in current situation.
