So in the advent of Minecraft coming to WiiU with "Nintendo-themed" content down the line, here's a new Pandora's box to open:
What if Microsoft wants to offer their own Amiibo?
Sounds crazy, but it actually makes sense given how open Nintendo has been with Amiibo by opening the doors to the likes of Shovel Knight and Skylanders to leverage the platform.
Microsoft is very likely eyeballing Amiibo-like features to all versions Minecraft (and maybe other games?) and the WiiU version of Minecraft naturally seems the most fertile proving ground for such an effort. But they may not want to take on the risk of trying to set up a purely competiting brand to Amiibo. Rather, embrace a co-branded option a la the Donkey Kong/Bowser Skylander/Amiibo.
Nintendo could see MS-based amiibo as a means to reach new areas of video gaming fandom. After all, that had to be a consideration to adding Ryu and Cloud to Smash Bros right? And in the Skylander partnership?
As Microsoft, you start with the obvious. Mario in minecraft via amiibo. Based on the reception, you as Microsoft learn lessons on what players really like in toys to life games and if you screw anything up Nintendo will take the fall on it anyway.
And then you know what? Anything could happen. Banjo-Kazooie amiibo. What the hell--- maybe even a Master Chief amiibo that gives you some unique gear in Splatoon and Minecraft WiiU. While this ultimately serves the interest of Microsoft to sell their games on their platform, but it works the other way too. It captures Xbox gamers attention to Nintendo's offerings. But more important to Nintendo -- the absence of Minecraft up to this point likely has been pretty damaging to their market share with children and families. Bringing MS/Xbox into the amiibo fold seems like a pittance compared to the enormous benefit Nintendo platforms gain by having Minecraft.
I predict NX launches in 2017 - not 2016
