Was the Switch designed to Last?

[DélioPT]

TheMisterManGuy said:

DélioPT said:
Honestly, i doubt Nintendo can ride the Switch and the Switch line for more years than usual if something doesn't change structurally.

Specs wise, it won't be able to get the best 3rd party support - as it hasn't been getting now. But the problem is that the absence and importance of such games has been overshadowed by the like of BoTW, Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2, Mk8, Smash and Pokémon. But how many times can you deliver a game with the impact of Odyssey and BoTW?

This means that a few years from now, most of Nintendo's system sellers will already be out. And where's the support from 3rd parties to cover that "hole"?
Switch owners will either get less games or ports and more ports. So far, so good, but ports and more ports will eventually upset people.

And this is where i believe people won't be so forgiving as they are now.
As it is, people don't seem to care so much about this because the system sellers keep coming, but when that's pretty much over… the mentality will change too.

The portability factor is still relevant today and for some more time, but like everything, it will end up losing it's appeal.
So, i really hope that the Switch line, if it continues, offers something more.
The lack of apps (amazon something, netflix, etc.), better online services, will eventually be more visible. And needs to change.

Next generation isn't going to mean much. AAA games are already expensive and time consuming to make now, it'll get even worse going into next generation. This entire generation, publishers and developers have been relying on cheaper to produce products like Remasters and service titles to fill the gaps. Switch is already getting plenty of those, on top of indie games, exclusives, and mid-budget and Japanese titles from the other consoles. Switch was never going to go toe-to-toe with the other two systems, so I don't know why you were expecting otherwise. 

For Nintendo's system sellers, it's true most of them are out now. But they don't stop existing once they release. They're still strong enough to sell consoles even years after they launch. Plus, Nintendo can always move forward with new IPs, and other sequels to add to that list. Just because we got most of Nintendo's staples this early, doesn't mean the well has run dry. There's always plenty to do in game development. 

Portability worn't loose appeal either. It's not like Motion Controls for the Wii which can only be the selling point for so long, people will always want a device with games that sits between small phone apps and big console experiences. The Switch fills that gap expertly, and unless a direct rival pops up and steals its thunder, that appeal won't die anytime soon. 

The fact that Switch wouldn't be getting the same 3rd party support is not irrelevant.
First, that's a consequence of Nintendo's decisions (they did get Bethesda on board, didn't they?); Second, they knew that the path they were following was going to hurt them in this department, just like they knew that when they came out with the Wii.

As i said before, their absence isn't being felt as of now, but that doesn't mean it won't change.
It most likely will when the system sellers Nintendo has have all arrived, when developers start focusing on PS5 and XB2 - then it's more two consoles to port to.

And regarding system sellers, of course that their presence will still be felt, but that won't stop Switch from losing steam, just like no console is evergreen.
Frontloading the console might seem awesome, now, but starting next year i want to see, when their absence becomes more visible, how people will react.

I can see more Zeldas and more Marios, but the path for sequels is not the same as for the original games.
New IPs? Most likely. New IPs capable of pushing the system? Not so much. The last one was Splatoon 2. And before that? When was the last time Nintendo created a system seller like Splatoon?

And this is when the 3rd party support should be there to pick up the slack. 
Unless something big happens, that support won't exist.
But before you or anyone claims that i'm spelling doom for the console, that's not the case, obviously.

The question is not if gamers will want or not portability, it's more of a matter of HOW MUCH that will matter in the future.