PAOerfulone said:
ANOTHER thing to note:
Switch Software Sales by FY.
FY ending 3/17:
First Party - 3.71 million units
Overall - 5.46 million units (Third Party - 1.75 million units)
FY ending 3/18:
First Party - 38.27 million units
Overall - 63.51 million units (Third Party - 25.24 million units)
FY ending 3/19:
First Party - 63.34 million units
Overall - 118.55 million units (Third Party - 55.21 million units)
FY ending 3/20:
First Party - 84.98 million units
Overall - 168.72 million units (Third Party - 83.74 million units)
FY ending 3/21 so far:
First Party - 83.15 million units*
Overall - 176.10 million units (Third Party - 92.95 million units)*
*One quarter left to go.
Ever since it became obvious that the Switch was going to be a huge success and 3rd parties finally got off their asses and started developing for it, they have slowly but surely closed the gap between 1st and 3rd party sales. Now, this FY is on track to be the first where 3rd Party software sales have exceed 1st Party. And with Monster Hunter Rise set to cap off an incredible Fiscal Year, I think it's a lock at this point.
But even if it isn't I think this is an indicator of how software sales and releases are trending as we now enter the 2nd half of the Switch's life cycle. Now that the system is established as a huge juggernaut and with Nintendo releasing just about all of their major franchises on the system with at least 1-2 entries. Now they're about to enter the process of slowly transitioning on to the next system. Obviously, they have to finish and release the projects they already have in development such as Breath of the Wild 2, the next Pokemon games, and Metroid Prime 4.
But for the most part, the majority of their internal, first party studios are beginning to wrap up their Switch efforts and shifting gears towards Switch 2. And now, that they have proven their meddle, established the Switch as a powerhouse, and 3rd parties are FINALLY starting to show the fruits of their (somewhat rushed) labor and releasing the goods we've been waiting for from them, Nintendo is content with taking a step back and letting 3rd party and indie developers take the lead on Switch development while they ride that wave on to their next system. |
While a small section of Nintendo EPD might slowly look towards Next Gen Nintendo I don't think they're already starting to shift focus, maybe at the start of next year. On multiple occasions they've mentioned that they want a longer life cycle with the Switch and that it is currently at the midway point. This would lead to a roughly 8 year life, with a successor coming in early 2025 (releasing outside the holidays was a huge success for them and I think they will do it again.) With 3rd party relations restored, they can help with the launch schedule of Next Gen Nintendo.
I also believe there are many massive Nintendo developed games still to come and 2021 could be similar in scope to 2017. Monolith soft has been, all but confirmed, working on a new IP and I think a Xenoblade X-2 game is highly likely as well. Donkey Kong still has room for a Trilogy remake and another entry in the Returns series. Kid Icarus, although silent since Uprising could see a new release. Super Mario Odyssey has plenty of room for a sequel. Pikmin 4 is still a mystery. Luigi's Mansion is also a highly likely contender for another showing (please make Luigi's Ghost Town). I'd say at least 2 big new IP's, similar scope to Arms, will hit the system in the coming years as well. On that note, a sequel to Arms wouldn't hurt. Kirby 3D is being worked on. With the right depth and mechanics another Mario Sports game can be big. Mario in 2D is in need of another revamp, I'm hoping for a Metroidvania style adventure with hand drawn graphics, but that's just a pipe dream.
I don't think Nintendo is content with taking a step back either, part of the reason they merged their Handheld and Home Console departments together was to avoid having to let go of one thing to focus on the other. Looking through a list on titles Nintendo developed/co developed on Wiki, their name appears roughly 100 times during the WiiU/3DS gen. Their name only appears 30 times for the Switch so far. They have the manpower to support the end of the Switch cycle and start a Next Gen cycle.
