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Forums - Nintendo - Rumor: Nintendo has Begun Development on a Next-Generation Machine

Soundwave on 15 January 2014
TheShape31 said:

Every company begins work on their next console once their current one is out in the wild. This is not news, and should not surprise anyone.

There is absolutely zero reason to believe that Nintendo is even considering launching another console outside of their usual timespan of 5-6 years.  Right now it's about brainstorming harware ideas and beginning R&D for next-gen.


Re-read the actual post again, it specifically says they have already chosen a SoC design from a specific vendor. That indicates they are far further along than the "brainstorming" phase.

No one said anything about a console specifically either.



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lightofhonor on 15 January 2014
Soundwave said:
NobleTeam360 said:
When did the 3DS come out again?


Early 2012, but really it was supposed to launch for holiday 2011. 


It was worldwide March 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS

And since it takes 3-4 years to make a new console, I would say yes, Nintendo is working on a new console. Although their new system may not go full steam until the new HQ is built.



KingWithNoKrown on 15 January 2014

What else can they do with a new handheld at this point? Holographic screen maybe?

They need to keep supporting the 3DS for atleast another 3 years. It has a lot of potential left.



Soundwave on 15 January 2014
lightofhonor said:
Soundwave said:
NobleTeam360 said:
When did the 3DS come out again?


Early 2012, but really it was supposed to launch for holiday 2011. 


It was worldwide March 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS

And since it takes 3-4 years to make a new console, I would say yes, Nintendo is working on a new console. Although their new system may not go full steam until the new HQ is built.

The new HQ is completed. 



Soundwave on 15 January 2014
lightofhonor said:
Soundwave said:
NobleTeam360 said:
When did the 3DS come out again?


Early 2012, but really it was supposed to launch for holiday 2011. 


It was worldwide March 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS

And since it takes 3-4 years to make a new console, I would say yes, Nintendo is working on a new console. Although their new system may not go full steam until the new HQ is built.

The new HQ is completed. And you're right I was a year off. 3DS launched in Japan basically a week before the big earthquake hit in early 2011. 



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Xen on 15 January 2014

Development and planning for the next platform starts as soon as the latest is released, people...



Mr Khan on 15 January 2014

That's how it usually goes. I remember hearing about the "PS3" and its amazing processor back in like 2002. I recall a news article about the One in 2008 or so.

Building a console takes a *long* time, and the early stages start after the launch of the new console.



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aikohualda on 15 January 2014

R&D starts even before they launch their next console...

it is a continous job.... it's not like...

hey the console is 4 years now... we need to start the developing a nwe console... lets open the R and D department again!



 

Nem on 15 January 2014
Soundwave said:
Nem said:
This is nothing new. Nintendo themselves had already said they always start development on the next system shortly after the launch of the new one.

Shocking that this time its news eh?!


True, but if it's legit that they've already chosen a SoC design/vendor, that means quite frankly that software may already be in development and that they're well past the 'lets dick around with some hardware concepts' phase. That would be significant. 

I think it definitely puts a 2015 launch into play for sure. 


I dont think Nintendo is dumb enough to make such a mistake. Releasing a new system in 2015 would only garantee yet another dud. I think they are pretty clear on the mistakes SEGA did.

They sticked with the GC for a full cycle. I'm sure they will stick with the Wii U aswell. Otherwise they lose consumer trust and they might aswell exit the home console market.



Soundwave on 15 January 2014

Financially though it makes sense too.

Nintendo badly needs something to sell an additional 10-15 million hardware units + software for them, and if the Wii U can't cut it, then something has give, this is a business, not a sentimental art class.

I think if a new Nintendo portable/tablet wasn't already fast tracked at Nintendo given the rising problem of iOS, it almost assuredly is now once Nintendo got a whiff of those underwhelming Wii U holiday sales in the West and the likely possibility that 3DS sales may have peaked already (look at Japan it's been down YoY for quite a while now). 

If they have already chosen their SoC design, they can begin software development fairly quickly.