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I think we're all either getting ahead of ourselves, or writing some fan fiction on what we wish to happen to Nintendo because they 'aren't the same any more' and they 'penny pinch' when maybe its the fact that Nintendo are are toy company that started off making playing cards while Microsoft is a software giant with billions of dollars invested into networking and software and Sony is a multinational conglomerate corporation, I mean that cant be it right?

I mean really, people should keep away from the sensationalist 'Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft doomed' stuff unless they are able to keep their word on it and be prepared to eat crow when the inevitable happens and Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft all have successful consoles that make profit, make their customers happy and continue on their merry way. Just maybe.

Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony all started off as very small companies though. All three companies have grown a lot since they've started and they all have a lot of resources/money, so Nintendo isnt really much different than Microsoft and Sony in that regards. Nintendo is not a toy company today. They've been in the videogame business for ~35 years now, much longer than Microsoft and Sony.

I agree that it isnt much use to do the sensationalist stuff though. Nothing wrong with being sceptical as the outlook might not be the brighters, but it is still early and things can change as time goes by.

 

[extralite]

Media Create Sales: Week 4, 2013 (Jan 21 - Jan 27)

05./00. [3DS] Fantasy Life <RPG> (Level 5) {2012.12.27} (¥5.800) - 25.042 / 187.772

Famitsu Sales: Week 4, 2013 (Jan 21 - Jan 27)

08./26. [3DS] Fantasy Life <RPG> (Level 5) {2012.12.27} (¥5.800) - 20.651 / 200.638 (+397%)

On the digital side FL recently fell from 3 to 5. I guess that was due to it being back in stock, looking at this.

Edit: Oops.

 

[yon61]

Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony all started off as very small companies. All three companies have grown a lot since they've started and they all have a lot of resources/money, so Nintendo isnt really much different than Microsoft and Sony in that regards. Nintendo is not a toy company today. They've been in the videogame business for ~35 years now, much longer than Microsoft and Sony.

I agree that it isnt much use to do the sensationalist stuff though. Nothing wrong with being sceptical as the outlook might not be the brighters, but it is still early and things can change as time goes by.

Nintendo are STILL a very small company, Microsoft and especially Sony are many times larger than Nintendo.

 

[anon_mastermind]

I don't see anything to generate sales until Wii U Party, Nintendo needs to get that out asap.

 

[BadWolf]

I'm honestly shocked they even made Zettai Hero Project 2: Look We Got Noizi Ito To Do The Designs, Please Buy It This Time. Selling it as "the exciting new game from the Disgaea" team worked wonderfully last time, after all, and on a "healthier" system for their main market. Damn shame, ZHP's easily the best game they've made in years.

Hope Play-Asia ships my copy this week.

ZHP was amazing, the soundtrack, setting and idea all worked so well. Still can't believe they didn't go with a true follow-up.

 

[Captain Smoker]

I don't see anything to generate sales until Wii U Party, Nintendo needs to get that out asap.

You have to consider that there are also people that wait for a "critical amount" of titles that they're interested in.

If someone thinks Rayman, Monster Hunter and Lego City Undercover are enough (incl. the launch games), he can buy it the system too, even if the games aren't system sellers per se (in the West).

 

[Spiegel]

MC has MH3U selling almost as many copies as Wii U hardware. Turns out it is more of a system seller than NSMBWU at this point (even if it doesn't sell a whole lot of hardware, being just a port).

3DS version

 

[test_account]

Nintendo are STILL a very small company, Microsoft and especially Sony are many times larger than Nintendo.

It is all relative, but when i said "very small companies", then i was thinking of maybe 20-30 employees tops. Nintendo has thousands of employees today, so they are not a very small company in that regards (but much smaller compared to Microsoft and Sony in total, that is indeed true). But i just wanted to point out that both Microsoft and Sony were also small companies in the begining when he said that Nintendo was a toy company that started with selling playing cards. Today, all 3 companies also have much resources and experience within the video game business

 

[DashReindeer]

At this point, Iwata's gotta be worried about his job, right? I mean, I don't know of a company whose shareholders sit idly by while the President brings them through two straight years of operating losses.

That is two hugely botched launches in a row. This just can't bode well for his future at the company.

 

[Man-is-Obsolete]

Some of you guys are crazy if you think Soul Sacrifice won't have an effect on hardware sales. the demo generated a lot of buzz over there and the Vita bundle was announced over a month ago. I think there is a sizable group waiting for that launch to buy in. I am not going to far as to say it will propel HW sales to 100,000 or anything but there should be a big bump that week(s).

I just wonder if a price drop will occur before that time to help sales even more, or perhaps a price cut will be planned in one of the slower summer months. Regardless a price drop is needed AND a memory card in every unit is needed.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

At this point, Iwata's gotta be worried about his job, right? I mean, I don't know of a company whose shareholders sit idly by while the President brings them through two straight years of operating losses.

That is two hugely botched launches in a row. This just can't bode well for his future at the company.

I think Yamauchi's the only signular shareholder Iwata really has to worry about. And he was handpicked by him.

I don't expect to lose Iwata unless there's a VB level hardware disaster in the future. As bad as things have gone recently, they easily could have gone worse.

 

[michaelius]

I like how Nippon Ichi has become so insignificant that no one here is even surprised that their major title from the Disgaea team on the PS3 has cratered. Lulz.

Good - more chances for Disgaea 1,2,4 ports to Vita

 

[metalslimer]

I think Yamauchi's the only signular shareholder Iwata really has to worry about. And he was handpicked by him.

I don't expect to lose Iwata unless there's a VB level hardware disaster in the future. As bad as things have gone recently, they easily could have gone worse.

You really think Iwata would keep his job if the Wii U failed to turn around at all? I'm sure Yamauchi can't be happy just continually losing money.

 

[herod]

At this point, Iwata's gotta be worried about his job, right? I mean, I don't know of a company whose shareholders sit idly by while the President brings them through two straight years of operating losses.

That is two hugely botched launches in a row. This just can't bode well for his future at the company.

I'm sure they are looking at other Japanese tech company balance sheets, the exchange rate, and are not particularly concerned.

 

[EmperorLawlight]

No as long as you realize how miserable they are.

Meh. The system is still expensive. If it's priced like the 3DS and it's still selling as poorly, then there is cause for concern.

 

[The Horror the horror]

You really think Iwata would keep his job if the Wii U failed to turn around at all? I'm sure Yamauchi can't be happy just continually losing money.

Iwata presided over two of Nintendo's most succesful machines and its greatest generation to date, so I expect for him to have more opportunities to turn things around. I expect for him to be around the entirety of the Wii U and 3DS's life cycle.

 

[grimshawish]

You really think Iwata would keep his job if the Wii U failed to turn around at all? I'm sure Yamauchi can't be happy just continually losing money.

Sorry. When do you think Iwata joined Nintendo exactly?

 

[Diablos54]

You really think Iwata would keep his job if the Wii U failed to turn around at all? I'm sure Yamauchi can't be happy just continually losing money.

The only thing is, who would they bring in to replace him? I don't know of anyone at Nintendo ATM who would be capable of some of the good things Iwata has done for the company. Plus, while losing money 2 years in a row is bad, especially for a company which has never lost money before, the losses aren't exactly big, and now the 2 launches are out of the way, I don't see it happening again, at least until next gen starts. If they fail to turn the Wii U around, then he'll be on thin ice, but for now, I think it would insane to get rid of him.

 

[1-D_FTW]

Wii U drop is less than last weeks so it will likely level off at 12K/wk. until March.

It dropped 18 percent. If it drops that again next week, it'll be in the 11xxx range next week. It's going to have to stabilize before any bottoms can be declared.

 

[metalslimer]

Sorry. When do you think Iwata joined Nintendo exactly?

I never said he would leave the company entirely. I never said I expect Iwata to be fired, but if Virtual Boy disaster is the only way Iwata gets canned than Yamauchi must have a very low bar for Iwata to pass. A console selling Virtual Boy levels would be the end of the console output from Nintendo.

 

[extralite]

3DS version

I noticed on page 3 but it was too late!

 

[Dr. Feel Good]

At this point, Iwata's gotta be worried about his job, right? I mean, I don't know of a company whose shareholders sit idly by while the President brings them through two straight years of operating losses.

That is two hugely botched launches in a row. This just can't bode well for his future at the company.

Uhhh, weren't the positive Net Income for fiscal year of 2011? What are you talking about?

 

[TAS]

Come on, it's not like the Wii U would suddenly have jumped up 50,000 sales when there's no software out. It's going to be sitting at these levels for a while

Logic, people. Logic.

Alas, it appears logic has left this place some time ago. :\

 

[metalslimer]

Uhhh, weren't the positive Net Income for fiscal year of 2011? What are you talking about?

Nintendo has lost money for the past 2 fiscal years.

 

[Busaiku]

Level 5 is back!

 

[Laguna]

Are the ones responsible for PSV fired yet?

 

[gamergirly]

Nintendo has lost money for the past 2 fiscal years.

Mostly due to the Yen. This quarter it's due to the Wii U hardware loss per unit

 

[Smellycat]

The contrast between 3DS and Wii U is just scary. I am glad that at least one of them is doing well. I am also pleasantly surprised at the Fantasy Life bump. Hopefully it will be localized in the U.S.

Do you guys think AC will hit 3 million by the end of February? (retail + digital)

 

[Lord_Byron28]

Do you guys think AC will hit 3 million by the end of February? (retail + digital)

Easily.

 

[Dr. Feel Good]

Nintendo has lost money for the past 2 fiscal years.

Well this fiscal year hasn't ended yet, and while March 2012 they had total year losses, back in March of 2011 they posted profits.

 

[Taurus]

Wii U seems to be in an unrecoverable Vita-like position. Or worse.

Pffft, absolutely not.

Some heavy hitters are heading for Wii U. Vita... not so much.

 

[djplaeskool]

Didn't notice at first, but the PS3 might break the 9M unit mark next week.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

I never said he would leave the company entirely. I never said I expect Iwata to be fired, but if Virtual Boy disaster is the only way Iwata gets canned than Yamauchi must have a very low bar for Iwata to pass. A console selling Virtual Boy levels would be the end of the console output from Nintendo.

I said Virtual Boy because it'd the only time I can remember a high level Nintendo employee bring demoted due to platform performance. I don't remember any heads rolling over N64 or Gamecube?

 

[AndrewDean84xX]

Is x.gif the new killzone2.gif ??

People think it wasn't actual gamplay? Really?

 

[Diablos54]

People think it wasn't actual gamplay? Really?

That's not what he meant, he means in terms of showing off. Sony fanboys plastered that gif EVERYWHERE, and the X gif is on it's way to becoming the Nintendo fanboys version of that.

 

[test_account]

it shows there is a market for those kind niche games on VITA. I don't think it shows there is a market for VITA. If anything, it shows otherwise.

Any system market excist of both hardware and software though, and you need both things (hardware is kinda useless without games, and the games are kinda useless if there is no hardware for them to be played on). If games can be sold for a system, and even if the hardware is slowly selling, there is a market there. A small market perhaps, but a market nontheless I'm guessing that you're talking about a general broad market, then the final outcome is much more uncertain i think. But i think that the Vita could keep on getting smaller games for it, and that the hardware is also selling at a lower level as time goes by. Then there is a market for it, in my opinion.

 

[yon61]

Mostly due to the Yen. This quarter it's due to the Wii U hardware loss per unit

I think the 3DS had something to do with those losses as well...

 

[grimshawish]

I never said he would leave the company entirely. I never said I expect Iwata to be fired, but if Virtual Boy disaster is the only way Iwata gets canned than Yamauchi must have a very low bar for Iwata to pass. A console selling Virtual Boy levels would be the end of the console output from Nintendo.

My point would be hes changed Nintendo from what was a rather weak position when he took over with some seriously major successes.

A CEO is suppose to try and optimise the company he leads. Nintendo can't do what Sony/MS do without serious issues and taking on massive risks; Wii U is a misstep (I don't feel the 3DS is at all) at launch.

Thats the story. Exactly what would you have Nintendo do with the 3DS instead? And exactly what would you have them do with their new home console?

The Wii U misstep isn't the hardware. Its releasing it with NSMBU not bundled and also alongside a reasonably successful NSMB2. Too much bet was put on Land/NSMBU; and evidently there are HD transition issues - not a fault of Iwata; just a learning curve for everyone.

 

[AndrewDean84xX]

Has Animal Crossing outsold all the Vita games combined?

In japan, is there a doubt? The real question is, has it sold more than Vita games, worldwide combined.

 

[Mileena]

Aaaaand the Wii U just edges out the Vita. Congrats Nintendo!

 

[electroplankton]

The way i see it, it shows that there is market for games on the Vita, and that the Vita is a good viable alternative for certain titles

The fact is that a platform cannot be sustained by ultraniche titles. A platform might not even sustained by Nintendo IP and a good third party support (e.g. GC and DC), let alone Compile Heart and Nippon Ichi games only.

Is there a market for games on Vita? Sure.
How big is it? Very small, to the extent that it does not allow the platform to have an healthy performance.

When do you think it would be better to advertise the February and March line-up? Did you expect these two games to move much hardware?

Personally i dont think it is useless, same thing with what Nintendo did with the recent WiiU Nintendo Direct. Even if it wont affect the hardware sales at once, the other alternative would be not show anything, and i think that is worse.

When a platform has such a low installed base, any game above the 20k mark should move at least some thousands of units. Here we have two games that together approached the 50k mark. The platform stayed flat.

Better than nothing? Sure.
The worst performance ever for a platform in its second year in decades? Yes.

 

[Shion]

I think we're all either getting ahead of ourselves, or writing some fan fiction on what we wish to happen to Nintendo because they 'aren't the same any more' and they 'penny pinch' when maybe its the fact that Nintendo are are toy company that started off making playing cards while Microsoft is a software giant with billions of dollars invested into networking and software and Sony is a multinational conglomerate corporation, I mean that cant be it right?

I mean really, people should keep away from the sensationalist 'Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft doomed' stuff unless they are able to keep their word on it and be prepared to eat crow when the inevitable happens and Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft all have successful consoles that make profit, make their customers happy and continue on their merry way. Just maybe.

There's nothing "sensationalist" about what Pie and Beans said.

Nintendo should have expanded a lot while they were earning crazy amounts of money during the DS/Wii phenomenon (especially by investing in western studios imo).

They jumped into a new gen totally unprepared in almost every level and now Iwata apologizes about the lack of software by saying stuff like this:

"Because the scope of game development for each title is getting larger and larger, we cannot prepare enough titles for Wii U with the same approaches as we have in the past."

Which, by the way, confirms Nintendo's mistake and Iwata's short-sighted management.

 

[test_account]

The fact is that a platform cannot be sustained by ultraniche titles. A platform might not even sustained by Nintendo IP and a good third party support (e.g. GC and DC), let alone Compile Heart and Nippon Ichi games only.

Is there a market for games on Vita? Sure.
How big is it? Very small, to the extent that it does not allow the platform to have an healthy performance.

That is possible. I just wanted to mention that i think there can be a certain market for the Vita. Only time will tell what happends in the long run =)

When a platform has such a low installed base, any game above the 20k mark should move at least some thousands of units. Here we have two games that together approached the 50k mark. The platform stayed flat.

Better than nothing? Sure.
The worst performance ever for a platform in its second year in decades? Yes.

I think it is hard to say how much affect it had on the hardware sales. The Vita has been down around the 5k/6k mark before, so a drop this week could have been bigger if there were no games released. But who knows.

I didnt mean that the games were better than nothing, i ment that i think its better to show upcoming games earlier than not show anything at all I was wondering about what you said that it was useless to advertise the Frebruary and March line-up early on. I'm wondering when you think it would be better to advertise the games, and what would be a better alternative.

 

[Devilgunman]

If the trend of WiiU sales keeps going like this Sony has a chance to dominate Japanese console market with the PS4 if they play the card right. Look like Nintendo already prepared Megaton (Mario Kart U, New 3D Mario, WWHD) to troll PS4 launch just like what they did to the Vita. FFvsXIII as a PS4 launch title will totally be GIGAton to fight back Nintendo.

 

[Chris1964]

Come on, it's not like the Wii U would suddenly have jumped up 50,000 sales when there's no software out. It's going to be sitting at these levels for a while

Logic, people. Logic.

Everything according to keikaku then?

If the trend of WiiU sales keeps going like this Sony has a chance to dominate Japanese console market with the PS4 if they play the card right. Look like Nintendo already prepared Megaton (Mario Kart U, New 3D Mario, WWHD) to troll PS4 launch just like what they did to the Vita. FFvsXIII as a PS4 launch title will totally be GIGAton to fight back Nintendo.

PS3 couldn't dominate with no contest last 2 years and PS4 will? OK

 

[Sammy Samusu]

If the trend of WiiU sales keeps going like this Sony has a chance to dominate Japanese console market with the PS4 if they play the card right. Look like Nintendo already prepared Megaton (Mario Kart U, New 3D Mario, WWHD) to troll PS4 launch just like what they did to the Vita. FFvsXIII as a PS4 launch title will totally be GIGAton to fight back Nintendo.

PS4 will dominate regardless of the outcome.

EDIT: Chris making me look bad again. PS3 did dominate the home console market, only one million-seller, but Sony is the one getting all the third-party support.

 

[Laguna]

If the trend of WiiU sales keeps going like this Sony has a chance to dominate Japanese console market with the PS4 if they play the card right. Look like Nintendo already prepared Megaton (Mario Kart U, New 3D Mario, WWHD) to troll PS4 launch just like what they did to the Vita. FFvsXIII as a PS4 launch title will totally be GIGAton to fight back Nintendo.

While SQEX (especially the "Square" part) have made very questionable things this gen, I doubt they´ll be that stupid.

 

[Diablos54]

If the trend of WiiU sales keeps going like this Sony has a chance to dominate Japanese console market with the PS4 if they play the card right. Look like Nintendo already prepared Megaton (Mario Kart U, New 3D Mario, WWHD) to troll PS4 launch just like what they did to the Vita. FFvsXIII as a PS4 launch title will totally be GIGAton to fight back Nintendo.

If the PS4 is like the PS3, Sony have no chance (Assuming the Wii U doesn't Vita itself of course). The PS3 only had 1 million seller after all, plus, many JPN developers had a hard time on PS3 and HD development, the PS4 isn't exactly going to help matters in that aspect.

Plus vs XIII isn't any sort of megaton anymore, and with it taking so long on PS3, making it a PS4 launch title would be one of the stupidest moves S-E could take. So it's very likely.

 

[miksar]

Those who are eager to see Iwata fired would probably run Nintendo into the ground themselves by releasing pricy powerful hardware. Right now Nintendo's biggest problem is that they can't capture everyone's imagination like they did with Wii Sports, Brain Training, Nintendogs and many others. The single most important thing Nintendo's execs have a difficulty grasping is that it is not like their core market where they can simply revise all franchises to keep the fan base happy. They need to constantly innovate, and that doesn't mean a 10x better Nintendogs or Brain Training sequel. They need more thinking outside of the box like they did with so many DS and Wii games. There are bits of it here and there, but nothing conclusive.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

The way things are looking, I think Orbis is likely to attract less Japanese support than PS3 did, particularly upfront.

Japan's looking like it might as well be a 3DS only market for the forseeable future.