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What If...

  • 897
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    • Seen Jul 22, 2016
    Given the problems Nintendo has been having recently with console sales (which have been dropping significantly) what if future Pokémon games, instead of being designed for only one platform, was made to work on Android devices such as smart phones and tablets?
     
    I think that would be pretty cool, but two major problems:

    1) The technology. Smart Phones might be able to emulate GB/GBA games, but DS or 3DS even?? I dont think they would have the specs to accomplish that, and since the DS/3DS games use two screens it would not look that well on a phone.

    2) Nintendo/GF. I really dont think they would publish any of theri IP on anything else than a Nintendo console. They never have, so why would that change now?
     
    I think that would be pretty cool, but two major problems:

    1) The technology. Smart Phones might be able to emulate GB/GBA games, but DS or 3DS even?? I dont think they would have the specs to accomplish that, and since the DS/3DS games use two screens it would not look that well on a phone.


    Nintendo started realizing that the 3D capabilities of the 3DS weren't as good as they hoped. Most people I talk to who have a 3DS tell me that they turn the 3D function off. I do as well; 1. because it hurts the eyes and 2. because it slows down the framerate. It's one of the reasons why Nintendo released the 2DS (the other reason being because of poor console sales, the 2DS was an attempt to re-invigorate the market and that's only been slightly successful. Currently Nintendo is running at a net loss in profits. If they don't do something they could go the way of Sega.

    To address the 2 screen function is actually pretty simple. You simply make the 2 screen format a slider. The default screen would be the main playing screen, but when you need to use the functions on the lower screen you simply "slide" the screen up. But also let's not forget that the primary purpose of the lower screen is to be used as a touch screen. This functionality is already present in all smart phones and tablets. So having two screens for this purpose isn't necessary.

    2) Nintendo/GF. I really dont think they would publish any of theri IP on anything else than a Nintendo console. They never have, so why would that change now?

    The same was said of Sega. At the height of Sega's popularity it was stated by fans of the consoles that Sega would never allow their games to run on anything other than Sega consoles. But Sega soon realized that the drop in their console sales was dragging them down. They had to decide whether they wanted to invest more in the hardware and focus less on software, or put all their attention on the software. We know which decision they chose, which is why we now see Sega brand titles on other platforms. A wise decision in my opinion.

    Despite all the good things about the Nintendo 3DS console there is, it alone cannot sustain Nintendo. Nintendo's WiiU flop has hurt the company tremendously and the company's 3DS sales is insufficient to let them operate at a profit.

    Time and time again it has been shown that dependence on any one platform has jeopardized a company's future. Compaq, Dell, and HP realized this when their computers once only supported components from those companies and you could only buy upgrades from them. They realized they were losing out to the generic computer companies because those companies did not rely on any one brand. Customers could pick and choose what they wanted in their computers. Now that those computer companies have allowed greater flexibility in their computer systems, their brands are once more popular with customers.

    The same, I feel will be true of not only Nintendo but Microsoft and Sony as well. There is only so much gamers can expect out of the machines they own. They're not upgradable and therefore their lifespans are quite limited. Not to mention very expensive.

    No, the answer, I believe, lies in portable devices that are relatively inexpensive, offer the ability to be upgraded, and can run a wide assortment of software. Already the processors of these portable systems are getting faster and I don't expect it'll take long before they surpass the processing power of even the most powerful gaming console.

    If Nintendo cannot adapt. It will go the way of so many other companies. I am not a stickler for any particular system. What matters to me is the games I play. I don't care if the game is on a PC or an Android phone or on a gaming console. I don't pick the games for the console. I pick the console to play the games.
     
    Everything you're saying makes perfect sense from the viewpoint of consumers, but Satoru Iwata and other Nintendo higher-ups have gone on the record time and again that their future isn't on smartphone technology (unless something else has come up recently, as the last time I read up on the story was about a month ago).

    As much as I love the big N, I still think that, with its current management, it's inevitable that Nintendo will go the way of Sega if not by the end of this console generation, then by the middle of the next.
     
    Everything you're saying makes perfect sense from the viewpoint of consumers, but Satoru Iwata and other Nintendo higher-ups have gone on the record time and again that their future isn't on smartphone technology (unless something else has come up recently, as the last time I read up on the story was about a month ago).

    And as always, it's consumers that really determines the future of a company selling a product. Nintendo cannot ignore what goes on in the market. A company has to continually adapt in order to remain viable. The stubbornness of Nintendo execs, as admirable as it might be, could be their downfall. And remember, we're not talking about smart phone technology alone. The same software is on tablets as well. A company that ignores consumers is doomed to failure.

    As much as I love the big N, I still think that, with its current management, it's inevitable that Nintendo will go the way of Sega if not by the end of this console generation, then by the middle of the next.

    This is how I see it as well. I love Nintendo products because they are so reliable. I don't necessarily see it as a bad thing if Nintendo does go the way of Sega. After all, Sega made a huge comeback with their software after they got out of the hardware business. And to be perfectly honest, I think the same fate will be visited on Microsoft and Sony and their consoles. The speed at which smartphones and tablets are becoming more advance means pretty soon both those companies will also have to face the same choice. With new consoles being released in the $500 range, it's safe to assume that less expensive, but equally powerful tablets will be something these companies will seriously consider. Both Sony and Microsoft already produce tablets so they're already poised to take the leap into the new market.

    I can easily see tablets and smart phones being used to control smart TVs and to use those TVs as a primary display meaning some day a future release of Halo for instance might just be controlled using a smartphone or tablet with the display being shown on your TV screen. Nintendo already did something similar with the GBA so it's not implausible to say that it can be done wirelessly as well.
     
    The only thing I can see Nintendo devolping for mobile is certain apps that link up with one of their system, similar to SmartGlass links up to the Xbox One. I don't see a Pokemon mobile games coming soon, since Nintendo have already stated that the main Pokemon games will always be on handheld. Maybe a mobile app that syncs up with the a games , but not a full-fledge game.
     
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    The only thing I can see Nintendo devolping for mobile is certain apps that link up with one of their system, similar to SmartGlass links up to the Xbox One. I don't see a Pokemon mobile games coming soon, since Nintendo have already stated that the main Pokemon games will always be on handheld. Maybe a mobile app that syncs up with the a games , but not a full-fledge game.

    Nintendo cannot control the market though. So it might have no choice in the end. Remember, Sega also said the same thing about its games, but they couldn't keep that promise either. The market largely determines what companies will produce. Quite frankly, demand for proprietary gaming consoles is shrinking at a pretty steady rate. Nintendo is operating at a loss. It cannot maintain this mode of operation for long without some very drastic measures. The release of the 2DS was a stop-gap measure, intended to slow the bleed of Nintendo's profits. It's only been marginally successful. How long do you think Nintendo can maintain this position of theirs before the market either forces them to change or makes them irrelevant? Good companies adapt. Bad ones fail. The ball's in Nintendo's court.
     
    I know they can't control the market, but ultimately, they choose whether if they want to move on to mobile gaming or not. I still see them still developing handheld systems even if they make a mobile game or old games. I'm not saying they will never make games for mobile games, but just not now. I think Nintendo makes enough off their consoles right now to keep a stable income until they have to make a switch. (If they have to.) Even if mobile gaming is increasing, console gaming is still the more popular choice. There's more you can do on a console system at the moment and consoles and handheld are just more versatile than mobile ones. That's why for the moment, Nintendo chooses to stick with handheld and consoles. I'm sure there will be a point where they will adapt though.

    And I like to think Sega failed also cause their systems weren't as interesting or as advanced as Nintendo's or Sony's. My personal interpretation.
     
    Sega failed because their consoles after Genesis were poorly marketed. Sega CD, 32X and Sega Saturn didn't have much going for their systems and the games in their small library were mediocre for the most part. Wii U sales aren't strong as Nintendo hoped to be, but it's nowhere as catastrophic as the crap that Sega came up with since Sega Genesis. Plus, there are still games to be developed for Wii U - Who knows if they'll turn it around.

    If nothing else, popularity of Mario and Pokemon will keep Nintendo relevant in the console and handheld market for a long time. They are system sellers that are marketed well and became two of the most successful gaming franchises of all time. As far as I know, Nintendo won't develop these games for mobile devices unless mobile gaming industry completely outstrips most of handheld and console gaming (something I don't see happening for a while at least), but right now, Nintendo isn't going to suddenly break their tradition.
     
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    I know they can't control the market, but ultimately, they choose whether if they want to move on to mobile gaming or not. I still see them still developing handheld systems even if they make a mobile game or old games. I'm not saying they will never make games for mobile games, but just not now. I think Nintendo makes enough off their consoles right now to keep a stable income until they have to make a switch. (If they have to.) Even if mobile gaming is increasing, console gaming is still the more popular choice. There's more you can do on a console system at the moment and consoles and handheld are just more versatile than mobile ones. That's why for the moment, Nintendo chooses to stick with handheld and consoles. I'm sure there will be a point where they will adapt though.

    And I like to think Sega failed also cause their systems weren't as interesting or as advanced as Nintendo's or Sony's. My personal interpretation.

    Yes, for now, Nintendo is staying the course. I'm just thinking that if Nintendo doesn't get into the market soon, Microsoft and Sony, who already are in the tablet and smartphone market, will dominate the portable gaming scene making it tough for Nintendo to make any headway--even with titles like Pokémon and Zelda and Mario.

    All of this, of course, is mere speculation. From my perspective, however, the writing is pretty much on the wall. As good as their consoles are, Nintendo is navigating a very dangerous course by sticking with their hardware. Microsoft and Sony are already branching out. What will it take for Nintendo to do the same?
     
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