120°

Nintendo Expects Own Software Development to Help Revive Wii U

Nintendo Co., the world’s biggest maker of video-game machines, plans to revive demand for its Wii U through the release of its own new titles as sales of the console failed to meet forecasts amid a lack of software.

“The only way to improve earnings is to sell good software titles,” said Masao Katsuura, an individual investor who attended the meeting in Kyoto yesterday. “I’m worried whether the company can release games as it plans.”

Nintendo fell 0.4 percent to 10,940 yen at the close of Osaka trading yesterday, paring this year’s gain to 19 percent.

Read Full Story >>
bloomberg.com
PopRocks3593953d ago

I believe Nintendo are some of the best software developers in the industry, but they cannot carry this system alone. Gotta get more partnerships Nintendo. Talk to indies and publishers. You gotta get something going.

yeahokchief3953d ago (Edited 3953d ago )

I think they can.

I didn't buy WiiU for 3rd party. I bought it for 1st party games as a sidepiece to my PS3 and PS4. Exclusives are the only thing I'm going to buy for it. So if they are going to involve third parties, they should go for exclusives. Games developed specifically for the WiiUpad that are only on the WiiU otherwise i'm playing them on the PS for trophies.

They need to start developing games for a more mature audience in addition to the family stuff though. One or two really solid, fun and challenging games.

Mario Kart and Smash Bros should do the trick for a lot of people. But I really, really, really hope these games have ONLINE MULTIPLAYER. The new 3d mario mulitplayer will be local only so I probably won't be buying that as it doesnt look like it would be much fun to play solo.

Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze is a game i'm looking forward to more than the next Zelda. Retro did about as good a job as an oldschool fan could have asked for. While I'd prefer more kremlins over pixar enemies in TF everything else they're doing from bringing back David Wise to having some challenging content to multiple playable characters is perfect.

I'd really like to see another SuperMarioRPG type game on the WiiU. That game was one of my favorite rpgs back on the snes with the timed button presses in the turn based combat. The second screen would be excelletn for an rpg like that with instant access to inventory etc. You wouldnt have to pause the game to access anythign like that.

I really hope they don't screw up the next Zelda like they did with Skyward Sword. I'm playing through Skyward Sword right now (skipped vanilla wii) and it's just ridiculous. This is the first Zelda game that I honestly feel is a chore. The game tells you where to go at every turn. YOu don't explore anything. You go from zone to zone clearing everything. Playing the harp in it is ridiculously simplistic and the songs are forgettable. The amount of useless text you have to skip over is astounding. This game was a real insult to my intelligence. Previous zelda games had a bit more respect for the player. I'd give this game an 8/10 right now. Controls are great but the game is completely lacking. Feels like it was thrown together around the controls haphazardly.

XXXL3953d ago

Couldn't agree more with yeahokchief. And to all the fanboys out there yes, skyward sword sucked.Hated the graphics, it was a chore to play and is the first Zelda i never completed. Just couldn't continue to play it. Bored out of my mind

elhebbo163953d ago

if all else fails they still got the 3DS to fall back on... but your right they should look for more support. I could easily see them attracting a lot of indie games besides expanding and adding more first party studios.

LOL_WUT3953d ago (Edited 3953d ago )

No, GTA, no more CoD, BF4 or all the big multiplatform titles, it's definitely going to be an uphill battle for Nintendo. ;)

PopRocks3593952d ago

No kidding. I'm sure that makes you all happy inside.

DivineAssault 3953d ago

Well ya, theyre the only ones who will make games from the ground up to utilize its strengths.. Most 3rd party devs wont bother because they dont want to risk losing out if no1 buys.. I dont know if nintendo can revive the wii u without a price cut & much better looking/playing games than what theyve showed us so far.. Everything they have is the same thing with a fresh coat of paint & minimal online functionality.. Some coop games dont even have online which is completely stupid! None of the games have any realy perks for the gamepad to make it any better either! Whyd they make this gamepad if they arent putting it to use?!?! People dont want to have to buy a pro controller on top of a console to play games that they can get on systems they already own!

They NEED a price cut
They NEED new IPs
They NEED games that use the gamepad in innovative ways
They NEED more 3rd party support
With out those, the wii u cannot be revived..

yeahokchief3953d ago (Edited 3953d ago )

I dont think new IPs are going to help them too much. One or two new ips sure. But they should use their existing franchises mostly.

Make another 2.5D Super Metroid similar to what you did with Donkey Kong Country. And not like that Metroid other M thing. A straight up 2D game that only plays with the camera when you go on elevators or between areas. All the gameplay should be strictly 2d i mean. That would sell like crazy. Much better than a new IP imo.

I'd like to see a WiiU exclusive 2D Castlevania that all the oldschoool castlevania fans are crying for after Lords of Shadow. (i loved LoS but would also like to see another symphony of the night type game again)

I'd like to see another Zombies at my Neighbors type game. Top down. I think you could do some really cool things with the gamepad for that type of top down experience. Zombie games are popular now. I think this would be a good time for sega or konami to reboot it. Add in coop online mulitplayer. bam. good game.

I'd like to see another top down Zelda on the WiiU or just bring the 3ds game to the WiiU. Better yet bring the entire 3ds library to the WiiU. Bam, it has tons of games. Crossplay ftw. I'd buy more games.

But sure make some new IPs too. They need more games period, but the quality has to be there.

PigPen3953d ago

Nintendo don't need a price cut. I can agree with almost everything else. I would like Nintendo to spend some of that cash and form four more 1st party developer studios and get to work. Once more and more games come to the console it's going to sell.

DivineAssault 3952d ago

They really do need a price cut when the deluxe 32GB model is only $50 cheaper than a 500GB PS4.. Plus most core gamers will want a pro controller adding an additional $50 & then an external HDD for digital content which is another $30-100 depending on the GB.. Dude, wii u NEEDS a price cut if they dont want to be overlooked.. They have very little 3rd party support so your buying a console just for 1st party software.. All the expenses add up

Blankolf3953d ago

Wii was revolutionary, and WiiU brought a tablet, I sincerelly want Nintendo to succeed to keep pushing the boundaries, but a tablet controller has proven not to be the way, they must think of something revolutionary before launching it, WiiU looked rushed, rushed to the point it's considered less powerfull than PS3 and Xbox1.

I know hardware isn't everything, but is something, or we would be all playing PS1 still.

yeahokchief3953d ago (Edited 3953d ago )

And one more thing. They should try and make a RTS or MOBA game with that gamepad. RTS or MOBA would be perfect for the touchscreen.

Make a competitve RTS game. Something where you build buildings and units similar to the old WC3. That would be cool.

You could use the 4 face buttons for control groups. And the L1/L2/R1/R2 for unit abilities. Movement you just tap the gamepad where you want the stuff to go and select the units by tapping them or select multiple units by scrolling over them on the gamepad. Use the analogs to scroll the map.

Or you could make a game like this where the left analog controls the character and the right analog scrolls the map. But I think tap to move/attack would be best.

I think a game like DotA, LOL would be PERFECT for the gamepad. POinty clicky type games. Doesnt even have to be a RTS.

Hell youd have plenty of buttons for all the character abilities. I think a MOBA would be sweet to play using the touchscreen.

Imagine if you could play DotA2 on the WiiU. That would be sick.

If I was given a ton of money to make a wii u exclusive game i would do something like this. This or a multiplayer zombies at my neighbors reboot with online coop.

yeahokchief3953d ago

Somebody get on this shit and you'll make a lot of money.

AJBACK2FRAG3953d ago

I was saying the same thing about the Wii. I thought the Wii remote would be perfect fo controlling a traditional rts. The game pad would be great also.

jcnba283953d ago

Nintendo's software has always sold its systems whereas third party games like call of duty and battlefield sells ps4's and x1's.

Show all comments (21)
80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."

280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10111d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref10d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde10d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197210d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville10d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218310d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos10d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 10d ago
isarai11d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref10d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan10d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00710d ago (Edited 10d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197211d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

11d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197211d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

11d ago
11d ago
Zeref10d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde10d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197210d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197210d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier10d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto10d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218310d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto10d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 10d ago
Hofstaderman11d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts10d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts9d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic10d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)
90°

Nintendo's War Against Player-Made Content Will Hurt The Company In The End

Danish from eXputer: "Nintendo has historically gone against player-made content and emulation of its games. This has done much to harm the company's image."

XiNatsuDragnel17d ago

I agree nintendo hire some these folks to help in your games it'll help imo.

banger8817d ago

They need to stop announcing these mods and fan remakes until they're finished. Finish it, upload it, and then if Nintendo dmca's it tough shit. Once it's online, people can share it around, even if the original download gets taken down.

Jingsing16d ago

True, but most modders need constant admiration during the process to motivate them.

PRIMORDUS16d ago

Yup, once it's a torrent nothing can be done Nintendo is helpless at that point. But it would be wise if they just had a site on the dark web, it's also easy to use with Tor and no one will bother you.

mastershredder16d ago

This is all coming from the mouth of short-sighted fandom and grifting madness.
No.... it wont. There is a clear defined reason why they don't. This is nothing new. Make your own shi7 from your own original ideas especially if you are trying to capitalize of it it. Duh.

Yeah, hire people that have zero respect or understanding for an established process. Wow. Yep. Totally makes sense.

shinoff218316d ago

Those guys that made that sonic game got a gig from sega or something along those lines and that game was dope as hell. One of the best sonics as of late.