Let's Roleplay: Be Nintendo's President for a day

[Brian Tams]

Congratulations [insert name here]! You have just been selected to receive the prestigious honor of Nintendo's President, usurping Iwasata. There's only one catch; in one year, you must turn Nintendo's fortunes around.

Now, naturally, there are some things that, as Nintendo's esteemed President, you cannot do.

1. You cannot abandon the Wii U and begin developing another console
2. You cannot abandon the console industry and just go third party
3. You cannot just say "Make more games", since that one is pretty much a super obvious answer and we want some creativity here, damn it!

Basically, the shareholders want you to make the Wii U, which already has oodles of money sunk into it during development, to start selling.

Now, to get the ball rolling, let me post some of my thoughts before turning the comfy Presiden'ts Chair over to the community members.

1. Replace the New Super Mario Bros. U bundle with a Super Mario 3D World bundle.

3D world is a fantastic game, but if I were buying a Wii U I'm not going to get a $60 game to go along with it. $250-$300 is already a sizable investment, I don't need to inflate that anymore (this segways into my beef with having two versions of the console, but that's for another time).
So, why not bundle it? You axe the NSMBU Bundle since you don't want two Mario bundles on the market at the same time, and you get your latest software into the hands of new customers. Win-Win.

2. Create a bundle with a Pro Controller instead of a Gamepad, and adjust the price accordingly

I love the gamepad, I really do. Its comfortable, innovative, allows for the Wii U to serve multiple functions, allows parents to keep an eye on bratty children without sacrificing the TV, and I do think that some form of portable console gaming is the future of gaming.

But it adds at least an extra $100 to the console price (and I do believe I'm too low on that estimate). That just won't fly for what many gamers perceive as a gimmick (even if I disagree with them).

So, instead of having the basic $250 8 GB bundle, take out the Gamepad and replace it with a Pro Controller, and adjust the price accordingly.

So, let's say that the Gamepad is indeed $100 bucks (I doubt it, but for the sake of this let's say it is). A Wii U Pro Controller retails for roughly $50. Which means your basic bundle now sits at $200 bucks, giving you an affordable console for the budget gamer which, if Steam's success is any indication of, is a really really big deal. Plus, Gamers don't feel like they're being gouged for what they perceive is a gimmick. This has the added benefit of Nintendo not actually having to sacrifice any profit margins. Go team!

3. Assasin's Creed IV, Call of Duty Ghosts, and Watch_Dogs have (or going to have) Wii U versions. Advertise this (or rather, advertise in general).

I don't like Activision, but I'm going to swallow my pride and give them some props for supporting the Wii U when other third party developers won't touch it with a fifty foot pole.

The problem? I've had to explain on multiple accounts that the three above games are in fact available for the Wii U (or going to be).

Hey, Nintendo; advertise that you have these games! Hell, advertise in general! The only ads I saw about the Wii U was while shopping at Walmart! Get some damn ads running on networks many people watch! Fox, CBS, USA, something!

Now, Escapist's (Escapees...?), it's your turn to give the President's leather arm chair a whirl. What are your thoughts?

 

[Roxas1359]

There is only 1 major thing I would change right away:
[HEADING=1]No more region locking for Nintendo![/HEADING]

In all honesty that's the main thing that really pisses me off about Nintendo. Honestly if it "detracts sales" or "promotes piracy" then Sony would've gone under ages ago with the PSP and PS3.

After that the usual stuff:
Drop Wii U price by $50 and advertise the hell out of it.

Actually make an account based system for online like how the PSN was on the PS3.

Actually release more games for the Virtual Console.

 

[BakedSardine]

1) Abandon the WiiU and DO NOT develop a new console. Then we state that going forward, on the home console side, we are a third party developer and put Mario, Zelda, and Metroid out on the PS4 and the Xbox One.

2) I focus solely on mobile gaming and the 3DS/2DS.

The problem with the WiiU is that it is simply a stupid design. The huge advantage of that controller is that you can use it to game away from the TV - but that very fact limits that use to game that do not use the screen when gaming on the TV, for the most part. So perhaps an alternative solution is to drop the touchscreen controller as a pack-in, drop the price to $199 or lower and sell the controller for $70.

 

[Skops]

I'd contract Platinum Games to make a Star Fox game.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I always figured the Wii U suffered due to lack of marketing/exposure. To this very day I'm not exactly sure what it is, how it looks like and what games you can play in it. So lower the price and market that fucker.

 

[Aris Khandr]

Pokemon Online: Start with just the Kanto region and the original 150 Pokemon. No transfering Pokemon from your 3DS games, obviously. Expansions twice a year until you get caught up, then the expansions hit six months to a year after the corresponding handheld version. PC release seems obvious, and go with a WiiU release as well if it can at all support it. The idea is to make a strong, graphically pleasing version of Pokemon, while still incentivising purchase of the handheld version. Thus the delay in expansions. Fleshing out the Pokemon Contests and Pokeathelon and such would be nice, too.

Super Smash Bros. RPG: Super Mario RPG was one of the best selling titles for the SNES, and pretty universally loved. Why not do something similar with the Smash Bros. extended family? It seems a much needed breath of fresh air.

Start working on games that can have WiiU and 3DS counterparts. Buy the game, get the CD for the WiiU and the game cart for the 3DS. Sync them together, and then you can take part of the game with you on your 3DS when you go out, and have it actually help you when you're back to playing. Seems like this sort of thing, if done well, could help push some people who are on the fence about the WiiU.

Harry Potter RPG: Why has this not happened yet? You'd think the Wiimote would be kind of obvious for this sort of thing. Someone start working on it, and then pitch it to Rowling when you've made it awesome.

 

[Vegosiux]

Harry Potter RPG: Why has this not happened yet? You'd think the Wiimote would be kind of obvious for this sort of thing. Someone start working on it, and then pitch it to Rowling when you've made it awesome.

You might be on to something here. And yes, how come it's not happened yet? Quick, before M$ gets any bright ideas with kinect and voice control!

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

Pokemon Online: Start with just the Kanto region and the original 150 Pokemon. No transfering Pokemon from your 3DS games, obviously. Expansions twice a year until you get caught up, then the expansions hit six months to a year after the corresponding handheld version. PC release seems obvious, and go with a WiiU release as well if it can at all support it. The idea is to make a strong, graphically pleasing version of Pokemon, while still incentivising purchase of the handheld version. Thus the delay in expansions. Fleshing out the Pokemon Contests and Pokeathelon and such would be nice, too.

Super Smash Bros. RPG: Super Mario RPG was one of the best selling titles for the SNES, and pretty universally loved. Why not do something similar with the Smash Bros. extended family? It seems a much needed breath of fresh air.

Start working on games that can have WiiU and 3DS counterparts. Buy the game, get the CD for the WiiU and the game cart for the 3DS. Sync them together, and then you can take part of the game with you on your 3DS when you go out, and have it actually help you when you're back to playing. Seems like this sort of thing, if done well, could help push some people who are on the fence about the WiiU.

Harry Potter RPG: Why has this not happened yet? You'd think the Wiimote would be kind of obvious for this sort of thing. Someone start working on it, and then pitch it to Rowling when you've made it awesome.

this is a fucking roundhouse kick to my "I hate the wiiU" policy, this would get me saving money up to grab one of those suckers if games like this came out for it.


even then, these things would be considered:

1) Drop that fucking tablet as a bundle/requirement, it's making the wiiU pricey and I don't want that big blob in my hands, give me the fucking controller nintendo, innovation =/= good

2) region locking/making universal accounts for all dlc and games (tied this into one) so you can move on the go and play the games you want without having any kind of region or other bullshit stop you from playing your games on one universal account, nintendo has been lagging on this and it's fucking annoying as hell.

3) as nice as nintendo's polished first party titles are with the "depth" they have (as many nintendo diehards like to put it) I would LOVEEEEE it if they start branching out more with customization and stories, the last time I played a game on a nintendo system where I really felt attached to any game/character or felt like I had any control over it being of my design or liking...fuck, it's been forever, I'm getting tired of playing the same damn games/characters and them not getting any sort of customization/depth in terms of story or design.

 

[McMarbles]

1. End region locking
2. Account systems for everyone
3. SNES and Genesis games on the 3DS VC
4. Greenlght an F-Zero just to prove once and for all that nobody actually cares about the series.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Awesome! As the new President of Nintendo, here's what I'm going to do:

#1 - Re-Name the Wii U (and package the renamed console with Super Mario 3D World)

The Wii U has been causing confusion among consumers who assume it's just a tablet to be used with the Nintendo Wii...So henceforth we are dropping the name Wii U: Say hello to the Nintendo HDS (Home Dual Screen...also HD...it makes sense in my head).

#2 - Recognize the fact that gaming is a global phenomenon by ending Region Locking

Which is self-explanatory

#3 - Crack open the bank vaults

3A - Dedicate a team of staff to transfer over Virtual Console titles from the Wii's e-shop onto the (now) Nintendo HDS' e-Shop. Instead of getting one game per/week, I'm aiming for at least 5 including new additions.

3B - Commissioning 3rd party developers to make exclusive games and, content for Nintendo HDS hardware. The biggest project would essentially be handing Square Enix a blank-check to make Final Fantasy VII HD a Nintendo HDS exclusive.

I look forward to bringing the Nintendo HDS into more homes in the coming weeks and months and look forward to addressing our fans again during the next Nintendo Direct (which has always been an awesome idea)

 

[BakedSardine]

Lol,it would be a cold day in hell before Mario and Zelda are on the XBOne and PS4.In fact if I were president I would immediately reverse that decision and then fire the person who even suggested it.

Nintendo only has a $14B market cap. Despite their dominant franchises, they could be subject to a hostile take over by Microsoft or a company like Apple if Apple ever wanted to own those franchises for some reason (I'm not saying they would, but if they want to, they have the cash and could offer stock holders a 50% premium, pay $21B for it and still have over $120B in cash on hand).

 

[Terminate421]

1. Make a new Star fox Game
2. Make a new Star fox Game
3. Make a new Star fox Game
4. Make an F-Zero game
5. Make a Mother Game
6. Make a New Star fox Game
7. Make a New Metroid made by Retro
8. Make a new Star fox game
9. Make a Mega Empoleon

Did I mention make a new Star fox game?

 

[zerragonoss]

Step one rename wii u
step two make the start developing new first party ip's. I mean seriously their old stuff is great, but they have been using the same ips for over a decade, and while I am sure they have tried it must not have been very hard as nothing even close to suck. How about something new at that level of polish and pure joy Nintendo can bring.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

I'd take the WII U beef it up some,it give it game cube with upscaleing support support, let it support the GBA/DS/3Ds with scaling and filtering options and have the LCD screen be the 2nd screen as an option, re brand it as the Nintendo U and sell it for 499. Yes 499 I'm not worried about cost or losses right now is the time to rebuild the brand.

Devs can make games for the WII U or U dose not matter its up to them.

Would stick a wireless classic controller in it so its easier to port games to the U.

Would make the WII mote sensor bar free

Would work on a proper Metroid prequle make it a bit more like prime but give it the ability to be played in 3rd person and make more when she was first picked up as an orphan using the suit to make mischief with the older parts of the base and fighting maintenance bots and dark powered phazone mini drones and experiments. Make it a cross between Zelda and Megaman as far as gameplay themes go with standard metroid thropes only shes just learning about the damn thing.

Make a PG13 traditional (pre OOT)Zelda with Teen link open the world up a bit more so you can use the hookshot and such to explore everywhere not just certain areas. Give the whole world a dark world feel and make the dark world more crazy. Have an actual dual world setup.

No region locking

Would make a new Mario game based off Mario 64 gameplay and level design only with power ups from Mario world and SMB3.

Buy Keiji Inafune or a license to make a game and do a 3d version of Mighty Number 9 ala Mega man Legends style only with better controls.

Buy Ghouls and Ghosts(Maximo) and Mega man from capcom since they fail so damn hard, make a proper MML3 or make a remake of MML 1-2 as one game.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Buy up third-party developers.

Not the big guys obviously, but developers like Rocksteady or Insomniac. And if they can't buy the studios, for Christ's sake buy a shitload of contracts, like Sony did with Thatgamecompany.

Third-party obviously isn't gonna touch the Wii-U of their own free will, so just fucking buy them.