The Nintendo Financial Results Briefing: Because No Site Likes Using Primary Resources

[xaszatm]

So, in response to Nintendo recent financial woes, Nintendo had another conference to explain the plan for the next year. Instead of using that, everyone just reported that bloomberg article that was more speculation than fact. So, here below is the link to said briefing and my thoughts on the matter, if you're uninterested in my boring opinions, please feel free to add your own comments below:

Link: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/140508/index.html

The first thing the talk about is momentum. Iwata states that the past three years were failures financially and having a fourth year like this is unacceptable. However, he also mentions that momentum is needed for profits to change. And I agree for the most part. I'm not expecting this year to reach high profits. However, I hope to see that the loss is shortened or that they start making a small profit (small in the corporation sense, of course).

For the 3DS, Iwata states that wishes to "harvest" the 43 million consumers who own a 3DS by having a multitude of games the 3DS people want to buy. The big hitters for this will be Pokemon Alpha Ruby and Omega Sapphire, Super Smash Bros for the 3DS, and Tomadachi Life. In addition, Iwata discussed the multitude of high quality 3rd party titles being currently released in Japan and hints towards a localization in the US. Such titles include: Persona Q, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, and Yokai Watch (Japanese title). Good for them. While I question the word harvest, the 3DS has had momentum built up and with these multitude of games, this might be the break the 3DS to perform GBA like sales figures (a high dream, admittedly, but let me be idealistic in this one thing).

The Wii U, meanwhile seems to be relying on Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros for Wii U, which I'm slightly concerned about. While it is true that most of the resources Nintendo has is for the 3DS, relying on 2 games with the lack of 3rd party titles isn't going to make the Wii U sell gangbusters.

However, Nintendo software is not the only option, as they are looking into making games that rely on the Gamepad. I actually think that this is a good idea as many people are saying that the gamepad has no use. And I'd agree, asides from Zombie U, there hasn't been much purpose for the gamepad, so it felt more like a add-on than an integral part of the console. By making the Gamepad that more viable, would greatly increase the perceived value of the console for many people on the fence.

Afterwards was a brief discussion on third party titles, though most seem to be for the 3DS rather than the Wii U, which shows the biggest problem of the Wii U: lack of titles.

There is then a slight discussion on the QOL (the console being released in 2015 that everyone is pretending not to know about) but that will be discussed at a later date. Then a discussion on making Mario Kart TV a smartphone app, which is an interesting idea, but not something I'm into so no comment one way or another.

A more interesting idea is that Nintendo will be using the Succia (a paypal like Japanese thing) for payments. This could mean a chance for Paypal to be implemented among the western market.

Finally, we get an insight into how Nintendo was going to increase character IP. The answer: Figurine gaming. Similar to skylanders and Disney Infinity, Nintendo will be releasing a figurine platform for collecting. I'll be honest, I'm probably going to buy every one of those figurines.

Well those were my thoughts, found anything interesting?

 

[tm96]

Hopefully from this they can get some things in order. I think I'm getting concerned as well on the point only two first party games are being relied upon to sell the Wii U.

 

[xaszatm]

Hopefully from this they can get some things in order. I think I'm getting concerned as well on the point only two first party games are being relied upon to sell the Wii U.

With that being said, it seems that some more games will be released this year: X and Hyrule Warriors being chief among them. However, that is still only four games and much more is needed for there to be a success.

 

[spartandude]

Relying on Mario Kart is going to end in tears unless they have a brilliant marketing campaign up their sleeves. Seriously they only promotional stuff ive seen for it are those skip able pre youtube video ads that everyone always skips through. They need trailers on the TV, websites like this and banners on buses etc because right now it isnt going to sell well enough to move console sales.

 

[xaszatm]

Relying on Mario Kart is going to end in tears unless they have a brilliant marketing campaign up their sleeves. Seriously they only promotional stuff ive seen for it are those skip able pre youtube video ads that everyone always skips through. They need trailers on the TV, websites like this and banners on buses etc because right now it isnt going to sell well enough to move console sales.

This definitely will help as well but the fact of the matter is that there are very few games for the Wii U period. Though there are certainly a great many of amazing titles on the system right now, the Wii U takes less then a 5th of space at my local video gaming stores. And that is a huge problem. Hopefully the 3DS can help cut the slack of the Wii U but it is a serious problem.

 

[Roxas1359]

This definitely will help as well but the fact of the matter is that there are very few games for the Wii U period. Though there are certainly a great many of amazing titles on the system right now, the Wii U takes less then a 5th of space at my local video gaming stores. And that is a huge problem. Hopefully the 3DS can help cut the slack of the Wii U but it is a serious problem.

It's worse in North America because there are many stores that still sell Wii Minis...the most useless iteration of the Wii that has ever existed. You can't use component cables with it so it's useless on modern televisions; you can't go online with it so the virtual console was unusable and you couldn't buy older games; finally, it has no SD card slot so you couldn't put channels or transfers games or saves over if you wanted to. Combine that with a flimsy top-loader model and you get the Wii Mini. Only real saving grace was that the controller bundled with it was the first model of Wiimote to have the sync button on the outside of the battery case.

Stores are putting stacks of it next to the Wii U, and when you see the price difference of $99 for the Wii Mini compared to the $299 price for the Wii U, more people are buying the Wii Mini. Not to mention that since there are so few games for the Wii U, stores are putting the games right next to the Wii ones, getting people confused on it. Heck the store I'm talking about, a Best Buy, has a 3DS rack the size of the Xbox 360 rack. I'm seeing no banners in stores either for the Wii U, not even Toys R Us, but I'm seeing banners everywhere for the 3DS. Nintendo needs to market Mario Kart 8 to the point in which it is sickening, but I've not seen them do a thing about it. Heck, even online I've not seen banners for Mario Kart 8 or ads for it on YouTube videos at all.

Now I'm getting the game day one since I already know about it, but I only know about it because I actively look for news on it, only to have nothing show up. I don't get why Nintendo isn't advertising the Wii U much at all, but has no problem doing so with the 3DS despite the 3DS not being in the slump it was in before.

 

[xaszatm]

This definitely will help as well but the fact of the matter is that there are very few games for the Wii U period. Though there are certainly a great many of amazing titles on the system right now, the Wii U takes less then a 5th of space at my local video gaming stores. And that is a huge problem. Hopefully the 3DS can help cut the slack of the Wii U but it is a serious problem.

It's worse in North America because there are many stores that still sell Wii Minis...the most useless iteration of the Wii that has ever existed. You can't use component cables with it so it's useless on modern televisions; you can't go online with it so the virtual console was unusable and you couldn't buy older games; finally, it has no SD card slot so you couldn't put channels or transfers games or saves over if you wanted to. Combine that with a flimsy top-loader model and you get the Wii Mini. Only real saving grace was that the controller bundled with it was the first model of Wiimote to have the sync button on the outside of the battery case.

Stores are putting stacks of it next to the Wii U, and when you see the price difference of $99 for the Wii Mini compared to the $299 price for the Wii U, more people are buying the Wii Mini. Not to mention that since there are so few games for the Wii U, stores are putting the games right next to the Wii ones, getting people confused on it. Heck the store I'm talking about, a Best Buy, has a 3DS rack the size of the Xbox 360 rack. I'm seeing no banners in stores either for the Wii U, not even Toys R Us, but I'm seeing banners everywhere for the 3DS. Nintendo needs to market Mario Kart 8 to the point in which it is sickening, but I've not seen them do a thing about it. Heck, even online I've not seen banners for Mario Kart 8 or ads for it on YouTube videos at all.

Now I'm getting the game day one since I already know about it, but I only know about it because I actively look for news on it, only to have nothing show up. I don't get why Nintendo isn't advertising the Wii U much at all, but has no problem doing so with the 3DS despite the 3DS not being in the slump it was in before.

Yeah, I agree. They seem to be relying on word of mouth when word of mouth has been dead set against the system from the very beginning. It's like there is a disconnect. They seem to be targeting a non-gaming crowd yet only advertise things where only gamers can see them.

In any case, I'm wondering how the firgurines will work. Especially since they will have to compete against Skylanders and Disney Infinity. While having multiple games to play with the console is a great idea, if we have to pay for those games might be bad in the long run. Although a really fast way for getting the figurines to sell would be to make Pokemon figurines and have a game based on that.

 

[Roxas1359]

Yeah, I agree. They seem to be relying on word of mouth when word of mouth has been dead set against the system from the very beginning. It's like there is a disconnect. They seem to be targeting a non-gaming crowd yet only advertise things where only gamers can see them.

It just makes me sad because everyone knows Nintendo is better at advertising than what they've done so far this generation for the Wii U. It's why if anyone were to ever get fired, it should be the people in marketing because obviously they aren't doing their jobs right since people still don't know the Wii U is a new console, and it's been out for almost 2 years. Then again, the person in charge of Nintendo's advertising in the US is the same lady who's job was to promote Yahoo as being superior back when Yahoo and Google were starting out...yeah that didn't work to well.

In any case, I'm wondering how the firgurines will work. Especially since they will have to compete against Skylanders and Disney Infinity. While having multiple games to play with the console is a great idea, if we have to pay for those games might be bad in the long run. Although a really fast way for getting the figurines to sell would be to make Pokemon figurines and have a game based on that.

Well you also have to remember it's not the first time Nintendo has tried to sell figurines for the Wii U. Pokemon Rumble U had the figurines going for a bit as well, and I believe that was around the time Skylanders was just starting out, but no one really bought them since no one had the Wii U really. Nintendo's best bet I think would be to make the game open world like with some mini-games or something and then have figurines from all of their IPs. That's the only way I can see it working, but then again they can have the greatest ideas ever, but if they don't market them then it's all for naught.

Another thing that would help them is to remove the region locking on physical hardware...but I will have to hold onto that dream until the Sun become's a red giant because Nintendo seems to love region locking, especially on the 3DS when there are many games never localized...>.>
*feels the anti-region lock rant swelling inside* XD

 

[VG_Addict]

What are the chances of the Wii U being their last console?

With Smash, MK8, and the Hoenn remakes they SHOULD go back to making a profit, or at least breaking even.

 

[xaszatm]

What are the chances of the Wii U being their last console?

With Smash, MK8, and the Hoenn remakes they SHOULD go back to making a profit, or at least breaking even.

I'm not seeing the Wii U being profitable for at least another year. Two games, great as they are, should not consist a year's worth of games for a console. They need moment for the Wii U and it will take a while still before they can get there. As for profits, I could see a small profit this year but the Wii U is currently running the company down.

As for this being the last console? Not really likely, Nintendo has always done its own thing. Take the Quality of Life Console coming in 2015, for instance. Nintendo like to play fast and loose with traditional gaming ideals. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they fail, but at least the ride is never boring.

Also, since no seems to be interested in this topic, you seem to be in the habbit of switching to saying Nintendo is going to die and Nintendo is going to succeed and back again at quite an alarming rate. Why?

 

[VG_Addict]

What are the chances of the Wii U being their last console?

With Smash, MK8, and the Hoenn remakes they SHOULD go back to making a profit, or at least breaking even.

I'm not seeing the Wii U being profitable for at least another year. Two games, great as they are, should not consist a year's worth of games for a console. They need moment for the Wii U and it will take a while still before they can get there. As for profits, I could see a small profit this year but the Wii U is currently running the company down.

As for this being the last console? Not really likely, Nintendo has always done its own thing. Take the Quality of Life Console coming in 2015, for instance. Nintendo like to play fast and loose with traditional gaming ideals. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they fail, but at least the ride is never boring.

Also, since no seems to be interested in this topic, you seem to be in the habbit of switching to saying Nintendo is going to die and Nintendo is going to succeed and back again at quite an alarming rate. Why?

I worry about them, as a fan.

It's just that bad news about them seems to be happening a lot lately.

 

[uknownada]

"Don't worry. Once Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart come out, Wii U's sales will skyrocket!"

 

[KazeAizen]

Hopefully from this they can get some things in order. I think I'm getting concerned as well on the point only two first party games are being relied upon to sell the Wii U.

With that being said, it seems that some more games will be released this year: X and Hyrule Warriors being chief among them. However, that is still only four games and much more is needed for there to be a success.

Don't forget Bayonetta 2 which is one of those games that has the potential to grow a cult fanbase. Platinum has a stellar record so far and since they are more or less under Nintendo's wing now I think it'll be good for them in the long run when Platinum gets to making more games.

 

[xaszatm]

"Don't worry. Once Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart come out, Wii U's sales will skyrocket!"

I...I honestly can't tell if this is being sarcastic or not. I already have made my opinions on what you said in either case, but now I'm worried that my sarcasm meter is fried and I'm growing old as a result.

Hopefully from this they can get some things in order. I think I'm getting concerned as well on the point only two first party games are being relied upon to sell the Wii U.

With that being said, it seems that some more games will be released this year: X and Hyrule Warriors being chief among them. However, that is still only four games and much more is needed for there to be a success.

Don't forget Bayonetta 2 which is one of those games that has the potential to grow a cult fanbase. Platinum has a stellar record so far and since they are more or less under Nintendo's wing now I think it'll be good for them in the long run when Platinum gets to making more games.

While this is certainly true, I'm still not convinced that the momentum will pick up this year. They not only have to get people interested in playing, they also have to get people aware of the system and get the haters into the system as well. It's quite an uphill battle.

 

[KazeAizen]

Yeah, I agree. They seem to be relying on word of mouth when word of mouth has been dead set against the system from the very beginning. It's like there is a disconnect. They seem to be targeting a non-gaming crowd yet only advertise things where only gamers can see them.

It just makes me sad because everyone knows Nintendo is better at advertising than what they've done so far this generation for the Wii U. It's why if anyone were to ever get fired, it should be the people in marketing because obviously they aren't doing their jobs right since people still don't know the Wii U is a new console, and it's been out for almost 2 years. Then again, the person in charge of Nintendo's advertising in the US is the same lady who's job was to promote Yahoo as being superior back when Yahoo and Google were starting out...yeah that didn't work to well. [/quote]

That really has been their biggest enemy this generation. Their games are still peerless. They have a fair library now, their eshop library is getting bigger by the day, and they have plenty of good stuff on the horizon. Did they lose the marketing department that marketed the Wii? I mean that was a good campaign. They knew what they were aiming for. They knew how to market it and it paid off for them. In the early run of the Wii you can't deny that those devils were hard as hell to find and everyone wanted one. If they got a better marketing department, not the guys who marketed Frozen of course, I feel a good share of their problems might be solved. If you do it right you can sell anything to anyone as good ol Jordan Belfort taught us.

 

[KazeAizen]

"Don't worry. Once Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart come out, Wii U's sales will skyrocket!"

I...I honestly can't tell if this is being sarcastic or not. I already have made my opinions on what you said in either case, but now I'm worried that my sarcasm meter is fried and I'm growing old as a result.

Hopefully from this they can get some things in order. I think I'm getting concerned as well on the point only two first party games are being relied upon to sell the Wii U.

With that being said, it seems that some more games will be released this year: X and Hyrule Warriors being chief among them. However, that is still only four games and much more is needed for there to be a success.

Don't forget Bayonetta 2 which is one of those games that has the potential to grow a cult fanbase. Platinum has a stellar record so far and since they are more or less under Nintendo's wing now I think it'll be good for them in the long run when Platinum gets to making more games.

While this is certainly true, I'm still not convinced that the momentum will pick up this year. They not only have to get people interested in playing, they also have to get people aware of the system and get the haters into the system as well. It's quite an uphill battle.

I think the momentum will start this year. Hyrule Warriors is on its way as well and it seems to be the case that any Dynasty Warriors style game that is not Dynasty Warriors itself is actually pretty good. I mean I played the shit out of Bleach Soul Resurrection when it came out. 2014 might be the year that Nintendo starts turning it around.

 

[uknownada]

"Don't worry. Once Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart come out, Wii U's sales will skyrocket!"

I...I honestly can't tell if this is being sarcastic or not. I already have made my opinions on what you said in either case, but now I'm worried that my sarcasm meter is fried and I'm growing old as a result.

It was sarcasm. Even with those big titles, it's still only a few games. Plus some games Nintendo fanboys like worshiping aren't exactly that popular with casual audiences. Like Super Smash Bros.

 

[Roxas1359]

Don't forget Bayonetta 2 which is one of those games that has the potential to grow a cult fanbase. Platinum has a stellar record so far and since they are more or less under Nintendo's wing now I think it'll be good for them in the long run when Platinum gets to making more games.

Problem is hopefully either Platinum or Nintendo actually markets the damn thing. Okami received no marketing because, back when they were Clover, they told Capcom they'd handle all the advertising and that didn't go too well. Then with Wonderful 101 there was practically no advertising for the game, a new IP exclusive to a new system ,and it bombed badly, which sucks because it's a fun game. So hopefully they market the hell out of it, because otherwise it's gonna stay really niche, and I've seen people counting on it to be the "killer app" for the Wii U. If one thing is certain, never rely on a Clover/Platinum game to be a killer app because while they make excellent games, they never actually sell any when it's released and it takes a few years before they actually sell.

Edit: Sorry about not replying to your first one, it screwed up in my inbox and I just got it now.

 

[uknownada]

Don't forget Bayonetta 2 which is one of those games that has the potential to grow a cult fanbase. Platinum has a stellar record so far and since they are more or less under Nintendo's wing now I think it'll be good for them in the long run when Platinum gets to making more games.

Problem is hopefully either Platinum or Nintendo actually markets the damn thing. Okami received no marketing because, back when they were Clover, they told Capcom they'd handle all the advertising and that didn't go too well. Then with Wonderful 101 there was practically no advertising for the game, a new IP exclusive to a new system ,and it bombed badly, which sucks because it's a fun game. So hopefully they market the hell out of it, because otherwise it's gonna stay really niche, and I've seen people counting on it to be the "killer app" for the Wii U. If one thing is certain, never rely on a Clover/Platinum game to be a killer app because while they make excellent games, they never actually sell any when it's released and it takes a few years before they actually sell.

Edit: Sorry about not replying to your first one, it screwed up in my inbox and I just got it now.

I think another hindrance on Okami's failure was the fact that it was released at the same time as Final Fantasy XII. So everybody kept buying that because it was the new popular game, and Okami fell into obscurity.

 

[Roxas1359]

I think another hindrance on Okami's failure was the fact that it was released at the same time as Final Fantasy XII. So everybody kept buying that because it was the new popular game, and Okami fell into obscurity.

Was FF XII released the same time as Okami? I never actually checked. I did get Okami in the first month it came out, and only got FF XII later. If so then it looks like it was another A Boy and His Blob moment. What I mean by that is what happened with the Wii remake.

A Boy and His Blob Wii received the unfortunate release date of being a month before New Super Mario Bros Wii and a month after Murumasa the Demon Blade. It was then combined with the fact that Majesco and WayForward didn't advertise it as much, so it slipped under everyone's radar until a while later. Although it is still under many people's radars...
[sub][sub][sub][sub]*hint hint go buy it*[/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub]