We're...how many years in and people think Nintendo will end up like SEGA?

[Llydis]

Iunno, a friend of mine thinks that since Nintendo is not embracing online gaming and Nintendo is not a graphical power house with the Wii then they're going to end up like SEGA. As a third party developer.(he also thinks that Nintendo makes less money in it's bread and butter than either Sony or MS do in their game divisions.)

Then again, he's also frustrated that Japan in general hasn't really embraced online that much. After mentioning DQ IX's lack of online co-op.

I'd rather not get too much into it since I just enjoy playing games whether they have online or not. I also can enjoy games that have distinctive art styles more than games that look the same with the graphical fidelity a HD console can provide(if a game can have style, substance HD is a really nice bonus at this point.)

Ah well, I think trying to argue either point nowadays will degrade into hyperbole. We'll have to wait and see how things will end up in a few years. But, there are probably more children who want the Wii than the other two consoles and they're the ones who'll probably be debating the language of videogames in 20 years time.

[dmauro]

Tell your friend it's more likely to happen to Sony before Nintendo and see if his eyes fall out of his head.

[Llydis]

I think the major problem is you can't really predict that much when it comes to how gaming goes. Although, I'm pretty certain if Sony fails with a possible PS4 they'll just dump the division and get on with their other consumer electronics.

Really, the PS3 and the 360 is just a biggus dickus competition between Sony and Microsoft over who'll take over the living room(which isn't without it's benefits though.) Although, I'm fairly certain the next gen will have a more service oriented approach with minor graphical leaps.

I'm more than happy with all three game systems though, there's something on them that are enjoyable. It's just that everything is going to change after this generation. I'm beginning to wonder if people will be prepared.

[FortNinety]

he also thinks that Nintendo makes less money in it's bread and butter than either Sony or MS do in their game divisions.

Ummm... I have to wonder what your friend is basing his opinions on. Aside from the fact that it was recently revealed that Nintendo employees just got some ridiculous amount for their yearly bonuses... like in the $7,000 range... one simply has to recognize the fact that they're still the number one software manufacturer, and coincidentally the guys with the cheapest selling (and to produce) systems on the market. That fact will probably be the case for some time now (the 360 and PS3 might one day both be cheaper than the Wii, but only way past the point of it being relevant).

There's countless reasons why video games are not doing so well in Japan, and Nintendo is again in a very safe place thanks to their bankable past and low profile. And that ban on eroge software might also unintentionally be one of the best things to happen to them in a long whiles.

[Llydis]

I think he's more or less placing his opinions based on the types of games he likes playing as opposed to the kinds of games that have been selling the most. Games like Guitar Hero and Rock band do surprisingly well on the Wii(even though, sadly, it's treated as the 2nd class platform for those games), which kind of makes you wonder if the people playing the Wii just have an interest in games that do something more interactive with your body compared to games that have a more sedentary pace.

He also likes using the word "casuals" a lot too, when discussing the Wii, but I don't think he's particularly hardcore himself since I could mention a slightly obscure game and he wouldn't know what I'm talking about. I... don't think he'd even know what I'm talking about if I said "I'm playing God Hand right now." (Well, Okami actually)

I still haven't bought Gears of War 2 yet, and he still kind of makes fun of me for it. But, I really don't have a major interest in Gears of War myself. So, I think there's a more philosophical difference between us on the types of games we play. I mean, the most fun I had playing him in multi-player anything was when we went online with Soul Calibur 4.

[FortNinety]

So he basically thinks that a video company is going to fail because they're not catering to his tastes and needs. Yup, sounds like the a typical, card-carrying gamer! I'm sure him and all the other wanna be market analysts have a grand old time commiserating the state of affairs at the local Gamestop.

No offense to your pal.

[Llydis]

I'm not sure if he'd be offended, since there isn't that much grounding in his declaration. He sold his Wii and kind of urged me to do the same since he doesn't know what I value  in a videogame compared to his values in a videogame. It'ss

There are a ton of factors that have lead into the Wii and DS's popularity. As well as browser based games becoming probably one of the dominant gaming platforms(or, at the very most, client based online gaming.) There's a values shift going on right at this moment as people who have played games since the NES era and before just don't have enough time for a game that pads out it's time with superfluous trash.

It's actually pretty exciting. Sorta reminds me of how art movements respond to prior movements. Although I'd rather not jump into the "Videogames as Art" discussion since I'm not sure if there is a way to qualify anything in the videogame industry as a movement.

[ryan]

Nintendo has been making ridiculous amounts of money for so long now. I remember during the GameCube days that, aside from making money on those, it was announced that they had been making billions off of Pokemon. I knew Pokemon was popular, but goddamn. I think now Wii Fit and Wii Play alone keeps them wiping their asses with cash.

[Llydis]

They also have a merchandising empire to go along with Pokemon. So it's not hard to see why that pulls in billions of dollars for them.

They also have a merchandising empire to go along with their other franchises as well. But, that probably has less of an impact than the Pokemon merchandising empire. If you can stomach going into hot topic, they tend to sell clothing merchandise and such based on Nintendo properties.

(Another thing people are leaving out of the market equation is the DS, which is still crazy popular here.)

[ryan]

Well, then and now, Pokemon is pretty foreign to me. I've never played the games, seen much of the show, or know much about the merchandise. And I think I went into a Hot Topic once. But yeah, I knew it did well for them, but not by that much.

General merchandise from Nintendo, Mario and whatnot, I dipped into myself way back when. I'm sure it's still very popular, but about all I see are the NES shirts from threadless or wherever.

The DS is a monster. Over 100 million units sold. Plus the first-party titles are like little nuggets of gold: over 22 million for Nintendogs, 18 for New Super Mario Bros., 14 for Mario Kart DS, 10 million for Animal Crossing, and over 30 for the Brain Age series. I think one of the strongest indicators of the strength of their titles is how they rarely drop in price. Mario Kart DS has been out for years and is still $34.99 - thanks, Goozex.

[Llydis]

The games still sell in the millions... But, the actual money makers are the amount of toys, clothes and such that are sold to children.

The Pokemon Company has been handling a lot of the merchandising for a while now. Which is a company Nintendo set up in order to manage the Pokemon brand and merchandise.

The games themselves are alright. But, if you play through one, you've pretty much played through them all. Unless you're heavily into competing against other people with your mons, then there isn't really that much that can draw you back to the series. 

[isfet]

so in that regard it's kind of like Disney and Hollywood "Blockbuster" films.


i tried playing the last Pokemon (Diamond, i think?).  it was my first and...yea, the character moved so slowly it was actually hurting me to play.


people seem pretty excited about the Gold/Silver remakes, though.

[Llydis]

Mostly because the fanbase loved GSC and started doing the breaking thing when it came to RSE.

[FortNinety]

Was actually excited to play Platinum when I got my copy. That lasted about... oh... fifteen minutes. It's just another of those games I like in concept, but bores me to tears while actually playing it.

From what I understand of have observed over the years... which might not mean much since I'm obviously not a big-time fan... the God/Silver remakes appear to be the very first, legitimate "seriously, is this really necessary" addition to the main series. I think it'll do well, but not that well.

[dmauro]

so in that regard it's kind of like Disney and Hollywood "Blockbuster" films.

Or the DQ series?