Topic: Nintendo Aims for Extra Shelf Space

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Nintendo DS may be selling strong, but Nintendo is still looking for ways to increase public awareness in Japan.

Yesterday Nintendo announced it has passed the 5-million mark for worldwide DS shipments after overwhelming acceptance in PAL regions.  Today GameSpot http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/04/28/news_6123155.html">reports that the company will be selling the DS in less traditional Japanese stores.    

In an interview with Zaikai Magazine, Satoru Iwata revealed that Nintendo will be selling Nintendo DS products in retail stores that currently do not carry video games.    This goes along with the company's new focus on "non-game" games, which Satoru Iwata discussed in his GDC 2005 keynote presentation.  After all, non-game gamers need to know about "non-game" games!  He also commented on the ineffectiveness of current marketing strategies for the video game industry in Japan, but provided no glimpse of Nintendo's response to the problem.

[Ian Sane]

I guess it makes sense to sell non-games in stores that don't normally carry games.  Still I'm concerned over how much focus Nintendo is putting into this "non-gamer" market.  I don't want them losing focus on the core groups of dedicated gamers that made them a success in the first place.

[Hostile Creation]

Christ Ian, they're not.  Isn't that obvious by now?

I think this a good idea.  Makes sense to advertise and sell in non-gaming areas in order to attract non-gamers into the gaming world.

[Bloodworth]

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the core groups of dedicated gamers that made them a success in the first place.

Nintendo still makes games for them.    

[31 Flavas]

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Originally posted by: Ian Sane
I guess it makes sense to sell non-games in stores that don't normally carry games.  Still I'm concerned over how much focus Nintendo is putting into this "non-gamer" market.  I don't want them losing focus on the core groups of dedicated gamers that made them a success in the first place.

Yes, yes, we know you are the voice of rational concern, of common sense, of whatever you want to call yourself for Nintendo, but have a little common sense yourself. This is called diversifying your buying audience. Or in otherwords, having multiple ways of making video games the "right" way. Comon now, Nintendo is a big huge company with Billions of dollars in the bank to spend and espicially with the new Zelda coming out I don't think you have to worry about the "dedicated".

[Plugabugz]

Now why can't they do this in Europe. Otherwise known as the forgotten land.

I suppose the land of ignorance isn't really worth it.

[Artimus]

If Nintendogs and Electroplankton are the non-game games, then I'd say ALL gamers benefit. Hardcore, casual or unaware!

[xproductionz]

well if you think about it....one way for them to expand into this market is by making pda style apps and organizers and stuff that business people or other type tycoons use or buy for there PDA's and sell the DS in stores like officemax or and type business or computer store...

[vudu]

Ah Bloodworth...always good for a laugh.  

[King of Twitch]

I wonder if they would think to sell Nintendogs... in pet stores?

Or Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball... at baseball games?

Donkey Konga....at a Rainforest Cafe?


I think what Ian was saying, was that if these simple, non-complicated non-games take off and sell more than the 'real' games, they'll be more inclined to make the non-games. Still, I don't see Mario and Zelda leaving anytime soon, other than increasing the frequency of spin-off games.

[NWR_Lindy]

I think if the non-games really take off, we'll wind up having more games for the hardcore because there will be more of a user base.  Having more DS systems out there is certainly not a bad thing.

Rainforest Cafe...lollerama

[mantidor]

I seriously didnt know Nintendo was still making hanafuda cards! >_< Id pay good money for a set of those.

[31 Flavas]

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Originally posted by: MJRx9000

I think what Ian was saying, was that if these simple, non-complicated non-games take off and sell more than the 'real' games, they'll be more inclined to make the non-games. Still, I don't see Mario and Zelda leaving anytime soon, other than increasing the frequency of spin-off games.

What Nintendo is doing is NOT going from hardcore rock to Kenny G easy listening, but it seems that at least you and Ian are just as concerned. And what I'm saying is give Nintendo more credit then that. They are a very talented company, unlike, say, a radio station who might just decide one day to switch from Heavy Meal/Hard Rock music to Yanni and Celine Deion without saying anything at all. Nintendo, sure, is about making money, selling games, and being popular. But, I don't think Nintendo has ever let themselves get so engrossed in something thing that it becomes just all about the bling bling of $$$, take for example, Pokemon. Is Nintendo entirely about Pokemon?

If non-gaming were to take off I think Nintendo would handle it the same way, just not get overly engrossed by it. This isn't a popularity contest for Nintendo, like Sony and Microsoft maybe making it for themselves.

[Caillan]

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Still I'm concerned over how much focus Nintendo is putting into this "non-gamer" market. I don't want them losing focus on the core groups of dedicated gamers that made them a success in the first place.

They aren't really. I was concerned by this when they started talking about it a lot but nothing much has come out of it. Except, of course, for a highly promising and original franchise which is selling the DS. Electroplankton required few resources to develop and Nintendogs wouldn't have got 40/40 from Famitsu if it was shallow or somehow compromised by it's appeal to non-gamers. Pokemon appealed to non-gamers too and it was very deep. Nintendo just needs faster localisation to help the Western line up.  

[Urkel]

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Electroplankton required few resources to develop

I heard it was all done by one guy.


And why has "non-game" become such a dirty word all of a sudden? I have a lot of fond memories of Mario Paint. It's not like being a "non-game" instantly means it can't or wont be enjoyed by a hardcore gamer. Geez, you'd think with all the criticism of Nintendo being too reliant on sequels and franchises that these creative non-games would be at least somewhat welcomed. And of all the DS games announced thus far, a whopping THREE are non-games. Nintendogs, Electroplankton, and Animal Crossing. And Animal Crossing will be online, so going by the logic that Online = Hardcore, AC is actually for hardcore gamers. (Actually, I think it means that AC is intended for everyone, which is kind of what Nintendo is trying to aim for)

[Hostile Creation]

Electroplankton was made entirely by Toshio Iwai, yeah.  I've done some research on him, for my New Media culture class, and he's done some cool stuff.

[KDR_11k]

Yeah, there are quite some one-man efforts out there. Names like Chris Sawyer, Jeff Minter or Derek Smart come to mind.

[31 Flavas]

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Originally posted by: Urkel

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Electroplankton required few resources to develop

I heard it was all done by one guy.


And why has "non-game" become such a dirty word all of a sudden? I have a lot of fond memories of Mario Paint. It's not like being a "non-game" instantly means it can't or wont be enjoyed by a hardcore gamer.

Well, I don't know... but to use a potentially dirty their might be racisim going on here. Not Nintendo Vs Sony/Microsoft, but Gamer V Gamer. With "Gamers" thinking they are the true/master race. Ian is definatly scared or in his words, "concerned". But, scared of what that they will be more fun then "true" games or scared that Nintendo will break the mold of video games needing $XXX million budget and 200 people just to sell a few copies (and have, yet, another fat cash cow squeeze on, compaired to, say, Sony and Microsoft).

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Geez, you'd think with all the criticism of Nintendo being too reliant on sequels and franchises that these creative non-games would be at least somewhat welcomed. And of all the DS games announced thus far, a whopping THREE are non-games. Nintendogs, Electroplankton, and Animal Crossing. And Animal Crossing will be online, so going by the logic that Online = Hardcore, AC is actually for hardcore gamers. (Actually, I think it means that AC is intended for everyone, which is kind of what Nintendo is trying to aim for)

Oh comon, face it, "Gamers" are never going to be happy with Nintendo no matter what.  Nintendo doesn't want to always spend $XXX million dollars and devote XXX number of people to 1 game or just do what ever the heck is popular, but a financial sinkhole. And since Sony and Microsoft and third party companies are more then willing to do these things "Gamers" will just continue to outcast Nintendo and Nintendo, likewise, is going to continue doing things their own way and be profitable and everyone will hate them for it. Oh and lets not forget the predictions of doom and gloom and Nintendo being dead/dying/will get torched by xbox next next gen and Sony PS 4 or .... Infinium Phantom 2...

[Nephilim]

sony did this years ago in australia
now most stores that sell electrical equipment, now stock ps2's and a limited range of games
I think its great nintendo is doing this, allows more awareness for adults and they may be inclined to buy it, if they go for interest free or something alike and need a extra so much to go over the mark.