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3DS

Iwata Says No to More Price Drops, Mobile Support

by Pedro Hernandez - September 14, 2011, 5:59 pm EDT
Total comments: 17 Source: andriasang.com, http://andriasang.com/comy5c/

Despite what analysts and investors say, Nintendo stands firm with the 3DS.

Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata said that there will be no further 3DS price drops, nor will Nintendo support mobile gaming during an interview with Nikkei.

When the publication asked Iwata about the lack of hit software, he explained that they expect to release a series of major titles starting in November and running through 2012. Nintendo recently held a press conference where many titles, such as the next installment of Capcom's Monster Hunter series, were announced. 

One hurdle mentioned in the interview was the system's price point, which Iwata believes they have addressed with the recent price drop. Iwata stated that this will be the first and last price drop the system will experience during its run. 

Nikkei then asked if Nintendo would ever support mobile gaming, something that many analysts and investors have been suggesting due to the 3DS's poor performance. Iwata stated the following regarding the issue:

"If we did this, Nintendo would cease to be Nintendo. Having a hardware development team in-house is a major strength. It's the duty of management to make use of those strengths. It's probably the correct decision in the sense that the moment we started to release games on smartphones we'd make profits. However, I believe my responsibility is not to short term profits, but to Nintendo's mid and long term competitive strength."

Finally, the interview with Nikkei concludes with statements about the Wii and the upcoming Wii U, mentioning that it is important to keep the current market alive while the new system is released next year.

Talkback

EnnerSeptember 14, 2011

You tell 'em, Iwata!


Now could you pull some strings and get some more Wii games out for the quarters leading up to the release of the Wii U? PokePark 2 is a start.

Mop it upSeptember 14, 2011

Why not ask about a redesign? I think that's what we all want to know about.

NeoStar9XSeptember 14, 2011

Glad he's taking a firm stand on this. What these investors and analyst don't seem to comprehend is that the second a Nintendo IP appears on any Nintendo hardware with any significance it strengthens another company, not Nintendo. What these people are calling for is the demise of the very company are invested in. Nintendo makes so much money on a single title or two that it puts the entire mobile gaming market to shame.

What they should be demanding is Nintendo expand it's own business into these areas in the Nintendo way (something they know nothing about). Reduce it's prices in the digital market on Nintendo's own digital stores. Perhaps monetize things with a cash shop or two in a game like Animal Crossing. Make the eShop/Wii Shop Channel/Wii U shop to come  as easy or easier to navigate then Apple's app store, etc.

There are clearly some Nintendo investors that have no knowledge of the very company they are invested in. All they see is that smartphone games, etc appear to be the new hotness. Ignoring just how much money the company they are invested actually makes game after game. How much cash it has. How much profit it makes. How valuable the IPs are. How independent it is. How dependent many other companies are on Nintendo. Etc. Analyst should know better as well.

At the end of the day, you'd have to be a fool to trade three lines of revenue for 0.7 of one line. It's sad that Iwata has to point this out to people, but there you go.

Chocobo_RiderSeptember 14, 2011

"If we did this, Nintendo would cease to be Nintendo. Having a hardware development team in-house is a major strength. It's the duty of management to make use of those strengths. It's probably the correct decision in the sense that the moment we started to release games on smartphones we'd make profits. However, I believe my responsibility is not to short term profits, but to Nintendo's mid and long term competitive strength."

This is why Nintendo is not in any trouble.  They are, for the most part, the smartest of the "big three."

Quote from: Mop

Why not ask about a redesign? I think that's what we all want to know about.

Yes, this is a case of non-smartness that we really need information on.  The sooner the better.

house3136September 14, 2011

I don’t know why, but that picture of Iwata reminds me of the Japanese Iron Chef Chairman. They share the same angle or smile or something. Or, maybe it’s because both command such awesome respect and dignity.

Chozo GhostSeptember 14, 2011

Now watch the stock drop even more as the lemmings jump ship.

Bman87301September 15, 2011

Quote from: Mop

Why not ask about a redesign? I think that's what we all want to know about.

Because it would be pointless-- there's no way he'd give a straight answer prior to the holiday season.

Quote from: Bman87301

Quote from: Mop

Why not ask about a redesign? I think that's what we all want to know about.

Because it would be pointless-- there's no way he'd give a straight answer prior to the holiday season.

By that same logic, if Nintendo were going to drop the price again or support mobile platforms he wouldn't give a straight answer about that either.

NintendoFanboySeptember 15, 2011

Iwata didnt say We have no plans at this time. He said NO!
Thats straight solid info investers that understand the gaming industry need to
realize Nintendo plans to be a SOLID player i the Market for yrs to come.
A Mario side scroller for example, would be almost unplayable on a smartphone.
Reguardless of what the $1 game lemens say, you need buttons to play a proper
Video game.  I've bought more DS/3DS/Wii games this year then the last 2 combined.
Stay strong Nintendo, your Quality is unmatched.

AVSeptember 15, 2011

Nintendo should consider mobile support for 3DS, and make it have more features like a mobile phone. The Wii channels would work wonderfully on the 3DS, I never used the newschannel but if that was customizable RSS reader and used spot pass to update every morning that would be great.
a 3DS re-design with dual circle pads, 4G chip built in, high quality cameras and more support for aps. Fight fire with FIRE nintendo

OblivionSeptember 16, 2011

^ Translation: "yea more iphone games 4 3ds!!!!!"


No.

UltimatePartyBearSeptember 16, 2011

I wouldn't mind seeing Nintendo partner with a cell phone company, say Motorola, and get Nintendo's chocolate in Motorola's peanut butter.

Except now that would be Nintendo + Google and necessitate the use of Android. I'm not sure they're willing to do that.

EnnerSeptember 16, 2011

Nintendo will just make there own cellphone with operating system. The operating system will be called nOS. It will use its own API and potential developer will have to jump through metaphorical rings of spiked fire to get access.

UltimatePartyBearSeptember 16, 2011

Oh, I don't expect it to happen.  At least not this gen.  But if Nintendo does ever decide they're in competition with smart phones whether they want to be or not, I think it's more likely they'll respond by adding phone features to their own machines than by hawking cruddy $.99 "games" on the others' app stores.  They may do something else entirely, of course.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusSeptember 18, 2011

Quote from: Mr.

Nintendo should consider mobile support for 3DS, and make it have more features like a mobile phone. The Wii channels would work wonderfully on the 3DS, I never used the newschannel but if that was customizable RSS reader and used spot pass to update every morning that would be great.
a 3DS re-design with dual circle pads, 4G chip built in, high quality cameras and more support for aps. Fight fire with FIRE nintendo

4G haha no, after seeing the 3G data access prices for PS Vita in Japan, I would never want it for a portable game console. If I wanted online connectivity outside of wireless hotspots that badly for a 3DS or PS Vita, I'd rather use a cellphone that has tethering or a MiFi device.


If the 3DS had all of those features in your proposed redesign, then the redesigned 3DS would be potentially $300+, much bulkier, and it would never happen since Nintendo wouldn't want to force users pay for expensive data plans. Also, if you unaware, 4G cellular radios drain batteries rather fast.



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