Nintendo Switch - Happy Switchmas Everyone!

[Hero-of-Time]

To be honest, all the times the voice chat argument has surfaced on here ( and other places ) it's mainly been about people not being able to talk to their friends.

 

I honestly can't wait to see if party chat is included in the NX, whether it's a handheld ( no excuse as the Vita does it ) or the consoles. It it's not....oh, man.

 

I wish I was still a mod and hand access to the deleted original Wii U thread. It would have been interesting to see just how similar the discussions we are having right now were back then.

[Kav]

Well I'll try refrain from moaning too much about voice-chat. Sorry that I do.

 

Anyhoo, I've posted my prediction on the NX in the prediction thread.

 

I'm actually now looking forward to seeing how it all pans out. It really does feel like make or break for Nintendo!

[Hero-of-Time]

Well to play devil's advocate and as a counter point i'd argue anyone so sensitive shouldn't be on the internet or they could mute the chat or report the players and they get banned.

 

I mean seriously if you are so sensitive you may leave the internet because of some mean words, surely you'd mute it or leave it quickly? you wouldn't stay until you were so offended you'd leave the internet?

 

reducing options/features/infrastructure/hookers and coke because a minority of the potential customers could be offended is exactly whats wrong with society as a whole.

 

and all that is ignoring the fact that someone who is such a special snowflake probably has already been offended by the internet by now and wouldn't even be an online gamer surely?

 

Indeed.

 

Two nieces of mine have PS4s ( 16 and 13 ) and always play online. While they mostly are in party chat, they have played with others with in-game speak. If they do get abuse they certainly give as good as they get, especially the older one. I've heard her silence a few lads over game chat on more than one occasion. Makes me feel like a proud uncle.

 

Well I'll try refrain from moaning too much about voice-chat. Sorry that I do.

 

Don't be sorry at all. It's something you are passionate about and want from your consoles. It's good to have a good rant every now and then.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Hero-of-Time
Automerged Doublepost

[killthenet]

After reading through the NX Controller thread I decided to do some digging and take a look at some patents that we've seen over the past year but might have forgotten about. There are a number of interesting patents that are connected to Nintendo that could point to what the NX controller ends up being. Obviously we're all familiar with the patent that utilises a modular touch screen, with analogue sticks protruding from the surface and some of you were disappointed with the lack of physical buttons. There is a patent from September that covers Haptic Feedback from a touchscreen.

 

 

Combined with the patent I mentioned before, this could mean that there is a lack of physical buttons on an NX input device, but that the haptic feedback is a decent enough replacement in Nintendo's eyes.

 

I also found the old scroll wheel patent on Nintendo Life which I always liked and hope they implement in something.

 

With the three patents combined it does make for a really interesting new game controller, that provides a variety of input methods, each of which can offer multiple uses in gameplay.

[Ashley]

That's not a fair, you're picking the one thing which paints it in a bad light. It's like me just picking the ability to download games as evidence of wii u having an amazing system... Disingenuine. It's like exactly what I said really, an old Nokia is not a proper phone because it doesn't do as much as the new ones...

 

As for being behind the curve/ agreed. As for falling behind. Agreed. As for achieving less. Agreed. I think 95% of people agree. It's just the sheer excessiveness of wifi u not having proper online. To being shamboloc etc especially as said opinions have been expressed hundreds of times already. And we don't know about the nx. So we just bang on about it... Like Nando implied, it really does drain the fun out of it all, and it certainly isn't a healthy debate/discussion.

 

Maybe we were interpreting it in different ways but I interpreted your post as "it doesn't matter that Wii U can't do party chat, neither does the PS3" but now reading back I assume you meant "back when the PS3 was current nobody was complaining".

 

The problem with Nintendo releasing so little and releasing so slowly (generally) is we end up arguing about nothing. It's the few weeks before a new game syndrome that crops up here a lot

[Rummy]

Hmm. I typed this all as I went along then realised I was echoing a fair bit of Gibbs's sentiments, but I'm making my post anyway dammit!

 

In regards to Nintendo's approach to online, I actually do think they have the right idea when it comes to a curated approach. Online voice chat amongst strangers is typically a complete cesspool, filled with offensive language and slurs (especially if the recipient is female sadly) and I love Miiverse as a whole (well, aside from the morons who don't understand sarcasm of course )

 

I'd have to ask what you're actually basing this on - because I've tended not to find it myself. I played both Halo Reach and Halo 4 pretty extensively, and for both often with my mate Claire at the time as it was a handy way to socialise after work/life without actually going anywhere - often we'd just be chatting via the in-game chat rather than party chat too. Whilst yes, there was sometimes people like that, for most of my Halo Reaching/Halo 4ing the majority of people were generally silent, and the majority of voice chatters just...weren't being twats. And the beauty if they were? Mute button! Problem solved.

 

In a modern day context I've occasionally gone on Destiny with randoms for raids - now here we are admittedly working towards a common goal, but still most people have been cool and sensible. I've twice or thrice chatted with randoms I've been teamed with on the game - again a lot of people don't voice chat but those that have generally haven't been twats.

 

It can be done, and I think it should be done. Just because some do/don't want it, I think the option should be offered for all and the player allowed to make a choice via mute functions etc. Another reduction method for potential twatism is that you only manage to talk with teammates rather than a generally across the board thing(so in competitive games it isn't particularly possible to be slagged off by the opposition). I think when you're working towards a common goal you'd tend to be less inclined to be a massive dick. Of course, I'm talking generally and you'll have exceptions, but I really do think the majority of people can be pretty civil and there's ways to encourage that/discourage the bad behaviours.

 

This is particularly likely if the player is female (and that makes up a substantial part of Nintendo's audience, much moreso than Sony and MS' one).

 

Again I think you're overestimating the fragility of the female gender and I wonder what you're basing it on again. At worst they'd probably just use the built in controls to make the choice to turn off etc. rather than NEVAR GAME ONLINE AGAIN.

 

EDIT: Ah, and there's some more from @Hero\-of\-Time's nieces!

 

With player safety and hospitality being such a key focus of Nintendo's, I can understand there being no option for chatting with strangers in most of their games... (Chatting with people on your friends list however is a different matter).

But I think the problem is it's a misplaced focus. Put the option/possibility in, then work on restrictions. Mutes, blocks, reports etc. Maybe a parental controls/limitations options - yes I know the counter 'blah blah parents don't do it' but that's not my fault nor my problem, and I don't see why you wouldn't make your product appeal broadly or punish people who want something just because other people can't be trusted to be responsible.

Edited January 14, 2016 by Rummy

[liger05]

I'm really interested in how Nintendo handle the handheld element in the West. The market is still alive in Japan but the west is a real quagmire.

 

Not sure there is much Nintendo can do to reverse the decline in western handheld popularity.

[dazzybee]

I'm really interested in how Nintendo handle the handheld element in the West. The market is still alive in Japan but the west is a real quagmire.

 

Not sure there is much Nintendo can do to reverse the decline in western handheld popularity.

 

If NX is a platform and the handheld just one option in that it doesn't really matter. But I do think having cross buy, cross save etc Will encourage more people to buy the handheld.

 

How many has the 3DS sold? What is the current situation actually like?

[Ronnie]

58 million 3DS units sold worldwide, which is pretty extraordinary if you consider the rise and dominance of mobile gaming. For comparison, the Vita has only shifted 13 million.

[Ashley]

Yeah but I'm pretty sure the Vita is just an ironic performance art piece from Sony

[Happenstance]

Such a shame that the Vita wasnt supported more. I actually really like mine and the collection of games I have for it.

[liger05]

58 million 3DS units sold worldwide, which is pretty extraordinary if you consider the rise and dominance of mobile gaming. For comparison, the Vita has only shifted 13 million.

 

It's not bad but if the trend is now downwards what would the next handheld be doing? 40 mil? 30 mil?

 

I would of thought the 3DS would of hit 70 - 80 mil but it's going to come up short. Software sales in the West haven't been as a high as they should be either.

 

Nintendo's handhelds have always been the core part of its business and carried the load. Now they have a difficult situation with the market in the West getting eaten up by smart devices but they could see selling software sales on smart devices as a way to shore up the balance sheet.

 

With shared resources they should be able to get the output higher for the handheld NX which is needed.

 

It's a real precarious situation and some would say releasing another handheld in the West would be crazy in this market.

[Hero-of-Time]

Such a shame that the Vita wasnt supported more. I actually really like mine and the collection of games I have for it.

 

It's crazy how many games are coming out for the thing! You seen that Vita thread on Gaf? It's amazing!

[Happenstance]

It's crazy how many games are coming out for the thing! You seen that Vita thread on Gaf? It's amazing!

 

Oh yeah that thread is really helpful. Quite a bit I never even knew about. That shows I guess that the support the Vita needed wasnt necessarily just more games being made for it but simple advertising as well.

[liger05]

Oh yeah that thread is really helpful. Quite a bit I never even knew about. That shows I guess that the support the Vita needed wasnt necessarily just more games being made for it but simple advertising as well.

 

Support was defiantly needed from Sony. Serious lack of AAA titles.

[Sheikah]

Support was defiantly needed from Sony. Serious lack of AAA titles.

By AAA do you mean big console-esque titles like Uncharted? I agree with Sony that those sort of games just don't draw the same crowd as they do on console.

[Happenstance]

I thought that kind of game was the natural progression when the Vita came out but then when I was playing games like Uncharted I just always felt like I'd rather be playing it on a big tv. I'm happy with the weird Indy/Japanese machine it became.

[Hero-of-Time]

I thought that kind of game was the natural progression when the Vita came out but then when I was playing games like Uncharted I just always felt like I'd rather be playing it on a big tv. I'm happy with the weird Indy/Japanese machine it became.

 

Yeah, it found it's niche and serves its fans well. If only those 64GB memory cards would get a price drop....

[Dcubed]

It's crazy how many games are coming out for the thing! You seen that Vita thread on Gaf? It's amazing!

 

Agreed. It has gotten some pretty remarkable support from smaller publishers and independent developers; much more than I had ever expected it to get.

 

It's light on exclusives, but it has done very well in terms of multiplatform smaller scale releases.

 

It's a real precarious situation and some would say releasing another handheld in the West would be crazy in this market.

 

They would be wrong of course. The 3DS may not have been the juggernaut that the DS was, but it does shift sizeable amounts of software still and in terms of hardware sales, it'll probably end up topping the GBA when all is said and done (the hardware sales wont stop when the NX handheld comes out either...) It has done remarkably well considering the market factors involved.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Dcubed

[Ronnie]

Such a shame that the Vita wasnt supported more. I actually really like mine and the collection of games I have for it.

 

I think the same about my Wii U. Same sort of disaster sales-wise as the Vita.

[Falcon_BlizZACK]

Re 3DS sales, I also believe the (New) 3DS has some juice left in the tank. Pokemon Z for example, could easily shift a good few before phasing it out.

 

I think Nintendo's strength is and has always been based on its software output and quality. And the ability to market said software well.

 

I don't see why any 'up-to-date' classical Nintendo console won't sell with a strong launch of high quality and diverse games, with a steady launch window and annual pipeline (stuff the Wii U largely lacked). If NX emulated the Nov/Dec Wii launch with a Zelda HD, sports title (online 1080, Waverace etc), with a good slew of modern third party games and not neglecting that 3-6 month window (maybe with a Pikmin 4 - again online with downloadable content and an online community) - really can't see why it won't sell well (outside of fans feeling angst for previous bad services), as the basic needs for gamers are met. (exciting new console for christmas, hardcore stuff, casual stuff etc).

 

Perhaps Im just simplifying things too much but to me it really does seem like a really simple concept that everyone but Nintendo seems to do quiet consistently.

[Hero-of-Time]

Nintendolife have put up an article about Nintendo using the NX and smart devices to push their brands.

 

Just recently I noticed that, despite playing some Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam earlier in the week, a gap of a few days had seen my 3DS battery go flat. This wouldn't do, and for one simple reason - I was nipping out and knew I'd be passing a StreetPass hotspot; I couldn't put it on charge fast enough. StreetPass alone brought my system back onto my cluttered radar and, wouldn't you know it, I found a bit of time to continue Paper Jam that night.

 

I suspect I'm not the only one that has this happen, as our lives are busier, noisier and more crowded than ever before. Many of us own multiple gaming systems, each with their own unique spin or range of games, and our daily lives get swallowed up by work or school and then an entertainment overload in spare time. This is the age of box set binging through streaming services, cheap games easily found and downloaded and the constant buzz of the internet, with social media and the broader web rarely quietening down. For many of us our lives are stacked, and time becomes a precious commodity as we figure out how to best spend hours left aside for fun and relaxation.

 

It's in this world where Nintendo has perhaps struggled a little, though it has had some wins. For a combination of reasons, for example, the big N dropped out of Interbrand's Top 100 Global Brands list last year, for the first time since the Wii glory days. Interbrand put an emphasis on 'mecosystems', emphasizing the need for companies to "create customized experiences around a single individual, where every brand in consideration slots in seamlessly". My interpretation, in basic terms, is that companies need to make their services (and overall brand) fast, intuitive and easily used on any device. If you don't have a smart device app or equivalent online resource for your service or product, then you're doing it wrong.

 

Nintendo is getting there, of course. Slowly but surely some regions have been able to buy eShop downloads online and have them download automatically to their hardware, while neat online portals for games such as Super Mario Maker and Mario Kart 8 are positives. My Nintendo / Nintendo Account is also due this March and could be a real game changer in this area, not only rewarding diverse activities with perks but also, as part of the network, rolling out eShop online purchases across all territories. This was all part of Tatsumi Kimishima's most recent major presentation to investors, portraying the new account service as a major experience that'll stretch across dedicated gaming systems and smart devices. There are even plans for rewards and activities related to visiting locations, such as the touted Universal Studios / Nintendo theme park tie-in; it's evident that our smartphone will soon be joining the 3DS as a vital Nintendo experience on the go.

 

It'll be important that this all works in practice, and with the likes of Miitomo as a communication app, in addition to on-the-go AR gaming with Pokémon Go, there's certainly plenty of scope to dig into our day-to-day lives. With partners like DeNA and The Pokémon Company, Nintendo is evidently planning with these ideas in mind.

 

Hopefully StreetPass will be part of this future, too, as I think it's become an important feature not just for the 3DS, but with Nintendo's identity with current fans. We've seen various 'StreetPass Weekend' promotions, and expo events often incorporate the feature to attract gamers to the big N's booth. It's also a key aspect of bringing fans together in a typically 'Nintendo' way, with StreetPass groups around the world forming new friendships around common interests. I've seen a number of these groups in action, and their importance to those involved shouldn't be underestimated.

 

As a concept it's been a success, bringing gamers together and also keeping some engaged with their 3DS when, without it, they may drift away or use their portable less. As highlighted earlier in this article, a continuation and expansion of concepts like this can be a huge part of Nintendo's future. Part of the company's battle is strengthening its brand identity, making it desirable and - by extension - popular. Through apps and hardware it's about getting that Nintendo logo and its games / apps in front of our eyeballs not just when we want to play a fun game, but as part of a daily habit. Icons that become as familiar as the Twitter bird or the Facebook F.

 

Last year we published an article about a day in the future life of a Nintendo gamer, and the ideas found there can certainly become part of a future reality. Even if the NX doesn't have a portable aspect as the likes of me have come to expect, it should have the online connectivity and flexibility to interact with and utilise apps on our phones, for example. I want to see a future where Nintendo, through games, social apps and well-designed online stores, is one of my go-to daily engagements. A time where StreetPass-style ideas are daily ever-presents, more engrossing and dynamic than they have been in the 3DS era.

 

Nintendo's brand power is still strong, and you can play the Super Mario Bros. theme to people of almost any age and get a response. Products like amiibo have helped increase awareness, and those that have the current hardware seem to typically enjoy it. Yet it's also become, it seems to me, a bit of a quaint brand, old-school and little disconnected from modern life. Nintendo doesn't need to get into a technological arms race to change that perception. It just needs its next system and its smart device apps to be clever, intuitive and tough to resist. A smart approach for smart devices - phones, tablets and its own hardware.

 

When Nintendo becomes indispensable in our daily connected lives, it'll be on the march again.

 

Give me a StreetPass app on smart devices, Nintendo!

[Nicktendo]

I still don't think we'll see streetpassing on phones. The whole idea of streetpass was so that people would take their systems with them everywhere and play them in public. If you could streetpass on your phone some people wouldn't bother taking the console with them.

[Ronnie]

Yeah would defeat the whole (very clever) purpose of Streetpass

[Serebii]

What they could do is a small device that syncs with your Smartphone (think Pokémon Go Plus) that can carry the data of 5 of your games (but doesn't do full streetpass) and then you have to sync to the NX to do it.

 

It's tricky.