Nintendo President Reggie Fils-Aime admitted that the company's recent focus on launching new portable hardware and a pair of new Pokemon titles has delayed some upcoming titles for the Wii.
"Candidly, we had to push out some Wii launches so we could focus on our handheld business," Fils-Aime told IGN in a video interview, referencing both the upcoming 3DS launch and today's launch of Pokemon Black and White in the U.S.
"We're already juggling two big balls. To add a third would be a little bit challenging -- or a fourth or a fifth," he said.
Spacing out the Wii releases will give the portable hardware and software "room to breathe," Fils-Aime said, though he did hint that the company will be announcing some Wii content before E3.
The Nintendo web site lists only nine Wii games due for release between now and early May, with none of those titles being published by Nintendo itself. The company revealed the existence of new Kirby and Rhythm Heaven titles for the Wii at a recent investor briefing.
Fils-Aime also the Wii's 2010 sales decline in in the IGN interview, pointing out that the system's hardware sales actually peaked during its third calendar year, rather than the historical norm of the second year.
Though the Wii declined from its sales peak in its fourth year on sale, which ran through most of 2010, Fils-Aime noted that the system was still selling better than in its second year, and that the Wii has been the first system to sell 7 million units in three consecutive years.
With all do respect Rob, but I totally disagree with you. I thought the line up for the Wii last year was great. Even though not every game was great (Metroid Other M), I still had more fun playing with my Wii last year than I did my 360 or my PC. But hey, that's just my opinion.
I see where your coming from, Jonathan and Keon, and I did like the games that came out last year. We just need MORE of them. Even if they are supporting the 3DS now, they still have the Wii out to support.
I hope one of those Wii games is a localization of The Last Story. I really want to play it and I don't want to have to import like I did previous Nintendo games (Mother 3, Fatal Frame 4).
Makes sense. This is one of the reasons Nintendo games make so much money: they are one of the few companies with a Blizzard-like devotion to doing things at very high quality (even it it means not doing, or delaying, certain other things). It's a wise move too because of Apple's competition in the handheld space. Nintendo's games must stand out as exceptional, don't-want-to-miss-it games.
Yeah all good and right, BUT, since when is the demographic of the 3DS the same as the Wii's, like "Uhhh, I can't afford to buy a game for my 3DS and my Wii this month" ? Its important to have a good launch lineup, but its not like EVERY game is manufactured by Nintendo, I don't see any canibalizing here :/
To me it looks rather like poor planning or actually a lack of good software. There are still quite some un-re-touched franchises, like Rogue Squadron, F-Zero, etc, and lets face it, Nintendo doesnt have another three years to create them.
I pretty much believe, that the demographic of the 3DS and the Wii is the same in large parts, what makes you think otherwise?
And of course, it not only has something to do with the thought, that people can't afford a game for the 3DS and the Wii in the same month, but also with the fact, that this games had to be developed. And if Nintendo is designing a new platform and start developing games for this platform, the same developers can't work on Wii games.
Nintendo relied on 3rd party publishers for that time, I think also with their complains in mind, that they can't get a food in the door, if Nintendo is publishing game after game for the Wii. We saw how this ended, 3rd parties failed (except Ubisoft, as usual) and Nintendo got the cake with DKC Returns.
Nintendo nets around 6 billion dollars a year in revenue and have at least 10 billion dollars sitting in the bank. And they can't resource development on two separate platforms?
If I was an investor, this sort of thing would worry me, as it would seem to reinforce the notion that Nintendo are heavily reliant on a few key individuals, similar to how Apple's fortunes are (at least publically) heavily dependent on Steve Jobs; when Steve Jobs sneezes, Apple's share price dives.
However, there is a difference between the two companies - Apple has been grooming a replacement for Jobs, in the shape of Tim Cook. Given that Jobs was dragged out for the iPad 2 launch, this doesn't appear to have been that successful, but at least they're trying.
Conversely, what's going to happen with Nintendo when Miyamoto retires or falls under a bus? Similar applies to the other key employees - Takashi Tezuka is 50, Yoshio Sakamoto is 51...
Sure, the shares will go down when ever any of those "kick the bucket" or retire, but give it a year or two (maybe three) and the shares will go back up. It really depends on the replacement set for each of those iconic people and the decisions to follow between them and the company.
Good game developers don't grow on trees, with money you can buy a lot of people, not the development of a good game. Something Nintendo always understood and most other companies don't.
The differences between Nintendo and Apple?
Nintendo is successful for almost 30 years now, while Apple was struggling and almost went bankrupt during that time.
Nintendo provides Hardware and Content, while Apple provides only hardware.
Nintendo has an R&D section, that develops successful products and gets the credit for it in public, Apple has an R&D section, that develops successful products and Steve Jobs gets the credit for it in public, which is something, that never worked over a longer period. People always will start to get angry, if they don't get proper credit.
Nintendo's public image is not nearly tied to a single person or a group of persons as Apple's. Apple only was successful, when Jobs was leading the company, Nintendo was successful under the former CEOs as well. Nintendo already managed the power transition from Yamauchi to Iwata, something Apple already has to show they are capable of.
@Christian: I said the situation with Apple and Nintendo was similar, not identical. Though it's worth noting that Apple's period of decline occurred when Steve Jobs wasn't in control. Also, there's parallels between Steve Jobs "overseer" role and Miyamoto's "lead designer" role: they may not actively work on all the projects which are released, but they do review all of the projects, make mandatory design suggestions and have the power to veto projects they're unhappy with.
For example, look at what Miyamoto did with Wii Sports Resort: the golf minigame was added because Miyamoto decided during an interview that he wanted it to be included. Which must have been nice for the developers...
As for Nintendo's public image: how many people can name someone other than Iwata, Miyamoto or (possibly) Reggie? I can easily dig a bunch of names out (e.g. http://nintendo.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Nintendo_people) but very few of them make public appearances and a lot of them aren't much younger than Miyamoto.
All told, to me, Nintendo's heavy reliance on key named individuals implies they're storing up potential problems for the future; not only does it cause production bottlenecks for both hardware and software, but they don't seem to be putting much effort into preparing a new generation of designers/developers.
Admittedly, it's a relatively long-term issue; barring a disaster (and assuming he doesn't decide to retire), Miyamoto could keep on working for another 20 years or more. Then too, Nintendo's cash reserves mean they can easily ride out any short-term hiccups; they could even stop everything they're doing and continue to pay their employees until the end of time...
"Also, there's parallels between Steve Jobs "overseer" role and Miyamoto's "lead designer" role: they may not actively work on all the projects which are released, but they do review all of the projects, make mandatory design suggestions and have the power to veto projects they're unhappy with."
I think, you are overestimating the role of Miyamoto, when it comes to the actual products of Nintendo. He is a software developer, that can give suggestions, if it comes to hardware, but unlike Steve Jobs, he has no real power of decision about Nintendo's product line. He can decide that a particular mini game is included in Wii Sports Resort, but this is something completely different, then Steve Jobs, who obviously decides which products the company develops and which not.
"All told, to me, Nintendo's heavy reliance on key named individuals implies they're storing up potential problems for the future; not only does it cause production bottlenecks for both hardware and software, but they don't seem to be putting much effort into preparing a new generation of designers/developers."
Any sources for this? The average Wii/DS/3DS title is developed by over one hundred persons, Nintendo is by far the most succesful publisher in Japan and the whole world, I doubt that any company has more game developers on their pay roll, then Nintendo. Unlike western companies like Activision or EA japanese companies usually don't buy frequently studios to "include" them in their company (and to close them down after a flop). But this doesn't mean, they are not employing many people for game development.
Nintendo has published dozens of games for the Wii and the DS during the last 12 months, while they were actively developing games for a completely new platform. I think you are underestimating the workforce, that is needed to do so.
I am sure, what you call a "bottleneck for hardware and software" couldn't be handled the way you imagine it by any company in the world.
"I think, you are overestimating the role of Miyamoto, when it comes to the actual products of Nintendo. He is a software developer, that can give suggestions, if it comes to hardware, but unlike Steve Jobs, he has no real power of decision about Nintendo's product line. He can decide that a particular mini game is included in Wii Sports Resort, but this is something completely different, then Steve Jobs, who obviously decides which products the company develops and which not."
The impression I get is that Miyamoto has to give his seal of approval to any major releases - for instance, with Donkey Kong Country on the SNES, he was "mailing Tim Stamper (UK, Rare) "on an almost daily basis" - http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/110/1100039p3.html
He also had a direct hand in the development of the Wii hardware:
.. and he also had direct involvement in Nintendo's biggest hits on the Wii and DS: Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Twilight Princess, New SMB (DS), Super Mario Galaxy, etc.
All told, I think it's fair to say that he has a huge amount of power within Nintendo.
"Sources" for potential problems in the future: none. It's simple extrapolation. In abstract terms, I believe Miyamoto is the embodiment/focus of Nintendo's design ethos; anything which is designed within the company is shaped to meet his approval, whether or not he ends up actively reviewing it or not.
When he's gone, who's going to provide that focus? You can write as many design policy documents as you like, but people don't respond to these as well.
To make a really bad analogy: imagine a live concert. There's literally hundreds of people involved, from roadies tugging crates around to ticket sellers, food vendors, support bands, etc. But if the lead singer of the main band doesn't appear, the concert is liable to be a failure. The audience may sing along to the support bands and cheer a solo from the lead guitarist, but what they want is to see and hear the lead band - with the singer - perform.
Yes, Nintendo has hundreds/thousands of developers. But Apple had thousands of employees, and that didn't stop them from nosediving when Steve Jobs was ousted. It took the company years to recover - which it did by finding a new personality to drive the company's focus, who just happened to be Steve Jobs...
In terms of bottlenecks: as this very article highlights, Nintendo *themselves* have stated that Wii games have been delayed due to work on the 3DS. So there clearly is a resourcing bottleneck in the company.
The most likely cause of this bottleneck? The heavy reliance on feedback from key individuals such as Miyamoto. Their direct involvement in both hardware and software design means that Nintendo can maintain a consistent design ethos and quality, but at a cost in development time and overall throughput.
The solution to the bottleneck is simple: delegate responsibility to more individuals. Will Nintendo ever do this? It's unlikely, given their heavily authoritarian nature.
Do they need to do this? I'd suggest that it'd be a good idea: using Miyamoto as a focus has been wildly successful, but it's also a prime example of putting all of your eggs in one basket...
(Also, with the cash reserves Nintendo has, they could quite happily set up some experimental studios: get some promising young development teams, provide them with equipment and management infrastructure, give them a year to produce *anything* and then assess the results; keep the genuinely good games and hire the developers who have been shown to have potential. Admittedly, this sort of venture is best viewed as a long term investment/R&D exercise, but you could probably seed a dozen such teams for less than $100 million, or less than 1% of Nintendo's cash reserves)
Miyamoto does have a lot of power within Nintendo. Nintendo does have many other good game designers though. Someone that can create timeless icons does not come around often though.
Also don't forget the Iwata himself has learned a ton from Miyamoto and it is not Miyamoto alone that creates mega hits. As we saw in one of the NSMB Iwata asks. Miyamoto gets a lot of credit and power because he created the most popular and highest selling game icon.
I get the impression they planned on Kid Icarus being the snazzy must-have launch title for 3DS. but then reviewers complained about the game's controls at early events, so they've pushed it's release back so it can be rethought - and they are now in the middle of scrambling to make sure some other must-have title is ready asap.
I think it was telling that a 3D mario game was suddenly announced at GDC, and teased to be the darling of E3.
it all makes me sad, because I was THRILLED by the kid icarus announcement. and this initial thrill has transitioned to recently canceling my preorder of the 3DS.
(please correct me if I'm overlooking something here)
Don't count Kid Icarus out just yet! Unlike Project Hammer for the Wii, I'm sure that we will still see Kid Icarus for the 3DS. Nintendo has a reputation for delaying some game releases just to make sure that the games look good. Anyhow, I just hope that Nintendo still releases Last Story for the Wii. As for the 3DS, I'm going to wait for the second model before I get one (even though the metallic blue 3DS looks beautiful) as I don't want to do the same mistake that I did with GBA, but I'm going to start building up the game library for the 3DS as I don't know how long it will be before Nintendo does a 2nd model for the 3DS and some games don't stay in stores for very long.
My point is that E3 presented Kid Icarus Uprising as if it would be the must-have 3DS game. But now it isn't even a launch game. (i thought it was pushed back 6 months, but all I see officially is "2011").
I'm sure it will come out. But it is still the only thing i want on the 3DS, and it ain't there for the launch.
So what is the launch game for this system? what is the must have title that will drive people to buy the hardware and talk about the unique gameplay with their friends?
Perhaps Nintendo is trying out a new strategy of waiting to release the must-have title until it is Christmas time, since the hardware will be in short supply until then anyway? Or maybe the built in games are supposed to be the must-haves?
Perhaps this is all a side effect of rushing the product out a little bit too quickly (see also the reports that existing DS games don't scale well to the new screen resolutions).
... more and more, I think the story of the 3DS will be : it just offered a new way to view games - not a new way to play games.
I hope it will turn out to be just a nice DS platform upgrade, which was over-hyped to distract us from the release a new console hardware system in 2012 (a wii HD - which gather's player biometrics, to better engage them in the game feedback loop, like no other system can)
I see what you are saying, Warren! Of course, at this point, it does look like that Nintendo is counting on 3rd parties with the must-have launch titles. Even though Nintendo will have few launch titles of their own (like Nintendogs + Cats), it seems like that Capcom will be the one that will shine on the 3DS with its own launch titles.
Nintendo is simply giving third games room to breathe. There are no third party systems sellers outside of Layton really and Layton is not a mega seller. The other big third party title is a port and I'm more of those are sure to come. The RE games can move systems if they are great. So unless that is something we don't know aobut yet the best we can hope for as far as a third party system seller is a sleeper hit or some unannounced title. Kid Icarus will not be a mega hit either imo, but it could be a million seller if it is good. It is more of a fan service title from Nintendo like Sin and Punishment and Punch Out.
Nintendo also knows from the DS that a system seller does not need to launch with the hardware. It can come later in the form of Mario Kart.
What is funny is that people would complain if Nintendo put out major Wii software during the Pokemon and DS launch. I'm pretty sure that investors, such as myself, are not too worried about a company trying to give their major products time to sell to their fans without cannibalizing each other. I would have been happier if the 3DS launched before Pokemon in the US, but that is another story.
Also there is not much Nintendo can do with the Wii at this point. No amount of hit software will cause it to sell out again at this point. They screwed up on the content and I would be very surprised if they can fix that. Holding content back off the chance that Wii content may get ignored or worst hurt their much bigger and pressing launches if fine with me.
They need new Wii games and they need to release many of the Japan only games in the US/EU as well as release the hits in US/EU in Japan. Even with that said software and hardware sales are only terrible in Japan. The hardware sales are fine in EU/US so far. I do think it will get worst though. So I hope they don't make the mistake of pushing things back too far or releasing weak content.
And please, last year was not a killer line-up.
To me it looks rather like poor planning or actually a lack of good software. There are still quite some un-re-touched franchises, like Rogue Squadron, F-Zero, etc, and lets face it, Nintendo doesnt have another three years to create them.
And of course, it not only has something to do with the thought, that people can't afford a game for the 3DS and the Wii in the same month, but also with the fact, that this games had to be developed. And if Nintendo is designing a new platform and start developing games for this platform, the same developers can't work on Wii games.
Nintendo relied on 3rd party publishers for that time, I think also with their complains in mind, that they can't get a food in the door, if Nintendo is publishing game after game for the Wii. We saw how this ended, 3rd parties failed (except Ubisoft, as usual) and Nintendo got the cake with DKC Returns.
Nintendo nets around 6 billion dollars a year in revenue and have at least 10 billion dollars sitting in the bank. And they can't resource development on two separate platforms?
If I was an investor, this sort of thing would worry me, as it would seem to reinforce the notion that Nintendo are heavily reliant on a few key individuals, similar to how Apple's fortunes are (at least publically) heavily dependent on Steve Jobs; when Steve Jobs sneezes, Apple's share price dives.
However, there is a difference between the two companies - Apple has been grooming a replacement for Jobs, in the shape of Tim Cook. Given that Jobs was dragged out for the iPad 2 launch, this doesn't appear to have been that successful, but at least they're trying.
Conversely, what's going to happen with Nintendo when Miyamoto retires or falls under a bus? Similar applies to the other key employees - Takashi Tezuka is 50, Yoshio Sakamoto is 51...
The differences between Nintendo and Apple?
Nintendo is successful for almost 30 years now, while Apple was struggling and almost went bankrupt during that time.
Nintendo provides Hardware and Content, while Apple provides only hardware.
Nintendo has an R&D section, that develops successful products and gets the credit for it in public, Apple has an R&D section, that develops successful products and Steve Jobs gets the credit for it in public, which is something, that never worked over a longer period. People always will start to get angry, if they don't get proper credit.
Nintendo's public image is not nearly tied to a single person or a group of persons as Apple's. Apple only was successful, when Jobs was leading the company, Nintendo was successful under the former CEOs as well. Nintendo already managed the power transition from Yamauchi to Iwata, something Apple already has to show they are capable of.
For example, look at what Miyamoto did with Wii Sports Resort: the golf minigame was added because Miyamoto decided during an interview that he wanted it to be included. Which must have been nice for the developers...
http://www.gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=88465&delc=36229
As for Nintendo's public image: how many people can name someone other than Iwata, Miyamoto or (possibly) Reggie? I can easily dig a bunch of names out (e.g. http://nintendo.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Nintendo_people) but very few of them make public appearances and a lot of them aren't much younger than Miyamoto.
All told, to me, Nintendo's heavy reliance on key named individuals implies they're storing up potential problems for the future; not only does it cause production bottlenecks for both hardware and software, but they don't seem to be putting much effort into preparing a new generation of designers/developers.
Admittedly, it's a relatively long-term issue; barring a disaster (and assuming he doesn't decide to retire), Miyamoto could keep on working for another 20 years or more. Then too, Nintendo's cash reserves mean they can easily ride out any short-term hiccups; they could even stop everything they're doing and continue to pay their employees until the end of time...
I think, you are overestimating the role of Miyamoto, when it comes to the actual products of Nintendo. He is a software developer, that can give suggestions, if it comes to hardware, but unlike Steve Jobs, he has no real power of decision about Nintendo's product line. He can decide that a particular mini game is included in Wii Sports Resort, but this is something completely different, then Steve Jobs, who obviously decides which products the company develops and which not.
"All told, to me, Nintendo's heavy reliance on key named individuals implies they're storing up potential problems for the future; not only does it cause production bottlenecks for both hardware and software, but they don't seem to be putting much effort into preparing a new generation of designers/developers."
Any sources for this? The average Wii/DS/3DS title is developed by over one hundred persons, Nintendo is by far the most succesful publisher in Japan and the whole world, I doubt that any company has more game developers on their pay roll, then Nintendo. Unlike western companies like Activision or EA japanese companies usually don't buy frequently studios to "include" them in their company (and to close them down after a flop). But this doesn't mean, they are not employing many people for game development.
Nintendo has published dozens of games for the Wii and the DS during the last 12 months, while they were actively developing games for a completely new platform. I think you are underestimating the workforce, that is needed to do so.
I am sure, what you call a "bottleneck for hardware and software" couldn't be handled the way you imagine it by any company in the world.
"I think, you are overestimating the role of Miyamoto, when it comes to the actual products of Nintendo. He is a software developer, that can give suggestions, if it comes to hardware, but unlike Steve Jobs, he has no real power of decision about Nintendo's product line. He can decide that a particular mini game is included in Wii Sports Resort, but this is something completely different, then Steve Jobs, who obviously decides which products the company develops and which not."
The impression I get is that Miyamoto has to give his seal of approval to any major releases - for instance, with Donkey Kong Country on the SNES, he was "mailing Tim Stamper (UK, Rare) "on an almost daily basis" - http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/110/1100039p3.html
He also had a direct hand in the development of the Wii hardware:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2006/tc20061116_750 580.htm
.. and he also had direct involvement in Nintendo's biggest hits on the Wii and DS: Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Twilight Princess, New SMB (DS), Super Mario Galaxy, etc.
All told, I think it's fair to say that he has a huge amount of power within Nintendo.
"Sources" for potential problems in the future: none. It's simple extrapolation. In abstract terms, I believe Miyamoto is the embodiment/focus of Nintendo's design ethos; anything which is designed within the company is shaped to meet his approval, whether or not he ends up actively reviewing it or not.
When he's gone, who's going to provide that focus? You can write as many design policy documents as you like, but people don't respond to these as well.
To make a really bad analogy: imagine a live concert. There's literally hundreds of people involved, from roadies tugging crates around to ticket sellers, food vendors, support bands, etc. But if the lead singer of the main band doesn't appear, the concert is liable to be a failure. The audience may sing along to the support bands and cheer a solo from the lead guitarist, but what they want is to see and hear the lead band - with the singer - perform.
Yes, Nintendo has hundreds/thousands of developers. But Apple had thousands of employees, and that didn't stop them from nosediving when Steve Jobs was ousted. It took the company years to recover - which it did by finding a new personality to drive the company's focus, who just happened to be Steve Jobs...
In terms of bottlenecks: as this very article highlights, Nintendo *themselves* have stated that Wii games have been delayed due to work on the 3DS. So there clearly is a resourcing bottleneck in the company.
The most likely cause of this bottleneck? The heavy reliance on feedback from key individuals such as Miyamoto. Their direct involvement in both hardware and software design means that Nintendo can maintain a consistent design ethos and quality, but at a cost in development time and overall throughput.
The solution to the bottleneck is simple: delegate responsibility to more individuals. Will Nintendo ever do this? It's unlikely, given their heavily authoritarian nature.
Do they need to do this? I'd suggest that it'd be a good idea: using Miyamoto as a focus has been wildly successful, but it's also a prime example of putting all of your eggs in one basket...
(Also, with the cash reserves Nintendo has, they could quite happily set up some experimental studios: get some promising young development teams, provide them with equipment and management infrastructure, give them a year to produce *anything* and then assess the results; keep the genuinely good games and hire the developers who have been shown to have potential. Admittedly, this sort of venture is best viewed as a long term investment/R&D exercise, but you could probably seed a dozen such teams for less than $100 million, or less than 1% of Nintendo's cash reserves)
Also don't forget the Iwata himself has learned a ton from Miyamoto and it is not Miyamoto alone that creates mega hits. As we saw in one of the NSMB Iwata asks. Miyamoto gets a lot of credit and power because he created the most popular and highest selling game icon.
I don't think he created Pokemon though.
I think it was telling that a 3D mario game was suddenly announced at GDC, and teased to be the darling of E3.
it all makes me sad, because I was THRILLED by the kid icarus announcement. and this initial thrill has transitioned to recently canceling my preorder of the 3DS.
(please correct me if I'm overlooking something here)
I'm sure it will come out. But it is still the only thing i want on the 3DS, and it ain't there for the launch.
So what is the launch game for this system? what is the must have title that will drive people to buy the hardware and talk about the unique gameplay with their friends?
Perhaps Nintendo is trying out a new strategy of waiting to release the must-have title until it is Christmas time, since the hardware will be in short supply until then anyway? Or maybe the built in games are supposed to be the must-haves?
Perhaps this is all a side effect of rushing the product out a little bit too quickly (see also the reports that existing DS games don't scale well to the new screen resolutions).
... more and more, I think the story of the 3DS will be : it just offered a new way to view games - not a new way to play games.
I hope it will turn out to be just a nice DS platform upgrade, which was over-hyped to distract us from the release a new console hardware system in 2012 (a wii HD - which gather's player biometrics, to better engage them in the game feedback loop, like no other system can)
Nintendo also knows from the DS that a system seller does not need to launch with the hardware. It can come later in the form of Mario Kart.
Also there is not much Nintendo can do with the Wii at this point. No amount of hit software will cause it to sell out again at this point. They screwed up on the content and I would be very surprised if they can fix that. Holding content back off the chance that Wii content may get ignored or worst hurt their much bigger and pressing launches if fine with me.
They need new Wii games and they need to release many of the Japan only games in the US/EU as well as release the hits in US/EU in Japan. Even with that said software and hardware sales are only terrible in Japan. The hardware sales are fine in EU/US so far. I do think it will get worst though. So I hope they don't make the mistake of pushing things back too far or releasing weak content.