Topic: No More 3DS Models Coming in the Near Future

[Patchkid15]

Miiverse will be free to use, plus other information from Nintendo's shareholder's meeting.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30898

During Nintendo's annual shareholder's meeting Satoru Iwata revealed that the company currently has no plans for additional 3DS models in the near future. Iwata also explained how third party support will be improved, and why Miiverse will be free to use.

When asked whether Nintendo had plans of releasing more 3DS alternate designs, Iwata explained that if the market was filled with too many choices it could confuse consumers. He also expressed concern for how efficiently they could produce a great number of a variety of products. For now the company has no immediate plans to release another version of the 3DS.

Regarding how Nintendo plans on improving the third party situation with Wii U, Iwata explained that third party developers had begun receiving information about the upcoming home console around the same time as Nintendo's own internal development teams.

While discussing aspects of the Wii U's online system, Iwata stated that he does not disagree with the idea of a paid service for access to Nintendo Network from the Wii U and other devices, but he questioned whether it would be the best approach for the company's user base. He pointed out that a free-to-use system would allow more people to utilize Nintendo Network's Miiverse social functionality, which ideally would in turn sell more hardware and software units.

Nintendo currently has plans to reveal additional Japanese Wii U information this fall. 

[Kytim89]

Instead of replacing the current model 3DS Nintendo could take steps to improve the current model. Here are some examples:
 
   

• More energy efficient components to save battery life.
• Better buttons.
• A similar rubber pads as the 3DS XL to prevent the top screen from being scratched.
• Nintendo could also sell a better battery for the slim 3DS and allow the owner to switch thme out.

[Chozo Ghost]

I predict the 3DS will have a 6-7 year life span like that of its predecessor. Its only been on the market for one year, so another 5 or 6 years of life could be expected. When Iwata says no revision in the "near future" he may mean no revision for another year or so, but that still lives plenty of time for one to happen before the 4DS comes out.

BTW, what Iwata is saying is different than what Miyamoto said a few weeks ago. Miyamoto basically said there would be no 3DS revision at all, ever, period. But Iwata is saying no revision in the near future. Iwata's statement suggests there probably will be more revisions at some point, just not in the "near future".

[ShyGuy]

wink wink nudge nudge

[ShyGuy]

Maybe in Miyamoto's mine this doesn't count as a revesion. They just hit the enlarge button, it's not like the 3DSi

[nickmitch]

Yeah, the 3DS XL is more of a trade off (bigger screens, slightly less portability) than an upgrade. I wouldn't call it a "revision."

[Aero Leviathan]

You guys have short memories. We've seen this before and we'll see it again.



January 13, 2006: Nintendo has 'nothing to announce' about DS Lite rumours http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hardware/2540
January 26, 2006: Nintendo announces DS Lite http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/11047


June 4, 2012: Nintendo says report of 3DS XL is based on 'speculation', contains 'a number of inaccuracies' http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30431
June 13, 2012: Miyamoto 'satisfied' with current 3DS, says it's 'the best for this generation' http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30720
June 21, 2012: Nintendo announces 3DS XL http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30811


If they pre-announce anything too far in advance, people will stop buying the current one. This is a very well-known phenomenon in the computer industry, called the Osborne effect, named after one of the first companies that went out of business because of it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_effect


Nintendo will release whatever they want, whenever they want, regardless of anything they say to the contrary right up until the day of its release. Stop being so surprised.


Whippersnappers.

[NWR_insanolord]

Based on this information, I've come to the conclusion that Iwata saying this means they'll be unveiling the next revision of the 3DS by the end of next month.

[TJ Spyke]

You guys have short memories. We've seen this before and we'll see it again.



January 13, 2006: Nintendo has 'nothing to announce' about DS Lite rumours http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hardware/2540
January 26, 2006: Nintendo announces DS Lite http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/11047


June 4, 2012: Nintendo says report of 3DS XL is based on 'speculation', contains 'a number of inaccuracies' http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30431
June 13, 2012: Miyamoto 'satisfied' with current 3DS, says it's 'the best for this generation' http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30720
June 21, 2012: Nintendo announces 3DS XL http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30811


If they pre-announce anything too far in advance, people will stop buying the current one. This is a very well-known phenomenon in the computer industry, called the Osborne effect, named after one of the first companies that went out of business because of it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_effect


Nintendo will release whatever they want, whenever they want, regardless of anything they say to the contrary right up until the day of its release. Stop being so surprised.


Whippersnappers.

It was someone from NOE who said no DS revision, so he probably didn't know about the DS Lite. As for Miyamoto, they explained on one of the NWR podcasts on Miyamoto's wording did not falt out say that the 3DS XL wouldn't happen.

Anyways, with the 3DS XL not out yet, of course another revision won't happen anytime soon.

[lolmonade]

Based on this information, I've come to the conclusion that Iwata saying this means they'll be unveiling the next revision of the 3DS by the end of next month.

They'd almost be better taking the Sony route and always replying with "We don't respond to speculation or rumors".
 
Regardless, I hope this remains true.  I'm satisfied with my 3DS.  The Circle Pad pro provides an option to developers/gamers without being a necessity to most games, and i'd rather the market not get segmented any further until a completely new handheld 2-4 years down the line.

[Adrock]

Regardless, I hope this remains true.  I'm satisfied with my 3DS.  The Circle Pad pro provides an option to developers/gamers without being a necessity to most games, and i'd rather the market not get segmented any further until a completely new handheld 2-4 years down the line.

+1

If anything, Nintendo will stealth update the 3DS/XL with cheaper to manufacture parts. That may even improve the battery life if they require less power. Other than that, we can expect new colors. I'm perfectly fine with this. I don't mind the blue XL but damn, the Cobalt Blue standard 3DS is sexy. I wish they went with that for North America.

[AV]

i think they should have had a 3DS XL Pro with two circle pads available at Nintendo online store and select retailers. That way the hardcore can get it, and average person who doesn't care about that feature doesn't.

[Lithium]

the funny thing about this is that the miyamoto statement completely undermined any credibility to this claim by Iwata. Thank god i never believed it in the first place anyways.