Post by: The Omen on March 22, 2006, 08:37:41 AM
For once, Nintendo gets the nature of this business. For the first time since the NES era, Nintendo is being aggressive and forceful in the market. Releasing the Rev. in June would ultimately prove to be successful for two reasons. 1) They beat Sony to the punch by a full 5 months. Those 5 months would give players a chance to give the Rev a full 'test' run before the PS3, and at the very least, build a nice size userbase. 2) At the time of the PS3's launch, the Rev games will be entering their second cycle, and be much more polished than those at launch. A Zelda and Kid Icarus title, or perhaps an Advanced Wars, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart or FZero with full online capabilities would be the ultimate Christmas gifts, don't you think? And in turn, they offset the huge sales of the PS3 with huge sales of their own, which would be counted as a victory where I come from. After the holiday sales die down and the smoke clears, Nintendo loses only a small sliver of it's market share to Sony, but MS loses more, seeing as the tech heads would go for either of these two systems, and the PS3 is the new toy, MS takes the hit, enabling the Revolution to be #1 with a bullet.
And we dance around in our villages, singing the praises of a world gone right for once.
Post by: Ian Sane on March 22, 2006, 09:07:59 AM
A head start would be good provided they make use of it. Microsoft's head start for example is a waste of time so far because of system shortages.
Post by: Kairon on March 22, 2006, 09:39:18 AM
The Rev doesn't have fickle and cranky bleeding edge built-from-scrath technology like the PS3. It should be easy to manufacture, easy to launch earlier.
The Rev is purported to be very easy to develop on. If it's so easy, why does Nintendo need 1.5 years (starting from E3 2005) to create software for it? If you could start development on GC Dev kits, why shouldn't third parties be in the same boat?
The Rev is more down-to-earth, cheaper hardware and an exceedingly simple development platform. That should allow a late Spring or summer 06 launch, both via hardware simplicity and software development ease.
For Nintendo to squander that opportunity with the Revolution, for it to miss out on two potential benefits from the Rev's qualities that have been so touted elsewhere as potential weaknesses...
Well, I'm willing to go on record that I can almost take an Ian-like stance on the subject if Nintendo launches in October or November. It would be an enormous waste if all the things they've said about the rev's ease and cheapness went to waste in not launching earlier.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Caliban on March 22, 2006, 09:39:20 AM
As for the Revolution being released in June, I doubt it, but if it happens it is happy news for me 'cause my NGC has been collecting alot of dust (and it's not because there aren't games to play it with, I still have plenty to finish and buy).
Post by: thejeek on March 22, 2006, 09:43:58 AM
Post by: Zach on March 22, 2006, 09:44:36 AM
Post by: Hostile Creation on March 22, 2006, 09:58:20 AM
Which isn't necessarily bad. It means I'd have a summer to play the Revolution and to catch up on all the games I've missed (since I'm guaranteed a high paying job this summer).
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 22, 2006, 10:01:30 AM
I could see August. Give developers two months with the final Development Kits so that 3rd party games could be ready to go. A Mid August launch would give about a 3 month head start on Sony which would be big, and provide Nintendo with enough time to launch its games.
Personally I don't believe the decision will be based on production of the Revolution, because I believe that could start any day now and be set. I believe that it all depends when Nintendo's own games are finished for launch. If Nintendo could launch with 3 strong first party games in June, then I believe Nintendo would do it.
However, I think it is going to take till August to have those 3 games ready...and in fact we may see ourselves with 4-5 first party games ready by then and some third party support.
I am willing to bet that Nintendo is currently pushing for an early launch than November after Sony's announced date.
Post by: Ceric on March 22, 2006, 10:01:48 AM
That being said my Cube is a dieing so I really wouldn't mind a June launch. Wasn't there a rumor that Nintendo has already started manafacturing?
Post by: Artimus on March 22, 2006, 10:11:32 AM
Post by: Kairon on March 22, 2006, 10:20:57 AM
And let's not forget the tiering of the launch. Previous statements suggested a 14 week roll-out across the three major territories, meaning a little more than 3 months from Japan/US to Europe.
For example, perhaps the Rev could launch in Japan in August, the month N64 launched in japan I think. Then it could come out stateside late September or early October. This is much less mind-stretching than the Apple-like Launch-1-month-after-E3. Or consider a July date if you want.
Another interesting factor in this is Zelda : TP. In order for it to be effective as a lunch title, it'll have to come out no more than 2 months before the Rev at the earliest.
Ah, but was TP really delayed till November? Or is that just our assumption given that we have heard November as a possible Rev Launch, and tied that in with TP's rev-functionality?
Hmmm... Spong seems to be the only site strongly behind the June/Summer Rev Launch possibility. But then again, the majority of the November launch rumors stem only from the "before Thanksgiving" statement Iwata made, which still leaves room for debate.
Oh, and I've heard that final XBox 360 dev kits only came out 2 months before the 360 launched. Is this true? Either way, surely the Rev development is still faster given the reports that programming for the Rev is almost exactly like programming for the GC, no ramp-up-time at all, unlike the 360 and PS3's multiple cores and processors and new technology and whatnot.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 22, 2006, 10:24:57 AM
Now those 3rd party developers are more legit source...however the news about Sony delaying is relatively new...if Nintendo feels it can pull off an early launch it may announce something soon and began to prep 3rd party developers for such a launch.
There are several ways Nintendo could do this.
1)Ship the final kits early.
2)Send detailed specs of the Revolution to developers so they know what better to expect while optimizing their games.
3)Release with more 1st person games and less 3rd party. Letting the 3rd party support carry Nintendo's Holiday season instead of additional 1st party games. (Launch 5 games at launch and plan next games released for January...then leave a big opportunity for 3rd parties to own Christmas sales.)
Post by: The Omen on March 22, 2006, 10:45:11 AM
Quote
IGN already debunked this rumour. Final dev kits don't come out until June, remember.
True, but I also keep hearing the Rev kits are suped up Gamecubes, which every 3rd party is already familar with. Going with the graphics don't mean everything mantra from Nintendo, would it be crazy to have all games in development for Rev, but bound by secrecy? Would it surprise anyone if Nintendo had 2 titles available for a June launch? It wouldn't surprise me. Mario 128 has been in development for over 2 years. You're teloling me Nintendodogs Rev couldn't be a June launch title? I disagree. And remember, launching early gives you the next 5 motnhs to build a library. Releasing against Sony immediately splits the potential users in half, at the very least, and would seriously kill any momentum.
I'm not saying it's likely, but I am saying it's aggresive and, at least to me, the right move..
Post by: Kairon on March 22, 2006, 10:48:49 AM
Also, whether the Rev will have any wifi-support on the software side at launch...
And then again we have to consider that SSBM rev job listing last October, talking about a June date at which they'd...I'm not sure of the translation, at which point the job listing would expire?
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 22, 2006, 10:52:10 AM
What does the lack of games in June matter, if by November you have the same more more games at launch than Sony?
By the time June comes around Xbox 360s will be plentiful to buy. If someone hasn't bought it, then its because they want to wait and see what is offered on the other systems, or waiting for that killer game.
Nintendo could probably have:
Mario Revolution
Metroid Revolution
as launch titles by June, and perhaps even
Smash Brothers Revolution.
But hey, lets not limit our early launch discussion to June...because that does seem highly unlikely. However, August seems more than doable...it seems practically a nobrainer.
Post by: Ian Sane on March 22, 2006, 10:54:07 AM
I don't like this idea. Relying on third parties is just too risky because third parties are inconsistent. Nintendo relied on third parties for the American DS launch and it sucked monkey nuts. If they do this then the big Rev Christmas title will be a half-assed port of Madden. It would be a little different if Nintendo was the market leader and could thus assume that third parties will take the Rev seriously. But initial third party support for less popular consoles isn't usually very hot. Typically you get a few quick 'n' dirty ports to capitalize on the new userbase starved for games but the really good third party support appears later on.
The plan might work okay though if those first party launch titles are good enough for them to continue to be popular sellers into Christmas. Not many people would buy all five games at launch so it might just work out that each person just ends up saving at least one of those titles for Christmas, due to lack of time and/or funds more than anything else.
I'm thinking September sounds like a good time to launch.
Post by: Smash_Brother on March 22, 2006, 10:56:53 AM
Leaving Sony to launch last will give Nintendo a STRONG edge.
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 22, 2006, 11:05:41 AM
The DS didn't have what I am describing. The DS didn't have 5 solid first person games at launch...they very rushed 3rd party games.
So if Nintendo launched June or August with 3-5 great first party games, then they would pretty much be launching a first party game for each month. If Metroid for Revolution can be as solid as Metroid Hunters that would be Nintendo's "Halo" for the hardcore gamers.
Now, 3rd parties could have a few extra months to polish there games before Christmas and not have to worry about the big N hording all the profits with their stellar games.
Finally, remember Nintendo's virtual system is still going to be up and running with a strong backlog of games for gamers to buy. And I understand you don't think Nintendo should rely or even consider those as "new" games for the Revolution. But, you have to admit that service will be a huge draw for several gamers that plan to spend more money on that service than on new Revolution games.
Post by: zakkiel on March 22, 2006, 11:50:10 AM
Post by: jasonditz on March 22, 2006, 12:06:38 PM
Post by: The Omen on March 22, 2006, 12:30:18 PM
Quote
Finally, remember Nintendo's virtual system is still going to be up and running with a strong backlog of games for gamers to buy. And I understand you don't think Nintendo should rely or even consider those as "new" games for the Revolution. But, you have to admit that service will be a huge draw for several gamers that plan to spend more money on that service than on new Revolution games.
Great point! Having hundreds of games available at launch is a huge attraction.
Quote
Anyone who thinks the Rev will be out before October is setting him/herself up for major disappointment.
Thanks...but nobody here said they expect it, or actually thinks it has a good chance to happen...just that it would be a great coup d'état.
Post by: IceCold on March 22, 2006, 12:43:51 PM
QuoteSorry, but I'd MUCH rather have polished and complete games in November rather than rushed and gimmick games in June. Aren't you the one who came down so hard on Nintendo for rushing Wind Waker? Then I'd expect you to realise that for the launch games to truly be memorable, they need the extra time. This rings even more true now that they're implementing radically different ideas into the games with the new controller. Balancing, polishing, and making it the best experience possible should take precedence.
Originally posted by: Kairon
I'd just like to go on record that if the Rev launched as late as October or November, I would feel a solid disappointment with Nintendo.
The Rev doesn't have fickle and cranky bleeding edge built-from-scrath technology like the PS3. It should be easy to manufacture, easy to launch earlier.
The Rev is purported to be very easy to develop on. If it's so easy, why does Nintendo need 1.5 years (starting from E3 2005) to create software for it? If you could start development on GC Dev kits, why shouldn't third parties be in the same boat?
And, before Ian says it, Nintendo just can't rely on the Virtual Console. They can't..
Post by: The Omen on March 22, 2006, 01:25:31 PM
Quote
And, before Ian says it, Nintendo just can't rely on the Virtual Console. They can't..
They wouldn't need to rely on it...it enhances the value of the purchase. Lets say Nintendo announces tomorrow that the console will release in June. That gives 3rd parties 3 months to ready games from scratch(although I believe they have been working on them for a month or two already). That's definitely do-able. It makes E3 a huge bash, even moreso since the console will launch right after it. Add into this Nintendo's mysteriously absent games in recent years, such as Mario 128, Mother or a Pikmin. You then add in the virtual console, and to me, that is definitely a console I would consider purchasing.
If I'm waiting all this time for the PS3, and the Rev releases at the same time, I wouldn't change my mind when given a choice. Give me a 5 month window, and I would be much more inclined to give the Rev a go.
It's simple, really: In between the 360 and the PS3 is the most enviable position to be in. You outshine the 'older' console, and set off a pre-emptive strike against the last console. You gain market share because there are only two consoles available for 5-6 months before the PS3 hits. You reach your second cycle of games as the PS3 hits with it's first, which will be less polished. People get acclimated to this new experience of the Rev, and they like it. You give them downloads of old games, and the nostalgia hits. Suddenly, they don't really need Sony anymore. And suddenly, Nintendo is in prime position this generation.
Post by: Kairon on March 22, 2006, 01:39:18 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: IceColdQuoteSorry, but I'd MUCH rather have polished and complete games in November rather than rushed and sparkling innovation games in June. Aren't you the one who came down so hard on Nintendo for rushing Wind Waker? Then I'd expect you to realise that for the launch games to truly be memorable, they need the extra time. This rings even more true now that they're implementing radically different ideas into the games with the new controller. Balancing, polishing, and making it the best experience possible should take precedence.
Originally posted by: Kairon
I'd just like to go on record that if the Rev launched as late as October or November, I would feel a solid disappointment with Nintendo.
The Rev doesn't have fickle and cranky bleeding edge built-from-scrath technology like the PS3. It should be easy to manufacture, easy to launch earlier.
The Rev is purported to be very easy to develop on. If it's so easy, why does Nintendo need 1.5 years (starting from E3 2005) to create software for it? If you could start development on GC Dev kits, why shouldn't third parties be in the same boat?
And, before Ian says it, Nintendo just can't rely on the Virtual Console. They can't..
You misunderstand me Ice Cold. I am not saying that the games should be rushed to accomodate an early launch. I am saying that they SHOULD be ready to launch earlier than October precisely because of the qualities Nintendo has attributed to the Revolution. Simpler hardware, cheaper development, easier development, innovation being what's most important rather than "This game will only be good if it looks better than that game that plays just like it."
The simplicity of the Rev hardware means that manufacturing it should NOT be a problem when Nintendo decides to. The easy development structure, along with the known GC-identical programming feel means that Nintendo should've started preliminary work on launch titles as far back as E3 2005. The easy development structure means that games that should've taken 12 months should only take 9. (Keep in mind, Rogue Leader was developed in 9 months) The no-learning-curve development means third parties, experts at current gen dev, should be capable of pulling that sort of schedule too.
Unless, of course, Nintendo is lying about the Rev's fast and easy development. I mean heck, they say that the Rev should be an easier platform to develop for, yet they can't ready games in time for launch? This is not about Mario Revolution, no it is NOT actually about wanting a game before it's ready. This is about whether Nintendo and third parties will have simple-concept-easy-development-great-appeal titles like Trauma Center Revolution, Mario Paint Revolution, Orchestra Conductor, Fish with Granpa, Cooking Mama Rev or whatever on the Revolution. Brain Training DS took 10 people 4 months to make. I want to see that sort of accomplishment on the Rev Launch software.
This is not about rushing games, this is about whether the development cycle for games,even low-content-simple-concept games like above, will really be shortened like Nintendo has said it will be.
Nintendo's made a promise of easy software development. Will I have to wait for second-or-third generation games for them to fulfill that promise or can they show me their earnestness right here and now?
For example, Majora's Mask was said to "save time" by using the OoT engine. Yet it still came out...what, 2 years AFTER OoT?!?! Look, it's cool that you shaved 6 months off the dev time, but it was too little, too late.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Kairon on March 22, 2006, 01:48:41 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: IceCold
Then I'd expect you to realise that for the launch games to truly be memorable, they need the extra time.
Screw launch games. Like I told Ian, we should talk Launch WINDOW and also the window after the Honeymoon period is over. Everything sells out at launch, you only need a truly breakout game a month or two later. Smash bros. wasn't a launch title. Neither was Halo if I recall. The PS2 had a bunch of mediocre stuff for a long time too. And does anyone even care about PD0 anymore?
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Ian Sane on March 22, 2006, 02:03:20 PM
Well Nintendo did make a big deal about the Cube being easy to develop for but Super Mario Sunshine didn't make launch and there was a big post-launch drought and most early third party games were REALLY rushed ports of PS2 games.
One thing people bring up is that since the hardware is so similar to the Cube that devs are already familiar with it. That makes sense in theory but who honestly is that familiar with Cube hardware? Nintendo obviously is and Capcom is but most third parties released nothing but multiplatform ports. How familiar are they with Cube hardware if all they ever did was take games originally made for the PS2 (lowest common denominator) or Xbox (most powerful) and ported them to the Cube? If you asked those devs to make effective use of the Cube hardware would they be able to do a good job? The Cube is capable of games like Resident Evil 4 but most third party games don't come even close to that level.
Now most of the really good third parties made at least one exclusive for the Cube so it's not like this is an issue with the really good stuff. But third parties like EA and Ubisoft never really gave the Cube much attention in the first place. Those third parties might need more time and finished dev kits.
"For example, Majora's Mask was said to 'save time' by using the OoT engine. Yet it still came out...what, 2 years AFTER OoT?!?! Look, it's cool that you shaved 6 months off the dev time, but it was too little, too late."
Two years between sequels is pretty damn good.
Post by: Kairon on March 22, 2006, 02:14:52 PM
Also Ian, the reason I bring up MM's use of OoTs engine but 2 year dev cycle is that, sure, you got another game out a little faster. But following the OoT model, you could've had a 2.5 year dev cycle and a completey new engine and thus a more exciting game. It was a phyrric victory, yay for old engines and 2 year dev cycles. Still, my point is that MM was too little too late, they needed more efficient development sooner rather than later so that they can build and maintain a momentum at launch, not later on when people's views on the console are already formed.
I'm saying I'd be disappointed if the benefits of this "cheaper, easier to develop" revolution only become evident in mid or late 2007 instead of now, when, if it exists, it would be the most help.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Darkheart on March 22, 2006, 02:21:10 PM
Quote
but who honestly is that familiar with Cube hardware
Nintendo
Capcom
Ea
SquareEnix
Camelot
Namco
Sega
Ubisoft
That is plenty of developers to produce something. Plus honestly I see Zelda making a summer game, and Rev close in the fall.
Post by: MaryJane on March 22, 2006, 02:31:36 PM
June seems too early, November is too late, but no matter when the Rev comes out PS3 will be strong. Their philosophy was, we want people to think, that no matter what the price I have to have it, and from what I'm hearing around the watering hole, campus, and my job, they seem to have achieved their goal. The Rev may take away some people but the PS3 will launch strong, unless some major flaw becomes apparent, but by that time it will alrdy launched strong. I hope the PS3 sinks under it's own considerable weight and the Rev brings Nintendo back to the glory days of old, but the launch isn't what's going to do it. It will be time.
Post by: jasonditz on March 22, 2006, 02:42:25 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
One thing people bring up is that since the hardware is so similar to the Cube that devs are already familiar with it. That makes sense in theory but who honestly is that familiar with Cube hardware? Nintendo obviously is and Capcom is but most third parties released nothing but multiplatform ports. How familiar are they with Cube hardware if all they ever did was take games originally made for the PS2 (lowest common denominator) or Xbox (most powerful) and ported them to the Cube? If you asked those devs to make effective use of the Cube hardware would they be able to do a good job? The Cube is capable of games like Resident Evil 4 but most third party games don't come even close to that level.
.
Don't forget Sega and Namco, both had ample opportunity to get familiar with the hardware.
And you could launch in 2009 and EA would still give you garbage ports.
Post by: IceCold on March 22, 2006, 04:11:50 PM
I want the Rev to launch around Canadian Thanksgiving - October 9th.
Post by: trip1eX on March 22, 2006, 04:22:32 PM
"Nintendo marketing chief Reggie Fils-Aime appeared on Spike TV's Game Head program yesterday and said that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess would be released at some point in the fall of 2006 and would be a GameCube title ....."
Post by: BigJim on March 22, 2006, 06:01:33 PM
If they could prepare "cool" games and launch at a shocking price point, they'd have my money pretty quickly.
But I'd be stunned if the launch were any sooner than November.
Post by: Kairon on March 22, 2006, 06:15:49 PM
This makes me wonder exactly WHAT Nintendo has cooking behind closed doors and what their development cycle is like in the very-experimental launch period, also when they pinned down general hardware goals and let their software teams work with that in mind.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: capamerica on March 22, 2006, 06:17:05 PM
Apple has done this time and time again where at a Keynote Steve Jobs will say "And One more thing.." and announce some new product that start shipping next week or even that day. Why can't Nintendo do the same thing?
Sure you could always argue that we would know something cause the developers would have leaked it out, But you have to ask yourself, IF the developers could leak that kind of info out don't you think they would have leaked out more info about the Revolution ingeneral. Look at what happen with the controller, No one leaked a word about that out.
I remember hearing that back in December the Revolution went into production. It was never confirmed or denied but if it was indeed true then Nintendo could make a June release.
If anyone could pull it off I think Nintendo could.
And it would scare the hell out of Sony and MS cause it will happen out of no where.
Post by: Kairon on March 22, 2006, 06:25:46 PM
I've just about lost hope that an early launch could happen since Zelda:TP is slated to come out so late.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: BigJim on March 22, 2006, 06:32:47 PM
Nintendo wouldn't hold onto 6 months of product inventory. There are all kinds of cost issues that'd go with that.
Post by: jasonditz on March 22, 2006, 06:45:35 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: BigJim
Sega tried it with their surprise Saturn launch. Good for headlines and on paper, not so great in practice. Apple's product announcements don't necessarily need additional software from other vendors like consoles do. "Viola" surprises are a lot easier in that world.
Nintendo is not silly enough to hold onto 6 months of product inventory. There are all kinds of cost issues that go with that.
The Saturn had a lot of other problems so it might not be a fair test of if it can work in this market.
Apple's got a better infrastructure for this sort of thing though: they have their own stores all over the place and a very well put together e-store. Almost every Apple user has bought something directly from Apple at one time or another... Nintendo users are used to getting their products from the retailer of their choice.
Then again, it wouldn't be a complete surprise... we know the system is coming... we just don't know when. Saying "oh, and by the way, they'll be in stores next month" seems like plenty of time for the logistics problems to be sorted out, provided they've got enough systems made and enough games ready for launch.
Post by: BigJim on March 22, 2006, 06:54:18 PM
Didn't Nintendo specifically say November, anyway? Or was that somebody else? The Spong is sh!t either way.
Post by: wandering on March 22, 2006, 07:12:00 PM
Quote
Sure you could always argue that we would know something cause the developers would have leaked it out, But you have to ask yourself, IF the developers could leak that kind of info out don't you think they would have leaked out more info about the Revolution ingeneral. Look at what happen with the controller, No one leaked a word about that out.
My perception has been they've been very, very careful with who they shared controller information with prior to TGS (Unlike with the StarCube controller...which was leaked to ign well before it's official unveiling) Alot of devs seemed surprised at the controller unveiling at TGS.
In comparison, it's hard to hide information when thousands of dev kits are involved. I'm pretty sure we know final dev kits won't be out until June.
More to the point, would a surprise launch really be a good thing? Nintendo wants to build hype, remember. They've said they're planning on slowly releasing more and more information from E3 until launch. Launching early could give Sony a chance to take over the hype train in time for the holidays.
Post by: Ian Sane on March 22, 2006, 07:52:43 PM
I initially had the idea that Nintendo should release the Rev as quickly as possible to avoid being the last ones. But I don't think Sony is going to be launching anytime soon and Nintendo should be able to beat them to the market without rushing.
Post by: The Omen on March 22, 2006, 08:31:50 PM
Post by: Requiem of Darcness on March 22, 2006, 09:06:40 PM
Post by: wandering on March 22, 2006, 09:10:07 PM
Quote
The extra couple of months would allow 3rd parties to get their launch titles ready.
How would Japanese third parties be any readier for a June launch?
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 23, 2006, 03:44:25 AM
I also don't think Japan is the best market to launch the system in. As mentioned before Japan is going to buy this new device no matter what. The whole concept is tailor made for them, and it will compete quite well against Sony.
So the earliest launch should go to America where Nintendo will have the hardest time competing. This will give Nintendo a headstart in proving their ideas without 2 competing systems.
Remember some gamers just hate MS and won't buy the Xbox360, they are waiting for Sony or Nintendo. Others, just can't afford the price entry right now. (We know Xbox360 will get a small price reduction when Sony's system hits the street) so launching cheaper and earlier makes your system look like the best deal.
Post by: Rhoq on March 23, 2006, 05:07:07 AM
I would rather Revolution be held back until November to allow developers ample time to complete and polish their projects so we have a decent selection of titles to chose from at launch (is Nov2006 too soon?). I don't want to have to wait 6 or 7 months after the Revoltion is released for quality games to start coming out, like we did with the DS.
Post by: Ian Sane on March 23, 2006, 06:49:17 AM
Launching in America first didn't result in a very good DS launch. Nintendo is a Japanese company and Japan is their focus. If they launch in America first their Japanese devs might not consider it a high priority and then won't have their games ready in time. It's clear with the DS that NOA said "we have to launch now" and NCL did not plan for it because pretty much none of the games were ready. Plus if they launch first in America then there's probably going to be more American launch games and, well, the non-Japanese third parties that support Nintendo are pretty crappy. I would prefer more Japanese games at launch which I think would require the Japanese launch to be first.
It would probably be okay if NCL planned for it ahead of time and could make sure that their first party games were ready. But if NOA just decides to launch earlier it's going to be a weak launch.
Post by: RiskyChris on March 23, 2006, 06:55:28 AM
Post by: Kairon on March 23, 2006, 07:01:30 AM
Still, if Zelda is slated for a Fall North American release, then I can't possibly see how the Rev can launch before it. Zelda:TP is released either with or before the Rev. There's still the possibility of a Summer Japanese launch with Zelda:TP there, but the North American launch will happen in the fall, probably in line with how long Zelda:TP takes to translate.
Oh, and it was also good of someone to point out that in Japan, the XBox360 doesn't exist. If the Rev beats the PS3 to market there, it will be as if they launched first overall.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Ian Sane on March 23, 2006, 07:12:16 AM
I don't think the same scenario applies to the Rev. The Rev is following a last place console. The DS was following one of the most popular videogame systems ever made. The DS could have launched with nothing but the Metroid demo and it probably would have sold just because of the association with the Gameboy. Plus the DS launched with no competition. In the US the Rev's first competitor is already in stores. I honestly believe the Rev would get absolutely creamed if it launched with a lineup that horrible. Like within a year it would be in clearance bins. The DS launch didn't sell the concept and didn't even have any new games from Nintendo.
Post by: Kairon on March 23, 2006, 07:45:30 AM
Of course, Earlier I was not suggesting that the Rev launch with a poor line-up. I was just wondering why they needed so long to make the line-up in the first place.
Now as to the "surprise" launch, there's no point in doing it without games and without hardware. A good surprise launch is when you're actually ready to launch at an earlier date. That's the real surprise. It surprises nobody if you launch 6 months early, and it looks like you really did launch 6 months too early.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Ian Sane on March 23, 2006, 07:55:54 AM
Halo was a launch title.
Post by: BlkPaladin on March 23, 2006, 11:07:31 AM
Post by: JonLeung on March 23, 2006, 02:32:36 PM
Post by: Requiem of Darcness on March 24, 2006, 06:31:21 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: wanderingQuote
The extra couple of months would allow 3rd parties to get their launch titles ready.
How would Japanese third parties be any readier for a June launch?
It wouldn't but the Revolution would sell well the first few months in Japan anyway. After rereading it, I can see how my initial post was unclear. The extra months would allow third parties to have titles ready for the US and Euro launches of the Revolution. A early launch here would be pointless without a good variety of top notch titles.
Post by: Requiem on March 24, 2006, 06:38:09 AM
I challenge you to a duel!
Post by: animecyberrat on March 24, 2006, 07:17:51 PM
Saturn also looked bad in comparison to ps because it was a 100 dollars cheaper than Saturn, we all know that rev will be a lot more than 100 dollars cheaper than ps3.
I can honestly see them releasing early as long as they have at least two or three big name games that are complete and fully ready, because I expect a lot of people will get the rev with the new controller in mind and the virtual console now that its looking even better.
More and more people will take it seriously once they see that its going to have such a huge back catalog of games available to chose from in addition to the new rev games, also keep in mind that a lot of N64 games got over looked in their day because ps1 was so much more popular and some of their games got drowned out by sonys stuff. Those N64 games might be enough to hold a lot of people over for a while also.
Also I agree that if the rev is basically a supped up GC than there’s NO excuse for not having games ALREADY done right now. Nintendo and the top 3rd party devs could easily have a decent line up ready by June or July. I think Midway, Capcom, Nintendo, Sega, and Namco could all have one or two games ready by then, plus EA and Ubi soft could have a hand full each ready. Also don’t underestimate EA, If they make a MLB game ready for at that time right in the middle of baseball season there will be a huge opportunity for Nintendo to sell the concept of the controller.
Dream cast had a hard time overcoming the lack of EA sports games and if REV has a good lineup of regular 3rd party games and EA stuff there’s a good chance it will sell better.
I think June or July realistically is not only possible but the smartest move they could make.
I will settle for August also but latter than that will take away from the big hit that it will have on Sony.
Edited for spelling and added stuff
Post by: animecyberrat on March 26, 2006, 05:59:42 AM
