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NWR Interactive => TalkBack => Topic started by: JusDBerube on May 07, 2014, 11:26:00 PM

Title: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: JusDBerube on May 07, 2014, 11:26:00 PM

This holiday, Nintendo enters the Skylanders and Disney Infinity space.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/37367/nintendo-figurine-platform-for-nfc-figures-announced

Nintendo's long-anticipated Skylanders-like NFC platform has been revealed as NFP, which stands for both "NFC Featured Platform" and "Nintendo Figurine Platform."

Nintendo's plan is to release multiple NFC (near field communication) readable/writable figures that will contain data that can be transferred to several platforms and games. Currently, the Wii U supports this feature out of the box thanks to the GamePad's NFC reader. Nintendo also plans to release an IR-based NFC reader for the 3DS within the first half of 2015 ensuring compatibility with their current portable platform as well.

Nintendo views this new platform as a way to help leverage their IPs and hopes it becomes a core aspect of the company. Additionally, Nintendo is hoping the decorative boxes for NFP figures will help raise brand awareness from those passing by at retail locations.

Nintendo plans to launch their NFP platform by the end of 2014. More details, and supported software, for the Nintendo Figurine Platform will be revealed at E3 next month.

Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Soren on May 07, 2014, 11:33:50 PM
I can totally see Nintendo wasting 30 minutes of their digital event talking about this. Ugh.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Kytim89 on May 07, 2014, 11:47:15 PM
Wonderful 101 would have been perfect for something such as this. Although there is still potential for it in a possible sequel.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Tyto_Alba on May 08, 2014, 02:50:09 AM
it kind of depends on the game(s) it supports, but i can see myself buying these figures.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Phil on May 08, 2014, 03:50:48 AM
Quote from: Soren on May 07, 2014, 11:33:50 PM
I can totally see Nintendo wasting 30 minutes of their digital event talking about this. Ugh.

I'm not singling you out, as I don't know you well enough to do so, but I must say that the former hardcore Nintendo fan (again, I can't say this is you as I don't know you well enough, so don't think I'm talking about you) turned "I am going to rag and bitch and moan and be obnoxiously negative about every facet of Nintendo now" is without a doubt the most annoying group in gaming right now to me.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Elflord on May 08, 2014, 06:53:52 AM
Sounds kool, first thing i thought of was Pokemon. But so many possibilities!!

Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Adrock on May 08, 2014, 07:28:00 AM
Seems a bit late to be introducing this now though that's pretty much par for the course on Wii U.

I think it's a cool idea, just like Skylanders and Disney Infinity before it. Certainly, there's an audience for these collectible figures. While no games have been announced, I will probably have to sit this out if only due to the extra cost of the figures, unsurprisingly the same reason I just couldn't be bothered with Skylanders and Infinity. Additionally, these figures just seem like less convenient DLC.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: ejamer on May 08, 2014, 07:50:34 AM
Might be late to the party, but if the games behind the figures are good then it will be entirely worthwhile.


That said, I'm very curious what the related games will look like. Pokemon was the obvious fit for NFC collectible figures. The "collect them all" tagline is perfect, as is the way individual Pokemon have unique characteristics, are leveled up over time, and are trained to have specific moves available.


Going with characters from the Mario universe is a less natural fit, and makes me wonder what kind of stats/info will be attached to the figures - especially when they are talking about using the figures across multiple games. Maybe the info contained on figures will be more generic, including stuff like your Mii and user profile and save data for various games, making the figures a sort of "gaming passport" that can be taken to your friend's house?
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Neifirst on May 08, 2014, 07:56:02 AM
Quote from: Phil on May 08, 2014, 03:50:48 AM
Quote from: Soren on May 07, 2014, 11:33:50 PM
I can totally see Nintendo wasting 30 minutes of their digital event talking about this. Ugh.

I'm not singling you out, as I don't know you well enough to do so, but I must say that the former hardcore Nintendo fan (again, I can't say this is you as I don't know you well enough, so don't think I'm talking about you) turned "I am going to rag and bitch and moan and be obnoxiously negative about every facet of Nintendo now" is without a doubt the most annoying group in gaming right now to me.

To be fair, that annoying group in gaming you describe could be applied to several staff members appearing on NWR podcasts.  While NFC doesn't really do much for me, it sounds like a great way to expand into the toys business and I'm surprised to learn it will apply to several titles across both Wii U and 3DS.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Ceric on May 08, 2014, 09:30:37 AM
I think this will make money.  Coming after Disney Infinity and probably the 4th Skylander really hurts its potential, though.  Now if these figures allow for Sonic and Knuckle style things that be interesting.  That would provide that Nintendo developed a framework that was really easy to hook into a game.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: nickmitch on May 08, 2014, 11:09:14 AM
I really wanna see what kind of game(s) come from this.  I don't think I can be excited until I see some game play.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on May 08, 2014, 11:18:18 AM
Nintendo as usual is Late To The Party (even though there were first to RSVP), but atleast they were willing to show up.

I really expected this a while ago with a Pokemon game of some sort.

Quote from: ejamer on May 08, 2014, 07:50:34 AM
makes me wonder what kind of stats/info will be attached to the figures - especially when they are talking about using the figures across multiple games. Maybe the info contained on figures will be more generic, including stuff like your Mii and user profile and save data for various games, making the figures a sort of "gaming passport" that can be taken to your friend's house?

I think it would also be really cool if you could purchase your Mii Figurine, and use that as a way to transfer your profile from system to system.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Ian Sane on May 08, 2014, 12:54:47 PM
This is a good idea from a business perspective though I'll admit I personally hope it bombs.  I just don't want Nintendo games to routinely expect me to buy figurines to access the full content of the game.  Some kid focused figurine game I don't want to play anyway?  Sure, that's fine.  But a "real" Mario or Zelda or Pokemon?  No, I want to buy the game and call it a day.  It's no different than how I want microtransactions to fail as a concept as well.  There is too much consumer acceptance of getting nickle and dimed and I don't like a few spend-happy idiots ruining the industry for everyone else.

Imagine a SSB where you unlock characters by buying figures on top of the cost of the game.  Sadly while that upsets me greatly I know some people would be excited by the prospect.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on May 08, 2014, 01:10:44 PM
Quote from: Ian Sane on May 08, 2014, 12:54:47 PM
Imagine a SSB where you unlock characters by buying figures on top of the cost of the game.

where you unlock characters immediately by buying figures on top of the cost of the game.
as opposed to having to play to unlock those characters. Although I could see a few select hidden characters/variants that can only be unlocked by figurines.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Evan_B on May 08, 2014, 02:02:37 PM
I hope that Nintendo has the balls to implement NFC in a manner that isn't as ridiculous as the pricing model for Skylanders. if you're going to have a game that revolves around NFC, reduce the price so that it feels cheaper initially, but becomes substantial for enthusiasts and collectors.

What Nintendo does have is the ability to make these figures have functionality across franchises rather than just one- and that's what I'm hoping they'll try to promote. Make my Pokemon Rumble figures have a purpose in the mainline Pokemon games, or give them a weird function in a new Zelda title.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Fireninjastar26 on May 08, 2014, 02:44:02 PM
It's like fancy DLC for multiple games. :D
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Pixelated Pixies on May 08, 2014, 03:03:56 PM
Nintendo's getting involved in this 'Toys-to-Life' genre too? Go figure.

sorry


Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Caterkiller on May 08, 2014, 03:05:05 PM
Oh no... I'm such a sucker for well made figures. I got a kid now! Aint no body got time for that!
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Stogi on May 08, 2014, 05:14:34 PM
Ian, isn't SSB literally about a child playing with toys? I know it's evolved since, but what a perfect way to bring back the innocence of a sweet little game and charge 10$ a pop.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Ian Sane on May 08, 2014, 06:10:15 PM
Quote from: Stogi on May 08, 2014, 05:14:34 PM
Ian, isn't SSB literally about a child playing with toys? I know it's evolved since, but what a perfect way to bring back the innocence of a sweet little game and charge 10$ a pop.

What do you work for Nintendo?  Why would you want this?  I get why Nintendo would but why would you want to pay twice what you used to pay for SSB for no reason other than Nintendo wanting to make you buy extra stuff?
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Griffinclaw on May 08, 2014, 06:11:23 PM
Damnit... well, regardless if I actually play any games involved with these figures, I'm still going to buy a Samus figure if I see it, lol. Should go nicely with my phazon suit Sideshow statue, zero suit figure, and Other M figma.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Adrock on May 08, 2014, 06:39:30 PM
Quote from: Ian Sane on May 08, 2014, 06:10:15 PM
What do you work for Nintendo?  Why would you want this?  I get why Nintendo would but why would you want to pay twice what you used to pay for SSB for no reason other than Nintendo wanting to make you buy extra stuff?
I don't want to speak for Stogi, but I believe there's value in the figures themselves. Some people like collecting stuff. Depending on price, I'd consider buying Samus, Link, and/or Daisy figures just to have. I can't see myself collecting all the figures for a game ($10 a figure can kindly get the **** out of my face), but I might buy one on sale if I thought the figure looked cool.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Ian Sane on May 08, 2014, 06:54:12 PM
Quote from: Adrock on May 08, 2014, 06:39:30 PM
Quote from: Ian Sane on May 08, 2014, 06:10:15 PM
What do you work for Nintendo?  Why would you want this?  I get why Nintendo would but why would you want to pay twice what you used to pay for SSB for no reason other than Nintendo wanting to make you buy extra stuff?
I don't want to speak for Stogi, but I believe there's value in the figures themselves. Some people like collecting stuff. Depending on price, I'd consider buying Samus, Link, and/or Daisy figures just to have. I can't see myself collecting all the figures for a game ($10 a figure can kindly get the **** out of my face), but I might buy one on sale if I thought the figure looked cool.

Yeah, the figures have some real value.  I wouldn't dislike owning some Nintendo figures but I don't want to HAVE to to access videogame content.  It annoys me in the same way DLC does but this is worse because it's less direct.  At least with DLC if I want it I go the eShop and buy it.  Here I might have to hunt all over town for some figure that's sold out everywhere.  Ugh.

I say let figures be figures and video games be video games and you buy what interests you.  But making one unrelated item a glorified mandatory purchase for the other is pretty lame.  I really hope they don't misuse the concept in that way.  Nintendo hasn't even revealed that they will but the potential for abuse here is really high so I'm concerned.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Shaymin on May 08, 2014, 08:18:24 PM
I have bought one set of these micro-scams, er, fgures since the whole thing began and that was as a Christmas gift for my nephew. (My sister-in-law still hasn't forgiven me.)

I don't see this changing for me.

However, if the rewards for investment are also available through the course of normal play, then I won't be as upset.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: marvel_moviefan_2012 on May 08, 2014, 09:31:41 PM
When I read this news I immediately thought of Smash Bros, because all the trophies in Melee were like the same kind of thing and collecting the digital trophies was my favorite part of that game. I don't know if this will sell me on the system but Nintendo found away to get some of my money this year.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: ejamer on May 08, 2014, 10:14:01 PM
Anyone getting worked up is jumping the gun.


All we know is that there will be figures, and they will have the potential to interact with multiple games. We don't know what type of games will be involved, what the pricing or distribution of figures will be like, how figures will interact with games, or what costs will be. Without more information it's kind of pointless to make any serious comments.


That said, I'm more worried about how hard it will be to find/buy figures without resorting to second-hand scalpers than about what the games are like. Hopefully NoA does a better job supporting this idea than they did with other game-related items like Kid Icarus AR cards or Animal Crossing trading cards.  (Should be different due to profit potential... but NoA hasn't earned much confidence from me in how they handle product releases lately.)
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: marvel_moviefan_2012 on May 08, 2014, 10:26:32 PM
I wouldn't say I am hyped or excited for this but if done right it could be cool. Games or no games I would be into collecting the figures.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: nickmitch on May 09, 2014, 10:32:12 AM
I'm thinking they could add characters to Mario Kart this way.  That wouldn't impact the game terribly, but could still be fun for collectors, especially if they could have effects in other games.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Evan_B on May 09, 2014, 11:37:53 AM
The reason the Skylanders/Infinity model is so annoying is because the figures are restricted to a certain title and they don't feel like an investment with the new figures that appear on the market. In its first two years, Skylanders played it extremely safe with the first wave and "giants" but the new gimmicks of the figures set them apart drastically and require new ports to operate. Of course, the sad thing is the Skylanders and Infinity model is the cheapest and most profitable NFC plan.

In a perfect world, NFC figures are optional investments that pay off overtime. Make every game have a neat NFC tidbit that, when you look at your whole library, you feel justified in buying that figure because it wasn't just for one game.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: pokepal148 on May 09, 2014, 01:47:41 PM
At the same time I don't want to be missing out on content because I don't want my house cluttered with a @#$!*& plastic doll collection.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Stogi on May 09, 2014, 06:39:35 PM
Quote from: Ian Sane on May 08, 2014, 06:10:15 PM
Quote from: Stogi on May 08, 2014, 05:14:34 PM
Ian, isn't SSB literally about a child playing with toys? I know it's evolved since, but what a perfect way to bring back the innocence of a sweet little game and charge 10$ a pop.

What do you work for Nintendo?  Why would you want this?  I get why Nintendo would but why would you want to pay twice what you used to pay for SSB for no reason other than Nintendo wanting to make you buy extra stuff?

After looking at my post, I realized that my sarcasm was well hidden.

I guess what I meant to say was let Nintendo lube up and rape the wallets of fans everywhere. Did I say rape? I meant let the fans not only consent to but pay for their harddicking. All the while, I'm the one with devalued Nintendo stock and a half stiffy.

Clear enough for ya?
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: pokepal148 on May 10, 2014, 12:27:10 AM
I should add, the skylanders/infinity model is basically on disc DLC. Just no.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Pixelated Pixies on May 10, 2014, 05:34:04 AM
Quote from: pokepal148 on May 09, 2014, 01:47:41 PM
At the same time I don't want to be missing out on content because I don't want my house cluttered with a @#$!*& plastic doll collection.

That's an interesting point. I've never really thought about it because, honestly, none of these 'toy-to-life' games have interested me in the least, but locking content behind physical items will no doubt be a deterrent to some people who might otherwise have enjoyed the game content. I don't really have the space for tens of plastic figurines in my apartment, and I'd also feel more than little embarrassed by their presence. At the age of 26 I'm just about comfortable explaining to friends and family why I still enjoy playing video games, I don't really have the inclination to explain why that appreciation now extends to collecting little plastic figures.

I guess what I'm happy for my appreciation for Nintendo to be kept between me and my 3DS, and not put on display for the whole world to gawk at.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Infinitys_End on May 11, 2014, 07:03:44 PM
Cue SSB tie-in in 3...2...
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: Mop it up on May 12, 2014, 05:10:44 PM
I don't like the sound of this one bit.
Title: Re: Nintendo Figurine Platform for NFC Figures Announced
Post by: nickmitch on May 12, 2014, 06:03:32 PM
Quote from: Pixelated Pixies on May 10, 2014, 05:34:04 AM
Quote from: pokepal148 on May 09, 2014, 01:47:41 PM
At the same time I don't want to be missing out on content because I don't want my house cluttered with a @#$!*& plastic doll collection.

That's an interesting point. I've never really thought about it because, honestly, none of these 'toy-to-life' games have interested me in the least, but locking content behind physical items will no doubt be a deterrent to some people who might otherwise have enjoyed the game content. I don't really have the space for tens of plastic figurines in my apartment, and I'd also feel more than little embarrassed by their presence. At the age of 26 I'm just about comfortable explaining to friends and family why I still enjoy playing video games, I don't really have the inclination to explain why that appreciation now extends to collecting little plastic figures.

I guess what I'm happy for my appreciation for Nintendo to be kept between me and my 3DS, and not put on display for the whole world to gawk at.

That's a great point.  A lot of people would probably be willing to pay for the content, but not the figurines.  I wonder if Nintendo would consider doing it both ways.  Maybe have the effect be $2.00 in the game, but if you buy the $5 figure, you get the content across maybe 3 games, so the figure almost saves you money.