Topic: NCG Editorial

[Illustrious Chen]

I think your views on Nintendo's next console were fairly well placed but some of your ideas didn't make any sense.  You wanted the console to apeal to everyone and be cheap but you want an LCD monitor permanently attached to it? You want the standard memory card to be an SD adapter, why not plug the SD cards directly into it?  You say the "flagship" color of the GameCube was purple when it was actually purple AND the neutral color of Black.  You talk about a clip-on wireless transmitter for the GBASP, which would be great, but the GBA will be old news by then and we'll have the next handheld.

Of course this is all opinion and speculation, but you had a good article there.

[RickPowers]

I think you were reading just a bit too far into it.

Having an LCD monitor integrated is no more strange an idea as having one on the SP.  They can be found for $99 right now, and with Nintendo's mass-production ability, they can surely bring the cost down to something that can be included cheaply.

When I say that the standard memory option should be an "SD Adapter", I'm using that term because it's something current Cube enthusiast understand.  Of course, you could do away with the adapter and just have a slot for the SD cards ...

The flagship color of the GameCube IS Indigo (Purple).  Black was available at the same time, but Purple was the color Nintendo was pushing at the outset.  

The wireless transceiver for the GBA SP could just as easily be used for any handheld.  The point I'm getting across is to eliminate the cords.  Plus, I wouldn't count the SP out ... it's only been around a year, and has huge marketplace traction right now.

Anyway, I'm glad you liked it regardless.

[Ian Sane]

I assume you're talking about Rick's editorial, right?  I thought it was pretty well thought out and written.  I think the LCD screen would make more sense as an option instead of a permanent attachment.  Realistically I would never use it over my TV so I wouldn't want to pay like an extra hundred bucks for it.  The idea of an official screen is a good idea though and I think Nintendo should release such a screen at launch and hype it up as a must-own accessory (kind of like the stupid vertical stand for the PS2).

I also would make the wireless controllers have removable cords so you can choose to use them as regular controllers if you want.  One issue that is very important for the next console's design is the controller itself.  Rick, what sort of changes would you make to the existing Cube controller for the next console?

"say the 'flagship' color of the GameCube was purple when it was actually purple AND the neutral color of Black."

No the flagship colour was purple.  That was the colour featured in all of the ads and the colour associated with the Gamecube.  It was a real bonehead move on NOA's part when they had the black model RIGHT THERE and could have advertised it instead.  It's not like they even would have had to get any sort of special "America only" colour or anything.

[Perfect Cell]

Personally i dont think the 1 year head start is as important to Sony as the "hype" it had. The Dreamcast was released 1 year before the PS2, and look where Sega ended up. The hype is what sold the system. I remember the day when it was released, every 30 minutes you would see the lines of people waiting for Playstations on CNN... That was Free advertisement that lead to the "hype". The Playstation is whats "pop" now. Watch MTVs Cribs, every Sports or Movie or Music star has a Playstation 2 on their Home Entretainment system.... Nintendo needs to get some hype on their system if they want to win the next console war.


Rick, wouldnt an LCD screen lead to a canobalization of Nintendos handheld market? I just dont see that happening... other than that its a great editorial. I would love to see Wavebirds as the standard controlers for the next console. The Wavebird is heads and shoulders ahead of any controler on the market.

[Michael8983]

"You wanted the console to apeal to everyone and be cheap but you want an LCD monitor permanently attached to it?"

The LCD screen created for the Gamecube was supposably really inexpensive and Nintendo might even be able to make one for the new console even less expensive. But, actually, it would probably be a lot smarter for Nintendo to make the LCD screen optional. Sell one console with it and a second without it (but upgrade-ready) for a cheaper price. That way people who don't care about it being portable won't feel cheated.

"You talk about a clip-on wireless transmitter for the GBASP, which would be great, but the GBA will be old news by then and we'll have the next handheld."

I doubt it. Nintendo is going to want the GBA/SP to be around for a very long time. Just look how long the original Gameboy lasted and held up against much more advanced hardware. Iwata has already established he doesn't see Sony as a threat to its portable market dominance so I doubt Nintendo is going to change the plan and release the GBA's successor any sooner.
My prediction. After the failure of the PSP, the GBA/SP will keep going strong for at least five more years and its successor will be released around the same time as Nintendo's sixth console.  

[kennyb27]

The LCD screen would be a great way to push LAN play.  Wireless "everything" would also be great, in my opinion.

[RickPowers]

The problem with making the screen an optional add-on is that you instantly segment your market.  That's why add-ons almost always fail.  When you have a userbase of 10 Million (for example), and you have an add-on that's only sold 1 Million, you have a problem.  Say a game has a typical sell-through of 10%.  That's One Million in sales, and that's pretty damned good.  But if it requires that add-on, you've just cut your own sales to 100,000 units.  Whoops.  This is an extreme and not terribly accurate example, but you get the point.

Now, think about what might be possible with an LCD screen standard.  Suppose the new console has the horsepower support video dual outputs.  All those games that use the GBA as a secondary screen could now use the built-in LCD as that secondary screen.  Now all those games that would have limited thier sales to just those that bought the screen can be used by the entire installed base.  That's exciting.  I'm not saying that this is what's going to happen, but the possibility is pretty neat.

[ThePerm]

"Personally i dont think the 1 year head start is as important to Sony as the "hype" it had. The Dreamcast was released 1 year before the PS2, and look where Sega ended up. "

well because Saturn was a total failure it didnt help. People are now trying to remember N64 as a failure and this is simply not true.

[BigJim]

Iwata said he didn't see the PSP cutting into their business, that's not to say marketshare wouldn't be taken from them if they were to be classed together. It means that the impact to them specifically, in terms of dollars, wouldn't be great. But Nintendo has been cocky to dismiss rivals before, this could be no different.

I think PSP will have success, but it won't dethrone GBA. The GBA would have had a 3 year head start or whatever by then.

The difference between Saturn, Dreamcast, and PSOne is the timing. Sega was so intent on launching first that they launched their platforms mid-cycle. PSOne was released at a good time to counter Nintendo's N64 hype.

An LCD for a console is unique. If it could be detached so the player can sit on the couch, then I think you're on to something. Getting up close to the console would be a bit weird. This might negate GBA connectivity, however.

DVD playback goes against the gaming-only theme, but at this point the cost of DVD playback would be nil, except for the licensing, which is also pretty small now. I know most (> 50%) households probably have DVD players, but I don't think most have more than one yet. There is still value in including DVD playback in that the kids can now have their own DVD player in their rooms.

If they REALLY want to go all the way with their gaming-only theme, they should build in GBA and GameCube support and promote the 3 systems in one.

If the N5 architecture is similar enough to GameCube's, it would be cool if they were to release games that detected what hardware you're running, and then optimize itself for that platform. Sort of like what PC games do when detecting the CPU and video card. These games would reach 2 systems at once. Even though it might cannibalize N5 sales, the money is in the software and this would increase the potential buyers.  And it would take up less shelf space in retail than current multi-platform games. It's perfect for 2nd tier games like Mario Party and others that do well, but aren't system-sellers.

The elimination of controller ports adds new possibilities. They could include enough receivers to support any number of signals. Built-in 8-player support perhaps? If there's more than one video out, that would simplify LAN gaming... if not make it somewhat obsolete.

Armchair quarterbacks unite.  

[The Real Mario]

Quote
TextIf they REALLY want to go all the way with their gaming-only theme, they should build in GBA and GameCube support and promote the 3 systems in one

No! That would be the same mistake Sega made when they decided that they could afford to promote the Sega CD/32X, the Game Gear, and the Saturn all at the same time.  The public would be confused on what to buy

[Ocarina Blue]

I think the LCD moniter isn't such a great idea. Nintendo has tried semi-portability before, and it didn't work out so well. I think the best thing Nintendo can do for their next console is make games games games and games. Games of all types, made by diufferent parties. The PS2 is a perfect example of a system that has dominance almost soley because if its huge library of games. If I remember correctly, Nintendo is working on alot of new games studios in Kyoto, hopefully this will boost it. I enjoyed reading your editorial, though.

[Mannypon]

I think the addition of an lcd monitor would be great becuase it'll give nintendo somethin to brag about, something they can really market in their commercials.  Nintendo seems to be tryin to get into this LAN thing.  Includin an lcd screen with every next generation system would make inplementing LAN modes in games insanely easy.  The LAN modes will only be an option for users to take advantage of or not, they can always still have the option to play on their tvs but if a freind ever wants to play a LAN game, all they would have to do will be to bring their N5 over and their game (havein some games LAN compatible with just one disc, as some gba games are, just with limited modes just to intice indivuals to actually have everyone that dont have the disc to buy it so they can open all the full LAN modes).  Having that would be alot easier than havin someone requiring to have an extra tv to play LAN, especially when it gets into the 4-8 player games, since 2 tvs shouldnt be much of a prob to get together with a lil effort put in, but 4-8 tvs can be a huge prob.  Plus the lcd screen will give people a better resolution to their games dependin on what type of tv they have in their rooms.  I know I'll prob take the lcd screen over my tv anyday.  Also, I think it'll be great to be layin on ma bed with my N5 on my stomach, flipped screen open and playin a game with my wireless controller.  Since the system should have a load tray for the cds then the screen on top shouldnt be a prob, they can have it clip onto the system when not in use.  Also, the system should have those recharge trays for the wireless controlers on the side of the system so when you aint playin you can dock the controllers there to recharge and it'll also have them out of the way and not layin around the floor or something.

[Ian Sane]

"The problem with making the screen an optional add-on is that you instantly segment your market. That's why add-ons almost always fail."

Yeah but that really only applies for add-ons that are required for certain games.  With something like the N64 expansion pack or the Sega CD there was a risk of segmenting your market because there would be games released that could only be run with the add-on.  However a screen is more like the Wavebird in that it provides a convenience for those willing to spend the extra money.  There realistically wouldn't be any games that require the LCD screen so it's really just a cool extra for people who want to make their console more portable.

[JB]

Quote
Nintendo needs to analyze this situation and determine if DVD playback would be wise. DVD isn’t going through the boom period that it was when Sony launched, and that boat might have sailed. These “convergence consoles” are largely responsible for homes having multiple movie players, and not many people out there need another one.

There is something else that might have the same boom in the future as that DVD had: DVD video recording. Not many people own a DVD-recorder yet, and the market is only now starting to grow. If Nintendo can include a video recording function into the N5 and still keeping the price low, the N5 could possibly establish a huge installed user base in a short amount of time, like the PS2 did. The cheapest DVD-video recorders ar now around 800 Euros(900 USD) and Philips is expecting this price to drop slightly before the end of the year.  Nintendo could also release two or three versions of the N5, one with DVD-video recorder capabilities, one with only DVD-playback capabilities and one low-budget version only suitable for games(possibly even without backwards compatibility with the GameCube to save money). The DVD-recorder version would only have to cost around 50-100 Euros (around 55-110 USD)more than the DVD-playback only version.