Topic: Nintendo Teaming Up With Universal Studios for Nintendo-Themed Attractions

[Shaymin]

Soon, Universal will have more than just Video Armageddon.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/40211/nintendo-teaming-up-with-universal-studios-for-nintendo-themed-attractions

Nintendo is getting into the theme park business with the help of Universal Studios.

A press release sent out to coincide with Nintendo's financial results announced the alliance, which will see "spectacular, dedicated experiences based on Nintendo's wildly popular games, characters and worlds."

No concrete information is available as to when the attractions will open, or in what Universal parks the Nintendo attractions will be found.

[ClexYoshi]

inb4 the Wario Wafter

[Soren]

Authentic Smash Bros. experience.

[Adrock]

I'm not a huge fan of theme parks (get out of my personal space). However, this is great news for Nintendo if only because it immensely increases its exposure worldwide. I see it functioning as one big Nintendo marketing machine which is good because marketing is one of those things Nintendo largely struggles with. That's putting it lightly. While Nintendo did a good job of marketing Wii at first, showing people what the Wii Remote was about, it mostly flat-out sucks at marketing, going as far as to pass up free marketing from YouTube users to shutting down that Super Mario 64 level developed on Unity. Nintendo often doesn't capitalize on things the way it could so I'm rather impressed it even went ahead with a IRL theme park, an idea so obvious, it probably should have happened sooner.

I presume this will be connected to the actual Universal Studios park so this affords Nintendo a chance to reach out to people who wouldn't normally be exposed to Nintendo games. Have demo units everywhere, and get people playing the games. I don't know how long Nintendo and Universal have been at this, but it would benefit Nintendo immeasurably to have this up and running before NX releases. In the months proceeding launch, Nintendo could have ads and demos running throughout the entire day. People didn't know what Wii U was which is partially responsible for the slow start. Online, print, and TV ads are a must; having thousands of people daily for months getting their hands on NX and seeing what it offers is definitely a step in the right direction.

[broodwars]

I have to imagine that this partnership is going to lead to "Nintendo Land" replacing the current Marvel Island at Islands of Adventure here in Orlando, possibly replacing the Comics Island as well ala Harry Potter. The Marvel contract's expiring in the near future, so those attractions will have to be replaced anyway.

[UncleBob]

Universal Studios.

Heh.

Nintendo is getting in bed with their former greatest enemy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_City_Studios,_Inc._v._Nintendo_Co.,_Ltd.

[Triforce Hermit]

How to guarantee a success? An amiibo booth

[UncleBob]

I imagine a carnival-type game where the prizes are amiibo, but it's impossible to win.

[NWR_insanolord]

Like the ring toss game in the carnival on The Simpsons. The rings don't fit over the Marth Amiibo.

[pokepal148]

What could possibly go wrong...?

[Arbok]

I have to imagine that this partnership is going to lead to "Nintendo Land" replacing the current Marvel Island at Islands of Adventure here in Orlando, possibly replacing the Comics Island as well ala Harry Potter. The Marvel contract's expiring in the near future, so those attractions will have to be replaced anyway.

Do you have a source for the Marvel contract expiring soon? Everything I have read has stated it to be pretty much for the life of the Islands of Adventures park.

http://themeparkuniversity.com/disney/will-disney-world-add-marvel-attractions/

Universal just dropped a chunk of change to update the Spider-man ride as well, so doubtful they foresee it being closed soon.

Replacing the newspaper comic area of the park seems more logical, as it feels like the most popular aspect of that area are the opportunities to stand below a speech bubble for a photo...

[Adrock]

From some cursory research, it seems Disney has been trying to find loopholes around this contract. While Disney can't force Universal to close any attractions, Disney can apparently block Universal from adding any. There's also some weird provision where Marvel characters can only appear in theme parks east of the Mississippi River. So Disneyland can have Marvel characters galavanting around, but Disney World can't. The exclusivity rights for attractions are also only exclusive in the United States so Shanghai Disneyland can have all the Marvel attractions it wants.

I presume as long as Univeral follows the terms of the original contract, it can keep the attractions at Marvel Super Hero Island. I would not be surprised if Disney was watching Universal for any signs of a breach of contract, but Universal holds all the cards. If Disney wanted to toss a bunch of money at Universal to get the themepark rights back, Universal would probably insist on Disney paying to replace/rebrand the Marvel attractions at Universal. Of course, what is popular enough to replace Marvel? Disney would have had a better chance of prying Marvel away before Comcast bought NBCUniversal.

Going back to Nintendo, apparently Universal has a much faster turn around on taking properties and creating theme park attractions. This may be (at least partially) why Nintendo went to Universal over Disney. I'd certainly bet on Nintendo negotiating friendlier terms than Marvel did back in 1994. Nintendo isn't in financial trouble, and its IP are perfect for theme parks. Marvel's contract is apparently forever unless Universal sells back the rights or closes the attractions. Nintendo, being as rightfully cautious as ever, could have negotiated for X-amount of years after opening in order to reevaluate things. Additionally, I'd be absolutely shocked if Nintendo didn't have veto-power on the attractions. For example, if Universal wanted to have Link talk in one of the attractions, Nintendo could tell Universal to sit in the corner and think about what its done.