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1

Nintendo Gaming / nintendo's next system

« on: May 31, 2003, 05:07:08 AM »

I know Nintendo's trying to battle priracy, but one of the reasons Sony won last time around was because everyone and their grandmothers knew they could burn Sony's games.  In the long run, getting a large user base is just as important as selling software.  

When this generation came around, I thought Nintendo did everything right.  But Sony and Microsoft came out with their multimedia machines and blindsided Nintendo once again.  That's why I think that's the way to go for the Gamecube's successor.  This times around, Nintendo introducing everything the competition have plus something they don't have might attract potential customers.  Also, kids don't own the gaming scene like the olden days.  Marketing to people who has money, especially college students who work and are looking for an all-in-one package, might not be a bad idea.  

About the pricing, I don't think Nintendo should price their system lower than Sony's or Microsoft's.  There was an article on IGN.com that stated a very good point about this.  It said something along the lines of the customers see lower price as lower quality.  And I agree with it.  I'd love for them to price it cheaper because I'll buy it regardless, but the marketing department needs to see the bigger picture.  They can't just depend on Nintendo loyal fans anymore.  It's not enough to get them first place.  

2

Nintendo Gaming / nintendo's next system

« on: May 30, 2003, 11:29:09 PM »

Hey.

I've been thinking about what Nintendo needs to do in order to get back on top of the business ever since I heard they are working on their next system.  Here's what I think they need to do.  

- Use regular sized DVDs.
    They need to do this, so the developers won't have to compress everything whenever they port games from other systems to Nintendo's.  I'm tired of seeing ports of games with compressed sound and video, especially FMVs, because Nintendo uses the mini DVDs.  
    And since Nintendo has strong ties to Panasonic (SD cards), one of the best at making DVD players, they can ask them to help them out in that department.  Panasonic develops high performing DVD players at really cheap prices.  Their $100-150 DVD players outperforms Sony's $500-600 DVD players.  They support everything from DVD audio, DVD video to music CDs, and VCDs.  Don't short change this aspect like Sony did.  Watching DVD movies on the PS2 sucks.  The quality is really bad.  

- Use a hard drive and online gaming.
    With the hard drive, they won't need to make memory cards anymore.  I could see Nintendo going with the SD cards instead of the hard drives though.  But that would mean their customers would have to shell out for the cards seperately.  And it's not garenteed that everybody will get the same sized card either.  Whereas with the hard drives, everyone who buys the system will have the same sized hard drive.  
    One of the games I still play is Nightfire 007, but there aren't enough levels in the multiplayer options and levels.  With online gaming, gamers could download more levels for a game that they bought.  Online gaming would benefit alot of players.  For me, I get to play with or against my cousin, who lives on the other side of the country.  Nintendo could set up a server or network and charge a monthly fee to play any games for the system online.  

- Lower the cost of making games for Nintendo.
    I don't know what it's called, but I think console makers charge developers a certain fee for making games on their systems.  What I think Nintendo should do is either make the cost lower than Sony's and Microsoft's, or eliminate it altogether.  Maybe that's not good business, but Nintendo needs to get third party support like the SNES days one way or another.  

- Design
    They need to make the system look cool (no purple this time).  Make it look like a DVD player.  Slick and black.  Make the controllers wireless with the sensors built in.  I think Nintendo came up with something cool already.  The GBA-SP has a rechargable battery built in.  Nintendo should use this technology with their next system somehow for the controllers.  Built in rumble would be nice too.  

That's it.  I'm out of ideas.  What do you guys think?

3

Nintendo Gaming / home theatre or computer?

« on: May 28, 2003, 08:33:35 PM »

Should Nintendo's next system be marketed as a home theatre or a computer?  It's either one or the other.  I can't see it being both.  What do you guys think?