From the Engadget interview: “Microsoft and Sony strategies are based on overall corporate objectives versus what?’s right for the consumer. That’s a reality. Microsoft is essentially trying to get you to put a PC in your living room because they are fundamentally a PC software company. Sony is trying to get you to put an entertainment hub that has Blu-ray technology because that’s important to their movie business and the rest of their entire electronics business. We are a gaming company. We are gamers at heart. We love creating great, innovative content and superbly designed hardware, that?’s what we do. And with that passion comes a laser like focus to do things that are right for the consumer and right for the business. That’s the fundamental difference in our strategy versus our competition.”
Let’s get this clear, Nintendo is in business to turn a profit. But all biases aside, I believe the marketing man on this one. Some how, some way, Nintendo comes off as having a less bottom-line thinking approach to business, rather prescribing to the belief that profits are an indirect result of serving your primary customer. If you passionatly serve them well, profits will follow.
Anonymous
too bad the entertainment industry can’t understand that…
InvisibleMan
Well, what Reggie is really saying is that Nintendo does follow their needs like Microsoft and Sony, but their agenda is more precise: they are a gaming industry only, not a multimedia or computing industry on top of a gaming industry.
So, it follows that, for gamers, Nintendo is the company that is going to better cater to their consumer needs.
The Real Floyd Hayes
More “Blue Ocean” strategic thinking here…
I beleive him too but Nintendo are famous for their ability to prize cash out of your pocket – erm, Micro and DS Lite spring to mind here….and I’ll be buying both no doubt *sigh *
InvisibleMan
But are the micro and DS Lite, along with all the other GameBoy iterations, really a strategy to squeeze consumers into buying more of their hardware?
I don’t think so: to do that, they would have made the follow-up games compatible only with the new hardware. The fact that the new systems play the same old catridges (and the same old disks in the case of the Revolution), means that these new products are a new choice for consumers, not a forced purchase.
jadnice
Reggie is 100% right… Don’t get me wrong…if is either Microsoft or Sony I would do the same cause the aim is being profitable and that’s the strength of their respective business.
What I have been noticing since the annoucement of the next generation is that are we… meaning the industry, really ready for the HD era. As a consumer we will always want the bigger and better thing but as a company… I am not sure about that. I feel Nintendo is going down the right path at this time. I am sure in the future they will be doing HD and more.
Look at what happening to Sony right now (with the problems of getting their hardware together in time for a spring launch.) Also look at the shortage problems for Microsoft. I am not sure if the Technology is ready for the HD era of gaming. Think about it.
It takes massive amount of time and money to produce the HD games and hardware. Plus if both aren’t a mega hit… it’s a huge financial hit for the respective companies. Some may have to go out of business if they fail just once. As much as I like technology and the basis of the HD era theme…I don’t think the industry is ready for it.
kuRta!_eRt
I totally agree with 1) invisebleman and 2) jadnice
1) First of all; indeed, you are not obligated to buy anyones ´shit´. Ok if you liked the gba games and only had the classic gba (without afterburner), the sp was a must buy I guess. The micro on the other hand is developed for a totally different and new market. Besides they could affort a miss on this one, look at the sales of the first two!
Second of all, the ds classic is perfect! Ds Lite however is perfection, but if you have big claws(like me)and don´t give a damn for style, why bother buying the Lite?! This is also made for a new (stylish sensetive) market and people with little and weak hands if you ask me. I doubt it has another secret which makes the normal ds a daft c*nt.
And third; Nintendo is famous for giving you the last of a lifetime for your money! My first 8-bit (bought 19 years ago) is still working great, I play the games on a regular base, like on all other N consoles. They don´t rush games just to make money, no they keep us waiting for ages untill it comes out (ztp anyone?!). But when the game finally comes out, the game will be played for decades and decades….
2) A lot of people (except the early adopters) have no money, or will reserve no money for HD. Do you really think parents will buy their crops a new hd tv for their new $400 console?? I think not.
Or whatya think about blu ray vs hd dvd? No way both of them are gonna make it, i expect the least of sony if i have to be honest… minidisc never really made it and now umd is turning into a big mistake.
N´s might do hd and the hd/ blu ray -dvd crap after their next gen rev. But their descision to wait with this b*llocks is probably gonna make them a winner.
´Well I don’t know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain’t right,
I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you.
Yes I’m stuck in the middle with you,
And I’m wondering what it is I should do,
It’s so hard to keep this smile from my face,
Losing control, yeah, I’m all over the place,
Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.
Well you started out with nothing,
And you’re proud that you’re a self made man,
And your friends, they all come crawlin,
Slap you on the back and say,
Please…. Please…..
Trying to make some sense of it all,
But I can see that it makes no sense at all,
Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor,
‘Cause I don’t think that I can take anymore
Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.
Well you started out with nothing,
And you’re proud that you’re a self made man,
And your friends, they all come crawlin,
Slap you on the back and say,
Please…. Please…..
Well I don’t know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain’t right,
I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you,
Yes I’m stuck in the middle with you,
Stuck in the middle with you.´