As much as I don’t like it, there has been a lot of discussion in recent months about Iwata’s inability to successfully carry Nintendo through success. I really like Iwata and feel that his passion for the company, his ability to relate to the fans, and his relationship with the other executives shows his hopes […]
Essel Pratt·October 11, 2013
As much as I don’t like it, there has been a lot of discussion in recent months about Iwata’s inability to successfully carry Nintendo through success. I really like Iwata and feel that his passion for the company, his ability to relate to the fans, and his relationship with the other executives shows his hopes for continued success. Sadly, not everyone feels that way. So, if Iwata were to step down, who would you like to see take his place?
Share your perspective. Keep it thoughtful, welcoming and on topic.
It's not always easy, but you have to look past the personality and focus on results.
Just in recent history, the launches of the 3DS and Wii U were poor. I'd actually argue that the Wii launch was also mishandled. For months you couldn't find the thing anywhere, so the price point was actually too low. It could have generated more revenue that first year, at a minimum.
It isn't the company we grew up with. I was in college when Mario 64 came out and everyone was playing that game. It was ground-breaking. Go look through dorms now, it's going to be PS/Xbox in a landslide. The company is losing whole generations, and at some point that needs to change.
Blaming CEO's for things is like blaming the head coach for poor performance on the field, typically. Sometimes the designers, engineers, and creative teams just let you down.
In this case I think Iwata deserves a bit of blame for the direction of the 3DS and the WiiU. They spent too much money reaching on technology that wasn't game-changing. If they just released a more powerful DS-2 instead of the 3D tech they would have been printing money AND had a lower price point that would have moved more units. They wouldn't have needed a 2DS for this holiday season and they could have done a redesign instead (DS-2LiteXLplusFitBoy). Additionally, if the DS-2 would have released at $140 because it didn't have 3D you are getting close to the cost of the WiiU game pad so you could have thrown in a DS-2 as your gamepad and sold a $300 Console PLUS portable system. You think that would sell? I do. Or you could have not done the gamepad and sold a $225~250 day 1 Next Gen system and sold a bajillion and still not lost as much as you did on the WiiU. While I love my 3DS and my WiiU, hindsight shows an error in direction.
That being said, I think Iwata's creative teams are letting him down more than his ill-decision to go for it on 4th and 4. Or maybe I'm just being too hard on the designers. We get a lot of retreads and not a lot of new stuff. Is it simply because HD (and 3DS games) take so much longer to develop and Nintendo's design team is stretched too thin? I'd kill for a new Nintendo franchise that isn't mini-games (WiiSports, WiiFit, NintendoLand). For Pete's sake give me a Nintendos take on a Super-Hero franchise(certainly they see the numbers for Superhero films across the globe and Scribblenauts Unmasked is awesome!).
They've made mistakes but all is not lost as of yet. They just need some solid hits (Mario Land looks awesome) and sales that don't cut this WiiU Gen short. Then you build momentum. Easier said than done but it's time for Iwata to earn his paycheck. This is the exact time where you see a CEO's worth. So if I was on the board or a large stockholder I'd be in wait and see mode but his leash is getting shorter each and every month. Thank goodness the 3DS is picking up the slack otherwise he'd already be in trouble.
I think it's funny how neither of the two comments above me actually addressed the question "So, if Iwata were to step down, who would you like to see take his place?" BUT honestly, I can't really answer it either because I have no idea.
I couldn't answer the question directly because Japanese CEO's aren't followed as closely as sports coaches or players or even video game designers 😛 And even in other tech circles fans choices for CEO's are usually awful.
Changing CEO's is a mine-filled decision. You can end up with a terrible choice like HP going from Hurd (who was awful) to Léo Apotheker (who was worse than awful if that's possible). Or you can, hopefully, hit a home run and get fresh directions and leadership.
Also Nintendo will likely promote from within unless things are in dire straights.
Shigeru Miyamoto could lead, but it's better if he makes games. Otherwise I would suggest Gunpei Yokoi if he was still with us. I do think that Iwata-san is a good leader and I hope everything goes well!
Mattiac, I did think about Miyamoto too, but he wouldn't even WANT to take on that role. 😛
Lord Lemmy: I agree. What do you think of The Reggienator if he knew Japanese fluently?
It's not always easy, but you have to look past the personality and focus on results.
Just in recent history, the launches of the 3DS and Wii U were poor. I'd actually argue that the Wii launch was also mishandled. For months you couldn't find the thing anywhere, so the price point was actually too low. It could have generated more revenue that first year, at a minimum.
It isn't the company we grew up with. I was in college when Mario 64 came out and everyone was playing that game. It was ground-breaking. Go look through dorms now, it's going to be PS/Xbox in a landslide. The company is losing whole generations, and at some point that needs to change.
Blaming CEO's for things is like blaming the head coach for poor performance on the field, typically. Sometimes the designers, engineers, and creative teams just let you down.
In this case I think Iwata deserves a bit of blame for the direction of the 3DS and the WiiU. They spent too much money reaching on technology that wasn't game-changing. If they just released a more powerful DS-2 instead of the 3D tech they would have been printing money AND had a lower price point that would have moved more units. They wouldn't have needed a 2DS for this holiday season and they could have done a redesign instead (DS-2LiteXLplusFitBoy). Additionally, if the DS-2 would have released at $140 because it didn't have 3D you are getting close to the cost of the WiiU game pad so you could have thrown in a DS-2 as your gamepad and sold a $300 Console PLUS portable system. You think that would sell? I do. Or you could have not done the gamepad and sold a $225~250 day 1 Next Gen system and sold a bajillion and still not lost as much as you did on the WiiU. While I love my 3DS and my WiiU, hindsight shows an error in direction.
That being said, I think Iwata's creative teams are letting him down more than his ill-decision to go for it on 4th and 4. Or maybe I'm just being too hard on the designers. We get a lot of retreads and not a lot of new stuff. Is it simply because HD (and 3DS games) take so much longer to develop and Nintendo's design team is stretched too thin? I'd kill for a new Nintendo franchise that isn't mini-games (WiiSports, WiiFit, NintendoLand). For Pete's sake give me a Nintendos take on a Super-Hero franchise(certainly they see the numbers for Superhero films across the globe and Scribblenauts Unmasked is awesome!).
They've made mistakes but all is not lost as of yet. They just need some solid hits (Mario Land looks awesome) and sales that don't cut this WiiU Gen short. Then you build momentum. Easier said than done but it's time for Iwata to earn his paycheck. This is the exact time where you see a CEO's worth. So if I was on the board or a large stockholder I'd be in wait and see mode but his leash is getting shorter each and every month. Thank goodness the 3DS is picking up the slack otherwise he'd already be in trouble.
I think it's funny how neither of the two comments above me actually addressed the question "So, if Iwata were to step down, who would you like to see take his place?" BUT honestly, I can't really answer it either because I have no idea.
I couldn't answer the question directly because Japanese CEO's aren't followed as closely as sports coaches or players or even video game designers 😛 And even in other tech circles fans choices for CEO's are usually awful.
Changing CEO's is a mine-filled decision. You can end up with a terrible choice like HP going from Hurd (who was awful) to Léo Apotheker (who was worse than awful if that's possible). Or you can, hopefully, hit a home run and get fresh directions and leadership.
Also Nintendo will likely promote from within unless things are in dire straights.
Shigeru Miyamoto could lead, but it's better if he makes games. Otherwise I would suggest Gunpei Yokoi if he was still with us. I do think that Iwata-san is a good leader and I hope everything goes well!
Mattiac, I did think about Miyamoto too, but he wouldn't even WANT to take on that role. 😛
Lord Lemmy: I agree. What do you think of The Reggienator if he knew Japanese fluently?