Nintendo plans to release 5 smartphone games within next two years
Legendary video game maker Nintendo plans to take a "less is more" approach with its entrance into the smartphone gaming market, revealing this week that it only plans to release a handful of games within the next few years.
Nintendo's Wii U home console.
Discussing his company's March quarter results, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said they will "carefully select appropriate IP and titles" for smartphone games. About five titles are expected to be released by March of 2017, with the first to arrive before the end of this year.
"You may think it is a small number, but when we aim to make each title a hit, and because we want to thoroughly operate every one of them for a significant amount of time after their releases, this is not a small number at all, and should demonstrate our serious commitment to the smart device business," Iwata said.
The company remains firmly committed to its own proprietary consoles, however, including the current-generation New 3DS and Wii U. Nintendo hopes to tie consumers in with connectivity on smartphones, tablets, and even PCs with an "integrated membership service."
"Doing so will encourage a greater number of people to associate with Nintendo IP, to become familiar with the charms of video games and, eventually, to explore more premium experiences on our dedicated game systems," Iwata said.
Nintendo first revealed in March that it plans to bring its classic characters, along with some new faces, to "smart devices" through a partnership with mobile app developer DeNA.
As part of the deal, the two Japanese firms agreed to buy into each other for $181 million. Nintendo's stake in DeNA will amount to 10 percent of the firm's outstanding shares, while DeNA will take 1.24 percent of Nintendo.
Console makers Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have seen a tumultuous few years after Apple's iPhone, iPad and iOS App Store ushered in the era of bite-sized mobile gaming. With developers focused on iOS, Android and other mobile platforms, traditional console makers have been largely relegated to the living room, the main exception being Nintendo's 3DS.
Nintendo's Wii U home console.
Discussing his company's March quarter results, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said they will "carefully select appropriate IP and titles" for smartphone games. About five titles are expected to be released by March of 2017, with the first to arrive before the end of this year.
"You may think it is a small number, but when we aim to make each title a hit, and because we want to thoroughly operate every one of them for a significant amount of time after their releases, this is not a small number at all, and should demonstrate our serious commitment to the smart device business," Iwata said.
The company remains firmly committed to its own proprietary consoles, however, including the current-generation New 3DS and Wii U. Nintendo hopes to tie consumers in with connectivity on smartphones, tablets, and even PCs with an "integrated membership service."
"Doing so will encourage a greater number of people to associate with Nintendo IP, to become familiar with the charms of video games and, eventually, to explore more premium experiences on our dedicated game systems," Iwata said.
Nintendo first revealed in March that it plans to bring its classic characters, along with some new faces, to "smart devices" through a partnership with mobile app developer DeNA.
As part of the deal, the two Japanese firms agreed to buy into each other for $181 million. Nintendo's stake in DeNA will amount to 10 percent of the firm's outstanding shares, while DeNA will take 1.24 percent of Nintendo.
Console makers Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have seen a tumultuous few years after Apple's iPhone, iPad and iOS App Store ushered in the era of bite-sized mobile gaming. With developers focused on iOS, Android and other mobile platforms, traditional console makers have been largely relegated to the living room, the main exception being Nintendo's 3DS.
Comments
Well, Microsoft was always in the living room or on your PC, so I'm not sure how that's changed. The only device that's been impacted is the Vita, which has largely been abandoned on all fronts except for Japanese RPG's. The Wii U's lacklustre sales have very little to do with smartphones.
Dumb move IMO.
Nintendo is still living in the 90's
They should just look at CandyCrush Saga and see the potential. If a crap game like that can gross billions imagine what Nintendo's classic titles can command?
It's not all about money. CandyCrush is a disgusting title produced by a disgusting company. I'd rather not see Nintendo down that road.
Nintendo, WTF happened to you? Within the next 2 years? Seriously?!! What's next, 65-bit gaming?
Mario Bros' alone would be a herd of cash cows.
Dumb move IMO.
Nintendo is still living in the 90's
They should just look at CandyCrush Saga and see the potential. If a crap game like that can gross billions imagine what Nintendo's classic titles can command?
Agreed. "Don't hurry. iOS has only been out since 2007. We'll get back to you in... 2017"
They're staggering the releases. It'll be 5 games in 2 years time starting with one this year. It's a smart play.
only disgusting compa
Please explain. Why is KING a disgusting company?
If follows that only disgusting company produces disgusting games; and we all know CandyCrush is a disgusting game; hence KING is a disgusting company. Period.
Please explain. Why is KING a disgusting company?
Well, Candy Crush was inspired by an older game, and once CC took off they tried to sue the company that made the older game claiming it was a ripoff. They also tried to trademark the word candy.
Sounds to me like Nintendo don't want to get too deep into smart phones but need to make enough money to carry on developing their console.
If their next console is a hit, expect them to stop making mobile games.
I wonder if, underneath the covers, this is about dragging their developers (kicking and screaming) beyond their own "walled garden".
Someone already mentioned Super Mario. Franchises including Zelda, Punch-Out, *Kart (racing), Paper Mario, and maybe Resident Evil series might stir some retro interest.
One doesn’t have to effect the other. Release old titles on mobile, and the new ones on the console.
One doesn’t have to effect the other. Release old titles on mobile, and the new ones on the console.
Of course it does. Nintendo, being Japanese will have great honour. They don't want to stay afloat through other systems.
For any idiot that compares this to CandyCrush and "Nintendo should do this...blah blah blah" should be shot on the spot. I fully respect this approach. Give me an iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac version of a quality Nintendo game and I will a heavy price. All of these free and low cost crap games are getting old. Nintendo will do well.
I think this sentiment is widespread, given that Apple continues to headline the "Pay once and Play" section on the App Store.
What great honor is there in going broke?
What great honor is there in going broke?
Japanese people have killed themselves through honor. Going broke is nothing.
I wish they signed an iOS exclusivity deal for the releases. That would be a big coup for Apple and also let Nintendo maintain their status as a premiere game developer.