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Source: Nintendo Considering Major Change

To say things have been disappointing for Nintendo lately could be viewed as a massive understatement.

The company is set to report fiscal loss for the third consecutive year, and there is growing pressure from the company’s board of directors that changes need to be made in order to turn the company around.

According to a source close to the situation, one of the changes could very well be the decision to elect a new company President when the annual General Meeting of Shareholders takes place this June.

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gamesided.com
Neonridr4439d ago

While Iwata has his uses for the company. I do honestly believe that Nintendo needs some new management to infuse some new direction and hope into this company.

They need someone who will embrace change and be willing to throw some punches. Nintendo has the money, so why not go bold next gen?

4439d ago Replies(2)
fonger084439d ago

If they miss their forcasted numbers again for Q4 in... I think its in May... Iwata will probably be voted out by the board. But honestly who would you replace him with? If it's someone focused more on the Asian market trends, you're going to get someone who will probably focus more on mobile gaming. I believe there is a report out there showing 50% of all Japanese gaming sales are coming from mobile games now. They are not in dire shape, but they could definitely use a new direction.

Clippy4439d ago

I'm more nervous about someone new coming in and complete butchering the product more than it already is.

Mikelarry4439d ago (Edited 4439d ago )

Yeah but look at what happened when ken was replaced and kaz took over. i do agree that the idea of someone new coming in and making a bigger mess is scary but nintendo really has no choice if they truly want to go toe to toe with the ps4 and xbox one they need someone other than iwata to take the company in a new direction

Neonridr4439d ago

Why not decide to take on Sony and MS head on for a change. Decide this time that they are going to make an over the top gaming device that has tons of power available to developers.

What's the real harm in that? I mean going to opposite route hasn't worked wonders for them to this point.

Nintendo has to realize that strategies for success in the handheld market don't always translate to the same successes in the console market.

gedden74438d ago

@neonridr

"If they had done that in the first place, there would be the games like Elder Scrolls, MGS, Destiny, etc."

Hmm I have to "respectfully" disagree. Devs find excuses to not compete on Nintendo on Nintendo systems. Its not about hardware. lol Hell its almost not about install base either, almost... The Gamecube at the time was the most powerful system or on par but devs deserted that system because of the media disc... The 3ds, DS and Wii had GREAT install bases but 3rd party companies just disregard them as well... The N64 also was a powerhouse but devs didn't want to use cartridges anymore.

My point is that DEVs will find ANY excuse not to competing with Nintendo at making GOOD QUALITY games and Publisher don't like competing with Nintendo on Nintendo hardware because their games tend to not sell as well as other Nintendo games PLUS Nintendo will NOT pay for anything in terms of marketing, DLC, Patches, ANYTHING...

Its all about $$$ not specs, not install base, not even disc space... Why do you think most of the devs mentioned are making or have made smart phone games?? Phones are NO WHERE as powerful as consoles... Power has little to do with it, I'm afraid.

Neonridr4438d ago

agree to disagree then.. ;)

The N64 and Gamecube alienated devs because of their choices for media. Cartridges were too expensive when CD's were just becoming standard, and Gamecube discs offered less than a standard DVD. Developers wanted to maximize their dollars and not have to settle for less by paying more for the media the games were put on.

3DS has great 3rd party support, if we are comparing it to the Vita in terms of handheld games.

I do agree that devs have this idea in their minds that only Nintendo made games sell on Nintendo systems. While that is partially true, it also is a cycle that will never actually change until devs are willing to put forth great games on the Wii U. Either we have gotten shoddy, late ports that perform worse than the originals. Or in the case of say Need for Speed or Deus Ex, a great port, but priced so high, that they end up being skipped by the masses because you can get it for much cheaper on another platform.

maniacmayhem4438d ago (Edited 4438d ago )

"I do agree that devs have this idea in their minds that only Nintendo made games sell on Nintendo systems."

This is definitely true, as we can see this starting with the N64. Nintendo designed a controller that was great when playing Mario 64, but it forced all other games to use the same type of control scheme. Not to mention their decision to go with cartridges even though CD-ROM was cheaper for devs and could store a lot more data. Nintendo was afraid of piracy and wanted to control their content.

Gamecube was the same reason. Again they created a controller that best suited their games. It was a nightmare playing games that were multiplats on the Gamecube.

SNES was the last system that had all the specs and design that were perfect for all devs to make games on.

The WiiU is almost a return to SNES form but Nintendo still refuses to expand on the popularity of gaming connectivity and refuses to invest in a network similar to Live and PSN.

Nintendo also made a horrible choice by naming their system the WiiU. The Wii was popular but the fad of motion control quickly faded as the system took a huge nose dive towards the end of it's cycle. Casual gamers just weren't interested in the Wii and hardcore gamers moved on to PS3/360.

The name Wii leaves a bad taste in hardcore gamers mouths and casuals are definitely not going to come back. Nintendo should have went with an entirely new name to differentiate itself from the Wii.

I also agree that Nintendo needs to admit that they are in competition with Sony and MS. I mean how can Nintendo not think that when your gaming console is failing when compared to the only other two on the market.

Nintendo is probably the only company that makes a console that has a true focus on gaming FIRST. They make fun, engaging, arcade type games that don't require super high end specs to be bragged about on the internet. If they can just capture that magic SNES had, plus have the network features that are on par with Live and PSN then they would be a success.

Great new engaging IP's and more games wouldn't hurt either.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4438d ago
josephayal4439d ago

I always had the impression that Nintendo was living 20 years in the past

Nodoze4439d ago

They will never go bold. This is part of the issue. Nintendo is entirely too conservative.

Magicite4439d ago (Edited 4439d ago )

Im hyped about X (the game), but everything else Nintendo related means zero to me. I am sure many feel the same way.

gedden74438d ago

@Neonridr

Why?

Nintendo sells the most hardware (yes I know the WiiU is in bad shape but the Wii and 3DS did and are doing very well) and they have the highest profit margins.. Maybe not the highest profits BUT the "highest profit margins"! No need to compete directly, MS and Sony (not counting the PS4) is digging themselves in a grave. Sony has 79% of going bankrupt (ps3 had "something" to do with that, YES but not the majority) MS hasn't made $1.00 from the xbox brand and many rumors point to a sell off of that division...

MS and Sony spend way too much competing with each other... Ads, TV Ads, PAID REVIEWS, Cover Up Stories, Media Coverage, 3rd Party Exclusives, 3rd Party DLC (yes 3rd Party DEVs charge MS and Sony for DLC and development)...

Nintendo does need to make changes and some them should be bold but to compete directly with Sony and MS.... NO!

The bold changes they should do IMO... They need to let their 1st and Second party studios be creative. Let them create NEW IPs and with "some" new and creative experiences. Even though most Nintendo fans don't mind another mario or dk game (me included), those studios need to create new games with a decent dev budget. (BTW Nintendo is known to have very low dev costs but still create a great gaming experience)

Another bold move would to be to somehow get the 3rd party games onto the Wii U, Even if Nintendo would develop the ports themselves. Not all games but some. Some examples: Elder Scrolls, Metal Gear, Castlevania, Destiny, Minecraft, Diablo... I know all of those games plus more would be HIGHLY WELCOMED on the Wii U.

A bold move that I know for certain is coming. Movie/Game tie-ins... Did you know that Movie/Game tie-ins are very profitable? But what weighs down the profit margins are licensing... If Nintendo would "allow", say PIXAR to make a Zelda movie... UUUMMMMMMM thats a lot of $$$$$$$ in profits... THEN Nintendo would release a game with said movie title but it has that NINTENDO QUALITY on it UUUMMMMMMM THAT'S EVEN MORE $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$.....

Who would be able to compete with that???? Halo? Sure but that would be 1-2 Movies per Sony and MS.... Nintendo Library is close to the teens.. 10-15 movies that Nintendo can bank on....

Think about it...

Neonridr4438d ago

Definitely some interesting ideas there for sure. I own a Wii U and I love the games I play on it. I also have a PS4 so I am not missing out on any 3rd party games that decide to skip the Nintendo console. For 2 generations now Nintendo has decided to play it safe and release very conservative hardware. While I feel that the Wii U is still more than capable and can produce some great looking games, what's the harm in having a console that is comparable in raw numbers to an Xbox One or PS4? If they had done that in the first place, there would be the games like Elder Scrolls, MGS, Destiny, etc. Devs don't want to have to scale their games back in order to release them on the Wii U. While any game that exists on the PS3/360 can easily exist on the Wii U, devs just don't want to bother right now because of the poor install base.

Had Nintendo released a beast of a machine, I think there would be a much higher install base, thus developers would be hard pressed to ignore the console. The Wii had the numbers so devs were still eager to develop for it.

3-4-54438d ago

Nintendo needs somebody who isn't afraid to offend their culture.

I know it's sounds bad, but they need somebody who will stand up in a meeting and literally call somebody out on their Bull crap right there in front of everyone.

Squash the BS at the source, and move on to better ideas, instead of having 19 polite meetings to continue said bad idea because nobody in Japan has the balls to tell him his idea sucks.

Nintendo is my favorite gaming company and if they decide to do nothing and stay the course I'm Completely fine with it and full support them.

As long as they are a console/handheld video game oriented company I will support them.

Support DOES NOT = Blind obedience though.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4438d ago
xX1NORM1Xx4439d ago

I think they need someone well versed in new media and the internet in general Nintendo have been really bad when it comes to YouTube and such when every other company sees it as free advertisement or paid advertisement point is they need to really bring the company up to 2014 and stop pretending they are back in 2007 when the wii was on top just my opinion anyway

skydragoonity4439d ago

Nintendo still considering? At this point it should be clear that major changes are needed to move the company forward

MilkMan4439d ago

I love Iwata, I think he is a decent man, but I love Nintendo more and I want them to succeed. If leadership change is needed then let it be. I'm all for that.

KonsoruMasuta4439d ago (Edited 4439d ago )

But people seem to forgot who was the man the helped the Wii, DS, and 3DS become the successes that they are. If Iwata was not in charge, Nintendo would have been screwed right now. He is the one who decided to save up the money that is basically keeping the company afloat right now.

pabadamus14439d ago (Edited 4439d ago )

Iwata was indeed at the helm during NIntendo's most successful hardware launches. He is also responsible for the stockpile of cash they currently have in reserve. Sadly, successes of the past do not excuse poor performance today. Meritorious awards are useless in the ever changing field of business. The fact that he had oversight during those prosperous periods in time shows that at one point he was very effective and actually did what he was tasked to do...increase returns to investors. Right now he is not doing anything to benefit investors or gamers for that matter. If he was an executive in a US corporation he would have been gone the second year of poor results. I really want to see Nintendo do well with their future endeavors but Iwata would most likely be an impediment.

(please don't take this response as an attack on your comment)

Loadedklip4439d ago

BOTH Konsoru a Pabadamus's post are correct.

PrinceOfAllSaiyans4439d ago

Get rid of Iwata and Reggie. Drop that price to 269.99. Announce games gamers want like Zelda U and a proper Metroid. Announce more 3DS games because that lineup for it so far looks pathetic.

fonger084439d ago

Reggie really has no say in the general direction of the comapany. Why 269.99? Seems like a random number, more like $250 with just a pro controller. And if they could announce more games... like any other gaming company, I'm sure they would, they need resources first.

Show all comments (39)
50°

U.S. patent examiner rejects Nintendo’s summoning characters patent as obvious: non-final ruling

The rejection is non-final (and even when such rejections are labeled as “final”, the process is far from over, given that there can be, at minimum, an appeal to the Federal Circuit).

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gamesfray.com
Relientk7756d ago (Edited 56d ago )

Good, as they should! A game mechanic like that shouldn't be locked behind a patent, and Nintendo didn't invent it either.

PRIMORDUS55d ago (Edited 55d ago )

Nintendo wants to keep wasting money on bullshit lawsuits, real smart in this economy. They should put that money aside for other game projects. On the other hand, I don't care if they waste it all either, and they are screwed in the future maybe that will teach them a lesson.

40°

Nintendo Completes Share Repurchase and Sets Price for Secondary Offering

Nintendo completed its share repurchase and set its secondary offering price at 8,347 yen ahead of March 16 delivery.

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4scarrsgaming.com
60°

Nintendo Suing U.S. Government Over Tariffs

Nintendo filed a lawsuit in the United States Court of International Trade.

Nintendo of America is suing the United States government over the sweeping tariffs President Donald Trump put in place last year, according to a complaint filed Friday in the U.S. Court of International Trade and obtained by Aftermath.

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aftermath.site
Deathdeliverer81d ago

Well dayum lol. Old agent orange pissing off every industry and nation.

0hMyGandhi80d ago

The fact that you have ANY disagrees will forever baffle me. And to the (apparent) MAGA contingent that exists on this website, enjoy your 8-9 dollar gas.

AuraAbjure80d ago (Edited 80d ago )

Yes, they had better be pissed after Trump told them the way they rip off the USA is over.

EveryPlatformGamer81d ago

LOL I read this on gaff, will they refund the money back to the gamers? highly unlikely. Didn't they just raise prices and pass it onto the gamers? Only Nintendo would send out the Ninjas to the US government.

-Foxtrot81d ago

That’s what I was thinking, imagine them winning hypothetically, getting a s**t load of money back which they would have lost if they hadn’t raised their prices and it’s business as normal.

It would just mean people paid more for no reason since they got the money back anyway.

Outside_ofthe_Box80d ago (Edited 80d ago )

A lot of companies partially passed the cost to consumers instead of all of it. They would still have to at least pay that back to gamers, but we know that won't happen. What's also sad is that prices won't come back down after the initial hike caused by tariffs.

People didn't understand the full repercussions of tariffs. That alone should have cost him the presidency if people knew it was a permanent price hike for consumers

Inverno81d ago

The people should sue these companies for having to over pay cause of these tariffs.

Eonjay81d ago

Naw they should sue the government for forcing the tax to begin with. No one reasonably expects these companies to absorb the taxes. Many smaller companies tried and were shut down or faced to increase prices to try to maintain their business. The tariffs effect everyone.

Inverno79d ago

I meant it mostly as a joke cause we all know the costs of these tariffs were passed onto the consumer. But it's seems no matter how vocal we are here in the states our "representatives" don't seem to care enough to represent us. And things are about to get worse.

Killer2020UK80d ago

The companies were doing what the law required then to do, the tariffs however were illegally implemented. Usually it's criminals we punish, you seem to have different ideas 🤷‍♂️

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