http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704116004575521143661439792.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews
Nintendo plans to release the first system that will play 3D games (without the need for glasses, by the way) in February 2011. The company is trying to get back in competition with xbox and playstation with this new style of gaming. It reported it's first losses last year and expected a steady decline unless a new and innovative product were released. Now they project to sell 4 million systems and 15 million accompanying games by March 31, 2011, which is only 2 months from the release date. There's no word yet on the price, if it will be comparable to the other 2 or be more like the previously released wii that was a bit cheaper. The problem Nintendo has though is the games produced for their system aren't as popular as the ones for its competitors, and until they somehow overcome that it will be difficult for them to compete long term.
I agree. Nintendo has seemingly always had this problem of making some pretty good games for their own system, but they are never able to get any other companies to make any games that are worth while for the Nintendo system. With this new move to 3D, is this going to help? I feel that this may actually hurt them in this respect. Programmers may not quite be ready to program games that are in 3D. In turn, fewer companies will continue making games for the new Nintendo system. This new shift could lead to the demise of Nintendo as we know it. Only time will tell if this shift to 3D turns out to be a good choice or a poor one.
ReplyDeleteI believe the device is a handheld device, and I found this article that discusses their slumping sales and how Nintendo views Apple as the threat of the future.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/09/30/nintendo_delays_3d_portable_gaming_device_lowers_forecast.html
It appears that Apple is also looking into 3D displays. I agree with what you are saying about popularity when being compared to the other consoles, but they have traditionally done very well in the handheld market. It seems like they will be in even more trouble if Apple comes out with a 3D device.