image

Nintendo has opened up about the transition between hardware, and how it can be a bit difficult to get right. Nintendo nailed it with the GBA to DS, but failed with the Wii to Wii U. Now that Nintendo has another hit on their hands with the Switch, how do they parlay that success to the Switch’s successor? Reggie Fils-Aimé has some ideas.

Games Industry spoke to Reggie Fils-Aimé about Nintendo’s eventual shift from Switch to successor, and he opened up on his thoughts as to how the Big N can ensure a smooth transition.

“So let’s just acknowledge that moving from one successful platform to the next is incredibly difficult and challenging to do. Specific to Nintendo and Switch, the company has also said that in their view the Switch is still halfway through its lifecycle. If that’s true, the company needs to be thinking about what it’s going to do over the next four or five years to continue the core business momentum for the Switch. Then it’s about following the heels of that and what the future holds. It’s quite a heavy lift to be done.

I believe that, first and foremost, you need to be thinking about the content pipeline and what’s going to keep players engaged. I do think you have to look at history and what have been some of the historical tactics that have worked to maintain a lifecycle of a particular generation – and that includes everything from mid-cycle upgrades to thinking about pricing and value. There’s a number of different tactics you can play, but fundamentally the content pipeline needs to be there.

I continue to be very active in this industry, I’m active as an investor and advisor, and I think that being aware of demographic changes and geographic opportunities, about how technology is continuing to evolve, these are all things a company like Nintendo needs to be thinking about in order to launch the system after Switch.”

[Reggie Fils-Aimé]

Add Comment

Comments (4)

Most Upvoted

vinlauria

Eh, I disagree. Due to all the production issues from COVID, most people are still running Gen8 systems or equivalently-powered PCs, which Switch can still compete comfortably with power-wise, even if it can't hold a candle to its Gen9 contemporaries or truly cutting-edge desktops. Your average user still doesn't have an RTX or RDNA2 card and X|S/PS5 ownership is just as scarce. While on paper, technology has advanced a great deal past the Switch, in practice Switch is still in the race due to those logistical issues.

Plus, it's always going to have a bit of a pass in power because of portability. Even Sony's portable systems - which tried to be more of a "portable console" than Nintendo's own portable line and therefore constantly put themselves in a position to be compared against home systems - weren't considered too underpowered. Vita's power was actually impressive enough to get a home-only version despite being even weaker than the PS3 from a generation prior.

enthropy

2y ago

The Switch is way beyond half way trough it's life cycle. But Reggie has to PR when he can PR.


vinlauria

2y ago

@enthropy

Eh, I disagree. Due to all the production issues from COVID, most people are still running Gen8 systems or equivalently-powered PCs, which Switch can still compete comfortably with power-wise, even if it can't hold a candle to its Gen9 contemporaries or truly cutting-edge desktops. Your average user still doesn't have an RTX or RDNA2 card and X|S/PS5 ownership is just as scarce. While on paper, technology has advanced a great deal past the Switch, in practice Switch is still in the race due to those logistical issues.

Plus, it's always going to have a bit of a pass in power because of portability. Even Sony's portable systems - which tried to be more of a "portable console" than Nintendo's own portable line and therefore constantly put themselves in a position to be compared against home systems - weren't considered too underpowered. Vita's power was actually impressive enough to get a home-only version despite being even weaker than the PS3 from a generation prior.

Edited 1 time

conangiga

2y ago

This is exatcly what I said a few weeks ago: The Switch will be around for another 4-5 years. And when the next Nintendo console launches it will do with new Zelda, Mario, Splatoon and probably Xenoblade games in its first year.


enthropy

2y ago

@vinlauria

I get your point but, and while it is a good argument, there are holes in your story. One is that chip production is getting better and more systems are getting shiped out from the factories and, unless a new pandemic or another world wide crisis hits, matter will only gett better sooner than later. I see (and talk to) more and more people getting their hands on PS5s and scalpers not being able to sell for a good profit, if any these days. All signs point to a healthier production of them chips= more consoles.

Another thing is, which is often overlooked, is that devs/pubs have a lot more saying now than before. They basocally demanded that the Xo and PS4 have similar to almost the same specs and both Sony and MS did exactly that. It's easier to amke cross-plat games like that and less time for porting is good business in the biggest entertainment market today. And it was Capcom that made Nintendo have double the RAM in the Switch, where Nintendo said yes, which further proves my point.

So! When, which is sooner than later, the chip shortage issue vanishes devs/pubs will demand that Nintendo come with something stronger so they can port their games/make games wth more modern tech like ray-tracing etc. There is no way the Switch, as is, will last another 5 years. A maximum of two, but even that is stretching it in my opinion.

If we want to play the (Bloomberg) rumour game here since "why not?" we can add that there was a "Pro" in development but because of the chip shortage (which is getting better) they dropped it and came with the OLED version for some extra sales and are rather focusing on a true successor. Furukawa said he wanted to continue the hybrid idea, so a "Switch 2" can be shown off when the time is right. But way before 2027! WAY BEFORE 2027!

And with this I hand the mic back to you, Vin =)