Iwata on 3DS hardware sales, planning titles that can appeal to women
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 9 Comments
This is the graph displayed in the last Financial Results Briefing, which shows the percentage of change found in the sell-through data of Nintendo 3DS hardware and software in each market for the third quarter of this fiscal year compared to the corresponding term of the previous year.
As you can see, except for Japan, where New Nintendo 3DS contributed to the full quarter, the hardware sales fell far short of the previous year in the U.S. and Europe where the new models were not available during the third quarter and in Australia, where they were launched in late November.
In the fourth quarter, you can see the launch of New Nintendo 3DS in the overseas markets boosted the sales of both hardware and software from one year prior and brought momentum to the platform once again.
On the other hand, the Japanese market was in between big titles and this resulted in a different outcome after having enjoyed five double-million sellers in the latter six months of the year 2014.
In the Japanese market, the cumulative sales of Nintendo 3DS hardware since its launch are about to reach 19 million units. Regarding the Nintendo 3DS software market, the situation remains promising not only because there have been numerous major-hit titles released since the latter half of last year, but also because we have high hopes for the many titles that are planned to be released this year by both Nintendo and other game software developers. On the other hand, regarding the Nintendo 3DS hardware, four years since its release, we are seeing a certain level of positive results by the release of New Nintendo 3DS, but we still have not been able to break free from the period beyond the popularization of the Nintendo 3DS in which the performance leveled off. I believe that the key to revitalizing the Nintendo 3DS business in Japan is by intensifying its appeal to even more generations of female consumers.
This year, we are planning to release titles that offer high potential to appeal to female consumers, and we would like to further strengthen our approach to reach a female audience covering wider generations.
Meanwhile, in the overseas markets, the Nintendo 3DS hardware has not spread to a level where it has reached its market potential. In other words, there is plenty of room for growth.
Since the release of New Nintendo 3DS in February this year, especially for the large-screened New Nintendo 3DS XL, stock in stores has continued to run low in the U.S. and Europe, which of course is a sign that the game platform has momentum.
More: sales, Satoru Iwata, top
Iwata again says amiibo are being restocked, unsure when the stock situation will be resolved
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News | 9 Comments
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata once again weighed in on the amiibo stock situation during the company’s financial results briefing today.
Iwata is aware that some figures are selling out, which is causing inconvenience for customers. However, supply is increasing for amiibo that have become rare, are needed for play, or are highly requested at stores.
Iwata stated that a date can’t be promised as to when the situation will be resolved. This is due to the fact that amiibo take time to produce, shelf space is limited, and Nintendo can’t predict how much demand there is.
Paper Monsters Recut update live in North America
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U eShop | 0 comments
The newest Paper Monsters Recut update is now live in North America. Once applied, players should find a much smoother experience thanks to the elimination of certain bugs.
Developer Mobot Studios passed along the update news on Twitter:
Paper Monsters Recut #WiiU patch is finally live for North America! Buggy Blast Away! pic.twitter.com/q1V0HpsveT
— Fletcher (@MobotStudios) May 8, 2015
Paper Monsters Recut’s update previously came to Europe in March.
Thanks to Cameron for the tip.
More: indie, Mobot Studios, Paper Monsters Recut
Nintendo has more Wii U games to announce for this fiscal year
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 59 Comments
During Nintendo’s latest financial results briefing, CEO Satoru Iwata commented on what lies ahead for Wii U in terms of software. Iwata mentioned that, at last year’s E3, games were announced that make use of the GamePad such as Mario Maker. He also stated that there are more Wii U titles for this fiscal year that haven’t been announced yet.
More: Satoru Iwata, top
Nintendo looking to release 5 mobile titles by March 2017, first one reconfirmed for this year
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Mobile, News | 4 Comments
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata shared a brief update about the company’s mobile plans during today’s financial results briefing.
According to Iwata, Nintendo wants to have five mobile games out by March 2017. This may seem like a small number, but the Big N wants them to become hits. Additionally, given the business, Nintendo doesn’t believe their plans are half-hearted at all.
It won’t be too long before we see Nintendo’s first, true effort for smart devices. The goal is to bring out the first mobile title this year.
More: top
amiibo shipments up to 10.5 million worldwide
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Nintendo has shipped 10.5 million amiibo figures worldwide, president Satoru Iwata has confirmed. Iwata shared the news during today’s fiscal year financial results briefing.
66 percent of amiibo sales stem from the U.S. and Canada. Europe is next with 20 percent, followed by Japan at 11 percent and Australia at 3 percent.
Lots of Dex footage
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U eShop | 0 comments
YouTube user “Akwartz” shared an hour of Dex footage today. You can watch the full video below.
Dex launches on the Wii U eShop this summer.
More: Dex, Dreadlocks Ltd, indie
Anima: Gate of Memories enters beta, new screenshots
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Screenshots, Wii U eShop | 0 comments
The developers behind Anima: Gate of Memories confirmed late last month that the game has finally entered beta. Although it can be played from start to finish, Anima requires lots of polish, the addition of story cut-scenes, and bug corrections.
That’s not all on Anima: Gate of Memories. The team announced that Badland Games is handling the title’s distribution. I’m not entirely sure how/if the news applies to the Wii U version, so I’ll just mention that off-hand.
More: Anima: Gate of Memories, indie
Latest update on how much Nintendo has in the bank
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 7 Comments
Through Nintendo’s latest financial report, we have an update on how much cash Nintendo has in the bank, so to speak.
Nintendo’s “cash and deposits” sits at ¥534,706 million (or roughly $4.465 billion). Meanwhile, the company’s current assets amount to ¥1,097,597 million (roughly $9.168 billion).
These numbers are slightly down compared to Nintendo’s previous quarterly report. For the period ending December 31, Nintendo’s cash and deposits came in at $4.8 billion while total current assets were worth $10.2 billion. Nintendo also had ¥563,917 million in cash/deposits at the time. The decline can be partially attributed to the changing exchange rates between the yen and dollar.
Iwata shares a few words on Nintendo’s partnership with Universal for theme park attractions
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 5 Comments
Nintendo made a major announcement in conjunction with the release of its most recent fiscal results today. For those that missed out on the news, the company revealed a new partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts for the first theme park attractions based on Nintendo’s various properties. Nintendo is remaining coy on specific details for the time being, but president Satoru Iwata shared a few words at a press conference held in Japan earlier today.
He said:
There have been many requests to build a theme park with Nintendo characters. (Realizing that) requires assistance and know-how, so there were discussions with Universal in order to find a good partner.
Iwata also stated: “We want to create an opportunity where [a theme park visitor] wants to try playing the game.”
Japanese outlet Asahi, who passed along Iwata’s quotes, also obtained a comment from Nintendo’s PR manager. He said: “It’s possible we’ll create attractions together in Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka.”