Should Microsoft and Sony follow Nintendo's path?

Nintendo have opted to put more focus on the non-traditional (non-gamer, casual, whatever you wanna call it) gamer this gen, and it has payed off for them.

They've brought out creative titles like Brain Training, Wiifit, Wiisports etc and probably the most famous of them all (certainly in Australia):

Cute dog. Seriously, you have to put a pic in there or else people don't read. Anyway, although Nintendo have gone for the casual route, they've also kept their traditional fans happy with games like Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Mario Galaxy, New Super Mario Bros., Metroid Prime 3, Super Smash Bros. Brawl whilst making these games accessible to casuals.

Should Microsoft and Sony follow Nintendo's path?

What do you guys think? Would you like to see creative and new titles like Brain Training (awesome game btw), Nintendogs, Wiisports, Wiifit etc, from Sony and Microsoft, while also keeping focus on traditional gamers? I'm asking this question cause it will probably be a reality next gen and I just wanna know reactions.

I don't think that Microsoft and Sony would do well trying to use the same philosophy as Nintendo. However, if they did follow them, I'm sure that it would have a negative impact on their business, and they'd deserve that negative impact for being followers and bringing stagnation to the industry. Nintendo is succeeding because they're doing something new. In a way, Microsoft and Sony are also doing something new, but in a different way.

I want options, and differences. I don't want next gen to be like last gen, with brand-name being the only significant difference between the consoles.

From a gamers perspective, I'd say no because more variety is better. From a company perspective, I think it'd be a bad decision as Nintendo will probably dominate the casual market from here on in.

What I would like to see though is Sony and MS doing something different so their systems aren't so similar like they are this gen.

I don't think that Microsoft and Sony would do well trying to use the same philosophy as Nintendo. However, if they did follow them, I'm sure that it would have a negative impact on their business, and they'd deserve that negative impact for being followers and bringing stagnation to the industry. Nintendo is succeeding because they're doing something new. In a way, Microsoft and Sony are also doing something new, but in a different way.

I want options, and differences. I don't want next gen to be like last gen, with brand-name being the only significant difference between the consoles.

Tylendal

That's a good point, although if MS/Sony were to follow Nintendo's path, it wouldn't be exactly like Nintendo. What Nintendo is doing right now is creating new, nontraditional games that we haven't really played before in this new way like Brain Training/Wiisports/Wiifit etc, so MS/Sony would also need to create games that feel new and unique, but also appeal to non-traditional gamers.

That's if they choose to focus more on casuals next gen, which I'm sure they will.

[QUOTE="Tylendal"]

I don't think that Microsoft and Sony would do well trying to use the same philosophy as Nintendo. However, if they did follow them, I'm sure that it would have a negative impact on their business, and they'd deserve that negative impact for being followers and bringing stagnation to the industry. Nintendo is succeeding because they're doing something new. In a way, Microsoft and Sony are also doing something new, but in a different way.

I want options, and differences. I don't want next gen to be like last gen, with brand-name being the only significant difference between the consoles.

the-very-best

That's a good point, although if MS/Sony were to follow Nintendo's path, it wouldn't be exactly like Nintendo. What Nintendo is doing right now is creating new, nontraditional games that we haven't really played before in this new way like Brain Training/Wiisports/Wiifit etc, so MS/Sony would also need to create games that feel new and unique, but also appeal to non-traditional gamers.

That's if they choose to focus more on casuals next gen, which I'm sure they will.

Well, if they give me a new and unique experiance that I can't find elsewhere, than I say go for it. But at the same time, wouldn't want them dropping their old market in favour of a new one, it would have to be a market expansion for it to be a positive move.

I would go pure hermit in a heart beat.GabeBlack

I hear you on that one and I would be racing you to reach the mouse first...

I'm too grown to be a Nintendo only gamer. I need MS and Sony to act my age.Cute_Red_Panda

I can't see how anyone would think that would be a good thing, even Nintendo fans.Teufelhuhn

Basically, I think it would be great if they did the same thing that Nintendo is doing, but terrible if they tried to emulate Nintendo.

I hate to say this but if Sony and Microsoft decided to go the way Nintendo is going then I would quit gaming forever.

I'm actually kind of dreading next gen because of what Nintendo did this gen. I don't want the audience to be so open that gamers like us get 3 games thrown at us for appeasement. I also don't want to be PC only especially if devs like Atlus keep up the good work on consoles.Tiefster

same situation with the ps2

I would go pure hermit in a heart beat.GabeBlack

I would go pure hermit in a heart beat.GabeBlack

I wouldn't because my heart would skip a few beats 1st then I would go.

I would go pure hermit in a heart beat.GabeBlack

The funniest part of your comment is that the PC is the most casual system out there. Think of the millions of people who play Solitaire, Yahoo games, flash games, etc. in the world.

Im seriously afraid that Sony and Microsoft might go the way Nintendo did. They abandoned their hard core crowd who had supported them since the NES era (such as myself). If Microsoft and Sony do they say theyll think theyre also accomodating their hardcore gamers when they arnt. Then All gaming will go to casuals leaving nothing for true gamers.

Unfortunetly I feel Sony and Microsoft will go Nintendos route because its business. Anything to make a quick buck. Which is why im so displeased with Nintendo starting this trend that became popular. And im mad that Sony and Microsoft are very likely to copy such crap.

I really hope not. I like the diversity of the console war right now, I enjoy owning both a Wii and a 360 (and possibly a PS3 in the near future).

If it was an option in the future, it might work. I always want the option to play with a traditional controller like Smash Brothers, and to not alienate the hardcore crowd.

Im seriously afraid that Sony and Microsoft might go the way Nintendo did. They abandoned their hard core crowd who had supported them since the NES era (such as myself). If Microsoft and Sony do they say theyll think theyre also accomodating their hardcore gamers when they arnt. Then All gaming will go to casuals leaving nothing for true gamers.

Unfortunetly I feel Sony and Microsoft will go Nintendos route because its business. Anything to make a quick buck. Which is why im so displeased with Nintendo starting this trend that became popular. And im mad that Sony and Microsoft are very likely to copy such crap.

beinss

How did Nintendo abandon their hardcore crowd? Zelda? MP3? Fire Emblem? Battalion Wars 2? Super Paper Mario? Super Mario Galaxy? All in the first year of the Wii launching. Now we have SSBB and Mario Kart. They are planning on bringing out Disaster, rumored Kid Icarus, and other games. So once more, how exactly are they abandoning the hardcore gamer?

Ok, first off, neither Sony or MS is dumb enough to go the route of the Wii. Having motion sensitive controllers for certain games yes, but to think they would go strictly casual and allow crap games on their consoles, I find that hard to beleive. As the great Cliffy B. said about the wii and why Epic will not develop games for it. "The wii is like a disease, one person buys one plays it for 6 months then forgets he even owns it. But then his friend comes over and wants to play it, so he knocks the dust off of it and shows it to his friend, and the friend loves it. So he goes and buys one and six months down the road his, as well as his buddies is both collection dust. The another friend comes over and the process repeats itself.

If Nintendo did not have such a high demand for the wii and such a low supply it would not be selling as well as it is right now. I honestly beleive if Nintendo pushed out enough consoles to meet everyones demand it would not sell half as good as it is right now.

Also just like Epic there alot of developers that refuse to work on the Wii, and they have good reasons too. If all 3 consoles were the same next gen, then gaming as we know it would die, people like variety and that is why all 3 consoles have a steady flow of sales. Why would anyone in their right mind buy 3 consoles if they were all identical?

I think Sony and MS would lose money if they opted to be just like Kidtendo.

As Cliffy B. said about the wii and why Epic will not develop games for it. "The wii is like a diseaser"

Shrinekeeper

Don't quote Cliffy B's stupidity. It's like a disease that just keeps spreading

obviously these companies want a balance of hardcore and casual-friendly titles

i just hope the focus remains more on the hardcore side

From the amount of despair I'm sensing in this thread I feel the need to address something. If the TC had asked whether you wanted Sony and Microsoft to do some thing radically new and innovative next gen how would you have responded? Nintendo's path has been that of the innovator and if Sony and Microsoft both responded in equally unique ways then what cause is there for worry? Microsoft and Sony copying Nintendo would however be major cause for concern for obvious reasons...Popadophalis

I didn't mean copy Nintendo as in make a Nintendogs and Brain Training clone. I meant follow Nintendo in the sense that they'll try to create some innovative titles that feel new to non-traditional gamers and allow for more players in the market.

No, i think each company should work its plan and stick to it !!!

Nintendo really done a great job with the Wii.... bravo !!!

I would go pure hermit in a heart beat.GabeBlack

Me too man. The Wii is a good second console... but nothing on there has offered me the same sort of addiction to that games like Warhawk, COD4, Gears of War, and GTA4 has given me.

Let the Wii keep it's "Wiiness" - I'll take the 360/PS3 anyday.

Dont get me wrong, I like the Wii - but I couldnt use it as my sole console.