Source: makeuseof.com
Have you ever shared really, really exciting exciting news with someone, only to have them stare back at you with that confused dog look?
Yeah, me neither. All of my news is cool and relevant. But Nintendo had that very thing happen to them last week with the announcement of their next handheld gaming system, the Nintendo 2DS. “2DS?” you might be asking. “Don’t they already have a 3DS? Why would the world’s preeminent video game designers take a step backward?” If that’s the case, you’re not the only one, as reaction from gamers has been a resounding “Huh?”
Here are some takeaways from Nintendo’s big announcement.
1. 3D Isn’t Going To Take Over The World Just Yet
Okay, technically the whole world is in 3D. Unless you wear an eyepatch or something. But in terms of the entertainment and gaming market, the demand for 3D just doesn’t seem as large as major media companies anticipated. After years of developing TV’s, movies, games, and even rides for 3D display, the Nintendo 2DS is part of a larger trend moving back towards traditional displays. In fact, it’s backwards compatible with any 3DS game, offering players who aren’t wild about about the unique 3DS interface the option to ditch their 3DS altogether.
The backlash against 3D extends past video games to a lack of television options and declining movie revenue. This isn’t to say that 3D graphics are going to disappear; Pixar dominates the movie animation market, and we’re not likely to move back to 8-bit side scrollers. More likely, the demand for 3D displays is going through a natural ebb and flow. So while there’s still a place for metaphorical blue and red glasses in the future, video game designers need not automatically plan their next awesome RPG with that in mind.
2. Nintendo Might Be In Trouble
A previous Nintendo bust. (Source: prestige-electronics.com)
And not the kind of trouble that Princess Peach keeps finding herself in. Although Nintendo has come back from mistakes before, they haven’t had much good news lately. Their main console, the Wii U, has been selling like whatever the opposite of hotcakes are. And with consumers already confusing the Wii U and its predecessor, the plain ol’ Wii, having both the 3DS and the 2DS on the market doesn’t figure to solve Nintendo’s brand confusion problems.
Maybe the 2DS will be a huge success and proves all the prognosticators wrong, but right now Nintendo is facing an uphill battle.
3. Price Still Matters to Consumers and Video Game Manufacturers
To hardcore gamers and video game designers, price doesn’t seem like much of a concern these days. Production costs keep growing – Rockstar recently spent a record $137 million developing Grand Theft Auto V - and that’s the way most fans and creators of large scope games like it. But to families doing their Christmas shopping, $60 games and $500 consoles aren’t so appealing. As Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime told Kotaku.com:
“Really, from a target standpoint, this is designed for that entry-level gamer. For a family of four with two kids, when you’re looking at spending either $169.99 or $199.99 for two this holiday, now you’ve got a more affordable choice with Nintendo 2DS [for $129.99].”
Sensations like Candy Crush have proven there’s a market for low-cost games, especially in the mobile arena. Nintendo’s might be gambling that iPhone games are a gateway for dedicated mobile gaming systems, and the fact that the 2DS is cheap, and more closely resembles a cell phone than the 3DS, might bring new customers to them. Whether they’re right or wrong, video game designers should take note when planning their next game. The biggest takeaway is the importance of adaptability in art.
Did Candy Crush influence the 2DS?
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