Consider some of the attributes of the rumored NX design: A lower cost handheld unit capable of home console functionality, a design that “targets both the mobile and casual gamers”, and no backwards compatibility. The NX sounds like it is about driving production and running costs down and casting a wider net toward the casual market. It does not sound like a hardcore gamers machine. Is this is a philosophy encouraged by the successes of mobile developers like Niantic with Pokemon GO?
Pokemon GO is perhaps the ultimate demonstration of the how efficient mobile games cost to sale is, and that’s an attractive proposition for Nintendo. Perhaps echoing that dynamic in the form of hardware is Nintendo’s end game: a corporate master plan to tee up its future brand ambitions, shrouded by the “innovation” smokescreen its fans are willing to billow.
Let us hope that isn’t the entirety of the story moving forward. We’ve had quite enough shameless rehashing and money grubbing from Nintendo as of recent. It would be nice to at least believe for a second that Nintendo could be at the epicenter of what many of us consider the essence of video game culture: art, experience, innovation, the advancement of modern technology.
Nintendo generate inordinate riches through practices we slander other publishers for practicing, but nobody seems worried enough to stand up and be counted. Only time will tell whether the NX is going to benefit the industry with superlative gaming experiences or silly novelties designed to push its brand power. One thing is for certain though: if the console does fail to deliver, expect to see Nintendo continue to pursue their intention to become the Disney of the video gaming industry, complete with theme parks, fluffy toys, animated series and whatever else can be used as a catalyst to monetize the popularity of their IPs.