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Post by HLOCKE on Feb 26, 2005 19:40:57 GMT -5
Since I've always been up for a good videogame discussion and material has been somewhat slow as of late. I figured I'd start this new series of threads entitled Food For Thought where we could discuss current game events on a monthly basis. The thread can be made by anyone, as long as the topic can lead to good conversation. Anyway I'll start off this month with a topic that came up over a friends house while playing a highly entertaining mix of Halo and Starfox Assault...what would the gaming world be like if a Nintendo/Microsoft merger ever actually happened? -----------> = This past week a highly controversial comment proclaimed by Electronic Arts and 3DO founder Trip Hawkins during an interview with the site Xbox2 news was made. When queried about the future of Nintendo in the console industry he stated: "My magic eight ball says they(Nintendo) will be acquired by Microsoft within five years." No doubt one of the boldest comments one could make, but definitely not the first time the idea has been tossed around. Last August Microsoft owner, and billionaire extroadinaire Bill Gates stated that he is seriously interest in buying Nintendo. A comment that sent many gamers into wild speculation. So...with all tough talk aside, what would the gaming community be like if we faced a console that was a hybrid creation of Nintendo and Microsoft. A Revolution powered by Xenon...the ultimate console...one system that would be called home by some of gamings powerhouse franchises. Zelda/Fable, Metroid/Halo, Super Smash Bros./Dead Or Alive, Mario...eh, Ninja Gaiden? Sounds like a perfect console right...surely Sony would never stand a chance against such a behemoth. Microsoft's technology and Nintendo's brilliance would be surefire winning forumla right? In my opinion...no. A merger of this magnitude would never sort itself out and here's my reasons why: Nintendo is mammoth, including all of the subsidiaries that are a joint of Nintendo an acquisition of Nintendo would bring alot of baggage and a whole new crowd to the Microsoft arena, and with this arrival a clash of thoughts would be almost inevitable. Western views and Eastern views have caused wars in the past and in my opinion that would be no difference here. The style and type of games developed by Nintendo often clash with the more westernized direction Microsoft utilizes in its software. The result: one side would have to yield to the other, and the most probable side would be Nintendo. Microsoft is more prone to create software that follows industry standards or in other words stays on the safe side of things rather than bring a radical change a'la Nintendo. If the merger between the two had ever occurred, it would be hard to imagine games such as Animal Crossing, Pikmin and Wind Waker ever existing. The oppression of Nintendo creativity would destroy the merger internally by causing many of Nintendo's main brains such as Miyamoto, Aounuma and many others to split. Leaving only empty franchises with Microsoft. In the end the merger would collapse due to a clash of the two giants, and their incompatibility. While the possibilities of a Metroid/Halo crossover produced by Retro Studios and Bungie may seem like the makings of the best game ever... tension between the two minds would erupt. In my opinion its best to keep these monsters separate.
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Post by shadow on Feb 27, 2005 15:43:01 GMT -5
I couldn't disagree more (which should make for good discussion ). Like you said, Nintendo games are basically made for the eastern audience where the bulk of Nintendo's prfoits are made. M$ games are basically aimed for the western audience where the bulk of there profits are made. Do you see my point? If M$ accuired Nintendo it wouldn't be a merger but an addition to M$ software studios. I doubt Nintendo would be involved with the creation of the console very much, but resume business as normal only making games for a M$ console. To say it as simply as possible, imagine Nintendo games on Xbox. There wouldnt be any joint efforts on games but seperate efforts. The main problem is would the big Nintendo names stay? I doubt it which means it would be a hollow purchase. Personally, i agree with the statement and can see M$ purchasing Nintendo as a software and handheld developer within the next few 5 or so years. Think about it. If Xbox 2 gains a decent foothold in Japan, and performs well around the rest of the world, and Revolution flops, then i can see the purchase on the cards. I can see M$ wanting Nintendo's games to help crack Japan while they let Nintendo develop handhelds while with M$ supporting them. Think about something...Why are M$ so reluctant to go into the handheld market? Various reasons really. They need to focus on the console market first...? But why are M$ supporting Nintendo's handheld currently? I think its because they dont want to make a handheld themselves but buy the leader of the handheld market and take the safe option... Something to ponder really...
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Post by HLOCKE on Mar 1, 2005 19:12:32 GMT -5
Sorry for taking so long with my reponse... On a lot of the points you made I agree with because I also stated in my initial post. Factors such as eastern views clashing with western views and that many of the masterminds that call Nintendo home, leaving due to a Microsoft shakeup. However, where my disagreement comes is in agreeing with Mr. Hawkins' empty statement. Looking at the state of Microsoft and Nintendo's next-gen machines tells a very two-face story. While the Xbox currently sits in 2nd position on a global scale nearing at a cumulative 19,000,000 units sold. The system financially has been a failure for Microsoft, costing them billions of dollars for each year of its existence until last when the Xbox turned its first profit for Microsoft (thanks single-handedly to its killer app Halo 2). However the 3rd place contender, Nintendo Gamecube has generated a stready stream of decent profits to Nintendo, and on top of it all has managed to stay extremely close to Microsfoft's system in worldwide numbers despite it's lack of DVD playabliity, Serious online plan, or edgy games that are a majority in the Xbox library. So I question...who is in more trouble of dropping out of the race here? With Nintendo bringing in a highly profitable amount from software, consoles, handhelds and merchandise. I find it very unlikely that they would be ready to sellout to Microsoft anytime soon (although I won't say ever). However, this doesn't mean that I still don't believe of a Nintendo/Microsoft team up ever happening. In my opinion if such an occurrence was to happen and function correctly, it would have to be a collaboration more than a takeover. A Nintendo/Microsoft collaboration would be the most logical and in my opinion best route to go. Imagine a console that was co-developed by Nintendo and Microsoft, where both parties as two separate entities created games for the system. This in my opinion would be an awesome idea. Nintendo remains independent and Microsoft doesn't have to blow billions of dollars to acquire Nintendo (which ultimately wouldn't be worth it). Nintendo continues to make the quirky, unique, and awesome games without restriction and Microsoft supplies the technology and 3rd party backing. This route is the only way I can ever imagine a Nintendo Microsoft pair up. As for Trip Hawkins, I have one question...where was that magic 8-ball when you created 3DO?
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Post by Trunksangel79 on Mar 1, 2005 22:28:27 GMT -5
Interesting. I haven't heard anything about this before. A Nintendo/Microsoft merger how would that work I wonder? Nintendo titles on Xbox interesting. I don't know if it would happen or not,right now I don't think it well.
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Post by HLOCKE on Mar 1, 2005 22:34:31 GMT -5
Interesting. I haven't heard anything about this before. A Nintendo/Microsoft merger how would that work I wonder? Nintendo titles on Xbox interesting. I don't know if it would happen or not,right now I don't think it well. It's been nothing but a rumor for years, it isn't planned to actually happen. However, this thread is to discuss and debate whether or not you would think a merger or joint committment by the 2 firms would ever work. So what's your opinion?
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Post by shadow on Mar 2, 2005 15:00:18 GMT -5
Sorry for taking so long with my reponse... On a lot of the points you made I agree with because I also stated in my initial post. Factors such as eastern views clashing with western views and that many of the masterminds that call Nintendo home, leaving due to a Microsoft shakeup. However, where my disagreement comes is in agreeing with Mr. Hawkins' empty statement. Looking at the state of Microsoft and Nintendo's next-gen machines tells a very two-face story. While the Xbox currently sits in 2nd position on a global scale nearing at a cumulative 19,000,000 units sold. The system financially has been a failure for Microsoft, costing them billions of dollars for each year of its existence until last when the Xbox turned its first profit for Microsoft (thanks single-handedly to its killer app Halo 2). However the 3rd place contender, Nintendo Gamecube has generated a stready stream of decent profits to Nintendo, and on top of it all has managed to stay extremely close to Microsfoft's system in worldwide numbers despite it's lack of DVD playabliity, Serious online plan, or edgy games that are a majority in the Xbox library. So I question...who is in more trouble of dropping out of the race here? With Nintendo bringing in a highly profitable amount from software, consoles, handhelds and merchandise. I find it very unlikely that they would be ready to sellout to Microsoft anytime soon (although I won't say ever). However, this doesn't mean that I still don't believe of a Nintendo/Microsoft team up ever happening. In my opinion if such an occurrence was to happen and function correctly, it would have to be a collaboration more than a takeover. A Nintendo/Microsoft collaboration would be the most logical and in my opinion best route to go. Imagine a console that was co-developed by Nintendo and Microsoft, where both parties as two separate entities created games for the system. This in my opinion would be an awesome idea. Nintendo remains independent and Microsoft doesn't have to blow billions of dollars to acquire Nintendo (which ultimately wouldn't be worth it). Nintendo continues to make the quirky, unique, and awesome games without restriction and Microsoft supplies the technology and 3rd party backing. This route is the only way I can ever imagine a Nintendo Microsoft pair up. As for Trip Hawkins, I have one question...where was that magic 8-ball when you created 3DO? Some very good points indeed. The thing you have to remember is that this is M$ first console, it was released a year after PS2, so already at a disadvantage. So their already up against the giant that is PS2, now it has a healthy head start which means M$ are already in too deep. The hardware for PS2 wasn't very advanced and was very cost effective and cheap to manufacture. Take into account its a year old, a price reduction was always on the cards when Xbox was released. So M$ now release a machine that is alot more expensive than PS2, not proven and has a small list of games. So now M$ have to reduce their machine's price due to poor sales and are already loosing money from the word go. Then when the years pass, NVIDIA refuse to reduce the price of the chips for Xbox, so M$ have to continue paying what they payed from the start to NVIDIA for out-dated chips. M$ are actually lucky to make any profit what so ever and have done extremely well to do so. They have also established themselves as the #2 console worldwide even though they basically dont make any money from Japan. Its the next generation where M$ have to prove themselves. This time they have the advantage so its up to them to prove to us that they are worthy of the #1 spot. Nintendo on the other hand have also done pretty well. They have managed to make profit og the GC which has done rather poorly, but none the less, the GC account for a small part of Nintendo's profits so they are indeed safe.
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Post by HLOCKE on Mar 6, 2005 18:50:47 GMT -5
True, 100% accurate there^.
So than Shadow...what's your final verdict on a Nintendo/Microsoft merger?
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Post by shadow on Mar 7, 2005 10:46:48 GMT -5
True, 100% accurate there^. So than Shadow...what's your final verdict on a Nintendo/Microsoft merger? Hmmm... I'd say its very possible it could take place but if it would benefit the gaming community at all is another question. It all depends on how well each console does in the next gen and who can bring what to the table. Nintendo has always been known for inovation but at the moment, thats not what the majority of gamers want. Gaming is expanding and turning into a well-known profitable business. It could eventually be as big as the movie industry. If Nintendo could survive through a transition phase like that is questionable. I think the best thing would be for Nintendo to eventually leave console development and focus on software development for a specific console, most likely a M$ console and focus on the handheld development as well. I dont think a merger would be on the cards, but most like a buy-out. This way Nintendo would be a M$ company and work under its roof.
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Post by FoxExecutive on Mar 7, 2005 19:06:30 GMT -5
I find a merger to be unlikely. But if it happens, I think that just letting Nintendo focus on what it does best and develop games, then MS would definitely take the number one spot. It would have everything a gamer could want: adventure games, FPS, RPG, sports, etc. It would be a great crime if MS bought out Nintendo and just used the name to sell games. In that case, most of Nintendo's creative team would probably leave, giving MS a hollow purchase. Could Mr. Miyamoto go to Sony? LOL
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Post by shadow on Mar 8, 2005 12:00:16 GMT -5
I find a merger to be unlikely. But if it happens, I think that just letting Nintendo focus on what it does best and develop games, then MS would definitely take the number one spot. It would have everything a gamer could want: adventure games, FPS, RPG, sports, etc. It would be a great crime if MS bought out Nintendo and just used the name to sell games. In that case, most of Nintendo's creative team would probably leave, giving MS a hollow purchase. Could Mr. Miyamoto go to Sony? LOL Thats the problem. If any company bought Nintendo, most of its staff would leave. Without certain staff members Nintendo wouldn't be what they are. With Miyamoto currently less involved with development of Nintendo games, i've noticed a slight drop in quality. Now imagine if he left Nintendo...
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Post by FoxExecutive on Mar 9, 2005 16:36:16 GMT -5
Well he does every friggin game almost, including the biggest franchises Mario and Zelda. If he left, games would seem to have a hole missing. Nintendo just brings something extra to the table when it comes to games. They are unique and good at it too. Yes, it's true Nintendo hasn't made the best decisions, but still what they offer is something different than all the other systems.
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Post by shadow on Mar 9, 2005 18:13:14 GMT -5
True. I find GC a welcome alternative to have a relaxing game of RESI 4 on... ;D
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Post by FoxExecutive on Mar 10, 2005 9:47:20 GMT -5
Dude that game is the bomb. Resi 4 is THE best horror game ever. BTW, what the heck happened to all the advertising for this game? It was like it was on most of the time and then I you don't see it anymore, anywhere.
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Post by shadow on Mar 10, 2005 12:51:53 GMT -5
Dude that game is the bomb. Resi 4 is THE best horror game ever. BTW, what the heck happened to all the advertising for this game? It was like it was on most of the time and then I you don't see it anymore, anywhere. RESI 4 is the best game on GC in my opinion. The advertisement will have stopped due to expenses and with the PS2 version coming later this year, they will most prob start it up again around then.
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Post by Trunksangel79 on Mar 10, 2005 15:34:14 GMT -5
Sadly I since haven't got to play RE4.
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