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Media Create Sales: Week 41, 2014 (Oct 06 - Oct 12)
- Thread starter Chris1964
- Start date
Still to early to tell, the XL might be more popular but once the launch hype is over i dont think the difference will be that huge. As said the XL was the to go model for the last two years because of how shitty the standard 3DS was - it will take some time to get used to a non shitty regular system.
Gianni Merryman
Member
Hi there mate!
The same thing happened with MH4, so I gather it's just trolling; as for the reviews you're the one able to read Japanese so maybe you can have a look at one of those negative ones.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%97%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3-CTR-P-AH4J-%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8F%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC4/dp/B005MNP140/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1413719733&sr=1-1&keywords=monster+hunter+4
It´s strange that 3DSs Japanese sales have been described as bad/mediocre in the past years despite having years outselling PS2s peak years. Right now it is by far the most successful system in market, dominating the competition (console+handhelds) and surprisingly the focus now lies in comparing it with smartphones. Something that isn´t made with such frequency and focus in US/EU sales threads by the same active/interested users.
About its software situation, I´m surprised by some of the hyperbolic comments, by now we know that they like to announce games in a relatively short timeframe. The very same premature pessimistic predictions were made in the past years, with this year described as beeing the worst but looking at it now, it actually has several multimillion sellers in its portfolio. Just consider that MH4G (Jan), Pokemon (May) and FFE were announced this year. So far I think it has been obvious that they put their focus in marketing their holiday lineup.
The once a generation system-sellers from established IPs like Mario Kart surely won´t get sequels on the sames system, but the important thing is to keep a constant stream of appealing games 1st+3rd party(in the range of 200k-500k sellers) to have a satisfactory fith year, something that I doubt will be a severe problem in 2015. We just have to wait for the annoucements.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Youkai Watch 3 (2015 or early 2016 release?), there´s also a question mark on Monster Hunter 5.
Time will tell i guess, but the pricing strategy is set in place for people to spend a bit more and just get the XL.
shinra-bansho
Member
You make it seem like there isn't any basis for negative outlook. The "doom and gloom" discussion resurged because the system has been down something like 50% Y/Y in Japan. And it's tracking significantly behind the PSP in the equivalent year in the US, selling like and end-of-life system. While this thread may focus on Japanese sales, events outside still have implications for how one views those sales.
The "doom and gloom" discussion around handhelds is based on very real fundamental shifts in the ways people are playing games brought about by very real technology change.
It isn't going to end because these changes aren't reversing.
Furthermore, it's the product upon which the company is going to have to draw its income from in the near term, as for all intents and purposes the Wii U is a zombie platform.
Put simply, Nintendo's been unprofitable these last few years because their gross margins haven't been sufficient to cover their SG&A operating expenses, which ballooned during the last generation to double what they were in the GameCube era. This was fine at the heyday of the Wii and NDS. It hasn't been with the non-starter the Wii U has been, and a waning 3DS isn't going to help.
Sammy Samusu
Member
Tons of trolls (it's a MH game after all) and some real complains. Mostly, people who have transfered their data feel like they shouldn't have to pay full price for the game, and wish they could buy the G expansion in DLC form.
True, we dont know much about their upcoming handheld plans - but im not that worried, even if WiiU will likely take in a more important role in 2015 with many big games scheduled and another price drop happening.
The reason why we dont have much on 2015 for
3DS is quite clear, Smash/MH just launch and the holiday lineup for this year is already packed with Pokemon and Yokai Watch still to be launched. Also the n3DS still hasnt been announced for the US/EU - they probably have a couple n3DS/Amiibo enhanced projects that they will announce at the beginning of 2015 once the system is also officially announced for the rest of the world.Thats not true at all, we would have had users just trolling for years if there were no basis for this kind of discussion. But at the end we are talking about the system that has been dominating the market more or less since its launch, soon entering its 5th year on the market, while the new launched revisions are selling out and multi million selling software is still being released.
Some people in the NPD threads used to downplay the PS4 performance in the US because it didnt sell as much in the summer months as the Wii did in its best years.
At the end it comes all down to expectation. I never expected the 3DS to sell nearly as much as the 3DS. I dont expect the Japanese 3DS performance to be able to offset the lackluster western performance or the 3DS in general or to offset the massive bomba that WiiU has been. To be honest, most handhelds wouldnt have been able to offset the amount of losses that occurred the last years, especially in this age of increasing development cost and resources.
While it might come of as naive or short sighted, i dont see a problem to describing the market as i see it without having to reflect on any kind of problems and threats circulating the market. Right now Nintendos systems are 3DS and WiiU - their answer to the current problems including smartphone gaming and in general shrinking handheld/console market wont arrive before 2016 when they launch their first next-generation system.
3DS is selling very well in Japan, the software for the most part is selling very well and there are enough publisher and developer that are making money of the plattform. Nintendo is opening up their system and network letting devs already testing the waters on f2p ideas ( DenpaMen) or even streaming clients for MMO (DQX Online) - which will be continued and ready from day 1 on their future platform.
When the 3DS was announced the big announcements where Layton, MGS and Kingdom Hearts - when the next portable is announced im expecting the most popular f2p games on the market like PaD and co. to be on the eShop day one. While there still will be the tradition packaged retail game announcements, when a game a Japanese game right now is being announced for iOS/Android.......once the next portable hits the target goal for these games has to be iOS/Android/NNP (New Nintendo Portable or whatever it will be called). Nintendo has the influence in Japan to make it happen and i think their goal will be to absorb a portion of that mobile market in addition to their regular customers.
Right now they are working with what they have and trying the best to keep their head above the waters, by doubling down as much as possible on their dedicated fanbase ( Amiibo, Themes, Coverplates, DLC etc. ).
I was one of the biggest critiques when it comes to the 3DS, especially after its initial launch and Sony NGP presentation - the system was lacking many features, expensive and the Smartphone adaption rate increased at an ridiculous pace.
Nearly 4 years later, i think they have positioned themselves as well as possible considering the device they are offering and the market environment we are in right now. There are more people right now who just arent interested in traditional handheld and console, no matter what is done with WiiU or 3DS - this wont change, its just a life style change. The 3DS is showing us right now the peak for the market for a dedicated gaming system, with great hw sales and very solid software sales.
Solid complain, considering how soon Capcom announced the G version - in this day and age you would expect to get such a content add-on as DLC if you already bought the first game. But its MH so Capcom can act this way, not too mention that they need the money to finance their f2p mobile bombas.
Pennywise83
Banned
My guess is that New 3DS will be popular in November and December, since it seems mainly targeted towards kids.
YW2 was announced in April 2014, and is likely to sell 3m+ units this year alone.
Also true, n3DS and the plates are more likely to be gifted to kids around the holiday season while older gamers are more likely to just get an XL for themselves. I think the regular 3DS will benefit from the viral effect once more people are seen with nice looking cover plates, it will take time...but the potential is there.
I disagree that 3DS is showing us the peak for a handheld console in this day and age. Fact is, the console simply doesn't have enough games and the hardware (especially the low res screen) isn't up to par, and that's why the console is struggling over seas. Look at how small the 3DS section is at most retail outlets. There aren't enough software releases to justify big shelf space. As well as the $40 price point for software which is too high for a handheld gaming console. It's doing fine in Japan because Nintendo and Handheld, but in the rest of the world these problems are very clear and very obvious.
Well im talking about Japan since we are in the MC thread. The software prices arent a problem here because 3rd parties also deliver high quality content for the system. Selling sw for less in the west wouldnt change anything, since there is no content from western publishers and even selling games for 20 dollars would be way more expensive than what the f2p kids are used to right now.
The colored buttons will have their revenge! It's just a slow start, that's all! Blast that MH4G bundle! Curses!
Well at this point you are right, selling software for less overseas wouldn't change anything now, simply because there are so few games releasing anyway. I mean look at Nintendo PR for holiday 2014. "There are TWO big games coming, Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire!". In my opinion it's a pretty weak holiday overseas for 3DS for software. We don't have MonHun or Yokai Watch like Japan and right now 3DS 2015 looks very poor as well.
I realize this is a Media Create thread, I just disagreed with the statement that basically a handheld can't do better than 3DS these days, since 3DS has many problems that can be solved with a new console.
test_account
XP-39C²
I think it has to do with how the market used to be, and the big YOY drop this year. Its the same as PS3 is being described as not strong sales based on what the PS2 did. And like someone mentioned in the latest NPD thread, would the Call of Duty sales be concidered strong if it sells 10 million copies (it used to sell a lot more) or would it be pointed out that the sales isnt as strong as it used to be.
Handhelds usually see stronger sales than consoles because consoles is usually one unit per household while handhelds are usually one unit per person.
I don´t think that´s the case.
3DSs first year in Japan is the fith best year in the 7th+8th (all companies) gen so far, this includes Wiis and NDSs record breaking year performances and 3DSs best years.
Its second year would take the third place.
And last year (2013) the fourth place.
I don´t see how any of these could be seen as anything other than great sales. But the doom and gloom patrol was still very active from the beginning, despite such evidence. This year is the first year that has seen a somewhat sharper decline but thanks to the revision it looks like to end with a ~3million units sold, which are still good.
Moor-Angol
Banned
I tried both and considering I own a 3DS LL, I prefer the small one.
Bigger screens are always good but if you keep that low resolution they are not so good (personal opinion)
I wonder if that's ever going to start breaking on some franchises.
I would assume Monster Hunter would be one of the most immune given you basically have no choice if you want to keep playing one of the country's most popular games with your friends, but I can't imagine people will be happy to buy full price expansion packs for every game that has them forever, especially when they're aware DLC exists.
I guess we have seen a little bit of reaction with things like BD:FTS and Attack on Titan Chain.
Pennywise83
Banned
Which kind of reactions?
The publishers let you but cheap versions of the game digitally if you own the original.
I assume that was to placate/satisfy customers who would otherwise be upset at paying full price for an upgrade they want that they feel isn't full price.
If it wasn't, why take the loss in revenue?
I guess they could plausibly just be acting nicely, but that doesn't feel super likely as much as they want to make people feel good about a purchase they think shouldn't cost full price either if you have the original.
Fantasy Life Link is another example.
I think in the case of Bravely Default that SE/Asano have been "nice" in a lot of ways; several demos, incorporating feedback, For the Sequel DLC, Giving the first
best
Append Editions have happened long before digital.
[PS2] Persona 3: Fes # <RPG> (Atlus) {2007.04.19} (¥8.190)
[PS2] Persona 3: Fes (Append Edition) <RPG> (Atlus) {2007.04.19} (¥5.040)
[PS2] Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Matsuri: Kakera Asobi # <ADV> (Alchemist) {2007.12.20} (¥7.329)
[PS2] Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Matsuri: Kakera Asobi (Append Edition) <ADV> (Alchemist) {2007.12.20} (¥4.179)
[PS2] Guilty Gear XX: Accent Core Plus # <FTG> (Arc System Works) {2008.03.27} (¥6.090)
[PS2] Guilty Gear XX: Accent Core Plus (Append Edition) <FTG> (Arc System Works) {2008.03.27} (¥2.079)
[PSP] God Eater: Burst # <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2010.10.28} (¥5.229)
[PSP] God Eater: Burst (Append Edition) <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2010.10.28} (¥2.100)
[PS2] Persona 3: Fes # <RPG> (Atlus) {2007.04.19} (¥8.190)
[PS2] Persona 3: Fes (Append Edition) <RPG> (Atlus) {2007.04.19} (¥5.040)
[PS2] Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Matsuri: Kakera Asobi # <ADV> (Alchemist) {2007.12.20} (¥7.329)
[PS2] Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Matsuri: Kakera Asobi (Append Edition) <ADV> (Alchemist) {2007.12.20} (¥4.179)
[PS2] Guilty Gear XX: Accent Core Plus # <FTG> (Arc System Works) {2008.03.27} (¥6.090)
[PS2] Guilty Gear XX: Accent Core Plus (Append Edition) <FTG> (Arc System Works) {2008.03.27} (¥2.079)
[PSP] God Eater: Burst # <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2010.10.28} (¥5.229)
[PSP] God Eater: Burst (Append Edition) <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2010.10.28} (¥2.100)
I think one thing worth considering is the context of the two systems.
Like there's not a lot of negativity about the Vita in NPD threads and there's not a lot of negativity about the Xbox One in Media Create threads, not because there isn't negativity about the systems, but because they're nigh universally accepted as dead platforms so there's not much to talk about.
In NPD, the PS4, XB1, and 3DS all show moments of weakness and strength. Whenever weakness comes, the debate becomes whether there will be a return to strength. For the 3DS lately, that return has not happened, so negativity - while present - isn't as frequent anymore in that thread as expectations of a turnaround have began to fade.
For the PS4 and Xbox One, whether they would go up majorly with this Fall's games was an unanswered question. So far the answer has turned out to be yes, for the PS4 especially, so the negativity about that platform has started to fade while the Xbox One got more divisive as that became the last real debate point at the moment.
For the 3DS in Japan, it's the last platform that shows any strength, but also shows some weaknesses, so it's going to be largely the sole focus of debate until either the Vita or PS4 start getting big releases we can judge their performance by again.
Generally I've said I feel the 3DS has it made in Japan for the rest of this generation and my main concern with it is how it leads into the next because a lot of Japanese publishers can be highly unreliable and/or unpredictable, and that mixes with Nintendo's unpredictability and lack of massive subsidies in interesting ways.
However, I have always conceded some of my pessimism may be unfounded on the basis that I expect them to have the sole viable dedicated device on the market next generation, so if publishers don't abandon more of their traditional business model, they could gain strong support even if they totally blow handling the system. I don't think it's a given though that we won't see Japanese published business models shift even further given how much some have changed already.
I was more bullish on the PS4 in the West as it's the start of the generation and the publishers who remain seem to largely do the exact sane thing year in and year out, usually with the same annual or biannual titles to boot. Their new experiments often end up on consoles as well as we've seen f2p titles, season passes, and microtransaction strategies appear on consoles along with a much stronger focus on digital games.
I don't mean to imply I think Nintendo is doing the worst job in Japan when I'm critical of them. In fact, with the 3DS I think they're doing the best. However, with every other system being half or fully dead, I don't feel there's another system that's notably interesting to debate at the moment. I mean we certainly can cheer on big selling titles on the system, but if that's all the thread is, that's not much of a discussion.
test_account
XP-39C²
I dont know what everyone have said, but from the comments i've seen/remember regarding poor 3DS sales in Japan have been more on a weekly basis, when it was selling for example around 40k. Best selling system for those weeks usually, but weaker than what the DS sold in the same time frame/week. I think the comparison to DS is the reason for those comments. Overall, i personally think that the 3DS sales have been pretty good so far, just to mention that.
Does anyone knows how the 3DS compares to the DS in the same time frame by the way? Pity that garaph.info stopped updating :\
Moor-Angol
Banned
shinra-bansho
Member
I wouldn't necessarily call it naive or short-sighted, but I would say it's makes for a relatively limited viewpoint for discussion.
The 3DS is doing okay in Japan. It's the best-selling system. True.
But what does that mean in the wider context? Given relative historical performance, current performance in other geographies, future expected trends.
The Nintendo that exists today, that has annual SG&A in the realm of 200B yen rather than about half that during the GCN/GBC era, hasn't been able to operate on the 3DS doing okay and being the best-selling system in Japan. Something has to change whether that's dramatic reduction in these costs, improvement in margins or significant increase in revenue, or a combination of these factors.
The colored buttons will have their revenge! It's just a slow start, that's all! Blast that MH4G bundle! Curses!
First Yokai watch success and now this? Duckroll is on a roll I see.^_^
Dash Kappei
Not actually that important
Would it be possible for SEE to launch a streaming edition of FFXIV:ARR on 3DS?
Do you think it'd be a good/mildly successful idea?
Do you think it'd be a good/mildly successful idea?
I don't think that is even possible here. As downgrading PS3 assets and games into 3DS would be too much work. And costly too.
He said streaming not a port.
Anything is possible. Does FFXIV play well on Vita through Remote Play?
ULTROS!
People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks.
I honestly think that launching DQX on the PS3/PS4/Xbox 360/Xbox One would be a much much much better idea than bringing FFXIV:ARR to 3DS.
DQX's already on 5 platforms, has sold over a million units and it's Japan only. ARRFFXIV would probably benefit more from expanding it's current base, especially in Japan where it's done less than half of DQX.
if square enix is interested in entertaining groups of 10s i have a few vita requests to make
Pennywise83
Banned
It always striked me how people can use a clear market anomaly to conclude aynthing about 3DS performance. Nintendo itself didn't understand how lighting in a bottle DS was, so I guess that's part of the reaons people believed 3DS could reach predecessor's height. Putting some perspective, though, 3DS is the second fastest-selling console ever in Japan.
Only played the beta, but the HUD was pretty hard to read on Vita at times. Couldn't imagine it on the 3DS screen, especially considering people had problems with DQX too.
Would the UI actually work? Honest question.
I doubt it. Getting the game streaming would be easy enough from the looks of things but DQX has legibility issues with the UI and that was designed for 480p originally. FFXIV was made with much higher resolutions in mind.
sörine;135074452 said:
That's pretty on par for the series though. FF makes around half of its sales outside of Japan, I think, whereas DQ is 90% Japan.
Without going into console pissing contest and "my favourite console should have this game", both DQX and FFXIV should get a move on and launch in China. I know there are plans for FFXIV to do so, while people are quiet on the DQX font, but it's taking too long.
Pennywise83
Banned
In the meanwhile, the new YW2 is already at 199pt on Comgnet; that's crazy.
Indeed.
Last two mainline DQ entries did 1/5 of sales in the West, so it's more 80% Japan; FF usually does more than half in the West.
Indeed.
Last two mainline DQ entries did 1/5 of sales in the West, so it's more 80% Japan; FF usually does more than half in the West.
And many said Level-5 is insane. Bow to our Youkai overlord.
Felessan
Member
Stream from where? Vita works more or less fine when it's not far from PS4 or you do mundane activities.
Game relies quite heavily on various dodge mechanics and double lag (image lag and input lag) will make most of end-game content unplayable.
FF14 already launched in China.
http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/pr/blog/000821.html
Woah at YW2.5 :\
Abotu the 3DS "showing the peak of a handhel in the west" I think that it is, indeed. It is true that is showing few significant releases, and that is declining compared to last year. But the key phrase is: "It is showing the peak for a handheld in this time and age". And I think it is true: I can't see any way "in this time and age" for a handheld to have more support, more significant games, and being more "vital" in its 4th year on the market. The only doubt could be related to their inability to distribute the N3ds also in the West, despite it being already announced: that could clearly be an issue that could have been prevented by Nintendo.
Abotu the 3DS "showing the peak of a handhel in the west" I think that it is, indeed. It is true that is showing few significant releases, and that is declining compared to last year. But the key phrase is: "It is showing the peak for a handheld in this time and age". And I think it is true: I can't see any way "in this time and age" for a handheld to have more support, more significant games, and being more "vital" in its 4th year on the market. The only doubt could be related to their inability to distribute the N3ds also in the West, despite it being already announced: that could clearly be an issue that could have been prevented by Nintendo.
Pennywise83
Banned
It might be. But this is the first Nintendo handheld in recent memory that still has a high entry price. 2DS lowers the average price of the platform, but this might still be too high.
GhostTrick
Banned
The problem is that 2DS feels like the inferior one. The entry price should be like 149 dollars for the 3DS XL.
Many people overlook this fact, but 3DS really is the most expensive Nintendo handheld, and by a wide margin.
Up to now the "nintendo handheld family" offers a good range of purhcase options (that I think will stay as a relevant strategy in their business): from 119$ to 199$ I think. Yes, we coudl argue that a 99$ (for the 2DS?) could be a better price positioning, I agree.
But I think that a 20$ price cut would not change so much.
So it looks like that Kyoutou Gakuen (The co-op hunting game thing with the teacher and the students) promotion campaign that Sony has been doing the past year for Vita is coming to an end and the final one will be broadcast on the 24th this month.
The strange thing is the final game they will be promoting is Destiny on PS4, and also says that it won't be a ending but a new beginning. Could Sony be shifting over their promotion from Vita > PS4 from now on in Japan?
The strange thing is the final game they will be promoting is Destiny on PS4, and also says that it won't be a ending but a new beginning. Could Sony be shifting over their promotion from Vita > PS4 from now on in Japan?
shinra-bansho
Member
In case it wasn't clear, I'm talking about its current performance in Japan, new revision launch week notwithstanding.
It might end up over 3M for the year with a whole host of big guns fired to get it there.
Further to that, no one's going to give a toss in two years time that the PS4 has to date, from memory, sold faster than the PS2 worldwide in shipments to be super super clear because apparently it's not glaringly obvious enough that no one could think this about the PS4's Japanese sales. And so on and so forth.
EDIT: Oh good grief, there's no possible way you people can be that obtuse.
It might end up over 3M for the year with a whole host of big guns fired to get it there.
Further to that, no one's going to give a toss in two years time that the PS4 has to date, from memory, sold faster than the PS2 worldwide in shipments to be super super clear because apparently it's not glaringly obvious enough that no one could think this about the PS4's Japanese sales. And so on and so forth.
EDIT: Oh good grief, there's no possible way you people can be that obtuse.