Exploring the history behind Nintendo’s flip-flop on mobile gaming
Did you hear the one about Nintendo “never” putting its content on mobile platforms? About how Nintendo makes its own hardware specifically intended to cater to its software? About how it would dilute those “brands” (think: Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong) to put them on hardware other than Nintendo’s?
Clearly Nintendo isn’t so worried about that, as it announced plans last evening to work with Japan mobile game giant DeNA on moving its many brands over to mobile. Or, as Nintendo describes the relationship: a “business and capital alliance to develop and operate new game apps for smart devices and build a new multi-device membership service for consumers worldwide.” Sounds like a blast!
Joking aside, this is a pretty serious about-face for a company that’s repeatedly stated it wouldn’t put its properties on mobile. Here’s a smattering of quotes from Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata across the past several years on the subject.
- In 2011 (as translated by Andriasang, originally from Nikkei): “This is absolutely not under consideration. If we did this, Nintendo would cease to be Nintendo. Having a hardware development team in-house is a major strength. It’s the duty of management to make use of those strengths. It’s probably the correct decision in the sense that the moment we started to release games on smartphones we’d make profits. However, I believe my responsibility is not to short term profits, but to Nintendo’s mid and long term competitive strength.”
- Also in 2011, from Iwata’s speech at the 2011 Game Developer’s Conference (via GamesIndustry.biz): “We make platforms designed to demonstrate the high value of high quality video game software. But, there is a second, entirely different way to consider the value of software. The objective of smartphones and social networks, and the reason they were created, are not at all like ours. These platforms have no motivation to maintain the high value of video game software — for them, content is something created by someone else. Their goal is just to gather as much software as possible, because quantity is what makes the money flow — the value of video game software does not matter to them.”
- In March 2013, from an investor Q&A: “Some say that they do not need dedicated gaming systems because they can play a number of games for free or for 85 yen each on smartphones. We believe that neither Nintendo nor dedicated gaming systems are worthy of existence unless our games give consumers unparalleled fun, which games for free or for 85 yen do not supply.”
- In early 2014, Nintendo started showing signs of breaking from its hardline stance. As reported by the Wall Street Journal: “Mr. Iwata says Nintendo will ‘actively’ use smart devices to ‘make connections with customers.’ That is, they’ll use smart devices as a catalyst to encourage customers to use its Nintendo platforms. Short answer, he’s not going to release Nintendo’s titles on other platforms.”
- Further breaking from its previous stance, Iwata said Nintendo was exploring mobile platforms without giving further details (via Bloomberg) in the same time frame: “Given the expansion of smart devices, we are naturally studying how smart devices can be used to grow the game-player business. It’s not as simple as enabling Mario to move on a smartphone.”
And now we’re here, today, where DeNA will apparently enable Mario to move on a smartphone.
Will the move be as simple as porting existing Nintendo games to mobile? No, it thankfully won’t. As much as you want Super Mario World on your phone, it would almost certainly be a bad experience, and at very least a less enjoyable experience than playing the game on the hardware it was made to work with.
Nintendo knows this, despite the fact that they’re giving in to the enormous mobile market. Nintendo also knows that its faithful audience will potentially panic upon hearing that the company is pushing into mobile, assuming that Nintendo is abandoning its longtime strategy of creating the hardware that powers its software. Essentially, “OH GOD NINTENDO IS ONLY MAKING MOBILE GAMES FROM NOW ON. OH GOD.” This is why Nintendo teased the codename and plans for its next hardware: the “NX”.
Here’s an explanatory quote from last night’s presentation, care of Iwata, with added emphasis from me on particularly interesting bits:
“The NX — our next generation platform — is not directly related to the collaboration. The question on why we made the announcement if it’s not directly related: that is because I wanted to communicate that Nintendo will be progressing with video game dedicated devices with passion, and also we wanted to clarify that communicating our Nintendo IP through smartphone devices — providing premium content on video game devices where we can persuade the consumers that a very-well made video game with immersive experience, that kind of experience that will be loved by video game lovers — we wanted to make it clear that Nintendo will continue that as a core business. Without the explanation, we believe that many people might misunderstand Nintendo [is doing mobile] because it’s pessimistic about the dedicated video game industry.”
So what changed Iwata’s (and Nintendo’s) mind on moving Nintendo properties to mobile? “It would be a waste not to use these devices,” Iwata said last night. It would be. So why has Nintendo not been utilizing them for years now? Iwata compares it to the maturation of television, and Nintendo’s origins as a playing card- and toy-making company.
“It is structurally the same as when Nintendo, which was founded 125 years ago when there were no TVs, started to aggressively take advantage of TV as a communication channel. Now that smart devices have grown to become the window for so many people to personally connect with society, it would be a waste not to use these devices.”
In so many words, Iwata and co. believe that smart devices have matured to the point of Nintendo engaging the platform.
Of course, for those of us living in reality, smart devices have dominated mainstream culture for the past several years. The first iPhone launched in 2007. And the first iPhone was far from the first smartphone; it launched long after smartphone gaming established itself. Sure, there are 50 million 3DS handheld game consoles in the wild; there are well over half a billion iPhones out there.
As evidenced by the laundry list of editorials over the years, Nintendo is entering the smartphone game late. It’s just not admitting as much.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds, Software, HD, Mobile, Nintendo
PlayStation Now closed beta arrives in the UK this spring
It’s been an awfully long wait, but finally Sony is prepared to launch its video game streaming service outside of North America. A private beta for PlayStation Now is headed to the UK, and curious gamers can register their interest right now. To gain access later this Spring, you’ll need to own both a PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Plus membership. Otherwise, the selection criteria is rather ambiguous — you’ll just have to fill out the survey and hope your responses chime with the ideal player base Sony is looking for.
A range of PlayStation 3 titles will be available in the private beta, including The Last of Us, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and God of War Ascension. Access for beta testers will be free of charge, and Sony is recommending a connection speed of 5mbps or higher. PlayStation Now hasn’t had the biggest impact in the US, and it’s unclear if that’ll change in the UK. Pricing has been a major hang-up, so it’ll be interesting to see how Sony approaches both individual rentals and its Netflix-style subscription model in Britain.
Source: PlayStation Now
Leaked renders showcase Sony’s upcoming flagship, the Xperia Z4.
With all of the major OEMs announcing their latest flagships, it seems that Sony left us out on the curb. That may change soon though, as famous tech leaker, OnLeaks, recently published some very interesting images. They are renders of what the Sony Xperia Z4 smartphone is slated to look like. As you can see, there are not too many changes made to the overall design from the Sony Xperia Z3.
The most noticeable difference is the lack of the magnetic port that was on the Sony Xperia Z3. Whatever their reasons where for removing it, the device still looks gorgeous. As of now there is no special branding on the device, though I am sure will change when carriers get their hands on it. According to OnLeaks, the Sony Xperia Z4 should come equipped a 5.2 inch display, a Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, an Adreno 430 GPU and finally a 21MP camera.
This is all speculative of course, and should be taken with a grain of salt. We won’t know what the actual device will look like or the specific specs until Sony makes an official announcement. That’s all we know for now but stay tuned in case any more information surfaces.
Source: OnLeaks
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T-Mobile adds Data Stash feature to prepaid plans
T-Mobile prepaid customers will soon have the same Data Stash feature that postpaid subscribers have been enjoying over the last few months. Starting on March 22, prepaid customers can roll over any unused data from one month into a pool that doesn’t expire for twelve months. And, like it did for its Simple Choice subscribers, T-Mobile is giving each prepaid user 10GB of 4G LTE data to get started. The new Data Stash feature is a zero cost addition to the current plan and goes into effect automatically.
T-Mobile has an event scheduled for tomorrow in New York City where it’s rumored they’ll announce something business-related.
The post T-Mobile adds Data Stash feature to prepaid plans appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Autodesk launches Tinkerplay App in hopes of making 3D design and printing fun
Tinkerplay, a new free app from Autodesk, hopes to make 3D printing and designing a little more fun.
3D printing is becoming more and more popular, and Russell Holly from Android Central has been having quite a good time with it, but designing and printing isn’t for everyone. The folks at Autodesk have just released a new app for Android, iOS and even Windows Phone that they hope will make the experience much easier.
Based on the popular Modio app, which Autodesk had previously acquired, Tinkerplay will allow users to design and customize characters with the ability to 3D print them afterwards. The various 3D printed parts from within the app can be snapped together for dynamic playing as well.
“Creators, designers and makers from ages five to ninety, have blown us away with their passion for 3D modeling and 3D printing,” said Samir Hanna, vice president and general manager, Autodesk Consumer and 3D Printing. “With Tinkerplay, we’re providing another great tool designed for kids of all ages, who want to play, create and tinker.”
The app is available now in the App Store as a free download, so give it a shot.
- Free – Download Now
Press Release
Autodesk Launches Tinkerplay App to Make 3D Design and 3D Printing Fun
SAN FRANCISCO, Mar.17, 2015 — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) announced the launch of Tinkerplay, a free* app designed for kids of all ages that introduces creative play through 3D design and 3D printing.
The Tinkerplay app is based on the popular Modio app, which Autodesk previously acquired, and will join the Tinkercad family of products. The Tinkerplay app allows users to design and customize characters and creatures digitally with the option to 3D print afterwards. The 3D printed parts can also be snapped together for dynamic play. With this launch, new parts, features and functionality have been added to make the world of 3D design simple, fun and engaging.
“Creators, designers and makers from ages five to ninety, have blown us away with their passion for 3D modeling and 3D printing,” said Samir Hanna, vice president and general manager, Autodesk Consumer and 3D Printing. “With Tinkerplay, we’re providing another great tool designed for kids of all ages, who want to play, create and tinker.”
The Tinkerplay app lets users quickly get started by dragging and dropping interchangeable parts to make custom creations. The parts are optimized for 3D printing as fully poseable characters and creatures, and are designed to not require rafting or support material to print. The print function within the app shows the layout of parts for 3D printing and provides an easy way to export print files to a variety of 3D printers.
For users that are inspired to take their design skills one step further to create completely new parts, Tinkerplay connectors can be found in the Tinkercad web app. Autodesk has launched Tinkerplay simultaneously on various mobile platforms including iOS, Android, Windows and Windows phones to better provide users with access on their device of choice. The Tinkerplay app can be downloaded for free* from the App Store, Google Play or the Windows Store for Windows 8.1 users.
About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone–from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.
Rhapsody will now let you share full songs on Twitter
Rhapsody has announced a partnership with Twitter to allow users to share full songs from the music service using Twitter Cards.
The full Rhapsody catalog, some 34 million songs, is available for sharing. Users will be able to listen to a song from Rhapsody without leaving the Twitter app.
Google I/O 2015 registration begins
Interested in attending Google I/O 2015 on May 28th through the 29th? Now is your chance to sign up for your chance, as registration has begun! You’ll have between now and 5PM PST on March 19th to register. After that date, Google will select randomly from all folks who attempted to register. In other words, there’s not really any rush, as this isn’t a first come, first serve affair.
Remember, even if you are chosen to attend, you will still have to pay to get in. No exact pricing on tickets at this point, though last year it cost $900 for general admission and $300 for academic admission.
Last year was a pretty big year for Google I/O, giving us our first look at what would eventually become Android Lollipop, as well as plenty of news on Android Wear, Auto and Android TV. What will this year’s event bring to the table? Another Android update? New Google hardware? It’s hard to say for sure what to expect so early into the game, but whatever it is, we can’t wait!
Here’s an even better look at the Xperia Z4
Yesterday we got our first look at the Sony Xperia Z4, but the device was only partially visible. Today the full image has been released leaving nothing to the imagination. Nothing surprising here, and as we said yesterday, it looks very similar to a Z3.
Is anyone excited for this phone?
source: @OnLeaks
Come comment on this article: Here’s an even better look at the Xperia Z4
Google starts reviewing apps before they reach the Play Store
Although Google has tightened app policies on the Play Store over the years, the company thinks it can do more to protect users. One way to do that is to crack down on the amount of malware and bad apps on its marketplace, so it’s begun reviewing apps before they become available to download. The new policy, which is similar to Apple’s approach on the App Store, has been in effect for a couple of months and uses a mix of algorithms and human intervention to weed out rogue apps.
But that’s not all it’s doing. Google has also launched a new rating system for Android apps that will spell out which apps and games are appropriate for certain age groups. It’s teamed up with a number of independent bodies including the ESRB, PEGI, USK, ClassInd and the Australian Classification Board, the same groups that classify video games like GTA V before they go on sale.
The idea is to help developers better target users and educate parents about the apps and games they are being asked to download. The ratings will cover the usual topics: sexual content, violent content, drugs, alcohol and gambling. According to Google, if users aren’t in one of the supported countries, it will deliver an “age-based, generic rating” that has been awarded after developers have completed a content rating questionnaire. If developers don’t comply, downloads could be blocked in certain regions.
It’s a far cry from the early days of Android, when developers could submit whatever they like. The Play Store is now a $7 billion-plus business, so Google needs to better protect users as hardware gets more powerful and apps normally reserved for desktops and consoles come to mobile devices.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Android Developers Blog
Google introduces age-based rating system for apps
Google just introduced a few changes to the Play Store that should lead to a better user experience. The biggest news is the addition of a team of reviewers that will manually approve every app before it’s published to the Play Store. But there’s an important user-facing change as well: age-based ratings.
Just like movies and videogames, apps in the Play Store will feature a rating designed to show what age group they are suitable for, ranging from everyone to adults-only. In order to accommodate the different rating systems from around the world, as well as the different interpretations of “appropriate,” Google will use the standards of age-rating organizations like the North American Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) or the European Pan-European Game Information (PEGI). In countries without an established standard, apps will feature a generic age rating.
Developers of existing apps will be asked to fill out questionnaires in order to determine what category their apps belong to. This process is, according to Google, “quick, automated, and free.” Our Gary Sims, who is a part time dev, received his email minutes ago, and you can read it by clicking on the press release button at the end of this post.
Apps that are not self-rated will show an “Unrated” tag, and they may not be shown to all users. Starting from May, filling out the questionnaire will be mandatory for all new apps and new updates to existing apps.
This is yet another move by Google to make the Play Store safer for users of all ages, following the highlighting of free apps that offer in-app purchases. The Play Store is now in line with Apple’s App Store, which has featured age-based ratings for a while.
It’s worth nothing that Google seems to be trying to better cater to children – YouTube Kids, introduced last month, offers a special version of the massively popular video service just for kids, and Google said more apps in the same vein are in the pipeline. Content designed for children is one of the fastest categories on YouTube and it’s safe to say that the same holds true for apps in the Play Store.
Hello Google Play Developer,
To help consumers make more informed choices about their purchases on Google Play, we’re introducing a new age-based rating system for apps and games consistent with industry best practices. This initiative gives you an easy way to communicate familiar and locally relevant content ratings to your users and helps improve app engagement by targeting the right audience for your content.
Starting now, you can complete a content rating questionnaire for each of your apps and games to receive the objective content ratings. Google Play’s new rating system includes official ratings from the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) and its participating bodies, including the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), Pan-European Game Information (PEGI), Australian Classification Board, Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) and Classificação Indicativa (ClassInd). Territories not covered by a specific ratings authority will display an age-based, generic rating. The process is quick, automated and free to developers. In the coming weeks, consumers worldwide will begin to see these new Google Play ratings in their local markets.
On your apps’ questionnaires, make sure to provide accurate responses to help your app be discovered by the right audience. Once you’ve successfully received a rating for your app(s), you’ll only need to retake an app’s questionnaire if an update changes the content of the app in a way that impacts its rating. Learn more about rating your apps
To help maintain your apps’ availability on Google Play, sign in to the Google Play Developer Console and complete the new rating questionnaire for each of your apps. Apps without completed rating questionnaires will be marked as “Unrated.” Unrated apps may be blocked in certain territories or for specific users. In addition, all new apps and updates to existing apps will require a completed questionnaire before they can be published on the Play Store. Your compliance and participation with the new app ratings system is required under the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement. In the future, apps that aren’t rated using the new rating system may be removed from the Play Store.
Thanks for your continued support of Google Play,
Google Play Developer Support
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