Nintendo has been deemed as innovative to the gaming industry because of their touch screen controls for their highly successful Nintendo DS and their motion controlled Nintendo Wii. With the Nintendo Wii-U set for release this year, more innovation is expected beyond the amount that has already been announced. The controller will utilize both motion and touch, and have the ability to take what was on the television screen onto the screen on the controller, blending the line of console and handheld.
Innovation is generally praised in all industries, but in an industry facing more competitors from more but cheaper options. Smart phone games that can run as low as $0.99 up to only a few dollars is giving people more options on the guy and in some cases for young consumers, becoming the replacement altogether as parents find it hard to justify spending $60 for a game that will be replaced the next year with a new installment. These strains are putting a toll on companies to offer something new to the markets that catches their attention and gives them a reason to support higher prices and technology. What ideas could catch on though/
The Wii and DS saw some success but now touch controls is on every device offered on the market. It isn’t innovation, it is just expected now. The motion controls feature was a huge hit, but on the Wii it was never utilized to its full potential with most games using it for gimmicks or methods that just slowed gameplay down. Calling it a disappointment would be an understatement. The Xbox Vita was just as disappointing, if not even more so. It offered nothing new to gameplay that the Wii and Playstation 2 Eye Toy had not already given gamers. An even bigger gimmick, it was never fun or lived up to the potential it could have. With these innovative ideas not quite hitting it off right, what could be the next step?
Nintendo’s controller allowing connectivity between devices is a great idea for sure, but that alone won’t be enough. As consumers we are already expecting connectivity between devices and believe we should not have to wait for hooking up multiple devices and attaching them to one another. Streaming abilities, internet connections, the ability to easily move from device to device, video conferencing… all there, but what else would be truly innovative?
Customization is a big feature that is generally enjoyed. Games have at times allowed gamers to make their own maps or characters, but they have always been severely limited. Allow the new generation of users to be able to join in on creative development and even share their own creations for everyone, perhaps even have a market place to give them a profit incentive. One of the hardest parts for hardware developers have been to get third parties on board to develop for them. Why not get some free software and also give the users a way to feel involved and express their creativity? Feel free to throw out your thoughts.
