Nintendo developers have created some of the most memorable characters in gaming history, which has helped the company build a strong reputation in the industry. Because video game development drives console sales, it is important for Nintendo to continue developing games people want to play rather than focusing solely on console development. Lackluster sales of the Wii U console have prompted Nintendo insiders to consider open video game development as a way to increase the company's library of available titles.
Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony are all competing for a piece of the gaming market with their video game consoles. Although consumer needs and preferences have changed over time, video game development is still as important now as it was when video game consoles were first introduced. Consumers particularly look forward to new releases, so many were disappointed when Nintendo recently announced it would delay the release of Wii U versions of the Wii Fit and Wii Party games. Game release delays are likely partially responsible for the company's failure to reach its sales target for the Wii U. Nintendo sold only 3.45 million Wii U consoles between November 2012 and March 2013, far fewer than its original estimates of approximately 5.5 million consoles.
Open video game development is just one potential solution to Nintendo's Wii U sales issue. In the past, the company's legal team filed suits against any companies that developed and sold games for Nintendo consoles without getting prior approval from Nintendo. Most of the games approved by Nintendo have come from well-funded studios that are assumed to have the technology and manpower to develop successful games. Now that Nintendo needs to build its library of game titles quickly, the company will be crowdsourcing development efforts to a network of nearly 2 million programmers. The popularity of mobile gaming has also hurt the company's console sales, so Nintendo is partnering with Unity Technologies to adapt some of its games.
Because major developers are not developing as many games for the Wii U as they did for previous Nintendo consoles, open video game development could be one solution to the dearth of attention-grabbing games. Electronic Arts released seventy-eight games for the original Wii console, but it has released only four games for the Wii U, and EA representatives say there are no additional Wii U games in its development pipeline. Turning to open development and allowing developers to self-publish titles for Nintendo consoles could help Nintendo avoid having to cut the price of the Wii U. When the company released the 3DS handheld system, the lack of available titles forced a price cut of more than 30 percent, which hurt revenues and shocked gamers, developers, and investors.
The focus on open development is still in its early stages at Nintendo, so it will take some time to see the true effects of this change in philosophy. If all goes as planned, players will have access to a greater number of titles and Nintendo will be able to boost sales of its Wii U console. The results could prompt other companies to consider open video game development as a way to produce the games customers want without having to hire additional in-house developers.
(Photo courtesy of Ambro / freedigitalphotos.net)
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