Nintendo's Switch Console Has Broken Out of Wii U's Shell

What's up everyone?!  rodog818 is here, and I know it has been almost five years but here is an update to my previous blog.












In 2017, Nintendo had released their followup game console device to the Wii U, called the Nintendo Switch.  They marketed everything correctly, and it looks like it paid off swimmingly.  The Nintendo Switch is reported to have already outsold the Nintendo Wii U's lifetime sales and appears to be the device that consumers want. 

Nintendo did it right this time.

What if?... Wii U's Gamepad is unable to carry the weight of a whole platform?

What's up everyone?!  rodog818 is back in action with a radiant charge!

Here's what's up with Nintendo and Wii U in their situation:

Nintendo did the best job they could making the cheapest hardware possible to couple with their new gameplay peripheral/New Gameplay Enabler, the Wii U Game Pad, with the intent to make the console as cheap as possible to make while making their gameplay as fresh and novel as possible with the smallest pricetag possible (with the gamepad included).  Nintendo is even quoted to be taking a loss on the Wii U's MSRP.

What if that peripheral/New Gameplay Enabler simply proves unable to carry more than it's own weight in pricing?  According to CNET, Wii U sold only 57k consoles in January which is even less than the 10 year old DS.

There are many obvious and not-so-obvious risks associated with the moves Nintendo has made:

-What if the average consumer doesn't get that "must-have-it" feeling from the TV+second screen gameplay synchronicity that they DID get with the original Wii's motion controls?
My anecdotal experience: I personally saw a soccer mom rigorously explain to her son that the Utablet was inferior to the tablet device which they already owned (I don't know specifically what tablet device they owned; it could have been the iPad or even *gasp* the UDraw tablet).  The dealbreaker for me were the 60 dollar games and the 350 dollar (plus tax) console.

-What if the average consumer doesn't get the understanding that there even is a TV+second screen gameplay synchronicity?
My subjective thoughts on the matter: When I saw Wii U's commercials here in North America, I imagined being an average consumer who sees the Wii U and just sees it as simply an evolution of the Udraw tablet as opposed to the revolutionary "New Gameplay Enabler" it actually was.  At least the commercial was better than the initial 2006 North American PS3 laughing baby commercials that simply showed screenshots of games and gave out no understanding of the blu-ray capabilities and free online; please note that just because your commercials are more informative than the 2006 PS3 commercials, it does not mean that your commercial develops a clear understanding between consumer and product.

-What about the recession and smartphones and tablets giving Wii U and Nintendo a run for their money?
Some personal thoughts:  This is the first CONSOLE launch since the beginning of the recession and the rise of smartphones and tablets, most notably iPhone and iPad.  3ds has felt some sting from the rise of smartphones, but remains to be a living, breathing platform.  Playstation Vita, on the other hand, is its own example of mess-up with the only similarity it shares with Wii U is that both Wii U and Vita resemble tablets. 
If it looks like a tablet/smartphone, but doesn't act like a tablet/smartphone: some consumers will feel like they are buying a cheap imitation (I have no way of knowing if this behavior is widespread or not btw).

-Other obscure reasons
*I am sure there are many other and less popular reasons for not wanting a Wii U, but I do not feel like mentioning them.

Conclusion
-It appears that the U tablet cannot sustain its own platform, i.e. the Wii U.

Suggestions:
-Nintendo still has money in the bank, but are they willing to bet it all on saving their traditional way of doing business?  Will they just submit to iOS in the laziest way possible?  Or will something else entirely happen?  Only time will tell.
-Perhaps if the Utablet peripheral was the platform itself and attached to an iPad, a PC, or something (with proprietary software, proprietary USB Wiimote docks, proprietary USB WiiUblu-ray drive, etc.); I feel that even though the likes of THQ could not sustain UDraw HD (with licensed games, too ugh such a bad idea that was) that does not mean that the likes of Nintendo could not sustain their own peripheral on a hugely popular device with a diverse install base such as the iPad.
-Perhaps consoles and PC's are outdated and we are all heading into a general purpose iOS/Android/Windows8X world where the only "boxed software products" will be sold alongside peripherals (I personally consider the steambox and Ouya a peripheral and nothing else really).  Seriously, you could call Blizzard PC games their own platform because the boxed software is the "box" and the subscription is the "content restriction".  Consoles are losing, handhelds are losing, PC is trucking along, smartphones are winning (but not total unless you feel Apple, Google, and Rovio are the "total" lol), and tablets are winning (Only apple though really lol).  I do feel that the gaming future is still bright though (in general, of course specific parties won't be happy to lose money on the changes they'll be forced to adapt to)


Please feel free to divulge your thoughts on this matter.

Thanks for viewing!  rodog_818 will always be the one with the 411.
Peace yo

Another Los Angeles Lesson: GERM ALERT! Beware of Shopping Carts!

Next time you go to the supermarket, you may want to wear some gloves and place protective gear on your kids. At the very least, bring some wipes to clean the shopping cart handles. Turns out that those shopping carts are full of feces, germs, and bacteria. Some researchers swabbed shopping cart handles in numerous stores. Out of the 100 carts examined, 72 of them had fecal matter. A closer look at those samples containing fecal matter also revealed that 50 percent of them were contaminated with E. coli. What is wrong with people?!?!?! Don't they wash their hands?!














They found more bacteria in these shopping carts than what they find in the restroom of the supermarket. At least we know that the restrooms are cleaned properly, but don't bother with those carts! UGH!!!














Don't be surprised if some high-end market like Gelson's, opens up an area where you can push a cart through a wash prior to your use of it. Hey, that's not a bad concept.








Until the next lesson, Stay Down!

Las Vegas Lesson: Open Container in Las Vegas

Sorry for the long wait in between writings, but life has had me busy. I actually had time to go to Las Vegas over the weekend and other than the crowd, it was a good time. I was pleasantly surprised to see all those folks with open containers of alcohol walking down the streets. These people were walking with no particular place to go. Just like a herd of cattle. Hell, I stopped by the liquor store across from Caesar's Palace and bought an 18-pack and started the same routine like the rest of those happy drunks. I was enjoying the scenery and the drinks while participating in some exercise. This sure was a lot cheaper and more gratifying than spending booboo bucks at the casinos. After all that walking, I got an appetite and went to Treasure Island for some serious buffet eating action. Man, what a feast for $12.99!



I had so much just eating, drinking, and observing the lost herd of the crowd. I can do this scene without effort. Who needs to gamble when you can eat and drink?
When you go to Las Vegas, Stay Down!

El Lay Lesson: They WILL Call You Back!

The OGDUDE13 wants you to know that when you call an 800, 855, 866, 877, 888, or 900 telephone number: your telephone number could be disclosed to the party your calling and could be recorded in a database that is sold to telemarketers. The OGDUDE13 is letting you know that some numbers listed with 800 and 900 are now using Automatic Number Identification (ANI).













When you dial their number, ANI equipment automatically adds your phone number to their database and they are not required to tell you if they have ANI equipment. Companies with ANI can then use your phone number to get your address and income level.












Never assume that an 800 or 900 number is a toll free call! You may reach a recording that advises you about a return collect call. You may also be told to call a 900 number; in either case, the call will be billed to you.











Maybe it is a good idea to use somebody else's phone. Not a bad idea!
Until the next lesson, Stay Down!

El Lay Lesson: Trash Collection Day

I don't know about you folks, but I have noticed an increase in "trash can swampers." These people are into your trash within minutes of being placed in the curb. They are out these in droves trying to get the best scraps they can get. This economy has made good people go the extra mile and have become self-employed "Pickers." I don't mind it if they look, get what they want and leave without making a mess. The "messy ones" that take your trash out of the bins and place it on the ground and rummage through the trash bags that are nerve-wracking. These messy ones tear the bags up and leave what they don't want on the ground.








That just irks me! These people have the nerve of looking towards the front of your house and look at you like you are the dumb one for throwing away all these bottles and cans. Hey! I am not the one looking through trash!

Until the next lesson Stay Down!

El Lay Lesson: Damn Politicos! ~GET REAL~

What is it with these politicians that always get caught in a compromised position. One week they say "No they didn't!" and the next week they admit to doing it. They always have excuses when they screw shit up and then are apologetic and hope their constituents believe their lies. Just think: "We as taxpayers are paying these nimrods money to say lies and ordinary folks who are trying to get by are not getting a cent where they live." Another trait these damn politicos have is that they also make those stupid faces as if we are supposed to feel sorry for them. Then after, they start to cry with the notion that they can be forgiven for their actions. Anybody else would be flogged and sent to jail.





















I should run for public office because I can do better than them. Hey, that's not a bad idea.









Until the next lesson, Stay Down!