Should Nintendo go back to its hardcore audience?

Apparent sources are saying that at E3 Nintendo will anounce a return to its hardcore audience, but is this the right move? Nintendo's hardcore audience is different to the hardcore audiences of the other consoles, the hardcore audience of Nintendo are the fans of Metroid other M and Zelda. These franchises have appeared on the Wii, so not sure whether a move to a market dedicated on these titles would alienate there mass fan base of casual gamers?

Nintendo has a hardcore audience?

Really, besides Japan do they really?

The "hardcore audience" will buy their new console no matter what they do. They'd be better of trying to get the more casual audience to upgrade.

I honestly don't know.  Controlling a large piece of the hardcore audience means having a lot of third party developer influence, which Nintendo hasn't had much of for a very long time and has even less now.  It would be pretty hard to go back into the ring with Microsoft and Sony and not just be the Gamecube all over again in terms of sales.

I can't see any of the hardcore gamers of Call of Duty and Gears of War changing to Nintendo to play a hardcore Kirby.

Dunno.

Though I don't really consider myself "hardcore" they would have to deviate pretty far from the Wii plan to get me giving them my monies again.

I don't know, I think that most of Nintendo's carryover hardcore audience from the previous consoles have seen the last few years on the direction that Nintendo has been going with their games & churn most of the games out to shovelware developers (or good developers with shovelware amounts of time/$/staff to make these games). If Nintendo pushes too much for the hardcore audience, they might lose all the money on the next console or future games from all the casual people who bought the Wii in droves.

"Nintendo has a hardcore audience?

Really, besides Japan do they really? "

Hardcore gamers work 15 hours a week at Payless, they don't have the income to sustain a modern console alone. Its one market of many. "Hardcore gamer" is just code for "insular male who doesn't go outside much" and casual gamer is just code for "girls and etc." Its no wonder so many hardcores hate casuals, they need to get their kooty shot.

Do you think they could go after the hardcore audience of PS3 and 360 or are they too engrained in consoles by this point?
This question came about after reading this article on Gamesradar 
http://www.gamesradar.com/f/why-the-return-of-hardcore-old-nintendo-is-looking-increasingly-likely/a-2011050511513846086

They better or I'm done

" @ryanwho said:

" Hardcore gamers work 15 hours a week at Payless, they don't have the income to sustain a modern console. Its one market of many. "Hardcore gamer" is just code for "insular male who doesn't go outside much" and casual gamer is just code for "girls and etc." "

I think the OP intends "hardcore" to mean "people who actually buy games and play them," as opposed to Nintendo's current audience. Thanks for the super-useful vocab lesson though!  "

" Hardcore gamers work 15 hours a week at Payless, they don't have the income to sustain a modern console alone. Its one market of many. "Hardcore gamer" is just code for "insular male who doesn't go outside much" and casual gamer is just code for "girls and etc." Its no wonder so many hardcores hate casuals, they need to get their kooty shot. "

"Hardcores", what can I say.
There has always been people against or not interested in Nintendo, it just more apparent now than ever thanks to the internet. A quick look around and you will find people that truly enjoyed the core Nintendo games this gen and they also sold well.
They can also not ignore the "casuals" anymore, lets be honest, like things is now the industry, it needs to expand outside "the hardcores" that you find on forums.

So what is left for them to do to achieve their goal ? It would be making it easier for other developers or do as Sony and buy studios.

Nintendo should go back to all audiences, instead of focusing on just one. 

" @ryanwho said:

" Hardcore gamers work 15 hours a week at Payless, they don't have the income to sustain a modern console alone. Its one market of many. "Hardcore gamer" is just code for "insular male who doesn't go outside much" and casual gamer is just code for "girls and etc." Its no wonder so many hardcores hate casuals, they need to get their kooty shot. "

I think that's generalizing just a tad too much.  I dislike the terms too, but they'll have to suffice..  
Plenty of people who are serious about gaming aren't "insular males who don't go outside" and just want to play proper games, not party games, facebook games or other casual games which only exist as 5 minute time wasters.  I personally don't hate these games, but I don't care to play them.  I think Nintendo can go back to making systems that appeal to hardcore gamers, while still having the mass appeal of the Wii.  I'm pretty sure that's going to be their aim with their new system.  Casual gamers bring in huge sales, but they don't buy much in the way of software, so it makes sense that they're going to go back to making more powerful systems that can compete with the other two.
"

I'm not sure they ever lost them. I've been playing Nintendo games and consoles since the NES. I've adored my time with the Wii, and I'm looking forward to Nintendo's next console. I do miss some franchises that didn't make it to the Wii, F-Zero and Mario Golf being two of my favorites, but I don't run the company.

" @WinterSnowblind said:

" @ryanwho said:

" Hardcore gamers work 15 hours a week at Payless, they don't have the income to sustain a modern console alone. Its one market of many. "Hardcore gamer" is just code for "insular male who doesn't go outside much" and casual gamer is just code for "girls and etc." Its no wonder so many hardcores hate casuals, they need to get their kooty shot. "

I think that's generalizing just a tad too much.  I dislike the terms too, but they'll have to suffice..  
Plenty of people who are serious about gaming aren't "insular males who don't go outside" and just want to play proper games, not party games, facebook games or other casual games which only exist as 5 minute time wasters.  I personally don't hate these games, but I don't care to play them.  I think Nintendo can go back to making systems that appeal to hardcore gamers, while still having the mass appeal of the Wii.  I'm pretty sure that's going to be their aim with their new system.  Casual gamers bring in huge sales, but they don't buy much in the way of software, so it makes sense that they're going to go back to making more powerful systems that can compete with the other two.
"

Who defines proper? iphone and ipad games have far more in common with how early games worked than your multi million dollar rollercoaster shooter. I guess a hardcore gamer is someone who thinks there's such a thing as a "proper game". The fact is, this is a term that exists because a group of people want to create an arbitrary distinction and levy their superiority. So yeah, that's fucking insular. "

They really do need to bring out a starfox and F zero onto Wii as long as Starfox does not involve weird looking dinasours again.

Nintendo found this out the hard way but the "casual" audience does not buy very many games.

they haven't had a hardcore audience since n64. they changed the system all around when the gamecube came out. there aren't great games on the wii. they come out a couple of times a year but other than that, there aren't great games.

Well, hardcore or not, if it is a systerm that its owners buy more that 2 games for, It will be a success in part. Nintendo need to get the respected third party developers back, that is the key

I fucking hate the term "hardcore" so much.

It implies that somehow the individuals who play Call of Duty 10 hours a day on their X360s have more to say /their opinion is more relevant than that of a gamer who enjoys his Mario Galaxy once or twice a week.

People then proceed to call gamers who, let's say, love Kirby's Epic Yarn "casual" and "childish", and the Wii "a console for kids".

Frankly, I don't think they even know how to go back. The world has changed. Gaming has changed. All Nintendo knows how to do now is iterate on 3 basic games (Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64 and Mario [Insert sport here]) and find new gimmicks for the casual crowd. 

What is Nintendo's "hardcore audience"?

" Frankly, I don't think they even know how to go back. The world has changed. Gaming has changed. All Nintendo knows how to do now is iterate on 3 basic games (Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64 and Mario [Insert sport here]) and find new gimmicks for the casual crowd.  "

I just want Wind Waker 2 :( OH, and Pikmin 3.

" What is Nintendo's "hardcore audience"? "

" @Enigma777 said:

" Frankly, I don't think they even know how to go back. The world has changed. Gaming has changed. All Nintendo knows how to do now is iterate on 3 basic games (Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64 and Mario [Insert sport here]) and find new gimmicks for the casual crowd.  "

What about Prime? If they added blood and RPG elements to Prime would your stupid ass be happy? Innovation guys. "

Prime with blood and RPG elements was a bad example, cus I kinda want to play that for serious. Let's reset.

" @ryanwho said:

" @Enigma777 said:

" Frankly, I don't think they even know how to go back. The world has changed. Gaming has changed. All Nintendo knows how to do now is iterate on 3 basic games (Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64 and Mario [Insert sport here]) and find new gimmicks for the casual crowd.  "

What about Prime? If they added blood and RPG elements to Prime would your stupid ass be happy? Innovation guys. "

Easy on the vagina itching, son. Prime sold like shit which is why we won't ever see it again and instead get crap like Other M.  "

I'm already sold on their next console. Mario and Zelda games in HD? Hell yes.

" Frankly, I don't think they even know how to go back. The world has changed. Gaming has changed. All Nintendo knows how to do now is iterate on 3 basic games (Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64 and Mario [Insert sport here]) and find new gimmicks for the casual crowd.  "

Yeah Prime games sold good as shit. Google aint that hard to use.

" @Enigma777: We're talkin Metroid Prime right? If the internet is true it sold 250,000 units in just one week. "

Huh? Who cares? They'll keep making Mario, Zelda, and Metroid games. I don't know whether those games are targeted at a "hardcore" audience or a "casual" one, but honestly I don't really care, as long as they're fun.

Not if they like making money.

" Not if they like making money. "

Not sure what nintendo could do to get me to purchase their next system. I bought the Wii on day one and cannot recall the last time i actually played it (it might have been Christmas '09 when i played about 20 minutes of New Super Mario Brothers).

A new mario, zelda, or metroid is not going to do it for me. 5 Years ago i could not imagine saying that but it's true. I just don't care about the core nintendo line of characters any more. Either i am getting old (37) or nintendo is.

" Not if they like making money. "

" @blueaniman93 said:

" Not if they like making money. "

Except they aren't making money (as much as they could, to be more proper) which is why they're considering this change. Do you think they just pulled their next decision out of a hat without doing any research?Their system sales (which don't give much revenue as they intended to go for a low selling system that'd sell more) are high, but their game sales are beyond abysmal. Money is mostly made off of game sales. Furthermore, their system isn't selling enough anymore to give enough of a profit anyway.Trying to get back in touch with people who actually buy games while hoping to retain some of the bandwagoners or non-core gamers or whatever the fuck you want to call them that doesn't offend your sensibilities is the only logical conclusion.. if they like making money. "

1. Wii Sports (45.71 million) (April 2009)
2. Wii Play (22.98 million) (April 2009)
3. Wii Fit (18.22 million) (April 2009)
4. Mario Kart Wii (15.40 million) (April 2009)
5. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (8.43 million) (April 2009)
6. Super Mario Galaxy (8.02 million) (April 2009)
7. Mario Party 8 (6.72 million) (April 2009)
8. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (4.52 million) (March 2008)
9. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (3.4 million) (March 2008)
10. Link's Crossbow Training (3.76 million) (April 2009)    

" @Pinworm45 said:

" @blueaniman93 said:

" Not if they like making money. "

Except they aren't making money (as much as they could, to be more proper) which is why they're considering this change. Do you think they just pulled their next decision out of a hat without doing any research?Their system sales (which don't give much revenue as they intended to go for a low selling system that'd sell more) are high, but their game sales are beyond abysmal. Money is mostly made off of game sales. Furthermore, their system isn't selling enough anymore to give enough of a profit anyway.Trying to get back in touch with people who actually buy games while hoping to retain some of the bandwagoners or non-core gamers or whatever the fuck you want to call them that doesn't offend your sensibilities is the only logical conclusion.. if they like making money. "

1. Wii Sports (45.71 million) (April 2009)
2. Wii Play (22.98 million) (April 2009)
3. Wii Fit (18.22 million) (April 2009)
4. Mario Kart Wii (15.40 million) (April 2009)
5. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (8.43 million) (April 2009)
6. Super Mario Galaxy (8.02 million) (April 2009)
7. Mario Party 8 (6.72 million) (April 2009)
8. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (4.52 million) (March 2008)
9. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (3.4 million) (March 2008)
10. Link's Crossbow Training (3.76 million) (April 2009)    

Over 54 games that are million+ sellers.
"

" @Kjellm87 said:

" @Enigma777: We're talkin Metroid Prime right? If the internet is true it sold 250,000 units in just one week. "

I was talking about the Prime series as a whole, not just the first game. Prime 3 was a colossal failure sales-wise and 2 didn't fare much better.  "