14 DAY TRIAL // A lot of Nintendo fans are upset that the company is not offering more details about the coming NX hardware platform, but the leadership of the hardware maker explains that secrecy is required at the moment because otherwise competitors might take some of the core ideas and copy them.
In a talk with shareholders, Satoru Iwata, the president of the firm, explains that a complete surprise is required in order to make the coming device a success.
A Twitter user has translated many of the statements made by the executive, and he adds that "We can’t talk about the NX. If we do, competitors may take our ideas and customers won’t be surprised."
Nintendo also maintained a high degree of secrecy before the Wii was introduced and even the name of the device was revealed relatively late, probably to make sure that the motion control features that were introduced were a surprise for the public.
Iwata is also making it clear that long-term support for the Wii U and the 3DS will continue as the company wants to make sure that it appeals to those who have bought one of the two platforms while offering them more games.
Because the NX will be an entirely new idea, it will initially have a relatively low install base, and Nintendo needs the revenue that its current devices are creating in order to develop its business.
Apparently, the company actually has big plans to satisfy those who have a Wii U and might be disappointed with its software line-up.
NX announcements will arrive in 2016
Nintendo has talked about the new hardware platform with shareholders so far, telling them that the future of the company is linked to it. But no official reveal has been offered yet, and it seems that the company will keep quiet until 2016.
Previous rumors and small pieces of info are suggesting that the NX will aim to carefully integrate mobile and home console experiences and will also have a focus on user health and well-being.
Recently, insiders also talked about a potential set of deals between Nintendo and both Disney and Amazon, designed to expand the number of players who might get access to content based on the company's biggest franchises.