As numbers gradually trickle in, it’s clear that Nintendo Switch is much more popular than anticipated – to that end, it seems Nintendo is finally catching on and orders a production increase.
As global stocks are struggling to meet demand, Financial Times reported that disappointed fans has resorted to informal online markets to secure a machine through “Switch futures”. Switch has been noted to be one of the company’s fastest selling devices, with popularity rivalling Nintendo’s most successful console to date, the Wii. It has been reported to sell out within a few hours of arriving at retailers.
For desperate gamers finding it difficult to obtain a Switch, many have turned to side markets, often paying good money in attempts to get their hands in a guaranteed set of the machine. This has jacked up the pricing (at least in the unofficial market) significantly, with some pushing at ¥14,000 or US$126 (approx RM 540)
Besides that, FT reported “Nintendo intends to monetise its intellectual property via smartphone games… People close to Nintendo have confirmed that it is planning to release a mobile game based on its blockbuster Legend of Zelda series.”
So we could be seeing a Zelda mobile game. Seeing they are trying to monetise it, it remains to be seen if they would adopt the approach of a paid app, or a free to play with in app purchase, or a free demo with locked higher levels that demands payment.
According to sources reported by Financial Times, the Kyoto-based games maker is now targeting Switch hardware production of 18m units for the 12 months ending March 2018.
“The production increase reflects fears of “customer tantrums” as Nintendo prepares to release its flagship Mario Odyssey game in November.” FT wrote in the report.
Nintendo’s official numbers and statement remains at a modest, if not conservative estimated target of 10m for the console that was launched in March; although many analysts have predicted numbers much higher than that.
