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Should Nintendo be more ruthless and charge more for their Nintendo Switch Online service?
- Thread starter Bragr
- Start date
Saber
Gold Member
Lol, even with the explanation it sounds extremelly silly.
How can a company even think on charging more if they can't deliver a good service? Why would anyone as a consumer even asking to pay more?
Not even Nintendo would be that stupid to increase the price, using making better games as an excuse and ending up asking why they're losing online subscriptions.
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Cutty Flam
Banned
Nintendo’s online service is pathetic. It’s honestly abysmal considering the competition and how they handle theirs. I can’t speak much about Sony because I never played their online, but even in 2004 when Xbox Live first began, it was worlds better than what Nintendo offers today. I’d estimate Nintendo Online isn’t 1/8th the service now, that Xbox Live was in 2004Playstation and Xbox have leveraged their services into monsters and are cashing in on billions. Sony's financial success this generation has been heavily dependent on their subscription services and Xbox has put all their chips on Game Pass.
OF COURSE it would suck, we all know that. The service doesn't contain the free games or the libraries of Playstation Now, Playstation Plus, or Game Pass.
BUT.
From a pure business perspective, do you think Nintendo could get away with charging more? from a hardcore gamer perspective, we would obviously be angry and lash out at the lack of free games and proper voice chat, but would there be any significant problems on a larger scale? if they charged double and retained 60% or 70% of the subscriptions, they cash in on multiple millions. Are they dumb for not being more ruthless right now when people can't get enough Nintendo?
Switch
Nintendo Switch Online: $3.99
Playstation
Playstation Plus: $9.99
Playstation Now: $9.99
Xbox
Game Pass Ultimate: $14.99
TexMex
Member
But the loss of subs would offset that 2 bucks. Some will, but plenty/most consumers are not going to absorb a price hike when they get zero in return, for an offering that is already insanely bare bones and only acceptable because we're all only paying $20 a year.
MagiusNecros
Gilgamesh Fan Annoyance
I think they should be more ruthless and charge everyone $0
EverydayBeast
thinks Halo Infinite is a new graphical benchmark
Let PlayStation and Xbox inflict punishment on each other is Nintendo’s strategy it’s bad but works console generations take three to tango...
akaFullmetal
Member
ArtemisClydeFrog
Banned
I use it for Animal Crossing purposes and Pokemons sometimes too, but yeah Switch Online is asscheeks.
Dream-Knife
Banned
Xbox live launched in Nov 2002.
Bonfires Down
Member
Yes, they could probably get away with charging double for online. But it would be an easier pill to swallow if they added more legacy and maybe indie games.
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lostinblue
Banned
I they added Miiverse functionality back-in, constant MSRP discount on digital purchase of Nintendo titles (make them $50 at launch), and add to it some modern titles with online community like Mario Maker for free... Yes.
They should also leave the door open for other publishers that want to adhere for discounts (and getting a share of the cake Nintendo charges per sale or there would be no incentive), perhaps.
I wouldn't pay for it, but it would be more expensive yet feel less like highway robbery.
They should also leave the door open for other publishers that want to adhere for discounts (and getting a share of the cake Nintendo charges per sale or there would be no incentive), perhaps.
I wouldn't pay for it, but it would be more expensive yet feel less like highway robbery.
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BattleScar
Member
It's not even worth the current price of entry.
Roitorb
Member
The family plan on Xbox would be much welcome as I’m paying £10.99 x 3 each month
jufonuk
not tag worthy
I concur. Because let’s face it. Nothing is really offered and Nintendo aren’t at the forefront for online gaming. I say this as a Nintendo fan.
Nintendo online is bare bones and the price reflects that if they want to charge more they need to give more than just a few SNES and NES games with online play.
Bragr
Banned
The Playstation Plus service likely costs way less than $9.99 to operate. The true value for online and some old free games is not $9.99 when you sell it to millions, but they marketed it like that from the start and people aren't even thinking about it. Sony already did this ages ago and you guys don't even know.
Nintendo doesn't have the same quality service but could likely charge more and still retain most subscribers. There seems to be a barrier of around $9 to $15 when it comes to entertainment subscriptions. Nintendo could get away with another $2 in my opinion.
Bragr
Banned
I don't know, I think at worst there would be a slight blowback in the first month or two or something like that, but I really think 6 instead of 4 is doable, and half of these subscriptions are Animal Crossing and Mario Kart players that would barely pay attention to it.
Sleepwalker
Member
The service is trash and is powered by hamsters. Fuck no they shouldn't. It has 0 perks
Bragr
Banned
You take your opportunities when you have them. Did you see how much Sony makes from subscriptions? a lot more than on console or game sales. It's the most important way to make money, and Nintendo needs to step it up. They are so hot right now and need to use that as much as possible.
WoodyStare
Member
Even at $20 for a whole year, I feel like I wasted money on it.
Alright
Banned
Hopefully they introduce MTX and lootboxes, have you seen how much money they make? Plus they could port a load of Mobile games to switch, because the switch would be perfect for it.
Then i can post Nintendo just shot themselves in the foot...
BigBooper
Member
Uh, I won't pay for it now. They don't offer anything special, other than the old games. From my perspective, what they offer now is not worth it, so I have no idea what other customers would be willing to pay. Go for it I guess, might as well. Nintendo has that stockholm syndrome thing going on with it's customers so they might make bank.
Bo_Hazem
Banned
Playstation and Xbox have leveraged their services into monsters and are cashing in on billions. Sony's financial success this generation has been heavily dependent on their subscription services and Xbox has put all their chips on Game Pass.
OF COURSE it would suck, we all know that. The service doesn't contain the free games or the libraries of Playstation Now, Playstation Plus, or Game Pass.
BUT.
From a pure business perspective, do you think Nintendo could get away with charging more? from a hardcore gamer perspective, we would obviously be angry and lash out at the lack of free games and proper voice chat, but would there be any significant problems on a larger scale? if they charged double and retained 60% or 70% of the subscriptions, they cash in on multiple millions. Are they dumb for not being more ruthless right now when people can't get enough Nintendo?
Switch
Nintendo Switch Online: $3.99
Playstation
Playstation Plus: $9.99
Playstation Now: $9.99
Xbox
Game Pass Ultimate: $14.99
Nintendo's Corporate Commander after reading this.
Bragr
Banned
Mobile ports and loot boxes would hurt them.
But do you really think going from 4 to 6 bucks a month would destroy their credibility?
The reason why I am trying to make this point is because the earning reports are dominated by subscriptions, and Nintendo is currently far behind in this regard. If they would lose fan appreciation and get a negative reputation, of course, they should never do it, but I think a lot of you underestimate the potential value a few extra bucks would do for Nintendo and I think you are overrating the penalty.
Nintendo was in terrible shape not long ago with the Wii-U, now that they managed to spawn a success, it's time to milk all the cows.
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Alright
Banned
It was sarcasm.
Nintendo have operated successfully for 160 years. They're excellent at self-reflection and doing a 180, or a 160, or a 90, when the time suits.
No other company who had the success of the wii, followed by the complete failure of the wii u, would then try and do the Wii-U again. Nintendo did though, because they knew the Wii-U idea was good, but the technology wasn't there for the right price point.
SafeOrAlone
Banned
My friend has a Nintendo Switch. I often think about buying one so that I can play a few online games with him, and then I'd help justify the purchase by finally picking up the last few years worth of first-party titles. Then I remember if I want to play with my friend, I'll have to use their infamously crappy online service as well as add another monthly fee to my card, and the plan falls apart.
You'd have to pay me to wrestle with that crap, not charge me.
You'd have to pay me to wrestle with that crap, not charge me.
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fart town usa
Gold Member
Nintendo should offer something worthwhile before upping their price. I get that the Switch is successful but successful Nintendo is always the worst. Too busy printing money to release games. It's a damn shame that they quickly abandoned the WiiU but then thought it was cool to port all the major titles over and charge full price.
Nintendo and Sony seem to have fully inserted their head into their own ass. Microsoft seems to be the only console maker who has a clue these days.
Nintendo and Sony seem to have fully inserted their head into their own ass. Microsoft seems to be the only console maker who has a clue these days.
BlackTron
Member
But Nintendo charges more for less in so many other areas, and get away with it with flying colors.
It's not a totally off-base question.
BlackTron
Member
Oh, come on. It's twenty bucks for the whole year. I can't get anyone who raises the price as an issue, that's $1.66 per month!
Now the terrible online service is a good point, free or not. Depends on the type of game, I never thought Smash worked as an online title but had a great time playing my friend in Wargroove. Which you could play on PC anyway, but the portable nature of Switch and being able to move it around the house with me while my friend was taking his turn was perfect.
Switch is a truly upgraded, freeing experience or a sub-par way to play the same games, depending on the situation.