Mmmh...
I have to warn you I'm in the "hybrid console" camp. Actually, I already opened a thread about this theory a few months ago, I support the idea, especially because Nintendo would have to develop for just one platform. This means they shouldn't need to make two iterations of the same brand/sub brand for two different platforms, then more possibility of developing other titles, especially "big" new IPs. So, my assumptions are all based on the hybrid concept.
Here it is
1. Hardware
Let's start talking about the hardware. Obviously two analog sticks, but what about the screens? Many would like to have one single touch screen, but many others (me included) love having two screens. Lots of people loves the foldable design, too, but this could be against having one single screen. But there's a way to have both.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT9V0IUujFg
I already posted this video in the 3DS announcement thread, if you remember. Look at this solution, and look carefully at the screen's ratios.
Such a setup would allow for playing games like on DS and 3DS (upper screen, gameplay; lower screen, touch controls/hub/options/maps/etc.etc.), but also like on Vita, with a giant panoramic touch screen when the console is fully folded. It should be done in a way the triggers can be used when the console is completely opened. The console should also support NFC on the lower screen (for Skylanders-like games, easy payments, and any other possible use).
Having such solution + Nintendo Web Framework + Unity support (like Wii U) = easy, easy easy ports of iOS / Android titles, since there'd be one big touch screen.
What about the hybrid aspect of the console? The Wii U in reverse. The handheld platform connects to a separate device plugged in the TV, and then games can be played on the bigger screen, while using the console as the pad.
The two devices should be sold separately at launch, in order to keep costs as down as possible, for a bigger adoption since the beginning; then, on the first Holidays after launch, first bundles with both sold should start to be sold at retail.
Using the hybrid setup opens a third possibility: gameplay on the big screen, controls / hub / options / etc. on both the two screens.
Dealing with tech specs, it should be noted that mobile development is moving fast as hell, thanks to new models being introduced every year, and then new advancements in RAM, CPU, GPU are continuous. Imagining a Late 2016 launch as earliest date possible, and a $199.99 price as highest limit, it's very reasonable to imagine that Nintendo can have a good performing platform (with a RAM certainly better than Wii U; even quite better)with a price not over the highest limit, just by using 2014-first half 2015 components (since Nintendo uses already well-tested technologies), so with a design mostly off-the-shelves. Even better if they don't spend too much for the external/internal cams (obviously, better than the 0.3 MP of 3DS, but it's not necessary to go overboard...2-3 MP?) and for the two screens (they must offer good quality, it's enough). Even more if there's no 3D for the upper screen (;_
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The separate device for outputting the game on TV should also include an hard disk (128GB), in order to give users the possibility to store games there, and should support up to 6 players (2 with the console, 4 with Classic Controllers / Wiimote Plus).
2. Software
As said earlier, one console = much better flow of Nintendo titles. There should be a steady amount of Nintendo titles for the first months, both important and "second/third grade" (I mean saleswise: for example, Pikmin is "second-grade" commercially...unfortunately).
And then, two big and one mid-high level titles for Holidays.
They should also go deeper with collaborations since the beginning (what about Lego City Undercover 2: The Chase Continues, just for example), especially for the West: Western support must improve, and a good hardware would allow for easy ports of other consoles titles, at least at launch, and the low price makes the offering pretty attractive. Giving in dev kits tools that help porting (like for PS3 & Vita) must be mandatory.
...But without forgetting what makes their (portable) consoles unique: the Japanese support. Since this is still a portable console at its heart, Japan can't be ignored, at all. So, collaborations over there too, like they're doing (it seems) for 3DS, through helping some titles being brought over here. But also giving localization support that helps localization teams of mid-low publishers who wants to bring their content overseas, if not developing tools that helps translating from Japanese to English.
At launch, there should be three titles from Nintendo. What titles?
1. One of Nintendo's biggest franchises, in order to attract both core and casual audiences. One of those titles that is considered cool by both of them. I think a 3D Mario (not 2D, but 3D) would be perfect: 2D Mario is a fantastic seller, but Wii U demonstrated that it's not ideal for attracting people in the short run, especially if the console is priced too high
2. A casual/social title. Since 199.99 is the highest limit, a social title can be exciting for the first users of the platform. Especially if it's presented in a fashionable way, with lots of social features (not just online, which should be present). A sort of sequel to NintendoLand (NintendoWorld?) with a much better look of an amusement park, online multiplayer, and lots of attractions (new and from the original NintendoLand) already included in the game + additional attractions coming as DLC.
3. A brand new IP, much more oriented towards core gamers. Since core are (usually) the biggest component of the early adopters' audience, a great game "just" for them can be attractive. And launch is possibly the best time for a new IP to shine: new console, new beginning, not a big competition.
Indies' strategy should be the continuation + improvement of the current Wii U strategy. Nintendo should create a support studio for the indie titles considered as the most valuable by Nintendo itself: these titles would receive help in development by the studio, and being published by Nintendo themselves under the brand "Nintendo Indie Project", with all the advertising advantages it means.
Also, I think every console should include a special software, something very attractive for everyone. Wii included Wii Sports, 3DS included Face Raiders, StreetPass games and other things, Wii U Nintendo Land (in the Deluxe pack)...so what about the next console? It's an idea I already exposed to other members, so I'll use the description I made back then
Right now, there's nothing that can be considered as crazyness-inducing as the Wii back in 2006 (just talking about "pure" gaming consoles; otherwise, iOS and Android ARE the next big thing). 3D is not the next big thing at all, Gamepad + Miiverse neither, and certainly TVTVTVTVTVTVTVTV won't either.
I believe it's going to be something...software, not hardware. And it would be a consequence of all this recent social focus, thinking about it. Let me explain.
Social and Internet made far, far easier for people expressing their opinions on everything (especially things they don't know a thing about XD ), but it also allowed so many people to express their hobbies, or better...their talents. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter...are all full of photos/videos of people showing off their biggest abilities: how many videos of people playing piano/guitar/any instrument are on the web? What about people singing? And what about reviews/let's play/any possible video content, even short movies?
It's easy to see the impact of social in giving to people the possibility to show what they can do. But we haven't seen this in gaming yet. Or better, not in its biggest form possible: so far, just sharing gameplay videos/photos (which is still great, no doubt). And this is the reasoning that leads me to thinking that the next big thing in gaming is going to be...a game where you create your own game.
I already have many ideas about this software.
First of all, its basic tools should be very, very easy to use for creating games: 2D tools for stages, characters with a little editor, objects, and these are available once you play this software for the first time.
Then, the software should have an in-game store where you can buy other tools, through in-game currency, system coins (like the 3DS ones) or real money. Some of these tools should be also randomly distributed through free downloadable content some months later from their appearance in the in-game store (like SpotPass content).
Once completed, this games could be distibuted just through people in your friend list, or on the digital store itself (a specific section of the whole DD store of the console, called "The house of people's games", or something similar XD), where they can be downloaded by everyone with a console. In the latter case, they should be first approved by the platform holder itself, obviously (and before that, users should see the official terms for distributing content on the digital store, and agreeing with them).
When distributed publicly, games can be priced too: users should have the possibility to put them with no cost or at 0.99 as minimum, all depending by the amount of effort (and money of any kind spent).
The more these titles succed both sales wise and reception wise, the more in game money you earn, money that can be spent in the in-game store.
Another big feature of this title should be a sort of Gold Membership: paying a fee per month (between 1.99 and 2.99), users would have access to many more and better tools, especially for creating (and animating) your own character. But people who have games that sold a fixed amount on copies on the digital store could have access to the Gold Membership for free for a limited time(from 6 months to a year, depending on the amount of success).
Moreover, the games that sold huge amounts could be put outside of the specific users content channel and being highlighted like "User content of the month", for example, for gaining more revelance.
Multiplayer could be possible too, especially for Gold Members: it would allow people to create teams for their games (one doing levels, one doing music, and so on), with a fixed high amount of team members. Still, making a game all alone should be possible without problems.
The only big hurdle I can think of for this idea is the economic aspect: how could people obtain to gain from the games released without being worried of seeing their own money stolen? I thought that something like a sort of PayPal specific for the people who uses the software and releases titles on the worldwide marketplace could work: users should just use their account for registering on the official site of the software (where anyone can see the latest titles released even without entering the digital shop on the console), and they'd have a personal bank linked to their credit card / PayPal account, but it should be always the user deciding when the money can pass from the site's "personal bank" to its real life funds, every time. Obviously, releasing content on the marketplace should be available just for who is 18+ years old: children and teens can share the content created between each other.
I think THIS could be what's going to capture people's imagination in the future: a software where everyone can create a game, of any scope, from the littlest to titles with a good amount of work behind. The choice is up to the player.
Considering this post is already massive, I'll continue later, in a different one
