The series is honestly running its course. When timed releases and consumer products are becoming a key part of the modern Mario gaming brand (i.e. Super Mario Bros. 35, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, etc.), it doesn't matter how unique the concept is; the experience is tainted by capitalist consumer-driven practices. And yet, Nintendo gets a pass from gamers for it. People funding this sort of practice ensures that Nintendo puts less effort into promoting mainline Mario experiences and more into Mario subscription style services. In 10 years, we may get two more unique mainstay mainline Mario titles. In 100 years, Nintendo will be operated by people who grew up with Switches and Switch pros. I am still confident Nintendo is set up for the long game in terms of the gaming industry. Mario, however, may end up becoming more of a legacy character.
I thought about bringing up Disney as a source of inspiration, but the fact is that society has changed in the almost 100 years since Mickey Mouse's first appearance. Over that time, the population increased, and the way we communicate has changed. The Mouse kept step for a while before Disney decided to lead with newer things. Mickey is more of a symbol now than an active participant in the evolution of media. Crowds aren't eagerly awaiting Micky Mouse's next picture. It could be that Mario becomes just another tiny project for Nintendo as they set their ambition elsewhere. In response to your Nintendo as driven by "by capitalist consumer-driven practices:" could it be that the market is so diluted that a huge company like Nintendo feels pressured to use these tactics to increase productivity? Nintendo is on the stock market. Unfortunately? Fortunately? These companies are pressured to increase product year over year, meaning they have to make more money than last year or people bail on the stock. This does things like inflate prices in the economy over time. If you're not earning as much, you're screwed. I guess you'll have to cut some more. I hate it and I believe people don't want to stop it. This is a whole other discussion.
Overall, physical media is a dying breed unfortunately (for the mainstream anyway). This is such a contentious subject! Anyway, toward the end of the video, you bring up some great points... Especially about Mario, and the new generation of kids... My 5 year old only knows classic games because of me... If there is no transfer of information to the younger generations, then yes, Nintendo could be in trouble...
Being that Mario and other major Nintendo properties are tied to their platforms, if Nintendo keeps making hardware, people in the future will know of these characters even if they don't play. There isn't much guesswork when I say there is now more games available commercially than ever. The market for games has grown. There is more awareness with the internet and social media; however, each property or idea has to battle for dominance. I could very well see a future where a human race spread out over the universe are not aware of all the tech and advancements happening on a certain planet. Games, despite the amount of work that goes into them, are such fleeting works that those could just pass by unnoticed. I've heard that marketing is the largest portion of the budget for commercial products. Imagine marketing to populations spread across the universe. It may not be worth it. The people on Earth play Mario. The people on a space station orbiting Jupiter play the latest blitz ball game.
I tried helping the audio come through in the second part. Thank you, DA, for knocking some sense in me for uploading the original video.
Recommendation for viewers: enable closed captioning and lower the audio so the sharp noise is less audible.
The series is honestly running its course. When timed releases and consumer products are becoming a key part of the modern Mario gaming brand (i.e. Super Mario Bros. 35, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, etc.), it doesn't matter how unique the concept is; the experience is tainted by capitalist consumer-driven practices. And yet, Nintendo gets a pass from gamers for it. People funding this sort of practice ensures that Nintendo puts less effort into promoting mainline Mario experiences and more into Mario subscription style services.
In 10 years, we may get two more unique mainstay mainline Mario titles.
In 100 years, Nintendo will be operated by people who grew up with Switches and Switch pros.
I am still confident Nintendo is set up for the long game in terms of the gaming industry. Mario, however, may end up becoming more of a legacy character.
I thought about bringing up Disney as a source of inspiration, but the fact is that society has changed in the almost 100 years since Mickey Mouse's first appearance. Over that time, the population increased, and the way we communicate has changed. The Mouse kept step for a while before Disney decided to lead with newer things. Mickey is more of a symbol now than an active participant in the evolution of media. Crowds aren't eagerly awaiting Micky Mouse's next picture. It could be that Mario becomes just another tiny project for Nintendo as they set their ambition elsewhere.
In response to your Nintendo as driven by "by capitalist consumer-driven practices:" could it be that the market is so diluted that a huge company like Nintendo feels pressured to use these tactics to increase productivity? Nintendo is on the stock market. Unfortunately? Fortunately? These companies are pressured to increase product year over year, meaning they have to make more money than last year or people bail on the stock. This does things like inflate prices in the economy over time. If you're not earning as much, you're screwed. I guess you'll have to cut some more. I hate it and I believe people don't want to stop it. This is a whole other discussion.
Overall, physical media is a dying breed unfortunately (for the mainstream anyway). This is such a contentious subject! Anyway, toward the end of the video, you bring up some great points... Especially about Mario, and the new generation of kids... My 5 year old only knows classic games because of me... If there is no transfer of information to the younger generations, then yes, Nintendo could be in trouble...
Being that Mario and other major Nintendo properties are tied to their platforms, if Nintendo keeps making hardware, people in the future will know of these characters even if they don't play. There isn't much guesswork when I say there is now more games available commercially than ever. The market for games has grown. There is more awareness with the internet and social media; however, each property or idea has to battle for dominance. I could very well see a future where a human race spread out over the universe are not aware of all the tech and advancements happening on a certain planet. Games, despite the amount of work that goes into them, are such fleeting works that those could just pass by unnoticed. I've heard that marketing is the largest portion of the budget for commercial products. Imagine marketing to populations spread across the universe. It may not be worth it. The people on Earth play Mario. The people on a space station orbiting Jupiter play the latest blitz ball game.