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Message: [QUOTE="Twapsel, post: 58954, member: 205523"] I don’t think we will ever see Nintendo games on the Steam. However, I believe that in the future, Nintendo games will be available on PC and other platforms. The era of console gaming is coming to an end. Just like movies and music, the trend is shifting toward streaming. Since video games require significantly higher and more stable bandwidth, game streaming has lagged behind other media by a few years. But it’s already here, and widespread adoption is only a matter of time. There will always be people who prefer gaming on their own hardware rather than streaming. However, their numbers will eventually dwindle to the point where relying on them as a primary business model is no longer viable. At some point, there may not be enough dedicated console gamers to justify producing home consoles at all—forcing the user to switch to PC gaming and forcing the console manufacturers to already have a viable alternative running. Console manufacturers are already adapting to this shift. Microsoft was the first to act, investing heavily in game streaming, allowing Xbox games to be played on PC, and openly stating that Xbox is a service rather than just a console. The hardware is simply one way to access Xbox content. Sony has followed suit by releasing its games on PC and offering game streaming. Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden even stated in an interview that dedicated home consoles will eventually become obsolete. Nintendo, being far more conservative and heavily reliant on hardware sales, is more hesitant. However, they have also made moves in this direction. Before the Switch, Nintendo stated that it would expand its franchises beyond video games—and it has followed through. Nintendo attractions now exist in Universal Studios theme parks, the Mario movie was a massive success, Detective Pikachu was well received, and a Zelda movie is on the way. Additionally, Nintendo has ramped up partnerships in merchandise and licensing, such as its collaboration with LEGO. Initially, online gaming on the Switch was free. Then, Nintendo announced a complete overhaul of its account system, introducing a paid subscription model. They stated that the new system would include multiple pricing tiers, be cross-generational (for the first time), and integrate with other services. Over time, these changes were implemented. Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) launched as a paid service, later expanding to include a premium tier offering additional retro games and DLC for titles like Mario Kart and Animal Crossing. More recently, Nintendo released a music app that requires an NSO account, further emphasizing their push toward subscription-based services. All major gaming companies understand that hardware sales will be in decline and that this is not a sustainable long-term business model. However, Sony and Nintendo still generate significant revenue from hardware sales and third-party licensing fees. They will continue to capitalize on this for as long as possible—but they also recognize that it won’t last forever. I believe that in the future, Nintendo will develop its own client for Android, iOS, PC, Linux, and Mac. Their primary goal will be to drive subscription revenue for consistent cash flow. Offering retro Nintendo games on PC via their own client is an obvious move. The real question is how they will handle new games: Will players be able to purchase a new Zelda game directly within the Nintendo client? Or will new single-player games be included in a higher-priced subscription model? Additionally, games like Mario Kart and Mario Party could transition into live-service titles with continuous DLC updates. Most importantly, the companies have to establish their alternative business modell while the other one still is running because they can't afford an amount of time where the old one doesn't make enough money and where their is no new alternative. [/QUOTE]

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