The flawed 'blue ocean' strategy


Satoru Iwata and Nintendo achieved great success with DS and Wii using a blue-ocean strategy of developing and catering a product to a greater audience. The blue-ocean strategy, therefore, can work, when done right. The problem is doing it right.

The blue-ocean strategy caters to the sheeplike mentality of the majority of the populace, and like ruminants, they will move on to greener pastures; they won't stick around for Wii 2 - that's what the hardcore fanbase is for. Nintendo incorrectly assumed that the sheep they attracted would stick around for Wii U.

I can't think of another form of entertainment that purposefully tries to cater to audiences outside its core demographic. Does InStyle magazine try to branch out and attract male readers? Does The View try to appeal to male viewers? Does the NBA try to appeal to females? The answer is no to all of the above, yet they probably have a viewerbase that is diverse in number, if not percentage.

Why? It's because they do not dilute their message nor their product by trying to please everyone. This is Nintendo's biggest flaw and their biggest strength. When they show games like 1-2-Switch and ARMS, they are demonstrating their reluctance to commit to their core fanbase. They do not want to be monogamous; they want more partners.

To an extent, branching out is good and necessary for growth. Even Sega did the same, and achieved great results. I guess the key, in the future, will be balance.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Retrotek SCART to Component Converter" Review (SCBV1P3)

Image
I do not like spreading negativity out there, but I needed to warn people about this device. I bought this for 80 dollars on ebay; I'm not gonna link from whom, because he or she does not deserve more sales of this awful device. When it works, it works, albeit with flaws. The image produced is sharp, as a component-video signal should be, and the colors are accurate, except that there is a green tint to the entire picture. I've read that one has to open these things up and adjust the 'pots' inside (an electrical term) with a screwdriver. I never really tried doing that or minded the green tint too much, because it's very subtle. What I did mind a lot, was the fact that sometimes, it won't work, and I'll only get audio. This is a big problem. I wouldn't mind the colors being a little off, or there being some 'noise' in the video-signal, but when the success-rate of the thing actually working is 50%, it's a deal-breaker. I paid 80 dolla...
Read more

White Japanese Sega Saturn 3D Control Pad (Controller) Review HSS-0137

Image
As a recently new Sega Saturn owner, I knew I had to get the Sega Saturn 3D Control Pad because it was the definitive controller for playing Nights Into Dreams. I decided to purchase the more aesthetically-pleasing Japanese version. Upon first inspection, it is noticeably big - bigger than it should be. Sega was probably going for form over function here, because the round shape does look like a mini-spaceship or UFO, which goes with their theme of space with the Saturn itself, but it is not the most ergonomically comfortable controller out there. For example, when playing six-button fighting-games, it is difficult to hold the controller in the left hand and 'piano' the buttons with the right. The d-pad is a little different from the American Model 1 and Japanese Model 2 controllers'. It feels a little stiffer. Of the three controllers I have tried, it has my least favorite d-pad. On the plus-side, however, it features the best start-button of the three. ...
Read more

Japanese Model 2 Sega Saturn Controller Review HSS-0101

Image
Recently, I bought a Model 2 American Sega Saturn, but it came with a Model 1 controller. It was pretty good, but I liked the look of the Model 2 Japanese controller, and the d-pad seemed more comfortable. After ordering one on ebay, and opening the package I later received, I was taken aback at how 'creamy' the controller looked. It didn't look like it had changed color, like old NESes, but it didn't look as white as I had imagined. Even the photo above looks whiter than it actually is. The d-pad is better than the Model 1's, but not by too much. The face-buttons feel the same, but the Start-button is a big improvement. The biggest improvement comes in the form of the shoulder-buttons. I don't think the actual internal switches have changed, but now you don't have to press the buttons on the rear of its plastic-shell to get them to actuate. In general, they feel and sound like mouse-buttons. You won't want to use them in action-games, but f...
Read more