AMD likely to win Nintendo NX and continue console dominance

Orangey · 17 Jul 2015 at 17:00

http://venturebeat.com/2015/07/16/more-hints-that-amd-is-building-nintendo-nxs-processor/

Nintendo has already made the leap from IBM’s PowerPC to x86-based (AMD and Intel) architecture. That means that games written for Nintendo’s current Wii U console are x86 compatible. It would make sense for Nintendo to continue its relationship with AMD and continue to use x86 architecture in its next-generation design, which Nintendo announced would be called the NX.

AMD classifies its game console chips as “semi-custom.” These “accelerated processing unit” (APU) chips combine a central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) on a single chip. Intel makes such chips as well, but AMD had an edge in the previous generation of consoles because it focused much more on the graphics side of the chip. AMD successfully sold custom versions of its APUs to Microsoft and Sony. AMD succeeded with the argument that it could cut out one chip from the system with its combo chip design.

Back in December, AMD chief financial officer Devinder Kumar spurred speculation when he said at an analyst conference that AMD had two semi-custom chip designs in the works. “I will say that one is x86 and the other is ARM, and at least one will be beyond gaming, right. … They [the customers] are going to announce it and then … you will find out that it is AMD’s APU that is being used in those products.”

And today, AMD chief executive Lisa Su said that AMD had won a third semi-custom chip design as well. She said that the promise of these chip designs is that they could yield products that, over their lifetime, could generate a billion dollars in sales.

Hardly a surprise as NV don't offer anything suitable. I wonder if they will do anything crazy with the NX or if it will be a more conservative design?

Meladath · 17 Jul 2015 at 17:07

I don't know, nvidia have tegra or just low power GPUs.
APU's are cheaper though and for consoles that matters a lot, doubt it will save AMD but every little helps.

Finners · 17 Jul 2015 at 17:30

As said above I doubt it will save AMD as profit margin will be low on these type of chips but any profit is better than AMD have currently and you can be sure a Nintendo console will sell bucket loads

JediFragger · 17 Jul 2015 at 17:33

Finners said:
and you can be sure a Nintendo console will sell bucket loads

Just like the Wii U eh

Gregster · 17 Jul 2015 at 17:36

Are Nintendo still relevant?

peahead · 17 Jul 2015 at 17:42

So we will get another under powered next gen console...great :rolleyes:

bru · 17 Jul 2015 at 17:43

Its positive news, hopefully it will help AMD's share price climb a bit.

mmj_uk · 17 Jul 2015 at 17:48

Not really surprising, AMD will be everyones first port of call at this point because they're in no position to play hardball and negotiate.

oldestgregg · 17 Jul 2015 at 17:53

Finners said:
and you can be sure a Nintendo console will sell bucket loads

You seen the Wii u sales? Nintendo are a running joke at this point and even the most die hard fans struggle to stay positive. The thing about Nintendo is they rely on nostalgia and the same 4 titles as their big hitters. The problem there being,the people who are buying for nostalgia are getting older and fewer by the day and they missing all the new gamers by having no new IP's

Mauller · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:06

The wii had an unfortunate turn when it was viewed as a party game console.

The Wii mote is an excellent precision input device for shooters. Metroid Prime 3 is awesome on the wii. The best example of the Wii motes use.

But i can see the NX either being the size of the wiiu screen/controller with HBM memory etc. can cut down on the size of the console using it.

Would only need a stack or two of HBM2 to have enough memory.

D.P. · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:10

mmj_uk said:
Not really surprising, AMD will be everyones first port of call at this point because they're in no position to play hardball and negotiate.

Same as last time really, AMD will accept any way to increase their revenue.

It is also expected from the next Nintendo console, something relatively modest and cheap form AMD.

the next Xbox and Playstation might go a different route though, they wont appear for some time and who know what state AMD is is by then. They would also be more likely to increase costs and go with an Intel-Nvidia setup if they think that gives them a good advantage over the other (or is needed to keep up with the other). AMD are probably still favorites because they would be dropping their trousers and lubing up ready for any offer MS/Sony makes.

D.P. · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:15

oldestgregg said:
You seen the Wii u sales? Nintendo are a running joke at this point and even the most die hard fans struggle to stay positive. The thing about Nintendo is they rely on nostalgia and the same 4 titles as their big hitters. The problem there being,the people who are buying for nostalgia are getting older and fewer by the day and they missing all the new gamers by having no new IP's

Mauller said:
The wii had an unfortunate turn when it was viewed as a party game console.

The Wii mote is an excellent precision input device for shooters. Metroid Prime 3 is awesome on the wii. The best example of the Wii motes use.

But i can see the NX either being the size of the wiiu screen/controller with HBM memory etc. can cut down on the size of the console using it.

Would only need a stack or two of HBM2 to have enough memory.

Nintendo simply doesn't try to compete with MS and Sony, and why should they? Do we really need a 3rd console that is the same as the xbone/ps4 with the same games and the same prices?

Nintendo is going after a different market and they are the p=only player in that market. The WiiU has sold 10m copies and the XBoxone 13 million, those sales figures are good enough for Nintendo and will keep them profitable.

TNA · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:32

Gregster said:
Are Nintendo still relevant?

Of course they are. Plenty of money in the bank, they could probably make another 2 console fails on the scale of the Wii U and continue.

They are just trying out different things, if they get it right with the NX like they did Wii, they will make lots of money again. Worse case scenario just make a system similar to xbone and ps4 and market it well and it will do fine.

I know I would always buy the Nintendo system, as you get all the Nintendo games you can't anywhere else plus 3rd party, which is what they need to get back.

llamadal · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:40

oldestgregg said:
You seen the Wii u sales? Nintendo are a running joke at this point and even the most die hard fans struggle to stay positive. The thing about Nintendo is they rely on nostalgia and the same 4 titles as their big hitters. The problem there being,the people who are buying for nostalgia are getting older and fewer by the day and they missing all the new gamers by having no new IP's

The Wii u is a perfect compliment to a PC. I sold both my ps4 and xbone. You clearly have not used it.

For what it's worth, every game on the Wii u has worked perfectly without issue, can't say the same for the other console's.

Anyway, back on topic, bidding low to win the business isn't market dominance and tbh the power the next gen consoles have is pretty poor, hope they do better in the future if they continue to develop this path

chaosophy · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:48

D.P. said:
The WiiU has sold 10m copies and the XBoxone 13 million, those sales figures are good enough for Nintendo and will keep them profitable.

Not forgetting that their hand held market is probably still out selling the lot of them. Believe life time DS sales are second only to the PS2, though not sure if that is across the whole DS line or how well the 3DS is doing compared to the 'original'.

Out of the three console players I'd be more worried about the X-Box tbh. Nintendo are doing their own thing and doing ok and Sony seem to be smashing MS with PS4 v XB1 sales atm.

Though if MS really push the one o/s / multiple devices route with Win10 and we start seeing proper cross platform development and online between Xbox and PC I can see them positioning the X-Box as a more and more of a cheap gaming PC with apps but with out the full blown desktop/office functionality of a PC.

People have been saying Nintendo are doomed since the N64 but they're still doing ok. If they really get desperate they can just chuck out a new Pokémon, even if it meant as a mobile only F2P.

Tephnos · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:52

People seem to forget Nintendo have more money in the bank than any other player in the market, they could lose profits for what, 50 years or so? And only then be in trouble.

And with the recent death of the late Iwata-san, I presume the new president will likely have a different vision for Nintendo.

kazuya1337 · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:52

There WON'T be a PS5 or Xbox 2 this is fact.

Begbie · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:55

The 3DS has sold 53.14 Million copies, Nintendo have nothing to worry about. Any profit from the Wii U is a bonus to them, and they get to make the games they want. The Wii U, isn't a failure at all, and only laughable by anyone who hasn't used one.

An old article (but 2014) they had $10.5 billion in the bank.

AllBodies · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:57

kazuya1337 said:
There WON'T be a PS5 or Xbox 2 this is fact.

Been polishing your Crystal Ball, have you?

Gerard · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:57

Units, not copies.