Monday, September 30, 2013

The Nintendo 2DS & Where A Social Marketing Coach May Come In

By Robbie Sutter


Nintendo has brought a great amount of news to the public, to say the least. The Wii U, for example, will soon be receiving a price drop of $50, meaning that consumers may be more likely to pick it up in time for the holidays. What about the Nintendo 2DS, which has seemingly raised the ire of a number of gamers around the world? Is there more to this semi-new portable than meets the eye and can a social marketing coach look at it with greater detail?

When the Nintendo 2DS initially came to my attention, I don't think I could have related more to the general public. After all, the system appeared silly-looking, in my eyes, and I thought that no one would want to purchase it over a standard 3DS. In addition, it seemed to get rid of the portability that has made handhelds in the past do desirable. If you attempted to store the 2DS in your pocket, for example, there is a good chance you would not succeed.

However, as I started to look at the 2DS with closer focus, I started to see that it wasn't meant for every audience. More specifically, it was meant for children who would not be able to damage the hinges that would keep the DS platforms of the past closed. I'm sure many parents were unhappy with their children upon learning that they have broken surprisingly sensitive parts. However, this new model seems to clear that problem, making it a much more child-friendly console in terms of durability.

The fact that the 3D technology which the 3DS was initially popular for has been taken should also be considered. I suppose I see where this is coming from, especially when you consider that the handheld had come under heavy fire initially because of how the 3D supposedly ruined the eyesight of children. Removing such a feature could be a good PR move and I am sure that a social marketing coach would be able to tell you the same. The 2DS is focused on a certain group, as authorities like S.M.M.C. will tell you.

I think that this is, more than anything else, an attempt for Nintendo to show that they are driven when it comes to focusing on all major groups. Children are the ones who typically play these games and sometimes they do not have the best sense of care as far as their belongings are concerned. It's very easy for toys to break and, of course, video game consoles should not be left out. At least for a younger audience, I can see the appeal of the 2DS.




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