The Big N has started an unlikely partnership to find new ideas for the Switch. The video game giant is partnering with San Francisco-based Scrum Ventures to find startups "working on new ways to play or use the Japanese company’s hit gaming console, the Switch".

The program, named Nintendo Switch + Tech and managed by Scrum Ventures, seeks to find technologies that could lead to new experiences on Nintendo Switch. The company says that it welcomes applications for all types of technologies that could be leveraged by Nintendo as the company continues to innovate experiences for Nintendo Switch, ranging from hardware to software.

The program page further adds that "opportunities are wide open for startup teams of all stages, research teams at universities, or technology teams from larger corporations worldwide. A selective group of chosen applicants will have the unique opportunity to talk with the engineers behind Nintendo Switch and demo their technology."

Nintendo has a history of bringing innovative ideas to the video game scene, albeit not always successful. However, this is the first time that the company is reaching out to startups for new ideas.

“We are always exploring ways to evolve entertainment,” Ko Shiota, a senior executive officer at Nintendo, said in a statement. “We look forward to discovering unique technologies that add to the Nintendo Switch experiences through the program managed by Scrum Ventures.”

Do you think the program will yield successful additions to the wildly popular Nintendo Switch? What would you like to see?

Nintendo Switch + Tech Program

 

[DeslotlCL]

yay more gimmicky games

 

[Maximilious]

yay more gimmicky games

I don't think this is aimed at games per se, I think it's more like the 3DS Louvre' Tour, or things of the like. Either way, there may be some cool things to come out of it. Or nothing worthwhile at all.

 

[Chary]

Can't be worse than cardboard, right?

I'm betting on this being typical Nintendo ridiculousness but I'm willing to be proven wrong.

 

[phalk]

I have a suggestion: Make games.

You're welcome, Nintendo!

 

[Xzi]

Interesting. I think there's a lot left unexplored with split joy-cons, stuff like WarioWare could probably cover all those bases. Touch-expandable minimaps in portable mode! Uhmm...using Switch as a Wiimote sensor bar should be possible too. That's all of my great ideas for now.

 

[Kioku]

Can't be worse than cardboard, right?

I'm betting on this being typical Nintendo ridiculousness but I'm willing to be proven wrong.

You say that like people aren't excited for labo.

 

[DeslotlCL]

You say that like people aren't excited for labo.

Some are some are not. Do not generalize (;

 

[DeoNaught]

Can't be worse than cardboard, right?

I'm betting on this being typical Nintendo ridiculousness but I'm willing to be proven wrong.

PAPER, ONLY FOR $1000

 

[Kazalber]

I think that they barely use the touch screen, if at all. They don't even have to partner with anyone, just enable the touch screen in-game and it'd be a lot more interesting imo.

Besides that, does this mean they're going to be selling accessories like the Kinnect for Xbox360, the wii balance board, the DK bongos, the bow and guns for the wiimotes, etc?

 

[Axido]

Some are some are not. Do not generalize (;

I'm sure it wasn't meant this way. There's just a significant amount of people accepting the idea that cardboard, some electronics and programming can create a fulfilling experience. Doesn't need the whole world in one train to make it move.

Actually, if the whole population of the earth was stuffed into or onto a train, it'd probably be too heavy to move anywhere... Well, scrap that comparison. I guess you get the point nonetheless.

 

[Jayro]

DS virtual console.

Turn the Switch on it's side, and you get both screens, the screen gap, and 1 joycon has all the buttons you need.
------------------------------------
CHANGE MY MIND.

 

[Foxi4]

Oh sweet Lord, shut it down before they release a bunch of nonsense nobody wants to buy, but has to in order to play stupid minigames nobody asked for.

 

[DeslotlCL]

Oh sweet Lord, shut it down before they release a bunch of nonsense nobody wants to buy, but has to in order to play stupid minigames nobody asked for.

Shh or the nintendo fans will send you death threats for that opinion since they love their cardboards.

 

[Kioku]

Some are some are not. Do not generalize (;

That's funny, I didn't even remotely hint at everybody? No generalization, just a lack of comprehension.

 

[Foxi4]

Shh or the nintendo fans will send you death threats for that opinion since they love their cardboards.

I really don't understand the Nintendo mindset. They're sitting on a pile of IP's that are equivalent to golden hens, if they just shat out one of each of their best-selling games every generation nobody would ever complain. It's been *11* years since Metroid Prime 3, *8* since Other M and *14* since F-Zero Climax. I just can't figure it out, they refuse to capitalise on anything that could possibly gain mainstream appeal and recognition, they must truly hate money. I fully understand the drive to innovate, but for the love of all that is holy, they need to cater to some of the older gamers who have been around since the S/NES and just want something they know and love.

 

[Kioku]

I really don't understand the Nintendo mindset. They're sitting on a pile of IP's that are equivalent to golden hens, if they just shat out one of each of their best-selling games every generation nobody would ever complain. It's been *11* years since Metroid Prime 3, *8* since Other M and *14* since F-Zero Climax. I just can't figure it out, they refuse to capitalise on anything that could possibly gain mainstream appeal and recognition, they must truly hate money. I fully understand the drive to innovate, but for the love of all that is holy, they need to cater to some of the older gamers who have been around since the S/NES and just want something they know and love.

That seems to be the thing these days. Sony and Activision are taking the hint. Even if slowly.

 

[Foxi4]

That seems to be the thing these days. Sony and Activision are taking the hint. Even if slowly.

I'm really sad to say this, but I think Nintendo is going to continue in its effort to rebrand itself as the company that makes games for kids. They're desperately marketing to the crowd that's increasingly switching to tablets, smartphones and the free to play model, and I just don't see that working out in the long term. It worked well with the Wii because it costed peanuts, it's not going to work so well on the Switch which doesn't. I am sick and tired of companies that are trying to sell me on magical experiences, my magical experience is sitting down on my couch after a long day at work, grabbing a controller and just playing a game for an hour before I need to hit the hay, and Nintendo refuses to market to me even though it's people like me who have the disposable income to buy their stupid innovations. I know the Switch is doing great so far, good for them, but we're a year in and I only sprang for three games so far. They need a recognisable catalogue, although to be fair, I'm pretty much off their boat at this point. I just don't see anything worth picking up between now and Metroid Prime 4, and that's worrisome.

 

[Kioku]

I'm really sad to say this, but I think Nintendo is going to continue in its effort to rebrand itself as the company that makes games for kids. They're desperately marketing to the crowd that's increasingly switching to tablets, smartphones and the free to play model, and I just don't see that working out in the long term. It worked well with the Wii because it costed peanuts, it's not going to work so well on the Switch which doesn't. I am sick and tired of companies that are trying to sell me on magical experiences, my magical experience is sitting down on my couch after a long day at work, grabbing a controller and just playing a game for an hour before I need to hit the hay, and Nintendo refuses to market to me even though it's people like me who have the disposable income to buy their stupid innovations. I know the Switch is doing great so far, good for them, but we're a year in and I only sprang for three games so far. They need a recognisable catalogue, although to be fair, I'm pretty much off their boat at this point. I just don't see anything worth picking up between now and Metroid Prime 4, and that's worrisome.

I'm with you here. I bought into the Switch expecting the "Nintendo Experience"... And I'm not getting it. Or at least what I had grown to expect. The truly cumbersome route they're going this generation may spell out their doom. I won't lie. I don't mind things like Labo. However, I don't want them to go that route, along with the smartphone/tablet generation and the like. I'm about to jump ship entirely. I love the system, and it's a great console for me and my daughter. However, as you said, the quality games are few and far between. Most of which were last generation titles.

 

[YugamiSekai]

USB-C expansion pack confirmed?