The Mass Exodus of Wii in 2009

[Viper]

This is the prediction by some analysts, a few people in the industry and several among the game playing community. Something will cause a shift in the minds of Wii owners to the point they no longer enjoy games on Wii and will feel compelled to buy a PS3/X360. They base it almost solely on graphics. They claim the Wii will look plain and simply too outdated and will no longer be able to sustain itself on just party games.


I could call these people morons, idiots, simpletons are any of a vast array of colorful phrases but instead I'll use just two terms I feel are more relevant....misguided and ignorant.

Many people think the word ignorant is an insult. Look it up, it's not really. It simply means you don't have as much knowledge on a given subject. That you may be unaware of circumstances or just not informed on the matter. Just a moment though. You Wii gamers, don't think you're completely off the hook. Many of you are just as ignorant and misguided and maybe even more so at times.


Before I lay my claim as to why they are wrong, we must understand some background information on the subject first.

Why do people play it?
Sounds like a stupid question but it really related to the issues itself. 4 main reasons. It's the only place to get Nintendo made games on a home console, price, Virtual Console, new way to play games.



OK, so why then are people suggesting the demise of the Wii in spite of record breaking sales?
First and foremost, graphics. While true it's a candle vs the full fledged fireplace of the other consoles and since graphics are an important part of our industry, how can the Wii ever hope to survive? HD penetration will naturally be higher in 2009 than today and this will supposedly be the catalyst of death.
Library of games. Much like Nintendo used to get slapped with labels such as "Kiddy" they are now being hit with a new one. "Mini-games". Some people have taken it upon themselves to generalize the Wii library to be mostly consistent of Mario Party, Wii Sports and clones.
Gameplay. Ah! One of the feature sets the Wii banked on. Does different automatically mean better? Is waving your arms like a paraplegic in a tornado make for more fun?

These are the 3 facets the misguided and ignorant sit on like prehistoric eggs that'll never hatch. Unwavering, unflinching and not expecting anything to change.

Let's go back to each of those 3 facets and look to the future. 2009 or so which seems to the arbitrarily agreed upon date for the death of the Wii.

Graphics - Will they get better? Yes. Will they equal the HD superiority of X360 and PS3? Not remotely. The more relevant question is, does it matter? Aha. This is where the misguieded and ignorant stop. To them there is no debating this matter and all the bullet points against it are futile. The real answer is yes and no. For those who enjoy the most realistic graphic replication of life and required every pixel to be anti-aliased 16 times and anisotropically filtered 8 times with full HDR and a physics engine Newton would be proud of, yes, it's of great importance. For most of those that current play the Wii, over 9.3 million at the moment, it matters far less.

Why do we play Virtual Console games in spite of their inherent lower quality graphics? Over 5.5 million VC games have been downloaded. That's more than 1,000 per hour since launch. Why is backwards computability such a wonderfully heralded feature? Why keep playing such ugly games? Why are games like Endochrome for PSN given great praise in spit of it's minimalist nature? Why does the weakest graphically powerful game system usually win a console war? Home and handheld. Why all this if graphics are such a deciding factor?

I could drag the DS vs PSP debate in here to but you guys don't want to hear that. You'll just play the same tired old hand that you can't compare consoles to handhelds instead of actually debating the idea itself.

Enough about graphics, let's move on to game library.

Library of Games - So Nintendo has a new label to throw around in forum debates. So how does this one hold up now and more importantly in 2009? Very little actually. Granted it has more party-centric games than PS3 or X360 does, it's hardly the overall theme of the library. In fact, it's much more broad than the GC's was at this point by a long shot. Rockstar gave the GC 1 title back in 2002. It was the only title from Rockstar. The Wii already has 3 to be released in its first year on the market. Does this not signal a change in direction from last generation? A broader market appeal?

Is it a great library? No, but it's decent. One must remember that most games out right now were in development prior to the system being released. How did the development community feel about Wii prior to the recent success? Not highly. While fascinated by the control, they wrote it off as just a continuation of the GC in terms of support and so most games now are the efforts of their 3rd string teams and simple quick buck, low risk junk.

But what have we witnessed in the past several months due to the new success? A complete reversal of developer support. What was once scoffed at is now seen as a gold mine as developers are reallocating resources for Wii and in some cases opening entire new studios dedicated to Wii. The change in Rockstar above is only a small piece in this overall shift.

Anyone familiar with the development schedule of video games knows that it will be a few ore months before we start to hear the actual game content being announced from this new shift. So what does this mean for 2009 in terms of game library? Games, lots and lots of games from studios putting a new focus on Wii. These aren't 3rd string development plans but full scale productions.

Also to say, if gamers don't mind the graphic discrepancy between Wii and PS3/X360 now, get it out of your heads that it will somehow in 2009. Vanilla lovers don't just turn chocolate lovers after so long either. Apply that whole personal perspective and philosophy notion to hundreds of other facets of every day life and you'll start to see how ridiculous it really is to expect millions of gamers to suddenly switch sides like a light bulb was turned on.


So why again would a mass exodus take place right as the games are really hitting their stride? Could it be they presume gameplay won't get better?

Gameplay - Just as with the library itself, the gameplay will be getting much better and developers put more focus on the system coupled with more experience in the games. Some multiplatform titles already play better than their much more graphically intense brethren. Godfather being among them. While some cry foul that I'm using a game that isn't very good to begin with, I say perhaps they are playing it on the wrong system.

The Wii has taken one of the top 5 best games of last generation and made it play even better. RE4. For the moment, these are exceptions, not the rules yet this is quickly changing.



I'm going to flip the tables for just a moment. When many gamers dispute the validity of the PS3 they usually play the price and library cards (completely unintentional pun, I swear). PS3 gamers retort ad nauseum that the price will not stay $600.00 forever and that the library of good games is coming. They constantly tell us of 10 year plans and things yet to come. Yet when debating against the Wii they fail to take those same considerations. They look at the snap shot of now and at times even compare to the same future plays of their own console. Is it fair to suggest one console will remain locked in the frustrations it currently resides in while simultaneously preaching of the gloriousness that will be from another console in time?



It's time to stop this madness. It's time to realize that there is a valid existence for both the Wii and the higher end console. Each can and will provide entertainment for casual gamers. Wii via it's party games, PS3 via the PS Eye. Each can provide entertainment for the more hardcore gamers. Wii via a new resurgence in mature games and developers dedicated to taking advantage of the control input and PS3 via it's continued support from 3rd parties and increased level of 1st party games.

It's time to learn not everyone cares if their game is in 1080p or not. It's time to learn the PS3 won't be $600.00 (or even $500.00) forever. It's time to learn the Wii is gaining more 3rd party support than Nintendo has had since the SNES and the games are coming. It's time to learn the PS3 has appeal to
casual gamers who are looking forward to games like LBP.

It's time to learn that gamers in 2009 will have more choices, options and range of quality games than they may have ever had before.


The Wii isn't going anywhere in 2009 or whatever ever 2-3 year marker is being set. Enjoy the games you have, anticipate those yet to come and know that the ignorance and misguided ideas of before don't have to cloud your judgement or perceptions.

[Phoenix]

While I would love to read your whole post, I really don't find it necessary to learn any more about this - I already know the huge amount of bad guesswork that these predictions are based on, and I'm on a bit of a schedule with other stuff anyway.

I'll assume it was a good post. :)

[Viper]

Too long?

[Phoenix]

Kind of. Would you read a long post, no matter how well-written or not, about how the Earth is round? :P

[Hrama]

Well, if it had information on just how round the earth IS, than perhaps. I too didn't read it Viper, save for the first few lines, but it looks like a solid analysis.

[Mach]

Lets get this transformed into a NNow editorial, my friend.

[Viper]

Already planned on it. Just wanted to test and tweak it here first.

[Boggy700]

This thread should be in the Sony section because none of those people will read it in General, and also because it mentions the PS3.

Zing.


But I was actually reading that "Wii Is A Lollopop[sic]" thread last night, and I felt what could best be described as an eternal frustration with PS3 fanboyism.
For once*, I didn't even want to throw my hat in the ring and debate on the side of reason.
Your posts were gasps of fresh air as I was drowning in a sea of contempt for certain "logic".
It began when I read the original "Wii is a lollipop" statement.
If this person considers himself "too mature" for lollipops, why then does he videogames at all?
Shouldn't he be doing something like going to art galleries or doing taxes?



*Not "once", it's nearly every time I happen to read a PS3 section thread.
Usually I stumble in there unaware due to the thread title describing a topic about a multi-platform game.



Once again, I forget that I'm in the middle of a post, and hours later return to not finish it.

[Viper]

Thanks, Boggy. I thought of posting it in the PS3 section itself but figured it would be probably start a world war. Figured neutral ground would be most prudent despite lack of replies it would receive. But also because N fans are slapped a little too.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

VIPER! I AM BOTH FURIOUS AND OFFENDED THAT YOU WOULD SUGGEST.....
.....
COHABITATION OF GAME CONSOLES!!!

Ugh, I think I have a headache. It hurts me to say it folks.

[Viper]

Lol.


I just realized I need to edit this already since Rockstar announced a 3rd Wii game today.

[Delirious]

Well put Viper. I dont know why people keep trying to run down the Wii. Just enjoy it, or dont.

[TheGreenElf]

Many people think the word ignorant is an insult. Look it up, it's not really. It simply means you don't have as much knowledge on a given subject. That you may be unaware of circumstances or just not informed on the matter. Just a moment though. You Wii gamers, don't think you're completely off the hook. Many of you are just as ignorant and misguided and maybe even more so at times.

Yeah no kidding. But call somebody on the forums ignorant, and it's like you murdered their first-born. Although, I always found it funny that people were ignorant to the meaning of ignorant.

[Generosity of God]

hehe. library cards. you so funny.

Viper stop making these threads. it's too hard to find other people worthy of giving + rep to.

the only suggestion would be to bold the change in sub-topic. just to help people realise that they should move on and not continue to fuss over what they had just read.

but even without that, it's a good article. it's not too long. you're seriously slack if you can't get through it. i've read alot of the content in other threads before. you're sounding like a broken record.

there's really only one or two things i would like to get Viper to comment about. everyone else can comment too but i'd prefer to listen to Viper since he seems to have a more mediator role about him.

It's time to learn not everyone cares if their game is in 1080p or not. It's time to learn the PS3 won't be $600.00 (or even $500.00) forever. It's time to learn the Wii is gaining more 3rd party support than Nintendo has had since the SNES and the games are coming. It's time to learn the PS3 has appeal to
casual gamers who are looking forward to games like LBP.

i understand these two things. PS3 will drop in price and it will have software that appeals to casual gamers.

my questions

- what price do you believe is casual/mass market friendly?
- how long do you think it will take for PS3 to drop to that price?
- by the time it does reach that price, do you think the casual/mass market will dramatically shift towards PS3? or will Wii have captured so much of that market by then that the appealing price and software wont make too much of an impact?

these are the questions that come to my mind when i hear the counter arguements to PS3 is too expensive. i've just held back because there has never really been a mediator before.

[<3frosty]

As the other consoles move down in price, we will most likely see the Wii as well. What this will end up doing is making an INCREDIBLY affordable console with a new way to play games. In 2-3 years, i can see the Wii in the sub-200 dollar price range. Perhaps they will even add some things. And most certainly, color.

Viper, as always you bring up great points. I am also tired of the "party game" title that the Wii has been given by its detractors. And ignorance has been shown plenty of times. People saying that the Wii Sports Tennis is only a nice way of pressing the A button obviously points out their own ignorance. Bowling is an exceptional example of the amount of tweaking you can do by just simply twisting the Wii mote as you swing. Sometimes, it can give bad reactions, but for 98% of the time its spot on.

[the poe collector]

Why do we play Virtual Console games in spite of their inherent lower quality graphics? Over 5.5 million VC games have been downloaded. That's more than 1,000 per hour since launch. Why is backwards computability such a wonderfully heralded feature? Why keep playing such ugly games? Why are games like Endochrome for PSN given great praise in spit of it's minimalist nature? Why does the weakest graphically powerful game system usually win a console war? Home and handheld. Why all this if graphics are such a deciding factor?

I read your whole post but there's no way I'm going to quote all of it. I picked this part because I just wanted to say something about graphics. It really bugs me when people call 2D graphics ugly just because they're old. I'll never think of games like A Link to the Past or Super Metroid as ugly. I'd rather look at and play a well-made 2D game than some 3D game with super fucking realistic gravel or leaves. And it pisses me off when people choose to forget the ps2 was the least powerful system last time around and now want to act like the ps3 is automatically the best because it's the most powerful.

Thanks, Boggy. I thought of posting it in the PS3 section itself but figured it would be probably start a world war. Figured neutral ground would be most prudent despite lack of replies it would receive. But also because N fans are slapped a little too.

This thread probably would get more replies and discussion in that section. And I dont think the initial reaction could be worse than the Media bias thread. I haven't read it lately but in the beginning people were giving you shit because they thought your tone was insulting, and didn't pay much attention to what you were actually saying. I don't see anything like that in this thread so it might get a better response. Maybe you could keep this thread in General and post a copy in the ps3 forum.

[Teh Roxor!]

Personally, I think Nintendo is doomed.

[Derrick Barra]

I was reading your post Viper and everything seemed honky dorie, but then you mentioned the PS Eye as one of the heavy hitters for the Playstation casual gamer initiative. I thought you would have placed Playstation Home there or something else as it seems to make more sense for the article. Just my two cents.

Clearly the answer to the "console wars" is to become massively obese and buy all of the systems!

~Thats what I did...

[Viper]

Personally, I think Nintendo is doomed.

Right on man, right on.

1 month ago their market capitalization value was $51 billion and just yesterday it hit $61 billion. Making them the 9th largest of all companies in Japan.

Yep, Shiggy better bust of the resume soon.

[Derrick Barra]

Right on man, right on.
Yep, Shiggy better bust a nut while he still can.

Fixed for superior lulz. :reggie:

[Dakota Grabowski]

I'll throw my two cents in.

Wii60 for the win.

;)

[Boggy700]

I had though of this post, but then I noticed that this had already been posted, so consider this a kind of flashback to a non-post. A reverse response. A Jeapordy of statements.


Clearly the answer to the "console wars" is to become massively obese and buy all of the systems!

Each console sucks because either of the other two has something it doesn't.



*sigh* Too much build-up, insufficient payoff.

[Applefiend]

I'll throw my two cents in.

Wii60 for the win.

;)

Playstation 2 Uber Alles. :)

I think you buy all three consoles then you become massively obese, not the other way around.

<*Munches Doritos*>

[Dakota Grabowski]

Yeah, I'd recommend buying a combination of the three, no harm there.

[Applefiend]

You know, you're not married to them, you can buy one, have some fun, sell it, buy another, switch em around. People take this corporate cheerleading too seriously.

Chill, have fun, enjoy your games. Realize all three will continue to sell and continue to have more games like the ones you're enjoying now.

More Resistance, more Motorstorm, more Gears, more Halo, more Wii Sports more Zelda. Be happy, damnit! The less time you read PR statements and whore over sales figures, the happier you will be.


....

*cough* PS2 forever.

[Rockmond]

Question...

Do you still stand by your statement that both Wii and 360/PS3 would both sell 50 million and not hurt each other or has your opinion changed???

With the report coming out about publishers shifting resources to Wii/DS and not focusing so much on PS3/360 I think it is having somewhat of an effect.

[Viper]

The resource shift has been more than I anticipated we'd see. But then I look at the X360/PS3 line up and I fail to see how it's limping so as it stands right now, no change.

Give me another 6 months and I'll reanalyze the status of the industry and make any changes though I don't think I'll have to. What we've seen with the resource shift thus far hasn't really been harmful to the other markets. In that we don't see X360/PS3 games suddenly getting canceled for a Wii only version or that a developer is canceling X360/PS3 games so it can focus solely on Wii games.

What's it's done is even development out more. Prior to last November, there were far more PS3 game sin development than Wii, not it's much more even and not really in the favor of either one.

Hiccups for each console don't seem to be stemming from the success of the other consoles but rather their own problems. Sony has a price to deal with that's holding things back. MS has a poor manufacturing process that's holding things back for them. If either could resolve their problems, we could easily have a pretty even 3 way race going into 2009 or 2010.

[Applefiend]

Interesting article on a site called "angry gamer". As if the other forums have calm rational gamers.

http://www.angry-gamer.net/ag/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=569&Itemid=32

Hardcore folks don't like to admit it, but Mario and Zelda are relics of the past. It's become quite clear that Nintendo is losing interest in remaking the same old games over and over. They want to pull us into something new, if only we can give them the chance

Not sure I agree with the article, but interesting. Think they make the assumption every other article makes that Nintendo is a one man company.

[70939488]

viper i love ur post. u should also add that this gen console
war none will be winner or loser. All 3 company would be making money. nintendo wanna 2 bring new ways on how we play games and stuff nomatter how they goin 2 mess up from now on they will make money in 2009.you never know maybe they will built a more prowerfull console and let people trade in theyr old wii for $100 or a add on with usb 2 make it more prowerfull. ms in the other end want 2 get a share of pc gaming money when they first started out with xbox. With x360 they got that. now they aim for media center with those download they will profit in 2009. sony in other hand wanna 2 use ps3 2 win blueray war. with blueray they are truely the most powerfull console on earth with 50 gb on one dise but the thing is if those game developer wanna 2 fully use it. they needs 2 spend 10 times as much money on making the game. how many copy they needs 2 sell 2 break even? dont know how many gb is are they using with games now. they needs 2 sell 600k copy 2 break even. If the games on x360 is only 5gb thats like 10x as big as it is so 600k x 10 thats close 2 6 million copy 2 make it even. mostly i m wrong on this. sincce i aint in 2 making game but if it is true than they needs 2 sell mad ass load of units. If they cant sell that much. they will drop out on next gen console war or maybe they can copy xbox live and charge people on download. since they always copy others idea. anyway with license on blueray alone will bring them mad cash so they aint losting out.

[masonite]

nice article viper, you make some strong points, but who exactly are you arguing against?

You say that the argument against Wii is that:

Something will cause a shift in the minds of Wii owners to the point they no longer enjoy games on Wii and will feel compelled to buy a PS3/X360. They base it almost solely on graphics.

The problem is that you're not arguing against anyone - you've chosen a couple of arguments and taken them apart, but you're telling us what everyone is saying, then saying they're wrong. Politicians do the same thing, and although there are probably some people with that argument, i'm not too sure how popular the whole "wii is doomed because of graphics" argument is, but tbh, i haven't seen it that much in the media(maybe i'm just not looking hard enough). On forums, yes, but writing an article to stop stupid things being said on the internet is like banging your head against a board with a nail in it.

You do a good job of taking apart those arguments, but its not exactly hard to do - it'd be pretty easy to take apart an argument against, for instance, PS3, if the argument was completely wrong.


Personally i think there are bigger problems facing the Wii than graphics. the biggest stumbling block for Nintendo in the future IMO is their success early on. It'll be interesting to see how sales go, simply because the price point was so low to begin with, and the console has been so accessible. It could simply go on at this level for a while, or it could peeter out, as everyone who wants one gets one. In that respect, shortages possibly have helped sustain sales at a very good level, rather than have phenomenal sales for a shorter time.

Software sales are the other pont of concern. If it's aimed at casual gamers, and those who don't play games that much, then although console sales will be higher, software sales will probably be relatively low, per console - aiming it at adults, etc means a previously untapped market, but also means less time for those people to play games, due to other things adults have to worry about (not everyone is lucky enough to work from home ;)).

I think if you aimed at these things, which could be possibilities (not saying they're going to happen, but to discount them immediately is stupid) instead of the stupid arguments which don't need an explanation, it could have been an even better article. As has already been said, you don't need a thesis to tell you the world is round.

[Applefiend]

Not sure anyone except Nintendo will be making profit at this rate. :)

But I ain't a Wall Street broker so why should I care.

[Viper]

Masonite, If you'll note, graphics were the main issue but I touched on the gameplay issue, which may who play just a few early Wii games claim is not all that it's cracked up to be, and the current game library, which again the detractors knock on harshly with labels and such.


As you stated you don't see the media knocking Wii's graphics often. I follow the media pretty closely so i do see it often. Here is a recent one:
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6496&Itemid=59

Let's not forget that Sega PR rep recently, or Chris Hecker from Maxis literally calling the Wii a piece of shit. It's still quite wide spread though many outlets and some devs, largely all analysts and obviously fans from the Sony and MS camps.

It is them that I argue against. It is them I call out and correct. They are the ignorant, the misguided.......my target.

[Khaos]

No, Mr. Perry. Gamers aren't attracted to good looking games; they are attracted to good playing games. These people are not too bright.

I would rather play Twilight Princess with N64-style graphics, than be handed a BEAUTIFUL Zelda that lacks a story. I play games for entertainment, not to go "oooh, that's pretty."

Yes, graphics can be important. For instance, N64 graphics provided a whole new level of gameplay that the SNES counldn't offer normally. But I don't think that PS3 style graphics are absolutely necessary in that way. Do I really need to see beads of sweat? No. Is it a nice, cool, unique addition to a good game? Yes.

[Generosity of God]

the problem with Dave Perry's comment is that he assume's that all Wii owners are gamers. he hasnt cared to look at the consumers and their reason for buying Wii.

[Phoenix]

the problem with Dave Perry's comment is that he assume's that all Wii owners are gamers.The other problem is that even if all of the Wii owners were gamers, it'd still be wrong.

[Viper]

Perry's problem is he assumes the motion based controls are not a valid sales point for gaming. He assumes that graphics are held to such high esteem that complacency with current control methods is universal among gamers and it's not. There are millions out there that simply want a new way to play and they are getting it with Wii.

Enhanced graphics are great for those that are content with current control (PS3 does offer some motion control though too). For those that want and are now enjoyed the Wii's enhanced motion gameplay, graphics are simply not enough to tear them away since for these people graphics were never getting boring to begin....gameplay was.

[Gilly]

Great post.
I can't really think there was anything I disagreed with.
Gamers who want high powered graphics will get the 360 or PS3, but those who don't care will buy a Wii.
I think the Wii is only going to get better as time goes on, and it's gonna keep selling great.

[masonite]

Masonite, If you'll note, graphics were the main issue but I touched on the gameplay issue, which may who play just a few early Wii games claim is not all that it's cracked up to be, and the current game library, which again the detractors knock on harshly with labels and such.


As you stated you don't see the media knocking Wii's graphics often. I follow the media pretty closely so i do see it often. Here is a recent one:
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6496&Itemid=59

Let's not forget that Sega PR rep recently, or Chris Hecker from Maxis literally calling the Wii a piece of shit. It's still quite wide spread though many outlets and some devs, largely all analysts and obviously fans from the Sony and MS camps.

It is them that I argue against. It is them I call out and correct. They are the ignorant, the misguided.......my target.



ah k, fair enough, i had a feeling you followed it pretty closely so i'll go with you on that :). so what do you think of the points i made? i'm interested to know, just out of curiosity.

[Viper]

so what do you think of the points i made? i'm interested to know, just out of curiosity.

Personally i think there are bigger problems facing the Wii than graphics. the biggest stumbling block for Nintendo in the future IMO is their success early on. It'll be interesting to see how sales go, simply because the price point was so low to begin with, and the console has been so accessible. It could simply go on at this level for a while, or it could peeter out, as everyone who wants one gets one. In that respect, shortages possibly have helped sustain sales at a very good level, rather than have phenomenal sales for a shorter time.

Software sales are the other pont of concern. If it's aimed at casual gamers, and those who don't play games that much, then although console sales will be higher, software sales will probably be relatively low, per console - aiming it at adults, etc means a previously untapped market, but also means less time for those people to play games, due to other things adults have to worry about (not everyone is lucky enough to work from home ;)).

I think if you aimed at these things, which could be possibilities (not saying they're going to happen, but to discount them immediately is stupid) instead of the stupid arguments which don't need an explanation, it could have been an even better article. As has already been said, you don't need a thesis to tell you the world is round.

Initial and sustained sales: You have a point in that the sales burst through the door in what some may feel is almost too fast. Supply and demand may help keep the level high enough until demand is met. There are two things that keep sales high, price and software. They can easily bring the price down if sales ever start to strugle and the software is about to get a massive increase now that developers are shifting resources to them. It's a simple side effect of having great hardware sales...software inherently follows. We saw it on the PS, PS2 and DS. All started off with killer hardware sales but the software right away was lacking. As developers put their money where the hardware is, the software came in droves.


Software sales and attach ratio: Let's assume that a huge chunk of Wii owners are the adult casuals you refer to. The current sales rate and attachment ratio is still far higher than the industry norm. This means the games are still selling great and Wii owners are buying several games. In fact, Nintendo reported that 14 of the top 20 best sellers on Wii are 3rd party which is largely made up of more traditional game style and no just mini/casual games.



To a large degree, I did touch upon the sales issues in my first post. I didn't elaborate with the figures I just gave because that wasn't the point. While it's not as common to read Nintendo is doomed as it once was, you still see it and it largely revolves around the graphics, or lack thereof, of the Wii versus the others and they all give this arbitrary notion that Wii will fade in or around 2009. They only seem like a stupid argument to you because you already know better. You already get it that some people don't mind the lack of graphical horsepower but there are still game fans, media outlets, analysts, etc....who still do not and that article is for them. The ignorant and misguided.

[masonite]

thanks for the response, yeah, i realise that wasn't the point of the post, it was kind of off topic at a stretch, but i was just curious.

I'm interested to see exactly what happens with the Wii compared to the PS3 and 360, it's a scenario we've never really seen before.

[70939488]

nintendo think the game industries is goin the wrong way.
From a comsumer point of view they are right. Point is nowsday game maker needs to spend 20-30 million making a game for x360 and ps3. They needs to sell over 600k copy to make even. Just for this gen console. just think how much will they needs to spend makin a great game next gen and how many copy they needs to sell to break even? Mostly game will cost over $140 so they dont needs to sell that much copy to break even. Now nintendo prove they point u dont need graphical horsepower that can go aganst pc to win people heart. all u need is a new way of gaming. game maker like the idea too. why havent we see 3 party game for wii yet? if u spended over 10million making a game halfway would u cancel it and go for next one? they just cant. thats why most of the 3 party is wait and see what happen kind of mood. i will bet you a billion they all are starting in project for wii. cause game developer aint dumb if they support ps3 or x360 they will need the best tech that are up todate. that wont come cheap. if they support wii they dont need that tech. since pc always a few step head of the home console. just not ps3 or x360.
is a win win for comsumer and game maker. If they support wii.

for x360 they try going aganst cable box or home media whatever u call it. which is good for ms cause that market is huge. they wont lose money in this gen console war like last one. so al alone ms was right this gen console war. 2 console can be a winner. or maybe 3? only if ps3 can make profit yet 3 console can be winner this gen war.

for ps3 they still dont know where they wanna to go. they dont seen 2 have a game plan. they want 2 be a pc a game system and media center. now they dont know what they will be since they losting all theyr support to x360. thats why we are seein so much game that coming out for ps3 this month. this is theyr last hope to get people buying theyr system. If theyr still behide x360 they are doom. they will lost all they exclusives game 2 x360. that just my 2 cent. sorry my spellin was never good thats why i pick easy word 2 speak my mind

[Generosity of God]

I'm interested to see exactly what happens with the Wii compared to the PS3 and 360, it's a scenario we've never really seen before.

i dont know how Nintendo actually think Wii will do compared to PS3/360 but they definitely have high expectations of it.

for this financial year (ending 31 march 2008) Nintendo had made a 14 million shipment target but have now raised it to 16.5 million.

the first quarter finished end of June in which they shipped 3.43 million. leaving 13.07 million for the remaining 9 months.

when you add the amount shipped last financial year it all comes to about 22 million+ units. that's a whole lot of Wii. and imagine the amount of developer support that number is likely to bring. (well bringing since they've already started putting focus into Wii titles)

honestly, looking at the amount of demand that the Wii still has, upcoming titles and the demand those titles may create, it wouldnt surprise me if Wii sales reach 17-18 million by the end of the year. and it looks like supply should be there.

that would be insane to say the least. but there's too many 'if's so it's better to have a just wait til it happens approach rather than get excited to early.

personally i think once Wii passes 360 sales, it will be leading the other two for a long while. but then again i cant paint the future like Isaac (God bless his fictional soul)

[Viper]

Took a while but the article is now up.

http://nintendonow.e-mpire.com/index.php?categoryid=6&m_articles_articleid=4225

[Generosity of God]

Took a while but the article is now up.

http://nintendonow.e-mpire.com/index.php?categoryid=6&m_articles_articleid=4225

yeah i left the first comment. im so cool.

[Phoenix]

Just read it. There are some good points but I don't think the people who are illogical enough to predict this are going to be reading it.

[Viper]

While I agree with you both, that kinda goes for everything of this nature. Those that would learn most from words of wisdom either never read them or dismiss it outright.

[Generosity of God]

While I agree with you both, that kinda goes for everything of this nature. Those that would learn most from words of wisdom either never read them or dismiss it outright.

or completely miss the point (like with Cpi's article)