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View Full Version : New Reuters article discusses Wii's chances for success.


Oops! I did it again.
10-12-2006, 01:58 AM
I'd say it's a pretty fair article, summarizing the possible paths that Wii and its fanbase could take over time. The great news for Wii is that there is every reason in the world (EVERY reason) to assume that the most positive path of success is looking to be the most lkely path to success. For every doom-and-gloom what-if, there is a new great game to point to down the road that appears to be a must-play. Anyway, on to the article!

LINK (http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&symbol=&storyID=2006-10-12T034328Z_01_NAB209921_RTRIDST_0_LEISURE-NINTENDO-WII.XML&pageNumber=0&WTModLoc=InvArt-C1-ArticlePage3&sz=13)

Here are a few of the key random tidbits I snatched from the article:

"Software makers and distributors are holding such high hopes for the Wii," Deutsche Securities analyst Takashi Oya said. "Their latest stance is like, 'Why don't we reallocate some of the resources from the PS3 to the Wii,'" he said, referring to Sony's forthcoming PlayStation 3.

Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS.O: Quote, Profile, Research), the world's biggest video game publisher, is working on seven Wii titles this business year ending March 2007, up from its previous plan for five, in a bid to capitalise on the unexpected buzz around the console.

"For the DS, whoever found it interesting carried it with them and showed it to people around them. That was a great demand driver," Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said last month. "We cannot expect that sort of push for a stationary console."

Analysts point out the possibility that the new controller, which requires substantially more physical movement than the traditional keypad, could eventually make game playing tiresome, causing gamers to turn their backs on the machine.

To make things harder for Nintendo, a boosting effect from PS3's Blu-ray player is likely to kick in next year, Oya said.

"There are quite a few people out there today who have no idea what Blu-ray is," he said. "But a year after its launch, at around this time next year, more people will start recognising the added value brought by a Blu-ray player, just as a DVD player function helped the PS2 to a flying start."

"If it's just the same pointing and shooting all the time, it won't be particularly attractive," Kamide said.

"So to a certain extent, it's up to Nintendo software and software developers all over the world to try and think for themselves how best to utilise the controller."

Asked if the Wii's novelty would wear off, Larry Probst, chief executive of Electronic Arts, said: "That's the $64,000 question. I think it will do really well during the launch window."

daroga
10-12-2006, 02:02 AM
I think the important thing for the Wii is to have balance software. Not everything should be Wii Sports or even Zelda. Things like Excite Truck and Sonic will even things out a bit so it's using the pack-in hardware, but no so crazy and over-the-top. Much like the DS, some games should make full use of the uniquie abilites, for other games, only touching the surface is necessary or even beneficial.

Oops! I did it again.
10-12-2006, 02:08 AM
Well said, I agree - and I'd be willing to wager that Nintendo and its developers agree as well, given the universal track record of DS software, as you said. Speaking of Sonic, have you heard a definitive release date for that one? I haven't heard any mention of it being a launch title, but it'd be a must-buy for me if it were...it looks like a return to the old fashioned linear-but-deathly-fast Sonic roots.

cochesecochese
10-12-2006, 02:21 AM
Definitely. This is why Nintendo pushed a lot of the heat announced at E3 past the launch window and a lot of it will probably go up until the holiday season 2007. Here's to hoping they don't fuck up a good thing.

daroga
10-12-2006, 02:32 AM
Well said, I agree - and I'd be willing to wager that Nintendo and its developers agree as well, given the universal track record of DS software, as you said. Speaking of Sonic, have you heard a definitive release date for that one? I haven't heard any mention of it being a launch title, but it'd be a must-buy for me if it were...it looks like a return to the old fashioned linear-but-deathly-fast Sonic roots.
Last I heard was March of next year.

regisphilbi0
10-12-2006, 02:45 AM
I agree too, that the Wii could go either way- being seen as a novelty or something with a diverse library of software that keeps people coming back. I'm gonna guess that its the latter. Nintendo, I think, has learned a lot from the Ds. Early DS software was mainly the same thing, basically tech demos. But after companies begin to understand how to use it I think we will see a ton of great, innovative software. And I don't undertstand why people are alwasy talking about people "getting tired" from playing Wii. That is probably one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard! Even when playing a somewhat intensive game it can't be that exhausting where people quit. Are Americans that out of shape???

elwood731
10-12-2006, 08:11 AM
And I don't undertstand why people are alwasy talking about people "getting tired" from playing Wii. That is probably one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard! Even when playing a somewhat intensive game it can't be that exhausting where people quit. Are Americans that out of shape???
I've been thinking the same thing. Also, with the success of Guitar Hero and DDR in recent years, how can gamers possibly be that lazy?

botticus
10-12-2006, 10:25 AM
I've been thinking the same thing. Also, with the success of Guitar Hero and DDR in recent years, how can gamers possibly be that lazy?It's the misconception that you will have to be jumping and flailing around to play games, which is obviously not the case. I think you'll find similar problems like Nintendo-thumb, just from repetitive movement, but I don't think anyone's going to start breathing heavily playing Zelda.

mykevermin
10-12-2006, 10:29 AM
Good article. I'd expect no less from Reuters. Thanks OP!

ArthurDigbySellers
10-12-2006, 10:58 AM
It's the misconception that you will have to be jumping and flailing around to play games, which is obviously not the case. I think you'll find similar problems like Nintendo-thumb, just from repetitive movement, but I don't think anyone's going to start breathing heavily playing Zelda.

In the ABC interview, Reggie admitted that Nintendo had contributed to that misconception with the exaggerated gestures that they use in all of their promo materials.

botticus
10-12-2006, 11:02 AM
In the ABC interview, Reggie admitted that Nintendo had contributed to that misconception with the exaggerated gestures that they use in all of their promo materials.Yep, which is why I think the new promo vids on the site are a good next step. Real people using the Wii, some make big motions, so don't, but you can see it works.