Post by: cbeer on November 26, 2006, 03:26:34 AM
Nintendo said for MONTHS they'd have one million systems available for the U.S. launch, with two million by the end of 2006 in North America alone. Four million worldwide.
The million systems at launch turned out to be 450,000.
They claimed they'd would be able to ship 200,000 systems every week after launch. After one week, retailers have received ZERO systems.
Nintendo missed Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. The only retailers with systems available on Black Friday were those who held over systems from the initial launch.
There are now almost 700,000 Wiis missing from Nintendo's promised shipments. If Nintendo comes up empty next weekend, we'll be getting close to a million.
What happened?
What disaster destroyed Nintendo's ability to manufacture this machine? Their entire hype campaign leading up to launch was based on the premise they'd have plentiful supplies (the "four million systems worldwide" number was quoted in EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE). Some reports even claimed they were far ahead in production. The ease of manufacturing this system was one of its strong suits, far fewer internal parts than the PS3.
But when launch came, the supplies have been disastrously short instead. Now Sony is following through on their promise to deliver one million systems to the US by year's end, and the Wii is looking to be produced in fewer numbers than the PS3.
This is the big story of the industry right now, trying to figure out what has gone so badly wrong on Nintendo's end. Typically it winds up being a single component or chip that has come up in short supply or high in defect rates. Whatever it is, it's going to slash two million systems off Nintendo's 2006 projections, and nearly a billion dollars off Nintendo's hardware and software sales for 2006.
In other words, it's the biggest disaster in Nintendo history. Their console division, gasping on life support with 15% market share, was depending on this system to expand that user base, to draw in third parties. Now, the launch is going to wind up with fewer systems in users' hands than the Gamecube. Whatever has gone wrong with the Wii, whatever has destroyed their ability to manufacture it, may be a nail in the coffin for Nintendo as a manufacturer of consoles.
Post by: wandering on November 26, 2006, 03:46:50 AM
Post by: BranDonk Kong on November 26, 2006, 03:55:31 AM
Post by: Rhoq on November 26, 2006, 04:10:28 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: cbeer
So what's gone wrong?
Nintendo said for MONTHS they'd have one million systems available for the U.S. launch, with two million by the end of 2006 in North America alone. Four million worldwide.
The million systems at launch turned out to be 450,000.
They claimed they'd would be able to ship 200,000 systems every week after launch. After one week, retailers have received ZERO systems.
Nintendo missed Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. The only retailers with systems available on Black Friday were those who held over systems from the initial launch.
There are now almost 700,000 Wiis missing from Nintendo's promised shipments. If Nintendo comes up empty next weekend, we'll be getting close to a million.
What happened?
What disaster destroyed Nintendo's ability to manufacture this machine? Their entire hype campaign leading up to launch was based on the premise they'd have plentiful supplies (the "four million systems worldwide" number was quoted in EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE). Some reports even claimed they were far ahead in production. The ease of manufacturing this system was one of its strong suits, far fewer internal parts than the PS3.
But when launch came, the supplies have been disastrously short instead. Now Sony is following through on their promise to deliver one million systems to the US by year's end, and the Wii is looking to be produced in fewer numbers than the PS3.
This is the big story of the industry right now, trying to figure out what has gone so badly wrong on Nintendo's end. Typically it winds up being a single component or chip that has come up in short supply or high in defect rates. Whatever it is, it's going to slash two million systems off Nintendo's 2006 projections, and nearly a billion dollars off Nintendo's hardware and software sales for 2006.
In other words, it's the biggest disaster in Nintendo history. Their console division, gasping on life support with 15% market share, was depending on this system to expand that user base, to draw in third parties. Now, the launch is going to wind up with fewer systems in users' hands than the Gamecube. Whatever has gone wrong with the Wii, whatever has destroyed their ability to manufacture it, may be a nail in the coffin for Nintendo as a manufacturer of consoles.
First of all - who cares about the PS3? If it means that much to you, join a Sony fanboy site and leave us alone.
Secondly - Where did you get your misinformation? Do you actually pay attention to what you read?
Nintendo never said there would 1 million units available in the United States. What they did say was that 1 million units would be available on launch day for all of NORTH AMERICA (N.A. isn't just the U.S. but Canada and Mexico, too). What they did say is that the majority of the North America launch units would be allotted to the U.S. If the U.S. received the 450,000 Wiis that you claim then that means the other 550,000 were divided among Canada and Mexico (550,000/2 = 275,000 each for Canada and Mexico, giving the U.S. the biggest piece of the Wii pie). It looks to me like Nintendo kept their launch number promise.
Post by: optimisticlimbo on November 26, 2006, 04:22:15 AM
Post by: The Omen on November 26, 2006, 04:34:29 AM
Post by: 18 Days on November 26, 2006, 05:05:11 AM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 26, 2006, 05:10:09 AM
If you want to talk about Disaster.... Ive been to several GameStops while down here in SoCal and the first one I went to I asked if they had any PS3's in stock. The lady said they haven't more had any since launch and wouldn't be recieving anymore until they sell all of the peripherals, so i nother words, no more PS3's until next year(there were plenty of games and controllers on the racks). At the next GS I stopped at, a family was asking about the Wii and PS3, the clerk quickly dismissed the Wii saying that they were out of stock(and most of the games & all of the peripherals) but started trying to push the PS3. What it came down to was that the only PS3 that they had in stock was a 20Gig and no one wanted to buy it. My guess is the 'no wifi' was the deal breaker.
Post by: trip1eX on November 26, 2006, 05:23:57 AM
Post by: OverHeat on November 26, 2006, 06:33:32 AM
Post by: Smash_Brother on November 26, 2006, 06:47:21 AM
Post by: NWR_pap64 on November 26, 2006, 06:48:07 AM
Consoles are hard to find, sure, but believe me when I say this is FAR from the disaster you are claiming it is.
Had there been a massive amount of defective units at launch, the controllers sucked big time and the games less than stellar, then it would be a disaster.
All console launches are not without their problems, but the Wii launch isn't that bad.
I suspect someone is being either bitter about not getting a Wii at launch or is being a troll...
Post by: Magik on November 26, 2006, 07:00:33 AM
Even if Nintendo had 4 million at launch, it would have still sold out with retailers not knowing when they will get their next shipment.
Hardly a disaster.
Post by: SeaBass on November 26, 2006, 07:26:00 AM
Post by: Egregius on November 26, 2006, 07:41:13 AM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 26, 2006, 07:55:18 AM
1) had 60 in, all sold out within 45 minutes of store opening
2) had 56 in, all sold out within 45 minutes of store opening
3) had 30 in, but had people camping out since last nite to pick them up this morning when the store opened.
There are still people camping out for the system 7 days after it launched? This is a Disaster, a time... or should I say a Day of Crisis indeed. Whatever shall Nintendo do?
Post by: phantomspirit on November 26, 2006, 08:15:16 AM
Thus far my store has sold 105 units since its launch---that's pretty damn good to me.
Post by: 31 Flavas on November 26, 2006, 08:25:19 AM
Post by: BigJim on November 26, 2006, 08:28:54 AM
I don't recall any company's launch shipments ever meeting targets, but as recently as launch day Reggie expected 1 million in actual sales by mid December and 2 million by mid January (not including international sales).
So as of a week ago, they're off their year end target by around 2 weeks.
They're still expecting to have 6 million total shipped by end of March (as does Sony). If Sony actually manages to meet their goal, and I doubt they will, they're still virtually tied based on availability.
It's a sprint. This holiday doesn't mean much of anything anyway. The real interesting battle is a year away.
Post by: Pale on November 26, 2006, 08:29:31 AM
Hah. You're awesome.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 26, 2006, 08:35:06 AM
But I have one more chance, there is a Circuit City near here that said they got a shipment of boxes in, but hasn't unloaded them nor do they know whats in them. I'm about to go hang out over there and wait for them to open the crates to see whats in the boxes.
Post by: Kairon on November 26, 2006, 09:08:35 AM
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Ceric on November 26, 2006, 01:39:26 PM
Post by: xanrastafari on November 26, 2006, 03:44:27 PM
Post by: The Traveller on November 26, 2006, 03:57:49 PM
Post by: WuTangTurtle on November 26, 2006, 04:06:51 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
Oh darn, I thought this thread would be about Hiroshi Yamauchi's love motel chain back in the 50's...
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
I dunno Nintendo Love Motel sounds pretty nice when you start thinking about Peach, Daisy, and Samus.
I still think the vacuums were the worst idea.....Hey Check it out man I got the New Nintendo Vacuum its sucks big time!
Post by: Adrock on November 26, 2006, 04:16:57 PM
Not that it needs to be said, but this time 5 years ago, you could walk into any number of stores and buy a Gamecube. Ask for a Wii at any retailer and you'll get looks of anger.
Post by: willie1234 on November 26, 2006, 04:37:55 PM
totally - I walked into a toys r us on launch day around 12 noon. I didn't expect to get one, but there was a pile of them behind the counter. I walked out with a cube and rogue leader. i'm still waiting on getting a wii, but I'm really happy to see how well it's doing so far.
Post by: Silverballer on November 26, 2006, 05:00:29 PM
Post by: surfinguga on November 26, 2006, 05:21:19 PM
Post by: Smash_Brother on November 27, 2006, 03:18:12 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: The Traveller
Hey maybe some1 can clear this up, I heard somewhere that you cant load a save file on a friends Wii through your SD card.
I loaded my THDJ save file from my friend's SD card, actually, so it works.
Post by: couchmonkey on November 27, 2006, 03:22:18 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: BigJim
The 1 million number was an estimate from Nintendo of Canada's GM back in September.
Quoted for the awful truth. Ignoring everything else unless cbeer comes back.
Post by: cbeer on December 10, 2006, 04:06:48 AM
So I see Nintendo was actually forced to retract a press release due to the Wii production shortfall.
To back up, remember that Reggie Fils-Aime said there would be TWO MILLION Wiis available in the US by the end of 2006:
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162151.html
So a few days ago Nintendo releases a press release promising "well over ONE MILLION" in the US by the end of the year. They then had to issue a correction asking to remove the reference completely:
http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=25212387&sid=6162916
Those of you who went out this weekend know that there were NO Wii shipments to any of the major chains. Systems show up at GameStop locations two and three at a time in sporadic shipments, but nothing approaching the 200,000 to 250,000 systems a week Nintendo promised. And shipments dried up completely this weekend, as Nintendo sent inventory to Japan and Europe.
Japan has been promised one million systems by years' end, just like the USA. Europe doesn't get enough inventory to make a major dent. And yet, Reggie stands by the "four million worldwide by the end of 2006" statement. So where are the other two million systems going? The bottom of the ocean?
The actual sales of the Wii in the US are going to be just slightly BELOW that of the GameCube. All because of this mysterious supply shortage that nobody anywhere is reporting on as being an issue.
Post by: Kairon on December 10, 2006, 07:08:45 AM
Still, this has gotta be the most impressive wordlwide launch ever in the history of gaming.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Arbok on December 10, 2006, 07:52:25 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: cbeer
The actual sales of the Wii in the US are going to be just slightly BELOW that of the GameCube. All because of this mysterious supply shortage that nobody anywhere is reporting on as being an issue.
The big question, and the relevant one, is how does it compare to the launch of the 360 and PS3?
Post by: SixthAngel on December 10, 2006, 08:10:23 AM
You post huge inaccuracies in you first post and don't correct them then you bring your thread back from the dead to post a link that says Nintendo changed the wording in a press statement. 4 million may not be reached (or it still could be) but the important thing is, just as Arbok said, how are they doing against the competition NOW.
Post by: RiskyChris on December 10, 2006, 08:36:47 AM
I still can't find a Wii to buy my little cousin, and there are lines forming STILL for what, the umpteenth shipments now? Best launch ever.
Post by: Kairon on December 10, 2006, 08:48:09 AM
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Madcat221 on December 10, 2006, 11:20:07 AM
Although we didn't have any on Black Friday, we got another 60-unit shipment that went on the shelf about a week later, two weeks after the opening day.
Post by: NWR_pap64 on December 10, 2006, 11:27:15 AM
I am annoyed that they couldn't keep their promise of constant shipment of units, but at the same time this kind of stuff happens when the demand is way too high. It happens to every single item that is labeled as the IT thing of the holidays.
So this really isn't that big of a deal. Does it suck? Yeah. But something to be bitter about? Not really...
Post by: BlkPaladin on December 10, 2006, 12:26:27 PM
Post by: Hotdiggedydemon on December 10, 2006, 01:28:44 PM
Still...I would like a Wii, and it's proving near-impossible for me.
Post by: cbeer on December 18, 2006, 11:03:47 PM
The Two Worst Console Launches Ever?
http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=7711063&publicUserId=5519593
He says:
"What is Nintendo's excuse? A console that uses outdated old technology and sold through every unit during the month of November only ended up selling 476k units? Because it's just a GameCube+Waggle, I thought this console was going to be available. Even now, consumers are still suffering from Nintendo's inability to keep up supply.
While Sony certainly can't be accused of shortchanging supply to increase perceived demand, Nintendo certainly can be. If it's not hard to make -- why aren't there more? I'm unwilling to sit out in the cold for a Zelda-playing machine, and the simple truth is: I shouldn't have to and neither should you."
Exactly. So when this year ends and shows Nintendo shipped 2.2 million of their promised 4 million consoles, will it be a news story? Because they made it a news story every single time Reggie said they were on target for the four million. So is someone going to call them on it?
Post by: UERD on December 18, 2006, 11:45:14 PM
I've never thought consoles could validly compete with computers in terms of graphics. If I want a pretty game, I'll play one on the computer. If I want a fun game with innovative controls, or a game that several people can play together at the same time in the same room, I'll play one on a console.
And if people really think Nintendo eats babies and rapes the environment because they 'only' put out X number of consoles while facing Y demand, they can always shut up and go buy a 360. I've seen stacks of them at every freaking store I've visited so far. It's not like people are being forced at gunpoint to wait in line for a scarce product. "I shouldn't have to and neither should you." Blah blah blah. I shouldn't have to pay for a Wii. Nintendo should just ship it to my house for free. And they should give me a free game every month. And they should name their next console after me. And Mr. Iwata should step down and make me the next president of Nintendo. (et al)
Post by: ryancoke on December 19, 2006, 02:47:25 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: cbeer
Finally, somebody else sees it.
The Two Worst Console Launches Ever?
http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=7711063&publicUserId=5519593
I think the fact that the Wii was the number 1 console launch in Europe's history is proof that Nintendo's launch was a huge success. The fact that Wiis are scarce makes them even more desirable to consumers.
Post by: Ceric on December 19, 2006, 03:10:16 AM
Post by: xanrastafari on December 19, 2006, 05:09:59 AM
Post by: Arbok on December 19, 2006, 05:56:55 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: cbeer
Exactly. So when this year ends and shows Nintendo shipped 2.2 million of their promised 4 million consoles, will it be a news story? Because they made it a news story every single time Reggie said they were on target for the four million. So is someone going to call them on it?
Probably not at all, because it's still more than the 360 or PS3 managed in their launches. I guess Nintendo's launch is therefore horrible for generating so much demand, regardless of having more products to sell in the same timeframe as competitors?
Honestly, your whole rant is based around the "but they promised 4 million!" aspect. Had Nintendo predicted 2 million instead, would it really have made a damn bit of difference as to the success of their launch? At this point, though, its clear that you are just here to whine, and I imagine you will continue to ignore points made against yours in some vein effort to stay "justified" in your own mind as to Nintendo's efforts here.
Post by: JonLeung on December 19, 2006, 06:12:42 AM
1. The following two statements are true.
Nothing is worse than the Virtual Boy.
Nothing is better than the Wii.
2. Now, take these statements and simplify them.
Nothing < Virtual Boy
Nothing > Wii
3. Now, we can turn around the first statement and still retain the truth.
Virtual Boy > Nothing
Nothing > Wii
4. cbeer probably thought this was a transitive function, and put it all together.
Virtual Boy > Nothing > Wii
5. Taking out the middleman, you're left with:
Virtual Boy > Wii
And therefore, since the Wii is worse than the Virtual Boy (according to this), it must be Nintendo's biggest failure.
The mistake is in step #4. There is actually more than one nothing. There must always be at least two nothings in any case like this.
Post by: Smash_Brother on December 19, 2006, 06:50:34 AM
The demand for the Wii far, far exceeded Nintendo's expectations. Would the Wii likely still be sold out even if it shipped 4 mil? Probably.
Post by: Pittbboi on December 19, 2006, 08:17:25 AM
Post by: nitsu niflheim on December 19, 2006, 08:22:24 AM
Post by: Kairon on December 19, 2006, 09:31:58 AM
... World of WarCraft. From Blizzard.
Absolute debacle of a launch that people are still talking about today. Even my club's game developer guest speaker had some stuff to say about it.
~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on December 19, 2006, 11:55:38 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Pittbboi
I can kind of see cbeer's point. Compared to what we were promised, the Wii's launch was borderline a joke. Only about half the promised amount of Wiis, dog poo for an online infrastructure, no component cables, shortage of extra wiimotes and nunchucks, and shortage of titles in some places. Honestly, the only reason the Wii's launch looked so good was because Xbox360 and PS3 launches were just so much worse. And while that's better than nothing, all this "better by comparison" crap needs to stop. Nintendo needs to make the Wii a worthwhile product on its on merit, and not just because it's doing slightly better than its competition.
Still one of the largest system launches in history, not to mention the Wii had around 3 games purchased with every system. That is not a failure, not even a borderline joke, it is a big success for Nintendo because it is the games that create a systems success not the other way around. By the end of this year there should be around 1 million consoles in people's hands in NA alone, and that is nothing to sneeze at. The Wii is already worthwhile on its own merits, just look at ebay and the amount of Wiis that have been on sale compared to PS3s, a much bigger percentage bought PS3s to sell while many bought the Wii to keep. Heck look at the prices, at the moment Wiis are selling for more profit than the PS3.
Post by: Mario on December 19, 2006, 01:23:24 PM
Post by: couchmonkey on December 20, 2006, 03:37:47 AM
However, the claim that this is some huge disaster or outrage is not well-taken. It's not good, but the overall launch is still more successful than 360 or PS3 (or GameCube or Xbox) in their respective launch periods.
Post by: D_MaN87 on December 20, 2006, 04:03:40 AM
Post by: couchmonkey on December 20, 2006, 07:08:09 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: D_MaN87
Well Nintendo might not make projections, but damn they had a worldwide launch to contend with. December still isnt finished yet as well. Fact is, although Nintendo might be below targets, they had a hellava launch. I walked by EB the other day and saw people in line waiting for the possibility of a wii shipment. Isn't the launch of a product supposed to gather peoples interest? If waiting for the POSSIBILITY of a shipment isn't interest in a new system then i dont know what is.
That's for sure, and I can't help but recall the PS2 launch when I hear stories like this. The hype for Wii seems pretty massive, and amazingly it seems to be growing instead of shrinking.
Post by: UERD on December 20, 2006, 07:13:20 AM
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on December 20, 2006, 11:03:53 AM
INTO A BLOODY PULP OF GROUND BEEF
First true worldwide system launch that mattered, evar.
Post by: couchmonkey on December 20, 2006, 01:38:28 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Professional 666
The fact that Australia received a formal Wii launch within one month of the first launch (North Amerika's) defeats this entire thread.
INTO A BLOODY PULP OF GROUND BEEF
First true worldwide system launch that mattered, evar.
QFT, Pro wins the thread. Everybody go home.
Post by: Smash_Brother on January 10, 2007, 03:07:09 PM
Typically, localization has always ensured that it goes the other way.
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on January 11, 2007, 06:15:25 AM
This can only mean good things, as games that debut in Japan can be brought over elsewhere sooner.
