Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata says the Wii is here to stay for the time being.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/25524
Even though sales of the Wii continue to decline as it heads into its fifth year on the market, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata has, once again, told Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun that the Wii is here to stay.
During the interview, Iwata remarked, "It's just four years since release. It's selling over 7 million units a year in North America, so we don't think it's at the limit. We'll make decisions about a successor system at the time when software developers cannot offer surprises [on the Wii]."
Iwata also went on to talk about Nintendo’s plans for video downloads. “The 3DS will be the first 3D video playback device to reach major penetration," said Iwata. "We've had many proposals from the film, music and such industries. We're looking into distributing Hollywood trailers and movies, along with things like 3D reference software."
Exactly. Perm gets it. If the market isn't forcing you to show your hand, then don't. Wait until you are ready and have methodically planned your release strategy. Make sure it comes out swinging.
We'll make decisions about a successor system at the time when software developers cannot offer surprises [on the Wii].
Well, 3rd parties seem to be abandoning the Wii increasingly quickly. Nintendo can keep the Wii going as long as it wants, but 1st party software (what little we know of actually existing) alone isn't going to keep the Wii relevant for years to come. I think Nintendo pretty much has to announce a new Wii console for next year, just out of the practicality of not having software that will move hardware.
QuoteWell, 3rd parties seem to be abandoning the Wii increasingly quickly. Nintendo can keep the Wii going as long as it wants, but 1st party software (what little we know of actually existing) alone isn't going to keep the Wii relevant for years to come. I think Nintendo pretty much has to announce a new Wii console for next year, just out of the practicality of not having software that will move hardware.
Well I think it all depends on the market. The Wii has never had anything resembling decent third party support but that did not prevent it from being a runaway success. If we're talking the core market the Wii has been irrelevant for years. If you're a core gamer you either bought a Wii a couple years back or you're not buying one ever. With the way things are the system just wouldn't grab your interest unless you're a big Zelda fan but NOT a general Nintendo one.
With the casuals third party support never mattered so as long as Nintendo can pump out the annual Wii Series release to keep them interested, they're fine. How well did Wii Party do? Is that momentum still there?
But who does Nintendo want to sell systems to: casuals, core gamers or both? If they want both then they've got to step up and release a system that doesn't shoot itself in the foot regarding third party support by being too underpowered to allow for multiplatform releases. If they're fine with just being the casual company then they've got some more years left.
But the 3DS suggests that they're not cool with being just the casual company. It's an impressive piece of technology and Nintendo talked about how they want it to have better third party support and not just be for women and grandmas and such, like they felt the DS was associated with. They seem to want the 3DS to be "taken seriously" while also selling with casuals.
If they want the same for their console they need something new. The Wii's image is set in stone. Zelda isn't going to overhaul it. They need a fresh start if they want the same market and image they're going for with the 3DS on the console front.
Are you saying that the name "Super Nintendo" is more creative than "PlayStation 2"?
Bottom line = Sony sucks, and the name "Playstation" makes me think of one of those kiddie play prisons.
But who does Nintendo want to sell systems to: casuals, core gamers or both?
I think that Nintendo's true challenge isn't to reclaim their loyalists, but to transform as much as this new casual market into new Nintendo loyalists, while making the system still accessible to the casual crowd.
And there is, of course, no need to explain why the term "Wii" was an exceptionally dumb system name (it's been the obvious joke about the system before it even launched).
I think the name should reflect the direction Nintendo wants to go with the console. "Super Nintendo Entertainment System" was a good name because it clearly continued the legacy of the "Nintendo Entertainment System". Same with all the Game Boys and the DS becoming the 3DS. You associate the name with a certain style and identity.
The Wii was just too different from the Gamecube to use the same sort of naming convention. Not just because the Cube wasn't very successful but because the Wii was a totally different type of videogame console. If they want to continue with the same identity next gen then they should use the Wii naming convention. But if they want to do something different they should go with something else.
The "Playstation" brand has a pretty clear identity. It makes sense for them to go with the naming convention that they did.
However does the blue ocean group have any brand loyalty to "Nintendo" or merely to "Wii"? If Nintendo doesn't continue with that naming convention can they continue to use the Wii Series or the Miis?
However does the blue ocean group have any brand loyalty to "Nintendo" or merely to "Wii"?