http://blogs.Forbes.com/benzingainsights/2011/06/08/did-nintendo-just-screw-up-the-launch-of-wii-u/Please go and read -- or even glance -- at that article before reading my post. This is a rant against Forbes which will not make sense, unless you read or at least know what that article is talking about.
Anyway, Forbes believes that Nintendo "screwed" up the E3 Press Conference for several reasons. The one that really struck me as odd is that since the conference was invite-only, you could not just go and experience the Wii-U for yourself. That, to me, means the guy clearly didn't understand what E3 is all about. It's not something anyone can walk into -- you have to be in the Press to get in.
Another point, however, was that it was not clear if the Wii-U was a new console, or a new add on to the Wii. I believe everyone at the Press conference knew it was a new console, and every gamer new Nintendo was going to announce a new console at E3. They don't need to spoon feed people and say "This is the new console, this is a controller for said console." We're not idiots, people, and I am sure Forbes is not either. I can see, however, a casual gamer getting confused assuming they were paying attention to a E3. But I dare you to go to your parents who bought a Wii because it's fun and ask them what is a Wii-U, or even E3. They'll scratch their heads and say, "Wii-U? Whats that? E3 who? What is that?" They don't listen to that, they don't care what Nintendo announced today. More then likely, they wont buy the Wii-U next year, either. And Nintendo knows this, as well. So why should Nintendo cater to an audience who is not an audience of E3?
Now they did mention some good points. Mainly, where are the games? This worries me, truly does. Nintendo has to know that the casual audience will buy the Wii-U casually. Look at the Blu-Ray market. Most people did not go out and buy a Blu-Ray player right away, it was a slow process over the years people began to accept it and even prefer it over a regular DVD. Hardcore techies and movie lovers went out and bought one right away. I would have spent $200 dollars on one, assuming I had an HDTV five years ago, but I didn't. I did go out and buy a Blu-Ray with my new HDTV last year, however, because I am just one of those people. My dad still hasn't and probably wont because it's not that important to him -- and I am sure he isn't the only person like that. My point is, the casual gamer market will eventually purchase a Wii-U. As games come out that they want to play -- and they see how fun the experiences can be on the Wii-U -- they'll fork up $200-$299 for it (hopefully it is somewhere in that price range). But the console will fail if Nintendo exclusively caters to that audience alone, and not to the hardcore. That's why they focused on third party games coming out -- why Ubisoft announced Assassins Creed and that they are working on two original games for the Wii-U. They want the hardcore gamer to see the potential, and they want them to want the new Wii-U. And I actually think E3 2011 for Nintendo was good marketing, and good for what they were trying to do.
Am I alone in thinking this?
Topic: Time to buy those Nintendo Stocks!!! (Read 11806 times)
