Sales are not looking great for the console.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33351
The Wii U sold about 57,000 units in January, according to figures obtained by CNET.
Initial NPD estimates had the system selling under 100,000 units, while Gamasutra had predicted sales in the range of 45,000 to 59,000 units.
An accompanying comparison of sales history posted on Gamasutra shows that in comparison to the sales of other consoles in the first three months, the Wii U is still slightly higher than both the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, though well below both the Wii and the previous generation of consoles.
As long as its tracking w/ the 360 & PS3 that's fine the games aren't their yet.
They're not going to play the Ambassador card again, you'll take the 10% DDP and 30 cent VC games and like it. That would be setting a horrible precedent for every console to come.
Will there be a price drop? Yes, probably in the summer. But not 5 months after launch and not with 20 free games.
Things will get better. That much I'm sure of but how long it will it take is another matter. More games and better advertising when they do decide to advertise will be key. E3 is likely to be a relaunch of the system and I hope it works.
I have to wonder why your so hateful and like a DmC fan there
I have to wonder why your so hateful and like a DmC fan there
Dude, the ones being like the Devil May Cry fans are the Nintendo ones who are currently saying they hope the PS4/720 flop at launch like the Wii U has simply so they don't have to admit that they made a mistake and Nintendo ****-up with the thing.
I look forward to the Wii U Ambassador program because I missed the 3DS one & Nintendo has made it clear that we'll probably never actually see those games on the 3DS. Plus, people here just love to point out how everyone called the 3DS a failure in its first year, and it's recovered. Guess what Nintendo had to do to make the 3DS relevant? Oh right...an Ambassador program and major price drop. You can't keep using the 3DS as an example as why the Wii U isn't doomed if Nintendo doesn't take the steps to save the Wii U as they did the 3DS.
So Broodwars, did you buy a Wii U simply so you could run into forums saying "oh my god Wii U is such a piece of crap, I know because I own one, that means my opinion carries real weight!" hm? Why do you frequent these forums? I mean seriously why? Why do you own a Wii U, is it not everything you said it would be?
Only person who really has an agenda around here is you
Can't wait til you get Disney'd
With the Wii U having only been out for a day shy of four months, it's really too early for any of this conversation. When we get the sales figures this time next year, after all the highly-anticipated games have been released and had time to circulate the market, we will then know enough to have an informed discussion about the health of the system. But not until then.
So Broodwars, did you buy a Wii U simply so you could run into forums saying "oh my god Wii U is such a piece of crap, I know because I own one, that means my opinion carries real weight!" hm? Why do you frequent these forums? I mean seriously why? Why do you own a Wii U, is it not everything you said it would be?
Actually, I bought my Wii U to troll the forums, an effort that didn't seem altogether effective. :P: Seriously, though, I had high hopes for ZombiU and Rayman Legends, and Nintendo was talking a good game in the run-up to the Wii U launch. I wanted to see Nintendo make good on their word and have some big games in their first year marketed towards our interests. In case certain folks like those on RFN were actually right about the market running towards Nintendo to get away from skyrocketing costs, I wanted to have the console they were running to. I hate having big games I'm interested in get announced for devices I don't own, and Nintendo does still produce exclusive games I care about on occasion.
A large part of why I bought my Wii U when I did was because I thought Nintendo was really going to milk its GameCube catalog on the Wii U Virtual Console so I figured with the DPP program I would probably see some healthy return on that initial investment in the Deluxe model (little did I know Nintendo's big "plan" for the VC was to spend half the year trickling out a portion of its previous VC library). And hey, there is just something exciting about being there at the start of a console launch, something I'd never done before. Times were also pretty good for me around the time the Wii U came out, and these days with the podcast being as it is I felt I needed a Wii U if I were going to talk about it.
As for why I frequent these forums, that's really none of your damn business. And given that I rarely post on the forums anymore outside of Talkback, I think you can just deal with that.QuoteOnly person who really has an agenda around here is you
I have no agenda around here, pal. I'm just a guy who likes to play video games more than could be considered healthy (regardless of platform), and as I'm particularly insane I also like to talk about those experiences from time to time. However, I am no company's fanboy or cheerleader, and I will criticize whenever, wherever, and to whoever I feel deserves it. I'm sorry if you take so much issue with that. Nintendo launched the Wii U seemingly without any kind of plan, so they get criticized.QuoteCan't wait til you get Disney'd
I have no idea what you mean by that.
I think we will see the first major upswing when Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate hits. It needs heavy promotion in NA and EU.Sadly it won't get it though. This, Lego City Undercover, and Need for Speed. EA will not push their own games on Nintendo hardware. They've already written off the Wii U as not being apart of their upcoming plans. The only reason Need for Speed even seems to have so much effort surrounding it I believe is because Criterion actually cares about what their name is attached to.
I still hold by what I said earlier. These sales are more indicative of a trend more then anything else. To some extent the DS had it. The 3DS had it. PS3 had it. 360 Had it. Wii is the exception to prove the rule.
We know the problem is Software. Plain and simple.
A little bit of Cost as well and Software will get around that.
The Durango and Orbis are going to run into this too. Big initial launch period but, then it will slow down. It will probably be worse for those 2 because the 360 and PS3 are pretty capable machines and will probably be getting the big titles like the PS2 did. Not to mention, if the hardware isn't sold for a large lost, will be more expensive. And if the rumored architecture is true BC is a non-starter. All this makes a higher barrier of entry. Despite that I believe the numbers we'll see here in the States are going to look relatively better but, not really that great. Now in Fall when the releases really get kicked into gear we will see a pickup. It really depends on if developers start seriously dropping the PS360 but, I'm not sure that will be the case.
I do think Sony might have an edge here over the others. Even though BC is a non-starter, I could see them pulling what they do w/ Vita. Buy one version that lets you get them all across the consoles. So you buy the PS4 version and you get the PS3 version to play on your current hardware. Once you get a large enough collection moving over isn't nearly as daunting. Not to mention PS Plus. In fact Sony may just make PS Plus free during the "Launch Window" to supplement till real games tailored for the system comes out. I think that would put them in a good position to keep at least a little momentum. I also think they will continue to sell the PS3 for a while. It is still one of the best Blu-Ray players on the market.
Now I be interested to see how Microsoft kills off the 360. I expect them to have an aggressive time table to kill off features of Live. They want people to move over. I expect them to require companies to port there games to the new system to launch when they launch on the 360. Which them being able to strong-arm like that is an advantage. Though that may have a potential to back fire. I just don't really see it doing so. Eventually Microsoft will find a way to raise the bar to get onto the 360 effectively forcing developers to move over. To tell you the honest truth I'm not expecting much more then 360 PC version of games on the system for the first year.
I do expect both Sony and Microsoft to have their showcase titles at launch unlike Nintendo, Pikmin 3 should have been launch. I'm expecting at least 1 of them from both Sony and Microsoft to be their Wind Waker HD. At least for the first year I can't believe that either of those systems won't be a hard sale. Especially if they take this opportunity to raise the prices of Software.
As for Lego City. Well these days Nintendo won't even push their premier IPs. They won't and haven't even advertise for the Wii U system itself or Nintendo Land/NSMBU.
...But if you must talk price, remember PS4 and Durango are going to be $600 each. Wii U will be the cheap option come the holiday season. So relax on the price. It's not coming down. It's going to be the bargain.
...
Go play some Wii games, 95% of you missed a ton of great games on the system for various reasons. You can find those games for cheap now. So go play them.
...That's not a bad possibility. A handheld that acts like a Console. I've said as much on NFR before. Especially if they can get Wireless HDMI working well.
Would they just go with handhelds?
QuoteAs for Lego City. Well these days Nintendo won't even push their premier IPs. They won't and haven't even advertise for the Wii U system itself or Nintendo Land/NSMBU.
Wait is this true? Have they done that little advertising in the States? I was under the impression they had a decent amount of advertising airtime, just that the advertising itself was not decent, if ya get my drift.
They could just take the Wii U tech and reverse it. Instead of streaming from the console to the handheld, stream from the handheld to a receiver that connects to the TV.That would be mostly likely except it would need to support a higher resolution, varied resolutions, and more then likely find a way to run off the current an HDMI port provides. It could be a set top box deal but it wouldn't be as elegant. Higher Resolution = More Bandwidth. That all being said I believe that the next "Console" from Nintendo is going to be done in this way.
I've seen more Wii U commercials then Vita. That's not saying much.QuoteAs for Lego City. Well these days Nintendo won't even push their premier IPs. They won't and haven't even advertise for the Wii U system itself or Nintendo Land/NSMBU.
Wait is this true? Have they done that little advertising in the States? I was under the impression they had a decent amount of advertising airtime, just that the advertising itself was not decent, if ya get my drift.
There were commercials when the system first launched and yes they were bad. After that there has been nothing at all from what I can tell and what others have also experienced.
Which is why I'm not surprised at the numbers.
While the numbers are abysmal, they aren't surprising.
What is surprising is Nintendo's not learning from their mistakes. The Wii's launch was pretty piss poor, all things consider. Even further back, the DS's launch was also really very shitty. And don't get me started on the 3DS.
Nintendo has said point blank that they are working on these mistakes, but you wouldn't know unless they told you.
...That's not a bad possibility. A handheld that acts like a Console. I've said as much on NFR before. Especially if they can get Wireless HDMI working well.
Would they just go with handhelds?
I think this chart puts things in perspective:
(http://www.gonintendo.com/content/uploads/images/2013_2/three-month-console-totals-v2.png)
Now I'm not trying to say it's selling well right now, but looking at other systems on that chart, this certainly isn't doom and gloom time for the Wii U.
Optimus, I remember seeing a buttload of Xbox 360s in that 3 months launch period. Hardly supply constrained. I recall some media outlets saying it was, but every store I went to had plenty.
You also have to take into account that every single one of those consoles on thier except Wii U where launch Pre-Financial Crisis. I think being even in the running on that chart is amazing in its own.
Honestly the "Supply Constraint" and "Stupid Price" arguments don't tread water. Are those going to be used next month when they track similar? How about March when we see a bump in Wii U being sold because their is actually new software being released?
February is going to have "bad" numbers. Why? Because thier is NOTHING new on the system. The fact that if the numbers break into 30,000 that be pretty good. Now March on the other hand has some games. 2 of which are Exclusive to the system. People will jump in at that point and will see an uptick.
Five-Hundred Ninety-Nine US Dollars (http://youtu.be/pJElsNaC6yQ).Yes, that video is gold.
BTW, y'all watched the video, right? Man I love that video.
Demand for a PS2 successor was there ...I think the idea that people want to buy a new console is flat out wrong. I cannot think of a single system that sold well without a strong selling library. Consumer demand for hardware exists only because consumer demand for more games exists. There wasn't pessimism about a new PS console--people were actually excited about it--but that shouldn't be mistaken for demand (much like the 3ds).
Wii U doesn't have the most expensive games. Their the same cost as the 360, PS3, and PC. By default any new hardware is going to be more expensive then 6-7 year old Hardware.What's being priced higher than Wii U games? Nothing I can think of--hence most expensive games. newest=pricier is simply untrue. The idea that Nintendo had to have the most expensive console currently on the market is just wrong. The Wii U could have been anything else and priced accordingly, for the economic situation--instead, Nintendo went a different way and their sales reflect that.
Back to if you can't afford a $350 console you need to take a hard look at your financials and identify where your money is going and if this is more important. The price point is not the barrier here. Its the lack of games and general hardware problems. Period.
Wii U games are priced the same way as 360 and PS3 games. To be the "Most Expensive Games" they would need to cost MORE not THE SAME on average as the 360 and PS3 games.Wii U doesn't have the most expensive games. Their the same cost as the 360, PS3, and PC. By default any new hardware is going to be more expensive then 6-7 year old Hardware.What's being priced higher than Wii U games? Nothing I can think of--hence most expensive games. newest=pricier is simply untrue. The idea that Nintendo had to have the most expensive console currently on the market is just wrong. The Wii U could have been anything else and priced accordingly, for the economic situation--instead, Nintendo went a different way and their sales reflect that.
Back to if you can't afford a $350 console you need to take a hard look at your financials and identify where your money is going and if this is more important. The price point is not the barrier here. Its the lack of games and general hardware problems. Period.
I doubt anyone would argue that $350 is unaffordable to anyone used to paying for their own videogames. The problem with the price tag is that the Wii U isn't worth $350 to most people. It's not even worth $300 to most people. The value of the system has to increase before it stops looking over-priced.
marty, you are just wrong.where did i write about anything that you are replying to? certainly not in this thread.
First, look at the Xbox 360. When it launched it was by far the most expensive system (it was at least $100 more than the next most expensive console and games were $10 more than any other system), but it still sold really well. It's delusional to think a new system should be the same price or less than 6/7 year old systems. And game prices are not gonna go down, on any platform. At most you can expect game prices to stay the same. It's silly and unrealistic to think the console was gonna be the same price or less than Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, and Nintendo doesn't control how much third party publishers charge for games. So you are wrong.
Calm down, children.No, I want a Cookie.
Nap time, little one.Calm down, children.No, I want a Cookie.
I'm glad you are right in your hypothetical world. Congratulations.marty, you are just wrong.where did i write about anything that you are replying to? certainly not in this thread.
First, look at the Xbox 360. When it launched it was by far the most expensive system (it was at least $100 more than the next most expensive console and games were $10 more than any other system), but it still sold really well. It's delusional to think a new system should be the same price or less than 6/7 year old systems. And game prices are not gonna go down, on any platform. At most you can expect game prices to stay the same. It's silly and unrealistic to think the console was gonna be the same price or less than Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, and Nintendo doesn't control how much third party publishers charge for games. So you are wrong.
I'm not wrong. Nintendo could have made any console and priced it however they wanted. This is 100% RIGHT. THere is zero wrong with that statement. Nintendo didn't have to make the Wii U. THis is again, 100% right. Nintendo didn't have to release the Wii U. This is 100% right. I'm saying the depression/recession is not a new factor that surprised Nintendo so it shouldn't be used as an excuse of why the Wii U isn't selling.
Heckled by the illiterates. oh well.
+1Heckled by the illiterates. oh well.
Life pro tip: In a debate, it's a good idea not to insult the intelligence of the opposing side, since it makes you look like a complete asshole.
again? I suggest reading. I'm not insulting anyone. I'm merely observing the fact that reading comprehension is a skill that is sorely underdeveloped here. It's concerning, really, that I can write a 100% true statement like the Wii U is selling the most expensive software and people here deny it and take offense to that 100% true statement.Heckled by the illiterates. oh well.
Life pro tip: In a debate, it's a good idea not to insult the intelligence of the opposing side, since it makes you look like a complete asshole.
And by the way, they can't price it whatever they want. They are a business, designed to make money. They want a profit, they deserve it. It's called capatalism, it's what our world is funded by. Get the **** over it. And you honestly believe that a completely new system, not produced in the most efficeint way possible yet (considering it IS a new system) shou;d be sold equal to or less than systems that have been out for a very long time and have had time to streamline production? Come on, dude.
again? I suggest reading. I'm not insulting anyone. I'm merely observing the fact that reading comprehension is a skill that is sorely underdeveloped here. It's concerning, really, that I can write a 100% true statement like the Wii U is selling the most expensive software and people here deny it and take offense to that 100% true statement.Heckled by the illiterates. oh well.
Life pro tip: In a debate, it's a good idea not to insult the intelligence of the opposing side, since it makes you look like a complete asshole.
And by the way, they can't price it whatever they want. They are a business, designed to make money. They want a profit, they deserve it. It's called capatalism, it's what our world is funded by. Get the **** over it. And you honestly believe that a completely new system, not produced in the most efficeint way possible yet (considering it IS a new system) shou;d be sold equal to or less than systems that have been out for a very long time and have had time to streamline production? Come on, dude.
Your little rant is cute and makes me realize that not only can you not read very well, you actually have no understanding of business or capitalism. You seem like a very angry, very ignorant person. Maybe you should "pro life tip" yourself some humility and decency before you accuse me of being an asshole, dude.
again? I suggest reading. I'm not insulting anyone. I'm merely observing the fact that reading comprehension is a skill that is sorely underdeveloped here. It's concerning, really, that I can write a 100% true statement like the Wii U is selling the most expensive software and people here deny it and take offense to that 100% true statement.Heckled by the illiterates. oh well.
Life pro tip: In a debate, it's a good idea not to insult the intelligence of the opposing side, since it makes you look like a complete asshole.
And by the way, they can't price it whatever they want. They are a business, designed to make money. They want a profit, they deserve it. It's called capatalism, it's what our world is funded by. Get the **** over it. And you honestly believe that a completely new system, not produced in the most efficeint way possible yet (considering it IS a new system) shou;d be sold equal to or less than systems that have been out for a very long time and have had time to streamline production? Come on, dude.
Your little rant is cute and makes me realize that not only can you not read very well, you actually have no understanding of business or capitalism. You seem like a very angry, very ignorant person. Maybe you should "pro life tip" yourself some humility and decency before you accuse me of being an asshole, dude.
If you don't think calling people illiterate is insulting them, you're the one who's ignorant. Cut out the personal insults.I'm not being ignorant, I'm pointing out illiteracy where I see it. Feel free to disagree with my harsh, but ultimately accurate assessment. It's not insulting to say that some people here can't respond in any sort of coherent, measured, or rational fashion--it's obviously true.
Dare I ask: how is stating that the Wii U is the most expensive console with the most expensive games misleading while being "technically accurate"? What point am I trying to mislead people to?
I stated that economic factors were already established when the Wii U launched so it shouldn't be cited as a reason the system isn't selling more. I don't know how this became such a controversial idea when many other people in the thread seemed to agree with the overall point, before I said any of my "technically accurate" statements (also know as facts).
I don't really care what you think about my behavior. I wrote a general dismissive quip to a few people being hostile and ignorant. If I came out of the gate with the attitude that ceric, tj, oblivion, or louie have, I could see you being upset. I didn't. My initial post and responses are far more civil than anything they've written in response to me by a wide margin.
Dare I ask: how is stating that the Wii U is the most expensive console with the most expensive games misleading while being "technically accurate"? What point am I trying to mislead people to?
I stated that economic factors were already established when the Wii U launched so it shouldn't be cited as a reason the system isn't selling more. I don't know how this became such a controversial idea when many other people in the thread seemed to agree with the overall point, before I said any of my "technically accurate" statements (also know as facts).
I don't really care what you think about my behavior. I wrote a general dismissive quip to a few people being hostile and ignorant. If I came out of the gate with the attitude that ceric, tj, oblivion, or louie have, I could see you being upset. I didn't. My initial post and responses are far more civil than anything they've written in response to me by a wide margin.
I don't understand how the fact that we knew the economy was bad before the system came out somehow means it can't have been the factor in how it's sold so far. The Wii U technically has the most expensive games, in the sense that no one prices them higher, but they are the same as every other non-handheld platform. You're also technically right that no one put a gun to Nintendo's collective heads and forced them to make the system they did, but they didn't have much practical choice but to do what they did, except maybe to design something more expensive.IN your last statement, you say that the Nintendo could have made the Wii U or a more expensive console. I don't agree with that statement and, after the success of the Wii, which had less expensive games and was a less expensive console, a cheaper system should definitely have been something worth considering (and perhaps pursuing) given the known economic situation. I think it's far more honest to say that Wii U games have to compete with handheld games/smart device games/netflix/life and the time investment/consumer dollars for those things than it is to say that the Wii U is only in competition with PS3 and XB360--Nintendo has even stated this, too (a few times in the last couple of years, actually). So to say that the Wii U has the most expensive games is not only "technically accurate" it also speaks more truthfully to the real-life economic environment that the Wii U exists in. It's far less meaningful to say that the Wii U games cost the same as *whatever very small segment of the market*--I'd say that looking at things only from THAT vantage IS misleading.
Riiiiidge Racerr! (http://youtu.be/pJElsNaC6yQ)
It's Ridge Racer!!
