Author Topic: Wii Sports: Potential gateway drug? (Read 9176 times)

NWR_pap64 · « **on:** September 15, 2006, 07:08:47 PM »

This is something I just thought about now...

Everyone's been whining, bitching and complaining about Nintendo's decision of bundling the game with the console, supposedly raising the price of the whole thing. One of the main reasons is that some gamers don't want a tech demo.

But thinking about it, I think Wii Sports has the potential of becoming a hit and convincing people that the Wii is the greatest thing in gaming since Pong was created.

Let's analyze a couple of points:
- It's a simple, honest to goodness game: let's look at the DS. What have been the biggest sellers? Simple games like Nintendogs, Animal Crossing and Brain Age. These games may be simple in gameplay and execution, but have a charm that people can't resist. They are very easy to get into and they provide hours upon hours of entertainment. Wii Sports has that charm to it. True, it may look like a tech demo gone wrong, but if gameplay delivers it will capture the hearts of people the same way the DS has done.

Red Steel has the potential of being a high caliber killer APP for the Wii, but isn't exactly the type of game you would introduce to people outside the gaming community. It is too dark and gritty and may even scare people off, especially with constant news about how crime games are affecting society. Zelda also has potential to be game of the year, but this is more of a fanboy game than a game you use to introduce people to the Wii.

Wii Sports on the other hand has a simple but cute presentation (complete with a face design feature), it is very approachable (sp?) and very easy to understand and play. Sometimes you need something simple in order to understand a behemoth. Hey, the first gaming sensation was Pong and it was a simple game, yet that small game started a successful industry.

- It has a theme that everyone can relate to: Even those that aren't avid sports fans (like me) enjoy going out and do some sports. Wii Sports will provide a slight simulation of that experience, and who knows, may even make it better for some.

- With it being bundled, it GUARANTEES that people will not miss it: With all the hype surrounding some of the launch titles (like Red Steel and Zelda), this small game had the potential of being over-shadowed due to its simplistic nature. But with the game being bundled people will take notice and finally play it and this sound crazy, but people might actually love it!

Remember people, the Wii is a drastic change in gaming. Nintendo shouldn't just mention it to the people. They basically need to shove it down our throats in order for the idea to be accepted. Bundling the Wii with the game might be an act of force towards the consumer, but it is one that needed to be done in order for the console to be accepted.

So yeah, it might be upsetting to some that the game is included, especially those that never wanted it, but if you think about it, Wii Sports may go from tech demo to potential APP that will sell many consoles and thus revolutionize the industry the same way the DS did.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:12:40 PM »

I think you are right, Wii sports is the one game that has potential to track in people from all different backgrounds. Heck I know when I get it I'm going to try and buy a couple controllers (yes, ouch) for my family, and I"m sure we'll have an amazing time with Wii sports.

SixthAngel · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:38:08 PM »

While some people may not agree with me I think that most people don't know what they want, but instead want what they know.

They would normally pass on something like this without realizing they would love it if they actually played it. Selling new ideas isn't easy especially in a gaming culture so full of "hardcore" attributes. Actually forcing customers to try something new is probably the best way to make them understand what they really want. This may sound a bit pompous but I stand by it.

RickPowers · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:46:32 PM »

I disagree, for one reason and one reason only ... you had to have had reason to buy the Wii in the first place. Bundling Wii Sports in makes it a great value, but there has to be something else that will make a non-gamer want to buy the machine and try it.

Of course, it could be that they're expecting that non-gamers will be exposed to Wii Sports through gamer friends, and hopefully that will get them hooked. But it's going to take Nintendogs Wii to really bring in the masses. In fact, I'm absolutely STUNNED that there hasn't been an announcement yet.

Kairon · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2006, 08:02:24 PM »

But that's exactly it Rick, isn't it? Playing = Believing. Nintendo believes that it can only catch casuals and nongamers if they start to play.

This is why they have a remote controller, this is why they have Wii Channels, this is why they have the game-esque Miis, and photo jigsaws, and doodling on photos etc. etc.

Likewise, they have to make sure that each Wii will come with a game that the "curious" can pick up and be drawn in by. Wii Sports isn't so much a gateway drug as it is a come-on to people who would usually walk right by a console and glance at it with nary a second thought.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2006, 08:02:53 PM »

Rick: But if you play the game at a friends house who has the Wii...or play it as a demo in the store...then you get addicted. It is easier to buy a single product which you can use out of the box. And if the game out of the box is the game you already know how to play and love then it is an easier purchase.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2006, 09:03:29 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: RickPowers
I disagree, for one reason and one reason only ... you had to have had reason to buy the Wii in the first place. Bundling Wii Sports in makes it a great value, but there has to be something else that will make a non-gamer want to buy the machine and try it.

Of course, it could be that they're expecting that non-gamers will be exposed to Wii Sports through gamer friends, and hopefully that will get them hooked. But it's going to take Nintendogs Wii to really bring in the masses. In fact, I'm absolutely STUNNED that there hasn't been an announcement yet.

Rick, this type of strategy did wonders for the DS.

I'm sure that even though Nintendo did its best to advertise games like Nintendogs, Animal crossing and Brain Age, I'm sure about 80% of the people that bought those games as well as the DS found out through gamers. We tend to know about these releases because we are always looking for info (whether it be through magazines or online), but casual gamers and non-gamers are busy doing something else. They usually find out about games through either relatives or friends. When you have a simple game they can enjoy they will be enticed to go further.

I've had friends who have no idea what a DS is, even going as far as to call it a "Gameboy". But once they play it, they become addicted and are forced to check out everything else available. And most importantly, they know its the DS, not the PSP or the Gameboy, it's the Dual screened DS. I'm sure New Super Mario Bros. and Final Fantasy III would've done well on their own, but thanks to the push by Brain Age and Nintendogs they have become smash hits. In other words, these blockbusters owe their success to the smaller, simpler games. And I have the feeling that games like SSBB, Metroid, Mario Galaxy and Wario will be successful because of Wii sports.

Once again, Nintendo made sure that Wii sports had a big presence at launch and because it has a presence and the game is solid enough it will just sell the idea behind the better much better had it been snuggled behind Zelda.

About the Nintendogs thing, I agree that considering this was the DS's biggest game ever they hadn't announced a game for the Wii (and I'm sure sooner or later they will). But thinking about it, Nintendo is always accused of milking their franchises dry. They are still doing it and hell, the biggest game at launch will be Zelda, but it also seems that they want to focus on other franchises (Rayman) and new franchises (Red Steel). Even the latest Wii trailer featured games dominated by third party franchises, with the occasional Nintendo game here and there. I think they want these franchises to grow their own legs, then move onto the tried and true.

SixthAngel · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2006, 09:08:08 PM »

At the risk of derailing this thread I thought that Doggy Island game was the succesor to Nintendogs. I know absolutely nothing about it except that dog is in the name so I jumped to a massive conclusion.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2006, 09:16:19 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: SixthAngel
At the risk of derailing this thread I thought that Doggy Island game was the succesor to Nintendogs. I know absolutely nothing about it except that dog is in the name so I jumped to a massive conclusion.

The name of that game was "The Dog: Dog island". I think it's based on that line of toys and merchandise featuring extermely close up shots of various dog breeds.

I don't think that game will be as hailed and popular as Nintendogs, but could very well be the game that will hold people in until the real deal is released.

odilon · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2006, 07:45:20 AM »

New Wii Sports videos!

The last video is very interesting...it would seem as though you can play with yourself.

Ceric · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2006, 08:01:47 AM »

That last video suggest you have more control of where the ball goes then I originally thought.

JonLeung · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2006, 08:03:32 AM »

I like the third video...Wii Boxing looks more fun than I thought it would be.

If they don't make Punch-Out!! for the Wii I may have to make Miis that look like Bald Bull, Mr. Sandman, and Super Macho Man.

Hostile Creation · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2006, 08:06:18 AM »

C'mon. It's just one game. It won't hurt anything.

JonLeung · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2006, 09:09:40 AM »

Have you guys seen this?

Subtract that one that's second from the right and replace it with boxing gloves and it's really trying to rip off Wii Sports.

I can just see someone accidentally chucking that bowling ball unit right through their TV.

EDIT: It sounds like it'll suck anyway if they really have to be plugged in via a USB cable.

Kairon · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2006, 10:14:24 AM »

Wii Sports is looking even more exciting than I anticipated! More Boxing vids plz!

Oh, and that wii-killer technology sounds great. They apparently had a prototype traditional style pad that you could break apart in half to act as freehand units.

Apparently, what this does is is uses ultrasonic sound instead of light, and the controllers have speakers placed strategically to detect their orientation and distance from the sound emitting ball, even without line of sight.

Now why didn't I think of that? I wonder how many times it can "click" though, how many times a second it detects the sound so it can recheck its location?

This is the first true Wii Killer Tech that I've seen...In my opinion, Nintendo should watch this tech very closely and competitively adopt it or even buy the company if competitors start to show an interest...

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2006, 11:43:33 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: RickPowers Of course, it could be that they're expecting that non-gamers will be exposed to Wii Sports through gamer friends, and hopefully that will get them hooked.

This is the plan, exactly.

The DS got more word of mouth press than anything (Nintendo doesn't advertise it THAT much) but the Wii can show people a video of regular people playing with it and the average joe should immediately understand what they're looking at.

IMO, the DS didn't have that kind of "see and comprehend" factor going for it.

couchmonkey · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2006, 11:46:31 AM »

That technology looks cool, but it is missing Nintendo's big advantage: a platform. These do nothing until you hook them up to something that plays games. Nintendo has an entire platform designed around the idea of appealing to a new generation of gamers and the Wii controller is just one component of that - granted, it's probably the most important component.

Let's say that this was picked up by Sony or Microsoft. Would they know how to market it? Would they be willing to completely change directions to market their entire platforms at the Wii audience instead of the PS2/Xbox audience? Heck no! That's why the PS3 controller tried to copy the Wiimote, but wound up being essentially inferior - Sony is scared of losing the audience it already has. Same for Microsoft.

Let's say that one of them had the guts to take this tech and re-market their consoles around it. How long would it take, and how far along will Nintendo's Wii strategy be by that time? Would they be able to create original software that doesn't just mimic the Wii phenomenon? In short, would they catch up with Wii, or just look like a behind-the-times copycat?

Ummm...all that said, this does sound like some really cool tech. I wish the developers luck in finding some partners to make use of it! I just don't believe in it as a "Wii killer".

Edit: Actually, maybe I could see Microsoft going after this...after all, MS hasn't exactly struck oil in the market yet, and I suspect that wily old Peter Moore sees Nintendo as more of a threat than other execs in the industry.

couchmonkey · « **Reply #17 on:** October 20, 2006, 12:02:57 PM »

Sorry for the string-post, but I just watched some videos.

It does seem to capture 3D motion nicely - the guy demonstrated by twirling a tennis racket. There's a definite lag, but the same is true for Nintendo. The game interfaces were not the best (disembodied floating bowling ball FTW!) but that could be fixed.

The biggest problem I noticed was that the sound emitter was awfully large (at least I assume it was the sound emitter). It looked about the size of two toasters side-by-side. Now my DDR mat is pretty big too, so maybe that's not such a big deal. Then again, I put my DDR mat away six months ago and never played it again because I don't feel like taking it out.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #18 on:** October 20, 2006, 12:23:56 PM »

GOOD GOD, that receiver unit is as big as a SATURN
That has no place in my gaming setup.

Oddly shaped controllers provide odd ergonomics for "pointing" motions. Does it make more sense to point at something with a contraption in the shape of a BANANA, or in the shape of a RAW PORK CHOP?

Then there's the deal with MULTIPLE devices. What a good way to segment your audience! Will the bowling ball be a popular device for playing Gears of War 2?! These guys are heavier, less convenient to package, and lack multi-functionality (VC games anyone). The split-controller looks feasible until you factor the idea of needing 2 separate power sources for each wing.

And people complained about $60 controller combos...

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #19 on:** October 24, 2006, 03:32:56 PM »

I have been reading the Wii development interviews and looking at the most recent movies of Wii Sports and a thought occured to me.

Wii Sports may not be the simple demo-estic games that we think/thought they are.

For example: Everyone thought Baseball would be a simple homerun contest period. Now we have learned that the game allows for pitching, and even keeps tabs of runners on the bases. So although the action of the game is still centered around the Pitcher vs. the Batter. Instead of striving just for homeruns you are looking for good base hits, bunts to score runner in, open places in the outfield to hit the ball. Basically the game becomes a pretty deep simulation of the batting/pitcher aspect of Baseball...which is basically the centeral aspect of Baseball.

Boxing seems to be have been refined by punishing flailing punches by causing fatigue, and creating slowdown which leaves you open against your opponent. Who knows what else might be added. Basically, the combat is being fleshed out and balanced, and depending on how far they go, the experience could be quite deep.

Tennis has an added single player mini game for aiming practice, and who knows if that is the only minigame available for Tennis.

Bowling is already simple and pretty deep for a bowling experience, but I think it would be cool to have Bowl Weight selection that affects curve and speed when you roll...and I don't think that is farfetched to imagine being in the game.

Finally Golf, We have no idea of many courses will be available to play. If we get 2 but more like 3 courses then we have a pretty varied Golf experience. And Wind may be incorporated into the final product as well.

Basically, Nintendo is keeping the games simple in nature, but fleshing them out to be entertaining, and depending how deep or varied the games ultimately become determines even more value as a free pack in, and a "gateway drug" for the Wii.

SixthAngel · « **Reply #20 on:** October 24, 2006, 04:44:00 PM »

I think you are right on the money Spak. In fact I think if any of these games had a franchise mode added it could be sold as a full game seperate from the other 4.

Ceric · « **Reply #21 on:** October 24, 2006, 05:01:33 PM »

Online League play.

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #22 on:** October 24, 2006, 05:46:32 PM »

I would not want franchise modes. The games still need to be simple, and engaging with cluttering the interface with unneeded details.

I think online play would have been nice with a few of the games...but perhaps that would be great to add to Wii Sports 2.

Nick DiMola · « **Reply #23 on:** October 25, 2006, 05:08:53 AM »

Personally I am very excited for Wii Sports. Everyone has knocked it as some big waste of time, but I was planning on buying it even if it wasn't included in the Wii package. When I was a kid, me and my dad used to play Baseball for the NES, since then the only game he has played was Ocarina of Time and just the fishing mini-game. I think he would actually step up and play any of these games, which is huge. If Nintendo can enlist people like my dad for the Wii, they can get anyone with something like WiiSports.

JonLeung · « **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2006, 05:44:58 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Mr. Jack
Personally I am very excited for Wii Sports. Everyone has knocked it as some big waste of time, but I was planning on buying it even if it wasn't included in the Wii package. When I was a kid, me and my dad used to play Baseball for the NES, since then the only game he has played was Ocarina of Time and just the fishing mini-game. I think he would actually step up and play any of these games, which is huge. If Nintendo can enlist people like my dad for the Wii, they can get anyone with something like WiiSports.

That's funny, because other than games like Dr. Mario, Tetris, that kind of thing, my dad also really only liked the fishing part of Ocarina Of Time. I was impressed that he learned how to load up my save file, pull out the ocarina, and he memorized the tune to warp to Lake Hylia and get to the fishing pond from there.

He'll play a fighting game for kicks like once a year just by mashing buttons, since he figures all buttons do some kind of attack, but he really doesn't know what he's doing. Now, being a badminton addict, and also likes to watch tennis on TV or when me and my brother play Mario Tennis, he's kind of interested in Wii Sports Tennis. (And he was gawking at the girl playing it on the Wii Experience video... >_>) He'll definitely also like the fishing in Twilight Princess.

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Author Topic: Wii Sports: Potential gateway drug? (Read 9176 times)