Topic: The Unending Viral Chain?

[Requiem]

True, but if Nintendo hadn't released those games within the time that they had, they're wouldn't have been this huge aura of hype surrounding the system now.

Look, I feel you guys think I'm playing devil's advocate, but that's not it at all. I am astonished by how much of a killer app Wiisports has become, but all I'm saying is Nintendo needs to release more games like that (ones that show the true potential of the console) in order to keep up the hype and thoroughly dominate the market. Otherwise, people will quickly become bored of what is seemingly a "demo." I mean, you guys don't really think that when summer comes around your going to have the same excitement for the Wii as you do now, even with Wiisports in tow, do you? However, if Nintendo were to release Mario Tennis this summer, you couldn't wait to play your Wii again.

And that right there is ALL THAT I AM TRYING TO SAY.

[Kairon]

I don't think anyone was thinking that Requiem. I myself am pondering about a possible Non-Game Drought. Wii Motor Sports and Wii Music STILL have no release date in sight. I WANT TO CONDUCT AN ORCHESTRA DNQADHWUDHWHDWHDWUHFOWUHIUWD!!!!

...

Luckily, non-gamers who picked up Wii Sports have several options in the pipe. They can go the expected route to Wii Play, or they can jive with Wario Ware in Janvier. They've got Cooking Mama in February, and Big Brain Academy Wii is looking at a Summer 2007 launch. That's off the top of my head, I wonder if any other games will step up to serve the non-game demand?

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[Smash_Brother]

Quote
Originally posted by: Requiem Look, I feel you guys think I'm playing devil's advocate, but that's not it at all. I am astonished by how much of a killer app Wiisports has become, but all I'm saying is Nintendo needs to release more games like that (ones that show the true potential of the console) in order to keep up the hype and thoroughly dominate the market. Otherwise, people will quickly become bored of what is seemingly a "demo." I mean, you guys don't really think that when summer comes around your going to have the same excitement for the Wii as you do now, even with Wiisports in tow, do you? However, if Nintendo were to release Mario Tennis this summer, you couldn't wait to play your Wii again.

I know perfectly well you're not playing DA here: you're making a logical argument based on the conclusions you've drawn from time-tested trends in gaming and platform longevity.

I know that because I was making the same argument until the DS suddenly reared its market-disrupting head and called all bets off.

My only point is that I predict Wiis will continue to sell at an alarming rate due to the mass-appeal of the bundled software, Wii Sports.

I know what you're saying about future games and longevity, but the thing is, at the time of being SHOWN Wii Sports, it's going to be new and impressive for everyone who plays it, even after the Wii has been on the market for years, hence why I strongly believe the Wii will continue to snake its way from one household to the next without any real sign of stopping.

I'm sure the Wii will have an impressive plethora of games, of course, but I don't think the future or present library of the Wii will aid in selling the console to the blue ocean sector which Nintendo captures more and more of each day: these are simple, non-technological folk, the same folk who wouldn't have given two sh*ts about the Gamecube and certainly won't give a crap about the PS3 or 360. These are aunts, uncles, grandparents...people who might not even understand that the Wii HAS other games, but that doesn't matter because they see it, play it, and want it for themselves and their loved ones.

That's why I don't think the future software will matter for the viral effect to continue.

I'm sure it'll be there, but the Wii's appeal is universal enough that I don't think additional games will matter once people have really sunk their teeth into Wii Sports.

To date, I have yet to have anyone ask me "What other games does it have?". I know it defies logic from a gamer's perspective, but the Wii just doesn't need the help to keep selling to the non-gamer.

[kiniki]

I opened mine on Christmas Day.

The family had heard of it but really showed little interest. After convincing them to have a go, myself, parents and Grandparents were playing Wii Sports for about 4 hours.

My 70 year old Grandfather has actually been entertaining thoughts of getting one for the bowling alone. Whilst that is a pretty expensive purchase for just 1 game it shows how much of an effect this new system has on Gamers and non gamers alike.

[couchmonkey]

I find this discussion on software very interesting.  I do think it needs more than just WiiSports, but I think WiiSports alone might keep it going for a long time.  Requiem calls it a "demo", but the thing to keep in mind is that the new consumers don't look at it that way.  Hardcore gamers think of it as a demo because we expect 20+ hours of single player gameplay, plus slick presentation, plus controls that have a lot of depth (to the point where a lot of us were afraid that the Wiimote didn't have enough buttons).  Non-gamers don't have those same expectations.  My dad would rather spend $50 on Dr. Mario than Zelda.

However, in Requiem's favour, I feel some non-sports games (like WiiMusic) could draw in even more new crowds.  Furthermore, getting 20 million new users who only play one game each isn't as good as 20 million who play three games each.  If Nintendo never convinces these people to buy more than one game, the market could crash.  Luckily, getting 20 million new customers draws in third parties, and in turn, the more traditional customers who buy tons of games. How many Square Enix fans are suddenly considering DS right now?

Still, enticing these new customers to buy more software is a challenge that Nintendo should try to take on, because it could equal massive new game sales and a stronger industry in general.  I think Nintendo is up to the task.  I have feeling there are several more WiiSports-like games in development, and looking at DS, Nintendo keeps on trying new things there to sell more software.  Nintendo wants this new market.

Personally, I've got about three people considering buying one, out of maybe 12 that I've shown Wii to.  I'm pretty sure at least one will buy.

[Smash_Brother]

Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey However, in Requiem's favour, I feel some non-sports games (like WiiMusic) could draw in even more new crowds.  Furthermore, getting 20 million new users who only play one game each isn't as good as 20 million who play three games each.  If Nintendo never convinces these people to buy more than one game, the market could crash.  Luckily, getting 20 million new customers draws in third parties, and in turn, the more traditional customers who buy tons of games. How many Square Enix fans are suddenly considering DS right now?

You answered your own question.

But I likewise agree that the Wii needs as many non-gamer pulls as possible, which is why I've suggested they need a Wii Fitness game on quite a few occasions. If the DS can make people smrt, then the Wii should offer to make people phat.

I often wondered if having a large userbase but low 3rd party tie-ins would be bad for a console, but the thing is, the DS's best-sellers are all 1st party games and yet 3rd parties still continue to make games for it in decent quantity.

[couchmonkey]

I assume by me answering my own question, you're saying that it won't crash because it'll draw in traditional customers with the high userbase?  I think this is true up to a point, but who's to say that we won't get a situation in a few years where the non-gamers lose interest and withdraw their money from the system?  I think Nintendo's too clever for that to put the company under, but it could destroy a lot of third parties.

The challenge in the future will be to constantly seek out new ways to entertain in fresh ways.  Previously it looked like the industry was heading for "stabilization", where games wouldn't change as much and it would be up to unique storytelling and presentation, plus ever-increasing budgets, to keep our interest.  Now I see that the future of interactive software can keep morphing as time goes on by changing the interface.   (Edit - I always knew it was coming, but I didn't realize it could happen so soon or in such a compact package.)  

[Requiem]

Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
I assume by me answering my own question, you're saying that it won't crash because it'll draw in traditional customers with the high userbase?  I think this is true up to a point, but who's to say that we won't get a situation in a few years where the non-gamers lose interest and withdraw their money from the system?  I think Nintendo's too clever for that to put the company under, but it could destroy a lot of third parties.

The challenge in the future will be to constantly seek out new ways to entertain in fresh ways.  Previously it looked like the industry was heading for "stabilization", where games wouldn't change as much and it would be up to unique storytelling and presentation, plus ever-increasing budgets, to keep our interest.  Now I see that the future of interactive software can keep morphing as time goes on by changing the interface.   (Edit - I always knew it was coming, but I didn't realize it could happen so soon or in such a compact package.)

That's an interesting point. If new comers are content with just Wiisports, then Nintendo has failed. Wiisports is a demo, albeit, one of the best demo's ever made, but it is still a demo. Why, you ask? Well because it's there to demonstrate of course. It's suppose to show the potential of the system, and that's where it excells. However, if these new comers pass over everything and just want to play Wiisports, that's where Nintendo fails. It is there job to make those gamers look again.

They need to launch something with mass-appeal. Something that isn't looked apun as useless entertainment, but rather useful entertainment. How many of your parents hated it when you played Super Mario Bros. all day long? How many of them thought it was a big waste of time? That is exactly the mentality Nintendo needs to fight against. They need to show that some videogames can actually help you feel better, learn faster, yet still be very engaging and entertaining. They need, as Kairon so elequently put it, the Wii to become a lifestyle machine.

[Smash_Brother]

Yeah, I meant about your observation that the additional userbase will further draw in 3rd parties even if that userbase may or may not buy their games.

The way I see it, games themselves are lucky if they sell to 5% of the userbase of a console. Thus, 3rd party devs already understand that their games aren't going to sell to everyone, but every additional user of the console is one more potential user which could wind up buying their game, and I imagine that there are a lot of non-gamers who are volatile in the sense that they will be drawn in by non-games but could wind up becoming gamers and start buying games.

I've always thought that Nintendo's move will likely help both Sony and MS in the long run as it WILL expand the gaming market as people who had no interest in games develop a taste for them.

[RampanT]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother

To date, I have yet to have anyone ask me "What other games does it have?". I know it defies logic from a gamer's perspective, but the Wii just doesn't need the help to keep selling to the non-gamer.

This made me smile, cos it's so true. I honestly think some of the 'older' people that I've had playing the Wii probably don't realise that it plays other games - such is the domination of Wii Sports. Wii Sports (and a quick shot on Wii Play) is the only game that other folks have seen.

I can see the point in stating that Wii Sports is somewhat of a demo - in that it's main purpose is to show the potential of the machine. But in every other respect, it could be classed as a complete game. I think the Golf alone could almost be classed as a complete game - there are only maybe three things holding it back. That is being able to select more clubs, such as different irons etc, more holes/courses, and the ability to control slice and hook properly - as well as being able to put backspin on the ball. Other than that, the functionality is virtually perfect. It's probably my favourite golf game of all time.

One thing is for sure, in Wii Sports, Nintendo have really laid some solid groundwork that should show the way to third party developers. I just can't wait for more Tennis and Golf titles for the Wii. I just hope they are implemented with the same level of quality.  

[Smash_Brother]

Tried Super Swing Golf? Most people seem to be enjoying it immensely and I can vouch that it's a good game.

[Kairon]

SSG is just so... well, it has a hardcore interface. So many buttons and nobs and camera modes and options and ayayayayay...

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[NWR_pap64]

I confess that at the moment I am part of the "I think Wii sports might not be enough" bandwagon since people are always craving for something new and exciting and at one point they will grow tired of the same old same old.

But on the Wii's case I am not terribly worried since there will be many new games coming that will appeal the non gamer player, because of their innovation as well as their charm and presentation.

[couchmonkey]

Quote
Originally posted by: Requiem

They need to launch something with mass-appeal. Something that isn't looked apun as useless entertainment, but rather useful entertainment. How many of your parents hated it when you played Super Mario Bros. all day long? How many of them thought it was a big waste of time? That is exactly the mentality Nintendo needs to fight against. They need to show that some videogames can actually help you feel better, learn faster, yet still be very engaging and entertaining. They need, as Kairon so elequently put it, the Wii to become a lifestyle machine.

If I may say so, I think WiiSports again succeeds at this.  On seeing WiiSports, my aunt declared that it was about time someone made a video game that required people to be active.

A complete "WiiFitness" game like others (I think Smash Bro) have been asking for is a logical next step, but I think WiiSports has already convinced some of the non-gamers that the Wii can be a form of exercise.  It could still be taken further, though.

[Smash_Brother]

Spelling Spree will be out in march and will be the first piece of edutainment made for a home console that I can recall in ages.

[Aussiedude]

Let's hope then it's REAL english and not YANKIE english crap  

[Requiem]

Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey

Quote
Originally posted by: Requiem

They need to launch something with mass-appeal. Something that isn't looked apun as useless entertainment, but rather useful entertainment. How many of your parents hated it when you played Super Mario Bros. all day long? How many of them thought it was a big waste of time? That is exactly the mentality Nintendo needs to fight against. They need to show that some videogames can actually help you feel better, learn faster, yet still be very engaging and entertaining. They need, as Kairon so elequently put it, the Wii to become a lifestyle machine.

If I may say so, I think WiiSports again succeeds at this.  On seeing WiiSports, my aunt declared that it was about time someone made a video game that required people to be active.

Oh I definitely understand that WiiSports is a huge step forward, but you need more than that. WiiSports 2 will garner even more support, I'm sure, but you need more than that too.

WiiMusic, WiiDraw (Paint), WiiSpell, WiiCook, and WiiFitness are all things that I think need to come into existence. These hit different, but equally important demographics, and together they could bring about a multi-headed Cerberus of sorts, with each head (game) having it's own viral chain.

You don't understand how few people I showed this video too, yet how many people talked to me about it afterwards. (Think 3 to 30)

Nintendo needs to realize (and I think they do) that there are potentially bigger killer-apps than WiiSports.

[IceCold]

Quote
Originally posted by: Aussiedude
Let's hope then it's REAL english and not YANKIE english crap

Amen to that.