ookaze on 01 February 2007
Developers scaled back or completely ceased support for the GC because it wasn't profitable for them
Those that didn't support it didn't even start supporting the GC. Most went to the PS1 in N64 time, and didn't support the GC from the start, as the PS2 was out already.
Even though the Wii is the best-selling system right now, it's still risky because Nintendo is putting everything on the Wiimote
This is not true at all. It's a mistake to think Nintendo is putting everything on the Wiimote. Their strategy is far better than that.
If you don't see it, then perhaps their competitor won't either, which will make their strategy as much more effective.
Wiimote is just adressing gameplay and exclusives. Improving the perception of other member of the family about videogames, and more specifically Nintendo consoles, is another. This is more important than you think. There is more of course, like improving the incentive for 3rd party devs to go on Nintendo console.
But the family is important, so the word can pass that there's this videogame console that is like no other one. Because you can't show the Wii games like you can show a DS game.
The DS was the latest Nintendo handheld and had a huge install base to draw from. A lot of people would have gotten it just because they had a Game Boy Advance
That's just not true at all. Beside, it's easy for you to say that now. The consensus was completely backwards before Nintendogs really launched the DS. It was said that the DS was a useless gimmick for GBA games.
Nintendo's first party titles are very befitting a handheld because they appeal mostly to kids and most handheld gamers are kids, and it would still have support from third-parties, so it atleast had those points to fall back on
Couldn't be more wrong. Nintendo 1st party titles appealing mostly to kids is a teenage male FPS playing gamer's view. Basically, you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Of course they appeal to kids, as they appeal to just about everyone.
As for the support from 3rd parties, I suppose you mean japanese 3rd parties. Because the support from western 3rd parties was really poor, especially compared to the PSP which launched later and had less units. Until after Nintendogs skyrocketed DS numbers, did they go like mad to develop for the DS. But they can't release poor games if they want to sell well now, it's too late. As good games take at least 2 years to make, and the Nintendogs success was just 1 year earlier, you won't see good western games before end of this year.
You make excuses now for the gamble Nintendo made, which is easy. You just forgot to portray the spirit of the time, which was that PSP would *destroy* the DS in sales and games would be far better. Nintendo basically disrupted themselves in their best market which is handheld, which is VERY difficult to do, most companies can't do that. And you try to say it wasn't a big challenge or risk ?
The Wii is more of a risk. If the Wiimote thing is seen as a fad/trend and becomes passe, then everyone will end up buying it for its first-party titles and nothing else, which is exactly what happened to the Gamecube. Third-parties would have even less of a reason to support it due to its lack of power[quote]
Yeah, and you talk exactly like the people that were criticising the DS. I bet you were one of those, but now you're trying to downplay the opposition Nintendo had about the DS. Bitter people about the DS can still be heard today, as they were so wrong, blaming bad or non games (like Nintendogs or Brain Training) and Nintendo destroying their closed elite world.
This time around, try to remember your skepticism if the Wii succeeds. You know, like "lack of support from 3rd parties" or "lack of power" or the "fad/trend" which "becomes passe". What's reassuring, is that these are exactly the same criticisms that were made about the DS, and Nintendo already showed once that they understood the market better than these people criticising them.
[quote]As for your point about casual games versus "hardcore" games and established games, the latter are more important
The producer of Okami would be even sadder that you prove to him that innovative games have no chance with gamers like you.
Well, it's his fault too, as a game like Okami would have had more chances on the Gamecube than the PS2, despite the overwhelming number of PS2.
I'm sure it would sell far more on the Wii too. New quality franchises can't always appear from AAA games.
These established games are important for the market leader, which gets most of them, and sell thanks to them.
But when you're not the leader, you need fresh concepts. Nintendo hope to get these fresh ideas with the Wii, from the small publishers that can't support a loss on a PS3 or XB360 game.
The reason those casual games are selling so well on the DS is because they are on the same system with Nintendo's flagship titles that have defined them for so long
Auto fulfilling sentence !! You're saying the reason casual games sell so well on the DS is because they are on the DS. Uh, we didn't learn anything.
The reason they sell so well is because Nintendo made its marketing towards those casual gamers, which no one else has ever done in the videogame industry. Except EA with the Sims perhaps. And the games delivered what was marketed, which is even more important.
Take the Wii for example. No one would care about Rayman or Elebits or Excite Truck if they weren't on the same console as Legend Of Zelda: TP. It's those well-known titles that carry the console
Nonsense ! It's Wii Sports that carries this console. You can't understand Wii's success, because you're still stuck in your hardcore FPS gamer's view.
You think Zelda:TP is more appealing to casuals than Wii Sports, and can't understand it could be the other way around.
You don't even see Nintendo's strategy either, as you couldn't be more wrong on all counts. Zelda DOESN'T compete with Rayman or Elebits or Excite Truck.
I told you about catering to 3rd parties. Then I'm sure that had Mario Party been out, Rayman wouldn't have sold. Had Mario Kart been out, Excite Truck (well, that's not 3rd party) wouldn't have sold. Elebits is on a league of its own, but wouldn't have been out with high costs for HD involved.
