ShadowSoldier on 15 February 2013
Nintendo is struggling to sell the successor to a console that sold 100 million copies. Is that Nintendo's own fault or has the market changed?
Name
Wii U is obviously causing confusion. Imagine Apple calling the iPad 2, the iPad mini. People would be confused and it would hurt the sales. The Wii U should have been called the Wii 2. This way happy Wii owners knew they should upgrade and unhappy Wii owners could be persuaded to buy the Wii 2.
Pricing
$350 is simply too much. The SNES was $199 and the Wii was $249.99. The Wii U should have been $249.99 or even less. People buy Kindles because of the accessible price, since Nintendo went with low end specs, the price should reflect it.
Picking a target audience
Nintendo looked at the steady sales of ps3 and xbox360 and wanted a piece of it. So the target audience for Wii U was the Wii audience and the 'core' audience that didn't touch the Wii. A bad idea, because Nintendo ended up directionless. The 'core' gamers aren't interested in Nintendo products and the casual Wii audience is confused and doesn't feel the need to buy a Wii U.
In the current times where violence is linked to videogames. it’s a good thing to go back to the Famicom philosophy, a family friendly console. Nintendo should have kept the Wii image with Wii U, but then of course branded as the next must have Wii.
Controls
Wii and simple, accessible motion controls were synonymous. Why did Nintendo drastically change it with Wii U? I like the Gamepad, but you can easily do without. 2 screens isn't as practical in the living room as it is on the DS and 3DS. And for easy input Nintendo could have added something like Smartglass. The Wii U should have had a traditional controller and an improved Wii mote. This way you have best of both worlds. A weakness of Wii was being forced to use motion controls. Choice is the answer. It would also have made the lower price possible.
Weak launch and general lack of games
The Wii U launch was severely lacking for the casual gamer, the 'core' gamer and Nintendo fans. Nintendoland wasn't as easy to understand as Wii Sports, Brain Training or Nintendogs. A few full priced ports of old ps360 games were not going to get any of the ps360 owners to buy the Wii U. And NSMBU, while a good game wasn't exactly setting the world on fire for Nintendo fans. Where was the 3D Mario? The new killer app for casual gamers? And the exclusive 'core' game? And where is the huge Virtual Console library? Games like Minecraft or Angry Birds?
A few months after launch we have months with 1 or 2 games releasing. Why didn't Nintendo prepare to carry the Wii U in the first few months? They made so much money with the Wii. The internal teams should have expanded by a -lot- to prevent this drought from happening.
Lacking ad campaign
The Wii U marketing ‘blitz’ was terrible. Most commercials were actually boring infomercials. Probably because Nintendo couldn’t sell the Gamepad idea at all and because the name was confusing. Wii U should be marketed like the next big thing from Nintendo, for the entire family. And it should ensure people that were disappointed with Wii 1, that this new console is for them too. The message should have included HD, the huge VC library, improved motion controls, a new Wii Sports type game and of course the strong Nintendo IPs.
Changed market
I think we all agree that the world has changed a lot in the past 7 years. Smartphones and tablets made gaming very accessible and cheap for the casual gamers. Why would they buy a console for 200-300 dollars if their needs are met on the phone they already have or the iPad they bought for multiple uses? These are big challenges for all console makers, we will definately see a decline because of it. But the richer experience on the big screen, the ability to play together and in HD should be enough to make the next consoles a succes, just nog as big. So I don't think Nintendo can put the blame there.
Thoughts?
Name
Wii U is obviously causing confusion. Imagine Apple calling the iPad 2, the iPad mini. People would be confused and it would hurt the sales. The Wii U should have been called the Wii 2. This way happy Wii owners knew they should upgrade and unhappy Wii owners could be persuaded to buy the Wii 2.
Pricing
$350 is simply too much. The SNES was $199 and the Wii was $249.99. The Wii U should have been $249.99 or even less. People buy Kindles because of the accessible price, since Nintendo went with low end specs, the price should reflect it.
Picking a target audience
Nintendo looked at the steady sales of ps3 and xbox360 and wanted a piece of it. So the target audience for Wii U was the Wii audience and the 'core' audience that didn't touch the Wii. A bad idea, because Nintendo ended up directionless. The 'core' gamers aren't interested in Nintendo products and the casual Wii audience is confused and doesn't feel the need to buy a Wii U.
In the current times where violence is linked to videogames. it’s a good thing to go back to the Famicom philosophy, a family friendly console. Nintendo should have kept the Wii image with Wii U, but then of course branded as the next must have Wii.
Controls
Wii and simple, accessible motion controls were synonymous. Why did Nintendo drastically change it with Wii U? I like the Gamepad, but you can easily do without. 2 screens isn't as practical in the living room as it is on the DS and 3DS. And for easy input Nintendo could have added something like Smartglass. The Wii U should have had a traditional controller and an improved Wii mote. This way you have best of both worlds. A weakness of Wii was being forced to use motion controls. Choice is the answer. It would also have made the lower price possible.
Weak launch and general lack of games
The Wii U launch was severely lacking for the casual gamer, the 'core' gamer and Nintendo fans. Nintendoland wasn't as easy to understand as Wii Sports, Brain Training or Nintendogs. A few full priced ports of old ps360 games were not going to get any of the ps360 owners to buy the Wii U. And NSMBU, while a good game wasn't exactly setting the world on fire for Nintendo fans. Where was the 3D Mario? The new killer app for casual gamers? And the exclusive 'core' game? And where is the huge Virtual Console library? Games like Minecraft or Angry Birds?
A few months after launch we have months with 1 or 2 games releasing. Why didn't Nintendo prepare to carry the Wii U in the first few months? They made so much money with the Wii. The internal teams should have expanded by a -lot- to prevent this drought from happening.
Lacking ad campaign
The Wii U marketing ‘blitz’ was terrible. Most commercials were actually boring infomercials. Probably because Nintendo couldn’t sell the Gamepad idea at all and because the name was confusing. Wii U should be marketed like the next big thing from Nintendo, for the entire family. And it should ensure people that were disappointed with Wii 1, that this new console is for them too. The message should have included HD, the huge VC library, improved motion controls, a new Wii Sports type game and of course the strong Nintendo IPs.
Changed market
I think we all agree that the world has changed a lot in the past 7 years. Smartphones and tablets made gaming very accessible and cheap for the casual gamers. Why would they buy a console for 200-300 dollars if their needs are met on the phone they already have or the iPad they bought for multiple uses? These are big challenges for all console makers, we will definately see a decline because of it. But the richer experience on the big screen, the ability to play together and in HD should be enough to make the next consoles a succes, just nog as big. So I don't think Nintendo can put the blame there.
Thoughts?
--------------------------
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articl...1/news090.html
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/libr...131/index.html
Translation of ITmedia report follows:
At an analysts' meeting on the 31st, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata (53) implied that there is a possibility that he may resign if he is unable to achieve 100 billion yen (US$1.09963 billion) in operating income for the next fiscal year. The company had recently revised its forecast for operating income for the full year ending March 31, 2013 to -20 billion yen (US$220.144 million), making the goal a high hurdle. Iwata aimed to appeal to investors by putting himself on the line to recover the business.
President Iwata, having seen 2 consecutive years of losses, apologized by saying, "We feel greatly accountable for this severe outlook." He further explained that the basis of meeting the goal by saying, "...we plan to actively release our key titles for Nintendo 3DS which could potentially lead the markets this year."
In the midst of sluggish sales for the next-generation home console Wii U released last year, Iwata also indicated that portable and home console development groups would be merged.
When asked how he would take responsibility if the goal is not met, Iwata emphasized his strong determination by saying, "Please understand that [achieving it] is my commitment."
Iwata, formerly the president of a development company making games for Nintendo, was selected in 2002 at the young age of 43 by former Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi, being called a person who had skill in both game development and administration.
Shares of Nintendo stock were sold off on the Osaka Securities Exchange on the 31st, at one point falling 530 yen from the previous close to 8820 yen.
EDIT:
The title of this thread is a translation of the ITmedia report headline. If you don't believe me, here's a breakdown...
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/libr...131/index.html
Translation of ITmedia report follows:
At an analysts' meeting on the 31st, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata (53) implied that there is a possibility that he may resign if he is unable to achieve 100 billion yen (US$1.09963 billion) in operating income for the next fiscal year. The company had recently revised its forecast for operating income for the full year ending March 31, 2013 to -20 billion yen (US$220.144 million), making the goal a high hurdle. Iwata aimed to appeal to investors by putting himself on the line to recover the business.
President Iwata, having seen 2 consecutive years of losses, apologized by saying, "We feel greatly accountable for this severe outlook." He further explained that the basis of meeting the goal by saying, "...we plan to actively release our key titles for Nintendo 3DS which could potentially lead the markets this year."
In the midst of sluggish sales for the next-generation home console Wii U released last year, Iwata also indicated that portable and home console development groups would be merged.
When asked how he would take responsibility if the goal is not met, Iwata emphasized his strong determination by saying, "Please understand that [achieving it] is my commitment."
Iwata, formerly the president of a development company making games for Nintendo, was selected in 2002 at the young age of 43 by former Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi, being called a person who had skill in both game development and administration.
Shares of Nintendo stock were sold off on the Osaka Securities Exchange on the 31st, at one point falling 530 yen from the previous close to 8820 yen.
EDIT:
The title of this thread is a translation of the ITmedia report headline. If you don't believe me, here's a breakdown...
Originally Posted by ITmedia:
|
任天堂・岩田社長、業績不振で辞任も示唆 ゲーム機開発部門を一本化へ
|
任天堂・岩田社長、 Nintendo President Iwata
業績不振で due to poor business performance
辞任も even resignation
示唆 implication
ゲーム機 console
開発 development
部門を group(s)
一本化へ integrate
The first sentence of the article...
業績不振で due to poor business performance
辞任も even resignation
示唆 implication
ゲーム機 console
開発 development
部門を group(s)
一本化へ integrate
The first sentence of the article...
Originally Posted by ITmedia:
|
任天堂の岩田聡社長（53）は31日のアナリスト向け説明会で、平成26年3月期に1千億円以上の営業利益を目指すことについて、「コミットメント（公約）」と 説明し、達成できない場合は辞任を含め経営責任を取る可能性を示唆した。
|
任天堂の岩田聡社長（53）は Nintendo President Satoru Iwata (53)
31日のアナリスト向け説明会で、 at the analysts' meeting on the 31st
平成26年3月期に in the fiscal year ending March, Heisei 26 (2014)
1千億円以上の over 100 billion yen in
営業利益を operating income
目指すことについて、 about aiming for,
「コミットメント（公約）」 "commitment"
と説明し、 thus said,
達成できない場合は if not achieved
辞任を含め including resignation
経営責任を取る take management responsibility
可能性を possibility
示唆した。 implied.
The specific question and answer...
31日のアナリスト向け説明会で、 at the analysts' meeting on the 31st
平成26年3月期に in the fiscal year ending March, Heisei 26 (2014)
1千億円以上の over 100 billion yen in
営業利益を operating income
目指すことについて、 about aiming for,
「コミットメント（公約）」 "commitment"
と説明し、 thus said,
達成できない場合は if not achieved
辞任を含め including resignation
経営責任を取る take management responsibility
可能性を possibility
示唆した。 implied.
The specific question and answer...
Originally Posted by ITmedia:
|
岩田社長は「達成できなかった場合は、どう責任を取るのか」という質問に対し、「コミットメントという言葉を使ったことで、ご理解頂きたい」と強い決意を示した 。
|
岩田社長は President Iwata,
「達成できなかった場合は、 "If you couldn't achieve it,
どう責任を取るのか」 how will you take responsibility?"
という質問に対し、 in response to the question:
「コミットメントという言葉を "The word 'commitment'
使ったことで、 I used,
ご理解頂きたい」 please understand,"
と強い決意を with strong determination
示した。 indicated.
「達成できなかった場合は、 "If you couldn't achieve it,
どう責任を取るのか」 how will you take responsibility?"
という質問に対し、 in response to the question:
「コミットメントという言葉を "The word 'commitment'
使ったことで、 I used,
ご理解頂きたい」 please understand,"
と強い決意を with strong determination
示した。 indicated.
Got this from a couple of Gaf threads and thought it would make for interesting discussion
Black Women Are The Most Beautiful Women On The Planet.
"In video game terms, RPGs are games that involve a form of separate battles taking place with a specialized battle system and the use of a system that increases your power through a form of points.
Sure, what you say is the definition, but the connotation of RPGs is what they are in video games." - dtewi
