Iwata: Lack of HD kept the Wii in the casual camp

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata says Nintendo’s late entry into the HD era with the Wii U isn’t just an attempt to play catch up, but to disprove the distinction between core and casual titles.

Conversing with legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto in the latest Iwata Asks, the executive acknowledged the difficulty faced by Wii developers over the last few years.

“There had been times up to now where you could do things on other companies’ hardware, but was difficult to do on Wii,” he said.

“With Wii U, I also wanted to alleviate those restrictions as much as possible. … With this new structure that we are now offering, we have come to recognize that we are now able to solve a number of issues that we feel have been surrounding us for years, so we really feel that this has potential.

“I think this is something that developers outside of the company are feeling, and [internal] developers besides [Miyamoto] are thinking of as well.”

Iwata believes the lack of HD graphics on the Wii contributed to the core versus casual division.

“One of the key reasons that such things as the core and the casuals exist today is that we decided not to adopt HD on the Wii console,” he said.

“Of course, besides that there are things like issues with the controller and the challenges that it brings, network functionalities and many other things, but I think HD was the biggest factor that everyone was able to clearly understand the difference.

“In terms of the HD capabilities, Wii U can do something similar, and on top of that, it is equipped with this new controller that adds an entirely new structure to games. I think this is an opportunity for those games that were considered to be core up to now, to evolve into something even more interesting structure.

Expressing a wish for all sorts of games to be released, Iwata said he expects the core and casual markets to merge.

“That core vs. casual debate seems like something that can never see a resolution, but with Wii U, I have a feeling that it all may change. I even feel that the barrier that separated the two genres was only something psychological, just an impression that people had towards them.

“For example, The Legend of Zelda games were something geared towards the toughest audience, and it has been so from the beginning. So it’s not like Nintendo doesn’t have it in us. But there are quite a number of people who assume that Nintendo is the equivalent of being casual.

“If we are able to break those psychological barriers with Wii U, I feel like we will be able to take our goal of expanding the gaming population even further to the next step.”

Keza got hands on with the new console shortly after its reveal; read her impressions.

Thanks, mathare92.

Source: http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/08/iwata-lack-of-hd-kept-the-wii-in-the-casual-camp/

So is Iwata correct? I'd say that is only true to an extent, since that has been many successful games that were aimed primarily at the core audience.  

They announced that there will also be downloadable content for games. That will aslo appeal to hardcore gamer.
(Hopefully we won't have to pay for it lol)

No.
Lack of HD kept the Wii from getting 3rd party multi-platform releases...
Lack of good 'core' games kept the Wii in the casual camp.
Seriously, look at Metroid Prime Trilogy, DKCR, Galaxy 2 and Skyward Sword and tell me that more games like that, released earlier in the system's life wouldn't have brought in more 'core' players...

Metroid Prime 3 came out shortly after release. As did LOZ:TP which was one of the best Zelda's to date. Then you have SmashBros which yah came alittle later. But don't forget Galaxy as well, MarioKart etc...etc... Nintendo released plenty of solid first party titles.

I agree a bit with Iwata. HD would have meant more third party support. SD caused developers to have to choose, Wii or 360/PS3. Developers often chose to put their big titles on the HD consoles and their cheap peices of crap on the Wii.

However I think it was the lack of HD which helped sell the Wii. If Nintendo had included HD graphics it would have meant more power and a higher price point. If Wii had launched with 1080p support day one it would have cost like 350+ which would have greatly damaged its ability to market to the casuals.

I think Nintendo will loose the casuals with WiiU, they are choosing us gamers over the cash cow that is casuals. I'm not sure casuals really care about HD or a touch screen controller. Nintendo will have a tough sell on their hands. But as a hardcore gamer I'm glad to see Nintendo targetting us again.

I just hope Nintendo doesn't suffer financially for throwing their support back behind the hardcore. I mean look at Microsoft and Sony they are both desperatly trying to break into the casual market at a time when Nintendo seems to be leaving. It might not be the brightest buisness decision!

He is right with what he said, though I wouldn't have agreed had the thread title been a direct quote.

I think that goal will be achieved next generation, but Nintendo will not do it alone. Microsoft with Kinect will go a long way too.

This is actually what I was talking about. I should have been more clear I meant more quality games from 3rd parties, not just Nintendo. You can add RE4: Wii, GoldenEye 007, MHTri and maybe a few others to my previous list if it helps illustrate the point clearer. These (along with the Nintendo titles previously mentioned) are all AAA games that proved HD doesn't matter IMO. The trouble was there simply wasn't a critical mass of these games to make a typical gamer interested. I really think it's that simple.

Yah I'd have to agree when refering to third parties. Third parties really screwed the Wii over, had they taken it seriously and given it solid support Nintendo wouldn't have lost as many hardcore. But had Nintendo made Wii HD they might have gotten that third party support they lost. Which inturn would have meant more AAA quality titles whether they be ports or exclusives!

Hmmm, reading that makes me ask something: when Iwata talks about HD, does he mean displaying images in HD or is he talking about the power to do so?
If it's the first option then not, it hasn't anything to do with Wii being "casual", most TV can rescale the images quite well. But if it's the second one then yes, as it prevented the Wii from getting many franchises associated with the "hardcore" segment.

And another piece of concern is this sentence:
“In terms of the HD capabilities, Wii U can do something similar, and on top of that, it is equipped with this new controller that adds an entirely new structure to games.
Again, if he's talking about displaying HD images then there is nothing to worry about, but if he is talking about WiiU's power...

it was the lack of high profile 3rd party support bar MH3 and the upcoming DQX, However this was partly caused by the reduced graphical capabilities of the Wii.