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Forums - Nintendo - My theory behind the Wii's success

Kenology on 09 July 2008

Interesting theory you have there, Starmistkarmic.



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bardicverse on 09 July 2008
Starmistkarmic said:
bardicverse said:
Good post, despite paragraphs. =) I do agree, being one of those 1st gen gamers. I teethed on Atari 2600 joysticks before I could play games with one. When I was a wee gamer, controllers had ONE button. You really couldn't get confused. Nintendo went back to this one main button logic, which helped them reach young gamers and the older retired "late bloomers" of the industry as well. Sure, there's more than one button on the Wiimote, but many of those games revolve around 1 or 2 buttons. The age old adage of the computer industry - KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. It works every time.

 

Thanks bardicverse, I'm glad you liked it. I'm also one of those 1st gens and I'm seeing alot of my gamer freinds from the old days doing this. I apologize about the format, I really don't know what happened there.

Its all good. =)

 



jstam on 09 July 2008

excellent NEW theory, having started on the 2600 hundred myself it makes perfect sense what your saying....


It really does



sc94597 on 09 July 2008

Excellent read. I've never thought about that.



Pristine20 on 09 July 2008

Makes sense but its funny, I also have a friend who used to call me a nerd because we were roommates and I was always playing Persona 3. He couldn't understand what the heck it was and what the game was about so he summed it up as "that weird Japanese cartoon crap". However, when COD4 was released and I started playing that, he asked to join and has now bought his own ps3 due to his addiction to COD online. He said he can't believe games are so real now, he thought they were just kids stuff.
That said, HD consoles can also introduce people to gaming in their own way. Its not as much as the wii but they make their own contributions which seem to be totally ignored by those who believe its only the wii that's expanding the audience.
With that said, if I had to buy one of the big three for a kid under 10, I'll definitely pick the wii.



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Starmistkarmic on 09 July 2008

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. Had I known it'd come out like that, I'd have borrowed a friend's laptop.
?---Idiot



Timmah! on 10 July 2008

Starmistkarmic said:
Last week there were a few articles about the Wii that I feel totally miss the point. The ones about the Microsoft and/or Sony people talking about Wii users 'graduating' on to whatever console they worked for. And the one about the analyst who finally admitted that the Wii 'wasn't a fad.' I have my own theory about the Wii's success that I'd like to share with you.

I fully admit that I'm no expert and I generally know shit about shit, but I like to think of myself as reasonable and I hope you do as well. Still with me? Okay, here's my theory: Demographics. I generally hate the term 'casual. Do they exist? Sure. But not in anywhere near the numbers that are carrying the system to it's current level. I say that just having spoken on the phone with a friend who just now decided she wants a Wii. She's getting it for Wii Sports and Wii Fit(or as she literally said "the one with the bowling and the one with the yoga.") I think that far too much weight and credit is being given to these people. Like I said, yes they exist, but not nearly 30 million in a year and a half's worth. So what is it then if it isn't the so-called 'casuals'?

I think there are two groups.

  • The first is the true Nintendo fans. The guys and gals who've been with Nintendo since the beginning. This also includes people who went back to Nintendo after moving to the PS or Xbox brands. There are alot of multiconsole gamers in this bunch and they were attracted(or re-attracted) by the unique qualities that the Wii possesses and Nintendo's die-hard franchises. Gamers, one and all, not a 'casual' among their number. Many populate this site.
  • The second group is what I refer to as the 2nd generation. Here's where the demographics play in. These are the first children of the 1st generation of gamers. Those who played their days away with their friends on the 2600 and NES now have children of their own. These children are getting their very first consoles and handhelds. Their parents are not afraid of video games because they grew up on them, they know there's nothing to worry about. Out of the three consoles, which one caters to this 2nd generation? Ever try to stick a Dualshock into a new gamer's hands? Nintendo saw this demographic shift coming a mile away, hence the Wiimote. They built upon the franchises of old in fresh ways to draw back in those new parents they served so well a generation ago and welcomed a new generation to our fine hobby.
As Generation X and Generation Y(largest generation, ever, by the way) continue to bring new gamers into the fold, Nintendo's foresight will continue to pay massive benefits to the company. Nintendo is casting the die for many more generations of gamers, and they're doing it their way. Sorry that got a little long winded. I tried not to throw a bunch of numbers at you. Also, sorry if this is something someone else might have said before. If so, I didn't know. Hope you liked it.

 

Fixed.



Timmah! on 10 July 2008

Now that I've read it, not bad. Interesting write up.



irstupid on 10 July 2008

So pretty much people who own a Wii are.

1. Nintendo fans
2. PSWii --- Wii60 --- PCWii (pretty much Wii gets most gamers cause different)
3. New Generation (Gamer Parents buying for kids cause easier, plus they know games appeal)
4. Casual (Wii Sports and Wiifit group)

and i'm sure you could maybe come up with more. but the fact of the matter is it appeals to everyone or at least every group of people except one.

1. graphics whores who think the system will make themselves somehow less of a man if they own it



Words Of Wisdom on 10 July 2008

I like this theory. Good read.