Go back and look at the list of 09 games from third parties in this thread, and tell me they put the same sort of effort into Wii games as they do the HD consoles. The fact that there are the rare exception does not mean that the Wii gets strong support. Support is not just measured in the number of games you get, nor is it measured in the resultant sales of said exceptions. It's measured in effort and investment.

is this a bad thing? is nintendo struggling without the godly third parties?

Khuutra, I see what you're saying. Basically don't burn any bridges, try to build relationships and get good games.

Maybe I'm being a little mean about the whole 3rd party thing.

Here's what gets me about the whole situation: There has never been a faster selling console in video game history. Not since the NES have video game consoles had any real main stream attention. Not only is this the fastest selling console, but the development costs are lower than their HD counterparts.

Also, Nintendo has done a lot to reach out to 3rd parties this generation. They've opened up and showed that they're willing to support them. They've offered Nintendo developers go out and visit and provide insight or any consulting help they may need, offer marketing packages for particularly good games.

And so far what has been the response by the rest of the industry? Ridicule. Doomsaying every single year. Being told that they "don't count" and this generation is about 2nd and 3rd place. Not only have they passed up on good 3rd party games, but they've been agressively passed up, as the OP shows. On top of all that the rest of the industry has actively encouraged a culture of outright hostility towards their most gifted son.

This is probably why I would make a shitty business person. There's only so many times you extend your hand and it gets bit or ignored or shit on before you finally clench a fist.

So in terms of seeing it as an economic war, I'd wage it pretty drastically. I'd hire a few guys to go around to 3rd parties. Charts drawn in with crayons, the occasional backwards "R" for that extra simple look, and say in the most condescending possible tone "since you're far too incompetent to make any worthwhile games for our system, we're only allowing 2 games per year for your entire publishing umbrella, this way you don't taint our reputation any more than you already have"

Then I'd advertise on TV more, become much, much more friendly with retailers, and basically find every single way I could sidestep the industry and find popularity outside their circle.

Then again, my company would also die within a generation :P But at least I'd go out guns blazing!

So, is my idea a horrible, stupid one? Hell yes! Would it be hilarious? Hell yes!

But back to the heart of it: the lack of third party support, especially given how fast Wii is selling, is definitely disturbing and could very well be a sign of how things are just going to be for Nintendo from here on out.

And it's more to try to make back the money they are losing. If they can't admit they are still betting on a losing horse, I'm not going to shore up their stupidity.

Third party support was a big decider in the 5th and 6th gens. Nintendo shouldn't bend over backwards to get it, but it certainly shouldn't repel it either.

I think any level headed Wii fan would admit that we've had some long droughts.

Isn't Wii the first console to have ever had software droughts two years after it was clear that it would be the market leader? I'm not just talking core either, late 08 early 09 was a drought for the expanded audience too.

Good riddance. There's a large install base and market here, someone's going to find it and profit. If it's not the "game industry" so be it.

Yeah, the drouts suck. Just that it was clear that third parties can fill in the gap, and they won't. They are still convinced they are making "experiences" that are too good for the Wii. They are losing their shirts and acting as though they are all Howard Roark.

Which is great as long as you ignore the fact that 3rd parties are losing money on HD games.   Activision had GH and Wow to prop up their revenue, else they'd likely be in the red too.   Ubisoft depended on casual titles and we can see what happened when their casual market disappears (because they oversaturated the market with crap) - they've gone straight into the red too.  EA's in the red.  THQ.  Sega.  Capcom had a great beginning last year with RE5 and SF4 but is struggling again.

Focusing on HD gaming is suicide.    And no one will stand to gain from this in the long run.   Except Nintendo.

i wouldn't be that drastic, i would just stop helping them, and send them a letter that said something along the lines of "you're not gods. you don't run the industry like you think you do. we don't need you. you need us. if you want to ignore us, then fine. go **** youlrselfs"