30°

Nintendo's marketing misfires are all that is holding the Wii U back

Digitally Downloaded writes: "To be frank, Nintendo's marketing tagline that “you need to play it to get it” is not a very effective strategy to promote the Wii U – in fact, it’s not a very convincing ideology at all. I need you to tell me why I should play it, Nintendo. I need you to show me how I’ll appreciate it, Nintendo. Marketing is not about assuming people with try something without encouragement. We all know Nintendo can come up with creative ideas – now it needs to show us why this idea is creative. Then, and only then, will we be convinced that the Wii U is worth our time."

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dedicatedtogamers4041d ago

No. No. No, no, no! Why does "marketing" always get blamed when something goes wrong, but Nintendo praises their own genius whenever something goes right. Marketing played a massive role in the Wii and DS's success, but of course Nintendo doesn't give marketing to soccer-moms any credit.

The core design of the WiiU is what is holding it back. Nintendo keeps saying "we need to better communicate what the WiiU is capable of". Wrong. People are aware of what it's capable of. They just don't want to buy it.

Maybe if Nintendo would wake up and evaluate their audience instead of playing Console Frankenstein and blaming the marketers when it doesn't sell, maybe then Nintendo would start to improve as a gaming company.

Neonridr4040d ago

That's not entirely true. It goes to show how poor the marketing was when so many people originally thought the Wii U was an addon for the original Wii.

I think Nintendo did a very poor job conveying the differences, they focused on the controller so much that people didn't realize it was a new console until the commercials rolled out a week before the system launched.

Where were the commercials months leading up to the release? You can't show something 1 week before and expect to generate buzz. You need to build it up with game announcements, demonstrations, commercials, ads, etc. Nintendo lacked so much information this time around that outside of the hardcore gamers, nobody even knew what the Wii U was.

The system has sold almost 3 million units in 5 months, while that's not exceptional, it's nothing to shrug at.

The systems will sell when more games release for it. If you don't think that the console will take off when the next Mario, Zelda or Smash Brothers release, then you clearly don't understand Nintendo at all.

Sure, the system could have been stronger in terms of specifications, but it's Nintendo's job to ensure that the customers know what the product is from day one. Nintendo did a poor job of that in my estimation, and that can partially contribute to some lower than expected sales.

dedicatedtogamers4040d ago

The confusion is Nintendo's fault. They slapped "Wii" in the title because they thought all the casual Wii owners would jump at the new console, but it turns out they were smarter than Nintendo thought (since the WiiU is not at all aimed at the audience that made the Wii a success). They blame the "confusion", but people know the difference between an iPhone 2 and iPhone 3, or an iPhone and an iPad. I think we have to stop blaming the name confusion (which was Nintendo's fault anyway because they were trying to pull a fast one on the casual audience).

darthv724040d ago

a quick and easy solution is to remove the original wii from the market. That way people buying the wii-u not only get the new system but are capable of playing all the existing wii games that are still available.

But we know that wont happen. Nintendo could be the 1st in console history to offer a trade in program. Trade in your wii for $100 off the purchase price of a wii-u and people can keep all their existing games/accessories.

Nintendo doing a recycle program would be unheard of in gaming. It is generally the stores like gamestop that offer something like that.

I know i personally tell people to get the wii-u when they are looking at buying one or the other. i did the same when the PS2 came out. it made more sense to buy the newer because it also played the former games. That kind of common sense is surprisingly not so common.

Slapshot824039d ago

Several of you make great point and are all, in my opinion correct in many ways.

If you remember correctly, when the Wii U was unveiled, it was called "Wii U" for a reason. It mean that it was "Wii You," or a system that combines some experience that were great about the Wii, but on a more core (and personal) level that's similar to what's found on the DS line of Nintendo's products.

A year later though, it was once again shown to the world, as a re-unveiling of sorts, as another "Wii" - a family-based gaming console that's "fun for all."

The latter was where Nintendo failed horribly on a marketing front. It already confused consumers somewhat with its original revealing of the system. It looked good enough, but it was all still a bit... confusing. Then it turns a 180 on everyone, by showing the same system, with many of the same games, but tells us a much different story.

Yes, the Wii U will sell. But here's the thing, if only the "Nintendo" games sell, it will be the difference in the console selling around 30 million consoles and 70+ million consoles. While the lower is still something to be praised for any company, in today's world, that isn't going to please Nintendo's investors who want (or better yet, expect) it to outperform the Wii.

millzy1024040d ago (Edited 4040d ago )

actually no, some people don't want it some people do but a lot of people don't know its out, a lot of people have seen mine and I had to explains its a new console, this is nintendos job not mine and that's where advertisement has failed. but there's no point putting a big marketing campaign untill a few more decent games come out. people play games and that's what Wii u needs.

deafdani4040d ago

Uh, no. What's holding the Wii U back is the lack of games compelling enough to convince the customers to take the plunge. All the marketing in the world won't do shit if a game console doesn't have the games to back it up.

Once Nintendo releases a few of their hot games, they will be fine.

Slapshot824039d ago

Does it not have a brand new Mario title on the console already?

deafdani4039d ago

Yup, and it's actually a superb game. In my opinion, it's up there with Super Mario World and Mario Bros 3. But still, it's one game, coming just a few months after the public saw the release of a New Super Mario game for 3DS, and it's not enough.

It needs more. And it will get more, over time. In the long run I suspect the Wii U will do just fine, but as of now, there's not much incentive to motivate consumers to get this new console.

V0LT4040d ago

The fact that they named it Wii U was stupid. Should have been Wii 2 from the get go. I have friends that seriously thought it was an upgrade for the Wii and that's sad.

BitbyDeath4040d ago

Tablet controller is likely a deal breaker for most.

Show all comments (12)
80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."

280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10111d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref10d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde10d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197210d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville10d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218310d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos10d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 10d ago
isarai11d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref10d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan10d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis0079d ago (Edited 9d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197211d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

11d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197211d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

11d ago
10d ago
Zeref10d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde10d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197210d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197210d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier10d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto10d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218310d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto10d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 10d ago
Hofstaderman10d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts10d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts9d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic9d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)
90°

Nintendo's War Against Player-Made Content Will Hurt The Company In The End

Danish from eXputer: "Nintendo has historically gone against player-made content and emulation of its games. This has done much to harm the company's image."

XiNatsuDragnel17d ago

I agree nintendo hire some these folks to help in your games it'll help imo.

banger8816d ago

They need to stop announcing these mods and fan remakes until they're finished. Finish it, upload it, and then if Nintendo dmca's it tough shit. Once it's online, people can share it around, even if the original download gets taken down.

Jingsing16d ago

True, but most modders need constant admiration during the process to motivate them.

PRIMORDUS16d ago

Yup, once it's a torrent nothing can be done Nintendo is helpless at that point. But it would be wise if they just had a site on the dark web, it's also easy to use with Tor and no one will bother you.

mastershredder16d ago

This is all coming from the mouth of short-sighted fandom and grifting madness.
No.... it wont. There is a clear defined reason why they don't. This is nothing new. Make your own shi7 from your own original ideas especially if you are trying to capitalize of it it. Duh.

Yeah, hire people that have zero respect or understanding for an established process. Wow. Yep. Totally makes sense.

shinoff218315d ago

Those guys that made that sonic game got a gig from sega or something along those lines and that game was dope as hell. One of the best sonics as of late.