120°

Satoru Iwata: Customers Understanding The Wii U "Will Take a Little Time"

Nintendolife: ''With a New Year and Nintendo's upcoming announcement of its Q3 financial results, Satoru Iwata and his team have plenty to think about. 2013 will be an important year to continue momentum on 3DS with big releases, and more importantly to grow the Wii U audience as much as possible.''

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nintendolife.com
PopRocks3594109d ago

I'm thinking the Wii needs to fade into history for all of the confusion to completely dissipate. Maybe I'm naive, but it might be a smart move on Nintendo's part to cut down on manufacturing the Wii console.

exfatal4109d ago

I've heard they stop producing games for the wii so im sure the other companies will follow suit soon, so at least Nintendo has their full attention on the wii u.

4109d ago
Pixel_Enemy4109d ago

Tell me more marshabilly5!

deafdani4109d ago

Why would they? The Wii is still selling pretty well, and every Wii sold turns a ridiculous profit for Nintendo. That's the same reason why they haven't discontinued the DS, despite the 3DS having been in the market for a year and half or so.

PopRocks3594109d ago

Correction: They actually have discontinued the DS and DS Lite models. Only the DSi and DSi XL are being manufactured right now while the 3DS and 3DS XL are also manufactured.

I'm not saying to cut off the Wii entirely, I'm suggesting Nintendo may want to ease up on Wii manufacturing so as to move the Wii lineup over and make more room for the Wii U. That way they still make some money off of the Wii while the Wii U becomes more noticed as a unique system.

Pixel_Enemy4109d ago

It's also called "install base" Why make a game for a console that just launched and has a TINY fraction of the install base as the previous console that is still selling?

deafdani4109d ago

Ok, sorry, I meant the DSi. My bad. Point is still the same.

And no, what Nintendo is doing right now is what makes the most business sense. If they do what you suggested, then they would be shortening the Wii's lifespan for no reason at all. Better try and sell as many of them as they can, while the Wii U's install base grows bigger over time. It's better to let the Wii disappear from the market naturally (out of consumer disinterest), than to cut it dramatically, or even try and sell less units like you suggested.

Same goes for the DSi.

PopRocks3594109d ago (Edited 4109d ago )

Hasn't the Wii's lifespan already been shortened to the point of near death anyway? The last big Wii release from Nintendo was a Kirby collection and as far as I know the Wii has no more releases coming this year.

I already suggested not to cut the Wii dramatically. In fact my suggestion is just as much in line with what you're saying and to make it a gradual thing.

"I'm not saying to cut off the Wii entirely, I'm suggesting Nintendo may want to ease up on Wii manufacturing..."

EDIT: But the basic point here is that the Wii U is the new console and a part of the general public don't recognize it as a new console. Why not slow down on Wii production in favor of the Wii U when there are plenty of Wiis in stock in many stores?

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dedicatedtogamers4108d ago

Iwata is being very condescending as an excuse for the WiiU's mediocre performance. Nintendo as a whole has been very condescending over the last few years. When the Wii and DS launched, Nintendo never said stuff like this. They simply asked us to TRY it. They put the systems in our hands. Now, with the 3DS and WiiU, Nintendo is lashing out against consumers and saying "oh, you're not buying it because you don't understand it".

No, Nintendo. No. You are wrong. I understand the 3DS. I understand the WiiU. I simply DON'T WANT IT.

Perhaps if Nintendo spent more time trying to understand their fans, instead of trying to force us to understand THEM, their sales would be better.

MasterCratosKong664108d ago

if it was normal circumstances i would understand, but the wii u is literally HARD TO UNDERSTAND. they never did this with the wii because everyone could pick up and play the wii very easily. the upgrade from older consoles to new consoles is usually a no brainer but i have a tough time explaining this to other people. i haven't met anyone so far who was able to really get the picture without spending an hour playing the thing first and then deciding whether they like it or not. that being said nintendo should be doing everything they can to help that process with marketing

4109d ago Replies(3)
doctorstrange4109d ago

"It's like a giant DS for your TV"

exfatal4109d ago

"Its like a giant HD ds for your tv"
fixed for ya.. and whats wrong with that? i'd always wanted to play my ds and now 3ds games on the tv somehow, and now they have the next best thing lol

doctorstrange4109d ago

Never said anything's wrong with it, I like my U. Just don't see why it's such a hard thing to convey.

Clarence4109d ago (Edited 4109d ago )

I don't see it getting better for the Wii u anytime soon. The PS3 and 360 are outselling it. Just think how tough it will be when Sony and M$ release their new console?

EddieNX 4109d ago

Mmmm you must be stupid right ?

Well let me explain. The 360 and ps3 are now really really cheap and have tons of games ready even the wii is still selling well for the same reasons...

When the 720 and ps4 launch they're not even gunna sell faster than wiiu , after all Wiiu is outselling the launch of the ps3 and 360. They will be in the same boat as wiiu - Expensive , Not that many MUST HAVE games , And people will think ''why should I upgrade from the 360 I bought last year when the 720 is just a 1080p 30FPS version of my 360.

When PS4 and 720 Launch all you're gunna get graphically is 1080p 30-60FPS Xbox 360 graphics with more AA and some tacked on DX 11 features. The common gamer won't vare for the difference.

After a year of being on the market those consoles will start to display WOW graphics and games and they will start selling really fast as the ps3 and 360 and wii finally stop selling all together...

jmc88884108d ago (Edited 4108d ago )

Exactly. Which means compared to a Wii U, it will be modestly better graphically.

So when a person is looking to pick up a console, they'll see most likely $249-299 or so for Wii U or $399-549 for PS4/720. Anyone that doesn't see that as a potential problem during the greatest depression mankind has ever known should go balls to the wall buying subprime mortgage derivatives.

As time goes on all three consoles will scale up as the new features of the GPGPU are utilized and programmers put more time, focus into the console as well as become more experienced with it.

The other thing they forget is that the new consoles won't see as many titles the first couple of years as the 360/PS3 do. They'll suffer from the same 'new console' problems that the Wii U and all other consoles of recent eras before have suffered from.

Basically when a new console comes out, it costs more money to produce games on that console, yet there is a far smaller audience that can even purchase the game. That's why you see some devs every generation that stick with the previous generation for a couple of years. They wait until the consoles have sold enough units to justify making a game on it.

It's why you saw some PS2/xbox games coming out on those systems and not on PS3/360. No one said it meant doom or bad things for the 360/PS3. But for the Wii U, suddenly it's a 'brand new problem' that 'only the Wii U' will suffer from.

It's hilarious. If it wasn't sad that is. How many times does the same stuff need to happen, over and over again before people remember it?

The facts are the PS4/720/Wii U initially will have good support, but many devs will choose to wait until enough units are sold so they don't go bankrupt making a game that can't possibly make it's money back. See Crysis 3 on the Wii U.

Crytek lost alot of money for EA with Crysis 2. It sold well, but the costs were astronomical. Crytek makes very technically advanced games, but EA is their master, and masters have no problem closing down devs like Crytek if their games don't make money. It wasn't about Wii U not being able to run it, it was that they didn't want to lose money making a special port version for a console that only has a couple million units worldwide sold by then roughly.

I highly suspect that the 360 and PS3 will continue to be big sellers when the PS4/720 comes out. Because it plays good games for cheap. As time goes on the Wii U will be competitively priced against those while basically being almost as good as a PS4/720 for probably about half the price.

WiigotU4109d ago

Clarence the cheaper systems are selling with more games out now and ore new games coming soon. The more epensive system with no games out is def going to out sell them.

My niece just got a 360 kinect bundle that she didn't pay for that I used my store discount to absorb the cost. I bet you a thousand that she and thousands of other kids and adults will not be getting a more expensive system.

While everyone is dogging the wiiu where will you be when your new systems don't hit high numbers and sales look bad?

megamanX24109d ago

"I don't see it getting better for the Wii u anytime soon. The PS3 and 360 are outselling it."

are u a moron? how many years have those other systems been out for now?

thaimasker4109d ago

You do understand that the PS2 outsold the PS3 And 360 in its first year to right? You have no Idea how the market works.

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JohnnyAkiba4109d ago

In "little time" real next gen consoles will be released. xD

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60°

8 of the most useless amiibo figures ever released

A new list goes over eight of the the most useless amiibo, ranging from the Shadow Mewtwo card to the Qbby figure.

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nintendoeverything.com
70°

What the game industry must do to prevent occupational burnout

Game industry working conditions are improving, but occupational burnout still runs amok. Studios and workers have the power to slow it down.

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gamedeveloper.com
anast1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

Quite being abusive to the workers and hold management accountable.

370°

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Has Reportedly Sold About Half of What FF7 Remake Did in the Same Timeframe

The acclaimed open world action RPG is "underperforming" where its sales are concerned, according to industry analyst Daniel Ahmad.

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gamingbolt.com
raWfodog3d ago

“Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Has Reportedly Sold About Half of What FF7 Remake Did in the Same Timeframe”

Makes sense to me since the current PS5 base is about half of what the PS4 base was when FFVII Remake released.

There were about 113 million PS4’s in consumers hands worldwide in 2020 when FFVII Remake was released (towards the beginning of COVID lockdown no less).

PS5 sales currently sits at about half of that (50-something million. We are not in COVID lockdown so many people are not as bored as they were 4 years ago and not in a rush to buy every video game coming out at release. Some PS4 owners may not have upgraded to PS5 yet and therefore can’t buy the sequel yet. And, of course, some who played Remake just might not be interested in Rebirth.

It just seems pretty disingenuous for an analyst to ‘analyze’ a situation when there are so many mitigating and unequal factors involved.

OtterX2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Yes, this and also finishing part 1 of the Final Fantasy Remake trilogy weighs heavily on it too. There's always a huge percentage of gamers who never finish the games they purchase. It's not always due to lack of enjoyment, but also life priorities etc. But factor that into the knowledge that Rebirth is a straight continuation of the story, and enjoyment lies heavily on having finished the first, you can begin to understand why not as many players jumped in. But absolutely too, the lesser install base of the PS5 played a huge role!

jjb19812d ago

I started the game when it came out, played about 2/3 of the way through and finished the rest in the last month before rebirth came out. There are just too many games and too much adulting to do.

Eonjay1d 12h ago

It sold about half... with about half as many PS5s available as PS4 had when it launched in 2020. So... the tie ratio is about the same. As PS5s continue to sale it should eventually match Remake. It's a really good game.

fr0sty1d 11h ago

I think there's going to be another wave of buyers that purchase the game once the third part of the trilogy is released, especially if they release it as a bundle.

jambola2d ago

Excuse me sir
Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad said this 🙄

Obscure_Observer2d ago

"Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad said this 🙄"

That guy is director of research & insights at Niko Partners.

https://nikopartners.com/

But he shouldn´t be trusted according to some "trust me bro" N4G random. Smh

2d ago
Barlos1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

Obscure Observer, so by your logic, we should also trust Pachter? Come on, it's like you're not even trying any more.

MrNinosan1d 16h ago

@Obscure
"We cover China, Chinese Taipei, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam."

Yepp, very trusted and the biggest areas for videogame sales.

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Tody_ZA1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

@raWfodog You'd think an analyst would catch these facts, but just goes to show what gaming analysts are made of. We've only in the last year moved to PS5 only games, in addition to the install base cross-gen has been around for years. There are a lot of PS4 players still over there. It's amazing when people compare things whilst isolating all the significant facts.

And Rebirth being a direct sequel is also valid: anecdotally, I've just started FF7 Remake a week ago and I'm loving it, on Chapter 8, but I'm obviously not going to buy Rebirth until I complete the story which will take time.

Ironmike1d 13h ago

But it's hasn't sold as much the articles om Google stating bit so what if it hasn't the game is still great better than remake which tailed of in middle-of-the- game

TheEroica1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

Apologists always know what to say... 👍
Is it possible to squeeze in one more excuses for FF7 sales? Go for it!

Tody_ZA1d 14h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

@TheEroica Understand the meaning of the words you use or don't use them. An apologist argues in defense of something controversial or problematic. Pointing out relevant facts that an analysis or article did not take into account is constructive feedback and discussion. There are great movies, games and other forms of art that don't sell as expected, but later gain financial success.

Example? The Godfather Part 2 underperformed financially compared to its predecessor but is widely hailed as one of the greatest films and sequels of all time and is still influential to this day. And no, I'm not comparing Final Fantasy 7 to the Godfather, before you draw that strawman. There is one loose similarity however in that Rebirth is also overwhelmingly acclaimed and considered superior to the first.

Given the decision to split Final Fantasy VII into three separate games, of which Rebirth released exclusively for PS5 leaving the PS4 install base behind, and the final installment due in 2027, the sales performance is a bit more of a conversation than you're trying to make it out to be.

Crows901d 16h ago

Didn't even mention price increases across the board for all games...this causes all people to be more picky and limit game purchases

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GoodGuy092d ago

Unfortunate but it's the reality of sequels. And I simply just don't hear much people talk about rebirth and even remake as these titles just seem too hard to get into with many newcomers and old fans that are upset with the many changes.

Eonjay1d 12h ago

The games are really good and both acclaimed and Rebirth is even better than Remake with a 90+ metascore but if you don't want to 'hear' the praise... you probably wont.

TheProfessional1d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

It's kind of ridiculous how some people here are just making stuff up to explain the low sales. Just because you bought the game and you like it doesn't mean it sold better than it did. Same with FFXVI.

rpvenom1d 3h ago

For me its cause now that i know it releases on pc.. id rather play it with mods on my pc than my ps5

Battlestar232d ago ShowReplies(8)
gold_drake2d ago

well, according to some other reports, it had 2.1 mio. players in the first week.

so, who to believe now.

ZeekQuattro2d ago

It's safe to say if it sold that Square would of made a sales milestone announcement like they did with past FF entries or other IPs in general. They did a FF16 sales update within 2 weeks after it launched for instance.

gold_drake2d ago

there is no way this game hasnt already sold more than remake.

there doesnt need to be an announcement for everything, especially not if they released several updates amd the ultimania.

people are too obsessed with sales

CrimsonWing692d ago

I think there’s a reason we haven’t seen a celebratory tweet from Square on the sales. It came out on Feb. 29th and it’s Apr. 13th right now… that ain’t a good sign. I think this one can reach 3 mill at some point but will be behind Remake, which when it comes to business, that ain’t good.

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