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230°

Iwata says Wii U price cut ‘not an easy option to take’

Nintendo global president Satoru Iwata has reiterated his resistance to cutting the Wii U price in a bid to boosts sales of the underperforming console. Nintendo already prices the system below its manufacturing cost, therefore making a loss on each unit sold, and Iwata told CNBC at E3: “Because from the very beginning we came up with a very aggressive price point. We do not think [a price cut] is a very easy option to take.”

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STGuy10403959d ago (Edited 3959d ago )

Nintendo may be forced to reduce the price once PS4 and Xbox One launch. The Wii U is a great system, but unless something is done to attract more buyers, Nintendo may find itself in a very bad position later on.

Pope_Kaz_Hirai_II3959d ago

TrueSTguy .. also seeing as wii-u premium i think costs almost same as ps4 thats a major problem.. no offence but i dont see people buying a wii-u over ps4.

guitarded773959d ago (Edited 3959d ago )

They're gonna have to sack up and take a loss, and make it up on software. It will at least force Nintendo to get more 1st party exclusives out there.

They need to add a trophy/achievement system across Nintendo Network (Wii U and 3DS), and make Miiverse a real "thing". Players should have the ability to earn digital rewards, and share them along with their screenshots across Miiverse, Facebook and twitter, across platforms. Nintendo needs to realize social is not an option anymore, it's required, and it increases attach rate.

NatureOfLogic3959d ago

I know it's probably not an easy option, but they'll have no choice once PS4 and X1 releases.

longcat3959d ago (Edited 3959d ago )

The problem with the tablet is that it is used as an alternative to your tv screen.

Hence, no game can have features that makes the use of 2 screens compulsory.

Drop the tablet guys.

guitarded773959d ago

@ PEDROBEAR

That is entirely false. Devs can use the tablet however they want. They are not forced to have off TV gameplay. I'm all for beng critical to make a product/company better, but untruths lead to misinformation.

longcat3959d ago

^^^

I stand corrected i guess.....i could have sworn that that was one of the reasons for the tablet that they promoted

DeadlyFire3959d ago

Nintendo has stumbled this whole time and they were first to say its time for next gen.

WiiU pad or not they have to do something drastic to grab our attention to get me to buy a WiiU. Price point of $350 bucks along side a PS4 at $400 bucks just doesn't make sense to me. They have to do something with that price before PS4/XB1 launch or they will be steamrolled through the holiday season.

On the positive side Nintendo is the only one with lots of stock already at the store ready to be sold that will be ready for consumers that miss out on buying a PS4/XB1 because they are not on the shelf. I expect PS4/XB1 to sell out before they launch. Hopefully with less violence than the last consoles launches.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3959d ago
dedicatedtogamers3959d ago (Edited 3959d ago )

It is Nintendo's own fault. It is the tablet + touchscreen, NOT the console itself, that prevents a rapid price drop.

Ironically, even though Nintendo was the one that insisted this tablet controller would be the future, they're doing a terrible job of proving it to us why we need the tablet. Ooooh, so I can draw a circle and make my army in Wonderful 101 change shape? Totally next gen!

STGuy10403959d ago (Edited 3959d ago )

Good point, dedicatedtogamers. Nintendo's biggest problem is finding a practical use for their tablet controller. I can see the Wii U doing a lot better if Nintendo found a use for it. Right now developers are somewhat undecided on how to actually take advantage of it. Like you said - it's more of a, 'what is it for?' factor for people.

khowat3959d ago

Truth, I sense some microsoftery going on here

telling us something is the future when they have no proof to back it up

Serg3959d ago

They tried to replicate the Wiis success with the Wii U, that's also the reason for the similar name, so people who aren't really into gaming could recognize it immediately. As we all know by now, it backfired heavily. People thought it was an upgrade for the Wii and not a new console.

The Wii was successful because it has the neat controls. People who never played games before have problems wrapping their head around all the buttons on a standard controller, but the Wii allowed them to mimic real world actions to play games, thus making it easier to get started, which was key in it's success.

Nintendo falsely assumed it was the innovation from the default button controller to motion controls that was responsible for it's success, which wasn't the case. They also assumed casuals care about having the newest toy. I knew this would happen to Nintendo way before they announced the Wii U. Casuals have the Wii, they don't need more processing power, more ram, more functionality. This is core gamer stuff. And seeing as how Nintendo all but abandoned core gamers due to the Wiis enormous success, they forgot who brought them there in the first place. You can say what you want about Sony, but despite their missteps with the PS3, they never forgot about the core. That's why we get core games out the ying yang from Sony first party developers every year, in addition to the heaps of 3rd party titles.

Nintendo forgot that core gamers are not only the ones who buy the systems as soon as they release, but they are also the people who give advice about gaming to others who don't care about keeping up with the scene, yet enjoy playing games from time to time.

But I digress, what I wanted to say was, Nintendo went the wrong direction with the Wii U. They attempted to force innovation because that's what they believed made the Wii so successful. The result is an overpriced tablet/second screen, for which usage scenarios weren't thought through enough. Now they are stuck with vastly inferior hardware that can't hold a candle to the PS4, while being at almost the same pricepoint and similar manufacturing cost, all because they desperately wanted to innovate once more.

The Wii was in development for long, long time. I remember reading about it in 2000, it was called Revolution back then. They had plenty of time to flush out all the ideas for the new input methods and presented games that took advantage of them. Not the case with the Wii U. It was a forced, rushed out innovation that they themselves probably weren't really sure about.

TheUndertaker853959d ago (Edited 3959d ago )

Simply put, the controller is a shell, nothing more. Nintendo shot themselves in the foot when they decided that was a good idea. The cost of running the controller the way the WiiU does is high and more of a hindrance to the system rather than an asset. As much as some won't like this comment, I think it's going to become more apparent after the PS4 and Xbox One launch.

I've said this for awhile now and some won't like this either. The first thing Nintendo needs to do is release a gamepad with actual innards. The cost to the consumer wouldn't be cheap, probably coming in around current tablet prices, but it would open up a good chunk of resources developers could use. Until they do Nintendo will have to continue knowing half of their resources are going out the window upon startup.

All in all I think Nintendo has made way too many missteps with the WiiU though. Low storage capacity in an ever growing digital age(We aren't fully there but to think digital isn't a bigger deal now is a tad naive), still no real investment in the online department, and a price that really doesn't fit the package are all big, real problems. I don't see Nintendo fixing many of these problems and frankly, I don't see first party games alone saving it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3959d ago
MariaHelFutura3959d ago

The Wii U cannot be sold at the price it's being sold at when the PS4 is $399. End of discussion.

MEsoJD3959d ago

Nintendo should have a $199 option with just the pro controller. The other big 2 take a loss on console sales because they make systems meant to last 10+ years and make profit through software sales/services to counter.

Dj7FairyTail3959d ago

they can't be force.
All it take is Super Mario 3D World Bundle with Wii U this Holiday for 300$ and Donkey Kong bundle and it will sell.

Major Release each months from Nintendo.

Pikmin 3 - August
The Wonderful 101 - September
Zelda Wind Waker HD and Sonic Lost World - October
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze - November
Super Mario 3D - World December

Plus over 20 big Third Party games from Ubisoft, Disney, WB Games, Activision and Indie Devs til Holiday.

yeahokchief3959d ago (Edited 3959d ago )

I am a Wii U owner.

If Nintendo is not willing to price cut the WiiU because they'll take a loss on the hardware then that is not a good sign for us.

It means that they are not confident that their software will draw users to the platform.

THey need to start getting quality CORE GAMER FOCUSED titles shipped.I currently own Mario Bros WiiU. That's it. Their 1st party releases for CORE GAMERS are PATHETIC.

All that said, I think the console is really cool with the notes you can draw and I love the clean white menus/relaxing music. Also enjoying the 4 Wii games that I missed since I never bought a Wii.

This company really, really, really needs to do more for core gamers ASAP!!! I am looking forward to Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze and Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart. I think that should do the trick for me personally, but for gamers worldwide? I think they're going to need more... Zelda Wii U will help too, but the big problem here is that they really need to change their whole stance here.

They need to drop the family angle and get back on track if they want to stay in the console business. The console business is kept afloat by gamers. If you don't serve our needs and we won't buy your hardware. Sony's success is a shining example of what i'm talking about. They're for the gamers first and investors second.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3959d ago
Donnieboi3959d ago (Edited 3959d ago )

Yeah, but paying $350 for a 32 GB Wii U is not an easy task for us gamers when the PS4 is only $50 more, and has a 500 GB harddrive.

I don't know what to tell Iwata. I know Nintendo would be hurting if they lowered it, but consider my point above. Iwata better think of something--and no, more apologies is not enough.

We need a reason to want to spend $350 on it in light of the fact that many of us are also saving up for Next-Gen hardware too and games for them.

LOL_WUT3959d ago

Scrap the basic just keep the deluxe offer NintendoLand (or any other title NSMBU) as a downloadable game to save the costs and drop the price. Oh and offer it in white or different colors to make it more appealing. ;)

But going by what he said I doubt he'll make any changes.

ceedubya93959d ago

Probably happen by late November. There's no way they can expect to get away with the console as it is with the new consoles coming out. I'm waiting for 199.

Doctoglethorpe3959d ago

Waiting for <$200 too (and smash bros). Looks like that will take longer to reach then I thought.

I really have to wonder where the hell all their cost is even coming from if they're already selling under cost considering its really not that advanced of a machine. I thought for sure they we're selling it well above cost like they usually do and could easily afford to drop it.

ceedubya93958d ago

Definitely. I almost purchased one a couple of days ago. But, then, once I realized that the majority of the games I wanted for it wouldn't be available until next year, I held off. I do want one though. I'm really looking forward to Smash, Bayonetta 2, and X.

NYC_Gamer3959d ago

Wii U needs killer software to justify its price

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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."

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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?"

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purple1019d 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 ☝️

Zeref8d 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.

DarXyde8d 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.

PhillyDonJawn8d ago (Edited 8d 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.

Einhander19728d 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.

MrBaskerville8d 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.

shinoff21838d 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.

Profchaos8d 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 8d ago
isarai9d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref8d 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.

MrNinosan8d ago

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

mkis0077d ago (Edited 7d ago )

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

Einhander19729d 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.

9d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19729d ago

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

9d ago
9d ago
Zeref8d 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.

DarXyde8d 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.

Einhander19728d 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.

Einhander19728d 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.

BehindTheRows8d ago (Edited 8d 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.

Zeref8d ago (Edited 8d 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.

Chevalier8d 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.

Tacoboto8d 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.

shinoff21838d ago

Yay steam

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

Tacoboto8d 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 8d ago
Hofstaderman8d 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?

crazyCoconuts8d 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.

Xeofate8d ago (Edited 8d 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.

crazyCoconuts7d 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

FinalFantasyFanatic8d 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.

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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."

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XiNatsuDragnel15d ago

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

banger8814d 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.

Jingsing14d ago

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

PRIMORDUS14d 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.

mastershredder14d 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.

shinoff218314d 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.