If Wii become number 1

[g35er]

Bad pun aside, the more I hear about the Wii buzz, the more I'm convinced this could be the surprise number 1 console in the next gen, especially if Nintendo is very price competitive with it. If the Wii does really well, how would that effect the way the other two companies view hardware in the future? Would MS and especially Sony re-evaluate their push for hi-fidelity and high cost hardware, seeing that the public may not care as much as they do?

I'm quite surprised with how excited people seem to be on Wii games. Maybe it's the controller or the Nintendo name or whatever, but frankly, the games clearly pale in comparison to the 360 and especially to the PS3. Are graphics enthusiasts overplaying the importance of graphics to the general game buying public? I guess we'll know in the next couple of years.

 

[TheChefO]

Good point - Overwhelming success this gen by any one of these contenders will drastically change the way each manufacturer will address their next next gen efforts. If Nintendo Dominates this gen, then we can say 'see ya' to hi-end spec machines from Sony/MS. If ps3 is a runaway winner early on, say good-bye to cheap consoles. If MS takes the cake say good bye to ?? jrpgs? no ... umm ...hmm...

Edit-
ohh I got it! I got it! Sony! errr ... well... hmm... too many variables...Kuta? :smile:

 

[Skrying]

Bad pun aside, the more I hear about the Wii buzz, the more I'm convinced this could be the surprise number 1 console in the next gen, especially if Nintendo is very price competitive with it. If the Wii does really well, how would that effect the way the other two companies view hardware in the future? Would MS and especially Sony re-evaluate their push for hi-fidelity and high cost hardware, seeing that the public may not care as much as they do?

I'm quite surprised with how excited people seem to be on Wii games. Maybe it's the controller or the Nintendo name or whatever, but frankly, the games clearly pale in comparison to the 360 and especially to the PS3. Are graphics enthusiasts overplaying the importance of graphics to the general game buying public? I guess we'll know in the next couple of years.

What do you mean "clearly pale in comparison"? Graphics wise? Yes. Gameplay wise? No, and its probably the other way around.

The general public may finally realize that graphics, when it comes down to it, mean very little. Nintendo is about gameplay, always has been. They make fun games, not games that just look fun.

 

[PARANOiA]

If MS takes the cake say good bye to ??? :smile:

I would say goodbye to extreme hardware that customers don't want (or don't want to pay for), and hello to online console gaming as a core feature.

Regarding Wii, I think it looks great. But honestly, I haven't seen anything on it that's made me think "I'd play that for hours, like I did Tekken/Halo/FFVII". I'm yet to see non-novelty value in it that would make it my only purchase this gen, and I don't think people have the cash to fork out for two consoles - especially if they come to close to $AU1000 combined?.

I have seen a lot that's made we wish I knew someone with one so I could try it out though... heh heh.

 

[Skrying]

Well, expecting a price of the Wii at $200~ and a premium Xbox 360, well, in the US that's about the price of one premium PS3 or just $100 more than the core PS3.

I'm pretty sure if I had $600 to spend on the console hardware what I'd go for (Wii + 360).

 

[TheChefO]

Well, expecting a price of the Wii at $200~ and a premium Xbox 360, well, in the US that's about the price of one premium PS3 or just $100 more than the core PS3.

I'm pretty sure if I had $600 to spend on the console hardware what I'd go for (Wii + 360).

Agreed - that will most likely be my scenario as well. I'll probably pick up a Wii next year though. It's just waaay to expensive right now

 

[pc999]

I think that the sucess of the Wii will depend very much on the prices (HW/SW) and by now that is something hard to predict.

Anyway I am very sure that next next gen will "follow" wii (one indication of that is PS3 that is already doing it) just because even relatively low end HW from the time (eg equivalent to a X1600) will surpasse by a lot any of these consoles and true mass market like cheap things the other one is because these new controls will be almost standard at the time and will not be the only ones, like speech recognition (see UT07/Windows Vista).

Personally I would prefer something like this a midle terms in HW, cheap price but it lots of innovation that will help make better games in general.

 

[ninzel]

The more I think about MS's image, the more I think Nintendo was correct in not even bothering to try and compete power wise.
The image of the Xbox being the most powerful console,is firmly entrenched by way of the first Xbox and it's association with PC ,the most powerful gaming platform.
Even if Nintendo had built a competitve or even more powerful console,the hardcore gaming crowd wouldn't have accpeted it. The people who care most about that aspect of gaming are fimly in the MS camp, and it would take a miracle to get them to accept anything else,especially with Nintendo's image. Sony has a better chance of convincing them, but the truely hardcore hardware guy's,would never accept Nintendo.

 

[darkblu]

but the truely hardcore hardware guy's,would never accept Nintendo.

i guess you're saying that from the position of a spokesperson of the international federation of the firmly-united, truely hardcore hadrware enthusiasts, right?

 

[Freak'n Big Panda]

What do you mean "clearly pale in comparison"? Graphics wise? Yes. Gameplay wise? No, and its probably the other way around.

The general public may finally realize that graphics, when it comes down to it, mean very little. Nintendo is about gameplay, always has been. They make fun games, not games that just look fun.

Yay for inaccurate generalizations! Graphics don't mean anything because only a VERY small percentage of the game playing population play games for graphics. The Wii offers nothing over the PS3 or MS in terms of providing the hardware needed for games with interesting gameplay. Nintendo currently has the image and the price to capture the mainstream market... if anything only thoose two factors will make the Wii outplace the PS3 and 360 next gen. And I do believe that the Wii has a *very* good chance of capturing this position. Truthfully I think the 360 will fail (compared to sony and Nintendo anyway, I'm sure it will be at least as successful as xbox 1) for a number of reasons.. but mainly because MS failed yet again to capture japan... which means they're stuck with western titles and a lot of PC ports. This may not be the case atm but I just don't think the 360 appeals to a big enough market share to take the number 1 spot. Hardcore gamers into the PC gaming scene would most likely choose 360 over the ps3 (such customers would not be attracted to the Wii) but most of these said customers already own a gamming rig that does the job as well or better.... Unfortunately I think sony positioning PS3 as a high cost 'computer like' device will not bode well with the general public. The playstation brand is very strong so I still expect PS3 to sell quite well but nobody will buy this device as a replacement to a typical PC. It just doesn't make any sense to buy a crippled (functionality wise anyway) PC for ~400 when you can get a new dell for 299 that does everything you want a PC to do minus play games.

Anyways here's my breakdown:

Wii:

Nintendo has successfully captured the new/cool/innovative image. Truthfully I don't think the Wii is very innovative at all but that hardly matters. This image is the key to mainstream market which = huge sales. Hardcore gamers will pick this console up after the install base is large enough to warrant games that appeal to the this population to be developed. Wii has the potential to dominate the entire market.

Sony:

Priced themselves out of the mainstream market. Early adopters/hardcore console gamers will still buy this console due to an awesome first party lineup and it's almost guaranteed success in japan, which means lots of super cool jrpgs that nerds like me need to live. Unfortunately I don't think the ps3 will be as successful as the PS2 because it will never hit the same price braket and thus will never become as mainstream, espically considering the Wii's price. PS3 success in the end will be a test of playstion brand. *VERY* few people will buy the PS3 intending to do anything other than play games on it... this is problem with sony's current stance. I seriously hope for their sake they cut the HD just to save costs to hit a lower price point.

MS:

I hate to say it but the 360 is looking like the xbox over again.... Although this time MS is better off cause of the lower manufacturing costs. Unless MS can get some AAA titles out asap I don't believe this console will be any more successful than the xbox, in terms of market penetration. The market the product seems to target is dominated by PCs, which are a better choice all around for a variety of reasons. I guess I should add that it's possible that the 360 will take second place depending on sony's ability/inability to match price drops throughout the lifespan of the console.

regardless in the end it all comes down to the games. PS2 current success is mainly due to an absolutely huge lineup of amazing games, in the end this will be the deciding factor for next gen as well.

 

[Li Mu Bai]

i guess you're saying that from the position of a spokesperson of the international federation of the firmly-united, truely hardcore hadrware enthusiasts, right?

Db, I do believe he's referring to the casual market. (ie the generally technically ignorant public which comprises the majority of the market, though they could hardly even be dubbed as hardware enthusiasts) Certainly not any "true" hw afficionado who even has any rudimentary or cursory knowledge or understanding regarding architecture intricacies or programming terminology.

I believe the Wii will take japan by storm, & establish a much larger installed userbase than the GC or N64 ever possessed. If hypothetically Nintendo were indeed to regain the no.#1 spot, the industry ramifications would be colossal. As the DS has proved, it isn't always the superior hw that is the most successful. Although the portable & home console platform markets are indeed very different, some parallels can still be drawn. Software is what moves consoles, be it innovative or even educational.

 

[hey69]

the Wii will have a nice launch (like every nintendo homeconsole launch) but in the long run i *predict* Wii wont be any more succesfull as the gamecube (maybe a litle more)
why should the people who didnt buy a gamecube would like to buy a Wii now?
aside from the hardcore gamers, ******s or early adaptors offcourse

true it isnt about the gfx alone, but you have to admit it has big role in it and nobody wants a game (i'm talking about the general public) that is bud ugly but very playable.

Also the biggest concern is brand name and image.
I for example would never buy a new Wii just because i just dont like nintendo and the games on it (except a few but i dont buy a console for just 2-3 games)
and like that there are millions of people who think their way.
xbox360 :

people say it isnt that bad that new console .. wow next gen

(collgues comment)
PS3 :

WHOOAAH THE NEW PLAYSTATION WITH bleuray

(collgues comment)
Wii:

what is that, a new nintendo? hm maybe later for the kids

(collgues comment)

Sony:

Priced themselves out of the mainstream market. Early adopters/hardcore console gamers will still buy this console due to an awesome first party lineup and it's almost guaranteed success in japan, which means lots of super cool jrpgs that nerds like me need to live. Unfortunately I don't think the ps3 will be as successful as the PS2 because it will never hit the same price braket and thus will never become as mainstream, espically considering the Wii's price. PS3 success in the end will be a test of playstion brand. *VERY* few people will buy the PS3 intending to do anything other than play games on it... this is problem with sony's current stance. I seriously hope for their sake they cut the HD just to save costs to hit a lower price point.

Seriously, dude. the ps2 launched at almost the same price in europe.. what the hell . Are you Americans spoiled or what? the ps2 dropped in price and is now 149euro (wich IS 21% tax inluded) or is it 129 even i dont remember...
People said the same thing. who needs DVD playback , who would pay 21000BEF (thats 540euro) etc etc...
be prepared , the ps3 will thake the world by storm , maybe not as a huricane but it will make havoc everywhere

 

[sonyps35]

there's just no tellin.

Lately I have a bad feeling Wii is going to flop big time though.

I mean, will there come a point where your arms get tired and you just wish for a darn controller?

But I cant predict the wii. I just dont know. I would have to play it for an extended period for myself.

 

[Skrying]

Does not the will offer a standard controller setup also?

Do you all honestly believe that EVERY game will requiere the remote? Give me a break. If that was the case then yes the Wii would flop, I HIGHLY doubt that though. It makes no sense at all. Plus a controller will be a must for the back catalogue of games that will become a BIG selling point.

The Wii will not have to stand as a "only one" console. It'll be bought by many people at some point, price will be low and it'll just be a blast to play every once in a while. THIS is the market Nintendo is aiming for. The everyone and their grandma market. The price, the controller, the software, the massive back catalogue, the awesome net possiblities (I mean, Opera is THE browser right now as far as being advanced, secure, and ahead of the others in thought and design).

 

[_xxx_]

why should the people who didnt buy a gamecube would like to buy a Wii now?

The controller will make me buy it, I see lots of potential for doing very cool things there.

 

[Urian]

The problem is that the hardcore gamers believe that they are the main core of gaming business. How many times the hardcore gamers has been wrong at 100%?

 

[rabidrabbit]

Where there's a Wii, there's a way to use the "Wiimote" in horizontal orientation mimicking the old SNES controllers. Also there's a need for an optional standard controller and support for it in Wii games in case you get tired of gettin' wiggly with it.

I do think the wiimote with the nunchuku will be the only supported control method in most Wii games.
Would you be able to play Mario GAlaxies with the GC controller, or the "Composer" game? I Don't think so.
Would you want to play the Tennis game with a GC controller? I don't think so.

 

[_xxx_]

The Wii will not have to stand as a "only one" console. It'll be bought by many people at some point, price will be low and it'll just be a blast to play every once in a while. THIS is the market Nintendo is aiming for.

Isn't that what a console is supposed to be? Surely Nintendo will aim for the console market, what else?

I think both MS and Sony pushed it a bit too far with the features/prices without offering anything useful besides more eye candy. The opposite approach of Wii is actually just what suits the market.

I certainly think many people will buy PS3 just for BluRay and the "coolness" factor, though. "It's a computer", after all

And IMHO, XB360 is a no-go except in its domestic market. People just hate MS too much.

 

[sonyps35]

Isn't that what a console is supposed to be? Surely Nintendo will aim for the console market, what else?

I think both MS and Sony pushed it a bit too far with the features/prices without offering anything useful besides more eye candy. The opposite approach of Wii is actually just what suits the market.

I certainly think many people will buy PS3 just for BluRay and the "coolness" factor, though. "It's a computer", after all

And IMHO, XB360 is a no-go except in its domestic market. People just hate MS too much.

What happens when Xbox360 is offering ten times the graphics as Wii for a similar price?

There's the flip side for you.

For that matter, it just occured to me that what makes the Wii cost, it's various motion sensors and whatnot I assume, may not even drop in cost as fast as silicon does.

I do not know what will happen , just asking.

And for those people saying the Wii has a regular controller..fine but what's a wii with a regular controller? A underpowered traditional console.

And my grandparents would have never played something like Wii. Sorry. Women might. I dont think my dad would for more than ten seconds.

Those people dont play videogames for good reasons you know..

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Does not the will offer a standard controller setup also?

Do you all honestly believe that EVERY game will requiere the remote? Give me a break. If that was the case then yes the Wii would flop, I HIGHLY doubt that though.

But if you're using the standards controller, the gaming experience will be no different to what the other two consoles provide, except with inferior graphics. The point that sets Wii apart is the controller, and that's why people will buy it. If most games don't use it, it becomes next to worthless, like buying a PS2 with EyeToy to play EyeToy games and then playing normal games on a normal controller because they aren't many to choose from. The may games that make use of the motion, the better for the console, but will it get tiring?

I see it as able to go either way. It'll either become a fad, and if the real-world arm waving is kept down to small movements will stay that way. Or it'll be something like EyeToy. When EyeToy came out, it was loved and hailed as a revolution. It sold a million units quite quickly IIRC. But there's been both a drought on games that use it usefully, plus it gets you hot and bothered in just 10 minutes play. If every game used it, and I had wave my arms around to bash zombies or what have you on every game, I'd probably be reluctant to play on PS2! Since that exciting launch, only 6 million have been sold to a userbase of 100 million PS2. It isn't something that's really captured the mainstream market. The question is why? And have Nintendo solved that problem to ensure inital Wow factor can go on to drive long-term sales?