Originally Posted by
appophylite 
This is probably the most interesting part of your argument; personally, I see it as a contradiction. In one paragraph, you clearly state that you do not believe that the Wii is 'Next-Gen' and state: 'It was not an improvement of anything.' Then, two paragraphs later you state: 'How the Hell can Nintendo think they delivered enough <with the Wii> to warrant release of a second console?' So basically, delivering nothing with one console still isn't enough to justify the release of a new console? Or do you think that Nintendo should sit on a console that is clearly starting to lose its luster (It has been 6 years, everyone and his brother has one now, and they are relying on price cuts, colors and new packages to move inventory now), and dictate the release of their next console by waiting on Sony/Microsoft to release new consoles first? If you truly believe that Nintendo did nothing to improve anything with the release of the Wii to offset the aging Gamecube, then I'm having a difficult time seeing why, even if you have no interest in purchasing a Nintendo again, you wouldn't want to see them release a new console with, what you would hope, would be improvements.
Well the funny thing about feelings is you can know things, and still feel a certain way. I would love for nintendo to show some pride and release a killer console, but I am indeed pissed they didnt even bother trying to go out with a bang or something. I don't feel they produced enough quality games with the Wii to actually be at the stage where they need a new platform to expand their horizons. Look at the PS2 near the end of its life cycle... the stuff they were pulling off on it was insane for the rated specs. Gran Turismo 4 could do 1080i, God of War 2 was even crazier than the first... Jax 3 didnt even have a loading screen... they milked the PS2 for everything it was worth and in the best possible way. The same is being done to a large extent with the PS3 and the Xbox has noticeably better graphics. If Nintendo was serious about bringing a "new generation", they probably should have come up with ideas for games before releasing the system because 6 years later, still seems like they are scratching their heads.
It is not only that Nintendo was lazy on their own, it is also they don't seem to have reached out to the industry either. Microsoft is buddy buddy with Epic, (was) bungie... Sony with Guerilla, Naughty Dog, Sucker Punch etc etc. They all had legit teams developing stuff people wanted to buy. The biggest thing Nintendo did was get Sonic and Snake in SSBB... It is like when people say if you cared, you would have been there, been on time, done something different. If Nintendo cared, they would have had good games.
I also wouldn't say that Nintendo are struggling on their home territory. They realized with the last fight between the Gamecube, Playstation 2 and XBox that they had probably underestimated Microsoft's first foray into console gaming and clearly, while they might be able to fight one juggernaut with deep pockets (Sony), it was going to be increasingly difficult to face off against two (Microsoft and Sony). As marvin mentions above, consoles and console games are merely one unit of revenue for Microsoft and Sony - they have several other business units bringing in revenue from several other sources (Software, software licenses, computers, consumer electronics, etc). Nintendo on the other hand, has only one stream of revenue and that is games. And seeing as they were the juggernaut through the 80's and 90's and are still making profits galore despite losing much of their luster with the 'hard core' gaming crowd, I'd say they are far from struggling. They realized that since Microsoft and Sony are focusing on one demographic and are doing well enough that it would be difficult to go head to head with them, why not try to appeal to another demographic? Let's face it, if myself and two friends decide to compete with one another and both are fantastic runners while I am terrible at running, but fantastic at jumping, why the heck would I bother competing at running when I can beat them somewhere else?
I'm also having difficulty with why you think that Nintendo making profit off of the consoles is a a bad thing. So Sony and Microsoft sold consoles at a loss to make their money back on great games. I bet you if they could profit on both, they'd pick that option every time.
It is not a bad thing, I just think it speaks volume about their attitude. When you run a deficit releasing a product, not only does that take lots of money, it takes balls and faith that what you have is actually worth something to people. The Wii was recycled hardware, doesn't even play DVDs, doesn't have SPDIF out... tons of stuff that is just NOT there, as well as the most important things... the games to play on the system.
The argument that you've also made regarding the Wii being an insult to video game hobbyists is defintely one of the oldest arguments used this generation. It really does need to die. How is it an insult to hobbyists if Nintendo decides that instead of pandering to them and their whims, they are going to try to carve a new niche for themselves? Nobody seems to have complained when Apple, a computer company that sells COMPUTERS, decided to branch out, attack a new demographic and try to sell MP3 PLAYERS. And look, to this day, they've found that their MP3 business was big enough to dig them out of a rut and make their computer division big as well, actually allowing them to sell to both their old demographics and new demographics. How certain could you possibly be that Nintendo, having found a niche in the market and profiting gloriously from it, won't use said profits to appeal to both their demographics now: the new 'recreational' gamers as well as the 'hard core' gamers. Seriously, I'm getting myself into RC cars and you don't see the big guys like Losi, HPI or Traxxas making Hobby-grade cars complaining about the fact that companies like Tyco and Maisto making toy RC cars is an insult to the great hobby of RC cars. Two entirely separate demographics are being supported - let it be so.
Yeah but what was, and to this day, apples selling point? You might not have the latest, greatest, fastest... but it works damned well, its intuitive, and reliable... they had a niche. The just applied their skill to MP3 players, and took the same mantra and it worked amazingly. Macs are also more popular than ever if I am not mistaken... Macbooks are everywhere. People liked what they got in iPods and invested more money with Apple as a result. In contrast, Nintendo failed two generations in a row then just pretty much abandoned ship.
Personally I don't have a problem with Nintendo's current strategy because they realized that there is a large demographic of people who do not play 'hard-core' FPS, RPG, RTS, etc but they play a lot of simple, easy, games that can be picked up immediately and dropped as quickly. Care to come to my workplace and see how many people are taking a 15 minute break from work to catch a couple of rounds of their favorite FPS? Wanna see how many will quickly jump on a 5 minute run of Mafia Wars, Tetris or Solitare instead? Games are for having fun, and I don't see why anyone who considers themselves a hardcore gamer should be remotely offended by those people who would rather play a quick round of Solitare or Tetris, or should be offended by the fact that these are the people that Nintendo tried to focus on this round, and the gamble paid off big time for them.
Tetris is a pretty "hardcore game" lol... Solitaire is a cardgame so I am not so sure it counts but this is not really the point. Nintendo could have done what they did, but a lot better. Why not have the OPTION to control the movement of Miis or not in the sports games? You know, progressive learning levels making things accessible to all. It is not like it would have been hard... they own source code to Mario Tennis, Mario Golf.... The graphics are not complex, the animations are passable at best... And finally, they could have gotten both demographics with a little effort. The Wii is perfectly capable of any type of game that came on any system before it... Nintendo had every opportunity and flopped, the third generation in a row.
By the way, it is entirely your personal opinion to state that the Wii sucked (I would state that I had high expectations for mine, and my expectations dimmed in the long run), but to out and state that everyone who purchased one was ripped off by Nintendo as you do in your post is pure baloney. I paid full price for mine as well as for a handful of the games. I purchased the other games for used game prices. My verdict? I got my money's worth. I used to be very big on gaming, but these days, I do not have the time to commit to video games anymore. I work a full time job that requires me to be in the field most of the time, and shuttling in the office on my days off and when I'm not working, I'm a full time student working on a degree. I enjoy the games on the Wii because I can fire it up, poke around with the game for about 15 minutes when I need to and then turn it off again. Most of the games I am interested in on the PS3 and XBox360 require much larger time investments on my part then I can commit at this time in my life. The Wii is also the only gaming system I have ever got the entire family interested in. My sister loves it because I bought her Dance Dance Revolution on it so she doesn't have to blow money on it in the arcade. My dad loves Wii Sports because he doesn't have to remember what every button on a standard controller does. Instead he has to remember A-Button, B-Button and a whole bunch of motion controls. My mom loves Wii-Fit because she can do yoga and get feedback from something instead of just performing poses in the middle of the house and seeing myself, my sister and dad amuse ourselves at her expense when we walk in on her. I personally feel that every dollar I spent on the Wii, games and accessories was money used well that has returned in keeping the entire family happy with a single gaming console.
The Wii fit is kinda cool, and not everything on the Wii is junk, nor does everyone have to think so. I am pretty confident if all things are considered objectively the Wii is pretty poor value. Wii Fit could have been done on any other console, and I am pretty sure EA did release a few products like it. You can get second, third rate games on any system... and portables are there for quick fixes as well as many games online that are free... AND Twilight Princess was on the GC.... I know my income is not enough to justify the Wii as being a good purchase.
My girlfriend has a Wii and her family likes it it... they have tons of games, but none of they are any good really and no one really plays for more than 30 mins. 49.99 for 30 mins a few times is very steep. Sure people have fun on it, have had fun, and will continue to have fun, I still think they could have spent what much be about 700$ or more by now on more substantial things... 700$ is a PC, an instrument, a TV, A PS3 or 360... both a PSP and a DS and a slew of games... And really if people are only playing it to kill a few minutes, have no interest in getting any better or take it seriously... why do they have it?
It is like medication commercials you see air in the states. List a slew of problems, propose a product as a solution and people will think they need it.
Are you bored, do you have kids, do you have a TV? You should get a Wii. Why? It is easier than the other really complicated consoles, works on your old CRT tv and minimizes buttons - Plus EVERYONE wants one... they are out of stock everywhere!
Its like if Nike came out with a line of sneakers that had automatic running, and a ventilator as well as AI so you can fall asleep too. If an activity is too daunting, or of limited interest in the first place to people they should stick to the old fashion "i don't like that"... as far as I am concerned lol.
Oh well, props to nintendo... I sure wish I was getting those dividends.
