Wii-U thoughts so far

[Hazerd]

Latest Wii U update for June 2nd 2014:

http://www.gonintendo.com/s/229654-wii- ... ll-details

Version 5.0.0 U Released June 2nd, 2014

Code: Select all

New Features:

A Quick Start Menu is now displayed when users press the GamePad POWER Button or HOME Button to power on the Wii U

Wii U GamePad Alerts (special notifications from Nintendo) can be displayed on the GamePad when the Wii U is powered down

Changes to Standby Functions:

System updates will now automatically install after download when the Wii U is in Standby

Changes to the Wii U Menu:

The User Settings screen now displays when users select their User Mii from the Wii U Menu

The design and layout of the Users Settings screen has been updated

Changes to System Settings:

Quick Start Menu options have been added to Power Settings

Changes to the HOME Menu

A Notification icon is now available on the HOME Menu, allowing users to launch the Notifications feature from the HOME Menu

Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustment

[Retrogamer0001]

As I've been saying since day one, the Wii-U will be fine, especially now that the big first-party titles are coming out. It will never lead this generation, but it will sell enough units to be considered a success, probably in the vein of the Gamecube. Combine that with the success of the 3DS and Nintendo will be fine, if a little behind.

[casterofdreams]

I saw this yesterday on Destructoid. I will install the update today when I get home from work. I have three games coming in I'm anxious to play!

[dsheinem]

As I've been saying since day one, the Wii-U will be fine, especially now that the big first-party titles are coming out. It will never lead this generation, but it will sell enough units to be considered a success, probably in the vein of the Gamecube. Combine that with the success of the 3DS and Nintendo will be fine, if a little behind.

I still see no reason to think it will be "considered a success". The Gamecube generally is not seen as having been a success, and the Wii U is performing far worse than that system did.

What number of units do you think it would have to move to be a "success"?

[Flake]

What number of units do you think it would have to move to be a "success"?

Exactly one more unit than it took to break even on your investment.

[dsheinem]

What number of units do you think it would have to move to be a "success"?

Exactly one more unit than it took to break even on your investment.

"not a loss" isn't the same as "a success" and in any case you'd also have to account for things like loss in market share, stock value, etc.

That said, Nintendo may be turning a corner in terms of sheer profit as they just last month announced that they are now selling Wii Us at a profit (they were sold at a loss since launch). I think it is more than coincidence that this switch occurs around the launch of MK8 and a new Smash Bros, games that they hope will sell systems.

I still don't think that they will ever have a large enough install base to attract many exclusives. And, given the costs of development these days, I also doubt that AAA first party titles are a sure bet until they get their install numbers up considerably (it is likely that MK8 will need an attach rate of about 50% just to break even). I suppose time will tell...but I do wonder how much time the system has left.

[RCBH928]

As I've been saying since day one, the Wii-U will be fine, especially now that the big first-party titles are coming out. It will never lead this generation, but it will sell enough units to be considered a success, probably in the vein of the Gamecube. Combine that with the success of the 3DS and Nintendo will be fine, if a little behind.

Nintendo, as a corporation, if they realise that they are not making profit for so much hard work going into design, manufacturing, marketing for as long as 4 to 5 years they might quit the hardware market. Why would a "for profit" company continue to put so much effort, investment, and risk into something they barely making money out of?

Remember, stock holders are not hobbyists. They want to see their money grow. I am not saying that the Wii U is the last Nintendo console, but Nintendo needs to be profitable. I have heard that Nintendo made a profit from N64 and NGC more than Microsoft did on the Xbox and Sony from Playstation 2(or 3 can't remember). I doubt it, but if its true then the trend will continue with the Wii U as niche.

What I don't understand is that Nintendo fans were upset by the sales and game library of NGC and N64, yet they defend the Wii U. The way I see it is , its continuing the trend. Low units sales (in comparison to competition), Nintendo exclusives, lack of 3rd party support, and by the end of this generation we will hear that the Wii U was profitable for Nintendo (which I am not sure if it is true or not).

Here is a question for you Retrogamer0001 , suppose you have $5m invested in Nintendo stock. Will you continue to encourage the management to sell exclusives titles to their own low selling consoles, or would you encourage them to sell Mario Kart and Zelda titles to the 160m PS3/360 owners, PC, and and tens of millions of iphone and Android owners?

[prfsnl_gmr]

I still don't think that they will ever have a large enough install base to attract many exclusives.

I don't think Nintendo really cares all that much about attracting exclusives from third-party developers. Microsoft and Sony have traditionally had ulterior motives for wanting you to buy their systems. (They want you to buy a DVD/Blu-Ray player, an advertising/media hub, etc.) Exclusive third-party games attract people to their systems, and since Microsoft and Sony's goals for selling the system extend far beyond the sale of games, they are happy to let third-parties develop most of the games for their systems.

Nintendo, on the other hand, mostly wants to sell games and - specifically - its games. Accordingly - and while it is interested in third-party games to the extent that they move systems and allow it to sell more first-party games - Nintendo's business model probably does not encourage third-party games to the same extent as Microsoft and Sony.

[dsheinem]

I still don't think that they will ever have a large enough install base to attract many exclusives.

I don't think Nintendo really cares all that much about attracting exclusives from third-party developers. Microsoft and Sony have traditionally had ulterior motives for wanting you to buy their systems. (They want you to buy a DVD/Blu-Ray player, an advertising/media hub, etc.) Exclusive third-party games attract people to their systems, and since Microsoft and Sony's goals for selling the system extend far beyond the sale of games, they are happy to let third-parties develop most of the games for their systems.

Nintendo, on the other hand, mostly wants to sell games and - specifically - its games. Accordingly - and while it is interested in third-party games to the extent that they move systems and allow it to sell more first-party games - Nintendo's business model probably does not encourage third-party games to the same extent as Microsoft and Sony.

I would concur with this. I also think that it is a strategy which will ultimately hurt the total possible sales of their first party titles.

I read this recently, which I thought made some good points: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2 ... o-nintendo

[MrPopo]

How many exclusives do modern consoles have in the first place, barring first-party and second-party developers? The main one I can think of is niche Japanese developers who only have the budget to develop for a single console. The other one is various downloadable titles by small studios who again, can only afford to develop for a single console.