Nintendo to meet UK retailers after unofficial Wii U price cuts fail
- Thread starter CrunchinJelly
- Start date
AZ Greg
Member
I can see a successor being out by the WiiU's 4th birthday. And if things don't pick up then it may be sooner.
That was typical GAF hype.
Iacobellis
Junior Member
Another GameCube? I think everybody means this will become a second N64. The GameCube had fantastic third party support.
Steve Youngblood
Member
Well, I think two things are at play, here. First of all, I don't think that there was any sort of unanimous agreement that Nintendo Direct assuaged any and all fears about the system. I think the measured response was that it was a good first step in terms of calming concerns about how secretive they were with titles past the launch window and wondering what was coming. However, I don't think many were actually convinced that all was swell just because of one PR event.
Secondly, past the holiday season, sales data has been absolutely disastrous. So, to say "nothing has changed" seems to ignore that sales have been abysmal since Christmas.
Who is this 'everyone'? Have you been to sales threads these past few months?
Not even in MC threads did I see even remotely widespread sentiment of X or FE x SMT 'saving' the console.
Sounded to me like most of the people thinking it will save the Wii U were Wii U owners. People with a clear mind even afterwards knew that didn't tackle the real issues with the console. Having one of the greatest software libraries of any console ever never saved the Dreamcast once you considered other factors. And it's even debatable that that's there right now too.
New first party software doesn't change the things they can't change, like underwhelming hardware, repeating the mistakes of last gen, aiming for parity with current gen, failing to secure the broad audience like they did with the Wii, embarrassing blunders in marketing, etc. Most of this stuff is only remedied by new hardware, which is highly unlikely.
Tallshortman
Member
Yep they failed to secure real third party support instead of one off ports of games released already. There isn't anything they can really do within the next few months first party wise unless they release something amazing at E3 the day it's announced. A real and relatively traditional 3D mario game will not save the wii u, they will need something more fresh. Basically they'll have to make business and marketing decisions instead of relying on their first party software to save them in the immediate future.
Art Teitlebaum
Member
I think this is the crucial point here. I can only speak for myself, but ZombiU was and still is the only must-have of the launch window for me.
And what I hear from former Wii casuals that enjoyed Wii Sports, Wii Fit and Just Dance, the new console doesn't offer anything interesting for them yet.
radioheadrule83
Banned
>£425 in an economy with stagnant growth and pay freezes continuing as inflation drives everything up = less money to spend. Throw in things that might vye for money like Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 5S, Google Glass, cheaper 360s, PS3s, Vitae, 3DS, Wii U with actual games etc. Plus we've not had two new premium consoles launch very close to each other either. That could hamper their ability to make record breaking launches that older consoles have enjoyed. Will we be combining 720 and PS4 sales together in future sales threads to try and proclaim a smooth transition? It could all go amazingly well, but equally - I think this Christmas could be quite a hostile market for gadget companies. Certainly in the UK.
I think you're right, they'll be hard pushed to do worse, but too much confidence might be dangerous
Because Nintendo gaming is a synergy between hardware and software. That's all well and good if you don't give a rat's ass about the former, but you have to acknowledge the company's MO.
kevcampbell
Member
Most likely has been already said and i am sure losds of people think it too, but...
Wii U sales are only going to get worse come E3 time as everyone is going to see Xbox and PS4 as the true next gen and then the only buyers left for Wii U will be Nintendo fans, as for casuals like grandma's etc i think they are not sure of the differrnce between Wii U and Wii...
Thoughts?
Wii U sales are only going to get worse come E3 time as everyone is going to see Xbox and PS4 as the true next gen and then the only buyers left for Wii U will be Nintendo fans, as for casuals like grandma's etc i think they are not sure of the differrnce between Wii U and Wii...
Thoughts?
Wickerbasket
Member
I think some people are hoping that some big hitting games will be out by then and maybe a price drop which will increase its value.
But yeah, in general, being compared against MS's and Sony's next gen consoles isn't going to make the Wii U look very good value wise.
timetokill
Banned
I dunno, I think a lot of parents especially are going to see a $249-$299 Wii U with two bundled games (Nintendoland and NSMB Wii U) packed in and feel like that's a pretty good deal compared to $449 PS4 with no bundled games.
Pachterballs
Banned
To the non-ultrahardcore gamers, it might. I've shown a fair few people who regularly play games but aren't as hardcore as most of us here some PS4 footage and they were questioning why a new console was needed. It will be a harder sell than normal
kevcampbell
Member
That is what is hurting them the most i think, lack of titles for the platform like you say
And yeah when 720 and PS4 are released unless they are double the price of the Wii U then Wii U is going to look like a waste of money, i guess
its kinda funny.
When Nintendo last E3 revealed just about all the games for the Wii U were coming out in the fall/winter people complained nothing ahead of that was shown.
And when Nintendo shows games coming out at later dates, people complain those games aren't coming out soon.
I'm guessing it's really just because of the longgg drought we have (granted we just got MonHun 3 but MonHun isn't a huge title in the west...). Not to mention some of the games announced from that ND are likely far away releases.
Steve Youngblood
Member
What doesn't make sense about this? Just because they attempt to address a complaint, that doesn't mean that all concerns are suddenly addressed.
"So, this customer calls up and complains that it's been an hour and he hasn't gotten his pizza. I tell him it's on the way. Then he calls back and complains that it was cold when delivered. He got his pizza! What more does he want!"
Discussion has dissolved into the same arguments as always x) In the end, No one in this industry seems to have a clear vision of where the product or space is going. It's why i think the whole gen is going to be a cluster fuck for everyone. The large publishers are even laying groundwork bets against the console holders with platforms like Orgin.
Also, Seeing the word fad and nintendo in the same line has become mind grating.
What in the consumer electronics space isn't a fad? Even products which keep the same shell because of their predominance adopt a fad term/tech/look to pull in customers.
Nintendo is up against one thing in gaming thats changed: People care less about the features of the box versus being able to consume the content how they want and where they want. Mario can only sell so many $300 boxes and it isnt 1997. For many games are morphing into the same vein as video and music. Something you consume versus experience. It's why gaming as a service is becoming acceptable.
This gen's motion controls is touch. Instead of being ahead of the game, their following tablets with a half in/half out control concept. Sony is trying to mix in the idea with oddly placed touch panels. I'm sure MS won't be left behind, kinect be damned.
For the future, with what were seeing by the end of this gen nintendo wouldn't need sony or microsoft to deliver a game to the living room. Them being able to sell peripherals, community and a marketplace of games as the "system" is a sharper razor. It's still something that can boxed and branded.
The strongest argument nintendo has for dedicated hardware is in the handheld space.
Given how nintendo reuses as much of their R&D/product as applicable in their new product; Its not hard to put the 3DS, the gamepad and WiiU features together and vision where they can reach continuity (cost and product wise) in a home based product. With the news about merging OS/software architecture and pushing dual releases... I really believe its where nintendo is headed as well.
Also, Seeing the word fad and nintendo in the same line has become mind grating.
What in the consumer electronics space isn't a fad? Even products which keep the same shell because of their predominance adopt a fad term/tech/look to pull in customers.
Nintendo is up against one thing in gaming thats changed: People care less about the features of the box versus being able to consume the content how they want and where they want. Mario can only sell so many $300 boxes and it isnt 1997. For many games are morphing into the same vein as video and music. Something you consume versus experience. It's why gaming as a service is becoming acceptable.
This gen's motion controls is touch. Instead of being ahead of the game, their following tablets with a half in/half out control concept. Sony is trying to mix in the idea with oddly placed touch panels. I'm sure MS won't be left behind, kinect be damned.
For the future, with what were seeing by the end of this gen nintendo wouldn't need sony or microsoft to deliver a game to the living room. Them being able to sell peripherals, community and a marketplace of games as the "system" is a sharper razor. It's still something that can boxed and branded.
The strongest argument nintendo has for dedicated hardware is in the handheld space.
Given how nintendo reuses as much of their R&D/product as applicable in their new product; Its not hard to put the 3DS, the gamepad and WiiU features together and vision where they can reach continuity (cost and product wise) in a home based product. With the news about merging OS/software architecture and pushing dual releases... I really believe its where nintendo is headed as well.
sure it doesn't address everything, but when Nintendo solves one complaint the solution just causes more.
Wickerbasket
Member
If it was as simple as that I might agree, but you're forgetting that the 360 and PS3 are still selling well and have much larger libraries. The parents buying their kids a console are going to go with the better value deal which is the 360/PS3 at almost half the price of the Wii U.
Meanwhile, the hardcore gamers/technophiles (which are usually the majority of console launch window customers) will most likely opt for the upgrade they feel gives them the most value for money in terms of tech, services and games. For them, the Wii U might not even factor in as an upgrade and instead they might feel is more of a sidegrade.
There marketing really isn't helping them any.
Neff
Member
There's a substantial amount of unannounced Wii U games in production.
kevcampbell
Member
Wickerbasket
Member
They should probably announce them then, if they want people to have any faith in their console.
DragonSworne
Banned
DragonSworne
Banned
It takes time to drown.
Steve Youngblood
Member
The problem is that you're painting the complaint as more one-dimensional than it actually is. The complaint is really two-fold: one, they were secretive about what was in the pipeline, and two, people were antsy to get their hands on some of these big games after the launch failed to dazzle. Ergo, just showing game footage -- which though it's something, I'll happily admit -- is not the same as saying "here's some great games that you'll be able to play soon."
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Games are what sell the system. If kids want a new Mario Kart, they're going to get the system that plays the new Mario Kart.
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Late November/early December. It will be the flagship holiday title. I fully expect a system bundle as well.
Aquamarine
Member
But how many of these titles aren't ports?
I think you're looking at the system through rose-tinted goggles. Sure it was a good deal better than the Wii U, but it was trash compared to monolith that was the PS2.
Did they think that Monster Hunter and Pikmin 3 (where are you?) would be big enough titles to sustain 6+months of a consoles first year?
Lets be honest here. Monster Hunter hasn't made an impact anywhere outside of Japan in any of its iterations. Pikmin 3 will do okay - but again, nothing to set any charts on fire.
The rest is made up of late ports for the most part are way to expensive and barely on par or worse than the PS3/360 equivalents.
No wonder the retailers are getting edgy.
Lets be honest here. Monster Hunter hasn't made an impact anywhere outside of Japan in any of its iterations. Pikmin 3 will do okay - but again, nothing to set any charts on fire.
The rest is made up of late ports for the most part are way to expensive and barely on par or worse than the PS3/360 equivalents.
No wonder the retailers are getting edgy.
When they do, people complain it's too far away
People overreact.
Yes the drought was terrible and Nintendo is being idiotic by not announcing release dates.
Nintendo botched the 3DS launch and it had a drought after launch also. Now it is getting tons of good games and it is selling pretty damn well.
The Wii U is going to get games and it is going to sell a lot better than it is now.
It is going to have some big games around the holidays and will do fine.
If it sells slightly less than the Gamecube....big deal. Nintendo will be fine.
I just hope they finally learn their lesson and change things up a little.
Yes the drought was terrible and Nintendo is being idiotic by not announcing release dates.
Nintendo botched the 3DS launch and it had a drought after launch also. Now it is getting tons of good games and it is selling pretty damn well.
The Wii U is going to get games and it is going to sell a lot better than it is now.
It is going to have some big games around the holidays and will do fine.
If it sells slightly less than the Gamecube....big deal. Nintendo will be fine.
I just hope they finally learn their lesson and change things up a little.
Wickerbasket
Member
Maybe I'm underestimating the amount of people who'll buy a console for Mario Kart, but looking at the N64 and Gamecube sales, I don't think I am.
Don't get me wrong, I certainly think it can do Gamecube numbers with Nintendo's first party releases but I'm sure Nintendo was hoping for more.
I'd definitely like them to be more aggressive in their pricing and marketing, but as it is right now they have little to market.
RumblingRosco
Member
A Chu Chu Rocket update could do some amazing things with that touchpad screen.
yo a Dreamcast virtual console would be amazing. First console to do that wins the console wars
Funny you say that when you consider yow many believe its the oversized anchor like gamepad tehtered to the console, that's causing the drowning in the first place.
Pie and Beans
Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
So after a full year of resolute failure on the market, and just as the PS4 and Durango launch. I can only hope Retro has something absolutely astonishingly new in the works so Nintendo's counterpoint to nextgen starting isn't "Hey, its MarioKart again!"
360 seems like the closest contender these days with the few odds and sods it has that never came to PC/PS3 (Virtual On, etc).
polyh3dron
Banned
oh really?
Aquamarine
Member
In terms of Hardware sold, the Gamecube sold less so since they are talking about hardware comparing it to the gamecube is a bleaker prediction.
Steve Youngblood
Member
I think you're creating a false dichotomy here of suggesting that they're damned if they do and damned if they don't. "People will whine no matter what!" Well, when the complaint is "lack of software," people won't stop being critical until there's more good software in their hands. But that doesn't mean that divulging what's in the pipeline to generate sustained interest is bad, or won't help in terms of a being a tipping point when more good software comes.
What they really need is good software on store shelves. But in addition to that, announcing more software isn't a terrible idea either.
Wickerbasket
Member
I'm just completely and utterly surprised at how badly Nintendo were caught with their pants down in regards to launch software. It really makes me wonder what they've been doing the last few years in regards to planning of the launch.
Pie and Beans
Look for me on the local news, I'll be the guy arrested for trying to burn down a Nintendo exec's house.
GameCube-level sales are already here. Take a look at my chart.
Good lord. I at least thought the WiiU had a stronger western launch month than the Gamecube! This is an unmitigated disaster!!
iamaustrian
Member
The Wii was a far different kind of underpowered in comparison to the Wii U. The Wii U is more like an extremely downscaled 8th gen system (in comparison to the others) than architecture rooted pre pixel shaders/multicore. People like to paint it with a similar brush to 360/ps3 But the reality is that the design dichotomy is different. Small/LP multicore CPU paired with larger GPU. It's just a 40w system rather than a 140w system.