Support NeoGAF

[Chris1964]

If Nintendo wants to regain some of the lost glory of Wii in Japan next year (and that's what Iwata has said) they must be more aggresive not only with third parties but and with their first party software. Mario Galaxy 2 Q1, Metroid: Other M and Pikmin 3 (with Vitality Sensor?) Q2-Q3 and Zelda Wii (with Motion Plus confirmed) Q4 are all games that must come out. If there is again an empty first party release schedule like this year with Nintendo waiting third parties to fill the gaps they will wait for a very long time.

 

[Jonnyram]

I suspect he means spreading a series on every platform known to man, until the fanbase you had is burnt out and the casual fans are unsure which version to get and you end up whoring out the series to the same 200-300k people over and over and over again.

;-)

It's a Tales game. Even when two versions come out for the same platform, and one version is the Superman version versus the Leper version, the fans will still buy both. So I don't get your point. At all.

 

[schuelma]

If Nintendo wants to regain some of the lost glory of Wii in Japan next year (and that's what Iwata has said) they must be more aggresive not only with third parties but and with their first party software. Mario Galaxy 2 Q1, Metroid: Other M and Pikmin 3 (with Vitality Sensor?) Q2-Q3 and Zelda Wii (with Motion Plus confirmed) Q4 are all games that must come out. If there is again an empty first party release schedule like this year with Nintendo waiting third parties to fill the gaps they will wait for a very long time.

Yes. Looking back its just insane what they did in the first half of 2009. By far their biggest release was a GC port. The biggest 3rd party release was a PS2 port. Arrogance, or incompetence?

 

[markatisu]

The first game did over twice that much first week. It is perhaps reaonable to note a frw things, though:

-- The first game went on to sell 594k in Japan alone on an opening week of just 67k
-- The Winter Olympics aren't as big a draw as the Olympics
-- The Winter Olympics don't even start until Feb 2010, so this is a very early release for a tie-in

While it is a pretty weak start for the title, I don't think that it's game over yet. Perhaps it will tank completely next week, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it slow burn through to February, spike for a bit then drop back for lifetime sales of a couple of hundred thousand.

Yeah I can see 200-300ltd after the Winter Olympics actually happen, and I think Sega expects the same as this time there was no press releases claiming this would sell 4-8m like they did for the summer games (where a large chunk of GAF was forced to eat crow)

Its holding on in the EU and we will find out today how well it started in the US, but all signs are pointing to it being a decent hit over time.

With this game especially I think there will be real world expectations and what GAF thinks the game should sell and the two will be very far apart

 

[Cosmonaut X]

It's a Tales game. Even when two versions come out for the same platform, and one version is the Superman version versus the Leper version, the fans will still buy both. So I don't get your point. At all.

My point is that I think the Tales series could be doing a hell of a lot better if it had been more carefully managed and not been dumped on platform after platform, with the titles "mothership" and "escort" seemingly randomly applied and most casual observers having little idea as to what was a quality, main title and what wasn't. As it is, I think there's a limited, dedicated fanbase who will - as you say - buy anything with the Tales name on, but beyond that?

 

[Road]

-- The Winter Olympics don't even start until Feb 2010, so this is a very early release for a tie-in

The timing is actually better this time. M&S1 was released in 11/22/2007 and had sold most of its LTD (561k copies) before the Beijing Olympics even started.

 

[donny2112]

It's a Tales game. Even when two versions come out for the same platform, and one version is the Superman version versus the Leper version, the fans will still buy both. So I don't get your point. At all.

Tales of Hearts: CG Movie Edition

The leper version would like to have a word with you.

 

[Chris1964]

Yes. Looking back its just insane what they did in the first half of 2009. By far their biggest release was a GC port. The biggest 3rd party release was a PS2 port. Arrogance, or incompetence?

Both. They didn't have the software ready and they expected Animal Crossing and Wii Music to lead them for almost 6 months. Next year there is no excuse unless they expect New Super Mario Bros. Wii to last for 6 months without needing any other big game the first half:lol

 

[Cosmonaut X]

The timing is actually better this time. M&S1 was released in 11/22/2007 and had sold most of its LTD (561k copies) before the Beijing Olympics even started.

Really? I thought it was much closer than that.

 

[gerg]

If Nintendo wants to regain some of the lost glory of Wii in Japan next year (and that's what Iwata has said) they must be more aggresive not only with third parties but and with their first party software. Mario Galaxy 2 Q1, Metroid: Other M and Pikmin 3 (with Vitality Sensor?) Q2-Q3 and Zelda Wii (with Motion Plus confirmed) Q4 are all games that must come out. If there is again an empty first party release schedule like this year with Nintendo waiting third parties to fill the gaps they will wait for a very long time.

I'm not sure about Pikmin 3, but I strongly believe that every other game you mentioned (and peripheral) will be out before the end of 2010, maybe even alongside the majority of Nintendo's Ocotoberton announcements.

Both. They didn't have the software ready and they expected Animal Crossing and Wii Music to lead them for almost 6 months. Next year there is no excuse unless they expect New Super Mario Bros. Wii to last for 6 months without needing any other big game the first half:lol

They also expected WSR to see release alongside Animal Crossing and Wii Music. Once that got delayed, everything else got mucked up.

 

[markatisu]

The timing is actually better this time. M&S1 was released in 11/22/2007 and had sold most of its LTD (561k copies) before the Beijing Olympics even started.

Does not matter, the Summer edition had games that were comparable to Wii Sports, Wii Play and Wii Sports Resort. It most likely would have sold even without the Olympics tie in

The Winter games I think needs the tie in because otherwise you have a collection of winter based mini games, which means it would be more like Family Ski and ..... (there is not much else to compare them to)

 

[schuelma]

Both. They didn't have the software ready and they expected Animal Crossing and Wii Music to lead them for almost 6 months. Next year there is no excuse unless they expect New Super Mario Bros. Wii to last for 6 months without needing any other big game the first half:lol

I'm inclined to agree with ethel here though. I do think Galaxy will probably arrive in time for Golden Week, but aside from that there are no indications yet that 2010 is going to be a strong year software wise, first or third party.

 

[jrricky]

10. [WII] Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Nintendo) - 21,000 / NEW

*cough* *cough*

Are you saying that this wont hit 100K?

 

[schuelma]

They also expected WSR to see release alongside Animal Crossing and Wii Music. Once that got delayed, everything else got mucked up.

Even if that had occurred then what exactly would Nintendo have released between January and October with Wii Fit Plus? December and Q1 sales probably would have been better, but it seems to me that the software gap just would have been moved back a few months.

 

[gerg]

Even if that had occurred then what exactly would Nintendo have released between January and October with Wii Fit Plus? December and Q1 sales probably would have been better, but it seems to me that the software gap just would have been moved back a few months.

Perhaps.

WSR also didn't do much for Wii hardware sales when it was eventually released, so perhaps there's an argument towards arrogance for relying solely on that. Then again, it's probably more difficult to create momentum than it is to sustain that; coupled with a release schedule that probably isn't engineered for big muck-ups and it's understandable that Nintendo may not have had anything to release alongside WSR anyway.

My point is, rather, that it's slightly disingenuous that Iwata and co. wanted to release Animal Crossing and Wii Music all on their own during the holiday season in a best-case scenario, and truly believed that they would carry the Wii's momentum on their own.

 

[Jokeropia]

Wii software seems to be slowing to a crawl. Only four games in the top 30, no third party games....

Total software sales share in recent weeks:

September 28 - October 4
DS: 45.4
Wii: 22.6
PSP: 20.1
PS3: 8.2
PS2: 2.2
X360: 1.5
Other: 0.1

October 5-11
DS: 54.5
Wii: 20.1
PSP: 14.7
PS3: 7.4
PS2: 1.9
X360: 1.3
Other: 0.1

October 12-18
DS: 44.7
Wii: 20.6
PSP: 14.6
PS3: 12.7
PS2: 4.2
X360: 3.0
Other: 0.1

October 19-25
DS: 44.6
Wii: 18.2
PSP: 16.9
PS3: 11.4
X360: 6.3
PS2: 2.5
Other: 0.1

(Thanks to JoshuaJSlone.)

 

[donny2112]

Just an update on software totals from my Famitsu database (i.e. Top 30s, random updates, outside Top 30 games, etc.).

2009 1st half Total software (20081229-20090628):

1. DS - 8.26m
2. PSP - 3.70m
3. Wii - 3.53m
4. PS3 - 2.57m
5. PS2 - 1.42m
6. 360 - 953K

2009 2nd half Total Software (20090629-20091101):

1. DS - 10.7m
2. Wii - 3.08m
3. PSP - 2.24m
4. PS3 - 1.52m
5. PS2 - 896K
6. 360 - 487K

Since PS3 Slim Launch Total Software (20090831-20091101):

1. DS - 5.21m
2. PSP - 1.23m
3. Wii - 1.22m
4. PS3 - 1.21m
5. 360 - 268K
6. PS2 - 145K

 

[thefro]

I'm inclined to agree with ethel here though. I do think Galaxy will probably arrive in time for Golden Week, but aside from that there are no indications yet that 2010 is going to be a strong year software wise, first or third party.

Yeah, I was really expecting something from S/E at TGS to prep things for DQX.

We'll probably see MH3G in 2010 on Wii.

Galaxy 2 will do fairly well but anyone who likes Mario will already have a console for Galaxy 1 or NSMB Wii. Zelda may help some but those haven't been big on consoles in Japan. Metroid Other M will be a non-factor. I don't think Sakurai's Project Sora game will be ready until 2011.

Really not a lot left to grab out there, although NSMB Wii should buy them some time to get their ducks in a row as far as moneyhatting stuff goes.

 

[Chris1964]

Next week releases (19/11/09)

[NDS] Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Nintendo)
[NDS] Doraemon Baseball 2: Nettou Ultra Stadium (Namco Bandai)
[NDS] Monster Finder (Alpha Unit)
[NDS] Wizardry: Wedge of Life (Genterprise)
[NDS] Akogare Girls Collection: Lovely Youchien (Creative Core)
[NDS] Moomon Tani no Okurimono (Sonic Powered)
[NDS] Center Shiken: Eigo Listening Sokushuu DS (Educational Network)

[PSP] Jak and Daxter: The Last Frontier (SCE)
[PSP] Armored Core: Silent Line Portable (From Software)

[WII] Taiko Drum Master Wii: Dodon to 2 Yome! (Namco Bandai)
[WII] Family Challenge Wii (Konami)
[WII] Metal Fight Beyblade: Gachinko Stadium (Hudson)
[WII] Calling (Hudson)
[WII] Lost in Blue Wii (Konami the Best) (Konami)

[PS3] Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (SCE)

[360] Left 4 Dead 2 (Electronic Arts Victor)

Starting next week and until Final Fantasy XIII (four weeks) Wii has more and bigger titles comparing to PS3. These weeks will determine who will be the hardware home console winner of 2009.

 

[Chris1964]

Zelda may help some but those haven't been big on consoles in Japan.

Zelda with Motion Plus and the proper advertising can do miracles for Wii in Japan.

 

[schuelma]

Yeah, I was really expecting something from S/E at TGS to prep things for DQX.
.

..Agree, I was expecting something DQ related for Wii this Fall.

Of course, if SE reacts to Crystal Bearers as I expect they will, who knows if they'll give the Wii anymore support, period.

 

[markatisu]

..Agree, I was expecting something DQ related for Wii this Fall.

Of course, if SE reacts to Crystal Bearers as I expect they will, who knows if they'll give the Wii anymore support, period.

Amazing given how well DQS sold and now M+ would actually enhance the game for a sequel (smh), still shocked we did not see even a M+ enabled DQS+ or Best Of to take advantage of the lone M+ marketplace.

 

[schuelma]

Amazing given how well DQS sold and now M+ would actually enhance the game for a sequel (smh), still shocked we did not see even a M+ enabled DQS+ or Best Of to take advantage of the lone M+ marketplace.

Well, given the awesome support the actual maker of the peripheral is giving it, I don't think we can be too hard on SE.

 

[markatisu]

Well, given the awesome support the actual maker of the peripheral is giving it, I don't think we can be too hard on SE.

You have a point :lol

With that in mind has Nintendo announced any big M+ games? The only one I can think of off the top of my head is 3rd party (Red Steel 2)

 

[donny2112]

• Bundling it in by default with the first colored Wiimote in the U.S.
• Including WSR in the EU bundle.
• Next Zelda will require it.

Tons more they could've done in the short-term (e.g. Link's Crossbow Training-type game, Wario Ware, Mario Party), but it does seem like they're pushing some to make Motion+ standard.

 

[Nirolak]

You have a point :lol

With that in mind has Nintendo announced any big M+ games? The only one I can think of off the top of my head is 3rd party (Red Steel 2)

They announced the next Zelda would use it, but I'm still not sure if it exclusively does it.

Edit: Nevermind, Donny has me beat.

..Agree, I was expecting something DQ related for Wii this Fall.

Of course, if SE reacts to Crystal Bearers as I expect they will, who knows if they'll give the Wii anymore support, period.

I'm kind of wondering if they'll use Crystal Bearers as a reasoning to move DQX back to the DS, even if they really make the decision for other reasons.

 

[schuelma]

You have a point :lol

With that in mind has Nintendo announced any big M+ games? The only one I can think of off the top of my head is 3rd party (Red Steel 2)

To the best of my knowledge they currently have announced one first party title that uses it- Span Smasher.

Its even worse when you look at Japanese third parties. I don't think there has been a single title announced.

 

[cw_sasuke]

..Agree, I was expecting something DQ related for Wii this Fall.

Of course, if SE reacts to Crystal Bearers as I expect they will, who knows if they'll give the Wii anymore support, period.

TCB isnt even a RPG and has nothing to do with DQ or DQX, if they switch the plattform for DQX it will be because they can make more money on the DS not because of bad sales for a FF Spin-Off.

 

[schuelma]

TCB isnt even a RPG and has nothing to do with DQ or DQX, if they switch the plattform for DQX it will be because they can make more money on the DS not because of bad sales for a FF Spin-Off.

I'm not saying it makes sense, but it seems much easier for a publisher to blame the userbase rather than admit any problem with its own marketing and development.

 

[ethelred]

I'm not saying it makes sense, but it seems much easier for a publisher to blame the userbase rather than admit any problem with its own marketing and development.

Similarly, it's often easier for rubbernecking forumers to blame a lack of marketing rather than admit any problem with the userbase.

 

[schuelma]

Similarly, it's often easier for rubbernecking forumers to blame a lack of marketing rather than admit any problem with the userbase.

I'm not blaming the lack of marketing at all. I think SE made a mistake by going out of their way to try and appeal to the casual segment of the userbase instead of keeping the game to its roots and at least getting some guaranteed sales. Now, where I think you can blame Nintendo is for marketing the system in such a way that SE would think that way in the first place.

 

[Vilix]

When Mr. Iwata-san came out and said the Wii had failed to live up to expectations this past year because of a lack of good software content I was very pleased. I was pleased because, unlike other heads of industry, he didn't spin it. He didn't make it out to be something else. He said exactly what was wrong. This is very encouraging. If Iwata had the courage to say what the problem is and take the blame, then he and Nintendo know exactly what they need to do.

 

[BishopLamont]

Similarly, it's often easier for rubbernecking forumers to blame a lack of marketing rather than admit any problem with the userbase.

You can't blame the userbase for anything, it's on developer's shoulders to sell their software to it. Look at the PSP and the piracy fallacy.

When Mr. Iwata-san came out and said the Wii had failed to live up to expectations this past year because of a lack of good software content I was very pleased. I was pleased because, unlike other heads of industry, he didn't spin it. He didn't make it out to be something else. He said exactly what was wrong. This is very encouraging. If Iwata had the courage to say what the problem is and take the blame, then he and Nintendo know exactly what they need to do.

Yes Iwata and Nintendo knows what to do, but do they have the capacity to do it in a timely manner? Only time will tell.

 

[TheRagnCajun]

Next week releases (19/11/09)

[NDS] Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Nintendo)
[NDS] Doraemon Baseball 2: Nettou Ultra Stadium (Namco Bandai)
[NDS] Monster Finder (Alpha Unit)
[NDS] Wizardry: Wedge of Life (Genterprise)
[NDS] Akogare Girls Collection: Lovely Youchien (Creative Core)
[NDS] Moomon Tani no Okurimono (Sonic Powered)
[NDS] Center Shiken: Eigo Listening Sokushuu DS (Educational Network)

[PSP] Jak and Daxter: The Last Frontier (SCE)
[PSP] Armored Core: Silent Line Portable (From Software)

[WII] Taiko Drum Master Wii: Dodon to 2 Yome! (Namco Bandai)
[WII] Family Challenge Wii (Konami)
[WII] Metal Fight Beyblade: Gachinko Stadium (Hudson)
[WII] Calling (Hudson)
[WII] Lost in Blue Wii (Konami the Best) (Konami)

[PS3] Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (SCE)

[360] Left 4 Dead 2 (Electronic Arts Victor)

Starting next week and until Final Fantasy XIII (four weeks) Wii has more and bigger titles comparing to PS3. These weeks will determine who will be the hardware home console winner of 2009.

Yeah its basically everything Wii has left this year vs. FFXIII. I found this week's HW sales very curious though. I'm not sure if its just an outlier or the start of a trend but Wii and PS3 kind of went in opposite directions from what I expected.

 

[ethelred]

You can't blame the userbase for anything

Of course you can blame the userbase on some things. It can't be blamed for everything, but it's the most elementary of realities that there are different types of people for each system and they buy different types of games.

It's just a little tiresome to see "well the game wasn't marketed" every time a game on the Wii bombs. Maybe it can be used for something like Takt of Magic but it sure can't be applied to Crystal Bearers. The game was marketed thoroughly. The audience for games like that just aren't there, though.

 

[schuelma]

It's just a little tiresome to see "well the game wasn't marketed" every time a game on the Wii bombs. Maybe it can be used for something like Takt of Magic but it sure can't be applied to Crystal Bearers. The game was marketed thoroughly. The audience for games like that just aren't there, though.

Again, I did not mean the volume of marketing, at all. I meant that in the way SE decided to market the title- as an action title and explicitly NOT an RPG, and as something incredibly divorced from the previous entries in the series. You say there isn't an audience for these type of games- maybe that is true for what Crystal Bearers ended up being, since the more casual Wii userbase is very fickle.

However, it is my opinion which you are certainly free to disagree, that if they had retained the previous gameplay and aggressively marketed the title as a real, epic RPG it would at least do 250-300K instead of the impending bomb it is probably going to be. If you disagree, fine, but I’d love to hear your detailed analysis why (since you are a very knowledgeable poster).

 

[ethelred]

However, it is my opinion which you are certainly free to disagree, that if they had retained the previous gameplay and aggressively marketed the title as a real, epic RPG...

Do you really think of any of the prior Crystal Chronicles games as "epic?"

 

[schuelma]

Do you really think of any of the prior Crystal Chronicles games as "epic?"

Probably not, and a fair point. I guess I meant epic compared to most Wii software released in Japan (in terms of hours the user spends playing the title).

 

[FoneBone]

The first game did over twice that much first week. It is perhaps reaonable to note a frw things, though:

-- The first game went on to sell 594k in Japan alone on an opening week of just 67k
-- The Winter Olympics aren't as big a draw as the Olympics
-- The Winter Olympics don't even start until Feb 2010, so this is a very early release for a tie-in

While it is a pretty weak start for the title, I don't think that it's game over yet. Perhaps it will tank completely next week, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it slow burn through to February, spike for a bit then drop back for lifetime sales of a couple of hundred thousand.

#3 is a really silly excuse -- the previous game launched much further in advance of the Olympics in question.

 

[Nirolak]

Again, I did not mean the volume of marketing, at all. I meant that in the way SE decided to market the title- as an action title and explicitly NOT an RPG, and as something incredibly divorced from the previous entries in the series. You say there isn't an audience for these type of games- maybe that is true for what Crystal Bearers ended up being, since the more casual Wii userbase is very fickle.

However, it is my opinion which you are certainly free to disagree, that if they had retained the previous gameplay and aggressively marketed the title as a real, epic RPG it would at least do 250-300K instead of the impending bomb it is probably going to be. If you disagree, fine, but I’d love to hear your detailed analysis why (since you are a very knowledgeable poster).

You know, now that I think about it, if their absolute best case was 250-300k, I have to wonder why they greenlit the game at all.

I mean, for a fraction of the budget they could have just made another DS Crystal Chronicles game and gotten almost the same if not better sales than that. Not to mention that on the DS they also have the engine and most of the art assets done already.

Looking at the general visual quality and production values that seem to be in Crystal Bearers, I have to imagine it's been quite expensive, and if its prospects were really always that bad I can't just make sense of the business decision behind it right now. Perhaps it was because things looked significantly different when they first approved it.

 

[thefro]

I think S/E has to get some blame for not putting a good effort into a Wii title before Crystal Bearers.

For a console that's been out 3 years they have:

Dragon Quest Swords (outsourced to Genius Sorority)
Chocobo Dungeon (h.a.n.d. is the developer)
Echoes of Time (DS Port)
Soul Eater (licensed game)

They also made an original WiiWare game and ported over a great cell phone game to WiiWare.

I mean, there really is no excuse for missing the boat that much. Crystal Bearers should have been a Q4 2007 title at the latest.

That being said, I think Crystal Bearers will do very well overseas, although launching the day after Christmas will hurt things.

 

[boiled goose]

It is good to see nintendo struggling in Japan. they have honestly gotten lazy and have been resting on their laurels.

Games like wii fit plus and WSR are good games, but they are not the feature packed sequels they could be. both these games should have online stat tracking for example. and possibly online play.
nintendos games should all have standard online play when appropriate and all online games should use wii speak as standard.

how the hell does punchout not have online leaderboards and cc support?
How the hell does excitebots not support wiispeak?
how do they expect good sales when they have become terrible at generating hype for anything other than their AA releases? there have been good third party games released that could easily fill the first party gaps, but they get no promotion.

wiiware needs more promotion. there are tons of gems currently on the service.


i know wii's problems go far and beyond first party support, but these are just a few examples of how nintendo is really not doing all they could be doing.

hopefully next year is better.

 

[BishopLamont]

Of course you can blame the userbase on some things. It can't be blamed for everything, but it's the most elementary of realities that there are different types of people for each system and they buy different types of games.

It's just a little tiresome to see "well the game wasn't marketed" every time a game on the Wii bombs. Maybe it can be used for something like Takt of Magic but it sure can't be applied to Crystal Bearers. The game was marketed thoroughly. The audience for games like that just aren't there, though.

Ah yes the Wii does have problems selling certain types of games, because of a lack of that certain audience, which comes from a lack of support, and it goes round full circle.

 

[Stumpokapow]

I think S/E has to get some blame for not putting a good effort into a Wii title before Crystal Bearers.

For a console that's been out 3 years they have:

Dragon Quest Swords (outsourced to Genius Sorority)
Chocobo Dungeon (h.a.n.d. is the developer)
Echoes of Time (DS Port)
Soul Eater (licensed game)

They also made an original WiiWare game and ported over a great cell phone game to WiiWare.

Not that SE hasn't missed the boat, but outsourcing is a poor thing to blame.

Internal SE titles released thusfar this generation:
FFCC DS
FFCC2 DS.
FFCC2 Wii
FFTA2.
Crisis Core.
Dissidia.
TLR (licenced engine).

Possibly Chrono Trigger DS.

... uh, that's it, as far as I know.

 

[d+pad]

If Nintendo wants to regain some of the lost glory of Wii in Japan next year (and that's what Iwata has said) they must be more aggresive not only with third parties but and with their first party software. Mario Galaxy 2 Q1, Metroid: Other M and Pikmin 3 (with Vitality Sensor?) Q2-Q3 and Zelda Wii (with Motion Plus confirmed) Q4 are all games that must come out. If there is again an empty first party release schedule like this year with Nintendo waiting third parties to fill the gaps they will wait for a very long time.

Actually, if the aim is to regain some of their lost glory, I think they'll need to have a big casual title this year too. Personally, I think Wii Sports 2 - with fleshed-out/improved versions of the games that appeared on the first title as well as online play - would more than fit the bill, but for some reason they seem hestitant to go that route.

 

[BishopLamont]

Not that SE hasn't missed the boat, but outsourcing is a poor thing to blame.

Internal SE titles released thusfar this generation:
FFCC DS
FFCC2 DS.
FFCC2 Wii
FFTA2.
Crisis Core.
Dissidia.
TLR (licenced engine).

Possibly Chrono Trigger DS.

... uh, that's it, as far as I know.

I think the total lack of support is the only reason that matters. DQS was basically a late launch title and after that? Nothing.

Actually, if the aim is to regain some of their lost glory, I think they'll need to have a big casual title this year too. Personally, I think Wii Sports 2 - with fleshed-out/improved versions of the games that appeared on the first title as well as online play - would more than fit the bill, but for some reason they seem hestitant to go that route.

Vitality Sensor?

 

[Kurosaki Ichigo]

Huh, I found this weird.
http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/11/12/four_warriors_shortages/

Producer Tomoya Asano made a post at the Four Warriors of Light blog admitting to the sellouts, and apologizing to those waiting for the game. He also promised more shipments towards the end of November.

First day was 85,000 with 46% sell through, which translates to a ~185k first day shipment. As of last Sunday, 155k sold, so 30k left if there were no other shipments, which seems fair to assume given the post.

The interesting part to me is that he promises more units for ... the end of November? Is this how Nintendo treats 3rd parties with big games like FF Gaiden in the manufacturing process? wow.

Oh, and let me please laugh at all these so clever strategies given to Capcom for Monster Hunter development involving giving the middle finger to the system where Monster Hunter has sold more than 6m units with 3 PS2 ports in one country. Ha.

Funny how slowly burning a captain-obvious-size overshipment is called legs these days too.

 

[thefro]

Actually, if the aim is to regain some of their lost glory, I think they'll need to have a big casual title this year too. Personally, I think Wii Sports 2 - with fleshed-out/improved versions of the games that appeared on the first title as well as online play - would more than fit the bill, but for some reason they seem hestitant to go that route.

Wii Sports 2 won't do it (Wii Sports Resort was basically Wii Sports 2)

Everyone who cares about Wii Sports probably has already bought a console. While another Wii Sports sequel would probably sell a bunch it's not going to help hardware sales.

It needs to be something original and new or a game that all core gamers in Japan have to play.

 

[schuelma]

Oh, and let me please laugh at all these so clever strategies given to Capcom for Monster Hunter development involving giving the middle finger to the system where Monster Hunter has sold more than 6m units with 3 PS2 ports in one country. Ha.
.

Who has said they should do that? I speculated that the port might be later than first thought given the new spinoff, but that's it.

 

[Nuclear Muffin]

Not that SE hasn't missed the boat, but outsourcing is a poor thing to blame.

Internal SE titles released thusfar this generation:
FFCC DS
FFCC2 DS.
FFCC2 Wii
FFTA2.
Crisis Core.
Dissidia.
TLR (licenced engine).

Possibly Chrono Trigger DS.

... uh, that's it, as far as I know.

That was outsourced to Tose.