Why Wii Will Win The Console War

[cbrotherson]

Howdy Rolex, good to hear from you, mate. Things aren’t too bad thanks, busy as sin, but getting by! How's things in Oslo? (Oslo??)

Will all these titles appeal to casual gamers? IMHO I don't think that a vast number of them plugged into Wiisports will go ape for the majority you've included, plus we all have an idea of what's coming out in the short term - and herein will lie the problem of longevity for the Wii on a grander scale at least.

Sorry, this is my bad - I should have explained a little better! I see it more as a split – there's casual gamers and non gamers. Casuals are the ones who will buy the franchises above. They're established, safe and appealing; the very reasons why PS2 and every other format before it that became mainstream reached the level they did. Wii's unique interface means they'll change in terms of input, but typically speaking casuals base their purchases on brands and names, rather than quality or content, which is what I'm getting at.
The motion control is more a cherry than anything else for that type of buyer who constantly puts Need for Speed update 3000 or Harry Potter at the top of the charts every year

The non-gamer on the other hand, are the ones who -like you've said- will be happy with Wii Sports and little else, as FIFA et al means nothing to them per se (through being relatively unfamiliar to gaming). Thus to me, Wii has a broader appeal, attacking the market on more fronts than any other format because the appeal is not linear by any means – Pro Evo and FIFA may look the same to an onlooker, but they have very different markets. Wii effectively has both, PLUS Wii Sports, and stuff like Mario Strikers. All of which will be released over a periodic period of time. To the non gamer they can live off Wii Sports for a long time, the casual gamer will happily be more promiscuous in their selection but ultimately go for the big name, while the hardcore will go for whatever they deem more critically viable to their needs.

Casual gamers tend to go where the popular thing is, in a very self-prophesising way – they gravitate towards what is deemed to be popular and then perpetually keep it popular. The 'swing voters' of importance, I guess. Yet the non/lapsed gamers are the untapped market capable of determining growth (which has shot up amazingly since Wii was released in comparison to the effect 360 has had on the market). Hopefully that makes a little more sense; it's my fault for not clearly defining which type of gamer I was referring to regarding 'casual' in relation to those games!

Will this mean bad publicity for any platform associated with the game(s) in question - after all... "all publicity is good publicity" when attempting to generate awareness but surely not in the area of sales - I mean, sure people will be more aware of Wii but they will also be aware of the crap getting the attention? Although even I admit that this may be an overly harsh statement.

Heh, that I'm not really convinced of – bad games tend to be a unnoticed blip on the radar of the people who make a console popular, I think. Casuals are far more forgiving than hardcore audiences, and they're the ones who determine a console's success. Licensed pap comes out every year for just about every format imaginable and usually sells through the roof despite being awful most of the time; it's of fairly low significance in the perception of the machine itself. When confronted with a bad game (which itself tends to be very subjective), the typical casual just goes back to what they like (compared to us hardcore who will go online and moan, lol).
The bad games without a brand name to stick to rarely get any attention at all (after all, if the good ones without big names have problems – stand up Beyond Good and Evil and Pyschonauts then the bad ones merely slip by like a fart in the wind ) Bad and mediocre games are the majority, by and large, and by that reasoning they're mostly on the format doing well enough to support them in a business sense, yet no popular format has been sunk or even noticeably affected by them. Even ET couldn’t kill the Atari 2006!

I personally feel; either from experience or reviews etc..; that unless both Nintendo & 3rd parties can iron out any niggling prevalent responsiveness issues with the control system then it may hobble the unique perception associated with Wii - couple this with the proviso that if the control system isn't taken full use of - taking Wiisports as a benchmark - and not just adapted as has happened, then Wii may not continue to win hearts and opinions.

To be honest, I don’t see this as a problem – and I'm not trying to gloss over anything, but any issues of responsiveness tend to be something of an accepted thing with both casuals and non gamers simply through to the fact Wii's continuing to sell out. We're past the point now where we can safely say the system is ONLY selling to hardcore users, which means word of mouth must be pretty damn good for the machine. All the non/casuals I've played with have experienced a lack of response in some form or another yet just continue playing regardless (after a curse or two) and then continue threatening to take my Wii off me – this is of particular significance to the non gamer who wouldn’t be playing games in the first place, usually. They accept the tech isn’t going to be 100% flawless partly through the newness of it in the medium.
The amount of times I've seen casuals complain about controls from the Atari 2600 days to the Xbox 360; "the buttons don’t work", "the stick is too sensitive/it's not sensitive enough", blah blah whinge whine moan To many, no controller is perfect whether that be through response, layout or whatever. The very fact Wii has brought many more people into gaming that didn’t play before (or haven’t played in a long long time) allows a certain amount of good will, I reckon. If it didn’t, the word of mouth would be far less generous, and I think you'd see a reflection of that via the sales.

In regards to not taking full use of the controller, well that again is a hardcore thing rather than that of the people who are making Wii successful. As snobbish as this may sound, the typical casual/non gamer doesn’t really give a crap about the progression of the medium, at least in a comparative sense to the hardcore user – they just want to have fun. Motion controllers allow them that, especially for non/lapsed gamers, who to them, haven’t had 'fun' in videogames since the days of a joystick and 2 buttons. They don’t really care if the next Wii Sports has improved competitions, better Mii selection, online or any of that, just as long as they can replicate their favourite sport with the controller and get a few different courses to play on. To us, we want to see the best possibilities for each genre using the Wii remote, but to them a whole new world has opened up. Companies could put out old titles with rejigged Wii controls all year and they would sell to that same audience because to them, who may not have been playing games up until Wii, it's totally new. They'd spurn an Xbox 360 version of Marvel Ultimate Alliance because of the controller but be more willing to try the Wii version because of the 'paired down' controls. Not to say it makes the game better, but it makes them more likely to want to try it. Which is ultimately where these sales are coming from – people wanting to try something they've not been interested in before. And with this generation, that's Wii's unique selling point (gah, excuse the market speak, lol) and will continue to be for the next 5 years. The mindshare of what videogames signifies and can do has already shifted, I personally feel, and short of Nintendo saying "sorry, we've changed our minds and want to go back to the old controllers" Wii's momentum will continue to build, even if MS decide to throw in motion controllers for the 360.

Dont get me wrong, by the way - I love my 360 (Castlevania SotN and Turtles are currently the only games I'm playing in large doses - nostalgia for the win!) and hell, I also do work for Sony, who I have a far better relationship with than Nintendo. So I love the fact all three formats should be doing well; better for me, personally as a writer, on many levels. But at the same time, we're witnessing a marketshare shift, veritable gaming history in the making. I dont see Wii's huge momentum stopping when it has so many mass appeal titles around the corner, given the fact it's pretty much selling off Wii Sports at the moment - that game is the machine's Nintendogs. Things are going to utterly explode when the likes of Wii Music, karaoke and Wii Health Pack launch later this year (after all, if Wii Play can do that well, even with the carrot of a remote, then when those games come out... hoo boy). Seriously, the industry is about to be tipped on its head.


Jesus, how long have I gone on for!

With the possibility of Nights into dreams and I would dearly love to see the little known 'Burning Rangers' (Sega Saturn - which would really lend itself to Wii controls). The future certainly looks rosey.

Nights is about as close as you can get to being confirmed, from what I know. Although Burning Rangers would be fantastic – I agree that would actually be a better fit in many ways; not to mention stand a better chance of actually being good, lol, poor Sonic Team is having a torrid time at the moment and needs a reshuffle…




Thanks as always for your insight and input! And thanks to all the responses and readers so far, it's always appreciated.

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[Rolex]

Corey,

I'm the opposite to you apparently - Oslo is laid back and decadently expensive, although I am bohemianly poor and hopefully I'll be out here 12 months+ working...thanks for asking!

I think I touched a nerve there LOL - are you getting paid by the word!!

I hear what you're saying about the casual / non / hardcore gamers and to a large percentage overall I totally agree with you. I, like all here, would dearly love to see the Wii go from strength to strength and innovate and sell like hot snot ( ) and no doubt it will - but the biggest issue I have with...

but any issues of responsiveness tend to be something of an accepted thing with both casuals and non gamers simply through to the fact Wii's continuing to sell out

I also have Redsteel, COD3, Rayman, Kororinpa, NfS Carbon and Zelda and no body I have shown / converted to Wii has been really arsed for any of them and sports get shot back on and the fun resumes. Now I do think that all of the above (apart from NfS) is a worthy launch window title - and I'm really only a casual gamer on the whole myself.

I agree with you re. responsiveness not really impacting on the non/casual gamer market but word of mouth from reviewers can impact on titles selling - I thought Redsteel & COD3 are cracking games but you would expect any issues to be ironed out in subsequent similar games like MOH Vanguard or Godfather - I have noticed on Gamespot that the Godfather review mentions fairly prominently, that the controls were not as responsive as maybe they could / should be [of course I know that this is a convenient example - I'm just trying to highlight my point] - if these games are to be entry level games for casual gamers getting back into full on gaming then would it not possibly have some bearing on purchases?

I think all said and done - Wii will shine as bright as any technological innovation this century at least ( ) and I hope that Nintendo progress along with the 3rd parties to keep a Wiisports type fun factor running along as far as possible..

I will raise my £7 bier and toast...maybe not I may spill 2.50's worth...

[cbrotherson]

I'm the opposite to you apparently - Oslo is laid back and decadently expensive, although I am bohemianly poor and hopefully I'll be out here 12 months+ working...thanks for asking!

Sounds like Oslo is a nice place to be, all the same! Over 12 months of working? Woah. How's your Norwegian?

I think I touched a nerve there LOL - are you getting paid by the word!!

I know! Sorry about that, it was only when I stopped typing that I realised just how much it was! Crazy fingers dont know when to stop. For some reason I just got an image of an inhibitor collar being placed around my neck to prevent me from going over a word count now... (I'm reading Battle Royale, can you tell? )

I also have Redsteel, COD3, Rayman, Kororinpa, NfS Carbon and Zelda and no body I have shown / converted to Wii has been really arsed for any of them and sports get shot back on and the fun resumes. Now I do think that all of the above (apart from NfS) is a worthy launch window title - and I'm really only a casual gamer on the whole myself.

I agree with you re. responsiveness not really impacting on the non/casual gamer market but word of mouth from reviewers can impact on titles selling - I thought Redsteel & COD3 are cracking games but you would expect any issues to be ironed out in subsequent similar games like MOH Vanguard or Godfather - I have noticed on Gamespot that the Godfather review mentions fairly prominently, that the controls were not as responsive as maybe they could / should be [of course I know that this is a convenient example - I'm just trying to highlight my point] - if these games are to be entry level games for casual gamers getting back into full on gaming then would it not possibly have some bearing on purchases?

I would agree to a point – although I think the thing with responsiveness on a whole tends to be quite analogue, so some are more likely to experience larger degrees than others to the point of distress or distraction. I'm not sure reviews have that much of an effect even on the hardcore regarding that issue (it's something more debatable because of the joys of the net where everyone can voice their opinion on the matter). As something to be aimed as entry level, I think the game itself is one that has the biggest impact – for example, The Godfather, Zelda, Red Steel etc are really more hardcore designates than say Wii Sports (or anything which doesn’t use the nunchuck), and as such the latter are probably more likely to have less issues in that area through either paired down control schemes or the dev keeping a closer eye on response times. It's a concern, but I doubt it'll impact on sales, I think, unless there's a catastrophic level of fault being shown in a particular game.

(Managed to keep that down to less than 200 words, the collar is working! )

I think all said and done - Wii will shine as bright as any technological innovation this century at least ( ) and I hope that Nintendo progress along with the 3rd parties to keep a Wiisports type fun factor running along as far as possible..

I would hope so too – the company is easier to work with than it has been in a long time for devs, but that's not saying much, sadly! Reggie will get things sorted. Maybe. *peers over shoulder and checks under bed just in case Reggie is watching*

I will raise my £7 bier and toast...maybe not I may spill 2.50's worth...

£7? Good lord, man, you should make your own – moonshine is miiiighty tasty!

[Rolex]

Sounds like Oslo is a nice place to be, all the same! Over 12 months of working? Woah. How's your Norwegian?

How can I put this to you English speakers.....SHiiiii...below par old chap!! ahem - succinctly put, I hope you agree

£7? Good lord, man, you should make your own – moonshine is miiiighty tasty!

Ahhh but what comparison moonshine against sitting in the brisk night air in the rough part of town in a piss-poor English bar (Churchills!!) observing the clientele of many Nigerian ladies of the night, getting ripped off, sipping on an overpriced glass of gnats-piss...bliss my friend, bliss

But seriously - if you steer away from Karl Johans gate (which is the central boulevard) and wander into the various swanky districts of Oslo then you can find the cosmopolitan and the bohemian nightlife you don't realise is there when you first land here. It's a nice place to be...and long may I continue to live here.

Sorry now what was the thread about again...

And just as a side note:

I purchased a DS Lite (black fingerprint magnet!) yesterday do you have any essential games you can recommend at all?

Just something snappy and easy to play - I bought brain training with it and it's ok but I need something mindless...

[cbrotherson]

How can I put this to you English speakers.....SHiiiii...below par old chap!! ahem - succinctly put, I hope you agree

Ah, but still better than most of us (especially me, I can guarantee) – want to swap?

Ahhh but what comparison moonshine against sitting in the brisk night air in the rough part of town in a piss-poor English bar (Churchills!!) observing the clientele of many Nigerian ladies of the night, getting ripped off, sipping on an overpriced glass of gnats-piss...bliss my friend, bliss

Ouch. Sounds like… erm… heaven? "Churchills"? Lol, whenever I hear that I always think of the insurance ad with the dog…

But seriously - if you steer away from Karl Johans gate (which is the central boulevard) and wander into the various swanky districts of Oslo then you can find the cosmopolitan and the bohemian nightlife you don't realise is there when you first land here. It's a nice place to be...and long may I continue to live here.

Well hope you have a good one – I'm still jealous :P

I purchased a DS Lite (black fingerprint magnet!) yesterday do you have any essential games you can recommend at all?

Just something snappy and easy to play - I bought brain training with it and it's ok but I need something mindless...

It's a lovely machine (I still have my DS Brick, but I dont really play it enough to justify updgrading and I'm broke anyway). For games I would suggest:

Mario Kart DS
Yoshi's Island DS
New Super Mario Bros.
Elite Beat Agents
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Metroid Prime Pinball
Bomberman

There's lots more, but those are biggies and quick pick up and play style titles (Phoenix Wright is borderline as it requires a small amount of constant play).

[Mojor Skittish]

ps3 hasent evan sold out because it costs so much 360 the discs break if u move it while playing

[David328ci]

Wii needs more games that hardcore gamers will play. Games like Halo 3 are the ones that keep people's interest peaked. Games that actually just a collection of minigames will not sustain a game console.

[roninjapan]

Nintendo Wii Its becoming more popular everyday..gonna win 100%!no doubt.

[nintendowiigaming.piczo]

so you are'nt a Norwegian guy? I live in Oslo ... My Norwegian is then ofcourse perfect: Du skjønner ikke en ting av hva jeg sier nå! eller hva?

On Topic: Somehow the sales of the consoles is allemost as i predicted.
All of my friends was wrong about the Ps3. And yeah i really agree that the console has too many party games. Yep Hardcore games! That's something it's lacking! Hardcore games.! But it seems like they are On their way!

[Evil Ways]

i dont think there will be a clear "winner" in this war, ps3 will definately be loser just based on their price range being too much for they target demographic. wii and xb360 will pretty much be a tie just cause they arent really competing for anything. hardcore gamers dont buy wii for first person shooters, they buy them for fun. likewise, the 360 is more of a competition system, you buy one to compete online more than to "play". i think as a little more time passes i think we"ll see more people with both 360s and wiis. the wii was a great thing for nintendo cause its target demographic is all over age and gender range.