Poll: Faith or No Faith: Nintendo Wii-U, Struggling Sales, and Improving Morale

[BrotherRool]

The wiiU will play out like the 3DS

The difference being Nintendo was already dominating the handheld industry with the regular DS. The 3DS was a definate upgraded version, and people were having trouble with either price, games, or both.

Given that Nintendo was already dominating the console market, and that the wiiU is a big upgrade to the wii, you basically just described the current situation.

And that would be fine if the Wii had the same target demographic as it competitors or the handheld market, but it doesn't. The Wii had a terrible in terms of people who played third-party AAA games (or they had the base, but all their wii were collecting dusts) as evidenced by the abysmal sales of all third-party AAA titles that were multiplatform to the Wii. If people who played Mass Effect owned a Wii (and played on it) we wouldn't be in this situation now, or rather the 3DS turnaround will be around the corner. But they didn't, and we have no idea if the casual market buys new consoels or if tehy care about the new gimmick in the same way they cared about the wii mote. (or if the higher pricing puts them off)

Even then , the 3DS had very weak competition, it was fighting against just one platform, with a much lower install base and a poor record of attracting third-party games. I'm not saying they can't do it, but I'm saying success isn't as close as likely as it was with the 3DS and it's entirely possible that they could fail (or rather be the gamecube of the generation).

The software sales are scarily low so far, nevermind profit most of the games released so far have faced bottom dropping failure. There are major publishers who've failed to break the 100,000 mark so far. In fact all major publishers barring Nintendo and Ubisoft have failed to sell more than 400,000 on one game and Ubisoft barely sold more than that. Making a good Wii U game is suciide at the moment, yet someone needs to make these games for sales to improve. In contrast looking at Amazon, preorders of PS4 games have sold more than some publishers highest selling games on the Wii U

 

[Able Seacat]

Hang on, why the hell did Black Heron Ink get a warning for the OP? He posted a perfectly valid topic about the Wii U and its upcoming lineup, and didn't post anything I could see that was out of line. Was it just for the blatantly tongue in cheek quip about Wonder Black at the end?

I'm not sure but there is a mod edit in the post removing a link to a website that may have been against the rules.

OT: I don't think the Wii U will see the same numbers as the Wii but I wouldn't count it out just yet.

 

[Ishal]

I think they will get their act together, even though I can't be arsed to care either way. Nintendo hasn't released anything I consider worthwhile since the metroid prime series. It's a shame since I wish they would do more. I also wish I liked Bayonetta, but its just too OTT.

Nintendo seems to be throwing stuff at the wall and hoping stuff sticks. The Wii family appeal worked, but not everything they try will.

 

[Starik20X6]

-snip-

It's becoming increasingly apparent that no longer need to post anything on The Escapist regarding Nintendo, knowing you'll say exactly what I'm thinking, but better.

 

[Negatempest]

I think they will get their act together, even though I can't be arsed to care either way. Nintendo hasn't released anything I consider worthwhile since the metroid prime series. It's a shame since I wish they would do more. I also wish I liked Bayonetta, but its just too OTT.

Nintendo seems to be throwing stuff at the wall and hoping stuff sticks. The Wii family appeal worked, but not everything they try will.

Personally I hope they keep doing that. Doing random genre games to appeal to different people. The reason I loved the psone and ps2 wasn't because of hardcore graphics or realistic settings. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Twisted Metal, JRPG's galore, Wild 9, Omega Boost, God of War, Viewtiful Joe, Okami, Shadow of the Colossus. The ps1 and ps2 had a variety of genres and play styles that help make them who they were. Now, what do we get on the ps4? Realistic people doing stuff in a very believable manner because physics could work that way. During a time when most of the reveals of E3 from Sony and Microsoft ended up being another shooter of some type, I'm glad Nintendo is at least trying to be fun over awards material.

 

[Maximum Bert]

Well they seem to be getting some games out next year so maybe that will help them really though they should have done it sooner the Wii may have sold well but it didnt exactly endear them to a lot of people god knows how many people I know who have Wiis and never play them or only play one or two games (because thats all they have).

I am really looking forward to Bayonetta 2 and the new X title but after that its all a bit meh but still at least its better than what Sony and Microsoft are offering atm for me anyways. They do need to do something fast though most people I know dont even know the WiiU is a thing or if they do know they dont care.

I am unsure about the tablet controller it seems a little pointless like motion control was and no one made anything decent with motion control beyond some admittedly fun in moderation gimmicky extras which didnt really add to the overall experience (and usually detracted from it). I dont think the panel controller thing will be as useless but I cant see it being some great innovation either or as popular (cant see Sony or Microsoft bringing out their tablet controller and no that shitty other tablet stuff they are trying to shoehorn into games dosent count).

The Wii may have been a great initial success but it couldnt maintain momentum and to be quite honest Nintendo havent been doing that great in the console business for quite a while I would say the SNES was their last great console when they were considered at the forefront of the console business, these days most people I speak to just discount them entirely.

The WiiU wont fail its not the Ouya or one of those unestablished consoles that are coming out they still have market presence and an established reputation and once they get some killer games out it will sell more (or should do) trouble is that should have happened already thankfully Microsoft gave them a lot of good publicity but they do need to make something happen soon before the PS4 and Xbox One get their titles out.

Also a sub 200 pounds price point would help them I know they are already selling at a loss but I think they may have to sell it at more of a loss 300 is way to high and even 260 is pushing it even if it is the premium version.

 

[Ishal]

I think they will get their act together, even though I can't be arsed to care either way. Nintendo hasn't released anything I consider worthwhile since the metroid prime series. It's a shame since I wish they would do more. I also wish I liked Bayonetta, but its just too OTT.

Nintendo seems to be throwing stuff at the wall and hoping stuff sticks. The Wii family appeal worked, but not everything they try will.

Personally I hope they keep doing that. Doing random genre games to appeal to different people. The reason I loved the psone and ps2 wasn't because of hardcore graphics or realistic settings. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Twisted Metal, JRPG's galore, Wild 9, Omega Boost, God of War, Viewtiful Joe, Okami, Shadow of the Colossus. The ps1 and ps2 had a variety of genres and play styles that help make them who they were. Now, what do we get on the ps4? Realistic people doing stuff in a very believable manner because physics could work that way. During a time when most of the reveals of E3 from Sony and Microsoft ended up being another shooter of some type, I'm glad Nintendo is at least trying to be fun over awards material.

It's not really because they want to, its because they have to. Sony and Microsoft have deep pockets due to being other businesses besides strictly video games. They have access to the tech to make games look amazing, realistic, and all that other jazz. Nintendo would be outclassed if they ventured to compete in that arena. Not to mention the studios making said titles would likely not work with Nintendo. Nintendo sticking to family games with fun intuitive controls (even though I dislike motion controls) and sticking with the tried and true formulas will work out for them. They've shown that they will do new things and make cool stuff, just not stuff I'm interested in. I think they have made the smart decision staying where they are now.

Despite what I think about them phoning in the recent Mario and Zelda titles their base still eats that stuff up. The thing I was most excited about at E3 was Destiny. Not because of what the game itself is, but because of what it might do with the gap between MMO's and general multiplayer titles. My interests just aren't where Nintendo's focus is anymore. Nintendo is a games company though, you have a point. Their stuff is fun since they focus on that aspect more than narrative, mocap, and other stuff that runs up the budget of other games. I just wish they'd stop phoning it in with their recent stuff.

edit: With my interests shifting away into more RTS, MMO, RPG and Steam games. I guess I've grown away from those Nintendo titles. Some things you just grow out of :/ odd though since its not like I don't enjoy that stuff aimed to a wider audience, I like MLP after all. Oh well.

 

[Negatempest]

I think they will get their act together, even though I can't be arsed to care either way. Nintendo hasn't released anything I consider worthwhile since the metroid prime series. It's a shame since I wish they would do more. I also wish I liked Bayonetta, but its just too OTT.

Nintendo seems to be throwing stuff at the wall and hoping stuff sticks. The Wii family appeal worked, but not everything they try will.

Personally I hope they keep doing that. Doing random genre games to appeal to different people. The reason I loved the psone and ps2 wasn't because of hardcore graphics or realistic settings. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Twisted Metal, JRPG's galore, Wild 9, Omega Boost, God of War, Viewtiful Joe, Okami, Shadow of the Colossus. The ps1 and ps2 had a variety of genres and play styles that help make them who they were. Now, what do we get on the ps4? Realistic people doing stuff in a very believable manner because physics could work that way. During a time when most of the reveals of E3 from Sony and Microsoft ended up being another shooter of some type, I'm glad Nintendo is at least trying to be fun over awards material.

It's not really because they want to, its because they have to. Sony and Microsoft have deep pockets due to being other businesses besides strictly video games. They have access to the tech to make games look amazing, realistic, and all that other jazz. Nintendo would be outclassed if they ventured to compete in that arena. Not to mention the studios making said titles would likely not work with Nintendo. Nintendo sticking to family games with fun intuitive controls (even though I dislike motion controls) and sticking with the tried and true formulas will work out for them. They've shown that they will do new things and make cool stuff, just not stuff I'm interested in. I think they have made the smart decision staying where they are now.

Despite what I think about them phoning in the recent Mario and Zelda titles their base still eats that stuff up. The thing I was most excited about at E3 was Destiny. Not because of what the game itself is, but because of what it might do with the gap between MMO's and general multiplayer titles. My interests just aren't where Nintendo's focus is anymore. Nintendo is a games company though, you have a point. Their stuff is fun since they focus on that aspect more than narrative, mocap, and other stuff that runs up the budget of other games. I just wish they'd stop phoning it in with their recent stuff.

edit: With my interests shifting away into more RTS, MMO, RPG and Steam games. I guess I've grown away from those Nintendo titles. Some things you just grow out of :/ odd though since its not like I don't enjoy that stuff aimed to a wider audience, I like MLP after all. Oh well.

I respect your decision sir. You are one of the handful of people I've met so far that calls Nintendo style different instead of childish. I now personally hope you enjoy the PS4, though I personally lost interest in the Playstation brand during the ps3 era. I like my games now silly and completely irrational like Wonderful 101.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

I'll get one when Bayonetta II gets released. Until then not really interested.

 

[Negatempest]

Spoiler

I think they will get their act together, even though I can't be arsed to care either way. Nintendo hasn't released anything I consider worthwhile since the metroid prime series. It's a shame since I wish they would do more. I also wish I liked Bayonetta, but its just too OTT.

Nintendo seems to be throwing stuff at the wall and hoping stuff sticks. The Wii family appeal worked, but not everything they try will.

Personally I hope they keep doing that. Doing random genre games to appeal to different people. The reason I loved the psone and ps2 wasn't because of hardcore graphics or realistic settings. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Twisted Metal, JRPG's galore, Wild 9, Omega Boost, God of War, Viewtiful Joe, Okami, Shadow of the Colossus. The ps1 and ps2 had a variety of genres and play styles that help make them who they were. Now, what do we get on the ps4? Realistic people doing stuff in a very believable manner because physics could work that way. During a time when most of the reveals of E3 from Sony and Microsoft ended up being another shooter of some type, I'm glad Nintendo is at least trying to be fun over awards material.

It's not really because they want to, its because they have to. Sony and Microsoft have deep pockets due to being other businesses besides strictly video games. They have access to the tech to make games look amazing, realistic, and all that other jazz. Nintendo would be outclassed if they ventured to compete in that arena. Not to mention the studios making said titles would likely not work with Nintendo. Nintendo sticking to family games with fun intuitive controls (even though I dislike motion controls) and sticking with the tried and true formulas will work out for them. They've shown that they will do new things and make cool stuff, just not stuff I'm interested in. I think they have made the smart decision staying where they are now.

Despite what I think about them phoning in the recent Mario and Zelda titles their base still eats that stuff up. The thing I was most excited about at E3 was Destiny. Not because of what the game itself is, but because of what it might do with the gap between MMO's and general multiplayer titles. My interests just aren't where Nintendo's focus is anymore. Nintendo is a games company though, you have a point. Their stuff is fun since they focus on that aspect more than narrative, mocap, and other stuff that runs up the budget of other games. I just wish they'd stop phoning it in with their recent stuff.

edit: With my interests shifting away into more RTS, MMO, RPG and Steam games. I guess I've grown away from those Nintendo titles. Some things you just grow out of :/ odd though since its not like I don't enjoy that stuff aimed to a wider audience, I like MLP after all. Oh well.

I personally cannot say if the recent Zelda and Mario games are phoning it in, for the Wii-U. Wind Waker was highly under-rated. So this can easily be an attempt to try getting more people to buy a copy. There are far more popular Zelda games to phone in that would sell more than Wind Waker. Mario on the other had barely showed level design, if any. Being a co-op in this day of age is a huge plus. Such a thing is only done in a handful of games in the past decade, and done well. Multiplayer is not co-op. Whether or not the co-op can be done well is yet to be seen.

 

[Dendio]

Wii fell off in its later years, no games worth buying. Wii U still has no games worth buying. The fact that the mass effect 3 Wii U version never got citadel dlc makes me really hesitant about investing in the wii u at this current time

 

[Casual Shinji]

The wiiU will play out like the 3DS

The difference being Nintendo was already dominating the handheld industry with the regular DS. The 3DS was a definate upgraded version, and people were having trouble with either price, games, or both.

Given that Nintendo was already dominating the console market, and that the wiiU is a big upgrade to the wii, you basically just described the current situation.

The Wii-U falls in an awkward middle position by not being current gen, but also not quite next gen in terms of hardware compared to Sony and Microsoft. And again it's skewing the console market with it's hardware, making it less appealing for third party developers.

Again, you just described the the wii word for word. People (yes even non-casuals) bought the wii to play the Nintendo games... even if it wasn't anywhere near as powerful as a 360 or PS3. That didn't seem to matter at all.

the Wii-U will likely be regarded as being in the same league as the Wii.

That we can agree on, but it's not a bad league to be in. It's a successful front, even if it isn't successful in all ways. The price cut alone will start getting it into more casual homes as well, as we all know the wiiU will get one long before the Xbox and PS4.

The problem being that the Wii-U doesn't have that same Wii buzz going in it's favor. For whatever reason, be it confussion or simple lack of appeal, the general audiences that flocked to the Wii like locusts are now ignoring the Wii-U. And you can tell Nintendo was likely aiming for that same demographic with the name and the tablet. But as I said in another thread, this probably shot them in the foot, because they literally had to send out messages to explain to people this was an honest to god next gen system, and not just the same old console with a peripheral. A fresh name would've done them a lot of good.

The Wii-U is indeed in exactly the same position as the Wii in regards to its technical league compared to Sony and Microsoft, but this time it doesn't seem to have that massive mainstream appeal to fall back on. Meaning the lack of third party support will actually hurt them this time around.

 

[Something Amyss]

From a sales perspective, Sony turned things around. The general reaction among the gaming community when the PS3 first came out was that Sony had irreversibly fucked up. Or do you not remember the reaction to E3 2006? People were making exactly the same ballyhoo then that they are about the Wii U now, that it wouldn't sell.

Only if you selectively apply the two base responses, really. Which, you know, you are. It's awesome to play fast and loose with the facts that are inconvenient to you, but you flip-flop to whichever side of the coin better suits your argument, even if it means defying your previous reasoning.

Probably won't be two weeks until you've contradicted this one.