Wii Success "Unsustainable" says Microsoft
By James Walker
Microsoft has a tendency to talk a lot of trash, and they have gone after Nintendo via the press since before the Wii’s launch in November of 2006. Microsoft’s Jeff Bell has continued this tradition, saying that the success of the Wii won’t be able to carry its own weight because third-party developers have yet to make any money off of Nintendo’s console.
“Clearly, we have a competitor where they win and no one else wins,” Bell said in an interview to Reuters. “That is not sustainable, it’s never been sustainable.”
It has been no surprise that third-party developers have had a hard time trying to become successful on the Wii. In fact, six of the top ten Wii games on GameRankings (who compile average review scores for games) are published by Nintendo, with the other four being Trauma Center: Second Opinion, Madden NFL 07, Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure and Resident Evil 4.
The critical acclaim doesn’t necessarily translate into sales, however. Out of the four games listed above, only Resident Evil 4 has sold over one million copies. In fact, out of the thirteen different million-sellers for the Wii, only four (Resident Evil 4, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Rayman Raving Rabbids and Red Steel) have sold over one million copies. This fact seems to contradict the earlier statement from Nintendo of America’s top dog, Reggie Fils-Aime, in which he said that 60% of Wii software came from outside Nintendo publishers.
While we will have to wait and see if Jeff Bell is right about Nintendo long-term, no one can deny the current success of the console. So much so that Nintendo and GameStop recently partnered to issue rainchecks for people who are still looking for the system. I think we can all safely assume the Wii won’t be going away any time soon.
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December 22nd, 2007
Besides, who has been purchasing Nintendo games before now? The success of the Wii came as quite a shock to many developers, so now they’re in the middle of making their great games.
Microsoft, 2008 should be a great year for the Wii, just like 2007 was a great year for you.
December 22nd, 2007
I think that Mr Bell does not understand who is buying the Wii.
Nintendo brilliantly redefined the video game market, and while they (Microsoft, Sony) will still hold a place in the “25 year old, living in my moms basement, buying halo with my pizza delivery money” market, they will not be gaining market share in much larger “sick of mindless, pointless, violent, not going to buy that garbage for my kids” crowd that Nintendo is winning over, hand over fist (full of money) for consecutive buying seasons.
I predict they will continue to dismiss the Nintendo philosophy and concept until their next console comes out the xbox 180, complete with motion sensing controllers and “play together attitude”. Mr. Bell will then say its the greatest thing since sliced bread, and was Microsofts idea all along.
December 22nd, 2007
“I predict they will continue to dismiss the Nintendo philosophy and concept until their next console comes out the xbox 180, complete with motion sensing controllers and “play together attitude”. Mr. Bell will then say its the greatest thing since sliced bread, and was Microsofts idea all along.”
That would sound like Microsoft, all right. But it’s not going to mean anything if nobody is buying it.
Let’s look back at Sony’s playstation. The first Playstation was a tremendous success. So, people knew what a fun and great video game console it was. So when the PS2 came out, most people didn’t even take second thoughts! Even with the PS3, people heard the name “PlayStation” and did what they could to lay their hands on one, no matter what Microsoft was doing.
In other words, the Wii is a very successful console right now, so when Wii 2 comes out (assuming they keep using the title “Wii”), people will hear the word, and it’s my opinion that no matter how much Microsoft puts into a motion-sensing console, nobody will pay attention to it! Especially with Microsoft’s XBox 360 reputation and how long they took before even TRYING to reach children.
December 22nd, 2007
I agree with your statement. What bothered me about Mr. Bells comment was limiting the video game market to only his definition.
Microsoft and Sony will continue to market to the halo crowd, and in my book thats fine. They just need to know that as a parent, I will not be spending my money this Christmas on their products for my kids. However I waited in line (which I never do) in the freezing cold for an hour to get my kids a Wii. Why? Because I can sit down with them after work and do something with them that is good for me and fun for them (and me.)
What I really think is genius about the Wii is that it is opening the video game genre up to a whole new market.
For example. I work at an 55 and older golf resort community. I am consistently shocked when I hear one of the residents telling me how much they enjoyed the weekend with their grandchildren playing wii sports, “because we finally had fun playing something that interested us both” Thats marketing gold. Not allowing a previous notion or set of rules to define your future product.
I think that Microsoft is a bit sensitive about this because they are not only losing in the video game market, but they have a little company called Google that is taking away their “they win and no one else wins” office software product.
I think Microsoft is a great American company. I have the highest respect for what they have done for the world. I just think its below them to make such a foolish statement regarding competition, especially because of Microsoft’s history in that regard.