EA committed to Wii U, unlike gamers
EA has come out in full support of the Wii U and Nintendo’s approach to the next generation of consoles. Unfortunately I see little sign of gamers having similar feelings toward the first next-gen home console to have been unveiled.
It’s not that I’m seeing lots of hate directed at the Wii U; I’m seeing nothing directed at it at all. Which is probably more worrying. A little negativity would a least be creating some kind of buzz, but this is tantamount to a comedian delivering a punchline on stage only to receive no hint of a response from the audience.
Perhaps the majority of us just don’t get it. I can see the appeal of using a tablet as a games machine. I can see the appeal of using a controller to direct action on a TV. But using a tablet as a controller to direct action on the tablet and the TV at the same time? Err. Or perhaps, Ugh.
EA isn’t feeling any of this, with COO Peter Moore telling Reuters:
There are no indications that there’s anything that feels like it’s off target. From our perspective right now, specs are a big deal. No one thinks its going to replace an iPad 2 but it is playing into what a consumer feels comfortable with. Our teams are working on it around the world. Our key franchises will be there. We’ve made that commitment to Nintendo.
Reuters has clearly gilded the lily a little, titling the article, ‘EA: We love Wii U,’ even though the company never expresses anything close to love. Instead Moore states that EA is committed to Nintendo and to the Wii U, and has no reason to regret that decision at the present time. So I guess that means those rumors of Nintendo struggling to get the hardware working had no basis in fact.
Maybe the Wii U will be a huge success, triumphing in a similar way to the Wii. Let’s be honest, none of us thought that console would win this generation, and yet it has quite comfortably. I do believe, however, that Nintendo faces an uphill battle with this one. But I have been wrong before, on many occasions. Maybe Moore knows best.
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October 7th, 2011
“it is playing into what a consumer feels comfortable with.”
That is, a consumer comfortable with casual/family oriented play in general a few minutes at a time, with few exceptions. Although I still think they’ll have a tougher go of it this time considering the rise of iPad and iPhone amongst other smartphones and tablets vying for casual gaming time (combined with lower pricing on PS3/360, each of which are currently outselling Wii at present around 2:1).
3DS actually isn’t doing that bad right now despite nearly all predictions to the contrary, so I doubt WiiU will tank either, and it will probably fall somewhere between Gamecube and Wii in success.
“Let’s be honest, none of us thought that console would win this generation, and yet it has quite comfortably.”
Actually, I didn’t count it out, as it has nearly always been priced well below the competition, had a massive marketing campaign, family oriented software with Mario and Zelda, the Virtual Console game library to attract older nostalgic gamers, and the motion control novelty along with simplicity in design so that anyone could pick it up and play many games instantly with only one hand and zero previous experience with games.
While keeping it’s traditional family market, it also appealed to the lower income bracket, disabled, senior citizens, etc. All told, they targeted a much more massive audience than previous consoles had.
October 7th, 2011
I’m committed to the Wii U,or is that “I should be committed”?
Either way day one for me.
October 7th, 2011
I want to see what they do with this combo.
For now, I’m kind of seeing the controller screen as being an always available menu system, so you don’t need to pause or exit the game, but instead, just quickly touch the screen in game, in a way making the experience better in games where you might want to change what your holding or search inventory for an item or look at the map. I think it has potential.
My only concern is that the hardware is underpowered, that may stop me buying it, if it can’t better the PS3 or 360 then why bother, unless it has some very cool games, and for me, right now Nintendo doesn’t.
October 7th, 2011
Even if Nintendo go for the cheapest hardware possible the new features added to the GPU over the last 5-6 years means it can do things the PS3/360 are just not capable of.
I’m guessing the Wii U will deliver on the PS3s promise of 1080p @ 60 Hz for all games. Besides, PCs 3 years old can do better than that so anything Nintendo use now should be ok.
October 7th, 2011
I’ll buy a game on which ever machine has the best version, so if the Wii U gets the same multiplats as the 360 & PS3 and it does them better, then I will get one.
October 7th, 2011
I’ll definitely get the Wii U eventually, always been a fan of Nintendo and I can’t wait for Skyward Sword!
OT:
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2011/10/07/new-uncharted-3-campaign-footage-emerges/
GOTY! How amazing are those graphics?
October 7th, 2011
As gamers why waste our time getting excited about Wii-U?
When the Wii first came out alot of gamers were excited over the possibilities that motion control offered.
Unfortunately Nintendo didn’t deliver, so why would ANY of us waste time thinking Nintendo will change now?
October 7th, 2011
Let me add something else…
Do I think the Wii U has amazing potential? Yes
Do I think the console will meet that potential? Fuck No
October 7th, 2011
Well Nintendo did deliver the 3rd and 4th (tied) highest rated games of all time for the Wii. You have to go down to 11 for PS3 and god knows what for 360 (I couldn’t scroll down that far).
I suppose “gamers” aren’t interested in highly rated games.
October 7th, 2011
@me
Not every gamer is interested in Mario or Zelda.
All Wii really has is Mario Galaxy 1&2, Metroid Prime 3, and Zelda Twilight Princess (Which was also on GC).
Wii is full of kiddy and family games. Where are the more mature games? Does a 29 year old male gamer REALLY want to play Mario or would he rather play Grand Theft Auto?
Even the Call of Duty games that are released on the Wii are by FAR the worst versions of those games.
I’m not alone in saying that Nintendo could have done WAY better.
October 7th, 2011
I’d say 13-19 year olds love GTA but beyond that I’m not sure. I’m a little older than 29 and I’d prefer to play Mario.
As for Call of Duty the 360/PS3 have a vastly inferior version compared to the PC. If you love that game so much stop playing the gimped version on the consoles.
October 7th, 2011
I’d say 10+ million people enjoy playing the GTA games. just not on the Wii
Because Nintendo sucks like that.
October 7th, 2011
Well that’s ok, 25+ million people enjoyed Mario Kart
October 7th, 2011
I have absolutely no interest in holding that awkward controller while playing games.
October 7th, 2011
Then use the standard controller like most other people do. You have the option you know.
October 7th, 2011
“All Wii really has is Mario Galaxy 1&2, Metroid Prime 3, and Zelda Twilight Princess (Which was also on GC).”
That coming after Xenoblade Chronicles just got a 93 on metacritic. Sony or Microsoft would give their left nut for that kind of score on a JRPG.
October 7th, 2011
“Then use the standard controller like most other people do. You have the option you know.”
Are you sure? I’ve seen nothing on a standard controller for the Wii U.
October 7th, 2011
Sorry, I was talking about Mario Kart Wii.
Apparently you can use the Wii controllers on the Wii U. The classic controller plugs into the Wii controller so it’s not too much of a stretch to believe they wouldn’t also be supported.
Time will tell I suppose.
October 7th, 2011
“Apparently you can use the Wii controllers on the Wii U. The classic controller plugs into the Wii controller so it’s not too much of a stretch to believe they wouldn’t also be supported”
@me
what a fucking mess…good luck with that
October 7th, 2011
@me
The point is Wii pretty much only caters to kids and family. They certainly don’t do shit for hardcore gamers.
Where is the Wii counter parts to Gears of War, God of War, Uncharted, Halo, Gran Turismo and Forza, Metal Gear.
The Wii just doesn’t have these games.
Why are you even bothering to defend the wii here and now when all nintendo gave you was kiddy shit?
October 7th, 2011
@FahKin
if you want to hop on Demon’s Souls now is the right time. Since DS turned 2 yesterday Atlus is setting the world to Pure White tendency…and from the 16 towards the end of the month they’re going to set to Pure Black. Both of tendency are hard to achieve and requires alot of research and alot multiple NG+.
If you have any question about it just message me.
October 7th, 2011
In other news
Red Dead Redemption GOTY – October 11 Original game and ALL DLC $50
Dragon Age 2 new DLC Mark of the Assassin will also be out on Oct 11.
CAD’s eagerly awaited Micheal Phelps: Push the Limit is also due out Oct 11.
Also Forza 4 Oct 11
And Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny is comming out the same day on PS3. I’d definately check that one out.
October 7th, 2011
@Roca
Isn’t DS easier with Pure White?
October 7th, 2011
yeah it’s much easier.
October 7th, 2011
Dunno if I will end up getting on or not. I’ve actually been pretty busy lately. If I haven’t been working, or taking care of some crap around the house i’ve been sleeping extra cause I have been feeling sick the last few days. I haven’t even played much of any games in the last 4 days. I started playing Dungeon Siege 3 on Monday, and put a few more hours into it on Tuesday and thats pretty much beenit.
October 7th, 2011
I wished the Wii failure so that Nintendo would go third party like Sega. I like a few of their core franchises.
October 7th, 2011
To be honest the Wii U has a bit of appeal to me. I think it’s a great idea. The concept I don’t have a problem with, it’s the question of will it have the games?
October 7th, 2011
I am not even remotely interested in the Wii U. I prefer to play gaming systems with real games. Besides, most of the people I know that actually brought the Wii system don’t even play the Wii system anyways.
October 7th, 2011
“The concept I don’t have a problem with, it’s the question of will it have the games?”
that’s my question about the 360 and whatever come next.
October 7th, 2011
My girl bought me a wii and I played it for a month, then I didn’t touch it again for 2 years lol. I started playing it again briefly because I bought Rune Factory Frontier and Twilight princess, but I never even finished either game and I haven’t touched my wii again in over 6 months, probably longer.
October 7th, 2011
“that’s my question about the 360″
So how do you like Dark Souls so far?
October 7th, 2011
CarlB,
You should check out Dark Souls. The game is quite challenging and I think you’ll love it. I got the strategy guide for this game.
October 7th, 2011
For some reason multiplatform games don’t count towards being games for a 360 in Rocas world
October 7th, 2011
Godless
The boy is a Tool. XBLA, First party, Third Party game and somehow the 360 has no games. I guess everything I played this year is part of my imagination LOL.
October 7th, 2011
“For some reason multiplatform games don’t count towards being games for a 360 in Rocas world”
I have a PS3 so that covers multiplatform games..when I had a Wii I was only intered in its exclusives. I’m pretty sure the same goes for CAD and his Wii…correct me if I’m wrong but you didn’t buy a Wii for multiplatform games, did you?
Some with a 360 will not buy a PS3 because of a multiplatform game (even when most of them are getting exclusive content).. a 360 owner will not run to get a PS3 just for Madden, for Portal 2 and all its exclusive content.
October 7th, 2011
“I haven’t touched my wii again in over 6 months, probably longer.”
@Fahk
I just plugged mine out of the wall. I didn’t want to see that blue light flashing at me anymore.
October 7th, 2011
Fahk
LOL Push the limit will sit right there on the shelf. No intrest at all. Kinect Sports season 2, Dance Central 2, Forza 4, Halo combat evolved Anniversary are on my list and I already have the Gunstringer and Gears 3. Batman AA is also another title I want. Anything else will have to wait for next year when I get more money for games.
October 7th, 2011
@CAD
Yeah my Wii has been unplugged for so long, but its still sitting there above my TV. Yeah, I actually got tired of seeing the damn light too. When it comes to sleeping I prefer total darkness, or as close to it as I can get and all those damn lights piss me off lol.
Gears 3 was awsome. I just learned today that there are quite a bit of easter eggs in the game which I appearently missed.
I want Batman so much… If I don’t have the money for it on my payday next friday I have to cancel my pre-order. Oh well.
Roca is talking about the 360 exclusives, or lack there-of. Even you can’t deny that there is a huge lack of Xbox 360 exclusives this year compared to PS3. Microsoft has been screwing over its core base while using the kinect sensor bar as a dildo. Unfortunately for us they have decided that lube was much too expensive, and they wouldn’t even spit on it for us. Ouch.
October 7th, 2011
CAD
” Anything else will have to wait for next year when I get more money for games.”
Awww, guess that Gold Sub really starts to hurt the pocketbook, thats one brand new game, or 2-3 $20 dollar games…i thought the 360 was a gamers console….seems you spend more money on “premium” services than on games.
October 7th, 2011
@Fakh
Yeah MS has been doing the Kinect thing but at least they are supporting their product. I don’t mind Kinect at all. I have been happy with Child of Eden, Fruit Ninja, and the Gunstringer and all the Dance Central DLC and Kinect Sports this year. I guess if you don’t have Kinect you will feel that void But I know what your saying. apparently there is things in the pipeline to come and this pyears 3rd party and XBLA did help fill those voids. My problem is time. I Just don’t have enough of it for gaming.
October 7th, 2011
Cad,
“my problem is time. ” I know. I don’t see you on Xbox live as much but I’m glad you got some time in for Gears Of War 3. This is the best Gears Of War game ever.
October 7th, 2011
@CAD
Kinect isn’t for everybody. Personally I could give a FahK less about Kinect. MS really hasn’t done anything with it yet that even remotely interests me. I mean c’mon… Fruit Ninja? Hasn’t this already been done with games on the DS before using the stylus to “slice” objects in half? Yes it had. I guess they couldn’t call it “Gay Ninja” because of MS’s policies, so I guess fruit ninja had to do huh?
If MS really cared about its hardcore fanbase anymore it wouldn’t be trying to force Kinect on us. Instead it would be investing money in securing exclusives and new IPs. I can understand MS adding Kinect to its line up to add casual gamers and families to its user base, but doing so at the expense of its hardcore gamer base its just shitty business.