241
rate

Analyst: Wii "fad" not really in danger... as successor seems likely in few years

June 15, 2007 in News comments 19

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter catches wind of recent comments made by Sega US's VP of marketing, Scott Steinberg, suggesting the creative potential afforded by developers for Nintendo's Wii can only last for so long. Pachter believes it's simply too early to decide just how far developers can go with the Wii at this point in the game. He also muses that even if the Wii "fad" was to eventually "cool down", there's no reason to disregard the possibilty of Nintendo having a new and improved big brother ready for the industry by then; it's simply the nature of console product cycles.

That said, Pachter does feel the PS3 should not be discounted. He agrees that developers will eventually get the hang of producing for the console, and by then the PS3 will be that much stronger a contender in the console race, with a better shot at taking top honors.

"I can't begin to imagine what is on the drawing board for the Wii, but I can say that most developers I've spoken with are extemely excited about the potential for the console... I believe that we've only just scratched the surface.

"Also, Scott's analysis presupposes that we have seen the last in hardware innovation from Nintendo," he went on.

"I disagree. It's easy to envision a Wii 2 in a couple of years that runs at full HD, and has both a Wii-mote and an analog controller, so that all games can be ported to it.

"If Nintendo were to introduce such a device, it would be fully comparable to the Xbox 360 - perhaps it wouldn't have Blu-ray, so a comparison to the PS3 may be unfair - and would likely have most of the same third party content as the other two devices."
Wolfwood via gamesindustry.biz »
Favourite this article Add source
| More
Report!
News story attached to:
Latest comment:
Most recently commented on by on Jun 20, 2007

Comments

Register as a member to subscribe comments.
  • 0
    Storm Jun 16, 07
    That's good news. It was bound to do well with the high-priced competition. Innovative system, too. I think they'll get a new system within 5 years time, the general life-span for consoles. And I already can't wait for the next installment of SSB =D
  • 0
    Infinite Jun 16, 07
    I don't think the Nintendo Wii will die anytime soon. I mean it's a great console and it's controls are unique and make it fun and healthy to play. I'm not saying the Nintendo Wii will beat the PS3 or XBOX 360 in the next gen console war but I don't see the Wii going away anytime soon.
  • 0
    Miller Jun 16, 07
    I thought this was common knowledge. Obviously Nintendo put out a cheap machine to make a quick profit to use said profit on bigger ventures. I doubt Nintendo expected the wii to be so successful though.
  • 0
    nflsmc Jun 16, 07
    anyone who calls the Wii a "fad" is just trying to make excuses as to why their console is doing so poorly. *cough*PS3 fanboys*cough*
    • 0
      Existenz Jun 16, 07
      Oh so if a Wii owner called the console a fad they would be making excuses for their PS3 doing so poorly, which may i add it isn't heh... I personally think the Wii is a fad though it can change it's fate if it stops with all the bullshit party games and gets alot more serious titles... I did not pay for a Wii to play over zealous flash games, thats my only gripe with the Wii it has potential but isn't doing anything to push that.
  • 0
    Rinkydink Jun 16, 07
    The Wii is a fantastic console as a whole and fully deserves the position it is currently in. I believe that it is not a fad, and though it must "cool down" at some point the Wii will still make a healthy amount of sales and will always be a strong contender in this current-gen console wars.
  • 0
    Final Blade Jun 16, 07
    I dont think so, sure it has potential but that doesnt mean they will utilize that potential. It is a "fad" And the cheapness of the console is whats making it sell not the games or anything else. Trust me. All honestly, Im not surprise if they do make a another system in 5 years, but that doesnt mean anything. With the untapped power with the ps3 you can easily say that both nintendo and MS should be very worried. Cause when they utilize that power and the lowering of the system, it will be a massacre on the nintendo and MS
  • 0
    bbb7002004 Jun 16, 07
    The same think was said about Xbox last gen. We see what that got Microsoft.
  • 0
    black doom Jun 16, 07
    quote
    that doesn't mean they will utilize
    True but I would expect an 80% that it will be.

    quote
    The cheapness of the console is what is making it sell not the games or anything else.
    I disagree the Wii has appealed to non-gamers and the media, I doubt price only could cause this? Further more I, like many other gamers on every 'side' (the divisional barriers perceived by some by gamers with a console preference seems idiotic, but extremely funny at times to me), have chosen the console with my own key series. (Zelda Smash, Mario...)

    quote
    Trust me.
    Why?

    quote
    With the untapped power of the PS3 you can easily say both Nintendo and Microsoft should be very worried
    If it really is as incredibly powerful as it has been suggested, then like the Wii I would say it has 80% chance of being used properly and reaching its full potential. You didn't seem to see that as enough for the Wii to succeed though, but I expect them both to be just short of what they can do. Its power must be used for depth just as much as graphics, that might be awkward for the developers to grasp at first, in a way like the tacked on controls in some lesser Wii games.

    quote
    Cause when they utilize that power and with the lowering of the system, it will be a massacre on both the Nintendo and MS.
    That is strictly opinion.

    By the way it seems sloppy to me to imply an 'if' for the Wii's potential and a 'when' for the PS3's potential
    • 0
      Final Blade Jun 17, 07
      Um first off i never said "if" for wii potential if you read my post i said
      quote
      im not surprise if they do make a another system in 5 years, but that doesnt mean anything
      But what i said about the potential on the wii this.
      quote
      sure it has potential but that doesnt mean they will utilize that potential
      How about you read my post next time.

      Ok now to my real response, tell me what system would you buy, $249 wii system or a $350 or $600 system. I bet most family's will get the Cheaper system cause if you guys are complaining about price they should too. And again reason why ps3 isnt selling is cause of these reasons:
      1. price
      2.lack of games
      3The potential hasnt been awakened yet.

      With this you see why there not doing well. But since its confirmed that the price will go down by christmas, awesome games are coming out And one could have ps3 power i say MS and nintendo should be worried.
  • 0
    Mario_1 Jun 17, 07
    The Wii can't possibly be nearing its end. It hasn't even reached online play yet, and it's less that a year old currently.
    • 0
      Gotenks Jun 18, 07
      Technically it has as Europe and Japan have online play.
  • 0
    Miamifan99 Jun 17, 07
    As rinkydink said, the Wii is a fantastic counsole. The odds of it coming to an end can't possibly be soon. Me, along with a large variaty of people can probably all say that the wii is the most fun gaming system out of PS3, XBox360, and Wii. It is the most active gaming system and even if they, "Run out of creativity for games," So what? The favorite game that I own, and that my friend play for most of the time when they come to my house would Wii Sports. Why? Because It's fun.
    • 0
      BANDITO ATTACK Jun 18, 07
      On the other hand, there's the more 'serious' bunch of gamers that prefer online play and intense FPS/action games instead of 'party games'.

      The Wii was fun for a few hours to me.. but it lost it's charm fast, and I went back to playing Halo2. =p
  • 0
    Phil422343 Jun 17, 07
    The Wii is an amazing console and the new way of playing games has majority of the gaming industry hooked on the new possibilities that can be released for such an amazing console..
  • 0
    ProfessorMaple Jun 18, 07
    I defy the opinions of these "analysts", and go with my own analysis. The Wii's got at least 5-10 years before people get bored of it. That is, if game developpers find great ways to utilise this God-given gift.
  • 0
    Team Xtreme Jun 19, 07
    The only problem with the Wii is it's limitations hardware and software wise. Having said that there is still so much that can be done on the Wii and the Wii 'fad' won't die out quickly. I dare say by the time Nintendo releases a new console it will still be based on motion sensitive controllers but will be able to rival next gen PS/XBox consoles. Even if this isn't the case Nintendo will come up with something to keep gamers interested in the company.
  • 0
    Big Willie Jun 19, 07
    The Wii has a niche market that's not going away anytime soon. There are literally tons of people out there wanting (relatively) cheap and fun games to play. 10 dollars less on a game, a cheaper adoption price of the console, and an innovative control scheme is enough to keep many just as happy as those with more powerful systems. It's the same principle behind the DS. It's not nearly as powerful as the PSP but man they're selling like hot cakes.
  • 0
    Crystal Creation Jun 20, 07
    The Wii isn't exactly going to "cool down" anytime soon, and even by that time, i'm sure a greater, more compelling console will be released, based around nintendo once again.

    However, if there were to be a new console for the Nintendo Series, I hope it supports cartridges. That's what I used to love about the classic games...just slotting it in and turning on the console. No fuss, nice, and easy.

This news story is archived and is closed to comments now.