Reggie talks about bridging the 'technical divide'

[Doctor Setebos]

Nintendo president, Reggie Fils-Aime provides today's Perspectives column (http://news.com.com/Nintendo+on+the+latest+technical+divide/2010-1041_3-6180215.html) on C|Net, discussing ways in which industries can close the gap between those who understand and utilize technology on a daily basis, and those who can't figure out how to keep their VCR from flashing "12:00" constantly.

The snap answer is obvious--"innovate!" It's a popular prescription, but not a simple one to follow. Harvard professor Clayton Christensen outlines one distinct course of action for innovation: Provide a new product that actually underperforms on an established industry metric for "progress," and substitute an alternative that typically is smaller, less expensive and easier to use.It's actually a pretty interesting read. He compares the concept of "innovation" using several different examples from different consumer industries. Oh, and he mentions the Wii, too.

[KingGorilla]

For a man whose product is aimed at the latter group, I wonder just where he was going, precisely.

[Gorvi]

People still own VCRs?

[Roc Ingersol]

Boiled down, all he's saying is that you can increase your appeal by increasing spending on ease of use, reliability and interface. Which is facepalm-obvious.

Only in technology can you be hailed as a visionary for saying "if these things weren't such a pain in the ass, more people would buy one."

[Doctor Setebos]

Boiled down, all he's saying is that you can increase your appeal by increasing spending on ease of use, reliability and interface. Which is facepalm-obvious.Tell that to the makers of the N-Gage. :rolleyes:

[Serapth]

Most people probrably could program their VCRs. Its just that without an internal battery having to reprogram the fucker over and over, not to mention there was very little reason to actually set the clock on most VCRS, lead to a nation of flashing 12:00.

[Plomid]

yeah enough with the "we could do this we could do that" just release some brawl info and every one will be happy

[Mr.Green]

Some people are too dumb or simply don't give a shit. At some point, you gotta stop trying to cater to the lowest common denominator because all you end up accomplishing is to annoy people that know what they're doing. That's my deep and scientific analysis.

[jacktion]

You can tell that Fils is a real student of the market. That probably explains his rapid rise up through the business world and some of NOA's recent success.
I find it interesting that he cites so many different sources. It seems to suggest that he is constantly looking for new ideas and information.

And he basically reveals that the total plan for the Wii came from that Harvard professor. They pretty much followed his theory exactly, and it worked. They reduced their product in one metric and increased it down several others. It is kind of like just going down a different road of progress than the competition. The professor even noted how the "hardcore" will scoff that someone would choose to deviate from the norm. I think that is funny that all the haterz who are so outraged by the Wii were so predictable and such an easily identified stereotype.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Some people are too dumb or simply don't give a shit. At some point, you gotta stop trying to cater to the lowest common denominator because all you end up accomplishing is to annoy people that know what they're doing. That's my deep and scientific analysis.

Yup, that's certainly kept Microsoft Windows from being successful.

[Serapth]

Yup, that's certainly kept Microsoft Windows from being successful.


I think MacOS would be a more apt example. Windows is anything but dumbed down. Infact, contrast Win 3.0 against Windows XP and you will see 3 cubic buttloads more complexity.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I think MacOS would be a more apt example. Windows is anything but dumbed down. Infact, contrast Win 3.0 against Windows XP and you will see 3 cubic buttloads more complexity.
Really? I've felt that, more and more, Windows focuses on making their operating system dummy-friendly, and mildly annoying for those of us who know what we're doing. XP defaults to half of your folders giving that "this folder contains important files and could blow you up" thing.

[Yellowman]

I think MacOS would be a more apt example. Windows is anything but dumbed down. Infact, contrast Win 3.0 against Windows XP and you will see 3 cubic buttloads more complexity.

Just gotta get that dig against the Mac don't ya. Someone insults Windows, Serapth insults Macs. I'm seeing a pattern here, some sort of displacement effect. Nothing simple about Macs, an experienced user can do just as much with either.

[Mr.Green]

I think MacOS would be a more apt example. Windows is anything but dumbed down. Infact, contrast Win 3.0 against Windows XP and you will see 3 cubic buttloads more complexity.
Actually, Windows was exactly what I had in mind. Sure it's a success, but it's almost a monopoly. At least it was for a long time. And how many geeks are moving to Linux because Windows is so bloated and heavy? It's not only Windows, it's software in general. People were pretty much accomplishing the same work with their computers 15 years ago, but now they have computers a beelion times more powerful. Why? Riddle me this.

[MaiXu]

These days, any forward-thinking company will consider tools like MySpace. But it may be equally vital to search for potential consumers lurking in the "white spaces."

Probably the worst closing transition I've ever read. But he certainly gets the rest of his ideas over in the article.

[Serapth]

Just gotta get that dig against the Mac don't ya. Someone insults Windows, Serapth insults Macs. I'm seeing a pattern here, some sort of displacement effect. Nothing simple about Macs, an experienced user can do just as much with either.


The only pattern is that you are an idiot.

How exactly do you think calling Windows "complicated" is defending it? Christ, Apple advertises their computers about their simplicity.

[Mr.Green]

The only pattern is that you are an idiot.
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7581/moskingqa5.gif

[Yellowman]

That's not simplicity, that's ease of use. Simplicity implies it is not capable of performing the same tasks.. I.E. You are a bit simple. Ah it's not often the example is so apt!

[Roc Ingersol]

Some people are too dumb or simply don't give a shit. At some point, you gotta stop trying to cater to the lowest common denominator because all you end up accomplishing is to annoy people that know what they're doing.

That's conventional industry wisdom right there.
I hope it dies a horrible painful death.

[Mr.Green]

That's conventional industry wisdom right there.
I hope it dies a horrible painful death.
I'm not entirely sure here. Are you agreeing with me or is your VCR flashing 12:00 constantly ?

[trip1eX]

He's also emphasizing that they (Nintendo) are innovating, but just not in the usual way. Instead of innovating with alot more cpu power ( the usual route) that they chose a different route. A new type of control.

Also there is some appeal in having a small console that is quiet, fits anywhere and is quite a bit cheaper which is all another sort of 'innovation.'

They throw alot of big words in there and theories, but it's really about that old saying that there's more than one way to skin a cat or one size doesn't fit all or insert your cliche here.

[lockwoodx]

Some people are too dumb or simply don't give a shit. At some point, you gotta stop trying to cater to the lowest common denominator because all you end up accomplishing is to annoy people that know what they're doing. That's my deep and scientific analysis.


Yeah no wonder AOL failed :rolleyes:

[Roc Ingersol]

I'm not entirely sure here. Are you agreeing with me or is your VCR flashing 12:00 constantly ?
I'm disagreeing with you -- as the guy who gets called when friends/family need help with their VCRs. And blackberries. And computers. And laptops.

Not all 'computer guys' are arrogant elitist bastards -- good ones recognize the an unnecessary pains in the ass that limit market penetration.

[Mr.Green]

I'm disagreeing with you -- as the guy who gets called when friends/family need help with their VCRs. And blackberries. And computers. And laptops.

Not all 'computer guys' are arrogant elitist bastards -- good ones recognize the an unnecessary pains in the ass that limit market penetration.
Oh don't get me wrong and please don't confuse me with some elitist jackass! I'm not saying there's no unnecessarily complicated tech out there, far from it! But sometimes it feels like people aren't even trying. How many times have I helped people by simply telling them to do what was already written on the fucking screen. THEY DON'T EVEN READ! Mind boggling.

[boratika]

Anyone catch this in the comments:Nintendo could have the core market if they wanted it
Reader post by: bob donut
Posted on: May 9, 2007, 8:18 AM PDT
Story: Nintendo on the latest 'technical divide'

Now that Nintendo has a foothold, they could get the core market, the people who USUALLY buy games, if--they want to.

I think the Wii is brilliant example of listening to what the market wants and I believe it has more to do with its price than its blocky controller.

However, (listen up Nintendo employees), I will NEVER buy a Wii until it has the kind of games I like: Japanese-style RPGs (like Final Fantasy X or Xenosaga) and mature games (Grand Theft Auto series). As I see it, the Wii is a box for little kids, and that's the same reason I didn't buy a Gamecube. Oh the ironing.