Waning Wii Growth

[modeps]

Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22087) has an article with everyone's favorite analyst, Michael Patcher and KBC Financial Products analyst Hiroshi Kamide. In the article, Patcher point out that on the software side of things, the Wii has only seen a 3% growth rate, as opposed to the 40% growth in the install base. Take a look:

Pachter says Wii year-over-year performance is down by more than a million units over the past nine months. And even though the install base has grown 40 percent year over year, software sales are only up 3 percent.

The failure of software sales to keep pace with the growing install base is Kamide's largest area of concern, too. In any event, Kamide told the UK Times that the forecast reduction means "[Nintendo knows] something big has gone wrong, and that people are not buying the machines."

Proof that people are buying the Wii for Wii Sports?

[Flatpicker]

Reinforcing the proof.
Let's see if Wii Sports resort? (2) will change things.

[Mr.Green]

This is gonna end well.

[pwnophobia]

Proof that people are buying the Wii for Wii Sports?

Wii fit too.

My mom bought one for Christmas and bought CoD4 for my brother, the only game she got him. I bought him Galaxies and had someone else buy him Smash Brothers but I guarantee that all he plays in Wii Sports and the Fit and probably hasn't / won't play the other games we got him.

[bskeillor]

Every system this generation has done something wrong. None of the companies have been perfect, and hopefully all will improve, either in this current generation or with their next consoles.

Hopefully MS will put out reliable hardware, Sony will not be as obnoxiously over-confident, and hopefully Nintendo will learn to start putting out quality software again instead of rehashed, lightly updated titles.

If they all learn from this generations mistakes, we could be in for some seriously good gaming over the next decade.

[Zaro]

At least it's not going down. :)

But it's a fact that there's many peoples that don't buy Wii games.
Not just casual gamers but many hardcore too. How many time i see people saying that
their Wii is collecting dust.

Maybe this will be better this year, but i don't think we will see a huge leap.

[Scramble]

I got a Wii on launch day, and the only games I bought were Zelda and Mario Galaxy. Since then, it's been boxed and unused. There's just nothing interesting going on with it.

[silv]

I got a Wii on launch day, and the only games I bought were Zelda and Mario Galaxy. Since then, it's been boxed and unused. There's just nothing interesting going on with it.

I haven't played a single game on my Wii. Got it as a present and haven't used it.

[Reo Strong]

I don't own too many games, but my VC and Wiiware collection is getting larger... Do the sales figures of those go into this report?

[Froggy]

I think they're ready for another console. Keep the Wii going for the casuals and build something more powerful (I mean, at least 720p, guys!) for the cores. Hell, I might end up buying it before I get a PS3.

[Dibbler]

One thing I noticed about the wii is that they never put the games on sale unless they are the total crap games. Red Alert for PC went from $50 to $30 in a month. Zelda for the wii is still selling for $50 a couple years after it's release. I like wii sports and some parts of wii play. The rest of the games I've purchased at full retail price are total crap and a waste of $50 each. I'm too gun shy to buy anything else for it. I wish they had demos for the wii games so I know I'm not buying crap again.

[ElektroDragon]

About... freaking.... time. The only console I often wish I didn't own. It's only saving grace is Everybody Votes Channel, because I was never a big Mario/Zelda fan to begin with.

[Zaro]

One thing I noticed about the wii is that they never put the games on sale unless they are the total crap games. Red Alert for PC went from $50 to $30 in a month. Zelda for the wii is still selling for $50 a couple years after it's release. I like wii sports and some parts of wii play. The rest of the games I've purchased at full retail price are total crap and a waste of $50 each. I'm too gun shy to buy anything else for it. I wish they had demos for the wii games so I know I'm not buying crap again.

I've read somewhere that soon, i don't know when, gaming site will make review of games. I hope it will help you choose better games.

But i know that there's nothing like trying a game. :)

[shadow763]

Every system this generation has done something wrong. None of the companies have been perfect, and hopefully all will improve, either in this current generation or with their next consoles.

Hopefully MS will put out reliable hardware, Sony will not be as obnoxiously over-confident, and hopefully Nintendo will learn to start putting out quality software again instead of rehashed, lightly updated titles.

If they all learn from this generations mistakes, we could be in for some seriously good gaming over the next decade.

Ha ha, that would be the day. Microsoft last gen was an ok system with a crappy disc drive and a lack of quality titles. This gen better title selection, but a system that is essentially broken, so nothing to play these titles on.

Nintendo for essentially the third generation in a row has a system with a serious lack of quality titles. From the N64 till now they continue to release one or two big titles a year with the rest being for the most part shovelware. The only reason for sales this year is because people are interested in the hardware aspect. The actual software selection is still crap.

Sony, while doing well sales wise when you take into account that the system has only been out for two years, is still being too cocky with their price and lack of advertising, and its hurting them.

[Sloth]

i remember my first experience with a wii was wii sports and I was sold on it. Then other games started to come out, and I realized that the wii mote would end up being just a gimmick. Now I'm looking just for wii titles that are fun. Mad World looks pretty good.

[Flatpicker]

Oh, before I forget.
+1 on the Headline.

It's subtle, yet effective. ;)

[modeps]

Oh, before I forget.
+1 on the Headline.

It's subtle, yet effective. ;)

I have no idea what you are talking about........




:)

[Zaro]

What's reassures me for the moment is that many games that seems good are
still announced for the Wii. But at long term if games don't sell that can hurt.

[uncleslappy]

One thing I noticed about the wii is that they never put the games on sale unless they are the total crap games. Red Alert for PC went from $50 to $30 in a month. Zelda for the wii is still selling for $50 a couple years after it's release. I like wii sports and some parts of wii play. The rest of the games I've purchased at full retail price are total crap and a waste of $50 each. I'm too gun shy to buy anything else for it. I wish they had demos for the wii games so I know I'm not buying crap again.

Miyamoto came out with a statement about that a few years back. He said he feels like high quality games should not drop in price as quikly if at all. He has a point, but the market produces certain expectations. Like I would expect that Zelda: TP would be $20 by now.

Last gen was no different. Games like Mario Kart Double Dash, the GC Mario Partys, and a few other first party titles never went down. Mario Party 5 still sells for $50 I think. And I think Double Dash still sells for $30 new. It was $50 like 3 years after release

[Meusli]

This is because the casual market bought Wii's and they don't buy games unless the other sheep do. This is what I have thought from the beginning of this generation, the hardcore audience is the most valuable part of any system install base. They are the ones buying the games not the old folks in homes or hospitals that we always hear about. Nintendo are gonna fall big next generation if they can not drag the hardcore audience over next generation as the mums and grandparents won't be queuing outside shops on release night.

[Demo_Boy]

The Wii is NOT a game system.
It is an interface to self-improvement. But don't make the self improvement take too... much effort...
Brain Age
Fit
Basic coordination exercises in Sport

ok so once you've got that base covered, whats next?
I guess Rock Band/Guitar Hero should do quite well on the system - though supressed due to superior functionality for those SKU on other platforms.

and... what else...
TaiChi?
Darts?
Cake decorating?
Fine Arts/painting?
Pottery?
Dating/smalltalk coach?

[ldi222]

Its nice to see the sun is finally setting on the two gamecubes, duct tape and little wand. I will admit wii fit could have potential but Id much rather have a mountain bike or rowing simulator in HD on PC or 360 that had online multiplayer.

[Syl]

Am I the only person who actually owns a decent amount of good games for the Wii? They exist; most "hardcore" gamers just seem to ignore them compared to some of the flashier offerings on other consoles.

[Switcher]

Seeing so many ignorant posters, giving absolutely no time to the gems that are (and will) be on the system is one of the saddest sights I've ever seen.

For shame.

I played my Wii more than my 360. I've sold back way more games for my 360 as well. The games I've kept for it have been great, but for example, I thought deBlob was more creative and fun than Dead Space.

[Switcher]

The Wii is NOT a game system.
It is an interface to self-improvement. But don't make the self improvement take too... much effort...
Brain Age
Fit
Basic coordination exercises in Sport

ok so once you've got that base covered, whats next?
I guess Rock Band/Guitar Hero should do quite well on the system - though supressed due to superior functionality for those SKU on other platforms.

and... what else...
TaiChi?
Darts?
Cake decorating?
Fine Arts/painting?
Pottery?
Dating/smalltalk coach?

Both Guitar Hero 3 and World Tour, and Rock Band 1 have sold more on the Wii than they have on the other SKUs.

Just sayin'

[Zaro]

Am I the only person who actually owns a decent amount of good games for the Wii? They exist; most "hardcore" gamers just seem to ignore them compared to some of the flashier offerings on other consoles.

I'm sure that most gamers ignore them like you said. I'm sure there's
many of them who think like Demo_Boy and don't know what's good or what's interesting is coming for the Wii.

Maybe better advertising can change thing, i don't know.

[Highlar]

I have a decent library of games for my Wii too....somewhere along the lines of 20 games or so, maybe a bit more. And I enjoy playing pretty much all of them (with an exception here or there). I very rarely ever trade in Wii games. For me, they are just FUN. The motion control ads in just that little more interactive something which I like. There really are plenty of quality titles (notice, I didn't say AAA, but quality), fun titles, for the Wii. It really is sad, as a couple of others have said, how they just get blown off by the "hardcore" crowd. I am eagerly awaiting 2009, as the release list for the Wii, to me, is looking great!

[Meusli]

There are good games on the Wii across all the generes, just not many of them. One good platform game, one good karting game and one good adventure/rpg etc etc.. Its not enough to carry a console for me even if they are the best games ever(which is subjective).

[Dibbler]

The problem with the Wii is the same problem they have with the DS. They release so many games that retailers and even online sellers don't even get any in stock to sell. When the local Target has a shelf that holds 50 titles and Nintendo releases 25 new titles a week you just don't even see many of the titles. Nintendo needs to slow down and set a minimum standard or maximum number of releases per month or something. There's been a bunch of games for the DS come out that I've never seen for sale anywhere and I have yet to see a Wii Fit for sale anywhere.

[Taiso]

This is because the casual market bought Wii's and they don't buy games unless the other sheep do. This is what I have thought from the beginning of this generation, the hardcore audience is the most valuable part of any system install base. They are the ones buying the games not the old folks in homes or hospitals that we always hear about. Nintendo are gonna fall big next generation if they can not drag the hardcore audience over next generation as the mums and grandparents won't be queuing outside shops on release night.

IMO, this post won the thread.

In the end, Nintendo catered to the non-gamer. And for a while they had them. Now we're seeing the dropoff of selling something to the masses as a fad. The other shoe has dropped. A long time ago I said 'if Nintendo doesn't do something to capture the hardcore gamer's attention, this is the console that will end up underneath the couch collecting dust until Thanksgiving.' All of my friends and work colleagues, devoted Nintendo-philes, all told me I was crazy and that 'Nintendo is BACK!' I told them that they didn't really believe that and they were just happy that their favorite game company wasn't limping along in third place anymore. But I warned them that eventually people will get tired of moving their whole arm to swing a baseball bat or bowl a ball and when that faddish interest ends, Miyamoto and company had better have something else they can do with the system to sustain it.

The Wii is a gimmick system, plain and simple. It has a few quality titles but Nintendo has ridden on the wave of fad and gimick to sell it, not substance. It is the game console for the non-gamer. It's a toy. A toy with a few cool games on it.

And yes, I own a Wii and have about 20 titles for it (including Brawl, Galaxies, Metroid and Mario Kart.) The best gaming experience to be found on the console, bar none, is Resident Evil 4. And while I think it's the best version of RE 4 you can get when you factor in that it looks the best, has all of the bonus features from the PS2 build and the motion control scheme serves the camera perspective very well, it wasn't designed to be played on a Wii. It's a reimagined GC title, just like Twilight Princess.

I hope Nintendo can figure this whole thing out and improve on the product. Financially, they're well off from the Wii's success to take an honest stab at getting the hardcore crowd back, which is where true long term success rests. But they have to stop dicking around with Mario and invent some new IPs that aren't made for 12 year olds.

[Zeal]

the Wii is the worst thing that's ever happened to gaming.

[Zurik]

I've seen what's been coming out in 2009 and frankly felt no need to keep my Wii. I swore that if they repeated what they've done on the gamecube with just a handful of worthwhile games coming out in the console's lifespan I wouldn't hold onto it. Instead of trying to make updated Zelda and Mario games, they really need a good online service and other developers to make fun, innovative games. I just don't see this happening for a long time when making casual games for families is getting them so much money.

[Zeal]

Seeing so many ignorant posters, giving absolutely no time to the gems that are (and will) be on the system is one of the saddest sights I've ever seen.

For shame.

I played my Wii more than my 360. I've sold back way more games for my 360 as well. The games I've kept for it have been great, but for example, I thought deBlob was more creative and fun than Dead Space.

then you are what's called a casual gamer. pretty much the cancer that is destroying the game industry right now.

[Zaro]

Yeah Zeal your right! The end is coming!
Fear the future of gaming.

Look:Third party titles sold more [in the U.S.] on Nintendo hardware than on any other platform for two consecutive months (http://www.edge-online.com/news/iwata-third-parties-finding-wii-ds-success)

[Froggy]

the Wii is the worst thing that's ever happened to gaming.

How old are you?

[Switcher]

How old are you?

I was wondering the same thing.

I've probably played more games this past year, than Zeal has done in his entire life, in both a recreational and certainly a profressional standpoint.
:p

[Zaro]

Guys it's Zeal, he's always like that.
He's like a Mascot that appear to entertain Wii thread.

[Greeble]

Look guys, I agree that the wii is kind of shit (which is why I don't have one) But to say thats its just a fad is wrong. Sure there are plenty of people... say 1/3 that buy it that won't go beyond wii sports but the other 2/3rds will move on to other games.... Look at how well mario kart wii sold, not to mention guitar hero III WT and rock band as well. As much as I don't like it (Since it takes money away from Xbox and ps3 development) the wii is here to stay.

[Switcher]

Look guys, I agree that the wii is kind of shit (which is why I don't have one) But to say thats its just a fad is wrong. Sure there are plenty of people... say 1/3 that buy it that won't go beyond wii sports but the other 2/3rds will move on to other games.... Look at how well mario kart wii sold, not to mention guitar hero III WT and rock band as well. As much as I don't like it (Since it takes money away from Xbox and ps3 development) the wii is here to stay.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with that last point. If anything, money from Wii games goes to fund PS3/360 projects. So many big franchises this generation have skipped the Wii, or they're delegated to crappy side projects or spin-offs simply because 3rd parties can't be bothered to develop something worthwile. (Castlevania, Soul Calibur and Dead Rising come to mind) This is not the Wii's fault, but rather the narrow perception 3rd parties have.

And I find the idea that the Wii is killing the industry to be laughable at best, and people who actually believe that to be even more so. How many developers/publishers worked on a HD-only game that flopped hard and are now forced to close or cut a substantial number of their work force? Free Radical, LucasArts, Factor 5, Midway, Silicon Knights, etc. Your profit margins and chances of success lower each successive generation, but budgets keep getting higher and higher.

If anything is killing the industry, it's increasingly bloated budgets (especially on things like marketing and advertisements) and expensive consoles at a time where people simply can't/don't want to buy them.

If you can't see that....look around, it's happening everywhere. But if it still manages to allude you, it's probably because you're happy and comfy in your little "ZOMG, NO 1080p?? Wii = LOLZ! KILLZONERULZ" world to notice or even care.

[Highlar]

then you are what's called a casual gamer. pretty much the cancer that is destroying the game industry right now.

Just because someone plays the Wii more than 360 or PS3 that automatically makes them a "casual" gamer and plague on the industry? ROFL!!! :D Thanks so much for the laugh! Needed that. :D

[Chimpbot]

Oh, before I forget.
+1 on the Headline.

It's subtle, yet effective. ;)

I hear they make pills for that.

[TeeCakes]

The success of the Wii is certainly controversial. On the one hand, Nintendo is single-handedly responsible for reaching the ripe casual market with an innovative approach to hardware. Parents refer to all videogames as "a Nintendo" like once before when the NES was the only horse in town.

But it can't help but seem like a step backwards compared to how the industry flourished during the PS2/Gamecube/Xbox era. Sony as the market leader was a much different experience for hardcore gamers than having the Nintendo Wii leading the pack. For better or worse, the focus has shifted away from hardcore gamers to those that are new to the "game".

[Lutheran]

My days of defending Nintendo are over , even if I disagree with the notion that there are no good games for the Wii ( as that's horseshit ). I do think they did a poor job as usual helping 3rd party developers and I also think they have been to slow on their own to release hardcore titles for their longtime fans. I really think the VC is great although I could play all the old roms on my PC/DS/PSP already. I was really psyched up about Wiiware. The first few waves of games had a lot of nice titles. Lately , for the past few months or more..not so much.

I think the graphics issue doesn't bother me too much as I end up enjoying games like The Maw and PSN games and Wiiware games almost as much if not more then the great graphic based games. But if the next Nintendo console is severly restricted hardware wise as compared to the 360 and PS3 followups then I won't be buying one. With that said , I do think that this year will be a much better year for Nintendo then any other year outside of the launch. There are a boat load of good games coming this year from what I have seen. Madworld looks fantastic..The Conduit is another great looking game and I think you will see quite a few of their major IP's getting another game in the fall.