Nintendo Talks E3 Failure

[Evil Avatar]

There is a First Quarter Financial Results Briefing (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/090731qa/index.html) with Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, where he talks about Nintendo's failure at E3 (among other things).

As for the media briefing at E3, of course we had many internal discussions after that. Honestly speaking, none of us at Nintendo thought that our presentation at E3 was as good as it could have been. It is apparent that we could not fully convey the charm of our products. In the past, Wii Sports and Wii Fit were naturally able to convey their appeal on stage since it was something no one had ever seen or imagined before. People seemed to capture the appeal of Wii Sports instantly and although there was some initial confusion with Wii Fit, its appeal did get through to the audience afterwards. This year, however, with the New Super Mario Bros. Wii, four people lined up with Wii Remotes was not a scene that no one had ever seen.

He also makes another attempt to explain the puzzling Vitality Sensor,

It seems like the Wii Vitality Sensor is a kind of product which we are having some difficulty in addressing its product concept. The majority of the audience at E3 responded to it like "what in the world is Nintendo planning with a single pulse meter?" A human pulse not only contains information as to how many times a heart beats in a minute, but also various kinds of information such as the condition of automatic nerve.

Traditionally, great games has made people excited and stimulated. Wii Vitality Sensor has great potential for various applications like measuring how horrified a player is in a horror title. What we are trying to propose first is a video game with a theme of relaxation, which is completely opposite from traditional ones, to enrich the users' lives. Especially among those who are constantly busy, I am sure you have experienced not being able to go to bed even when you are so tired after a busy day at work and coming home late at night... What if you were able to visualize how to unwind and relax, or check the condition of your automatic nerve by simply inserting your finger in the device once a day?

I think most Nintendo titles already make me want to go to sleep. They don't need any help in that department.

[Johan]

It is apparent that we could not fully convey the charm of our products.

More likely, it became apparent that you assumed "little to nothing" would be accepted as "lots of something wonderful" by your crazed followers, and that didn't quite work out as you had hoped.

Wii Vitality Sensor has great potential for various applications like measuring how horrified a player is in a horror title.

For some reason, I can't stop laughing at this...

[Venkman]

Perhaps if they had the sensor on people in the audience, they would have seen the pulses go from "asleep" during most of their conference to "awake" when they announced the new Metroid game.

It could have helped them see the fact that people want games for their damn system, not more plastic dongles.

Nintendo is going to be in the same position again next gen after the Wii- they are riding high now just like they were with the NES/SNES, totally oblivious to what people actually want to play (besides fucking Wii sports/resort).

[Ebon Deth]

No matter what Nintendo themselves say, fanboys will still claim Nintendo was great at E3! Viva la Internet!

[XenonCJ]

1. Make the Wii 1080p (improve whatever needed)
2. Make the Wii black
3. Incorporate Wii Motion Plus into a unified standard controller

and people will be excited... k thx can i be CEO of Nintendo now?

[Jotoco]

No matter what Nintendo themselves say, fanboys will still claim Nintendo was great at E3! Viva la Internet!

Nintendo fanboys do NOT visit gaming websites

[Jotoco]

Nintendo fanboys do NOT visit gaming websites


EDIT:
Not anymore at any rate.

They are the same people, they just aren't nintendo fanboys anymore

[brandonjclark]

It is my opinion that since Nintendo made a shiteload of money on the Wii, they can now focus on making a system for the hardcare audience and actually spend some money on development. But since they keep releasing these plastic add-on things, it assures me they've lost their mojo and now cater to the moms.

[PopoWRX]

Perhaps if they had the sensor on people in the audience, they would have seen the pulses go from "asleep" during most of their conference to "awake" when they announced the new Metroid game.

It could have helped them see the fact that people want games for their damn system, not more plastic dongles.

Nintendo is going to be in the same position again next gen after the Wii- they are riding high now just like they were with the NES/SNES, totally oblivious to what people actually want to play (besides fucking Wii sports/resort).

You'd hope they'd have learn after the N64 days but that doesn't seem to be the case with all the crazy extra peripherals coming out. The nickel and diming aspect of Nintendo was always something I detested. To think I fell so hard for the Wiivolution too...

That being said, I'm still a big fan of Metroid/Fire Emblem, it just seems like I'm not the target audience anymore (Though Wii Sports Resort looks good, I just cringe at having to get the MotionPlus for the rest of my controllers...)

[Jotoco]

1. Make the Wii 1080p (improve whatever needed)
2. Make the Wii black
3. Incorporate Wii Motion Plus into a unified standard controller

and people will be excited... k thx can i be CEO of Nintendo now?

Nope, too much common sense.

If you want to be CEO you need:

1 - A PINK Wii;
2 - Acompaning PINK wii mote;
3 - At least a dozen new accessories, all in a variety of colors.

[Venkman]

That being said, I'm still a big fan of Metroid/Fire Emblem, it just seems like I'm not the target audience anymore (Though Wii Sports Resort looks good, I just cringe at having to get the MotionPlus for the rest of my controllers...)

I don't think you'll really need 3 more wii motion plus attachemtns. You'll only need 1 more beyond the one that comes with the game. Most of the games are 1 player at a time, and you pass the controller, while the others have some sort of two player simultaneous mode.

[Samstag]

What if you were able to visualize how to unwind and relax, or check the condition of your automatic nerve by simply inserting your finger in the device once a day?

Crap I haven't checked the condition of my automatic nerve in, well, ever! I kinda thought it would be okay on its own, you know? If it's important to check it, I'm certainly going to be checking more than once per day. You can't be too careful with your automatic nerve.

[Johan]

What if you were able to visualize how to unwind and relax, or check the condition of your automatic nerve by simply inserting your finger in the device once a day?

Yeah, um...Nintendo? About that "automatic" nerve. Did you mean autonomic? (http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/The-Autonomic-Nervous-System.topicArticleId-22032,articleId-21948.html)

Cliffs Notes for anatomy; who thought that one up?

http://media.wiley.com/Lux/24/21824.nfg001.jpg

[Chaos Machine]

there is nothing "charming" about ugly ass games with a half baked control schemes. It lost its novelty for me after trying to play one of the myriad of piss poor ports of FPS from real consoles. There were 3 games I enjoyed prior to my wii being stolen(in retrospect i dont miss it). Zelda, Mario galaxy, and resident evil 4. but tbh I feel that zelda and resident evil 4 would have played better on a ps3 or 360. I am starting to feel that nintendo is intentionally and rapidly isolating itself from the hardcore gamer demographic, wait till they find out the mainstream consumer has the attention span of an ADD stricken fruit fly when it comes to trendy consumer electronics. I think we have hit the saturation point with gimmicky controllers and peripherals, and as a result they are going to see sales bottom out unless they start focusing on the GAMEPLAY.

I myself wont be buying another wii. Good riddance.

[Yellowman]

Still like the Wii, still read gaming sites. I just tend to ignore anything this site says about it. May even be others like me hidden around.

Excited about New Super Mario Brothers (great to play co-op with friends), excited about Super Mario Galaxy 2 (so what if it's more of the same, the first was really fucking awesome), excited about Metroid Prime trilogy and the Metroid Team Ninja game. There was a lot to be excited about at E3, just not that much for the casual crowd (except of course Wii Sports Resort).

And yeah, I own a 360. But I like to play videogames with other people in the same room and the Wii is the best system for that.

In conclusion, the constant and repetitive negative comments you guys make sounds more and more like the hooting of stupid, ignorant baboons. If you don't like the Wii, stop posting in it's threads and maybe they will stop posting news about it and then I don't have to read all the asshatery you feel compelled to post. Then maybe the last few Wii fans who actually enjoy what the system has to offer can post without fear.

If there are any out there of course. You know who you are, now's your chance to stand forward and be counted!

(uncomfortable silence, drifting tumbleweed)

[Johan]

Then maybe the last few Wii fans who actually enjoy what the system has to offer

Why are you so mean to the Wii?? :( It has plenty of fans.

sounds more and more like the hooting of stupid, ignorant baboons

I like this. Run with it some more. Flesh it out a bit. :D

[Anenome]

1. Make the Wii 1080p (improve whatever needed)
2. Make the Wii black
3. Incorporate Wii Motion Plus into a unified standard controller

and people will be excited... k thx can i be CEO of Nintendo now?

Don't know what you guys are talking about. Just picked up Wii Punchout today, couldn't be happier. Fun isn't about HD. Color of the console, what could be more meaningless. As for Wii Motion Plus, it will be incorporated into the next system as standard.

A lot of horrible motion-control games were made for the Wii, granted. It's also the first outing of standard positional input.

In any case, the next console generation will possibly be the most innovative since the beginning of the industry. All three companies with competing 3D interface schemes, and damned good graphics.

[Yellowman]

Why are you so mean to the Wii?? :( It has plenty of fans.

Har Har. Not on this site there aren't.


I like this. Run with it some more. Flesh it out a bit. :D

To be honest, I need that pure vitriol that only comes upon first reading moronic comment after moronic comment in yet another Nintendo bashing thread. Otherwise I just can't bring myself to care enough and it sounds hollow. Don't worry, there'll be another one along any minute, I'll be sure to post some more and if you're very lucky I might get myself banned, who knows :D

[DriveALW]

You guys are being waaaay too harsh with Nintendo; this was just bad luck. The press conference this year fell on one of Reggie Fils-Aime's pre-designated "name-taking" days. They alternate, you see. Had it fallen on one of his "ass-kicking" days well... well look out, okay? Look the HECK out! Huh? Yeah!

But, rather than have him break routine and deliver an earth-shattering display of magisterial ass-kickery for all the electronic world to witness, they went with plan B: show some B- games and a D+ periferal to an audience that responded with a yawn so big it could almost be heard over the disc drive of a fully-functioning Xbox 360. (Sadly, this can not be properly tested as no such item could be found on short notice.)

But if this had been a LEAP year? Look out Sony and Microsoft and Atari and Colecovision and Philips! And Tandy!

[Blade]

I think the vitality sensor is a good idea.

Two reasons:

A. It goes in tandem with the Wii Fit Balance Board, and Nintendo's fitness game genre.

B. The prospect of an innovative new form of user input, that goes above and beyond waggling a remote control or thumbing an analog stick.

Nintendo has made their mistakes this generation, but they generally tend to lead the pack when it comes to trends and new ideas. (or the best execution of old ideas)

Unless you're talking about online play, in which case Nintendo sucks.

[Jotoco]

Still like the Wii, still read gaming sites. I just tend to ignore anything this site says about it. May even be others like me hidden around.

Excited about New Super Mario Brothers (great to play co-op with friends), excited about Super Mario Galaxy 2 (so what if it's more of the same, the first was really fucking awesome), excited about Metroid Prime trilogy and the Metroid Team Ninja game. There was a lot to be excited about at E3, just not that much for the casual crowd (except of course Wii Sports Resort).

And yeah, I own a 360. But I like to play videogames with other people in the same room and the Wii is the best system for that.

In conclusion, the constant and repetitive negative comments you guys make sounds more and more like the hooting of stupid, ignorant baboons. If you don't like the Wii, stop posting in it's threads and maybe they will stop posting news about it and then I don't have to read all the asshatery you feel compelled to post. Then maybe the last few Wii fans who actually enjoy what the system has to offer can post without fear.

If there are any out there of course. You know who you are, now's your chance to stand forward and be counted!

(uncomfortable silence, drifting tumbleweed)

I was a nintendo fanboy once. But am not a wii fanboy.

As you correctly pointed out nintendo SOFTWARE is fantastic. They just messed up the hardware somehow. It's not that I don't like the controls, I do. But... NO ONE else is producing anything bad for the wii, just terrible and downwards.

Besides, it is the most expensive console of this generation and offers nothing in return.

there are some good games for the wii, even third party, but they are so few we can ignore then

[Metal Jesus]

I watched E3 trying to decide if I was going to add a Wii or PS3 to my living room this fall (I already own a X360)...

I have to say that Sony and Uncharted 2 blew me away. Nintendo's press conference left me struggling to find I reason why I should even bother. It seems the Wii may not be for me.

[DarkDaY]

Until you start making "games" again Nintendo, my mom will keep my wii and keep lining your pockets, so I guess you don't care either way...

Hmm, pointless post.

[DarkDaY]

I watched E3 trying to decide if I was going to add a Wii or PS3 to my living room this fall (I already own a X360)...

I have to say that Sony and Uncharted 2 blew me away. Nintendo's press conference left me struggling to find I reason why I should even bother. It seems the Wii may not be for me.

No doubt, had I used my noggan I would have picked up a ps3 AND saved money, after buying the extras I was past 7 bills and after galaxy and metroid and a few other distractions it went to my mom...

I want a ps3...Bring the price drop Sony..please?

[Meusli]

Is this not the second E3 that Nintendo had a meeting about afterwards and decided they were crap? They should employ some raving fanboys next year to do the show for them, it would work better I think.

[drakkarim]

this sensor should be mandatory for all gaming platforms and all games. there should be a public api released to monitor how pissed off and frustrated gamers are during the course of a game and maybe ease up on the difficulty in some spot or something.

[Everblight]

Honestly, given Nintendo's recent track record the WVS may very well end up being a hit with the Wii Fit crowd, who knows? I think the real mistake they made was announcing it at an enthusiast-centric event like E3 rather than at a consumer electronics style show or one of their own events. A lot of the negativity surrounding this thing probably could have been avoided if it wasn't pushed as part of the "Big E3 Press Conference."

[KingFire]

This thread prove that the so called "hardcore" gamers are complete graphics whores.
If you care that much about "res", "graphics" or "HD" than you're gaming on the wrong system (consoles) and you should get a gaming PC for that.

Nintendo is pushing the industry forward and expand it to new audience, while the competition only care about how to make their systems copy as much as possible from the PC.

[Switcher]

*looks around*

Yep, this is an Evil Avatar post alright.

[Syl]

I got my Wii at launch, i own about 20 games for it (and 15 VC titles, 5 wii-ware) and I still play it a considerably constant amount. I don't regret getting it and i doubt I will.

Sure, the amount of games for it that i want aren't as high as it used to be - but everyone who thinks nintendo is failing needs to just keep into account that Nintendo is now Japan's second biggest company.

Nintendo, little old "game only" nintendo, has more profit and money than ALL of sony, ALL of Panasonic, if i remember correctly the only thing that it's behind is Honda.

It will take 10-20 bad years to kill nintendo off, they've been making a constant profit every single day since the SNES years with the exception of a single quarter (near the end of the gamecube era).