After E3, it seemed like everyone wanted to avoid the obvious question, and while I'm well aware of the number of Wii fankids out there, I can't imagine why the question hasn't at least been addressed in some fashion.
Let's face it: the Wii sells on the gimmick alone. It doesn't sell on the strength of its software as that's essentially non-existent (especially in direct comparison to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360), and the bottom line is that it appeals to non -gamers everywhere. The gadget hounds love the thing and senior citizens can go bowling. And I will forever have the utmost respect for Nintendo in producing a machine that ingeniously catered to absolutely everyone who wasn't a hardcore gamer, thereby opening themselves up to a gigantic demographic; i.e., everyone who didn't list "gaming" as their primary hobby. However, after sprinting out to a huge lead, Wii sales have slumped worldwide in 2009 and it's entirely because of what I've been saying all along: without software people want to play, no game console can survive, and consumers are immensely fickle. Yeah, they loved the idea of waving that wand around yesterday but today, they desire something more…and Nintendo ain't givin' it to 'em.
Sony and Microsoft, on the other hand, appear poised to do exactly that. The motion sensing technology for both is awfully impressive and I think we can all agree that it's leaps and bounds beyond the Wii, technologically speaking. Now, considering the almost complete lack of "AAA" software on the Wii and looking down the road, it becomes obvious that besides price, the Wii only has motion sensing going for it. But what happens when consumers can't even look at the Wii and say, "that's the only system I can do this with?" What happens when the best motion sensing experiences can be had on other consoles? I guess the big question is, what would the Wii have left ? I have always known that unless Nintendo either produced innovative and top-notch software to go along with the gimmick, or they enhanced the gimmick itself, that the Wii would be little more than a fad. Yes, they've basically stomped the competition already, but with sales falling at a ridiculously rapid rate and Nintendo themselves admitting the health of the Wii is poor, we wonder what may happen in the future…
Seriously, what reason could anyone have for buying a Wii once these motion sensing technologies are available for the PS3 and 360? That it's cheaper? I suppose that would be it, and that might be able to keep things going. But you can't use the "oh, it has family-friendly software" excuse because I can absolutely guarantee that both the PS3 and 360 will have such software for these new technologies. In fact, I dare say many of the first games that support the motion sensing will be accessible and safe for all ages. It may blossom, but the bottom line is that Sony and Microsoft seem to be trying to squeeze out the Wii…and as absurd as that sounds, I'm wondering what can actually stop this from happening. Nintendo needs to do something to counter this, wouldn't you think?
I knew the day would come….god damn it came slow enough!
now nintendo can put mario, zelda, and stuff on ps3 and it'll look awesome and be awesome!!
maybe nintendo will go out like sega did, and just sell software…
Yup… I firmly believe that Nintendo should just lay down their arms and leave Sony and MS to duke it out… We definitely don't need three next-gen consoles on the market.
It might be in their best interest to just do software for the two other consoles from here on out… It would be very sad to see though.
I have a question for the older guys here… I'm 20 years old and my first console was a Genesis. How many multiplatform games were there back then? I was a little too young to acknowledge those sorts of things. Nor do I recall any "fanboyism" between Sony and Nintendo, although I know it existed by reading the comments and stories from the members here on PSXE. Was there just as many multiplats back then as there is now? Or even before my time?
im going to see green day tonight.
@ JohnnyGold
A bit off topic, don't you think.
Last edited by Orvisman on 7/20/2009 9:47:43 AM
Yay, you won't be disapointed xD
@Xra897…i don't really think i want nintendo should put mario and zelda on playstation or 360, i don't think it FEEL be right. But then again a sweet zelda could be done right now that playstation is coming out with that superior motion tech. unlike twilight princess.
Swim, there was Nintendo and Sega fanboyism but it was more playful. My friends little brother the other day told me how the PS3 was for "fags". I asked why he's proceeded to throw out all the talking points. "cost too much, third place, no games, online sucks"etc. Then he started in on me about my iPhone and about how M$ ruled and Apple sucked. iMac sucks blah blah blah. Fanboys have always existed. The nets just given them an amplifier to spew their stupidity and it seems to have gotten worse since MS unleashed the trolls and seem to encourage it by puttng Aaron Greentoad out their. He's the king of trolling.
Last edited by Jawknee on 7/20/2009 11:27:49 AM
Jawknee, I realize that there is and was fanboys. That really wasn't my question though… I was just trying to point out how young I was back when I had a Genesis. I just think that there is a really high percentage of multiplatform games today and I was wondering if that is how it was back with sega and nintendo, as I was too young to remember.
I do appreciate the time you took to write that though, as I am also a Mac and iPhone owner. 🙂 …And this comment is being written with my iPhone. 😀
Was making a multiplatform game as popular back in the Sega-Nintendo days as it is now?
@Swim
to answer your question about multiplatforming, no, it wasn't anywhere near as common during the NES/Gensis days as it is now. I think a couple of titles such as Mega Man crept onto the Genesis eventually.
Other than that, I can only think of a few titles off the top of my head that hit the SNES & Genesis, Mortal Combat, Street Fighter II, other than that I can't think of much.
Looking at my library of 10 PS3 games, 7/10 are available on the 360. Thinking back to my old NES/SNES, I think I had 1 or 2 titles available on the Genesis.
Multiplatforming is way more common now than back then.
I completely agree. I do not see Sony advertising this new wand for more than 3 months at the most. Sony's wand is just bound to turn out like the PS eye. Hardly any innovative software is coming for it and it's a real shame. Sony can take Nintendo's reign, IF and only if they support that wand like it's their last hope.
On the other hand, I do see Microsoft advertising their product, I mean it's already been on those late night shows, and it doesn't even have a firm release date yet.Microsoft will support Natal, unlike Sony.
It's all 'bout the casual games
The Wii has tons of them. The other two consoles do, but not with motion-sensing.
HOPEFULLY motion-sensing won't "casual-nalize" the ps3…………….or that other console
But yes as long as those damn casuals are around the Wii we still sell
Well, it's been a really long while ever since Nintendo dominated a generation of console gaming, so they're still getting used to it, I guess.
I think it would be a BIG reality check for NIN because many developers could do, that much more on PS3 or X. So y would they want to save $$$ on development for the Wii, when they can make the TRUE game they wanted to make with out the restraints. Also the online community that Sony & M$ have made would be a major +!
The Wii's biggest advantage is that it represents fun and not gaming to the casuals. As long as people want to have fun, it will sell. I think this is what Nintendo was capitalising on all along (they've said as much).
I'm not sure if M$/Sony realise this to the extent of what Nin does (it's been their philosophy since day one), and if they do, how will they reposition themselves to appear being as fun. Motion, a slim console? Copying doesnt work when somethings too succesful (well done ipod) so Nin doesnt have much to fear.
@ Scarecrow: I have the same disdain for casuals as you do then I remember the fun factor is what binds us, I'm still to decide if that's good thing lol.
Last edited by End of line on 7/19/2009 11:46:34 PM
Wait….why did I want a Wii before all this?
While I feel that saying Wii sells on gimmick alone is an exaggeration I do agree that Nintendo has been seriously lazy on bringing the software at a pace resembling anything close to acceptable. I bought a Wii for the first party games but even those have been severely lacking this year. Last year I would have comepletely disagreed with you but the way things have been I think you've hit the nail on the head.
Unless Nintendo make some drastic changes the PS3 and 360 will completely void it's place this generation.
the thing is there are STILL alot of people out there who do not own a Wii and still thinks that there is only Wii for fun and Xbox for kids.
sony needs to really kick in the advertising machine
I don't think anything can stop the Wii now…
Honestly, Nintendo still has their tried and true franchises, that get people foaming at the mouth no matter what they do with the series. Mario, Metroid, Smash Bros., Mario Kart, etc, Nintendo will always have those franchise. Plus, we've no idea what the pricing on these new peripherals from Sony + MS. The Wii will still have that impulse buy appeal…yeah, it's $250, but that's a far cry from the price of a PS3 or 360…unless Sony and MS get to a point where they can afford to bundle the motion sensing stuff, and keep the price of their bundles the same.
Don't get me wrong, I'm with Sony for consoles through and through. But, Nintendo still has a few aces that'll keep people coming back for a long time coming.
I think shock and awe will hit the market once the PS3 price is cut… there maybe many a gamer who own 360's and Wii's and are waiting for an excuse to jump ship… the price cut will be their excuse.
"Motion sensing" will only succeed if the content is made available that really fits that form of entertainment… the problem is I like sitting on my ass playing games… I like being lazy… it feels good, there is no denying it…
I don't think I will purchase the "EYE" just yet, until I see real world games that make full use of the technology sensibly… I don't like the idea of just moving my hands in the air in order to drive a car… your arms would get tired quickly I think…
Sure there will be many applications that this sort of technology could be used for, but would really need to see exactly how far it goes and if it would be so much fun playing in such a way. It could, in all sense and purposes, end up being exhausting and frustrating… try playing in Famous whilst gyrating in front of the "EYE"…. aaaggghhh!
Q!
"here's looking at you kid"
The Eye is cheap and fun. I bought one for Burnout Paradise just to support the smugshots in that game. It doesn't hurt that singstar uses it too.
Actually our 2nd PS3 has one on it as well, then again we bought a second copy of Burnout Paradise so my wife and I could play at the same time, so it makes sense in a twisted sort of a way. She games more than I do now.
Actually, the Eye's greatest achievement imo is the PSN download 'Trials of Topoq'. Not only is it a crazy party game, but it's just plain fun. Control a ball with the movement of your hands through a shitload of track layouts. (The real-time feed of you from the Eye is super-imposed over each 'platform' of the course. Each platform is cut up into 40-50 smaller tiles…the movement of your hand(s) causes the tiles to lift, creating a ramp, moving the ball.)
I've had a ton of fun with it though, it can take a bit to get the right lighting, and making sure you're torso is absolutely still is hard to get used to, but once you do….that game is a blast.
Also use they Eye for long-distance communication, for picture stamps in LittleBigPlanet, and making movies in secrecy, of people who get way to hammered at my house. Most amusing to show a room full of people (the person included), the footage.
The Wii will still be fine as long as the 360/PS3 do not come bundled with the motion tech.
Add-ons don't do well in the video game market. The Wii does well because instead of making it an add on to the Gamecube they just bundled it with a beefy gamecube and Wii Sports.
A soon as a person gets a Wii they can play motion games. They didn't have to run out and buy an add on and Wii Sports was ready to go.
For motion tech to take off on both they have to bundle it with systems which guarantees devs that a lot of people will have them.
I feel honor bound to point this out since so very many people are utterly ignoring it.
The PS3 DOES come with motion sensing built in. It's called Sixaxis and it works bloody well actually.
Try playing High Velocity Bowling for instance, it demonstrates just how good Sixaxis can be. Ratchet and Clank made good use of it, as have other games. Lair made excellent use of the motion sensing features – but alas no one really gave it much of a chance, apparently Dragons should fly like F-16s with flight sticks and the like, instead of a set or reigns.
But the point is, that PS3 comes with motion sensing technology already. I've said before that if Sony ever puts any effort into combining the Sixaxis with the PS Eye capabilities they could far exceed what the Wii has to offer. The new stuff Sony showed at E3 was a development of that, and unlike the tech shown by MS, Sony has been developing their technology for years in real products.
Back to the point though. The PlayStation 3 *already* comes with a motion sensing controller. It has done so since launch day.
I love the PS3, but have only played with the motion controller a bit. I used it in Heavenly Sword and Marvel Ultimate Alliance.
In MUA, it was utter crappily implemented. In Heavenly Sword, well it was cool, but I personally shut it off the second time through and used the stick, and god, did that make life easier.
I think the Wii will be fine because even though they've done extremely well there are people waiting for the price to drop just like the ps3.. As you said PS3 and Wii crowds are not one in the same. As others have said "how much will Sony's motion controller cost" . Personally Im not interested in Sony or Microsofts motion controls. When I game I want to throw myself into to the game not go through the motions.
The Wii is awesome.
I think you put a 'we' where an 's' was required…
<j/k>
Ha!
hell no.
because of all the software they have.
zelda is as popular as it ever was.
same with sonic mario all their team players.
i remember reading a article a few weeks ago saying that wii fit has reached and sold more copies than the holy halo 3.
now thats a achievement, i would love to see a ps3 title to do that.
also because of there kid friendly image.
a family friend of mine, hes freaking 15 and his parents wont let him watch star wars movies, or play the games.
hes 15 and hes not allowed to watch or play anything rated over PG, theres tuns of families out their (sadly i feel so sorry for the kid, hes the only one who does not know star wars, at school he talks about shows his friends stoped watching 5 years ago) that are like that and thats why nintendo are not going anywhere but straight to the top.
Out of all the nonsense you wrote I only understand one thing. That Zelda is as popular as ever. The last console Zelda game to come out was three years ago. To a 15 year old, three years is ancient history. Zelda is not as popular as you think. The franchise has been reduced to DS games with not a whiff of a console Zelda in the wind.
nothing can beat the wii now not natal,milo or sony's motion sensing thingy.
the wii is like an infection that had already spread in ur whole body and the doctors cant do nothing about it( double negation i know i kinda feel naughty)lol
I think Sony and Microsoft are jumping onto the motion sensing fad after it's already run its course.
The market ingredients that turned Wii into a runaway seller are unique and not unlike the Tickle Me Elmo or Cabbage Patch Kids fads.
I've always thought that the Wii would end up fading out sharply once the fad was over with and the cool kids were all onto the next gadget. I have to admit it took a lot longer than I thought it would, and the Wii has had a great run in the meantime. But from this point, there's nothing Nintendo or anyone can do to recapture the fad. The Wii is going to fade away fast now.
I really dont believe that the Wii will fall when the other systems get motion sensitive controllers. They have too big of a base already, and they have it with people that never would pick up another type hand control. I dont think people view the Wii as a videogame, and thats where Nin has benefitted. Videogames are for children and nerds, but the Wii is for everyone.
I also think that with all the cash that Nin has gotten from the Wii, they are already close to finishing up the development of their next console, probably something you hook up to your brain.
I feel like the Wii is the perfect gateway for non-gamers to get into something thats good, like the PS3 or 360.
When people see how much better the EA Sports lineup is on a next gen console, combined with motion tech and better graphics and online scoreboards and online multiplayer thats much easier to manage than Wii, many people will begin trading for the superior console.
I'm not saying everyone will, but there will be a large majority. Many Wii owners are budding gamers ready to learn about what real games are like. In case no one has noticed, theres very few M and MA rated games on the Wii, so when all these Wii kids grow up, they will hook onto the next Xbox and Playstation which will have all the best mature games for them.
Problem is that an accessory will not make one console outsell another, especially considering the hype built up behind the wii and the release of wii sports resort or whatever — more crack for the addicts.
they also have to be cheap to defeat the wii.
even though after you buy all the parts it as much as a ps3 but that overall price is cheap.
I hope this move consoles
I have a feeling I am not going to use the motion sensing much, I just want to sit back and enjoy a game. Also there's always the challenge of mastering the button combos that gives you the excitement and satisfaction of doing tricks/moves right.
I'll just wait and see how motion sensing works on PS3.
No and you know why? Well history have taught us that add-ons don't sell and developers(even though some seem passionate aboutt them) don't take advantage of them. So in the end both motion-sensing devices already have failure written them on just like those in the past.
I think that this will work for microsoft because….well they have money to throw around. but this has already happened to sony, the eye toy didn't sell well so they might of learnt from eyetoy and will change there business strategy. And why say add-ons don't sell well, do you remeber a little thing called guitar hero?
I always find Ben's stance on the Wii a bit odd. The only reason i own a wii is because of the games, not because of the motion controls. Super Mario Galaxy, LoZ:TP, Mario Kart, Wii Sports, Metroid, SSBB, Super Paper Mario, and de Blob all get regular play on my wii. Sure, almost half of those are Mario titles, but if its a good game i am gong to play it.
Sure, the wiimote is kinda essential to a game like Wii Sports, but it doesnt fell gimmicky in that game, it just fells right.
What of those games came out recently, and which would you play without the motion sensing?
Well it's not that the Wii doesn't have good games.
It has some AMAZING games: Mario Galaxy, Tales of Symphonia 2, Mario Kart Wii, Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, etc.
But most of them came out the first two years….
The Wii's STRONG software died after Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
We took a look at what Nintendo was gonna bring at last year's E3 and that's when we figured out that motion-controller isn't really innovating as Nintendo thought it would.
Where Ben, I, and everyone else agrees is that the Wii has no good games anymore nor is it promising much in the future. Well actually they did show some really strong games at E3. But for the most part the Wii is a casual gamer's console…
We're bashing Nintendo because of how good their software lineups used to be. Nintendo 64? Gamecube?
Look at the gems which came for those consoles. They actually were as good as Sony's. Bringing in innovative games like Pikmin, Animal Crossing, etc.
Anything but Wii Sports would work well without motion sensing, and i would play them regardless, but thats the point i was making. I bought my wii for its games, not the motion sensing jazz. If those games were available for ps3 without any motion sensing i would have bought them for ps3 instead of buying new hardware.
I do agree that the wii's game release schedule has been pretty terrible, but most nintendo consoles only see one Mario and Zelda title a generation anyway. Im a huge Zelda fan, and SMG is one of the best games i've played this generation, so its worth it *for me* to own a wii just for those games.
I like what nintendo is doing by branching out into something new, but it is still all about the games, and the wii had quite a few good ones early on.
Well, regardless of what you like, there just isn't enough software. Will ANYTHING come out in 2009 for the Wii that can be considered "AAA"?
Most all of those games are old and there doesn't appear to be anything on the horizon. When I say the Wii has no software, I'm really talking about the current situation…and I'm being literal.
I agree with you about the wii's games, but anyone expecting more than one Zelda or Mario title a generation doesnt know how nintendo works. The main point i was trying to make is that some people actually did buy the wii for its games, not just the motion sensing stuff.
We need to ask if Nintendo even gives a crap if the wii keeps selling. They've been rolling in money for the past few years between the DS and Wii, so they could kill it off early and start a WiiHD or whatever.
I just had a brain wave…alright hear me out. They should have 2 mothion controllers in a box, that comes with the ps eye and have analog controls on each but also have that ball top. BUT shape each controller as half of the Dualshock 3 but add like stuff so it is easy to hold. so then there could be some sweet fps without motion control. Make it kind of like two nunchuks but with the directional pads and the x o square and triangle and with the ball on the top. and then package it with every ps3 and take out the Dualshock 3 but add this motion control, but name it something catchy like microsoft did with natal. and nintendo did with the wii…."wii":P. But also have the option to have the dual shock 3 aswell. Also be able to change the ball with different weights so if you are playing baseball make it feel different than a butterfly net. And sorry about the typos.
So, this is what i basically said, have the ps3 slim packaged with 2 psmotes and an eyetoy, each one will be a differnt hand and have dif buttons on each, so on the left hand you have the left side you have directional and left anaglog, and right…well you know what i mean…different attachable weights…keep D3 as an option for the hardcore…catchy name….sorry about the typos….ya my venting is done 😛
Last edited by kevinater321 on 7/20/2009 10:25:56 AM
This may just be me, but personally I do not want to compete with the Wii. I don't want games that are geared to the "casual" consumer, I like all things "hardcore" (every pun intended).
I fear that many of the consoles may be heading in the casual direction.
-The Glavin