Iwata: Wii U maintaining momentum to begin 2015, importance of keeping evergreen games fresh
Wii U is maintaining momentum even after the start of the new year, especially in the overseas markets.
This is the year-on-year Wii U hardware/software sell-through ratio for the October-December period we showed at the Third Quarter Financial Results Briefing.
The momentum gained during the year-end continued into the fourth quarter.
As the ratios show, software in all regions and hardware in the overseas markets exceeded those of the previous year.
Our analysis is that this increase is not so much owed to the release of new titles but instead to the release of two classic multiplayer titles for Nintendo’s home console last year.
Specifically, I believe it was significant that “Mario Kart 8” and “Super Smash Bros. for Wii U” were released in the same year and that we have been able to maintain users’ active use of these titles months after their respective releases.
We are trying to motivate our consumers to continually play the games that they have purchased and are placing emphasis on the ability to keep a high replay value even after time has passed since their release by adding new functionalities via software updates or by digitally offering new add-on content such as new characters and new courses. This is an important effort for maintaining the performance and momentum of evergreen titles and further extending their lifespan.
