Wii U using new tech/GPUs, power kept reasonable for cost
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments
The Wii U is a huge step-up in power compared to the Wii, but there has been some concern that the system is very comparable to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has, unsurprisingly, said that its new console makes use of new GPUs and technology. However, the company has pushed the specs – such as processing power – to the max so that the console will be affordable to a wide array of consumers. Iwata said to investors last week that they’re “looking to maintain a price point for the Wii U that is reasonable in comparison to the value to be offered.”
Iwata: Nintendo not actively looking into free-to-play content
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Free-to-play games have become a hot topic as of late, especially at E3 2012.
Even with its rise in popularity, this isn’t an avenue that Nintendo plans to pursue. However, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is seemingly open to the idea, telling investors last week, “that doesn’t mean for the future that there may not come a time where we have specific content that might be suited to that model.”
Read on below for Iwata’s full comments regarding Nintendo’s stance on free-to-play content.
Media Create hardware sales (6/4 – 6/10)
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, News, Wii | 0 comments
The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:
3DS – 64,875
PS3 – 15,593
Vita – 13,383
PSP – 10,038
Wii – 6,029
PS2 – 1,091
Xbox 360 – 1,001
DSi LL – 615
DSi – 383
For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:
3DS – 101,075
PS3 – 14,799
PSP – 10,547
Vita – 7,551
Wii – 5,825
Xbox 360 – 2,719
PS2 – 1,106
DSi LL – 665
DSi – 379
Nintendo keeping quiet about future Wii U games to avoid idea copying
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments
Nintendo’s unveiling for Wii U in terms of games was incredibly odd. For the most part, we only know about titles that will be released during the launch window.
That’s very different from how Nintendo approached the Wii and 3DS. With both systems, first-party content was shown that was planned for well-beyond the launch period.
Based on new comments from Satoru Iwata, it sounds like Nintendo is intentionally keeping quiet about other games planned for the system so that their ideas won’t be stolen.
Iwata shared the following statement with investors during a Q&A session at E3 2012 last week:
First, what we’ve shown at the E3 show are both the launch titles that will be released with Wii U hardware this holiday season and the launch window titles that will be released early next year or not long after the hardware launch. We do have ideas of what kind of software we will be releasing after those two periods, and Mr. Miyamoto as well as I are both directly involved in the development process. Those include both our traditional franchises and of course new propositions as well. However, because we are now in the era when similar proposals can be made by the others just one year after we introduced a brand-new hardware system proposal, please understand that we really can’t say much about what else we are planning.
Nintendo working with third-parties to bring Wii U games to the eShop
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments
Nintendo has said that it’ll be looking to make retail games made available through digital means at the Wii U’s launch.
Surely most, if not all, first-party titles will be available on the eShop. As far as third-parties are concerned, Satoru Iwata has said that Nintendo currently is discussions with such companies to bring their releases to the online store.
Iwata told investors at a Q&A session during E3 2012 last week:
As we’ve shared with you previously, for the Wii U hardware system, from the beginning, we’ve planned to make it possible for people to release their games as either an optical disc or as digital content. So publishers would be able to choose from both of those options.
Currently, we are in discussions with the publishers by sharing with them our offer in this area. Through that process, if publishers accept it as reasonable, games in the digital format will be available from the launch time. There are no technical restrictions.
Miiverse simplifies Friend Codes, input has been eliminated
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments
Following the confusion of Friend Codes throughout the past seven days, it’s finally been made clear that the system will be returning for Wii U. That may raise a red flag for some gamers, but we’re hearing that the process has been simplified greatly.
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata assured investors at a Q&A session at E3 2012 last week that Miiverse has the capability to “simplify the process of making friends”. Apparently you won’t have to input codes provided by other Wii U owners.
According to Iwata:
We’re not completely getting rid of Friend Codes, but a function of the “Miiverse” will simplify the process of making friends with another user in the platform by eliminating the need to input Friend Codes.
Iwata: Other online systems not suited for Nintendo’s approach, Miiverse is one new direction for Nintendo
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Wii U | 0 comments
Nintendo has a small dilemma on its hands when it comes to online gaming. It needs to create a service that appeals to core gamers while also making it accessible for its large casual userbase.
When it comes to online gaming on Wii U, president Satoru Iwata feels that the systems implemented into other “existing dedicated gaming platforms is not particularly well suited to the approach Nintendo has taken.” He also can’t admit that Nintendo has “quickly overcome or catch up to other companies” in the online space.
Iwata does, however, think that Nintendo has created its own original approach with Miiverse, and discussed some if its unique functionality in a Q&A meeting with investors at E3 2012 last week.
Nintendo not looking to battle for exclusivity, could partner with third-parties
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Wii U | 0 comments
It’s true that some companies have partnered with third-parties for exclusive content. For instance, Microsoft was able to nab the exclusive rights to BioWare’s first Mass Effect. As another example, the Dawnguard DLC for The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 for the first few weeks.
“Exclusivity” was something brought up by an investor at Nintendo’s E3 2012 analyst Q&A session. President Satoru Iwata stated that “it would be an appropriate course of action for Nintendo to get into a battle with a company like Microsoft over the cost or the expense of trying to go head to head in a situation to try to obtain exclusive rights.” However, if a third-party creates a very unique idea for the Wii U and/or its GamePad, “there is a high possibility that Nintendo will be a partner with that third party in an unprecedented manner”.
Iwata said:
Iwata: Price cut not why 3DS selling better than DS, will do the “utmost” to avoid Wii U price drop
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, News, Wii U | 0 comments
It’s no secret that the 3DS had a rough start at retail. The system’s poor sales led to one of the fastest price drops we’ve seen for a Nintendo system in the company’s history.
That being said, president Satoru Iwata believes the 3DS’ newfound success and ability to outsell the DS isn’t a result of the $80 cut. After all, the 3DS still costs more than the DS did at launch.
This is just one element Iwata touched on in a meeting with investors at E3 2012 last week (and published today). He also talked about 3DS launch mistakes and how Nintendo will be “doing our utmost to avoid a situation where we have to cut the price of the Wii U hardware shortly after its launch”.
