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[outunderthestars]

I'm sad too.
I like the Wii U.
Pad is great.
But 55k?

what reason does anyone have to want to buy the thing right now?

 

[Sandfox]

They're moving to a handheld/console hybrid anyway. They might be moving a lot faster than anyone thought now.

If it does happen it will probably be in another 3 or 4 years when the 3DS reaches the end of its life.

They managed to fuck up even harder than Sony, and that's being ~2x cheaper and without facing a 1 year headstart and simultaneous launch from other competitors. Impressive.

I don't think the Wii U could ever be as big of a failure to Nintendo as the PS3 was to Sony in terms of the sheer amount of money Sony lost on that thing. Nintendo really just needs to make a profit on the Wii U and they'll be ok.

 

[Striek]

When does Nintendo release their PR normally?

 

[gdt]

55K holy shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitt. This is crazy.

 

[vilmer_]

I've been upset for a while. I haven't turned on the damn thing in weeks.

I bought one at launch as well and after beating NSMBU I haven't turned it on once. It's a decent system, but I have absolutely nothing to do with the thing right now.

 

[Chaos Theory]

Would it possible that Sony is showing the PS4 next week has a thing to do with sony wanting to kil any hype or future buyers of the Wii u ?

i mean i think they know by now what microsoft has in terms of specs. so to me it looks like 2things in 1

1- hype the ps4 from early days and not just E3
2- kill the Wii U hype / potential buyers and wait till PS4 is out


am i wrong in this ?

 

[macksplack]

Nintendo needs to do something drastic or else...

 

[Guevara]

Ok try again...

Thanks for giving me flashbacks of crying to this as a child

 

[Amir0x]

If we want to look at the software for the 3DS as the reason Nintendo couldn't focus on Wii U then Nintendo is screwed because Wii U software will be much more resource sucking than 3DS games.

like i said over and over: they've been sitting on hordes of money when what they should have been doing is expanding studios, opening up new corners of development and establishing fresh hardcore IPs with mass marketing budgets and making partnerships. They've started the partnership thing, but it might be too little, too late at this point, and they still have failed to do so in a meaningful fashion to appeal to third party support on Wii U. There's no way they should constantly be bumping into the "all our teams are occupied with game development" at the moment when their output is what it is; they need to grow.

It would have been an investment, it would have driven into their war chest, but that's how you make businesses grow: you take risks. And Nintendo has been a shockingly risk-averse company in recent years, at least as it relates to their software.

 

[serplux]

It's not that simple anymore. I sadly don't think those games will help Wii U so much as you think they will. Look at the 3DS sales of those games, they are selling good but down compared to their predecessor.

It actually is. Not saying that it'll be as successful as the Wii's outings of those titles, since those were simply absurd (30 million units for Mario Kart Wii? 10> million for Smash Bros?), but it'll be a good console with some very memorable titles.

 

[kinggroin]

Ha. Folks laughed at me when I predicted that the Wii U has the potential to be the worst selling Nintendo console since the virtual boy.

Ha.


:-(

 

[Baconsammy]

Ok try again...

WTF does Wii U live or not?!

 

[AzaK]

I don't think so as the other systems will be true next gen systems. I think WiiU is a combo of folks bored with current gen tech with people who feel burned by the Wii.

I tend to agree with you in so much as they will generate hype and some interest in the consumer. However we need to see the prices before we can get an idea whether consumers will jump at them. However in the short term, it's fans that buy and excitement might be enough for the first 4-5 months. Nintendo didn't bother to build that excitement even amongst their fanbase.

What exactly was Nintendo doing between the Wii abandonment and the WiiU launch?

Figuring out what the fuck they were going to do with a machine they wanted to keep different, cheap and of low energy use. They didn't nail it in time for the launch it seems.

A price cut won't change a thing, they need software. And they could easily keep the price as is with a good portfolio.

Exactly. They need the games. Thing is it's not looking good, which is why they seem to be looking to rely a lot on localised products. That's not going to get them mainstream adoption.

 

[Mileena]

We might as well post ambassador wish lists lol.

1. Pikmin 1/2
2.Luigis Mansion
3.Paper Mario 2
4.Smash Bros Melee

I dont think they can get away with only giving away NES, SNES, GBA games away again on a new console. I would be ok with N64 games as well.

We'll probably get 10 NES games featuring timeless classics like Balloon Fight

 

[Averon]

Can't blame Ubi's decision to delay Rayman with these numbers. They probably saw a preview of the January numbers.

 

[MrDaravon]

Minecraft 2: Mining My Own Business

Actually if all the anecdotal evidence people keep giving me of parents buying 360s for their kids just for Minecraft is true, getting Minecraft on there would probably be fucking brilliant. Let it do 2-player multiplayer with player one getting the pad; both players get their own screen. Fuck.

 

[Agent Ironside]

Been preachin this business. Everyone thinks the Wii U is a 300 dollar controller for the Wii. Ain't no one got time for that.

 

[Plinko]

If it does happen it will probably be in another 3 or 4 years when the 3DS reaches the end of its life.

It would actually be perfect timing for that if they want to give themselves at least 3 years as the most powerful system.

 

[Aquamarine]

When does Nintendo release their PR normally?

Most likely no Nintendo PR for this. The results are too bad for the Wii U...they can't spin this.

 

[shinra-bansho]

I don't think software is the only problem, I just think the demographic they're aiming toward has moved on, BUT if we assume software is 100% the issue, it's easier said than done to have no droughts when you lack the 3rd party support.

Not saying it's hopeless but drastic measures will have to be taken place.

There's a stubborn refusal to believe this is a possibility. People bought Wiis at ridiculous prices - ergo it's not just price.

And while I agree, it's part software. It's the lack of a Wii Sports, not MK or 3D Mario.

The console is selling to the Nintendocore, and the Nintendocore only, right now.

 

[Raw64life]

creamsugar where art thou

I long ago stopped getting hyped for the shell of what NPD threads once were but I'm dying to know how what the numbers for Ni No Kuni are.

 

[GavinGT]

Nintendo in Wii U panic mode isn't going to be quite the same as Nintendo in 3DS panic mode. Even if these sales numbers spur them to start some new development projects, we won't see the fruits of those labors for another two or three years. And we all know Nintendo is at its best when it has years and years to iterate on a game until it's finished. Console games take a long time to make, and I don't think Nintendo has that much time to spare before the market just gives up on Wii U.

 

[schuelma]

like i said over and over: they've been sitting on hordes of money when what they should have been doing is expanding studios, opening up new corners of development and establishing fresh hardcore IPs with mass marketing budgets and making partnerships. They've started the partnership thing, but it might be too little, too late at this point, and they still have failed to do so in a meaningful fashion to appeal to third party support on Wii U. There's no way they should constantly be bumping into the "all our teams are occupied with game development" at the moment when their output is what it is; they need to grow.

It would have been an investment, it would have driven into their war chest, but that's how you make businesses grow: you take risks. And Nintendo has been a shockingly risk-averse company in recent years, at least as it relates to their software.

Agree.

 

[Nirolak]

While the primary problem may be software, the price is definitely an issue as well. For a console that is perceived as underpowered by most people who care about these things, the price is just not at a sweet spot.

Unfortunately, because Nintendo decided to focus on the GamePad (as much as I like using it), they have created a situation where they really cannot drop the price. Though the console is underpowered, it still costs them a ton to produce, and has put them into a really awkward position. Do they ditch the GamePad altogether, drop the price, and focus on putting out a constant stream of quality software?

This would essentially be like what they did with the 3DS, where they completely backed off the 3D as a selling point, dropped the price a ridiculous amount, and started churning out software like it weren't no thang. I'm just not sure that even this strategy would work for a home console.

At this point, I hope that this isn't as indicative of larger trends in the industry as it feels like it is. There has never been another place where I could play games that was anything like a dedicated gaming console. Sadly, that experience may be dying off completely.

I don't think software is the only problem, I just think the demographic they're aiming toward has moved on, BUT if we assume software is 100% the issue, it's easier said than done to have no droughts when you lack the 3rd party support.

Not saying it's hopeless but drastic measures will have to be taken place.

I definitely agree trying to compete with the Wii is far more than a software problem, but I feel the "can't sell better than 55K" issue is definitely software.

Like until we hit at least the 150K-200K range, that should be solvable with an impressive library before we have to address the core device, its base concept, and its pricing.

 

[Mr Swine]

Then I guess Orbis and Durango are doomed as well unless they launch at $250 or less?

Well if they cost more than $349 I won't buy neither of them with specs comparable to a High end PC from 2011

 

[prwxv3]

We'll probably get 10 NES games featuring timeless classics like Balloon Fight

That would backfire so badly.

 

[SlipperyMoose]

 

[Plinko]

Most likely no Nintendo PR for this. The results are too bad for the Wii U...they can't spin this.

I fully expect another "We're terribly sorry, investors" meeting next week.

 

[javac]

To anyone who kept telling people that WiiU was doing fine because it sold almost as much as Wii did in Wii's first two months, yes. They were also annoying. I didn't want to use such strong language, but since you put those words into my mouth, okay. Works for me. It's incredible they ignored how the Wii couldn't be found on shelves for almost 18 months. The demand was incredible. Wii U had supply on shelves after a couple weeks. And yet the spinners only talked about how well it was doing since it sold just a little less than the original Wii. All while ignoring basic supply/demand principles that clearly showed WiiU have a disastrous start.

I mean it's fair say, doesn't offend me since its just a games console. But I mean when a system is in short supply like the Wii, people proclaim that it's done on purpose to drive sales and demand. This is seen with limited editions for example. I know for a fact a lot of people believe Nintendo manufactured low amounts of Wii's on purpose for this reason. Artificial demand. Likewise, the Wii U was available in ample amounts. This could be due to the fact that Nintendo manufactured a huge amount. All of a sudden it looks worse.

Note I'm not arguing the fact that sales are abysmal by the way. Just, supply and demand can cater to both sides of the the argument when people see fit.

 

[djplaeskool]

Ok try again...

Too many feels...

 

[Pistolero]

This is bad for the industry. I'm not that into Nintendo software anymore, but no console deserves to flounder this way...

 

[ViewtifulJC]

FreedomFighter is writing a editorial spinning this shit as we speak

 

[toddhunter]

Nintendo in Wii U panic mode isn't going to be quite the same as Nintendo in 3DS panic mode. Even if these sales numbers spur them to start some new development projects, we won't see the fruits of those labors for another two or three years. And we all know Nintendo is at its best when it has years and years to iterate on a game until it's finished. Console games take a long time to make, and I don't think Nintendo has that much time to spare.

If they don't have a skylanders style pokemon game for the WiiU in development and reasonably close to coming out they pretty much deserve to fail.

 

[Kazerei]

Most likely no Nintendo PR for this. The results are too bad for the Wii U...they can't spin this.

"Wii family"

"DS family"

 

[JaxJag]

I own a Wii U, there's very little reason to buy one honestly.

But even so, this has me a little worried... I really love console gaming, hope it's not going away.

 

[megabytecr]

Mistakes discussed here are accurate
In order I would say
1. Price
2. No Killer Games
3. Market confusion, not to many ads for it
4. HD Twins offer great performance plus great library
5. The name, should have been Super Wii or Wii HD or Wii 2

55k is very bad, but with no games, no boom, I bet they are waiting to invest in marketing when more games are released and the system is healthier gamewise.

The decision to push back games is also helping with this low numbers. But I still think we should give the system some time.

 

[ffdgh]

WTF does Wii U live or not?!

Wait for the sequal that'll be out at the end of the year.

 

[Davey Cakes]

And people wonder why Rayman was moved to September...

To be honest, I still don't see the logic of that. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You take games away from a platform in a period of drought, you're just making that platform look even less attractive. Thus, it won't sell to fans, new customers, or anyone.

Ubi "waiting for a bigger install base" is silly because the system isn't going to just magically get a bigger install base without having decent software. Rayman was one of the most attractive developments for Wii U and was heavily promoted to the point of being used at kiosks. Delaying the game was just screwing the Wii U over even more.

 

[Psychological Intellect]

holy fuck

 

[Baconsammy]

This is bad for the industry. I'm not that into Nintendo software anymore, but no console deserves to flounder this way...

Wellllllllllllllllll.

 

[MikeE21286]

Nintendo shareholders are gonna be looking at Nintendo with the death stare on their resistance to other platforms.


The pressure will only build in the coming months. Rescue is not in sight.

 

[Tenki]

I think we should wait until the software comes before expecting some minimal ok-ish Wii U numbers. February NPD will probably be even worse.

If there are no games, expecting it to sell is expecting too much.

 

[Neuromancer]

Is 55K bad?

 

[stktt]

"Wii family"

"DS family"

"Nintendo family"

"Nintendo family tree cumulative sales"

 

[jerd]

So when is the next megaton Wii U direct?

Actually I see them just trying to ride these sales out for the next month until a couple games actually come out.

 

[Miles X]

To be honest, I still don't see the logic of that. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You take games away from a platform in a period of drought, you're just making that platform look even less attractive. Thus, it won't sell to fans, new customers, or anyone.

Ubi "waiting for a bigger install base" is silly because the system isn't going to just magically get a bigger install base without having decent software. Rayman was one of the most attractive developments for Wii U and was heavily promoted to the point of being used at kiosks. Delaying the game was just screwing the Wii U over even more.

From now until September the install base will get bigger though, especially if Ubi is anticipating a price drop.

 

[AppleMIX]

Is 55K bad?

Very bad. The Vita might have done better for all we know.

 

[Deadly Joker]

And in one swift swoop, the Wii U dream went from alive to dead.

I love the way this thread took a complete 180.

 

[Glorified G]

Then I guess Orbis and Durango are doomed as well unless they launch at $250 or less?

I wasn't speaking in absolutes. I was specifically regarding Nintendo's situation with the Wii U.

Per Y2kev. If orbis & durango in January have:

no games, nothing really coming for 6 months, a poor price, crap online, no real account system, a poor online store, only comes in two colors, has more expensive multiplats, has dated multiplats, has worse running multiplats, has no good marketing, looks and feels kinda cheap, etc,

Then yes, Sony & ms will be in trouble.

 

[qq more]

...Which Direct was that? That's amazing.