 | OBVIOUS, REGGIE FILS-AIME, WII, NEWS, BLUE OCEAN Nintendo is 'just fine' |
The Wii is very successful. And most of us are well aware of that by now, but some people need the concept reinforced from time to time. That's why we have helpful news outlets like Reuters to constantly press Nintendo for information concerning their next console, despite Nintendo's repeated assertions that nothing's coming down the pike any time soon.
In an interview following the BMO Capital Markets Interactive Entertainment Conference, Reuters took the opportunity to ask Reggie how he felt about the holiday season, October's Wii and DS sales performance, and console availability. But the question all the news outlets will focus on is (emphasis added):
Given that, one wonders if you ever need to develop a new console. How long does this generation last? Are there any plans to develop a new console soon?
We believe the role of a new console, a new system, is to bring great new entertainment ideas to life. We launched (the Wii and DS) those systems when we had great ideas that would benefit either from a touch screen or from a Wii remote. We will consider the launch of new consoles when we have got great new entertaining ideas that can only be done with a new console. As we sit here today the Wii console has a long run ahead of it, (the DS too). At some point we will launch the DSi here in the Americas. So as we look at the near term for us its all about maximizing the opportunity with the (Wii and DS).
The Regginator's response is hardly surprising, yet this is still the topic that the media latches onto. Why is that?
Nintendo seems pretty boring to them right now. The company is in a sort of maintenance mode, selling the same old Wii at the same old price with the same old waggle in their step (as well as in their hands). As a result, we hear the same old bluster from media and analysts alike:
- The Wii needs HD. (It looks fine on my HDTV.)
- The Wii needs a price drop to remain competitive with other consoles. (Customers are still choosing the Wii as the best value over other consoles.)
- The Wii needs better online support. (Most Wii owners are satisfied with local multiplayer, with WiiWare and the Virtual Console being added bonuses for those who want more.)
We can expect to see these ideas time and again, because most gaming media don't value the same experiences that Nintendo values, or that most Wii owners value. They want better technology, but the Wii is all about having fun. Nintendo doesn't need to release a new console until customers have had their fill of fun on the Wii.
And based on October's NPD reports, Reggie is completely justified in the claim that Wii has a lot of life in it yet.
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