Iwata says Wii will avoid major droughts that plagued GameCube. (March 2007)
“When we launched GameCube, the initial sales were good, and all the hardware we manufactured at that time were sold through. However, after this period, we could not provide the market with strong software titles in a timely fashion. As a result we could not leverage the initial launch time momentum, and sales of GameCube slowed down. To avoid repeating this with Wii, we have been intensifying the software development, both internally at Nintendo and at developers outside the company, in order to prepare aggressive software lineup for Wii at and after the launch.” says Iwata. He then says, ”We believe it is important to provide the market with strong software without a long interval in order to keep the launch time momentum.”
Source:
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/060607qa/02.html
Iwata promises that 3DS will avoid major droughts that plagued Wii and DS. (January 2011)
“It’s important that you be able to supply software with no pause,” said Iwata. “With the DS and Wii, following the titles that were released at launch, the momentum dropped when there was a gap in software releases. We’re making plans so that this type of thing won’t happen.”
Source:
http://www.vg247.com/2011/01/10/iwata-promises-to-avoid-wii-style-gap-in-software-with-3ds/
Iwata promises that Wii U will avoid major droughts that plagued 3DS and Wii. (October 2011)
“ As we learned a bitter lesson with the launch of the Nintendo 3DS, we are trying to take every possible measure so that the Wii U will have a successful launch.”
“The company was unable to launch much-anticipated first-party titles for the Wii nor for the Nintendo 3DS in a timely fashion in the first half of the term. In the game platform business, creating momentum is very important, but the momentum was once lost, and it has had a large negative effect on our sales and profits.”
Source:
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/324133/wii-u-will-learn-from-3ds-bitter-lesson-iwata-vows/
Iwata apologizes for Wii U drought in January and February. (January 2013)
“I apologize to those supporting Wii U about the lack of titles in January and February.”
Source:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-01-23-iwata-apologizes-for-wii-u-software-drought
BONUS COMBO BREAKER - Reggie promises no drought in 2014
“The way we’re going to be different is, we’re gonna certainly have a steadier pace of games – both for Wii U and for 3DS.”
“The marketing activity is going to be constant throughout the entire year. You tease me a little bit that ‘boy the first half [of 2013] was a little quiet,’ and y’know what, you look back and it was. We’re not going to be making that same mistake in 2014.”
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Via Emily Rogers:
http://www.notenoughshaders.com/2013/04/02/satoru-iwata-hubris-versus-western-culture/
Say what you will about the droughts but the games that have came out have been extremely polished and good experiences. Donkey Kong looks like it will continue this trend.
