Support NeoGAF

[Law Abiding Stranger]

$599 was attractive for a Bluray player though. A $350 tablet isn't.

I agree.
PS3 was high-tech for it's time and blu-ray players were a expensive rarity back then so in the end the price was high but fair.
Actually most of the sales during no games era were because of people wanting blu-ray player.

WiiU can't fall on anything other than Nintendo games and weird controller.

 

[Mango The Magician]

So these sales are terrible, but the argument that they're terrible enough to suddenly force Nintendo to be third-party developer is a little disingenuous, is it not?

 

[Snowden's Secret]

I think he'll keep to his word and resign next Spring if they utterly fail to meet expectations. It's the only honorable thing to do.

He never said he'd resign, and even explicitly said in a separate interview/investor thing that he never said that.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

The europe number is really hard to believe for me, it's just so damn low.

 

[DJwest]

That's right, just before the console is ready to shine.

Yeah right.

 

[Raist]

So they kept their forecasts unaltered? Really?
I mean, they didn't even ship a third of what they were expecting this past quarter. Might be time to revise these numbers, Iwata.

 

[cyberheater]

The europe number is really hard to believe for me, it's just so damn low.

Remember the figures are shipped. Not sales.

 

[Kazuma Kiryu]

At this point. I'm just hoping that the next gen Zelda and a proper 3D mario will come along and somewhat justify my purchase.

They had a whole year to cement their platform before the new HD twins arrived. They fucked up.

And even worse, the 360 and PS3 might see additional price cuts now, especially with their successors being out. Add in still many big games coming out, GTA5 will have strong legs, Gran Turismo 6, all the multiplats and those consoles will continue to be the choice of your average family who is not looking to buy the newest and best (PS4, Xbox One)

Totally agree with both. The ps4 and the x1 will be generating a lot of media hype this fall, and the more casual folks will likely pick up a ps3 or 360. Nintendo backed itself into a corner, with the wii no longer being relevant and the wiiU not being anything more than a machine for nintendo fans.

 

[Easy_D]

Please Und-

I can't even...

This is like saying "Okay, he is still breathing at least!" when the patient is nothing but a bloody stump with no limbs. Wii U is gonna need the six million dollar man treatment.

They can rebuild it, they have the technology

 

[Zinthar]

So these sales are terrible, but the argument that they're terrible enough to suddenly force Nintendo to be third-party developer is a little disingenuous, is it not?

It's not about forcing them to do it, because conceivably if their fixed costs are low enough, they can survive selling relatively little hardware if those sales are at a decent profit.

But, Nintendo is a public company and shareholders want them to maximize profits. If Wii U sales continue to be horrid, they'll have to crunch the numbers and seriously consider what the opportunity cost is of continuing to build home console hardware, when the alternative is selling many times more software on the PS4 & Xbone at an enormous profit margin.

If sales don't pick up and Iwata has to resign, his successor will have to seriously consider that option.

 

[Striek]

He never said he'd resign, and even explicitly said in a separate interview/investor thing that he never said that.

No, but he definitely implied it. Then five months later he said he never said it. Technically true.

Question:You are aiming for the operating profit of 100 billion yen in the next fiscal year. Do you have a strategy in place if this fails? Will you take responsibility if you cannot accomplish it?

IWATA: As for your second question, I used the word "commitment," so I believe you can understand what I meant by that.

 

[cyberheater]

They can rebuild it, they have the technology

LOL. They really don't.

 

[kinggroin]

Considering how poor its selling, there shouldn't be surprise at the low shipment numbers.


No, what IS surprising is that in the face of all this, the system is still getting software support. I mean, Nintendo really thinks this platform can be saved by software.

I used to as well, but I'm not a believer in that any longer. The Wii U is just bad product.

 

[69wpm]

A tablet that honestly sucks for functionality. Sure, it's fine for playing games, but when you say 'tablet' most people associate the word with a device you take with you everywhere, is compact, and does a helluva lot more than the GamePad does if there's no Wii U present.

Where does Nintendo say it's a tablet? I am really curious. It's a gamepad with a touchscreen and the only one naming it a tablet are stupid gaming journalists. If it was a tablet it would be a portable device and not a home console.

 

[Law Abiding Stranger]

So they kept their forecasts unaltered? Really?
I mean, they didn't even ship a third of what they were expecting this past quarter. Might be time to revise these numbers, Iwata.

They believe that Wind Waker HD,Mario 3D World and Donkey Kong will give the system enough momentum this holiday.
Probably alongside first major price cut.

 

[Card Boy]

That's fucking atrocious

10k across Europe and Australia... man

I don't buy weak rip off systems with no games.

 

[toddhunter]

For those who follow it, how is Pokemon Rumble U doing?

I've always thought the WiiU was pretty much designed just for a game like that. If it isn't doing well that would be a huge concern.

 

[Skull Leader]

Where does Nintendo say it's a tablet? I am really curious. It's a gamepad with a touchscreen and the only one naming it a tablet are stupid gaming journalists. If it was a tablet it would be a portable device and not a home console.

I was just responding to that other post.

Though honestly, that people at all consider the GamePad a tablet speaks to Nintendo's current marketing.

 

[Kurtofan]

I don't buy rip off systems with no games.

Rip off? And a massive number of games is coming this fall/holiday season, certainly more than the PS4, Xone will have at launch.

 

[Nicktendo86]

Wow. I am actually speechless, I KNEW this thing was doing poorly but I never imagined how bad, so sad to see such a great company fall flat on it's face like this.

Iwata needs to go, he struck lucky with the Wii but this mess has been on his watch.

 

[Plinko]

*Nintendo botches 3DS launch*

Nintendo: "Don't worry, we've learned our lesson from the bad 3DS launch."

*Nintendo then botches Wii U launch*

I think this is what bothers me most about the whole deal. The executives learned nothing.

 

[kudoboi]

Horrible numbers all around

This GIF fits for most of the Wii U owners

Best. GIF. Ever

 

[Zinthar]

He never said he'd resign, and even explicitly said in a separate interview/investor thing that he never said that.

My mistake then. Still, I suspect that investors will push him at some point in the next year out if they're unsatisfied with the company's outlook. The stock has been surging recently, largely because of strong profitability of the 3DS, but it's still trading at less than half of where it was in 2011, and less than a quarter of the heights of the Wii/DS era.

He should be given credit for sticking with the hardware strategy then to great effect for the company, but the last four years have been painful for Nintendo investors. Most CEO's wouldn't survive that kind of performance over that timespan.

 

[SmokedMeat]

I don't see their big games reversing this downward spiral. There's no consumer interest, mindshare regarding Nintendo consoles is now in the toilet, and it's all about to be swept away by the incoming PS4/Xbone goliaths.

I just hope the next Zelda is excellent, and I get a new Metroid before the sun sets on this thing.Nintendo has a lot of things to fix before they can ever dare think about releasing another console.

 

[69wpm]

I was just responding to that other post.

Though honestly, that people at all consider the GamePad a tablet speaks to Nintendo's current marketing.

Yes, the problem is that Nintendo marketed the GamePad way too much and let it seem like it is a standalone device or add-on to the Wii. The name (Wii U) didn't help either, in fact, it made everything worse. I don't know why they didn't think about all possible scenarios before they released this console as it is.

*Nintendo botches 3DS launch*

Nintendo: "Don't worry, we've learned our lesson from the bad 3DS launch."

*Nintendo then botches Wii U launch*

I think this is what bothers me most about the whole deal. The executives learned nothing.

I disagree. They learnt their lesson, but underestimated the costs and manpower necessary to produce HD games. Most games probably got delayed half a year or more.

 

[JABEE]

So realistically, who thinks they'll kill the system next year? Ignoring 2014 and beyond announced games for a second (as they can be dumped or moved).

This has been on my mind since they didn't announce the next big Zelda or Mario game at E3. I wonder if they are already thinking about WiiU's successor.

 

[AniHawk]

No, what IS surprising is that in the face of all this, the system is still getting software support. I mean, Nintendo really thinks this platform can be saved by software.

i think it's a bad product too, but it's not like the last eight months have been filled with nintendo games and now it's not selling. to the contrary, the only time we see a rise in hardware sales is when there have been games released on the thing. however at this point, games have been pretty damn isolated from one another. there's no momentum to be built by having nsmbu in november, almost nothing until march, lego city undercover and monster hunter, and then only game and wario being the big exclusive between those games and pikmin 3.

as an aside, lego city undercover's probably the only wii u game aside from nsmbu that may have some legitimate legs. it's been consistently selling far better than other wii u games at this point in the us from month-to-month, and rides pretty close to nsmbu's sales. i think that's the only wii u game since launch to have a television commercial too (not including pikmin 3 because we don't have american pikmin 3 numbers yet because the game's not out yet).

 

[darkwing]

PS4 and X1 both going to sell more day 1 than WiiU will in a whole year. Nintendo am fucked.

mind blown

 

[michaelius]

The europe number is really hard to believe for me, it's just so damn low.

Wii U sold 30k in France during 6 months of 2013 with less than 4k in June and that's one of biggest Nintendo markets here.

 

[Jintor]

So when's the next investor meeting

 

[Law Abiding Stranger]

I disagree. They learnt their lesson, but underestimated the costs and manpower necessary to produce HD games. Most games probably got delayed half a year or more.

The Wii dried up few years ago, they had all the time in the world to prepare for launch.

They were probably just sitting and thinking they will repeat Wii success wthout a sweat.

 

[Zinthar]

*Nintendo botches 3DS launch*

Nintendo: "Don't worry, we've learned our lesson from the bad 3DS launch."

*Nintendo then botches Wii U launch*

I think this is what bothers me most about the whole deal. The executives learned nothing.

What I'm concerned about is that I think their take-away less from the 3DS was that they could botch the launch and still end up with a very profitable system that is selling quite well (although nowhere near its predecessor). That's all well and good in handhelds where Nintendo has forever been king, but I don't think they can expect the Wii U to have that type of turn-around when its direct competitors are extremely strong and well-supported -- words that one wouldn't use to describe the Vita.

 

[IvorB]

No, that's correct. 210K to 160K. (Or, at least, Nintendo sold more Wiis to retail in the period than Wii Us)

Wow. That's deep. And there are not one, but two new high spec consoles incoming in the next few months. One of them at the same price point. Oh my god. Bloodbath is right.

I can't say I'm sorry though to see Nintendo fail in this way. Once I thought that I would gloat about it but now, in the words of Cersei Lannister, it doesn't make me feel anything. I really don't think they currently add anything to gaming that can't be replaced or will be missed.

 

[Raist]

They believe that Wind Waker HD,Mario 3D World and Donkey Kong will give the system enough momentum this holiday.
Probably alongside first major price cut.

Well, they've got 8.84M consoles to ship until March 2014. WWHD won't do shit so it's down to Mario and DK. I don't see this happening.

 

[Jintor]

This is like saying "Okay, he is still breathing at least!" when the patient is nothing but a bloody stump with no limbs. Wii U is gonna need the six million dollar man treatment.

 

[Petrae]

They learnt their lesson, but underestimated the costs and manpower necessary to produce HD games. Most games probably got delayed half a year or more.

As has been asked a few times in this thread already, how is it acceptable for Nintendo to have underestimated these costs when their two competitors experienced the same transition a few years ago? That's poor preparedness and there's simply no excuse for it.

No lesson was learned really, because, if there had been, we wouldn't have seen the exact same-- no, actually, a worse-- result for the WiiU as we saw for the 3DS.

 

[SmokedMeat]

*Nintendo botches 3DS launch*

Nintendo: "Don't worry, we've learned our lesson from the bad 3DS launch."

*Nintendo then botches Wii U launch*

I think this is what bothers me most about the whole deal. The executives learned nothing.

And this is the "pure games" company that's been doing this for decades now!

The company that's been doing this the longest has somehow forgotten how to transistion to, and support new hardware.

 

[aceldama]

And remove the region lock.

Owning a PAL 3DS has been an exercise in frustration. I will never own a region locked Wii U.

Apparently I'm not alone.

My god.

You are alone. Region locking had no noticeable effect whatsoever on people buying the system. It would just have been a nice bonus to those who already owned it.

 

[69wpm]

As has been asked a few times in this thread already, how is it acceptable for Nintendo to have underestimated these costs when their two competitors experienced the same transition a few years ago? That's poor preparedness and there's simply no excuse for it.

No lesson was learned really, because, if there had been, we wouldn't have seen the exact same-- no, actually, a worse-- result for the WiiU as we saw for the 3DS.

So you think Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft sit together in a bar, drinking, and discussing the costs of HD development? Right.

 

[BGBW]

At this point. I'm just hoping that the next gen Zelda and a proper 3D mario will come along and somewhat justify my purchase.

What's an improper 3D Mario?

 

[toddhunter]

My god.

You are alone. Region locking had no noticeable effect whatsoever on people buying the system. It would just have been a nice bonus to those who already owned it.

What is your source on that?

I already told you it was why I have not purchased one and anecdotally I know plenty of people who feel the same way. It is a big issue in countries like Australia.

 

[cyberheater]

What's an improper 3D Mario?

A naughty one

 

[Card Boy]

My god.

You are alone. Region locking had no noticeable effect whatsoever on people buying the system. It would just have been a nice bonus to those who already owned it.

with all due respect it does have a effect on people in those 'other' countries like Australia, instead of paying 90bucks a game we could get them for half that.

 

[Zinthar]

Though honestly, that people at all consider the GamePad a tablet speaks to Nintendo's current marketing.

Well, it's hard to figure out what to call it in a manner that describes it accurately--as a waste of money which serves to increase the system's cost without any clear, useful utility in games.

I've got it! Shit, that was taken.

 

[Raist]

So you think Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft sit together in a bar, drinking, and discussing the costs of HD development? Right.

Nintendo doesn't have internet or something? Don't talk to third parties?

Well actually that would make sense.

 

[MarkusRJR]

So you think Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft sit together in a bar, drinking, and discussing the costs of HD development? Right.

You'd have to be completely blind/deaf to not hear about the horrible transitions from PS2/GCN/Xbox to Xbox 360/PS3. It was highly talked about in 2005-2008.

 

[Tobor]

So you think Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft sit together in a bar, drinking, and discussing the costs of HD development? Right.

You realize there are developer conferences every year where this stuff is discussed, right? Nintendo is at these conferences. There have been countless presentations over the years on the rising costs and efforts in HD development.

 

[Nicktendo86]

So you think Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft sit together in a bar, drinking, and discussing the costs of HD development? Right.

You don't think Nintendo would do some research into the transistion MS & Sony had to make when they went HD? If they didn't they are even more idiotic.

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

Holy shit 10k for 3 months in the entire Europe.

 

[cyberheater]

Well, it's hard to figure out what to call it in a manner that describes it accurately--as a waste of money which serves to increase the system's cost without any clear, useful utility in games.

I've got it! Shit, that was taken.

My kids actually play a lot of Kinect games. They really like them. It's not designed for hardcore gamers.