Can brains top brawn forever: Will the Wii appeal last?

Do you guys think the non gamers (casuals) that are buying the Wii now will lose interest in a while or will the brains from Nintendo and their creative console continue to top the sheer power of the PS3 and 360?

A new LA Times report sees analysts debating whether the strong start the Wii is enjoying can be carried on in the long term.

Gartner's Van Baker questions whether the Wii has enough in the tank to keep casuals hooked for a long time: "Its appeal is primarily to casual gamers, and there's a serious question about how long casuals gamers will stay engaged with the platform...It wouldn't be surprising to see them lose interest aftera relatively short amount of time."

Mike Worhaus seems to disagree stating "We don't see it fading".

Gamesaustra

What do you guys think?

A large pecentage will lose interest , just like the cowsuals.

Do you guys think the non gamers (casuals) that are buying the Wii now will lose interest in a while or will the brains from Nintendo and their creative console continue to top the sheer power of the PS3 and 360?

 

[QUOTE="Gamesaustra"]

A new LA Times report sees analysts debating whether the strong start the Wii is enjoying can be carried on in the long term.

Gartner's Van Baker questions whether the Wii has enough in the tank to keep casuals hooked for a long time: "Its appeal is primarily to casual gamers, and there's a serious question about how long casuals gamers will stay engaged with the platform...It wouldn't be surprising to see them lose interest aftera relatively short amount of time."

Mike Worhaus seems to disagree stating "We don't see it fading".

the-very-best

What do you guys think?

price + novelty = great start on any product... It will  fail when nintendo botches the games...again.

Did the casuals totally loose intrest in the movies?

As long as new games come out cattering to their needs they'll still game, just as with us. 

Depends. Not many developers expected the Wii to be such a resounding success. I'd be very surprised if we don't see a lot of new games announced fairly soon, most likely at E3.

If the good 'hardcore' games are mostly Nintendo first-party though, I can see people converting to the more powerful consoles once the prices drop.

Nintendo is bound to get more hardcore gamers and casuals around this holiday season. I dont see the appeal dying.

Did the casuals totally loose intrest in the movies?

As long as new games come out cattering to their needs they'll still game, just as with us.

Dencore

Did the casuals totally loose intrest in the movies?

As long as new games come out cattering to their needs they'll still game, just as with us.

 

Dencore

What do movies have to do with games? 

[QUOTE="Dencore"]

Did the casuals totally loose intrest in the movies?

As long as new games come out cattering to their needs they'll still game, just as with us.

 

Zhengi

Exactly all Nintendo needs is the hardcore. Nintendo was genius, they learned their mistakes from the DS *as many know the DS had a rough start* and instead of fighting the battle for the hardcore first they went for the casuals.  They knew the math, sales drive game sales where game sales drive development. They know that it takes many months or longer to create a video game so they decided to go for the casuals first, they know that they don't need too much to be impressed by and that they by far make up the majority. And the rest just follows the formula. I mean if Nintendo could make moms and grandparents buy a Wii, then certainly a gamer wouldn't be as hard. Hell Smash Bros. and NiGHTS alone are going to make hardcore turn heads and I can only imagine what third parties will be cooking up.

[QUOTE="Dencore"]

Did the casuals totally loose intrest in the movies?

As long as new games come out cattering to their needs they'll still game, just as with us.

 

squirrel337

What do movies have to do with games?

Casuals were and still are watching movies.

Casuals are now playing games.

See the picture? 

The Wii is selling well right now because the 360 and PS3 cost more than what people are used to paying for consoles. Once the other 2 are around $300 for the good versions, I expect both the 360 and the PS3 to pass the Wii.TyrantDragon55

By the time that happens Wii will have the games needed to keep them on top 

well ive already lost intrest in the wii plus the only good games are nintendo games and i dont want to play another mario game i havent touched my wii in 2 monthsGen007

I tend to consider myself a casual gamer (I probably only buy 3 games a year) and play once a week, but I'm surely not losing interest in Wii. The controller is the reason I want the console. And the price tag is a huge PLUS. I was never really interested in the GC, but the Wii is too good to be true.FlashMan2006

I see your point but if all the casual gamers are like you can a console survive from its users only buying 3 games a year?

Did the casuals totally loose intrest in the movies?

As long as new games come out cattering to their needs they'll still game, just as with us.

Dencore

But that argument can be used for any console. I mean, casuals are bound to lose interest in the PS2 at some point but by your logic they will continue to buy the PS2 despite new consoles coming out. 

Wii needs to have a consistent lineup of games that can compete with PS3/360 offerings, especially PS3 next year when it will be more attractive to the PS2 casuals.

[QUOTE="squirrel337"][QUOTE="Dencore"]

Did the casuals totally loose intrest in the movies?

As long as new games come out cattering to their needs they'll still game, just as with us.

 

Dencore

What do movies have to do with games?

Casuals were and still are watching movies.

Casuals are now playing games.

See the picture?

No because casuals have been playing game back in the PS1 and PS2 days. PS2 games did not go out of their way to make casuals happy. Yet they still bought game. The wii is pulling in the people that are not even casuals. People that do not know how to work a VCR. Those people are not that smart. Once something new (iphone) catches their eye they will all go out and buy that. Most will remember that wii like how they remember beanie babies.

[QUOTE="FlashMan2006"]I tend to consider myself a casual gamer (I probably only buy 3 games a year) and play once a week, but I'm surely not losing interest in Wii. The controller is the reason I want the console. And the price tag is a huge PLUS. I was never really interested in the GC, but the Wii is too good to be true.DanBrim1

I see your point but if all the casual gamers are like you can a console survive from its users only buying 3 games a year?

It's very difficult to say, since it's a completely different market they're dealing with.

I myself to tend to lean towards that it will subside once the next tech flavor-of-the-week comes out, whether that's the iPhone or something else. And there's a reason for this, which also debunks the whole 'casuals don't get tired of the movies' idea.

Movies are socially acceptable by everyone- gaming is not. If it stays this way, then I don't see any long term prospect for these new gamers. People want to fit in, and while the current thing is the Wii, when the next one comes, they will move on to "be cool." Now, even those who have one now and like it might not stick with it if all their friends have changed over to the new 'in' thing...

It will be a much tougher battle than Nintendo thinks to keep casuals on a home console. The reason the DS suceeded and the PSP didn't is that Nintendo understood that the handheld market is vastly different than the home console market. So it's not enough to just extrapolate what happened with the DS and apply it to the home console world.

Plus, as someone else mentioned, it will be harder to compete with the 360 and PS3 are at more reasonable prices ($300 for 360, maybe $400 for PS3). There are a still a lot of gamers (including me) that haven't picked up a next-generation console...they will decide the winner. 

[QUOTE="DanBrim1"]

[QUOTE="FlashMan2006"]I tend to consider myself a casual gamer (I probably only buy 3 games a year) and play once a week, but I'm surely not losing interest in Wii. The controller is the reason I want the console. And the price tag is a huge PLUS. I was never really interested in the GC, but the Wii is too good to be true.Zhengi

I see your point but if all the casual gamers are like you can a console survive from its users only buying 3 games a year?

I agree with your numbers. I just am having a problem seeing the Wii having a 5 year life span. I also forgot that the other 2 systems are losing money or just breaking even on each system they sell and the Wii makes about 75 buck per sale if I remember correct ...So I guess they could survive on 3 games a year ..

have been playing game back in the PS1 and PS2 days. PS2 games did not go out of their way to make casuals happy. Yet they still bought game. The wii is pulling in the people that are not even casuals. People that do not know how to work a VCR. Those people are not that smart. Once something new (iphone) catches their eye they will all go out and buy that. Most will remember that wii like how they remember beanie babies.

squirrel337

Exactly and those people are also casual movie goers, they go see a movie if it intrests them, they watch a TV show if it intrests them, and they will buy a video game if it intrests them. Seriously why do people act as if casuals are from another planet or something? 

It's lost it's appeal with me already.I can't speak for the casuals.

i dont ever see the Wii fading just as i dont see the DS fading lets not forget that the PS2's power was primarily in casual gaming as well and it never fadedNorthlandMan

Read Vampyronight's post.

It's very difficult to say, since it's a completely different market they're dealing with.

I myself to tend to lean towards that it will subside once the next tech flavor-of-the-week comes out, whether that's the iPhone or something else. And there's a reason for this, which also debunks the whole 'casuals don't get tired of the movies' idea.

Movies are socially acceptable by everyone- gaming is not. If it stays this way, then I don't see any long term prospect for these new gamers. People want to fit in, and while the current thing is the Wii, when the next one comes, they will move on to "be cool." Now, even those who have one now and like it might not stick with it if all their friends have changed over to the new 'in' thing...

It will be a much tougher battle than Nintendo thinks to keep casuals on a home console. The reason the DS suceeded and the PSP didn't is that Nintendo understood that the handheld market is vastly different than the home console market. So it's not enough to just extrapolate what happened with the DS and apply it to the home console world.

Plus, as someone else mentioned, it will be harder to compete with the 360 and PS3 are at more reasonable prices ($300 for 360, maybe $400 for PS3). There are a still a lot of gamers (including me) that haven't picked up a next-generation console...they will decide the winner.

Vampyronight

Those are all great points, and I'm not just saying that because I agree with them, but because you're backing up your opinions.

The only thing I disagree with is this line:  It will be a much tougher battle than Nintendo thinks to keep casuals on a home console.

I disagree because I'm sure Nintendo does not think it's easy, especially after the GC catastrophe. They're speaking very confidently now because that's what fans want to hear, and they should be confident.

However, I'm sure they are understand that if there are too many game droughts then the console will turn into a GC, so hopefully they're working on clearing that issue. The only problem is that in 2008 the PS3 is going to be an extremely fierce competitor with a lower price, all the standout games available and the PS2 casuals ready to make the transfer. 

[QUOTE="squirrel337"]

have been playing game back in the PS1 and PS2 days. PS2 games did not go out of their way to make casuals happy. Yet they still bought game. The wii is pulling in the people that are not even casuals. People that do not know how to work a VCR. Those people are not that smart. Once something new (iphone) catches their eye they will all go out and buy that. Most will remember that wii like how they remember beanie babies.

Dencore

Exactly and those people are also casual movie goers, they go see a movie if it intrests them, they watch a TV show if it intrests them, and they will buy a video game if it intrests them. Seriously why do people act as if casuals are from another planet or something?

Movie are different than games. Movies are simple you go out and but a ticket and see the movie. The price of a ticket to a bad movie is the same as the price to a good movie. Casuals will wonder why they do not get that new GTA or New halo. They generally don't know much about tech. They want the best for the lowest price and that does not happen in the tech world. So one of two thing is happening right now. 1 The people that got the wii don't know that they will not get to play those games on the wii or 2 They don't care about game and will drop it like a bag of hammers once the new fad is out.

Movie are different than games. Movies are simple you go out and but a ticket and see the movie. The price of a ticket to a bad movie is the same as the price to a good movie. Casuals will wonder why they do not get that new GTA or New halo. They generally don't know much about tech. They want the best for the lowest price and that does not happen in the tech world. So one of two thing is happening right now. 1 The people that got the wii don't know that they will not get to play those games on the wii or 2 They don't care about game and will drop it like a bag of hammers once the new fad is out.

squirrel337

What are you talking about, playing a game is just as simple your intrested in it you buy it. All games rance from the $30-50 area good and bad games cost the same, look at Far Cry and Zelda. And what do you mean they will wonder why they aren't getting a sequel? They will see it the same way they see them not getting a sequel to Titanic or soon the Harry Potter series.

And of course they know they won't get to play an Xbox 360 game on the Wii as they don't get a certain channel from satelite, and they will buy games as those that intrest them emerge. Seriously stop with the BS, you're acting like everyone outside of this little forum sphere is metally challenged or something.

[QUOTE="Zhengi"][QUOTE="DanBrim1"]

[QUOTE="FlashMan2006"]I tend to consider myself a casual gamer (I probably only buy 3 games a year) and play once a week, but I'm surely not losing interest in Wii. The controller is the reason I want the console. And the price tag is a huge PLUS. I was never really interested in the GC, but the Wii is too good to be true.DanBrim1

I see your point but if all the casual gamers are like you can a console survive from its users only buying 3 games a year?

I agree with your numbers. I just am having a problem seeing the Wii having a 5 year life span. I also forgot that the other 2 systems are losing money or just breaking even on each system they sell and the Wii makes about 75 buck per sale if I remember correct ...So I guess they could survive on 3 games a year ..

Yeah, they can survive on that. However, they also have the hardcore gamers who will buy more than three games a year. The Wii isn't going to fail, though who knows if it will last 5 years.

I may be wrong, but I see Nintendo bringing out it's next gen system a little earlier next time around. They'll have motion sensing controls down and it will be more natural to them while developing their next system. Plus they'll be ready to integrate HD gaming into the already winning formula. Nintendo was smart to not make the Wii a super expensive powerhouse. Why? It would have been a huge loss if the motion sensing control scheme failed.

It's ignorant to count Nintendo out this early, despite the fact that many hardcore gamers are sticking their noses up at the Wii.

[QUOTE="squirrel337"]

Movie are different than games. Movies are simple you go out and but a ticket and see the movie. The price of a ticket to a bad movie is the same as the price to a good movie. Casuals will wonder why they do not get that new GTA or New halo. They generally don't know much about tech. They want the best for the lowest price and that does not happen in the tech world. So one of two thing is happening right now. 1 The people that got the wii don't know that they will not get to play those games on the wii or 2 They don't care about game and will drop it like a bag of hammers once the new fad is out.

Dencore

What are you talking about, playing a game is just as simple your intrested in it you buy it. All games rance from the $30-50 area good and bad games cost the same, look at Far Cry and Zelda. And what do you mean they will wonder why they aren't getting a sequel? They will see it the same way they see them not getting a sequel to Titanic or soon the Harry Potter series.

And of course they know they won't get to play an Xbox 360 game on the Wii as they don't get a certain channel from satelite, and they will buy games as those that intrest them emerge. Seriously stop with the BS, you're acting like everyone outside of this little forum sphere is metally challenged or something.

Well they did buy a wii. J/K

Games are a new media. Hell most parent don't even know that the ESRB is based of of the movies rateing system. Movies and music have been around longer than games. The people that bought a will are nongamers. The Nongamers will drop the wii like a bag of hammers once something new and shiny comes out. Nongames just buy the wii because it is cool and hip. The nongames are not a stable base and as of right now they are what nintendo is standing on. SIMPLY PUT NONGAMERS DON"T EVEN LIKE GAMES THAT IS WHY THEY ARE CALLED NONGAMERS.

Well they did buy a wii. J/K

Games are a new media. Hell most parent don't even know that the ESRB is based of of the movies rateing system. Movies and music have been around longer than games. The people that bought a will are nongamers. The Nongamers will drop the wii like a bag of hammers once something new and shiny comes out. Nongames just buy the wii because it is cool and hip. The nongames are not a stable base and as of right now they are what nintendo is standing on. SIMPLY PUT NONGAMERS DON"T EVEN LIKE GAMES THAT IS WHY THEY ARE CALLED NONGAMERS.

squirrel337

Yes and movies and TV weren't new forms of media? How the hell do they not like games if they are playing them? And I don't recall the internet still being a fad. Nongamers aren't getting into gaming because it's "hip" it's because it's fun. Gaming has gotten over complecated and now since the NES era they are able to enjoy some games without mass complexity. Gaming will not die, simply because it is not a fad, if this was true then us gamers wouldn't be here today. Some casuals will get sucked in some will stay casual and play games once in a while, just like some of us are advid movie goers and others not. They won't get sick of gaming since it's a media. Yes tickle me elmo was a fad, but gaming isn't, because style can very well be a fad, but "fun"? Never. Seriously it isn't the "Wii" casuals are getting into it's "fun" which incoporates with gaming. And all the "fun" that they can have with that simplicity is only on the "Wii" so unless Microsoft and SONY act soon the Wii's appeal will last until something suceeds it. 

Since when does the Wii represent "brains?"

I see quite a few not-so-smart decision making on Nintendo's part too. they arent completely innocent from criticism either.

Since when does the Wii represent "brains?"

I see quite a few not-so-smart decision making on Nintendo's part too. they arent completely innocent from criticism either.

PhoebusFlows

I agree, but "brains" being the inventive controls.

Brawn being the tough power of the PS3/360, compared to Wii that is. 

I'll just mix these statements into the thread.

-many nongamers who buy the wii will become gamers in the process

-the wii is attracting hardcore gamers as well.  After all, wouldn't hardcore's be intrigued with what the wii promises? ps3 and 360 attract nongamers and casuals too.  Pretty graphics attract casuals, always has, always will.  Less casuals than the wii perhaps, but we shouldn't oversimplify by saying all the hardcores are on PS3/360 and all the casuals are on the wii. 

-new tech doesn't necessarily replace old tech, unless they fill the same function.  An iPhone does not replace a wii.  Neither does a tickle-me-elmo.  If someone released an interactive VR machine, that would be more significant. 

-The wii will always be significantly cheaper than the other two consoles, and so it will have no problem competing against the other two consoles.  The question is whether or not it will 'win' this gen.  PS3 is $399 you say? the 360 is $299?  Well, by the time that happens the wii might be $99

Nintendo is bound to get more hardcore gamers and casuals around this holiday season. I dont see the appeal dying.

gamer0100

[QUOTE="gamer0100"]

Nintendo is bound to get more hardcore gamers and casuals around this holiday season. I dont see the appeal dying.

htekemerald

You were saying? 

[QUOTE="htekemerald"][QUOTE="gamer0100"]

Nintendo is bound to get more hardcore gamers and casuals around this holiday season. I dont see the appeal dying.

Dencore

You were saying?

I don't really think it's deniable that Nintendo have gone primarily after the casual market this gen.

The question remains whether or not it's just going to be good for their sales...it could be good for gamers too if enough devs jump on board and actually create unique games. On the other hand, we could have devs copy Ubisoft since that may be easier for them. 

I think the casual appeal is dying right now, and will continue to die. But later in the year, when Metriod, Mario, and Smash Brothers comes out, the casual and hardcore appeal will come back up.link15000

I know a few people who wish they had never got a Wii mainly because of the gaming selection. They would rather have a 360, but the price is just a bit too steep. Rest assured, once the price drops, they will probably turn in their Wiis for 360s. They are true gamers, not the ignorant casual/non-gamer who eats up Wiis like it is gods gift, so it is no surprise to me that they are disappointed. Like me, they bought a Wii to get their Nintendo fix, much like they got a GCN. Nothing more. Nothing less. Problem is, they can't even get that because of the horrid selection of games and when looking at the 360 lineup, it peaks their interests more and more with every blockbuster announcement. I'd say the tide will turn once MS drops the 360's premium and Elite prices $100. I know many people who are just waiting for that first price drop to get a 360 and on top of that they want to play Gears of War, they want to play Halo 3, they want to play GTA IV, etc, etc.

I know a few people who wish they had never got a Wii mainly because of the gaming selection. They would rather have a 360, but the price is just a bit too steep. Rest assured, once the price drops, they will probably turn in their Wiis for 360s. They are true gamers, not the ignorant casual/non-gamer who eats up Wiis like it is gods gift, so it is no surprise to me that they are disappointed. Like me, they bought a Wii to get their Nintendo fix, much like they got a GCN. Nothing more. Nothing less. Problem is, they can't even get that because of the horrid selection of games and when looking at the 360 lineup, it peaks their interests more and more with every blockbuster announcement. I'd say the tide will turn once MS drops the 360's premium and Elite prices $100. I know many people who are just waiting for that first price drop to get a 360 and on top of that they want to play Gears of War, they want to play Halo 3, they want to play GTA IV, etc, etc.

eastside49er