Word of Mouth selling Wii’s?

Yukio Futatsugi, who has worked on games like Panzer Dragoon, Phantom Dust, Blue Dragon, Lost Oddyssey and 99 Nights had the following to say regarding the Wii:

“It’s a little bit of a pity that those kinds of games (Brain Age etc) are what’s selling. I didn’t join the game industry to develop those kinds of games…The only people who buy Xbox in Japan are people who like games. Hardcore gamers…This was awesome for me, because I could focus on people who liked real games…But whenever you talk with somebody else [about Wii] and they ask you if it was fun, it was fun, so a person who hears that goes out and buys the Wii, so the hardware keeps on selling and selling…But the software isn’t selling that well, because people don’t play it any more, so they don’t buy new software any more. That’s the current situation.”

Do you agree with Yukio’s statement? In my opinion, 50% of advertising is pretty much Word of Mouth, but it isn’t the only reason why Wii is a success. The software that is selling the Wii is Wii Sports, everyone wants it. In Japan, it’s what was selling Wii’s, although now it seems Wii Sports isn’t selling as well as it used to. Nintendo definitely needs to release games like Wii Music and Wii Fit fast, and that is what will help sell. On the other hand, there is definitely a cause of concern regarding software sales. They cannot simply rely on only Wii Sports-like games, and most games that top the charts end up only selling well during its first week in Japan. Hopefully Brawl and Galaxy will help change that in the country (and maybe the World! lol).



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  • flamingsquirrel

    I agreed. Wii doesn’t have that much software.
    This is why I’m getting a 360.

  • Bob

    You have to give these things time.

    Come Christmas, we’ll be loaded with software to enjoy.

  • onikokoro

    Yeah i agree i stopped playing wii games but i’m in love with this internet explorer (except when it says this doesn’t support your browser)

    It is hard to play most of the games i buy longer then a weak or 2

  • Danger Prune

    I disagree with this… Big time!

    aside from the cool controller and the pocket pleasing price, software like Metroid Prime, Super Smash Bros, and the Mario franchise are what compelled me to buy a Wii. I missed out on these awesome titles last generation because I brought a PS2 (It was because it had a DVD player) and so I am really eager to catch up on the awesome game play that I have missed. Perhaps Mr Futatsugi is a little peeved because first party games are the games that sell on Nintendo consoles. And who wouldn’t buy first party games, they are almost always a good buy and who is going to waste away their money on some iffy game that has good boxart. He’s just bummed that he is missing out on a piece of the profit generating juggernaut that is the Wii.

  • Hologram

    Disagree wholeheartedly.

    1. There are some awesome games coming down the line. The problem with Wii software is everyone sold the system short. Most developers thought the console wouldn’t be worth anything and just threw in the token mini-game and ported game support we’ve been seeing. However, now the Wii is dominating. This means that more developers are going to be moving to the console to develop. The first things we’ll be seeing are more mini-games since they’re quicker to make and cash in on the hype. The bigger, more adventurous games will come in late ’08 when they’ve had time to develop.

    Summary: No one thought the Wii would sell. Now it did. We’re currently seeing the quick n’ easy cash-ins. Good, larger, hardcore games will come in ’08.

    2. I loathe this statement “It’s a little bit of a pity that those kinds of games (Brain Age etc) are what’s selling. I didn’t join the game industry to develop those kinds of games.” Games like Brain Age and Wii Play aren’t selling instead of big name games, they’re selling with them. My mom bought Brain Age. It is the first and only time she has ever purchased a game for herself. Panzer Dragoon or whatever isn’t being passed over for the casual games because most of those who by casual games wouldn’t be buying Panzer Dragoon anyways.

    That’s the genius of Nintendo marketing, hit two markets with one console. Get the people who just want to play for fifteen minutes a day with simple games like Wii Play and then get the people who want intense, difficult experiences with hardcore games like Metroid Prime. The console promotes both markets. It is not killing the hardcore for the casual, it is promoting the casual to the level of the hardcore.

    Summary: Brain Age isn’t selling in place of hardcore games because the people who buy it and games like it wouldn’t by hardcore games anyways. Hardcore games are not in danger of dying because of the casual market, they will merely have to share the same shelving area.

  • http://verwaltet.blogspot.com R.

    I agree. At the moment (!) good games are rare. But it’s the fault of the software developers. Nobody expected the success of Wii, everybody concentrated on developing games for Xbox and PS3. But things will change for sure. But please: No more mini game titles. We are waiting for long Tennis, Baseball and other matches…

  • buckley

    i disagree the controls and motion sesitivity make games like madden and MLB games alot more realistic even without top end graphics. 360 could NEVER do that plus brawl will be one of the best selling games ever u wait i already pre-ordered it wii wont slow down anytime soon

  • http://www.xanga.com/relaxing_roth Roth

    Brain Age is a DS game, not Wii (yet). Brain Age is a puzzle brain game while Wii Sports is a sports game. They sell because they’re fun, even if it lasts for a short period. As long as the majority of the crowd enjoys it. Even if it’s only been a year of fun, that’s why there will be sequels. Brain Age 2 has become more a trice-a-week training for me. I pop that out on DS just to past the time waiting. It’s great because it’s quick to pickup-n-play; very convenient for my lifestyle.

    Yukio has only worked on the RPG genre. Not everybody can enjoy RPG, especially the casual crowd.

    This guy has too many things on his mind (jealousy is one of them). Just let everybody do their job if it’s successful, at least helping the industry. First time I heard my co-worker mention 99 Nights, a stradegy game on Xbox360, but that doesn’t make me go out and get the console and game ’cause I know the type of game isn’t my taste of gaming.
    Same ol’ RPGs.. It’s gotta be new and fresh!

    Forget all this smack talk. In the end, it all depends on the player’s lifestyle and taste of gaming.

    // Roth

  • http://www.integrateurhtml.com intégrateur html

    I think he is partly true. I get bothered with the release of so few great games.
    But remember not long ago Nintendo and its new system was considered by the whole industry: DEAD.
    So let’s wait, time has come.

  • WiglyWorm

    I agree. It took a long time after I beat Zelda for me to touch my Wii again.

    There just was not a good lineup in the beginning. Now, though, the situation is about to swing to the extreme polar opposite. MP3, Mario Galaxy, Guitar Hero 3, SSBB, Mario Cart, I’m pretty interested in Boogie and several other games as well. There’s almost too much for one man to play coming out, here.

  • kevbo

    calm down people… the wii is just beginning and the future is looking bright… bust out them shades BABY!!!!!

    Trust me, the Wii outsold all other consoles in 1 year… Any publisher/game developer with half a mind will start creating quality ideas for the Wii. And we know Nintendo has a bunch of A+ titles down the pipes as well

  • http://www.games-releases.com/ Grace

    Does someone know when the new batman for Xbox360 will be released?