Mature-themed Wii games get the black box in Japan

We know Mature themed games don't sell on Wii. Nintendo of Japan has launched a new approach. In order to differentiate Mature games from casual games, Nintendo decided that Wii games that have a CERO C rating (equivalent to ESRB's Teen rating) or above will be packaged in black boxes, while others will stay in white packaging.

So, next time you'll see a black box Wii, that means it's more mature themed game. However I find it interesting if this is Nintendo's move to help sell more mature Wii titles to hardcore gamers. First of all we need to understand that Mature games doesn't mean its for hardcore players. Yes, the perception is that the hardcores play more mature games in Xbox 360 or PS3 compared to Wii. But that doesn't mean separating the packaging helps selling games for hardcore players. 

Plus hardcore players more likely to keep track of upcoming game releases, so I don't think hardcore players need a reminder. I personally feels that the message Nintendo is saying, rather than, "Hey this is a mature title, so it is for you hardcore gamers!", more like a reminder for kids and parents saying,"Hey careful, this contains mature themed games, so better look for the white packaging. It's safe!".Or better yet, it helps to convey to kids," Hey this is mature games, its cool and you can be adult for playing this one." Its like a forbidden fruits for kids, cause you know kids, the more you tell them that you can't have it, the more they likely want to try.
We need to ask, do casual players definitely don't like to play mature content? Or do hardcore players don't like less mature content? It can be both and we definitely cannot draw a fine line here.

I feel that by doing this, this is just to seperate teen/adults from kids games. Both may have easier time to find a game that suits their tastes, but it did not address why Mature Wii games don't sell.
Read more...

Wii most probably won't get Mature title anymore

With the recent Mature games released on Wii like Madworld and House of the Dead: Overkill disappointing sales, when asked whether SEGA will develop another mature title for Wii, they said," probably not".
They also look at Dead Space on Wii as an example and they were stunned to see that the sales is not even breaking 10.000 copies during the first month.
They admit, the Wii sales don't spike at the first month like any other console, it is more a "slow burn" process. While SEGA said that the titles doing "okay", they won't develop mature title for Wii anytime soon.
Looks like Wii is really going to be all casual players with all developers staying away to develop mature title. Well anyway casual market is a big market, Wii dominate total sales compared other consoles. And actually that is what Wii was targeting the market for. Well you cannot have everything, don't you?
Read more...

Nintendo Wii sales cooled off

So, Nintendo Wii who has been dominating the Japan sales chart recently beaten by reduced price PS3. Not by a huge margin, but it is still eye catching. Iwata confessed that the lower Wii sales could be because of weak software lineup.
Preparing to launch the new Super Mario Bros Wii, Nintendo hopes to get back on track. The Netflix rumour that might come to Wii is also a possibility next year. And if it is true, it definitely will create more added value to the console.
Hopefully Nintendo will launch more good games next year, cause for the past 6 months there is only a handful of "high demand" games that came out.
Read more...

Does Wii still has room for hardcore gamers?

I used to be a fan of Nintendo, since Gamecube era. I admire them trying to be different and reaching out other market segment that is not a hardcore gamers. Since the introduction of DS and Wii, I really impressed on how they capturing casual market and dominating sales chart week after week.

So I bought a Wii, I found that the game is pretty casual. Even for Super Mario Galaxy, it couldn't satisfied my hunger. Don't get me wrong, I think Super Mario Galaxy is an awesome game, but I guess I need more than stomping the enemies. I want more complexity, stories, deeper character which until now I haven't seen any of those in Wii.
Then the introduction of Wii Fit. I was drawn to it and decided to buy it, just to find out what is it really about. I played it for two weeks and then stop. I haven't play it for a long time, until I decided to take it to my girlfriend's house where she has 2 small nephews. I thought Wii would be more useful than my home where there are more casual gamers than myself.
Weeks past by, the Wii is getting less and less attention, and dusted in the corner. It did spur interest from them for a while, but then faded. Nowadays it is just Winning Eleven, Street Fighter that dominates the living room. 

It is pretty much explained the low attachment rate on Wii. Casual gamers are casual gamers, they don't play for a long time, maybe pick up for a short while then leave it until something new came on.
A lot of casual iphone games are like that too. People just don't play for hours, they play for minutes. When something come along, they can suspend it and resume it later.. maybe.
Publishers has attempted to make hardcore games for Wii, for example: Gran Theft Auto: Chinatown wars, Madworld, The Conduit, only to find total failure.

Wii strategy to captures bigger casual segment market is undoubtedly clever. But for myself, I rather play online games with my buddies on my PS3 or Xbox 360. 
Read more...

Nintendo Wii price cut announced

Finally Nintendo Wii has joined the bandwagon. Price cuts announced during Tokyo Game Show. The new price is $200, will be available on 27th September.
Ever since both PS3 and Xbox 360 cut their prices, Wii sales slide and disappoint. Nintendo hopes that with the new price cut, it will reverse the trend and continue to dominate the sales chart.
No doubt it is a welcome news to all potential Wii customers.
Read more...

Wii sales down 5%, price cut rumoured

For the last 5 months, Wii sales has been declining for 50%. Based on latest August NPD data, the gap between Wii sales and PS3/ Xbox 360 is marginal.
No surprise there, because after price cuts, Wii price on only $50 cheaper than Xbox 360 and PS3.
So, is this the time for Wii to announce a price cut?
So far Nintendo hasn't announced anything yet, but it could come sooner than later.

Based on advanced retail listing forwarded to Kotaku, Wii is planning to cut price at the beginning of October.
Thought we didn't know by how much exactly, given that holiday season is approaching, it is definitely a right timing for a price cut.
Read more...