Nintendo Makes Major Reductions in Wii U, 3DS Sales Projections

[Something Amyss]

Numerous indie devs have praised the Wii U and 3DS.

Care to provide some evidence for that claim? There appears to be a dearth of indie games on either console, something you'd think wouldn't be the case if indie devs were fond of it. That doesn't mean you're automatically wrong, but it'd be nice to see some corroboration.

 

[VG_Addict]

Well, every console after the NES has sold fewer and fewer units.

This source is from August, but good enough:

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/198250/is_wii_us_eshop_right_for_your_.php

On working with Nintendo

While some developers were hesitant to recommend to other developers bringing their game to eShop because of software sales uncertainty, all developers we spoke with were happy with their experience in working with Nintendo. The company has apparently been generous with loaner development kits and general developer support. According to developers we spoke with, Nintendo has been responsive to the needs of the free-to-play business model as well.

Read on for select replies from our pool of eShop developers.

 

[Saucycarpdog]

Nintendo as just a handheld developer wouldn't be interesting. It would just be the same as always, only that they don't make consoles anymore. And considering how the console scene itself is more or less the same thing with the only thing differing between the two is brand title, price points, and exclusives- that would be a pretty boring era indeed.

Wait a minute. You talk about exclusives being a boring part of this era, while saying nintendo needs to beef up its own exclusives? Little bit of double standard?

That and they need to rerun that overview Wii U commercial ad over and over again so the masses will finally get the fact that it's a new console. Just advertising the games isn't going to cut it.

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

And business 101 is also this: customers are idiots and will not get things unless you hammer it into their skulls. Seriously, you basically have to idiot proof things in order for people to understand even the SIMPLEST of things. Nintendo thought people were smarter than that. They were wrong.

 

[Sheo_Dagana]

It's a shame this is happening to Nintendo because I love my 3DS and my Wii U, I personally see a lot of potential in the console, but perhaps this is the wake up call Nintendo needs. Guys, you can't just release a console with no exclusives aside from a rehashed Mario game, especially when all of your third party games are last year's greatest hits from last generation consoles.

I'll continue to hope for a brighter future for the console, as I would really hate to see it go the way of the Dreamcast, but it's going to take a lot for Nintendo to bounce back from a loss this staggering.

 

[Saucycarpdog]

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

And business 101 is also this: customers are idiots and will not get things unless you hammer it into their skulls. Seriously, you basically have to idiot proof things in order for people to understand even the SIMPLEST of things. Nintendo thought people were smarter than that. They were wrong.

Mega successes like Apple and Samsung didn't have to hammer anything into consumers. They made products that were easily accessible to consumers, ones that could serve many functions and make everyday life easier, and the consumers in turn bought them in mass.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out how having two screens adds to the gaming experience. Does that make me a dumb consumer?

 

[Dragonbums]

Wait a minute. You talk about exclusives being a boring part of this era, while saying nintendo needs to beef up its own exclusives? Little bit of double standard?

Did you not read my post properly? I'm talking about console functionality and physical gameplay aspects, not the three consoles game library.

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

It can hardly be Nintendo fault that people are honestly this fucking stupid. If Microsoft can get away with calling their console Xbox One with minimal confusion, than there is no reason for consumers to be that idiotic that they couldn't put their brains together and figure out the WiiU is a new console after 2 years. Regardless both Sony and Microsoft advertise their consoles, and explain what it does because if they don't they would be bombarded with shit brained idiots wondering if PS4 is a new console despite it being obvious. Today's business is either you make a product a 1 year old can understand or you have to explain your product in text book explanation because consumers are too lazy to make those hamsters work.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

It can hardly be Nintendo fault that people are honestly this fucking stupid. If Microsoft can get away with calling their console Xbox One with minimal confusion, than there is no reason for consumers to be that idiotic that they couldn't put their brains together and figure out the WiiU is a new console after 2 years. Regardless both Sony and Microsoft advertise their consoles, and explain what it does because if they don't they would be bombarded with shit brained idiots wondering if PS4 is a new console despite it being obvious. Today's business is either you make a product a 1 year old can understand or you have to explain your product in text book explanation because consumers are too lazy to make those hamsters work.

Kinda like how people were still going "DERP!" over the 3DS for way longer than they needed. It definitely makes Nintendo filled with far more patient people than I could ever hope to be. I would give up after one attempt and find something else to do.

 

[Dragonbums]

It's what I said in my "Double standards" thread. There's an obvious anti-Nintendo sentiment in game journalism.

Or, and stick with me here, maybe Nintendo put out an expensive console that was well overpowered (more 7th generation tech than 8th generation comparatively) with almost no games for a year after release?

Maybe you could think of some nice ways to spin that but the numbers aren't lying and the gaming industry doesn't benefit from a major player stinking it up. Nintendo just messed up this time and its rough if you're a Nintendo fan. But that doesn't mean the news is magically biased just because they report on it.

Forgive me for asking if you don't understand my question, but... J-E-F-F-E-R-S, is that you?

Even Jeffers isn't this dense. Give the guy at least some credit. Don't bother with this user though. His posts regarding the issue are literally all over the place. He's already made like 6 one sentence stand alone posts in this thread and the other one. Don't bother.

I haven't read a ton of this guy's stuff so I wouldn't know if other stuff is off. But the "media is a meanie pants to Nintendo" argument was a mainstay of Jeffers'. That's why I asked.

His/her comments in this thread and the Patcher thread range from really vague one liners, slightly disjointed sentences, and commentary that ranges from "Nintendo going third party" (like that's it. That's all he/she says) to "X devs like to use Wii U" they hold very little meat, kind of hard to really start a discussion on, and the users often answers with just as vague and stunted comments.

 

[xaszatm]

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

And business 101 is also this: customers are idiots and will not get things unless you hammer it into their skulls. Seriously, you basically have to idiot proof things in order for people to understand even the SIMPLEST of things. Nintendo thought people were smarter than that. They were wrong.

Mega successes like Apple and Samsung didn't have to hammer anything into consumers. They made products that were easily accessible to consumers, ones that could serve many functions and make everyday life easier, and the consumers in turn bought them in mass.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out how having two screens adds to the gaming experience. Does that make me a dumb consumer?

...do you want me to answer honestly? Well, you are most certainly wrong in how you think Apple and Samsung didn't hammer the message to the consumer to make a profit. Every new device Apple made saw a heavy advertising campaign to push that device into the spotlight. Only by hammering of these advertisements was Apple as successful as it was. Don't believe me?

Spoiler: iPod: The famous Silhouette Commercials

d[/youtube]

Spoiler: iMac: I'm a Mac Commercials

d[/youtube]

It was due to these advertisements hammering the message home loud and clear for all to see that Apple became the juggernaut that it is today. This, more than anything else, brought Apple it's success. In fact, it became so common, that people started to simply associate whatever electronic group that Apple product was in with the device itself. So yes, Nintendo needs a similar advertisement campaign if it wants the Wii U to start making a profit.

 

[144_v1legacy]

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

And business 101 is also this: customers are idiots and will not get things unless you hammer it into their skulls. Seriously, you basically have to idiot proof things in order for people to understand even the SIMPLEST of things. Nintendo thought people were smarter than that. They were wrong.

Mega successes like Apple and Samsung didn't have to hammer anything into consumers. They made products that were easily accessible to consumers, ones that could serve many functions and make everyday life easier, and the consumers in turn bought them in mass.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out how having two screens adds to the gaming experience. Does that make me a dumb consumer?

Huh. Business 101? I actually didn't go to a business school, so I'm not familiar with the course. I had no idea so many posters here at the Escapist did. But I seem to remember that, as easy and accessible to consumers as they may have been, all the tech successes I can think of had a corresponding successful ad campaign, and they all explained what the product did.

Also, I don't know if the not-being-able-to-figure-out-how-having-two-screens-adds-to-the-gaming-experience makes for a dumb consumer (again, didn't attend Business 101), but I do think that it makes for a dumb gamer. Can you really not figure it out? Or are you waiting to see if it gets covered in Business 102?

 

[Nazulu]

I don't know what they're doing wrong and I don't know much about business either, but I can't support them at the moment because I really just don't care for any of their games. Not one has really appealed to me in any way. Even I thought the new Mario release would deliver, though it looks incredibly bland and has a stupid name.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Wait a minute. You talk about exclusives being a boring part of this era, while saying nintendo needs to beef up its own exclusives? Little bit of double standard?

Did you not read my post properly? I'm talking about console functionality and physical gameplay aspects, not the three consoles game library.

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

It can hardly be Nintendo fault that people are honestly this fucking stupid. If Microsoft can get away with calling their console Xbox One with minimal confusion, than there is no reason for consumers to be that idiotic that they couldn't put their brains together and figure out the WiiU is a new console after 2 years. Regardless both Sony and Microsoft advertise their consoles, and explain what it does because if they don't they would be bombarded with shit brained idiots wondering if PS4 is a new console despite it being obvious. Today's business is either you make a product a 1 year old can understand or you have to explain your product in text book explanation because consumers are too lazy to make those hamsters work.

No, it is the Wii's install base specifically. I bought a Wii for my parents because they wanted one. They still didn't know that the Wii U is a new console as soon as last month until I explained it to them and they still have no desire to buy it. This is the problem with a good part of your install base being casuals. I said it four years ago. The casual market is an unpredictable long term investment.

 

[Dragonbums]

Wait a minute. You talk about exclusives being a boring part of this era, while saying nintendo needs to beef up its own exclusives? Little bit of double standard?

Did you not read my post properly? I'm talking about console functionality and physical gameplay aspects, not the three consoles game library.

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

It can hardly be Nintendo fault that people are honestly this fucking stupid. If Microsoft can get away with calling their console Xbox One with minimal confusion, than there is no reason for consumers to be that idiotic that they couldn't put their brains together and figure out the WiiU is a new console after 2 years. Regardless both Sony and Microsoft advertise their consoles, and explain what it does because if they don't they would be bombarded with shit brained idiots wondering if PS4 is a new console despite it being obvious. Today's business is either you make a product a 1 year old can understand or you have to explain your product in text book explanation because consumers are too lazy to make those hamsters work.

No, it is the Wii's install base specifically. I bought a Wii for my parents because they wanted one. They still didn't know that the Wii U is a new console as soon as last month until I explained it to them and they still have no desire to buy it. This is the problem with a good part of your install base being casuals. I said it four years ago. The casual market is an unpredictable long term investment.

There are plenty of people who have PS3s and Xbox 360s who don't want the new consoles until the ass end of this generation. Quit trying to valiantly say it's something else it's not. You even said yourself your parents didn't know what the thing was until last month. Great. That exactly what I'm saying. If you know that an Xbox One is a new console and not a new name for the original xbox there is no reason for you to still have zero clue what the Wii U so much IS as opposed to what it does. Also parents- unless they are moderate to avid gamers of course they are going to buy a console and have no interest afterwards. Did you ever ask them if they wanted a PS4 or Xbox One? Something tells me the answer to that one would be no. Using your parents as the representative anecdote for every "casual" out there is shaky. Because I can find just as many stories from retailers saying that those same casuals are interested they just don't know Wii U is a new console after all this time.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Wait a minute. You talk about exclusives being a boring part of this era, while saying nintendo needs to beef up its own exclusives? Little bit of double standard?

Did you not read my post properly? I'm talking about console functionality and physical gameplay aspects, not the three consoles game library.

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

It can hardly be Nintendo fault that people are honestly this fucking stupid. If Microsoft can get away with calling their console Xbox One with minimal confusion, than there is no reason for consumers to be that idiotic that they couldn't put their brains together and figure out the WiiU is a new console after 2 years. Regardless both Sony and Microsoft advertise their consoles, and explain what it does because if they don't they would be bombarded with shit brained idiots wondering if PS4 is a new console despite it being obvious. Today's business is either you make a product a 1 year old can understand or you have to explain your product in text book explanation because consumers are too lazy to make those hamsters work.

No, it is the Wii's install base specifically. I bought a Wii for my parents because they wanted one. They still didn't know that the Wii U is a new console as soon as last month until I explained it to them and they still have no desire to buy it. This is the problem with a good part of your install base being casuals. I said it four years ago. The casual market is an unpredictable long term investment.

There are plenty of people who have PS3s and Xbox 360s who don't want the new consoles until the ass end of this generation. Quit trying to valiantly say it's something else it's not. You even said yourself your parents didn't know what the thing was until last month. Great. That exactly what I'm saying. If you know that an Xbox One is a new console and not a new name for the original xbox there is no reason for you to still have zero clue what the Wii U so much IS as opposed to what it does. Also parents- unless they are moderate to avid gamers of course they are going to buy a console and have no interest afterwards. Did you ever ask them if they wanted a PS4 or Xbox One? Something tells me the answer to that one would be no. Using your parents as the representative anecdote for every "casual" out there is shaky. Because I can find just as many stories from retailers saying that those same casuals are interested they just don't know Wii U is a new console after all this time.

The install base for the Wii is a very unique situation. Unlike the PS3 and 360, casuals made up the majority of the install base. I was just saying that wonky things can happen when you release a new console when that is the case. The PS4 and Xbox One didn't have that problem because their market coming into the new generation was predominantly "core" gamers.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

There are plenty of people who have PS3s and Xbox 360s who don't want the new consoles until the ass end of this generation. Quit trying to valiantly say it's something else it's not. You even said yourself your parents didn't know what the thing was until last month. Great. That exactly what I'm saying. If you know that an Xbox One is a new console and not a new name for the original xbox there is no reason for you to still have zero clue what the Wii U so much IS as opposed to what it does. Also parents- unless they are moderate to avid gamers of course they are going to buy a console and have no interest afterwards. Did you ever ask them if they wanted a PS4 or Xbox One? Something tells me the answer to that one would be no. Using your parents as the representative anecdote for every "casual" out there is shaky. Because I can find just as many stories from retailers saying that those same casuals are interested they just don't know Wii U is a new console after all this time.

Like I've said before, if the "casuals" have really jumped ship anyway then it's not like the PS4 or XB1 are going to do any better in the long run. You don't sell 80 million systems solely on the "hardcore" as that would be like how the comics industry imploded after solely making stuff for so-called "hardcore" fans while not trying to bring in younger/newer readers.

 

[gorfias]

The numbers don't look so bad to me.

Maybe they're just lowering expectations? Personally, I only started thinking about the Wii U after the PS4 and Xbone came out and convinced me they're not ready for purchase yet. PS4 GOTY was Assassin's Creed 4, which could also be played on PS3, while PS3 had exclussive Last of Us, GOTY in general for many.

Only the Wii U is offering a truly fresh new experience. So, I got one about a week ago. And it is all that. A fresh, new and fun experience.

 

[Dragonbums]

Wait a minute. You talk about exclusives being a boring part of this era, while saying nintendo needs to beef up its own exclusives? Little bit of double standard?

Did you not read my post properly? I'm talking about console functionality and physical gameplay aspects, not the three consoles game library.

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

It can hardly be Nintendo fault that people are honestly this fucking stupid. If Microsoft can get away with calling their console Xbox One with minimal confusion, than there is no reason for consumers to be that idiotic that they couldn't put their brains together and figure out the WiiU is a new console after 2 years. Regardless both Sony and Microsoft advertise their consoles, and explain what it does because if they don't they would be bombarded with shit brained idiots wondering if PS4 is a new console despite it being obvious. Today's business is either you make a product a 1 year old can understand or you have to explain your product in text book explanation because consumers are too lazy to make those hamsters work.

No, it is the Wii's install base specifically. I bought a Wii for my parents because they wanted one. They still didn't know that the Wii U is a new console as soon as last month until I explained it to them and they still have no desire to buy it. This is the problem with a good part of your install base being casuals. I said it four years ago. The casual market is an unpredictable long term investment.

There are plenty of people who have PS3s and Xbox 360s who don't want the new consoles until the ass end of this generation. Quit trying to valiantly say it's something else it's not. You even said yourself your parents didn't know what the thing was until last month. Great. That exactly what I'm saying. If you know that an Xbox One is a new console and not a new name for the original xbox there is no reason for you to still have zero clue what the Wii U so much IS as opposed to what it does. Also parents- unless they are moderate to avid gamers of course they are going to buy a console and have no interest afterwards. Did you ever ask them if they wanted a PS4 or Xbox One? Something tells me the answer to that one would be no. Using your parents as the representative anecdote for every "casual" out there is shaky. Because I can find just as many stories from retailers saying that those same casuals are interested they just don't know Wii U is a new console after all this time.

The install base for the Wii is a very unique situation. Unlike the PS3 and 360, casuals made up the majority of the install base. I was just saying that wonky things can happen when you release a new console when that is the case. The PS4 and Xbox One didn't have that problem because their market coming into the new generation was predominantly "core" gamers.

I already addressed the fact that casuals are really that fucking stupid to not know what the Wii U was after two years. Your comment came in at stating that even IF casuals knew what the Wii U was they still wouldn't buy it (in the case of your parents who fit right into the not really a gamer Wii group.) However there have been many stories here on the Escapist and elsewhere in various threads that a lot of the same casual crowds that made the Wii a success would indeed be interested in the thing providing they had it spoon fed to them what the hell it was first.
Which is why I also stated in either this thread (or that Pachter one) that Nintendo needs to HEAVILY run not only that overview Wii U ad, but also have a recognizable marketing brand strategy in the vein of Apple's silhouette ad runs to catch the attention of the masses eyes. If it looks cool, people will buy it. I know they can do it, because the Wii marketing strategy to this day is still widely remembered, and it fucking worked like mad hell. So either that ad group needs to get back in shape, or they need to hire a fresh advertisement team. Because quite frankly lately they've been lazy in advertising everything.

Just look at Apple. They aren't even TRYING to make their products sound that different anymore. However since the first Ipod they pounded that fucking brand name into the minds of their consumers for so long that all Apple has to do is say here is our Iphone, and the masses would immediately know it is without a doubt a new phone, and not some add on to the previous phone models. And considering how much more expensive Iphones are to Wii U's people are willing to fall for Apples shit every single damn year.
And honestly, I can't really fault them for falling for it. Even when I see an Apple product commercial it gets me excited for the overpriced software upgraded hardware.

 

[Dragonbums]

The numbers don't look so bad to me.

Maybe they're just lowering expectations? Personally, I only started thinking about the Wii U after the PS4 and Xbone came out and convinced me they're not ready for purchase yet. PS4 GOTY was Assassin's Creed 4, which could also be played on PS3, while PS3 had exclussive Last of Us, GOTY in general for many.

Only the Wii U is offering a truly fresh new experience. So, I got one about a week ago. And it is all that. A fresh, new and fun experience.

Keep in mind that this chart is old and Xbox One and PS4 made those numbers in a matter of a month whereas the Wii U took a year. It's all about context. Not just looking at the graph.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Wait a minute. You talk about exclusives being a boring part of this era, while saying nintendo needs to beef up its own exclusives? Little bit of double standard?

Did you not read my post properly? I'm talking about console functionality and physical gameplay aspects, not the three consoles game library.

If a company has to dedicate its advertising to explaining a product to the masses, you can probably see why said product isn't doing so well. Business 101.

It can hardly be Nintendo fault that people are honestly this fucking stupid. If Microsoft can get away with calling their console Xbox One with minimal confusion, than there is no reason for consumers to be that idiotic that they couldn't put their brains together and figure out the WiiU is a new console after 2 years. Regardless both Sony and Microsoft advertise their consoles, and explain what it does because if they don't they would be bombarded with shit brained idiots wondering if PS4 is a new console despite it being obvious. Today's business is either you make a product a 1 year old can understand or you have to explain your product in text book explanation because consumers are too lazy to make those hamsters work.

No, it is the Wii's install base specifically. I bought a Wii for my parents because they wanted one. They still didn't know that the Wii U is a new console as soon as last month until I explained it to them and they still have no desire to buy it. This is the problem with a good part of your install base being casuals. I said it four years ago. The casual market is an unpredictable long term investment.

There are plenty of people who have PS3s and Xbox 360s who don't want the new consoles until the ass end of this generation. Quit trying to valiantly say it's something else it's not. You even said yourself your parents didn't know what the thing was until last month. Great. That exactly what I'm saying. If you know that an Xbox One is a new console and not a new name for the original xbox there is no reason for you to still have zero clue what the Wii U so much IS as opposed to what it does. Also parents- unless they are moderate to avid gamers of course they are going to buy a console and have no interest afterwards. Did you ever ask them if they wanted a PS4 or Xbox One? Something tells me the answer to that one would be no. Using your parents as the representative anecdote for every "casual" out there is shaky. Because I can find just as many stories from retailers saying that those same casuals are interested they just don't know Wii U is a new console after all this time.

The install base for the Wii is a very unique situation. Unlike the PS3 and 360, casuals made up the majority of the install base. I was just saying that wonky things can happen when you release a new console when that is the case. The PS4 and Xbox One didn't have that problem because their market coming into the new generation was predominantly "core" gamers.

I already addressed the fact that casuals are really that fucking stupid to not know what the Wii U was after two years. Your comment came in at stating that even IF casuals knew what the Wii U was they still wouldn't buy it (in the case of your parents who fit right into the not really a gamer Wii group.) However there have been many stories here on the Escapist and elsewhere in various threads that a lot of the same casual crowds that made the Wii a success would indeed be interested in the thing providing they had it spoon fed to them what the hell it was first.
Which is why I also stated in either this thread (or that Pachter one) that Nintendo needs to HEAVILY run not only that overview Wii U ad, but also have a recognizable marketing brand strategy in the vein of Apple's silhouette ad runs to catch the attention of the masses eyes. If it looks cool, people will buy it. I know they can do it, because the Wii marketing strategy to this day is still widely remembered, and it fucking worked like mad hell. So either that ad group needs to get back in shape, or they need to hire a fresh advertisement team. Because quite frankly lately they've been lazy in advertising everything.

Just look at Apple. They aren't even TRYING to make their products sound that different anymore. However since the first Ipod they pounded that fucking brand name into the minds of their consumers for so long that all Apple has to do is say here is our Iphone, and the masses would immediately know it is without a doubt a new phone, and not some add on to the previous phone models. And considering how much more expensive Iphones are to Wii U's people are willing to fall for Apples shit every single damn year.
And honestly, I can't really fault them for falling for it. Even when I see an Apple product commercial it gets me excited for the overpriced software upgraded hardware.

Um, that was a throwaway comment. The point of my post was that casuals just are that clueless. Apple has built up brand loyalty. They had to work for it at first, but now the train is rolling. Nintendo really needed to try harder than they did with the Wii U. As an aside, I loathe Apple commercials. They have an inherent smugness that really makes me hate them.