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Wii successor will be less of a 'toy'

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DVDBack23 @ Oct 22, 2009 18:50 | 23 comments

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto made a few statements this week in regards to the eventual Wii successor, saying the console will likely be smaller and cheaper and less of a "toy."

Miyamoto, during the interview with Popular Mechanics says: "With both the Wii remote itself and Wii Motion Plus, what we've been able to do is introduce an interface that is both I think appealing and at the right price for a broad audience. And while we don't have any concrete plans for what we'll be doing with hardware in the future, what I can say is that, my guess is that because we found this interface to be so interesting, I think it would be likely that we would try to make that same functionality perhaps more compact and perhaps even more cost-efficient."

He did confide that the Wii is sometimes viewed as a toy compared to the PS3 or Xbox 360 but that the Wii successor will still focus on "play."

"I think originally video-game systems were viewed as a toy, and they were something you played with," added Miyamoto.

"Whereas now I think we're starting to see a blurring of the lines, where, obviously, the internal guts of a video-game system is essentially a computer, and we're gradually seeing video games moving beyond simply entertainment into other aspects of everyday life."

"As time goes on, I think we're going to see how the system of the video-game console and this interactive interface is going to gradually bleed in to other elements of, say, home electronics and daily life," he concluded.

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Comments

Comment by: Bluevoid (Oct 22, 2009 19:38)

I would say smaller is not going to create revenue. Unless you're thinking of making a console that doubles as a portable system. Without additional functionality why waste costs by using smaller components. I think the Wii is about as small as I'd like a console to get.

They definitly need to work on moving the image from having the family home video game toy, to the family home entertainment system. MS/Sony have the entertainment system in line but are missing the broader demographic appeal that Nintendo has. It should be an easier transition for Nintendo that the other two because they have already done the leg work of hooking an older generation into their products, now they just need to expand capabilities. For Sony/MS they have the easier side of creating capabilities done, now they need to find some new customers.

I have to admit, I like most of what he said.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 22, 2009 20:53)

My only complaints about the WII besides general all new games suck spewage is imprecise control and no HD options.

If they can fix that they will be rolling on all 4's with shiny grills...or whatever.

Comment by: bam431 (Oct 23, 2009 01:12)

So will i actually be plugging this Wii in.

Comment by: KillerBug (Oct 23, 2009 03:04)

I think when he says "Toy" he realy means "Cheap Piece of Junk". If he meant it as something that you play with, then the "play" would not be as high of a priority, with a focus placed on game quality and entertainment rather than just body movement and such. Seriously...I am amazed that they are able to sell something that is neither HD nor portable.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 23, 2009 03:08)

Originally posted by KillerBug:
I think when he says "Toy" he realy means "Cheap Piece of Junk". If he meant it as something that you play with, then the "play" would not be as high of a priority, with a focus placed on game quality and entertainment rather than just body movement and such. Seriously...I am amazed that they are able to sell something that is neither HD nor portable.

HD is nice but over rated, the WII is hit HD has really took off that with the novel control approach its enough to start a fad.

Now the question is will the next console be more polished in design and offer HD.

Comment by: Amak (Oct 23, 2009 07:01)

The only real issue with the Wii is the lack of decent games. Most of the game on the system aren't worth the plastic the discs are made from. Up the incentive to make decent games and the system won't be a fancy paperweight.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 23, 2009 07:04)

Originally posted by Amak:
The only real issue with the Wii is the lack of decent games. Most of the game on the system aren't worth the plastic the discs are made from. Up the incentive to make decent games and the system won't be a fancy paperweight.

Meh the PS3fail60 haz as many good games on them 3 or 4 worth owning another 6 or 10 worth renting or waiting till you can buy it for 15$....

Comment by: KillerBug (Oct 23, 2009 08:08)

Quote:
Originally posted by KillerBug:
I think when he says "Toy" he realy means "Cheap Piece of Junk". If he meant it as something that you play with, then the "play" would not be as high of a priority, with a focus placed on game quality and entertainment rather than just body movement and such. Seriously...I am amazed that they are able to sell something that is neither HD nor portable.
HD is nice but over rated, the WII is hit HD has really took off that with the novel control approach its enough to start a fad.

Now the question is will the next console be more polished in design and offer HD.

No, it is actualy underrated when it comes to games. Try this: Play GTA4 for an hour, then try to play STA: San Andreas (without upscaling). If you don't have these titles, you can also do the test with GT5P vs GT4. The HD makes the actual gameplay better...even when the newer game has less to do, the SD keeps you away from the older, bigger games. The Wii isn't much more than a PS2 with motion sensing controllers (and without the ability to play PS2 games)...that is why it is just a toy.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 23, 2009 08:18)

Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by KillerBug:
I think when he says "Toy" he realy means "Cheap Piece of Junk". If he meant it as something that you play with, then the "play" would not be as high of a priority, with a focus placed on game quality and entertainment rather than just body movement and such. Seriously...I am amazed that they are able to sell something that is neither HD nor portable.
HD is nice but over rated, the WII is hit HD has really took off that with the novel control approach its enough to start a fad.

Now the question is will the next console be more polished in design and offer HD.
No, it is actualy underrated when it comes to games. Try this: Play GTA4 for an hour, then try to play STA: San Andreas (without upscaling). If you don't have these titles, you can also do the test with GT5P vs GT4. The HD makes the actual gameplay better...even when the newer game has less to do, the SD keeps you away from the older, bigger games. The Wii isn't much more than a PS2 with motion sensing controllers (and without the ability to play PS2 games)...that is why it is just a toy.

Um no...since all that fancy textures and crap drags frame rates down hurting gamepaly, HD is massively overrated...even tho I still plan to get a nice 32inch HD tv to play everything on...it doubles as a monitor too :P

Pretty<Gameplay always!
And GTA4 sucks...... Saints Row is far better.....

I dunno the GC had more games I lvoed than the PS2 ya th PS2 had a ton of games but not many I'd die for 0_o and the suck box is still stealing PC games away fro the PC....gggrrrrrr LOL

Oh and the WII out preforms the Xbox so try again.... just say it you can't handle old looking graphics and cute but fun games :P

Tho the sucky annoying motion control on the WII is reason enough to hate it if you are use to smooth control....

Comment by: sr.bond (Oct 23, 2009 12:48)

i have to agree with killer bug, once you go hd its almost impossible to stand older games no matter how fun they were,one gets spoiled.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 23, 2009 18:53)

Originally posted by sr.bond:
i have to agree with killer bug, once you go hd its almost impossible to stand older games no matter how fun they were,one gets spoiled.

Only if you are a graphics whore, tho 16/8bit is getting quite old :P

Comment by: glassd (Oct 23, 2009 20:04)

I'm a graphics whore but I'm not going to tell anybody.

The Wii, while fun for short periods of time does feel like a cheap toy. You know, if you break your nephews Wii, you dont realy feal bad about it. FYI, dont stand near a table while playing tenis on the Wii.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 23, 2009 20:07)

Originally posted by glassd:
I'm a graphics whore but I'm not going to tell anybody.

The Wii, while fun for short periods of time does feel like a cheap toy. You know, if you break your nephews Wii, you dont realy feal bad about it. FYI, dont stand near a table while playing tenis on the Wii.

It was built like a toy, that much is ture, if they put more into the motion control system I could not call it a toy, but good lord it sucks for serious gaming.... then again so do control pads..but I am a game nazi who likes his mouse and keybaord :P

Comment by: glassd (Oct 23, 2009 20:55)

PC gaming. My wife and kids are always on the computer. (They are freeking out, a Tornado or Straight Line Winds took out the trees and telephone Poles\lines. Been without internet at the house for 2 weeks). No facebook.. I like the mouse for some games. I would love to have the old Duck Hunt gun on my PS3.

Comment by: dragnandy (Oct 24, 2009 17:50)

for me, i would consider it as a home entertainment system rather than an toy if Nintendo made the console with aluminum casing and had HD. simply those two would be enough of an incentive for me to get one. I still enjoy playing with my wii, and at times, it does seem like a cheap toy. nevertheless, the technology and innovation is still amazing to me.

Comment by: DXR88 (Oct 25, 2009 01:55)

SMB looks bad ass on a 32inch. Cant defeat the NES/SNES. oh btw both NES/SNES where supported by Nintendo for 20 years. you think the PS2 is long supported.

Comment by: limelight (Oct 26, 2009 03:04)

In plain english Mr. Miyamoto is saying (as in the case with Nintendo history), "Everything our competition is doing this generation, we will do next generation. And it will be a big deal because, after all, we're Nintendo, and it's a big deal when our company catches up to modern times. (Although by that time we'll still be, in fact, behind the times.) No problem though, we'll just release a dozen games with Mario/Zelda/Metroid on the cover and people will buy it. Oh, and I'm sure we'll have tons of useless accessories and add ons available for all the soccer moms and kids out there for next gen."

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 26, 2009 03:08)

Originally posted by limelight:
In plain english Mr. Miyamoto is saying (as in the case with Nintendo history), "Everything our competition is doing this generation, we will do next generation. And it will be a big deal because, after all, we're Nintendo, and it's a big deal when our company catches up to modern times. (Although by that time we'll still be, in fact, behind the times.) No problem though, we'll just release a dozen games with Mario/Zelda/Metroid on the cover and people will buy it. Oh, and I'm sure we'll have tons of useless accessories and add ons available for all the soccer moms and kids out there for next gen."

IMO they are doing things smartly, no large debts and a focus of balancing cost of development on not only a hardware level but a software level. Now with that said is the wii great, not so much but frankly I'd like to see the other console makers and the industry itself adopt a similar pattern, IE not go overboard with expensive technology.

Comment by: emugamer (Oct 26, 2009 16:45)

I can't go back to SD after having HD for over a year now. I don't care how "fun" a game is. But I'd call myself a picky graphics whore, because I don't buy a game just for graphics. It has to have both superb graphics and superb gameplay...not either, or....both. And since I won't settle for only one, I would never invest in a Wii and I have few PS3 games. Owning a PS2 and XBOX 1 and Gamecube, I have hundreds of "fun" games from yesteryear that I can enjoy. But that was then. I can't see myself throwing down money on a retro-fitted Gamecube to get what I feel is nothing new. I did that when the Wii was released with Zelda and returned it after a week. I want to see realistic landscapes, textures, running water, improved character movements and good stories that lend to an improved environment. I've played and own too many old school games to be suckered into a Wii SD system.

I really hope the next Nintendo system is HD and can expand on their exclusives to keep true to the gameplay AND visually enhance their worlds. Good for them for knowing how to make money off the masses of casual gamers, but the novelty will wear off, because soon those same masses will want more.

Comment by: glassd (Oct 26, 2009 17:44)

Wii owners are starving for good games. I don’t understand why Nen is not pumping out Mario games. They could easily produce 1 or 2 a year. One Zelda game a year should be easy for them. Mario graphics are last gen and Zelda is ok. I guess it cost less to design accessories than develop games because they pump out accessories. They have a gold mine with the # of systems out there yet they don’t produce AAA games for it. ???

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 26, 2009 18:05)

Originally posted by glassd:
Wii owners are starving for good games. I don’t understand why Nen is not pumping out Mario games. They could easily produce 1 or 2 a year. One Zelda game a year should be easy for them. Mario graphics are last gen and Zelda is ok. I guess it cost less to design accessories than develop games because they pump out accessories. They have a gold mine with the # of systems out there yet they don’t produce AAA games for it. ???

Well they are doing a few Mario games just not all of them are full 3D ones.

And a game the size of zelda takes 2-3 years to develop, modeling and graphics aside theres alot of crap that goes into building it.

The WII is in the same position the GC and n64 were in as far as how devs and pubs are treating it, despite its high sales pubs are not really focused on the WII like they are the 360 and PS3 where they can get more sales more often.

Comment by: glassd (Oct 26, 2009 18:46)

If Insomniac can put out a game like Resistance every 2 years, Nen can put out a Mario game every year. And not a Mario battle game either. The effort that goes into making a 360 or PS3 game has to be much greater than a Wii game.

I am not knocking the Wii. I just think that Nen could do so much more with what they have. Status Quo

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 26, 2009 18:49)

Originally posted by glassd:
If Insomniac can put out a game like Resistance every 2 years, Nen can put out a Mario game every year. And not a Mario battle game either. The effort that goes into making a 360 or PS3 game has to be much greater than a Wii game.

I am not knocking the Wii. I just think that Nen could do so much more with what they have. Status Quo

*sigh* dev cycles are about 3 years long, they start on the enxt project in bits while finishing up the current one. I mean they could do a game every 1-2 years but the fast its made the worse qaulity gets...and frankly res aint that great.... then again neither is halo :P