Post by Nick M on Jul 12, 2006 13:57:39 GMT -5
Wii Sports: Walking the Line
The truth. The Possibility. The danger.by Mark Bozon
July 7, 2006 - When Nintendo first unveiled the Wii line-up during its press conference at this year's E3, it was met with mixed opinions. For some, the Wii was the prefect example of pure innovation, mixing an all-new gameplay format with an equally intriguing marketing strategy, specifically when dealing with the Wii Sports franchise. When we caught our first glimpse of the series we were a little shocked, as the graphical design was far simpler than we were expecting. After hearing that Nintendo was using the Wii Sports design as a simple introductory product line that offers approachable entertainment for both gamers and non-gamers alike, we started to believe. There is, however, a very thin line that now needs to be walked, as Nintendo is setting a software standard for the entire lifespan of Wii. In short, there's a right way to do this kind of game, and a wrong way.
The Facts:
Since its unveiling at E3 we've come to learn a ton about what Wii Sports is all about. First of all, Nintendo has informed us that the Wii Sports title will represent a collection of smaller sub-games, each with its own basic gameplay hook. As it stands right now, most of the official "Wii Sports" titles (Golf excluded) are multiplayer, which is seemingly the standard for Wii games. After all, Wii is supposed to symbolize community and plurality, so kicking the system off with only single player games would be a bit hypocritical. For the basic package, Wii Sports currently offers Wii Sports: Baseball, Wii Sports: Tennis, and Wii Sports: Golf. How these games will be distributed is still up for grabs.
It isn't Tiger Woods, but then again it isn't trying to be.
In addition to the three primary games, other possible Wii Sports candidates are already beginning to show up. Nintendo has made mention of a second Wii Sports product, tentatively named "Wii Motor Sports," which would include the already-playable Wii Airplane from E3, as well as a Jet Ski design. As a pleasant surprise, Wii Jet Ski is being headed by the creator of Wave Race 64, which is great news for any N64 fans. Both the Wii Sports and Wii Motor Sports games are being pushed as separate packages, and are essentially collections of addictive, low-budget titles. There are still key details that we don't know, however, and they may prove to be the success or failure of the products.
The Possibilities:
When it comes to franchises like Metroid or Zelda, the marketing strategy is simple. Develop the game, advertise it like crazy and release it at the MSRP you created. It really doesn't get much simpler. For something like Wii Sports, however, a more complex strategy will have to be developed. For starters, Nintendo has nailed the first essential piece of the puzzle: These games must be sold in bulk. Wii Sports Baseball was one of the most entertaining pick-up and play titles we've ever played (after all, it's basically home run derby), but alone it would be amazingly shallow and far to weak graphically to stand on its own as a $39.99 game, which is obviously why it's part of a collection. Each game has been developed as a sample of how Wii is effective, and Nintendo is showing strength in numbers by marketing the individual games as a team.
Now that the Wii Sports games have some bulk to them, the question is how to get the titles to consumers. The first obvious choice would be to plop them on a DVD and sell them at retail per usual. Though this would certainly be the assumed route, there could be far better ways of tackling distribution. The first alternate direction would be to make Wii Sports the first original titles to be available for download on the Virtual Console. Whether this means breaking the games back into cheaper single activities or not, it could be a great way to support both the Virtual Console, as well as the simplistic nature of the games themselves. Of course breaking the games back into their single form goes against what Nintendo has been planning thus far, but it's an option nonetheless. Consumers could even be offered both options, allowing them to purchase one Wii Sports game for $9.99 each, or all three for $24.99. It's a possibility.
Will Wii bring back the days of old? We want our pack-in game!
The final possibility, however, seems the most logical to us. Since the Wii is an all-new way of experiencing games, it would be a great idea to include some title along with the system as an introduction product. Wario Ware Touched for DS is a great example of how a first-generation game can be a perfect tutor to new gameplay, though packaging a Wario-only game as the premiere Nintendo title would be an odd choice. Wii Sports, on the other hand, is perfect.
The basic nature of the sports are so familiar to people already (everyone can swing a bat or throw a ball), that it would be a seamless transition from the real world into the game world. Even if this means the initial cost of the hardware goes up (from say $199.99 to $249.99), Nintendo could pack in a ton of content. Sure the system would be great at under $200 bucks, but throw in another controller (like we said, most games are multiplayer thus far) along with Wii Sports and you've got yourself an amazingly strong core system. Include the Zapper and Classic controllers into the mix and you've got a $250 package that no gamer could resist, period.
The Dangers:
No matter what the situation is, introducing a new concept into a market (such as freehand control or the simplistic Wii Sports titles) always invites a bit of risk into the equation. If there's one thing we can say about Nintendo this time around, however, it's that there seems to be no fear of the unknown. Wii Sports was shown right along with Zelda and Prime at the press conference, and continues to be a flagship pack of titles for the Wii launch. Nintendo is also using Wii Sports to make a statement about gameplay vs. graphics, showing that both gamers and non-gamers alike can enjoy simple concepts as well as the "blockbuster titles" Iwata-san often mentions. There are still a few issues that definitely need to be addressed though.
For starters, the graphical presentation of Wii Sports is amazingly basic, and just because we all see Nintendo's strategy doesn't mean that average consumers will. Since E3, people have compared Wii Sports to N64, Cube and even DS in terms of visuals. It's apparent of course, that this was a conscious decision by Nintendo chosen specifically to prove a point, but it can still be a downfall if it goes unexplained. Nintendo would do well to take an aggressive stance on the Wii Sports marketing, showing advertisements specifically geared towards Wii Sports headlined by phrases such as "Playing = Believing" or "Simple is Good", anything to show that it isn't the graphical power that will change the world of gaming, but the gameplay. Sure hardcore gamers will defend the style to death, but Nintendo needs to make sure average consumers (those concerned with graphics as well as those who aren't) know that this is simply one faction of the Wii, and that the intent of the Wii Sports line is to go back to square one.
On a far more global level, Wii Sports could potentially be damaging to future games if developers abuse the "Playing = Believing" philosophy. The last thing we need on our system is a hundred gimmick games that charge $49.99 a pop. Don't get us wrong: Wii needs simple games. It needs to be done right, however, and that's where the danger comes in. A package featuring multiple mini-games could do amazingly well on the system as long as publishers know to hit the right price point.
For that reason, Wii Sports is crucial to setting the bar for this new "simple" line of games. If Nintendo tries to market Wii Sports at $39.99 with just tennis, baseball, and golf as the featured activities, it will be sending a huge message to cash-thirsty corporations. After all, why spend millions on a console game if you could fill the shelf space with another glorified whack-a-mole spin-off. Wii is home for the most broad range of games in history, now it needs to define a place for each of them.
Are we trading this...
... for this?
Finally, Wii Sports provides a dangerous alternative to Nintendo franchises that we've grown to love over the years. Let's take the Wii Sports: Jet Ski example. Most everyone reading this editorial probably smiled at the thought of a Wave Race spin-off on the way. Hey, it may even make launch if it's part of the Wii Sports packages, right? Here's a question though: Why isn't Nintendo just making Wave Race Wii instead? Sure there are tons of answers, but it's still a legitimate question. Wii Sports: Jet Ski may be a chance for Nintendo teams to develop a core gameplay mechanic that can be expanded on later when there's enough time and personnel to create the entire title. Maybe Nintendo wants to gauge how much of a buzz is caused by a Wave Race sequel, and it's using Wii Sports: Jet Ski to test that. Either way though, it's still one title taking the spot of another, and if it's abused we could see less Pilot Wings and more Wii Sports Airplane.
Or will we end up here...
... by starting here?
We really don't know, but we can be certain of one thing: If we get Wii Sports: Jet Ski instead of Wave Race Wii, blood will be shed. Hopefully this isn't just a way for Nintendo to appease the masses. "You say you want Punch-Out! huh? Well here's Wii Sports Boxing!" The sheer concept of replacing awesome titles with more stripped down versions is horrendous, and while the chances of this really being the case is very slim, it's still important to keep in mind. Do you really want Mario Golf, Mario Baseball and Super Mario Strikers to be replaced by the Wii Sports franchise? If not, will you still pay for a game like Mario Baseball even after purchasing the Wii Sports collection? If nothing else it's at least something to consider.
Looking Forward:
In the end, Wii Sports is a great asset to Nintendo. The possibility of introducing people of all ages to this remarkable play-style on such a simple level ensures that Nintendo is taking the right steps from day one. Though we're still unsure as to how the franchise will be presented to the masses, we can hope that it is done in a way that truly allows everyone to experience what Wii has to offer. Nintendo is proving straight-away that it is just as concerned with appealing gameplay as with a project's budget, and that alone sends a huge message to the rest of the industry. We all know the age-old line "talk is cheap," but as Iwata-san said during E3 2004, "Actions speak louder than words."
Read the article with pictures here
wii.ign.com/articles/717/717268p2.html
Info Courtesy of IGN.com
-NicK-
The truth. The Possibility. The danger.by Mark Bozon
July 7, 2006 - When Nintendo first unveiled the Wii line-up during its press conference at this year's E3, it was met with mixed opinions. For some, the Wii was the prefect example of pure innovation, mixing an all-new gameplay format with an equally intriguing marketing strategy, specifically when dealing with the Wii Sports franchise. When we caught our first glimpse of the series we were a little shocked, as the graphical design was far simpler than we were expecting. After hearing that Nintendo was using the Wii Sports design as a simple introductory product line that offers approachable entertainment for both gamers and non-gamers alike, we started to believe. There is, however, a very thin line that now needs to be walked, as Nintendo is setting a software standard for the entire lifespan of Wii. In short, there's a right way to do this kind of game, and a wrong way.
The Facts:
Since its unveiling at E3 we've come to learn a ton about what Wii Sports is all about. First of all, Nintendo has informed us that the Wii Sports title will represent a collection of smaller sub-games, each with its own basic gameplay hook. As it stands right now, most of the official "Wii Sports" titles (Golf excluded) are multiplayer, which is seemingly the standard for Wii games. After all, Wii is supposed to symbolize community and plurality, so kicking the system off with only single player games would be a bit hypocritical. For the basic package, Wii Sports currently offers Wii Sports: Baseball, Wii Sports: Tennis, and Wii Sports: Golf. How these games will be distributed is still up for grabs.
It isn't Tiger Woods, but then again it isn't trying to be.
In addition to the three primary games, other possible Wii Sports candidates are already beginning to show up. Nintendo has made mention of a second Wii Sports product, tentatively named "Wii Motor Sports," which would include the already-playable Wii Airplane from E3, as well as a Jet Ski design. As a pleasant surprise, Wii Jet Ski is being headed by the creator of Wave Race 64, which is great news for any N64 fans. Both the Wii Sports and Wii Motor Sports games are being pushed as separate packages, and are essentially collections of addictive, low-budget titles. There are still key details that we don't know, however, and they may prove to be the success or failure of the products.
The Possibilities:
When it comes to franchises like Metroid or Zelda, the marketing strategy is simple. Develop the game, advertise it like crazy and release it at the MSRP you created. It really doesn't get much simpler. For something like Wii Sports, however, a more complex strategy will have to be developed. For starters, Nintendo has nailed the first essential piece of the puzzle: These games must be sold in bulk. Wii Sports Baseball was one of the most entertaining pick-up and play titles we've ever played (after all, it's basically home run derby), but alone it would be amazingly shallow and far to weak graphically to stand on its own as a $39.99 game, which is obviously why it's part of a collection. Each game has been developed as a sample of how Wii is effective, and Nintendo is showing strength in numbers by marketing the individual games as a team.
Now that the Wii Sports games have some bulk to them, the question is how to get the titles to consumers. The first obvious choice would be to plop them on a DVD and sell them at retail per usual. Though this would certainly be the assumed route, there could be far better ways of tackling distribution. The first alternate direction would be to make Wii Sports the first original titles to be available for download on the Virtual Console. Whether this means breaking the games back into cheaper single activities or not, it could be a great way to support both the Virtual Console, as well as the simplistic nature of the games themselves. Of course breaking the games back into their single form goes against what Nintendo has been planning thus far, but it's an option nonetheless. Consumers could even be offered both options, allowing them to purchase one Wii Sports game for $9.99 each, or all three for $24.99. It's a possibility.
Will Wii bring back the days of old? We want our pack-in game!
The final possibility, however, seems the most logical to us. Since the Wii is an all-new way of experiencing games, it would be a great idea to include some title along with the system as an introduction product. Wario Ware Touched for DS is a great example of how a first-generation game can be a perfect tutor to new gameplay, though packaging a Wario-only game as the premiere Nintendo title would be an odd choice. Wii Sports, on the other hand, is perfect.
The basic nature of the sports are so familiar to people already (everyone can swing a bat or throw a ball), that it would be a seamless transition from the real world into the game world. Even if this means the initial cost of the hardware goes up (from say $199.99 to $249.99), Nintendo could pack in a ton of content. Sure the system would be great at under $200 bucks, but throw in another controller (like we said, most games are multiplayer thus far) along with Wii Sports and you've got yourself an amazingly strong core system. Include the Zapper and Classic controllers into the mix and you've got a $250 package that no gamer could resist, period.
The Dangers:
No matter what the situation is, introducing a new concept into a market (such as freehand control or the simplistic Wii Sports titles) always invites a bit of risk into the equation. If there's one thing we can say about Nintendo this time around, however, it's that there seems to be no fear of the unknown. Wii Sports was shown right along with Zelda and Prime at the press conference, and continues to be a flagship pack of titles for the Wii launch. Nintendo is also using Wii Sports to make a statement about gameplay vs. graphics, showing that both gamers and non-gamers alike can enjoy simple concepts as well as the "blockbuster titles" Iwata-san often mentions. There are still a few issues that definitely need to be addressed though.
For starters, the graphical presentation of Wii Sports is amazingly basic, and just because we all see Nintendo's strategy doesn't mean that average consumers will. Since E3, people have compared Wii Sports to N64, Cube and even DS in terms of visuals. It's apparent of course, that this was a conscious decision by Nintendo chosen specifically to prove a point, but it can still be a downfall if it goes unexplained. Nintendo would do well to take an aggressive stance on the Wii Sports marketing, showing advertisements specifically geared towards Wii Sports headlined by phrases such as "Playing = Believing" or "Simple is Good", anything to show that it isn't the graphical power that will change the world of gaming, but the gameplay. Sure hardcore gamers will defend the style to death, but Nintendo needs to make sure average consumers (those concerned with graphics as well as those who aren't) know that this is simply one faction of the Wii, and that the intent of the Wii Sports line is to go back to square one.
On a far more global level, Wii Sports could potentially be damaging to future games if developers abuse the "Playing = Believing" philosophy. The last thing we need on our system is a hundred gimmick games that charge $49.99 a pop. Don't get us wrong: Wii needs simple games. It needs to be done right, however, and that's where the danger comes in. A package featuring multiple mini-games could do amazingly well on the system as long as publishers know to hit the right price point.
For that reason, Wii Sports is crucial to setting the bar for this new "simple" line of games. If Nintendo tries to market Wii Sports at $39.99 with just tennis, baseball, and golf as the featured activities, it will be sending a huge message to cash-thirsty corporations. After all, why spend millions on a console game if you could fill the shelf space with another glorified whack-a-mole spin-off. Wii is home for the most broad range of games in history, now it needs to define a place for each of them.
Are we trading this...
... for this?
Finally, Wii Sports provides a dangerous alternative to Nintendo franchises that we've grown to love over the years. Let's take the Wii Sports: Jet Ski example. Most everyone reading this editorial probably smiled at the thought of a Wave Race spin-off on the way. Hey, it may even make launch if it's part of the Wii Sports packages, right? Here's a question though: Why isn't Nintendo just making Wave Race Wii instead? Sure there are tons of answers, but it's still a legitimate question. Wii Sports: Jet Ski may be a chance for Nintendo teams to develop a core gameplay mechanic that can be expanded on later when there's enough time and personnel to create the entire title. Maybe Nintendo wants to gauge how much of a buzz is caused by a Wave Race sequel, and it's using Wii Sports: Jet Ski to test that. Either way though, it's still one title taking the spot of another, and if it's abused we could see less Pilot Wings and more Wii Sports Airplane.
Or will we end up here...
... by starting here?
We really don't know, but we can be certain of one thing: If we get Wii Sports: Jet Ski instead of Wave Race Wii, blood will be shed. Hopefully this isn't just a way for Nintendo to appease the masses. "You say you want Punch-Out! huh? Well here's Wii Sports Boxing!" The sheer concept of replacing awesome titles with more stripped down versions is horrendous, and while the chances of this really being the case is very slim, it's still important to keep in mind. Do you really want Mario Golf, Mario Baseball and Super Mario Strikers to be replaced by the Wii Sports franchise? If not, will you still pay for a game like Mario Baseball even after purchasing the Wii Sports collection? If nothing else it's at least something to consider.
Looking Forward:
In the end, Wii Sports is a great asset to Nintendo. The possibility of introducing people of all ages to this remarkable play-style on such a simple level ensures that Nintendo is taking the right steps from day one. Though we're still unsure as to how the franchise will be presented to the masses, we can hope that it is done in a way that truly allows everyone to experience what Wii has to offer. Nintendo is proving straight-away that it is just as concerned with appealing gameplay as with a project's budget, and that alone sends a huge message to the rest of the industry. We all know the age-old line "talk is cheap," but as Iwata-san said during E3 2004, "Actions speak louder than words."
Read the article with pictures here
wii.ign.com/articles/717/717268p2.html
Info Courtesy of IGN.com
-NicK-