Erica Wong-Den
Content Editor
With all of the announcements taking place at E3 2013, it was rather shocking to see the downward turn that Nintendo (the reason that many gamers are as dedicated as they are today) has taken in the console department.
With the dismaying revelation that Electronic Arts would no longer be producing games for the Wii U until “it is a viable platform” (per EA labels president, Frank Gibeau), it stands to reason that people have started wondering if Nintendo will be running the way of Sega in regards to their gaming legacy.
Gibeau has stated that they need to see better numbers in the sales of the Wii U before even considering returning to the platform. “We publish games where we think we can make a great name and hit a big audience, and make money. That’s why we’re here, that’s why we have an industry.”
Despite the contradictory announcement that EA’s CFO release that indeed there are games being slated for the lackluster console, all mention of those plans have seemingly gone out the window as for now, EA is strictly anti-Nintendo.
Looking back, the Wii U sales have always been dismal, but Nintendo fully accepts that. In statements made by Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata, he explains the reason why:
“We are to blame. We relaxed our [marketing] efforts, so the consumers today still cannot understand what’s so good and unique about the Wii U. Because we’re always trying to be unique, it takes some energy on our side to [make] people understand the real attractions about whatever we are doing. We have been unsuccessful in coming up with one single software with which people can understand, ‘OK, this is really different’.”
He continues:
“As long as people have hands-on [experience], they can appreciate the value of the Wii U, but because there’s not software that’s simple and obvious for people as ‘Wii Sports’ for the Wii, potential consumers do not feel like trying the Wii U. Our challenge today is with the software lineup we are introducing now; we have to encourage [people] to experience the Wii U in the first place.”
This directly sums up the reasons why, in sales, the Wii U has barely touched the water in comparison to Microsoft and Sony’s console offerings.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel however: after E3, the reception to the Wii U has skyrocketed thanks to major complaints as to the restrictions on Microsoft’s new next-gen console, the Xbox One.
Whether or not the Wii U will pick up in sales is largely depending on what they can offer up to compete against rival releases this coming holiday season. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see if our old favorite, Nintendo, will manage to finally make the Wii U relevant in spite of the overwhelming odds.
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