Nintendo of Japan Announces Wii Details

[mb]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: supafly
I wonder if Nintnedo will be making money on each unit sold. I don't know if it has been confirmed, but I've heard it costs Microsoft more money to make the Xbox 360 than they can sell it for... and that it will cost Sony more to produce a PS3 than what they will sell it for.

That's been the case forevever. With just about any console. The hardware is a loss leader. They make up for it in accessories and software licensing.

Do you have any facts to back that up? It makes sense, but did they lose money on the N64, Gamecube, etc, console itself? The Xbox was the first time I've ever heard about a company losing money from the console itself.
This is really the only point in time where I've paid attention to what's going on behind the scenes.. before I just bought the system and games and was happy.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: everman
Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: everman
I don't see what the big deal is about 200 vs 250. It does come with Wii Sports which they could have sold seperately for $50 and I'm sure it would have done well.
Overall it's a better decision to release it at $250 with a game than $200 without the game. Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS. And if $50 is going to break the bank for you then you probably shouldn't be spending money on games anyways. Overall Nintendo will probably make more money selling at this price than at 50 less, even if it does break the bankf or a few people.

I agree with you. $250 is going to look very reasonable to "everyman", compared to the alternatives. And I don't think that 200 vs 250 is an important price barrier, particularly when it includes a game.

I think the real issue will be how much the innovative controllers catch on in mass media, like MTV, etc., as something "new".

If the Wii is perceived as "cool", they won't be able to make enough of them to meet demand.

 

[royaldank]

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k
I'm so sick of seeing reports of varying prices and included components. NYT first reported it would be $250 and it would come with Wii Sports. Then the article got pulled when the Japan conference started. Japan conference reported 25,000yen price (same price the SNES, N64 and GC launched at, which lead to $200 USD for us). Then it was rumored there would be NO Wii Sports bundle. Now USA Today says $250 w/ Wii Sports. Argh, I give up. Either way Im getting it, so I'll deal with the rest later.

It's simple...Nintendo released a press release yesterday with details for news outlets. NYT had erroniously posted it too early and it was picked up by one or two other places. USA Today was given the same release so it could be in today's paper. Now, Nintendo has had their US conference and said it in person. It was planned by Nintendo for news outlets to have this info to compliment their press conference.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: everman
I don't see what the big deal is about 200 vs 250. It does come with Wii Sports which they could have sold seperately for $50 and I'm sure it would have done well.
Overall it's a better decision to release it at $250 with a game than $200 without the game. Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS. And if $50 is going to break the bank for you then you probably shouldn't be spending money on games anyways. Overall Nintendo will probably make more money selling at this price than at 50 less, even if it does break the bankf or a few people.

I agree with you. $250 is going to look very reasonable to "everyman", compared to the alternatives. And I don't think that 200 vs 250 is an important price barrier, particularly when it includes a game.

I think the real issue will be how much the innovative controllers catch on in mass media, like MTV, etc., as something "new".

If the Wii is perceived as "cool", they won't be able to make enough of them to meet demand.

ok, here's the thing though. $250 bundled with some stupid sports game package or $200 and then you can spend that extra $50 on a game you actually want? i don't play sports game. i hate sports.

 

[Queasy]

Link

Wired had the opportunity to sit down after with Nintendo Vice-President of Marketing & Corporate Affairs?not to mention affable conference host?Perrin Kaplan to ask a few questions that weren't addressed in the press conference.

? Will the Wii be region-free? Yes. Like the Nintendo DS, the Wii will be able to play games from other regions, such as Japan, without any restriction. Kaplan implied there might be a region lock that publishers would be able to flip on, but it doesn't sound like the first-party titles from Nintendo will be restricted.


? Will games downloaded from the Virtual Console store be tied to an account like Xbox Live or a one-time-only download like iTunes? Tied to an account. Kaplan discussed a scenario where a player's Wii was broken or destroyed, but would be able to re-download titles they had previously bought to a new Wii machine. Because my left leg was burning from an accidental Zippo oil spill, I neglected to ask if a user would be able to log into friends' Wiis and play their Virtual Console downloads away from their home machine.

? Will Wii users be able to add storage via USB hard drives? No. The Wii's storage will be exclusively via flash memory storage, such as SD memory cards, at least at launch. Kaplan said a hard drive addition could be in the future, but that sounds more like a "Sure, why not?" response than one based in any immediate plans.

? How much will Opera cost? Unknown. No price has yet been set for the download-able Opera web browser, but it sounds like it could very well be free, once Nintendo finishes discussions with Opera.

The big news from the press conference, besides the price?$250 for the console with one controller and Wii Sports bundled, $40 for additional Wii Remotes and $20 for additional Wii Nunchucks?was the showing of "Wii Channels," an instant-on interface where Wii players will be able to create "Mii" (me) personal avatars that work in supported games; a Wii Shop where Virtual Console games can be purchased for "Wii Points"; and photo, movie, and web browsing.

It's a slick little interface, but I continue to question whether users will want to sit in front of a television browsing the web without a keyboard, especially at non-HDTV resolutions. I guess we'll see when the Wii launches in the Americas on November 19th.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: everman
I don't see what the big deal is about 200 vs 250. It does come with Wii Sports which they could have sold seperately for $50 and I'm sure it would have done well.
Overall it's a better decision to release it at $250 with a game than $200 without the game. Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS. And if $50 is going to break the bank for you then you probably shouldn't be spending money on games anyways. Overall Nintendo will probably make more money selling at this price than at 50 less, even if it does break the bankf or a few people.

I agree with you. $250 is going to look very reasonable to "everyman", compared to the alternatives. And I don't think that 200 vs 250 is an important price barrier, particularly when it includes a game.

I think the real issue will be how much the innovative controllers catch on in mass media, like MTV, etc., as something "new".

If the Wii is perceived as "cool", they won't be able to make enough of them to meet demand.

ok, here's the thing though. $250 bundled with some stupid sports game package or $200 and then you can spend that extra $50 on a game you actually want? i don't play sports game. i hate sports.

There's no way Wii Sports is worth $50 as a stand alone, it looks very much like a technical demo packaged as a game. Suck it up and pay $250. If you're not serious about it chances are you won't even be able to get one until they drop the price to $200 - I bet they sell out every last console they ship this year.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Oooh region free. I LIKE that.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: maziwanka
i just want to know where to preorder.

I went by FYE during lunch and they had already stopped taking pre-orders.

EB Games hadn't even started taking preorders yet (and the guy said they weren't going to take pre-orders on the PS3 at all).

Just got back from my local FYE (god I hate that place...$2 rebate on a DVD?) and they were still taking preorders. $50 deposit and they printed a 2nd copy of my receipt and asked me to put my name/phone on the back.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: everman
I don't see what the big deal is about 200 vs 250. It does come with Wii Sports which they could have sold seperately for $50 and I'm sure it would have done well.
Overall it's a better decision to release it at $250 with a game than $200 without the game. Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS. And if $50 is going to break the bank for you then you probably shouldn't be spending money on games anyways. Overall Nintendo will probably make more money selling at this price than at 50 less, even if it does break the bankf or a few people.

I agree with you. $250 is going to look very reasonable to "everyman", compared to the alternatives. And I don't think that 200 vs 250 is an important price barrier, particularly when it includes a game.

I think the real issue will be how much the innovative controllers catch on in mass media, like MTV, etc., as something "new".

If the Wii is perceived as "cool", they won't be able to make enough of them to meet demand.

ok, here's the thing though. $250 bundled with some stupid sports game package or $200 and then you can spend that extra $50 on a game you actually want? i don't play sports game. i hate sports.

We were talking about "everyman". Everyman will see an included game as adding value, and given Nintendo's track record, the sports games will probably be fantastic, especially with the new controllers.

If you really don't want the sports game, wait a while and I bet they will sell other bundles later on, like they did with the Cube.

But for this holiday sales season, the bundle for $250 makes a lot of sense for Nintendo.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: everman
I don't see what the big deal is about 200 vs 250. It does come with Wii Sports which they could have sold seperately for $50 and I'm sure it would have done well.
Overall it's a better decision to release it at $250 with a game than $200 without the game. Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS. And if $50 is going to break the bank for you then you probably shouldn't be spending money on games anyways. Overall Nintendo will probably make more money selling at this price than at 50 less, even if it does break the bankf or a few people.

I agree with you. $250 is going to look very reasonable to "everyman", compared to the alternatives. And I don't think that 200 vs 250 is an important price barrier, particularly when it includes a game.

I think the real issue will be how much the innovative controllers catch on in mass media, like MTV, etc., as something "new".

If the Wii is perceived as "cool", they won't be able to make enough of them to meet demand.

ok, here's the thing though. $250 bundled with some stupid sports game package or $200 and then you can spend that extra $50 on a game you actually want? i don't play sports game. i hate sports.

We were talking about "everyman". Everyman will see an included game as adding value, and given Nintendo's track record, the sports games will probably be fantastic, especially with the new controllers.

If you really don't want the sports game, wait a while and I bet they will sell other bundles later on, like they did with the Cube.

But for this holiday sales season, the bundle for $250 makes a lot of sense for Nintendo.

Bundled software is always a HUGE incentive. ESPECIALLY to parents.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: supafly
I wonder if Nintnedo will be making money on each unit sold. I don't know if it has been confirmed, but I've heard it costs Microsoft more money to make the Xbox 360 than they can sell it for... and that it will cost Sony more to produce a PS3 than what they will sell it for.

That's been the case forevever. With just about any console. The hardware is a loss leader. They make up for it in accessories and software licensing.

Do you have any facts to back that up? It makes sense, but did they lose money on the N64, Gamecube, etc, console itself? The Xbox was the first time I've ever heard about a company losing money from the console itself.
This is really the only point in time where I've paid attention to what's going on behind the scenes.. before I just bought the system and games and was happy.

It's always been that way, with just about every console ever, by every company, especially when they first come out. How else do you think they manage to get those kind of graphics out of an entire system when a PC that could do the same costs far more, when it first comes out?

Even the PS3, with its super high price, is still being sold at a loss.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: everman
I don't see what the big deal is about 200 vs 250. It does come with Wii Sports which they could have sold seperately for $50 and I'm sure it would have done well.
Overall it's a better decision to release it at $250 with a game than $200 without the game. Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS. And if $50 is going to break the bank for you then you probably shouldn't be spending money on games anyways. Overall Nintendo will probably make more money selling at this price than at 50 less, even if it does break the bankf or a few people.

It's a perception thing. Mr. Common Consumer sees $199.99 and thinks, "Wow, that's actually affordable." Mr. Common Consumer sees $249.99 and thinks, "Hmmm, just out of my range."

Same reason as why we see gas prices as $2.329 instead of $2.33 or you see things sold on TV for $19.99 instead of $20. It just looks like a better value because it starts with a "1" instead of a "2".

Just the same, Mr. Common Consumer doesn't know a whole lot about this GPU vs. that GPU, or this CPU vs. that CPU. They see $249 for the system, game, controller vs. $299 for an XBOX 360 and controller vs. $499 for a PS3 and controller.

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: everman
Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS.

Xbox, Xbox360, and PS3 all were (will be for PS3) sold at a loss at launch. Nintendo actually makes a bit of money. Shareholders really like that idea, making money.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: everman
I don't see what the big deal is about 200 vs 250. It does come with Wii Sports which they could have sold seperately for $50 and I'm sure it would have done well.
Overall it's a better decision to release it at $250 with a game than $200 without the game. Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS. And if $50 is going to break the bank for you then you probably shouldn't be spending money on games anyways. Overall Nintendo will probably make more money selling at this price than at 50 less, even if it does break the bankf or a few people.

It's a perception thing. Mr. Common Consumer sees $199.99 and thinks, "Wow, that's actually affordable." Mr. Common Consumer sees $249.99 and thinks, "Hmmm, just out of my range."

Same reason as why we see gas prices as $2.329 instead of $2.33 or you see things sold on TV for $19.99 instead of $20. It just looks like a better value because it starts with a "1" instead of a "2".

Just the same, Mr. Common Consumer doesn't know a whole lot about this GPU vs. that GPU, or this CPU vs. that CPU. They see $249 for the system, game, controller vs. $299 for an XBOX 360 and controller vs. $499 for a PS3 and controller.

I was speaking towards the difference between $199.99 and $249.99. Not the difference in price between consoles.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: everman

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: everman
Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS.

Xbox, Xbox360, and PS3 all were (will be for PS3) sold at a loss at launch. Nintendo actually makes a bit of money. Shareholders really like that idea, making money.

I'm not sure that the Xbox ever was sold for a profit. Overall Microsoft made a net loss in the billions on the Xbox. Of course they looked at it as the cost of breaking into the market. I don't know if they are or when they expect to make a profit on the Xbox 360.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: everman

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: everman
Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS.

Xbox, Xbox360, and PS3 all were (will be for PS3) sold at a loss at launch. Nintendo actually makes a bit of money. Shareholders really like that idea, making money.

I'm not sure that the Xbox ever was sold for a profit. Overall Microsoft made a net loss in the billions on the Xbox. Of course they looked at it as the cost of breaking into the market. I don't know if they are or when they expect to make a profit on the Xbox 360.

Yes they do. In one of their recent financial releases, they said they planned on making profit off the 360 in the next year or two. I think they are reaching the point where they are saying, "We can't keep losing money in the games division."

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: everman
I don't see what the big deal is about 200 vs 250. It does come with Wii Sports which they could have sold seperately for $50 and I'm sure it would have done well.
Overall it's a better decision to release it at $250 with a game than $200 without the game. Nintendo is in the business to make money, unlike Sony and MS. And if $50 is going to break the bank for you then you probably shouldn't be spending money on games anyways. Overall Nintendo will probably make more money selling at this price than at 50 less, even if it does break the bankf or a few people.

It's a perception thing. Mr. Common Consumer sees $199.99 and thinks, "Wow, that's actually affordable." Mr. Common Consumer sees $249.99 and thinks, "Hmmm, just out of my range."

Same reason as why we see gas prices as $2.329 instead of $2.33 or you see things sold on TV for $19.99 instead of $20. It just looks like a better value because it starts with a "1" instead of a "2".

Just the same, Mr. Common Consumer doesn't know a whole lot about this GPU vs. that GPU, or this CPU vs. that CPU. They see $249 for the system, game, controller vs. $299 for an XBOX 360 and controller vs. $499 for a PS3 and controller.

I was speaking towards the difference between $199.99 and $249.99. Not the difference in price between consoles.

I agree with your premise, that price points can make a big difference in perception. I just don't happen to agree with you about this particular price point difference. It doesn't "feel" significant to me.

And I bet you agree that in the realm of marketing, including something of added value that can be perceived as a "bonus", can move a price point upward.

A lot of parents will go shopping with a $200 price in mind, but when they learn that everything they need for Suzy's Christmas present, including a game, is included, I think a lot will bend to $250.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Did anyone else notice that you can download data to the Wiimote? The Video showed the Miii Avatars being downloaded and transfered to a friends system, but I wonder what else they will do with that functionality....

 

[ondarkness]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Did anyone else notice that you can download data to the Wiimote? The Video showed the Miii Avatars being downloaded and transfered to a friends system, but I wonder what else they will do with that functionality....

I hadn't thought about that!
so personalized controllers with speaker for added depth factor and gyration motion sensing.
WOW:heart:

 

[fustercluck]

Why does everyone think the bundled sports games will suck? Who knows, they could be a lot of fun. Hopefully they have some depth to them...

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Adaman
Why does everyone think the bundles sports games will suck? Who knows, they could be a lot of fun. Hopefully they have some depth to them...

Nobody knows if they suck or not because the system hasn't been released. Unlike rational people, who wait for reviews to come out after a product launch, fanboys typically resort to name calling far in advance.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Adaman
Why does everyone think the bundles sports games will suck? Who knows, they could be a lot of fun. Hopefully they have some depth to them...

I know about 3 people who played Wii Sports at E3 and they all said it was a freaking blast. Granted the gameplay is pretty simple, but just the way you play it was really fun and worked flawless.

 

[loup garou]

Here's a quick thought. In addition to localized pricing and release dates, at each of these announcements, we've learned a few more details about the console. I wonder if Nintendo has anything new to show/tell us at the Euro announcement? Mind you, I'm not expecting any bombshells, but it would be nice to glean a few more tidbits, and it would go a long way for Euro gamers to feel included since they are so often shortchanged.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Adaman
Why does everyone think the bundles sports games will suck? Who knows, they could be a lot of fun. Hopefully they have some depth to them...

I know about 3 people who played Wii Sports at E3 and they all said it was a freaking blast. Granted the gameplay is pretty simple, but just the way you play it was really fun and worked flawless.

wich is good. i only play sporting games when i have friends over and drinking! so a easy game means i can play longer@