Peter Moore: Wii's success is making us rethink our strategy
by David Hinkle 
{ Feb 26th 2007 at 1:35PM }
According to Microsoft's Peter Moore, the financial success and widespread desire for more Wii is affecting how Microsoft looks to the future for their console. During an interview with CVG, Moore commends Nintendo for the strides its made with its Wii system, stating "From a first-party point of view, it's not just about E-rated games, it's going to be about the experience that, quite frankly, Nintendo has done a tremendous job in capturing, in bringing back fun - if you will - to the gaming platforms."And he's correct: Nintendo has brought back the fun in gaming. Sure, the Xbox 360 appeals to a lot of gamers, but maybe some of them are just playing these games for achievements and not the fun of the title. This is something which is almost guaranteed with every title that Nintendo will put out on the Wii, as well as many of the third-party offerings. Thanks for the kind words Peter, but if you think you can compete in that arena with Nintendo, we're sure you're sorely mistaken.
[via /.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jeffrey Rommel @ Feb 26th 2007 1:52PM
I don't know, I mean, for local multiplayer the wii sure is fun (nothing beats Sunday afternoon Wii Sports sessions). But for single player gaming or online gaming, I would much rather be on my 360.
Jason @ Feb 26th 2007 8:28PM
"if you think you can compete in that arena with Nintendo, we're sure you're sorely mistaken."
That's what we all said when Microsoft first said they were going to build a console...
GMan @ Feb 26th 2007 2:31PM
Contrast this remark to Phil Harrison - "PS3 demand is unprecedented la la la la la I can't hear you la la la la la!" Uh, some of that is added by me. ;)
catfoodgood @ Feb 26th 2007 2:33PM
We haven't even seen the online play for the Wii yet. I actually hope they take the achievements concept from the XBOX and add their take to it, apparently the achievements are like hard-core gamer crack. It seems that they at least have the idea with the ranking system on Wii Sports, but will they expand that and roll those numbers up to an online ranking system... Well, I guess we'll see.
Chad @ Feb 26th 2007 6:00PM
"as well as many of the third-party offerings". I don't agree with this. Nintendo is great, but they're cursed with making their own best games. I'd like to see a third party game come out that is on par with the Nintendo made games. I think this is the only area Nintendo's system is weak in.
friedriches @ Feb 26th 2007 4:17PM
Though he has commended the Wii for its success, Nintendo has not "brought the fun back to gaming." They've brought the fun of gaming to new audiences, but really the Wii is a shallow success.
An afternoon of repeatedly swinging an improperly calibrated Wiimote trying to hit a golf ball (far more frustrating than the real game, by the way) may be enjoyable for some- but some people stick swords down their throats for a living.
Not every game on the Wii is fun- hell, there are hardly 5 that are worth $20- and even then, the fun is remarkable short-lived.
I don't know ANYONE who plays a 360 for the achievements alone. That such a statement was posed on a Joystiq site is remarkable- I thought the Joystiq/Engadget network was above baseless drivel like that.
But hey, if I had games like Wii Play and Far-Cry Whatever or whatever Nickelodeon licensed drivel was released this week, I wouldn't want Crackdown, Oblivion, or Gears of War either. Or Lost Planet. Or Dead Rising. Or Rainbow Six: Vegas. Or F.E.A.R. Or Viva Pinata. Or a playable Call of Duty 3. Or Prey. Or Lord of the Rings. Or Moto G.P. Or NBA Street Homecourt. I think you get the idea.
Dang, it must suck to be a 360 gamer with all those crappy games. Going for achievements and no fun to be had.
Please learn to use responsible arguments in opinion pieces.
GFB @ Feb 26th 2007 4:17PM
I would never count Microsoft out of the running though. The simple fact that they have such a segment of the Console Market should say something.
Not that I am concerned for the Wii...
And yes, bring on the multiplayer games already! My 60-year old parents purchased a Wii, and I am looking forward to some Tiger Woods multiplayer action with my father.
Rubang B @ Feb 26th 2007 4:39PM
You can go to XBox360fanboy.com right now and read their new post about some budget $2 games at Best Buy and how you should pick them up just for the achievement points. Also, guess why the Burger King games sold millions?
And for the record, I'm 24 and have 8 Wii games, and none of them are based on Nickelodeon or Disney, so... shut up sir. Thank you.
Phil @ Feb 26th 2007 4:38PM
@4
The thing is, none of those games do it for me and a number of people. Once my 360 crapped out, I was really only compelled to send get it repaired because of Dead Rising and a few XBLA titles. The Wii isn't exactly churning out the hits weekly, but I'm still having fun with it. Here's to hoping it picks up as soon as the DS did.
Mr Khan @ Feb 26th 2007 5:40PM
Achievements are compelling, it basically puts the "get the high score so you can show it off by having your name on the hig score list" mentality back into games
One of the reasons i go back to Wii Sports a few times a week is to push my achievement to the next level
Wii fanboy's a bit biased, but you're supposed to expect that, its in the frickin' name
Bluglo @ Feb 28th 2007 1:20AM
I think it is typical of bloated corporates to think bigger, faster, more when trying to corner a market. Smaller more nimble companies, more in-touch with their customers think more laterally when carving out their niche. Msoft need a super fast, ninja, special ops R and D department to stay up to speed.
Kenny @ Feb 27th 2007 2:31AM
@friedriches,
Actually, you're probably in the minority. Not amongst gamers, but amongst the general population. I don't really consider myself a gamer, though I've played them since Atari 2600. I've owned a Atari 2600, NES, PS1, PS2, Wii, GBA, and DS. But I still don't consider myself a gamer.
Frankly... I've gotten kinda sick of the games that are popular on 360 and PS2... FPS, GTA, and 3PS get old after awhile. Don't get me wrong, I can still enjoy them, but other than Guitar Hero I hadn't played my PS2 for a long time. Nothing really excited me.
The Wii (and the DS) on the other hand have me really excited. I've only had my Wii for about a month now, but I've played with it every day since I got it... Of course, a lot of time has been put into Zelda, but I've also played a lot of Wii Sports and I've rented several games that I've enjoyed: Warioware and Excite Truck for instance.
This new way of playing games is fun for me again and I'm actually excited about gaming again... and I'm excited about the Wii. Yeah, the launch titles (other than Zelda) weren't the greatest, but there are some fun titles and I'm looking forward to a lot.
I think I reached a point in my gaming preferences where I'm over realistic violence. I was never into GTA.
I think gamers may very well get bored with the Wii, but fortunately, there's a lot of non-gamers out there (like me) who are very excited by it.
You can take your Gears of War. I'll take my Super Paper Mario, thank you very much.
Oh.. and the Wii mote works great for me in Wii Sports (except for Boxing). So.. not sure what problems you're having.
MasterFramer @ Feb 27th 2007 12:19AM
I would personally like to see Microsoft and Nintendo partner up for the next generation and bring gamers what they REALLY want, the first multi-platform console. Break out the Wii-mote for some Nintendo gaming or break out your 360 remote for some online FPS/Action/RTS/insert genre here gaming. Think about it, Nintendo needs an online structure and community to really explode, Microsoft has it... The Xbox needs a wider audience to reach the masses, Nintendo has it the “other” gaming demographic. I dont see how something like this would be nothing but beneficial to the gaming community. Not to mention the Playstation would die the death it deserves...
Fanboyisms aside you all know a Wii360 would sell like hotcakes…
thebes @ Feb 28th 2007 1:26AM
@12 MasterFramer:
for the love of god i hope Microsoft and Nintendo never merge. The 360 is horrible quality, and paying for basic online play is disgustng. also RTS on 360 is weak.
I rather play WiiBoxing than anything on the 360.
sracer @ Feb 27th 2007 9:22AM
Microsoft is in a tough position. Their corporate locked-down, buttoned-up, mentality has turned the 360 into a point-of-sales terminal for Microsoft-controlled commerce that happens to play games...and plays them well. There's an excellent stable of games for the 360. Too many quality titles for me to play with my limited time available for gaming. The 360's multimedia capabilities have greatly improved since launch, but there are still some significant limitations.
Out of theh box, the Wii offers an innovative approach to gaming. The Photo Channel dabbles a bit with multimedia. Hopefully Nintendo will update that channel, or offer a Video Channel, Audio Channel or in some way expand the capabilities.
With the addition of the Internet Channel, the Wii is an "open platform" of sorts. I don't believe that simple web browsing will be the biggest benefit of the Internet Channel (though I know some senior citizens who are buying Wiis simply as "internet terminals")... it is going to be in the web-based games, apps, and services that can be used on the Wii.
There are already some Wii-specific websites, and some homegrown attempts to make the Wii a media portal for home media centers. All this in a few short months.
I really like my 360 and Wii and hope that neither Nintendo nor Microsoft decide to get stupid. The two can coexist in healthy competition and one-upsmanship without resorting to the shrill and empty hyperbole and insults that Sony appears to be embracing.
Nitrokid @ Feb 27th 2007 9:43AM
"Oh.. and the Wii mote works great for me in Wii Sports (except for Boxing). So.. not sure what problems you're having."
He doesn't have a problem. Know why? Because he doesn't have a Wii and doesn't have a single clue of what he's talking about. If you don't know how to calibrate a Wii controller you sir are really in need of someone to be your tutor so they could take care of you for the rest of your life because most likely you're a danger to yourself.
smart @ Feb 27th 2007 10:46AM
Very interesting! Thanks for posting.
http://allnewshere.com/search/
Thomas @ Feb 27th 2007 11:49AM
The Wii is successful because it's cheap, and granted there's some fun w/ it's games... but I just don't see that lasting for a long time. Besides Zelda and other minigame titles what games are you guys playing?
Thomas @ Feb 27th 2007 11:51AM
As a matter of fact xbox should drop to 249.99 and that would stifle the Wii's greatest ability... that's what I want someone to emulate.
Woo @ Feb 27th 2007 1:47PM
The user that posted about Golf was most likely talking about SuperSwing Golf. I have both a Xbox360 and A Wii. The three games I have for the Wii are Sports, SuperSwing, and WarioWare. My 8 year old daughters love WarioWare. Everyone in the house loves WiiSports. SuperSwing STINKS!!! The wiimote badly needs some form of calibration beyond that simple setting that is built in. I perfect swing will hook when playing superswing. My daughters kick my but when playing SuperSwing. Why? Because they radomly swing, and dont try. It just does not work right. To do a sports game that requires precision you have to have calibration per user. How far you are from the sensor matters, how tall you are, etc.
Yardman @ Feb 28th 2007 8:25AM
@11 now that would be the best of both worlds. Gaming nirvana.
XYZ @ Mar 1st 2007 12:57PM
I think the WII and 360 are two different things. I hope they stay that way, however I'm probably a small segment of the market. I do own both, and find each has complementery features.
friendly_s @ Mar 5th 2007 1:05AM
peter moore's response to wii last may 2006 "The gamers' response was muted at best," he said. "We remember it being applicable to flying games in particular and some driving games but overall there was somewhat of a collective yawn from the gaming community about the motion sensing technology."
Fast forward today, the wii is out of stock and as usual (just like in every field of technology that produces bags of money) microsoft follows. This guy (peter moore) doesn't care about gamers(regardless of wether your casual or hard core), all he wants is your money.