Stringer: Wii is 'expensive niche' console

by Phil Larsen { Jul 14th 2008 at 2:45PM }

How does one reply to such a comment? Point out that Stringer is obviously incorrect, or just ignore it and hope it goes away? Unfortunately, big Howie S. won't be going anywhere as head honcho of Sony, appearing last week at the Allen & Co Media Conference.

Stringer simply said "I've played a Nintendo Wii," -- betcha he bought one for his grandkids or something -- and he followed that up by stating "I don't see it as a competitor. It's more of an expensive niche game device." Cue inevitable spiel about Blu-ray, and you've got another carbon-copy Sony statement in a nutshell. It's difficult to take anything he says seriously, especially since we've heard it all before.

We could explain that the definition of a niche wouldn't have anything to do with the biggest and most popular console on the planet, or point out that the PS3 is still way more expensive (and will be for yonks), but that would make too much sense.

[Via Gameindustry.biz]

Tags: howard-stringer, niche, ps3, sony, sore-loser

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Stratticus @ Jul 14th 2008 2:51PM

How? I'm a PSWii owner. On Nintendo's side of things, a price-drop wouldn't make any sense. However, being the poor-ass consumer I am, (because I DO buy so much) the Wii is probably the worst hardware-value ratio you can buy save maybe a Macbook. For $120 more than the Wii, you get a WORLD of difference.

fco @ Jul 14th 2008 3:05PM

I agree. Seeing it in relative terms, the PS3 is a pretty cheap blue ray player.

Also, the Wii is not a niche product. In fact every other console out there is focused on a niche (gamers), while the Wii is the first massive market oriented console. For better or worse...

Mr Khan @ Jul 14th 2008 3:20PM

I'm sorry, but shouldn't it be PS3 as an expensive niche console?

I kinda get what he's trying to say, but how he said it applies exactly to his own device

Mr Khan @ Jul 14th 2008 4:25PM

And while we're here, i was thinking of playing "Connect the Dots of Rumor"

Ok. We have MotionPlus for more accurate, 1:1 style play. We have talks about the possibilities of first person Zelda. We have rumors of Retro Studios working on a Zelda spin-off

What do these rumors, put together, suggest?

J rod @ Jul 14th 2008 3:22PM

Words from a struggling game company.

Santos L. Halper @ Jul 14th 2008 3:31PM

What a douchebag. Does he think bashing the Wii is gonna bring PS3 sales up?

Lijik @ Jul 14th 2008 3:43PM

I'm guessing he bought every periphial released for the Wii as well and is using his Wii-mote in a plastic frying pan shell for a game like Mario Galaxy and going "I don't get this."

Brittany @ Jul 14th 2008 4:01PM

You should read the comments on PS3 Fanboy, they completely agree that it's a niche product... but they seem to be confused on it's definition... even when they define it correctly within their posts.. hah

Spencer @ Jul 14th 2008 4:12PM

Hmm, as much as I love my PS3, it's a bit of a nich console isn't it? Only things it really does well are shooters and racers... seems rather nich to me!

Of course, I use it more then i use my "seldom used wii" statistically speaking, because the PS3 is by far the best UPnPAV/DLNA Client available ...though that's not saying much.

In terms of gaming, it's split equally among the three for the most part. I've got a lot of games that I don't have enough time to enjoy on all three consoles.

Brittany @ Jul 14th 2008 5:00PM

I have a PSWII60...
I use my wii most by far, then 360, then ps3.
I have 14 Games for my wii (not including wii sports / I don't own wii play), about 5 for my 360, and 1 for ps3...
Then again, I'm not everybody - did that study not too long ago say most people don't buy that many wii games?

Spencer @ Jul 14th 2008 5:40PM

the "low wii attach rate" is a myth. All three systems are relatively equal, 360's got the highest, but it's also 30% older so that makes logical sense. Wii's is slightly lower then the other two overall, but it regularly trades second/first place with 360 owners/ps3s on a month to month basis.

Shaq-Fu @ Jul 14th 2008 4:17PM

Wait, the PS3 is $400, the Wii is 250. Which is more expensive for a niche (Blu-ray, Family) market?

AWade @ Jul 14th 2008 4:38PM

Each time some idiot at Sony says something like this, I think, "Wow, nothing would shock me" then they go ahead and do it again.

Sony knows all about niche - that's why you can still find MiniDiscs for sale in stores, ROFL. Although some of their products are quality, it's no mystery that Sony overall is a mess of a company on so many levels. That this guy's supposed "ultimate" gaming machine of the PS3 is so weak on sales they need to bash the #1 console, it says a lot.

Seriously, someone needs to give this guy a dictionary - a niche is a small side thing that only appeals to a small segment of people, which is pretty much the textbook definition of the PS3. Sony and the PS3 did nothing to bring more players into games, just catered to the dwindling number of "hardcore" players who are satisfied as long as the pictures get more pretty and could give a crap about gameplay and innvoation.

Roto13 @ Jul 14th 2008 4:39PM

A Sony exec calling the Wii expensive? How blaringly hypocritical can you get?

Kenology @ Jul 14th 2008 4:46PM

He's just mad that his camp lost FFXIII exclusivity!

Lionp696 @ Jul 14th 2008 4:41PM

The final fantasy news is probably karma for this guys statement.
Nintendo and Sony unite.
Japan vs America

Ethan @ Jul 14th 2008 4:56PM

What on earth does that make the ps3?

NutMac @ Jul 14th 2008 5:07PM

Howard is sort of correct in that yes, Wii is a gaming device. If niche means family-oriented, yes, it is even a "niche gaming" device since PS3 and Xbox 360 don't offer as many appealing family-oriented games. Unfortunately for Howard, family-oriented games represent the majority of the overall video gaming market. I guess Howard is happy with PS3 being #1 in "video gaming console with Blu-Ray drive" niche.

Morning Toast @ Jul 14th 2008 5:33PM

I'd have to agree with the first comment, for better or for worse. The game value-to-price ratio is not in the Wii's favor.

The only now-gen console I have is the Wii. I don't have the cash to toss around and made my choice early. Not that I've dumped my Wii or anything, but as time has gone on there's been a few times I've regretted my choice, but almost only when it comes to DLC.

But since the Wii is still nuts popular I'm willing to bet game makers will come around soon enough...at least I hope so.

Nonetheless, I wouldn't call the Wii a nice device any more than I'd call a PS3 or Xbox a nice device. They all do the same thing just in different way. The Wii has filled what little gaming time I have anymore nicely.

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Jul 15th 2008 9:00AM

> The game value-to-price ratio is not in the Wii's favor.

I'd say all console games are overpriced. Esp. in Europe. I have forgotten when last time I was paying >50€ for a PC game - normally you can always find something interesting (not necessarily new) below €25.

60€ for PS3 game - for a game!!! god sake - is just overboard expensive.

Wii in that respect even worse, becase 60€ for a Wii game is totally insane.