Gamers are taking to Comcast internet to discuss, speculate and get updates on the upcoming Xbox One and Playstation 4. The fact that people are excited to see what the new versions of the Xbox and Playstation will look like this fall is proof that if Nintendo wants to stay in contention with Sony and Microsoft, it must deliver a system that is both powerful and marketable to the majority of the gaming population.
Blowing a Head Start
Nintendo had about a year’s head start on the other two companies to get its next-generation system onto the market.
This should have resulted in robust sales and plenty of games available for the Wii U. However, while there were some strong initial sales numbers, sales basically fell off a cliff after Christmas 2012 and haven’t rebounded. When compared to the sales figures for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, you can tell something is seriously off, in both the number of sales, and how long they were still being bought off the shelves after their release.
While you cannot yet compare how the Wii U will do sales-wise with the Playstation 4 and Xbox One, early indications are that both will outsell the Wii U in total numbers relatively quickly, while the Wii U loses even more market-share. This does not even take into account the fact that the Wii U’s processing power is far below what both the Playstation 4 and Xbox One can achieve.
To get back on track with video game console sales, Nintendo is going to have to work on getting titles onto either the Wii U or its next generation console that are similar to what the other systems have. Any exclusive games need to be well worth the money of buying a Nintendo system, as well as targeted towards adults who can afford the price tag a new video game system carries.
It seems as though for both the Wii and the Wii U, games have been crafted towards a younger audience, and while this is certainly a niche that can provide profits if controlled, Nintendo isn’t really holding onto that niche.
Time for an Overhaul?
Getting back in contention with the other players in the video game system world may mean a drastic overhaul of Nintendo’s marketing department, as well as a complete re-imagining of what their next system should function as. Preferably, the next system should be extremely powerful compared to even the PS4 and Xbox One, as well as have the ability to control various aspects of your entertainment center, all from your controller.
Nintendo will probably need to wait at least two to three years to do this however, since customers will not be quite as likely to buy a new game system after having the “newest” one for only a couple of years.
Presently, they should be doing all the market research that they can to figure out what will sell well in the future, as well as how they can keep prices under control, since with more power and features comes a higher price. The low price of the Wii and Wii U may have gained them a fair number of customers in the past; they should try to continue that trend in the future.
