Comments on: The Wii price cut http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/ A veteran's view on marketing games Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:07:25 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Kwak http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-3787 Kwak Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:25:48 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-3787 The idea that GTA 4 is a system seller is absurd. Will it sell systems to the common dullard and beer-guzzling frat boys? Sure. Why do you see so many copies of the previous incarnations of GTA in the "used" section at GameStop? Because it's a repetitive, boring game. The merits of each console can be argued until the cows come home. Tactile controls and an immersive environment that promises innovation for years to come is appealing to me, but that's just me. One thing that can't be argued, however, is market force. Even nearing December demand is still high (Even before Black Friday I have yet to find a Target with more than two Wiis remaining on its shelves on any given day). It would be absolutely stupid for Nintendo to drop its price on the Wii. It would be like throwing away free money. Call me a capitalist. The idea that GTA 4 is a system seller is absurd. Will it sell systems to the common dullard and beer-guzzling frat boys? Sure.

Why do you see so many copies of the previous incarnations of GTA in the “used” section at GameStop? Because it’s a repetitive, boring game.

The merits of each console can be argued until the cows come home. Tactile controls and an immersive environment that promises innovation for years to come is appealing to me, but that’s just me.

One thing that can’t be argued, however, is market force. Even nearing December demand is still high (Even before Black Friday I have yet to find a Target with more than two Wiis remaining on its shelves on any given day).

It would be absolutely stupid for Nintendo to drop its price on the Wii. It would be like throwing away free money. Call me a capitalist.

]]> By: Dudley http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-2090 Dudley Thu, 01 May 2008 15:47:10 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-2090 Incidentally, to put the final nail in Hankey's coffin, I was reminded that the Gameboy Color also got a conversion of GTAs 1 and 2 and there's the small matter of the Wii getting Manhunt 2... Incidentally, to put the final nail in Hankey’s coffin, I was reminded that the Gameboy Color also got a conversion of GTAs 1 and 2 and there’s the small matter of the Wii getting Manhunt 2…

]]> By: Purpose http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-2086 Purpose Thu, 01 May 2008 13:42:36 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-2086 Speaking from point of sales i mean yes the system sells well but I don't really feel its because of the fact that it has great titles but because everyone feels that its rare and wants it for ebay. While others that do obtain including myself get bored with it after a while. I mean if you aren't playing with friends constantly you eventually reach a point were you are unable to basically touch the thing single player games are next to non and the net play for muliplayer is crap Speaking from point of sales i mean yes the system sells well but I don’t really feel its because of the fact that it has great titles but because everyone feels that its rare and wants it for ebay. While others that do obtain including myself get bored with it after a while. I mean if you aren’t playing with friends constantly you eventually reach a point were you are unable to basically touch the thing single player games are next to non and the net play for muliplayer is crap

]]> By: Dudley http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-2081 Dudley Thu, 01 May 2008 11:19:04 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-2081 And of course the fact that Grand Theft Auto itself HAS been released on a Nintendo platform. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_Advance And of course the fact that Grand Theft Auto itself HAS been released on a Nintendo platform.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_Advance

]]> By: KQ http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-2078 KQ Thu, 01 May 2008 09:20:39 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-2078 @ Mr Hankey "There isn’t anything like GTA on a pretendo platform at all." Apart from GTA-alikes 'Scarface' and 'The Godfather' of course. @ Mr Hankey

“There isn’t anything like GTA on a pretendo platform at all.”

Apart from GTA-alikes ‘Scarface’ and ‘The Godfather’ of course.

]]> By: Q http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-2077 Q Thu, 01 May 2008 09:06:08 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-2077 @ RoC Are you serious? Why do u think they have brain age, and Wii Fit? They want older people to exercise on the wii.. @ RoC

Are you serious? Why do u think they have brain age, and Wii Fit? They want older people to exercise on the wii..

]]> By: Mr. Hankey http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-2073 Mr. Hankey Thu, 01 May 2008 05:37:54 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-2073 Since the Lamecube I have not and will not give them another dollar. They totally raised a generation of gamers and abandoned them. If a wii cost $5 I would not buy one. The majority of gamers are in the 25-35 age range, there are no games geared towards adults. When I first heard about wii controls, I was like now shooter are gonna rule. But all all there is shovelware and crappy games. New IPs please! Mario and Zelda don't cut it anymore. There isn't anything like GTA on a pretendo platform at all. Since the Lamecube I have not and will not give them another dollar. They totally raised a generation of gamers and abandoned them. If a wii cost $5 I would not buy one. The majority of gamers are in the 25-35 age range, there are no games geared towards adults. When I first heard about wii controls, I was like now shooter are
gonna rule. But all all there is shovelware and crappy games. New IPs please! Mario and Zelda don’t cut it anymore. There isn’t anything like GTA on a pretendo platform at all.

]]> By: used cisco http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-2071 used cisco Thu, 01 May 2008 03:44:48 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-2071 They may lower it eventually, but I doubt it will happen before christmas. I think that by the time off season demand is met, that demand will start to pick up again for the holidays. I doubt we'll see more than a month or two of solid availability before the Holidays hit. They may lower it eventually, but I doubt it will happen before christmas. I think that by the time off season demand is met, that demand will start to pick up again for the holidays. I doubt we’ll see more than a month or two of solid availability before the Holidays hit.

]]> By: Dynastic Heretic http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-2068 Dynastic Heretic Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:34 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-2068 I've read this article and still can't make sense of it. Reasons a Wii price cut is coming: 1. It has been at the same price for a long time now Are you kidding me? It could be the same price for 20 years as long as it's still selling out. Time at retail has nothing to do with supply and demand. 2. Their release schedule is looking very weak. This is subjective and IMHO, false. At least with regard to Nintendo's audience, which you clearly are not. Some people still don't get the Wii. Thats why it's sales are a mystery to them. 3. GTA IV. This makes no sense. GTAIV is completely irrelevant in the circles NIntendo is making waves in. Most Wii owners have never heard of it as anything other than a "how to shoot hookers" game. 4. To make the most money out of the Wii back catalogue of games Nintendo need as many platforms out there as possible. This has been true since the beginning, what changed about this that would force a price cut. This reason makes no sense what so ever. 5. The Microsoft Xbox 360 price cuts now make the Wii look very expensive. No. They don't. They make MS look desparate, because even after cutting the price, their sales are barely outpacing last year. "You get a whole lot more for your money with the 360." What good is a harddrive and online gaming if there are no games you want to play? Value is in the eyes of the consumer and I"m guessing the value proposition that is driving people to the Wii is significantly different than the one driving people to the 360. I'm constantly amazed that the Wii could be out this long, and be this successful yet people can still misunderstand it so fully. So, kudos for that. I’ve read this article and still can’t make sense of it. Reasons a Wii price cut is coming:

1. It has been at the same price for a long time now

Are you kidding me? It could be the same price for 20 years as long as it’s still selling out. Time at retail has nothing to do with supply and demand.

2. Their release schedule is looking very weak.

This is subjective and IMHO, false. At least with regard to Nintendo’s audience, which you clearly are not. Some people still don’t get the Wii. Thats why it’s sales are a mystery to them.

3. GTA IV.

This makes no sense. GTAIV is completely irrelevant in the circles NIntendo is making waves in. Most Wii owners have never heard of it as anything other than a “how to shoot hookers” game.

4. To make the most money out of the Wii back catalogue of games Nintendo need as many platforms out there as possible.

This has been true since the beginning, what changed about this that would force a price cut. This reason makes no sense what so ever.

5. The Microsoft Xbox 360 price cuts now make the Wii look very expensive.

No. They don’t. They make MS look desparate, because even after cutting the price, their sales are barely outpacing last year.

“You get a whole lot more for your money with the 360.”

What good is a harddrive and online gaming if there are no games you want to play? Value is in the eyes of the consumer and I”m guessing the value proposition that is driving people to the Wii is significantly different than the one driving people to the 360.

I’m constantly amazed that the Wii could be out this long, and be this successful yet people can still misunderstand it so fully. So, kudos for that.

]]> By: RoC http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/04/30/the-wii-price-cut/comment-page-1/#comment-2067 RoC Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:25:55 +0000 http://www.bruceongames.com/?p=489#comment-2067 @Olivier Taschereau Are you serious!!! "The Wii is good for people 4 to 94 Years old!!!" That statement made my day!!! Have you ever looked at Nintendo's game lineup??? Can you say Mario, Zelda, Pokemon. Those games CATER to kids hence the system caters to kids. Don't let a gimicky controller scheme and a FITNESS title sway your gullable mind into thinking otherwise. 360's and PS3's cater to the older crowd the Wii and it's cute little Mii's cater to children. @Olivier Taschereau

Are you serious!!! “The Wii is good for people 4 to 94 Years old!!!” That statement made my day!!! Have you ever looked at Nintendo’s game lineup??? Can you say Mario, Zelda, Pokemon. Those games CATER to kids hence the system caters to kids. Don’t let a gimicky controller scheme and a FITNESS title sway your gullable mind into thinking otherwise. 360’s and PS3’s cater to the older crowd the Wii and it’s cute little Mii’s cater to children.

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