I don't think things are quite as dire as some predict. The console has a very strong lineup compared to most other console launches, with a mix of casual titles and several top shelf 3rd party titles. No, its not up to snuff compared to a library of a late life system, but what launch is? Nintendo has a set of diehards that will buy the console no matter what (raises hand), and they'll pick up games like ZombiU, AC III, Project P-100, and as much as they'll complain about it, NSMBU and NintendoLand, which will most likely be a pack in anyway. Those who don't want to pick it up at launch will wait for a game to come out that they really want, which is once again pretty standard for the launch of a new console, especially at the start of a new cycle. I also don't think other big first party titles are quite as far away as some of you believe. NintendoLand is a fairly simple setup, using game ideas that Nintendo's had around for quite a while, so it probably doesn't take a ton of development resources to put together. Same for NSMBU, they have the engine from the previous games so its mostly background work and level design. It's a simple to pump out title, and while that may get on some people's nerves, it makes business sense to have a high profile game that is easy to develop and can be launched early in the cycle, drawing early adopters and staying on shelves for a very long time. I'd be very surprised if the next 3D Mario didn't show up holiday of 2013 for the system, along with several other titles from big name teams for Nintendo.
As for the actual strategy Nintendo is using for Wii U, I'd say its hard to say whether its good or bad since its difficult to see what the strategy actually is. I think that was the main problem with the E3 press conference, Nintendo didn't really make it clear what their goals with the system are. There still so much we don't know, it's really hard to say. We don't know about online, other than it will have a social network like component that honestly does seem like it can draw in a broad audience if marketed correctly. We don't know about the gamepad, is it supposed to be this brand new way to play like the Wiimote, is it suppose to supplement normal controller play, what's the big deal about asymmetrical play? I think the answer is supposed to be all of the above, as the DS line has shown to great effect, but Nintendo hasn't done a good job telling that story yet. We've just seen games that are played with Wiimotes or games that play just as well with a 360 controller. We don't really know about the power, none of what we saw had the impact of the Zelda demo or the fish pond demo from last year. Most of it was stuff developed for the other systems, or was using very stylized graphics that make it difficult to really judge. Neither of those really shows what the system can do, not including the fact that launch games for a new console never look all that good. People forget the 360 launch, where many games looked like their PS2 counterparts just upscaled, or even some that looked worse than the previous generation of hardware. It is difficult to know where WiiU will end up. We do know that it has much more modern designed components, so even if the power is comparable to some current gen. tech, it will still be easier to use new engines with it since it still has more functionality and flexibility. You also have to take into account diminishing returns on investment in graphics, the still pretty dire state of the international economy, and the successes of things like Wii and mobile gaming make the prospect of really powerful consoles from the other two companies far less good. I think they will be stronger graphically than WiiU, but I sincerely doubt it will be as significant as the difference between Wii and the PS360. No one is going to jump headlong into taking a loss for selling a $500 console in 2014. Engine makers are also looking to get there stuff on everything they can (as is intelligent, unlike their stubbornness this gen.) so I imagine we'll see the next generation of tools hit everything from consoles to smartphones.
I think the WiiU's success will be determined by two things. Marketing, and what you consider success. Wii's biggest asset wasn't the motion control, wasn't the games, it was how those things were portrayed to everyone. I don't know what's happened to Nintendo lately, but back at the launch of Wii their marketing department was pretty much perfect. They got gamers interested in the potential of motion controls, actually wielding your sword for example. While that vision didn't really pan out (lack of developer interested in from Nintendo, the realization that gamers aren't good at actually swordfighting, etc., hence why they play simulations, etc.) it still grabbed in a ton of people early on. Even more genius was getting the word out to people that didn't care about games, turning the whole thing into this massive phenomena that everyone had to get into. Right now, they have done neither with Wii U. This also falls into the idea that people don't know whether its a new console or not. Product names are basically irreverent, its good marketing that makes something memorable. The hardcore that refuse to play based on the name would have some other excuse even if was named something else. "It's colored purple!" "It doesn't have pretty movies!" "Sega does with Nintendon't!" Those who were disappointed by the Wii will be drawn back by games, and nothing else really matters. If the marketing team kicks into high gear, people will know exactly what the thing is and why they wanted it, so Nintendo has a couple of months to get that right.
The other point is that the Wii U will not (99% sure of this) sell as much as the Wii. Its a completely different climate and a completely different beast, it would be incredibly hard for it to beat Wii's lifetime number, and it will not have the freaky aligning of the planets that caused the Wii to be sold out for two years. I think it will see good success, probably at Super Nintendo levels with strong competition from Sony, M$, and general entertainment moving so fast. If people are measuring the system against Wii its not going to live up, pure and simple, nothing will.
To sum things up, I'm still excited for Wii U, and plan to pick it up around launch with several titles in tow. I think Nintendo had a pretty middling E3 when we were all expecting a massive blowout like Wii in 2006 or 3DS in 2010. Combine that with mixed messages and general lack of clarity from Nintendo, and I totally understand why people would be hesitant towards the system. I do however believe they will recover nicely and have a successful system that brings enjoyment to a lot of people.
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