Game

[mjemirzian]

Imo the tablet screwed them over more than anything else, because it's an integral part of the system and they can't axe it for a quick price drop. As far as I know, they are still selling the system at a loss.

[D3RANG3D]

As I've said a few times, the most fundamental mistake they made was to not satisfactorily answer the questions "Who is this for?", "Is that a large enough audience to sustain us?", and "Can we effectively sell to that audience?"

Sometimes a product with good answers to those three doesn't succeed, but a product without good answers almost certainly will fail.  I get the feeling even Nintendo knew they had weak answers here.  Everyone else seems to have seen it.

So when is Iwata going to hand in his resignation?

[TakingBackSunday]

He's been a pretty good president historically, but the wii u is just such a massive shitburger.  Dude should just take a creative position somewhere.

[D3RANG3D]

The end of the next fiscal year, if we trust his words.

So he has another year to dig them further into the hole

[D3RANG3D]

Yeah, but he's at least working with a stacked deck on the 3DS side of things.

Isn't the 3DS doing good in Japan, but barely holding on in the west?

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I pop into the media create threads and see it selling 50-70k weekly, but don't know how well it sells in the west.

[close]

[D3RANG3D]

More referring to the next fiscal year including new mainline Pokemon releases, a new Mario and Luigi (last one sold like 5 million+ WW), DKCR 3DS, plus Monster Hunter 4, Shin Megami Tensei 4, Ace Attorney 5, and others holding up things on the third party end.  Even if the markets outside Japan behave as they have, it's still going to be a much stronger year financially for Nintendo than the last.

Not good enough, I think, but he hedged his bets well.

Yeah that's a legit line up, can't argue with that.

[Diunx]

I don't believe there is any saving for the Wiiu it may get some gamecube level numbers if Nintendo is lucky, they just released the console too early, the OS wasn't ready, the online infrastructure wasn't ready, the console is hilariously underpowered, and by the time the first wave of heavy hitters come out next gen will be here with their shinny graphics.

[mjemirzian]

Maybe they should have also asked themselves "do we have an escape route in case our pricey gimmick flops?"

3DS seems to have succeeded despite the 3D feature, not because of it.

[Huff]

Have good tablets taken off in Japan?

[mjemirzian]

Maybe it's not too late for them to cut the tablet and sell a "WiiU lite" with a price cut. Along with Wii Sports 3 or something? Just forget Nintendoland existed.. lol

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

I could see Nintendo going all out this E3 with lots of games to try to tap into the blue ocean again and a solid library of core games.

Then if it doesn't take, they'll just dump it Gamecube-style and just pin their hopes on the 3DS and its successor.

[Phoenix Dark]

I look forward to WiiU Fit bombing. That market moved on years ago but Nintendo doesn't realize it.

[maxy]

Not that we need more confirmation but some German mag journo recently played WiiU Deus Ex at some event in US.Not much info,just that some things are different.

podcast
http://www.gamersglobal.de/news/66355/der-montagmorgen-podcast-21-benjamin-joerg

[MCD]

Did they remove the awful boss battles?

On second thought, Wii U owners should suffer more so leave them in.

[pilonv1]

I heard a rumour that there might be a Wii U game released this week, surely that's not true?

[maxy]

Did they remove the awful boss battles?

On second thought, Wii U owners should suffer more so leave them in.

Dunno,this "info" is just few seconds long.People moaned about them so I guess some tweaks are possible.

I heard a rumour that there might be a Wii U game released this week, surely that's not true?

Clicks on gamefaq

North America
03/19   Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Need for Speed: Most Wanted U
The Croods: Prehistoric Party!
The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct

Japan
03/20 Need for Speed: Most Wanted U

Europe
03/22   Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Need for Speed: Most Wanted - A Criterion ...
The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct

[Cerveza mas fina]

I wonder how wii u saviour mon hun will sell.

[Damian79]

Who says that Mon Hun is Wii U's saviour?  It has never sold that well on consoles.

[DCharlieJP]

seeing a lot of "this is my first Monster Hunter game!" which, once i stop being a salty asscrack and realise people are digging it, makes me a little jealous as i'm more than a touched burnt out on the MH3/3rd rung.

A lot of the issues will go unnoticed but hey - sod it - monster hunter sales leads to more monster hunter and the outside chance we'll one day get a MH that looks like Deep Down.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Well 3DS seems more logical given its roots, but there is also no online play so you really limit yourself to only playing with friends.

[maxy]

http://www.amazon.com/DeusEx-Revolution-Directors-nintendo-wii-u/dp/B00BORFD9Q/ref=sr_1_70?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1363685381&sr=1-70

$50 May 7, 2013

Ultimate Deus Ex: Human Revolution experience : take advantage of a multitude of improvements, features and additional content that bring this already critically-acclaimed adventure towhole new levels

Tap into the Wii U?s GamePad true potential: Adam Jensen?s newest augmentation, the Neural Hub, offers an immersive and empowering experience, right at the tips of your fingers

Absolute fusion of action and role-play: A unique combination of action-packed close-quarter takedowns and intense shooting, offering a vast array of augmentations and upgrades for the many weapons at your disposal

Multi-solution structure: Choose how to accomplish each mission using combat, hacking, stealth or social mode to create a customized experience to suit any gaming style

Diverse customization: Engage in combat and challenges utilizing deep, specialized character augmentations and weapon upgrades

[MCD]

He clearly never asked for this.

[maxy]

I'm intrigued by aditional content and improvements,hopefully we get them later as DLC...would buy

[MCD]

I just wanted a sequel.

[maxy]

You will get one,patience.

[Fifstar]

What about NfS? Decline of racing genre in general and the obliviousness of Nintendo's audience to racing games that are not cartoon racers might make that another huge bomb.

[Eel O'Brian]

$50?

 

[Eel O'Brian]

That's the big problem, and one I didn't take into account back when I thought Wii U would get a healthy amount of ports before the new systems come out. I didn't consider that any ports they did get would come out at $50-60 instead of the $20 the games are selling for on other systems/PC.

[Cerveza mas fina]

These ports are for the Nintendo hardcore that don't buy games on other systmes/don't own them.

Unfortunately these are the same people that don't buy games that aren't from Nintendo.

[Phoenix Dark]

Maybe they should add playable Nintendo characters to all ports. This one would sell and break tropes if Samus was a playable character.

Maybe Link can star in the November 2013 $50 Skyrim port

[Cerveza mas fina]

I think you are right, Retro should just reskin the whole game as Metroid and be done with it.

This could work for any game really and work out well for Nintendo.

[MCD]

I just wanted a sequel.

I'm sure you don't want a sequel from the rescue squad doing the WiiU port, though.  Wait til Thiefy's done, then you'll get your proper sequel.

In other news, this may be a frontrunner for potentially lowest selling Wii U port ever.

Same team? Will buy Thief for damn sure then.

Eidos has seriously become my favorite developer this Gen.

[hampster]

$50

I still need to play it. I bought it on amazon for with the DLC along with like 4 other SE games in a $10 bundle

[Joe Molotov]

We should do a Deus Ex U dead pool. Put me down for 153 copies!

[maxy]

From PR:
Need for Speed Most Wanted U is available now in North America for $59.99 and will be in stores March 21 in Europe for €69.99.

 

[cool breeze]

That's the big problem, and one I didn't take into account back when I thought Wii U would get a healthy amount of ports before the new systems come out. I didn't consider that any ports they did get would come out at $50-60 instead of the $20 the games are selling for on other systems/PC.

Yes.  I expected $30-$40 range for late ports.  Not that I'm against taking advantage of nintendo only people, but there are limits.  That said, Monster Hunter is a port/HD version of a Wii game from 2009 and will sell for $60.  Wouldn't be surprised if Wind Waker port/remake/HD version will retail for $60.  Nintendo and Wii U exclusives will likely take advantage as much as others.

Very curious to see what's different about this deus ex port.  Ideally the additional content, if any, will be DLC.  Otherwise I like the game so much that I'd be willing to pick up the Wii U version when it drops to $10.  Also just a strange game to port over.  Tomb Raider is a more recent title that seems to be selling better.  You might assume it's prepping the Wii U audience for the next Deus Ex, but considering Eidos is the first publisher to go all in with a next gen only game, it would be strange for the next unannounced Deus Ex to be a PS3/360/Wii U game.

[Cerveza mas fina]

69 euro for need for speed daaaayuuuummm EA going for that despo ninty fan dollar

[Sho Nuff]

srsly is this the fastest a console from the Big Three has ever cratered

[Polari]

srsly is this the fastest a console from the Big Three has ever cratered

Um... Virtual Boy? I can't think of anything else on this scale. I'm kind of bummed though because at least if Nintendo had released a good game for it I would have a reason to pick one up when they're on eBay for $100 early next year.

[Great Rumbler]

srsly is this the fastest a console from the Big Three has ever cratered

Only Sega has come this close, but:

Even the Dreamcast managed to hang on for about a year.
Even the Saturn was popular in Japan.
Even the Master System was popular in Europe/Brazil.

[MCD]

They will release good games eventually (X, Insert Mario Title here, Zelda...etc) but by then you can find it for dirt cheap so there is no need to even hit eBay.

[Polari]

I seem to recall Dreamcast actually starting off pretty well and Master System at least won New Zealand.

[mjemirzian]

Is it feasible for them to sell a tablet-less Wii U Lite at a price drop, or are there too many Wii U games that can't function without the tablet? Knowing Nintendo you probably can't even run the OS without the tablet.

At this rate I wouldn't be surprised to see Monster Hunter back on Sony consoles.

[AdmiralViscen]

Maybe they can come out with a Wii U Lite that uses VMUs instead of the tablet.

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

Got both 3DS and Wii U versions of Monster Hunter 3.  Going to play it this weekend.

[maxy]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-03-20-deus-ex-human-revolution-directors-cut-for-wii-u-confirmed-and-yes-theyve-fixed-the-boss-battles

-Each of the game's three boss fights have had their map layouts reworked to provide players with alternative potential strategies. New hacking challenges are available to players who focus on hacking, and stealth options are available to those who focus on stealth. You can now kill the bosses without firing a single bullet

-On Wii U the energy system has been made more forgiving by allowing for two energy cells to recharge by default on all but the hardest difficulty. This should mean players use Jensen's augmentation powers more freely.--So now, on Wii U, you can use the GamePad to see enemy health, armour type (heavy, medium or light) and loot. The idea is this will let players plan their moves better; by checking loot you'll be able to identify a target who is carrying a pocket secretary, which may contain the code for a locked door you're after, or decide not to go into a room because it's packed with heavies with loads of hit points.

-You can also use the GamePad to navigate the menus, to display the map, the augmentation system, the inventory and all the rest. "All the systems are now linked to the Neural Hub," Dugas continues. "All your maps, your inventory, your augmentation menu, your mission log, are now systems in Adam Jensen.

-There are swipe controls, too. One new feature, called grenade throwback, allows Jensen to equip a proximity detector that alerts him to a nearby grenade. So, if an enemy chucks a grenade at you, the GamePad will vibrate, and you can swipe the touch-screen to pick it up and lob it back.

-You can also use the touch-screen for the hacking mini-game, using your fingers to progress, and to punch in codes. Meanwhile, for weapons that have a scope, such as the sniper rifle, you can use your telly to centre on your target, then enter a precision mode using the touch-screen, which displays the cross-hair.

-Included in this "ultimate package" is all of the DLC, but it has been retrofitted to slot seamlessly into the main game. The Missing Link DLC is now included in the main story rather than separated out, and the pre-order bonus mission to rescue Tong's son is popped in, too.

-There's Half-Life 2-style director's commentary, what amounts to some eight hours of chat from Eidos Montreal developers. Icons dotted around the world can activate this voice over, and you're free to continue playing as you listen.

You now kill 3 bosses without firing a bullet.

On Wii U the energy system has been made more forgiving by allowing for two energy cells to recharge by default on all but the hardest difficulty. This should mean players use Jensen's augmentation powers more freely.

want want want

Eidos Montreal was keen to improve the graphics for the Wii U version, too. The visuals seen in The Missing Link DLC had more of an impact, Dugas says, than those in the main game, because the developers were more comfortable with their tools when they came to create them. And so, The Missing Link benefited from work done to the game's shaders, which had the knock on effect of making environmental reflections on textures were better. And the lighting system was revamped to be based on an interpretation of a formula used by real world architects during the building planning stage to simulate how light will bounce around an environment. All the visual effects seen in The Missing Link were applied to the main game for the Director's Cut.

"It's much sharper," Dugas says. "There are more nuances between the light and dark places."

You might also notice a new fog system that, according to Pedneault, "makes the atmosphere really stand out". Shadows that were choppy have been smoothed, Dugas says. "It makes a big difference."

Pedneault insists these improvements wouldn't be possible on Xbox 360 simply because there's not enough disc space available. Neither, Dugas says, would the anti-aliasing, which wasn't present in the other console versions but is in the Wii U version.

"It's more powerful on the Wii U," Dugas says. "Even some of the graphics that were improved already on the 360 for The Missing Link, we were able to go a little bit farther with the Wii U, just because of the hardware. In terms of the shadows, which are smoothed out, it's much different than the Xbox version."

WiiU

[hampster]

It's not even funny at this point. This is as dead as a console gets.

Its not even the fun kind of dead like the Vita where its full of indie game ports and lots of

Its just sad :'(

I still like my Wii U though, I use it everyday. Just not for games. I use it for Netflix/Amazon/Youtube/Web Browsing now. When is the spring update? Can't wait for this thing to get improved although I don't have much faith that it will be a big improvement

[cool breeze]

Deus Ex port seems legit.  Changing up boss fights, incorporating DLC expansion into the story*, Riddick/Valve-style commentary, adding in Missing Link visual enhancements to the main game, etc. all sound nice.  Again, would rather have it at DLC for PC version, but I can see myself buying this when it's cheap and slumming it.

Tablet use is novel, too.  You stay 'in-game' and hack on the tablet (http://i.minus.com/i7JhG5QQyUOiw.jpg).  Plus the typical map and other ui elements on there.  Swipe to throw back grenades is dumb.

*this will be interesting to see since (Missing Link DLC spoiler)

spoiler (click to show/hide)

the entire conceit is that Jensen is stripped of his powers; there's even an achievement for finishing it without augments.

[close]

[Great Rumbler]

Now release these updates for the PC version, Eidos!

[tiesto]

And I just picked up the Augmented Edition for 360 (that I naturally haven't played yet)... should I just wait for this one and be one of the 13 people who actually buy it?

[MCD]

https://twitter.com/PG_kamiya/status/313955636318724096

[Sho Nuff]

I don't think people understand how the industry works, especially now:

- It is hard to get funding
- It is hard to keep your people employed and fed
- If someone comes to you and says "Can you make X? We will give you money," you don't say "YOUR PLATFORM SUCKS NO WAY," you say "Yes, this will let my people continue to eat"
- Then everyone hates you and you have to deal with it

[MCD]

I am glad Windows Phone was able to at least let your people eat.

[mjemirzian]

Don't worry, when Nintendo goes 3rd party they'll port Bayo 2 to PS4!

[Sho Nuff]

Don't worry, when Nintendo goes 3rd party they'll port Bayo 2 to PS4!

I am sure when the exclusivity period of six months ends you'll be playing that shit on your 360 and PS3

[magus]

frankly the bayonetta 2 announcement annoyed me for a number of reasons

1) the whole argument it generated behind it is incredibly fucking stupid,at least i can understand the reason people being pissed off at the exclusivity (who now have to cough like 300$ bucks to play the game when they could have waited for it to go in the bargain bin and pay 30$) but the other side ("BUBUBUBUBU THERE WOULDN'T BE BAYONETTA 2 OTHERWISE") has no reason to exist other than console warrioring why? because...

2) there is no reason to have a sequel to bayonetta,there is no plot hook,all character are stereotypical action pap and there is no unique gimmick to the game (unless you want to count witch time i guess?) that you could rework into something else,with all the talent they have,they could have made anything! they could have made a game about the black baron,give him a bunch of pimp powers,called it "whore and grease" and it'd be the same without all the extra drama added to it

3) bayonetta 2 will now become the new resident evil 4,the holy grail of console warrioring everybody will held high everytime anybody says the wii u is a piece of poop "HABEMUS BAYONETTAM!"

[MyNameIsMethodis]

the plotwist is platinum hasn't made a good game since bayonetta 1, they are on a downward spiral, theres a extremely good chance of Bayo2 being the next Project N 03

[archie4208]

I am glad Windows Phone was able to at least let your people eat.

The Steam release will let them eat steak dinners. 

[maxy]

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/nintendo-moves-to-calm-wii-u-fears-as-unofficial-price-cuts-fail/0112855

Nintendo UK has pledged to meet with retailers worried about the performance of its Wii U games console.

Growing dissatisfaction towards the new hardware has seen retailers Amazon, Asda, ShopTo and GameStop slash £50 off its price. But even that has failed to stimulate sales.

“We have taken the decision to reduce the price of the Basic Wii U to test the market and assess the impact of a price change for a short period of time,” ShopTo purchasing director James Rowson told MCV. “This has resulted in a smaller than desired increase in sales at this stage.”

Meanwhile, some chains have told MCV that it will be ‘looking at’ the amount of shelf space it gives to Nintendo platforms.

“Currently Nintendo has not lost space, but their mix of sales is down,” says a top buyer at one of the UK’s biggest games retailers. “We are looking to reduce slightly but must admit their silence on strategy is deafening at the moment. They’ve got to do something otherwise it is GameCube all over again.”

Nintendo has told MCV that it has a plan to stimulate Wii U’s performance in the UK. And that it will meet all its retail partners in the coming weeks to reveal its strategy.

“We’ll be speaking to our retailers directly over the next few weeks to take them through our plans for building Wii U momentum over the course of 2013,” said a Nintendo spokesperson. “We have a strong and broad line-up of software launching this year and we look forward to updating – and exciting – our partners over the coming weeks.”

Wii U has suffered from a poor release schedule since debut. This week marks the first new software from Nintendo for the platform since January. Releases include LEGO City and Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate.

[hampster]

I figured we were past "GameCube all over again" as the worst case scenario and into Virtual Boy's domain by now

We’ll be speaking to our retailers directly over the next few weeks to take them through our plans for building Wii U momentum over the course of 2013

Ambassador Program