Sega of America's Constantine Hantzopoulos sat down with 1UP to discuss matters of computer game importance on its recent podcast, and spilled his thoughts on a potential 'Wii HD'.
When asked if Sega would be interested in a next-gen, high-definition Wii console and whether it would be the right move for Nintendo, Hantzopoulos suggested that the current model would likely see a price cut instead, to combat a slump in profits.
“You can obviously see that profits are down for Nintendo. I think the Wii is on its tail slide, unless they drop the price to like 80 bucks then you’ll start seeing it flying off the shelves. And I believe they’ll still make money if they drop it to 80 bucks… Point being is they have the ability to lower the price on the Wii [...] where Sony and Microsoft cannot do that.” Hantzopoulos said.
No response was made of the 'Wii HD' comment however, with Hantzopoulos indicating that he isn't sure what Nintendo has in store for 2010. “The interesting thing [about] Nintendo [is] they make money off of every console they sell. I think one of the big things that we found out is [that] it really is a mass market product.”
Could be that a tweak of the existing strategy may be all that's required to keep the Wii fresh in people's minds (and hands). Either way, we wonder if Nintendo will be slapping Sega with its pimp hand for speaking out of line next time it sees it.
When asked if Sega would be interested in a next-gen, high-definition Wii console and whether it would be the right move for Nintendo, Hantzopoulos suggested that the current model would likely see a price cut instead, to combat a slump in profits.
“You can obviously see that profits are down for Nintendo. I think the Wii is on its tail slide, unless they drop the price to like 80 bucks then you’ll start seeing it flying off the shelves. And I believe they’ll still make money if they drop it to 80 bucks… Point being is they have the ability to lower the price on the Wii [...] where Sony and Microsoft cannot do that.” Hantzopoulos said.
No response was made of the 'Wii HD' comment however, with Hantzopoulos indicating that he isn't sure what Nintendo has in store for 2010. “The interesting thing [about] Nintendo [is] they make money off of every console they sell. I think one of the big things that we found out is [that] it really is a mass market product.”
Could be that a tweak of the existing strategy may be all that's required to keep the Wii fresh in people's minds (and hands). Either way, we wonder if Nintendo will be slapping Sega with its pimp hand for speaking out of line next time it sees it.
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Comments
Ergo 4 Jan 2010 12:20
1/4
I think the Wii is on its tail slide...
Jesus, if that's the case, what are the 360 and PS3 on??
Jesus, if that's the case, what are the 360 and PS3 on??
DoctorDee 5 Jan 2010 07:20
2/4
@Ergo
If Wii sales are declining, then it is on it's tail slide, EVEN IF the Wii is still outselling PS3 and 360...
It's about where it is on the sales curve, not how many it's selling.
If Wii sales are declining, then it is on it's tail slide, EVEN IF the Wii is still outselling PS3 and 360...
It's about where it is on the sales curve, not how many it's selling.
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Joji 5 Jan 2010 16:29
3/4
I heard that podcast, and I feel the Sega dude is right. Seems clear Nintendo have no Wii HD in the pipe, and if they did, few hardcore gamers would care, next 360 and PS3. Nintendo aren't going to want to go into another home console, with such low third party support (you'd have thouht that they would have learned their lesson after N64 and GC having this same trouble, but no).
Everyone bail on Nintendo, only then will they learn, to make a better system next time.
Everyone bail on Nintendo, only then will they learn, to make a better system next time.
OptimusP 5 Jan 2010 20:15
4/4
Joji wrote:
I heard that podcast, and I feel the Sega dude is right. Seems clear Nintendo have no Wii HD in the pipe, and if they did, few hardcore gamers would care, next 360 and PS3. Nintendo aren't going to want to go into another home console, with such low third party support (you'd have thouht that they would have learned their lesson after N64 and GC having this same trouble, but no).
Everyone bail on Nintendo, only then will they learn, to make a better system next time.
Everyone bail on Nintendo, only then will they learn, to make a better system next time.
But...for counter-argument, third parties did not make the DS and Wii succesfull, Nintendo's highly experimental and extremely highly successful games did. Nintendo actually has proven that they don't need third parties to make a successful platform and it is that fact (third parties know this, rest assured) that pisses the third parties off, that also pisses the traditional gaming press off and the pretend hardcore gamers. Nintendo doesn't need the lot of you to make billions. You all have become utter useless in the eyes of 60-65% of the gaming market and your remaining share is shrinking by the Balance Boards (Which, as a platform, can compete with the PS3 in numbers, again without third parties).
I suggest reading up on your Nietzsche [sic] Embrace the nothingness of your existence and rise above it!