Wii wins Popular Science's "best of what's new"
by Blake Snow 
{ Nov 8th 2006 at 10:45AM }
Popular Science awarded the Nintendo Wii as "Best of What's New" in the category of home entertainment edging out a Samsung Blu-ray player, a Logitech MP3 player, some speakers, an LCD display, and a color-calibration device to name a few. From the article: "Remember when videogames were fun? When the controllers had only a couple buttons and you didn't have to spend an hour learning the seven-step finger dance for "walk?" Nintendo does, so it took a step back, looked at its superpowered competitors, and took a totally different path with its new console ... Photo-real or not, [Wii] games will draw you in."
Who needs mass advertising when publicity and word of mouth is this positive? But if Nintendo isn't mass advertising...
[via Digg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JodyAnthony @ Nov 8th 2006 10:50AM
Wii = outstanding.
these next 11 days can't go fast enough.
Joseph @ Nov 10th 2006 6:01PM
Waiting for Wii is like waiting for christmas, times a thousand
Happy @ Nov 8th 2006 10:56AM
From the videos I've seen it looks like Nintendo only replaced buttons with complicated hand gestures. In some video, instead of just pressing some button to open a door I'm pretty sure the person had to pull his arm back, twist the remote to the right, and push his hand back in (metroid maybe?)
I'm sure it works better for more simple games though like driving where you only really need steering acceleration and brake.
Bbnight3 @ Nov 8th 2006 10:59AM
It's true that Nintendo's getting plenty of free advertising. However I would really like to see a couple good, old-fashioned TV commercials for the Wii. Something elegant, so that the mass public can view the differences between Sony's strategy (demonic babies) and Ninteno's strategy (hey, let's make things fun and accessible to everyone).
We know about the Wii because we look for these kind of things. My parents know about the PS3 because of those horrid commercials. They still don't know about the Wii.
Steve @ Nov 8th 2006 11:07AM
Unlike the Gamecube launch, I think it's smart for Nintendo to skip out on mass marketing at launch. The amount of pent up demand for this system is going to make the thing sell through no matter what. A massive advertising campaign would cost a fortune and probably not result in any additional console sales for 2006. I feel the same way about Sony's system. Actually I think in Sony's case the advertising is even worse. Sony also has a fanbase ready to gobble up their systems and they don't have many to sell. Why spend millions to advertise a system that's so limited in number that everything they produce is going to sell anyway? The system is being sold at a loss, so why lose even more money?
With both systems I don't think it's wise to advertise in expensive outlets like TV until demand is lower than the supply stream the companies are capable of producing.
When it comes to both systems the only thing that might not sell are certain games. It's the games that need to promote themselves (I highly doubt Elebits will sell like Zelda no matter how good it may or may not be) Since Nintendo has a great deal of Third Party support, the new console will get lots of free TV promotion from advertisements for the games that can only be played with the system!
> @ Nov 8th 2006 11:04AM
Too much hype for this console and poor managaement of consumer expectations. Basically, the exact opposite of the DS launch when it was written off intially but ended up succeeding.
It will sell well intiallly though, but, its lasting power is still questionable methinks.
darqwan @ Nov 8th 2006 11:07AM
You can check the red steel add here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5utCdITPdU
"Oh enough! Get the guns." Priceless
frickshun @ Nov 8th 2006 11:09AM
Ummmm "Happy", I never knew turning a doorknob & pushing the door in was a complicated gesture. I think you've missed the point entirely. The interface is supposed to mimic real life movement instead of memorizing button functions for different games. I am psyched about the Wii. It will get me back to console gaming (been on a 10 yr hiatus since adulthood set in).
BlindsideDork @ Nov 8th 2006 11:13AM
You want mass marketing?
I found this video online...Red Steel commercial for the US, me likes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5utCdITPdU
Enjoy!
icantdrawanime @ Nov 8th 2006 11:16AM
@Happy
While its true that current games are only replacing buttons with motions, the future has a lot of potential.
Motions, unlike buttons, are analog in nature. Take the DS for example. There are some games that simply replace swiping motions on the touchscreen for actual button pushes ( star fox command is a good example ). but games like Lost Magic, where the accuracy of your drawing actually affects the power of your spell fully take advantage of the touchscreen's analog nature.
Analog inputs over digital buttons, thats probably the most important advance that the nintendo wii can bring. I just hope we see it executed, otherwise you would be absolutely right. and that would be the worst thing in the world for a nintendo fanboy like me...
nick @ Nov 8th 2006 3:49PM
I'm sorry, but that is such weak competition. Don't get me wrong the Wii deserves to win, but as far as other items, that's the best they could come up with?
Shiro @ Nov 8th 2006 2:43PM
@ 7
Also, no gaming newbies are going to be playing Metroid Prime 3. That may be a stretch, but most likely.
Prof-KOS @ Nov 8th 2006 12:56PM
@ Steve (#6)
You know, I couldn't agree with you more about launch advertising. Look at the mess with Xbox 360 advertising after all systems were sold out. To go one step further, I don't understand why systems launch just prior to thanksgiving anyways. They are guaranteed to sell almost all the supple available. In the PS3's case they most certainly will. But the truth is that they are selling them to gamers that would have bought them in August. Had both Nintendo and Sony (and MS last year) launched in late August, sold out of systems and they still would have enough time to produce enough systems to actually capitalize on Christmas spending. Granted they hadn't finalized their systems early enough, but they could have had they had that launch date in mind.
NATO_Duke @ Nov 9th 2006 12:00PM
I played the Wii last night at EB games and thought it was great fun. Yeah, it was a simple driving game, but what was special was when my gf saw the console she quickly wanted to play it - and a small group gathered to watch quickly.
The control was actually quite impressive. I thought it would be hit or miss, but just a little movement caused the vehicle to steer very natural.
Honestly, I think this control scheme is worth the high marks. It is a lot of fun to use, people see it and want to try it, and everyone was smiling and laughing while messing with it. Looks like a real winner to me.
> @ Nov 8th 2006 11:32AM
"...but games like Lost Magic, where the accuracy of your drawing actually affects the power of your spell fully take advantage of the touchscreen's analog nature."
Highly unlikely; drawing something on a 2d plane is HUGELY easier than trying to mimic a movement in 3d space with considerations for velocity and acelleration (along all axis and planes). This would frustrate users more than anything.
What they can do is, use simple gestures but, measure the accelleration of the movement; ie. fast gestures = more powerful spell.
Or, they could just use the pointer as a DS touchscreen.
KaneRobot @ Nov 8th 2006 11:31AM
"Remember when videogames were fun? When the controllers had only a couple buttons and you didn't have to spend an hour learning the seven-step finger dance for "walk?""
Yeah, I remember yesterday when I bought GoW. Oddly enough, I move forward by pressing up.
Remember when writers didn't resort to extreme overexaggerations when comparing one product to another product? Me neither.
Gamer G @ Nov 8th 2006 11:36AM
Dont get me wrong I like the idea of the Wii and aim to get one once Mario is out but I still think any gamer worth his salt will also want a 360 or a PS3 once the novelty has worn off (sooner rather than later imo)
Question is.. which one will they buy??!
DCSimian @ Nov 8th 2006 11:36AM
I really don't think they need a huge mass-marketing campaign for this. The hardcore know about it and articles like this, the Time magazine article from last year, I think...retailers putting the system on their best-of holiday lists...it's free advertising.
Hell, it's so different from the competition that it's getting love from CNBC (I think it was CNBC). Reggie was on yesterday afternoon, going over launch details and why Nintendo thinks it'll sell out, etc...all this while the interviewer was playing WiiSports (she was playing tennis).
You make something as off the wall as this, you'll get free press. Seems to be working rather well. Agreed though that certain games do need some mass market exposure, especially those they want to sell off to the non-gamer crowd.
Curious...is Mario going to have any presence aside from the Virtual Console during Launch? I think if they do mass-market, the VC is one feature they should definetly plug, as the controller has been getting the most exposure.
Fernando @ Nov 8th 2006 11:43AM
Hi... anybody know if instead an SD Card to increase the storage capacity of the Wii, can use and External USB HardDrive or an USB Flash Memory???
icantdrawanime @ Nov 8th 2006 11:45AM
@>
"Highly unlikely; drawing something on a 2d plane is HUGELY easier than trying to mimic a movement in 3d space with considerations for velocity and acelleration (along all axis and planes). This would frustrate users more than anything."
You've gotta be kidding me... Since when did we have to take velocity into consideration when drawing a pattern? I can assure you that if Lostmagic has no trouble determining the pattern when I'm trying to draw it at 10m/s then the wii will have no trouble determining the pattern when I'm making the motion at 10m/s...
Besides... velocity is part of the analog nature of the wii remote. Boxing swings and passes that correspond to how fast the motion was is a perfect example of why doing a motion is more superior than pushing a button.
/end fanboy rant
> @ Nov 8th 2006 11:50AM
"You've gotta be kidding me... Since when did we have to take velocity into consideration when drawing a pattern? I can assure you that if Lostmagic has no trouble determining the pattern when I'm trying to draw it at 10m/s then the wii will have no trouble determining the pattern when I'm making the motion at 10m/s..."
Did you not read my post, if you use the wiimote as a pointer... wii essentially becomes a big DS and anything you do on a DS is possible.
"Besides... velocity is part of the analog nature of the wii remote. Boxing swings and passes that correspond to how fast the motion was is a perfect example of why doing a motion is more superior than pushing a button."
Yes, it will be fun for the first 5 minutes... most people arent boxers. After the novelty wears off what do you have?
32_Footsteps @ Nov 8th 2006 11:56AM
I think Nintendo has figured out that for a console launch, a mass market campaign for the console itself is actually a really bad idea.
Think of it this way - when a console launches, it always sells out, right? Between word of mouth and media coverage, people find out about the system and it becomes very difficult to find them on store shelves.
Well, if you're guaranteed to sell 95%+ of your stock without spending any advertising dollars, is it really worth buying advertising to sell the other 5%? Of course not - your ads will probably cost more than the profits you'd get from the ads, anyhow.
Now, the games, those probably need to be advertised, but only the ones you couldn't guarantee sales for (I don't expect they'll need Twilight Princess ads). It seems to me that Nintendo is quite wise in saving their strength.
And to be honest, Sony could be doing the same thing. Anyone who pays even the tiniest amount of attention to the video game industry knew (even before the announced shortages) that the PlayStation 3 would sell out all their initial units. Why the hell is Sony spending advertising dollars when we all know they'd sell all their units without the advertising? Did someone at Sony go, "You know, we have too much money. Let's spend it on advertising for a product that was going to sell out anyhow."?
You can argue, perhaps, that the advertising is meant to get people to want the system when they do get in stock. Then, the sensible option is to pay for the ad campaign then, when the stocks are replenished. That way, the ads are fresh in consumers' minds, and you don't anger people by advertising for products the public can't buy.
icantdrawanime @ Nov 8th 2006 11:56AM
Note to self: Dont feed the trolls
crono141 @ Nov 8th 2006 12:59PM
What if the novelty never wears off?
Has the novelty of pushing buttons and an onscreen avatar doing something worn off?
You know, video games used to be called a "gimmick" or a "fad", and that they wouldn't last and they'd die after the novelty wore off. That was nearly 30 years ago.
SecondChance @ Nov 8th 2006 11:58AM
People who are still using the "it's just replacing button presses" are missing the point on purpose or are doing so because of an inability to see innovation and potential. Either way, ignore them.
Art Guy @ Nov 8th 2006 12:00PM
Popular Science is WORTHLESS when it comes to video games.
Popular Science, August 2001: "Gamecube will support the higher resolutions that HDTV is capable of right out of the box. A standard TV set can deliver a resolution of up to 640x480, while Rogue Squadron 2 is designed to produce up to a resolution of 1,920 by 1080, a standard resolution on HDTV. Out of the three Next-Gen consoles, only Gamecube will support HDTV right out of the box. X-Box will have a HDTV upgrade, but no plans for higher resolution games, while Playstation 2 has no plans to support HDTV. More as it develops."
GameCube was the only system of last generation that DIDN'T have any HD games. I canceled my subscription after that.
JodyAnthony @ Nov 8th 2006 12:03PM
"After the novelty wears off what do you have?" (posted by >)
kind of like the novelty for Guitar Hero or DDR wore off?
Evan @ Nov 8th 2006 12:05PM
@6. [Regarding Sony] "Why spend millions to advertise a system that's so limited in number that everything they produce is going to sell anyway?"
Sony NEEDS the hype and advertisements BECAUSE they don't have enough units. Sony has to convince people who can't get a PS3 this Christmas, that they should wait for the PS3 to become available instead of buying another console now.
Scenerio A: Young Johnny wants a PS3. His parents can't find a PS3, but they have to put something under the Christmas tree. So they buy a Wii. If young Johnny asks for a PS3 again next Christmas, his parents are going to say "we just got you a new console last year, why do you need a new one?".
Scenerio B: Older Johnny wants a PS3. He can't find a PS3, but he's itching to get a new game system and the money he's saved flipping burgers is burning a hole in his pocket. So, he's going to buy a 360. Next year, when older Johnny finally finds a PS3, he's already spent his money and will likely buy more games for his 360.
Once most people have another console, most consumers aren't going to buy a PS3 (at least not for a couple years). Sony needs to convince both young Johnny and older Johnny that the PS3 is worth going without a video game system this Christmas!
> @ Nov 8th 2006 12:08PM
"Why the hell is Sony spending advertising dollars when we all know they'd sell all their units without the advertising? Did someone at Sony go, "You know, we have too much money. Let's spend it on advertising for a product that was going to sell out anyhow."?"
Its about BRANDING... not unlike those iPod ads. To reaffirm PLAYSTATION as the gaming platform of choice. Notice that none of their ads show gameplay or pricing info; because it dont matter.
"kind of like the novelty for Guitar Hero or DDR wore off?"
Those arent being touted as the saviour of the gaming industry and they arent standard controllers.
Almack64 @ Nov 8th 2006 12:09PM
Next weekend is going probably going to go down as the biggest one in my life. 17th-PS3 launch and my bachelor's party 18th-My Wedding 19th-Wii launch and my honeymoon. I'm so psyched its making me sick.
Anyway ... all this free advertisement can only help Nintendo. They are really going to have to live up to all this hype if that want sells to continue for the life of the system. Its defintely going to be a great launch though.
JodyAnthony @ Nov 8th 2006 12:14PM
Almack, Congrats on the wedding!
As for me, all I have going on that weekend is Wii launch. probably because I am a nintendo fanwhore (and proud of it)
32_Footsteps @ Nov 8th 2006 12:15PM
"Its about BRANDING... not unlike those iPod ads. To reaffirm PLAYSTATION as the gaming platform of choice. Notice that none of their ads show gameplay or pricing info; because it dont matter."
Apparently, what also doesn't matter is that they'd sell just as many units if they just held off on advertising the system until later on.
This isn't branding; it's wasting dollars. Sony could get just as much mileage by waiting on their advertising. Their brand is already set; reaffirming it is costing them money for no gain.
Moreover, Apple is a bad choice in terms of describing branding. Yeah, the iconic silhouetted iPod ads did help establish Apple's brand. But you know what? They were also advertising a product that was constantly readily available in stores. There was never a point when those ads were running where it was impossible to get an iPod. Thus, Apple didn't sell out their stock and the ads had a purpose.
> @ Nov 8th 2006 12:19PM
"This isn't branding; it's wasting dollars. Sony could get just as much mileage by waiting on their advertising. Their brand is already set; reaffirming it is costing them money for no gain."
Sure it is; if you say so Mr. Thirteen Stars.
The benefit of brand advertising isnt seen immediately or in even in measureable units like sales.
If you went to your corp boss and said thay they should do no advertising because its 'a waste of money', you would be fired in a heartbeat.
MrD @ Nov 8th 2006 12:29PM
>
What makes you think that it's just a novelty? Maybe it's not, and maybe it won't wear off. Ever consider that?
32_Footsteps @ Nov 8th 2006 12:28PM
"The benefit of brand advertising isnt seen immediately or in even in measureable units like sales."
Wait, so you can't measure it by showing it improving your sales, and thus improving your profits. If you can't, how can you justify it?
"If you went to your corp boss and said thay they should do no advertising because its 'a waste of money', you would be fired in a heartbeat."
Tell me, does everyone around here nowadays like using straw man arguments, or are you just that bad at debating?
I never said that they shouldn't advertise at all. What I actually said is that they shouldn't advertise yet. Only advertise when your advertisements will do you some tangible good. Otherwise, you're just wasting resources.
If I was to go up to a supervisor and say "Hey, our product is guaranteed to sell out no matter what - let's spend money to advertise it despite it being impossible to improve sales," that supervisor would quite rightly think I'm a moron.
icantdrawanime @ Nov 8th 2006 12:32PM
When I said "Note to self" what I actually meant was "Big F*cking note to Everyone"
Dont feed the tolls...
"Dont argue with a fool. He'll bring you down to his level and beat you with experience."
-really good quote that applies here
> @ Nov 8th 2006 12:37PM
"Only advertise when your advertisements will do you some tangible good. Otherwise, you're just wasting resources."
As I tried to explain, brand awareness cannot be measured through unit sales. Do you not understand that? If you cannot see the value of promoting your brand, then, you should not be in advertising or PR.
EG. Do you think that the benefit pasting a corporate sticker on a NASCAR can be measured in direct sales? NO. But why bother, right?
"I never said that they shouldn't advertise at all. What I actually said is that they shouldn't advertise yet. Only advertise when your advertisements will do you some tangible good. Otherwise, you're just wasting resources."
This is YOUR opinion that it will do no good; stay out of advertising.
White Rose Duelist @ Nov 9th 2006 8:35AM
Almack64 - congratulations. I hope you're wife-to-be is a gamer too, or you may have some initial friction about what to do with the shiny new game systems during the honeymoon.
/is impressed that you have the money for a wedding and two new consoles in 3 days
crono141 @ Nov 8th 2006 1:06PM
Prof-KOS, in nintendo's case, there wasn't any software ready in august. Plus, I don't think the final design of the controller had been hammered out yet (ergonomics and such).
Prof-KOS @ Nov 8th 2006 1:12PM
32 Footsteps,
Believe it or not but it's true that there is no way to quantify the effect of advertising on sales. There is no doubt whatsoever that branding and sales is propped up by advertising, however, nobody can tell you by how much. If they do, they are either lying or don't know squat about it.
The real issue is does advertising a product that isn't availble due to shortages hurt your brand. I suspect that it does. It's one thing for people who write or read about the systems to see the ads knowing that the system is sold out, but what about the larger casual market that doesn't visit websites about gaming or follow each story. They are the ones that are going to go into the stores and be dissapointed by the shortage. That dissapointment will be reinforced every time they see an ad for it. MS took a pretty significant hit on sites like Joystiq when they kept advertising after selling out all their systems. I would hope that neither Sony nor Nintendo would be dumb enough to do the same.
>,
Advertising can only help reinforce a brand. Branding comes from the product and service first and foremost. Advertising when there is no product, or at least a date to which someone can look forward to (Read: launch date) can only hurt. My advice to Sony would be to advertise heavily to build awareness and scale back heavily just after launch until supplies are ramping back up.
Give me Stars or Give me Death! @ Nov 8th 2006 6:52PM
@ >,
You don't think Tide sales spiked in Hickville after hot shot racecar driver [Insert name here] won the [Insert city followed by a number here]? And people are aware of the PlayStation brand already. Why do they need branding? Sony doesn't need branding they need positive word of mouth. Anyone in PR knows that THAT is the single greatest PR tool.
Prof-KOS @ Nov 8th 2006 1:17PM
crono141,
Acknowledged (in fact I think I said something to that effect). However, if they had had an August date in mind from the outset, there would have been. Just because the date was only released to the public recently doesn't mean key developers and Nintendo themselves didn't know when it would be. These sorts of decisions are made well in advance precisely because so much has to be ready in time.
> @ Nov 8th 2006 1:29PM
"Advertising when there is no product, or at least a date to which someone can look forward to (Read: launch date) can only hurt."
This is a very narrow and short sighted view of brand advertising. I'll leave it at that.
Of course they shoudn't come out and say, BUY YOUR PS3s NOW.. and, they havent done any of that in the ads they've released.
fez carlson @ Nov 8th 2006 1:45PM
all i have to say is ..i was at E3, i had extensive playtime on the Wii, it f-ing rocks, Wii sports was the single most fun game that i've played in years & i hate sports!
JoeP @ Nov 8th 2006 1:39PM
Do you remember when video games used to be fun? Nintendo does. Do you remember when controllers were simple? Nintendo does. Do you recall the last game that you really enjoyed? Pepperidge farm... I mean, Nintendo does.
Happy @ Nov 8th 2006 1:52PM
frickshun, I thought games were about fun.. not mimicking real life. Do you have fun turning doorknobs?
Once the novelty of "I'm twisting this remote to turn a door knob!" wears off it will just be a useless waste of time. I would much rather press "A" and get to the other side quickly.
icantdrawanime, stuff like that sounds interesting.. but other than shooting, most of what I see is in the area of flick remote to swing sword right now.
JulyFlame @ Nov 8th 2006 6:31PM
I can see why it is that they say that.
My parents always get a few console games for my younger sisters which are for little kids.
The controls are pretty damned hard, for some backwards reason.
I mean, WTF does a platformer of all things need all this extra button mashing for? They have an easier time playing the games that aren't intended for the little kiddies.
And in regard to Wii adverting, I haven't even seen a single game being advertised for it on the TV yet.
32_Footsteps @ Nov 8th 2006 3:18PM
So let me see if I get this straight...
You can't prove that advertising with the purpose of promoting a brand works at all. You say it won't have any measurable effect on the company's sales.
So if promoting your brand doesn't help you in any way that you can show, why do it? Moreover, you fail to ask the big question - will it hurt the PlayStation brand at all if they don't advertise? (I'm inclined to believe KOS in that it'll be hurt more if they continue to advertise.)
Maybe a company that's totally robust and healthy can afford to spend on brand promotion. However, given that Sony has looked increasingly dire of late, it seems to me that the strategy Nintendo is intent on pursuing would be in their best interests.
Zing @ Nov 9th 2006 12:59PM
Guys stop feeding >. Soon enough, he will get bored and go de-rank people some more on Halo 2
Moogle @ Nov 8th 2006 3:35PM
32 - Just because it's difficult to quantify an effect doesn't mean it's not there, and ignoring it and forgoing advertising could very well hurt sales when there ARE enough units. Especially if they can convince people not to buy a 360 for x-mas, they'll be in a better position.
Changing gears, I think there's something people are missing about games - challenge. Games would suck if you just had one button you had to push once to win. Games involve skill (and story, but that's another topic). Games are enjoyable when they challenge you in a way that lets you learn to overcome it through training or learning. People complain ligitmately complain about kiddy games aren't talking about bright colors or cartoon characters - there's just no contest, it's boring. Other games are frustrating when they're difficult in an unrewarding way. I got ticked at a part in psychonauts when I spent hours trying to make one obscene jump, when I had breezed through the game.
In the wiimote, developers have a lot of opportunity to create games that allow for skill to translate into game mechanics in unimaginable ways. For example in a football game, you could press a button to complete a pass. Or you could learn how to throw the pass farther and more accurately. Yes, it's harder - that's part of why it's fun.
Since the metroid door open example keeps coming up, I'll give my take on it. Metroid has a lot of inconsequential doors. They're like little hidden loading screens. Every once in a while you come to a door that has some elaborate method of being opened. Maybe it requires a new tool, or shooting things, or some work to find all the switches to open. It adds to the environment and the feel of the game. This will be much more cleanly involved in the game when it requires a visceral action to perform.
This is why I think the wiimote isn't going to be a short term gimmick - it will be extremely capable of extending and enhancing all the attributes of games that actually make them fun. Everything will be more fun on the Wii.