Nintendo VP on corp. differences: Nobody got shot for Wii
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Feb 11th 2007 at 4:15PM }
In an interview conducted with Gamespy at the DICE conference, Nintendo VP of Marketing and Corp. Affairs, Perrin Kaplan, discussed the different approaches used by Sony and Nintendo during their coincidentally timed launches. Kaplan says, "Well, we didn't have anyone in line that got shot waiting for our system. So there's one sign of the different approaches between our two companies ... I think Sony's efforts were in trying to get the core gamer to accept and adopt it, which for them in the PS2 era, spread to the mass consumer. I think we were just really prepared. Years of experience doing this ensured that we would have a very good launch."Kaplan goes on to say that the continued success of the Wii definitely shows they are not an afterthought in the consumer's mind. She says worldwide online play is a "priority for Nintendo and you will see it." Although, it looks like we'll still be seeing it after punching in 16-digit codes (maybe more). She also goes on to comfort those that don't understand why the Wii is dripping things out so slowly, "I think if we had just taken the whole package, here are all the channels, here are all the online games, here are the Miis, the news, the weather, I just think it would have overloaded the mass consumer. So instead we began rolling everything out in a fashion where people can really understand it ... We have more things coming, and online is definitely one of them." Oh good, cause we're getting thirsty and hope to have enough strength to input the double-digit codes expected for online play.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Feb 11th 2007 4:23PM
Condensed version: Nintendo thinks Wii owners are too stupid to understand news AND the weather at once.
Aeris130 @ Feb 11th 2007 4:34PM
"Oh good, cause we're getting thirsty and hope to have enough strength to input the double-digit codes expected for online play."
ZOMg!!!11!one!!!eleven1!!! tHis is not teh news! Joystiq is b!asd egenstr nintend0!!!
Will @ Feb 11th 2007 4:39PM
Let me get this right you didn't want to "overload" the consumers with games actually worth playing too right? Cause I'm sitting here with this wii which has not done shit in 3 weeks.
And looking over the horizon I don't see shit worth getting. I'm worried I just bought a 250 dollar paperweight with loads of 'potential' to revolutionaries gaming, but no games to actually feature this revolution.
Don't tell me more mini games is what I have to look forward too Nintendo?
At least the Ebay offers are quite good
Mr Khan @ Feb 11th 2007 4:43PM
@ Will
Well, there is Sonic and the Secret Rings, Metroid Prime 3, Super Mario Strikers Charged, and BWii
Patience
Interesting statements on the Online play, though, Reggie said it would be Q2 when we would start to see it, and i'm really waiting for Nintendo to make the announcement of when their Online Model will actually launch (i have a feeling, indicated by their silence, that it will either be really good or really bad)
reguy @ Feb 11th 2007 4:48PM
We didnt want to give our customers everything at once?? you mean the news, weather and miis?? Man they think you wii owners are stupid.
But as always its MS and Sony that are the arrogant ones, nintendo is always so nice.
miles foreman @ Feb 11th 2007 4:52PM
3. Let me get this right you didn't want to "overload" the consumers with games actually worth playing too right? Cause I'm sitting here with this wii which has not done shit in 3 weeks.
And looking over the horizon I don't see shit worth getting. I'm worried I just bought a 250 dollar paperweight with loads of 'potential' to revolutionaries gaming, but no games to actually feature this revolution.
Don't tell me more mini games is what I have to look forward too Nintendo?
At least the Ebay offers are quite good
Posted at 4:39PM on Feb 11th 2007 by Will
Dude... you bought it. I guess I have different tastes than you or something because I own Madden, Zelda, Metal Slug, Elebits, Rayman, Warioware, and Marvel Alliance. Wii Sports too, of course. Personally, I think I have *too* many games to play.
James Kochalka @ Feb 11th 2007 4:55PM
Oh come on. Friend codes are not going to be necessary. The Nintendo DS lets you play random matches against strangers without inputing any codes, and I'm sure the Wii will too. So, if you don't like inputing a friend code, you won't have to, and you'll still be able to play online to your heart's content.
tonedef @ Feb 11th 2007 5:19PM
i love perrin, but that was a weird way to put it. why not just say that news and weather weren't ready in november? especially because most people got their wiis in late december or afterwards, when all of these features became available to them... at the same time.
and it's hard to say that nintendo has no good games available and none on the horizon. that's all i see- i'm experiencing "dungeon explorer" (tg-16) and "gunstar heroes" (genesis) for the first time, and consider them amazing, affordable games. then there's the loads of classic vc titles that have been made available this last month. link to the past by itself is better than anything released for the ps3 yet.
so, in summary, if you don't see anything good for the wii now or in the future- you're simply not looking.
vidGuy @ Feb 11th 2007 5:00PM
While I'm not extremely pleased with the speed of the trickling, I somewhat agree that its best not to overload all at once. And I don't mean for the "mass consumer's" sake, but for the longevity of the Wii.
Think about it. For those of you who play a game even after you've beat it, try the VC. Before the Wii came out I didn't expect to enjoy the classic games, but I've been presently surprised. However, if Nintendo had EVERY game they planned to the release on the VC RIGHT NOW, I'd be playing it a ton more... but would probably be tired of it by summer. At this rate, I'm buying a new VC game every week or every other week, and I'm getting almost as much play time out of them as the actual Wii games. And, at this rate, I'll be using the VC for the entire life of the Wii.
The launch titles for the Wii have been strong, but they have been fairly shallow. Besides Zelda and Wii Sports, Wii games are AWESOME for about 5 hours. Then they get a little boring. Ok, just IMO, but very few Wii games are worth $50 yet. I'll be buying a ton more when they drop to $20. Prime example, Excite Truck. I love the controls and tracks, but I just can't bare to part with $50 for it.
Of course, it's not long after launch and there's a ton of great gaming on the horizon. There's a least a dozen AAA titles expected in 07. That to me shows a hell of a lot more promise than even the 360. I'm looking at buying more games for the Wii in its first year than I did for the GameCube in its lifetime.
The Friend Code is all SNAFUed, but I suppose I can handle a little hassle for free gaming, especially when the games are SSBB, Strikers Charged, and the like.
As far as the speed of releases of actual Wii games, I'm conflicted. Of course I want more games now. But I'd rather have BETTER games in the future than mediocre games now, hence my support for the numerous Twilight Princess delays. Secondly, what if all of the AAA titles expected for 2007 were released by March? You'd be rolling in them until, what, summer? Then what would you do for the next few years?
Nintendo execs know what they are doing. If the Wii stays anywhere near its current popularity, it will take first place by the holidays. If the games keep rolling, the Wii could build a 10 million console lead by the end of 2008. And that means an even heavier flow of games from 3rd parties.
Plus, you've got to look at the other options. @Will, what has come out in the last "3 weeks" for the 360 or PS3 that has you all hot and bothered? Or are you WAITING for those stellar games, too?
Grog @ Feb 11th 2007 5:03PM
The comments about overload are just typical PR statements to cover for the fact that it's clearly taking them a while to get everything (like online play) going. Oh well, I'll survive.
Mostly 'cause I didn't try to get a PS3 at launch. ;)
sirpilf @ Feb 11th 2007 5:03PM
haha I didnt know it was sony who pulled the trigger when someone was shot.... seems pretty low to blame Sony when someone is shot over their product.
MosquitoControl @ Feb 11th 2007 5:09PM
I see nothing good lined up for the Wii, either.
But I also see nothing good for the PS3 or 360, at least in the near future, so I don't mind.
My roommate picked up a Wii this morning. Can't wait to play it.
Jeff @ Feb 11th 2007 5:14PM
Yeah, it's obviously Sony's "corporate approach" that's responsible for a couple of thugs taking pot shots at those waiting in line to buy PS3's. That makes about as much sense as saying the fact that our women don't wear head coverings is responsible for 9/11.
Does Perrin Kaplan realize what country she's living in? Crime happens.
Sporge @ Feb 11th 2007 5:20PM
Good games come with time.
Next year has quite a few that look like they will be all stars. Personally I want SSBB out more than any game even rumored about.
And the part about not overloading the consumer I think is better said as they want to keep news about new stuff on the Wii coming over a longer period of time. Keeps them in the news, as well as constantly offers something to look forward too, even if it is a minor thing like news.
adam @ Feb 11th 2007 5:20PM
"At this rate, I'm buying a new VC game every week or every other week"
Bingo.
It's not about buying the games you actually want, but how to get you to buy the most games.
Marketing at its finest.
Kirby @ Feb 11th 2007 5:22PM
I just want Brawl damnit!
Mr Khan @ Feb 11th 2007 5:25PM
And i would like to mention, it isn't Friend Codes that should bother users per se, but the complete lack of player-to-player chat
If you just had a pregame and postgame chat, then, after your Strikers Match, you could say, "hey, good game, want 2 trade Wii numbers?" then, boom, you have friends
Friend Codes don't have to be the death of the console, but they better get some chat going (chat =1/2 the thrill of Online gaming)
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 11th 2007 5:26PM
"seems pretty low to blame Sony when someone is shot over their product."
Or when a riot breaks out in front of Sony Style, m i rite?*** :P
Well, Nintendo was successful in making a case for a LARGE launch set-up. There's no reasoning for a launch of less than a million or 2 million consoles. They also learned from the DS launch that they need more than 5 games for it. So now they've got a decent library, large amounts of consoles shipped, and they still can't keep up with the demand.
Though their Online can be better, if that's their priority at this point it seems pretty much everything else worked out relatively well.
And no, I don't ever expect NWC to rival Xbox Live, though it will get much better than what it currently is.
***DISCLAIMER FOR IDIOTS: I'm joking.
Grog @ Feb 11th 2007 5:26PM
"It's not about buying the games you actually want, but how to get you to buy the most games."
That's a slightly cynical perspective, but it's not far off. If Nintendo released their entire game library, the expected would happen: lots of people would buy Zeldas, Marios, etc. The way they're doing it (3-4 games a week), people get really excited about a week when a Zelda or Mario game comes out, but they're also willing to try out some games that they had either not heard of, didn't have the system for, or just missed the first time around. I know that the current system gets me excited for the VC releases every Monday, whereas a full store... well, why bother with hundreds of games I didn't think about the first time around?
gLitterbug @ Feb 11th 2007 5:29PM
The claim about the online stuff better not become the next "region free".
Blink @ Feb 11th 2007 5:38PM
"Well, we didn't have anyone in line that got shot waiting for our system."
Sony's response:
"Well, we didn't have anyone enter a contest that died from water intoxication for our system."
Yeeesh. Not only was that a low blow, it was a dumb one as well. I'd prefer the PR reps to stick with PR some days...
Larry @ Feb 11th 2007 6:00PM
In a weird way it sounds like she is basically dissing the "core" gaming market as thugs who shoot people over PS3s or 360s. Reading between the lines: See, Sony (or Microsoft, could be either) cater to a bunch of hyper-violent nerds. We don't We are nice Wii-people.
Essentially Nintendo tossing a bird up at the gaming community, yelling, We Don't Need You! We have the kids, the bored housewives, and old people!
Either way its unfair. Wasn't Sony's fault, just like it isn't Nintendo's fault that some single Mom somewhere pounds back liter upon liter of water until her kidneys shut down, her bladder ruptures, and her brains swells to get a Wii!
The arrogance from Sony AND Nintendo is pretty distasteful right now. Especially when you realize that MS is the most likeable company in this pointless argument.
adam @ Feb 11th 2007 6:00PM
"people get really excited about a week when a Zelda or Mario game comes out, but they're also willing to try out some games that they had either not heard of, didn't have the system for, or just missed the first time around"
Exactly.
But ask yourself, are you buying this game, because you were genuinely interested in it?
Or, are you buying it, just because it's there?
if it's the latter, then you are buying games that you had no real intention of buying.
The way nintendo has the VC setup, it's just a new impulse buy every week. That is why there will probably never be demos on the VC, because it takes away from the impulse.
Either way, it doesn't really matter to me. If you are happy buying games you didn't really want, more power to ya.
OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Feb 11th 2007 6:03PM
When did all the people the Big 3 hired for PR start becoming the people who would set their companies up for the most ridicule and the easiest putdowns?
Sony guy telling people he'll pay you $1200 if you can find a PS3 on shelves, Perrin forgetting that people DIED over the Wii...
Seriously, why bother shelling out all that money for people to just make you look bad?
B33 @ Feb 11th 2007 6:06PM
Console launches always have its bad spots. That was a weak blow on Nintendo's part.
ViperVisor @ Feb 14th 2007 12:03PM
People forget that this time around the consoles were released here and JPN about the same time. And USA getting 1st dibs even. That makes it really hard to not leave a gap in games in the time after lauch.
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 11th 2007 6:08PM
"But ask yourself, are you buying this game, because you were genuinely interested in it?
Or, are you buying it, just because it's there?"
I guess a collector could provide lots of insight on that thought.
But then collectors are always out looking for the real deal, not ROM games.
I think a lot of the VC games are worth paying/playing, considering how much they used to be and how much work was put into a lot of them and that this service is mostly a convenience.
***********
In my original post, I forgot to mention what Perrin said about the shootings was wrong. It's a stupid thing to say.
Max Vest @ Feb 11th 2007 6:22PM
Am I the only one who doesn't consider Perrin Kaplan to be a strong asset for Nintendo? It seems like just about every other statement or interview she releases leaves me feeling as though people annoy her and/or she doesn't like her job very much. Nor has she ever seemed particularly knowledgeable, although that's not unusual among PR people trying to mete out information. Reggie can handle himself when it comes to PR, but he's the President of NOA now and has other matters to attend to. So why is NOA sticking with Ms. Kaplan to shoulder the load?
DMaY @ Feb 11th 2007 6:46PM
I don't understand how Nintendo calls a consumer not getting shot a different approach. Also, everyone is always complaining about the PS3 having to wait for certain features and full capabilities but when Nintendo does it is o.k. because it's the Wii. Whatever, some people just blow my mind.
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 11th 2007 6:33PM
Max Vest:
They also have George Harrison and Beth Llewlynn (sp?). I guess it's whoever they can reach at the moment.
I mean, for the Twilight Princess Afterthoughts in EGM, they had Bill Trinen, while not being a big Localization guy at NoA, is Iwata/Miyamoto's translator. 0_0
NoA's top roster isn't exactly extensive, is it? :P
OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Feb 11th 2007 6:34PM
Max:
Reggie's not exactly an "asset" either. He's a pretty even mix of good and WTF.
But, I will agree that Perrin seems to be far more WTF than good. The only other thing I associated with her is all that horrible, horrible BS about how awesome the name "Wii" was and if you didn't like it, then you shouldn't like puppies, or rainbows, or iPods either.
yoma @ Feb 11th 2007 6:40PM
I DONT EVEN WANNA HEAR NINTENDO gloat about succesfull launches man. After the debacle that was N64 and Gamecube they really should be focusing on shutting the fuck up until they win a generation or two. FRICKING UNBELIEVABLE MAN!
Darrel Hormeku @ Feb 11th 2007 6:41PM
Maybe its just me but I'm having a little Wiimorse. 250 and a few weeks later I feel cheated. Wii Sports fun with others, WarioWare good until you beat the game. Just give me Smash Bros already,
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 11th 2007 6:42PM
Oh yeah, they're looking for an assistant to Reggie. Maybe in the next year or so we'll see who that is.
Julle @ Feb 11th 2007 6:56PM
LOL, Wii is such a kiddy console, Nintendo even said it themself. Real men plays with PS3 and guns, kids and women drinks water 'till their kineys 'splode!
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 11th 2007 6:56PM
"Also, everyone is always complaining about the PS3 having to wait for certain features and full capabilities but when Nintendo does it is o.k. because it's the Wii."
There are two parts to that:
1) Wii is $250. PS3 is $600. You get what you pay for.
2) The audience Nintendo is going for (old people and fanboys, like myself) don't necessarrilly thrive on these features, while the PS3 is being marketed as a "living-room-computer-multimedia-hub".
The shooting thing is indeed lame. People even getting hurt should not be a part of humor among professionals.
sheppy @ Feb 11th 2007 7:07PM
You know, as much as I want to bash Perry Kaplan for this comment, the following is where I get really pissed it.
"Yes, the Wii is region free. You'll be able to play Wii games from across the world."
That damn Bleach banner at Play-Asia taunts me everytime... how I would love to throw a Wii game in on one of my orders with DS, PS3, PS2, and PSP games. And yes, I own an import PS2. My modded console finally died and I replaced it with an import for $150.
sheppy @ Feb 11th 2007 7:22PM
Before we bash Sony for the shooting of a man, let's put it this way. PS3? One shooting. Wii? one death. GBA SP? One death.
But if you go beyond that, let's look at the main differences between the two consoles launches.
Wii launch was largely gamers. Period. Most of the time, gamers are cool with other gamers. As such, the lines were gamers being cool with on another. The lines started forming the night before.
PS3 launch was mostly prospecters. There is no way to shiny this up. Due to the demand and the hopes of quick bucks, gamers got screwed on the PS3 launch. Hell, as initial shipments were chopped, my preorder got shuffled off to second shipment (which, incidently, was four days later... BRAVO SONY!) and I attempted to snag a launch unit elsewhere. Often shuffling from line to line due to rumors and following a stampede of gamers, often dismayed to find the lines already filled with people talking about how much they'll make.
Woman damages her body attempting at acquire a console that still isn't in supply (okay, I can forgive the console... by why are Wiimotes still a mystical find?). This is a Wii.
Man gets shot in front of a Walmart at 3 in the morning because he has, and yes, these are the facts, the $3000 cash, in his pocket, to purchase five units that his friends are helping him acquire to sell on Ebay. This man normally makes his living selling bootlegged t-shirts and beanie babies from his front lawn. This is the PS3.
Both had pretty fucked up launches.
john @ Feb 11th 2007 7:37PM
ps3 is ganster. wii aint yo!
vidGuy @ Feb 11th 2007 7:55PM
@adam,
Can you blame Nintendo for trying to figure out how to milk the most money out of the VC?
As Grog and others have said, the VC release schedule allows games other than the Mario and Zelda affairs to nab some spotlight. Maybe I am buying games that subconsciously I "didn't really want", but man is it paying off. I agree that the games can be an impulse buy - my roommate has already spent upwards of $50 on the VC because he says he "doesn't fell like [he] is actually spending money" - but what makes that bad? What's bad for consumers is if they can't figure out which impulse buys are better than the others, when, because they don't care to research the games first, they go randomly clicking and downloading.
I've spent around $40 on the VC, and it's all been worth it. The games are overpriced, but their fun. I don't care if I didn't "really want" the games, or if Nintendo is "tricking me" into paying $8 for a 12-15 year old game, if I'm having fun and can logically make the decision to purchase or not to purchase a game, what's the harm? It's not like Nintendo is charging you a $600 entrance fee or anything.
Joe @ Feb 11th 2007 8:37PM
May be no one got shot over a Wii like some one did with the PS3. But some one did die trying to hold there Wee for a Wii. So Nintendo next time if you try to make the PS3 look bad how about telling people that some one also died trying to get your system.
Rob @ Feb 11th 2007 9:37PM
What?? News AND Weather?? Hold on a sec, just hold up. Way too much overload, You're confusing me Nintendo....
ok, so I'm not exactly the "mass consumer", but really, since when in the age of the allmighty INTERNET were the masses unable to handle, News, Shopping, AND Weather al at once??
x23 @ Feb 11th 2007 9:45PM
someone willfully entering a contest and dying due to not understanding that water intoxicification exists... is ever ever so slightly different than someone consciously and deliberately forcing a degenerate and violent act onto another unwilling person.
you have to be seriously stupid to even pretend to equate the two.
the playstation is a system that caters to hoods. if you don't see that... you are naive.
SnapperDragon @ Feb 11th 2007 10:25PM
MS and Sony can do what they want for the "core" gamer. I'm mostly a PC gamer, but I got a 360 last July and it's pretty much replaced my PC for gaming. The on-line and voice chat on the PC was pretty good but now the 360 can do that easily (PS3 also, I'm sure).
However, just like my PC, the 360 is usually something I do alone at home with others on the net. Kinda social, but not really.
This weekend at a friend's house I played Wii sports for about 4 hours two days in a row. What a blast. That system is the bomb. For pure FUN, I just don't think you can beat the Wii at the moment. Now, don't try and tell me why the 360 and PS3 *could* be just as much fun...blah...blah...blah. They are good systems. The Wii just has a very good niche that it fits in and is a great system for pure fun gaming. The Wii sports being included in the system was genius and is probably why there is so much excitement for this system. BRILLIANT.
Yes, my 360 will definitely see quite a bit of game time, but the Wii is something that people want to stop by for. It's a blast. Well worth the money if you value fun. If you simply value the individual components, then I guess you should probably get a PS3 cause you get the most expensive hardware for the least money. Fun not included.
Burnt Meatloaf @ Feb 11th 2007 11:09PM
PS3 costs more than Wii. Systems that cost more bring out the profiteers. Profiteers are jerks.
End of story.
Morale @ Feb 18th 2007 3:03PM
@ 12, Jeff.
"That makes about as much sense as saying the fact that our women don't wear head coverings is responsible for 9/11."
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-5042711310749426183&q=Power+of+Nightmares
Be careful what you wish for.
samfish @ Feb 12th 2007 12:16AM
"The way nintendo has the VC setup, it's just a new impulse buy every week. That is why there will probably never be demos on the VC, because it takes away from the impulse"
Nah, I don't agree with you here, chief. the VC doesn't feel like am impulse buy, to me, because I have to whip out my credit card (almost) every time, debate over which denomination of Wii Points to buy and THEN decide if/what I'm going to spend them on.
It's such a drawn out, painful experience that half the time it isn't even worth it.
Now, if Nintendo would allow us to just buy games directly with a CC for the amount of the game, they'd probably get even MORE sales.
...I know I sure as hell would be buying more VC games, at least.
adam @ Feb 12th 2007 12:32AM
"Nah, I don't agree with you here, chief."
Ok, Junior.
Well, I don't agree with you here, either.
You could just come out and say "everytime I want to buy a VC game, I have to ask my mommy for her credit card."
It's okay, noone will think any less of you, buddy.
Honesty is the best policy, chief.
JJ @ Feb 12th 2007 3:29AM
Yes x23, a console, which is only meant for home entertainment, really caters to hoods. Of course nintendo doesnt what with its fun games,no no, its never had a violent game ever!
Seriously though man, get over yourself. Playstation (or Wii or 360 for that matter) doesnt cater to "hoods" anymore than anything else.
Pretty ignorant statement there though, thats almost like saying the Wii only caters to old people and young kids who dont know any better
Sly @ Feb 12th 2007 3:46AM
I can't imagine somebody getting killed over a overpriced Wii lacking in hardware. An underpriced PS3 with a lot hardware potential and high demand at that time? Yes that can happen.