Nintendo: Women, elderly key to Wii

[Gary Whitta]

I wonder if it's too late to get my pre-order deposit back...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=conews&tkr=7974:JP&sid=aWac7JgjAIFQ

[LesJarvis]

Women? Sure. Elderly? No.

[Gary Whitta]

I love that you posted that response so quickly that you could not possibly have actually read the article.

[BobJustBob]

Settle down, gramps.

[LesJarvis]

I read fast, but seriously, what's to read? You summed it up nicely in the topic.

Wii is going to appeal to old people by allowing them to make an avatar and browse the internet on their TV? Picture me making a dismissive wanking gesture here.

[McBain]

Yeah, because geriatrics are going to be really keen on the Wiimote.

Right.

[Hanzii]

Maybe he read it before you linked it?
It's not like Bloomberg.com is some secret corner of the intarweb.

Anyway the article is marketing platitudes coupled with facts we allready knew and a bit of wild speculation. Would, could, might, should, said to be... etc.
Oh, and Activision has planned 5 Wii titles. Whoopdedoo.

I rate the article 'negative minus'

[Jake Plane]

A pox on all three houses.

The 360 is not an across the board consumer device on par with the iPod.
The PS3 is not a computer in any common used sense of the word.
And the Wii is not anything that will appeal to seniors (generally speaking).

These are all just gaming consoles. That's what they were last cycle and that's what they are now. They have added bells and whistles that allow them to do things beyond play games (play movies, music, etc).

But c'mon. They amount of hype that these companies throw around these things is beyond the pale.

[LesJarvis]

Oh no, let me be clear, I skimmed the article before I posted that but didn't read it word for word, and it was full of, as Hanzii put it, marketing platitudes. I didn't need to read the whole thing to figure out it was pretty much useless and that the Wii isn't going to take the geriatric gaming market by storm.

[Gary Whitta]

I think the analyst's point is a good one, that the Wii is likely to catch on with traditional non-gamers because observers can see the fun of playing, unlike a gamepad game where it's just sedentary button-pressing.

When people come over to my house and I'm playing Guitar Hero, they want to grab the guitar and learn how to play. When I'm playing any other game that just involves sitting with the controller in my lap, they couldn't give a fuck.

[Jake Plane]

That's a good point but it could have something to do with how familiar a guitar is for folks.

I can see the nunchuck style controller being less inviting...

[LesJarvis]

I think the analyst's point is a good one, that the Wii is likely to catch on with traditional non-gamers because observers can see the fun of playing, unlike a gamepad game where it's just sedentary button-pressing.

When people come over to my house and I'm playing Guitar Hero, they want to grab the guitar and learn how to play. When I'm playing any other game that just involves sitting with the controller in my lap, they couldn't give a fuck.

I can see that appealing to young people who have some experience with gaming, and it may allow Nintendo to broaden their market base to one degree or another, but watching people wave the Wiimote is not going to make grandma want one in her livingroom.

[jafd]

The Wii is as dead to me as the zombies I'm gonna kill in Dead Rising this Christmas.

No Metroid, no sale!

[Gary Whitta]

That's a good point but it could have something to do with how familiar a guitar is for folks.

I can see the nunchuck style controller being less inviting...
I'm not thrilled about the nunchuck either, but regular wiimote play where you're swinging it like a tennis racket, baseball bat, etc... seems all good to me.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see plastic accessory "enclosures" for the wiimote that make it look more like the thing you're suppsoed to be holding. A lightsaber handle, for example...

[MatthewF]

That's a good point but it could have something to do with how familiar a guitar is for folks.

I can see the nunchuck style controller being less inviting...

I don't know, watching you swing that thing around like a sword would probably look pretty interesting to a non-gamer. Like he says, it's an activity, and if you see the results on screen (slashing, hitting a tennis ball, etc) it makes a lot more sense.

edit: beat me to it.

[Shiroko]

If one were to read all those articles you guys link here he'll have no time for witty comments.

[K0NY]

Apparently, the Wii is perfect for blind folks too. Ellen Degeneres just gave one to a blind kid on her show.

http://www.thewiire.com/news/489/1/Ellen_Degeneres_Gives_Away_Wii_Zelda

This might be a great niche for Nintendo to go after, considering graphics truly don't matter to them.

[Gary Whitta]

Apparently, the Wii is perfect for blind folks too. Ellen Degeneres just gave one to a blind kid on her show.

http://www.thewiire.com/news/489/1/Ellen_Degeneres_Gives_Away_Wii_Zelda

This might be a great niche for Nintendo to go after, considering graphics truly don't matter to them.
Yeah that was great. Now all she has to do is give a PS3 to a retard.

[Leah C]

I wonder if it's too late to get my pre-order deposit back...

If that betters my chances of getting mine from FYE on launch day, then yes, you should.

[ElGuapo]

I can't wait for the peeing minigame.

On a related note, in one of the missions in Gun, you are sneaking around killing people from behind. One of the mission objectives was "Kill the peeing guard".

Kill the peeing guard. Seriously.

[K0NY]

Yeah that was great. Now all she has to do is give a PS3 to a retard.
I'm not sure I get your insinuation. I say, 'The Wii has crappy graphics so it makes sense to give one to a blind person.' So your reply is, 'The Playstation 3 has crappy A.I. so it makes sense to give it to a retard' What are you trying to say?

[Jake Plane]

The joke was an obvious one. Even a blind person could see that...

[Gary Whitta]

I'm not sure I get your insinuation. I say, 'The Wii has crappy graphics so it makes sense to give one to a blind person.' So your reply is, 'The Playstation 3 has crappy A.I. so it makes sense to give it to a retard' What are you trying to say?
I'm saying that you'd have to be retarded to want a PS3.

[Jake Plane]

You realize this is only going to spur yet another clarifying question, don't you?

[Rob_Merritt]

Considering my mom likes GTA and UT, I doubt the Wii is the system for her.

[Jake Plane]

I have to ask... With or without hot coffee?

[ElGuapo]

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

http://www.carlton.com/img/citysurvival/elderly.jpg

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

[Jazar]

I'm saying that you'd have to be retarded to want a PS3.

I'd apreciate it if you kept trollish comments like this out of this forum. You've been really mean spirited about it as of late and I would prefer it if the topics here are focused more on games and less on insults.

[Slainte Mhath]

So Wii launch titles now include :

Desperate Housewives : Secret of Wysteria Lane
Grey's Anatonmy The Game
Murder, She Wrote : Deadly Dinner Party
Perry Mason : Order In the Court
Diagnosis Murder : Prescription for Death

[Kunikos]

Women? Sure. Elderly? No.

Read up on casual gaming demographics, because you don't know what you're talking about. If they can tap into these markets in a big way, then they will be doing something that no other console has been able to do before.

I'm saying that you'd have to be retarded to want a PS3.

Buhhhh? You know what, using this logic you'd be a retard to want a Lamborghini or a Ferrari. Despite it's lack of value per dollar, it's still an awesome car. PS3 won't be $600 forever, because the demand will dry up pretty quickly and they will be forced to either add value to the bundle or drop the total price.

[BobJustBob]

I'd apreciate it if you kept trollish comments like this out of this forum. You've been really mean spirited about it as of late and I would prefer it if the topics here are focused more on games and less on insults.

I can't tell if this is sarcasm or not. :/

If it's not, KONY started it. So neener.

[Kunikos]

So Wii launch titles now include :

Desperate Housewives : Secret of Wysteria Lane
Grey's Anatonmy The Game
Murder, She Wrote : Deadly Dinner Party
Perry Mason : Order In the Court
Diagnosis Murder : Prescription for Death

You forgot Jerry Springer: Some Bitch Gets Slapped.

[Gary Whitta]

I'd apreciate it if you kept trollish comments like this out of this forum. You've been really mean spirited about it as of late and I would prefer it if the topics here are focused more on games and less on insults.
Sorry, from now on I'll ensure that all my posts are pre-screened to meet your approval.

By the way, "trolling" suggests fabricating an opinion merely to irritate people. Whereas I actually do think the PS3 is going to suck, and is a rip-off.

[LesJarvis]

Read up on casual gaming demographics, because you don't know what you're talking about. If they can tap into these markets in a big way, then they will be doing something that no other console has been able to do before.

Yes, it's all clear now, the 65+ crowd will be compelled to spend $300 on a console setup so they can play Bejeweled with the Wiimote.

[Jake Plane]

I'd apreciate it if you kept trollish comments like this out of this forum. You've been really mean spirited about it as of late and I would prefer it if the topics here are focused more on games and less on insults.

Trollish comments? Methinks you should direct this to K0NY who came in, ripped on the Wii and jumped out. This was just a response to that.

[Gary Whitta]

Yes, it's all clear now, the 65+ crowd will be compelled to spend $300 on a console setup so they can play Bejeweled with the Wiimote.
Whoever said 65+? Based on their historical market demographics, Nintendo probably considers "the elderly" to be anyone who has actually hit puberty.

[LesJarvis]

Whoever said 65+? Based on their historical market demographics, Nintendo probably considers "the elderly" to be anyone who has actually hit puberty.

Oh, I completely agree that this entire discussion is stupid in part because no one has defined elderly. I'm just going by retirement age.

[Gary Whitta]

Don't people in Japan ceremonially kill themselves when they hit 60 anyway? Or maybe that was an episode of The Next Generation, I can't remember.

[K0NY]

Trollish comments? Methinks you should direct this to K0NY who came in, ripped on the Wii and jumped out. This was just a response to that.
Note to self: It's okay to goof on Sony among Nintendo lovers but not Nintendo.

2nd note to self: If you're going to post a pot shot, be prepared to stick around the forum all day to defend it.

Note to Jake Plane: The "he started it" defense hasn't worked since kindergarten.

[Squirrel Killer]

Apparently, the Wii is perfect for blind folks too. Ellen Degeneres just gave one to a blind kid on her show.

http://www.thewiire.com/news/489/1/Ellen_Degeneres_Gives_Away_Wii_Zelda

This might be a great niche for Nintendo to go after, considering graphics truly don't matter to them.
I'd apreciate it if you kept trollish comments like this out of this forum. You've been really mean spirited about it as of late and I would prefer it if the topics here are focused more on games and less on insults.

[Hanzii]

Whoever said 65+? Based on their historical market demographics, Nintendo probably considers "the elderly" to be anyone who has actually hit puberty.

See, that was actually funny (as was KONY quip). Calling people retarded is just... retarded?!

Here's some other so called analysts who looked in their crystal ball of marketing hype and cane to a very different conclusion (http://www.yankeegroup.com/public/news_releases/news_release_detail.jsp?ID=PressReleases/news_Videogameconsoles_8_16_06.htm):

One I find more believable than single moms and elderly women giving up daytime soaps and free Flash-games in order to swing the expensive* Wiimote around in their living room.


*I know, I know. It's not expensive compared to the overpriced PS3 or the 360 - but when talking about non-gamers you must realise that the $250 Wii is fucking expensive when compared to free stuff.
The Wii will be a gamers darling and a gift for kids - and a slightly larger female demographic will pick it up... in Japan.

[GregB]

So Wii launch titles now include :

Desperate Housewives : Secret of Wysteria Lane
Grey's Anatonmy The Game
Murder, She Wrote : Deadly Dinner Party
Perry Mason : Order In the Court
Diagnosis Murder : Prescription for Death

And don't forget....

Matlock
http://www.tvsquad.com/media/2006/02/matlocko.jpg


MAAAAAAATTTTLOOOOCKKKK!!!!!
http://static.flickr.com/4/5782330_57216c670c_m.jpg

[Chris Nahr]

``We want to appeal to mothers who don't want consoles in their living rooms, and to the elderly and to young women,'' President Satoru Iwata said in an interview. ``It's a challenge, like trying to sell cosmetics to men.''

Selling the Wii is like selling cosmetics to men? Okay, Iwata can go stand in the krazy korner with Ken Kutaragi. :(

[MatthewF]

Uh, you simplified "selling to a certain type of person" into just "selling," so of course it's not going to make sense if you put it that way. Mothers, young women and the elderly are typically not the main demographic of game consoles. Men are typically not the main demographic of cosmetics. Yeah, I think you can take it from there.

[Chris Nahr]

But if you're a woman you won't be interested in cosmetics marketed to men. And if I'm not a "mother, elderly person, or young woman"... will I be interested in the Wii?

[MatthewF]

You belong in the krazy korner. He's talking about cosmetics in general. It's not meant to be a 1:1 comparison, the comparison is in the "challenge" of the two.

[Aeon221]

Senior Citizen Wii Pack comes with two free bottles of Advil and a case of Redbull.

[Jake Plane]

I think a case of Depends would be more appropriate for those "Oh shit!" moments in gaming...

I'm kicking myself out. Sorry.

[Reldan]

In additon to the Depends there should be Viagra.

y'know, for the Shit Bonerz!

[Qenan]

A game involving Viagra would be a good fit for the Wii.

[shift6]

Murder, She Wrote : Deadly Dinner Party
Perry Mason : Order In the Court
Sold! If I was 40 years older, I'd be looking for some of that Angela Lansbury action, too.

By the way, "trolling" suggests fabricating an opinion merely to irritate people. Whereas I actually do think the PS3 is going to suck, and is a rip-off.
Dude, if you haven't been in P&R lately, trolling now means anything that anyone says ever, if you don't agree.

[Kitsune]

Just as a data point, Nintendo, Sony and Namco, among others all have rather ongoing R&D projects and other products going that are targetted to either helping the elderly (rehabilitation, memory diseases, companions for loneliness) using video game technology. Namco and Nintendo's products have been tested and used in hospitals and therapy sites. Sony has its own centers aimed toward the middle-aged and elderly.

Before Brain Training, whose primary market is the middle-aged and elderly, by the by, the biggest game to appeal to 40-65, 65+ markets were Pachinko simulators and Dragon Quest. The market for them has risen dramatically lately.

Lastly, what kind of idiotic Japanese company wouldn't be looking for a why to appeal to the elderly seeing the evidence for the demographic shift toward them to be happening soon?

-Kitsune