Iwata on being first to market...
"Being first in the next generation race is not important at all. One of the reasons we believe this is the time for Nintendo to launch the Wii U is it's going to be important for the world."
Iwata on returning to profitability...
"Our intention is to return to profitability after just one year of losing money. I just cannot say that it's a good thing for Nintendo at all to record an annual loss for two or more years in a row. … The [loss of the] past year is due to the 3DS hardware sales. We were selling hardware below the cost, so this year we are already recovering and improving the profitability of the 3DS." This will change in the very near future … based up on where we are today in terms of our schedule to return to profitability."
On learning from the 3DS and applying to Wii U...
"The pricing of Wii U is going to be one of the most important elements when it is going to be launched. The environment is different. Wii U is going to be launching in a different environment than when the Wii was launched. Also, the involvement surrounding [mobile and social] businesses is different than several years ago."
On analysts/journalists that constantly call for Nintendo's death...
"Even when we were going to launch the Wii system, there were a lot of voice saying 'Nintendo should stop making hardware'. The reasoning behind that was Nintendo would not have any chance against Microsoft and Sony. The fact of the matter was: I did not think Nintendo should compete against these companies with the same message and same entertainment options for people. We have not changed our strategy. In other words, we just do not care what kind of 'more beef' console Microsoft and Sony might produce in 2013. Our focus is on how we can make our new console different than [others]."
Link
"Being first in the next generation race is not important at all. One of the reasons we believe this is the time for Nintendo to launch the Wii U is it's going to be important for the world."
Iwata on returning to profitability...
"Our intention is to return to profitability after just one year of losing money. I just cannot say that it's a good thing for Nintendo at all to record an annual loss for two or more years in a row. … The [loss of the] past year is due to the 3DS hardware sales. We were selling hardware below the cost, so this year we are already recovering and improving the profitability of the 3DS." This will change in the very near future … based up on where we are today in terms of our schedule to return to profitability."
On learning from the 3DS and applying to Wii U...
"The pricing of Wii U is going to be one of the most important elements when it is going to be launched. The environment is different. Wii U is going to be launching in a different environment than when the Wii was launched. Also, the involvement surrounding [mobile and social] businesses is different than several years ago."
On analysts/journalists that constantly call for Nintendo's death...
"Even when we were going to launch the Wii system, there were a lot of voice saying 'Nintendo should stop making hardware'. The reasoning behind that was Nintendo would not have any chance against Microsoft and Sony. The fact of the matter was: I did not think Nintendo should compete against these companies with the same message and same entertainment options for people. We have not changed our strategy. In other words, we just do not care what kind of 'more beef' console Microsoft and Sony might produce in 2013. Our focus is on how we can make our new console different than [others]."
Link
RSS Feeds:
Well said, Iwata [who'd want 3 hardware clones on the market anyway?].
Someone will sink themselves next gen with their 'moar power' strategy, if you ask me [my money's on Sony].
Amazon.de has already listed it with 350 €, so it will definitely not be more expansive than 350 bucks, or else Amazon would make a huge loss. I wonder if I should pre-order ist. I want a black system, though
I think being first is an important part of success, historically speaking. Emphasis on "part."
I guess this confirms it; Wii U won't be sold at a loss. Doesn't mean it won't have an attractive price, though.
Well, being brutally honest, I know for a fact I'll be getting a Wii U and even an OUYA however I don't see myself purchasing another xbox or playstation system as the vast majority of the major titles are 3rd party and on PC for much better prices not to mention PC has a very strong modding community that makes some awesome games even more awesome.
To add to this, while some people were bashing Nintendo exclusives on Wii, I loved Nintendo's offerings on Wii. I felt they were for the most part, just as strong, if not stronger then they've ever been. I know Wii U will bring the same quality of games, if not raise the bar some, just like 3DS. The same can't be said about how I feel about Sony and Microsoft who I feel have abandoned there older series's for constant more mature shooters, which imo has been way played out this gen. Don't get me wrong, if they prove me wrong and bring back older PS1/PS2 series's for PS4 and bring back older Xbox series's and RAREWare games for 720, I'll be extremely interested but they have to do a lot to sell me at this point.
As for Wii U's pricing, I think they need to keep the system in the $300 or less range, if they put it out at $400, I don't see the system selling.
Great points from Mr. Iwata. It's important that Nintendo needs to focus on 'bettering themselves' and bringing more games to the Wii U library than to focus on making better hardware, even though the Wii U hardware is already equal to the PS3/360 and is good enough as it is.
You have to skate where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.
View the full discussion!