Reggie Talks Wii Production, Halo 3
By Chris on Monday, October 1st, 2007 at 12:53 PM PST In Games, Nintendo, Nintendo
Everyone’s favorite monster of a man, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime, had a talk with the San Jose Mercury News recently. He was asked about the supply problems the Wii continues to face and how it might be during the holidays, Halo 3’s implications on the console war and more in a short but worthwhile read. Reggie seems particular smug throughout, but considering the success of the Wii (and DS), I suppose he’s got a good reason. But it’s got a nice nugget in there that will serve to start many a flamewars.
Q: What is it about your manufacturing system that doesn’t allow you to catch up with demand?
A: The issue is not a lack of production. The issue is we went in with a curve that was aggressive, but the demand has been substantially more than that. And the ability to ramp up production and to sustain it is not a switch that you flick on. We’re working very hard to make sure that consumers are satisfied this holiday, but I can’t guarantee that we’re going to meet demand. As a matter of fact, I can tell you on the record we won’t.
Q: There’s been a lot of buzz about Microsoft’s “Halo 3.” How do you expect it to affect the console battle this holiday season?
A: Will they sell a lot of software? Certainly. Will it sell hardware? I think it’s an open question. Why? Because I think that the “Halo 3″ consumer already has the hardware, because they’re playing “Bioshock” and “Crackdown” and a variety of games that are, in the end, quite similar: first-person shooter experience, multiplayer capable online. Tell me what’s new?
Q: So do you feel like you need to counter “Halo 3″ in some way?
A: No.
A lineup of Mario Galaxy, Smash Bros. Brawl and Metroid Prime 3 in the latter half of 2007 would beg to differ on that “we don’t need to counter Halo 3” statement. But man, is this flamebait or what?
I think he’s correct in the principle that those who want Halo 3 will already have the hardware (in most cases, not all) and that most games on the 360 ARE FPS’. As for a counter, well, yes and no. Yes because the Wii needs more games in a constant stream of quality, however, MP3 was released and the Mario trilogy will be coming out, but I think they need a game, that at the very least, has as much hype as Halo 3.
I think the Wii just needs games in general. I mean three AAA games in six months is a little weak. Granted, they all look like they’re going to be great, but without online multiplayer, the space between their release feels distant. The last time I I turned on my Wii was two months ago, and that was to play a used Gamecube game.
And I think Halo 3 actually is a system seller, though I wouldn’t have thought that a week ago. I’ve seen on two separate occasions now, some random person buying two things: an Xbox Premium system and a copy of Halo 3. That and a friend of mine is now seriously considering buying the system after we played some co-op. There are other games on the system he likes, but Halo’s the one that tipped him into giving the purchase some serious thought.
I agree with the nothing new statement he talked about with Halo 3. Seriously, apart from a few guns, there IS nothing new. I have the bones to buy Halo 3, but I’m not going to just yet. Will I? Perhaps, but there is nothing about it that screams for me to buy it. Sure, the multiplayer is fun, but the singleplayer campaign is subpar on Bungie’s level. They can do better, they chose not to. That is unacceptable to me.
The other reason I have no reason to buy it right now is that I’m truly disappointed with their Market wing. Think about it. Witht he graphics I’ve seen, this game could have easily been put on the original xbox, thereby actually gaining some profit. M$ fanboys are upset at Nintendo for the reason that they are succeeding. Microsoft has yet to make any money off of their entire xbox projects, from the incredible losses they are still undertaking. Putting Halo 3 on the original xbox would have revived some faith in their old fans, and put them back in the buying market.
I’d have to actually disagree quite firmly on hardware not being bought for the Halo 3 game. there are millions of xbox fans out there that own one for one reason only: halo. I think those people didn’t by a 360 immediately as they knew that halo 3 wasn’t out yet. Now that it is and the 360 is much cheaper, a lot of hardware will be sold. Also, whats new with halo 3? just another fps? c’mon people. That’s like saying, oh mortal Kombat deception? well i have the original for sega, why get this? It’s a totally better game than the original, as is halo 3 from 2
I agree with him totally. I personally don’t know anyone who was waiting for Halo3 to come out before buying a 360. At the end of the day the biggest selling Halo game was Halo 2 and that sold 8m. Considering that I haven’t heard of a single 360 owner that doesn’t like Halo I would be willing to bet that 99% of those 8m Halo fans already own a 360.
Sure 360 sales will go up a bit but not much. I just had a look at Amazons UK gaming chart and while Halo3 is at #1 no 360 console is even in the top 50:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/videogames/ref=pd_ts_c_th_more/203-1038193-2219905?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=right-4&pf_rd_r=0X59FC949MP3TJ2FR5ZS&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=133110391&pf_rd_i=300703
I did wait to buy the 360 until about two weeks before halo 3 was released.
I returned my nintendo wii at costco so I could buy the 360. I was hoping metroid would have been more fun but it wasn’t a open enough game for me. once the novelty of the controller wore off for me I was done with the Wii. That took all of a couple of days. All of my friends are playing Halo 3. and about three of us waited to buy the 360 until halo 3 was released.
The Halo 3 campaign is great! Ive played it for a week straight on different difficulties and it never gets boring! Its so fun! I actually believe its underhyped! BTW! The 360 outsold the Wii this week in America!
Goeff Urself I don’t want to accuse you of being a lying 360 fanboy but you are one so I will
Eugene said: BTW! The 360 outsold the Wii this week in America!
According to who? On Amazon.com in the US the 360 is being outsold by the Wii and PS3.
http://news.punchjump.com/article.php?id=4898
norbit
I’m too old to be a fanboy. What i said is the truth. why must the pot call the kettle black?
Goeff Urself you are lying. Grow up.