Top Sega Executive Believes The Wii Hype May Fade Away Soon

Scott Steinberg could be correct about his prediction that the Wii’s hype will fade away this year or in 2008. My personal opinion of the Nintendo Wii has shifted since it was first released. My first impression was that it was simply a gimmick system with little future, but it has proved me wrong so far. The game lineup is a little weak at times, but they do corner the market when it comes to casual gaming fun. I think what would do in the Wii in the end would be if Microsoft and Sony developed action games using controllers similar to Wii-motes. They could easily blow Nintendo out of the water that way, but would also take the risk of being considered copycats. I think the Wii will continue going strong into 2008, but will probably slide down into third place once Microsoft and Sony have games using the full capabilities of the systems. Right now, very few people are willing to drop a lot of money into systems, but that will all change when “must have” games are released. I highly doubt that the Nintendo Wii will drift into obscurity like the Game Cube, but they cannot possibly expect to remain on top forever. (Quote from the original article located after the break).

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – The novelty of Nintendo Co. Ltd.’s Wii video game console could wear off by next year, a top executive at game publisher Sega said on Thursday, offering an unusual note of skepticism over the hit machine.

The Wii has been the top-selling console for several months as its low price and unique motion-sensing controller attract fans outside the traditional gaming audience.

But the system’s dated graphics and lack of technological bells and whistles found on rival machines from Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. may hamper its long-term viability, said Scott Steinberg, vice president of marketing for the U.S. unit of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc.

Sega makes games for the three major game consoles — Wii, Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

“I am a little concerned about the creative depth of the Wii pool,” Steinberg said in an interview. “I’m not sure if they will top out in 2008 or 2007.”