Michael Pachter, famous public video games analyst, has stated that he does not think the Wii U will save Nintendo from its recent decline. With the 3DS being pushed harder than ever, the 3DS and the upcoming Wii U is all Nintendo has to bank on right now. But more than just a somewhat stagnant appeal, Pachter implies that the very nature of trying to appeal to casual gamers has brought down their current and future numbers…
“I believe (and please feel free to disagree) that a large portion of the Wii audience comprised casual gamers–those who bought one or two games a year the first two years, then put the Wii aside–and that those casual gamers moved on to another platform. The “other” platform may have been Facebook games, smart phone games, tablet games, or one of the other consoles, but once they moved on, they are not likely to come back.”
He states that the Wii U audience is about half of the Wii audience and that the half of that portion of buyers will be competed for by Sony and Microsoft if the Wii U is priced too high.
What do you think about these predictions?
This article is just not credible. Here’s why, “I believe (and please feel free to disagree) that a large portion of the Wii audience comprised casual gamers–those who bought one or two games a year the first two years” For the first four years of the Wii’s existance, it was the number one selling console consistently. For the month of December 2011, the Wii outsold the PS3 and Xbox 360. I don’t know how well the Wii U will do, but I heard some of the same rhetoric before Nintendo released the Wii back in 2006.
“(causal gamers)then put the Wii aside–and that those casual gamers moved on to another platform. The “other” platform may have been Facebook games, smart phone games, tablet games, or one of the other consoles…” Please cite or reference any evidence that supports your assertion, otherwise your just making that up.
@ Kenneth B.
Historically Patcher is wrong and awful at his job. A lot of people post what he says now for a quick laugh.
Pachter also said this about the Wii, he predicted the Wii would be a failure.. Hello this guy is an idiot. The only reason people read his comments is to laugh at just how inaccurate this guys comments are.
Total moron, at least we can all laugh at this guy when the Wii U is the best selling console of the next gen, just like the Wii is of the current gen.
Nice one Patcher, keep the predictions coming hahaha
I agree with you guys totally. This guy’s generation even managed to miss out on Pac Man, so not only does he obviously just speculate based on his opinion of “these here new fangled devices”, he does not even understand what it is to be a gamer. Sony and Microsoft don’t “compete” with Nintendo; they compete with each other. Why? They don’t have Mario! Or Zelda! Or Donkey Kong, Pokemon, etc, etc, and all the half-baked rip offs on Sony and MS consoles could never hold a candle to Nintendo’s software. My guess (and i admit this is an opinion based on the people ive met in my life) is that most owners of these other consoles are gamers (ppl dont buy consoles unless they are gonna spend some time in front of it) and as such own a Wii IN ADDITION TO their PS3s and 360s. If you want opinions ask a gamer, not some obsolete pundit. Once again, Nintendo is on the cutting edge of technology and the leader in innovation with another new kickass product!
This guy is a complete ass. I live in Jamaica and we love the wii so much and we can’t wait for the wii u. Yea we play 360 and ps3 too but the wii is the winner here.
Get N or get OUT!!!!
is this guy on crazy pills he could not predict future sales even if you gave him a time machine and sent him to the future to see them.
the only thing we can say it this is the first of the next-gen consoles to com out, which will give them a good start.
also the Mario and Zelda franchise will sell the console to most of their consumers anyway. I own both the Wii and the ps3 and play them equally. this guy is treating the consumer like they a fickle sheep.
jesus…you people are simple. The only thing more he could have said is the exact number of people who play on Facebook,iDevices and smart phones(WHICH IS KIND OF A LOT). He’s not saying the Wii U is going to be a shitty device, he is saying a lot has changed since the Wii came out in 2006. Most people’s WIi’s are idling while the sales of new handheld devices has been overwhelmingly successful. If you need a reference to know that a majority of people have a smart phone,iTouch or some other type of tablet-esque device you need to get the hell out of the basement after playing De Blob for 5 straight years.
Wii U has potential to be a great core gaming device that totally redeems the last 4 years of bullshit with the Wii but based on the hard time 3DS had getting sales at first people have moved away from simply buying something with the Nintendo logo on it