30
why is the wii so shocking?
(I had a cold and so curled up on the couch like a little baby and thus the hiatus for those who are curious. Now on to the post:)
I played the Wii at a friends house on Saturday. And it is freaking awesome. And it’s shocking that we haven’t seen anything like this sooner. Especially shocking when looked at as a business case.
What makes the Wii great? It’s fun. It’s not that the graphics are stunning (they are good though). It’s not that the gameplay is so sophisticated that you feel like you’re in another world (though the games are engrossing). And it’s not that the games are connected over the Internet and you can play the world (playing the person next to you is fun enough). Those are all the defining characteristics of Sony and Microsoft’s latest systems. The Wii’s games are lighthearted and are unique in that they require a tremendous amount of involvement in aiming, motion, or coordination. They’re challenging, but not annoying. And it is light years different than the fare from Sony and Microsoft.
From a technical perspective the Wii isn’t sophisticated. Do you remember Duck Hunt? That game for the original Nintendo where you shoot a gun at your TV to hunt ducks (hence the name, “Duck Hunt”). The idea of it was to make the game more interactive and engrossing—and did it ever work! That was what—like 15 years ago? The Wii also doesn’t seem to have the latest crazy, ridiculous graphics and processor technology that Xbox 360 and Playstation 2 have. So it’s not the technology that took so long to get to us.
Anyway, the Wii is a business triumph because it represents thinking about delivering a product in a way that’s different than simply matching and/or one-upping the competition. Instead of competing based on using the latest, greatest technology or the most complicated games with incredible amounts of internet connectivity—Nintendo asked “how can we make this game more fun and a totally different experience than the other guys?” And man did they succeed.
Fundamentally, the Wii is a triumph because they redefined the category. And it’s a testament that not every industry is involved in group-think. There’s a great book on how a business can redefine themselves based on factors that competition is ignoring, it’s “Blue Ocean Strategy” and while a little academic, makes for a great book.
8 comments to why is the wii so shocking?
— 01/30/07 at 10:17 pm
Cool. The Nintendo Wii is truly an entrepreneurial masterpiece, not to mention a fully engaging video game system. I totally agree with you Surya.
— 01/31/07 at 2:23 am
Agreed that Nintendo redefined a category. They even took it further, by creating one. Pretty cool. I wrote more about that here:
http://www.adamduvander.com/simple/why-nintendo-likes-third-place
— 01/31/07 at 2:58 am
Well put. I am trying to buy two if anyone sees one please grab it:)
— 01/31/07 at 7:24 am
I think I have to buy a Wii now and it sounds like you guys already own one (or like Noah, are trying to get your hands on one). I just saw this article in the NY Times this morning that talks exactly about this topic: NY TIMES LINK
Thanks for the comments!
— 02/01/07 at 8:45 pm
Speaking as someone who owns and has firsthand experience with the innovative qualities of the Wii, I can say that your analysis of it is dead-on. Graphically, the Nintendo Wii can’t compete with the PS3 and XBOX 360, but it does deliver fresh gameplay and intuitive controls that could map the way towards amazing games in the future. On the whole, I recommend buying this system, but you might as well wait until a good game comes out that uses the Wii to its fullest potentail. But if you get one now, Twilight Princess is a good choice.
P.S. Good luck on The Apprentice! We’re all rooting for you.
— 02/03/07 at 5:15 pm
What I’m wondering is when are they planning to add an ankle bracelet type device that will monitor your foot movement. That way they could begin progamming games that allowed you to run, kick, jump and anything else we can think of.
— 02/10/07 at 12:02 pm
ShananR– thanks for the coment. I haven’t bought a game system since the Sega Genesis– but I might get the Wii. It just seems like good leisure versus obsessive gaming!
AFett– great idea! I hope Nintendo is reading…
— 02/11/07 at 3:17 pm
while i think the wii is a very innovative product and has an apple like cool factor, i would still not buy one. i think most people are starting to realize that the gaming machine is more than just for games, it is a hub for all home entertainment. I think the xbox and xbox 360 provides users with a compelling value propostion: buy this system and you not only have a top of the notch gaming machine, but also a home media center which can drive movies, music, pics, etc to your screens.
i think people who get back some extra change from uncle sam will go buy the wii as a secondary gaming unit, but most gamers and consumers who can afford only one system will go with the xbox or the playstation.
Leave a Comment or a Question