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Wii 'Popularity Bubble' to Burst?

Posted by Zonk on from the it's-a-big-one dept.

A combination of industry and developer observations has prompted Tech.co.uk to wonder if the Wii's overwhelming popularity is due to end sometime soon. This is based on a report from Japanese business newspaper The Nikkei, which published an article recently entitled 'Software Houses Miscalculate Audience, Demand For Wii'. "The report goes on to discuss the likelihood that many Wiis are gathering dust in owners' cupboards, citing one software house president as saying, 'People bought it out of curiosity, and it's likely a lot of them haven't used it.' Given that September saw Wii sales fall sharply in Japan for the second consecutive month, it seems reasonable to speculate that the bubble inflated by the novelty factor is starting to deflate, but writing Nintendo off at any stage is a perilous course to steer." Is this just worrying, or is there validity to this?

4 of 426 comments (clear)

  1. Third party developers by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Until a third party publisher releases a game that sells well on the Wii, it shouldn't be surprising that developers are shying away. (Given Nintendo's track record of dicking them over.)

  2. Dust? Sales are up to 4:1 Wii:PS3 by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Lol.

    Look, part of the group that bought the Wii are casual gamers.

    Casual. As in not every day.

    To be frank, that's the market.

    Now, a better question would be, when HDTV gains majority market share of the TV base in 2009, will this impact Wii sales?

    That is much more relevant. Will Nintendo have a new console out in time? Will Sony continue to ignore reality? Will Microsoft achieve total dominance with the vBox (successor to the HDTV-enabling xBox360)? name is my suggestion

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    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  3. WAAAAAAHHHHHH I have a $600 paper weight!!!! by engfant · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    That's all it is. CRYBABIES that can't STAND that Nintendo once again is the winner. WAAAAHHHHH I PAID ALL THIS MONEY TO WATCH A LOADING SCREEN!!!! WAAAAAHHHHHH Hard core gamers? F the "hard core gamers". That's BS. I've been gaming since Atari 2600 and I PLAY NINTENDO. That's it. Hard core gamer = NO LIFE LOSERS THAT BITCH AND MOAN TOO MUCH.

  4. Sports teams by Tony · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    God DAMN! It's like watching a bunch of no-necked jocks arguing about the best sports team around here.

    Nothing like a spot of, "The Wii is the best console out there!" followed by, "No way, N00b. teh 360 is the r0x!" ending with a, "I say, old chap, the PS3 is the superior system!"

    How old are all of you? 13? You can like your favorite system without slamming the other systems, you know. That is, unless you are worried about your penis size.

    Yes, this is a flame. I just can't believe all the whining that goes on around here every time a console is mentioned.

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    Microsoft is to software what Budweiser is to beer.