Gaming in the Media: To Wii, or Not to Wii?
July 2007 Issue
![Cerise Issue 3 [July 2007]](http://cerise.theirisnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/cerisejul07_tn.jpg)
Features
- From the Editors
- Craft Check: Sunpaint T-shirts
- Gaming in the Media: To Wii, or Not to Wii?
Interviews
- Jess Hartley [Tabletop RPG writer]
- Robyn Bremner [Game tester, Capcom Interactive Canada]
Articles
- Inviting More People to the Game
Author: Cherie Thomason
- Racial Inclusiveness in Gaming
Author: Latoya Peterson
- Does Inclusive Game Design Make Sense?
Author: Andrea Rubenstein
- The Women of Twilight Princess
Author: Ariel Wetzel
Cherie proposes some simple ways to make games more inclusive.
Latoya explores the problems that the industry has with race and proposes some solutions.
Andrea takes on some of the common stumbling blocks that hinder inclusive game design.
Ariel breaks down the major women of Twilight Princess and examines how the game uses female characters in general.
Gamer Stories
Reviews
- Nintendo Wii and Wii Sports
- Shadowrun
- Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side First Love
- Retro Review: The Dreadnaught Factor
In last month’s Gaming in the Media, the console wars were discussed, particularly in reference to the Wii and PS3 sales. This month, the trend has continued. The Play-Girlz Gaming Blog posted a sales chart (created by Infendo) showing the dominance of the Nintendo system after six months on the market.
It seems that Fortune Magazine is inclined to agree: In an article titled “Wii Will Rock You,” Fortune’s senior editor seeks to explain why the Wii has risen to dominate the gaming market. While many gamers (including comments expressed on the Cerise forums) believe that it is too early to call winners in this battle, many people outside the industry believe that the Wii has won, and for good reason.
One of the article’s more telling quotes is from Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. Summarizing the Wii’s ability to break past traditional gaming boundaries, Iwata explains, “We are not competing against Sony or Microsoft. We are battling the indifference of people who have no interest in video games.” Wii indeed has blasted past sales projections and is rapidly changing how people think about gaming. Gaming suddenly seems accessible to the masses - which is translating into crazy cash for Nintendo.
In PS3 news, BusinessWeek apparently agrees with Blake Snow, publishing a May 29th article that explains how a price cut for the PS3 may not have the effect on sales Sony needs to regain footing. In “PS3 Price Cut Too Little, Too Late,” BusinessWeek outlines some issues with Sony’s launch and price:
According to Bank of America’s Michael L. Savner, a price drop on the PlayStation 3 later this summer or fall would likely not be enough to stimulate sales of Sony’s console significantly. Moreover, he believes that the weak PS3 sales and continued shift towards Nintendo’s Wii could have “adverse implications” for publishers.
What does this mean for gamers?
More likely than not, this just means more fuel for the raging bonfire of commentary we call the blogosphere. Since none of us are equipped with ESP in the real world, it will be difficult to definitively discuss the future of gaming until it actually arrives. Nintendo may be the next great innovation in gaming, just like Ipod became the little white pop culture icon it is today. Or, the Wii may be a quick flash in the pan, making video games a trend for a few years before being abandoned by the masses for the next great thing. PS3 may recover, or it may lose precious ground to XBox 360. Or maybe none of these things will happen, and gamers will think themselves into a stupor trying to stay three steps ahead of the unwashed masses.
Again, it is too soon to tell.
What does this mean for non-gamers?
The situation for non-gamers is actually increasing in importance. While reports of Nintendo gaining market share continue to make headlines, more and more business people and investors have started to take note. Developers are feeling pressure from their boards and investors to develop more titles for Nintendo, which may impact Sony and Microsoft. Game development is big business, so it makes sense that investors want to follow the money. However, this also means that people who do not understand the business are driving most of the development.
