Nintendo’s Wii Will Cost Less Than $200 – Sega Exec.

[zippyjuan]

Nintendo’s Wii Will Cost Less Than $200 – Sega Exec.
Nintendo Wii Gets “Unofficial” Price

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 05/11/2006 | 02:40 PM ]


Nintendo’s Wii game console, which launch is scheduled adjacent to Sony’s PlayStation 3, may become the most affordable gaming machine in years, as its pricing will be around $200, according to an executive of Sega, one of the main game publishers for Nintendo’s game consoles.

Scott Steinberg, vice president of marketing for Sega, said in an interview with Forbes that Nintendo’s Wii would cost less than $200, mainly because it does not feature state-of-the-art “heavy-duty” processors like those in PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. Forbes further reported that Merrill Lynch analyst Justin Post predicted Thursday that the new machine, which will be released this fall, would sell for $200, a move that could prompt software publishers to create more titles for the gaming system.

Sony’s PlayStation 2 console, which was introduced about half a decade ago, is selling very well even these days due to broad availability of games and pretty low price. Recently Sony slashed PS2 pricing to $129, which should catalyze even more gamers to get the machine. Even though Nintendo’s Wii is not as advanced as the new-generation consoles from Microsoft or Sony, it will be very cost-efficient and will come with motion-sensitive game controller, something truly new in the video game world.

Low price along with availability of many games, plus support of never-before-seen controller may attract attention of a lot of gamers to the new Wii console from Nintendo, which is exactly what the company seems to be banking on.

Nintendo Wii console will feature IBM’s custom PowerPC architecture based microprocessor named Broadway clocked at 729MHz and code-named Hollywood chip with built-in graphics core, DSP and I/O features from ATI that will operate at 243MHz, earlier reports suggested. Nintendo revolution will use 91MB of memory in total: 23MB of “main” 1T-SRAM, 64MB of “external” 1T-SRAM and 3MB texture buffer on the GPU. Nintendo’s Wii does not feature a hard disk drive, instead, it boasts with 512MB of flash memory, but the console will also have a card reader, which will allow installing more memory.



http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20060511143843.html

[InfiniteNothing]

729 mhz, that's come along way from the amazing SNES (3.6 Mhz)

[Airencracken]

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=64671

Sony denies copying Nintendo

Following reports that Sony only decided to implement motion-sensing technology into its PS3 controller after Nintendo unveiled the Wii remote, Worldwide Studios president Phil Harrison has declared that the company first began discussing the idea more than a decade ago.

In an exclusive interview with our sister site, GamesIndustry.biz, Harrison said Sony had been thinking about a developing motion sensitive controller "since 1994," adding: "But in reality you can't make some of the ideas that we have because the technology is not available in sufficient quantity or at a low enough price, and you kind of have to wait for certain things to converge."

"The controller is obviously a surprise to the industry," Harrison continued.

"We've been thinking about it for a while, but it's a relatively recent addition to the format. We didn't show it last year, because we weren't ready to."
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When asked if Sony had been influenced by the positive response Nintendo received after unveiling the Wii remote, Harrison replied: "I think that some of the research that we've done, clearly other companies have been doing as well - so there's nothing completely surprising about that.

"But I know that the strategy was to take what was already a winning formula - to have a controller as well regarded as it, and kind of the de facto industry standard that this PlayStation shape controller has become. We kind of took an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' strategy."

However, Harrison went on to concede, "We didn't start the wave, but we've kind of jumped onto that wave.

"I'm quite happy to admit that, but that will be one of the defining characteristics of next-generation gaming, the complexity and sophistication of input that you can get from a very simple device."
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http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/05/12/1738239&from=rss

When we look back on this E3, I think one of the moments we're most clearly going to remember is the dead silence in the Sony press conference following the price announcement. Eurogamer and GameDaily has coverage of Phil Harrison's spin work, trying to recover from that moment, discussing how Sony is not ripping off Nintendo and Microsoft probably won't meet their 10 million units goal. More interestingly, they discuss an interview with Ken Kutaragi conducted by a Japanese website. From that piece: "SCEI president Ken Kutaragi has defended the PlayStation 3's high price tag once again, declaring that not only will consumers be prepared to pay the cost but that the console is 'probably too cheap.' In an interview with Japanese website IT Media, partially translated by IGN, Kutaragi said: 'This is the PS3 price. Expensive, cheap - we don't want you to think of it in terms of game machines ... For instance ... Is it not nonsense to compare the charge for dinner at the company cafeteria with dinner at a fine restaurant? It's a question of what you can do with that game machine. If you can have an amazing experience, we believe price is not a problem.'"

:bigmouth:

[wung]

you think nintendo can sell the wii for a profit instead of a lost like all the other next gen consoles? or at least break even ... which would be really interesting if they become the #1 console again - selling a technologically inferior product (not counting the wiimote) but end up winning the console war ...

[ialsohaveadream]

you think nintendo can sell the wii for a profit instead of a lost like all the other next gen consoles? or at least break even ... which would be really interesting if they become the #1 console again - selling a technologically inferior product (not counting the wiimote) but end up winning the console war ...
That would be interesting. I think if Nintendo starts winning, Microsoft and Sony would cut their prices drastically out of necessity. After all, game makers produce games for consoles with the widest reach, and if 360 and PS3 become the Pepsi to Nintendo's Coke...

[CornMonkey]

...began discussing the idea more than a decade ago, but finally decided to implement it after hearing about the Wiimote.
i fixed that part in the article.

[wung]

That would be interesting. I think if Nintendo starts winning, Microsoft and Sony would cut their prices drastically out of necessity. After all, game makers produce games for consoles with the widest reach, and if 360 and PS3 become the Pepsi to Nintendo's Coke...

yeah, i can't wait to see how all this will play out.

i never thought business would interest me ... i suppose i just attained another level of maturity ... or not ...

[MrGreg]

Of the three, the only one I am certain I will buy is the Revolution (I refuse to call it by the other name).

I might get a PS3 or 360, but it will depend heavily on games.

[verve247]

Real men say Wii. Wii Wii Wii. The name is so bad it's good.




Of the three, the only one I am certain I will buy is the Revolution (I refuse to call it by the other name).

I might get a PS3 or 360, but it will depend heavily on games.

[InfiniteNothing]

Random thought: 3D0 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3DO_Interactive_Multiplayer)(hex) is 70(hex) more than 360(hex)

[Airencracken]

and....

[InfiniteNothing]

LOL. I warned you with "random".

Bigger numbers means better. Therefore the 3DO is better than the 360 by 70 arbitrary units.

[Airencracken]

Groaner foul.

[LPMiller]

I don't think Nin is going to end up on top - microsoft is going to do that. But they will wax the floor with sony. Micorsoft and Nintendo will tag team 'em. Peter Moore made a great point (one that implies truth to the 200 dollar Wii rumor) - in that for the price of the PS3, you can get both Wii AND 360.

[InfiniteNothing]

Technically, I believe Nintendo is already on top. They are selling tons of Nintendo DSes with 16MM sold since it came out.

Here is how the console war played out in Japan:

Japanese hardware sales Feb 27 - Mar 5

* DS Lite: 68,438
* DS: 49,118
* PSP: 43,110
* PS2: 25,778
* GBA SP: 5,493
* GB Micro: 3,213
* Gamecube: 1,489
* Xbox 360: 1,240
* Xbox: 101
* GBA: 98

Really, since the debut, the 360 hasn't done well at all: just 1.6MM units a quarter. Usually, consoles sell worse as time goes on so I just can't see it as a winner.

[Airencracken]

Nintendo knows how to do portable. PSP is t3h sux. I <3 my DS.

[gear02]

Heh, video game company strategy is my favorite.

I think Microsoft's strategy is doing well, though they really need to ramp up the Live Marketplace content and the number of solid hits in the next few months.

Nintendo will probably win best of show for the Wii. I think their strategy of not following the rapid pace of high performing platforms in favor of a more experiential, niche market is brilliant. They knew they couldn't outspend Sony and Microsoft in making the most powerful machine and changed the game.

Sony is shooting itself in the foot. Last year, the PS3 stole the show with its blueray and sheer HD power (it could render 2 HD streams at the same time). Now, they scrapped the new controller in favor of the SAME design they've had for the last 7 years. They've announced a price point that significantly higher AND their C-level execs are talking about how that's too low!

[InfiniteNothing]

The price point isn't really higher. Maybe I'm wrong but the standard version of the PS3 (20 gig hard drive, multi out, etc) is more equivalent to the high end version of the XB 360. Also they suffer from middle child syndrome. They are neither the cheapest nor the highest end.

[gear02]

The price point isn't really higher. Maybe I'm wrong but the standard version of the PS3 (20 gig hard drive, multi out, etc) is more equivalent to the high end version of the XB 360. Also they suffer from middle child syndrome. They are neither the cheapest nor the highest end.

Last I heard, the price points for the PS3 were $499/$599. 360 launched at $299/$399.

I've also read that hidden in this pricing debate is the fact that the low end PS3 cannot be upgraded. Meanwhile the low end 360 can be upgraded to the high end 360.

Btw, I'm not saying that the 360 is better. I'm just saying that Sony's pricing coupled with the fact that Sony's CEO Kutaragi called its $499/$599 price "too cheap" is a bad, bad move.

[LPMiller]

Technically, I believe Nintendo is already on top. They are selling tons of Nintendo DSes with 16MM sold since it came out.

Here is how the console war played out in Japan:


Really, since the debut, the 360 hasn't done well at all: just 1.6MM units a quarter. Usually, consoles sell worse as time goes on so I just can't see it as a winner.

That's not really true. All launches have supply issues, and most consoles go through a bell curve in sales. The playstation and PS2 were both perfect examples of this.

Plus, Japan and the US are really very different markets. Microsoft will have a tough time there just because they aren't a Japan based company. They could give 'em away and it would still be a major issue.

[Chgoman]

I know that Sony is offering more out of the box with the PS3, but I think they are going to alienate a lot of the market with their pricing. Will they sell out when it debuts? Probably, but they aren't going to have as many extended sales at that price.

[InfiniteNothing]

Last I heard, the price points for the PS3 were $499/$599. 360 launched at $299/$399.

I've also read that hidden in this pricing debate is the fact that the low end PS3 cannot be upgraded. Meanwhile the low end 360 can be upgraded to the high end 360.

Btw, I'm not saying that the 360 is better. I'm just saying that Sony's pricing coupled with the fact that Sony's CEO Kutaragi called its $499/$599 price "too cheap" is a bad, bad move.
You are correct. I thought the XB was more. The upgradeable argument doesn't hold since you'll end up paying more right?

[InfiniteNothing]

That's not really true. All launches have supply issues, and most consoles go through a bell curve in sales. The playstation and PS2 were both perfect examples of this.

Plus, Japan and the US are really very different markets. Microsoft will have a tough time there just because they aren't a Japan based company. They could give 'em away and it would still be a major issue.
Low supply might explain 4Q05 but how do you explain 1Q06. The XB360 only sold 0.1MM more in 1Q6. There are are no supply problems today.
Half (http://product.half.ebay.com/Microsoft-Xbox-360-Premium-Edition-System-Game-Console_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ46859558)
I only pulled the Japan data out because that's what I had looked at most recently. If you have US data, I'd be interested. The DS has been selling great since the debut (3.4 MM/quarter). I don't think the XB 360 has a chance.

[gear02]

You are correct. I thought the XB was more. The upgradeable argument doesn't hold since you'll end up paying more right?

Well...I'm not sure. I read that the $499 will have less features and performance than the $599. It's the same for the 360, but at least you can actually upgrade a 360.

All it means is that they're locking you into an inferior machine so you choose it. I'm not sure that's a good idea.

[Airencracken]

All it means is that they're locking you into an inferior machine so you choose it. I'm not sure that's a good idea.

Excellent point.

[g222leav]

so...when can we pre-order? i want one so bad!!!

[ray]

I am bumping this thread with September rolling around and rumors that preorders will launch then.

According to recent Nintendo announcements, the price of the Wii in Europe will be less than 250Euros and rumors are that it will cost less than $250USD (rumors have gone as low as $170USD).

[BigJon]

I'm gonna wait until after the first wave hits. There's usually a price drop then...not to mention working the bugs out and possibly some (already) used systems to snatch up.

Just wait...soon, I too, will be running home after work to Wii.

[ray]

That's a good point Jon. But I trust that Nintendo will have worked out all of the major hardware issues and all the fixes can be issued through firmware/software downloads.

[BigJon]

Good point...I almost forgot that the Wii will be wi-fi compatible. Buuuut, don't foget about hardware bugs. Not that Nintendo is going to be like Microsoft and push the first production date up so much that 100s of glitchy, overheating xbox 360s were produced....but you never know.

I kind of feel like Nintendo takes it's time and puts out good quality product every time. Sure...you can complain about Virtual Boy..but if you ever owned one...it was the shiznit (still have mine).

[InfiniteNothing]

Lucky! It was a bit too expensive for me.

[shocky123]

<quoted from whomever cracken was quoting>

"In an exclusive interview with our sister site, GamesIndustry.biz, Harrison said Sony had been thinking about a developing motion sensitive controller "since 1994," adding: "But in reality you can't make some of the ideas that we have because the technology is not available in sufficient quantity or at a low enough price, and you kind of have to wait for certain things to converge."



*cough* *cough* Blue-Ray *cough* *cough*

..but I'll still drop the 700 smackers for the ps3..

~Kyle

[ray]

The Nintendo Wii is set to be released on November 19th and will cost $250. Full article link:

http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/14/technology/personaltech/nintendo/index.htm?cnn=yes

[MikeD]

Oooh...me likey:


Games will cost $50, which is standard pricing for titles for current systems, but $10 less than what many games for the Xbox 360 and PS3 cost. One game - "Wii Sports," a compilation of tennis, golf, baseball, bowling and boxing - will come included with the system to demonstrate its abilities.

[Cubsfan]

I wish they would have included one more Wii-mote/Nunchuck combo. To buy another one is $60.

[YellowCoffee]

I wish they would have included one more Wii-mote/Nunchuck combo. To buy another one is $60.

Yeah, that'd be nice, but the system is relatively cheap anyways. If I do buy one, I plan on spending about $400 total for all the extra accessories/games. That's still much cheaper than xbox or ps3.

BUT, for the price of the controller, I'm hoping it's good quality and can last a long time. I'm hoping that since it is Nintendo, it will.

[mcs328]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/1minute-update-solid-q--a-after-nintendos-wii-event-200732.php

Remote - $40
Nunchuck - $20

[Memo]

I wish they would have included one more Wii-mote/Nunchuck combo. To buy another one is $60.
:stupid:
Would much rather have that than the packaged game

[InfiniteNothing]

:stupid: but I totally understand why, strategically, they would rather include the game than the controller.