Nintendo boss still optimistic over console's outlook

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata says that, despite the significant challenges it faces with slow Wii U sales, he remains optimistic of the console's outlook.

Iwata addressed an audience of investors and analysts at conference in Japan on Wednesday, as he outlined Nintendo's plan to turn around its fortunes after poor hardware sales impacted the firm's bottom line in 2013.

Iwata apologized for the firm's drastic cut to its Wii U hardware sales projections, but insisted the firm's focus remains on console gaming and that he's 'not pessimistic' over the future outlook of the console.

"Under the current situation where the company has to report an operating loss, simply executing a price reduction as a way to defuse the situation is not an option," he stated. "In the short-term, Nintendo will focus on thoroughly enriching the value of the most significant feature of Wii U, the Wii U GamePad," he said.

Iwata outlined plans to significantly 'revamp' Wii U marketing - since too many still misinterpret the Wii U Gamepad as an accessory for the old Wii - and to increase the firm's focus on developing games that make full use of the Wii U Gamepad, including its NFC functionality.

"Our top priority task this year is to offer software titles that are made possible because of the GamePad," said Iwata. "We have managed to offer several of such software titles for occasions when many people gather in one place to play, but we have not been able to offer a decisive software title that enriches the user's gameplay experience when playing alone with the GamePad. This will be one of the top priorities of Mr. Miyamoto's software development department this year."

Iwata said the firm will also license Nintendo game character rights out to new development partners in a bid to boost Wii U's game library further.

While Nintendo games not will be brought to mobiles, Iwata did admit that interfacing with smartphones is "extremely important", and that the firm will "start a new service that enables us to connect with our consumers on a continuous basis on smart devices within this year."

Iwata said, "Let me emphasize that this does not mean simply supplying Nintendo games on smart devices," he said. "Taking advantage of smart devices means connecting with all consumers, including those who do not own Nintendo's video game systems, through smart devices and communicating the value of our entertainment offerings, thus encouraging more people to participate in Nintendo platforms."

Nintendo will "use a small, select team of developers" to run its smartphone service, pledging to "provide something truly valuable that is unique to Nintendo", possibly including actual games. "I have not given any restrictions to the development team, even not ruling out the possibility of making games or using our game characters," said Iwata.

"However, if you report that we will release Mario on smart devices, it would be a completely misleading statement. It is our intention to release some application on smart devices this year that is capable of attracting consumer attention and communicating the value of our entertainment offerings," he added.

The firm used the conference to confirm a May release the on of Wii U's most important upcoming titles, Mario Kart 8.

Posted: Jan 30, 2014 4:25 pm
Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/447371/wii-u-price-cut-not-an-option-says-iwata/