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Square Enix Boss Expects New Wii By 2011

Tom Ivan's picture

By Tom Ivan

September 21, 2009

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Square Enix president Yoichi Wada expects Nintendo to release a new Wii console by 2011.

Wada said that a new Wii console would likely be closer to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PS3 in terms of functionality, and perhaps ship with a fresh controller.

The executive also told the Financial Times that motion sensing controllers from Microsoft and Sony, both of which are expected to release next year, could have a limited effect on console sales.

“Present game machines already have a lot of functions: they are a network terminal, a Blu-ray or DVD player, and a gaming machine. Compared to these three pillars, the [new motion] controllers are quite limited, so the impact may be small. They are an extension of the gaming function.”

Wada noted that compelling games would be key to driving console sales, but added of Microsoft’s Natal: “As a user interface it’s fantastic and I think it will become standard."

Ben_Lathwell's picture
On September 21st Ben_Lathwell said:

Surely a new Wii will tank. I personally don't believe the casual gaming market will except or in many cases even understand why they are buying a new console, especially if the extended features are just playing catch up with Microsoft and Sony.

Maxrunner's picture
On September 21st Maxrunner said:

Except its not the wii which has to catch up......and a new wii will tank?riiigghhttttt....its 2005 al over again.

Ben_Lathwell's picture
On September 22nd Ben_Lathwell said:

What i mean is the improvements implyed would bring the Wii up to the graphical standard of PS3/360 and possibley provide a Blu-Ray player.

However the games that have so far been successful on the Wii wouldnt benefit a great deal in terms of a graphical upgrade, their appeal is in the motion control.

The market is also a problem, sure gamers will be excited about HD Zelda, Mario etc etc. Yet the success of the Wii has been down to its appeal to a previously non-gaming market. It is my opinion that Nintendo will have an extremely tough time encouraging people to upgrade their Wii when the games that are popular within that market (Wii fit, sports etc) are hardly based on their graphical appeal.

Then consider the price point a new Wii will come in at,. The original Wii launched at £190, add the Blu-Ray player that they will have to license from Sony and it will be in-excess of £200. By 2011 it will be easy enough to pick up a 360 with Natal for that much, standalone Blu-ray players are currently starting at £130 and i would imagine in a years time the PS3 wont be far off £200.

Bleemo's picture
On September 22nd Bleemo said:

Not to mention that part of the problem with the other two is the cost to develop for them and the fact that they are struggling to make their money back on the hardware costs. I suppose the cost to develop something akin to the PS3 and Xbox 360 NOW as opposed to years ago will be cheaper and they can sort of learn from their competitors mistakes too.

Personally I think a DS 2 would be much more exciting as the portable market is actually larger then the home console market now and you wouldn't have to try too hard to go one up on the DS power wise.