Nintendo's success with the Wii console reached a new audience of casual gamers and opened a new market at the expense of losing hardcore gamers.
Despite admitting that the Wii was not the Wii console was not geared for the traditional hardcore player, Nintendo's President Satoru Iwata stated that the company will continue on with its strengths but also expand features that will attract beyond its current consumer base.
"The Wii was able to reach a large number of new consumers who had never played games before by bringing hands-on experiences with its Wii Sports and Wii Fit," said Iwata in an investors' briefing.
"However, we could not adequately create [a] situation [where] such new consumers played games frequently or for long, consistent periods. As a result, we could not sustain a good level of profit..."I do not think it would be the right decision if we abandoned everything and started from scratch. The same line of thought should be applied to the Wii U. We have no such intention as to start from scratch and abandon the strengths of the Wii," added Nintendo's President.
It seems Nintendo and Google may be heading off for a partnership. Rumors are that Android's operating system will be integrated into Wii U. This could be a significant step for Nintendo to capture casual gamers who tend to do some quick gaming sessions via apps on mobile devices.
"Nintendo has been huge in the gaming world for decades now, but many suggest that the gaming giant might be going the way of Nokia (in the smartphone world), and lose the competition against the incredibly popular Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation consoles. Nintendo is looking to turn things around with the Wii U, and Android integration might be just the push it needs," writes Android Authority.
The Wii U gaming console will also have access to the Android Play Store, bringing in additional content to compete against Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3.
"It would give the Wii U and its tablet controller access to the Android Play Store and open it up for a lot of additional content for which to compete with the Xbox and PlayStation consoles," reports Android Headlines.
With mobile devices becoming very popular among gamers, the integration of Wii U and Android OS may just be the answer for seeking to have it all-in-one platform.
Eyes will be on Nintendo as the company plans to unveil the Wii U at next month's E3 video game conference in Los Angeles. It is confirmed that the Wii U will target casual gamers, but what about hardcore gamers? Nintendo's president stated that there are intentions for the Wii U to attract the core gamers with new offerings.
"By exploring the development both from width and depth standpoints, it is our intention to satisfy a wider audience with one gaming platform. Our approach for the Wii U is basically the same," said Iwata.
A leaked video of Rayman Legends reveal that Nintendo is hard at work integrating new technology into its new controllers. Working with third party companies such as Ubisoft is a positive indication that the Wii U is serious about attracting traditional core players. Ubisoft has earned a respectable name among the industry with its release of games such as Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online and Assassin's Creed series. The titles were a hit among hardcore gaming.
Rayman Legend's leaked video shows off its multiplayer mode where four players used the Wii U tablet controllers to manipulate the game's level environment. Players are seen placing figurine objects atop the Wii U tablet and translating them into interactive items for the game. Ubisoft is already working with the Wii U's revolutionary game controller for its highly anticipated game Assassin's Creed 3.
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