I’ve always felt that Nintendo is unique in the way it tends to create controllers tailored around a new kind of gaming experience. Instead of imitating, they decide what kind of game they want to sell, and build from that point. To an extent, that’s why I was a little disappointed with the Wii U.
Because, at first glance, the Wii U seems like an attempt to grip on to the coat tails of the tablet market. This is a first impression that Reggie Fils-Aime of Nintendo is keen to dissuade.
“We’ve made it clear,” claims Aime, “this is not a tablet, it’s not meant to be a tablet. But having said that, yes, it has a screen, yes, it has a range of input buttons, and yes, you’re going to be able to have a great console experience right in the palm of your hand.
“But as we at Nintendo often do, we’re essentially creating a whole new type of game. It’s not handheld, it’s not a tablet, it’s a different type of experience. It’s an experience that most consumers have said, wow, I’d love to do that. I’d love to be able to have my home console gaming experience while my spouse is watching something else, whether that’s live sports, whether that’s some other entertainment option. Once it’s described, people are tremendously excited about it.”
It’s an interesting interview. Forbes has been talking shop with plenty of gaming executives as of late, and it’s helped provide a unique insight into the long term strategy of companies like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.
For more, including info on Nintendo’s online strategy for the Wii U, it’s well worth checking out the whole interview.
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