Is the Wii Only a Trend-Setter? (by Jennie B.)
December 23, 2010, by Jennie B. - Controversy has developed due to some harsh words of Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello. During an interview with Industry Gamers, Riccitiello had emphasized his suggestion to lower the prices of Nintendo's Wii console. He stated that since the Wii is gaining strong competition with other forms "of gesture-based gaming from Sony and Microsoft," its popularity will slowly decrease.
And this may be true.
For so long, the Wii had always been a unique console. While Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PS3 butted heads from time to time, the Wii had set itself a new category of console-gaming. A new gaming audience had emerged with the Wii as well, which had ultimately led to the Wii's success.
However, the Xbox and the PS3 have begun to follow the Wii's footsteps. Now, with the Playstation Move and the Xbox Kinect, the Wii has just become a mere trend-setter.
Riccitiello has definitely raised eyebrows with his opinion on the Wii's status in the gaming world. However, his viewpoint isn't so far from the truth.
The Wii's originality is obsolete now. In fact, the Xbox and PS3 have further developed the Wii's gameplay with online capabilities, realism, and more adult-oriented games. But a decrease in prices won't change the Wii's value in the industry.
Nintendo has always been innovative in their ideas and expansions. Unfortunately, it seems like they're past overdue for another one.