Sony CEO Knocks the Wii, Can't Knock Sales
July 14, 2008 | by Nick Mokey
Howard Stringer dismissed the Wii last week as an "expensive niche gaming device" that he doesn't see as a competitor, despite the machine's impressive sales.
Just as in boxing, episodes of Jerry Springer, and presidential elections, things can get rather snippy between players in the console wars. Sony CEO Howard Stringer demonstrated that quite clearly last week with comments about the Nintendo Wii that knocked its viability as a competitor for Sony.
Speaking at a media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho , Stringer dismissed the Wii as competition for the PlayStation 3, despite Nintendo’s stranglehold on sales in the console market. “I've played a Nintendo Wii,” Stringer said, according to Bloomberg. “I don't see it as a competitor. It's more of an expensive niche game device. We're selling a lot of PlayStation 3s now and it's still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player.”
Despite Stringer’s eagerness to write off the Wii, the system has trounced both Sony and Microsoft in sales since its introduction late in 2006. Although recent months have shown the PlayStation 3 making some ground, the latest figures available still show the Wii dominating the PS3 with nearly 70 percent more units sold in May.
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Rhys Lloyd on Jul 14th, 2008 at 8:22 AM:
@ Chris
I really think that you're missing the entire point of the Wii... as is Stringer. If you're a hardcore gamer, the Wii isn't going to do you any good. But Nintendo didn't make the Wii for hardcore gamers. They made it for everyone else. Nintendo hasn't been at the forefront of the console battle since the Nintendo64.
I think Nintendo were very smart with the Wii console, focusing more on different gameplay for more socially involving games. The fact that it is also half the price of the other consoles means that many people who already own a PS3/XBox 360 are buying Wiis anyway.
I work in retail, and the Nintendo Wii is constantly sold out. Back orders last for weeks, and every single console is pre-sold before it even arrives in store.
Chris you can go and play your consoles alone. I'm going to invite my girlfriends over for some Wii Sports - maybe some boxing so they'll get hot and take their clothes off. Games that anyone can play, anyone can be good at. Not just the geeks/gamers.
Chris on Jul 14th, 2008 at 8:41 AM:
Rhys, I understand your view of the Wii from a sales standpoint, but that doesn't mean anything. Which brand has more sales? Lamborghini or Toyota? Toyota. Which makes the better cars? Lamborghini.
The Wii sells well because it appeals to little kids and the moms who buy the Wii for them. It's cute, cheap, has kiddy games, and a 2 year old can use it.
Rhys, I'm sorry to say that your defensive rebuttal holds no ground. If I want to play a real video game console, I'll play my PS3 or a 360. If I want to socialize with friends, I'll go to the beach, longboard, or play some basketball.
The PS3 is the better console. You don't need to be a hardcore gamer to realize that. I'm not even a hardcore gamer, I just know a better product by analysis and experience. My experience with the PS3 has been much better than any experience with a Wii. I don't need a video game console to make friends. Nintendo needs to realize that.
Kevin on Jul 14th, 2008 at 9:09 AM:
lol, the better cars or the more expensive?
Chris, you sound like an ignorant pre-pubescent teen that's on the brink of explosion.
First of all... why attack the article writer? What was the point of that? Are you really that angry or surprised that someone compared sales figures between the two consoles? You're ridiculous...
Nintendo has been on the forefront for innovation for several years... even decades. Yes, Sony and M$ both sport uber graphics and intense storylines, but Nintendo invested in a more innovative gaming environment. Do I love increasingly realistic graphics? You bet, for the most part. However, I also love the fact that we're getting more involved with interactive gameplay than ever before. Wii, while it doesn't necessarily capture my attention with graphics, certainly is a step in the right direction and deserves its' success.
I don't own any of the 3 new systems, because paying $300+ for a game system isn't my idea of fun, but when the time comes, I'll probably opt for either PS3 or Xbox360, merely b/c their title choices are to my liking.
Remember, after all, that Nintendo has been developing for families over the last several years... not catering to a specific market/niche like to teens/adults.
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Chris on Jul 14th, 2008 at 8:00 AM:
You know, you could drive to the Nintendo headquarters and suck a dick instead of trying to raise whatever pro-Wii propaganda you can by writing ******** articles here.
Who the **** wrote this article? An 8 year old?
Well, that would make sense considering the only people who buy/enjoy the Wii for more than 5 minutes are under the age of 10.
Admit it, the Wii is a joke. People like you make me sick, thinking the Wii is a real console. It's a cheap piece of ****, no hard drive, ****ty graphics, no HDMI support, dildo controllers that are no fun to use (especially in the Wii's biggest hits, like SSBB for example...)
May I add that Nintendo's 3rd party support is ******* horrible at best. Name one damn good game on the Wii that doesn't have an italian plumber or a gay green fairy-elf.
The Wii deserves to be belittled. The only good game on it is Brawl, and even that's only fun to play with at least 4 people. If you have a Wii, and do not have at least 3 friends in your house at all times, the Wii absolutely sucks dick.
Now, I know that you Wii owners aren't used to criticism and meany talking like this, considering you're all toddlers, and especially since too many people think the Wii is the cutest little thing. People who love the Wii obviously haven't played a real console.