Wii Success Marks the Downfall of the Hardcore Gamer
January 13, 2009 by Panzer Pev
As a gamer, the commercial success of the Nintendo Wii should be good news right? There are more people than ever buying and playing games and the games industry has recently surpassed the movie and music industries to become the largest generator of entertainment revenue. So why is there any cause for concern? The problem is the growth in the industry is due in most part to the Wii, not the Xbox 360 or the Playstation 3. The Wii continues to outpace the competition by ludicrous margins. Heck, the combined sales of both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 per month don’t even add up to how many units the Wii sells over the same period. This trend, coupled with game publishers requirements (which is their obligation to their shareholders) to make money and turn the largest possible profit leads to some potentially disturbing and frustrating outcomes for hardcore gamers.
Let’s face it, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are all in the business of games (yes, it is a business) to make money. They wouldn’t be investing billions of dollars into research and development or financing massive marketing campaigns if it didn’t add to their bottom line. If you look back to the start of this new generation it was widely accepted by “professional” analysts that the Xbox 360 and PS3 would be fighting it out for market supremacy and the less cutting-edge Wii would finish a distant last. Wow, could those predictions have possibly been more wrong? Today, the Wii is selling out to the point where Nintendo has trouble even getting enough of them into stores…and this is YEARS after the launch. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 has been hammered by technological problems (I think we all know the 3 red lights of death) and the PS3 is struggling to even stay competitive this generation despite putting out the console that won the HD format war with Blu-ray.
So what have we learned so far about this generation of consoles? Well, for one, graphics and cutting edge machines that we gamers prefer are not the key success factors that Microsoft and Sony thought them to be. Nintendo took an entirely different approach and instead opted for innovation and simplicity over technological prowess. As a result, Nintendo has managed to capture a far larger market – the holy grail that Microsoft and Sony have been desperately aiming for since they entered the business. Nintendo has won the hearts and minds of the mass market. They have essentially created the “casual gamer.” Sure, some “hardcore” gamers still own the Wii and play games like Mario Galaxy and Zelda, but the majority of Wii owners now are not in it for what can be considered a true gaming experience. For example, my sister hates games. She has always associated them with nerds, being dorky, wasting time and I could go on. But now she loves the Nintendo Wii. Wait a second, isn’t that a gaming system? The other night she asked me if I had ever played Mario Kart. I laughed in her face. No wonder the Wii is able to churn out rehashes of all their old classics and watch them sell like beans before a nuclear war. My sisters dramatic shift from game hater to Wii lover is by no means an isolated incident. The other day, my boss suggested that we should think about getting a Wii for the office. What!? He’s a 62 year old man and the last person on earth you would ever expect to want a gaming system. Of course, there was no mention or even an indication that he knew about the Xbox 360 or the PS3. Nintendo wins again.
Does this mark the end for the hardcore gamer?
Ok, so Nintendo is winning this console war by a landslide. Why is that a bad thing? For starters, look at the people who are buying the Nintendo Wii. It’s my friends mom, my sister, my 62 year old boss. They love the idea of swinging a controller and “hitting” a ball, “bowling” and “boxing” just like you would in real life. Right. The problem is, in the traditional sense of the word, these are not video games. They require almost no skill and little or no thought. Sure, proponents for the Wii will scream that there is strategy and will show you how you have to move your arm so you bowl a strike every time. Ok. Great. As I see it, these games offer no challenge, and thus, no reward. As a gamer, I love games because they challenge me and force me to use my brain to overcome and solve a situation or puzzle. That is what makes me a hardcore gamer. I like the thought of playing a game that makes me actually think. If it’s mindless, it’s no better or more stimulating than turning on the tv and watching some trash like the Hills or Night Court (ha!). Hence, the term, casual gamers. The Wii caters to those people that don’t want to play something they might not be able to win. What it’s so frustrating now is because this casual gamer mentality is winning the console war (making the most money) for Nintendo. Sony and Microsoft see that. As a result, the “New Xbox Experience” and “Home” have been born. As a gamer, I could care less about either of them. Thanks to Nintendo, you can bet that you are going to see a lot more casual games, which I like to think of as games for babies. My sister couldn’t play and win Braid to save her life. My boss wouldn’t last 30 seconds in an online match of Call of Duty. Why? Because those games require actual skill and NOT EVERYONE CAN DO IT.
As Nintendo builds on it’s already huge momentum it’s clear that the Xbox 360 and PS3 are slapping each other for second place. Nintendo has won the console war this generation. There is no disputing that. Both Microsoft and Sony have realized this and they are scrambling to make their systems more appealing to the causal market. For traditional gamers, there is good reason to be concerned. While hardcore games like Halo, Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy aren’t going away anytime soon, it’s certainly possible that MS Sports will be launched with some sort of motion wand that is also compatible with latest Harry Potter game. And what about Sony? They are undergoing a major internal evaluation of their entire business and that includes the games division. Don’t laugh, there is a chance that the once might Playstation could go the way of the dodo.
Developers are by no means immune to the effects of the Wii’s dominance in the market. They are in the business to sell games, and lots of them. With the Wii garnering a huge percentage of the market share the amount of shovelware has increased tenfold this generation. Even worse, efforts to attract more gamers to traditionally hardcore gaming experiences have already ruined some games. A prime example would be the newest Prince of Persia. I was a huge fan of the original game which offered great puzzles and challenging gameplay. This generation, the latest Prince is so easy and holds your hand so much it’s laughable. You can’t die? Check. Easy puzzles? Double check. I couldn’t even get through it. I actually was screwing up because I’d hold the A button when I was wall-running when actually the game did that for me automatically (unlike the other games). I felt like I wasn’t even playing a game. I may as well have been watching the AI play through the game. I just pray that other developers aren’t so quick to follow Ubisoft’s lead on this one.
You are going to see a lot more of this
Well there you have it, just a few of the reasons why the Wii is going to hurt hardcore gamers in the long run. Why make difficult games that aren’t going to sell as well as the next Ponies game for the Wii? Because companies must answer to their shareholders and are truly motivated by making the most money, why would they ever cater to hardcore gamers who are becoming a smaller segment of the market every day? Until such time as there is evidence or indication that the Wii acts as a sort of gateway drug for people to move onto more interesting and challenging games, games are only going to get easier and more dumbed down. If that’s the case, you can count on me dropping games for good. When my brain decides it’s bored and decides to leave, it takes my body with it.
So how do you feel about the trend towars easier games meant for all players of all ages? Are you happy to see more people playing games today? What do you think is going to happen?
UPDATE: Wow, right on queue. Check out this HORRIBLE news story that is very much related to this artcle and confirms that Nintendo is paving the way for the almighty “casual” gamer.
I think its very humorous to see how the land scape of gaming has changed over the past 3 years who had thought that the most under powered system of all would be turning a huge profit in the market? I did, after watching the Nintendo DS slaughter the PSP despite being an under powered runt to its competitor,it was natural to think that Nintendo would apply the same to the Nintendo Wii.It worked,I dont think this means it’s the end of hard core gaming, not by a long shot-Its just that the terms and times of changed.No longer can you win on simply being the most powerful-but you must become the most available and Nintendo took that route.
Believe me I’m a little disappointed in not seeing more AAA titles but i’m happy to see Nintendo take a RISK and try something DIFFERENT. Change is good..no matter how you take it.
Well i agree that the stupid wii is the worst console/toy ever created even the game cube that noone bought was better then this.
most people only buy the wii but the fun doesnt last long and thats why software sales on the wii are so horrible, the console sales because its something different and very cheap.
The problem is, in the traditional sense of the word, these are not video games. They require almost no skill and little or no thought.
You need to read up on your gaming history. The hardcore gamers of the 1980s were playing games like Ultima on systems like the Commodore and the Amiga. The said the exact same thing about Super Mario Bros.
As I see it, these games offer no challenge, and thus, no reward.
Again, read up on your gaming history. Those of us who grew up with the NES and SNES said the exact same thing about games like Final Fantasy, which offer little to no challenge. In fact, many of us started to get bored with 3D games when realized that it is basically impossible to lose. (This happened long before the Wii)
The Wii caters to those people that don’t want to play something they might not be able to win.
I thought you just said your sister was into Mario Kart, and the old guy liked Wii Sports. Winning at Mario Kart is no picnic, and Wii Sports is at its heart a competitive multiplayer game where by definition, at least half the people playing are going to lose.
While hardcore games like Halo, Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy aren’t going away anytime soon
I’m getting confused. You said hardcore games were about being hard and challenging. Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy aren’t hard. Halo is a little hard…on the hard difficulties, anyway. Otherwise, it’s a cakewalk. But I would like you to compare it to, say, Contra III.
Thanks to Nintendo, you can bet that you are going to see a lot more casual games, which I like to think of as games for babies.
Like I said, they said the same thing about Super Mario Bros.
Even worse, efforts to attract more gamers to traditionally hardcore gaming experiences have already ruined some games. A prime example would be the newest Prince of Persia.
All last gen, hardcore gamers were constantly complaining that they couldn’t save wherever they wanted and had to run through whole scenarios multiple times to get through the beautifully rendered cinematics. I read enough whining about that on neogaf and other forums. IMO, the new PoP is more about appealing to the hardcore (kind of like the 2nd one added blood and grunge metal and tripled sales over the original). Also, none of the PoP games are even one tenth as hard as Super Mario Bros 3, so what are you complaining about?
I remember back when games used to be both fun and challenging. They haven’t been for years now…the Wii isn’t changing that too much, but you’re kidding if you think that most modern 3D games are challenging because they have guns and swords.
Josh, awesome reply. I think you make some great arguments. You also write very well, which is not common in this day and age.
If you are ever interested in trying your hand at a few articles of your own let us know.
Cheers
That stupid/worst console/toy shows that the market for games goes beyond the “elitist” hardcore gamer. (a stupid term, by the way). I own a Wii, bought it on launch day. Currently my library holds about 40 games all of which get played. Some for my kids like the Petz games (which they love) to Zelda, Call of Duty, or Resident Evil for me. It’s a wonderful thing when one system can provide so many different styles of play. You’re going to see the same thing in 2009 with games like the Conduit, and Mad World appealing to the “HARDCORE” gamer and the other titles appealing to people who just want to have a bit of fun and don’t want the blood, the violence or the difficulty of those types of games.
The Wii is not bad for gaming. Only elitist “hardcore” gamers who think everything has to appeal to them. That’s what this article is. I don’t like these games so they’re bad for “gaming”. Gaming’s for everyone, not just you, my friend.
There are many things wrong with this article. The author acts like a gamer, but has little to no gaming knowledge. The PS1 and PS2 both captured the casual market. I suggest you go back and pull up the software library for both and check out the high amount of crap on them. Why was this not an issue for you many years ago, or even today? 90% of the bad games on Wii are also available for PS2.
Do you know what NPD is? They track monthly console and software sales. Software sales for the Wii are very high. Normally they are first every month between the Wii, PS3 and 360. Software sales are more than just a Top 10. Wii kills when it comes to software sales and has for a while now. The Guitar Hero franchise is selling better on Wii than on any other platform. Shaun White Snow Boarding is selling better on Wii than any other console.
Yes the Wii has Madworld and The Conduit. Pretty well known games. What you didn’t include was House of the Dead,2 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles games, Murramasa the Demon Blade, Punch Out, Sin and Punishment 2, Tenchu4, Deadly Creatures, Onechanbara, Dead Rising, No more Heroes 2, Red Steel 2, and many more.
I firmly believe the author has no clue what “hardcore” actually means. You see the term “Hardcore” was around long before we had GTA, COD, Gears, God of War, etc. It was used to describe a game that was near impossible to beat by many, but a few could pull it off. Those were hardcore games and those were true hardcore people. You assume that “casual” means babies gamez( which just shows your lack of knowledge on the subject). However that is not the case. If you would like to play one of the few hardcore games around today, play MegaMan9. Then you will know that the mature themed games you play are in no way hardcore. This honestly sounds like a fanboy rant because they are so misinformed and just want to complain more than actually see if what they want to believe is true through research
“Wii Success Marks the Downfall of the Hardcore Gamer”
LOL
this is why i love the little white system. It provides me entertainment even when its off by making this bitter self-proclaimed hardcore manbabies cry rivers whenever they look at the NPD numbers.
Downfall of hardcore gamers, haha *shakes head* how dramatic!!!
Casual games take more skill than hardcore games.
How long does it take to finish Bioshock? Not as long as it takes to master Guitar Hero or Bejeweled.
Seriously hilarious article. My favorite parts,
“Wii owners now are not in it for what can be considered a true gaming experience.”
” The problem is, in the traditional sense of the word, these are not video games.”
“Thanks to Nintendo, you can bet that you are going to see a lot more casual games, which I like to think of as games for babies.”
“My sister couldn’t play and win Braid to save her life. My boss wouldn’t last 30 seconds in an online match of Call of Duty. Why? Because those games require actual skill and NOT EVERYONE CAN DO IT.”
(oh, he’s special! He has the ability to play Call of Duty everyone! What a talented man.)
Wow thanks for telling me about the help system Panzer Pev! That’s great news for me because I just hate a challenge. Now hopefully I won’t have to waste time playing the same level twice. Because that just sucks.
p.s. you seem angry about the wii. let me play you a song on my wii-flute to calm you down. anyone can do it because nintendo made it…. twee twee twoo twoo tweeeeeeee
“My boss wouldn’t last 30 seconds in an online match of Call of Duty. Why? Because those games require actual skill and NOT EVERYONE CAN DO IT.”
Dude this was so funny, so damn funny. Thank you.
So your boss isn’t skilled enough to play a game that any retarded 10yo kid can play, but still hes skilled enough to rule your life by being your boss and exploiting your work. That’s just priceless. Thank you again.
wow… terrible article…
the hardlycore gamer at its finest… the self proclaimed hardcore gamer that doesnt like to play games.
wii has brought in a new generation of casuals… just like ps1, and ps2 did…”hardcore” gamers said the same thing about ps1 and those games that were more movies than gameplay and used things such as story to detract from true gameplay.
wii sports is a game… a simple one, but a great one.. in fact is a very traditional arcadelike game if you ask me. it is also challenging. play games all the way through before you make incorrect statements. im sure you have a gold medal on all of the challenges, and the gold boxing gloves…
wii also offers plenty of traditional experiences, and many many niche games that a hardcore gamer would love to play. As a hardcore gamer i hope you own trauma center, guilty gear, create your own levels on blastworks and have a wealthy VC library.
the hardcore gamer didnt make ps2 popular. it was the casuals. casuals that bought guitar hero, singstar, madden, and gta. same this generation… except that instead of a console that appeals to more groups the demographics have been split up a bit, and wii had brought new ones in.
also: wii software sales have been outpacing xbox360 sales for a while now….
This is a funny article.
You seem to have forgotten the /sarcasm tags.
please if your playing on a console your not a hardcore gamer. Your real hardcore gamers are on the pc’s. Pc gaming is not diing. Nintendo is doing what that company does best market causal gamers. Micro soft and sony is leaning the hard way like every other has like saga. That real gamers are on the pc not playing consoles.
I AGREE 100%
The wii is KILLING the gaming industy. if it carry’s on every game console in the future will only have crappy mini game rubbish and just use gimmicks.
Up untill now nintendo have been the kings of hardcore gaming and now they have spat in the face of every hardcore gamer out there by trying to get the market all about gimmicky mini game shit.
I own a wii and im bored of it. Im sick of the constant shitloads of shovelware and the motion control gimmick.
I want the real nintendo back.
YOU NINTENDO FANBOYS GET YOUR HEADS OUT YOUR ASSES AND SNAP OUT OF DENIAL!!!!
Nintendo is killing the gaming industry. If this carry’s on you wanna know what future of gaming will be like? It will only consist of mini game crap and gimmicks. Devs will stop hardcore games because there expensive and mini games sell better. There will be no more hardcore gaming. All consoles will just use gimmicks and have mini game libary’s.
Thats what will happen.
Nintendo were once the kings of hardcore and now they have spat in the face of every hardcore gamers by trying to kill gaming just so they can make a cheap buck out of this gimmick bullshit.
Im personnly bored of my wii aswell. Games like Mario galaxy, brawl and metroid are awesome but there is not anoth of them. The other 99% if the wii’s libary is just shovelware mini game crap.
I miss the old nintendo.
BlazingFury: hahahaha, that was even funnier than the article! Encore!
Well this backfired quickly lol
Well it seems Panzer Pev has a fan, BlazingFury.
If both of you cry moar i bet Nintendo will close their doors and give up so HD gaming can finally show us the light.
Preach one gaming soldiers, you deserve medals for this lol
Blazing Fury and the like sounds a lot like those advocates who speak out against violence in games. Most gamers say those guys are full of hyperbole and exaggeration. Ironic. Who’s really in denial here? Let’s face it, the industry was just as ready to drop Nintendo to waste away on the ground. They’ve been given crap for years and since the beginning of the Wii, it wasn’t planned to have it get any kind of major support. The Wii got handicapped, and I don’t mean the specs here. The fanboys of the other systems would’ve been rather gleeful of this and simply made a mockery of the Wii, but lo and behold, the Wii did the impossible and the unforeseeable – it survived… and bested the other systems. Of course software-wise it sucks for the most part. That’s what the industry handicapping it did. The fanboys however read this as the mass market being into the crap games and that the industry would follow that “trend.” The fanboys and the industry seems to have misread this again. It still takes good game don’t you know.