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Nintendo Wii European press conference
Re-read our commentary.
Yesterday, Nintendo announced US and Japanese launch details. Today, it's our turn, with a European press conference taking place in London - and you can read all about it as it happens on this very page from 12PM BST. Nintendo has already said we'll find out launch date, pricing and software information about our version of its famed next-generation console but there remain a number of unanswered questions. At the conclusion of the conference, which is expected to last an hour, there will be a photo-call followed by an afternoon of gameplay sessions and interview opps. Stay tuned...
Our live coverage of this event has finished
Coverage
We're in, but things aren't looking too sunny. Security are clamping down on reporting devices of all kinds, so we may be shut down. Fingers crossed.
After an hour of waiting around the halls of ExCel the press and trade are filing into the conference. Running time should be an hour.
There's a podium and a lot of Wii logos up on stage, with a huge screen playing monochromatic videos of Wii software. Iwata's here apparently.
Nintendo's adamant about not using laptops, mobiles, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices, so we may get cut short. Didn't happen at E3, mind. Can't stop the signal.
There's still scores of people left to come in, so it may be a little while.
Nintendo UK boss David Yanton's taking his place in the audience. Nintendo UK staff make up about a third of the row behind me.
Still sod all happening. Lanyard commentary: elegant, simple, nice font, while the strap bears the "Wii Play Together" slogan. Decent clip mechanism. 7/10.
I'd estimate about a third of the seats are still waiting to be filled. Give it time. /impatient
Nothing's happening...
It's filling up a bit now. Snore.
Apparently it's going to start "in a few minutes". "Please take your seats," the PA asks hopefully.
"Please switch off all electronic devices." "No."
Fan request #1: "Totty commentary". Well, there are lots of women in Wii t-shirts. There is nothing yet to rival Germany's magnificent pink-dress DS creature.
The last few stragglers are taking their seats. There's a danger it might actually start soon.
Almost forgot: one of our spies who got here at about 10am claims that Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski were wandering around.
Aaaaaaaaaany minute now.
Aaaaaaaaaany minute now.
Aaaaaaaaaany minute now.
Lights dim. Controller's up on screen.
"Introducing Wii". Quotes flying up from various sources. Magazines, CEOs, old women. Video of people playing with it.
I Don't Feel Like Dancing is playing. Gerhard Florin from EA has a quote up: apparently Wii is ace!
So here's what it is: gamers, non-gamers, and gamers who gave up on gaming saying they like the Wii.
"Please welcome your hose for today... Gabby Logan."
Gabby isn't a gaming fan, but she's excited anyway. Laurent Fischer from Nintendo Europe comes on. "Can you really get me interested in gaming?" says Gab.
"How can you get me interested?" "Maybe you like sport.""I do." "Not everyone is playing games, because right now people see it as a narrow sort of activity."
Gaming landscape is changing, says Fishcer. Nintendo is creeping towards a 50/50 gender split. 44% are women. Best-selling title in last year sold to over-25s.
He's explaining the DS for the benefit of the mainstream press, I'm guessing. Did you know it has a touch screen? DID YOU?
Nintendo Europe President Satoru Shibata coming on to talk about DS.
"Thank you everybody for joining us today." He'd like to talk some more about DS before he talks about Wii, apparently.
Regardless of age. gender or past gaming experience, he reckons they can get people involved.
Touch generations software has helped get people interested, he says. Train your brain, learn English, walk a dog, etc. They want to "welcome women to gaming".
So here's what it is: gamers, non-gamers, and gamers who gave up on gaming saying they like the Wii.
"Please welcome your hose for today... Gabby Logan."
Gabby isn't a gaming fan, but she's excited anyway. Laurent Fischer from Nintendo Europe comes on. "Can you really get me interested in gaming?" says Gab.
"How can you get me interested?" "Maybe you like sport.""I do." "Not everyone is playing games, because right now people see it as a narrow sort of activity."
Gaming landscape is changing, says Fishcer. Nintendo is creeping towards a 50/50 gender split. 44% are women. Best-selling title in last year sold to over-25s.
He's explaining the DS for the benefit of the mainstream press, I'm guessing. Did you know it has a touch screen? DID YOU?
Nintendo Europe President Satoru Shibata coming on to talk about DS.
"Thank you everybody for joining us today." He'd like to talk some more about DS before he talks about Wii, apparently.
Regardless of age. gender or past gaming experience, he reckons they can get people involved.
Touch generations software has helped get people interested, he says. Train your brain, learn English, walk a dog, etc. They want to "welcome women to gaming".
Nintendogs: 4 million in Europe alone. 60, 000 sold a week even now. Responsible for the upsurge in women gamers on the DS he says.
Brain Training: half of the owners are over 26 years old, he says, which is very unusual.
In Japan, the series sold over 5 million copies since May 2005. In nine weeks it's sold 500k in Europe, which took 17 weeks in Japan, he says.
In Germany, Brain Training is on top of the charts two months after launch, he tells us. DS software has dominated European charts in July and August.
He's showing Nintendo's favourite graph: the one that shows sales spiking in later weeks, and not just big sales in the first week that tail off.
Nintendogs: 4 million in Europe alone. 60, 000 sold a week even now. Responsible for the upsurge in women gamers on the DS he says.
Brain Training: half of the owners are over 26 years old, he says, which is very unusual.
In Japan, the series sold over 5 million copies since May 2005. In nine weeks it's sold 500k in Europe, which took 17 weeks in Japan, he says.
In Germany, Brain Training is on top of the charts two months after launch, he tells us. DS software has dominated European charts in July and August.
He's showing Nintendo's favourite graph: the one that shows sales spiking in later weeks, and not just big sales in the first week that tail off.
"Our strategy is paying off."
Graph: DS sales account for 70% of handheld sales accross Europe.
More than 100k were consistently sold every week, he says. DS has now reached over 6 million people in Europe alone.
10 million sales predicted by the end of 2006. Says to look forward to Sudoku, English Training, Starfox, Yoshi Island 2, and Pokemon Dungeon.
"In the very near future we'll be launching another console that will go even further in making games accessible and fun for everyone."
Gabby's back. Introducing Wii Sports' boxing game. Shibata's going to play against Iwata, who they say is actually in Japan.
A hologram of your player in front of you, jabbing with the Wii remote and Nunchuck.
Aha! And Satoru Iwata's walked on behind him. "And this is what goes on when you think I'm away."
"I woke up many hours ago and many thousands of miles away, so I assure you I won't take any more time than necessary to share my thoughts."
He's talking about the very-old days of working out what to do after the NES. The same questions have continued ever since, he says.
He says we've been focused on tech up to now. I think I've typed him saying that at about 15 different conferences now.
He points to four significant moments of introducing products that changed things. 1) DS. 2) Touch! Generations games.
He loves him some Touch! Generations. Because they're not just escapism. Right. 3) Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
He loves him some Touch! Generations. Because they're not just escapism. Right. 3) Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
4) Most dramatic: the hands-on with the Wii control in LA at E3 2006. "For us, that was a huge week."
Each moment represents a bridge to the majority of people who don't play games, he says. Today introduces a fifth step.
4) Most dramatic: the hands-on with the Wii control in LA at E3 2006. "For us, that was a huge week."
Each moment represents a bridge to the majority of people who don't play games, he says. Today introduces a fifth step.
Just not immediately. Now he's talking about DS again and how accesible portables are. The Wii is analogous, he thinks.
"It was necessary to frame the appeal not just in terms of games, but in terms of the television and internet." That led to the 5th milestone: Wii channels.
Wii menu page contains four pages, each with 12 channel screens. Acces Cube/Wii software discs. Onboard photo software. Goal to provide simple editing.
Another channel "became a must after its reception in LA". The character creation stuff.
Same sort of stuff you can watch on Eurogamer TV - the caricature software "Mii".
Just not immediately. Now he's talking about DS again and how accesible portables are. The Wii is analogous, he thinks.
"It was necessary to frame the appeal not just in terms of games, but in terms of the television and internet." That led to the 5th milestone: Wii channels.
Wii menu page contains four pages, each with 12 channel screens. Acces Cube/Wii software discs. Onboard photo software. Goal to provide simple editing.
Another channel "became a must after its reception in LA". The character creation stuff.
Same sort of stuff you can watch on Eurogamer TV - the caricature software "Mii".
Calendar, househould bulletin board and family message centre for organising family scheduling, he says. Leave post-its for your friends and family. Or Tom Nook.
Online access to international weather forecasts. Constantly updated worldwide headlines, too. Plus seperate net channels powered by Opera.
Virtual Console. Mario World, Zelda Link to the Past, Mario 64 flash up. 15 in launch period in Europe. With 5-10 titles a month.
Donkey Kong shows up too. Now we're on WiiConnect24 - offering Nintendo news or "other features", "even while you sleep".
He points out that you can do this without Wii, but argues not everyone has the same advantage. For many it'll be the first time they're comfortable doing it.
Channels will be good for people who aren't as technically able, baisically.
With Touch! Generations software coming to Wii, Iwata believes everyone in the family will give Wii a go. And now he's off. Gabby's back.
Wii Sports tennis now. And it's Tim Henman and Greg Rusedksi. She's not pointing out they're here yet. BUT WE KNOW THEY ARE.
And the curtains have gone infront of the stage for some reason. Aha. Big reveal: Tim and Greg playing real tennis on a court behind the stage.
Shibata's back, and he's going to challenge them both to Wii tennis.
They're in their tennis whites and everything. Gabby's commentating. Greg's really getting into it, but they're 30-0 down.
Henman misses one on the baseline. And Greg gets one back. Oh but Henman's hit it out. Game.
Second game. Tim's beaten down. He's arguing the line call.
15-15. "We move quicker in this game than real life," says Greg.
30-30. Tim's serving. Decent rally this time, and Greg wins it. Game point. "Nintendo's gone mad," my friend says.
30-30. Tim's serving. Decent rally this time, and Greg wins it. Game point. "Nintendo's gone mad," my friend says.
Advantage to Greg/Tim. Big rally. And the pros have it. "Do you want to see another game?" asks Gabby. YES.
30-0. "We're dominating" says Tim. Before missing a service return. And a few laughs and balls in the crowd later, the pros lose.
Laurent Fischer's back. Wii launch Europe details coming now, he says.
Launch titles: Wii Sports, Wii Play (the mini-games package with bundled Wii remote). Zelda...
WarioWare: Smooth Moves (just after launch).
Third-party: around 15-20 games from launch. Red Steel. Rayman. Need for Speed Carbon. Tony Hawk. Super Monkey Ball.
Date: 2006.
December 8th 2006.
EUR 249 / GBP 179
Bundles is white console, one Wii remote, one Nunchuck, Wii Sports.
Between 49 and 59 Euros for software. 34 for 39 pounds.
The enormous Wii software trailer reel shown on Nintendo's website is now playing, showing off many titles including Resi Evil, Zelda and countless others.
Iwata's back. He's inviting us to stand up and enter the demo area behind the stage. So that's it folks!
Latest comments
The Wii Watches are nice too.
Peej
I'll let the dust settle and then avoid any mistakes.
Early adoption has always left me feeling regretful, as i'm not a child anymore and have learnt the art of patience.
Oh yeah - I have less than no interest in playing 'wii sports' so i'll pass on that bundle. Oh wait they don'y give you a choice.
Want to try and support that assertion/strawman?
If not then piss off.
@Varsas: Well we'll see in a few years. If the Wii outsells the PS3 and Xbox 360 I will gladly admit I was wrong.
"Non-gamers" will simply think "Wow! This is easy!" Whether it works or not, depends purely on how easily the games really control. For example, from what we've heard, it looks like the next Zelda will actually be tougher to control than with a regular GC pad, while Wii Sports appears to be extremely simple.
This was defenitly expected, and I can't wait to try this baby out.
P.S I callout manic_mouse as a fanboy
People who have a descent PC have little interest in the Xbox 360.
The wii is like NO other consol before it.
EDIT: You're referring to my "you dislike Nintendo" comment; which I do apologise for but I certainly think my main points are valid.
Interesting point regarding the money program. When my parents and in laws came over they were very impressed by viewing holiday pictures from PC via 360 on the TV, but I would never imagine them buying a console for this facility.
The Wii however has the SD card slot enabling people to take the meory card straight out of the camera and view it on their TV.
These are both good bonus features but people buy consoles for the games not the added little bits.
That being said, it is the only place in town that offers this kind of gameplay and it does look fun! The channels look useful too. A good complement to the 'other console(s) of choice' I think.
What mass-market appeal? You seriously believe that non-gamers are running out in droves to buy DS's? Because I doubt that is the case, especially considering the success of previous GameBoys.
I guess you're ignoring the figures that were also talked about in the press conference i.e. female gamers and older games are playing DS and in pretty good numbers too. Also the sustained sales of some games on DS show it's not just the core games market; again not the dominance of the DS games in sales charts especially Japan.
Yeah, the GBA was really successful so the GC was too. Right?
The handheld and home console markets are vastly different, as is Nintendo's position in both. Any comparisons are instantly null and void because of that.
Anyway, the PSP is significantly more expensive than the DS and it launched later. Not the case with the Core 360 compared to the Wii.
As has been mentioned by myself and others a straight comparison of Core 360 vs Wii is not really valid because of the difference in the bundles i.e. 360 lacks game memory, wirelss controller and game. Wrt PSP vs DS, DS stole a march on PSP BUT DS has continued to maintain better sales than PSP even after their price drop.
Look I get it, you dislike Nintendo and want to bury the Wii before it's released.
All I've been saying is that Wii certainly has a chance to do well citing the DS as an example. I'm not by any means saying it's a certainty but why dismiss it out of hand? As someone who just likes playing games and has been doing so for 22 years, I'm interested in Nintendo doing well.
"I want an X-Box 360."
See what I mean? Nonsensical names for the win.
They said in yesterday (US) conference that you have to pay extra for the Opera browser.
"VAT, I tell you, VAT."
Hehe, you can take over from me with the SLAPs too if you want
you thought wrong.
Misers.
Sorry but Nintendo's main function isn't to save y'all your precious pennies.
How are you gamers at all?
It ain't cheap y'know.
It's a good competitive price. A "bargain" console would not be taken seriously by the consumer.
Don't get me wrong, it will still sell like hotcakes; it's just a shame they didn't push the boat out a little.
Ironically, Sony's disappearance this Xmas might cost people some money on Wii /and or 360 HD Drive options. Competition is good!
SLAP!!!
Really? I know no people who buy their presents months before here in Finland. Well, maybe you're all crazy and odd elsewhere.
SCE has always done very well. Its true that other parts of Sony haven't done so well, in fact I recall some layoffs a good few motnhs ago from other parts of the corp. But when comparing game companies (especially important given that games is all Ninty does) I think its important to keep things in context.
The core 360 doesn't come with HD graphics either..unless you buy the right cable thus increasing the price difference.
No QA.
Practically No Infomation eg
how many units for this teritory?
Zelda GC release date?
Prepheral pricing?
VC pricing?
Seems indeed that the UK is f*cked over when compared to...well the rest of the planet...
Am I glad to be in Italy...
I know what market Nintendo is going after and it appears to be me.
Yeh! Just like the Gamecube in the UK. By the way, do they still make games for that.
Really? Thats news to me.
It shouldn't be. Almost every division of Sony has a vested interest in PS3, they're more or less in turmoil across the board outside games.
Nintendo has basically priced at a level that will a)sell like hot cakes and b)turn them a healthy profit. I fail to see how that is bad business practice.
why? games would be cheaper.. there not. console would be cheaper it's not...
nintendo should have gone for a euro 199 price point and euro 39.99 for a game...
now it just has an outdated console with a cool controller priced at 25% of the price of the console... this just won't work for me
I'll tell you why: Tax. Correct me if I am wrong, but 25% VAT is common in Europe. the pre-tax price in Europe is actually (250 euro/1.25 = ) 200 euro = $250. exactly the same as the US price (which doesn't include tax).
A console is not an "impulse buy" ffs...
A bag of crisps maybe, but not a console.
Which class would that be?
How about you swap the LOL for a link to some facts about SCE's financial situation and I'll take you seriously.
Because unlike Sony and MS, Nintendo don't have other sources of income away from gaming?
LOL, I hope your joking. I recommend paying attention in class!
Little johnny can get a games machine with a game and online stuff with no extra to pay for a fairly cheap price.
Even with the 360 core package, to get a game, and to get online, etc etc.. does cost a heck of a lot more!
The fact the core Xbox package is practically worthless won't cross a lot of parent's minds.
Really? Thats news to me.
Seriously, what the hell did you expect?
This is all good to me.
Especially the 2006 release.
Thats why Sony are in so much finacial trouble
Because their console costs a lot less to make and they believe that people will buy the console at this price, regardless of the fact that their console is not as advanced as the competition.
The market will show if they are correct or not when the Wii is released.
Released just after my birthday as well
Because they have a different business plan? Sony and MS aren't selling at a loss for your benefit mate.
WTF?!
Erm, how is that VERY expensive??
Gaming is an expensive hobby. And you're all quibbling over price.
It is a good price.
You can't underprice things or it devalues them in the eyes of the consumer.
And a console is not an impulse buy ffs...
I bought the cube and rogue squadron for that price...
I think it's right...
The Europe section of the http://www.wii.com kicked into life moments ago
What new technology? The remote?
Nintendo ain't a charity...
Nor are Sony or MS, yet they are selling their consoles at a huge loss. Why don't Ninty, at the very least, sell it at manufacturing costs?
One hunndreddd and eiggghtttt-yyyy.
That's not really an impulse buy price - no wonder they'll be making a profit right from day one.
(Who am I kidding? I already pre-ordered it!)
249 Euros with Wii Sports...in one word: DISAPPONTING!
OUCH!!
Is it melting down?
http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/732/73273...
That's why Cooking Mama exists!
Oh wait...
And they haven't even announced it yet.
Geez...
Link, por favor.
All they need now is a cooking and cleaning game and the list is complete!
Hmm, actually no, there's still something missing from that list, but I'm almost sure big N would not step in and fill that gap
Edit: SEGA, on the other hand, could be on to something special with their Rub IP
Woohoo!
Oh...
So at a UK press conference he's saying we can all learn English on the DS? Master stroke!
All they need now is a cooking and cleaning game and the list is complete!
"However I honestly think that pricing the games the same as 1st party 360 games is sheer folly on Nintendos part. The production values are going to be worlds apart."
cost of development != development values. Indeed, one could argue with some conviction that the two are inversely related.
Have they been booted?
If they have, can you take some photos?
I have never seen a girl with a wii before !!!
OooooooooooooooooH, Saucer of milk to table 3
Maybe the Wii can teach them to play tennis.
No, doubt waiting to try out Wii Tennis! LOL
btw, all NoE sites are down...
.... don't piss in me mouth.
It's slowing things down to a crawl! This is like being on dial up.
Check this link:
http://www.n-europe.com/news.php?nid=9573
That was 10 mins ago, and no more updates - presume they were caught
12:42:54 We have been thrown out as we didn't want to switch off our laptop.
Wish they'd made it properly region-free though.
lolz
what! can't we just enjoy a comfortable silence together.
you jabadabba trash talker you
PS:this site can't handle all the interest.
Eurogamer dies.
Seats should have filled up before 12 o'clock
could happen tho.
(sorry for the an hour comments the sites going weird on me)
What? What is it?
EDIT: NVM, high web traffic.
And Colonel Mustard said he discovered the body of Dr Black at the bottom of the stairs, but was in the conservatory when he said he saw Miss Scarlet in the Library....
o-o
Maybe they want to explain all the spin to people before they go out and write their reports.
It's not even started and it's a farce.
Nice Serenity reference there, Tom
I will laaaauuugh and laaaauuuuuuugh if it turns out to be March.
I suppose not lol
Otherwise I might have to do some work instead.
That's a great move, stopping journalists from bringing reporting devices into press conferences. Maybe they should stop drivers from bringing cars to motor races?
What on earth do they have to hide? Surely they would want what they say to be reported as widely as possible?
/fingers crossed
Ugh-oh.
Don't your say fucking March Nintendo, don't you dare!!!!
/growls.
Does security understand the term "press conference"?
Curse you Hype Curse you to hell!!
Damn hype.
Doh, they spotted me >_>
Ah well, at least I'll have all the info I need when I get back
By the way: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, FIND OUT NON-EURO PRICES (GBP and Swedish Crowns mainly).
It's terrible that they always miss that, and then use it as an opportunity to add on 100-200 SEK (7-14 quid). It happened with both the DS and the PSP, and it stinks.
hopefully... no march date. PLEASE PLEASE DECEMBER YO