14 DAY TRIAL // The launch of the Nintendo Wii U is getting closer and the team behind the new home console at the hardware maker understands that the world has changed since the launch of the original Wii and that they will have to enchant gamers once again to create sales.
Scott Moffitt, the vice president of sales and marketing at Nintendo of America, tells GamesIndustry.biz that, “The world is obviously a different place than it was when Wii launched. There were no social networks. This was before the advent of tablets and smartphone penetration was much smaller. So the landscape has certainly changed. But by the same notion, Wii U is also quite different from Wii.”
The executive believes that the player base is also more sophisticated and is looking for new ways to engage with their favorite experiences and franchises.
Moffitt emphasizes that he lacks any information on the next generation of home consoles from Microsoft and Sony, but he still believes that the Wii U offers a better experience than any of them.
“The Wii U and the GamePad represent a real innovative and unique experience for gamers that the market really needs. Gamers have been hungry for new and better ways to play and this is it,” he adds.
The biggest selling point of the Wii U is the new GamePad controller, which introduces a new touch-enabled new screen for gamers to use.
Moffitt also sees a big advantage in the fact that the Wii U will be available during 2012, while Sony and Microsoft will probably only be ready to deliver rival consoles late in 2013.
Analysts are expecting the Wii U to sell more than 3.5 million units worldwide before the end of 2012.
The device will be available in the United States on November 18, on November 30 in Europe and eight days later in Japan.