Wii Miis Will Not Get New Clothes, Accessories

The virtual persona mania seems to have gone full circle. Nintendo introduced the Miis when the Wii home console was launched, Microsoft picked it up and created the Avatars, which can get new clothes and accessories, and Sony made Home, the space where PlayStation 3 users could design their own characters and choose their looks and what they wear. But it seems that Nintendo will not be picking up any ideas from Sony or Microsoft for the Mii concept.

Regie Fils-Aime, the president of Nintendo of America, told Gamasutra that “We don't believe selling clothes or hats is something that the consumers will find valuable. And candidly, if you really challenge the competitors who are playing in this space, I think they would be hard-pressed to show any true value from a consumer standpoint. What we think is important is providing real experiences.”

The three companies are in very different positions. Microsoft and Sony are playing catch up to Nintendo both in terms of revenue derived from home gaming consoles and in terms of actual users.

The last two worked hard to extend their social aspects, an element of the gaming experience, which Nintendo has so far been less interested in. The extended possibilities for the Avatars and the options in Home are a direct result of this development and have also brought in valuable revenue streams for them.

Meanwhile, Nintendo is more interested in offering news about the actual games the company plans to launch. They are now using the Nintendo Channel and the Nintendo Week video show. Fils-Aime believes it makes more sense to deliver free information to the player and then let them choose an experience that suits them than to nickel and dime them for useless accessories when it comes to their gaming experience.