Nintendo has had a hard time keeping those ‘core’ gamers interested in a console that has produced relatively few ‘core’ games over the past several years. Those ‘core’ gamers flocked to the Xbox 360 as well as the PS3 to embrace larger and more grandiose titles. Nintendo believes that though they did not attract the ‘regular’ gamers, their console is in no way defined as a ‘casual’ console.
"There was a misunderstanding that Nintendo was dedicated to such games at some stage of the lifespans of the Wii and the Nintendo DS," said Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata in a recent Q&A session with investors.
"We have made efforts to develop video games that are in tune with various consumer tastes; however, we have not been able to gain adequate consumer understanding regarding our intentions, while in the common perception there are no or few core users playing Nintendo platforms, which is not the case."
With Nintendo expecting a big annual loss, their first since they began reporting financials, the company is scrambling to remind investors and consumers that they are still the biggest name in town. Their Wii console is by far the biggest selling in the world, and the upcoming Wii U will reportedly work to attract those gamers that prefer the Xbox 360 or PS3.
"Every avid game player was once a beginner, or in other words, there are no born advanced players," insisted Iwata. "Unless we create a flow from beginner to expert by offering an entrance for beginners and the processes for a beginner to become an intermediate user and from an intermediate to an advanced player, the video game industry will gradually shrink."
