Wii faces 'definite limit,' says UK's Xbox director
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Sep 27th 2007 at 6:30PM }
Well, of course he would say that. Speaking to MCV, Neil Thompson, regional director of the entertainment and devices division at Microsoft UK , offered up some sweet words for Nintendo's Wii -- though not without sticking some tacks in his bowl of commentary candy. "Nintendo are doing very well and they've done a great job at expanding the market in certain areas, " he said, "but there is a limit in terms of what you can do with Wii and there is a very definite limit on the expandability of that product."The statement doesn't give a definite explanation of what "expandability" entails, though chastising the Wii for its comparatively limited technology isn't unheard of. Is there a "definite limit" to the experiences the Wii can provide? Could a world like that presented in BioShock be created on the Wii? Are the system's motion controls any more limiting than a traditional controller, or are they (and products like Wii Fit) critical in the expansion of the gaming audience?
"I think in this generation we've absolutely been the innovative force in terms of what a next generation console should look like and how people should think about it," added Thompson. "I don't think we were innovative enough with the first console, so we did learn a lot from that." He goes on to suggest that competitors critical of the Xbox 360's multiple SKU approach might have something to learn from Microsoft's "smart choices" there. "I think you've got to look at what consumers want and offering something unique – and I think Nintendo have done a very impressive job at doing that."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jeff @ Sep 27th 2007 6:33PM
If Wii can put out some games like the best ones on ps2... Shadow of the Collosus comes to mind-- graphics will be forgotten.
Victor @ Sep 27th 2007 6:53PM
Who cares? They already got their monies!
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1783/monies2lw6.jpg
jk lol (:
copa @ Sep 27th 2007 7:15PM
Yeah, this is like the Atlanta Falcons are down 49 - 3 against Indianapolis, and coach Bobby Petrino starts talking smack about the Colt's secondary.
"Well, you know there's some holes in the backfield. They're not going to be able to shut us down forever."
phattie @ Sep 27th 2007 8:19PM
Shadow of the Collosus on Wii would sell 5 copies.. or they would dumb it down to a mini-game compilation.. thats what the wii demographic is buying. Take a look at MP3.. yet to break 300k units sold and Halo3 will probably move 3-4 million units by xmas.
Wii owners dont know anything about games like Shadow.. it would be wasted effort.
Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 9:24PM
Phattie, MP3 sold 315k its first week. WTH are you talking about?
JDee26 @ Sep 27th 2007 6:41PM
Inflammatory headline followed by fanboys gone wild. I love you so much, Joystiq.
Killjebus @ Sep 27th 2007 6:45PM
"Could a world like that presented in BioShock be created on the Wii?"
What a silly question that is. Does this question come from the Ministry of Silly Questions? How about this silly question. Can you make Filet Mignon out of ground beef?
By the end of 2008, with the likes of MGS4, FF13, Dead Space, GT5, LBP and so on, the Wii will REALLY show it's true age and it's limitations.
Shadow El ( NDF - Zola Ring ) @ Sep 27th 2007 6:51PM
Because Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (which looks graphically AMAZING), and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn will be no fun at all, right?
Or does all that matters to "next-gen" fanboys is graphics over gameplay? The FF series has sucked since XI. Bioshock CAN be done on Wii, with a cost to the graphics.
Mr Khan @ Sep 27th 2007 7:11PM
And No More Heroes, King's Story, Fatal Frame
Deep experiences are forthcoming
Killjebus @ Sep 27th 2007 7:33PM
"Because Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (which looks graphically AMAZING)"
No, MGS4, RaC, HS, LBP, Killzone2, Bioshock, UT3 eh very nice... I like, yes? Those games look amazing. Those others you metioned, eh, notah so much ok?
As for the fun factor, to some those games are alot of fun, for me? Not fun.
Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 7:49PM
Killjebus
Tell me, honestly... what past gen console whats your favorite? Cuase you sound like a PS Fanboy... and let me tell you, the PS2 graphics sucks compared to any Gamecube or Xbox game, and still, the Ps2 was the most succesful console.
So, graphics arent that important if the game have great story and gameplay.
The best Ps2 graphics (God of War 2) sucks compared to even the first Metroid Prime.
So, answer, was the PS2 the console that sucked last gen because the inferior graphics?
Killjebus @ Sep 27th 2007 8:08PM
"the PS2 graphics sucks compared to any Gamecube or Xbox game"
Fernando,
anything you say after a comment like that is devoid of any coherent thought.
MGS3, FF12, GT4, GOW2, SotC, you are going to tell me with a straight face that those games looked worse than ANY GC or Xbox game?
Can someone else respond to his NONsense, because I cannot. I could have a more intelligent and engaging conversation with m 6 year old.
Raikage (NDF - PK THUNDER RING) @ Sep 27th 2007 8:08PM
Why are all the (anti) religious fanatics Sony fanboys?
Shadow El ( NDF - Zola Ring ) @ Sep 27th 2007 8:13PM
As a whole, Gamecube and Xbox beat out PS2 graphicswise.
FFXII sucked, proof that graphics don't make the game.
And you can't find the fun in Mario, Smash Bros., or Fire Emblem? If you don't like platformers, fighting games, or strategy games, would Metroid Prime: Corruption satisfy your FPS craving? (Even though it's more of an adventure game than a shooter.) How about No More Heroes for the action-adventure genre?
Autopsy15 @ Sep 27th 2007 8:19PM
Uhg, Fernando!
God of War 2? Best graphics? Feh, try Metal Gear Solid 3 or Shadow of the Colossus. God of War 2 looks like moldy ass compared to those titles. And saying that the Gamecube has graphical prowess over the PS2? Are you on meth or something? Every Gamecube title looked like shit until Resident Evil 4, which still looks better on PS2.
So, basically that whole paragraph and a half you just wrote got *fashoom* debunked.
Shadow El ( NDF - Zola Ring ) @ Sep 27th 2007 8:32PM
Every GCN game prior to RE4?
I'm SURE Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles came out before. Just like FFXI and XII, it sucked, but still. The graphics were great, especially for its time.
Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 9:17PM
Autopsy
You clearly are a noob... every multiplatform game was better graphically on the Gamecube than in the PS2
Rogue Squadron II was launched in 2001 and looks better than any PS2 game.
Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 9:23PM
Autopsy
And RE4 for the PS2 was an inferior port. It cant even render the cut scenes in real time. You can check that in every review.
Viewtiful Joe runs at 60fps on the GC and at 30fps on the PS2. And the list can go on and on.
Noob.
Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 9:35PM
I really think we have just ONE anti-religious nut who just so happens to be a PS3 fanboy.
So, decided to dump Beeblbrox because everybody recognized you. I'll give you a hint, its your avatars and condescending attitude that give you away.
Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 9:38PM
I may be a troll, but you Killjebus a.k.a Godisamyth, you are pathetic.
Killjebus @ Sep 27th 2007 9:54PM
Whatever you say Fernando. And thanks Crono, you are so smart, I had no idea that my avatar could cause so much of a ruckus. Beleive me, if I wanted to offend someone, I would use an offensive avatar.
That avatar is my personal opinion. (based on fact)
Why do I keep responding to these pathetic attacks? I know I have more discipline than that.
Fernando Rocker (NDF - Water Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 10:02PM
Killjebus
You should have respect to God. How can you say that the Bible is a massive destruction weapon? The Bible is inspired by the hand of God. Thanks to Him we all are alive.
Killjebus @ Sep 27th 2007 10:40PM
I do not tell you what to believe, what gives you the right to tell me what to believe?
Fernando, how can I have respect for something that I believe does not exist?
I am not going to get dragged into a theological discussion with you. I am sure most people who post here do NOT want another back and forth God(s) is, or God(s) is not.
If you want to debate with me and you want to know why I do not believe in any of the Manmade Gods...then I will gladly give you my email address and we can discuss this to much greater detail and leave the videogame blogs to VIDEOGAMES.
awesome possum @ Sep 27th 2007 11:37PM
"..and we can discuss this to much greater detail and leave the videogame blogs to VIDEOGAMES..."
Ha, so says the guy with the anti-RELIGIOUS Joystiq avatar with two RELIGIOUS symbols on it. On a VIDEOGAME BLOG. Your hypocrisy is almost as embarrassing as your stupidity.
upz @ Sep 27th 2007 11:49PM
"You should have respect to God. How can you say that the Bible is a massive destruction weapon? The Bible is inspired by the hand of God. Thanks to Him we all are alive."
More people have died in the name of God and religion than any other human construct. Thanks to Him, you are alive. Thanks to Him, plenty of Muslims are dead.
upz @ Sep 27th 2007 11:55PM
Raikage makes a pretty interesting point. Incredibly, it's seemingly true. Perhaps even more incredible is that the counterpoint also seems to be true. Why are all the religious fanatics Nintendo fanboys?
severian00 @ Sep 28th 2007 12:17AM
How about something inovative like Halo 3. Everyone says the graphics are nothing special (which I think is stupid, but that's my opinion). Halo 3 multiplayer with a party system (been done before by Halo 2 and very few others), hell even voice chat. Then look deeper, what about forge and saved movies? What about online coop playing through the whole story with a few buddies or complete strangers that don't need friend codes to gain access to play with me. Nintendo and the NDF want to talk about how innovative waggle control is even though 4/5 of the library on the Wii is universally panned for being shite. But the system is innovative because you can control Samus, mouse style with your Wiimote and nunchuck. Come on guys. If you were really all about innovation, you wouldn't be accepting what you are getting, no matter how loyal you are. Insist on better quality games and true innovation and you will get it. Defend what you have so far and expect more of what you have, are you happy with it? I hope not.
Raikage (NDF - PK THUNDER RING) @ Sep 28th 2007 2:54AM
"More people have died in the name of God and religion than any other human construct. Thanks to Him, you are alive. Thanks to Him, plenty of Muslims are dead."
No doubt I agree with you 100%, but why would a loving God want people killed in His name(same reasoning for why eternal torment is a false teaching)? Seriously, where in the Bible does it say to kill Muslims or anyone for that matter? Also where in the Koran does it say to kill the Americans?
Leave the judging to God, for he knows the hearts of men.
Synner @ Sep 28th 2007 7:12AM
Jesus Christ! Didn't your stupid fucking ass promise never to come back? What did you get tired of waiting for us to beg you? You are so pathetic and sad I'd pity you, if I wasn't hoping you'd get hit by a bus so hard.
Foetoid @ Sep 28th 2007 8:43AM
Autopsy15, i mean really, WTF. Usually i dont bother posting on this site cause i love sitting back watching the fanboys fight but thats just stupid. My brother has the Ps2 version of RE4 and i have the GC version. We both had identical 51cm flat-screen TV's and decided to have a side-by-side race through the game. I hadnt actually seen the Ps2 version and spent the first 5 minutes in tears, laughing at the comparison between them. The GC version looks so much rediculously better than the Ps2 version that it's really not funny. Screenshots won't do the comparison justice, the Ps2 verion looked like mouldy ass. The only reason the GC didnt do as well as the Xbox graphically was the high-compression needed for those stupid mini-dvd's. Ever played NFSU 2 on GC....looks like ass compared to the Xbox version.
C @ Sep 28th 2007 10:13AM
Sorry I'm getting off the topic everyone.
Hey upz, I just want you to give some thoughts to a few things.
1. I think your right that many people do kill in the name of "their religion", but it has nothing to do with God. Each person has a free will and if you believe in God, I would think you would listen to him when he says, "thou shall not kill(murder)". People murder because they choose to.
2. I personally feel some wars are justified and unfortunately people get killed. This is not the same as murder. Example, the U.S. going to war during WWII to stop the Nazis and genecide of the Jews and many other ethnics groups was justified in my opinion.
3. It is also clear in the bible, that you bring others to God through truth, love, and service, not through murder and hate.
4. It's unfortunate that many people use religion and by association, God, for their political,social, or economical agendas.
5. People kill because of hate and fear in them, not religion. If there was no such thing as religion, people would still kill over money, race, etc. Religion is normally on the surface of the true problem.
6. Genocide comes more of a survival of the fittest mentality and not religion. This is what animals do, but we are suppose to behave differently. In fact, Hitler's book Mein Kampf had much inspiration from Darwin's Origin of Species.
Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring) @ Sep 28th 2007 11:12AM
"I do not tell you what to believe, what gives you the right to tell me what to believe?
Fernando, how can I have respect for something that I believe does not exist?"
Then you need to have respect for the beliefs of people who do believe in God. Thats how society works. We respectfully disagree with one another.
However, all your god and anti-god posts are full of venom and disrespect. Thats why everybody votes you down, because you have this chip on your shoulder like you know better than everyone else, and you don't hesitate to point it out.
I have nothing against athiests. If you wanna believe that god does not exist, thats fine with me. But if you're going to be an ass about it, then I and just about everybody else here has a problem with it.
So seriously, did you decide to leave beeblebrox behind, or did you get banned again?
Killjebus @ Sep 28th 2007 11:46AM
Crono,
This applies to you also,
how can I have respect for something that I believe does not exist?"
I am not going to get dragged into a theological discussion with you. I am sure most people who post here do NOT want another back and forth God(s) is, or God(s) is not.
If you want to debate with me and you want to know why I do not believe in any of the Manmade Gods...then I will gladly give you my email address and we can discuss this to much greater detail and leave the videogame blogs to VIDEOGAMES.
Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring) @ Sep 28th 2007 1:02PM
Last time I checked, common curtesy and civility didn't fall under "religious" discussion. That is where you have a problem, not with your views on God.
BPM (FDF - Hypno-Toad) @ Sep 27th 2007 6:46PM
In order to sidetrack flamewars, I am bringing up the following:
I have taken it upon myself to start a new Defense Froce for Joystiq.
Now presenting... FDF: Futurama Defense Force!
Rules:
-Open enrollment. You do not need approval from me to join.
-You must select a character from Futurama.
---You may not select a character another member has already taken (since I have already selected the almighty Hypno-Toad, no other members may).
-You must also upload an avatar of your selected character wearing the Paper Mario hat.
---You may choose to change the letter on the hat to reflect your character, or the color of the hat, but that is not required.
---If you are unable to make your own avatar, I can provide one for you (It will be linked to in a reply made to a post of yours).
Hurry up and sign up, chumps and chumpettes!
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Sep 27th 2007 6:49PM
Tempting...
But I could never abandon Naked Peach!
Or my precious, precious Nurse outfit.
BPM (FDF - Hypno-Toad) @ Sep 27th 2007 6:50PM
How can you wear a nurse's outfit and be nude at the same time?!
PARADOX!
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Sep 27th 2007 6:56PM
Nurse Outfit is only for Battle Mode. When EVIL THREATENS!!!
BPM (FDF - Hypno-Toad) @ Sep 27th 2007 7:01PM
Alright, that makes sense.
Judges?
They'll accept it.
Martin @ Sep 27th 2007 7:12PM
Ahh, I love any Futurama reference. You took the best character! But I do like a certain poor country hyperchicken...
NorCal05 @ Sep 27th 2007 7:16PM
already done! except for the hat....
Mr Khan @ Sep 27th 2007 7:56PM
@ NorCal
"Morbo can't read his teleprompter, he forgets how to say that letter that looks like a little man with a hat."
"That's a "T" it goes "tuh"
"Hello little man, I will destroy you!"
JodyAnthony (FDF - Hedonism Bot) @ Sep 28th 2007 8:14AM
this is something I can get behind
JodyAnthony (FDF - Hedonism Bot) @ Sep 28th 2007 1:46PM
also BPM, don't you mean paraBOX?
BPM (FDF - Hypno-Toad) @ Sep 28th 2007 1:52PM
Ah, touché!
SoulBlade @ Sep 27th 2007 6:47PM
Clearly the machine isn't a powerhouse, nor was it ever meant to be.
Has Nintendo ever come out and said you can't do this on the 360 or you can't do that on the PS3? That's an honest question.
A "smart choice" would have been to guarantee a HD on every SKU imho.
Paviel @ Sep 27th 2007 6:57PM
I don't think that Nintendo ever explicitly said you couldn't do something on the PS3 or the 360, but since the Wiimote is so different from the 360 controller, I think that there is such an implication.
Can you imagine Metroid Prime 3 being so good on the 360?
SoulBlade @ Sep 27th 2007 7:01PM
I can imagine the game looking gorgeous and the controls preventing me from playing it (I can't do dual analog FPS... I realize I'm missing out, but it just doesn't work for me).
I just find it amusing that m$ needs to bust on Nintendo even though Nintendo doesn't really seem to care - they've always wanted to be a #2 gaming console for the hardcore and just hoped to bring in a new audience.
Mightyelf @ Sep 28th 2007 11:34AM
What they want to say is that you can not play more advanced games like Halo 3 or games like the ones you play in your PC with the latest ATI card or Alien computer.
But I think people who have Wii don`t want that they want more family fun games and gadgets.
dsub @ Sep 27th 2007 6:51PM
The Wii does have the potential to really innovate, only it also has a limit in terms of graphical power. Unforunately, there is only one game that I've played to date that really feels like it was "made" for the Wii controller and that is Metroid Prime 3. The way that they utilize the controller to let you actually interact with the environment is fantastic. However, I wonder if Nintendo can cook up more games like that. Metroid Prime works so well because it is played from a first person perspective, so everything that you do with the controls makes sense and plugs right into that genre. However, I'm curious how the Wii controller will succeed in making future games other than Mario Galaxy equally as engaging. I really don't see the same sort of concept behind games like Smash Bros. or Mario Kart. They seem to be the same old stuff, and I definately don't see a single game not being made by Nintendo that looks to be the least bit engaging in the way that Metroid was.
That is what raises concerns when looking into the Wii's future. However, so long as Nintendo can keep pumping out these new-school easy to play "casual" games then this thing will continue to sell. While I love to play games, I hate to see the entire industry shift towards devoting developing resources to stupid mini-game compilations and cooking/excercise simulators.
No thanks.