Natal and The Sony Motion Control, what does this mean for Nintendo?

[Dave]

With all of the great new accessories that are coming out for the 360 and the PS3, question have been raised over the Wii keeping it's crown as the king of motion control. As we all know, Sony are set to release a new motion control that will directly challenge the vice grip that Nintendo have held firstly on motion control and secondly on fun, casual gaming. Of course, as is the standard procedure now, Microsoft have decide to stick their noses in again try and out-muscle the competition with Project Natal. Much has been said about the new pretenders to the Wii's crown but no one has mention the ramifications for Nintendo, if indeed Sony and Microsoft manage to be competitive when they release their motion control accessories.

Nintendo have been very clever when changing their direction in the gaming markets. When Sony and Microsoft were trying to outdo each other in terms of processors and graphics and hardware, Nintendo was sneaking in under their noses and took a whole bunch of business away with an intuitive design and a casual market for gaming. However, the period that this lasted for was never going to be forever. As soon as Sony and Microsoft noticed what a huge whole in the market there was and what kind of business Nintendo were managing to do, they were always going to create something to rival it.

Now, the big question is: What does this mean for Nintendo. You see, the 360 and the PS3 are more than just casual gaming machines. They now cater to hardcore gamers and casual gamers alike. The have more features than the Wii and are definitely better console wise. The only thing that made the Wii a great console is being rivalled by the main competition and Microsoft and Sony might even do it better. So Nintendo need to come up with something to set them apart from the group again and if reports are to be believed they are doing nothing. That's right, nothing. They have dispelled rumours that they have begun work on a new console and have even that no updates are on the way for the Wii.

So my question is:

What ramifications does Natal and the Sony motion controller have for Nintendo?

Are they at risk of being left behind as consoles offer more and more?

 

[Lee]

No. It's too late in this generations console race to make that much of a difference if I'm totally honest. If you remember the consoles were all released 2006ish and we've had 3 years worth of games WITHOUT these things for Sony/Microsoft.

It would be the equivalent of Nintendo having released a DVD drive for the GCN after three years on the market. It won't make much of a difference, Nintendo bleeds innovation and you forget as well that the Wii is not Nintendo's only baby, they practically own the hand held market so that will always keep them afloat during hard times.

 

[Dave]

No. It's too late in this generations console race to make that much of a difference if I'm totally honest. If you remember the consoles were all released 2006ish and we've had 3 years worth of games WITHOUT these things for Sony/Microsoft.

It would be the equivalent of Nintendo having released a DVD drive for the GCN after three years on the market. It won't make much of a difference, Nintendo bleeds innovation and you forget as well that the Wii is not Nintendo's only baby, they practically own the hand held market so that will always keep them afloat during hard times.

That is fair enough, Lee. However, if you look at a lot of the evidence that is floating around at the moment, you will realise that none of the three console makers are actually interested in making a new console at this juncture. With that in mind, it will be at least 3 or 4 years before any real solid plans are divulged for a new generation of consoles. That is plenty of time for Sony and Microsoft to close the gap in Nintendo in terms of motion control.

As for the hand-held consoles. I can tell you that whilst Nintendo are completely owning the competition, sales of consoles and games for the hand-held mediums are slowing down fast. I don't think it is as easy-going as you would make it out to be.

 

[Lee]

Of course sales of handheld consoles have declined this year, the DS has been out since 2004. Lets assume it will be 2014 before we even have the eight generation knocking about will it really come down to motion controls in games?

Likely not, Nintendo are sorted franchise wise with Zelda and Mario games on the horizon for the Wii. What is interesting is that Nintendo seem to be going down the hardcore route at last whilst the 360/PS3 are going down the casual route. This is something that would be quite humourous to watch for obvious reasons. As long as all three can get a balance I think the only real winners will be us the gamers.