We all know that Nintendo is making it a priority to win back the core gamer audience with the Wii U, but, after a slightly lackluster E3, that agenda is a little cloudy as the console’s launch approaches. While speaking with Kotaku, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime spoke out on why it’s becoming increasingly difficult to appease to a hardcore audience.
“One of the things that, on one hand, I love and, on the other hand, that troubles me tremendously about not only our fanbase but about the gaming community at large is that, whenever you share information, the perspective is, ‘Thank you, but I want more.’ ‘Thank you, but give me more.’ I mean, it is insatiable.”
“I have heard people say, ‘You know, you’ve got these fantastic franchises, beyond what you’re doing in Smash Bros., isn’t there a way to leverage all these franchises?’ So we create Nintendo Land and they say, ‘Ho-hum, give me more.’ So it’s an interesting challenge.”
Reggie went on to state that despite promising Pikmin 3 and having a Mario title for the Wii U’s launch, Nintendo fans continue to ask “What else?” and “What’s more?” These are all pressing matters indeed, and Reggie does admit that Nintendo’s E3 press conference wasn’t the biggest hit its fanbase. Additionally, Reggie brings up an important question for the core audience Nintendo is trying to win back: “Is this for me and something I can get excited about?”
Now that Reggie has opened up even more questions about their audience’s perceptions, I can say that this at least shows the NOA President’s honesty. Reggie knows what’s at hand if the core gamer shies away from the Wii U. But, whether or not that premise alone is enough to get early adopters worried is another topic to discuss some other day. I personally believe (in time) that Nintendo will make the strides to get that core audience back, but maybe not to the staggering numbers they’ve had in the company’s glory days.
Did Reggie hit the right notes when discussing Nintendo’s desire to gain more core gamers? Answer away in the comments below.
