Jim Merrick talks about Revolution and Xbox 360

[Stocka]

In a recent interview with German site Faz.net, Nintendo of Europe's Senior Director of Marketing Jim Merrick discussed various aspects of the Revolution, including the console's price, multimedia functionality, and appeal to the "average person." Provided below are the article's key points (Note: rough quotational translations).

 

According to Merrick, Nintendo's "approach lies in opening up to new users - not new technology." The marketing director continued by stating that "Nintendo is an entertainment company. [it doesn't] own any film studios and [it is] no hardware company either. The Revolution is capable to play DVD films - but that isn't an important function to [Nintendo]. But that's not a question of the hardware or power. This is all irrelevant. It's all about the games."

 

Furthermore, "an average person today can't make head or tails of a video game," Merrick said. "When thinking about a gamer today, you picture a pale tennager, drinking cola and eating chips. This shouldn't be. In Japan, more than a half of the registered Nintendogs gamers is female. Additionally the age spread is much greater," Merrick noted. The article also mentioned that Nintendo sold through 50,000 Nintendogs games in Germany during the first eight days following release.

 

While discussing Nintendo's target market, Merrick stated that "the youngest gamers are four to five years old," and that Nintendo "won't give up [their] position for this group"; however, the company also wants "to score with older people." Citing sales success in Japan once again, Merrick said that the "brain training games are strong with gamers who are 35 years or older," and that they "are not the people that are traditionally referred to as video gamers."

 

On the topic of price, Merrick affirmed that Nintendo is "very aware of the price sensitivity of the gaming market, especially when going for the mass market," and held firm "that the Revolution will be cheaper than the 400 Euros of the Xbox 360."

 

As for Nintendo's online plans, the European marketing director restated that "Nintendo is...going to establish an online community," but that they "don't want to make the mistake of monetarizing the service first and put in value for the customers only later." Merrick went on to discuss Mario Kart DS and the game's free online play, but noted that "with the Nintendo Revolution, not all online games will be free for the users."

 

Concerning the looming launch of the Xbox 360, Merrick said that Nintendo isn't "worried too much about Xbox 360." As for why, he stated that "the supply will be limited and the types of games offered won't appeal to all target groups." According to Merrick, "there won't be an impact on the mass market - at least not until they see what is offered to them by Sony and Nintendo next year." He remained stout on this point, stating that "when [Nintendo's] strategy of expanding on the customer base works out, [the company] has a very good chance to achieve world leadership by late 2007."

 

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:shock: He seems extremely confident, Revolution must have something else very special that isn't revealed yet as he says "there won't be an impact on the mass market - at least not until they see what is offered to them by Sony and Nintendo next year.

 

Great stuff :awesome:

[killer kirby]

hmmm that is very intresting.

[DCK]

Although I disagree with Nintendo thinks what the 'mass' thinks of games and gamers, the rest of the interview is pretty promising

[demonmike04]

I had the same feeling about 360, how are they going to go mass when they only have a few genres around the launch window? It doesnt work.

 

Yes, he seems very confident. But, noticed he actualy PRAISED the PS3?

'at least not until they see what is offered to them by Sony and Nintendo next year'

Yeah, its not a praise realy, but the thing you notice is that he is being kind to Sony for the current moment. He says Sony have alot to offer aswell.

Surely, he's views will change when PS3 actualy gets released, but they shouldn't actualy do that.

 

The way he talks does show he is slightly worried about the 360's impact, he's just showing a brave face.

 

Very interesting interview...

[DCK]

Yes, he seems very confident. But, noticed he actualy PRAISED the PS3?

'at least not until they see what is offered to them by Sony and Nintendo next year'

Yeah, its not a praise realy, but the thing you notice is that he is being kind to Sony for the current moment. He says Sony have alot to offer aswell.

Surely, he's views will change when PS3 actualy gets released, but they shouldn't actualy do that.

I think he merely means there's more interest for Sony than Microsoft, which is a valid point. He seems to say we'll be good consumers and compare the 360 to the PS3 and Revolution when more is revealed about them.

[Mike]

Interesting interview, although I don't like the idea of having to pay to play some Revolution games online, after everything Nintendo's said in the past about making online gaming free.

 

At least Nintendo seem confident about succeeding. Let's just hope they actually go all out on marketing the Revolution rather than just sitting back and saying, 'we know what everyone wants - and that's us, because we cater for everybody'.

[MunKy]

PS3 no longer exists Nintendo and Sony have resumed theyre partnership and are releasing the NPS! We'll be getting all the quality games from ninty and price and 3rd party support from the companies Sony have "donated" to.

[YenRug]

Interesting interview, although I don't like the idea of having to pay to play some Revolution games online, after everything Nintendo's said in the past about making online gaming free.

 

All Nintendo's online games should be free, however they have always stated that third party games might incur extra charges, this is not contradicted by what Jim Merrick said at all.

[demonmike04]

All Nintendo's online games should be free, however they have always stated that third party games might incur extra charges, this is not contradicted by what Jim Merrick said at all.

Yeah, third party games are common to ask for a subscription.

If you dont like the idea Mike, I'd advise you to stay very well clear of the XBOX live service, the idea for paying for online games is nearly every were you go.

[DCK]

Well, if Nintendo get into MMORPGs (Pokemon ) it isn't doable if they do it for free.

[Rico]

I'm kinda sceptical of this online service being free, as soon as they see its profitable they'll bump up the costs. They did it with Cardboard boxes for the N64 and GBA so i'm guessing good old Ninty won't let this slip :p