Looks like Activision may not support the Wii U, according to an analyst in Japan with Macquarie Capital Securities, David Gibson. I don’t know how that is even possible, but there’s more. Apparently, Nintendo’s stock has been downgraded on reports of a weaker system and “increasingly problematic structural problems for the company” was citied.
Releasing games for the iOS/Android was advisable and the analyst noted that: “if Nintendo went iOS/Android with games we think the stock could be worth ¥20,000+, but in our view that’s not going to happen.”
There were three major issues that Nintendo needed to address according to Gibson.
1. Wii U GPU is less powerful than Xbox360/PS3 according to developers, which means it has no edge besides the tablet interface to attract core users. Initial third-party titles are likely to be only ports from Xbox360/PS3 titles. A bundled WiiSports/Mario title may help initial sales beat Wii launch, but Wii was severely production-constrained and the surprise factor from Wii U is less.
2. iPad with its retina display shows where Apple is taking its 4 screen infrastructure, leaving Wii U less connected and less relevant. The GPU processing power for handsets is reaching consoles such that we think core gamers have no interest in buying into the Wii U. Apple might add in a controller to its line-up to be more attractive to core users. MocoSpace survey shows that 96% of gamers like to play their games at home, and with a better infrastructure we think iOS will be able to deliver a single game experience across four screens that Nintendo cannot.
3. Wii U will have 1-year window to gain installed base before PS4 (Orbis) and then Xbox Durango launch in late 2013. At that point, the core gamer that Nintendo is after for the first time will have no interest in Wii U. We understand that Activision has no plans to support Wii U, which means the biggest selling title of Call of Duty will be missing; Konami is also planning minimal support.
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Thanks, GI.Biz.
