Phil Harrison not that concerned about Wii

by Nick Doerr { Sep 20th 2007 at 10:30AM }

Phil Harrison sat down for an interview with GameSpot prior to the Kaz Hirai keynote and, in addition to dodging some questions we've got answers to, he talked about all the media comparisons of the Nintendo Wii against the PlayStation 3. It's not flamebait, really, just his thoughts on the whole ordeal of overcoming bad press from an awkward angle.

When asked if Phil was concerned over the "Wii outsells competition 3:1 or 5:1" comments, he said, "I'm not worried about it, no. Obviously I would like it to be the other way round, but it's not really fair to compare two products that serve different markets and are at different price points." He agreed that it was unfair to compare the two systems, but refused to mar the statement with an unreasonable analogy.
Phil talked about Sony's plan to innovate and widen the market as the Wii had done, also. He cited the new EyeToy, SingStar, and Buzz! as examples of more light-hearted games moving onto the PS3.
He doesn't think focusing just on the hardcore market is a good idea. Looking at the trends, "your initial audience is very different to the audience you have buying into the console seven, eight, or nine years later. So, we try to make software which is slightly ahead of that trend, software that enables younger users or new users to come in."

We are glad that Sony is in the process of moving some of the less-hardcore titles from the PS2 onto the PS3. While the price may keep the less-hardcore at bay for a while longer, it is true that a few years from now, different types of consumers will be adopting the machine. It's just how the world works. About not making an analogy, though, we'll leave that up to you guys. You can be unreasonable if you like, just don't be too profane. Like, "it's sort of like comparing selling more Micro Machines than actual Porches" or something. It's all in good fun, Wii fanboys, so you can make your own counter-analogy also.

Tags: phil-harrison

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

phattie @ Sep 20th 2007 10:40AM

My bro bought a Wii for himself and his kids about 6 months ago. Today, they are still only playing WiiSports, everyday, thats all they want to play.. they also have Spiderman 3, but, that too complicated for them and they get frustrated.

Popfrogs @ Sep 20th 2007 10:46AM

It's sort of like comparing selling more Micro Machines than actual Porsches.

shase @ Sep 20th 2007 10:52AM

Harrison has a point.... if Wii were same price with ps3 or even 360's pirce then I bet the sales would reduce drastically because then people are buying a low end system around high end cost with gimmicky or innovative (depending on game) controls.

vinny @ Sep 20th 2007 11:04AM

how can you not compare 2 gaming consoles? phil you fail. talk about a lame excuse for lack of sales

Egster @ Sep 20th 2007 11:09AM

For the same reason you can't compare a 2000 dollar high tech gaming rig with a 500 dollar desktop for doing schoolwork, webbrowsing and occasionaly burning a DVD. Yes they both play games but the difference is obvious.

poprocker @ Sep 20th 2007 4:43PM

Not being concerned about your competitors, especially when they are outselling you, is the surest way to secure your failure.

Trev @ Sep 20th 2007 11:25AM

Wow. Not only reasonable, but honest, answers. Thanks Phil, I wish more people could talk like that more of the time.

You could compare the systems to tv/dvd/movie theater or to restaurants, and those have been done, but when you get down to it, the Wii is for people that don't play video games and the 360/PS3 are for people that do.

Nintendo said they didn't want to compete with Sony and Microsoft, they made a system that's for a totally different market (which doesn't mean someone can't have both, but they're not trying to sell wiis to "gamers" ) and Phil has agreed with them.

AlanS17 @ Sep 20th 2007 11:28AM

Well I would call the Xbox 360 direct competition to the PS3, but not the Wii. They really are very different. Not only are they in completely seperate price categories, they seem to have seperate target audiences. Though I must admit, I like them both.

Xiru @ Sep 20th 2007 11:28AM

He is not concerned because the Wii is basically fighting against the PS2. Same technology. The Wii has a nice start going but can it keep up? Hardware sales matter, but so do software. People just aren't buying 3rd party Wii games. Its the gamecube syndrome all over again. I guess Phil would be a little worried when the Wii reaches 120 million. But by that time, PS3 will be well established. I wouldn't worry about it so much. Right now, the real competition for PS3 is the 360.

Popfrogs @ Sep 20th 2007 11:43AM

@8: I think you're 100% right. If you wanna compare consoles, put the Wii next to the PS2. Same tech, same price range, same crippled online, etc.

Ghaleon @ Sep 20th 2007 11:51AM

Um yeah you can compare them.

They're still way behind the 360, I'm sure he'd say they can't be compared either because 360 doesn't have Blu-ray or something.

shase @ Sep 20th 2007 11:55AM

you cant compare wii to ps2.... diff. price and diff. support etc. PS2 is declining in support while Wii is getting more support. Plus, Wii's making more profit than the PS2 in terms of games and systems.

NATO_Duke @ Sep 20th 2007 12:13PM

11 - Please cite that one. The PS2 has sold so many units and games that I have trouble believing its not making more than the Wii. As far as support, I wouldn't call shutting down your forums and ignoring calls for an online experience people enjoy as support.

NeoAngelicPrince @ Sep 20th 2007 12:17PM

LOL....

The denial continues...

Thoas @ Sep 20th 2007 12:21PM

Comparing the Wii to PS3 is like comparing $1,000 to 100 million dollars, which do you think will bring you more fun 2 years from now

Sean @ Sep 20th 2007 12:30PM

@9 The PS2's online capabilities weren't "crippled" they were just primitive. There was still lobbies, chatting, voice chatting. The Wii's online... yeah, that's crippled.

MRBlue @ Sep 20th 2007 12:49PM

I'm always amused by the mass media covering the "dominance" of the Wii and yet they seem to avoid all the reasons WHY the Wii is selling so well.

Why is it so hard to imagine that a console that's half the price of its competitors, made from cheap (but durable) plastic, and lacking any "real" media playback features is beyond me. Nintendo SHOULD be outselling everyone else. It's a toy. A great toy but a toy nonetheless. It's also less menacing looking with it's glossy white exterior and teeny-tiny controller.

As for Phil's comments, what do you think he's going to say. No one wants to admit defeat or show a hint of weakness. I agree with others that while Nintendo is "winning" the war in terms of sales the bigger question is can sustain itself as THE place for all gamers. I think most, even Wii owners, would roar a resounding "NO" to that right now.

Popfrogs @ Sep 20th 2007 1:22PM

@17: Yeah, the Wii moves hardware. That's a fact nobody can deny. But the 3rd party support is drying up *already*. Why? Because people don't buy Wii games. The attach rate for Wii games is shameful compared to the PS3/X360. 3rd parties don't like this prospect.

It's just another Gamecube with waggle controls. That's it, end of story. The same thing will happen with it, no 3rd party titles, nothing but Nintendo rehashes, and people losing interest by the day. Nintendo makes hardware to sell its own games, and pretty much always has. If other devs want to try a crack at it, they're more than welcome, but they won't make much money regardless of the install base, because it's the hardcore gamers, not people content to play Wii Sports for the rest of their lives, that drives game sales.

Sony and MS sell consoles at a loss and make up the difference in software sales. Nintendo is exactly the opposite.

Before anyone heats up the flamethrower, keep in mind I'm not dissing the Wii, just pointing out what I see is the future of the Wii. I have played it once or twice and it's good times.

marklar @ Sep 20th 2007 1:41PM

I agree with Popfrogs...

I bought the Wii and about a month later I was DONE! I didn't enjoy *any* games other than Wii Sports and Wii Play. So now it's lying at my sisters and I'm focused solely on my 360. The fad is dying down and the new sales numbers are evidence...

Larz @ Sep 20th 2007 4:52PM

I agree with Phill, I don't see them as competing with each other. They're so different that either someone is interested in one, or the other, or both. Me, I fall under the 3rd category. But I will say I have and will continue to get more use out of the PS3 I'm sure.

To the people throwing in the 360 comparisons: That is a good comparison to make because the 360 and PS3 are more the same than they are different. I have friends with 360's and we've compared them side-by-side. After that, I'm even more happy with my choice :)

Larz @ Sep 20th 2007 5:01PM

Clarification:

I meant people will not be torn on whether to buy a Wii or a PS3. Either they will be interested in the Wii and only the Wii, or interested in a hardcore system (PS3, 360), or they will get both.

Hey here's an analogy!
PS3 is like a double-cheeseburger.
360 is like a chicken burger.
Wii is like a glass of water.

Meaning you'll probably want a burger of some type AND a glass of water. Or you might just be thirsty and not hungry, and vice-versa.

davidjs_uk @ Sep 20th 2007 6:18PM

Think it through.

360: Hardcore games, very few family games.

Wii: Novelty, cheap, some cool games but not really hitting the demographic that's going to buy a lot of games.

PS3: Massive back-catalogue, the majority of which works with the new system, brand-name power, BD drive, longevity long into the future through all kinds of franchises beyond the hardcore, but also including the hardcore.

There's only one winner in the long run. And I have owned all three systems. Shame my 360 died...

marklar @ Sep 20th 2007 6:49PM

@23

way to disguise your fanboyism there. Just because you owned all three systems does not make you an expert on which console will win. grow up...

Darko @ Sep 20th 2007 6:56PM

lets see.... the wii just outsold the 360... thats nothing to worry about... sure

Andy @ Sep 20th 2007 8:00PM

The Wii's attach rate is very alarming. All the friends I have only have Wii Sports. Well one friend has Wii Play and Cooking Mama.

davedrastic @ Sep 21st 2007 9:55AM

Using any analogy to show the PS3 sales shouldn't be compared to Wii sales is ultimately going to fail.

The Wii is a machine that will sit in peoples lounges to have games played on it, and so is the PS3.

Categorise between hardcore and casual as much as you like - we're all consumers making choices, and the Wii has been chosen.

I'm sure the PS3 will pick up sales soon, what with the imminent and required price drop and Phil is no doubt happy with at least a few of the big name upcoming games, but in terms of market share Sony has clearly fallen off its' pedestal.