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Pachter: Wii U to Have Weak Third Party Support - News

by William D'Angelo , posted on 06 January 2012 / 3,629 Views

Talking with IndustryGamers, Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities has made a bold prediction about the Wii U. He expects it to have weak third party support, due to its complicated controls.

Pachter believes that Nintendo continues to live in the past, since it has worked for them. However he feels that it will no longer work in 2012. "They had a great deal of success since 1985 by making proprietary hardware and supporting it with proprietary software. They attracted third party support based upon the large installed base they generated for their hardware. They appear to me to be confident that 'if they build it, third parties will support it', but I don’t think that is the case for Wii U."

Pachter continues that Nintendo is trying to be different to remain innovative. However that the tablet controller is complicated and it will turn away third party developers. "By trying to be 'different' with the tablet controller, they have complicated game design for developers, who can’t figure out if the Wii U will ultimately support only one or multiple controllers. Nintendo made the device sufficiently different that they are all but assured of limited third party launch support, which ultimately will lead to modest hardware sales."

Pachter also says that Nintendo needs to seek outside help to get an online service in order to compete against Xbox Live and PSN. "They should stop relying upon the strategy that got them here, as it appears to no longer be working. I think their resolution should be to look outside of Nintendo for leadership in the areas of digital downloads, a user-friendly online interface and multiplayer gaming."


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28 Comments
Galaki (on 06 January 2012)

Pachter said it. It looks like WiiU is going to be a success.

  • +10
sethnintendo (on 06 January 2012)

"Pachter believes that Nintendo continues to live in the past, since it has worked for them. However he feels that it will no longer work in 2012."

"Pachter continues that Nintendo is trying to be different to remain innovative."

Don't these sentences contradict each other?

  • +8
BlkPaladin (on 06 January 2012)

They (analysts) said the same thing about the DS. That it was overly complicated, underpowered and it would turn away 3rd party developers because it wouldn't sell.

  • +6
SWORDF1SH BlkPaladin (on 06 January 2012)

I think it turn away 3rd party developers because games are less likely to sell. The top 4 3ds games are nintedo with moster hunter in at 5. People buy nintedo products for their franchises and these strong franchises shift nintendos. It could hurt them in the long run but not any time soon

  • -3
theARTIST0017 (on 06 January 2012)

So Patcher thinks the Wii U will have weak 3rd party support because he thinks the controller is complicated.I didn't know 3rd parties rely on Patcher's opinions to decide whether to support a console or not. Genius.

  • +6
Signalstar (on 06 January 2012)

I think its always safe to bet Nintendo consoles will have weak 3rd party support. Nintendo titles do all the heavy lifting.

  • +5
Michael-5 (on 07 January 2012)

So this means Wii U (next gen console, not a Wii HD) will get great third party support.

Excellent, I am particularly exited for Battlefield with near PC spec graphics.

  • +4
JTurner82 (on 06 January 2012)

Aside from the comment about the fact that Nintendo needs to rethink its strategy, the argument that the WiiU will have bad 3rd party support seems pretty strange to me, especially since there already HAVE been 3rd party publishers signing up for it. Basically, I'm taking him with a grain of salt.

  • +4
potreo (on 06 January 2012)

"He expects it to have weak third party support, due to its complicated controls" --> This is their most "traditional" defatult controller since the snes!!! Jesuschrist.. the button configuration is exactly the same as other consoler (xbox 360/ps3), the only difference is the big ass (and totally awesome) touchscreen!!!

  • +4
kivi95 potreo (on 06 January 2012)

Uhm are you forgetting that the WiiU will still also use the Wii remotes?

  • -2
SWORDF1SH potreo (on 06 January 2012)

I think it will lack third party support but not for that reason. 3rd p[arty games are less likely to sell on nintendo systems so will put off a lot of support. But the nintendo systems dont need much 3rd party support with the franchises that they are and the few 3rd party games, monster hunter, just dance, that sell well will keep being released

  • -2
JTurner82 potreo (on 06 January 2012)

This is why I consider taking this guy with a grain of salt. Weak third party support my rear! The opposites from what I've been hearing is true.

  • +3
Tammi (on 07 January 2012)

Wii U will probably end up with plenty of third party support (but maybe not so much in the beginning).

And should Nintendo be bringing in more digital downloads? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!
Bringing in more digital is just helping to aid the current "digital market" in destroying the retail market even more. Not something I want to see happen.....

  • +3
freebs2 (on 06 January 2012)

It's Nintendo, I don't need an analyst to know that :)

  • +3
KungKras (on 08 January 2012)

Pachter just un-d00med the Wii U. Thank you Pachter :)

  • +2
IamAwsome (on 08 January 2012)

facepalm

  • +2
AstroMaSSi (on 08 January 2012)

Did Patcher needs support? Money? A good burbon bottle?

  • +1
FullMetalMerc (on 07 January 2012)

Pachter is a joke all he does is state dumb facts and make ridiculous predictions. No duh the Wii U wont have good 3rd party support. The Wii didnt have great third party support either but who needs it when you have Mario and Pokemon, they are worth more than COD

  • +1
Orionas (on 20 January 2012)

nintendo is number one console leader in sales and this guy every year predicts the end of nintendo.. He is a tool.. And those who promote him are tools.. I will support wiiU and hopefully - finally better games for the pc as well - imports.

  • 0
NoirSon (on 07 January 2012)

He maybe right but only if Nintendo under powers the Wii U like they did the Wii and it is only slightly more powerful then the current consoles.

I doubt most (but there will be a number of developers) would run away just because of the tablet design of the controller, but there will be the daring few and a number of PC and tablet developers that will give it a shot.

  • 0
Orionas NoirSon (on 20 January 2012)

wii u is is compatible with any controller, even gamecube.. So why everybody looks strange this table. For example I see it as a superb feature for RPG action games! Dragon age, rechoning, etc.. You could have all your spells in the controller, etc. First person shooters, you could have the ammo, guns, map etc in your controller and a clean screan to play with!! Why everybody thinks that this is a bad feature! Think about it.

  • 0
Orionas NoirSon (on 20 January 2012)

wii u is is compatible with any controller, even gamecube.. So why everybody looks strange this table. For example I see it as a superb feature for RPG action games! Dragon age, rechoning, etc.. You could have all your spells in the controller, etc. First person shooters, you could have the ammo, guns, map etc in your controller and a clean screan to play with!! Why everybody thinks that this is a bad feature! Think about it.

  • 0
oniyide (on 06 January 2012)

so that can only mean the Wii U will be all right. But really he is right about the online part, Ninty sucks bad at that but, we all know that.

  • -1
miqdadi (on 07 January 2012)

Let's analyze what he said, Weak 3rd party, Hey he is right, Complicated controller 3rd party will be turned away, again he is right, they will play safe and lunch titles the way their fans accept it, Nintendo need help to build on line service, they will be doing it sooner or later, so the sooner the better, I am not sure about his final Judgment though, WII U may prove to be a success, Nintendo got what it takes to push it for that, complicated controllers, may be the reason why people are going to get it + the titles Nintendo have

  • -3
Orionas miqdadi (on 20 January 2012)

everything nintendo does, a year or two after, you see it in microsoft and sony. An example is the avatars (nintendo used Mii first), the motion controlers, camera, etc.. so what makes you believe that!!??

  • 0
Orionas miqdadi (on 20 January 2012)

The only thing they dont use and take from nintendo, is the built quality... lol They serve it as an over fried meat instead. So, sony and microsoft have lots to learn, if they survive.

  • 0
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