Sony: Wii U is "its own generation"

Sony sees Nintendo's Wii U as "its own generation".

The first high definition Nintendo console is set to launch in time for Christmas this year, and while the exact technical specifications remain under wraps (we do know top level CPU and GPU information) it is expected to at the least match the power of the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 - not significantly outperform them.

And with the PlayStation 4 and next Xbox rumoured to be set for release late next year, some have described the Wii U as a "stop-gap" console.

For Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida, the Wii U, as with its predecessor the Wii, exists in its own bubble.

"Personally, I have always thought Wii was in a generation of its own," Yoshida told Eurogamer when asked whether he considered the Wii U a next generation machine.

"I always thought PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are in the same generation, but Wii was not the same. To me, the industry was growing really fast when those three platforms came up because the focus is so different. The PS3 and the 360 were the closest in terms of high definition and networked services. But Wii carved out a large niche to itself. To me, it was like two generations going at the same time."

He added: "Wii U is the next generation of Wii. That I understand. To me, it's its own generation."

During E3 last week the PlayStation 4 - codenamed Orbis - was discussed but not named by Sony executives. One confirmed games are in development for it. Another suggested it will be a powerhouse - and may not launch before the next Xbox.

So, it is coming. But is the Wii U, which will, perhaps, get a year's head start on the competition, a competitor to the PS4?

"That's a trick question!" Yoshida laughed. "We are not talking about future PlayStation platforms at this E3. But everything competes for consumers' time and money and attention.

"When you talk about the gaming industry today, it's a lot bigger than five years ago - there are a lot more people playing games, on a smartphone, on Facebook, in addition to PC and consoles. It's already multi-platform, way beyond the three - Sony and Microsoft and Nintendo.

"So we are competing with everyone for consumers' attention, not just Nintendo and Microsoft."Eurogamer

Source

posting for the incoming Sh!tstorm :lol:

lol

lolsony

Nintendo can't handle the big boys and must be in a league behind Microsoft and Sony. Microsoft is likely to dominate the next generation with its popular Windows 8 platform and Xbox 720.

Well generations are rather loose, and they are based on time and who's competing. So Wii U may be in their own generation depending on when the other release.

There is nothing wrong with that, as long as it can deliver some compelling games, and with New Super Mario Bros U, Pikmin 3, ZombiU, Rayman Legends, and P-100, it already seems to be off to a good start.charizard1605

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_video_game_consoles_(eighth_generation)

Home Consoles:

----

Handhelds:

----

----

3DS = 17m+
Vita = 2m+
Wii U = ~1 year headstart

Nintendo is dominating the 8th gen lol

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]There is nothing wrong with that, as long as it can deliver some compelling games, and with New Super Mario Bros U, Pikmin 3, ZombiU, Rayman Legends, and P-100, it already seems to be off to a good start.T3H_1337_N1NJ4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_video_game_consoles_(eighth_generation)

Home Consoles:

----

Handhelds:

----

----

3DS = 17m+
Vita = 2m+
Wii U = ~1 year headstart

Nintendo is dominating the 8th gen lol

SuperFlakeman

He can tell himself that if he wants, like it or not its still the console the next playstation will be up against.

That's a technicality. You know very well what Yoshida meant, and he was right.crippled_ram

Generation has nothing to do with power, or new controllers for that matter.

Generation has nothing to do with power, or new controllers for that matter.

SuperFlakeman

I agree. I also agree that the PS3 and XBOX are in their own generation and that neither is more valid.T3H_1337_N1NJ4

He didn't say anything wrong, I wonder why there will be any sh*tstorm. He sounded respectful of the device at all times, and what he said is basically what we say: the Wii wasn't really a part of the same generation as the Xbox 360 and PS3. I'm not even talking from a specs perspective here, I'm also talking about the development cycles and mentality, budgets, games, everything. The Wii existed in its own gen, and the Wii U looks like it will be more of that. A machine that exists in its own generation, and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the two generations (Wii vs Xbox/PS3) is not the 'true' generation. They are both equally valid, but divergent takes on the future of where gaming is going.

There is nothing wrong with that, as long as it can deliver some compelling games, and with New Super Mario Bros U, Pikmin 3, ZombiU, Rayman Legends, and P-100, it already seems to be off to a good start.charizard1605

He isn't saying that in a derogatory way. It's just his way of saying that Nintendo systems don't compete for the same market ad the PS3/Xbox 360 anymore, and he is right when he says that.

Whatever his intentions are, he used the word generation incorrectly.

Sony still not humbled after PS3/Vita disasters.

Cows better get used to last place, Sony just doesn't get it :?

Next Gen starts with Sony and Microsoft

It will obviously depends on Xbox 3 and PS4 hardware.

Btw, good to see Sony admitting that PS3 and 360 are similar in tech. Poor cows, even the leaders of their cult disagree with their beliefs :P

Yes and no. I do disagree with this idea of nintendo's own generation because this was one of two mistakes that 3rd party Wii developers made.

The first mistake was the idea that casual gamers don't experience a difference in quality. Quality game design is just as important for casual gamers as for core gamers. While casual gamers are known to be less informed about what are good games, they are capable of liking and disliking a game, and sales are driven a lot through word of mouth and on playing it at a friends place. Making terrible casual games does frequently botch the sales.

They believed that the Wii did not compete with the 360 and PS3 and they were partially wrong. They developed games that were done far better on 360 or ps3 and were therefor obsolete. Nintendo is indeed in its own generation, however as a game developer you need to design the game with the knowledge that while the platform is unique and some of the games are unique, the game you make does compete with all other games out there. Nintendo is in its own generation precisely because they understand this and provide different novel experiences from the other platforms. If you make a generic experience on a unique platform, you will still compete with everything available to a gamer, and that can't be good for sales.
The platform can be unique and not competing with other platforms but it's the gaming experience that has to be unique or it will compete with other games. Money can only be spend once.

He speaks the truth. Wii U reminds me of Dreamcast. It is its own generationdrakekratos

PS3 is also its own generation. The last place generation.JohnnyCageMK

xbox is also the no game generation :lol:

[QUOTE="JohnnyCageMK"]PS3 is also its own generation. The last place generation.Pikachu69er

xbox is also the no game generation :lol:

He didn't say anything wrong, I wonder why there will be any sh*tstorm. He sounded respectful of the device at all timescharizard1605

And yes, he didn't really say anything wrong. Look at the Wii lineup of games compared to the PS3/360. They don't share that many games a like. Look at the top 10 multiplats from this generation. The Wii has none of them. The only multiplats the Wii shares with PS3/360 are movie tie in games/family friendly games/sports games.

Pretty accurate to say that the Wii is almost in it's own generation. With the Wii U not being that much powerful than current consoles as soon as the PS4/720 launches then we will start seeing the Wii U miss out on most the best multiplats from next generation.

Everyone is wrong. The WiiU is MY generation.

Good thing no one really cares what Sony thinks. Next gen starts with the Wii-U, and it will be cemented by the release of the Nextbox next year. Sony can join whenever they feel like it.

The companies don't really decide that, not does it matter much. Nintendo will have a head start, for better or worse, and the next Sony and MS consoles will have to catch up. Nintendo is really blazing their own way, so direct comparison, while they'll be made, might be less valid.

I actually agree with him Wii is it's own generation essentially isn't with the big boys MS and Sony.

this "generation" term is extremely hollow. In reality it does not matter what generation something is. As long as the WiiU has games coming out for it and consumers consider buying it instead of the powerful consoles, then it is relevant. If this Sony guy wants to think this way then he is free to do so, but it's only going to hurt him and Sony in their efforts to fight for users with Nintendo

These statements are pure Sony arrogance, pure and simple. They were talking this way all gen and all it got them is a 3rd place finish after making the most popular console of all time. The idea that they aren't in competition with Nintendo is simply wrong. Then numbers speak for themselves

Eh its not surprising every one knows where the charlie sheens learn it, they learn it from the charlie sheen sony themselves they have made up so many rules and lies to make them selves seem number 1 and how they couldn't possibly be losing.

this is just another aspect of that as someone else said first it was the next gen doesn't start till we say so, they aren't even in the same market as us. now its they are their own generation.

Everyone have to remember that no matter how hard.. to be precise console is never a next gen nd never'll be.....

you guys are really taking his words out of context. Read it again.

you guys are really taking his words out of context. Read it again.

Solid_Link22

That can be the reason of the flame wars between the 360 and PS3 because of what he said and the fact that they are HD twins.

Next gen will be the same.

He certainly isn't wrong. Actually that sounds just about right when you think of it.

He certainly isn't wrong. Actually that sounds just about right when you think of it.

ChubbyGuy40

Generation for child gamers, Sony and Microsoft see to try and cater to a older audience, any one who disagrees is a child or a blind moron.

Well maybe yeah. It's gonna be like 2 years on its own I guess. Not a bad thing really.

He certainly isn't wrong. Actually that sounds just about right when you think of it.

ChubbyGuy40