in other words afraid of competition. which is just plain sad. where a compnay like MS can manage to ovetop a company who has been in the game for what 20 years now? sad indeed.
Who has Microsoft toppled? The 360, like its predecessor, is a joke in Japan. You forget that Nintendo and Sony fight for their home turf first, since it is their premiere market and that's where they see their biggest profit margins. Asia don't know Bill like we do, and his machine, while grabbing more third-party support than the first Box, has a growing selection with little appeal in that region.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not bashing the system. I love video games period, and don't care what name is etched on the machine they play in, as long as the game is good. To be fair, 360 began the next-gen movement and built a strong library for this market in its first year. Live service is fantastic, and blows away Sony's and Nintendo's attempts at the same endeavor.
Nonetheless, the DS is the number one gaming platform in Japan. Wii's sales are strong thanks to a low price point, and the demand is being very artfully kept alive by trickling its distribution. Meanwhile, over a year after its launch, 360 sits in wait of its first killer app; mere months out of the womb the PS3 sits in neat little pyramids at the local Best Buy.
You mentioned fear. Well, yes, I think you're right. But why is that sad, exactly? Fear is healthy, when it's rational. It tempers your actions with caution, makes you humble, and keeps you alert. Yes, Nintendo's been in the home console business for twenty-three years. Before that, they were in the arcades. Before that, they made playing cards. Their histoy goes back for multiple generations, why? Because they adapt with the times, and look ahead for ways to nudge the entertainment market into line with their vision instead of just trying to one-up the guy next to them.
Nintendo had no fear, once. Once upon a time, when they laughed at a company that made tape decks and TV's who wanted to partner up with them on a new joint endeavor. The newcomer insisted that CD-ROMs were the only logical next format. Nintendo staunchly stuck to cartridges, fearing the loss in profits from using a media so easily pirated. When the little guy threatened to go on its own, take its technology and become a competitor, the King of Consoles laughed and laughed.
Go on, they said, peddle your "Playstation." See if we care.
Need I tell the rest of that tale?
You bet they've learned fear. Its that fear that's kept them alive. No one is the king forever, but with careful planning, you might take back the throne in years to come with a new offspring from the old blood.
-- END!
