Yesterday at E3, Nintendo announced the Wii U, the next generation of their gaming console. The jury is out and right now it seems like a split decision: you’ve got the Wii U Fans who are excited to see Nintendo bringing innovation to the industry and then you’ve got the analysts who obviously weren’t impressed, handing Nintendo it’s lowest stock price in 5 years. I think most people are in between: appreciating the attempt at innovation but not fully able to comprehend how it will play out with real games in the actual consumer marketplace.
One fact that perhaps neither fans OR analysts have considered? By the time the Wii U launches, it could be competing head to head with Android. Take a look at the Wii U promo video and you’ll see what I mean:
Remember the article I wrote about a Google Gaming Console? Well if you take an Android Tablet, Google TV and Games from Android Market, couldn’t you enjoy experiences very similar to these? I think so, especially once manufacturers leverage the Android Open Accessory program to build not just Android Tablets- but Android Gaming Controllers similar to the Wii U Controller.
Nintendo does have several HUGE advantages though. First of all, they’ve got a game development platform that is light years beyond Android Game Development. They’ve got decades of experience, long-term development partners, tremendous distribution channels, and a proven business model. I’m not foolish enough to believe Android will compete head-on with Nintendo or any of the other console makers in the next couple years. But I do think that Google has created the atmosphere where game developers and accessory manufacturers can build momentum and 5 years down the road? Android Gaming could be up there with the other elite mainstays.
If you ARE excited about the Wii U, you might want to head on over to the Wii U Forums where a small crowd has already gathered. While people like Chris Chavez get to enjoy E3 up close and personal, yourselves and I will have to bask in the glory of other people’s videos.