Miyamoto: Wii supposed to cost below US$ 100
We all know that the Wii is the least expensive next-gen console, but did you know that it was supposed to be even less expensive? According to Nintendo’s general manager of entertainment, analysis and development Shigeru Miyamoto, the Wii was supposed to carry a price tag of – get this – below US$ 100.
In an interview with BusinessWeek.com, Miyamoto revealed that his idea was to “spend nothing on the console technology so all the money could be spent on improving the interface and software.”
The Wii’s price was jacked up by expensive new technology, though. “If we hadn’t used NAND flash memory (to store data such as games and photos) and other pricey parts, we might have succeeded,” said Miyamoto.
Miyamoto then went on to reveal one of the reasons behind the final target console price of below US$ 250: moms. “We thought a low-cost console would make moms happy,” he said.”Our goal was to come up with a machine that moms would want—easy to use, quick to start up, not a huge energy drain, and quiet while it was running.”
The interview also shed some light on the design process for the Wii’s revolutionary new controller. Veteran designer Ken’ichiro Ashida explained that Miyamoto drew on a lot of sources for the controller’s design, even bringing in cell phones and car navigation remote controllers to get the creative juices flowing. “We made one that resembled a cell phone,” said Ashida. “Another one had an analog stick on top and digital interface on bottom.”
For the full interview, click on the ‘read’ link below.
We all know that the Wii is the least expensive next-gen console, but did you know that it was supposed to be even less expensive? According to Nintendo’s general manager of entertainment, analysis and development Shigeru Miyamoto, the Wii was supposed to carry a price tag of – get this – below US$ 100.
In an interview with BusinessWeek.com, Miyamoto revealed that his idea was to “spend nothing on the console technology so all the money could be spent on improving the interface and software.”
The Wii’s price was jacked up by expensive new technology, though. “If we hadn’t used NAND flash memory (to store data such as games and photos) and other pricey parts, we might have succeeded,” said Miyamoto.
Miyamoto then went on to reveal one of the reasons behind the final target console price of below US$ 250: moms. “We thought a low-cost console would make moms happy,” he said.”Our goal was to come up with a machine that moms would want—easy to use, quick to start up, not a huge energy drain, and quiet while it was running.”
The interview also shed some light on the design process for the Wii’s revolutionary new controller. Veteran designer Ken’ichiro Ashida explained that Miyamoto drew on a lot of sources for the controller’s design, even bringing in cell phones and car navigation remote controllers to get the creative juices flowing. “We made one that resembled a cell phone,” said Ashida. “Another one had an analog stick on top and digital interface on bottom.”
For the full interview, click on the ‘read’ link below.