Iwata Talks Wii and PS3

The Seattle Times was able to get an interview with Satoru Iwata. He gave his thoughts on the Wii name as well as his responses as to what was happening at E3. He restates that Wii was created to make non-gamers more aware of the product. He makes a reference to the Game Boy Advance. Regular people don’t really know the difference between the Game Boy Advance and GBA. With the Wii, there is no problem. It’s abbreviated the same way it’s said. However, his most interesting response would be to the question about the PlayStation 3.

Q: Do you think people will pay $600 for a PlayStation 3?

A: That’s not something I should comment on as a corporate president. But as one single person, a potential customer for the PS3, I think it’s a bit expensive. But it depends on how the general public is going to see it. So far, within two days now, a majority of people who have commented on the price point are saying the same thing: It’s expensive.

Q: Do you think Sony copied Nintendo with its new controller?

A: (Laughs.) Actually before they made the announcement we already anticipated that they might do that, so I had to laugh. Even though I was laughing, it was with a grim face, I should add. (Laughs.)

Having said that, please know that putting the motion-sensor technology into the classic-style controller is one thing. Putting the motion-sensor technology into the Wii remote as well as the “nunchuck” controller, where you can use both hands freely and independently, this is quite another thing.

So like many people, he’d already predicted Sony might pull something like this. I know for a fact that the AIM chat I was in was going “Watch this… They’re going to unveil the PS3mote!” repeatedly before we saw the unveiling during the live stream of the conference. Interestingly enough, we had the same reaction as Iwata – laughter. But obviously, Iwata wants to take a professional stance on this and not get involved with the verbal thrashing that seems to be going on with the PR guys.

Iwata also said something that I hope LucasArts listens to, “We really want [George] Lucas to think about making a game where [the speaker] can be used as a light saber. It should be fun.”

The Seattle Times was able to get an interview with Satoru Iwata. He gave his thoughts on the Wii name as well as his responses as to what was happening at E3. He restates that Wii was created to make non-gamers more aware of the product. He makes a reference to the Game Boy Advance. Regular people don’t really know the difference between the Game Boy Advance and GBA. With the Wii, there is no problem. It’s abbreviated the same way it’s said. However, his most interesting response would be to the question about the PlayStation 3.

Q: Do you think people will pay $600 for a PlayStation 3?

A: That’s not something I should comment on as a corporate president. But as one single person, a potential customer for the PS3, I think it’s a bit expensive. But it depends on how the general public is going to see it. So far, within two days now, a majority of people who have commented on the price point are saying the same thing: It’s expensive.

Q: Do you think Sony copied Nintendo with its new controller?

A: (Laughs.) Actually before they made the announcement we already anticipated that they might do that, so I had to laugh. Even though I was laughing, it was with a grim face, I should add. (Laughs.)

Having said that, please know that putting the motion-sensor technology into the classic-style controller is one thing. Putting the motion-sensor technology into the Wii remote as well as the “nunchuck” controller, where you can use both hands freely and independently, this is quite another thing.

So like many people, he’d already predicted Sony might pull something like this. I know for a fact that the AIM chat I was in was going “Watch this… They’re going to unveil the PS3mote!” repeatedly before we saw the unveiling during the live stream of the conference. Interestingly enough, we had the same reaction as Iwata – laughter. But obviously, Iwata wants to take a professional stance on this and not get involved with the verbal thrashing that seems to be going on with the PR guys.

Iwata also said something that I hope LucasArts listens to, “We really want [George] Lucas to think about making a game where [the speaker] can be used as a light saber. It should be fun.”