Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Merrick interviewed by German newspaper

Jim Merrick, head of marketing at Nintendo of Europe, has been interviewed by a German newspaper. Here are Merrick´s quotes translated with the interesting parts printed in bold:
"Nintendo is an entertainment company. We do not own movie studios. Neither are we hardware manufacturers. The ´Revolution´ may be able to play back movies on DVD - but that is not an important feature for us. We offer good interactive entertainment instead. That is not a question of hardware or power, though. All that is irrelevant. Only the games matter," says Merrick.

Microsoft may also be pursuing the strategy of widening the target audience, "but we see nothing of that - they still produce the same games, which are perfected only with a particular target group in mind. We prefer to take a step back in order to widen the target audience," says Merrick. "The average person today cannot relate to a videogame. (...) If you picture a videogamer nowadays, it is a pale juvenile who drinks Cola and eats crisps. That should not be so."

"The youngest gamers are four to five years old. We will not abandon our market share in this demographic. But we will try to score with the older target groups. In Japan, games which exercise your brain are very popular with people around 35 and older. Those are not the kind of people you would call videogamers," says Merrick.

"We are well aware that the game market is price-sensitive, especially when trying to reach a mass market. I very much hope the ´Revolution´ will cost less than the Xbox360´s 400 Euro," says Merrick. The new Microsoft console was only expensive because of, for instance, its support of high-definition television (HDTV). "But only few people can put that to use. We will not do that," says Merrick.

"Nintendo will also establish an online community. But we do not want to make the mistake of charging for such a service first, and only later make it worth the consumer´s while. With our portable console Nintendo DS, we will choose a different path. Our online service, starting with the game ´Mario Kart´ in November, will be free to gamers. (...) With the Nintendo ´Revolution´, however, not all online games will be free of charge for users."

"We are not worried because of the Xbox. The offering will be limited and the type of games will not be appealing to all target groups. There will always be a group of tech-fans who will instantly buy the new console generation. But the mass market will not move in on the device - at least not, until they see what Sony and Nintendo have on offer next year. If our strategy of reaching a wider demographic takes hold, we have a very good chance of becoming market leader by the end of 2007," Merrick hopes.
Bold statements, there. Unusually bold for a company that has always preferred to avoid the issue of leadership in the home console market.

Source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 24.10.2005, Nr. 247, page 21

Thanks to: Product_Number_18

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

hmmm, i think this could support the fact that the revo might have comparable graphics with the 360, he says here that the 360 is expeniseve because of its hd capabilities o.O

and btw how big/credible is this site?

Falafelkid said...

It is one of Germany´s most reputable papers. This is 100% correct and I took great care with my translation.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for translating it yourself.
There are some translations full of mistakes out there already spreading on the web. :/

Anonymous said...

his confidence fills me with confidence. i hope its legit

Anonymous said...

Mid 2006 huh, slightly less painfull than late 2006

Anonymous said...

Falafelkid,

What conference next tuesday are they talking about? You have any idea?

Falafelkid said...

Tim, the article is dated 11/05/2005. That answers your question. Would be a bit early for a "pre E3 conference", anyway.

Anonymous said...

Go this web
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3145024

It say that ps3 may sale under 400$ in Japan ... Now both revolution and x-box360 must fight harder on price reduction.

Good news to every one's wallet (all must reduce price) ... bad news for M$ and Nintendo. sony have money to pay that.

Hope it's not just rumor.

Falafelkid said...

Hi pi. Thanks for the link. I myself was expecting around $450. And I don´t agree with you: $400 is not cheap at all. It is less than some expected for the PS2, but that is because Sony opted for expensive hardware and people thought the dire financial situation Sony is in might sway them from the path of losing money on each console sold. However, this is eactly what will happen now. I don´t see $400 as putting pressure on the other two. I see it as putting immense pressure on Sony. If they fail to sell a substantial amount of units, billions of investments will have been in vain and the former giant may fall apart completely.

Anonymous said...

all I can say is WOOWZERS

Anonymous said...

btw a world wide launch was confirmed -> gamespot.com

Falafelkid said...

Hi Fedboy. I was one of the first to post this story. Just scroll down two posts ;) But thanks for the tip. Dank je wel.

Anonymous said...

falafelkid, spreek je ook nederlands? Jij zit toch ook vol met verrassingen he ;)

Anonymous said...

oh wow niet gezien, t'is een behoorlijk lange post geworden he, :P I had seen the message when there was only one (maybe two) post but I thought it was more of a rumor than a fact (seeing it wasn't anything near official), and than gamespot.com confirmed it but you already have it I see. Anyway keep up the great work, you're doing a excellent job!

Anonymous said...

Btw falafkid more news from IGN stating that grashopper is confirmed working on revo games.

Anonymous said...

Hi pi. Thanks for the link.
--Hi Falafelkid. It just rumor. But I hope it's not just rumor (for my wallet benefit).

I myself was expecting around $450. And I don´t agree with you: $400 is not cheap at all. It is less than some expected for the PS2, but that is because Sony opted for expensive hardware and people thought the dire financial situation Sony is in might sway them from the path of losing money on each console sold.
--Yes but Sony losing money on both console ps1 and ps2. And sony have deep pocket money.

However, this is eactly what will happen now. I don´t see $400 as putting pressure on the other two.
--x-box sale his x-box360 for 400$. if ps3 at 400$ and it isn't retard pack. And ps3 might have better spect than x-box360 (minus HDD) I think. If it is x-box360 must change price. and some one say that x-box360 ready to reduce price for 100$. now revolution might have to face price reduction war (as my wallet benefit ^ ^).

I see it as putting immense pressure on Sony. If they fail to sell a substantial amount of units, billions of investments will have been in vain and the former giant may fall apart completely.
--But sony still have that deep pocket money and just layoff some of his worker.

My self predict ps3 price more than you at 500-700$. But ... word : our money breakthrough : form sony...

We don't really know any thing yet. Now It just rumor all rumor.

Anonymous said...

actually i dont think that $400 is gona be competitive enough either, microsoft can just reduce thier price when ps3 comes out, and the revo is alreayd supposed to be 200 or less

i think microsoft will do the same thing they did at e3 and get people to beleive that thier consol is just as powerful as teh ps3, but with the new price reduction it will be cheaper

Anonymous said...

Ok. Let see why * if * ps3 set price at 400$ both may need to reduce price.

1. 400$ price is as same as x-box360. Sony make this word : mose power full. If you been see "shadow of the colossus demo" I sure that you see the different on the picture. and sony will show it no fake this time. now microsoft can't do the same thing they did at e3 to get people beleive that thier consol is just as powerful as teh ps3. and still old x-box have credit problem.

2. x-box360 retard pack not 400$ but 300$ ... If 400$ set reduce by 100$ so 300$ set have too reduce too. And * if 250$ * it may too near to 200$ revolution. x-box360 is include hd-tv movie player and all windows media center function. just 50$ more.

3. nintendo have credit problem on n64 and cube if revolution price as same as x-box360 maybe... (old x-box have less credit problem because old x-box have really shot life. (it's easy to forget.) and x-box360's game list look good)

I like revolution and will buy it anyway. But...

*If* ps3 set price at 400$
And x-box360 (core system) reduce form 300$ (not remove this set or add bonus to this set)
*Then* revolution might have to face price reduction war. (even under 200$. - -" This is cruel of console war... still 400$ ps3 is rumor , we don't really know that x-box360 will reduce price or not. and we don't know enough revolution's information too)

Anonymous said...

http://media.cube.ign.com/articles/661/661405/vids_1.html

Mark Reign of Epic games says some pretty harsh things about the revoultion...if ur a fanboy dont wantch it it may make u want to kill him

Anonymous said...

... Well, I feel that Mocoshaft is DUMPING the 360 to customers... much like they did with the first GBox...

By Dumping, I mean that they are selling it at an insanelly low price considering the amount that the thing actually costs to build... They will probably lose close to $150 on each machine sold...

Sony migth try to do the same like they have done before... I don't know how much they are willing to lose in exchange for market share... but it could be about the same amount of $$ MS will probably lose with the 360...

Dumping is ilegal, but I don't know how it would be to prove and how or what could be done against them...

The problem with domping is that whoever does it will make it close to imposible for some one to come up and introduse a new product to this or any industry in which you have a opresive company (tho a bit diferent, microsoft is one, their tactiks can be plain evil depending on their objectives... ask Sega!)...

On topic now... Hope Nintendo manages a good strategy with their Revolution and let their precence be felt at the reatail level... I want to see their products well advertice and at reacheble prices... along with worthy products and games... they need to make themselves present at every store that sells electronics and toys...

-iMoron

Anonymous said...

I'm no fanboy, but he sounds really retarded to me.
Games are all about the graphics ? I mean, WTF.

kingrani said...

Flipkart deals today
Flipkart SBI offers

krishna said...

Best of Home Furnishing min 40% off:
flipkart Mobile Accessories:
flipkart Storage devices:
flipkart Brands at best prices
flipkart Top Offers
flipkart Fashion for Travel Lovers:
FLIPKART Great Offers On Furniture
FLIPKART Discounts for You
flipkart Deals of the Day


flipkart axis cashback offer,
flipkart discount coupon codes, flipkartcashbackoffers,flipkart sbi cashback offers, flipkart cashback offers on mobiles,big billion day offers flipkart cashback, cashback offers flipkart, flipkart exchange offers on mobiles, flipkart cashback, flipkart cashback june,flipkart cashback offers, flipkart offers toady,flipkart bank cashback offer, flipkart cashback offers on watches, flipkart cashback offers on fashion, flipkart big billion day cashback offers, flipkart cashback may, flipkart big billion day offers 2017, flipkart deal of the day offers, flipkart christmas cashback offers, flipkart hdfc cashback, flipkart hdfc cashback offers, flipkart coupons, flipkart offers, flipkart offers cashback, flipkart offers 2017, flipkart axis bank offer, flipkart cashback february, flipkart cashback offers on washing, flipkart big billion day offers, flipkart hdfc cashback on electronics,flipkart offers on moblies, flipkartcashbackoffers, flipkart citi bank offers, flipkart cashback april, flipkart daily offers, flipkart yes cashback offer, flipkart today offers, flipkart discount offers on kitchen, flipkart cashback on home appliances, flipkart discount offers, flipkart deals today, flipkart cashback on mobiles, flipkart cashback offers on sarees, flipkart hdfc offer, flipkart cashback january, flipkart cashback offers on home, flipkart phonepe cashback offer, flipkart credit card offers, flipkart republic day sale offers, flipkart promo codes, flipkart cashback on refrigerators, flipkart upcoming offers in 2018, flipkart sbi offers, flipkart hdfc offer on mobiles,flipkart sbi offer cashback, flipkart debit card offers, flipkart phonepe offers, flipkart cashback coupons, flipkart citi bank offer, flipkart coupons 2018, flipkart citi bank offer on electronics, flipkart cashback on air conditioners, flipkart mobiles offers, flipkart iphone offers, flipkart hdfc bank offers, flipkart offers today, flipkart discounts on laptops flipkart exchange offers, flipkart sbi cashback offer, big trillion day offers flipkart ,flipkart citi bank cashback offers, flipkart cashback offers 2018, flipkart hdfc offers flipkart axis bank offers, flipkart air conditioner offers flipkart offers on televisions, flipkart refrogiratiors offers, flipkart sbi offer, flipkart daily deals, flipkart phonepe cashback offers, flipkart cashback offers, flipkart offers on laptops, flipkart new year cashback offers, flipkart emi offers, flipkart sbi offers on electronics


flipkart cashback offers,cashbackcoupons,cashbackoffer,cashbackofferscoupons,flipkarthdfcoffer,
MyDealsAndCoupons,flipkart cashback offers,cashbackcoupons,flipkartcashbackoffers,cashbackoffer,cashbackofferscoupons,flipkarthdfcoffer,latestcashbackoffers,flipkartcreditcardoffers,dealsncashbackcashbackoffers


krishna said...

Flipkart CashBack Offers,telugu bloggers ,telugu websites
Flipkart CashBack Offers - SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Citibank Cards,flipkart sbi debit card emi,flipkart upcoming offers on mobiles,flipkart credit card,flipkart cashback phonepe,flipkart credit card generator,flipkart cashback offer phonepe,flipkart american express,india fake debit card generator,flipkart american express gift card,sbi credit card offers on flipkart today,sbi flipkart offer,sbi debit card offers cash back,sbi flipkart offer 2018,,telugu bloggers ,telugu websites


cashback offers coupons,
cashback offers coupons


Amazon Cashback Offers 2018 Upto 65% Cashback Deals, AMAZON CASHBACK OFFERS 2018, DISCOUNT COUPON OFFERS 2018, Amazon cashback offers with sbi hdfc icici axis banks credit&debit card offers more. amazon cashback offers2018,amazon india cashback,amazon offers on mobiles,amazon flipkart sbi offers,
flipkart sbi card offers,
flipkart offers for sbi credit card,
flipkart offers on sbi credit cards,
flipkart sbi offer big billion day,
flipkart sbi offer terms and conditions,
flipkart sbi emi offer,
flipkart sbi offer september 2017,
sbi offers in flipkart,
flipkart offer sbi debit card,
flipkart sbi offer t&c,
sbi flipkart voucher offer,
flipkart sbi card offer 2017,
flipkart sbi card offer big billion day,
flipkart sbi card offer terms and conditions,
flipkart sbi offer big billion sale,
flipkart sbi offer december 2017,
flipkart sbi offer july 2018
cashback2018,amazon offers 2018