Nintendo Wii: Daring To Be Different Pays Off in Battle Against Sony Playstation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360

I'm not into video games and never will be. I spend so much time glued to my computer screen during work hours that my idea of a good time is anything outside and as far away as possible from electronic screens.

That said, I can't help but take notice of the video game war taking  place  between Sony (Playstation 3 ),  Microsoft (Xbox 360 ), and Nintendo (Wii ) which are busy launching new consoles and games for the holidays. I'm particularly intrigued with Nintendo's ability to differentiate itself from its better-funded competitors allowing it to score some excellent press. Just go to Google News and type in "Nintendo Wii" and you'll see that Nintendo has a smash success on its hands.

Nintendo's key differentiator is the Wii controller, a device shaped like a TV remote control that translates a player's hand movements into on-screen action (a second controller that Nintendo calls the "nunchuk"  hooks up to the first device through a cable for more intricate games).

The key to Nintendo's positive buzz is that they've created a video game experience truly different from the competition. As the stories about the fun of using the Nintendo Wii proliferate, a whole new cadre of people who have never played video games will be attracted, and then they'll spread the word to their friends.

Another interesting differentiator for the Wii is the inclusion with its console of a package of free games with fun cartoon-like graphics called Wii Sports. To serve a ball in a tennis game, users flip the controller sharply up and then make a whacking motion with their hands to hit it. To go bowling, users simply aim the controller skyward and swing towards the screen. As in real life, the speed of the swing controls the speed of the ball, a twist of the wrist adds spin and the B button releases the ball.

Even if you don't like video games, you can learn a lot from the competion amongst video game makers to create the most buzz. What can you do to differentiate your product from the competition? Remember, you don't need to outspend the competition - merely come up with something new and exciting. Also, is there a free add-on item(s) or service that you give people to make them happy and loyal customers - preferably something that your competitors don't offer?

 

Comments

[Mike]

The Wii was also the driving reason behind a womans death, drink as much water as you can without going to the washroom to win a Wii. Was it worth the $260............

No business wants any bad soil slated towards there name and I would assume that a death would be the worst. People bad mouthed Sony when someone was stabbed over a PS3.....Keep an eye on what people are doing with your product as this Wii death should have been foreseen.

[Patrick Galvin]

Mike,

I just heard about the woman who died in the Wii contest in Sacramento. What a senseless death!

In the news accounts that I saw in SF Gate today, the contest was the "brainchild" of the radio producers and hosts and Nintendo had no connection to the event. Thus, I don't think that Nintendo will suffer PR damage as a result of the event. However, the radio station and parties involved in the stunt will be facing serious legal ramifications.

Thanks for taking time to post.