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Nintendo's Wii Fit sold out everywhere. News flash: Gaming is red-hot.

Brian White — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:36:00 EST

Filed under: Products and Services, Industry

After preparing to see if Nintendo Ltd.'s (OTC: NTDOY) Wii Fit game would fly off the shelves once it was released yesterday in the U.S., there was no disappointment to be had. That is, the Wii Fit was sold out at 11 different stores in my area by noon on the day of release. You'd think this was holiday shopping time or something, yes?

The Wii Fit, which comes with a game disc and a unique exercise "board" with sensors and all kinds of feedback, is geared towards exercise routines more than playing games. But, the unit does both -- it's a game that's masquerading as an exercise game. Just like the Wii Sports game that ships for free with every Nintendo Wii gaming system sold, exercise is the key to Nintendo's strategy with the Wii, even though it sells standard fantasy games as well.

But, the sheer insanity of word-of-mouth marketing and media coverage showed itself yesterday, as I visited no less than 11 different retail stores, from Wal-Mart, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) to Best Buy, Inc. (NYSE: BBY) to Circuit City Stores, Inc. (NYSE: CC). There was not a Wii Fit to be found. In fact, two of the Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) locations told me that all Wii Fit stock had sold within 10 minutes of the store's opening that morning. It seems Nintendo may continue to dominate the current gaming systems for quite a while.

Nintendo's Wii Fit sold out everywhere. News flash: Gaming is red-hot. originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 May 2008 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Wii gets physical with new workout game

Brian White — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Competitive Strategy, Microsoft (MSFT), Sony Corp ADR (SNE)

Nintendo is up to its market-taking tactics again. The Japanese game console manufacturer has unveiled the "Wii Fit" game that encourages physical activity instead of sedentary thumb-pressing and alien-destroying movements. From the outset last November, it seems that Nintendo's market intention was to price its game console hardware lower than both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and way below the Sony PlayStation 3 and engage its players with more than visual and technologically-advanced eye candy.

Recent unit shipment numbers confirm that Nintendo's strategy is working, if not for the lower price alone. The Wii's "Balance Board" comes with the game and features sensors that detect weight and balance as the player moves and gyrates to simulated physical activity on the television in front of them. For a nation filled with obese kids (and adults), something like this is a very innovative way to turn a regular video game situation into a space-saving complete body workout.

Why aren't we seeing this kind of strategy from Microsoft and Sony Corp. (ADR) (NYSE: SNE)? Well, it's too late for both of those consoles, most likely. I'm sure Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) will have similar game titles that encourage physical activity and movement, but with the early lead and consumer reputation the Wii has built in less than a year, I'm not sure the competition will make any dents. Now, if Microsoft drops the Xbox 360 price to a Wii-matching $250, we may have some competition. However, I don't see that happening since the company is already losing money selling the Xbox 360 for $400.

Nintendo Wii gets physical with new workout game originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft prepares to release Halo 3 video game

Brian White — Wed, 16 May 2007 13:54:00 EST

Filed under: Good news, Launches, Industry, Microsoft (MSFT)

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) will be releasing the third installment in the Halo game series to its Xbox 360 platform on September 25, the company said this morning. As the first two Halo games are the best-selling games ever for the Xbox line of gaming consoles, this is no small announcement. The first Halo game was recognized by Microsoft as a reason some customers bought the game console itself, so when one of these sequels is released, better not be at a Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) at midnight on the release date.

Microsoft purchased Bungie Studios (which produced the first Halo game), largely because Halo became the game title that defined the Xbox experience -- it means that much to the software giant. All indications are that the purchase of Bungie was extremely profitable for the company, as Halo 2 sales topped $125 million in a single day in 2004. Whoa -- this is some kind of franchise, no?

The Halo franchise, so far, has been Microsoft's largest weapon in taking on Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) and Nintendo Ltd. (Other OTC: NTDOY) in the gaming business, which is now larger (by far) than the movie-making business (much to the chagrin of Hollywood). With sales of Halo and Halo 2 having made up quite a bit for Microsoft's losses in selling the hardware consoles themselves, will the release of Halo 3 this summer beat Sony further down? The PlayStation 3 maker has seen sales of its flagship gaming console flop due to high prices and short supply, while Nintendo's less advanced but more interactive Wii console has outsold it handily. When Microsoft releases Halo 3, it may pound Sony harder into the ground -- while giving Microsoft yet another excellent booster shot into a core area of its business.

Microsoft prepares to release Halo 3 video game originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 May 2007 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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