Former DICE CEO says Wii is a virus, a toy, and not a video game machine

[ShadiWulf]

A portion of a Gaming Union interview with Fredrik Liliegrin, former DICE CEO...
Gaming Union: Are you surprised with the negativity surrounding the Wii from various groups, even after all this time and its success? Would you develop a Wii game if you were a traditional developer?

Fredrik Liliegrin: If I got paid to develop a Wii game I would do it. I would not put an original IP on the Wii today unless I thought I had an absolute home run.


Gaming Union: Why not?


Fredrik Liliegrin: Because the Wii, to me, I would describe it as a Virus, that doesn't stick. Everyone comes home, it's a toy, people have got to realize the Wii is a toy, not an entertainment focused product. People come home, someone, they play Wii for a bit, feel it's really cool, blah blah blah, they go out and buy one. Ask people how often they play the Wii, that are not the core game consumer that buys one because they have an Xbox 360 and a Wii or a PlayStation 3 and a Wii. The people that only own the Wii, ask that consumer how often they use their machine. They just don't use it, it was cool, but they're not gamers, so they put it away. Other than the Wii Fit phenomenon that helped a lot of people get a nice cutie voice telling that they're fat and need to go work out, they need to find other alternatives. Nintendo is smart in that way in that they realize this is not a video game machine, this is not a games game machine.

http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=115645

[PlasmaSwordDreamcast]

Well, as for the people that only own a Wii, that's often true. He's saying stuff that we gamers have been saying for since the first year of Wii.

[a bee]

Ironically the whole point of a toy is to provide entertainment. He's just a corporate shill, spreading FUD while he just has the same FPS designs over and over for years... no wonder he's a former CEO.

[Kuronoa]

If those people are entertained, then it is as much of an entertainment focused product as anything else in that market.
He has good points but not in the right words.
There are gamers who have the Wii shared in the same house as other game systems, I do think if companies do a better job marketing and providing a better environment (ie stop making so much shovelware/party games) I think the situation would be a little better while keeping that casual side.

[Jareddrocks]

* checks Thread Creator * Shadi, TOTALLY never expecting that name

[~Witchy Rouge~]

While I do see his point, he however should tell it in the correct words like Kuronoa said.

[Darksun]

gotta love how a toy is not meant to be entertaining.... or that consoles in general are NOT toys. LOL. Seriously, you play with them and do little else.... ok, maybe you watch a movie once in a while, but... really?

Is this how arrogant and snooty the console fanboi has become? They can't admit they are ALL toys?

[Lunacara]

Funny how he leaves out the fact that the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are basically toys themselves... just much more elaborate than the Wii.

[Alohaman]

Funny how he leaves out the fact that the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are basically toys themselves... just much more elaborate than the Wii.

Pretty much, but people have such silly pride.

How about this one Fredrik? Consumerism is a virus, it is destroying our planet and happiness. Chew on that one.

[gonzoXBL]

it's the type of virus the other 2 console manufacturer's wish they had.