The Wii has really captured the "family" market eh? Center of the home?
....and I don't mean "captured" in the sense of dressing up like this guy -->
So convergence.....you do realise that they weren't the first to try this were they? The idea of home convergence started with the PS2 in that it could play DVD's. Not to be outdone, Microsoft had also entered the market with a media "home device" in the sense that the xbox can play movies and music as well as games. In fact, second hand Xboxes are being bought purely for the fact that they make great media home hubs......and WHY did Microsoft do this?.....because they feared the concept of Sony taking over the home as the center of the Digital Hub.
It isn't just the games makers doing this of course. The prime example of digital convergence can be found from modern mobile phones which can make calls, browse the internet, do the ironing and make the tea; all the way to companies like Apple. An iPhone that does all of the above and has a built in iPod, to iMac's that have built in camera's and software that allow you to make video's, edit them, even stream them to your TV. Standalones like Apple TV also exist that allow you to rent and buy movies and store them digitally.
It doesn't just end in the media domain though. We already have fridges that monitor what you have in stock and what you're due to run out of. Once stocks run low, an automatic shopping list can be generated (I'm not sure they've quite penetrated the market yet, but they were demonstrated some years ago).........and you should see what Japanese toilets can do !!!!!
So here we have the idea that consoles can have convergent technology inside...something continued in the 360 and PS3.
Then Nintendo come along and have a problem. You see, unlike the other large coorporations which can afford to absorb any losses by other departments taking up the slack financially (the rest of Sony absorbing the losses of the PS3 early on, and MS footing the $3billion bill that the continuing RROD fiasco has caused), Nintendo is much smaller.
The big N also want in on the new "convergent revolution" but didn't really have the supporting structure to be able to absorb losses if they occurred. As they primarily make their money from their games console and Pokemon, they needed to ensure that they sold every console at a profit from the get go.....this way, if the "revolution" had tanked, they would still have made money on the few consoles that sold.
So how could they be fully convergent without introducing expensive new hardware into the console (and let's face it, the Wii is FAR behind the others in terms of traditional convergent capabilities)?
Well, they simply came up with a left-field approach. They wanted convergence?.....they got it, but from a different perspective. You see, traditional convergence allows families to "come together in silence" (e.g. to watch a movie together).....
.....whereas Wii convergence allows families to "come together, talk, play and have FUN".
This is the fundamental difference between the two philosophies, one deals in Technological convergence....trying to cram as much new gadgets into new tech as you can .....so that you end up with cookers that also do the washing and sofa's that can read you a book.
The Nintendo alternative is a Social convergence.....trying to cram as many family members into a room together so that they can all interact.
Has it worked? Well I think it must REALLY rub Sony and MS up the wrong way in that the concept has been a MASSIVE success. Not only is the Wii outselling BOTH PS3 and 360 combined, but they continue to increase their lead every day.......so much so that demand usually outstrips supply (especially in the Xmas season).
People REALLY love the idea of something that helps families interact in a fun way like the Wii does. This is what MS and Sony have had a hard time understanding....the average punter couldn't give a rats ar5e about HD (mainly the hardcore gamers do), the average punter wants something they can do with others.
Having tested the waters, Ninty know they are onto a massive winner and have started to investigate new areas of this "social convergence".......things like the balance board fit in quite nicely here. It's MUCH easier to keep to a regular fitness regime if the whole family can be monitored and everyone is involved. How many folks prefer to go to the gym after work with a friend as opposed to on their own? I know I do.
Games like Wii Sports were a revelation because they were simple from a technological point of view, but more fun because the whole family would enjoy it together.
Recent games like PES2008 feel like you're controlling Match of the Day....something I'm sure many fathers play with their son's for instance (makes a change from button bashing with a 13yo concept using a "traditional" controller but with updated über graphics doesn't it?
)
So the whole point of this rambling?
Well I firmly believe there is a WHOLE plethora of "socially convergent" devices that can still appear for the Wii. How about a simple camera add on (USB) that allows the family to take their photo's and muck about with them in the Photo channel a la Apple's Photobooth? Old technology, simple idea, but something the family can have fun with in front of the TV.
This is where I think Nintendo can stay ahead of the field. Whilst the others simply bring out more and more racing and FPS games with better and better graphics, the Wii will continue to get new devices/add-ons/games that may not be the best technologically, but will excel in bringing the WHOLE family together instead.
Nintendo have figured out that most peoples treasured memories involve INTERACTION with friends and family.....
not sitting alone in your mum's basement fragging the world in "Uberleet Generic FPS No. 5"
.
Vs. 
....the future's bright......the future's Ninty
.
Nintendo's Convergent Revolution.
MK Friendlies: 2148 8276 9222 (RYE)....MK Leagues: 5198 2631 7528 (Scott B)
- nice for a fancy dress do though 
.
.gif)
Linear Mode
