Wii U launch ‘marks a beginning,’ says Nintendo of America’s Reggie Fils-Aime

This is an important time for Nintendo. Video game sales have been down this year, with NPD Group reporting this month that hardware sales had suffered the most — 37 percent down from last year. And, so far, Nintendo hasn’t had as much luck with its attempts to build a social community around its console as its competitors have with the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live and has fallen behind in sales.

Fils-Aime said that social is another primary focus for Nintendo as it launches the new system. The Miiverse community, he hopes, will connect players who want to discuss games as well as video and television.

Nintendo is also pumping up its online store, the eShop, which Fils-Aime said has been appealing to both publishers and gamers because of the rise of downloadable content.

“We prioritized the eShop because we’re seeing that, first, there’s a segment of consumers that want their games digitally on the system and don’t want the hassle, potentially, of physical discs,” Fils-Aime said. “We’ve also seen the ongoing business opportunities with digital content. Continuous transactions with this content is something publishers especially view as critical to the ongoing monetization of their franchises.”

Nintendo’s ability to attract developers willing to create games optimized for its unique layout is critical as it tries to compete with Sony and Microsoft.

Developers, Fils-Aime said, have embraced the idea of a second screen.

“What I love is that developers are utilizing the second screen of the GamePad in completely different ways,” he said. In “ZombiU,” for example, the tablet houses the player’s inventory menu. In the Wii U version of “Batman: Arkham City,” it’s an extension of the world’s greatest detective’s utility belt. In Madden 2012, players can trace plays directly on the screen.

Fils-Aime said he was particularly impressed with how the tablet improved the multiplayer experience in “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2” for the Wii U.

“Multiplayer in the same room has always been a challenge because of the split screen environment,” he said. “But [the Wii U] multiplayer allows two players to focus on individual screens. It’s a much more fun and robust experience.”

Related stories:

YouTube coming to the Wii

Halo 4 offers lessons on how to hand off a brand, CEO says

Video games continue an 11-month slide ahead of holidays