Laurent Fischer, the European Nintendo boss who claimed that only "geeks and otaku" want additional storage for their Wiis, has apologized for the comment, stating that he in no way meant to insult anybody.
"I have huge respect for those who, like me, share a common passion for Nintendo and want to make it clear that I would never use and I didn't use this terminology in such a context or way to cause offense," claimed Fischer. "I regret that this misunderstanding has created such offense and disappointment within the community."
Though an apology has been made, I think it'll be a while before anybody forgets the rather inflammatory comment that offended a fair few gamers, as well as outspoken developer David Jaffe, who accused Fischer of either arrogance or stupidity regarding the statement. What about you guys? Is all forgiven? Did you even care in the first place? Or is this a grievous crime, the likes of which shall only be recompensed for in Hell?
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
7:22 AM on 06.14.2008
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With that said, I do in fact believe that what he is saying is indicative of the thoughts of Nintendo as a whole.
As I've said in numerous comments about this subject, this shit won't happen. Nintendo doesn't cater to it's loyal fanbase, it caters to whoever it's biggest potential audience is. And who can blame them? This is a business.
Also, am I the only person who pictures this guy as Morpheus (or Cowboy Curtis) due to his name?
Aside from Nintendo fanboys having a field day, the Sony/MS communities probably would have taken it as a compliment.
Do they honestly have that? I doubt I'd spend even 50 bucks for storage on the Wii. It's not even worth the extra money.
Of course, dvd is right. Flash drive support would be fine...
Great work on the pun... Man, are Tacos that big? I wanna go and eat tacos with Blink 182.
NOE are knob-jockeys.
well done.
Wii owners can brag all they want on how the Wii is cheaper than the 360/PS3, yet they stay silent when it is mentioned that both Sony and Microsoft consoles support Hard Drives and Voice Chat.
Take a look at Dale North's NPD Sales Data post. It was posted yesterday.
The Wii and DS are number 1.
Why bother wasting time and resources on something you clearly don't need? You've sold 10 million consoles in the U.S. without a solid storage solution. Is there really a need?
I accept his apology cause the industry have more offensive people to worry about like fox news and Jack Thompson
To be honest, while I thought the man is a bonehead, I have to agree with EDS. If they're doing just fine without storage, why would they need to add it? It would just add unnecessary risk.
I don't really understand the crisis here, for he seems to be merely validating why you guys get the shaft so much, sadly by ways of a slip in judgement. This is more of a revelation!
Thank you!
AMIDOINGITRITE?
No, no. He's fisting that taco.
This chap is apologising and that's cool, but he's probably been told too. Indeed, reading between his prior lines, its clear that what he said, more than likely has some grounding with NoJ's thinking.
So what they are saying is because the casuals are clueless about their Wii's technical problems, that makes them okay to ignore. Sorry, Nintendo but its you who are wrong. Just because you are in the monies and popularity, doesn't make you right.
If you are going to abandone hardcore gamers, this attitude you have pretty much puts the nail in the coffin, that you don't care anymore.
Choose your battles carefully, Nintendo.
Anyways, my point being that NoE has never been "with it", and the statement reflects that. I'll accept his apology, but they need to smarten up.
If he didn't mean to use it in a derogatory way, what DID he mean when he said "Only geeks and otaku want a harddrive for the Wii"? Even if you change the words, it still sounds like a "fuck you" to me.
What he basically said was that only a specific group of people want more memory on their Wiis, and that those peoples' opinions don't matter. This seems to be Nintendo's new motto these days. They focus on the soccer moms and old people that they're making money off of right now, and completely ignore the loyal Nintendo fans who made Nintendo what it is today.
So, what this asshole has done is say what we're either geeks or otaku for trying to many the Wii better than it is! How the hell am I supposed to forgive him for that?
I'll concede that I'm a geek but I don't take being called an otaku lightly.