Is the Wii good for Sony?

[Shino]

Hear me out.

Of course it is not good for the PS3. The Wii's cheap price and unique control style is making it a hit already.

But could it be that the low graphical power of the Wii will actually help Sony with it's other 2 marketable systems. The PS2 and the PSP.

I keep hearing about games that are coming out on the Wii... oh, and the PS2 and/or PSP also.

Just skimming Gamespot's upcoming Wii games through quarter 3, I found 5 games that are coming out on the Wii, but also the PS2 and/or PSP.

Heat Seeker
Legend of the Dragon
Manhunt 2
Guilty Gear XX
Space Station Tycoon

It just seems like developers are making games for the Wii that are either for the PS2 and porting them, or they are porting them to the PS2 b/c there is little lost in terms of graphics. If it turns out to be profitable, other developers will do it too. How bad could it be dropping your game on a market that has an installed base well over 100 Million.

Let's face it, there will be times when it will make more sense to get the PS2 version of a game over the Wii version. For instance. Guilty Gear XX. I would buy that game... but unless it uses the Wii's classic controller, I'll get it on PS2.

I'm starting to think that the Wii is good for Sony's plan to give their systems a 10 year life span.

Thoughts?

[Razer]

Using your example I see it the opposite. If developers make PS2/PSP versions they split the camp and split Sony's profits right there. Then add in the Wii versions and it kills it more. The PSP is approaching Virtual Boy status unless Sony can push developers to create more exclusives for the platform (adult online content...and I don't mean porn). The Wii is so online simple that most games come with a single cart multiplayer mode and that is amazing. That's one of the features that sold me. I'm not sure how simple it is for the PSP to go online but I see alot of PSP/PS2 games that are just ports. GTA Liberty City did more harm than good IMO for the PSP. Why buy it when you know a console version (tho I believe they downgraded the PS2 version) is coming?

I think the Wii hurts the PS3 today but will be no factor in the next 3 years when the graphical differences actually mean something. But is Sony content to wait that long? My immediate surface question is how much this helps the XB360? Thw Wii was originally designed (publicly pushed, at least) to be a companion console to the PS3 and 360 but has surpassed both as an "impulse buy" machine. The 360 has showed it's legs (and Microsoft is not about to let their 2nd version go to third place easily) and by the time the PS3 gets any decent penetration it'll be a year old. I think as long as M$ bides it's time it can sneak in where Nin planned. The Wii has become too popular for it's own good, IMO.

[shadokastur]

I see and agree with your point, shino! This, if nothing else, is still sending the money into Sony's deserving pocket and it looks good on the company from a gamers pov that they are still supporting their hardware giving the gamer-consumer peace of mind that their investments will not only be fun right now but will be worthwhile in the long run. This may also give some up-and-coming developers an opportunity to get a foothold in the market with the Sony/Wii platform since the development kits will become cheaper for them as the "new gens" come into their own. I can see only good things coming of this kind of crossover and devotion.