How Reggie Fils-Aimé got ‘Wii Sports’ included with the Wii – The Washington Post’s Launcher (2022)

TITLE
How Reggie Fils-Aimé got ‘Wii Sports’ included with the Wii

AUTHOR
Reggie Fils-Aimé

PUBLICATION
The Washington Post’s Launcher

YEAR
2022

ARTICLE TYPE
Book Excerpt

FROM THE ARTICLE
But just as with the E3 presentation, we had a difficult conversation about how to best use the game “Wii Sports.” We knew we had something magical in “Wii Sports.” It perfectly highlighted how the Wii Remote controller could change game play and expand our customer base. The development team at NCL was adding elements that would give the game enough depth to satisfy the most passionate player. They also included different competitive elements that would encourage groups of people to play together.

I advocated packing “Wii Sports” with Wii so that every consumer would get access to this great content. After I made this suggestion, Mr. Iwata paused long enough for me to notice the faint buzz of the incandescent lighting in his office and get uncomfortable. “Reggie,” Mr. Iwata said, “Nintendo does not give away precious content for free. We work hard to create special experiences. It is unique software that motivates consumers to buy our hardware. And we expect to sell these games over extended periods of time. No, we should not pack in ‘Wii Sports.’ ”

COMPANIES MENTIONED
Nintendo

GAMES MENTIONED
Wii Sports

PEOPLE MENTIONED
Satoru Iwata
Shigeru Miyamoto

PLATFORMS MENTIONED
Wii

EXCERPTED FROM
Disrupting the Game: From the Bronx to the Top of Nintendo