According to a recent rumor thats recently hit the web, production costs of the Wii U per console is $180. That means with Nintendo’s pricing structure in terms of profit margins, folk in the US will see a Wii U launch price of at least $300. For us in the UK, $300 is the currency equivalent of £190 which means (if true) we’re look at a launch RRP of £200 or more.

Does this seem like a good price range to you?

In recent days I’ve seen articles hit the web about a rumour which states that Wii U could be less powerful than current 360 and PS3 hardware. This of course resulted in lots of complaints, doom scenarios and other things which I cannot be bothered to mention here. I really don’t care about any of this and I would like to spend time highlighting why.

1. Specs simply don’t matter anymore in today’s gaming market. To be honest I don’t think they’ve mattered for a number of years now. I know the so called hardcore complained about Wii’s lack of HD visuals but that didn’t stop the console selling like hotcakes. The victor of this generation is Wii pure and simple. It boasted great titles from Nintendo’s major franchises and latched onto a casual market which Sony and Microsoft failed to tap into until it was to late. And we are also in the day and age of tablets, apps and gadgets which are supported by underpowered hardware. People are going mad over titles like Angry Birds which can run on the most underpowered mobile phones. Even a modern OS like Windows 8 will require less specs than Windows 7. The market is changing and I don’t think a supposed low spec machine will make any difference to Nintendo in the long run.

2. I don’t care if Wii U is underpowered compared to PS3 and 360 hardware because Nintendo’s franchises will look great regardless. That Zelda demo at E3 was simply stunning! I didn’t sit there thinking ‘wow that’s not processing digits as quick as the 360 or PS3′. I was bewildered by a prototype people and I can guarantee you that Nintendo’s major franchises will be treated with greater flair than a prototype. The greater the life span of the console, the greater pushing of the hardware will occur and I for one can’t wait to see what the Big N has in store for us.

And so I thought I would just share those thoughts. I sign off with a big WHO CARES ABOUT THESE RUMOURS ANYWAY!

A Japanese retailer has apparently leaked the release date for Wii U. The leak comes from Akihabara-based Media Land, a popular Japanese video game retailer. According to the leaked memo, Wii U will launch in the Americas on Sunday, November 18th 2012 with the Japanese launch following one week later. There was no mention of a European launch in the memo but it looks like Nintendo will follow a similar schedule for the Wii’s launch in 2006.

It appears Wii U Development is in Full Swing. We also know that Nintendo has now licensed something called Autodesk Gameware Technology, a technology which has now made freely available to developers.

“Autodesk Gameware Technology Licensed to Nintendo

About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries — including the last 16 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects — use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com”

Its always interesting to read about new technologies.