The last couple of years haven't been kind to Nintendo's wallet. Recent reports have stated that losses have hit $926 million. The publisher is hoping to change all of that this next year as they focus on the Nintendo 3DS and launch the Wii U.
In a semi-annual financial results recap, Nintendo revealed that it plans to have the Wii U completed and on display at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, which takes place June 5-7. The company says it is trying to take every possible measure to ensure a successful launch for the console.
We are also planning to launch the Wii U, which is the successor to the Wii, during the next fiscal year. We would like to show the final format of the Wii U at the E3 show next year. As we learned a bitter lesson with the launch of the Nintendo 3DS, we are trying to take every possible measure so that the Wii U will have a successful launch.
Nintendo's priority right now to spur growth for the eShop and Nintendo 3DS is on increasing the word of mouth provided by social media. They plan on introducing a web-based storefront to help prospective buyers find the store's content, but browser-based purchases won't be introduces until the next system update.
The Nintendo 3DS is still having adoption issues, but the publisher believes that it will hit the required install base after the holidays to put it into the "favorable word-of-mouth cycle".
After the upcoming year-end sales season is over, the Nintendo 3DS is anticipated to reach the expected installed base that is necessary to create a favorable word-of-mouth cycle. We can expect the Nintendo 3DS to enter into the phase where relevant information shall be communicated even to people who usually do not proactively seek video game information.
Nintendo reported that it has sold 3.07 million units worldwide during the April-September period. Lifetime-to-date sales stand at 6.68 million units.