By Jonathan Charles | Oct 11, 2012 12:31 PM EDT
With just over a month to go before Wii U, Nintendo's next-generation console, releases, reports of a fire in a manufacturing plant have surfaced. While analysts claimed one million units could be lost due to the fire, Nintendo claims production continues as normal.
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"Nintendo - we downgraded WiiU [sic] units by 1m to 7.3m as production is impacted by fire at assembler, company to revise down outlook Oct 24," said David Gibson, Australian Bank Macquarie analyst, on Twitter.
A statement to gaming Web site CVG from Nintendo claimed that the company is not seeing "impacts" on Wii U production. The company did not comment on revising its outlook on Oct. 24.
"Nintendo has issued a statement to CVG explaining: 'As of now, we see no impacts on our Wii U console production scheme,'" reported CVG. The Web site went on to add that "CVG sources have claimed that the firm is already facing some supply constraints for the console, with retailers selling out of allocated stock due to strong early demand."
Potentially 8.3 million units at launch could be good news for Nintendo, with caution from some critics directed towards the longevity of GamePad, the console's controller, and whether Nintendo can build a competitive online system with Miiverse. Ubisoft recently revealed Rayman Legends, an anticipated title, and exclusive for Wii U, is delayed until Q1 2013.
After Wii U pre-orders became available U.S. gaming retailer GameStop revealed it is selling out of models. Nintendo offers Basic and Premium versions, the latter bundled with a game like NintendoLand in the U.S., for US$299 and $349 respectively. Pricing for New Zealand revealed that the U.S. seems to be getting the better value-for-money deal, though retailers could lower prices post-launch. Nintendo advised consumers to refer to stores' prices, claiming New Zealand's pricing is due to inflation.
Nintendo is seen by experts as having a year-long advantage over Microsoft and Sony before the companies launch next-generation consoles. Capturing and retaining players in that time is vital to Wii U's success. Nintendo also needs to diffuse claims that Microsoft and Sony's next-generation consoles will eclipse its offering, despite no confirmed specifications.
Wii U launches Nov. 18 in the U.S., and Nov. 30 in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
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