Square Enix's Wada Sees New Nintendo Console By 2011

Square Enix boss Yoichi Wada expects Nintendo to release a new console by 2011, likely an updated device more directly positioned against the current PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and possibly with a new input device. Although Wada told the Financial times he feels Microsoft's Project Natal is "fantastic and could become standard," the exec feels new motion control devices from Sony and Nintendo are unlikely to have a major impact. "Present game machines already have a lot of functions: they are a network terminal, a Blu-ray or DVD player, and a gaming machine," said Wada. "Compared to these three pillars, the [new motion] controllers are quite limited, so the impact may be small. They are an extension of the gaming function." However, he noted that a strong release slate from the start could help drive the success of new input devices and help them take root more quickly.