@lstormy10, "another 3rd party manufacturer could easily create a 50 dollar balance board"
The bolded part is where I don't agree with you. If you read Iwata ask series on Wii Fit, you will notice that : - It is not easy to made the Balance Board, since it also have wireless part (it act as fourth controller), unlike Nunchuk, classic controller, which didn't have wireless part. - Nintendo is a "cheap" company, and they tried to minimize the cost of Balance Board by reducing the "sensor" (page 2 of Iwata Ask), and they failed. Unless the third party uses a "less quality" component, it is not easy for them to reduce the cost. - Economic size advantage. Nintendo has manufactured 4 million Balance Board, so they have economic size advantage to any new comer. - Brand Name advantage. As a consumer, will I pay US$ 90 for Wii Fit + BB from Nintendo, or will I pay US$ 80 for BB only from other third party (Njoy, Nyko, etc) ? I am quite sure lots of people (including casual) would prefer to buy Nintendo branded accessories, if the price difference is not significant enough (50%+ at least, IMO). I know I would choose Nintendo in the above mentioned price example.
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"another 3rd party manufacturer could easily create a 50 dollar balance board"
The bolded part is where I don't agree with you. If you read Iwata ask series on Wii Fit, you will notice that :
- It is not easy to made the Balance Board, since it also have wireless part (it act as fourth controller), unlike Nunchuk, classic controller, which didn't have wireless part.
- Nintendo is a "cheap" company, and they tried to minimize the cost of Balance Board by reducing the "sensor" (page 2 of Iwata Ask), and they failed. Unless the third party uses a "less quality" component, it is not easy for them to reduce the cost.
- Economic size advantage. Nintendo has manufactured 4 million Balance Board, so they have economic size advantage to any new comer.
- Brand Name advantage. As a consumer, will I pay US$ 90 for Wii Fit + BB from Nintendo, or will I pay US$ 80 for BB only from other third party (Njoy, Nyko, etc) ? I am quite sure lots of people (including casual) would prefer to buy Nintendo branded accessories, if the price difference is not significant enough (50%+ at least, IMO). I know I would choose Nintendo in the above mentioned price example.