Rev controller 'could make Nintendo market leader'

Speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz, Nintendo of Europe's senior director of marketing, Jim Merrick, has revealed that he believes the Revolution controller "Certainly could make us market leader."

The new controller was unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show last week. The device is similar in design and size to a TV remote control and uses a sensor to detect which part of the screen the user is pointing at.

"We've talked a lot about expanding the gaming population and breaking down barriers, and the new freehand-style controller, as we're calling it, is very much a part of that," Merrick told this website.

"We have formidable competitors and I'm not going to make any sweeping, grand statements, but the Revolution has the potential to appeal to new groups of consumers we've previously been unable to reach."

"It also has appeal for hardcore gamers, and the ability to bring a lot of people back to gaming," he went on.

Merrick said Nintendo expects its rivals to be inspired by the new controller: "Here we are, about to throw away 20 years of controller designs - designs which Nintendo came up with. There will be an influence on the industry, absolutely."

"That said, Nintendo will aggressively protect its intellectual property," he continued.

Merrick said the controller design is "very nearly finished," adding: "We've got time to make a few refinements, but fundamentally it's complete." He also responded to critics who have expressed concerns about the controller working with different television standards by saying: "It works with LCDs, plasma screens, projectors... Everything. I guarantee it."

Merrick explained that Nintendo had taken the decision not to show any games at TGS as they wanted the audience to focus on the new controller, and not get "hung up on polygon counts and so on."

Although he declined to offer a definite date for when the Revolution console will get its first unveiling, Merrick did say: "Put it this way. Without making a commitment, if I went to E3 2006 and didn't end up playing the Revolution, I'd be very disappointed."

And though the Revolution controller may be a trump card for Nintendo, there's more to come, according to Merrick.

"Let's just say we have more surprises in store," he said.