How Nex Playground Is Fixing the Wii’s Biggest Problem

Key Information

• Nex Playground, a surprisingly successful console, ranked third in console sales in November, surpassing Xbox.
• CEO David Lee points out that the Wii struggled because most players only purchased a few notable titles like Wii Sports and Wii Fit, rendering the model difficult to maintain.
• Rather than selling games individually, Nex Playground provides access to its titles through a subscription service.
• The company acknowledges the Wii’s role in broadening the gaming audience, yet insists that a subscription model is essential for sustaining long-term engagement.

Nex Playground, a new gaming console that has taken the market by surprise, secured the third position in console sales in November, eclipsing the Xbox lineup on Black Friday with around 14% of total console sales for that day.

David Lee, CEO of Nex Playground, attributes part of the console’s success to its avoidance of the mistake made by the Wii. While the original Wii drew in a vast casual audience through motion controls and popular games such as Wii Sports and Wii Fit, many owners only purchased a limited selection from the available titles, leaving much of the library unused.

According to Lee, the Wii model proved challenging to sustain due to many players only purchasing a small number of popular games. To remedy this, Nex Playground opts for a subscription model that eliminates individual game sales and provides continuous access to new content.

Lee believes that the subscription model is crucial for encouraging family engagement. By continuously introducing new games and experiences, Nex Playground aims to keep things fresh for players, ensuring continuous interest and facilitating business growth. “We’re building something that’s meant to last,” he stated, “something that earns its place in the living room by being useful and enjoyable, day after day.”