American McGee backs Wii in next-gen race

US games designer American McGee has lavished praise on Nintendo's innovative next-gen console strategy, labelling the PS3 and Xbox 360 as "just a video card and processor update."

Speaking to commercial website Computerandvideogames.com in an interview yet to be published in full, the industry veteran laid out his forthright views on the next-gen battle.

"I sense that Nintendo is going to capture the hearts of gamers while Microsoft and Sony stab each other in the neck for market domination," McGee stated.

"Nintendo is focused on innovation and games," he added. "The other guys are focused on making money."

It's McGee's assertion that the focus on high definition, cinematic graphics and the touting of immense technical processing power will be detrimental to both Sony and Microsoft's grip on the games market.

While the two firms fight for market share, McGee believes Nintendo's cheaper, gameplay-centric and highly innovative approach taken with the Wii console will capture consumer interest on a much wider scale.

"The only true next-gen console out there is the Wii. Everything else is just a video card and processor upgrade," McGee concluded.

His comments echo the industry's general reception to the Wii, with suggestions of a much stronger market position for Nintendo coming from many highly placed industry professionals.

In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Eidos' product acquisition director, Ian Livingstone stated his belief in a much closer race for the next-generation of hardware, stating:

"I think Nintendo, with the Wii console, is going to be right back up in the thick of it. they've gone for gameplay over graphics instead. I think that's quite an interesting move and it could be very successful for them."

American McGee is currently completing the launch of PC and Xbox 360 title Bad Day LA, in addition to working on several movie projects. The designer has yet to announce any plans to work on Nintendo's forthcoming console.