Nintendo president Satoru Iwatu has effectively ruled out virtual-world services on the Wii. So where does that leave Animal Crossing MMO?
"The virtual-world services out there now still aren't at a place where we'd like to join in," said Iwata. "And certainly not to the point that we'd want to jump into competition with everybody else. We'd rather focus on doing things that nobody else would do."
Iwata also underlined the firm's focus on inventing new experiences for a wide range of people.
"Our job is to constantly look into what people find fun and interesting. I mean, nobody else wants to develop a videogame where you get on the scale and see how much you weigh."
What about an online aerobics class? Hosted by Mr. Motivator?
"That's how we're able to keep offering people surprises and entertainment, so even if we were to make a virtual-world-like product, we'd be sure to make it something that nobody would call it a product similar to another company's offering."
Last year, rumours reported in Edge claimed that the Wii iteration of Animal Crossing would be an MMO.
Hope dies last but we've got our doubts about an AC MMO now. Given that Iwata appears to beam when discussing the likes of Wii Sports and Wii Fit, if it does come to pass we're gearing up expect something different to Warcraft with cuddly toys. And less fighting.
Anyone else get the feeling that Nintendo are actually moving away from the gaming market?
Nope, have you not played Galaxy and Metroid Prime.
Plus, Wii Sports is a game and it is a good game for the audience it is aimed at. I have had many a good gaming session playing wii tennis and bowling against friends. Gaming has only recently been divided between casual and hardcore and this division has come from pretentious gamers thinking that they are better than someone else. In the old days of the Amiga and SNES I can't ever recall hearing the words "Hardcore Gamer" as we were all just too happy playing games.
Nope, have you not played Galaxy and Metroid Prime.
Yup, own them both with pride. And yes, they are brilliant - however, these have been on the cards for years, while new games that Nintendo are releasing seem to be aimed at a totally different market.
Plus, Wii Sports is a game and it is a good game for the audience it is aimed at. I have had many a good gaming session playing wii tennis and bowling against friends.
Yes, Wii Sports is great fun, but you could argue is was made as a tech demo to show what the Wii is capable of....
Gaming has only recently been divided between casual and hardcore and this division has come from pretentious gamers thinking that they are better than someone else. In the old days of the Amiga and SNES I can't ever recall hearing the words "Hardcore Gamer" as we were all just too happy playing games.
I agree completely. I would never claim to be either casual OR hardcore - and the terms bug me immensely. Like you say, it's just pretention and a term people use to denote an 'I'm better than you' situation.
Nope, have you not played Galaxy and Metroid Prime.
Yup, own them both with pride. And yes, they are brilliant - however, these have been on the cards for years, while new games that Nintendo are releasing seem to be aimed at a totally different market.
Plus, Wii Sports is a game and it is a good game for the audience it is aimed at. I have had many a good gaming session playing wii tennis and bowling against friends.
Yes, Wii Sports is great fun, but you could argue is was made as a tech demo to show what the Wii is capable of....
Gaming has only recently been divided between casual and hardcore and this division has come from pretentious gamers thinking that they are better than someone else. In the old days of the Amiga and SNES I can't ever recall hearing the words "Hardcore Gamer" as we were all just too happy playing games.
I agree completely. I would never claim to be either casual OR hardcore - and the terms bug me immensely. Like you say, it's just pretention and a term people use to denote an 'I'm better than you' situation.
My more pressing concern is the quality of Third party titles. Why can't they all be up to the standard of Capcoms, RE4 is great and Zack & Wiki is inspired!
how come you can go online with animal crossing wild world using the ds wi-fi, but a wii console version would opt out! i just think ninty is making a real hash of online gaming, with all the pointless codes and region locking. i what to play second life as a racoon.
Oh, for the love of God. Animal Crossing would be the ideal online franchise. Trust Nintendo to throw a spanner in the works.
And Iwata can say that he wants to try ideas that no-one has ever thought of as much as he likes. SSBB's idea has definitely been thought of before (at least twice), and I don't hear anyone complaining about that, hm? (Save rabid Sony/Microsoft Fanboys.)
Anyone else get the feeling that Nintendo are actually moving away from the gaming market?
Err, of course not. Silly man. Have you not played some wii games recently? Galaxy? Metroid? Wii Sports? Virtual Console? I have no idea what made you say that comment.
Anyone else get the feeling that Nintendo are actually moving away from the gaming market?
Err, of course not. Silly man. Have you not played some wii games recently? Galaxy? Metroid? Wii Sports? Virtual Console? I have no idea what made you say that comment.
I have an idea what made him say it. It could be something to do with the fact that Nintendo are constantly banging on about new experiences that to my ears sound less like games and more like bloody hard work. What - if this is not the case - is Wii Fit?
He says "I mean, nobody else wants to develop a videogame where you get on the scale and see how much you weigh." That's because *SOUNDS THE HORNS* that's NOT a f**kin' game Iwata! That's an exercise package of as yet questionable value (is this "game" going to be reviewed by Edge, or Men's Health magazine, and which is the better authority?) wrapped up with terrible graphics and very little gameplay.
What suddenly turned Nintendo into this bunch of sanctimonious swines anyway?
Oh and as for the likes of Galaxy, Metroid, Smash Bros etc... blah blah bloody blah. So Nintendo release the games everyone expects them to release for every console ever in the history and future of everything and that constitutes a clearer example of the company and it's direction more so than the chief honcho - Iwata - spouting on about how weight-loss games are where it's at?
If you're going to be pedantic, then at best you could be kind enough to argue that they're changing the face of gaming. But I tell you what, if having to answer quadratic equations whilst doing press-ups isn't a sign that Nintendo are moving away from the traditional gaming market, then I don't know what is.
I have an idea what made him say it. It could be something to do with the fact that Nintendo are constantly banging on about new experiences that to my ears sound less like games and more like bloody hard work. What - if this is not the case - is Wii Fit?
He says "I mean, nobody else wants to develop a videogame where you get on the scale and see how much you weigh." That's because *SOUNDS THE HORNS* that's NOT a f**kin' game Iwata! That's an exercise package of as yet questionable value (is this "game" going to be reviewed by Edge, or Men's Health magazine, and which is the better authority?) wrapped up with terrible graphics and very little gameplay.
What suddenly turned Nintendo into this bunch of sanctimonious swines anyway?
Oh and as for the likes of Galaxy, Metroid, Smash Bros etc... blah blah bloody blah. So Nintendo release the games everyone expects them to release for every console ever in the history and future of everything and that constitutes a clearer example of the company and it's direction more so than the chief honcho - Iwata - spouting on about how weight-loss games are where it's at?
If you're going to be pedantic, then at best you could be kind enough to argue that they're changing the face of gaming. But I tell you what, if having to answer quadratic equations whilst doing press-ups isn't a sign that Nintendo are moving away from the traditional gaming market, then I don't know what is.
Thanks Mappman. While I wouldn't have put it exactly like that, at least you see my point. And I will go on record and say that I love Wii Sports, it really is brilliant and a breath of fresh air. However, as the Wii gets older, Nintendos titles get more and more obscure, and less and less like what I would consider a 'game'.
Wii Fit is a classic example - while I'm sure it's great to shed some pounds, especially from those of us who love to veg in front of our tvs playing Halo et al, it is NOT a game - in no way shape or form.
Citing Galaxy, Smash Brothers, Metroid etc as examples that they still make games is crazy, these games were ALWAYS going to come out on the Wii, just as Mappman says. Its the other new 'games' that concern me.
Or perhaps Iwata is reinforcing the fact that they aren't competing with Sony and Microsoft after all... Which is a huge mistake in my opinion, and will lead them to the same fate that met Sega.
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