Nintendo: Core gamer ’still very important to us’
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 1:08pm by Blake
From the “sky is falling” files comes the latest verbal commitment by Nintendo that they are still making games for long-time players despite the increased popularity of casual games. Pro-G tells the story:
Speaking at a press conference in London this morning, David Yarnton, general manager of Nintendo UK, said: “It’s important to know that we’re not ignoring the hardcore gamer. They’re still very important to us.”
Yarnton was quick to remind any alienated gamers that the company has or will have released three of its most core franchises on both Wii and DS by Christmas: Metroid Prime 3, Super Mario Galaxy, and Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.
Regardless what Nintendo does or doesn’t say on the subject, here’s the real factor for determining if traditional games will remain on Wii: If Nintendo makes big bucks from said games, they’ll keep making them. Period. Remember, Nintendo’s motive as a company is to make money, not spit in the face of long-time, loyal, overly sensitive gamers.
Make yourself relevant by leveraging your most precious asset: cash.
October 30th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Very True. What has Nintendo given the casual this year? Wii Play and Big Brain Academy. Wii Fit and Wii Music coming next year.
What about the Core Gamer? Super Paper Mario, Mario Strikers Charged, Metroid Prime 3.
Coming up? Super Mario Galaxy, BWii, Fire Emblem: Goddess of Dawn.
Next year? Super Smash Bros Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Disaster: Day of Crisis.
Plus, unannounced projects.
Hm…. I wonder if the casuals are getting the short-end of the stick from Nintendo.
October 30th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
I echo your statement there DonWii. I don’t think the casuals will feel short changed as they are also not the content locusts that we tend to be. They will wring a lot more entertainment from a single game and be happy with fewer releases. There will however be such numbers of them buying the endeavor will have been worth it.
October 30th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Personally, I’m getting really tired of all the whining on the part of a lot of Nintendo “fans.” It’s always “no hard drive” this and “friend codes” that. Bottom line is, it’s a video game system. If you like the games on the system, buy the thing. If you don’t, then don’t buy the thing. It’s as simple as that. Constantly griping about what a system can’t do and doesn’t have never really seems to solve any problems.
Sure, there are a lot of “casual games.” But, some of those games are pretty darn good. All of this talk about neglecting the “hardcore gamer” is silly, in my opinion. If the “hardcore” games I’m missing as a Wii owner rather than a an Xbox360 or PS3 owner are apparent snoozefests like Uncharted, Kane and Lynch and Army of Two, then I’m not too concerened about being a “hardcore gamer.” That’s not to say there aren’t games on the other systems that I would like to play; I’m just saying that I don’t feel the Wii is lacking games I want either. Anyone who thinks the system is experiencing a drought of quality titles may want to reconsider their purchase. I’m sure Gamestop would be happy to take that Wii off their hands and make some other customer’s day.
October 30th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
@Doofus_J:
You said it all man.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Thanks, Sakuragi. I’ve been frustrated with all of it lately. I just like playing my game system without having to be constantly reminded that the “bubble is about to burst” any second now and I’m going to be left with an unsupported paperweight.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I think one of the issues what really hitting at the hardcore Nintendo gamers is when are you (besides the mario and other 1st party titles) are we going to get AAA 3rd party (non crappy ports or PS2 engine based) games. Manhunt 2 is a prime example of a game with crappy first gen PS2 graphics. We hope to start seeing high quality (visuals and AI) games like those we have been on the Xbox (not Xbox 360). The Wii is capable of this. End the crappy ports and lazy production of mature titles.
October 30th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I get the feeling that a lot of developers are still “testing the waters” with their Wii software. It’s like Rockstar is waiting to see how Manhunt 2 and Table Tennis do before they commit to a full fledged title. I think Capcom is doing a bit of the same with their RE4 port and hopefully the success of that port will transfer over to Umbrella Chronicles and they will continue to devote some resources on the next project. It is a bit annoying though to see Soul Calibur 4 and RE5 go to the other consoles and Wii gets the side projects, but due to the radically different controller and specs I guess I understand their reasoning. And as long as these “side projects” are quality games I suppose it won’t matter that much.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
I’m not much of a complainer myself, but if you’re not wanting a hard drive then you probably don’t want Final Fantasy:CC and the other arcade/budget games coming out
October 30th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
I think the article said it, vote with your wallet folks. I want more Zack and Wiki style games. By buying said game, I have let Capcom know in a very convincing way that, “I want more games like this one”. I will continue to buy games that I want, and if anyone tries to tell me differently they can suck a cock.
October 31st, 2007 at 12:58 am
i think it’s funny that they have to say that. like it’s not evident.
cause sometimes it’s not. well, not to me. wiibored ftl.
but like everyone said- play what you want. stop worrying about justifying yourself in hardware sales or software sales or whatever.
and even if the bubble does burst- that’s just demand. i was all about the n64, and that thing was not well supported at all. not like the ps2 was. like i cared though.
October 31st, 2007 at 12:59 am
oh yeah- and the cat pic hilarious
i can has cheezburger ftw
October 31st, 2007 at 9:10 am
This whole casual vs hardcore thing needs to stop. The problem seems to stem from people that play games at an exceedingly high rate, and how they’ve been coddled all of these years. Now that Nintendo has the fantastic idea of getting other people involved in our medium, they are feeling shunned because the exclusivity of their ‘hobby’ has been broken. Boo hoo.