Casual, hardcore and the significance of 1/22
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at 6:05pm by Derek
While plodding past towering white curtains and glaring at dangling chandeliers of Mii characters, something finally snapped inside of Jem Alexander. As the Joystiq writer emerged from the ivory-coated Nintendo booth at Leipzig last August, the frustration boiled over.
“While Microsoft and Sony both held press conferences during the Leipzig Games Convention, Nintendo decided to take a more personal approach and conducted three booth tours,” said Alexander. “After all, telling an entire audience that they’ve been dumped should be done face to face, right? The booth tour served as a way to let us know that, no, we’re no longer needed and, yes, we’ve been traded in for a different audience.”
Five months later, Alexander’s comments are representative of an even more widespread opinion. Similar complaints have been spreading like an infection throughout the gaming community and are coming from both consumers and developers alike. An increasing number of so-called “hardcore” gamers are losing patience with Nintendo, its supposed “revolution” and the software supporting it.
And aren’t some of their frustrations justified? After all, as our Infendo gurus have discussed regularly on Infendo Radio, the Wii has yet to prove itself capable of an intuitive online gaming experience, sacrificing ease-of-use for an abstract definition of “safety” in an apparently predator-infested world. And while major franchises like Resident Evil prepare for their next major installment, they seem to cover all available platforms…except Wii, which usually gets a “PS2-tacular” afterthought or some sort of half-baked spin-off.
Like the very terms “hardcore” and “casual” themselves, gamers have discussed these issues ad nauseam since November of 2006. And regardless of which side of the arguments we fall, it is fairly obvious that the Wii software library is lacking traditionally minded, “hardcore” titles. While games like Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3 and Super Mario Galaxy have reinvigorated their respective superstar franchises and certainly appealed to the “hardcore,” they virtually stand alone amidst a massive stack of Wii-hashes, shovelware and (gasp!) family-friendly “casual” games.
And if we learned anything from the GameCube, it was that Mario, Link and Samus can only carry a console so far.
But today is a very special day in the history of Wii. Perhaps even more significant in implication than the release date of Galaxy and the exciting announcements of E3 presentations from years gone by, this ordinary January 22 afternoon may (cross your fingers, Infendo) be the first step toward Nintendo, third-parties and the industry as a whole finally reaching an understanding of the Wii phenomenon.
As we deliberate, shipping trucks all over the United States are carrying two Wii games together, in the same cargo load, that could very well represent the perfect compromise between the split-interest market Nintendo has cultivated with their innovative new hardware.
No More Heroes and Endless Ocean.
While these titles certainly aren’t on the level of, say, Bioshock, Mario Galaxy or Call of Duty 4, they are just as important for Wii owners in terms of what their simultaneous release represents. In a satisfying breath of fresh air, both titles attempt to realize the “revolutionary” promise of Wii by offering remarkably unique entertainment experiences not only through innovative gameplay, but through something that has been painfully sporadic on Wii thus far:
Innovative ideas.
From the infamously bizarre mind of developer Goichi Suda, Ubisoft’s No More Heroes takes players on a nihilistic journey through the murderous fictional city of Santa Destroy and has been met with extremely positive early reviews thus far. Protagonist Travis Touchdown wants to be the best assassin in the world, and to help him fulfill his dream, players need to kill lots (and lots) of people with a faux-lightsaber and obscure Mexican wrestling maneuvers.
Has there been a more deranged, yet perfectly suited given the hardware, “hardcore” concept on Wii yet?
Nintendo’s own Endless Ocean affords players the opportunity to explore a rich underwater world brimming with spectacular scenery and bustling wildlife. Players are immersed into peaceful marine communities as they swim with dolphins and marvel at majestic whales and gorgeous environments. With a soothing soundtrack and free reign of deep sea exploration, Endless Ocean is about as “chill-ax” a concept as gamers have ever seen.
Has there been a more unique, yet perfectly suited given the hardware, “casual” concept on Wii yet?
While it may initially seem the antithesis to Suda’s demented new adventure, Endless Ocean shares more in common with No More Heroes philosophically than gamers might think. Both games set conventional wisdom aside and take bold steps to offer gaming experiences that simply cannot be realized nearly as gracefully on competing consoles. They are both, truly, Wii games.
Most importantly, they release side by side.
Let this be the symbolic peace gesture the less frustrated among us have been yearning for since 2006. If today’s releases are indicative of what we will see over the coming weeks and months on Wii, it is entirely possible that the Wii will prove itself more than capable of appeasing both markets simultaneously…even on the same day.
Believe it or not, there is enough room for everyone on Wii. The potentially pivotal 1/22 proves it.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Vote Derek for “Perceptive Blogger of the Year Award.”
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
That was a really great article, I enjoyed it very much. Or course it’s now up to the developers to see the idea through. Here’s to hoping.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I pre-ordered Endless Ocean and am also looking forward to renting No More Heroes … Cas-core, baby!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Ok. Everyone. Go out and buy No More Heroes. NOW. If you rent it like David over here, I will personally send Travis Touchdown to your house to brutally murder you all the while saying cheesy catch-phrases and playing video games.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
It is very interesting that 2 quality games, that are actually built from the ground up for the Wii, which may appeal equally to the hardcore and the casual, are released on the same day. But to call this day some sort of ” pivotal” point in the Wii’s history is getting a little carried away. I hope that this is a sign of things to come, but the release schedules don’t seem to support this idea.
What OTHER creative, potentially big AAA, non spin off or PS2 ported hardcore third party games are on the horizon for the Wii? And what OTHER creative, original, non mini-game, potential AAA third party causal games are on the horizon of the Wii? Not very many at all, really.
I will be buying No more heroes, unless a slew of negative reviews roll in. And will rent Endless Ocean, maybe even buy it used at some point. Unfortunately, it does not look like my Wii will become my number one console for games this new year. I should be used to it, I suppose. It turned out to not be my console of choice last year as well. So much potential…
Nice article =)
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
@wii wii it depends on what you want. there is another game that has zombies and a girl in a 2 piece. For some reason it actually seems to have better graphics than NMH. Then you have the 2d games. If you don’t know about vanillaware or sega’s new 2d games then shame on you. I hope NMH does well so ubisoft can let suda do red steel 2 for them with a huge production.
Another thing is you simply can not make new game types on the HD systems. Your game has to be up to a certain standard graphically. Simply because the console owner paid way too much money for his system. I mean wouldn’t it be cool if you DIDn’t have to use all that power for all of those shaders.
Great article! This site is my new home page now. Finally some one who understands what is happening! To understand the Wii you have to be a fan of the VC which means you are a fan of fun. Hopefully this is spill over to the Wiiware games. I mean I just look back and would ROLF if square made a reverse ad for the Wii stating that it only takes (640×480)307200 pixels to enjoy the beauty of final fantasy so why over pay for some thing you don’t own? It would never happen yet maybe that is a good thing? What is funny is steel battalion could have been done on the Wii just by using the pointer. The Wii can be what developers want it to be which is obvious since nintendo is making a killing right now. I would also like to play my next ninja gadien DS style on the Wii!
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 am
I don’t know why you all are so wound up about this business. Is it just that you want the Wii to win the console war? I admit it is nice to see nintendo, the company that brought the 8 year old version of GrumpyDavid so much joy. The facts are clear though. The wii will has weak graphics and weak 3rd party support - relatively. The point about Mario and Zelda not being strong enough to carry the Gamecube is dead on. And guess what all of those games are allready out for the Wii in its first or just over its first year. More people are adopting HD, the 360 and ps3 can only get cheaper from here on out.
I’m just going to let the Wii be what it is. Hopefully the future of the Wii has games that implement head tracking. It will be nice to see how long the wii can sit on its thrown as king of consoles, becasue the thrown was practically custom built for nintendo anyway. A 60 year old lady walked up to me and wife at church last Sunday and asked if we wanted to have a Wii hang out night, we are in our 20’s. The Wii has done amazing things and it’s more fun to play than video games have been for me since the nes.. So lets not get our panties in a wad when ps3 game sales start to surpass the Wii.
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 am
Problem about this entire idea, though (or, at least in Japan): No More Heroes sold like total rubbish. In fact, most of the ‘hardcore’ games are selling like bollocks over there. Whether this be the Japanese’s continued obsession with portable gaming or their desire for more casual games is up to anyone’s interpretation, but the fact remains: ‘hardcore’ games, even 1st party ones, are selling terribly.
So, please, everyone who wants a stronger 3rd party support: go buy NMH. It’s bound to be a good game. Killer7 was, and you guys all missed out on that one as well. Go, buy, enjoy.
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:16 am
I would add that you should not only buy NMH, but tell your friends about it too!!!
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
No one is going to be mad when the PS3 surpasses the Wii in game sales. Actually we will be happy. It will just make nintendo work harder! Plus too if that is the case I will have a PS3 for that very reason. Really I’m glad to see more people getting into gaming. Hardcore gaming is very strong yet the ranks where fluffed a bit there for a while. Hardcore gamers are usually incredibly skilled at their games of choice. Game collectors are a different type of gamer and the casuals are mostly people who do trade in games. Which is actually the biggest problem with gaming. Before the hardcore simply would not buy another game because they kept playing street fighter , Etc now as soon as you beat a game you trade it in almost like your at the library. The fact that you trade in your game shows how much you actually enjoyed that game. I wonder some times if gaming is becoming more like reality tv rather than more like gaming. Hey but thats just my opinion. I’m sure if you look there are hardcore laser hockey Wii play players too.
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I already got Endless Ocean yesterday… It’s Zen-tastic, and can’t wait to show it to my daughter, who loves marine life!
I will be getting No More Heroes probably in a couple of weeks, but I need Days of Ruin first for my DS… and a new DS! My Lite got completely totalled by a toddler.
But anyway, my point is that Nintendo did covered all the angles this week: casual, action, and strategy, all with tons of originality, so there’s no complaints from THIS reader! I’m still sticking to my 360 for online FPS gaming, though…
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I have never been excited about NMH. Just the art design itself is totally unappealing to me, even ugly. I’m predcting its a mediocre game with ok sales. but nothing to set the xxx wii types on fire yet.
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:39 pm
well I just tore myself away from NMH, deepthought, and I definitely rank it much higher than mediocre. If you don’t like the art direction, that’ll definitely be a stumbling block, but the gameplay itself is solid. And the game is fun/hilarious/ridiculous in all the right ways.
If there’s anybody sitting on the fence about this game, I gotta tell ya, you’ll be missing out.