Why Nintendo Won't Grow Up

[sbp]

from http://www.ve3d.com/default.aspx?new...11/02#1462news

Wired is running an article detailing the perspective Nintendo, and particularly its oddball head Shigeru Miyamoto, have on gaming. It talks about why Nintendo is so reluctant to expand its first party games into more serious and gritty topics and even gives a fair amount of history on the company itself. Some food for though from Seamus Blackley, former head of the XBox team at MS:

"At this point," Blackley continues, "Miyamoto is making games for his fans. Granted, there are millions of them, and it's smart business, but most are kids. He's not opening up adult audiences. He's reinforcing stereotypes about games, not pushing them to a place where they can become something different and truly awesome."

What especially frustrates Blackley is the sense that Miyamoto could take gaming to the next level: "There isn't anyone on the planet better at lasering into the lizard brain, that eye- attached-to-your-hand-attached-to-your-brain thing that makes it impossible to stop playing. GTA3 is good, but it's not revolutionary. What Miyamoto could bring to a game like that would be incredible."

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.01/nintendo.html

[Full Monty]

Well gee guys, would you really want Mr. Miyamoto to turn Mario into a gun-slinging killing machine? Not really his style, and not really smart considering Mario is responsible for some of the greatest selling games of all time.

Also, I fail to see how Gamecube can be labeled as a platform devoted to kids when they have come out with games like Resident Evil, Eternal Darkness, Turok, MK: Deadly Alliance, and most recently, BMX XXX, among others. Granted, Nintendo does produce some games that cater to a younger croud, but judging them on those games alone is quite narrow-minded, especially when they have really pushed to release a ton of games over the last few months, many of which are not "kiddie" games.

I see Nintendo getting the best of both worlds as it keeps on pushing its flagship "kiddie" characters (Mario, Starfox, etc.), meanwhile continuing to release games that would make Mario soil his overalls.

[apmiller]

Nintendo has always been the "family" console. They always will. This is good. We like it this way and it has kept them in business for more years than you can count.

Miyamoto doesn't need to worry about raising the bar in video games for he already does all the time. He doesn't need to make a hack and slash, blood and guts, type of game to improve video games, he's been doing it for years without having Mario cut the head off of Bowser. He's doing everything right, that's why he's rich, famous, and eveyone wants to work with him.

Blackley needs to find something better to cry about...

[apmiller]

Originally posted by DarkFury

Sit down before I stomp on your head and make gold coins pop out.

Dude...I could use some gold coins. Could you try that on my head?

[gear02]

Originally posted by DarkFury

I think you missed the part about this "conversation" being about "1st party games" and not "3rd party game developers". When I said "platforms" honestly, I wasn't saying that Nintendo's COULDN'T play more "mature" games, however the primary list of games for that Nintendo themselves promote is geared more towards the younger crowd...

Does that make my previous statement a lil more clear now?

Well I say that Nintendo's current flock of "kiddie" games is pretty damn good and beats any "adult" game any day.

It doesn't have to be "adult-oriented" for adults to like it.

Unfortunately, Nintendo doesn't do much to refute that stereotype...

Think about it, who will spend more money on video games? little brats who whine and beg their parents or husbands who whine and beg their wives?

[Freelance Superhero]

all things considered, if a game is fun, it's fun. i had a freakin blast playing mario sunshine, and nintendo hardly ever comes up with concepts that fail to entertain (okay, maybe every once in a while, but not often).

on the other hand, how many games by third party developers have been released that just suck ass? they try to take the gaming industry to these so-called "new heights" or break "new ground", but when it comes right down to it, if the game is fun to play, i'm not gonna care if it looks like a "kiddie" game or not.

[gear02]

Originally posted by Freelance Superhero

on the other hand, how many games by third party developers have been released that just suck ass?

*Cough* BMXXX *cough*

they try to take the gaming industry to these so-called "new heights" or break "new ground", but when it comes right down to it, if the game is fun to play, i'm not gonna care if it looks like a "kiddie" game or not.

Exactly! I mean, I think Nintendo has the most customer loyalty than any other publisher. Not too many people cared when SNK when out, but if Nintendo dies, there will be a global period of morning.