I know what you are thinking... what in the world is a Nintendo crash test dummy? Well... chances are if you are reading this... you are one. We crash test dummies are the Nintendo hardcore. Why are we crash test dummies? Because unlike hardcore Sony and Microsoft gamers, we must "prove" why we deserve game A. by buying game B. We are the only fanbase in the gaming world that has to buy other games in hopes of getting similar titles or titles with higher production values or depth.
It has been this way since the later gamecube days, but has gotten much worse with Wii. Developers are afraid to make anything but cookie-cutter Wiisports knock offs and minigame collections nowhere near as good at the titles they are trying to emulate. Publishers are turning down compelling ideas for core titles on Wii because there is "no market" for those kind of titles on the Wii platform. No market? Do these industry "professionals" not read the thousands upon thousands of cries from Wii fans for games not geared towards their mother or their little brother? Wii sold around 4 million consoles its' first two months on the shelf...you think that was the casual gamer camping out for those systems? Think again.
Let's discuss these "test games". Manhunt 2. Even though the Wii version was handled by a seperate team the Wii version still looks like a ps2 game? Why? Scarface. Another ps2 port except six months late to the party and full priced to boot. Mortal Kombat Armageddon. Another ps2 port 6 months late with online taken out and a much higher price tag. In fact, the Wii version sold for $49.99 even though the game was originally only $39.99 at launch on the ps2 which was also available at $19.99 the day the Wii version was available.
How about putting real effort into the development and marketing of games for what is on pace to be the greatest selling game console of all time? No more excuses. No more stupid tests. No more petitions. Give us good games.
3 comments:
It's really strange the mentality of third parties. They have no trouble pouring money into x360/PS3 titles using their best teams (without guaranteed big success see haze, lair etc.). But when it comes to the wii, the console with the largest install base by far, this approach suddently isn't valid. Niche titles like no more heroes and deblob are for some reason expected to sell like RE5 and Halo3 when their one the wii, if not the gaming press headlines is core games dont sell on wii.
Um...
No offense, but yea, I actually think most of that 4 million was casual gamers, especially since most core gamers who wanted a Wii probably got one within the first year, yet they continue to sell ridiculously well.
There ARE a lot of core gamers on the Wii, and there's actually a pretty decent amount of quality core games, too.
Most of the quality core games aren't selling, so either core gamers really aren't in as plentiful supply on the Wii or they just don't care that much. *shrug*
As Shane Bettenhausen said on the last 1Up Yours podcast, there is a big difference between hardcore Nintendo gamers and generalized hardcore gamers.
I really agree with a lot of what this article and these comments are trying to say. so, thanks for saying it!
please check out our new site, we're trying to get a community started there and I think you folks would be good fits!
www.wiiaredeep.tk
thank you!
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