Post by: NWR_MattB on May 07, 2010, 08:56:12 PM
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23040
Super Mario Galaxy was not as big in Japan as it was overseas, as only one-eighth of its lifetime sales came from that particular market. To try and change that and avoid the possibility of the game's sales performing below the original, Nintendo has decided to bundle the game with a DVD entitled "My First Super Mario Galaxy 2" in both Japan and Europe.
During a recent investors meeting, Iwata explained that the DVD will be ncluded to address the concerns that many gamers have with playing Mario in a third dimension. New Super Mario Bros. Wii has shown has that Japan loves two-dimensional Mario, yet his 3D outings have failed to match the sales of his more traditional titles.
To combat this issue in Super Mario Galaxy 2, Nintendo tried to make a 3D world where players would not be overcome or frustrated by the idea of having a sphere-shaped level design. The DVD includes tips that will help newcomers get a better handle on controlling Mario in the third dimension.
Post by: ControlerFleX on May 07, 2010, 09:06:48 PM
Nintendo tried to make a 3D world where players would not be overcome or frustrated by the idea of having a sphere-shaped level design.
This better not mean that Nintendo is going back on Miyamoto-san's statement that MG2 will have more of a challenge than the previous game.
Post by: Nemo on May 07, 2010, 10:38:12 PM
Post by: TJ Spyke on May 08, 2010, 01:29:08 AM
Post by: famicomplicated on May 08, 2010, 08:48:35 AM
Post by: broodwars on May 08, 2010, 10:11:21 AM
Post by: NWR_Lindy on May 08, 2010, 11:17:00 AM
Despite having lived here this long, I still don't quite understand why Japanese gamers don't play 3D Mario games....
Judging from their need to create this DVD, I think that they're also at a loss to explain it.
Post by: Morari on May 08, 2010, 11:19:23 AM
Despite having lived here this long, I still don't quite understand why Japanese gamers don't play 3D Mario games....
Because 3D platformers have a track record of controlling like crap. Mario isn't much better in many ways.
Post by: NWR_Lindy on May 08, 2010, 11:22:20 AM
I know that's a blanket statement, but you can't help but make it after years of watching them pretty much ignore certain game genres that are really popular in the West.
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on May 08, 2010, 03:11:59 PM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on May 08, 2010, 03:50:15 PM
This DVD is the super guide to their Super Guide.
(http://i44.tinypic.com/oub04j.jpg)
Post by: King of Twitch on May 08, 2010, 03:52:45 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 10, 2010, 02:00:33 PM
There is a large market for this game and don't risk pissing that market away as you focus on a market that is choosing to not give a ****.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on May 10, 2010, 02:08:12 PM
Japan is their HOME country and the last thing they want to do is lose their home audience. If they have to try a little harder to get the Japanese 2D loving audience to give 3D Mario a shot, then so be it, but it's not like they spent $10Million, 6 months development time and half of the dev team that was working on Kirby Wii, Wave Race, Zelda, Earthbound and Mario Tennis/Golf to make this tutorial DVD. So give it a rest already.
Post by: Mop it up on May 10, 2010, 04:37:02 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 10, 2010, 05:00:55 PM
Quote
If they have to try a little harder to get the Japanese 2D loving audience to give 3D Mario a shot, then so be it, but it's not like they spent $10Million, 6 months development time and half of the dev team that was working on Kirby Wii, Wave Race, Zelda, Earthbound and Mario Tennis/Golf to make this tutorial DVD.
The DVD is nothing really. I'm just noting that Nintendo seems so concerned with who isn't playing their games. To focus too much on that is to risk losing who IS playing your games. There is a give and take between trying to attract new customers and alienating your existing ones. It might just be that the two groups are incompatible and you can't please both with the same product.
Besides this isn't the new audience, this is Japan. Mario has been 3D for over ten years. The vibe I get, and I don't mean anything racist in saying this, is that Japan is too trend-focused. It's like everybody likes something or nobody does and the culture is not as supportive of individuality as Western culture is. It really seems like a couple years ago Japan decided to reject all videogames that aren't incredibly simplistic or based on very old gameplay design. If it comes to a point where you either cut Japan or cut America I think it makes much more sense to cut Japan because they're smaller and they seem like a fickle market that will hang you out to dry if you suddenly aren't cool anymore.
Hell, Nintendo has a Mario game that is a big success in Japan with NSMB. So if Super Mario Galaxy is just big in the West, why does that really matter? A DVD is no big deal but if they start compromising 3D Mario in eyes of the Western audience to try to attract the Japanese audience, that sucks. Why should the existing fans have something they like get compromised for someone who doesn't care? Super Mario Galaxy is a beloved and successful game. There is really nothing wrong with it. Therefore is someone doesn't like it then they don't deserve to have it changed so that they do. Either like what's there or go find something else.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 10, 2010, 05:18:19 PM
Post by: Luigi Dude on May 10, 2010, 05:46:20 PM
QuoteIf they have to try a little harder to get the Japanese 2D loving audience to give 3D Mario a shot, then so be it, but it's not like they spent $10Million, 6 months development time and half of the dev team that was working on Kirby Wii, Wave Race, Zelda, Earthbound and Mario Tennis/Golf to make this tutorial DVD.
The DVD is nothing really. I'm just noting that Nintendo seems so concerned with who isn't playing their games. To focus too much on that is to risk losing who IS playing your games. There is a give and take between trying to attract new customers and alienating your existing ones. It might just be that the two groups are incompatible and you can't please both with the same product.
Besides this isn't the new audience, this is Japan. Mario has been 3D for over ten years. The vibe I get, and I don't mean anything racist in saying this, is that Japan is too trend-focused. It's like everybody likes something or nobody does and the culture is not as supportive of individuality as Western culture is. It really seems like a couple years ago Japan decided to reject all videogames that aren't incredibly simplistic or based on very old gameplay design. If it comes to a point where you either cut Japan or cut America I think it makes much more sense to cut Japan because they're smaller and they seem like a fickle market that will hang you out to dry if you suddenly aren't cool anymore.
Hell, Nintendo has a Mario game that is a big success in Japan with NSMB. So if Super Mario Galaxy is just big in the West, why does that really matter? A DVD is no big deal but if they start compromising 3D Mario in eyes of the Western audience to try to attract the Japanese audience, that sucks. Why should the existing fans have something they like get compromised for someone who doesn't care? Super Mario Galaxy is a beloved and successful game. There is really nothing wrong with it. Therefore is someone doesn't like it then they don't deserve to have it changed so that they do. Either like what's there or go find something else.
The thing is they didn't. According to all the early reviews and impressions, Galaxy 2 is actually MUCH HARDER then Galaxy 1. Hell according to people who've read the recent Game Informer review, they actually docked the game points because it was too hard.
I understand the concern about Nintendo maybe messing with the 3D Mario to please Japan, but in the case of Galaxy 2 it didn't happen. Everyone who's getting worked up over what this DVD means is getting themselves worked up over nothing. The gameplay in Galaxy 2 wasn't compromised in anyway to please the Japanese audience, since if anything, it'll probably turn them off more because of its increased difficulty.
Post by: ThomasO on May 10, 2010, 05:51:57 PM
it'll probably turn [the Japanese] off more because of its increased difficulty.It's funny, because the stereotype is that the Japanese are really good at making the most difficult maneuvers appear ridiculously easy.
Post by: KDR_11k on May 11, 2010, 02:20:57 AM
