Topic: Square-Enix to support the VC

[The Omen]

Quote
See, I don't get this argument. Square-Enix has released and re-released games for years. Now they have a chance to re-release their entire library with no production costs and maybe a little developement cost. There is no reason from a business stand point not to release as many games as possible.

I agree.  If anything is a "cash grab",  it's re-releasing games they haven't made money on in a decade and begin to charge for them.    

[Strell]

You're doing it wrong.

Things like Chrono Trigger and FF4/6 will appear, and those are awesome.

So will big hitters like Mario 64, Mario Party, Super Metroid, etc.

But super awesome things like people are hoping for?  Not going to happen.

The following will never happen on the VC:
Earthbound Zero
Translated Bahamut Lagoon, Seiken Densetsu 3
Goldeneye 64
Goldeneye 64 + Online Play
Anything with Online play
BS Zelda
Any obscure almost finished but cancelled at the last minute games
Downloadable content such as new SMB3 levels
User content added to games
User made games
Indie development stuff (with the exception of a few things like, hopefully, Sam and Max, but I'm not holding my breath)

I think the closest thing we might see will be a few games that are English friendly being available, such as Sin and Punishment.

Further, if you honestly think Nintendo has the VC totally fleshed out just because Iwata likes it, prepare to be disappointed.

Miyamoto's favorite game is Ice Climbers.  That doesn't make it better than the other stuff he's made.  

It's a cash grab.  Total cash grab.  And I gaurantee you Nintendo wants first dibs.  Sure you might hear that Square thinks it is awesome, but Nintendo is in charge here, and you can damn well be sure they'll regulate it so that their profits are maximized first, and that includes both royalties from 3rd parties AND putting their own library first.

I really hope I'm wrong about all of this, but past performance and marketspeak tell me otherwise, and the near total lack of information is none-too-encouraging either.

[capamerica]

actually I know for a fact that User made / Indie development games will be showing up on the VC. A couple of my friends and I have been talking with a rep from Nintendo about developing a game for the VC system and they do have plans that will be taking effect shortly after the launch of the system. Also Nintendo has been quoted in saying that 3 people in a garage will be able to make games for the Wii. So you should take that off your list.

I also wouldn't count Online play out. It may only be limited to 2/4 player online play, but I have a good feeling we will see that.

[Bartman3010]

Super Mario RPG
and Mischief makers!

Please?

[Ceric]

With how well live arcade is doing.  Nintendo has more to gain from letting Indie people develop for the Virtual Console then lose.  I mean who doesn't want BookWorm Wii?

[zakkiel]

Not to discount Nintendo's capacity for not implementing an obviously good idea, but I would be shocked if indie games don't show up on the VC. It's exactly what Nintendo has said they want to reinvigorate: simpler, cheaper games. And lack of information means really nothing with Nintendo.  

[couchmonkey]

Zakkiel hits it on the head.  For a long time I was skeptical because Nintendo is control-freaky, but in recent months Nintendo has been openly saying that it wants simple game ideas to take off on the Virtual Console.  I think indie games are definitely going to happen on Wii.

[Ian Sane]

"Not to discount Nintendo's capacity for not implementing an obviously good idea, but I would be shocked if indie games don't show up on the VC. It's exactly what Nintendo has said they want to reinvigorate: simpler, cheaper games."

I don't know if they would really be indie games per say.  Nintendo will insist that there is some sort of licencing fee and probably will make all sorts of other demands that a true "indie" developer can't adhere to and still make a profit.  If there are any new games for the VC they will be made by Nintendo themselves or a major third party.  Nintendo probably isn't going to allow some homebrew guy to make VC games.  They'll probably allow it in theory but will make it so that no one would want to go through the hassle.

This is Nintendo who still re-releases the NES version of Donkey Kong with the missing level.  I expect a VERY lazy effort towards the VC.

[couchmonkey]

I agree that homebrew ain't happening, but I think "small scale" games (I'm not going to argue over the definition of indie) definitely will.

I was reading that the cost of small scale games for Xbox Live Arcade was about $100,000 at the time of system launch, but due to rising expectations for graphics (HD and all that) it's creeping up to about $300,000.  I expect liscencing fees to be a barrier for Wii titles, but I think that increasing expectations will be less of an issue since Wii doesn't put emphasis on fancy graphics.