Author Topic: Reggie Bombs Dropping (Read 14306 times)

Bloodworth · « **on:** March 08, 2005, 07:43:15 AM »

Interviews with Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime are popping up all over the web, and we're bringing some of the juiciest tidbits to you.

With Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata, making his speech at GDC today, Nintendo interviews have been appearing all over the web. Two particular talks with NOA VP Reggie Fils-Aime from 1Up.com and IGN caught our attention.

Update: Two more interviews, from Penny Arcade and Game Informer Online, are summarized below. Click here to skip down to the newer stuff.

Update 2: GameSpot has also put up their interview with Fils-Aime. For the highlights of that one, click here and move straight to it.

From 1UP

When asked what Iwata had planned in his speech, Reggie confirms wireless Internet play for DS this year and admits mistakes made with GameCube.

...yeah we're going to talk about DS, we're gonna talk about wireless Internet gaming. We're gonna talk about that we're committed to it, that we're bringing it to life this year.

And we're also putting out there, for ours fans, the fact that there's some things we could have done better on previous systems. The whole Internet gaming piece, we missed the boat on GameCube. We won't miss the boat in the future.

He also addresses concerns the press have had over recent Iwata comments that suggested third parties may not be as interested in the Revolution:

I know Mr. Iwata well enough and I know that he's got very strong relationship with third-party publishers, I have to believe that that was a lost in translation moment....I think what he meant to say that is because we're pushing the envelope on innovation, it is a tougher proposition for licensees to support our systems. I think that's what the intent was, versus how it's been perceived here in the Western press.

Then there's a lot of talk about sexiness and Reggie bets a drink that Revolution will be sexy:

We're pushing the envelope in making sure all of our products look sexy. SP is a sexy device. DS is a sexy device! I will grant you that GameCube was not a sexy device. (laughs) But you know what? We're smart people, we learn from our mistakes. I will bet you a drink at the bar of your choice, that Revolution will be a very sexy device.

There's plenty more great info where that came from, so don't be shy to check out 1UP's full interview.

From IGN

Reggie holds a non-commital stance on which platform Mario 128 will be released on:

We're going to answer that question at E3. You know, we at Nintendo are probably waffling back and forth on what's the best thing to do....In terms of how we're going to show Mario 128, though, it's likely that we'll show it in video form more than playable.

Reggie doesn't flinch in the face of Xbox 2's specs:

we believe a stronger CPU and a great graphics card is just the price of entry. For us, it's all about driving innovation. It's all about driving an intuitive system.

He also slips in that Revolution will have a wireless capability of some kind:

In terms of Revolution and its wireless capability, stay tuned -- more to come.

it's very important for your community out there to understand that we see the potential for Internet play for all of our platforms to be a huge opportunity and something that we're going to be driving very aggressively.

Be sure to check out the full IGN interview as well for further details.

From Penny Arcade

The crazy kooks at Penny Arcade threw a lot of "angry" jokes at Reggie but still managed to loosen some hot info from his meaty grip.

Reggie promises that upcoming games will better realize the potential of the DS:

The Touch Kirby game will be a vastly superior experience than anything we've done to date just because the developers have had more time to create content.

Reggie explains why it has taken Nintendo so long to get into the online sector:

I think from a Nintendo perspective we've wanted to do and what we're going to do is create that experience where anyone can participate, it's free to play, they're strong development tools for the developer, and the game experience is truly rich and inviting. I think until we're at that point where we can deliver all of those elements that it's not something we're going to do just halfway.

We're going to put our full development efforts behind [wireless online] across all our key franchises, and we're creating the tools for the developer to do it as well.

One of the most surprising revelations is that Nintendo (and other companies!) are interested in making more games for the DK bongos:

We're looking at other things, and I'm happy to say here at GDC a number of developers have asked about development kits for that use...

As for the biggest upcoming DS titles:

...we think Metroid Prime Hunters is going to be the hit of the 3rd quarter and Mario Kart is going to be the hit of the 4th quarter.

Check out the rest of the Reggie-view at Penny Arcade.

From Game Informer Online

The GIO crew had some tough questions about Nintendo and especially about GameCube. Here's now Reggie took the heat:

We’re still focused on the GameCube. The fact that we’re launching Zelda on the GameCube is a good example. It could have been easy decision to move that over to Revolution. But, the right decision was to launch it on GameCube.

On why there's been no Smash Bros. sequel or DS analog stick:

I’d love to see the next Smash Bros. come out on any platform. I hear the point, too, on the analog stick versus the D-pad on the DS, but there are some technical reasons why those things happen.

Regarding the Revolution controller:

Whatever we do, we’re going to make it simple for the developer to create for. We have to. So, that’s our responsibility. What we can’t do is limit our imagination and innovation just because our competitors aren’t going in that direction.

And as for whether Revolution might launch in 2005...

No.

Be sure to hit up Game Informer Online for the rest of the interview.

From GameSpot

Reggie on the non-game games for the DS:

We showed off Nintendogs that uses voice activation to control your virtual puppy and it took the crowd by storm. We also showed a very unique "game" called Electroplankton that also took the group by storm. I'm not sure that Electroplankton will make it to this country as a game, but I can envision a touchscreen-and-voice-driven hip hop or rap music game that utilizes all that same technology and pushes Nintendo DS out there and really drives it in the forefront, in terms of what the technology is capable of doing.

Talking about the DS's potential:

In my view we've only scratched the surface. We probably, as a worldwide development community, have only touched about the first 30 percent of what Nintendo DS can do.

On the Play-Yan media player:

The Play-yan is a really neat idea. What we're looking to do is see how we make it applicable for our consumer out of the box. What I mean by that is, to have the Play-yan, to have an SD card, maybe have one or two free music downloads that are built into a package is really what we're trying to conceptualize because we think that's right for this American marketplace.

A GameCube Zelda Special Edition?

We want them to leave feeling that "Wow, Zelda is going to be as huge hit and I want it now. And I'm going to go to my local retailer and put a deposit for the super premium edition of the game," which we'll make available.

You might want to go over to GameSpot to read the rest of the interview, including Reggie's comments on the Xbox keynote.

Bill Aurion · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2005, 07:00:42 AM »

Like we need evidence proving Reggie kicks ass...

Pale · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2005, 07:03:03 AM »

22 minutes...

Who at PGC is at the show? When can se expect updates?

Famicom · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2005, 07:18:05 AM »

Man 1Up really tried to grill Reggie on the questions, but he just kept kicking ass. It's amazing. I especially liked:

Quote
The new period that we're about to get into with Sony entering the space, it's gonna be highly competitive. Highly competitive. (Leans forward, deepens voice) And I'm a highly competitive person.

Plus it sounds like Zelda is gonna be great beyond comprehension.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2005, 08:23:18 AM »

Reggie AIRSTRIKE!

Now this guy is at least someone who actually deserves a PR position, able to twist any question into a positive message even without having anything to say.

couchmonkey · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2005, 08:35:05 AM »

Frankly, Reggie is full of crap. However, it's comforting crap and in the end, isn't that what really matters?

The guy knows how to impress, and I'm glad Nintendo hired him, but every once in a while I notice the poop hidden behind the layers of toilet paper. The guy definitely knows what all of the gaming community's complaints are, and how to spit them right back at us (We're fixing that and kicking ass!) But so far he hasn't really delivered...partly because he can't! It's all up to NCL to deliver.

Of course, I might just be lashing out because he insulted the GameCube's sexiness. I love my GameCube....LITERALLY

(Edit: just read the 1-Up interview, and I loved the part where he mentioned Microsoft losing "s***loads of money" on Xbox. Yep, he knows how to impress.)

Djunknown · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2005, 10:11:28 AM »

Quote
I will grant you that GameCube was not a sexy device

For once I disagree with

[insert innuendo's where possible]

Xbox: A fat, pasty, bloated device. But it performs.

PS2/PSTwo: An anerexic, underperforming device. But it can flipped into various positions.

Gamecube: A device with equal porportions, and performs nice. It may have worn a tacky color from the start, but basic black and sexy sliver make up for this.

Quote
I will bet you a drink at the bar of your choice, that Revolution will be a very sexy device.

Well if he's buying, how about Remy Martin Louis XIII? For those who don't know, this is a very expensive Cogncac(its a couple thousand per 750ml bottle) the likes of royalty, hip-hop stars and and all sorts of elitists drink. So how about that drink

?

Artimus · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2005, 10:19:52 AM »

It was the bar of your choice, not the drink of your choice.

vudu · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2005, 11:06:48 AM »

Djunknown - if the Revolution is very sexy, are you willing to buy Reggie that same drink?

Djunknown · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2005, 03:50:40 PM »

Sure I would. I'd just make sure he'd get buzzed enough that he wouldn't notice that I put it on his tab

At that point, I'd make sure to watch my back and avoid an ass-kickin'

On a more serious, props to

for taking some heat at the 1-UP interview. They were grilling him pretty hard, but he stood his ground, and keeping cool. If that were Mrs.Kaplan, she'd be throwing a tantrum or try to play a Jedi-mind trick. (Problem? There is no problem! PSP? That's not the handheld you're looking for...)

But at the same time, those tough questions need to be asked. The gaming media sharks are eager to blast/write off the big N any chance they get. They need to respond in kind. Keep 'em coming Reggie.

TheYoungerPlumber · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2005, 06:42:49 PM »

I'm covering GDC, and no, we do not have an interview with Reggie. (Nothing I can do, sorry) I can doubly-confirm that WiFi does equal online, and that Nintendo really is taking it seriously.

However, Game Informer has another good Reggie-view up now that addresses more. http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200503/N05.0310.1407.55454.htm

mantidor · « **Reply #11 on:** March 10, 2005, 07:26:09 PM »

Its so damn annoying these "nintendo fans" that need to believe again in the company... the most funny question was about the Rev controller "people says its going to be a touchscreen" LOL I can understand an uninformed forumite asking this question, but a game journalist taking the rumor for granted?

Famicom · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2005, 06:51:00 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Djunknown
On a more serious, props to for taking some heat at the 1-UP interview. They were grilling him pretty hard, but he stood his ground, and keeping cool. If that were Mrs.Kaplan, she'd be throwing a tantrum or try to play a Jedi-mind trick. (Problem? There is no problem! PSP? That's not the handheld you're looking for...)

Nah, Reggie definitely does Jedi mind tricks, it's just that he's better at it than Kaplan. You'd have to read over Reggie's statements like three or four times to tell if it's a non-answer, where with Kaplan it can be seen immediately.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2005, 07:03:07 AM »

I can imagine that all inverviews with Reggie were based on "special invites" (must offer sacrifice), and that they took place in a maximum security room with Reggie bolted against a wall with a face mask like EL GARRADOR from RE4 - AWESOMENESS for the safety of the frail, vulnerable interviewer.

Pale · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2005, 07:53:28 AM »

Penny Arcade somehow got an interview...I'm kind of offended that Reggie would ignore such a great site like this one, and I'm just a visitor of PGC.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2005, 08:22:46 AM »

From the Penny Arcade interview:

"Animal Crossing DS and Mario Kart DS - network or online play?

Mario Kart DS will be here for the holidays. It'll be in our view a lynch-pin 4th quarter title for Nintendo DS. We'll be showing an 8 player LAN capability of that system with Mr. Iwata playing against 7 other lucky folks. The game looks phenomenal, I've played it - I've gotten my ass kicked but I've played it. Animal Crossing DS is also coming. We're making proclamations about that regarding online play."

Note how there's no clear answer regarding Mario Kart being online. He only talks about LAN capability and that's what was demoed. This wishy washy vibe I'm getting regarding Mario Kart DS being online is making me pretty uncomfortable. Is it online or not? I want a "yes" or "no" answer and if it's "no" I want to know why. Of course one would think that it would be idiotic to release Nintendo's most famous multiplayer focused title as an offline title when online DS games are expected to be released this year. But then Nintendo has done some borderline stupid things in the last few years. It's just odd because if it was online there would be no reason for Nintendo to be unclear about it. However if it's offline it makes sense to hide that from us as long as possible.

PaLaDiN · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2005, 08:25:03 AM »

I think it's offline because I can't imagine it running playably over a newly developed wireless infrastructure.

Avinash_Tyagi · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2005, 08:55:37 AM »

Quote
Note how there's no clear answer regarding Mario Kart being online. He only talks about LAN capability and that's what was demoed. This wishy washy vibe I'm getting regarding Mario Kart DS being online is making me pretty uncomfortable. Is it online or not? I want a "yes" or "no" answer and if it's "no" I want to know why. Of course one would think that it would be idiotic to release Nintendo's most famous multiplayer focused title as an offline title when online DS games are expected to be released this year. But then Nintendo has done some borderline stupid things in the last few years. It's just odd because if it was online there would be no reason for Nintendo to be unclear about it. However if it's offline it makes sense to hide that from us as long as possible.

Actually it makes sense they don't reveal it as online yet, then at E3 they blow everone away by demoing it and stating that it will be online playable.

Don'tHate742 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2005, 09:26:56 AM »

Personally, one game confirmed online is enough. That way we know they're taking the DS online, and it isn't just puffing smoke. With Animal Crossing going online, we can safely assume that dev kits have gone out to ATLEAST second-party developers, which is a very good sign of things to come. It's a good decision by Ninty to wait and reveal all the super-sweet DS online titles of 05' at E3. This will also consume the PSP hype in Europe and give the DS the proper attention it "will" deserve. What better game to lead the pack then Mario-Kart Online? Will ya, obviously SSB online but that could still be a well placed secret by Nintendo. What has HAL been doing these past 4 years anyways?!

- NintendoFan - · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2005, 09:27:17 AM »

The only reason I see to hold off on the Mario Kart DS online action is that they are going to test the waters with Animal Crossing? But anyones guess is as good as mine.

thepoga · « **Reply #20 on:** March 11, 2005, 12:35:27 PM »

I think Zelda is gonna be playable at E3.

From Penny Arcade Interview
Reggie: It's rich, I've played it, I've only played parts of it because it's obviously still in development but it's going to be huge.

So I guess it's been in development long enough for there to be something to play currently. They still have 2 more months.

BlkPaladin · « **Reply #21 on:** March 11, 2005, 12:46:41 PM »

Well they have it listed for a Q4 launch. So if it isn't that would mean they may miss their release date.

JonLeung · « **Reply #22 on:** March 11, 2005, 12:49:08 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: thepoga
I think Zelda is gonna be playable at E3.

From Penny Arcade Interview
Reggie: It's rich, I've played it, I've only played parts of it because it's obviously still in development but it's going to be huge.

So I guess it's been in development long enough for there to be something to play currently. They still have 2 more months.

I could be wrong, or the source I read was wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that the next Zelda game was already next to complete, its release being held back mostly for marketing/timing purposes. Or so they can put some extra polish on it.

Bloodworth · « **Reply #23 on:** March 11, 2005, 01:00:39 PM »

Quote
So I guess it's been in development long enough for there to be something to play currently. They still have 2 more months.

It's a game. It's been "playable" for quite some time. The first trailer last year was just video of Bill Trinen playing the few pieces they had presentable. My guess is at this point they're settled on the core game engine and all of Link's abilities, and are just starting to finalize the level designs and start weaving everything together.

Mario · « **Reply #24 on:** March 11, 2005, 01:08:27 PM »

Maybe they're trying to get Mario Kart DS online, still working on it, and they don't want to come out and say it will be online because they aren't sure if they can do it yet.

News:

Author Topic: Reggie Bombs Dropping (Read 14306 times)