Guest Writer Aaron Edwards tells what he thinks Project Café needs.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/editorial/26348
For the last console generation, the Wii has stood apart from its competition. Where Microsoft and Sony pushed the boundaries of graphics and processing power, Nintendo stuck with a simple but noble motto: gameplay comes first. As a result, we received the Wii: a console with power just above that of the GameCube and a motion controller. At first, the gaming community met the Wii with a reserved marvel at the prospects of motion-controlled gaming. But now Nintendo’s console is often met with eye rolls and weary sighs. Despite its reputation, the Wii has become an enormous success and helped shape the generation as we know it. Nintendo’s affordable hardware and family-friendly approach have captured a market thought unreachable en masse: the casual market. Grandparents and non-gamers bought Wiis for Wii Sports and Wii Fit...and little else. Still, as far as console sales go, the Wii has had almost unprecedented success in the current generation.
Indeed, both Microsoft and Sony have tried to capitalize on the Wii’s success with their own peripherals, the Kinect and PlayStation Move. The Kinect has done pretty well for itself by mimicking the aesthetics of the Wii, which seem to resonate very well with the casual crowd. Both Microsoft and Sony are holding steady in sales, with their motion controllers designed to extend their life cycles to up to 2015. It’s a smart move by Nintendo’s competitors, as the present economy wouldn't allow for another $500 machine to be accepted by the average consumer. Microsoft and Sony are also enjoying steady game sales from a great deal of titles, something the Wii always lacked.
Enter Project Café, Nintendo’s rumored successor to the Wii. The rumored capabilities of the console are supposedly superior to that of the Xbox 360 and PS3. In addition, Project Café is rumored to have a sizable touch pad on its controller as well as the ability to stream games in some capacity. Obviously, we’ll know more when Nintendo rolls out the red carpet at E3. But for now, given what we know of Nintendo’s past, present, and rumored future, we can think of a few approaches Nintendo can take in the coming days that will allow it to dominate its competitors in more than just console sales.
Nintendo often touted a mandate that graphics aren’t as important as gameplay, despite the fact that for some time, their consoles had some of the most powerful graphics among their peers. For years, Nintendo claimed simply that not enough people had HD TVs, so having impressive graphics and HD output weren't essential for them.
While graphics certainly aren't as important as gameplay, what Nintendo conveniently fails to mention is that graphics aren't the only aspect of a game to suffer from lack of processing power. The gameplay suffers because the console can't process things such as draw distance, physics, open worlds, or even atmosphere. The storytelling and gameplay that Naughty Dog pulled off in Uncharted would simply be impossible on the Wii. Games don't need to be shiny to be good, but they do need resources: something the Wii never had.
Project Café can’t simply be AS powerful as the Xbox or the PS3 or gamers won't migrate to the new system. Furthermore, Nintendo is going to find itself in the same boat as the Wii or worse (think Dreamcast) when Microsoft and Sony release their new powerhouse consoles a few years later. If Nintendo doesn't have a noticeable bump in power from the PS3, then they're going to find themselves in last place with the very audience they're (supposedly) trying to win back: the hardcore.
Unfortunately, it seems a little unlikely Nintendo would ever be willing to pay for the power the console needs, as doing so would most likely mean selling their product at a loss – a move unknown to Nintendo’s playbook. Still, the company has made a great deal of money on the Wii, so it could be they're in a position to try something new in the interest of future gains.
Microsoft had a stroke of genius when they launched Xbox Live a generation ago. With Live, gaming evolved from sitting around with three friends playing GoldenEye to the online sensation that is the Call of Duty franchise. In addition to multiplayer, PSN and XBLA have had a bevy of innovative and affordable games for download, which has allowed independent developers to give us titles such as Braid and Limbo. While the Wii did have World of Goo, the game didn't gain true popularity until it released on PC, iPad, and iPhone. Nintendo has had WiiWare, but the service has only really re-released titles from Nintendo's past (Editor's Note: Someone never played much WiiWare...) and slowly dried into a ghost town.
Downloadable content has also been a mainstay among gaming developers that have extended the lives of games in order to ensure the audience is present for their sequels. Game patches are also important and Wii games have been robbed of them.
What Project Café needs is its online plan free of friend codes and slow connection speeds. Gamers need to have the same quality of experience playing a game online on the system that they can get on XBLA or PSN. These days, online is no longer a luxury, it's mandatory.
With a good online plan, you have gigabytes of data at your finger tips, so you’ll need a place to store it. The hard drives for modern consoles and computers have grown a great deal over the last five years. It wouldn't be surprising to see Microsoft and Sony have terabyte hard drives for their next consoles. Nintendo needs a hard drive.
While solid state would be nice, its high cost wouldn't mesh well with Nintendo’s economical strategy, a regular HD would do. But gamers need at least 250 GBs of space. 500 GB would be better. Like online, storage space on a home console is a must.
Nintendo has a troubled history with third parties, from content restrictions to being plain overbearing. Such a watchful philosophy served them well in the NES and SNES days, when the industry crawled out of the crash in the early '80s due to the abundance of terrible games available for the Atari. But now, it takes a lot of resources to create a decent game that not just anyone can do. Sure, plenty of bad and tasteless games are made, but it isn't anywhere near the level it used to be. Nintendo knows it needs the third parties back to make a system (especially one trying to get the core gamer back) work. As a result, Nintendo needs to promise to give the third parties free reign like their competitors. Sure, we may not be seeing something like Manhunt on a Nintendo console (Editor's Note: We did), but would Grand Theft Auto V really kill them? A console needs to sell more than just first party games.
Remember the days of the N64 and GameCube, where Nintendo fans had exclusives such as Perfect Dark and the Rogue Squadron series? Rare, Factor 5, and Silicon Knights delivered great and memorable games for Nintendo consoles. The Wii has been missing such titles. The fact of the matter is that the best sellers on the console (aside from the odd exception like Monster Hunter Tri) have been mini-game compilations and first-party Nintendo properties. Having more powerhouse exclusives will ensure a greater likelihood of Nintendo dominance.
The Wii MotionPlus came to upgrade the original controller and give it the capabilities we all thought it would have in the first place. While it's nice to know that Nintendo realized its fans wanted to do more than waggle to control their games, painfully few games used the peripheral. Wii Sports Resort, Red Steel 2, and not much else. Sure, we have The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword on the way, but three major titles isn't very strong backing by Nintendo. To be fair, Microsoft and Sony haven't done the best job with supporting their motion controllers with software, but hopefully all the companies will do a better job in the future to support their add-ons. The last thing we need is another vitality sensor joke.
One of the reasons Nintendo became such a dominant force in the gaming industry is their amazing franchises. From Zelda, to Metroid, to Pokemon, Nintendo has created symphonies of game design that have been the paragon of their genres even as we move into the twilight of the current gaming generation. Unfortunately, the Wii hasn't seen any new properties. Wii Sports and Nintendogs don't count. Really, the last new attempt by Nintendo to create something was Pikmin back on the Gamecube. What we need is a new, exciting, and innovative property from the minds at Nintendo. With the alleged power behind Project Café, Nintendo could create a new game on the level of Zelda or Star Fox. The Xbox and PS3 have been home to a ton of new IPs over the course of the generation. Mass Effect, Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted, and Gears of War are just some of the new sensations we've seen that have taken advantage of modern hardware. Nintendo needs to match those franchises blow for blow with their own original material.
The 3DS hasn't done as well as Nintendo hoped. Whether you argue that the 3D is a gimmick or not, the launch really just didn't excite people. The system has Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, and Star Fox on the horizon, but none of them came out with the system. Instead, the best games they gave consumers were Street Fighter IV and Pilotwings. Steel Diver was met with general apathy and lukewarm reviews. Ocarina of Time should have been a launch title.
Project Café needs the killer app. Halo singlehandedly propelled the Xbox into the running against the GameCube and PS2. Super Mario 64 helped the N64, as Rogue Leader helped sell the GameCube. Nintendo needs to have that game that uses the technology perfectly and makes people NEED to buy the system to play it. Also, an HD title of a classic title wouldn't be amiss. The point is, have a starting game line up that's too good to miss.
Despite any missteps Nintendo has made, deep down we still love them a little bit. The reason why people flocked to the original Nintendo is because they had great and exciting properties. That same group kept the GameCube alive when it began to wane. Despite their creative stagnation as of late, the family-friendly approach still brings in a passionate fan base. In addition, the little touches Nintendo adds to their consoles can make a great deal of difference in making them special. Project Café’s possible controller touch screen could lead to several unique gameplay experiences you can't find anywhere else. In implementing more modern approaches, Nintendo can't forget the original tenets that made them such a success: quality, innovation, and a cunning business strategy.
In one glorious week at the age of four, Aaron Edwards played his first video game, Super Mario Brothers, and saw Aliens, which created an incurable love for gaming and movies. Ever since, Aaron has been a gamer with aspirations to become a screenwriter. Currently, he works as a creative executive at Young Indies in New York City. He also writes editorials and reviews for his blog, Media Rushes, and The Faster Times.
Isn't this the article Kytim linked to a few weeks back?
Ten Things I Hate about You
1. Give Project Café The Power It Needs
While graphics certainly aren't as important as gameplay, what Nintendo conveniently fails to mention is that graphics aren't the only aspect of a game to suffer from lack of processing power. The gameplay suffers because the console can't process things such as draw distance, physics, open worlds, or even atmosphere.
2. Online or Bust
Was James or Mett's the editor of this?
The only reason I asked because of the Editor Notes sounded like something either one of them would say.Was James or Mett's the editor of this?
I was.
Remember, there's more to the staff than the guys on RFN. ;P
Ten Things I Hate about You
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Ten Things I Hate about You
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Seven Years in Tibet
Ten Things I Hate about You (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147800/)
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312081/)
Seven Years in Tibet (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120102/)
Six Degrees of Separation (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108149/)
Nintendo will get SOMETHING wrong and it will be incredibly obvious and we'll all spot it a mile away. Hopefully it isn't something major enough to cause a huge problem. Sony and MS screw stuff up too. Nintendo makes goofs with their handhelds. Unfortunately for the last three gens they made BIG screw ups with their consoles.Though some of the screw ups that really killed the Wii wasn't obvious at first. The example I'm thinking of is the motion tech not being baked to the Motion Plus level at launch and Classic Controller Rev 1.
Ten Things I Hate about You
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Seven Years in Tibet
Six Degrees of Separation
Ten Things I Hate about You
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Seven Years in Tibet
Six Degrees of Separation
The Fifth Element
Ten Things I Hate about You
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Seven Years in Tibet
Six Degrees of Separation
The Fifth Element
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/4_Months_3_Weeks_and_2_Days/70071602?trkid=2361637)
Ten Things I Hate about You
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Seven Years in Tibet
Six Degrees of Separation
The Fifth Element
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/4_Months_3_Weeks_and_2_Days/70071602?trkid=2361637)
One Fine Day
Ten Things I Hate about You
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Seven Years in Tibet
Six Degrees of Separation
The Fifth Element
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/4_Months_3_Weeks_and_2_Days/70071602?trkid=2361637)
One Fine Day
Ten Things I Hate about You
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Seven Years in Tibet
Six Degrees of Separation
The Fifth Element
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/4_Months_3_Weeks_and_2_Days/70071602?trkid=2361637)
One Fine Day
Suspect Zero
I agree that the next system needs to be as powerful as possible so third parties can port whatever, but how strong do people think the next PS/XBox consoles are going to be? I'm actually pretty curious, as I don't know much about modern computer technology. I'm assuming by 2015 they'll be able to put boxes out that are multiple times as powerful as the the current gen, but I don't know if it will be a great boon to the industry. The economics of game development are already pretty screwy from the HD graphics paradigm, with single failures closing studios due to all the extra work that's now required. Are game companies going to want to have to put in the effort to program something that looks like a Pixar movie? It could get really unhealthy if the industry relies on 5 tentpole games a year like the movie studious do.
From their past history, Nintendo can ignore everything except the Nintendo touch and still be profitable with millions of satisfied customers.Ah the GameCube.
Ah the GameCube.
Which makes it the perfect example.Ah the GameCube.
The Gamecube still sold over 20 million systems worldwide and most of Nintendo's own games were million sellers. It was only in the Gamecubes final years that it stopped making money, but from 2001-2004 it was still a pretty profitable system for Nintendo.
Why can't you just love me for who I am DAD?It's the Propeller Son. IF you were more HD then we could talk.
1. Nintendo aren't going to sell the system at a loss, but considering the amount of money they have now I think they will sell it at or near cost. The profit margin on the Wii was huge, so I think at this point they can pack their next system with some good tech without breaking the bank. If the system is successful and continues selling well, then they won't need to cut the price for a while, so they''ll start making a profit as the cost of manufacturing goes down, not to mention the huge piles of cash they can make on game sales if they put out compelling software.
2. Nintendo have had an interest in online gaming since the SNES, so I think they'll have a competent and robust online system this time around. They have just been waiting for online to become profitable and affordable, which it now is.
3. I don't think Nintendo cares much about data storage since it doesn't really suit their own needs. I'm guessing the system will have a bit of internal flash memory (the rumoured 8GB) for firmware updates and game saves, and be expandable with a hard disk, and maybe even support other types of storage like SD and USB sticks. But it won't include anything of the such in the system package.
4. This one is their biggest hurdle. Third-parties don't like Nintendo, and for good reason. They may try to appeal to them a bit more than they have, but they'll always serve their own needs first. And that's what they should do. But at least if the system happens to be in line with what some third-parties want, we may not be without many third-party games this time around.
5. I'm not sure about this one. They might have the money to open/buy new game studios, but it's difficult to find the talent.
6. I'm not sure I agree with this one. Peripherals are usually best served with a handfull of games rather than trying to use it with all future software; does anyone want to control Link with a Balance Board? I say, create less peripherals and make a standard controller that's capable of almost anything. The Wii Remote and Nunchuk come close, they just need some tweaking and more advanced tech and then they'll be extremely versatile.
7. This point is factually incorrect. Nintendo have published several new IPs over the past decade (and the Wii Series and Nintendogs count regardless of to whom they appeal), it's just that most of them haven't received the budget and marketing of Nintendo's established franchises and consequently don't sell nearly as well. Of course, the market is partially to blame for this since sequels currently sell better than anything, so Nintendo is not entirely responsible for it.
8. Nintendo seems to have a better launch for home systems than portables, so I think we'll see something on the level of Super Mario 64 and Wii Sports for this system.
9. This point clashes with courting third-parties. As both a hardware and software designer, Nintendo are going to design their systems with their own needs in mind. Sometimes this matches up with what third-parties want (SNES), and sometimes it doesn't (Wii). But if you want them to continue doing what they do best, sacrifices must be made somewhere.
Though I personally find that the Wii cut corners big time on both of those which is why I found it disappointing. The quality dipped. They didn't mind releasing half-baked titles like Wii Music and had no issues with having wonky and unresponsive controls is nearly all of their games. The controller thing I found the most offensive. The Nintendo I became a fan of was known for having tight responsive controls and would not settle for less. The marketing gimmick took priority. To me that was anti-Nintendo and a betrayal of what they are all about. They also have become considerably more cookie cutter and sequel dependent with each generation. It was mentioned in the article and I consider it a major problem.
You quoted that entire huge post just to say that?