Post by: Ceric on July 09, 2006, 05:05:44 AM
Post by: Nephilim on July 09, 2006, 05:13:49 AM
plus the games seem very simple and wouldnt be a hassel to online code, i dont see why they cant add online
Post by: Ceric on July 09, 2006, 05:56:07 AM
Post by: Artimus on July 09, 2006, 11:13:32 AM
Post by: Kairon on July 09, 2006, 12:17:56 PM
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Mario on July 09, 2006, 12:32:09 PM
Post by: Requiem on July 09, 2006, 02:48:40 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Artimus
The enviroments are fine (though they SHOULD be going for something very very pretty, and very very well polished). I don't think the characters are smart, though. Cartoony characters are a good diea, simple characters are a good idea, but the current Playschool design isn't appealing in the slightest. I think online would be neat, but they're not complicated enough to really be worth it...
The only reason they went with their detached Rayman looking people is because it would look weird if those guys have arms.
I mean, the Wiimote is so damn sensitive that the charachters arms would be giggling and moving all the damn time resulting in a less immersive experience.
Post by: slacker on July 09, 2006, 05:21:10 PM
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on July 09, 2006, 05:46:04 PM
Non-threatening.
Non-distracting.
That's the point.
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 09, 2006, 05:49:45 PM
Post by: mantidor on July 09, 2006, 10:04:36 PM
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 09, 2006, 11:09:52 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: mantidor
The airplane was awesome, but the tennis part was honestly underwhelming, I don't mind a simple style, but that didnt seem like a simple style, it looked like a demo, its like Nintendo wasn't even trying to get some good visuals, they just tossed some polygons and called it a game (and probably will charge $50 for it :P).
I take it you have played both?
Post by: Infernal Monkey on July 10, 2006, 02:15:51 AM
Post by: couchmonkey on July 10, 2006, 09:12:38 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on July 10, 2006, 09:24:36 AM
I've been playing Baseball Stars 2 a lot lately and THAT is what an all ages sports game should look like. It just screams "FUN" while WiiSports screams "tech demo".
Post by: Pale on July 10, 2006, 09:49:31 AM
I would definately let the look slide if there was some depth there, but the fact that you will be sick of each of these games after, at most, an hour of fun doesn't really help anything. I hope Nintendo packages this with the system, as that is what it will be best for, a tech demo.
Post by: mantidor on July 10, 2006, 12:08:08 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: VGrevolutionQuote
Originally posted by: mantidor
The airplane was awesome, but the tennis part was honestly underwhelming, I don't mind a simple style, but that didnt seem like a simple style, it looked like a demo, its like Nintendo wasn't even trying to get some good visuals, they just tossed some polygons and called it a game (and probably will charge $50 for it :P).
I take it you have played both?
I don't need to play it to know how it looks :P
Post by: couchmonkey on July 10, 2006, 12:23:23 PM
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 10, 2006, 12:30:32 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
I imagine I could get more than an hour out of the WiiSports games, once I get a few friends drunk. But yeah, the single-player experience is not going to last so long.
I don't think it is intended to be a single player experience, it seems to be built around multiplayer (similar to the Mario Party games).
Post by: Artimus on July 10, 2006, 02:05:21 PM
Nintendo's flaw has always been presentation. Graphics aside, they don't present the games with much flair. If they made the characters look like humanoids, not Fisher Price rejects, it would help a lot. Let's face it, art direction is eons more important than polygon count, but the characters in WiiSports are atrocious in both those categories. If they were smart they'd go for either highly stylized or more realistic. As it is the thing looks like one of those cheap games you buy with a plastic bat and it plugs into your VCR.
I guess I just don't see why Nintendo can't make the games flashy, appealing and still lighthearted and very accessable. All those things make more sense than the current character design. They also need to pack this in and have 4 or more sports.
Post by: Requiem on July 10, 2006, 02:35:46 PM
The only people I've heard complain about the models used in WiiSports are people that haven't played it.
Coincidence?
Post by: Kairon on July 10, 2006, 05:23:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Artimus
IIf they made the characters look like humanoids, not Fisher Price rejects, it would help a lot. Let's face it, art direction is eons more important than polygon count, but the characters in WiiSports are atrocious in both those categories. If they were smart they'd go for either highly stylized or more realistic. As it is the thing looks like one of those cheap games you buy with a plastic bat and it plugs into your VCR.
I disagree. I think that you're underestimating the amount of industrial design that goes into things like tinker toys and other assorted children toys. And I think that you're mistaking simplicity for carelessness. You don't need visual clutter to be "good art design" you know.
I happen to think that the Wii sports art style is very aesthetically pleasing.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: IceCold on July 10, 2006, 08:54:44 PM
QuoteOh come on.. we've gone over this too many times, so I don't know why I'm saying this again, but here goes. They didn't do it to save themselves money. It's actually quite simple. If they added HD they would need to increase the power and, in turn, the price. To capture a new market, the price needs to be accessible. Hell, the Xbox 360 price is steep for even me, and I don't think it's worth it for a few more pixels. So imagine what nongamers feel like; they wouldn't touch the console if it was priced so high. Nintendo wouldn't be able to succeed if they went into the HD war with the other two - they would get muscled out. They wouldn't get nongamers and they wouldn't get gamers from the Xbox/PS2, and it would be a disaster. And then there's the development costs - millions and millions will be spent on PS3 games with less return than ever, especially with the shockingly high console price. And to top it off, the games with the high production values aren't original and unique at all. That is the definition of stagnation, and it would lead to another market crash.
They can feed us all the BS they want but the REAL reason they didn't go HD or anything like that is because THEY didn't want to spend more money.
Post by: Kairon on July 10, 2006, 09:09:18 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: IceColdQuoteOh come on.. we've gone over this too many times, so I don't know why I'm saying this again, but here goes. They didn't do it to save themselves money. It's actually quite simple. If they added HD they would need to increase the power and, in turn, the price. To capture a new market, the price needs to be accessible. Hell, the Xbox 360 price is steep for even me, and I don't think it's worth it for a few more pixels. So imagine what nongamers feel like; they wouldn't touch the console if it was priced so high. Nintendo wouldn't be able to succeed if they went into the HD war with the other two - they would get muscled out. They wouldn't get nongamers and they wouldn't get gamers from the Xbox/PS2, and it would be a disaster. And then there's the development costs - millions and millions will be spent on PS3 games with less return than ever, especially with the shockingly high console price. And to top it off, the games with the high production values aren't original and unique at all. That is the definition of stagnation, and it would lead to another market crash.
They can feed us all the BS they want but the REAL reason they didn't go HD or anything like that is because THEY didn't want to spend more money.
QFT.
Also, how in the world can lesser developers afford to even survive in the industry when ground floor requires HD graphics and EA-size budgets?
Catering to your core in a creative, entertainment, almost artistic field like videogames is a sure path to death. I mean, just look at how much more exciting the film industry is now that independent movies have taken off and become widespread instead of a rarity?
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Infernal Monkey on July 10, 2006, 09:50:31 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
I'm repeating myself once again I never have ANYTHING new to say so I just keep complaining about the same tired rubbish month after month, doesn't matter what thread it is
Oh. Okay.
Post by: Mario on July 10, 2006, 10:01:08 PM
Quote
The design looks a little lazy, too. It's just a little too simplistic where it looks less like an intentional design and more like a bare minimum effort with the "intentional simplistic design" being more of an excuse.
The laziest design would be to make them look exactly like humans.
Quote
I would definately let the look slide if there was some depth there, but the fact that you will be sick of each of these games after, at most, an hour of fun doesn't really help anything. I hope Nintendo packages this with the system, as that is what it will be best for, a tech demo.
They are sports games. People WATCH games of tennis, for up to FIVE HOURS straight.
Post by: Kairon on July 10, 2006, 10:05:25 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
I've been playing Baseball Stars 2 a lot lately and THAT is what an all ages sports game should look like. It just screams "FUN" while WiiSports screams "tech demo".
Huh?
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Infernal Monkey on July 10, 2006, 10:06:24 PM
Post by: Mario on July 10, 2006, 10:11:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: KaironQuote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
I've been playing Baseball Stars 2 a lot lately and THAT is what an all ages sports game should look like. It just screams "FUN" while WiiSports screams "tech demo".
Huh?
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
LOL! Those guys look like they're gonna tear your head off. Definite FAMILY FUN!*
*If you have no parents, sisters or grandparents.
Post by: Berto2K on July 10, 2006, 10:43:41 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
I think the characters look too much like children's toys. If Nintendo really wants to attract a wide audience something more neutral would work better. This is just sports. It's EASY to make a sport family friendly without it looking like a kids game. The design looks a little lazy, too. It's just a little too simplistic where it looks less like an intentional design and more like a bare minimum effort with the "intentional simplistic design" being more of an excuse. Nintendo has a well deserved reputation for being cheap. They can feed us all the BS they want but the REAL reason they didn't go HD or anything like that is because THEY didn't want to spend more money. So when they try to pass off weak graphics as an intentional style I'm immediately suspicious of them just trying to save a few bucks.
HAhahaha! No Ian you are wrong on so many levels. Why are you even talking about HD in a thread about Wii Sports?!?! The whole point to Wii Sports is just to get other people who don't normally play games to see a very simple interface (controller and visuals on screen) and que curiosity. Heres a fun fact: while playing you are not paying attention to the graphics. Yes your character will move on its own in Tennis, but because of all the different movements you can put on the ball you have to keep your eye on where its going to swing at the right time and speed.
Its too simplistic maybe for you because you want everything your way. You want Nintendo to do everything your way or its a waste of money. But the fact is Nintendo doesn't care about you as an individual. When in fact it is perfectly suitable for what they are trying to do in bringing in new people. I could see myself playing Wii Sports with my grandma, and only Wii Sports because of the combination of interface and control. You talk about playing Baseball Stars 2 from SNK...SNK of all people. You really think that with all the stats around the screen, those little cut-in clips of the guys yelling to eachother, and the smirk faces in the top corners when the cam is at the plate would be attractive to people who don't play baseball?? Those are the things that turn non sports fans away. By keeping everything (for lack of better words) to a minimum they are able to keep a more "pleasant-on-the-eye" look for females or even elderly.
You remember the first DS games? They were very plain and simple, and tended to focus on one feature of the system. Just like some of these Wii games. The focus is not graphics for Wii Sports. Its about the basic interaction the new controller has setup. Its a gateway to gaming for the potentially millions of other people out there who don't or haven't for many years.
You complain about it looking like a mini-game. Well just about every single game these days has a mini-game in it. There is no style that characterises them either. You are in fact a minigame in the game if the internet.
Funny, reading your post again...I wonder why I even bothered to write all this, you answered your own question: "This is just sports".
Post by: Ian Sane on July 11, 2006, 07:13:13 AM
Well I'm not suggesting having all the stats and sh!t everywhere. I'm just using the cartoony style as an example of a sports game that has a good universal look. The sports games that intimidate people are the ones EA makes where everything is super realistic. WiiSports however looks too childish. The ideal look for an "everybody" game is something that that appeals to adults and teens but is still appropriate for kids. Nintendo's method of making "everybody" games look like the Magic Schoolbus hasn't done a very good job of attracting people over 12 for a good two generations now.
"I wonder, if by Ian logic, sports games are tech demos.. what does that make sports broadcast on TV? Test patterns?"
Sports games aren't tech demos and I never made such a broad generalization for all sports games. I've never played WiiSports but according to impressions I've read in the tennis game you don't even move the characters. The only gameplay involved is timing the racket swing. The character moves to the correct location by themselves. That's pretty limited compared to something like Mario Tennis which isn't a even that complicated of a tennis game. Really limited gameplay and really simplistic graphics makes a game look like a tech demo.
Post by: Spak-Spang on July 11, 2006, 07:31:29 AM
I dunno. They could have done several things. Cell-Shaded the characters some to give them personality, added more facial animations, or slightly changed the style more.
I really don't care the preschool look of the series...but I think if you were doing that to make it friendly, I would go all the way...and create something whose animation and style is very very simplistic, but undeniably smooth in animation.
Although it sounds like I am highly critical. Remember, I like the style, I just hope for just alittle more before final launch...and I don't think that is impossible.
These could easily be placement models used for demos until the final models are ready. The final models could be similar and still simplistic, yet have more depth.
Here is to hoping...but if it doesn't exist I will be happy with what we got, a simplistic art style to a very fun game.
Post by: couchmonkey on July 11, 2006, 07:39:54 AM
I suspect/hope that the "Wii" games are going to be priced lower than regular games, to match the amount of development that went into them. This seems to be the case for the Touch! Generations games, and I think it's smart, because the games are attractively priced for non-gamers. More to the point, I won't care if the graphics are really simple if the game costs quite a bit less than Zelda or Metroid up front.
Post by: Berto2K on July 11, 2006, 11:33:56 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Well I'm not suggesting having all the stats and sh!t everywhere. I'm just using the cartoony style as an example of a sports game that has a good universal look. The sports games that intimidate people are the ones EA makes where everything is super realistic. WiiSports however looks too childish. The ideal look for an "everybody" game is something that that appeals to adults and teens but is still appropriate for kids. Nintendo's method of making "everybody" games look like the Magic Schoolbus hasn't done a very good job of attracting people over 12 for a good two generations now.
Interesting how you conveniently left out the parts I mentioned that talk about how detailed tha visuals are in SNK's game which happen to also be the one that wold turn people away. You talking about those EA and 2K games that haven't sold over a few hundred thousand each year and about 99% here in NA? With Nintendo's methods it will sell at least that in all regions making it a near million seller (although my bets are million+ in just JPN). Heres Nintendo's "Magic Schoolbus" lineup for you: AC, NSMBDS, Brain Training 1 and 2, Mario Kart, Mario and Luigi, Nintendogs, Pokemon, and shall I go on?
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Sports games aren't tech demos and I never made such a broad generalization for all sports games. I've never played WiiSports but according to impressions I've read in the tennis game you don't even move the characters. The only gameplay involved is timing the racket swing. The character moves to the correct location by themselves. That's pretty limited compared to something like Mario Tennis which isn't a even that complicated of a tennis game. Really limited gameplay and really simplistic graphics makes a game look like a tech demo.
Your right that all you do is swing as I said above. And let me say this, the multiple times I did get to play the game at E3, I didn't even notice the graphics. Actually Mario Tennis is more complicated than you think for the non-gamer or very casual. There is the regular swing with just a tap of the A button, power swing when you hold down A, dive swing which involves holding the analogue stick in a certain direction and then hitting A, the direction to where you want to hit is involving pushing the stick in the direction at the same time as you pushing A. Lets not forget the lob hits which require all the same actions but with a completely different button (B). Wii Tennis has one action: swing your arm. Yes there are other little things you can do like putting spin on the ball, but still all you do is swing. Just one motion.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 11, 2006, 12:37:13 PM
I left out that part because when I thought you meant the extra stats and stuff on the screen. I don't see any problem with the visuals at all. If colourful goofy cartoon graphics are too intimidating to someone then screw them. Games PERIOD are too much for them then.
"Actually Mario Tennis is more complicated than you think for the non-gamer or very casual."
I meant Mario Tennis isn't complicated compared to tennis sims. From a gamer perspective it's an arcade style sports game designed for a mass audience instead of just tennis buffs.
Post by: Kairon on July 11, 2006, 12:46:29 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Games PERIOD are too much for them then.
Ah, the creed of the hardcore gamer.
But seriously Ian, the graphics of that game are too MASCULINE. Non-gamers include women too, and grotesque caricatures of cartoon aggression are not, in my paternizing masculine opinion, are not gender-neutral or even female friendly.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Ian Sane on July 11, 2006, 01:09:23 PM
Okay. That I'll give you.
Post by: Ceric on July 11, 2006, 02:01:44 PM
Post by: Kairon on July 11, 2006, 02:13:07 PM
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Artimus on July 11, 2006, 02:48:49 PM
Gamer or non-gamer we all like fun!
Post by: Artimus on July 11, 2006, 02:54:30 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Requiem
You guys "honestly" need to stop bitching.
The only people I've heard complain about the models used in WiiSports are people that haven't played it.
Coincidence?
Eh...
"The characters in the game are fairly basic. Plain, even. And the animation needs work. At times, it was difficult for us to tell if we were delivering a forehanded or backhanded shot because of the primitive graphics, which seemed to negate our attempts at trying different moves with the controller."
"Although not graphically great, or even good, the style of the characters will be the last thing on your mind when you grab the remote control."
-IGN
Both from different people, btw
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 11, 2006, 04:01:13 PM
Post by: Mario on July 11, 2006, 05:59:35 PM
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on July 11, 2006, 06:39:08 PM
" the style of the characters will be the last thing on your mind when you grab the remote control."
I see how the thread was broken to begin with.
The excitement and enjoyment are coming from your involvement via the Remote. Flashy-ness would simply be distractions. DURRRRRRR
Did everyone forget that the non-games and these new simplistic games are designed to be enjoyed in short bursts? Sitting in front of a game, exhausting it for 1+ hours is something HARDTIME LONGCORE gamers would do. Making the games really "busy" upfront is the quick way to deter the customers Nintendo is trying to catch.
Leave WiiSports alone (cuz apparently you're TOO GOOD FOR THEM being the local GOLF AND PING PONG CHAMPIONS OF YOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS), and worry about BIG DAMN TRUCKS.
Post by: Infernal Monkey on July 11, 2006, 06:56:27 PM
Post by: Mikintosh on July 11, 2006, 08:59:58 PM
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on July 11, 2006, 09:37:32 PM
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 11, 2006, 09:53:43 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Mario
Apparently Animal Crossing is popular too.
Hmmm obviously we both are mistaken, because the big headed playschool design is way to lame for people and ends up destroying any chance of success for a game that utilizes that particular design.
Post by: Artimus on July 12, 2006, 03:24:06 AM
Wiisports = bad character design
If you guys are going to be jerks and insult people on my side of this discussion then at least get your facts straight. Stop hypberoling the thing up the wall. You know very well we're not arguing for things like GTA but you're going there anyway. It's childish and flippant. It's also so tired and exhausted that I can't believe you'd still make that type of comment. No one (except perhaps Ian) was insulting you, but the fact we don't like something you do immediately made you go off. Seriously, why? Can't we discuss something without someone getting attacked? Read what we say, and stop making up arguments to mock.
Post by: 18 Days on July 12, 2006, 04:00:45 AM
Post by: Infernal Monkey on July 12, 2006, 04:02:54 AM
Post by: Mario on July 12, 2006, 04:15:13 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Artimus
Animal Crossing = fun character design
Wiisports = bad character design
If you guys are going to be jerks and insult people on my side of this discussion then at least get your facts straight. Stop hypberoling the thing up the wall. You know very well we're not arguing for things like GTA but you're going there anyway. It's childish and flippant. It's also so tired and exhausted that I can't believe you'd still make that type of comment. No one (except perhaps Ian) was insulting you, but the fact we don't like something you do immediately made you go off. Seriously, why? Can't we discuss something without someone getting attacked? Read what we say, and stop making up arguments to mock.
Who's being attacked? Nobody. Until your post that is, where you called people jerks and childish. Calm the HELL DOWN! The only person going off is you! Why is that?
Oh alright, I wasn't aware Wii Sports having bad character design was a fact. Nothing to even discuss then!
Post by: Infernal Monkey on July 12, 2006, 04:22:36 AM
Post by: Bill Aurion on July 12, 2006, 06:00:45 AM
*adds self to list of people who actually love the simple art design of WiiSports*
Post by: Ceric on July 12, 2006, 06:01:23 AM
As mentioned, these are killing time games. Think Bookworm or Bejeweled. That type of game. You play some to wind down and maybe kill a few spare moment. they are not "Final Fantasy XVIXVIX: The Sport Of Reckoning" where using an insanely complex system of upgrades and a battle systems that is totally different then the great ones they had before will win you a 15 minute long ingame movie for every contact with the ball (Which is in fact an alien invader plotting to take over the world by using the energy that it collects being knocked around as a tennis ball to remold the world to it's vision). Any story that would be appropriately brief would be hokey. No story is better. I do think that it's funny that there is a camp here that doesn't like the models because of there plasticy look but love the Pokemon Wii video and there severe plasticy look. If they bumped the level of detail up to say looking more like an actual fisher price toy, you know having something better for hair. How would you feel?
I can see a little game like this having ways to open new costumes and accessories. So you start with Mr. Basic. Then you play enough and have hats, vests, hair, etc the standard stuff. People like those sort of things. Even better yet you can win those things from acheiving stuff in other games as well, much like getting a new trophy in Melee from having a certain game saves on the same card. So now you have a reached a level 60 character in WoW Wii. Loh and behold when you go to play WiiTennis there is a plasticy version of you armor that you can equip onto your player. Sweetness. Or you completed your collection of all the Mario games on VC. Now you have the covetted Mario Hat for your character to wear into Homerun slugging battle. The characters could get very interesting very quickly this way. There are possibilities for such basic beginnings. From what everyone says the gameplay is solid.
Now on another note. Where is all the news Nintendo promised. They said that they would be releasing little bits of information all they way up to launch and we've barely gotten even crumbs. It's mostly "he says that she says that they said" very little real data from the source.
Post by: Infernal Monkey on July 12, 2006, 06:04:53 AM
Post by: Ceric on July 12, 2006, 06:10:06 AM
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on July 12, 2006, 07:11:29 AM
Plastic Wannabe-Realistic People = digital barf
Plastic Cartoony People = neato
Post by: Requiem on July 12, 2006, 12:18:43 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: ArtimusQuote
Originally posted by: Requiem
You guys "honestly" need to stop bitching.
The only people I've heard complain about the models used in WiiSports are people that haven't played it.
Coincidence?
Eh...
"The characters in the game are fairly basic. Plain, even. And the animation needs work. At times, it was difficult for us to tell if we were delivering a forehanded or backhanded shot because of the primitive graphics, which seemed to negate our attempts at trying different moves with the controller."
"Although not graphically great, or even good, the style of the characters will be the last thing on your mind when you grab the remote control."
-IGN
Both from different people, btw
First of all that was IGN --
IGN...Just making sure you know that.
Secondly, the last qoute is exactly what I was talking about. The "complaints" you tried to refer to me were more like observations. Observations that don't deter from the game's goal and overall "fun-ness" level.
Post by: Artimus on July 12, 2006, 01:23:12 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: RequiemFirst of all that was IGN --
IGN...Just making sure you know that.
Secondly, the last qoute is exactly what I was talking about. The "complaints" you tried to refer to me were more like observations. Observations that don't deter from the game's goal and overall "fun-ness" level.
Yes, IGN, the most influental Nintendo website on the internet.
Last time I checked this thread was called "Honest opinions on the look of WiiSports" not "Honest opinions on the fun-ness of WiiSports." I don't see anyone saying the character models will make the game less fun in this thread. I see people saying they feel the character models could be better, and that they're not very nice to look at or artistic.
Post by: Artimus on July 12, 2006, 01:30:34 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
I disagree. I think that you're underestimating the amount of industrial design that goes into things like tinker toys and other assorted children toys. And I think that you're mistaking simplicity for carelessness. You don't need visual clutter to be "good art design" you know.
I happen to think that the Wii sports art style is very aesthetically pleasing.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
I never asked for visual clutter. I am very familiar with art direction, trust me. And I do think WiiSports is lazy as far as characters go. Look at a game like Meteos. It's a very simple game, doesn't need flash or bang, but it got far better reviews than Polarium. Part of that may be gameplay, but no-one was calling Meteos bland, a complaint leveled against Polarium (a very clean and tidy game). WiiSports doesn't need to be like Meteos (exciting and dynamic) but why should it be ugly? Strong presentation and appealing designs make a huge difference in a game. They seperate the ok games from the better games.
Parents don't play with Fisher Price. Nor do grandparents or girlfriends. So why make a game with Fisher Price characters? Lord knows we don't need realistic humans, heck no. But why not a cross between what we have and a Mario-type character? Something simple and fun, but not plain? You don't need to complicate things in order to improve them.
Post by: The Omen on July 13, 2006, 02:52:58 PM
I understand the initial surprise upon seeing the game, but I think it's best to shock people into attention. This is a fun game and you will like it even with its simplistic appearance. That takes some balls, I must admit. And that's something Nintendo has lacked for over 10 years, frankly.
Post by: Artimus on July 13, 2006, 03:04:54 PM
Post by: Spak-Spang on July 13, 2006, 03:47:27 PM
I really think they have done some research and believe this art direction is nonthreatening and actually INVITING for people to play. True it isn't sleek at all, but it isn't trying to be. All it is trying to be is nonthreatening to the nongamer (the audience the game is geared for). I personally trust Nintendo's research and direction...after all look at the success they have been receiving for DS games branching out to new markets.
Post by: Kairon on July 13, 2006, 03:55:02 PM
Personally, I'm quite enamored with them, especially since they'll be the recipients of my caricatured face texture.
Read Katsuya Eguchi's own opinion on the subject here.
Quote
Katsuya Eguchi: Sure, there are games that require more sophisticated graphics. But there are also titles that require more simplified graphics. Our priority with Wii Sports isn't graphics; what we were trying to show through these games is how the controllers works, how sensitive it is. Our goal wasn't to create a realistic baseball game with real-world pro athletes, it was to create soemthing familiar, something that isn't intimidating, something that anyone in the family would be comfortable pickign up and trying out themselves. That's why we went with the simpler graphics.
Also as you saw in the media briefing, you saw Iwata, Miyamoto, and Reggie playing tennis. we are looking to implement a similar kind of editing feature into the hardware that will allow users to create caricatures of themselves, members of the family, people they would potentially play with. and so when they go to play tennis, those would be the faces in the game. a more sophisticated graphic look wouldn't match well with the caricatures, but a simpler one does.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Ian Sane on July 14, 2006, 07:06:25 AM
Oh great. Corporate game design. I'd rather think that the art design was based on whatever the developers thought fit the game, ignoring the business side of things. Yeah games are a business but I find I enjoy them more when I can pretend they aren't. Designing games with certain demographics in mind is EA stuff. I prefer Nintendo's old fashioned "make a kick ass game" approach.
Post by: Spak-Spang on July 14, 2006, 08:06:41 AM
No not corporate game design. That isn't what I meant. What I mean is an artist approaching his canvas from the question of "What am I trying to achieve?" "Who do I want this to appeal to?" "What is the best means to achieve those goals?"
When the purpose of the artist is to create something for himself then he can do whatever he wants with his canvas...he only has to please himself. But when an artist is hired to create something, then he must think first about his client, second about artist desires.
Well in any market you are selling a product the client is the demographic you hope to sell the game to. So I am not saying corporate did the research. I think the designers asked themselves who their market was. Read the above quotes. Then decided an art direction that would accomplish this task.
I do not think it was a corporate decision at all.
Post by: couchmonkey on July 14, 2006, 10:36:42 AM
Go Pumas! Edit: my final word on this topic is that I'd still like to see more variety in body shapes, but I'm fine with the design overall. I like the caricature feature, especially since I learned that you can draw your own parts.
Post by: Kairon on July 14, 2006, 10:44:36 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
I like the caricature feature, especially since I learned that you can draw your own parts.
"parts?"
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 14, 2006, 03:14:01 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: KaironQuote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
I like the caricature feature, especially since I learned that you can draw your own parts.
"parts?"
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Couchmonkey is a very naught person. Shame on you, no wonder they have friend codes
