Gaming Forums => Nintendo Gaming => Topic started by: BeautifulShy on August 28, 2008, 01:11:08 PM
Title: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 28, 2008, 01:11:08 PM
A retrospective on Gumpei Yokoi Http://mywii.com.au/GuideDetail.aspx?id=139
He had a brillant mind. I still miss him.:'(
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Nick DiMola on August 28, 2008, 01:20:28 PM
He did amazing things for Nintendo. Unfortunately after the Virtual Boy he was shunned and eventually left the company to make the WonderSwan (amongst other things).
His death was tragic and his ingenuity is missed sorely in the industry. To see the things he could've done these days would've been magical.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 28, 2008, 01:45:40 PM
Well his "Lateral thinking on withered technolgy" is still in effect today. How do you think a 3d metroid would have worked under him or Kid Icarus?
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Ian Sane on August 28, 2008, 01:50:16 PM
It's scary to think there was a time where Nintendo had two legends working for them at the same time. It really makes no sense that Nintendo hung him out to dry after the Virtual Boy. Maybe it's a cultural difference I don't understand but the guy had enough successful ideas that I think Nintendo would obviously still benefit from his contributions. The whole thing to me is like trading a superstar player because his screw up once cost the team a championship, when he had been MVP in previous championships.
Would Nintendo ever shun Miyamoto for a dud idea? I assume since Iwata is in charge instead of Yamauchi they probably wouldn't but it bothers me that a company would drop an obvious asset because of pride or honour or meaningless bullsh!t like that.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Nick DiMola on August 28, 2008, 01:54:35 PM
Well his "Lateral thinking on withered technolgy" is still in effect today. How do you think a 3d metroid would have worked under him or Kid Icarus?
Oh without question. The Wii seems to be something that Yokoi himself would've adored and would've fit perfectly into his theory.
I'm not really sure how he would've done 3D Metroid or Kid Icarus, it is almost like asking how would Miyamoto do a 3D Mario when Nintendo released the Super Nintendo. I'm not sure how he would've continued the series into 3D, but I can guarantee they would've been amazing and unique.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 28, 2008, 02:07:17 PM
Ian, I don't believe Nintendo would shun Miyamoto partially because they really don't have anyone to replace him with.Nintendo would do fine without him but he is a huge asset.I believe if Gumpei was still alive and working under Iwata I don't believe he would be shunned.
Mr. Jack you do have a point about 2d to 3d transition. Just think about that makes me sad because we will never know.:'(
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: ThePerm on August 28, 2008, 02:36:41 PM
i was watching New York goes to Hollywood, and i never want to work for a Japanese company. It is ok to abuse and assault your employees in Japan. Mind you if i was attacked by someone like that i would beat their ass.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on August 28, 2008, 02:48:05 PM
Beat it well.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: EasyCure on August 28, 2008, 02:56:32 PM
but they give you time off to shop during the big sales, and you even get time off for a broken heart!
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Ian Sane on August 28, 2008, 03:17:28 PM
Quote
Mind you if i was attacked by someone like that i would beat their ass.
Ya right you would. If Hollywood has taught us anything it's that all Asians know martial arts. ;)
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Stogi on August 28, 2008, 03:36:27 PM
What are you talking about? All Asians do know martial arts!
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: EasyCure on August 28, 2008, 03:46:24 PM
and i bet you like to get high all the time cuz you're... oh wait ;)
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Stogi on August 28, 2008, 04:34:37 PM
Stoner, Pothead............use those names lightly.
I'd rather be called a weed connoisseur. Just like people who are looking for that next great wine, I too am looking for that next great nugget.
And yes, if I don't have any obligations such as work or classes or homework, I'll smoke down. I'd love to be high all the time if society would allow it.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 28, 2008, 04:38:58 PM
I love how this topic went from a great mind at Nintendo to this.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Stogi on August 28, 2008, 04:42:12 PM
Sorry, I have the tendency to **** up everything I touch.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 28, 2008, 04:52:04 PM
Ok, What do everybody think was his greatest accomplishment?
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Stogi on August 28, 2008, 04:53:53 PM
GameBoy, hands down.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 28, 2008, 04:57:42 PM
What about his games?
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Adrock on August 28, 2008, 05:18:25 PM
It's scary to think there was a time where Nintendo had two legends working for them at the same time.
Yoshio Sakamoto still works for Nintendo. And Koji Kondo. Imagine a world without the Metroid series or the Super Mario Bros. theme (among other things).
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 28, 2008, 05:25:31 PM
I am not familiar with Yoshio Sakamoto.What does he do? Edit: Nevermind.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on August 28, 2008, 05:30:42 PM
Gunpei Yokoi's greatest contribution to the video game industry was perfecting the D-pad. He may not have invented it, but most of us probably wouldn't even recognize the versions that came before Game & Watch as D-pads.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Ian Sane on August 28, 2008, 07:44:42 PM
I'll agree about the d-pad. F*ck do pre-NES controllers suck. Like did they actually design them with videogame ideas in mind or just put some buttons and doodads on and there you go? The Intellivision controller looks like if you went to some 1960's computer and just grabbed a chunk of the controller panel and said "make games that use this". Even the original Atari joystick has this stiff feeling as if the designer had never played any videogames ever and didn't bother to test it with any software. Hell, the Atari launched with paddle controllers. We'll make a videogame system that allows for a theoretically infinite number of games to be made for it and then assume they all play like Pong and Breakout.
The d-pad might just have been invented for the necessity of making a portable game system but the NES controller actually looks like it was designed by someone who thought about what they were doing for more than five minutes.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: KDR_11k on August 29, 2008, 05:37:11 AM
We'll make a videogame system that allows for a theoretically infinite number of games to be made for it and then assume they all play like Pong and Breakout.
Paddles were useful for running arcade games, especially back in the days when games were made as circuit diagrams instead of code (knobs are easy to use in analog circuit designs).
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: vudu on August 29, 2008, 02:10:03 PM
Maybe it's a cultural difference I don't understand but the guy had enough successful ideas that I think Nintendo would obviously still benefit from his contributions.
I think you're right, because I remember reading stuff about Japanese samurai warrior codes how if you failed you were supposed to kill yourself, and that's quite a bit different than how we treat people who fail here in the west. Of course the Samurai days are gone, but parts of that culture probably live on in their business ethics.
But I think Gunpei's spirit lives on in Iwata. If you look at the two men you see a lot of similarities, and the DS which Iwata designed is very similar to the innovative philosophies that led to the Virtual Boy (albeit infinitely more successful). And to be fair, I very strongly believe the VB probably could have become successful if it had more support thrown behind it. Usually Nintendo has to lead the way and develop stuff themselves before others climb aboard, but they didn't really do that with the VB. There wasn't really a single major franchise present on the system, and Gunpei can't really be blamed for that.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: S-U-P-E-R on August 31, 2008, 02:21:15 AM
It just goes to show that no matter how smart and talented you are, there's no getting out of being murdered by the yakuza
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Adrock on August 31, 2008, 06:46:18 PM
And to be fair, I very strongly believe the VB probably could have become successful if it had more support thrown behind it. Usually Nintendo has to lead the way and develop stuff themselves before others climb aboard, but they didn't really do that with the VB. There wasn't really a single major franchise present on the system, and Gunpei can't really be blamed for that.
Virtual Boy was the most non-portable portable system and it displayed in red and black. Publisher support wouldn't have changed the fact that it literally harmed your body to play.
Gunpei Yokoi took the fall, but honestly, it was everyone's fault. VB never should have made it past testing stages because after 10 minutes of playtime, it gives you headaches. They must have known this and if they didn't, they should have and are still to blame.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on August 31, 2008, 07:07:22 PM
VB was ahead of its time. The PSP will continue its legacy.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: Chozo Ghost on September 01, 2008, 01:59:15 AM
And to be fair, I very strongly believe the VB probably could have become successful if it had more support thrown behind it. Usually Nintendo has to lead the way and develop stuff themselves before others climb aboard, but they didn't really do that with the VB. There wasn't really a single major franchise present on the system, and Gunpei can't really be blamed for that.
Virtual Boy was the most non-portable portable system and it displayed in red and black. Publisher support wouldn't have changed the fact that it literally harmed your body to play.
Gunpei Yokoi took the fall, but honestly, it was everyone's fault. VB never should have made it past testing stages because after 10 minutes of playtime, it gives you headaches. They must have known this and if they didn't, they should have and are still to blame.
Yeah, I have to say you are right on that. Any device that involved lasers and mirrors that you stick your eyes into can't really be a good thing for your vision. I remember getting dizzy and having headaches whenever I played mine all those years ago.
I guess they probably just released it just to clear their warehouses of their inventory of it. They probably knew it was a bad idea but they just had to get rid of it because they already manufactured so many.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: SixthAngel on September 01, 2008, 11:10:28 AM
While he did some great things its nice to see someone not fail upward. With so many companies now it seems that all a bigshot in bussiness needs is one great idea and then they continue getting big jobs and promotions despite huge failures.. If he is truly responsible for the VB you can't give the guy much slack after such a terrible idea, money loss, and reputation loss. Cutting him loose may have been a little harsh but I like actions and decisions having consequences.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: NWR_insanolord on September 01, 2008, 10:39:30 PM
While he did some great things its nice to see someone not fail upward. With so many companies now it seems that all a bigshot in bussiness needs is one great idea and then they continue getting big jobs and promotions despite huge failures.. If he is truly responsible for the VB you can't give the guy much slack after such a terrible idea, money loss, and reputation loss. Cutting him loose may have been a little harsh but I like actions and decisions having consequences.
So you're in favor of Nintendo firing Miyamoto if Wii Music flops?
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: SixthAngel on September 02, 2008, 01:17:10 AM
So you're in favor of Nintendo firing Miyamoto if Wii Music flops?
Wii music isn't a new hardware Nintendo is releasing at great cost and reputation loss along with software. Wii music is one piece of software with little overhead compared to many games today. If it flops it would not be a big money loss or embarrassment. If the DS flopped I am pretty sure Iwata would be out of a job by now.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on September 02, 2008, 03:53:35 PM
Virtual Boy was the most non-portable portable system and it displayed in red and black.
Was it ever really marketed as a portable, or did we all just assume it was based on the "Boy" in its name?
I still regret not buying one when Wal-Mart knocked them down to $30. All I ever played was a demo of Red Alarm, but I liked it. It's not like a little temporary pain has ever dissuaded me from playing a game before, be it thumb blisters, finger cramps, eye strain and associated headaches, or wrist pain.
Title: Re: Gumpei Yokoi
Post by: DAaaMan64 on September 02, 2008, 05:04:10 PM
Red Alarm is actually quite fun. Wario Land isn't to bad either. Teleroboxers is SUPPOSED to be awesome, but I lost the instruction manual and haven't bothered to figure out how to play.
