Nintendo World Report Forums

NWR Interactive => TalkBack => Topic started by: NWR_Neal on July 07, 2011, 02:45:28 AM

Title: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: NWR_Neal on July 07, 2011, 02:45:28 AM

Neal discusses his reservations about the current Wii landscape.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blog/27139

All this Operation Rainfall talk is generally depressing, especially since the word from Nintendo of America is a resounding "lol no way those games are coming out!" What saddens me the most is the overwhelming sense of doom related to Nintendo of America. I'd like to think everything is over-exaggerated (likely true), but it still smarts to know that the company I've been following both as a fan and a staffer at Nintendo World Report doesn't seem to care about me anymore.

Now I know that seems somewhat childish. After writing that comment, I kind of envisioned myself as a kid stomping his feet because his parents kept on buying him Winter Games instead of Super Mario Bros. For the record, I'd like to point that my non-game-loving parents bought me a Game Boy with DK '94 and Super Mario Land 2 one Christmas. Shockingly, despite having no knowledge of video games, they managed to litter my original handheld with all sorts of games that I later learned were some of the best on the system (or made by people I'd later interview).

Regardless, over the years, I've always been a Nintendo player first. To date, my Wii collection dwarfs my Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 collection. Part of that has to do with review copies, but even still, I'm drawn more to Wii games than I am other games. I'll gladly take A Boy and His Blob over Gears of War any day of the week. It's just my personal preference.

Looking at the slate for the next six months, and just the year 2011 in general, the amount of games I want to play likely does not exceed 10. That comes after four years of wanting more games than I could afford. (Side note: I didn't intend for this to happen, but this is another "dammit! 2011 on Wii is freaking awful!" article)

That's what makes me so saddened by Operation Rainfall. Those three games would do a lot to perk up the second half of 2011, even if only one or two of them came out this year. It's the end of the system's life span; I get it that there won't be as many games on the system. There should still be games, though, and thanks to Nintendo of America, there are even fewer coming out.

To conclude what will likely be the third in an endless series of "Wii Suck 2011" articles, I'll make a short list of what I've used my Wii as in 2011.

Now, that might all seem like it is more than most people play their Wii, but keep in mind this fact: I run a volunteer Nintendo enthusiast site.

Let's end this on a happy note. The 3DS rocks. It ain't perfect, but you naysayers can suck it. The Extra Mode in Kirby's Dream Land is actually a ton of fun and challenging. I can list not one, not two, but four games I truly adore that have come out in the system's first three months. I just wish that Nintendo could offer that type of experience on the Wii, and I don't care if its the end of its life. The DS is, for all intents and purposes, a defunct system and it's still providing me a fuller slate of experiences and games. If only Nintendo's home consoles could learn from their handhelds and stop bitching out at the end of their lives...

Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: NWR_Neal on July 07, 2011, 02:46:52 AM
I originally used that image of the Wii crying, an original Paint creation of mine, for an article earlier in the year and saved it as sadwii.jpg. The new version, in this article, is saved as sadderwii.jpg. I truly hope I don't make a saddestwii.jpg.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: Enner on July 07, 2011, 03:28:51 AM

Hmm, I don't think there is any way for the Wii to be sadder as far as I can see. Maybe if there it is announced that WiiWare and VC downloads will not transfer to the Wii U, but that seems highly improbable given the precedent set by DSiWare and the 3DS.

Now that some time has gone by since the news, I looked at my bigger picture from all this. It sucks that the three games aren't getting a North American release, but will be able to put it aside once I get my hands on Kirby Wii and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. There's no new lesson to be learned. There is just a new and very bitter example of Nintendo and specifically Nintendo of America being unable to prevent a software drought on a Nintendo home console.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: KITT 10K on July 07, 2011, 08:48:10 AM
I've said in some other posts I've written that Nintendo NEEDS TO WAKE THE HELL UP or they're gonna go the way Sega did. I don’t want to see that happen. Although I'm not really interested in theses 3 games everyone else is, I'm all for bringing them over here if some many other people want them. (And yes the 3DS rocks and to hell with the nay sayers!)
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: Ceric on July 07, 2011, 09:27:24 AM
I have a couple Personal beefs with the 3DS.

1. Mic Placement.  Its terrible compared to the DS series.
2. Game Cost.  Mostly all of them pretty much being $40.  Ports aren't worth a premium.  Sorry.  Need more price fluctuation on quality.
3. Power Button Placement.  Yes, I have hit power when I meant to hit Start; mostly in non-3DS cart games.

Besides those I'm happy as a peach with my 3DS.  I like using the Circle Pad so that is part of it.

I hope you played mostly through Boom Blox it is mostly good. 

It says something that you ended up writing another article like this.  Nintendo seems like 2 different companies when it comes to Handheld and Console transitions.  I can't remember a single handheld transition where the system started truly coasting hard before the new system was out.  Its more of a relay race and the two run beside each other for a bit to pass the baton.  Consoles feel more like Geocacheing where the old console hides the audience somewhere and then ignores it for the new console to find.  Not exactly smooth and what if the new console never finds all of them?

I've actually been using my Wii mostly for GCN games as well as of recently, too.  Ironically ones I recently bought which means their used.  I doubt Nintendo is too happy about that though they have a bit of my money on 3DS.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: AV on July 07, 2011, 12:57:46 PM
it feels like nintendo kicked me in the balls regarding these games and than promised me some cake the next day.


How can I get excited for Wii U when I'm pissed off and not happy with Wii NOW? I get they are trying to not blow their load like they did with 3DS and showing everything at once, but I don't have a single game that seems worth owning for Wii U. I need to see a trailer for Pikmin3 or Smash Brothers, promises don't get my hyped. IF they are fucking up this badly before the Wii U even launches why should I be confident they will get their act together later?


 
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: ejamer on July 07, 2011, 01:19:01 PM
I've been a staunch Wii supporter and still think it's been an excellent system overall. Looking at the life of the console, there have been many excellent niche titles that appeal to me - even if they won't appeal to everyone.  I've never lacked for games to play and still have a healthy backlog to work through.


But the system is dead with a year left to go, despite having a half dozen Nintendo games out there that Nintendo of America (NoA) chose not to publish. I understand this is a business decision, that they don't want to publish small runs of multiple games that won't quickly sell into the millions. I also understand that customers like me are being left high and dry for the next year... and that's a frustrating experience.


Hopefully all this complaining is for naught, and NoA will end up giving us Pikmin 2 or Fatal Frame or Another Code R or a couple of the Rainfall games. The bulk of the localization work into English is done for all of those games*, all they need to do is make them available to the core fans who would glady pay for such products. That could mean taking preorders, offering limited distribution from Nintendo's own store, or simply licensing those games out to smaller publishers who might be willing to take on the risk... Anything as long as they don't continue to sit on your hands and pretend that another cookie-cutter Zelda adventure is going to make everything ok with the core fans.


Then again, maybe I'm just frustrated that, after sticking up for Wii as a gaming system that anyone can enjoy for so long, I have absolutely no retort for those who argue that it doesn't get any good games. Because the 2011 lineup that could've been stellar for serious gamers instead is a barren wasteland.


Oh well, back to Monster Hunter 3 I guess.






*Nintendo probably wouldn't use the Fatal Frame fan translation... but it's complete and available, and probably could be purchased or licensed for use at reasonable cost with some negotiation. Like all the games being released in Europe, the heavy lifting is done if only NoA was willing to take advantage of it.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: Ian Sane on July 07, 2011, 01:38:34 PM
The N64 and the Gamecube had these points where they were the walking dead as well.  Though I find it has gotten worse.  The N64 for example wasn't dead until the same calendar year the Gamecube came out.  The Wii still has probably over a year until its successor is due.  But the difference was that the N64 and Gamecube were not that successful.  You can see why third party support would eventually drop off and Nintendo themselves would give up on them.  The Wii is the market leader.  It's the big runaway success story and yet it is now completely irrevelent.  All it's life it faced accusions of being a fad and, well, NOA has done a fantastic job ensuring that that negative image is fulfilled.  How is it not a fad?  It was huge for a few years and then just died before even reaching the typical lifespan of a console while it's competition continued on with healthy lineups.  One day you're the greatest guy who ever lived, the next you're some schmoe working in a box factory.  That's a fad.

The Wii - the only system ever to outsell the competition and yet have the worst third party support and die out before its successor was even released.  Sold like the Playstation but lived like the Saturn.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: Ceric on July 07, 2011, 02:07:59 PM
Quote from: Ian Sane on July 07, 2011, 01:38:34 PM
...
Sold like the Playstation but lived like the Saturn.
..I am the greatest Muhammad A-Wii
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: NWR_Neal on July 07, 2011, 02:28:53 PM
Quote from: Ian Sane on July 07, 2011, 01:38:34 PM
...
Sold like the Playstation but lived like the Saturn.

I feel like that is the most accurate statement I've ever read about anything related to video games. I just hope the Wii isn't the harbinger of death that the Saturn was.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: Pale on July 07, 2011, 02:49:36 PM
The more I hear about this whole Operation Rainfall fiasco, the more and more negative my theories get.

We've all made the points that the games are already getting translated for Europe. This means the cost of releasing here is intensely low. Everyone boils this down to meaning that NoA just doesn't think that the games will sell the piddly amount needed to account for their printing/shipping/marketing costs. I don't buy that and I don't think other people do either.

This leads me to believe that its possible that NoA is actually worried that the games will hurt their brand. It doesn't make any sense to me, but if we follow this train of thought, what is the only possible reason for it? That they are TOO hardcore. I'm honestly starting to worry that Reggie (et. al.) is giving a directive that the Wii will not be lumped in with the riff raff. As if to say that Reggie himself doesn't actually believe that video games are good.

I've run into this mentality a lot in my professional career. The world is full of people that think they can make money off video games while, at the same time, thinking video games are ruining the world.


On one hand I see this as being a completely ridiculous thing to project on Reggie. We all know what he's done over the last few years. But when I can think of so few possible reasons for the recent silliness, I can't help but consider it.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: Enner on July 07, 2011, 02:52:38 PM
Quote from: NWR_Neal on July 07, 2011, 02:28:53 PM
Quote from: Ian Sane on July 07, 2011, 01:38:34 PM
...
Sold like the Playstation but lived like the Saturn.

I feel like that is the most accurate statement I've ever read about anything related to video games. I just hope the Wii isn't the harbinger of death that the Saturn was.

A harbinger for the mind, maybe. Sega, I've read, made some stupid and financially costly decisions in hardware and elsewhere that lead to their downfall. Nintendo has its share of stupid decisions as well but they have been the opposite of financially costly.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: Ceric on July 07, 2011, 03:03:33 PM
Quote from: Pale on July 07, 2011, 02:49:36 PM
...
I've run into this mentality a lot in my professional career. The world is full of people that think they can make money off video games while, at the same time, thinking video games are ruining the world.
...
That reminds me of the Amish Electricians.  They do electrician work, may even have their house wired for electricity (Helps resale value) but don't use it.

You mentioned brand on Twitter and only a joke pop in my head.  What is Nintendo's brand?  I know that is silly to ask but, I honestly can't think of what clearly is their branding anymore.  When I think of Nintendo I think Nintendo.  Like when I think of a rock its a rock.  It has no real associations with the Nintendo brand.  Its just another entity.  NoA other things come to mind.  When I think Gamecube I think about The Secret Garden.  I keep finding new games to find use and go back to that are quite good.  When I think of my PS3 I think Media center and Wonky game console.  When I think 360 I think a Gamers Machine.  When I think Wii I think... Its a Wii.  Just a tool I can setup and help other plays.  I had some good times on it but I go blank on what I associate it with really.  Where is the brands Identity?  I don't know.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: ShyGuy on July 07, 2011, 03:56:53 PM
I never knew there were amish electricians. Are there Amish computer techs?
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: Ceric on July 07, 2011, 03:58:53 PM
Quote from: ShyGuy on July 07, 2011, 03:56:53 PM
I never knew there were amish electricians. Are there Amish computer techs?
I have a hard time with Amish Electricians.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: streetpassprinceton on July 07, 2011, 05:07:02 PM
I know our monthly streetpass events also add some extra value to your purchase of a Nintendo 3ds system.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: NWR_insanolord on July 08, 2011, 07:08:52 PM
Quote from: NWR_Neal on July 07, 2011, 02:28:53 PM
Quote from: Ian Sane on July 07, 2011, 01:38:34 PM
...
Sold like the Playstation but lived like the Saturn.

I feel like that is the most accurate statement I've ever read about anything related to video games. I just hope the Wii isn't the harbinger of death that the Saturn was.

Hey, if that means the Wii U is going to have the variety and creativity of the Dreamcast's software lineup, I'll take it.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: TJ Spyke on July 08, 2011, 07:28:46 PM
Part of why the Dreamcast had such a large and varied launch in North America is because it came out 10 months after the Japanese launch (which had only four games, with only Virtua Fighter 3tb being considered worth getting). I would love to have a solid launch like that, provided that is the only way Wii U is similar to Dreamcast.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: NWR_insanolord on July 08, 2011, 07:35:07 PM
I'm not just talking launch; the Dreamcast had very great, very creative games from start to finish. The finish just came way too early.
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: broodwars on July 08, 2011, 08:01:06 PM
Quote from: NWR_insanolord on July 08, 2011, 07:08:52 PM
Quote from: NWR_Neal on July 07, 2011, 02:28:53 PM
Quote from: Ian Sane on July 07, 2011, 01:38:34 PM
...
Sold like the Playstation but lived like the Saturn.

I feel like that is the most accurate statement I've ever read about anything related to video games. I just hope the Wii isn't the harbinger of death that the Saturn was.

Hey, if that means the Wii U is going to have the variety and creativity of the Dreamcast's software lineup, I'll take it.

Even if that means the Wii U dies a year after launch when the PS4/Xbox 720 release, to further extend that analogy?
Title: Re: Letter From The Director: If It Keeps On Raining, I'm Screwed
Post by: NWR_insanolord on July 08, 2011, 09:52:11 PM
No, I want to extend the original statement. I want the Wii U to sell like the PS2 with the software lineup of the Dreamcast.