Zach asks the questions that Nintendo won't answer.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/editorial/30061
Before we get into this, let me be perfectly blunt: nobody is going to ask Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, or anyone else any of these questions. You’ve read interviews with Nintendo. The media throws lowballs, and they parrot off the company line in a self-congratulating way. Hell, they do the same even when people throw a fastball! However, these are questions that need to be answered, for the North American market and elsewhere. Reggie and/or Iwata seem like perfectly good candidates to provide some answers for irate consumers. I don’t expect any frank responses, but hey, a girl can dream. Lord knows if I had the opportunity to sit down with either of these men, I’d be giving them these tough questions.
1. Let’s talk about the 3DS. It’s a wonderful piece of hardware and although its full potential wasn’t realized right off the bat, it got there in the first year. You can’t say that for the original DS or, arguably, the Wii. However, the system has been plagued with hardware problems unseen in other Nintendo products. Surely you’ve heard about the infamous vertical grease lines, broken shoulder buttons, and faulty cameras. On the whole, the 3DS feels rushed. Did the number of hardware problems the 3DS has experienced surprise you? Was the system not fully vetted before going to market?
2. This issue plagued the Wii in North America and Europe: toward the end of the system’s life, we just aren’t seeing Virtual Console games anymore. Europe went through months without a VC release, and North America was even worse. And there was never any explanation as to what titles were chosen and why, or reasons given for such a severe dry-up in the service. For example, there’s always been a high demand for EarthBound (SNES), but it was never released. Instead, Nintendo of America gave us Ice Climbers, which nobody wanted, or Pokemon Puzzle League (instead of, say, Tetris Attack). Could you explain the process for getting VC games onto the Wii Virtual Console, and why things tapered off so harshly?
3. It took four or five years for the Wii’s Virtual Console to grind to a halt, but the process seems to be happening much faster for the North American eShop Virtual Console, which is terrifying. The Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Game Gear, combined, must have hundreds of perfectly good games to release on the service, so it’s unclear and worrying how weeks will go by—weeks—without any Virtual Console releases at all, and when the smoke eventually does clear, it’s something like Qix or Lock & Chase. Nintendo of Europe and Nintendo of Japan have had no problems in this area—both localities have Wario Land and Kid Icarus: Myths & Monsters. I guess the biggest Virtual Console question I have is this: why has Nintendo of America been so reluctant to support the Virtual Console, both of the Wii and the 3DS?
4. Please describe, in as much detail as possible, Nintendo of America’s increasingly cozy relationship with GameStop. Xenoblade Chronicles was a GameStop exclusive, as was the Circle Pad Pro. The Last Story and Pandora’s Tower are also slated to be GS exclusives. 3D Classics: Kid Icarus was a timed (thank god) GS exclusive. Why did I have to buy my Circle Pad Pro through Nintendo’s website—and pay shipping to Alaska—because every GameStop, as usual, only received two or three units, which sold out immediately and didn’t have any idea when more were coming? Wouldn’t the Circle Pad Pro have more sales success in the hands of other retailers? Did GameStop come to you with a giant bag of cash for these exclusives, or did Nintendo of America actively seek them out a partnership? As you are doubtlessly aware, many gamers (including myself) view GameStop as the devil, so you can understand our hesitation when we read about Nintendo getting friendly with the industry’s version of The Great Satan.
5. Historically, Nintendo has been—frankly—unapologetically ass-backwards when it comes to online infrastructure. The Wii is a perfect example. The 3DS is certainly better. It fully embraces online shopping and gaming. Mario Kart 7 and Kid Icarus: Uprising are wonderfully competent online, and the recent eShop upgrade that allows me to pay exactly what I need to pay to buy something is great. I might caution, however, that these improvements merely bring Nintendo up to the bare minimum status quo. I don’t really think Nintendo can be congratulated for implementing something that Microsoft and Sony have been doing for the better part of a decade. How seriously is Nintendo committed to a fully functional, fully featured online experience for the Wii U? Will Wii U and 3DS accounts be linked? On PSN, for example, my Vita and PS3 are both linked to a centralized PSN account, which stores my funds. If I add $20 to my PSN account, I can buy downloadable content on my PS3 AND my Vita—I don’t have to mess with separate transactions for both. The recent news that Nintendo will be releasing full retail games for download is shockingly proactive, but the news that downloads will be tied to a single system—just like the Wii—really tempers that news. That leads me to my next question.
6. The other much-maligned sticking point with the Wii’s downloadable content is how downloads are tied to the system, not a centralized account. When I bought a new Wii because my launch unit went kaput, the NOA representative told me they could not transfer my downloaded software to the new system. Instead, I actually had to pay to repair the old system—which is what I wanted to avoid in the first place. Will the Wii U have the same limitation? How did Nintendo justify this inane decision during the Wii’s development? Did nobody think it would be a problem or was it simply a limitation of the available technology—to Nintendo (not to Sony or Microsoft)? The recent news from Nintendo Direct, that full retail downloads will be tied to specific systems, means that Nintendo is keeping up this trend. What is the reason for sticking with this?
7. As you may recall, the Wii was difficult to find at launch due to production shortages and extremely high demand. Do you expect the same demand this time around, and have you taken steps to avoid shortages?
8. We haven’t seen a really stellar launch game for a Nintendo system since, arguably, Super Mario 64. Twilight Princess doesn’t really count—it was a GameCube game. Can we expect that trend to reverse itself for the Wii U? What will be the “killer app” that gets asses in camping chairs on launch day? How aggressively is Nintendo pursuing quality 3rd-party relationships to help with a strong launch? What lessons did Nintendo learn from the botched 3DS launch?
Well, that was cathartic. What questions would you like Reggie, Iwata, or anyone else to answer?
I don't agree with the opinions expressed in this well-written article. I humbly submit a request for the presentation of alternative viewpoints.
I don't agree with the opinions expressed in this well-written article. I humbly submit a request for the presentation of alternative viewpoints.
1. Did the number of hardware problems the 3DS has experienced surprise you? Was the system not fully vetted before going to market?
2. Could you explain the process for getting VC games onto the Wii Virtual Console, and why things tapered off so harshly?
3. Why has Nintendo of America been so reluctant to support the Virtual Console, both of the Wii and the 3DS?
4. Wouldn’t the Circle Pad Pro have more sales success in the hands of other retailers? Did GameStop come to you with a giant bag of cash for these exclusives, or did Nintendo of America actively seek them out a partnership?
5. How seriously is Nintendo committed to a fully functional, fully featured online experience for the Wii U? Will Wii U and 3DS accounts be linked?
6. Will the Wii U have the same limitation? How did Nintendo justify this inane decision during the Wii’s development? Did nobody think it would be a problem or was it simply a limitation of the available technology—to Nintendo (not to Sony or Microsoft)? The recent news from Nintendo Direct, that full retail downloads will be tied to specific systems, means that Nintendo is keeping up this trend. What is the reason for sticking with this?
7. As you may recall, the Wii was difficult to find at launch due to production shortages and extremely high demand. Do you expect the same demand this time around, and have you taken steps to avoid shortages?
8. Can we expect that trend to reverse itself for the Wii U? What will be the “killer app” that gets asses in camping chairs on launch day? How aggressively is Nintendo pursuing quality 3rd-party relationships to help with a strong launch? What lessons did Nintendo learn from the botched 3DS launch?
"Xenoblade Chronicles was a GameStop exclusive, as was the Circle Pad Pro. The Last Story and Pandora’s Tower are also slated to be GS exclusives."
Is this accurate? I am pretty sure that The Last Story isn't GameStop exclusive and that no formal announcement has been made for Pandora's Tower outside of unsubstantiated rumors (even though I do hope the rumors are true).
Edit: Doesn't invalidate the overall question, as I'd be interested to hear any news about how/why there have been some GameStop exclusivity deals recently. Strategic move on Nintendo's part? Part of the deal for GameStop taking on publishing risks for Xenoblade? Just seemed like a good idea at the time?
As for your request for the presentation of alternative view points... that's why the site has talkback! Anyone (other staff members, random forum members, whomever) can swing in and post a rebuttal, alternative view point or even other questions.
1) Due to the increasing number of games that support the Circle Pad Pro peripheral for the 3DS, will there ever be an upgrade of the 3DS in the near future that will already include two circle pads?
2) It's proven that the 3DS can play downloadable GBA games; so, why aren't we getting GBA VC on the eShop, yet? When do you think will get GBA VC games on the eShop?
3) Whatever happened to the Mother series? Will the games ever come out on the VC? Will there be a remake or a sequel in the near future?
4) I would also ask some simple questions of whether will get a better messaging system than Swapnote, will we get a Youtube/Facebook/etc. app, and if they will ever update the 3DS' web browser.
2. This issue plagued the Wii in North America and Europe: toward the end of the system’s life, we just aren’t seeing Virtual Console games anymore. Europe went through months without a VC release, and North America was even worse. And there was never any explanation as to what titles were chosen and why, or reasons given for such a severe dry-up in the service. For example, there’s always been a high demand for EarthBound (SNES), but it was never released. Instead, Nintendo of America gave us Ice Climbers, which nobody wanted, or Pokemon Puzzle League (instead of, say, Tetris Attack). Could you explain the process for getting VC games onto the Wii Virtual Console, and why things tapered off so harshly?
3. It took four or five years for the Wii’s Virtual Console to grind to a halt, but the process seems to be happening much faster for the North American eShop Virtual Console, which is terrifying. The Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Game Gear, combined, must have hundreds of perfectly good games to release on the service, so it’s unclear and worrying how weeks will go by—weeks—without any Virtual Console releases at all, and when the smoke eventually does clear, it’s something like Qix or Lock & Chase. Nintendo of Europe and Nintendo of Japan have had no problems in this area—both localities have Wario Land and Kid Icarus: Myths & Monsters. I guess the biggest Virtual Console question I have is this: why has Nintendo of America been so reluctant to support the Virtual Console, both of the Wii and the 3DS?
Nintendo, why do you guys screw up routine stuff that everyone else gets right years before you even make your first effort? That's what annoys me about Nintendo. Sony or MS does something and Nintendo then does it like years late and they screw it up! Hello, the competition already sorted the kinks out of this! Just do what they did! So Nintendo either pays no attention whatsoever to what the rest of the industry does, which is fuckin' stupid, OR they intentionally refuse to do something the way someone else already did it because that would be "admitting" that someone else besides themselves has good ideas, which is even stupider.
I still think this is unlikely as it would put early 3DS owners at too large a disadvantage.
None of those things fundamentally affected the Retail games like a second analog would.I still think this is unlikely as it would put early 3DS owners at too large a disadvantage.
True, but the DSi, with added online shop and a camera, didn't stop Nintendo from releasing it. The same thing happened to the Gameboy to Gameboy Color (added colors) and original GBA to GBA SP (with added backlight). What I'm trying to say is that if Nintendo should ever release an upgrade of the 3DS, it should at least have a second slide pad.
True, but the DSi, with added online shop and a camera, didn't stop Nintendo from releasing it. The same thing happened to the Gameboy to Gameboy Color (added colors) and original GBA to GBA SP (with added backlight). What I'm trying to say is that if Nintendo should ever release an upgrade of the 3DS, it should at least have a second slide pad.
uh, yea, but I've done that repeatedly and its been taken as aggressive and offensive. I thought this new approach would be acceptable.
vituperative
My hard question for Nintendo would be will we see them 'return to darker themes and release another 'M' rated title anytime soon?'
: uttering or given to censure : containing or characterized by verbal abuseQuotevituperative
I learned a new word today. Thanks, guy!
Hard Questions for Halbred #1: Why are you attracted to fictional cartoon figurines? Isn't real flesh and blood enough for you?I'll answer that one. When you get married you form a bond with your wife and you make a promise not to cheat on them. At that point in time some people come to the realization that the only Flesh and Blood girl they can ever actually do anything with is there wife. That can cause you to move beautiful women into the unattainable and more like pieces of art. Now viewing women beauty in a more artistic light women who are actual art being attractive isn't really that strange. Though seriously have you seen some of those women?
They have. I'm not going to find the thread, but I was properly corrected that Nintendo in the USA does indeed do the Manufacturing of the Pokemon Trading Card Game now.My hard question for Nintendo would be will we see them 'return to darker themes and release another 'M' rated title anytime soon?'
"return"?
My hard question for Nintendo would be will we see them return to manufacturing playing cards.
Hard Question for Nintendo: How many death warrants has Yamauchi signed?Exactly 1 more than before.
Hard Question for Nintendo: Why do the Mariners suck so much? You'd think with the record profits you had in recent years you might have brought some talent in there and made them more of a contender.
Not so hard question for Zach... or anybody outhere: What exactly are the infamous vertical grease lines? Google doesn't seem to answer me this one.The Bezel around the bottom screen raise up and on a lot of unit touch the top screen. With the nature wiggling that the 3DS goes through it will cause lines to form with eventually turn into permanent scratches if you don't have a screen protector.
Hard question for Nintendo: Why do you guys hate Latin America so much? *Remembering that horrible Mario Galaxy 2 event.* Even Sony has gaming events here at Mexico once in a while.
Another Not so hard question for everybody: Why do you guys hate GameStop so much? I went to a GameStop for the first time like 2 months ago and I loved it! Clean, not expensive, workers know what they're talking about.... At least in comparison to Mexican GAMERS shops that totally suck!
Easy there, Edward R. Murrow.
"Xenoblade Chronicles was a GameStop exclusive, as was the Circle Pad Pro. The Last Story and Pandora’s Tower are also slated to be GS exclusives."
Is this accurate? I am pretty sure that The Last Story isn't GameStop exclusive and that no formal announcement has been made for Pandora's Tower outside of unsubstantiated rumors (even though I do hope the rumors are true).
Edit: Doesn't invalidate the overall question, as I'd be interested to hear any news about how/why there have been some GameStop exclusivity deals recently. Strategic move on Nintendo's part? Part of the deal for GameStop taking on publishing risks for Xenoblade? Just seemed like a good idea at the time?
Someone should tell Amazon that they shouldn't be offering pre-orders for The Last Story then...
Hard Question for Insanolord: A Cleveland Indians fan? Really?
Monster Hunter 4 says you're full of ****, Andy. :P:
When I bought a new Wii because my launch unit went kaput, the NOA representative told me they could not transfer my downloaded software to the new system.They did this for me, were you not nice enough or something?
As someone who has interviewed gaming people, including some people at Nintendo, I can say that most of the reason why you don't see these questions asked is because they're not answered. It's a unfortunate reality of the PR-driven games industry (and just the world in general).
Monster Hunter 4 says you're full of ****, Andy. :P: : :
I think we need a little "right analog stick" wager for 3DS Mark II.
I am firmly convinced it won't happen. If Nintendo had pushed the CPP to every retailer for $10, and bundled it with MGS and RE:R, then I would be convinced.
Here in America we have tyranical <This part was never finished because the Politics censor has been enabled>As someone who has interviewed gaming people, including some people at Nintendo, I can say that most of the reason why you don't see these questions asked is because they're not answered. It's a unfortunate reality of the PR-driven games industry (and just the world in general).
It doesn't mean the questions shouldn't be asked anyway and that is where it starts. Maybe in America you have collectively given up on asking the "Hard questions", it doesn't mean the rest of the world has. We are in the middle of the process in tossing out an MP for declaring a "Donation" as anonymous with a potential change of government on one of the many cards. It is the complacency that you have exhibited that allow them not to answer. Other countries might ask, but they can always run to the safe harbour you maintain. If they don't answer, you dig, find sources willing to speak, even anonymously. Call BS when you see it. If shame and PR disasters is the only thing they will listen to, use it.
The relation right now is it is all carrot and no stick. Get a stick.
DSi Camera was a function that was used by a HANDFUL of games, most of which were download only.
Gameboy Color came out many years after the original Gameboy.
The backlight didn't make any new games incompatible with the original GBA.
A right analog stick is another deal entirely - it's an industry standard feature on console controllers, and would fundamentally change the way developers view the system. If we think it's unfair of Konami to make a MGS game that essentially requires the user to have the CPP, that kind of them would completely explode after a revision which included a right stick. Basically, you would absolutely HAVE to get the CPP or a new 3DS for a large chunk of software which was developed after the new model.
I'm not saying it *won't* happen absolutely, but I am saying that I think it's unlikely, and that's my reason why.
Well, I'm glad this article has gotten such a strong response. I don't think the factual statements are that off, but I certainly included plenty of personal vendetta in here. Keep in mind this is basically my Dream Interrogation script, but if I were actually in a room with Reggie, I'd probably be begging him to be my Best Friend, then ask these same questions in less aggressive ways.
Ultimately, as many people have pointed out, questions like this DO need to be asked, and it's a crime that nobody has the goddamn balls to do it, or at least do, and when given a stock evasive answer, respond with "that's not an answer." Then lock the door before Reggie or Iwata can leave.
The other unfortunate truth is that "game journalism" really is a branch of the industry's marketing and PR. Both sides have learned to accept that. Neal and Andy and I were having a long converation about this on Twitter, and I wonder what would rattle that relationship apart. Why can't game journalists be game JOURNALISTS, and the industry muster up some responsibility? It's all hype now. It's all controlled content. It's politics.
I wish it were different, I really do. I guess my goal would be for 1) somebody to ask hard questions like this (of everybody); and 2) for the interviewee to be frank and honest in answering. And then, world peace.
I think we need a little "right analog stick" wager for 3DS Mark II.
I am firmly convinced it won't happen. If Nintendo had pushed the CPP to every retailer for $10, and bundled it with MGS and RE:R, then I would be convinced.
