Topic: Gumpei Yokoi

[Chozo Ghost]

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.

[S-U-P-E-R]

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

[Adrock]

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.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

VB was ahead of its time.  The PSP will continue its legacy.

[Chozo Ghost]

Yeah, I

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.

[SixthAngel]

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.

[NWR_insanolord]

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?

[SixthAngel]

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.

[UltimatePartyBear]

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.

[DAaaMan64]

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.