Author Topic: Silicon Knights and Nintendo break up (Read 104094 times)

odifiend · « **on:** April 13, 2004, 09:30:29 AM »

IGN reports and gets confirmation with Denis Dyack and a Nintendo spokesperson that SK is no longer a Nintendo 2nd party. The company is free to make games for anyone.
While Dyack says that he hopes to continue making games for the Gamecube, I find this news incredibly unsettling. Silicon Knights knows how to develop a high quality, aural and visual experience better than Nintendo can (or better than what Nintendo is putting out anyway). Big loss.

PaLaDiN · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2004, 09:34:08 AM »

I don't get it.

Dyack always praised Nintendo and their philosophy and spoke out about the decreasing importance of technology. IGN's reason is bull.

I want to know the real reason they broke up.

Although I'm pretty sure I have an idea... they weren't making profit, just like Rare.

odifiend · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2004, 09:42:47 AM »

The fact is this just shouldn't happen. Silicon Knights is one of two second parties providing cube players with mature content. And it isn't mindless killing and gore, either. High quality thrillers while pushing the best of what the gamecube has to offer. Also unlike Rare who came to mind when reading this, they seem to be a stable company and tend to meet deadlines. Nintendo should have bent over backwards to keep them.
What were the sales on MGS:TTS? Poor sales is the only thing I can think of that could cause this so suddenly.

Rare wasn't making a profit because they were dysfunctional. They could never meet a deadline and also their quality dropped significantly (if you've ever played SFA you'd know). If SK wasn't making a profit it was the result of bad advertising. If it turns out that Nintendo gave SK the boot and not the other way around I swear upon all that is holy I am done with Nintendo. Their disregard and contempt for western developers would turn me off to them.

John Cena · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2004, 09:44:02 AM »

do u think Nintendo will try to get them back because SK was with Nintendo because of contract right?

odifiend · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2004, 09:48:31 AM »

They 'mutually' agreed to separate, so no Nintendo won't try to get them back.

I can already see M$ purchasing exclusitivity!

Shadow Fox · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2004, 09:49:35 AM »

Definately sales-related; there's no other reason since both of SK's games received critical acclaim from nearly every facet of the press.

They didn't single-handedly destroy the still-active "kiddy image" these mainstream idiots keep babbling about, but then again, they aren't the games-only company with a few billion in the bank...

Damn you to hell, Nintendo...that is, until Paper Mario 2 ships.

-Official Ninja of PGC

Ian Sane · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2004, 09:52:36 AM »

What the f*ck?

This pisses me off HUGE. Dyack came across as Nintendo fan #1 so if he's leaving than obviously Nintendo has royally f*cked up huge. I really wonder what they did to cause SK to split.

Now it might be because they basically left ED out to rot without any really strong marketing push and of course there's a huge difference in the two companies opinions on the importance of mature content. I'm more worried that Nintendo has done something behind the scenes that only their second parties know about that has caused SK to jump off what they think will be a sinking ship in a few years. Perhaps Nintendo has shown SK the initial plans for the N5 and the design is so insane that SK has left because they know they can't make the games they want to make with Nintendo any more. I'm really afraid of that because if the N5 doesn't appeal to SK then it doesn't appeal to me and it means Nintendo has changed into a company I no longer am interested in.

SK and Nintendo were a perfect fit initially as they shared design philosiphies and complemented each other's weaknesses. However Nintendo has become very different lately with their focus on simplicity and attracting different kinds of gamers and less emphasis on technology and all sorts of potentially scary stuff. It isn't too unlikely that they've changed into a company that doesn't mix well with SK anymore.

One thing that REALLY sucks is this kills the possibility of Too Human being the ultimate killer launch title for the N5. In other words the N5 may be doomed from the get go.

This is worse than Rare leaving because at least then we got a whole bunch of exclusives from the relationship. In this case we got only ONE GAME out of the whole thing.

Nephilim · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:09:24 AM »

If this is true then this might effect myself getting MGS:TS when its released finnaly in Aus

Nintendo sling shoot them into mainstream gaming, they are a great company and I think they will continue making quality games. Many people on this forum attack sony for making games exclusive and well thats what Nintendo did with SK. So im understanding, they are a company and are out for profits. Just like everything is these days.

Because of the relationship I would proberly expect most of there games in future on cube, unless Microsoft pull there money out and they run up like a lil girl for a lollie. So its not that bad. Cant wait for new games for the future from them. Atleast they wont take 3years for them to come out like that other ex Nintendo game making company Rare.

On another note, what Part of the Knight is Silicon? are they Transexual knights?

PaLaDiN · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:14:22 AM »

All I can think of is that MGS:TT sold badly.

It can't be their philosophy. Both Nintendo and SK advocated the decreasing importance of technology...

In fact I think the only way they differed was how simple they thought games should be.

Maybe Nintendo took ED and MGS:TT's bad sales as examples of simplicity being best. If so, that's royally screwed up seeing as neither game got ANY advertising.

I have no idea anymore. None of this makes any ****ing sense.

theRPGFreak · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:19:15 AM »

Nintendo screws up again! I dont think that it was sales related because for the first few weeks MGSTS was the number one selling game on the gamecube. If sales were low for that game, then Nintendo has a big problem with all of their other games. I could honestly see Silicon Knights making exclusive content for the XBox or even getting bought out by them altogether. If Nintendo wants to get a mature audience back on for N5, then you don't sell SK!!!

the_zombie_luke · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:19:32 AM »

Well, if they can go to a place with more freedom, all the better I say. When SK leaves, and the creator of Kirby leaves, you know something might be wrong. Too Human and ED2 just became bleak, but this could mean SK could do the Blood Omen series again. It doesn't bother me that they are leaving Nintendo. If they make great X-Box or PS2 games, I'll get those systems. It does seem that Nintendo is holding back its developers though. The Darkness shall be Eternal....for Nintendo, if they keep treating third parties and their own developers poorly.

Strell · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:20:12 AM »

Wow. Just wow.

I'm utterly speechless.

I have lost a huge amount of faith in the GCNext. Two completely high calibur games, and what do you do? Get an exclusive game from Kuju, the guys that made Reign of Fire?

Just shoot me now, please.

the_zombie_luke · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:25:03 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: odifiend
They 'mutually' agreed to separate, so no Nintendo won't try to get them back. I can already see M$ purchasing exclusitivity!

I bet Microsoft would treat them pretty well. I don't know about Sony, but I like how Microsoft gave Bungie more time with Halo 2. I also like how it's so evil for Microsoft to "gobble up" developers, but when Nintendo acquires studios, everyone cheers.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:28:33 AM »

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WRONG IN THE WORLD TODAY.

Tales of Symphonia.

SK.

Strell · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:29:42 AM »

Microsoft owns approximately 68% of the world.

Joking aside, it's asinine to compare Microsoft acquisition to Nintendo. Microsoft could easily buy all the companies if they wanted.

It's not a level playing field.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:30:33 AM »

"I also like how it's so evil for Microsoft to "gobble up" developers, but when Nintendo acquires studios, everyone cheers."

When Nintendo does it it's to create great games. When MS does it it's to dominate the industry. Nintendo grabs unproven developers and turns them into powerhouses while MS buys established developers so that the other consoles can't have them. Big difference.

evilnate · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:33:59 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"I also like how it's so evil for Microsoft to "gobble up" developers, but when Nintendo acquires studios, everyone cheers."

When Nintendo does it it's to create great games. When MS does it it's to dominate the industry. Nintendo grabs unproven developers and turns them into powerhouses while MS buys established developers so that the other consoles can't have them. Big difference.

Heh, then after Nintendo turns them into powerhouses, they leave to get bought out by Microsoft.

At this rate, Nintendo's going to be lucky if Pokemon and Mario are N5 exclusives.

the_zombie_luke · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:35:02 AM »

I guess that is true about N-Space, Retro, and Kuju, Ian. But anyway, this might just be the final nail in the coffin. I was upset that Aonouma directed Wind Waker, that Sunshine wasn't nearly as good as Mario 64, that the B-button simply wore out, that Nintendo abandoned 2D for GameCube, that the director of Kirby departed, but I got over those. This is the most upsetting news in a while.

thecubedcanuck · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:36:36 AM »

Well it looks like my last and only reason to buy Nins next system has flown the coop.
I guess I will be playing ED2 and Too Human on my X-box.

theRPGFreak · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:37:46 AM »

I could just imagine it now,"Nintendo has anounced today that Pokemon Studios has become exclusive property to Microsoft." Just joking around

KDR_11k · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:38:13 AM »

Now, this doesn't mean no more exclusives or at least GC/N5 versions. Factor 5 is third-party as well.

Strell · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:38:16 AM »

Actually, I say let Microsoft have Pokemon.

We've all been overdue for EXTREME Pokemon battles, where all the trainers are girls and they take off clothing with every lost battle.

While we're at it, let's speculate. I give Retro another year. At that point I expect all nude Samus revue on the Xbox 2.

yellowfellow · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:40:06 AM »

worst plan ever. yet again i am left scratching my head at what the brass at nintendo are thinking. WTF!?!

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:40:30 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: the_zombie_luke
that the B-button simply wore out.

There's a very easy way to fix that *_*

the_zombie_luke · « **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:41:15 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Strell
Actually, I say let Microsoft have Pokemon.

We've all been overdue for EXTREME Pokemon battles, where all the trainers are girls and they take off clothing with every lost battle.

While we're at it, let's speculate. I give Retro another year. At that point I expect all nude Samus revue on the Xbox 2.

I doubt Microsoft would keep Pokemon offline if they had it.

News:

Author Topic: Silicon Knights and Nintendo break up (Read 104094 times)