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Reggie Interviewed on Revolution

by Steven Rodriguez - June 30, 2005, 11:00 pm EDT
Total comments: 37 Source: 1UP

The mystery controller, the GB Micro, the DS online and more!

Electronic Gaming Monthly was granted an intervew with Nintendo's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, the one and only Reginald Fils-Aime. The boys at EGM asked some tough questions to Reggie, and surprisingly Reggie shot back by actually giving answers. You can pick up the newest issue of the magazine for the full feature, but EGM's partner site 1UP.com has the interview available to read online.

Here are some excerpts from the interview, starting with Nintendo and their online goals:

...we believe we can drive up our participation rate of online play to be well in excess of about the 15 percent you see today. And the 15 percent comes from a number of industry sources, but if you think about it, 15 out of every 100 consumers who buy an online game actually go and play it online. That's pretty small. Versus what we want to see, for example, with Mario Kart [DS], is we want to see 80, 90, 95, near 100 percent of folks who actually enjoy the experience so much, who have access to the experience, to go do it online.

The mysterious Revolution controller may not be so mysterious to the group that matters the most:

The thing that I always find surprising, and certainly in the last year I've had wonderful opportunities to spend quality time with a number of our key third-party publishers, is when you sit down and share the innovation with them, just how excited they get. I saw it firsthand with DS; we're seeing it now with Revolution. The fact that you and your fans haven't seen the controller doesn't mean that no one else has.

The Game Boy Micro may be the surprise hit of the holiday season:

I have to tell you: The retailers have been all over [the GB Micro]. You know, they know their consumers about as well as we do, and the belief is that it's going to be the hot Christmas item this year. Especially when we announce the pricing.

For the entire interview, check out the feature at 1UP.

Talkback

MarioJune 30, 2005

Third parties have seen the controller? Surely that means they are already developing games right? Hmm, if that's true i'm surprised nothing has been leaked, Revolution is the best kept secret ever.

NinGurl69 *hugglesJune 30, 2005

Or maybe they've seen the controller and they're too excited to begin development. They're just daydreaming about the possibilities while their PS3 and 360 projects still gotta be worked on, SO NOBODY WINS.

Spak-SpangJune 30, 2005

Nintendo has given probably NDAs to everyone. The developers probably haven't seen the controller just have heard the concepts and possibly seen sketches.

I think Nintendo really knows when to pump out information. Iwata talks about how Revolution will be launched behind PS3...the same day:

Reggie announces 3rd parties know about the secrets and are excited. Really this means that developers can probably start preliminary coding and designing for Revolution games...which means 3rd party launch support.

Next Reggie states we shouldn't fear that the Revolution will be aggressively priced below Xbox360 and PS3...this is only a good thing for budge conscious shoppers.

Finally Nintendo announces that the GBAM will be the huge holiday seller with an excellent price range. I am betting under $75...perhaps as low as $50?

I think this information really helps the rumors of a summer launch and not November launch.

This is getting exciting as Nintendo seems to be and planning everything right for a change.

King of TwitchJune 30, 2005

Details about the controller should start leaking out right... now

hint, hint, nudge, nudge

tForceJuly 01, 2005

Am I the only one to catch this part?

"Again, Nintendo's taking the approach of, first, a gaming-centric console system yet we will have the capability because of that speed card and other types of memory to have movies and other types of content, but that's not the overall objective."

Apparently, the system WILL play movies, which should please those who insist on that aspect. I know know nothing about this "speed card" thing thought.

steveyJuly 01, 2005

"and your fans haven't seen the controller doesn't mean that no one else has."

To all that don't think nintendo has shown a controller they do. take note Ian and Spak-Spang Third parties have the controller and are make games what more do you need to hear from reggie/nintendo to get it in your head.

Spak-SpangJuly 01, 2005

Stevey: Oops I glanced over that part.

The more I read Reggies comments the more I realize I think we are all wrong about what this controller is or does.

I am beginning to believe that somehow this controller is able to be configured into any number of cofigurations and setups. That somehow developers can make this controller into whatever device they need for their games. Something like that can be as simple as needed for party games...or as complex as needed for the Metal Gear Solid, First Person Shooter games.

But now I am curious HOW does Nintendo achieve that?

vuduJuly 01, 2005

Quote

Third parties have seen the controller? Surely that means they are already developing games right? Hmm, if that's true i'm surprised nothing has been leaked, Revolution is the best kept secret ever.
Quote

Or maybe they've seen the controller and they're too excited to begin development. They're just daydreaming about the possibilities while their PS3 and 360 projects still gotta be worked on, SO NOBODY WINS.
My best Ian Sane impression:

Or maybe it means the idea is completely out there and usless for any normal game not made by Nintendo, so all the third parties have been scared off and are developing for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Nintendo has a history of only thinking about their games when they design controllers, and it's hurt them in the past. We don't know anything about the Revolution yet, and even though everything I've heard so far I liked (except the lack of HD) I am going to brace myself for the worst.

ShyGuyJuly 01, 2005

yeah, I think a customizable controller is what they are gonna do, but how? I have no idea. Nintendo likes durable, so I can't imagine a whole bunch of moving parts.

Maybe it will be something like this:

PS2 Phoenix Revolution Controller

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusJuly 01, 2005

That's what I was thinking, but I didn't know it was possible. Absolutely hilarious that it's called Revolution.

Spak-SpangJuly 01, 2005

ShyGuy: Great find. That is neat. Now if the technology is advanced enough to allow developers the number of face buttons, or even added really interesting custom controls imagine what Revolution could do for gaming.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJuly 01, 2005

Imagine how quickly people would lose all the parts.

steveyJuly 01, 2005

I don't think it's a customizable controller. It might but it likely to be just a very good controller with great button placement and desine, that easy on the hand, and look very cool looking. *Insted of a super migical controller that will do every thing and bring world peace.*

31 FlavasJuly 01, 2005

Quote

Originally posted by: Reggie Fils-Aime

I have to assume that from a pricing standpoint, we will be substantially lower than the competition, because we don't have all of that added fluff that a gamer, frankly, doesn't—it's not core to gaming.
I'm surprised that Ian hasn't posted a livid response to this line yet, since he is the most outspoken person here about Nintendo's "shortcoming". You know Hi-Def, 5.1, "standard" optical media, etc...

nickmitchJuly 01, 2005

Quote

EGM: You haven't mentioned price or release yet, but the Revolution will be less expensive than the other guys'?
RFA: Do you know how much the other guys' are going to be?

Quote

You haven't even asked me a question about Micro, you haven't asked me about DS.

These kinda stuck out in my head as everything else was reassuring.

I think that it's a little premature to say that 3rd parties are developping just because of the ". . .no one else has" quote.

Spak-SpangJuly 01, 2005

What was interesting about the price question was Reggie talking about business pratices. Once again we see Nintendo positioning themselves with their price to make some profit on the hardware...very smart. While he flat out says that the Xbox can't be sold for a profit at $300. We all knew this...but that is pretty hefty confirmation. As well Reggie suggests PS3 can't make a profit sold for less than $400. Both Sony and Microsoft are going to take big intial losses when their systems are released.

The comment about the GBM and the DS I think shows how baffled Reggie was. Here we have an amazing show for the DS and a surprise unveiling of the Gameboy Micro and nobody in the industry is interested in knowing about it. They are all hyped up about getting any information possible about the revolution. Any one sentence exclusive will do.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJuly 01, 2005

Heh, and that could be another reason why we don't know what the controller is yet. They are worried about overshadowing themselves.

BigJimJuly 01, 2005

That's a great find, shyguy. In fact, that's what I would put my money on right now... or something very close to that. Reggie's clues have suggested an adaptable controller, and this is the easiest way to do it.

It makes any type of game possible. The return of 6 button fighting games (and N64 compatibility). A simple one-button game. Reverse values for left handed players.

It's a really good idea if they don't require a lot of separate purchases. Any unique button set should be cheap enough to bundle with the game.

steveyJuly 01, 2005

Why would nintendo keep a customizable controller a secret?

ShyGuyJuly 01, 2005

Sony and Microsoft have spies, everywhere, duh face-icon-small-wink.gif

I would imagine we will get a legit leak before the end of summer now that third parties have seen it.

DjunknownJuly 01, 2005

Quote

There's going to be no subscription fee; we're not looking at this as a profit-driven program.


Interesting. So are we going to get a bare-bones service, or getting something akin to Live and then some?

Quote

And then if you look at licensee support, you've got Killer 7, we've got a number of titles coming from EA, a number of Ubisoft titles, you know, again, I think the characterization of low levels of licensee support is also mistaken


I can't let this one slide. He can only mention one title by name (which was supposed to be exclusive but that story's been told) and the rest are the usual suspects. If EA and Ubisoft aren't supporting your system, there's a problem. its nothing to brag about.

The whole Micro thing is confusing. Reggie is hinting that this will be 'affordable', yet Iwata has gone on record saying it won't be cheap. Which is it? If you really just want to lug the Micro in your pocket with no case or protection, that better be one tough screen.

"There's portability that you can pop into a bag, which is currently SP, which is currently DS, and then there's portability that you put in your pocket."

Again, I'm nitpicking here, but if I remember correctly, his analogy at the e3 conference was the original GBA could fit in your bag, the SP in your pants pocket, the Micro in your shirt pocket. The peanut gallery has spoken...

Quote

They may have an SP at home; they have a number of SPs at home, but this is going to be something that they pop in their pocket, and when they're hanging out with their buds or when they're in between classes at school or when they're on the bus, it's five minutes of pure fun.


Now that's frivoulous. He's talking about value one second, then this. What gives? What parent in their right mind would spend cash on the SP, which is portable enough as is, get the Micro on top of it? Either that, or the kids today have fatter allowences than they did in my day...

Aside from those points, Reggie knows what to say. The DS has done well, despite everyone in the gaming press saying that PSP will pwn you. And its not letting up. Though I'll doubt we'll be seeing apologies or rapid changes of opinion from the gaming press anytime soon.

EDIT: Comp crashed, added some extra ranting.

Smash_BrotherJuly 01, 2005

People, it's quite obvious to me from the name alone...

The REVOLUTION controller will clearly orbit the console, which will only play games which can be designed around the concept of frantically mashing buttons each time it passes your position. I mean, how thick can you people BE?

(for the sarcasm impaired, I AM kidding)

I think Nintendo was hiding the GC controller's design back in the day because of the analogue shoulder buttons with the digital click (I remember hearing that, but I cannot confirm it).

I hope it's not something which only some developers would take advantage of but most would simply ignore...

-SB

Ian SaneJuly 01, 2005

"There's going to be no subscription fee; we're not looking at this as a profit-driven program. We're looking at it as a way to bring more enjoyment and satisfaction to the game."

After Nintendo's stubborn "online isn't profitable" hissy fit on the Cube this statement just reeks of irony. Though in this case that's a good thing. face-icon-small-smile.gif

"The thing that I always find surprising, and certainly in the last year I've had wonderful opportunities to spend quality time with a number of our key third-party publishers, is when you sit down and share the innovation with them, just how excited they get. I saw it firsthand with DS; we're seeing it now with Revolution. The fact that you and your fans haven't seen the controller doesn't mean that no one else has."

A heavy hint that third parties have seen the controller is a good thing. I'm not going to get totally hyped about the third parties being "excited" though. As Reggie says they were excited about the DS too yet I'm not really seeing the fruits of that enthusiasm. All these third parties went ga-ga over the DS but the PSP, at least initially, seemed to get the bulk of the support. I'm going to wait until I see some real third party games in the works. I remember a fair bit of third parties saying good stuff about the Cube back when it was first revealed but most of the time nothing came from that. Plus innovation only excites developers. Publishers only care about sales and innovation doesn't ensure sales. Making safe generic content for Playstation consoles does unfortunately. And the publisher makes the call. Kojima and Naka can get hyped about Nintendo's controller all they want but sadly the shareholders make the call.

"I have to assume that from a pricing standpoint, we will be substantially lower than the competition, because we don't have all of that added fluff that a gamer, frankly, doesn't—it's not core to gaming."

DVD playback is fluff. It literally has NOTHING to do with gaming. I think it's good that they added it as an option to silence those that for whatever reason feel it's essential, but it is fluff. HD is NOT fluff because it relates directly to games. People who want HD want it so they can play their GAMES in HD. Fluff is all that extra crap Sony threw in the PSX. Anything that affects the actual games, even if it's only to do with sound or graphics, is not fluff. This is a decent concept in theory but in execution Nintendo doesn't quite get it.

MarioJuly 02, 2005

I definately see the appeal of the Gameboy Micro, i've always wanted a portable I could take everywhere without it being a burden, I don't like carrying my SP or DS in my pocket because usually when i'm going out i'd have my wallet and mobile phone with me too, so my pants would be so heavy they'd fall down. Gameboy Micro is so small it wouldn't make a difference, but i'm not going to buy one because I already have an SP and have better things to spend my money on than a 5th way to play GBA cartridges. If only it had come out earlier.

steveyJuly 02, 2005

I buy the micro because I can use it as a key chain.

nickmitchJuly 02, 2005

It sounds more like you need a belt than a micro, Mario.

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusJuly 02, 2005

Maybe someone can design an attachment to use your Micro AS a belt buckle.

CalibanJuly 02, 2005

Quote

Originally posted by: Djunknown
What parent in their right mind would spend cash on the SP, which is portable enough as is, get the Micro on top of it? Either that, or the kids today have fatter allowences than they did in my day...


Reggie has stated before that the Micro is not aimed at kids, it is aimed at teens. Most teens have a part-time job, do they not?

NinGurl69 *hugglesJuly 02, 2005

Quote

Originally posted by: Bloodworth
Maybe someone can design an attachment to use your Micro AS a belt buckle.


What, so you can use nifty Captain N powers such as PAUSE and TURBO?

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusJuly 02, 2005

Well, you'd just slide it out of the Game Boy Buckle (TM) and play, as well as have an in your face fashion accessory.

Karl Castaneda #2July 02, 2005

"Game Boy Micro: Eat It, Bitch!"

ruby_onixJuly 02, 2005

Quote

Maybe someone can design an attachment to use your Micro AS a belt buckle.

Nintendo products are pretty great, but they're nowhere near mighty enough to even attempt to take on the task of acting as a belt buckle for a gamer. That must be left for the experts. emot-zoid1.gif

(Plus if you removed it, your pants would fall down. And nobody wants that.)

nickmitchJuly 03, 2005

Well then you could just play it while on the can.

No no no, it would fit INTO a belt buckle. As in, the belt is its holder, and when you take it out the buckle still holds up the pants.

IceColdJuly 03, 2005

Tactical Pants Retainment System lol

Aww, that isn't your sig anymore

nickmitchJuly 03, 2005

I'll bet Batman doesn't have that in his utility belt!

IceColdJuly 03, 2005

Bartman

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