Shigeru Miyamoto talks Wii, E3 & casual gamers vs hardcore gamers
By Dave Parrack
Love him or hate him, gamers on all systems must admit that Shigeru Miyamoto is a legend. As the creator of some of the best games series since the industry began, with Donkey Kong, Mario and Zelda all to his name, the Nintendo man deserves all the plaudits he receives. Miyamoto has recently given his views on a range of subjects, including the state of E3, the health of the Wii, and catering for casual gamers vs hardcore gamers.
The interview was with MSNBC, and given after Nintendo had announced Wii Music, Wii Resort, Wii Speak, and a new Animal Crossing game at the recently finished E3 conference. An E3 that collectively failed to live up to the hype, with Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all making half-hearted announcements about things we already knew about.
Miyamoto gave his views on the E3 event, and answered charges that Nintendo had completely focussed on the casual gaming market, with games to appeal to everyone, while ignoring the core gamers by failing to announce any new releases in the big-name franchises such as Mario and Zelda.
For a very long time, E3 was an event where — and certainly Nintendo included — catered specifically to the core gamer. Now we look at more … an opportunity for us to introduce new concepts and new types of play that we intend to bring to the broader audience, particularly because of the media that gathers at E3 now.
Miyamoto also had a big influence on the design, and development of the Wii, a console which has dominated sales since being released, despite being written off as a glorified Gamecube in its early days. He was asked what made Nintendo focus on making a games console to appeal to a wider audience, while Sony and Microsoft seemed to be fighting for the hardcore element.
While other game makers had felt that there was a future in taking the current style of games and making them more complex and more advanced, and that that would be able to provide them with future market for their product, we really came to the belief that video games should be more than just more complex versions of what we’ve seen in the past. We felt that video games should instead include a variety of different elements and a variety of different styles of entertainment that can appeal to a much broader audience. And that that was really where the future lay.
Lastly, Miyamoto was asked about the lifespan of the Nintendo Wii, an issue close to gamers hearts after they’re asked to buy a new piece of hardware every few years. His answer points towards a Wii 2 coming out in a few years time, which refines the control system, and maybe adds some much needed graphical power. Then Nintendo will concentrate on designing a game-changing machine for release in 10 years time… maybe.
I’ve seen patterns where you have more refinements as you go from one system to the next, followed by big evolutions, or big changes. I’d say that the DS and Wii together represent some of those very big changes, both on the handheld and the home console side. Based on past history, I would guess that we would see some refinement sometime in the next five to 10 years and then in another five to 10 years, you would see probably the next big evolution.
The interview is definitely worth a read, as it gives an insight in to the mind of what is essentially a gaming genius, and a man who has brought us some gaming gems over the past 30 years.
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Tips N4G
July 19th, 2008
Shiggy is the man
As for Nintendo, I’m so so on their business strategy so far.
I own a Wii, and have enjoyed it, but lately its just kind of gathering dust. And I for one do not want to buy every fookin addon they release such as balance boards, precision addons etc etc etc.
Smart business, but a little annoying.
Heres hoping that in a few years after Wii 2 (which I probably won’t buy) they will release a console that can handle games from other platforms with all the ‘extra’s’ Nintendo can pack into it.
July 19th, 2008
Nintendo is making a bundle on Wii…kudos to them, and is a massive turn around from gamecube (even though i is nearly the same thing) Goes to show that you can sitting on the bottom of the heap and next Gen, be the top dog (even though I dont class it in the same league as 360 and ps3)
Personally, I have one. The missus and the boy play it sporadically. The graphics are crap and to me is purely a “fun device” when on the piss… nothing more.
If they bring out an “inbetween” Wii (Wii 2) I def wont get it. In my opinion, they should hold onto the Wii for a few years and then release their totally new console. It will give them better credibility and will have the extra wow factor (provided it is a good system).
July 20th, 2008
Wow! That will be wicked to get a new major console like the wii. I have No More Heroes, which was originally called “Heroes” and x-box exclusive, and damn that game is freaking addicting but damn the rapid “A” pressing for training but i like the fact there is enogh blood that it will make freddy couger look like a little paper cut.
July 20th, 2008
Lol that will be a kick ass game a freddy couger game for the wii it will be perfect, sorry for DP, i just accetenttly presses submit comment
July 20th, 2008
Who the hell is Freedy Cougar?
July 20th, 2008
Who the hell is Freddy Cougar?
July 20th, 2008
There’s only one thing I like to say: FUCK NINTENDO WII!!! When the next Sega console comes out, it will annihilate all sales and popularity of the Wii! The Wii is like an annoying cold. First it spreads it germs and putrid fungus everywhere, but soon the cold wearrs off. As will the Wii! Hmph.
Yeah you fucks(Nintendo Corporation), go ahead and enjoy your time in the Sun. I bet if everyone could afford a Playstation 3, there wouldn’t be a damn console that could stop it! And that’s a FACT. Nintendo Wii: Lamest. Console. EVER.
July 20th, 2008
i hope the galaxy team is making another galaxy game! and i hope there are planets that have different levels of gravity, some have low grav force and some have stronger than normal.. pure fun.. =)
Wii 2 sounds good. It’s graphics might be comparable to 360’s and PS3’s by then.. can’t wait..
July 20th, 2008
thanks for proving you’re 12 harry.
July 20th, 2008
I proved I am 12 by asking who Freddy Cougar is? Wow, you’re a bigger idiot than I thought!
July 20th, 2008
if you don’t know then u are 12, and you are the idiot not me, truth hurts doesn’t it?
July 20th, 2008
Worst confrence for Nintendo at E3 ever…
July 21st, 2008
The Future of Sega; We’ll probably be waiting a while for Sega to come up with something decent console wise ’cause they started losing the plot way back in the Mega CD/32x days (yes I’m that old). Good to see someone beating the oldschool ‘Sega v Nintendo’ horse. It would be interesting though…
July 21st, 2008
@Saga fan: what are you 8? Grow up you retard.
The Wii is out selling the PS3 and Xbox and your jealous. LOL you Idiot.
I have a Wii and can afford many PS3s and 360s. The wii=fun plane and simple.
July 21st, 2008
@Harry
Not sure if your having fun because they spelled it wrong or if you don’t know who he is.
Freddy Krueger is a fictional horror story character from the flic Nightmare on Elm Street.
July 21st, 2008
wooohooo i’m selling my wii!
thats how happy I am to be getting rid of it.
really nintendo???