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There are so many goods points made by Wired’s Chris Kohler in regards to Nintendo in this article that I’m not going to do the usual 100% regurgitation. Instead, just read it, paying close attention the remarks made by analysts from EEDAR and Kohler himself.
Synopsis: Sequels just don’t work on Wii; some third party developers aren’t trying because they believe “casual gamers” is a real term and therefore means a half-ass effort; some third parties did incredibly well if you look beyond the top 10; and, no, sorry haters, there’s no slump or bottoming out happening with any Nintendo consoles in the near future.
Basically, if you want to create a great game on the Wii, you need to create a great, original game on the first try. Then, resist the deep rooted desire to create yearly sequels, because the Wii audience is too smart for that. Enjoy!
I will disagree with Kohler for saying third parties' struggles on the Wii were even partially Nintendo's fault. Maybe if they made better games, or Nintendo acted against them, I could buy that, but by far third parties have shot themselves in the foot and I won't have Nintendo be held responsible for their complete shoddiness of work.
AMEN!
It's Nintendo' fault because they are TOO GOOD at making teh gamez. It does sound totally ridiculous, doesn't it? I agree.
I do kinda agree about the yearly sequel thing, but if pepole only like new fresh expirences, madwold would of been best seller!
I do wana get a sequle for de blob. That games great! Your a blob….and you splat yourself onto buildings… and you free the pepole, awsome!
The bottom line, the Wii is a family system and will always sell until families are tapped out and own them. I personally know three more families that bought a Wii this Xmas season. Yes, believe it or not, but there are still families that did not have a Wii in the U.S.! Most of my friends have kids in the age ranges from 5-13 and all of them except. I have a Wii and an xbox 360 and I know only one other family that has an xbox 360. I don't know anyone that has a PS3. Since owning by xbox 360, I have to say it is very hard to find good rated E games, so no surprise, the Wii sells! The Wii has hundreds of them. By the way, the NPD article is funny in that I own the "Just Dance" and it is a great game. Disregard the reviews on it because they don't get it. My family has fun with that game and it is simple. I love my xbox 360 and I love my Wii, but they are as different as rated R horror movies and Disney Pixar movies. I love both types of movies, but Disney has a wider appeal. The movie industry analysts and studios understand this, but it seems that video game industry analysts and reviewers don't get it … yet. However, I have listened to the guys on the Infendo podcasts, and I think they understand it as do most of you on this website. I'm done rambling, thanks for your time.
Standard sequels don't work on the Wii. Once in a while a game will release a sequel that's radically different from its' predecessor. We haven't seen sequels like that on the Wii.
What I believe the data in article tells us is that people respond better to fresh experiences on the Wii then they do to their sequels. Most sequels on the Wii or elsewhere focus on giving us more of the same. The core game will be tweaked enough to make the game a different experience but not by enough to make it significantly different. A difference on the scale of Zelda to Zelda II or Paper Mario 2 to Super Paper Mario is a rare thing to happen to a sequel.
I can't think of a single Wii experience outside of comparing the Mario games to one another or the Resident Evils to each other. Let's pick at Boom Blox. Many of the people who did not buy the sequel may really be content with the original game. Why buy "another one" when they're fine with what they have? Not only that, but many people still buying themselves into the series will see that the original game is cheaper and may have heard talk of that game specifically being great. That may be the case with a lot of games that have under-performing sequels. The audience for the game isn't being sold a new experience that excites them, just a content pack and a tweaked set of rules.
I think instead of a sequel the next year after a hit, an entirely new game that tries to establish a brand or a "Seal of quality" from a publisher/developer would be best. Maybe Boom Blox gained more sales than it normally would have because of Tiger Woods or vice versa with other EA games.
not just the wii… for almost everything there should not be sequels except for computer programs… but i guess it would be called upgrades not sequels. anyway, if any of you watch anime as well as enjoy games then you probably have seen haruhi s1 and s2. s2 almost made me want to take s1 off my to 5 anime list and i can tell you, formulate games are one of the few thing that drives me nuts… (that is probably why i'd rather take my chances with something original like sands of destruction rather long standing titles such as Zelda, Mario, and pokemon) the only title that i think did not mess up is probably final fantasy, since most of them have a different plot and not all of them look the same… sometime in the future i'll go play some FF (insert number in roman numeral).
@Gern says…
I love my xbox 360 and I love my Wii, but they are as different as rated R horror movies and Disney Pixar movies. I love both types of movies, but Disney has a wider appeal. The movie industry analysts and studios understand this, but it seems that video game industry analysts and reviewers don't get it …
Well said. I have never read it described that way but I love the analogy. To keep it going, I don't allow the R rated horror movies in my house but my kids and I love all the Pixar movies.
I have never bought a video game because it was or wasn't Nintendo or third party. I wouldn't even know the difference just looking at the box. I buy video games that appeal to me or might be enjoyed by my children.