Nintendo: we're "not good" at core games

[Pulsar_t]

Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime has admitted that Nintendo is "not good" at creating "core" games, and needs to actively court third-parties to make more mature titles like BioShock 2 for the platform.

"The fact of the matter is we know we create great content for younger consumers, we know we've got great content for more casual players, and we want fantastic content for that more active player who loves Metroid or Zelda but maybe also wants something like a BioShock 2 to play as well," he told Industry Gamers at GDC.

"And we also recognize that we don't create that type of content ourselves. We're not good at it and it's not a key focus area. We want that content on our platform, so we have to court third-party developers and encourage them to make [those games]."

Asked how Nintendo might persuade third-parties, who seem increasingly sceptical about supporting the Wii, to create games for it, Fils-Aime argued that developing expensive, technically advanced core games for other platforms was not profitable.

"Developers love to create technically advanced games, and very visually stunning games, but the fact of the matter is not all of that content is selling exceptionally well either," he said.

"Look at the most recent NPD results. I'm not sure how much was invested into a game like Dante's Inferno, or how much is invested into a game like BioShock 2, but if that sales level is the best that they will do in a particular month, and it'll fall off rapidly from there, then those games aren't going to pay off their investment."

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/reggi ... core-games

A Nintendo exec finally comes clean? Maybe Nintendo should start taking more risks, like funding the eventual Shenmue sequel? But on the other hand, aren't consumers of videogames the worst offenders in the equation? Oh and I wish they dropped the term "core" already it's getting old.

[samsonlonghair]

Maybe Nintendo should start taking more risks, like funding the eventual Shenmue sequel? But on the other hand, aren't consumers of videogames the worst offenders in the equation? Oh and I wish they dropped the term "core" already it's getting old.

It's great that you're a Shenmue fan, but how would making a sequel be risk-taking? The video game market (like the movie market) is already flooded with sequels. As much fun as another Shenmue game might be, I'd rather play a game that's brand new and totally innovative.

The overused word "core" has been bugging me too. It is too broad a term.

[BAD PIXEL]

While it's good to hear Nintendo talk realistically about how they are best at making games generally targeted at a younger demographic, is this really surprising to anyone? Nintendo has never really tried to publish more "mature" games themselves - the Metroid series being about as "mature" as Nintendo has ever attempted.

Like everyone else, use of the terms "core" or "hardcore" is like scratching on a chalkboard to me. Aren't we really just talking about games with a more mature theme?

[the7k]

The thing that pisses me off about the term 'core' - which is obviously short for 'hardcore' - is that the meaning has changed sooo much since I was coming up.

It used to be that a hardcore gamer was the one who blew off the graphically-intensive, popular games so that they could play 2D Fighters, Shmups and RPGs. Now, being a hardcore gamer means you turn your nose up at the Wii specifically because it doesn't have great graphics, all the while bragging about how much you own at MW2.

It sickens me. Honestly, the Wii has some of the best hardcore experiences according to the definition I grew up with. A Boy and His Blob, Tatsunoko vs Capcom, and Muramasa: The Demon Blade are some of the most hardcore games I've seen this gen. They fit right in with the games that the hardcore used to play - instead of Tekken, they played Street Fighter III. Instead of Rainbow Six, they played R-Type Delta. That sorta thing.

I mean, seriously - when you say your a hardcore gamer, and 95% of your library is Activision, EA and/or Ubisoft - I just want to slap you. You are an affront to the word hardcore.

[Flake]

Nintendo is making money hand over fist right now.

...there's really nothing else to talk about, is there? Our hobby is a business to them and you'd better believe that Sony, Microsoft, and the Big N would happily package freeze dried dog turds and ship them to gamestop if they knew they'd make money off of us.

'Core' is a term that people who feel ashamed on some level about their hobby use to justify the amount of time they sink into gaming. You'll never hear me use that word.

[the7k]

'Core' is a term that people who feel ashamed on some level about their hobby use to justify the amount of time they sink into gaming. You'll never hear me use that word.

'Core' used to be a term that said "I play old school and/or obscure games." Now it's a term that says "I'm better than casual gamers because I play (flavor of the month) instead of Wii Sports."

It's hard to explain, but this is what I used to associate with the word 'hardcore'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamefan

Now, this is what I associate with the word 'hardcore'.

[jmbarnes101]

While it's good to hear Nintendo talk realistically about how they are best at making games generally targeted at a younger demographic, is this really surprising to anyone? Nintendo has never really tried to publish more "mature" games themselves - the Metroid series being about as "mature" as Nintendo has ever attempted.

Have you ever heard of a game called Eternal Darkness? Not sure what you'd classify it as but I'd certainly put it in the "mature" game area. There are others as well and while they don't make a lot of them and it's not a focus it's something they certainly have done before.

[Flake]

@the7k

You summed up my point perfectly. 'The Pro' is probably some kid who is great at video games and terrible at everything else. His only claim to fame likely is that he unlocked some achievement before anyone else he knows.

This is why the only video game fans I associate with are people like those here on racketboy. Mostly they are older, mostly they have a life beyond their games, and mostly they see it the same way I do: A Hobby.

You don't hear people around here clamoring for 'core' games and I like that.

[the7k]

Just one thing to correct: The Pro is the mod who banned the dick that was spouting off those vulgarities. It's the dick that I associate with 'hardcore' these days - spoiled little brats who have entitlement & superiority complexes.

http://kotaku.com/5476938/theres-two-si ... Bupdate%5D

[Flake]

@the7k

Gotcha. I stand corrected. I mixed the annoying kid and the title screen name up.