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Harrison On Nintendo's Shortcomings, Hopes

Posted by simoniker on from the honesty-best-policy dept.

Thanks to EGM for their interview with Nintendo vice-president George Harrison, discussing the current state of the GameCube, as well as plans for the future. Harrison is surprisingly honest, commenting: "I think we've had individual successes with things like Zelda: The Wind Waker and Smash Bros. and others. If there's a shortcoming for us on GameCube, it's not delivering enough consistent breadth and variety of software. That really is the key." He also explains the exact reasoning behind the GameCube's recent price drop: "We see people buying it for $99 as a second system; potentially someone who has owned a PlayStation 2 for three years already and know that they have another two or so years to wait [for the next console hardware generation]."

42 comments

  1. They certainly did the right thing by Pingular · · Score: 1

    Check out this article.

    --

    When anger rises, think of the consequences.
    Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC)
  2. So what you're saying... by Dancin_Santa · · Score: 5, Funny

    George Harrison: If there's a shortcoming for us on GameCube, it's not delivering enough consistent breadth and variety of software. That really is the key.

    It's going to take time. A whole lot of precious time. It's going to take patience and time. To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it right.

    1. Re:So what you're saying... by M.C.+Hampster · · Score: 1

      I've seen this joke driven into the ground on Slashdot, but this was one of the funniest posts I've seen in a long while.

      --
      Forget the whales - save the babies.
    2. Re:So what you're saying... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And money. A whole lotta spendin' money.

  3. He's got a point by NanoGator · · Score: 3, Interesting

    " I think that, clearly, the improvement in graphics and presentation by the systems is reaching diminishing returns. We've talked about this before, but the reason for a consumer to buy the next generation of hardware, for many of the competitors, is not going to be because the graphics are prettier. It'll ultimately come back to what is a unique gaming experience."

    I think he's got that point nailed. Every generation, the artists have fewer and fewer limitations for creating realtime 3D graphics. We're at a point, even today, where the artist's style and vision are relative easy to achieve. How can the next generation of graphics be to the GameCube what it was to the N64? Beyond a few more polys and real-time shadow casting, not a whole heck of a lot. Whatever happens for the next systems, there's got to be a new dimension of gaming.

    Nintendo's aware of this. And since it's not so obvious what the next breath-taking move is (i.e. with the N64, it was faster frame rates and higher resolution) I'm damn curious what Nintendo comes up with.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
    1. Re:He's got a point by ForestGrump · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      They gotta make that jump.
      Be way out there, be radical. They gotta set the trend by failing.

      Look at the former TV show That's My Bush.
      It set the trend for being radical, for being original. And they failed after a season.

      However it set the trend for future shows.
      Ever watch (someone name a show, its 1:30 in the am. I'm sleeping.)
      -Grump

      --
      Is it true that more people vote for the winner of American Idol, than vote for the president? -Ali G.
    2. Re:He's got a point by NanoGator · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      "It set the trend for being radical, for being original. And they failed after a season."

      I thought it failed because it wasn't that funny...

      No, not trolling against the show here, just didn't find it amusing. Gotta wonder what would have happened if they kept it going during the Iraq business, though...

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    3. Re:He's got a point by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 3, Funny
      BULLSHIT.

      There are still an awfull lot of limitations. If you don't believe me fire up a FPS editor and try to create a truly nice level.

      Sure for now the graphics look great. But then they also looked great a couple of years ago. Then new hardware came along and you went wow and promply forgot about how you thought the old games looked great.

      Sure sadly an awfull lot of games seem to just use the extra power of the hardware for bigger textures and more rounded boobs. Doesn't mean you can't use it for different purposes. Like say populating a city with cars and pedesastrians for you to drive through? Notice how older games of this style didn't have civi cars? Why do think this was?

      Yes I agree, it is going to be more about what you are going to do with the extra power of future hardware. No need to increase framerates above the refresh of the display or resolutions bigger then the number of pixels. But you can also use the extra power to create a more believable world. A world in wich when you chance the equipment on your character this is reflected in the graphics. A world in wich charactes properly walk on the floor even if it is a staircase not just hover above it. A world in wich cars propely move on their suspension so you can see if the car in front of you is about to loose control or is increasing his turn to close of the inside for you. Where on closing in on an enemy flight you can spot wether they already dropped their bombs so you can save your bullets for the other flight that has yet to reach their target. A fps where the enemy is carrying an m60 and you can see how many bullets there are left on his belt.

      Sure I may be dreaming but I think their is still an awfull long way to go. I have seen the shift from where you needed to consult the manual to see what the hell that red thing on the screen was supposed to be to where it is obvious that you have come across a med pack. Now I want to play a game where I can no longer see that the designer had to restrict himself to an X number of polygons.

      Oh and yes I do own a gba. So no I am not totally blinded by pretty graphics. But there is a reason people are excited about the PSP. Can you guess what it is?

      --

      MMO Quests are like orgasms:

      You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

    4. Re:He's got a point by DarkZero · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Sure for now the graphics look great. But then they also looked great a couple of years ago. Then new hardware came along and you went wow and promply forgot about how you thought the old games looked great.

      Sure sadly an awfull lot of games seem to just use the extra power of the hardware for bigger textures and more rounded boobs. Doesn't mean you can't use it for different purposes. Like say populating a city with cars and pedesastrians for you to drive through? Notice how older games of this style didn't have civi cars? Why do think this was?

      I don't think he meant that we've reached the peak of video game graphics, but rather that the next generation of consoles and possibly even the one after that aren't going to have that "HOLY SHIT THIS IS AWESOME!" factor that, say, the Super Nintendo did with you loaded up Super Mario World for the first time or the PlayStation had when you loaded up FFVII for the first time. You may see more objects, less fog, less loading time, etc. but you're not going to see something that really shocks you graphically like the games of the past have.

      And to some degree, it's already true. If you played Final Fantasy X or Kingdom Hearts and then went to try out a beautiful GameCube or Xbox game for the first time, you'd probably have a "Wow, that's neat" sort of reaction, but you wouldn't have a spontaneous bowel movement or anything. Video game graphics will continue to steadily improve, but they won't feature the same sort of enormous graphical leap that you had between the NES and the SNES or the SNES and the PSX. It's the same situation that's occurring with storage. Right now, there's a little bit of a wow factor that such a large, beautiful game comes on one little GameCube disc instead of six PlayStation discs. However, as compression gets better and the available storage for games gets larger and larger (if, indeed, it needs to surpass the DVD any time soon), it's not going to be as surprising as that switch from six medium-sized discs to one miniature disc.

    5. Re:He's got a point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

      You know, just as a reeeeeal off topic note, the other day I was playing Wind Waker and was guiding Link up a slope. I had the quick thought to stand Link parallel to the slope and see if one of his feet would go through the ground or stay in the air. I was rather impressed to see that his knees were bent properly, the way you would expect them to be, and there was no "through the ground" action.

      Like I said, waaaay off topic, and not even really what you're talking about, but I thought it was slightly neat when I saw it.

    6. Re:He's got a point by PainKilleR-CE · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I don't think he meant that we've reached the peak of video game graphics, but rather that the next generation of consoles and possibly even the one after that aren't going to have that "HOLY SHIT THIS IS AWESOME!" factor that, say, the Super Nintendo did with you loaded up Super Mario World for the first time or the PlayStation had when you loaded up FFVII for the first time. You may see more objects, less fog, less loading time, etc. but you're not going to see something that really shocks you graphically like the games of the past have.

      I think people keep thinking this and keep saying this, and it keeps not happening. When I loaded up RE: Code Veronica on the DreamCast and it transitioned from the intro to the game I sat there and waited for the intro to continue because the graphics quality didn't look like what I expected from an actual playable game (and wasn't discernable from the intro). When I loaded up Soul Calibur the first time on my monitor it was eye candy for days (and was so good that it's hard to tell that Soul Calibur 2 looks better). Amplitude amazes me with it's ability to put flashy graphics (though admittedly low-poly, it still looks good and you don't really notice that polygons aren't a limiting factor) mixed with real-time video (in the backgrounds of most arenas) and have very precise gameplay that requires synchronizing the input to the music and what's seen on-screen.

      Ikaruga made my jaw drop in more ways than can be explained.

      It's not just about how many polys you can push, it's about what you do with the graphics capabilities. In many ways, US game developers have been pushing too much towards realism in the graphics, when it's some of the most unrealistic things that make the graphics so amazing in some games.

      Plus, as long as game developers feel the need to put pre-rendered graphics into their games for any reason, we still need to increase the power of the graphics systems. The difference in some games gets less obvious over time, but in others is still glaringly obvious, primarily because character detail is limited to make a more believable environment, or vice versa. I'd have to say this is where Nintendo has the real advantage, because of all developers they have the tendency towards making the most cohesive environments, where the style of the character matches the environment best, where there isn't a clash between the two constantly pulling your eyes towards the technology rather than the game.

      And to some degree, it's already true. If you played Final Fantasy X or Kingdom Hearts and then went to try out a beautiful GameCube or Xbox game for the first time, you'd probably have a "Wow, that's neat" sort of reaction, but you wouldn't have a spontaneous bowel movement or anything.

      Halo gave me some drooling moments, but I don't think I saw FFX before I played Halo. KOTOR has had some truly beautiful scenes, as well, despite many people saying it's graphics aren't that great. Not to mention that even PC games are pushing beyond the capabilities of the consoles, although they still have options to drop them down to lower detail for systems that can't handle them (though in terms of resolution support PCs have almost always been beyond consoles).

      Video game graphics will continue to steadily improve, but they won't feature the same sort of enormous graphical leap that you had between the NES and the SNES or the SNES and the PSX.

      I think those particular leaps actually tended to be mitigated by later titles in each cartridge generation using cartridge-based hardware to increase the capabilities of the consoles. SMB3 was certainly an eye-candy-fest that made the NES nearly comparable to the 16-bit generation, especially since Nintendo was so late to the 16-bit table. The real difference seems to be that in the past the hardware was extended by adding new graphics and sound chips to the cartridges, whereas today people have to squeeze more out of the same hardware when they make games later in the g

      --
      -PainKilleR-[CE]
    7. Re:He's got a point by kisrael · · Score: 2, Insightful

      No, that's exactly on-topic, I think, or at least this subthread.

      It's amazing how scripted 3D human movement is in 90% of games. Take Soul Caliber 2; during some of Voldo's victory poses (and you think they could take the time to do victory poses right, since they can be easily 100% scripted without interference from either player) his weapon passes right through the floor! That's just wrong. Essentially, what we need (well, not need, but it's a worthwhile goal) is "rag doll physics" in everything. Polygon/limb-specific damage shouldn't even be an issue. If a character walks, that should reflect his (or her) legs and feet moving against the floor, using the arms for balance...

      it's going to be rough for a while, because suddenly walking and jumping go from easily recorded and replayed events to challenging AI problems (and if we're not careful, everything's gonna walk around like that Honda ASIMO 'bot) But I think just like N64 era games had "stairs" that were just hills with vaguely stair like textures, this gen's scripted movement will seem like an anachronism.

      GTA has started to address this, at least in terms of car physics. Despite the fact that it has special camera angles (and behaviors?) for certain jumps, all the vehicle stuff is based on an essential core physics model. GTA is also interesting for overlaying a scripted adventure on a world that doesn't feel like it's exclusively been created for the player...although RAM limitations means vehicles and pedestrians aren't nearly as persistent as they should be, and it's not like a UO virtual economy or anything, it has the flavor of a 'real', persistent, and self-consistent place. With absolutely NO traffic laws :-)

      --
      SO YOU'RE GOING TO DIE: The Comic for Dealing with Death
  4. Reminds me... by ihatesco · · Score: 1, Troll
    of the announcements that Sega made before disbanding the Hardware section of their company. ("100 more videogames before the next Dreamcast arrives!").

    I begin thinking that something alien like a Nintendo branded X-Box is in the work...

    --
    "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
  5. Good plan by The_dev0 · · Score: 4, Interesting
    We see people buying it for $99 as a second system

    I reckon this is an excellent move, as all the nintendo fanatics bought one in the first few weeks, but this allows them to get a chance in the homes of those with a PS2 and/or XBox, and let the games do the talking.

    I think Nintendo is taking the right steps to disprove the misguided notion that the GCN is a kiddie's system, and for 99 bucks, a lot more people would take an interest. I could definitely justify buying a PS/2 for 100 bucks with a couple of titles, and the same goes for the XBox. I reckon Nintendo are counting on people buying a 100 buck GCN, one or two of their really huge titles, and giving any financial loss on the discount back to the big N in game sales.

    --
    Never fight naked, unless you're in prison...
    1. Re:Good plan by FiberOpticMayhem · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Xbox doesn't really has a vast, enormous variety of games. I must admit, there's Halo, but for me that's the only game I like playing on Xbox. GC has so many updated classics(Zelda, Metroid, Smash Bros., Resident Evil, F-Zero), new games, and most importantly, the fun ones. If you haven't seen Viewtiful Joe yet I highly suggest it (Cell shading rules and is ultra sexy). Not to mention that the Xbox will break my back if I try to move it, and the controllers are quite oversized for the average gamer (luckily I have large hands and it works out fine).

      --

      www.jeffgoldblumiswatchingy
    2. Re:Good plan by metallicagoaltender · · Score: 1

      And they were dead right - there are enough games I've been interested in for the platform (Zelda, Metroid, Rogue Squadron to name a few) that once the price came down, I decided it was worth it as a second console system.

      PS2's software variety still kills GameCube, but as you alluded to, Nintendo's price drop allows them to attract the geeks that are interested in some of the Nintendo-exclusive games but didn't want to buy a second console at full price.

      Give a geek a price break and catch him with a bit too much caffeine, and you've got yourself a sale!

    3. Re:Good plan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Too late, I already bought an Xbox, like most people.

      As I look at the numbers, it really doesn't seem that "most people" bought X-boxen.

  6. Oh please... by xQuarkDS9x · · Score: 2, Insightful

    To begin with, Sega is and was never nowhere near as big as Nintendo to begin with. The only reason Sega suceeded in the 80's and 90's was because they had several 8,16,32, 64 and 128 BIT gaming systems ending with the Dreamcast, and they had their own brand names like Sonic for example.

    Seeing as the DC was the first 128 bit console it had actually beat out PS2/Xbox/Gamecube. Alas, seeing as Sega didn't do nearly enough promo and ad work on the DC, it died off and they decided to go into the software business for all 3 consoles.

    Nintendo won't go the way of Sega, not since they've been around since the 1890's making everything from card games at first, then later arcade boxes in the late 70's and 80's, and then the NES from 1985 onward to today with the Cube.

    --
    You must master your joystick like a fisherman masters bait! - Gimpy
    1. Re:Oh please... by XenoBrain · · Score: 1

      Exact quote: "The day we stop making consoles is the day we go out of the game business, persiod." In my perfect world, all games would be available for all systems, and you would choose the systems based on price, controller, power, features etc.

    2. Re:Oh please... by Enrico+Pulatzo · · Score: 1

      Let's look at this.

      Nintendo started out making cards.
      Then, they made arcade boxes.
      Then, they made consoles.
      Then, they made Pokemon.
      Then, they went back to consoles.

      Sega's gone the way of Nintendo. They focus in whatever market they can make money in, as long as it's relatively consistent with the notion of being a games company.

      The problem is that there is nothing wrong with that, yet everyone sees "they've changed" and says "they're dying!" when they might not be as lucrative as before--it happens.

  7. Like everything else by xQuarkDS9x · · Score: 1, Redundant

    The XBOX and PS2 consoles are flooded full of crappy, boring titles with

    A) Poor gameplay
    B) Poor Graphics
    C) Both

    Sure, the Xbox and PS2 have some good titles (Halo on Xbox and I guess GTA series on PS2) but otherwise they are few and far between.

    Whereas in the last year and a half alone Nintendo has dome some damn fine updates to classic games with sequels. Let's see, Metroid Prime, Zelda: Wind Waker, new Mario Kart next month, Mario Sunshine, F-Zero GX, Super Smash Bros Melee, Kirby Air Ride, and more. Some of those games will even have more sequels next year as well.

    Heck, now you can even play Kirby and hopefully Mario later next month over the internet with the Warp Pipe Project, using a BBA (Broadband Adapter) a Windows or Linux box and your set.

    --
    You must master your joystick like a fisherman masters bait! - Gimpy
  8. *BZZT* WRONG! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll
    The PS2 I can agree with. It's gotten stale for me, and the only reason I'm not selling the damn thing is because of Dance Dance Revolution, Rez, Amplitude, Frequency and Tribes: Aerial Assault. Rest of the PS2 series is a yawner.

    But seriously, anyone who is bashing the Xbox''s library at this point in the game needs to find a new platform to troll on. There are many many awesome Xbox games, some of which don't get all of the media attention, but are still great. Games like Mechassault and Moto GP 2 may not be the most popular, but they're hella fun. I'm currently occupied with Crimson Skies and Tony Hawk's Underground (GOD DAMN NEVERSOFT FOR NOT SUPPORTING LIVE!!!! Why can't they at least give us online play...don't care if we cant download anything...), Amped 2 and Rainbow Six 3 just came out, and and coming out in mrere weeks is Counterstrike and Projet Gotham Racing 2, two eagerly anticipated titles (especially by me). And of course, next year, Halo 2 and True Fantasy Live are going to occupy all my free time. Now granted, if you're not an online gamer like me, it's not nearly as great, but hell at lesat give Xbox a little credit...

    It is a very good time to be an Xbox owner at this point in time. Find a new platform to troll about.

    1. Re:*BZZT* WRONG! by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 1, Troll

      THUG is not exclusive to the XBox so why did you bring that up?

      --
      I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  9. yep yep yep by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Historically game console sales have always been driven by realtively few "must have" games. The SNES sold because people WANTED to play Super Mario World, and especially Street Fighter II (before some smart ass goes and says that the Sega Genesis had SF2 also, you're right and wrong. SNES had a long exclusivity period, and this really boosted sales. Eventually the Genesis got SF2 Turbo.)

    To a large degree Sonic was a "must play" on the Genesis.

    What are "must have" games these days? For me, there are few if any games that I'm really itching for like I did back in the day when I wanted Super Mario World and SF2. The closest thing to a must have today is Half-Life 2. Am I just getting old and jaded? Or are games just not as fun anymore?

    1. Re:yep yep yep by smoondog · · Score: 1

      I would consider the zelda games (wind waker) to be a must play game. I counting on mario kart to deliver as well....

      -Sean

    2. Re:yep yep yep by metallicagoaltender · · Score: 2, Interesting
      For me, there are few if any games that I'm really itching for like I did back in the day when I wanted Super Mario World and SF2. The closest thing to a must have today is Half-Life 2. Am I just getting old and jaded? Or are games just not as fun anymore?


      A little from Column A, a little from Column B...I've found that the attraction I had to video games when I was 7 - 12 years old isn't what it was, but games like Vice City, Half-Life 2, Max Payne 2, etc. still deserve anticipation and excitement. It's just in an entirely differetn context. When I was 9 years old, all I had to worry about was a page of math problems, a 3 paragraph essay, and then I could get ramped up about gaming. Now, it's worrying about meeting project deadlines at work, bills...life in general. The excitement is still there, it just doesn't take up as much energy as it used to.
    3. Re:yep yep yep by nekura · · Score: 1

      Didn't the Genesis get Street Fighter II: Championship Edition, and then SNES got Street Fighter II Turbo?

      --

      "Programming is like sex - one mistake and you'll have to support it for the rest of your life."
    4. Re:yep yep yep by PainKilleR-CE · · Score: 1

      What are "must have" games these days?

      Depends on the types of games you like to play. Each system has some 'must have' titles, but if they don't appeal to you then the whole console just looks pretty pointless.

      The XBox has Halo and KOTOR, and possibly now Crimson Skies. If none of these appeal to you, then you can probably find most of the other good XBox titles on other platforms. Additionally, each is possibly the only title in each particular genre on that platform that is going to appeal to you. There are certainly no RPGs comparable to KOTOR on the platform.

      The PS2 has a wide variety of titles, probably with must-haves in each genre. As a big fan of Japanese RPGs the console is pretty much a must-have for me, though early in it's life there were also Tekken Tag and GT3 (which also represent a large portion of the titles I actually have in their respective genres). At this point I'd also point to Amplitude + Frequency, Disgaea, and a few other very good titles in their respective genres. The PS1 library was also a strong selling point early on when launch titles may not have been so strong.

      The Cube's must-have titles are mostly Nintendo-developed titles, such as Zelda, Metroid, soon Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, maybe Animal Crossing, F-Zero, and so on. Super Monkey Ball is a strong title (Sega), and Eternal Darkness as well. Rogue Squadron for the fans of that series, and the Resident Evil remakes for the fans of that series (plus the exclusive RE:0 title). The library is lacking for fans of some genres (much like the XBox), but titles are on their way to fill some of those holes (also like the XBox).

      When I was a kid, the excitement over games came mostly from not being able to get many of them, and having to choose carefully, or ending up with a dud for a long period of time before I could get another title. My dad even encouraged my grades by buying me an NES game if my report card was good, but stopped that when Ultima Exodus cost $60 (that was the last title I received for my grades, from then on it was cash at a fixed rate of $5 per A and $3 per B, which meant I maxed out at $30). This meant that I spent more time reading about titles, and more time with each title, than I do now. It also meant that when I heard about a new title that I really wanted I had to wait until I had enough money or could get it as a gift, whereas today I can pre-order it or buy it when I see some good reviews. It also means I have a lower tolerance for bullshit in my games, as I can just put the game back on the shelf when the developer amps the difficulty from 0 to 60 in 2.3 seconds and play something else, whereas before I'd have to slam my head against the wall until I got through the one insanely difficult part half way through the game (it's kindof like Tekken in a way, the guy before the last opponent is significantly harder than the last one).

      I spent a couple of weeks going through Metroid with a friend of mine when we were young, cussing at the game and trying to figure out where to go next. 2 months ago I spent an hour or so a day for a week going through Metroid Fusion and got to a point where I died 10 times trying different methods for avoiding the evil Samus-thing, and I haven't played the game since (though I will eventually, I really want to unlock Metroid on my Cube without using Action Replay or something to do it). My tolerance level is just not as high when I have so many other games to play, even if every other one on the shelf is there because I got stuck somewhere on it, too (and that's when I eventually get back to it and see something I missed before, or wonder why it was so hard when I put it up).

      --
      -PainKilleR-[CE]
    5. Re:yep yep yep by Shadarr · · Score: 1

      I'm a big PC gamer, and up till I got a GBA hadn't owned a console since the Genesis. When I look at what's currently out there, GameCube is the obvious choice. Sure PS2 has an assload of games, but most of them suck. GameCube on the other hand costs next to nothing ($99? That's like $20 more than a game!) and has a bunch of really good looking titles. Plus, with the GameBoy Player I'll be able to play all the GBA games I already have on the TV, or even multi with my GBA. XBox's big selling point is Live, but since I almost never play PC games on public servers that doesn't mean much to me. I would rather have a 'Cube and a dozen really good games than either of the other systems with their hundreds of mediocre clones and sequels.

      --
      Bite the hand.
    6. Re:yep yep yep by ChewBakaSan · · Score: 1

      What are the "must have" games of today? I believe it all depends on what the player truly enjoys. For example, I am a hardcore RPG fan. I don't always like to play shooters. But every once in a while there is a game that comes out that I just get hooked on, like Medal of Honor: Frontline and SOCOM: Navy Seals. Somebody else might think that those games suck, but that dosen't mean that they aren't "must have" quality. It just depends on the players preferences.

      --
      / \ / \ / \ / \ ( l | 3 | 3 | 7 ) \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/
  10. The price drop is worth it. by Captain+Rotundo · · Score: 1

    I don't really game all that much, and I don't own a current generation console. but with the drop to 99$ I will be picking up a gamecube soon.

    Don't underestimate non-fanatical gamers, I see $99 and think even if all I ever do is play mario kart or what ever with my wife and its not that expensive. at $200 or $300 PLUS game price your starting to think "am I really going to play it that much, maybe I should just upgrade my computer..."

  11. FPS keeps consoles down by Phillip+J+Fry · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The biggest problem I see with Console gaiming is the difficulty with FPS control. That's First Person Shooter not Frames per Second. I bought the Gamecube when Metroid Prime came out and I was skeptical of the whole FPS aspect of the game. But I found it to be done very well. They used auto aiming to aid in the controls and didn't sacrifice any difficulty. While this works for a single player game, I don't see how it could be incorporated successfully into a multiplayer realm. This seems to be the pressing issue for console systems. Consoles are going to contuinue to support online gameplay, and the most successful system will be the one that finds a way to solve the FPS control issue. Because I for one find a keyboard and mouse much easier to use than a controller in a FPS environment.

    --
    "All right... It's Saturday night. I have no date, a two liter bottle of Shasta and my all Rush mix tape. Let's rock!"
  12. Re:The Autumn of Nintendo by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Problem with that argument is that you can actually make games for 10 year olds forever. Much to your surprise, humans are turning 10 every day. Are you familiar with the toy company Fisher Price? They target a rather young demographic and have been doing so for quite some time. You may have even had some Fisher Price toys as a child. Interestingly enough, I bet you don't buy any of their products anymore since they didn't grow up with you. But guess what - they're still making a profit! Just like Nintendo.

    So not only is your argument flawed - a company can survive by just selling to a young demographic - but it's also wrong in assuming that Nintendo only makes games for 10 year olds. Super Smash Brothers, Mario Golf, Metroid Prime, and Zelda all appeal to gamers over the age of 10. I own GTA III but don't need to be able to shoot hookers in order to enjoy a video game - sometimes just rescuing the princess is enough. I always find that the mature gamers who say that Nintendo has kiddie games and they will only play GTA III-like games are the least mature gamers.

    --
    I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  13. Well you're half right by Daetrin · · Score: 2, Insightful
    So I don't think that we're missing anything by not being involved [in online gaming]. I will say, though, that it certainly has played out the way we thought it would in this generation. The hype may have been more important than the actual substance.

    Good to see that acceptance of the truth is begining to leak through the denial. The online capabilities have been a big selling factor for the XBox, even though most people don't use it. PS2 is holding steady, they've got online play although not out of the box. GameCube however has been getting slammed by the press and message board junkies for their lack of online support.

    It doesn't matter that most people won't use the online capabilities much, they still buy into the hype. If someone thought that two consoles were equally valuable for the price, and then you added online capabilities to one and not the other, that would probably influence their decision.

    Plus of course there's always the gap between impulse and follow-through. Even if someone is never going to do much online play, they might like to think that they will. I'm a friendless geek (well, not entirely friendless, but all my friends who play games live in other states, so close enough =) but i'll still let multiplayer capabilities of games influence my purchasing decisions. I'll be more likely to purchase a game with cool multi-player aspects in the vain hope that i'll find someone to play it with sometime.

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    1. Re:Well you're half right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So what you're saying is that you're too dumb to realize what you just said? Wow...slashdot makes my brain hurt sometimes.

  14. Re:The Autumn of Nintendo by gamgee5273 · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Did you notice that you're the only one on the board who reads negativity into this?

    Nintendo was never the only game in town and has always had to fight. First they had to knock off Atari (easily done because of the gaming bust in the early 80s), then they had to fend off Sega (which really meant they tied with them between the SNES and the Genesis). The break with Sony (imagine if that project had come through - GTA on the N64 and the GC?!?!) and the stupid choices made for the N64 is where they stumbled, and that stigma has affected the GC. The GC is definitely a more balanced system (do you see a Pikachu edition of the GC?), and there are more games on it for 30-year-olds than 10-year-olds. I think many people are starting to notice that.

    When you consider that the Famicom has been around for 20 years now, and that the GBA is as readily available as water, you have to admit that Nintendo isn't going anywhere. They're the only ones to have lasted this long. Atari's gone, Sega's out of the game, 3DO is dead and buried and Bandai is almost out of the running. So people may buy a GC as a second and not primary console - that's okay! Once they've firmly established themselves in second place (and, remember, we're talking in the US, not worldwide), then they can start working on how to take the top spot again. this is precisely where Sega fell apart. They were so focused on taking the #1 spot that they didn't focus on the places and things that mattered (the DC is a great system, it's just missing a lot of great exclusive games...sort of like the Xbox). Nintendo is looking at bettering itself step by step. Not a bad idea, really.

    There may come a point where there is not a console being developed by Nintendo, and we all have to admit that, but when that happens, it just means more creativity going into handheld gaming. :)

  15. Re: yeah but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes you're right, but SNES exclusively had the original Street Fighter II first for at least a year. LOTS of consoles were bought just for that game (it was damn near arcade perfect).

  16. nice to see by Nonki · · Score: 0

    It's refreshing to see someone as 'important' as a VP admitting thier shortcomings. Usually the higher-ups try to dismiss the thought that their company might not be doing so well, and try to make you believe it is, when you know its just a ploy. This kind of honesty will earn people's trust, and more companies should do this.