Wii Bad for the Industry

BreakABone · 08-19-2006, 01:42 PM

http://www.g-pinions.com/2006/08/wii-worries_16.html

I don't know.
This article seems to make a lot of assumptions which may or may not come true.

The most glaring, and one that pops up often, is that Wii won't be home to any epic games just more like quick, quirky arcade type games. Which I just find weird when you look at a list of games that includes a Mario, Zelda, Metroid, A Final Fantasy (even if it is a spinoff hear the original isn't too shabby), and tons of FPS and other games.

DarkMaster · 08-19-2006, 04:50 PM

Yeah, in a way it might seem kind of threatening to some of the more "epic" experiences we are on the threshold of attaining within video games. But that's the thing; there's always going to be room for the PS3/Xbox 360 archetype of video games. The Wii might create a new market share, but that's all it'll be: a share. It's never going to completely outright dominate the entire gaming space.

And while innovative new titles might be a main attraction of the console, it'll still be home to the "regular" gaming experience that we're all familiar with. Take for instance Super Smash Bros. Brawl which will use the traditional controller and not the Wii-mote. A large part of the DS's success can be contributed to traditional-style games, like Mario Kart, New Super Mario Bros., Castlevania, etc. and while new innovative titles like Trauma Center and Phoenix Wright remain very much a niche in the grand scheme of things, they allow gamers the oppurtunity to experience new methods of playing video games.

In summary, the Wii will probably be like the DS, in almost every facet. And with that considered, it should do just fine. Though I do think this'll definitely be a generation where owning two consoles might be necessary to fully experience the current state of video games.

Perfect Stu · 08-19-2006, 04:52 PM

I wouldnt call Mario an 'epic' game. Zelda and Metroid, sure... and what are the 'other games'?

Besides, the Wii wasn't made for games like Metal Gear Solid or traditional Final Fantasy games...it's meant for more interactive, user-friendly games. Pick-up-and-play games. The only way it would limit the industry is if there weren't any alternatives...but PS3 and XBox 360 say hello.

BreakABone · 08-19-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfect Stu

I wouldnt call Mario an 'epic' game. Zelda and Metroid, sure... and what are the 'other games'?

Besides, the Wii wasn't made for games like Metal Gear Solid or traditional Final Fantasy games...it's meant for more interactive, user-friendly games. Pick-up-and-play games. The only way it would limit the industry is if there weren't any alternatives...but PS3 and XBox 360 say hello.

You see, I don't necessarily see that as true, why does everyone assume games like that aren't accomdated on the Wii? I mean especially Final Fantasy and other RPGs. I mean not that the Wii-mote adds anything to it really, but it doesn't need to take anything away from it either.

Those games are all possible on the Wii with some thinking outside the box or shoehorning as a lot of people seem to what to do.

Crash · 08-20-2006, 12:15 AM

it's threatening when they know developers can make a game at 1/10th of the cost as on the more graphic intensive systems. And poor developers won't be able to jack up their prices in the same way.

I believe that it is in a different market all together, so there really is no problem.

Perfect Stu · 08-20-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreakABone

You see, I don't necessarily see that as true, why does everyone assume games like that aren't accomdated on the Wii? I mean especially Final Fantasy and other RPGs. I mean not that the Wii-mote adds anything to it really, but it doesn't need to take anything away from it either.

Those games are all possible on the Wii with some thinking outside the box or shoehorning as a lot of people seem to what to do.

audio/visual horsepower just doesn't compare to PS3 and 360. and those are the driving forces behind epics. plain and simple.

BreakABone · 08-20-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfect Stu

audio/visual horsepower just doesn't compare to PS3 and 360. and those are the driving forces behind epics. plain and simple.

So are you saying epic games that came before aren't as good because they don't have the horsepower of the xbox 360 or the ps3?

Just because you have better audio/visual doesn't make one game more epic than another.

If anything I can see it having an opposite effect as you spend more time perfecting the graphics and the audio than making a compelling game.

Jonbo298 · 08-20-2006, 02:44 PM

I think graphics make it "feel" more epic. If the LotR trilogy would've been done in the 70's, it wouldnt have "felt" as epic as being done now. I think thats what they are saying in the article. Gameplay doesn't necessarily make it "feel" epic anymore, its how it looks.

Perfect Stu · 08-20-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreakABone

So are you saying epic games that came before aren't as good because they don't have the horsepower of the xbox 360 or the ps3?

what?

no.

were previous 'epics' made on (then) 5+ year old technology? a few years from now, i highly doubt game companies are going to want to make super blockbuster MGS-type cinematic videogames on a sytem with the graphics capabilities of a slightly higher powered Gamecube when they can choose the PS3 or 360 instead.

epic game titles, these days, tend to push modern technology.

do you disagree with that? if so, fine and dandy. but my point stands...

BreakABone · 08-20-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfect Stu

what?

no.

were previous 'epics' made on (then) 5+ year old technology? a few years from now, i highly doubt game companies are going to want to make super blockbuster MGS-type cinematic videogames on a sytem with the graphics capabilities of a slightly higher powered Gamecube when they can choose the PS3 or 360 instead.

epic game titles, these days, tend to push modern technology.

do you disagree with that? if so, fine and dandy. but my point stands...

I understand your point.
On the same hand, I just don't see how the Wii is limiting that.
Sure it is not the cutting edge of hardware but it isn't like its a step back from previous generations.

And I guess to use Jonbo's movie analogy.
The Matrix Trilogy and this is a really subjective matter. Use some of the most advanced technology around at the time, but I find the movies dull and rather boring. Its like the tech became more important than the substance. On the same hand something like American Pyscho with a smaller budget was more epic because it was more narrow in focus. If that makes any sense.

Point is, people can sometimes become blind by all the flashing light to see that there are no bulbs inside.

Typhoid · 08-20-2006, 06:24 PM

Can we not just agree the gaming industry is entirely subjective?

An epic game to one, may be a **** game to another.

Katamari Damacy might be repetative and boring to some, but to others it may be epic because of the sheer size of it.

DarkMaster · 08-20-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typhoid

Katamari Damacy might be repetative and boring to some, but to others it may be epic because of the sheer size of it.

Except that Katamari Damacy is not large in size, scope, or gameplay. It's entirely a niche title, developed with a small budget, and uses its simplified gameplay and graphics to appeal to a more casual audience. Katamari is exactly the kind of game that would be most suited to the Wii and one that in many ways could prove the point of this article.

I don't think in terms of what makes a video game "epic" is very subjective. A game like Shadow of the Colossus is epic. Katamari Damacy is not. I don't think the term deals so much with how a game looks as much as what it brings to the gaming scene. Story and creative narrative, new ideas and technology. Something like Half Life 2 is epic. Wario Ware Wii is not.

I mean, yeah, you're going to see a lot of gimmicky-type games on the Wii, but that's what the system was primarily designed for. It's what you're buying into, so you should know before hand whether or not the Wii is for you when you go purchase one. Whether or not the console sees an "epic" game or two is irrelevant, because if you wanted games like that you'd be much better off buying a 360 or PS3; systems that focus on large scale games.

KillerGremlin · 08-20-2006, 08:03 PM

*hugs PC

we PC gamers have some of the most epicest games out there.

Typhoid · 08-20-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkMaster

A game like Shadow of the Colossus is epic. Katamari Damacy is not.

See?

Subjective.

Shadow of the Colossus isn't epic in the least. It's repetative, boring, and drawn out. You do the exact same thing 10 or so times. And that's all you do. Ride, kill a giant monster. Load screen. Ride, kill a giant monster. That's hardly epic.

DarkMaster · 08-20-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typhoid

See?

Subjective.

Shadow of the Colossus isn't epic in the least. It's repetative, boring, and drawn out. You do the exact same thing 10 or so times. And that's all you do. Ride, kill a giant monster. Load screen. Ride, kill a giant monster. That's hardly epic.

You could use those terms to describe anything. What do you do in a FPS? Run around and kill stuff. How about a racing game? You drive, wow. An RPG? Yeah, run around, fight, long boring story, repeat. Not very epic, right?

"Epic", in the way we are using it, has a definition. Whether a game is fun or interesting is a matter of opinion. Any way you want to argue it, there is a clear distinct difference between a game like Shadow of the Colossus and Katamari Damacy. And without getting into terms like gameplay and fun-factor, it's obvious they have two completely different focuses in how they're going to affect the people who play them.

And that is the entire point of the article, the idea that the Wii might alienate those who enjoy games in the vein of SotC, because it is not designed specifically to present that type of gaming experience.