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Forums - Nintendo Discussion - Wii Belongs In Toy Market, says Will Wright GDC 10

While I don't agree with all his wording (and no one should have to watch every word they say for fear of misrepresentation although that's exactly what's happened here) I do agree with Will Wright.

In a broader sense games that are successful on Wii are the most social, pick-up and play, lacking real story-line games which can be considered 'toys' in the way WW means it (not offensively).

HD systems are fixated on ever more cinematic experiences with epicness and violence galore that tell a story and are virtually always primarily a solo experience with added multiplayer online. Frankly, that's not a 'game' in a traditional sense either.

Traditionally a game required two or more people playing together competitively. Wii games (Wii Sports, Boom Blox, NSMBW, Etc.) are games in this sense, as are the online or split-screen parts of Halo, CoDMW and such. God of War to FFXIII to Zelda are more interactive entertainment than 'games' as you basically 'play' through a story. These are really closer to the definitation of a 'toy' because, like a 'toy', it's something to distract/pleasure one person by playing with it.

When you want to play with your kids/friends you play a game - 'Casual' Wii games, split-screen FPS/racing, sports, Mario Party, MMO, etc.
When you want your kids to leave you alone, you give them a toy - 'Core games', Endless Ocean, puzzle, arcade, SIMs, adventure, etc.

Most Wii owners want games to play with their friends/kids (living room). Most parents buy their kids a 360 as a toy (basement/bedroom) or a 360/PS3 as a toy for themselves.

Which is why solitary 'games' on Wii don't sell gangbusters as it's not in line with owners intentions. Same goes for social games on HD systems.

Wii appeals to people in a very different way than the HD systems. I agree with Wright totally. Although personally my Wii library is split 50% games - SSBB, Kart, TvsC, Strikers, GS Tennis, Boom Blox, Dokapon Kingdom, and 50% toys - Endless Ocean, Tomb Raider, Splinter Cell, Silent Hill, etc.



 

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It seems like people just think of Halo when they hear xbox and nothing else.



SmokedHostage said:
By the way, Will Wright belongs in the washed-up section.

like JRR Tolken and his Lord of the Rings novels?



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Wii gets brushed aside and looked down upon so much it's ridiculous.

ALL game consoles are essentially toys. Ms and Sony are just putting extra features and having games full of blood and gore to mask this obvious fact.



Metallicube said:
Wii gets brushed aside and looked down upon so much it's ridiculous.

ALL game consoles are essentially toys. Ms and Sony are just putting extra features and having games full of blood and gore to mask this obvious fact.

"Toy" is not a put down from Will Wright. He views his own games as toys and has done many talks about the importance of toys that inherently teach you things.



A game I'm developing with some friends:

www.xnagg.com/zombieasteroids/publish.htm

It is largely a technical exercise but feedback is appreciated.

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Yeah the word "toy" is a bit unfortunate but Wright makes good points with respectful comments. He doesn't come off as demeaning, calling the Wii a "virus" like that moron Fredrik Liliegrin.



To be fair, he frequently referred to his own games, The Sims, and Spore, as "closer to software toys than games", without any derogatory meaning.



I don't want to read that wall of bullshit, but of course the Wii is a toy. What else would it be? Sevious bidsnes!? I can't believe how far out some gamers have become. It's time for a reality check.



Alterego-X said:
To be fair, he frequently referred to his own games, The Sims, and Spore, as "closer to software toys than games", without any derogatory meaning.

Makes sense to me.

Both the Wii and the Sims are aimed at as broad a spectrum of people as possible. And both get played a lot by little girls.



The title of this thread is taken so far out of context, it's essentially presented as flame bait for Will Wright.

For those who actually read his quotes, it a nutshell, he said that the success of the Wii has been the tied to the games being like toys that are fun to play for a wider audience as opposed to "serious" games on other platforms that have a more limited/selective audience (typically male gamers age 18 to twentysomething).