happydolphin said:
I think you're underestimating the sense in my PoV, but I see where you're coming from, and you are pretty damn close to what I'm talking about. "Granted there are adults that still might not care, but that begs this question: would their dollars worth the effort? Maybe not if all they like is 20 million-dollar Hollywood-esque experiences." Apart from the reason you give, which is debatable, this is an excellent question. Maybe it is, and that's why I mentioned undiscovered markets. L.A. Noire is attempting to meet that other market, so would a game like Red Dead Redemption. You mention these games: Fire Emblem, Kid Icarus, Xenoblade. These are all asian-made games and are ridden with Clichés. Of course they offer themes which adults can relate to, but I'm talking about the experience as a whole. Unless you grew up playing those games, odds are as an ordinary non-gamer adult you will not be able to relate with those experiences in general. They are heavily inspired from asian cartoon culture which, as far as I can tell, neither resonates with most western, not even most oriental adults. See, a game like Ni No Kuni I can see appealing to adults. The game is made by the creator of Spirited Away, and is a creative genius, able to captivate all audiences, and he comes from a movie background. Indeed, there are instances where Japanese art can cater to an older crowd. But the games you mentioned are not pieces non-gamer adults would gather around to play imho. I understand that certain adults play them, and all the power to them, but if sales are any indicator, these adults are a minority. When games like Uncharted and Bioshock, L.A. Noire and Red Dead Redemption display humor, history, simulated real-world adventure (à la Indiana Jones), or sci-fi earthen themes (not Halo, more Bioshock), then you get something your everyday movie-goer may want to play. And in so doing, you create a new market. That's kind of the market I'm talking about. Of course there is a market for games like Fire Emblem, for adults, but these would be gamer adults. Of course there is a market for games like God of War, for adults, but these would be adults that like games that are over the top gory or with explicit sexual themes. Then there is a market for games like Uncharted and L.A. Noire, with much more human-world themes that a regular, non-gamer adult audience can relate to. Imho this is the market Nintendo should go after, as it has the most potential for sales, imho as usual. But who knows. |
If that is what you mean, then I agree with you to an extent. Games like Bioshock, L.A. Noire, and Heavy Rain attract a large (western) adult audience due to their stories and how they're presented, but I wonder how many players are the "non-gamers" you speak of. Why do I only see traditional gamers playing these types of games when these are games the untapped audience (according to you) would appreciate?
I think if Nintendo wanted to develop more games that appealed to the tastes you describe, there are at least two things they could/should do:
1. Further pursue partnerships with western developers. Basically what Sony has been doing for a long time now.
2. Experiment. Take a risk on unusual gameplay. Put a few million dollars into a visual novel, or an adventure game hybrid, or an unorthodox story-focused puzzle game. Make something that defies expectations- something that expands on the concept of a Nintendo game or video game. Make it simple to play, so non-traditional gamers can finish it. Think with portals.
3DS Friend Code: 0645 - 5827 - 5788
WayForward Kickstarter is best kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1236620800/shantae-half-genie-hero