Q: Some Nintendo fans remain worried that the company is ignoring or marginalizing the hardcore gamer. Where's the proof that this isn't true?
Denise Kaigler: I thought the burden of proof was on the prosecution!
Matt, fortunately in this case I have plenty of evidence, so let me build my case.
Nintendo cares a great deal about our core gaming fans who have enjoyed Nintendo products and games for many years, and we continue to develop with this consumer in mind. But what we've done, in the simplest terms, is to look at the video game market in a different way. Contrary to some of the feedback I've received from game enthusiast media, we have not shifted focus to the casual market, but, rather, have expanded our efforts to include them.
Let's focus the argument on home consoles and Wii. Already we have seen core Nintendo games like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy and Mario Kart Wii. And Wii is still less than two years old. Mr. Iwata announced at E3 that the Mario and Zelda teams are working on new games for Wii, and Mr. Miyamoto announced that he's working on a new Pikmin game. Plus our WiiWare service adds interesting new games each week like World of Goo and Mega Man 9.
Additionally, you are seeing core gaming content from key publishers on the Wii platform. Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Call of Duty are great examples. Lastly, we have recently talked about new games coming from Nintendo and 3rd party publishers that will further satisfy the gaming core … titles like:
- Punch Out!
- Sin & Punishment 2
- The Conduit
- MADWORLD
- Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop
I don't want to go too far over my "Minute," but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least touch on the Nintendo DS. Recently, we've seen games like Kirby Super Star Ultra and Spore Creatures. And soon we'll have Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. The upcoming Personal Trainer: Cooking is a great example of a casual game that is really resonating with core gaming journalists. On its face it has "casual" appeal, but as with any title, it's all about the interface and content. Your fellow gamer guys love the idea of an electronic cookbook they can control with the stylus or even their voice. Other upcoming DS titles we recently showcased at our Fall Media Summit include Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, Rhythm Heaven and Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia.
This may sound like typical blah, blah, blah "corporate speak," but we really are about making games for everyone. Different players, even among those who describe themselves as "hard core," have different tastes. Some like racing games, while others are into role-playing games. We're breaking down the barriers that separate the core and casual gaming groups. We think the two can coexist peacefully and play together. And since I am a self-described member of that expanded audience, I sure hope that's true!
sounds like a damm good response to me, unfortunately if you read some of the many MANY comments youll see people arnt satisfied. apparently she should have listed every single hardcore game coming to wii/not mention causal gamers as they are heathens ect ect ect
This is gunna sounds fanboysih i know but i still dont understand why people who hate the wii still visit the wii section. or why they thinking the game is terrible means everyone else thinks the same
nintendo fanboy, but the good kind
proud soldier of nintopia
