Nintendo’s digital shops (eShop, etc) will be down for “maintenance” tomorrow
Posted on 12 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in 3DS, DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii | 0 comments
Not sure quite what it’s about, but Nintendo has told everyone that its 3DS eShop, the DSiWare Shop, and the Wii Shop Channel will be down for maintenance tomorrow, Tuesday, November 6th. Some people are saying that this could have something to do with the Wii U launch– perhaps some implementation of the “Nintendo Network ID” we’ve heard to much about– but I’m guessing that it’ll set some things up being the scenes that we’ll hear more about properly a week or two from now.
Don’t get too excited just yet!
Miyamoto meeting with devs to encourage Wii U support
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Wii U | 0 comments
Shigeru Miyamoto was recently asked if he had personally been meeting with developers to encourage them to work on Wii U.
Here’s how he replied:
“I am trying to meet with the game developers individually for this matter. The real subject is whether I’ll be able to – we’ll be able to – convince developers inside of the licensing publishers to be excited about the new features of the Wii U, so much so that they’ll be enthused towards making brand new entertainment that I couldn’t come up with myself.”
Miyamoto also said that Nintendo hasn’t kept any technical knowledge hidden away from third-parties. He eels that this is possible “misunderstanding”, and perhaps a reason used to explain why some companies couldn’t get the most out of Wii like the Big N could.
“When it comes to technologies and techniques and skills necessary for working on Wii U, [and] what we can provide, I can count on them that they already have that. They know how to do that. They are always skilful, and actually they must have some different know-how from what we have. There might be some misunderstanding – as if Nintendo alone had some special know-how, and because Nintendo has not shared those unique, secret protocols with other, third-party publishers have not been able to create the exciting, unique gameplay on Nintendo hardware. But that was not the case.”
“…The fact of the matter is that most third-party licensees from a business point of view, had to create multi-platform titles – and because Nintendo has been trying to create very unique hardware, oftentimes it was not considered the first choice for them to work on multi-platform software. So it’s the entire company decision-making process that is hindering developer’s ability from making unique titles on Wii U hardware. Once again, my job as one of the developers is meet with the individual people and convince that they’ll be able to create brand new entertainment that they really wish to realise. My job is to try to assist them in that fashion. I do not think that providing any special technologies, know how or skills would be able to change the situation, because I understand that most third-party developers already have those things.”
Mario’s Picross available on Club Nintendo as downloadable reward
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
A new downloadable reward (which in reality isn’t new) is available on Club Nintendo.
Pro-Putt Domo has been swapped out for Mario’s Picross. The game is available for 100 coins.
You can order Mario’s Picross here. It’s available as a 3DS VC download until November 18.
Splinter Cell: Blacklist director says the “primacy of graphics” isn’t the future, “AAA” games might be done
Posted on 12 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
“The market as a whole is going to undergo a critical shift in priorities, a shift away from the absolute primacy of graphics and production values and content creation toward systemic depth. This trend is going to trigger a reality check for developers like me who work on established franchises with a large succession of sequels, and it’s also going to be a call-to-arms for smaller game creators, including a number of people who are sitting in this room, I hope.” – Splinter Cell: Blacklist director Patrick Redding
I’m not sure if I hope he’s right or if I hope he’s wrong! If AAA games go away, it would probably be due to the shrinking of the gaming industry. While that’s inherently a bad thing, I bet that smaller teams and more innovation/uniqueness would be the end result, which I would quite like!
More Miyamoto news: F-Zero, Metroid on Wii U, more
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Wii, Wii U | 0 comments
We have a bunch of translated details from a recent Shigeru Miyamoto interview. Read on below for Miyamoto’s thoughts about F-Zero, a Metroid game on Wii U, and more. Be sure to check out this post for news concerning Link’s origins.
Miyamoto’s role with Wii U development
– Miyamoto is technically supposed to be responsible for software
– He always tends to have his say on development of hardware though
– As the hardware is developed together with new games, he’s been involved with development of the DS and Wii
– For Wii U, there was a very thin boundary between the controller and the software responsible for the hardware
– Miyamoto was among those who supported the idea of having a small screen in the controller
– After that it is pretty hard to tell who did what
Miyamoto on a Metroid game for Wii U
– A lot of Miyamoto’s Metroid ideas can be found in the Nintendo Land mini-game, Metroid Blast
– Miyamoto noted that the Wii U is an HD console with more power and prettier graphics
– Nintendo can naturally think about a nice Metroid action game in HD, but nothing is confirmed
– Miyamoto had a big smile of someone who won’t say more than this
Miyamoto on F-Zero
– Pleased to hear that fans are still interested in F-Zero since he feels the series hasn’t changed much since the first game
– Miyamoto thought people may start to become tired of the IP
– Miyamoto thanks the fans for their patience and advises to try playing the mini-game in Nintendo Land
– Miyamoto is curious to see what fans would like to see that they haven’t done before
Where Miyamoto hopes to be in ten years
– Miyamoto hopes he’ll still be alive
– He also hopes to be doing what he loves at Nintendo
– Thanks to some of the younger talented staff at Nintendo, he can let go of a few of his regular duties since their projects are in good hands
– Miyamoto wants to focus on the things that interest him, even if he continues to supervise a little
– He’s currently working hard to finish Pikmin 3
Link design inspired by Peter Pan, name explained
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
In a new interview, Shigeru Miyamoto explained the origins of Link… and they’re incredibly interesting.
Link’s design was inspired by Peter Pan, believe it or not. In making the character, Nintendo was hoping to create someone who would be easily recognized by his sword and shield. They also came up with the idea of giving Link a long hat and long ears, with his overall appearance coming close to an elf.
Miyamoto noted how at the time, long ears made you think of Peter Pan. Throw in the fact that Miyamoto is a Disney fan and the team ended up taking inspiration from the character. Takashi Tezuka created Link’s design.
Regarding Link’s name, Miyamoto said that the staff originally intended for the triforce to be made up of electronic chips rather than fragments. The first game would have taken place in the past and future with the main character traveling between the two periods. Because the character would be the link between the past and future, the team settled on calling him “Link”.
Limited release ‘Twilight Symphony’ orchestral CD already sold out
Posted on 12 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Whoa, that is some BEAUTIFUL box/CD art!
I hope you guys weren’t hoping to get your hands on this, because by the time I found the link (pun) it was already sold out! Still, it’s worth watching and checking up on. It’s an awfully cool venture, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we see a second run and digital distribution options in the future.
There is a new Tales game in the works, of course
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Namco Bandai is done making Tales of Xillia 2. What’s next? Why, another Tales game of course!
Tales series producer Hideo Baba answered a few questions in a recent Play Community interview. When asked if work on the next Tales game is being done, Baba raised a “Yes” sign.
Baba also said:
“In maintaining the flow of releasing one game after another, we always consider the concept of the title next in line. …In fact, we’ve been thinking beneath the surface for the 20th anniversary title.”
In addition to the comments about, Baba made note of the fact that the team is thinking about other ways to develop the Tales franchise in general.
Infinity Ward: We haven’t talked to any voice actors for Modern Warfare 4
Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Hmm… They’re learning how to cover their cracks a lot better, but I’m not sure I totally buy it! I would have expected that the voice actor himself would have come forward (pressured by Infinity Ward), and until he himself denies the conversation ever took place I’m going to stick with the idea that MW4 is in the works!
