It’s possible that the ESA will be announcing a venue change for E3. The expo has been taking place at the LA Convention Center for the past few years, but if proposed construction on the $1.2 billion Farmers Field stadium is approved, a relocation may be necessary.

Source

[Feature] It’s harder to write honest game reviews than you think it is.

Posted on 12 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in Features, General Nintendo, Interviews | 0 comments

It’s an interesting thing to “work” (it’s hardly work- more of a hobby I suppose) in the video gaming industry. All of the things I had questions about five years ago- how people got free games, whether you ever get tired of free games (you do), whether people gouge review scores intentionally, and so on and so forth- have now been answered. And you know what the most striking thing that I’ve learned over the last four years is? How difficult it is to give a game a bad review score. You have no idea how much I struggle with it, or how much I’m willing to bet others struggle with it.

When you’re someone “on the outside”, you just sort of assume that if YOU were in a position to review games you would be brutally honest and never let anything sway your decisions into bias. But it’s not that simple. It’s really not.

I’m getting ahead of myself though, because what I really want to talk about are things I think a lot of gamers ponder: How honest are review scores? Do outlets ever fudge them to get favors from a publisher? Do publishers ever discriminate against certain outlets to avoid getting bad press? I don’t think I’ve seen anyone come out and just tell it as honestly as they can, so (hopefully!) I can do an okay job of just that.

What follows is some insight- as honest as I can put it- from my limited perspective (along with some helpful commentary from the other side, courtesy of our good friend Jools Watsham!), to hopefully answer some of those questions you’ve discussed on message boards or with friends, angrily coming to the conclusion that the reviewing system is biased and unreliable.

And guess what; it is! Sort of.

Onwards to page number 2…

Harada talks Tag 2 for Wii U, fears that the console isn’t next-gen, Smash Bros.

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii U | 0 comments

Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada has fielded three important topics concerning Wii U.

He was recently asked about the Wii U version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2, his thoughts on the console being next-gen, and Namco Bandai’s involvement with the next Smash Bros. release.

On Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Harada discussed some of ideas he’s been thinking about for the GamePad. Also mentioned was console exclusives, such as the already-revealed “Mushroom Mode”.

As for the power of Wii U, Harada said “the graphics chips seems to be pretty decent”. But he feels that people are focusing too much on specs while not considering the system’s capabilities and features. Harada personally likes the idea of being able to take a full-fledged game, put it in the GamePad screen, and continue playing it elsewhere if someone needs access to the TV.

Lastly, Smash Bros. Harada doesn’t believe that fans should be concerned about its development since Masahiro Sakurai is handling game design. Harada won’t be too involved since he’ll be occupied with the Tekken series.

Harada also has no plans to push for certain characters from series such as Tekken and SoulCalibur. He stated, “The sole decision will probably be made in a way that if more people want Tekken characters in it then Sakurai might choose to do so, if not then so be it.”

Head on below for all of Harada’s comments about Wii U.

EA not replacing CEO John Riccitiello

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

Responding to rumors that EA would be saying goodbye to CEO John Riccitiello, the company confirmed today that the conjecture wasn’t factual.

Electronic Arts’ chairman Larry Probst told stockholders “there is no plan to replace John Riccitiello as CEO.”

Probst stated:

“The board has a very high level of confidence in John and the management team. They have done a really good job of exceeding the operating plans in the last few years.

“We take a look at the management team on a regular systematic basis and we talk about succession planning in the longer terms. At this point in time there is no plan to replace John Riccitiello as CEO.”

Whispers regarding Riccitiello’s removal suggested that he would be asked to step down from his position following the July 30 earnings call. EA chief operating officer Peter Moore was rumored to be taking over as CEO.

Source

The Wii is out of stock at Amazon, BestBuy.com, Target.com, others

Posted on 12 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in General Nintendo, News, Wii | 0 comments

What?

The last time I heard the headline “Wii out of stock” was probably two years ago, so seeing this come up in my browser was understandably something of a surprise! Apparently it’s true though; several online retailers are reporting that the Wii is in backorder, despite the fact that it appears to be readily available in physical stores nationwide.

No idea why, but it’s true.

Via NWR

Tecmo Koei looking to release Samurai Warriors 4 in 2014

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

Samurai Warriors 4 won’t be out for awhile. On Twitter, head of development Hisashi Koinuma wrote that Tecmo Koei is targeting a 2014 launch for the game.

That year has been purposely chosen. 2014 marks the tenth anniversary of the Samurai Warriors series, which made its debut on February 11, 2004 for the PlayStation 2.

The last mainline entry, Samurai Warriors 3, came out for Wii a few years ago. The series has since been appearing on the 3DS with two titles: Samurai Warriors: Chronicle and Samurai Warriors: Chronicle 2nd.

Source, Via

Dishonored dev talks vaguely about Wii U, says interface is important

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Wii, Wii U | 0 comments

Dishonored co-creative director Harvey Smith was recently asked about Wii U. Unfortunately, Smith didn’t have much to say about the console.

He did speak a little about the importance of interface though. Smith feels that the Wii’s interface “reminds me that I’m struggling”, but hopes Nintendo will “have a better fix this time around”.

Smith showed some openness to working with new devices since they provide “a very fertile ground for exploring new ideas.” He additionally stated:

“Nintendo deserves accolades for that. I just don’t know how far the new console goes. I didn’t perceive what people’s excitement of the device was. I don’t know why, but it didn’t show up on my filter somehow.”

All of Smith’s comments are posted below.

More Japanese developer commentary on game creation interests

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

A full-fledged summary of Famitsu’s “Future of Games” feature is available. A few bits and pieces were written up yesterday, but we now have in-depth quotes and commentary from other Japanese developers not mentioned yesterday.

Read on below to find out about some of the game ideas Japan’s biggest creators have in mind, how they feel about the industry, and more.

Hideaki Itsuno, Capcom

– Itsuno would like to make a fighting game
– In this game, skills and experience wouldn’t necessarily provide an advantage
– He has an idea for this game type
– Itsuno enjoys the A Train simulation series

Motohide Eshiro, Capcom

– Wants to become a producer who can manage projects that encompass not just consumer games
– This would include social, video, and other areas
– Would like to make an arcade beat ’em up
– It could be something like Final Fight but using today’s technology
– Believes Capcom must form a big framework by working with a variety of other companies
– This is in part to fight off the “Black Ship” that is coming from overseas
– Eshiro thinks overseas developers are amazing, but Japanese developers can’t beat them by doing the exact same thing
– Japanese developers must emphasize new play elements and concepts, he feels

Suda 51, Grasshopper Manufacture

– Still working to make players know that Grasshopper does not necessarily equal Suda
– Suda feels that online is a required element in the future
– Wants to try out social elements
– Hopes to start up a new project featuring his very own planning

Kenichi Ogasawara, Tecmo Koei

– Open world may be appropriate for demonstrating the reality of battle
– Ex: if a battle were set in an open world, the player could play as a single soldier, which would give the feeling of reality
– Human drama could also be more densely told in an open world
– Idea to make an action game different from Musou is just at the framework level currently
– Ogasawara originally joined Tecmo Koei with the hope of making a Nobunaga’s Ambition game
– Of late, the number of required or set elements in a Nobunaga’s Ambition game has increased
– Ogasawara would make a Nobunaga’s Ambition game that shows battle through drama and reality if given the opportunity

Toshihiro Nagoshi, Sega

– Nagoshi believes that the Japanese console game market continues to grow bad
– Also feels that the international market has started to show slight signs of a drop
– Current game market is facing a tough predicament
– Nagoshi says it’s up to game designers to improve their analysis skills so that they can analyze problem areas and come up with a solution
– Using a free-to-play structure is attractive
– Nagoshi would like for his Yakuza studio to at some point make an online game
– Nagoshi was once told that, different from those who play sports professionally, game creators can make games forever
– He now believes that this was a big lie
– Companies will have to consider what responsibility they should take for their creators’ well being.

Naoki Yoshida, Square Enix

– If he could, he’d make something that converts Akihiko Yoshida’s artwork into a game

Source 1, Source 2

Infinite Interactive’s next game will likely be a new Puzzle Quest

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

Last year, Firemint “acquired” Infinite Interactive, the developer behind Puzzle Quest. A few months ago, however, the company became independent once more.

Infinite Interactive’s founder and creative lead Steve Fawkner explained to Joystiq that the original move “was more of a merger” rather than an acquisition:

“There was never an actual acquisition of Infinite, it was more of a merger. It was all amicable stuff – as much as it would be fun to have a bit of a scandal. Unfortunately there isn’t one. I think everybody agreed that Infinite does its best work when it’s independent, and so we headed back out into the wilderness to work on our own stuff again.”

What matters is that Infinite Interactive still holds the rights to Puzzle Quest and another one of its IPs, Warlords. Fawkner hinted that the studio’s next game will be a new entry in the Puzzle Quest franchise:

“While I don’t have a specific announcement that I can make at the moment, if you shook a Magic 8-Ball and asked it ‘Will Infinite’s next game be a Puzzle Quest title?’, then it would quite probably say ‘All signs point to yes!’ In the short term, we will continue to build and innovate in the genres and settings that we know and love. That means games that combine fantasy, puzzles, strategy and tactics. It’s doubtful we’ll ever move too far from those genres, because they are our favorites, and you always do your best work when you’re building games that you’re passionate about.”

Source

Mario Kart 7 Now on Tour with Big Time Rush, Nickelodeon’s Music Sensation

Posted on 12 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

I’ll just leave this here quickly…

Attendees of Nationwide Big Time Summer Tour Go Hands-On with Mario Kart 7 for Nintendo 3DS, Enjoy Exclusive Big Time Rush-Themed Content
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Throughout the summer, Big Time Rush—the teen music phenomenon that stars in Nickelodeon’s hit television series Big Time Rush—is working with Nintendo to offer free hands-on demos of Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS system at select stops during the band’s “Big Time Summer Tour.” After weeks of rehearsal and hours of game-play time, the band kicked off the tour on July 5 in Columbus, Ohio, and is currently traveling throughout the United States. From now until Aug. 5, attendees of select Big Time Rush concerts can visit Nintendo 3DS demo stations and experience the game’s wild Mario-themed action, multiplayer features and kart customization options firsthand.
A Mario Kart 7 sampling station and mobile sampling teams will be available at participating concert venues, giving fans a unique chance to play the game, enjoy special photo opportunities and compete for prizes. Fans will also be able to download Mii characters based on the members of Big Time Rush—Kendall, Logan, James and Carlos. Additionally, fans who bring their own Nintendo 3DS systems to the concerts will be able to wirelessly access content for Nintendo 3DS via Nintendo Zone hotspots. Additionally, viewers can currently see Big Time Rush in the television ad campaign for Mario Kart 7.