Even with its rise in popularity, this isn’t an avenue that Nintendo plans to pursue. However, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is seemingly open to the idea, telling investors last week, “that doesn’t mean for the future that there may not come a time where we have specific content that might be suited to that model.”

Read on below for Iwata’s full comments regarding Nintendo’s stance on free-to-play content.

Iwata: Other online systems not suited for Nintendo’s approach, Miiverse is one new direction for Nintendo

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

Nintendo has a small dilemma on its hands when it comes to online gaming. It needs to create a service that appeals to core gamers while also making it accessible for its large casual userbase.

When it comes to online gaming on Wii U, president Satoru Iwata feels that the systems implemented into other “existing dedicated gaming platforms is not particularly well suited to the approach Nintendo has taken.” He also can’t admit that Nintendo has “quickly overcome or catch up to other companies” in the online space.

Iwata does, however, think that Nintendo has created its own original approach with Miiverse, and discussed some if its unique functionality in a Q&A meeting with investors at E3 2012 last week.

Nintendo not looking to battle for exclusivity, could partner with third-parties

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

It’s true that some companies have partnered with third-parties for exclusive content. For instance, Microsoft was able to nab the exclusive rights to BioWare’s first Mass Effect. As another example, the Dawnguard DLC for The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 for the first few weeks.

“Exclusivity” was something brought up by an investor at Nintendo’s E3 2012 analyst Q&A session. President Satoru Iwata stated that “it would be an appropriate course of action for Nintendo to get into a battle with a company like Microsoft over the cost or the expense of trying to go head to head in a situation to try to obtain exclusive rights.” However, if a third-party creates a very unique idea for the Wii U and/or its GamePad, “there is a high possibility that Nintendo will be a partner with that third party in an unprecedented manner”.

Iwata said:

Miyamoto on Pikmin 3’s lengthy development, looking to include timer

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

Can you believe that Pikmin 3 made its debut over ten years ago? It’s even tougher to believe that more than eight years have passed since its sequel was made for the GameCube.

Yesterday we heard from Shigeru Miyamoto that Nintendo’s experiments on a variety of platforms – including the 3DS – contributed to Pikmin 3’s lengthy development. Miyamoto has additionally said that the team was considering what an actual Pikmin title should be like.

Miyamoto stated:

Nintendo deciding between Link to the Past and Majora’s Mask for Zelda 3DS

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

Zelda 3DS isn’t as far along as we originally thought. That’s because Nintendo is still considering what path to take for the game.

Right now there are discussions taking place as to whether the next Zelda will focus on A Link to the Past or Majora’s Mask, the latter of which would be a remake.

Shigeru Miyamoto recently revealed:

“We haven’t quite decided yet, whether we’re going to do A Link to the Past, because there’s also the possibility of doing a remake of Majora’s Mask. This is something we’ve certainly been talking about and doing a little bit of experimenting with, to figure out which way we’re going to go.”

Additionally, Miyamoto commented on how the 3DS and Wii U provide “lots of good opportunities in terms of thinking about which Zelda game is going to be best for which purpose.”

“We have so many goals right now. We’re always looking at expanding our audience and giving people the opportunity to get their hands on 3DS and see what kind of fun gaming experiences they can have. And now, we’re also tasked with pushing the Wii U. So we have lots of good opportunities in terms of thinking about which Zelda game is going to be best for which purpose.”

We’ll have to wait “just a little while longer” for specific information about Zelda 3DS. Hopefully something will be ready for next year’s E3.

Source

Famitsu teases scoop on unknown title for next issue

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

Famitsu is up to its usual teasing antics. The latest magazine, which has started to leak out, states that the publication will have a scoop on an unknown title for its next issue.

Unlike previous teases, Famitsu didn’t provide any clues beyond this. There’s no word on the game’s publisher or platform(s).

The next Famitsu will be available on June 21. However, the first information should be available on Tuesday through traditional leaks.

Katsuya Eguchi dances to SiNG

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

This is officially the second-best video to have come out of E3 2012. I’m not sure if anything beats “Mr. Iwata’s Last E3 Meeting with Mr. Miyamoto and Reggie”.

You rule, Eguchi!

Retro “very busy”, probably “too busy” for a Zelda game

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

Any hope that Retro could be working on a Zelda game must be discarded for now. Shigeru Miyamoto has ruled out the franchise as the studio’s next project, but he naturally wouldn’t say what the team is making.

Miyamoto recently said:

“Retro is very busy right now, but I’m afraid I can’t say exactly what it is that they’re very busy [working] on.”

Regarding the possibility of Retro working on Zelda in the future, Miyamoto is still open to the idea. The main issue is that the Zelda team in Japan would need to be in constant contact. Miyamoto also imagines that he would need to be a big part of the game’s development, even joking that he’d be forced to live in Austin throughout the creation process.

In any case, Miyamoto said that Retro is “too busy for that sort of thing right now.”

“In terms of them working on a Zelda, it’s not out of the question, certainly, for them to work on an entire Zelda game amongst themselves. Traditionally I think that the Zelda team has always had a close contact with anyone who’s working on a Zelda game. If you were going to have that happen in the US at Retro, that would be kind of difficult for them to be able to coordinate. Certainly they’re too busy for that sort of thing right now. It would probably require me to be involved to a great extent as well, so I would have to get over quite a bit too. I’d probably have to live in Texas… [laughs]”

Source

“The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses” adds new tour dates

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

Missed out on “The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses” tour? There are more opportunities to attend throughout the year!

Extraordinary Concert Will Captivate Game Fans and Music Lovers in Pittsburgh, San Jose, Boston, Chicago, and New York
(Los Angeles, CA) June 12, 2012 – Based on one of the most popular and beloved games of all time, “The Legend of Zelda™: Symphony of the Goddesses” is a spectacular concert tour featuring live orchestral performances of theme music from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda franchise. The concert is touring North America and has added new performance dates: Pittsburgh with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall on July 27 and 28, San Jose at the San Jose Civic on September 7, Boston with the Rhode Island Philharmonic at The Wang Theatre on October 18, Chicago at The Chicago Theatre on October 25 and New York City with the Rhode Island Philharmonic at The Theater at MSG on November 28. Described by critics as “white hot” and “on steroids,” the Rhode Island Philharmonic, which is an exceptional ensemble that has performed with world renowned classical and popular artists, will be touring other dates in the northeast with “Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses.”
The name “Symphony of the Goddesses” refers not only to the concert program but also to the new four-movement symphony recounting the classic storylines from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time™, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker™, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess™, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past™. The concert also will highlight orchestral renditions of music from other series games, including The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening™ and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask™. Eímear Noone will conduct the full orchestra with arrangements by music director Chad Seiter.

3DS XL not a sure thing, Nintendo to shift attention to future-gen handheld

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

Before Nintendo’s E3 2012 media briefing kicked off, a rumor surfaced from Nikkei suggesting that a new 3DS model with a bigger screen would be introduced. Obviously that didn’t happen, but quite a few gaming enthusiasts believe it’s inevitable.

However, when Shigeru Miyamoto was presented with Nikkei’s “3DS XL” rumor, he hinted that a makeover may not be in the cards. That’s because Miyamoto is “satisfied with the 3DS hardware as it is.” Instead, it seems as though Nintendo will be shifting its attention to the handheld’s successor.

Miyamoto told IGN:

“I really feel like I’m satisfied with the 3DS hardware as it is. I feel like it’s the best for this generation. What we’re thinking about right now is probably going to be for a future generation of handheld.”

Source