EDGE recently caught up with a number of indie developers in order to find out how they feel about Nintendo’s strategy. Commented from Nyamyam, Dakko Dakko, Red Thread Games, and Knapnok can be found below.
Nyamyam co-founder Phil Tossell
“Nintendo’s approach is slightly different. I think Nintendo are actively seeking indies, but that they’re looking for quality, experienced developers that they can maybe form a longer term relationship with. I get the feeling that they don’t want a free for all like the App Store, rather a more curated experience. Quality over quantity.
Dakko Dakko studio director Rhodri Broadbent
“Certainly in our experience Nintendo has been every bit as helpful as the other platform holders. They don’t shout very loudly about it, but they are working hard behind the scenes to make their platforms as welcoming as possible.”
Red Thread Games founder and creative director Ragnar Tørnquist
“I don’t think Nintendo gets enough credit for their indie efforts. There are a lot of intriguing indie titles on the eShop, and they’re obviously passionate about increasing the variety of range of games available. They’re still lagging a bit behind Sony in terms of indie support, but I think that has more to do with how closed their hardware has been in the past, rather than a lack of willingness and engagement from their developer relations.”
“Despite the slow start, I do believe that both the 3DS and the Wii U have a healthy and exciting indie future ahead of them, and we’d love to be a part of that.”
Knapnok’s Lau Korsgaard
“One of Sony’s core messages at E3 was their support of indies and at the same convention Microsoft got a lot of criticism for not featuring independent game developers as prominently. Meanwhile Nintendo is just doing the right thing without making a big fuss about it. They work on establishing genuine human relationships with the indies. They are working on making their tools easily accessible and free and provide equipment for you and are super encouraging in general.”
Capcom is preparing a variety of downloadable content for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies.
First, Japanese players will be able to pick up the Costume Pack for free until August 15.
Capcom will also release the Turnabout Quiz Deduction series. Each episode requires you to piece together happenings at the Wright Anything Agency. The prologue section from Turnabout Quiz Deduction will be unlocked after players complete the game. New DLC will be released weekly between August 1 and August 15 for 150 yen each.
Lastly, sometime in the future, Capcom will send out a brand new case known as “Turnabout Return”. The DLC takes place right after Phoenix regains his badge. Aquarium entertainer Shouko Umino hires Phoenix to defend her partner, the orca Ale, against a murder charge.
Another batch of Medabots Dual details have been translated from Famitsu. You can find the latest information about the new 3DS game below.
– Two versions are Kabuto and Kuwagata
– Players can use the same customization features that let players freely use parts to make create their own Medabot
– First print copies of the game will come with an exclusive card binder, an AR card that will give you a special part Medabot part, and a limited edition Medabot
– First print purchasers will also be included to a lottery for a chance to win 28 special AR cards
– Kabuto will be a shooter-type that focuses on long-ranged attacks
– Kuwagata will be all about pulling consecutive combos in close-ranged combat
– Different navigational voices for the two versions
– Aya Endo is for the Kabuto version
– Rie Kugimiya is for the Kuwagata version
– Over 100 new Medabots
– Tag team fights are done with teammates called “Buddies”, which will also include characters from past Medabot titles
– Trade parts online
News popped up yesterday that Nintendo is not yet accepting indie developers from Japan. Nintendo has since officially confirmed that this is true, but hasn’t truly explained why the policy is in place.
An official statement from the company reads:
“The policy in question is the decision of Nintendo’s department responsible for licensing activities in each region, and the licensing department of Nintendo is currently not accepting subject applications from individuals in Japan.”
With Nintendo using words like “currently” and “at this time”, that gives the impression that Japanese indie will eventually be allowed on board. The situation stinks for the time being, but there isn’t much that can be done!
Liege developer John Rhee has informed us that his game has been approved for Wii U, and the console has been added in on Kickstarter as a stretch goal. Once total funds hit $51,000, Liege will officially come to Wii U. The Kickstarter total currently stands at just over $46,000 with four days remaining.
Liege is planned for launch in early 2014. However, the Wii U release will come slightly after other versions due to the fact that its approval came later in the campaign.
You can find more information on the official Kickstarter page here.
This week’s Japanese software sales are as follows:
01./00. [3DS] Mario & Luigi: Dream Team #
02./02. [3DS] Youkai Watch
03./01. [WIU] Pikmin 3
04./00. [3DS] Little Battlers eXperience W: Ultra Custom
05./04. [3DS] Friend Collection: New Life #
06./03. [PS3] Earth Defense Force 2025
07./06. [PSV] Toukiden #
08./05. [WIU] New Super Luigi U
09./00. [PSP] Toukiden
10./10. [3DS] Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
11./12. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf #
12./13. [3DS] Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
13./08. [PS3] Dead Island: Riptide
14./16. [PSP] Dangan-Ronpa (PSP the Best) #
15./14. [PS3] The Last of Us
16./22. [3DS] Kuma-Tomo
17./19. [WII] Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Super Deluxe Edition #
18./11. [PS3] Gundam Breaker
19./00. [PS3] Final Fantasy XIII-2: Digital Content Selection
20./17. [3DS] Digimon World Re:Digitize Decode
The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:
3DS LL – 41,322
3DS – 15,703
Vita – 14,392
Wii U – 14,280
PS3 – 11,413
PSP – 5,719
Wii – 1,463
Xbox 360 – 420
For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:
3DS LL – 29,594
Wii U – 22,199
Vita – 15,662
3DS – 13,841
PS3 – 12,698
PSP – 5,830
Wii – 1,434
Xbox 360 – 396
