Eurogamer published a new feature today about Monolith Soft and studio head Tetsuya Takahashi. You can read the full thing at this link, but we’ll be sharing some of it here as well.
With Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii, the team encountered some issues and were in danger of missing the launch deadline. But Nintendo producer Hitoshi Yamagami swooped in and assisted Takahashi in getting things back on track.
The situation was different with Xenoblade Chronicles X, as Takahashi explained:
“We wanted to achieve something that was more about us as Monolith Soft being able to create an open world system, to implement online features, and to transition into the high definition era. With that game we’d learned how to create locations that are fun to explore on a budget. If we had no restrictions at all in terms of costs, then for example we could easily make a varied and interesting map simply by creating textures and models for four or five different to use in a single 20km squared area. But within restrictions we had the difficult task of creating varied and fun locations using just the textures and models for a single kind of environment.”
Takahashi also mentioned also said that lessons were learned when making Xenoblade Chronicles. Monolith Soft was able to achieve its goals despite certain restrictions it put on itself, such as not using middleware to increase the speed of production.
Head past the break for a few more comments from Takahashi.
Another hour of footage has come in for Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. Find the latest videos rounded up below.
Nintendo has now opened the full North American Xenoblade Chronicles X website. Find it here. You can catch up on some videos, view concept art, download wallpapers, and more.
Last month’s issue of GamesTM has a very interesting feature on the making of Excitebike 64. We encourage you to pick up the magazine to read it in full, though we wanted to share some of the information and comments here.
Excitebike 64 was the next title from Left Field Productions following the Nintendo-published NBA Courtside. Several ideas were pitched, many of which were focused around sports given the studio’s specialty in the genre. The possibility of a motocross game was flying about in part due to a few producers at Left Field enjoying it, and that’s what was ultimately selected.
Henry Sterchi, a producer from Nintendo working on the title, mentioned to GamesTM that Excitebike 64 began “as a more traditional motocross game”. However, as ideas were being prototyped and mechanics were being worked on, Left Field came up with an idea of developing a sequel to the NES classic. It was eventually proposed to Nintendo, who approved it soon after.
Sterchi told GamesTM:
“Excitebike 64 started out as a more traditional motocross game to prove out the core engine, handling and basic play. The handling was physics-driven and realistic, but I wouldn’t have called it a technical simulation. We did try some real-time track deformation such as tyre ruts, but it was abandoned because it wasn’t that fun and quite a technical drain.”
“We’d already discussed and prototyped the thing we wanted around the turbo mechanic and track designs in order for it to be an authentic Excitebike experience, so it was always the hope that they’d go for it and if it didn’t work out, it was ready to stand on its own as a more traditional motocross racer.”
Nintendo is running its “Cyber Deals” on the North American Wii U and 3DS eShops, but there are other notable discounts as well. Some were mentioned in previous Nintendo Download reports (without specific prices) while others were not.
In any case, here’s what stood out to me:
Wii U
Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures – $4.99 (was $9.99), ends 12/1
Blocky Bot – $1.49 (was $2.99), ends 12/3
Darksiders II – $9.99 (was $39.99), ends 12/3
Legend of Kay Anniversary – $12.49 (was $24.99), ends 12/3
Mighty Switch Force! – $2.99 (was $5.99), ends 12/2
Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition – $4.99 (was $9.99), ends 12/2
Paper Monsters Recut – $3.99 (was $7.99), ends 12/3
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – $19.99 (was $49.99), ends 12/4
The Amazing Spider-Man: Ultimate Edition – $14.99 (was $39.99), ends 12/4
The Peanuts Movie: Snoopy’s Grand Adventure – $19.99 (was $39.99), ends 12/4
3DS
3D Out Run – $5.99 (was $4.19), ends 12/2
Aero Porter – $2.99 (was $4.99), ends 12/2
Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures – $4.99 (was $9.99), ends 12/1
Attack of the Friday Monsters: A Tokyo Tale – $2.99 (was $9.99), ends 12/2
Bugs vs. Tanks! – $2.99 (was $7.99), ends 12/2
Cave Story – $7.49 (was $9.99), ends 12/2
Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic – $4.99 (was $19.99), ends 11/30
Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appetit – $4.99 (was $29.99), ends 11/30
Crimson Shroud – $2.99 (was $7.99), ends 12/2
DOOORS – $1.99 (was $3.99), ends 12/16
Gardening Mama 2: Forest Friends – $4.99 (was $19.99), ends 11/30
Liberation Maiden – $2.99 (was $7.99), ends 12/2
Mighty Switch Force! – $2.99 (was $5.99), ends 12/2
Mighty Switch Force! 2 – $2.99 (was $5.99), ends 12/2
The Peanuts Movie: Snoopy’s Grand Adventure – $14.99 (was $29.99), ends 12/4
The Starship Damrey – $2.99 (was $7.99), ends 12/2
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – $9.99 (was $29.99), ends 12/4
Weapon Shop de Omasse – $2.99 (was $7.99), ends 12/2
Nintendo has initiated the third round of “Cyber Deals” over on the European Wii U and 3DS eShops. For today only, it’s possible to save on the following titles:
Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush – €27.99
Game & Wario – €23.99
Kirby Triple Deluxe – €27.99
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. – €23.99
A final set of deals are coming to Europe on Monday. As for North America, you can find relevant eShop deals here.
Unseen64 has once again shed new light on THQ’s cancelled first-person Avengers title, which was slated for Wii U at one point. The video below has additional details about the project as well as a bit of prototype footage sprinkled throughout.
Several new games out came out this week on the Wii U and 3DS eShops. If you’re interested in checking out what’s new in screenshot form, take a peak at the gallery below.
