Unseen64’s Liam Robertson has posted a new video that looks into the various issues Project H.AM.M.E.R. encountered while in development. It also explores problems within Nintendo Software Technology as a whole, including apparent racism.
You can watch the full video below. There’s also a quick summary that can be read as well.
– After 1080, NST went on to start a new project (a small team that outsourced concept art, CGI opening, etc)
– The internal name for the project was MachineX
– In 2005 it had reached 75% completion and was nearing completion
– Japanese staff were overseeing the development at the studio which posed cultural challenges
– There were continued arguments and debate between the Japanese management and the NST developers
– At late 2007, it was 4 years in development
– Towards the end, changes were demanded to the environments and then the entire visuals
– This complete change despite mechanics eventually culminated in a more ‘lighter, casual’ visual style that was codenamed Wii Crush
– 2008 onwards, staff left
– Nintendo of America had to carry out a review of staff conditions which recorded a low morale
– Midway into 2009, a small number of staff still continued to work onto it until it ended
– NCL finally withdrew funding
– ‘Nintendo have made some great games, but with NST it came with a price’: Former NST developer
Thanks to Jake and Fred for the tip.
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.
A new trailer has come in for Wolf Brew Games’ Slain!, which is coming to the Wii U eShop early next year. You can watch it below.
In terms of how Slain! will play on Wii U, the GamePad will “most probably have a pulled out map of the full level and some special way to use mana /switch and switch weapons.”
Another piece of news surrounding Slain! is the project’s new composer. Curt Victor Bryant, a former bassist in the Swiss black metal band Celtic Frost, will be handling the music. Siliconera also reports that the team recently added an ice axe to Slain!, which has blades that morph into a snarling wolf’s head on the final strike.
Source Gaming has been poking through the development slides featured in Masahiro Sakurai’s Famitsu column anthologies. The site has dug up some interesting information about cut content in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS, like initial plans for Rock Pikmin and Smash Run co-op.
Here’s a summary of what’s been shared thus far:
– Rock Pikmin were planned but ultimately put on hold
– These Pikmin would have been heavy with short reach but high attack power
– Smash Run was to receive co-op play
– This idea wasn’t realized due to the 3DS processor’s inability to display multiple fighters on the same screen
– There were also plans for co-op powers at one point
– Sakurai initially considered including four versions of each Special
– Ex: Mario would have been able to launch a double fireball
– Special 4-on-4 Team Battles rules were considered
– Mii Fighters’ Specials were originally going to be included as in-game rewards
– Instead, they ended up as default content
When The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD originally launched in North America, it was distributed with a gold boxart. This was the only region with such packaging. In Europe and Japan, Wind Waker HD was sold with a blueish boxart.
For whatever reason, North America now has the same packfront as the other two territories. Copies have been spotted with the updated blue boxart. I have no idea why Nintendo decided to change things after such a long period!
Zero Escape 3 was finally announced at the Aksys Games panel at Anime Expo today. You can now check out the full announcement made during the event below.
Apologies that the audio is a bit out of sync at the end. Aksys’ stream was slightly buggy on my end!
This week’s episode of Nintendo Minute has a special guest – it’s none other than Nintendo of America Reggie Fils-Aime! Reggie, along with Kit and Krysta, share some memories from this past E3. Check it out below.
Update: 3DS is now confirmed. Read the press release in full below.
Many government organizations have dismissed our urgent warnings regarding the upcoming game event called Zero Time Dilemma. Recent intelligence has escalated our plans and we have come to the decision to contact gamers about the dangers directly. Our ultimate goal has always been to protect the public from the horrific consequences we have foreseen, but it appears our mission to prevent it from occurring may have failed. It is imperative that you make every effort to prepare yourselves for the oncoming deadly game, so that you may survive the coming apocalypse.
An antidote for the game is predicted to be created, but much further down this timeline, and as such there is no defense from its effects. It will be most easily identifiable on Nintendo 3DS™ and PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, though it is transmittable through the air so the spread may increase even more rapidly through the PlayStation®Store and Nintendo eShop.
Do not be tempted by familiar faces, fully voiced cinematics, multiple endings, or voices in both Japanese and English, as those are signs that the apocalypse is nigh. We suggest that you put extensive effort into improving your puzzle solving skills, as they will be vital to your survival.
We at Crash Keys beg for your assistance in notifying everyone you can so that no one is left in the dark about this dangerous game. The world will end up in a tumultuous uproar, and ultimate consequences will be unavoidable unless word gets out. Use all the time available to you before the summer of next year to contact your loved ones and prepare; our intelligence hasn’t been able to focus in on an exact date at this time. Do not fear – we are here to protect you and prepare you to our utmost ability so that you may survive. You will survive. We will use all channels available to contact you with updates as soon as we uncover them. You must be ready.
Zero Escape 3 is in development, Aksys Games announced during a panel at the Anime Expo today.
Series creator Kotaro Uchikoshi showed up at the event to reveal the new project in-person. Unfortunately, Uchikoshi did not share any sort of media or information aside from a brief teaser. The only tidbit provided thus far is that it’s launching next year.
999 appeared on DS, and Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward was made for 3DS. Surely Zero Escape 3 will also be coming to Nintendo platforms, right? Let’s hope so!
Aksys confirmed three titles for the North American 3DS eShop at an Anime Expo panel. On the Wii U side of things, we’re hearing that Chronicles of Teddy: Harmony of Exidus is on the way (coming to the PlayStation 4 as well). This will also be eShop-only.
Chronicles of Teddy seems to be some sort of mix between a platformer and music rhythm game. Siliconera reports that it features “musical puzzles and players will have to listen to audio cues to communicate with characters.” In the debut trailer, a girl was shown “and her teddy bear in another world taken over by an evil sorcerer.”
Aksys Games announced a trio of titles for the North American 3DS eShop during its panel at the Anime Expo today. Slice It, Radio Hammer, and Family Fishing are all being localized. Each one is slated for a winter release.
