Splatoon producer on the game’s origins, 4-on-4 matches, Super Jump, and name
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 16 Comments
This month’s issue of Nintendo Dream has yet another interview with one of the developers behind Splatoon. This time, the Japanese magazine spoke with producer Hisashi Nogami.
Going back to the origins of Splatoon, Nogami commented on how program director Shintaro Sato came up with the idea of inking. Sato wrote a program for a drawing system, which included affixing textures on models and processing shadows. He thought at the time, “If I replace a shadow with the possibility of repainting with a color, wouldn’t that be a new way to play?”
Nogami also spoke about the decision to feature 4 on 4 matches in Splatoon:
Nogami: It’s not like we couldn’t have made 3 vs. 3 battles, but if just one player is splatted, the balance changes drastically and the enemy team can make a push in one go.
Nogami: On the other hand, when we tried increasing the number of players, the effect of splatting one person was small.
Nogami: However, when we tried 4 vs. 4, just splatting one player got the other team into a quite unfavorable situation. It is like a power play in ice hockey.
More: Hisashi Nogami, interview, Nintendo Dream, Splatoon, top
Amazon listing suggests single release for Fire Emblem Fates in Europe
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Rumors | 13 Comments
Fire Emblem Fates was released in two versions in Japan. In North America, that’s how the games will be sold as well (Birthright and Conquest). But what about Europe?
Amazon UK currently has a notice on its Fire Emblem Fates product page stating that there’s only one version due out throughout Europe. However, the message is only appearing on iOS/Android devices at the moment.
Keep in mind that Nintendo hasn’t made an official announcement regarding its plans for Fire Emblem Fates’ distribution in Europe. We’ll just have to wait and see if there’s any truth to Amazon’s listing.
More: Amazon, Fire Emblem Fates, top, UK
Monster Strike 3DS – lots of content, local play, more
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 0 comments
This week’s issue of Famitsu features an interview with Koki Kimura, the producer on Monster Strike for 3DS. Kimura touched on the amount of content in the game, confirmed plans for local multiplayer, and more. Our translation of Kimura’s comments are below.
On how much volume there is in the game…
When it comes to the RPG section, we are anticipation there’s as much volume as in a usual title. Of course, we are also considering creating content that you can enjoy even after finishing the storyline. By the way, we don’t have plans to implement a similar payment system to the mobile version.
On how the story progresses…
It’s still a secret. Although this game and the anime shares the same world and characters, the target audience is a little different. The anime is targeted to middle school boys, while this title is created so that younger people, even elementary school students, can enjoy the game.
On whether it uses connections such as the Internet…
We are planning to support local play in this title so that players that gather together can enjoy the game. I’d also like to use the StreetPass function of the Nintendo 3DS.
On whether systems and monsters from the mobile version appear in the game…
Although the systems and monsters in the 3DS version are created based on the mobile game, there are original elements like exploring villages, so we are planning to add things that aren’t in the mobile version. For that reason I’d want people that have played the mobile game to enjoy this title and of course kids who don’t have a smartphone, too. Please look forward to follow-up information.
More: Famitsu, interview, Japan, Koki Kimura, Monster Strike, top
Over 312,000 Animal Crossing amiibo card packs sold in Japan, more on HHD sales
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 11 Comments
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer sold 523,000 copies in its first week in Japan (four days to be exact). According to Media Create, it saw a sell through rate of 76.29 percent.
When Animal Crossing: New Leaf launched it Japan, it managed to move just over 600,000 copies. It also sold through 96.09 percent of its initial shipment. While Happy Home Designer didn’t quite reach the same amount of success, it still performed very well – especially for a spin-off title. Happy Home Designer also boosted 3DS hardware sales, as the system’s sales essentially doubled compared to the previous week.
That’s not all from Media Create. The sales tracker reveals that more than 312,000 packs of Animal Crossing amiibo cards were sold in Japan between July 30 and August 2. As previously reported, the cards have been seeing significant shortages in the country.
Images of two upcoming Splatoon maps
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Images, News | 6 Comments
Update: As some of you have pointed out, these maps were shown during one of the recent Japanese Splatoon commercials. We’ve taken off the rumor tag.
Since this deals with leaked content, head past the break for more information!
Company EVP says risk-taking is in Nintendo’s DNA
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 31 Comments
Examiner has put up another excerpt from its interview with Nintendo of America executive VP of sales Scott Moffitt. In these latest quotes, we get to see what Moffitt had to say about Nintendo taking risks, which he says is “in our DNA”.
He stated:
“It’s in our DNA, it’s what makes us tick, and it’s what brought all of us to Nintendo. We like to be a company that’s willing to take some risks on a franchise like Splatoon, propose new forms of gaming to gamers, and see what their reactions are.”
“Often times, those [ideas] work, sometimes they don’t, it’s always risky to be an innovator, but that is woven into our DNA and is a bedrock value for Nintendo.”
As for why Nintendo continues to take risks, Moffitt says that it’s all for the gaming community. He explained:
“I think gamers have come to appreciate that from us, but also to respect it and expect it. They want us challenging the norms and challenging conventions, and I think that’s part of our role in the broader industry.”
More: interview, Scott Moffitt, top
Mighty No. 9 producer on development progress, the delay, and more
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 4 Comments
Engadget recently caught up with Mighty No. 9 producer Nick Yu for an interview. Yu commented on how the game is shaping up, why it was delayed, some of the messaging to fans, and more.
You’ll find excerpts from the interview below. For the full discussion, head on over to Engadget.
More: Comcept, interview, Inti Creates, Mighty No. 9, Nick Yu, top
Super Mario 30th anniversary soundtrack revealed, out in Japan next month
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 3 Comments
Super Mario Bros. is getting a soundtrack in honor of its 30th anniversary. In Japan, the two-disc set is due out on September 13. Pricing is set at 3,240 yen.
Here’s the lineup of games featured in the soundtrack:
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario Land
Super Mario World
Super Mario USA
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Super Mario 64
Super Mario Sunshine
New Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Galaxy
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario 3D Land
New Super Mario Bros. 2
New Super Mario Bros. U
Super Mario 3D World
Super Mario Maker (bonus track)
There’s no word on this time about the soundtrack’s availability outside of Japan.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate August DLC out today
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 0 comments
It’s the first Friday of a new month, which means that Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is getting new DLC today. Players can get their hands on the following content:
10 New quests;
4 New Challenge Quests;
1 Bonus Palico: Purple Pal;
1 Guild Card background;
7 Guild Card titles;
Here’s the official trailer:
To nab Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate’s latest DLC, follow these steps:
– Connect your Nintendo 3DS to the Internet
– Load your copy of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
– Go to the “DLC” menu
– Download the various items
– Quests will be saved under “Event Quests” (with the Questatrix)
– “Challenge Quests” (with the Arena Bambina) will be saved in the Gathering Hall
– G-Rank quests and G-Rank Challenge Quests can be found in the Elder Hall and Assembly respectively
– For the Episode Quests make sure to talk to your Housekeeper and read their directions since some quests will show up at the Gathering Hall while other will come up at the Elder Hall
More: Capcom, DLC, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, top
Super Mario Maker now thought to have over 60 levels, one designed by Rayman’s creator
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 18 Comments
Originally, we thought that Super Mario Maker could have as many as 100 levels. That information was based on a tidbit found on the game’s UK website a few weeks back. The blurb was just updated earlier this week to say that Super Mario Maker will offer “dozens” of levels.
The final level count now seems to be sitting at over 60 based on information coming from Nintendo of France. It also looks like Rayman creator Michel Ancel has designed one of the courses. Below, you’ll find a video of Ancel playing around with Super Mario Maker and talking about the series – though it’s unfortunately only available in French.
