Splatoon 2 dev on why Salmon Run isn’t always available online, map rotation
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 73 Comments
The new Salmon Run mode in Splatoon 2 can be played locally at any time with friends. Online, however, is another story. Nintendo has set times in place throughout the week when the mode is available.
As part of a chat with Rolling Stone, designer Jordan Amaro (a rare western developer working at Nintendo in Japan) commented on why Salmon Run isn’t always playable online. Here’s what he had to say about the subject:
I’m not allowed to speak on it, because I’m not the game director. What I can say, and what I think can be said, is that there are lots of reasons. You have to trust us that if you could play Salmon Run online anytime, that would result in a worse experience for you and everybody.
More: interview, Jordan Amaro, Splatoon 2, top
Media Create sales (8/28/17 – 9/3/17)
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Switch, Wii U | 40 Comments
The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:
Switch – 50,074
PS4 – 21,419
New 3DS LL – 12,332
New 2DS LL – 11,515
PS4 Pro – 4,965
Vita – 3,975
2DS – 1,935
New 3DS – 486
Wii U – 116
PS3 – 85
Xbox One – 78
For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:
Switch – 69,654
PS4 – 20,433
New 3DS LL – 11,470
New 2DS LL – 11,173
PS4 Pro – 4,225
Vita – 4,080
2DS – 2,137
New 3DS – 430
Wii U – 117
PS3 – 83
Xbox One – 63
And here are the software charts:
More: charts, Japan, Media Create, sales, top
Syberia 1 launches for Switch on October 20
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 7 Comments
The first Syberia is coming to Switch on October 20, Microids announced today. That date applies to both North America and Europe.
Here’s an overview of Syberia:
Kate Walker, a young New York lawyer, is dispatched to deal with the sale of a former automaton factory hidden in the French Alps. She never thought that this task, as simple as it seemed, would change her life forever. She quickly embarked on a journey into the confines of Eastern Europe, accompanied by a very peculiar automaton named Oscar. Together they discover incredible places, filled with colorful characters, before meeting Hans Voralberg: the genius inventor, following the trails of the last mammoths found on the mythical island of Syberia, which also happens to be the last piece of the puzzle to conclude the sale and the mission of Kate.
In today’s announcement, Microids highlighted how Switch will allow players to experience Syberia in their living room thanks to TV mode or on the move in portable mode.
Source: Microids PR
Pokemon CEO told Nintendo that Switch wouldn’t be successful before it launched
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 174 Comments
There’s one last noteworthy excerpt from Bloomberg’s interview with Pokemon CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara. As part of the discussion, Ishihara spoke about he initially doubted Switch’s success, and even told Nintendo as such.
Ishihara added that he “came to realize the key to a successful game is quite simple: software with absolute quality leads sales of hardware.” He did acknowledge Switch’s early success, but Ishihara feels that it needs to take another step to reach a wider audience. While the potential is there, “one shouldn’t overestimate its potential.”
Ishihara’s full words:
More: interview, top, Tsunekazu Ishihara
Pokemon CEO on what Switch means for Pokemon, not ruling out accessories, more
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 20 Comments
Aside from Pokemon GO, Switch was another topic Bloomberg brought up during its interview with Pokemon CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara. Ishihara kept quiet for the most part about the upcoming game for Nintendo’s console, but spoke about the system in more general terms.
Ishihara said that Switch provides an opportunity to create something “that goes deeper and with a higher level of expression.” Playing on an HD TV also affords “a whole different world with graphics and sound.” Ishihara also wouldn’t rule out releasing accessories.
Ishihara shared the following:
More: interview, Pokemon, top, Tsunekazu Ishihara
Pokemon CEO on Pokemon GO – only done “10 percent” of what’s planned, new features, more
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 3 Comments
Recently, Bloomberg spoke with Pokemon CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara. Pokemon GO, Niantic’s big mobile game, was one topic of conversation.
Ishihara commented on what lies ahead, including new features like trading and battling between players. He also weighed in on how players’ locations could come into play and dealing with social problems.
Here’s a roundup of what Ishihara shared:
More: Niantic, Pokemon GO, top, Tsunekazu Ishihara
Suda51 “definitely” wants to make No More Heroes 3 if Travis Strikes Again is successful
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 14 Comments
After many years, No More Heroes finally has a new entry in the series with Travis Strikes Again. It may not be No More Heroes 3, but it’s a entirely substantial addition to the franchise that fans have been craving for many years.
During an interview with VideoGameChooChoo, director Suda51 clarified what sort of game Travis Strikes Again is, noting:
“Well again, it’s not a direct sequel to No More Heroes 2, though they are directly related and take place in the same universe. Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes takes place seven years after the events of No More Heroes 2. As you’ve probably noticed it’s ‘Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes’, so ‘No More Heroes’ is more a subtitle, there’s not a number on it. This isn’t a direct sequel and it’s not No More Heroes 3, but it does address some of the things that happened in No More Heroes 1 and 2. While it is sort of a continuation of that stuff, it is not a direct sequel partially because No More Heroes is about one assassin against other assassins, and this isn’t like that. This isn’t exactly a spin-off, or something like that, and while it’s not a direct sequel it is something of a stepping stone on the road to No More Heroes 3. So the way I’d like people to think of this game is like the beginning of a new battle for Travis, a new series within the series.”
Suda51 was further asked if he intends to follow up in the future with a numbered sequel. He said this was a case, before adding: “If this succeeds I definitely want to put out a 3 someday.”
New Switch update out now (version 3.0.2)
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 24 Comments
A new system update has just gone live for Switch. Version 3.0.2. is out now for all users.
According to Nintendo, online play has been added in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. The feature is available for free until the paid online service launches in 2018. “General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience” have also been implemented.
The previous update for Switch was at the very end of July. It addressed an issue with the display of the remaining battery charge.
More: system update, top
Fire Emblem Warriors details – class changes, skills system, Emblem Shop, new History Mode
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in New Nintendo 3DS, News, Switch | 104 Comments
Fresh details about Fire Emblem Warriors have leaked out of Famitsu. We’re able to learn about certain features and modes like being able to change classes, a new skill system and Emblem Shop, plus a new History Mode.
Here’s the full roundup:
– Class change confirmed
– This can be done by using Master Seal item
– Shion/Rowan (and Lianna) can promote from Lord to Master Lord
– Game will have a skills system
– Can equip up to three skills
– Skills are unlocked by bonding with other characters
– Emblem Shop system in the game
– This apparently involves using materials and permanent stat boosts
– History Mode is separate from Story Mode
– It retells the original story of each Fire Emblem game featured
– In History Mode, move characters on a 2D grid like the original SRPG
– When ally adjacent to enemy, battle will trigger
– Famitsu shows that Validar will appear as an enemy NPC
– Scenes in History Mode will also be fully voiced
– One History Mode map shown in Famitsu is from Shadow Dragon
Famitsu revealed earlier today that Male Corrin and Sakura are in Fire Emblem Warriors. We should have new scans tomorrow.
Sakamoto reflects on original Metroid’s development, has wanted to make a 2D Metroid for 4-5 years
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News | 10 Comments
Metroid producer Yoshio Sakamoto’s involvement with the series go all the way back to the original game. He wasn’t initially assigned to the project, but that all changed when the team encountered some issues during the latter stages of development.
Speaking with Game Informer, Sakamoto reflected on the first Metroid’s creation:
“My boss told me that the Metroid team was having a very hard time, and as someone who had experience on building video game projects could I go and somehow help this game progress to release? In short, I was forcefully asked to participate. By his tone, I really smelled danger. And as I joined the project and looked around, I realized that the release date was right around the corner but the project had nothing there. Even with our limited resources and time, I figured out how we could leverage the existing components of the game to create variation and an exciting experience.”
“Metroid was one of my first experiences on a pretty big video game project, but I wasn’t sure if players would enjoy the game. I thought that it was a special game, and even then, I believed that it could be a special franchise, something that I would like to continue. Through the development of Metroid 1, I really grasped the possibilities and potential of a video game.”
