The reason big companies ignore the wii

http://malstrom.50webs.com/news.htm

Disruption will take out the big publishers on May 30, 2008

Tired of big companies ignoring the Wii? There is reason for that. Cutting edge technology is used for both Next Generation and New Generation but New Generation uses technology in a very different way. Sony and Microsoft have focused on such old context of technology which is why they are with their HD consoles. However, many big publishers are also invested in the old context of technology.

Epic should spring to mind. They want to sell their Unreal Engine 3 they have invested so much in. If they made a Wii game, it would show their new engine isn't important. Square Enix has invested in new graphical engine for Final Fantasy XIII. Ubisoft and other companies rely on old context of technology for their staple of franchises.

Since Birdman, I have written less and less about the software companies as I thought that would be confusing the issue. Reader Daniel points out that the big publishers will be disrupted as well. People have asked that I put email up here so here you go:

I'm writing you to congratulate you on your witting and understanding of what is really happening and you research to proof that many are misunderstanding the reality behind Nintendo's strategy.

I also seem to find that Nintendo's strategy is not just a threat to Microsoft and Sony (if they don't respond properly) but also for major third party developers and publishers that are the "birdmen" and do not understand the real purpose of the Wii.

What I'm seeing is that the small developers and publishers that in previous times they were developing for PC or handhelds only are beginning to turn to the Wii, moving upmarket, as their next step to get recognition. On PS3 and Xbox 360 they would find many hardships not because the development costs to make games for those systems, but also because they would compete directly with the "Big Ones" that are putting their full resources and best developers to Sony and MS consoles, so their best chances on that are to make XLA or PSN games and then being bought by the big companies. However, they see that the majority of these "Big Ones" are treating the Wii as a "casual" console (or retarded for most of their games are shameful) and not trully using thsir full potential. As you say, they are overshooting.

As I see, even though these small developers and publishers arrived late after the Wii's launch, they are starting to see a great opportunity to expand to an audience that never bought their games before. Nintendo's approach with the Wii is to provide an even ground to big and small developers and publishers. This in result will be the trap that the "Big Ones" will fall way behind.

These small developers are looking at the current Wii games, and see what they can do to increase the gameplay and improve the graphics to separate themselves to the "shovelware" the Wii is currently suffering from third party. These companies when they sit down and look at the market, they will understand how to make AND market a Wii game properly, and their games will sell very well. The
"Big Ones" will not see a threat until the Wii's installed base is immense and when they finally see their mistake and start making games seriously, they won't stand a chance against the small companies who made successful third party games and are known to all games, from the lower to the upper tier. Because these small understood that instead of dumbing down their games to make it "more casual" they invite the player join the experience the game delvers, that they can master the controls and the game and have fun.

Iwata is a developer, and he has spent considerable time on these 'New Generation' companies to get them onto the Wii and build them up. Iwata even made a GDC speech called 'Disrupting Development'. WiiWare is probably a major factor in this as well. A flash game maker can get experience on WiiWare for how to make Wii games, how to market them, and move on up to Wii disc games.

Frontier Developments (maker of 'Lost Winds'), Nnnnoooo (maker of 'Pop'), X'Gen Studios (maker of 'Defend Your Castle') among other 'baby' companies could be the future Capcoms, Square-Enixes, and Konamis. Some old school small companies also prospered such as Hudson, who is expanding rapidly due to the Wii, as well as Atlus whose Trauma Center turned into a hit (spawning a DS sequel, and two other Wii games).

Remember Square-Enix's Wada complaining about sales? And how can such a company be so vision bankrupt that they can only re-create the same old games and throw up more graphic technology as their 'model'?

It is not just the new gamers that are traveling upstream. Nintendo is (dare I say this) shepherding new small companies toward their path. These companies will likely grow to become big, more agile. The old companies, stuck in the old rut, won't be able to compete in the New World against these companies who have mastered the new values.

Or as Iwata said: "Innovate or die!"

Good read.

The future for Nintendo is going to be an interesting one, especially if the small devs become successul on Wii with games like LostWinds which are simple but can turn into a bigger, more popular franchise. Like he said in the article, WiiWare is definitely going to be an important factor. I think Nintendo are certainly going in the right direction with the service to make this whole expanding possible.

With Nintendo's usual lack of third party support compared to other companies, it'd be nice to see new devs become 'loyal' to Nintendo in the future to help the whole situation.

That was a very exceptional read, and looking at it now, I can certainly see that many of the raised points are becoming a reality. A reality which is indeed, frightening the "Big Boys" of the development.

The only thing I found very immature, was the term" retarted" in the email. That comment was truely out of line.

I agree about this article. I use this philosophy now. I'm done with the big companies. I prefer to support small developers with good ideas than a big company with some rehashes. Different games from a franchise could turn good and even better than the mother game. If it was a good game, Soul Calibur Legends for me would be better than Soul Calibur 4. FF:CC Crystal Bearers could be better than FF13.

To have me again the big companies need a game that I didn't play before and that I'm interested. Big companies want big budgets games which for me they are not impressive. Games like that were made last gen. I mean GTA4, Halo 3, Ninja Gaiden,... are very boring and overrated for me. Capcom did something right in Zack & Wiki and even if it's a port Okami is really good because it's a game that I'm interested and I didn't play before.

For me, it's time for the small developers to shine. If I'm developer, it would be on Wii that I'll develop nowhere else. I would like to beat Nintendo in their territory. That would be a huge challenge.

Would it be okay if I try to say something here? I mean, put that into another context for a revelation?

I favour this article, it's quite extensive in its researchings. So basically, in a condensed question, by doing these actions to help out these smaller companies that make little game, Nintendo is basically almost creating their own third-party developers? I know that may seem like an odd question, but that's what this article is telling me. And i have to say this for a final statement.

If this is what Nintendo is planning, I give them two thumbs up. This strategy is bloody brilliant.

I dont get why companies do that. The wii is much cooler than the 360 and other game systems will use motion controls in the next gen.doctores143

The article is about that. :| They invested too much in high end hardware, specially in engines, to admit they were "wrong" and not try to benefit from it.

I agree about this article. I use this philosophy now. I'm done with the big companies. I prefer to support small developers with good ideas than a big company with some rehashes. Different games from a franchise could turn good and even better than the mother game. If it was a good game, Soul Calibur Legends for me would be better than Soul Calibur 4. FF:CC Crystal Bearers could be better than FF13.

To have me again the big companies need a game that I didn't play before and that I'm interested. Big companies want big budgets games which for me they are not impressive. Games like that were made last gen. I mean GTA4, Halo 3, Ninja Gaiden,... are very boring and overrated for me. Capcom did something right in Zack & Wiki and even if it's a port Okami is really good because it's a game that I'm interested and I didn't play before.

For me, it's time for the small developers to shine. If I'm developer, it would be on Wii that I'll develop nowhere else. I would like to beat Nintendo in their territory. That would be a huge challenge.

chris3116

so basically....ninty called it.

"hey industry..lets see what u can do when we dont follow the normal trend of console development". so far the industry has just disgraced itself really.

some companies are plonking there fingers in there ears and shouthing "this is not happening..lalalalalala!!!!!".

others think there appealing to the casual market but really, there just insulting them.

then there are those who are trying the cheap cash in (and thinkfully falling flat on their faces most of the time).

and then there are those who do give it a go....and fail utterly. (though at least they tried....kudos to em and i hope they try again).

then, finally, theres the few who do actually deliver and show a glimmer of hope for the industries future.

its shocking that, in an industry thats supposed to be artistic and creative, the best alot of the industry can come up with on a platform that throws a curve ball is nothing more than putrid disgraces and half assed attempts from companies who dare call themselves professionals.

ninty called it....they leveled the playing field...and the little guys with the small budgets (whether its a small project in a big company or an independant dev) are kicking the living snot out of the big guys. oh dear :S

"its shocking that, in an industry thats supposed to be artistic and creative, the best alot of the industry can come up with on a platform that throws a curve ball is nothing more than putrid disgraces and half assed attempts from companies who dare call themselves professionals."

It's simple economics really. It's also the same reason why Hollywood hasn't put out anything new in 20+ years, and why record labels release a million albums that sound the same year after year. The financial risk of producing a top end game (or movie) discourages innovation and risk taking - if the public doesn't buy into it, it's a huge money loss. So more often then not they go the "safe" route, producing something that will have more predictable sales.

You also have to remember that development companies and publishers plan out their release schedules a year or two in advance, and budget for the resources they'll need. A multi-million dollar corporate budget is not the most flexible thing, there are a lot of moving parts and big companies don't have the luxury to change directions on a dime. When you have a paradigm shift like the Wii that breaks from traditional approaches to development, you have learning curves and increased costs of doing business as you reinvest back into training/skills for your developers, new technologies to support the work, and so on. Understandably, companies are hesitant to go away from "what works" until they have to.

It's easy to have a "pie in the sky" attitude towards game development when it isn't your livelihood depending on the success of a particular game, or the existence of your company in some cases. I applaud the companies that are willing to forge ahead, risks and all, but I also understand why the majority don't.