Nintendo should start "censoring" the lousy games...

So my understanding of the Manhunt 2 issues is that Nintendo (and Sony too)said it wouldn't allow an AO rated game to be released for its system. While I'm disappointed, I can't help but see an opportunity to take a stand for general game quality here.

Wouldn't it be nice if Nintendo (or any of the console makers, but mostly Ninty since the Wii is victim to such an obscene amount of poo-flavored software) decided to disallow flat-out crap from being released on its system. It could be as simple as withholding the "Licensed by Nintendo" stamp until a product reaches a minimum level of completeness.

Then I wouldn't have to read the discouraged reviews of Jenga, Godzilla, Cruisin', Elevator Spy Games, and the like. Sorry Jenga, the controls have to work before you can take anyone's money...Sorry Cruisin', but the screen has to make at least a little sense before we can call this a game...

On the business side, would it actually hurt a console maker to not allow shady companies to do quick cash-ins on its system? It seems like the bad taste in consumers' mouths works against the Wii at least a little bit. I for one would love to see this happen, just to keep the Wii out of the toilet long enough for some more good 3rd party games to come out!

That sounds like a good idea in theory, but unfortunately it isn't economically sound. Even though there is a lot of shovelware being forced onto the console, it is actually a benefit. Economics teaches that the best economic systems have low entry barriers. This is good because it teaches developers what works and what doesn't. Contrary to popular belief, the shovelware is not selling well. The only game that has done fairly well is Carnival Games, and that is in part because 2K is its publisher.

Another reason it is a positive thing is because it encourages creativity. Yes, there are a lot of bland, overused ideas in those games, but on occasion, some really cool ideas come out of them, and if they fail with a particular game, that isn't to say that another more talented developer might not pick up the idea and run with it in a better way.

Finally, to cut off developers is to cut off a portion of your market which means lost revenue for your company. This is a big no no for any company. Despite what people say, sales always matter because increased sales create increased opportunities for developers to make money, which brings more quality games.

So to answer your question, it sounds good in theory, but it wouldn't play out very well at all.

I hate to say this but I have said many times on the GameSpot forum that Nintendo policing the quality of third-party games will only alienate third-party developers. It would be counter-productive to the company and will force most developers not to release games for Nintendo's consoles because they do not want Nintendo to tell them what to do. This is no better than a government telling people how to live their lives.

Nintendo was better when this used to mean something... Carmilla31

to Strider212 and oneismos, thanks for the level-headed argument. I understand the idea and actually agree that Nintendo stopping 3rd party developers from releasing games would have a negative effect. And I really hope the bad games are not selling well. Still, any time you go into Best Buy or Gamestop, there's a clueless parent (I'm 34, by the way) looking at the Monster Truck game...

It just seems to me that the shovelware is kind of malicious. I mean, it's not like the developers are surprised their game turned out badly... they made a lazy game on purpose and put it in the marketplace to take the money of people who just don't know any better. I hate to see anyone succeed using that kind of strategy.

to Strider212 and oneismos, thanks for the level-headed argument. I understand the idea and actually agree that Nintendo stopping 3rd party developers from releasing games would have a negative effect. And I really hope the bad games are not selling well. Still, any time you go into Best Buy or Gamestop, there's a clueless parent (I'm 34, by the way) looking at the Monster Truck game...

It just seems to me that the shovelware is kind of malicious. I mean, it's not like the developers are surprised their game turned out badly... they made a lazy game on purpose and put it in the marketplace to take the money of people who just don't know any better. I hate to see anyone succeed using that kind of strategy.

MrMartinLee

Yes, information is probably the best way to keep shovelware from succeeding. What's still frustrating, though, is that those reviews are often delayed long enough for a few poor suckers to find out the hard way... And kids always want the toy with the familiar face on it, so parents just cough up... and it continuesMrMartinLee

Problem is Nintendo doesn't care about scores or quality. All that matters is whether or not they turn a profit.PBSnipes

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"]Problem is Nintendo doesn't care about scores or quality. All that matters is whether or not they turn a profit.KungfuKitten

Problem is Nintendo doesn't care about scores or quality. All that matters is whether or not they turn a profit.PBSnipes

That's why they do everything to please the fans and make amazing games time after time.
Nintendo is one of the best, if not best, game developers. Not to mention they actually want to do something with gaming rather then pump more power in a console and call it next gen.

to Strider212 and oneismos, thanks for the level-headed argument. I understand the idea and actually agree that Nintendo stopping 3rd party developers from releasing games would have a negative effect. And I really hope the bad games are not selling well. Still, any time you go into Best Buy or Gamestop, there's a clueless parent (I'm 34, by the way) looking at the Monster Truck game...

It just seems to me that the shovelware is kind of malicious. I mean, it's not like the developers are surprised their game turned out badly... they made a lazy game on purpose and put it in the marketplace to take the money of people who just don't know any better. I hate to see anyone succeed using that kind of strategy.

MrMartinLee

[QUOTE="KungfuKitten"][QUOTE="PBSnipes"]Problem is Nintendo doesn't care about scores or quality. All that matters is whether or not they turn a profit.PBSnipes

If Nintendo is smart, they will introduce their new consumers to something easy and then provide software that will move them to the next level, towards the games they really put a lot of artistic creativity into.

Nintendo knows better than to alienate their hardcore crowd. Nintendo's bread and butter is still its main franchises which I wouldn't necessarily consider "casual." If Nintendo were to choose a position to be in, I think that they would love to have all of their games have the "Halo identity." What I mean by this is that Halo is the medium between casual and hardcore. It's accessible and eye-catching enough to get casual gamers to buy it, but hardcore gamers enjoy it as well.

If Nintendo is smart, they will introduce their new consumers to something easy and then provide software that will move them to the next level, towards the games they really put a lot of artistic creativity into.

Strider212

[QUOTE="Strider212"]

Nintendo knows better than to alienate their hardcore crowd. Nintendo's bread and butter is still its main franchises which I wouldn't necessarily consider "casual." If Nintendo were to choose a position to be in, I think that they would love to have all of their games have the "Halo identity." What I mean by this is that Halo is the medium between casual and hardcore. It's accessible and eye-catching enough to get casual gamers to buy it, but hardcore gamers enjoy it as well.

If Nintendo is smart, they will introduce their new consumers to something easy and then provide software that will move them to the next level, towards the games they really put a lot of artistic creativity into.

PBSnipes

From the other comments that I've read, I don't think anyone is arguing anything to the contrary.
In the end, shovelware will take care of itself. Once these new consumers that Nintendo has tapped into begin to educate themselves about the products they are buying (and they will when they realize that the games they are buying suck) then we will see less crap on system. One thing Nintendo could do would be to advertise the good games more heavily. They have been severely slacking on advertising their big games, and I don't really see why they are doing so. It makes absolutely no sense.Strider212