02-11-2007, 04:46 PM
GameSpy: You touched on this when you mentioned that the core gamer would try to pick up both systems or multiple systems over the holiday. Some contend that the Wii isn't a real competitor, as it doesn't push the state of the art in terms of graphics, and instead is focused on its unique control and trademark Nintendo gameplay. Do you feel that this is a three-way race? Or are Nintendo and the Wii in a completely other category, and it doesn't really matter what the other platforms do?
Kaplan: I think that coming out as number one in terms of sales answers that question. We're not an afterthought by any stretch of the imagination. Each of us have anecdotal stories of consumers that couldn't find our system but wanted it, or those who went out and not only bought it but bought five or who are experiencing gaming for the first time on our newest platform and loving it. Core gamers wanted our system and bought it, and the really hardcore player probably bought several systems. We're happy to see that the majority of those core gamers picked up a Wii.
GameSpy: Twilight Princess has shown that there will always be a place for compelling single player experiences. Wii Sports and Wario Ware: Smooth Moves tell us that party-setting multiplayer is still lots of fun. But then there are the incredibly popular online multiplayer games like Halo, the EA Sports titles and even World of Warcraft. Do you feel like Nintendo may be missing the boat by not making online gaming a significant part of the Wii experience?
Kaplan:I think you're asking why we're not following the other guys. And we feel that everyone has developed their own niche of expertise. So for example, our Virtual Console has been astoundingly successful. People absolutely love it. We aren't giving up on online games at all, and Mario Kart for the Nintendo DS is an excellent example of Nintendo's online gaming that almost everyone is playing. Now, massively multiplayer online gaming is probably not a direction that Nintendo will be going. I think that's a niche area that other companies have more expertise in. But worldwide online play is a priority for Nintendo and you will see it... We have more things coming, and online is definitely one of them.
GameSpy: Some gamers feel that Nintendo made a mistake by releasing a non high-definition system that doesn't make use of the latest technology in television displays. Do you think that this is still an issue?
Kaplan: I think the enthusiasm speaks for itself. I don't feel that forcing people to pay extra for a high-definition system would have necessarily enhanced the experience.
GameSpy: Nintendo is personally responsible for the success of its first-party titles, but how does Nintendo feel about the initial batch of third-party titles developed for the Wii?
Kaplan: We feel that our third-party partners have done an excellent job, pouring their hearts and souls into developing unique things that can be done with the Wii. Third-party development for the Wii is also more cost-efficient than developing for other platforms. We expect for third-party games to get better and better, just like they are for the Nintendo DS. Now that the developers have more experience with the system, they have the ability to create something truly original.
GameSpy: A Nintendo Wii Browser will be released soon. Is there going to be a charge for it?
Kaplan: We haven't announced that there will be a charge for the Wii Internet Browser, but I know that if you download the trial version, the full version will be free. So your readers should definitely make sure to get the trial version. Our goal is to make gaming and enjoyment of our system as easy and inexpensive as possible. Remember our system was the least expensive and was packed in with what was essentially five different games.
GameSpy: Rockstar games has just announced Manhunt 2 for the Nintendo Wii. Are we going to see Wii remote strangulations?
Kaplan: Let me just say that I hope most consumers' minds don't go where yours just went!
GameSpy: Well, the first Manhunt was a very violent game. One of our editors still cries himself to sleep thinking about it. Do you anticipate any negative backlash?
Kaplan: I don't think so, but we have been going back and forth on it in terms of what it means to our audience. But it's not our game, it's Rockstar's game, and if the press decides to direct its anger somewhere, it should be towards them, as it's their content. It's also not the kind of game that most gamers are going to buy, it's for a very specific audience.
Going through all this, a few thoughts came to mind. Let's start with Kaplan's statement regarding online play. It's true that the Virtual Console has been very popular and successful and although this is technically an online service, it has nothing do with the playing of games online with others. If the success of Mario Kart DS is any indication I have no doubt that there will be many massively popular online Wii games such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the next Mario Kart, and the inevitable Mario Party 9, among others. And I've said it once and I'll say it again, I will never forgive Nintendo for using the friend code system with Wii. Wii/we would be so much better off without it.
It's also good to see Nintendo embracing it's third party developers. They've got a bad track record with developers that aren't called Nintendo or are second parties. No one wants to see Wii follow the path that the GameCube took straight to it's grave.
It's good to hear that the final version of the Wii web browser will be free of charge, provided you've already downloaded the trial version. There's been speculation of a one time fee of x number of Wii Points, or that a monthy payment would be required to use the browser.
And finally we come back to Nintendo's notorious reputation as the Kiddie Korporation. When the interviewer mentions "Wii remote strangulations" Kaplan seems a bit taken aback by the comment (unless she said it jokingly, which wasn't made clear in the interview). If I was Nintendo I'd be embracing any M rated title that Wii can possibly get. Last-gen the Xbox and PS2 were tagged as the more "mature" consoles and it's a reputation that follows into the 360 and PS3. This is a part of it's image Nintendo really needs to change.
I also thought about her last remark. "(Manhunt)'s also not the kind of game that most gamers are going to buy, it's for a very specific audience." I've always felt that "most gamers" were within the 16 and up range (don't lie and tell me that just because you're under 17 that you've never played or bought an M rated game). Sure there's the 8 to 12 year olds who go for games such as Mario Party and those that are based on their currently favorite movie but they don't exactly follow gaming as much as the older kids. Those that do pay more attention to the market are more interested in the games rated T and M where you will find yourself lineing up a perfect headshot (Call of Duty, Red Steel), or sneaking up behind someone to break their neck, or slash their throat (Splinter Cell).
So I guess it just shows that Nintendo isn't willing to give up it's family friendly image just yet, although I wonder why they couldn't make a compromise and meet the older crowd somewhere in between. Only time will tell.
