The creative mind behind Mario, Zelda, and Nintendo frontman, Shigeru Miyamoto, has always been a champion to me. Focusing on gameplay and innovation over all else. There is a reason each new Zelda or Mario draw huge amounts of gamers... because the games are always fun and always on the driving edge of gameplay. And according to this article he just isn't happy with the current route that Sony and Microsoft are taking the gaming market.
"Rather than thinking we have a new console, let's make epic games, I want [developers] to make more unique products," - Miyamoto
I couldn't agree more. How many more shoot shoot shoot or drive drive drive games do I need? The problem I see though is that game development costs are skyrocketing forcing developers into the old reliable "make games that people always buy" mentality. This is why we have Tomb Raider games still cluttering shelves; because there is always money to be made in a sequel. It is the reason all the new consoles, Nintendo included, will be launching with sequels to their best franchises.
Like I said in a previous blog post "Is going back a good idea for the MMO world?" maybe game developers need to go back and redefine their roots and then proceed forward with new original ideas instead of pushing graphics over all else.
That is why Miyamoto is my champion of gaming because he will never settle for only graphical upgrades. A few more of him in the gaming industry and we might just avoid a few dark years for gaming.
He does seem to be the only one really experimenting in the console market but I do think some of his ideas are a little weak.
ReplyDeleteLike the DS, to me I do not get this device and think it's just a gemmick, sure it's inventive but is it fun or needed? some say so but I don't get it.
DS is outselling the PSP.
ReplyDeleteThe DS game "NinetendoDOGS" is a huge hit in Japan.
Like he said... unique games...
Of course not everyone is going to like all his ideas for his unique games... but chances are there is someone else out there that will.
That is why there is so many copycat games that fail... they don't make themselves unique.
Less games that are more unique in the market = better sales because everyone isn't sitting on 1-2 titles to make or break their console.