Disney forms Nintendo games studio
by Kevin Kelly 
{ Nov 7th 2006 at 9:30AM }
Disney is forming a new studio based in Salt Lake City called Fall Line (???) to make games exclusively for Nintendo featuring Disney characters. The new studio marks the fourth that Disney has bought or started up on their own in the past two years at a tune of more than $200 million dollars.While Nintendo puts the emphasis on fun in their games instead of next-gen processing power, Disney could be a great fit with them. Both Nintendo and Disney skew heavily towards younger audiences, and those aren't the kind of gamers who'll be concerned with how many polygons it takes to render Goofy's hat into a photorealistic prop. They have sequels in the immediate future: another Chicken Little game comes out around Wii-launch, and you can probably expect another Cars video game.
It'll be interesting to see what Fall Line can produce on their own. Maybe they'll port Kingdom Hearts to the Wii. That would be worth a wait.
[Thanks, Bored]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
crono141 @ Nov 7th 2006 9:37AM
What does "forth a wait" mean?
Kinda cool that disney is setting up a studio JUST for Nintendo. Anybody know if they do that for all consoles (have 1 studio dedicated to each)?
Prepare for the "OMG NINTENDO IS TEH KIDDY" comments!
Mr. Fap-Fap @ Nov 7th 2006 9:44AM
Todd and a brain, still, proof that you don't need one to live.
I wish my fellow Americans weren't so f-cking stupid as to think that just because a game doesn't have blood, swearing and BIG BOOM-BOOMS, tha it's a "kiddie game".
Friggin' morons.
32_Footsteps @ Nov 7th 2006 9:41AM
You know, you could also ponder about the possibilities of swordfighting as Jack Sparrow with the Wiimote - I know that game would have my attention.
> @ Nov 7th 2006 9:41AM
A startup soley for Nintendo makes a lot of sense; they are the easiest systems to develop for.
Zo K. @ Nov 7th 2006 9:44AM
I most certainly think that a Kingdom Hearts title on Wii would be "forth a wait".
Sorry... had to. ^^;;
John Lucas @ Nov 7th 2006 9:56AM
People are foolish to think that "kiddie games" shouldn't exist.
Where do you think the next set of loyal customers come from?
Besides who do you think games are for? Kids & the kids-at-heart. Adult games don't involve videogame controllers if ya smell it.
Nintendo makes games for kids, big kids, college kids, kids with bills, kids with responsibility, kids with gray hair & Medicare. EVERYONE.
Disney & Nintendo together again! THIS time not in the playing card realm.
Fitting since Nintendo is often seen as the Disney of the industry.
John Lucas
Fuzz @ Nov 7th 2006 9:59AM
New Duck Tails? Please! Other than that, not to interested. But Duck Tails! Ya!
Spikeydeathtrap @ Nov 7th 2006 9:58AM
Todd, his point wasn't that Disney will be making kiddie games(they will). It was that the Wii isn't ONLY a kiddie system. Personally, I think you're right. I mean, games like Necro-nesia and the new Resident Evil clearly don't actually exist; it couldn't just be that A:Disney, a cash cow company, wants to milk its franchises more and B:like every developer under the sun has said, Nintendo's systems are easier to design for. No, its gotta be the kiddie thing.
For the record: I don't mind fanboy loyalty(it would be hypocritical of me since I'm obviously one), but only when people make arguments that actually involve things like 'logic'.
Zo K. @ Nov 7th 2006 10:08AM
"New Duck Tails? Please! Other than that, not to interested. But Duck Tails! Ya!"
Actually, since you mention that, Fuzz, may I suggest Darkwing Duck? It's been forever since I've seen anything with him in it.
crono141 @ Nov 7th 2006 10:11AM
You know todd, all I "hear" when you "speak" is:
I can't control games with a remote.. I can't control games with a remote.
Its controller envy. You're just mad you'll be missing the Next-Gen of video gaming.
Intentless @ Nov 7th 2006 10:10AM
I don't consider the Nintendo System a "kiddie game" supplier. Its a party game. Mario Kart Smash Bros. Mario Party however much a little kid would be capable of playing them they are just as enjoyable for someone like myself when friends are over. I call Nintendo the "party console." And don't think to call me a pansy, I have played everything ie Killzone was great, not a Halo killer but great still. Halo, Gears of War, Grand Theft (everyone ever made.) But I will always turn to Nintendo when it comes to getting together with the buds and kicking eachother's rears.
SP @ Nov 7th 2006 10:09AM
Duck Tails Wii... Make it now.
> @ Nov 7th 2006 10:09AM
"It has nothing to do with how easy it is to develop for the Wii. We all know it's easy, it's the most under powered console on the market, this gen, and some last gen.
Disney is creating for Nintendo simply for the kiddie factor. Let's be honest."
Well, its a combination of both.
1. Low development costs: system is cheap to develop for and kids have low expectations.
2. Wii demographic will capture more of the 'younger' population and those young at heart. Wii demographic also nicely overlaps with Disney demo... so, its a win win for Disney.
3. Disney, with the strength of their franchises, may actually be a third party that succeeds on a Nintendo console (SEGA did well during GC); fyi, RE4 was outsold by all the GC Mario Party titles (individually, not combined).
Dr Love @ Nov 7th 2006 10:12AM
@Todd
1. Define "kiddie game" for me.
2. I highly doubt that the Wii will have more kiddie games then all the other systems "combinded". Whatever "combinded" is supposed to mean.
3. The Wii is the least powerful system this generation. Agreed. The Wii is less powerful then some systems last generation? Thats BS buddy. The Wii has better specs than the Xbox, which was the most powerful system last gen, so please don't flap your mouth about stuff you know nothing about or at least look up the facts first.
Silver @ Nov 7th 2006 10:32AM
Todd - still upset he won't be able to get his hands on a PS3 until summer.
Haters suck.
Powerlord @ Nov 7th 2006 10:19AM
In case Kevin has forgotten, Kingdom Hearts was created largely by Square Enix.
raid168 @ Nov 7th 2006 10:28AM
nintendo is smart,they are trying to get those little kids back again.the old kids already growed up,many of them are betrayer,they go for ps2,xbox3,ps3,being graphic whore,well,done,nintedo!!
saboola @ Nov 7th 2006 10:34AM
I think ducktales on the NES was a Capcom game. All the good disney games were now that I think about it (Ducktales on NES, Aladdin on Genesis). If they did make a new Ducktales, it would be more like EA remaking Goldeneye, and would probably suck about as much.
raid168 @ Nov 7th 2006 10:42AM
i guess little kids can spend more $$$ on nintendo than old adult these days. nintendo need little kid's support more than the core-user now,core-user looks like loser in nintendo's eyes, it hurts but true
> @ Nov 7th 2006 10:44AM
I've posted this list before; but, it seems to warrant another posting for the discussion:
Top selling GC games. This is the demographic that Disney et al. are up against when they develop for a Nintendo system. Whether you define it as kiddie or not is your interpretation. Notice RE4 (game of the year).
* Super Smash Bros. Melee (6.10 million) [157]
* Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (6.01 million) [158]
* Super Mario Sunshine (5.56 million) [159]
* The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (4.32 million) [160]
* Luigi's Mansion (3.27 million) [161]
* Metroid Prime (2.77 million) [162]
* Pokémon Colosseum (2.50 million) [163]
* Mario Party 4 (2.43 million) [164]
* Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (2.33 million) [165]
* Animal Crossing (2.24 million) [166]
* Mario Party 5 (2.01 million) [167]
* Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (1.88 million) [168]
* Star Fox Adventures (1.85 million) [169]
* Sonic Mega Collection (1.80 million) [170]
* Pikmin (1.61 million) [171]
* Mario Party 6 (1.54 million) [172]
* Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (1.51 million) [173]
* Soul Calibur 2 (1.48 million) [174]
* Resident Evil 4 (1.44 million) [175]
* Sonic Heroes (1.43 million) [176]
* Resident Evil (1.40 million) [177]
* Kirby Air Ride (1.37 million) [178]
* Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (1.36 million) [179]
* Super Monkey Ball (1.35 million) [180]
* Super Monkey Ball 2 (1.32 million) [181]
* Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (1.30 million) [182]
* Resident Evil 0 (1.26 million) [183]
* Mario Party 7 (1.19 million) [184]
* Spider-Man: The Movie (1.16 million) [185]
* Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (1.13 million) [186]
* Mario Power Tennis (1.13 million) [187]
* Need for Speed: Underground (1.12 million) [188]
* Sonic Adventure DX (1.10 million) [189]
* Tales of Symphonia (1.08 million) [190]
* Pokémon XD (1.07 million) [191]
* Donkey Konga (1.06 million) [192]
* Pikmin 2 (1.05 million) [193]
* Super Mario Strikers (1.01 million) [194]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_selling_computer_games#Nintendo_GameCube
Ragnarokender @ Nov 7th 2006 2:10PM
All I need Disney for is Kingdom Hearts. All Disney stuff + Final Fantasy stuff all in one, can't lose.
Todd @ Nov 7th 2006 10:59AM
"It's like my DS, couple good games here and there, with a whole bunch of mess, more so than any handheld or console I have ever experienced.
You Wii fanboys need to recognize a spade for a spade."
Todd, you also need to realize that this more than any other reason this is why the DS is successful. Usually it simply comes down to the amount of games that are available for a system to justify its purchase. Sure it's a lot of "kiddie" and "crappie" games, but we all know rating has nothing to do with sales or a product being profitable. In the end, profit drives sales. It's also the reason the Wii is getting so much love right now. It will easily be the most profitable system to develop for initially.
michael @ Nov 7th 2006 11:03AM
@27; that list doesn't tell me diddly about the "kiddiness" of the content on the system - it simply reiterates that the Gamecube was by and large a 1st party-driven system; the GC, I believe, had the worst 3rd party-software tie-in of any system.
@25; Todd, just because a blogger says it, doesn't make it true.
In any event, I'd trust a "kiddie" system over a...system designed for old, technophiliac nerds. Hell, I'd be fine if a company came out with another 16-bit system, as long as the games are there.
Duscrom @ Nov 7th 2006 4:39PM
Yeah..... There is more to this story then he posts, because I read it off of IGN.. well mostly about Disney and Nintendo. Yes. Diseney games are going to be kiddie... and they are going to suck. Don't believe me? Here's some game for thought. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, That's So Raven, Jake Long: American Dragon. Cars... wait, Cars was published by THQ...
michael @ Nov 7th 2006 11:15AM
I can dig that, Todd, but ya gotta realize, when you put it into such explicit terms ("NINTENDO IS TEH KIDDY"), well, that's flame-bait, buddy.
With regards to the story itself - honestly, I would've thought Kingdom Hearts to be a more Nintendo-aligned type of title, and it'd be great to see one on the Wii. Hopefully, this doesn't mean more shovelware (think Mickey's Magical Candy Quest or something of the sort).
To be honest, I did notice the comment about "Nintendo skewing heavily toward younger audiences," but didn't really think to make a comment about it. That seems a very American attitude, and I really think you can only justify it by comparing Nintendo to, say, Microsoft, who intentionally go after older gamers. Nintendo makes games for everyone - that statement is a far cry from "Nintendo creates games to cater specifically to a younger audience."
Dr Love @ Nov 7th 2006 11:40AM
"First, the Nintendo library will most likely be the smallest, as we have seen the past 2 Gens."
Call me on this if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Wii have more launch titles than the PS3 or than the Xbox 360 did?
Plus, considering that developing games for the Wii is much easier than for other systems, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if the Wii had the biggest game library rather than the smallest.
Finn @ Nov 7th 2006 11:46AM
Square acually said that there not sure what system the next KH would be for when asked. Could be the wii
I could think of some cool things to do with the controller... and its not like they need to have better graphics for a KH game then whats already there.... goofy looks pretty much like goofy already
I'm kinda confused at the argument here.... "kiddy games" come out for and are made for every system (nintendo gets the most) but I really don't think theres a reason for that. It's just kinda what happens. Nintendo doesn't really choose what 3rd parties send their system. their 1st party stuff is what it is.... and I'm sure the more good games 3rd partys give them the happier they'll be, regardless of the violent content.
Besides after reading that article that came out here a few weeks ago about the colors pallett of next gen gaming, I'm happy to see some bright blues once in a while.
Evan @ Nov 7th 2006 12:52PM
@26. "nintendo need little kid's support more than the core-user now,core-user looks like loser in nintendo's eyes, it hurts but true"
Kids are the "core" video game demographic. Older hardcore gamers are still the minority.
Nintendo sold 60 million NES and 50 million SNES systems, when video games were almost exclusively for kids. And the number of kids playing video games has only increased!
The majority of PS2s were bought by parents for their kids. But, with the PS3, Sony is ignoring the majority of their consumers while they go off chasing after the XBox's older hardcore gamers. Sony has said that they expect the PS3 will take a few years before it builds up its numbers - and in the meantime they expect kids and parents will sit on their PS2s. That's not going to happen with Nintendo offering a compelling upgrade to the PS2, that they can afford now. Nintendo is in a position to pull the core foundation out from under Sony.
Finn @ Nov 7th 2006 12:07PM
@34
Your right but I've read countless interviews of developers intrest in the wii being far greater than anything I heard heard/read about on the cube
32_Footsteps @ Nov 7th 2006 12:11PM
Again, I would like to point out the possibility of Pirates of the Caribbean on the Wii. Nintendo plus Disney does not automatically equal "games you wouldn't want to touch."
Of course, I fail to see the problem with "kiddy" games. What's more important, that the games be "mature" or that the games be "fun"? I'll grant that either variety of game could be fun, but it seems that the premium is placed on the maturity and not the enjoyment derived from the game.
And if you just can't derive enjoyment out of something that's all-ages appropriate, then you're not much of a gamer.
ninja @ Nov 7th 2006 12:21PM
I like Nintendo, but that doesn't mean I will dodge the truth; Nintendo's target audience are the younger demographic.
Why 'younger'? How many MA / AO rated games does Nintendo carry in their library? 4? Nintendo reminds me of the strict catholic boy who refuses to accept reality and paints the rainbow bright images of life. Its great for younger audiences (or ones young at heart).
When Nintendo launches a first party Gears of War or Playboy Mansion (even though crapy) then they will have reached puberty.
When Nintendo offers their Socom, I'll be interested.
ninja @ Nov 7th 2006 12:35PM
And if you just can't derive enjoyment out of something that's all-ages appropriate, then you're not much of a gamer.
******************************************************
Wow, that's a harsh statement... Just because I don't like pineapples on my pizza, I don't like pizza?
I don't feel all gamers are expected to like the same games or systems even. Didn't realize all gamers were suppose to like all games.
I guess I'll have to go buy a Wii and Wii Sports instead of a Playstation & SOCOM or 360 & Gears of War in order to be considered a 'gamer'.......
yes, sarcasm..
Silver @ Nov 7th 2006 3:33PM
"This is what constantly keeps me away from anything Nintendo. I can only take sooooo much goody goody gum drop characters and colors." - Todd
"Wii and Nintendo, still, over rated." - Todd
"Who said I won't be getting the Wii? That's my top priority for Next Gen Consoles." - Todd
Todd = a bitter soul divided.
Troll Different.
Finn @ Nov 7th 2006 12:40PM
Cool Todd you acually managed to try to disbute my statement by doing nothing more than insulting me. It's cool too because it's impossible for me to go back in time and site you sources based on what I read back then (and I certainly read it).
But developers sure are excited about the wii and I'm pretty sure that just ubisofts support alone (being the second largest video game developer in the world) is enough to prove my argument right off the bat...
I can't however tell the future and I won't pretend too. But I can say that the support (so far) is greater than the gamecube
gamecube launch games- All-Star Baseball 2002
Batman Vengeance
Crazy Taxi
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2
Disney’s Tarzan Untamed
Luigi’s Mansion
Madden NFL 2002
NHL Hitz 2002
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
Super Monkey Ball
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
and Wave Race: Blue Storm.
wii- * The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
* Wii Sports
* Excite Truck
* Call of Duty 3
* Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
* Rapala Tournament Fishing
* Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
* World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions
* Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
* Trauma Center: Second Opinion
* Madden NFL 07
* Need for Speed Carbon
* Happy Feet
* Rampage: Total Destruction
* The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
* The Ant Bully
* Elebits
* Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
* Metal Slug Anthology
* Super Swing Golf
* Avatar: The Last Airbender
* Cars
* SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
* Far Cry: Vengeance
* Red Steel
* GT Pro Series
* Monster 4x4 World Circuit
* Rayman Raving Rabbids
* Open Season
* Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent
* Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
Yeah wii seems a to have a LITTLE bit more support
Dan @ Nov 7th 2006 12:44PM
for the record, the gamecube had 47 M rated games in it's library, out of a total library of 619 games. The PS2 had 242 M rated games out of a total of 1536. That means about 8% of the gamecube library was rated M, compared to about 16% of the PS2 library. Which is a big difference, but doesn't scream kiddie or anything (incidentally, the Xbox beats out the PS2, with 194 of 1000 games being rated M).
Additionally, both Gamecube and PS2 had more games with an E rating than any other. Gamecube had 318 E games compared to 218 T games, and PS2 had 612 E games and 599 T games. The Xbox gets by, but only barely with 368 E games and 391 T games.
Last, as a minor bit of trivia, there have only ever been 2 console games rated AO. Obviously, one is GTA:San Andreas, but the only other AO game ever made for a console was a CDi game entitled "The Joy of Sex".
Finn @ Nov 7th 2006 12:48PM
Acually after looking at the list I put up, I have to say that the games are pretty varied so far.
Other than sports games really... and rpg's, I'm also kinda suprised that there aren't more minigame games on the list
Finn @ Nov 7th 2006 12:50PM
and why the hell do I keep spelling actually wrong
ninja @ Nov 7th 2006 12:51PM
Last, as a minor bit of trivia, there have only ever been 2 console games rated AO. Obviously, one is GTA:San Andreas, but the only other AO game ever made for a console was a CDi game entitled "The Joy of Sex".
******************************************************
Well, I checked; Playboy: The Mansion & The Guy Game were only MA titles - though, they should have been AO... my mistake.
DeShaun @ Nov 7th 2006 2:05PM
Citing an earlier poster's list (I don't know if it's legit), Melee was the top selling GC game. That's far from a kiddy game. Sure, it has youngster appeal, because it has colorful graphics and is easy to pick up and play, as well as having a couple recognizable characters.
It's also a nod to anyone who is oldschool enough to remember where Ness is from, or know what a Game & Watch is. Not only that, but it appeals to the hardcore gamer too. Have you ever seen a melee tournament before? It's crazy.
Yes, I'm citing only one title of many, but bottom line, this could be a nice move, depending on the titles.
The issue about crappy games is so stupid that I don't even know where to begin. It's a matter of availability. Playstation was successful because it had popular games, NOT because it had a lack of craptacular games. PS1 and PS2 both have a LARGE collection of garbage games, but you know what? The good outweighs the bad.
DS, GC, and soon Wii...they'll all survive on what Nintendo has always pushed; quality over quantity. The day they push out a klunker with a main character is the day they fail as a company.
John Lucas @ Nov 7th 2006 2:08PM
Reading most of the posts here I think I'm starting understand the premise of that Cartoon Network show "Kids Next Door (K.N.D)".
Aa they reach the age of 13 they have to leave the force. Something in the brain changes & they can no longer identify purely with the freedom of being a kid having fun.
Many posters here have figuratively passed that "Age of 13" & have lost touch with their inner child.
I chalk it up to insecurity. Along with your garden-variety wannabeism & groupthink.
At one time they were just games. There WAS no such thing as "mature" or "kiddy".
What the hell is an "adult gamer" anyhow??
Don't they realize how 'oxymoronic' that sounds?
John Lucas
32_Footsteps @ Nov 7th 2006 2:15PM
"I don't feel all gamers are expected to like the same games or systems even. Didn't realize all gamers were suppose to like all games."
I never said they did. What I did say is that if you can't find yourself able to derive enjoyment out of a game just because it's not a Mature title, you aren't a gamer.
Next time, instead of constructing a straw man, how about you try to refute my actual statement.
Evan @ Nov 7th 2006 2:58PM
I think I understand Mr. Footstep's point.
Why do you play the games you play?
a. Because you enjoy the gameplay.
b. Because you get off on violence and gore.
c. Because it makes you look or feel cool and mature.
A true gamer would answer "a". Therefore, the rating of the game should not matter if the gameplay is the same. (However, gritty realism can create a mood, so I think there is some correlation, but that would not explain the hatred against "kiddie" games!) Based on all the *hate* directed towards anything "kiddie", I suspect a lot of mature-game fans fall into option "c".
Skwurl @ Nov 7th 2006 4:07PM
#41 - That's a common strategy used by fanboys. Bash the system but claim you'll still be buying it. I've seen it so many times on this site it's not even funny.
"(insert competitor console name) Sucks, but I'll still be picking one up on launch day.."
Sure you will Todd...sure you will.
32_Footsteps @ Nov 7th 2006 4:10PM
Evan has got it. Some games benefit from adult themes, but a real gamer loves a game because it's fun, and not whether or not it's "mature".
Besides, you'd be surprised at what you can get away with. I've seen poop jokes, vomit, snot, kidnapping, child abandonment, and at least one F-bomb in games rated E by the ESRB.
Zing @ Nov 7th 2006 4:57PM
A Nintendo game with disney character = Kingdom Souls?
Anyways, Kingdom Hearts was directed by Square, so idk what Nintendo wants to do with Disney (And if you're laughing at that sentence because it has 'do', grow up). If we add Final Fantasy to the equation that would be killa, Mario + Cloud vs generic baddies :3
*looks at raid168* Who fed the troll in training?
Chris @ Nov 7th 2006 10:43PM
An F-bomb in an E rated game? Which game was that?