David Perry, who should sound familiar to you Earthworm Jim fans out there, sat down with GamesIndustry.biz to conduct a nice little interview. GI grilled him on all of the current consoles on the market, eventually coming to Nintendo's newest console, the Wii. What Perry had to say, however, might not be what we all wanted to hear.
In regards to the competition of Nintendo's first-party titles, Perry states "You have to allow for that. You can't assume it is going to be like the other platforms, because you are going to have Nintendo taking most of the sales. And if Nintendo really sees you as a threat, they will take the moves to wipe you out. They are not going to let you win." Kind of makes Nintendo sound like the mafia or something, wouldn't you say?
Perry also talks about Nintendo's new winning attitude, stating that the ease of use of the Wii is what is bringing them all of this new fortune. Perry compares them to Apple, saying "What matters is the fact that things are easy to play. Hopefully, everyone heeded the Nintendo message. Easy to play is very important in this industry. Does anyone get that yet? You can go back to Apple, who taught us the same thing. Time after time after time they put out a new iPod with the same controls. Why? Because adding ten more buttons, which would have been very tempting and very easy to do, would have made it more complex. Keeping that system, that round dial that does everything magically, is part of the proof that making things easier sells."
Reader Comments (10)
Posted: Sep 26th 2007 11:16PM vidguy said
If it wasn't for Nintendo's games I would never have owned a Nintendo console. 3rd party games are important to the sales of the consoles, but definitely not a be-all-end-all for MY enjoyment. Plus, I seriously doubt Nintendo is trying to compete against 3rd parties on its own console. They did that before and that felt the destructive power that strategy has.
I finally agree with Perry on something - the ease of use. Nintendo capitalized on ease of use at the right time, and will probably be the defining force on bridging the chasm between early adopters of video games (which, even though it's a very profitable business, is who the industry really depends on) and a mass market.
I finally agree with Perry on something - the ease of use. Nintendo capitalized on ease of use at the right time, and will probably be the defining force on bridging the chasm between early adopters of video games (which, even though it's a very profitable business, is who the industry really depends on) and a mass market.
Posted: Sep 26th 2007 11:31PM (Unverified) said
Too bad he didn't say anything about bringing an Earthworm Jim to the Wii.
Posted: Sep 26th 2007 11:42PM (Unverified) said
lol.
where were they @ halo's launch? Biggest entertainment day in the history of the world. 175 million plus!! and still selling strong. lol ownd
where were they @ halo's launch? Biggest entertainment day in the history of the world. 175 million plus!! and still selling strong. lol ownd
Posted: Sep 27th 2007 2:54AM (Unverified) said
Nice associative fallacy. Any company that ignores *THREATS* goes out of business.
I think the kids are calling that "capitalism" these days.
I think the kids are calling that "capitalism" these days.
Posted: Sep 27th 2007 3:17AM (Unverified) said
those old people are holding their controllers backwards... maybe it's harder to play than they would like seniors to believe. i wonder if it's senility or the paycheck that makes them smile so...cause i doubt it's the gameplay
Posted: Sep 27th 2007 3:50AM (Unverified) said
Maybe the old people are left-handed, bigot.
Posted: Sep 27th 2007 8:33AM processfive said
Or maybe the image has been reversed. It's happened before.
Of course, if that's the case, then that old man is wearing a woman's shirt for some reason.
Of course, if that's the case, then that old man is wearing a woman's shirt for some reason.
Posted: Sep 28th 2007 5:55AM (Unverified) said
the thing is that games from Nintendo itself for their own machines are far superior then 3rd parties.
So, where DP is headed at?
So, where DP is headed at?
Posted: Sep 27th 2007 11:21AM TurboFool said
What's with this continued idea that the iPod controls are easier than other interfaces? Using a wheel to move up and down or left and right is counter-intuitive and imprecise.
Posted: Sep 27th 2007 11:32AM (Unverified) said
whoohoo another developer who hason't done anything worth while in a decade bemoaning the wii to get free press...
and as for how good halo's doing... it sold AT MOST (170 / 60) 2.8 million copys... more then likely it's in the 2.3 million range because a large number of the purchasers were lured in to the limited or legendary packaging for more...
what's that? only marginally better then halo 2's launch?
After a non-stop advertising firestorm for months and months trying to convince gamers that halo 2 was the second coming? After grass roots advertising word of mouth spreading news? After half a dozen different ARGs? it barely tops Halo 2's numbers...and only benefits from increased price point of the game...
if i was Microsoft I'd be spinning that to be impressive too. Just like if the last game i made that was any good was Earth Worm Jim I'd be doing everything possible to spin that I was still relevant. Doesn't make either true.
and as for how good halo's doing... it sold AT MOST (170 / 60) 2.8 million copys... more then likely it's in the 2.3 million range because a large number of the purchasers were lured in to the limited or legendary packaging for more...
what's that? only marginally better then halo 2's launch?
After a non-stop advertising firestorm for months and months trying to convince gamers that halo 2 was the second coming? After grass roots advertising word of mouth spreading news? After half a dozen different ARGs? it barely tops Halo 2's numbers...and only benefits from increased price point of the game...
if i was Microsoft I'd be spinning that to be impressive too. Just like if the last game i made that was any good was Earth Worm Jim I'd be doing everything possible to spin that I was still relevant. Doesn't make either true.
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