Nintendo says no to MMOs

by Scott Jon Siegel on Feb 7th 2008 8:00AM

Well, there go our dreams for a PokéMMO; Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has confirmed that Nintendo has no interest in developing an MMO at this time, possibly putting to rest the rumor of a massively multiplayer version of Animal Crossing, as well as any hope for Nintendo further broadening their online offerings.

Specifically, Iwata stated that Nintendo would only pursue MMO development if the title could appeal to people of all ages, from "5 to 95." Looking at Second Life, Iwata belives that MMOs aren't yet accessible to people without a fair degree of computer literacy, and that Nintendo would want to successfully cross that bridge before considering going the MMO route.

The answer bums us out a bit, but at least it shows that Nintendo isn't entirely close-minded to the possibility. Maybe we'll someday get a PokéMMO after all?

[Via Massively]

Source

Tags: nintendo, satoru-iwata, satoruiwata, Wii

Reader Comments (72)

tiss a shame both of the tittles above would be pretty sweet but alot different than most other mmo's around

The problem is that a Pokemon MMO would take away all the 11 year olds from WoW, leaving Blizzard with a small subscriber base of around 70,000... That would further put a lot of gold pharmers out of a job, reducing the base even more to around 20,000, give or take 19,999.

Tittles?

That sounds oddly erotic.

Maybe if they figure out how to base it on bowling or tennis they might come up with something that appeals to that "5-to-95 crowd."

Uh, maybe you haven't played Animal Crossing, but it fits the bill.

Animal Crossing would have been the best bet for an MMO conversion that would appeal to all ages. Sad that they won't be doing it.

@NATO_Duke

I think pokemon fits moreso. Picture if you will, a version of Red/Blue where instead of crappy scripted battles on routes, you could face actual people.

*drool*

Sure cube, but I don't think pokemon characters are as endearing to adult gamers as the animal crossing characters are.

i always found animal crossing to be a bit too shallow, but I can see your point.

...Not surprised in the least. :(

Ah well, that's what the PC/PS3/X360 are for... but a MMO ANIMAL CROSSING would've probably been the third game on the Wii console I'd bother with(behind 'BRAWL, 'KART and NO MORE HEROES).

Agreed, I really wish they would come out with another Animal Crossing game. My gf and I still play the GC version. The one on the DS is too sluggish for me.

Lame, weak, not cool.
There go my dreams of pulling out weeds with 100 friends. :(

thank god... I've never come across an MMO I liked and I'd rather nintendo put its development efforts into something less mind-numbing

...no offense to any mmoers out there of course ;)

Yes, Like Mario Party 9.... 80% of current Nintendo projects are already mind-numbing,

Aww, Duscrom couldn't beat Excite Truck, or Metroid Prime 3, bawwwwww.

I'll agree with you on mario party, but 80%, really?

and besides, even if nintendo is making mostly lackluster games, wouldn't that make a nintendo mmo all the more worse? I mean, let's face it, nintendo's attempts at any kind of internet social networking so far (AC:WW, check mii out channel, etc.) have not been promising...

I still find the nintendo local multiplayer experience more than satisfying though ;)

If Nintendo continues to neglect a possible MMO, somebody must die.

Because we NEED that PokeMMO.

I'd totally start playing with mah mudkipz again if they had a Pokemmo!

Animal Crossing better have voice chat, that's all I'm saying. Don't want it to be an MMO? Okay. But if I can't talk to someone on my friends list while fishing or getting.. berries or whatever, I am going to be pissed off. That's what ruined the online on the DS version, which was otherwise a great game!

It's 2008, ladies!

Wow, they really are trapped in the past if they don't see the frankly huge amounts of cash sitting behind a Pokemmo.

(not sure on this) Is Pokemon stiil that hot? I know like 6 (?) years ago, a PokeMMO would probably be able to beat WoW, but not sure about now.

Pokemon, I will admint, would translate to an MMO very "easily" and naturally.

It is very hot. Lots of people still buy the pokemon games.

Only when they come out with a device that causes Action Replay and the like to melt when used in conjunction.

And it would either not be true to the original games or the unwashed masses would quit en masse because they wouldn't be able to have Mewtwo in their party.

Translation: We can't control every aspect of every moment of everyone's gaming experience to ensure that they aren't drawing graffiti wangs. This would tarnish our kid friendly image.

Quite stupid on their part...

Although to be honest with the Wii being the way it is I don't think an MMO would be possible quite frankly fun.

I mean it requires a lot of hardware and processing to run a game like that right?

The Wii just isn't capable of that type of game IMO. Don't get me wrong I love my Wii along with my 360 and even at 22 I'd still buy a Pokemon MMO game but I just can't see how it would be fun to play it on the Wii.

Maybe next generation Nintendo will get real and creat a system that has some real power behind it so that big games like MMO's can be created for it.

I'm sorry, what? You do realize they had MMOs before World of Warcraft, right? An MMO is not taxing to the hardware, any more than a normal game is. The only difference is that the game gets all its dynamic data from the server. Ergo a pokemon MMO (ESPECIALLY one based around turn-based battle) would do just damn well fine.

If you find yourself writing "IMO" after a statement that isn't actually an opinion, you're better off just deleting your post and keeping your mouth shut.

Whether or not the Wii can support an MMO isn't an "opinion" any more than "The sky is blue" is. It's a statement of fact (which happens to be completely wrong). The PlayStation 2, a far weaker piece of hardware, had an MMO (FFXI). PCs have had graphical MMOs since Meridian 59 (and MUDs before that). All you need to have an MMO is a network connection, some servers, and a group of talented developers to make it happen.

"IMO", you should probably stick to having opinions instead of making up your own facts.

They have to find a way of creating a useable MMO whilst allowing no interaction, thus protecting the kiddies.

Who really gives a damn about Nintendo not makng an MMO. Some of you guys bitch about anything. NINTENDO,, MMOs,,, really!

Amen on that one.

It's a valid complaint because I'd personal like to get my money's worth out of the console. Granted, I didn't expect any(or as many)big A+ third party published games in the same fashion as PS3/X360, but that's where Nintendo historically always picked up the slack.
Considering also that it is the only one of the three I have that has the least games; outside of VC downloads... which truthfully, I had prior via emulation or ownership of the original format. So, as I stated earlier, a MMO ANIMAL CROSSING(or just about anything really)would've been a great purchase with obvious long gaming time along with it.

Fair enough freelance, but I think that an Animal Crossing MMO would have been a game that a lot of people would enjoy trying, and then getting sucked into. It would have been a smart way to get some more dedicated gamers to spend time with their Wii.

Iwata - "What!? Random people might be able to contact each other? NEVAR!"

He seems to be ruling out traditional MMOs where you just walk around and interact/have eSex with strangers. He didn't say anything, though, to rule out an Animal Crossing MMO type game, though.

this makes me sad. the format of Pokemon and Animal Crossing are absolutely perfect for an MMO. a pokemon game that was similar to WoW, where when your out on your quest you actually battle real trainers and gym leaders rather than made up ones? it would be a great idea. you dont have to have voice chat, though, they could set standard messages if they wanted. i await the day that Nintendo starts catering to ALL of that 5-95 target demographic they have there and not just the 5...

I don't think WoW format would be a good change for Pokemon... keep it turn based. The overworld would be good to get a new 3D coat of paint EQ2 style (OMG, a reference to an MMO other than WoW), and they could obviously use the town names from the original games. Travel could be by foot, or you could buy a bicycle, maybe even taxi it.
Ugh, and I hate how everyone compares MMOs to WoW, there are other, better (GTFO, better than WoW? Impossible.) MMO games!
It would finally be an okay place for someone to come up to you and say "My Pokemans... Let me show them to you."
Note: I do not think Pokemon would look good with EQ2 styled towns, I was just using another MMO as a reference for once.

I didn't know that Nintendo had any kind of online offering.

Pokemonline?

Nintendo.

Always isolation,always!

what they were really saying is that "wait for our games, it's the only type you need"

Animal Crossing SCREAMS MMO. and that's for a broad range of gamers of different age. Get with the time and stop waiting for other people to do it first!

I firmly believe an Animal Crossing MMO would work.

So basically the only way Nintendo will make an MMO is if they see a 3rd party do this successfully, because they don't want to work hard and try new things. Just like all of their games, they'll only make it if its going to be a guaranteed success. I'm really getting tired of playing Mario and Zelda games for the millionth time. It doesn't matter if they are still good at this point(I know that sounds weird), but It's just sad they haven't used all that money to make new licenses of games we haven't seen on the Super Nintendo.

Good post. That makes perfect sense to me. I cannot even think of the last NEW IP for the hardcore gamers out there that Nintendo did. 2008 is the year the mighty Dressed up GameCube's bubble goes POP!!!

Thanks. It hurts to see all these people supporting a company that as given up entirely on innovation. The Wii Balance board... yeah right.

I must not know about all of the outstanding new IPs that Sony has been pumping out and making 3 sequels in as many years for. Could I get a list of new, first-party IPs that have graced the PlayStation brand?

I don't have the time to compile a fucking list for you. Just like you don't have the time to play a game session thats longer than 5 minutes outside of Mario Party. The point is that Sony has at least TRIED to make new first party games, regardless of whether some are successful and some bomb. Nintendo hasn't.

Worst Review Ever,

Go over that list, compare it to Nintendo's, get back and please rephrase your statement...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_games_published_by_Sony_Computer_Entertainment

Thanks Noshino. That list is why I like Sony. Not all of those games are great, but Sony is always trying new things and creating a great variety of games for their systems. I don't know of any Nintendo games though.

After consulting said list, I've decided that I like Excite Truck slightly more than Gran Turismo...

Also, Mario Galaxy butt-stomps those other games like so many mindless Goombas.

Nintendo must be collecting all of their development might for more mini-games.

That is the most ridiculous excuse for yet again shunning the hardcore Nintendo fanatics of the world. Why the Nintendo faithful put up with the big N shitting on you more and more is beyond me.

And to just repeat a double standard...if this had been Sony saying this.....oh boy

Yet Nintendo does it and you guys come up with excuses for them.

WAKE UP. NINTENDO DOES not CARE ABOUT YOU HARDCORE FAITHFUL ANYMORE.

5 year olds and soccer moms and grandmas have more pull with the Plumber than you twats.

Game on bitches

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Nintendo says no to MMOs

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