WiiWare dev: XBLA is 'full of sh*t'

by Scott Jon Siegel { Mar 17th 2008 at 9:00PM }

A little friendly trash-talk is to be expected between game developers and their various digital distribution platforms, but one anonymous WiiWare developer seems fiercely devoted to the potential of Nintendo's platform, calling Xbox Live Arcade's lineup "full of shit."

The comment comes from a discussion of Nintendo's aggressive strategy for bringing developers to the WiiWare platform. According to Develop Magazine, Nintendo is taking advantage of frustrations with Microsoft's service to entice developers over to WiiWare. According to the anonymous developer, the sheer glut of retro titles on XBLA makes it difficult for new properties to stand out (a grievance similarly aired by Jeff Minter following poor sales of his retro-styled title Space Giraffe).

Of course, any digital distribution platform is bound to eventually find itself congested with titles, a problem the brick-and-mortar retail chains have dealt with for years. Only after some time will we be able to see if WiiWare handles this title saturation any differently than XBLA.

Tags: microsoft, nintendo, wiiware, xbla

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Altairio @ Mar 17th 2008 9:08PM

"the sheer glut of retro titles on XBLA makes it difficult for new properties to stand out"

So he hasn't heard of Virtual Console?

Fatass of Kickassness @ Mar 17th 2008 9:10PM

I'm not sure that counts seeing as its a separate service.

Roto13 @ Mar 17th 2008 9:27PM

That's what popped into my head as well. :P Competing with old classics for Wii points.

Boostjunkie @ Mar 17th 2008 11:49PM

And this is the console that let's developers dump loads of crapware onto the system.

Platinum_Skeet @ Mar 18th 2008 12:01AM

Says the guy with the system with the lowest Hardware to Software attachment. He's just mad because most people are good after buying Wii Sports and just one other game...

Catprog @ Mar 18th 2008 3:14AM

according to http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/360-leads-hardware-to-software-ratio-wii-and-ps3-trail-with-sim/

about 4 games are owned per console (owned not sold thus including wii sports )

Wile the Ps3 only has 3.5

SKI @ Mar 18th 2008 8:20AM

This one is more recent,
http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9602&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=4

ApolloIV @ Mar 17th 2008 9:09PM

Wiiware is two XBLA services duct tapped together.

jcd @ Mar 17th 2008 9:28PM

actually WiiWare is two VirtualConsoles ducktaped together

Fatass of Kickassness @ Mar 17th 2008 9:09PM

I find it funny that he calls the service 'full of shit' because of retro rehashes when 'round where I live the most anticipated WiiWare titles are just that (Dr. Mario: Bacteria Extermination and StarSoldier R).

jynxce @ Mar 18th 2008 4:36PM

"...sheer glut of retro titles on XBLA makes it difficult for new properties to stand out..." LOL

And VC's 100% of retro titles is defferent how? The MS hatred runs deep in this one. Same misfocused rantings you hear from any fanboy nowadays...

Burnt Meatloaf @ Mar 18th 2008 4:16AM

Not to mention getting people to pay for free flash games that have been on the PC for years, like Defend Your Castle and Fishy.

Revamped graphics, yo! Didn't Nintendo fans say that stuff didn't matter?

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 18th 2008 12:00PM

Funny, the game I'm most looking forward to is Crystal Chronicles.

Spartacus @ Mar 17th 2008 9:13PM

The statement "full of sh!t" is exactly one half objective and one half subjective.

The fact is XBLA has a ton of titles while WiiWare is just starting up and Nintendo calling out MS for a "glut" of retro titles is quite the twist of irony as Nintendo's bread and butter are franchises from the NES days and their Virtual Console sells old ROMs for pure profit.

John McPoop @ Mar 18th 2008 12:43AM

@Spartacus

Nintendo did not call out Microsoft. Some random developer that coundn't hack it on the 360 and is obviously vindictive did. I am glad to see the 360 and Wii fanboys clash because it seems you guys have had a neutral stance against one another. Honestly, I think it is a ridiculous that this developer would say something so non-sensical. I am sure Wii ware will be a good service in time but what's really a pice of shit is nintendo's online service. Aside from the terrible friend codes and new friend codes that are game specific there is also no matchmaking, rankings, chatting or DLC for wii titles. Its almost like Nintendo doesn't want people to play online. They have a long way to go in every aspect of their online service before hey are even in the same universe as the 360 and PS3.

Zsavior @ Mar 18th 2008 7:14AM

And why shouldn't Nintendo fans and Xbox fans stay neutral is it cause if they were to argue it would draw attention from a certain other system that is trailing so far? Nintendo and MS aren't competing for the same fans there is no reason for them to argue.

John McPoop @ Mar 18th 2008 8:30AM

@Zsavior

I think you misunderstand the concept of my post. I am GLAD that Microsoft and Nintendo are clashing because other than this situation those two fanbase sects united against Sony and the PS3. You have the audacity to say they are not competing for the same fans??!!??! They are absolutely competing for the same fans in every way. Its not like Microsoft says "well lets just go after the 16 and up crowd because those 15 and under's are not important to us".

Your a total fanboy idiot tool if you really think that. To top off your rampant fanboyism I would bet $$ that you have a Wii & 360. FYI I have all of the consoles (handhelds to) and if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be the PS3. The only reason is because of special features and the fact my 360 has RROD a staggering 6 times!!!

Zsavior @ Mar 18th 2008 9:11AM

@ Mcpoop

Ohh Hit a sour spot did I? The insults just came rolling out, you angry there big guy just let it out, its ok the mean MS Fanboys will stop attacking Sony for right now there there. Let me get you a tissue, Now blow your nose, and lets hug it out.

Seriously if I am a fanboy what am I a fanboy of exactly? OH wait you don't know because I never pointed support towards either system. But man if I was a PS3 fanboy nothing makes my little heart a flutter more than the idea that my biggest competitor's fanboys, MS slugs it out with the Leading console developer as of date Nintendo.

So I slyly try and egg an argument on where there is none, with the hope that nobody turns their eyes towards my console of choice. And if anybody says anything about my oh so brilliant tactic I scream insults at them and call them a fanboy with out any substantial evidence to back it up.

Did I insult you no, did I insult Sony, No but you seem to take my comments to heart, seriously don't go angry lets hug this out really.

See fans of a certain console would like you to believe Nintendo and MS are competing because they are both in video games, but that is a half truth. If I buy a high end console I never intend to see games of the WII's graphical capabilities on my Xbox360. So why would I wage war with a company that goes for a completely different design and market than mine while turning my back on the company vying for the exact same consumer as me.

This console war is nothing like console wars of times past the only thing that has stayed the same is the fanboys. Not that I am calling you one Mr Mcpoop that would totally destroy our civil discourse that we are having now.

deaftly (Brawl - 1075-0467-4222) @ Mar 18th 2008 10:45AM

Hey guys I have a PS3 and Xbox 360 , my Xbox has RROD'd 27 times now. Did I mention that I do not own a Xbox 360 but its just cool to say it RROD'd on the internet. Mcpoop from your previous postings, you're just a blind sony fanboy.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 18th 2008 12:03PM

McPoop said:

"Leave SONY ALONE!!!!!"

John McPoop @ Mar 18th 2008 3:22PM

@Z Savior

Your probably right about alot of what you say. But even so you must admit that Sony seems to get it from both ends. The Live service is obviously the best online service out there for online play and downloadable games. But, when comparisons are made its often the PSN that is compared to Live and the Wii is not in the conversation. It seems that most NES fanboys want it both ways. In one breath they say that the Wii is a system not just for children and in the very same breath they go as far to say that it is indeed a next gen console competing. You tell me which one is true because I think the Wii is indeed geared towards children and families but when I make that argument I get all the NEs boys down my throat. I do apologize for the childish insults and pulling the fanboy card on you. That was wrong and I apologize. Again, all apologies for that remark. It was a momentary lapse of judgement.

@Deaftly

I do indeed own a 360 and it has RROD on me 6 times!!!! Now, I can see why you would make the assumption that I am lying (afterall its not as if I can prove what I am saying just like you can't disprove it) but I assure you I have had all 3 consoles since the launch date and my 360 has RROD a total of 6 times. 2/6 were Disc read errors which Mirosoft would not fix unless I paid them $100.00 so I had to force RROd them. I still consider that a RROD because its due to the failure of the console and nothing I did. So I suppose technically it has RROD on me a toal of 4x with 2 Disc Read errors that I had to force RROD. You can call me what you want but I activly purchase and play games from all consoles as well as defend them all for various reasons. I love playing games on my 360 but I have just had bad luck with it. I can honestly say if it were not for the warranty of Microsoft I would not have paid $100.00 to fix it or bought another one. Also, when I recently got my RROD 360 back (just before Ao2 came out) it would not play American DVDs. It said they were from an incorrect region.

@Crono

Yeah I suppose it did sound like that didn't it. It just seems like everyone is so quick to bash the PS3 for no reason what so ever. The only reason people seem to hate it is because of its price and lack of games. Its just a matter of taste and opinion.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 18th 2008 3:45PM

Yeah, its my opinion that a console with no games that fits my taste shouldn't cost 599 USD at launch.

But thats just me...

james.bonkowski @ Mar 17th 2008 9:15PM

Trust me, retro titles didn't hurt Space Giraffe. Space Giraffe hurt Space Giraffe, by looking strange, being strange to play, and by being called Space Giraffe.

NvM @ Mar 17th 2008 9:37PM

and sucking

I liked the creepiness but the gameplay wasn't far beyond Yaris.

madphilb @ Mar 17th 2008 10:27PM

Even without it being strange... I found it unplayable (or at least not fun) where I'll play Typhoon 2001 for an hour at a time... the difference, I can tell what the hell is going on in Typhoon.... and it's still a bit trippy.

aggrazel @ Mar 18th 2008 8:58AM

Absolutely, I hate when people blame some external thing for their failure instead of realizing that your game really just did suck.

I don't know how many XBLA subscribers are like me, but I play every single demo that comes down the line and I'm quite likely to buy any game I really like. I own around 20ish XBLA titles. Some of them are the "arcade retreads" they are complaining about. Its called nostalgia. Though its true there are a lot of really stupid games on XBLA. Space Giraffe, for example ...

Darknessplayas @ Mar 17th 2008 9:21PM

Xbox live arcade is full of shit, that is right, I have never bought anything from there except downloaded some free arcade. But the same thing go with Wii's game line up. It is full of shit, except game like super galaxy, or smash brother. Everything else is like sh*t.

Tiptup300 @ Mar 17th 2008 9:42PM

Marble Blast Ultra is freaking awesome! So is geometry wars and SOTN.

Also XNA Live! is going to like totally rape the Wiiware because WE, the homebrew developers make the games which you get for FREE. QUALITY for FREE.

Naota @ Mar 17th 2008 9:49PM

One word, REZ.
That is all.

Darknessplayas @ Mar 17th 2008 10:25PM

Yes. Those game are ok, but to me. It don't need to cost like $10 for those game.

samfish @ Mar 18th 2008 2:26AM

Is Ikaruga out on XBLA yet? Because if it is, well...you just plain suck for saying Ikaruga is bad.

Darknessplayas @ Mar 18th 2008 8:22AM

Like I said, it maybe good, but it not worth paying $10 for.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 18th 2008 12:05PM

XNA games aren't going to be free, or totally open either.

Tiptup300 @ Mar 18th 2008 4:10PM

Crono, your stupid. To MAKE them its free, it RUN them on your computer its free, to MAKE them AND run them on your 360 it costs money. Learn a little bit.

Also XNA Live! will be 100% free for the public to browse/download new games with no time limit, that were just for those demos.