New York Times talks Miyamoto, Wii Music
Following Time Magazine's announcement of Shigeru Miyamoto as the most influential person of the year (as chosen by you!), The New York Times has a lengthy biography of the legendary game designer, focused around a candid talk with the man.
Among other things, Miyamoto discusses his emphasis on gameplay over characters (it sounded strange to us too), and Nintendo's transition from fantasy games to those grounded in reality. He also briefly discusses Wii Music, Nintendo's original music title, which will emphasize creating original musical compositions, unlike Guitar Hero or Rock Band. More details on Wii Music are expected this summer.
Among other things, Miyamoto discusses his emphasis on gameplay over characters (it sounded strange to us too), and Nintendo's transition from fantasy games to those grounded in reality. He also briefly discusses Wii Music, Nintendo's original music title, which will emphasize creating original musical compositions, unlike Guitar Hero or Rock Band. More details on Wii Music are expected this summer.





















(Page 1) Reader Comments
< / sarcasm >
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With Mario alone you founded the basis of all the love that I have for video games as a media today. A godfather of his industry. It's nice to see him garnering a little more public respect as opposed to just he video game crowd.
Also, I'm highly intrigued by Wii Music. Sounds like it could potentially be extremely fun.
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(For the sarcasm-impaired: I'm referring, of course, to the fact that Miyamoto is wearing socks while on the Balance Board. The instructions clearly say NOT to do so.)
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Wii Play
Wii Fit
Mario Kart Wii
others?
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"Are you actually getting dumber?"
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Nintendo Music makes tons of money. Your Girlfriend and Grandparents love it.
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I've been waiting on that one for some time. That or Majesco's Major Minor's Majestic March
Some Wiimote conductin' i needs it!
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“I feel that people like Mario and people like Link and the other characters we’ve created not for the characters themselves, but because the games they appear in are fun,” he said. “And because people enjoy playing those games first, they come to love the characters as well.”According to Mr. Miyamoto, gameplay systems and mechanics have always come first, while the characters are created and deployed in the service of the overall design. That means a focus on the seemingly prosaic basic elements of game design: movement, setting, goals to accomplish and obstacles to overcome.
“I feel that people like Mario and people like Link and the other characters we’ve created not for the characters themselves, but because the games they appear in are fun,” he said. “And because people enjoy playing those games first, they come to love the characters as well.”
This I feel is true. Nintendo's characters basically have no fleshed out personality or characterization or anything beyond a vague idea. At least from a character standpoint, this is why I feel often nintendo games feel more like real 'games' than something hybridized with books, film, or TV. Not that that makes them better or worse or anyhitng, just creates a different feel when you're playing them.
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You speak of that like it's bad. Do you fear change? Do you? If what you are learning doesn't change you, then why are you learning what you're learning?
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