Codemasters wants 'gamer's games' on Wii, finds other publisher strategies 'bewildering'
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Mar 4th 2009 at 1:58PM } 
Bertie finds it "bewildering" to see what other companies are doing with Nintendo's juggernaut. He expresses that Codies isn't going to make "cheap, crappy ports" and expects the company to produce "gamer's games." Wigmore believes that other publishers constantly going to retail with a "mass-market product" only makes those games become "white noise." It'll be interesting to see if Codemasters retains its thinking about Wii after Overlord: Dark Legend releases in a few months and the publisher starts seeing sales figures.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John P @ Mar 4th 2009 2:04PM
They simply have to advertise Overlord well enough to see some decent sales. And of course, it needs to be a decent game. I don't really know anything about it - a sign that they should be working harder to build some hype for the game - but if Grasshopper can justify making a sequel to No More Heroes, and if MadWorld and The Conduit do well, I think that we may see alot more hardcore games for the Wii in the next two years.
Josh @ Mar 4th 2009 2:12PM
Definitely advertise the game, Codemasters. Get the word out there, get trailers and screenshots out there, make sure everyone knows about it if you want to sell a gamer's game on Wii.
koehler83 @ Mar 4th 2009 2:15PM
It's gotta be difficult to make 'gamer's games' with only 3 buttons and 1 stick.
Let's face it, motion controls don't add anything, they don't simplify anything. The pointer is just horribly inaccurate and cumbersome after not too long.
SoshiKitai @ Mar 4th 2009 2:17PM
"they don't simplify anything"
...and then I found people (who were new to the game) who found using the Motion Controls much easier to use than the PS2 controller for DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi 3.
Danny @ Mar 4th 2009 2:18PM
Actually that brings up a decent point. Is it just me or is the wiimote IMPOSSIBLE to aim accurately? I mean my hand is about as steady as a recovering crack addict but I still think that the idea behind the motion controls severely limits the playability of many a game. I honestly can't own a wii because my hands are simply not steady enough to control a wiimote effectively.
Mr Khan @ Mar 4th 2009 2:19PM
pointer inaccuracies? What system have you been playing?
Either way, a simpler interface should be win for everyone. If the games get simpler with it might be problematic, but its not like you couldn't remap any control scheme for any game out there and get it to run on Wii. In fact, that's what GlovePIE is for (at least for PC games, which are further up there on the complexity scale)
Markez @ Mar 4th 2009 2:24PM
Anyone saying the pointer is horribly inaccurate has something horribly wrong with themselves.
Anam @ Mar 4th 2009 2:25PM
I never had a problem with pointer accuracy, and if anything, Resident Evil 4 is easier to aim thanks to the Wiimote. Though I agree that motion controls either add very little to a game or -- far more often -- detract from it.
But a game like *cough* Starfox could be excellent with the Wii's controls.
Dirty @ Mar 4th 2009 2:29PM
MMMMMMMMM... Glove Pie
koehler83 @ Mar 4th 2009 2:30PM
Maybe I just have a bigger, better TV than the rest of you and the tiny little sensor bar doesnt translate well-enough.
My biggest problem is that since my TV is wall mounted, I have to hold my hand up at all times.. it's fucking tiring.
guttertalk @ Mar 4th 2009 2:31PM
Wii remote: 6 buttons, 1 dpad
+ nunchuk: 8 buttons, 1 dpad, 1 stick
360 controller: 12 buttons, 1 dpad, 2 sticks
I guess by your logic, the 360 controller is a fail compared to the PC keyboard and mouse.
Rocketboy @ Mar 4th 2009 2:44PM
I know when I play a game, unless it has a very complex control scheme, and utilizes every single button on the controller (even better if it has a 'shift' feature so I have to press and hold multiple buttons), it's just not enough of a gamer's game for me.
(Sarcasm)
samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 4th 2009 2:51PM
Anyone who has problems with pointer inaccuracy needs to adjust their settings. Screen size also doesn't matter in this case, since it's IR. You could play the Wii on a 13 inch screen or a 70 inch screen, the movement will translate the same.
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 4th 2009 2:56PM
I don't see the IR pointer as accurate either (compared to dual analogs) and I think that's because their isn't enough sensors around the televisions to precisely dictate aiming in shooting games. I would think the optimum setup would be one sensor on each corner of the television or maybe even 8 total sensors with one inbetween each of the 4 cornered ones. I have Time Crisis 4 on my PS3 which includes a gun controller that has two individual sensors (with multiple sensors in the housing) you put at the top of the television. It's just as accurate as the wii mote IMO. It's not to say that it's inferior or anything (in fact the concept is better than dual analogs) but I just think at this point it's not accurate enough compared to what I can do with dual analogs. Once they can develop a way to have the pointer be 100% true to where I'm aiming I will concur that it's better. However, I also think it's uncomfortable to have to stand up to play shooting games on the Wii because my TV is higher up as well.
Kev (gamertag: ksiddique) @ Mar 4th 2009 3:17PM
Samfish,
"You could play the Wii on a 13 inch screen or a 70 inch screen, the movement will translate the same."
Have you actually tried playing on both a 13 inch and 70 inch screen? The movement definitely does not translate the same. At least not in my house.
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 4th 2009 3:30PM
I would also like to follow up by saying I have grown accustom to using dual analogs over the last two console cycles. It could have something to do with me preferring them over the IR pointer. It just seems that sometimes the pointer on screen hops around more than it glides. It seems figgidty. Maybe it's because I also have a TV that's pretty big (56 inches I think) and is up very high on our entertainment center.
I don't want it to sound like I'm hating on the IR pointer. I'm just saying my situation and experience. In fact, when I have the option to do so I always use the classic controller over the Wii mote. The Wii mote is simply put - to awkward for me to use.
samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 4th 2009 3:36PM
The biggest screen I've used it on was 60 inches at my parents house. The smallest I've used it on was a 19 inch screen. They both worked fine for me, although my mom's initially needed some major calibration.
The only problem I've ever had with inaccuracy is when the pointer stutters sometimes, for whatever reason.
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 4th 2009 4:47PM
Guess you can't say anything less than positive without getting ghosted.
pointer inaccuracies? What system have you been playing?
Anyone saying the pointer is horribly inaccurate has something horribly wrong with themselves.
Anyone who has problems with pointer inaccuracy needs to adjust their settings.
I have the same problem with the Wii mote pointer as I do with the PS3's GunCon. I tried to make that point as articulate as possible. The only thing that seems to matter is saying the problem is with ourselves.
TheEngineer @ Mar 4th 2009 2:19PM
THE WII IS DESTROYING GAMING!
But seriously Overlord was an awesome game and I think a Wii prequel will be equally amazing.
Here's to hoping that it does decently in terms of sales. ADVERTISE Codemasters!
Proto @ Mar 4th 2009 2:43PM
The Wii is not destroying gaming, the "core gamer" did:
Casual gaming has always existed, casual gaming has never done the industry any harm; in fact, many consider it the one thing that has kept the industry afloat all this time.
Want to know what’s “killing” core titles? The rise of piracy and the ease of it, the increase of development costs and cycles which produces lesser and inferior games and(this is the big one here) YOU. That’s right, the close minded gamer who won’t buy into new ideas and non mainstream franchises, this is the current mindset that’s destroying imagination and creativity in Video Games because such titles are no longer financially viable in this market.
Next time you bitch at Nintendo and the “casual” demographic, try pointing the finger at the right direction.
Rocketboy @ Mar 4th 2009 2:46PM
Wow, way to read the first line AND NOTHING ELSE...
What a tool..
not like you'd read this part either.
TheEngineer @ Mar 4th 2009 2:52PM
Oh proto you silly kid...
I Love my Wii. I'm just poking fun at Joystiq and all the "hardcore" gamers like that asshole Johnny who think they're above the Wii for w/e reason...
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 4th 2009 3:10PM
Dear Sprinkles,
Always mentioning my name and obsessing over me at every tick of the clock won't bring your existence anymore happiness. It's cute in a sick kind of way but we all feel (including your parents and grandmother) that's it's starting to border on a serious emotional/mental health condition. We have seen you grow increasingly more anti-social in the last year and are starting to fear for your safety and the safety of everyone around you. We hope by bringing you here today and having this intervention that you can finally deal with the real issues that are at the core of the problem. The only way for you to truly comes to grips with this disease you have is by accepting responsibility and to stop projecting your insecurities on other people.
Sincerely,
"that asshole Johnny"
P.S.
I love the Wii.
Markez @ Mar 4th 2009 3:12PM
We only want the best for you, Sprinkles.
el serpiente @ Mar 4th 2009 3:33PM
EDITED: Off-topic nonsense.
Insight @ Mar 4th 2009 4:06PM
It's kinda funny just how pathetic TheEngineer is.
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 4th 2009 4:40PM
@The Serpent
That's a heart attack waiting to happen.
el serpiente @ Mar 4th 2009 4:51PM
Hopefully his will come very soon.
Markez @ Mar 4th 2009 6:16PM
DO YOU ARE NOM NOM TIEM!?
BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Mar 5th 2009 1:34AM
Seems like you kiddies are having some miscomunication here.
First off... who's Sprinkles? Engineer?
Aside from his attack towards J#5 (who's a pretty cool guy in my books), he didn't say anything off-base.
And Serpent... you are one of the worst people to ever post on this blog. Please grow up soon. I do not wish death on you, I just want you to act your damn age. Wanting someone else to have a heart attack? That's uncool, man.
el serpiente @ Mar 5th 2009 9:33AM
BPMOmega, I hope you can have one too. I don't want you to feel left out!
DWells55 @ Mar 4th 2009 2:19PM
It's really a shame that the Wii is treated like a kids' system for shovelware. You would think we'd see some really good exclusive titles for it given how well the system sells and that it's cheaper to develop for than other consoles, but nope. There's been a handful of good games, but it definitely doesn't have the library I was hoping it would when I purchased it at launch.
Danny @ Mar 4th 2009 2:28PM
There's always supposed to be a balance between the casual games a big dev makes and the core games a dev makes. Typically the tone is set by the parent company, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo used to produce their fair share of Mario Party-like titles alongside the likes of God Of War. The difference here is that Nintendo has chosen to forgo that this round in favor of more obvious casual games. Nintendo has finally hit on something that works, they've effectively made a business out of publishing tech demos.
DWells55 @ Mar 4th 2009 2:53PM
Sad part is that the tech isn't that great. A lot of games just resort to frustrating waggle or a been-there-done-that pointer system and have graphics that can't match mid to late lifecycle Xbox games. Yet the thing still sells faster than places can stock it.
PC gaming is getting screwed too - now we're stuck with console ports (often poorly done) and ridiculous DRM that can screw with your system. And then a lot of the good PC exclusives are winding up on consoles anyways (Half-Life 2, TF2, Portal). Oh well.
samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 4th 2009 2:56PM
Except Nintendo publishes more 'core' title than they do 'casual' titles still.
Proof? See: October '08 press conference.
Don't let NOA's sucking about localizing games make you think that Nintendo as a whole sucks. It is sad, though, that NOA in large part has tainted Nintendo's image for "hardcore" gamers since they were so linked to Nintendo Japan in the past (Europe never had this problem, since NOE always sucked until recently...sort of).
Seriously...the NCL press conference vs the NOA conference a day later was extremely illuminating.
OldElvis @ Mar 4th 2009 2:23PM
Great, We can finally get some good Driving games on the Wii! Please immediately issue DiRT and Any one of the Colin McRae Rally series with online play.
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 4th 2009 2:34PM
I think Dirt was a Colin McCrae game. You might have been thinking of Grid.
TracerBullet @ Mar 4th 2009 2:34PM
Hear, hear.
Someone give us some pure RACE on wii. No gimmicks. No tricks. No banana peels. Just honest racing.
Ah, and while you're at it.... no ovals, too. :p
OldElvis @ Mar 4th 2009 3:12PM
You are correct Baby J, I keep forgetting that as it dropped ( on the market place) after his death.
tmacairjordan87 @ Mar 4th 2009 2:24PM
Coming from the makers of Turning Point, who are they to talk about gamer's games...unless he meant shitty gamer's games. Overlord wasn't that great either, so these guys dont' exactly have the resume to be talking.
A @ Mar 4th 2009 2:50PM
W@W is practically a cautionary tale. Almost selling 1 million worldwide on the wii? with an install base of 47 million, that's a low bar for success. it sold 8 million on the ps60.
the thing even got good reviews! and i saw those laggy crappily textured commercials for it all the time, so advertising wasn't a problem.
wii gamers just didn't care.
Vidikron @ Mar 4th 2009 4:22PM
Overlord was rough around the edges, but I personally loved the game. If the new games are good I'll be buying them.
Mr Khan @ Mar 4th 2009 2:25PM
The trick is that if you're committed to the platform, you have to follow through. It's very easy to profit on the Wii, but you have to do it right. Word of mouth has a lot of strength on the platform, which is why local multiplayer of some sort always helps, equally you have to advertise and you really have to work to make your game's appeal self-explanatory (which isn't saying to dumb the game down, but make sure your game stands out from the herd of generically-named shovelware)
You can look at different success stories, like Carnival Games (shovelware game that was advertised well and was self-explanatory in appeal), or like Call of Duty: World at War (started out painfully slow. 14,000 copies first week while the PS360 versions pushed millions out the door between them, then with advertising and word of mouth, sits on the brink of platinum status today)
The Wii audience is harder to market to in the sense of blanket marketing that you could use on other platforms. Only Nintendo is really poised to market to all Wii owners, but target marketing does yield results, and your game can turn a profit at relatively low sales (in the mid 6-digits)
Danny @ Mar 4th 2009 2:33PM
Honestly I saw the WAW commercial for the wii and was not impressed, I even thought I saw visible lag.
Anyway the point you have to remember here is that there was no COD4 for the wii. At what point do you say word of mouth sold the game or just the drought of big name shooters for the system as a whole?
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 4th 2009 2:40PM
The fact that World At War has sold well on the Wii just validates the statement that Wii owners are starved for something more mature. That game was by definition a crappy port. The one game that was actually better on the wii was probably Shaun White Snowboarding. Whether your making a game for the Wii, PS3 or 360 it's still going to take time and resources to make it a polished experience. The reason the Wii is flooded with some much crappy mini game compilations and other half assed ports is because those are cheap to make and can make the developer a lot of money for very minimal effort. That's why the Wii is in fact a victim of it's own success in my opinion. It lends itself to more crappy games because developers don't have to try hard to sell their games. So, why should a developer take a big undertaking when they could probably profit more by making the same old crap? There is no reason to make a big grandiose project that pushes hardware specs.
Sean Aaron @ Mar 5th 2009 8:57AM
Agreed. People seem to be under the impression that unless a game is in the top 30 it's not making any money. Boom Blox was regarded as a flop by most "gamers," but it made sufficient profit to warrant a sequel. Wii titles seem to sell in lower numbers over a longer period of time; a PS/360 game that doesn't chart upon release probably is heading right quick to the bargain bin, but the crowd that owns those machines seem to jump on the "big" titles immediately.
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 4th 2009 2:31PM
The Wii is a victim of it's own success. It's a console for non gamers and as such the majority of the games reflect that type of product. It's not to say that EVERY game is like that or that some of those games can't ben fun to traditional gamers but it's why we see so many non games and mini game compilations on the Wii. I'm hoping Madworld, Conduit, Fragile, Monster Hunter and a few others coming out reasonably soon can buck the trend and have developers see that it's not just a little kids system. The main roadblock is actually Nintendo because they designed and marketed the console to be "everyones" console. The Wii has a good handful of compelling exclusives this year and funny enough hardly any of them are actually made by Nintendo. That's the biggest difference with the Wii and the PS360 is that Wii owners have to depend on 3rd parties to deliver them mature titles (i.e. madworld, conduit, monster hunter, fatal frame etc ...) where as the PS360 do get great first party support. I grew up on Mario and co. but those aren't the only games I want to play. I would like to see Nintendo step outside of itself and try something new that wasn't a colorful cartoon character. Again, I like those games but I need more diversity.
I think by crappy port he meant dead rising, brothers in arms, call of duty world at war etc ...
Danny @ Mar 4th 2009 2:42PM
Too true. One need only look at the highest rated games of the last six months for either console to see that Nintendo is resting on it's laurels currently. Microsoft had Gears 2 and while it wasn't the best selling, Banjo-Kazooie. Sony had Killzone and Resistance. While Nintendo had...well all their best rated games of the last six months have been 3rd party and Wiiware titles.
nintendo1889 @ Mar 4th 2009 2:50PM
I admit I've never played the games Dead Rising, Brothers in Arms and Call of Duty World at War, but what alot of companies have been doing has been nothing but making half-a***** ports of games on a console that's MORE than capable. Why don't companies use more of the Wii's hardware and at the same time, make the games/ports enjoyable? Simple. It's easier not to and cheaper, too. But then again, cheaper is almost never the best way to go. Compare that to what High Voltage Software is doing, now THERE'S a company that not only makes a game that looks like alot of fun, but at the same time, they figured out how to make some crazy realistic graphics for the Wii, something that will definitely put other companies' ports and shovelware to shame. Don't get me wrong, I like the Wii, it has awesome games like SSBB, Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart, Twilight Princess, Tales of Symphona Dawn of the New World (a very underrated game) and many others. But, unfortunately, since many companies want to make easy way out (the coward's way), they often make crappy, no-effort-has-been-put-in-this-port-at-all-it-makes-you-want-to-punch-them-in-the-freakin'-face ports, it's no wonder it's this crap that gives the Wii a bad rep. Thank goodness games like The Conduit, Monster Hunter 3, and other cool games are coming out this Spring! Times like this I'm glad I use Snes9xGX to wait for more good VC games to come out (which is another topic altogether; don't get me started on that one, too)!
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 4th 2009 3:23PM
Nintendo1889,
I agree with your sentiment whole heartedly. I really think this year is going to be a breakout year for mature 3rd party Wii exclusives that push the hardware. The Wii does have capable hardware but like you said most developers are more intrerested in a quick cash in than making compelling software. Because the Wii is very friendly to younger kids there is a market for it on the Wii (which is a good thing) but that's not the only market. Hopefully these games that look great on paper turn out to be great in practice.