Mature games can sell well on Wii; just ask Resident Evil 5 (and RE: The Darkside Chronicles) producer, Masachika Kawata. Speaking to VideoGamer.com, he acknowledged that it's not easy for adult-oriented titles to break out on the system, but says it's still possible given hard work and an "X-Factor."
One of the roadblocks mature games face on Wii is perception, Kawta said. "People get this perception that on Nintendo Wii all there is are cutesy games. However, when you actually try to develop a game on Wii it costs you money, it's time consuming and it's not the easiest console to deal with." So, real games (i.e. ones that aren't cute) are hard to -- wait, did he just say "cutesy" games aren't games? Well, he has been around blood and gore an awful lot lately, but still.
"There are good [mature] games that didn't sell, obviously," Kawata admitted. "You need an X-Factor." We presume he's talking about the likes of Platinum Games' excellent MadWorld, which we have to admit probably would have sold better with the "X-Factor" that's served Capcom so well on Wii: the words "Resident Evil" in the title.
RE5 producer: Mature games will sell on Wii , but need an 'X-Factor' (hint: it's 'Resident Evil')
62
Reader Comments (62)
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:05PM (Unverified) said
"However, when you actually try to develop a game on Wii it costs you money, it's time consuming and it's not the easiest console to deal with."
Isn't that the exact opposite of what everyone says about working on the Wii? Or did he mean to say the ps3?
Reply
Isn't that the exact opposite of what everyone says about working on the Wii? Or did he mean to say the ps3?
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:07PM RobS the 3rd said
No, people say it's easy to make a crap game on the Wii. To make a good game actually does take time and money, like any console.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:15PM (Unverified) said
But everytime we see a game flop on the Wii sales wise, the fanboys always say "it sitll probably made a profit". Can't take that much money to develop on the wii.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:19PM (Unverified) said
Compared to the PS3, I do believe the Wii is easier to make a game for as its more easier to develop for, but its still amounts to actually trying to develop a good game.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:41PM (Unverified) said
Thank you Baron that's the answer I was waiting to see from someone, although I was hoping it would have been from one of the Nintendo fanboys who I always see saying the profit thing so I could have pointed out the irony, but it's still a point.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:54PM (Unverified) said
I think the only fanboys that can say they aren't irrational freaks are the PC fans, considering how much superior they are to the other systems.
Reply
Posted: Jul 10th 2009 3:26PM GennosukeSama said
@ ArchiGamer
"It also takes effort."
if i could give you a cookie (and no my intention wasn't to piss you off or make you feel bad) i'd make sure its a high quality and extremely tasty cookie! my brother you speak the truth! wanna make a good game on the Wii that won't flop sales wise and quality wise? PUT SOME DAMN EFFORT INTO IT!! i swear DEVS must develop Wii games on their couch or in their bed's because they NEVER TRY HARD ENOUGH. ohhhh but have them develop for the PS360 and what will we see? tons of effort and GREAT idea's (some of which are often executed incorrectly) flying left and right because "duuuuuuhh well the Wii is a casual/kids system only and the PS360 are where the CORE games belong". i hate DEVS who claim to have tried hard and in the back of their minds they are saying to themselves "pffffttttt i ain't try hard at all!". anyways thank you ArchiGamer for speaking the truth brother! +1 point is what your getting from me.
Reply
"It also takes effort."
if i could give you a cookie (and no my intention wasn't to piss you off or make you feel bad) i'd make sure its a high quality and extremely tasty cookie! my brother you speak the truth! wanna make a good game on the Wii that won't flop sales wise and quality wise? PUT SOME DAMN EFFORT INTO IT!! i swear DEVS must develop Wii games on their couch or in their bed's because they NEVER TRY HARD ENOUGH. ohhhh but have them develop for the PS360 and what will we see? tons of effort and GREAT idea's (some of which are often executed incorrectly) flying left and right because "duuuuuuhh well the Wii is a casual/kids system only and the PS360 are where the CORE games belong". i hate DEVS who claim to have tried hard and in the back of their minds they are saying to themselves "pffffttttt i ain't try hard at all!". anyways thank you ArchiGamer for speaking the truth brother! +1 point is what your getting from me.
Posted: Jul 10th 2009 3:08AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Khan
Citation? Sounds like you are pulling numbers out of thin air. Third party developers have a much better chance of profit on a big budget PS360 game than on the wii. I'm not even sure where this whole notion that it's much cheaper to develop for the Wii comes from. The developers have to put extra effort into developing accurate gestural controls.
3rd party games sell much better on the PS360. It makes more business sense to develop big budget for platforms where the user base won't ignore them. So, the reason you would see higher development cost is because there is a greater chance of reward. You still have games where the developers just cash in without enough effort and the sales figures show those games flop. For the most part PS360 gamers don't blow money on the junk games that get slurped up on the Wii. A high quality game is going to be expensive on any of the platforms. It's not like it cost anymore money to model characters for the PS360 ... The games have to be good quality or they won't sell.
We have seen multiple developers (people who actually make games) say the Wii isn't any easier or cheaper to develop for than the PS360. It's just easier to push games out the door that may not have the best quality.
Do you think monster hunter on the PS360 would cost 75% more than the Wii version just because of the platform? The answer is no. Big budget high profile titles are equally expensive regardless of platform.
TL;DR: The only reason there would be higher development costs is because there is a higher expectation of quality and there is more funds put into the game. High risk = high reward. Take a high risk project on Wii and it can kill you just as quick as on the PS360.
Reply
Citation? Sounds like you are pulling numbers out of thin air. Third party developers have a much better chance of profit on a big budget PS360 game than on the wii. I'm not even sure where this whole notion that it's much cheaper to develop for the Wii comes from. The developers have to put extra effort into developing accurate gestural controls.
3rd party games sell much better on the PS360. It makes more business sense to develop big budget for platforms where the user base won't ignore them. So, the reason you would see higher development cost is because there is a greater chance of reward. You still have games where the developers just cash in without enough effort and the sales figures show those games flop. For the most part PS360 gamers don't blow money on the junk games that get slurped up on the Wii. A high quality game is going to be expensive on any of the platforms. It's not like it cost anymore money to model characters for the PS360 ... The games have to be good quality or they won't sell.
We have seen multiple developers (people who actually make games) say the Wii isn't any easier or cheaper to develop for than the PS360. It's just easier to push games out the door that may not have the best quality.
Do you think monster hunter on the PS360 would cost 75% more than the Wii version just because of the platform? The answer is no. Big budget high profile titles are equally expensive regardless of platform.
TL;DR: The only reason there would be higher development costs is because there is a higher expectation of quality and there is more funds put into the game. High risk = high reward. Take a high risk project on Wii and it can kill you just as quick as on the PS360.
Posted: Jul 12th 2009 2:16AM GennosukeSama said
@ RIP Air McNair PSN: johnnynumber5
"I'm not even sure where this whole notion that it's much cheaper to develop for the Wii comes from."
ok smarty pants you tell me which is cheaper. DVD's? or BluRay Disc's?
Reply
"I'm not even sure where this whole notion that it's much cheaper to develop for the Wii comes from."
ok smarty pants you tell me which is cheaper. DVD's? or BluRay Disc's?
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:05PM RobS the 3rd said
I propose Resident Evil: Mario. I know Mario is already big but the idea appeals to me.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:14PM RobS the 3rd said
Yeah, but so were the majority of PS2 games, and everyone loves that thing.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:17PM (Unverified) said
I always get a kick out of that comeback. The Wii doesn't have anywhere near the amount of great games the PS2 had, so can we please stop comparing the shovelware on wii to ps2? That's the reason why no one cared about it on ps2, because there seemed to be a constant flow of great games.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:22PM RobS the 3rd said
I'm so glad you decided to continue your "project" with us. Also for every one good game there is probably at least five bad ones on the PS2. That combined with it's massive amount of games and much longer lifespan mean the average is close to the same.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:24PM (Unverified) said
This has nothing to do with my act, and everything to do with the simple fact that the wii has nowhere near the amount of great games that the ps2 had.
If it doesn't have as many as 360/ps3, and they don't have as many as ps2 either..than it's impossible for the wii to have as many as ps2.
Reply
If it doesn't have as many as 360/ps3, and they don't have as many as ps2 either..than it's impossible for the wii to have as many as ps2.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:26PM (Unverified) said
Isn't the Wii only been out like 3 years, along with PS3?
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:27PM RobS the 3rd said
You know, I don't fucking care any more. I am sick of self important douches like you who derive pleasure out of making others feel bad about their consoles. You are a sad individual who had to invent a lame story about some "project" you were doing to hide your trolling. I refuse to spend time arguing with you over something so small in the long term of life. So goodbye to you sir, enjoy your so called fun.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:28PM (Unverified) said
Yes and that just further proves my point. I'm not saying it won't ever match ps2 game wise (although, it's not exactly going out on a limb by saying it won't), just that it doesn't right now.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:31PM (Unverified) said
Don't call someone who proved you wrong a douche, that just makes you look worse.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:38PM RobS the 3rd said
Yes, but it doesn't make me wrong to call you a douche.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:46PM (Unverified) said
Why is it that every time someone claims they are done arguing they still post another comment on the subject?
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:47PM (Unverified) said
Actually, Tmac, while looking at Amazon as a example, the Wii has more "good" games based on buyer reviews of a grade 4 and above than the PS3.
The Wii has about 252, and the PS3 has 169.
Of course the 360 has 322 but it has been out longer so the amount doesn't surprise me, or anyone.
With total amounts for each being 904 and 623 for the Wii and PS3 respectively. Now before you say it, it can be noted the that the ratio of good games to overall games is different on all consoles, drastically on the Wii. But the same can be said on the PS3, as its ratio is third, while the 360 is second. To illustrate:
Wii: 252 to 904
X360: 322 to 905
PS3: 169 to 623
In order of quality games:
X360: 322 to 905
Wii: 252 to 904
PS3: 169 to 623
And for the hell of it the ratio of PS2 games are:
PS2: 1,012 to 2484
So by your logic of what systems has better games like the PS2 is the 360, with Wii second, and the PS3 last.
Reply
The Wii has about 252, and the PS3 has 169.
Of course the 360 has 322 but it has been out longer so the amount doesn't surprise me, or anyone.
With total amounts for each being 904 and 623 for the Wii and PS3 respectively. Now before you say it, it can be noted the that the ratio of good games to overall games is different on all consoles, drastically on the Wii. But the same can be said on the PS3, as its ratio is third, while the 360 is second. To illustrate:
Wii: 252 to 904
X360: 322 to 905
PS3: 169 to 623
In order of quality games:
X360: 322 to 905
Wii: 252 to 904
PS3: 169 to 623
And for the hell of it the ratio of PS2 games are:
PS2: 1,012 to 2484
So by your logic of what systems has better games like the PS2 is the 360, with Wii second, and the PS3 last.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:53PM (Unverified) said
Buyer reviews? Cmon now...are we gonna list metacritic user reviews next? User reviews are pointless, and no one should ever take them seriously. It's one thing to take regular reviews seriously, as they can stake some credibility to their name, but listening to some random person on the internet probably isn't the best idea.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:57PM RobS the 3rd said
Why? You expect people to listen to you, that's why you post stuff here.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:59PM mr nimblewick said
User reviews are useful in that not every Wii game is aimed at the core audience which makes up most of the review sites. Reviews by actual buyers, averaged, can give a better idea of the quality of those types of games.
I'm hesitant to trust them, but since he's just using it to compare consoles, and not say for sure "this is how many good games there are," it can somewhat helpful.
Reply
I'm hesitant to trust them, but since he's just using it to compare consoles, and not say for sure "this is how many good games there are," it can somewhat helpful.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 9:01PM (Unverified) said
That is true, but I use Amazon review as an example because unlike Metacritic, its more akin to the mainstream, where reviews can be more broad than other sites where the bases can be even more bias. I also use Amazon as a measure of games than say Gamestop, is for that exact reason I stated before.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 9:09PM (Unverified) said
I really don't pay any attention to reviews from site like IGN, G4, GameTrailers, and the like cause lets face it each have some sort of bias to one console than the other. I rather buy or rent a game so to make my own opinion.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 9:15PM (Unverified) said
Of course every site has their own bias, but our job is to sift through it. Take a look at the overall metacritic score and look at the reviews to see what seems to be a consensus on the pros and cons of a game.
If I said on here that a certain game was great, and some people looked at that and said "Wow I'm gonna buy this now"..I'd reach through the screen if I could and slap them upside their head. Don't listen to me or any other random commenter, or at the very least take what they say in comparison to the "pro" reviewers.
Reply
If I said on here that a certain game was great, and some people looked at that and said "Wow I'm gonna buy this now"..I'd reach through the screen if I could and slap them upside their head. Don't listen to me or any other random commenter, or at the very least take what they say in comparison to the "pro" reviewers.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 9:20PM (Unverified) said
And that is where I agree with you, all this is an opinion, take of it as you please.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 9:31PM mr nimblewick said
Is that a reference to Ice Climber?
Fun fact: In Ireland they call the humble eggplant an "aubergine."
Reply
Fun fact: In Ireland they call the humble eggplant an "aubergine."
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 9:37PM MystileArmor said
We Dutch people call it "aubergine" as well, I bet the French do too, since it's origins are French I'd assume.
..und zee germans will cover zee eggplant inz chokolat und zen we will eat zee eggplant!! Yaaah!
Reply
..und zee germans will cover zee eggplant inz chokolat und zen we will eat zee eggplant!! Yaaah!
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:34PM (Unverified) said
(sarcasm) Oh wait i forgot that capcom have released many original resident evil games on wii. God please i don't want another port of a old game at least it would have been cool of resident evil 1 was released with new content or using the RES 4 engine. The reason the wii is failing in the hardcore buzz is that company doesn't have the balls to do them. that why i alwasys gonna respect high voltage for the conduit and sega for madworld oh and dont forget the guy who gave us no more heroes.
Reply
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:34PM (Unverified) said
So it's harder to launch a new IP than it is to continue an existing franchise?
Wow, who would have thought.
Reply
Wow, who would have thought.
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 213 comments
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 149 comments
- David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 105 comments
- EA's Origin has signed up 9.3 million players since launch 103 comments
- Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 94 comments










