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')
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Reader Comments (62)
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 8:45PM Haggard said
I'm pretty sure there is no formula for getting a hit on the Wii. Even Nintendo themselves can't rustle one up all the time (Wii Music). Wii Fit could easily have flopped if it hadn't have caught the public attention in the exact way it did.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 9:19PM Mr Khan said
Apparently The Conduit posted 150k in its first two weeks of availability, trashing such fare as MadWorld and House of the Dead: Overkill (though certainly not doing as well as your average PS360 high-profile title). I believe this sends a message that should have been painfully obvious from the getgo: Make a quality game with good production values, and (gasp) it will sell. Quit putting your damn C-teams on Wii projects, and you'll get results
I mean, The Conduit did that despite being a "hardcore" Wii 3rd Party new IP with no local multiplayer short campaign and generic as hell. Has to say something.
I mean, The Conduit did that despite being a "hardcore" Wii 3rd Party new IP with no local multiplayer short campaign and generic as hell. Has to say something.
Posted: Jul 10th 2009 3:15AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
It says Wii gamers are desperate for more PS360 type of games instead of the usual crappy ports of last gen games and mini-game compilations.
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Posted: Jul 9th 2009 9:22PM Suichimo said
Yes, there is a hidden factor that everyone that puts out Mature and/or Niche titles has completely and utterly missed. Advertising. This stems a lot from what MMV has been saying lately.
You do not have the damn right to whine about your games sales numbers if you didn't take the time to do some damn advertising for them.
Look at what MMV is saying. "BAWWWWWWW, our NICHE and sometimes MATURE games are bombing in sales! I know! Instead of doing the smart thing and advertising said games, lets use that money to possibly port those NICHE games to other consoles and not advertise again! Brilliant!"
Yeah, piss off or get someone who can actually think in your company. I love that you've been able to bring over niche titles and the like but damn you piss me off.
You do not have the damn right to whine about your games sales numbers if you didn't take the time to do some damn advertising for them.
Look at what MMV is saying. "BAWWWWWWW, our NICHE and sometimes MATURE games are bombing in sales! I know! Instead of doing the smart thing and advertising said games, lets use that money to possibly port those NICHE games to other consoles and not advertise again! Brilliant!"
Yeah, piss off or get someone who can actually think in your company. I love that you've been able to bring over niche titles and the like but damn you piss me off.
Posted: Jul 9th 2009 9:59PM (Unverified) said
If you want to talk such things Kawata, then grow some balls and don't release RE on the Wii as a fucking rail shooter. RE 4 sold millions on Wii and it was a re-release. What does that say to you?
Fuck you, Kawata. Fuck you until you treat us right (concerning RE).
Fuck you, Kawata. Fuck you until you treat us right (concerning RE).
Posted: Jul 10th 2009 3:16AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
I think RE:4 sold just over a million ... could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure the sales figures weren't good at all.
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Posted: Jul 10th 2009 6:07AM (Unverified) said
Are you kidding? It sold a million and a half. Ignoring the dev cost being cheaper than the other two consoles and whatnot, how is 1.5 million copies a small amount?
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Posted: Jul 10th 2009 3:37AM (Unverified) said
I think the point isn't Mature vs Family.
the point is Mainstream vs Niche.
Most of the mature games released on the wii have been very niche games, and would have been on any console. If they want a big selling Mature game on the Wii then it needs to be something that would appeal to a wide range of people.
The easiest way to do that is to base it on a well known franchise (game, movie, tv, whatever. )
Infact, the CoD games, for example, have sold pretty well on the wii (1.5m or more)... in my book they'd be mature games.
Try something like 24, Prison Break, GTA, Aliens, or something...
(and while you are at it, port Farenheit to the wii!)
the point is Mainstream vs Niche.
Most of the mature games released on the wii have been very niche games, and would have been on any console. If they want a big selling Mature game on the Wii then it needs to be something that would appeal to a wide range of people.
The easiest way to do that is to base it on a well known franchise (game, movie, tv, whatever. )
Infact, the CoD games, for example, have sold pretty well on the wii (1.5m or more)... in my book they'd be mature games.
Try something like 24, Prison Break, GTA, Aliens, or something...
(and while you are at it, port Farenheit to the wii!)
Posted: Jul 10th 2009 3:43AM (Unverified) said
ok, maybe 1.2 million each for the CoD games... i'm sure it was more last time i looked.
Reply
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