Wii 2: Nintendo begins the E3 Hype

[Solar]

Well, it's not surprising, but still, I'm sure that you can agree that announcing the '13 version before the '12 version is even out is just plain stupid.

[Police Girl]

As a former Activision employee I can tell you that's nothing new. I've seen a case of THREE sequels being worked on before the game even released.

You used to work at Activision? What was it like?

[Hypershell]

- Smash Bros 4 (playable)

The next time Nintendo pours some Liquid Schwartz into my hype train, they DAMN WELL had better throw in some Mewtwo action!

[Flame]

I dislike Lucario with every fiber of my being. The character just irritates me. SO much.  Now Mewtwo on the other hand... is awesome.

[Jericho]

You used to work at Activision? What was it like?

I imagine it must have been similar to working on the pyramids as a slave in Egypt.

I dislike Lucario with every fiber of my being. The character just irritates me. SO much.  Now Mewtwo on the other hand... is awesome.

Well [parasitic bomb]. *Has a Lucario on his Black team*

[Hypershell]

Lucario doesn't bug me, I actually enjoyed using him in Subspace Emissary.  What bugs me is the number of people who think he plays even remotely similar to Mewtwo; he doesn't (if anything, Zelda is the closest match).

So among all this Nintendo console fan-gasming, is it too out of line to ask for a Rogue Squadron 4, with controller-based targeting computer?  And, for that matter, "2P gunner" options for Snowspeeder, B-Wing, Millennium Falcon, and Lambda Shuttle?

[Flame]

Lucario tries too hard to be Goku and fails.

[OBJECTION MAN]

You used to work at Activision? What was it like?

Activision is a heartless soulless corporate machine. Creativity is stunted for the sake of 'too much risk'. Even the more original projects were pretty bad I thought as well. People were allocated to projects without much thought. A 'take anyone we can get' kind of scenario it seemed like. I've seen a lot of good ideas get cast aside because "its too much of a change, and since this already makes money without changing anything lets keep it that way". While under normal circumstances too much change can be bad, but they take it to the extreme and stagnate their top cash cow series as you probably all have noticed.

I liked the people I worked with though. Good group of guys. It was also interesting seeing a professional development environment. I don't regret it, that's for sure. I also don't want to go back at the same time.

In the end I was laid off when the economy tanked. Now I work for the police, go figure.

[Protoman Blues]

Activision is a heartless soulless corporate machine. Creativity is stunted for the sake of 'too much risk'. Even the more original projects were pretty bad I thought as well. People were allocated to projects without much thought. A 'take anyone we can get' kind of scenario it seemed like. I've seen a lot of good ideas get cast aside because "its too much of a change, and since this already makes money without changing anything lets keep it that way". While under normal circumstances too much change can be bad, but they take it to the extreme and stagnate their top cash cow series as you probably all have noticed.

I liked the people I worked with though. Good group of guys. It was also interesting seeing a professional development environment. I don't regret it, that's for sure. I also don't want to go back at the same time.

In the end I was laid off when the economy tanked. Now I work for the police, go figure.

I think this kind of behavior goes on in a lot of game companies nowadays. Risk vs. Creativity. Sorry to hear about that though.

[The Drunken Dishwasher]

Activision is a heartless soulless corporate machine. Creativity is stunted for the sake of 'too much risk'. Even the more original projects were pretty bad I thought as well. People were allocated to projects without much thought. A 'take anyone we can get' kind of scenario it seemed like. I've seen a lot of good ideas get cast aside because "its too much of a change, and since this already makes money without changing anything lets keep it that way". While under normal circumstances too much change can be bad, but they take it to the extreme and stagnate their top cash cow series as you probably all have noticed.

I liked the people I worked with though. Good group of guys. It was also interesting seeing a professional development environment. I don't regret it, that's for sure. I also don't want to go back at the same time.

In the end I was laid off when the economy tanked. Now I work for the police, go figure.

That explains why you act a bit negative sometimes...that sucks ):

[Flame]

If you dont mind me asking, what kind of work do you do for the police? Something computer related? Or just a regular cop?

[Fxeni]

Activision is a heartless soulless corporate machine. Creativity is stunted for the sake of 'too much risk'. Even the more original projects were pretty bad I thought as well. People were allocated to projects without much thought. A 'take anyone we can get' kind of scenario it seemed like. I've seen a lot of good ideas get cast aside because "its too much of a change, and since this already makes money without changing anything lets keep it that way". While under normal circumstances too much change can be bad, but they take it to the extreme and stagnate their top cash cow series as you probably all have noticed.

I liked the people I worked with though. Good group of guys. It was also interesting seeing a professional development environment. I don't regret it, that's for sure. I also don't want to go back at the same time.

In the end I was laid off when the economy tanked. Now I work for the police, go figure.

Heh, I can  guarantee that isn't exclusive to Activision, from experience. At least the people you worked with were cool, sometimes there isn't even that luxury.

[Kieran]

I think this kind of behavior goes on in a lot of game companies nowadays. Risk vs. Creativity.

Activision just takes it to the logical extreme and snuffs out anything that they can't repackage and sell as a new product every year.

[OBJECTION MAN]

If you dont mind me asking, what kind of work do you do for the police? Something computer related? Or just a regular cop?

Computer forensics & IT.

Heh, I can  guarantee that isn't exclusive to Activision, from experience. At least the people you worked with were cool, sometimes there isn't even that luxury.

Oh of course. EA is also a big offender. We actually had people from EA quit there and come to us, saying it was way better. That's a scary sentiment right there.

[Police Girl]

Oh of course. EA is also a big offender. We actually had people from EA quit there and come to us, saying it was way better. That's a scary sentiment right there.

That kinda [parasitic bomb] sounds awful. Glad I changed my mind on wanting to be in Video Game Development.

[Pyro]

Oh of course. EA is also a big offender. We actually had people from EA quit there and come to us, saying it was way better. That's a scary sentiment right there.

I remember hearing from the wife of an EA employee whose husband was forced to work unpaid overtime but that was many years ago and I forgot where I read it.

[VixyNyan]

http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=156766

- once again, no more friend codes,
- console will be designed around the concept of connecting, sharing, and gaming with others
- big online presence
- stream video of games being played to other peoples' machines
- could lead to joining up with that person's game for online play

http://www.1up.com/news/nintendo-stream-console



And...

http://thenintendostream.com/ign-responds-to-wii-2-rumors/ (check this site more and more, since it might update daily)

Confirmed
* Nintendo is working on a Wii successor, due out in 2012. This is a no-brainer as we've gotten an announcement straight from Nintendo. The story was originally broken by Game Informer, back when it was a rumor.
* "Cafe" will be playable at E3. And not "playable" in the sense that there's simply a working unit on stage. Anyone who attends E3 2011 can get some time with the hardware, which should be very interesting.

Likely
* The system is codenamed "Project Cafe." Based on recent evidence I don't see why there is any doubt that this is the codename. IGN even says the name is verified by "multiple sources." But I guess it hasn't been outright confirmed.
* "Project Cafe" will be more powerful than an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. This seems fairly obvious. The real question is how much more powerful will the new console be? Based on contradictions we've heard, it's difficult to tell.
* Nintendo's new controller design is more traditional, albeit incorporating a touch screen in the middle. This has come from a few major sites now, but I just hope it looks a lot nicer than the mockups we've seen.
* The system will be backwards compatible with GameCube and Wii. I don't think there is any other source for this rumor. But I want it to be true, and it would make the jump to a new system easier, even if that is true for any system.
* Games are being developed for "Project Cafe." The Wii struggled with 3rd-party support and based on what we've heard, they're trying to fix this problem with the new hardware. Basically, there better be games in development.

Possible
* One of the actual product names being considered for "Project Cafe" is Stream. I hope this is true as changing the domain name again would be annoying. But so far this rumor has only come from IGN, and they admit it's not set in stone.
* Rockstar and Nintendo are working together on amazing things. We've heard this a couple of times. And IGN's stance is they haven't heard any specific, but thinks it'd make business sense. Hopefully Nintendo can persuade Rockstar.
* Nintendo is going after the hardcore gamer market. As noted by IGN, this move would go against Nintendo's philosophy to appeal to "everyone," but at the very least it seems like they're working to bring in the Xbox 360 and PS3 crowd.

Unlikely
* Retro Studios is working on Eternal Darkness. This rumor came from a source that is not particularly reliable. Plus, as noted by IGN, "going from Metroid to Donkey Kong to Eternal Darkness" is a little strange.
* The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is going to jump to Project Cafe. I thought this was going to happen at first, but it definitely does look like Skyward Sword is going to be the Wii's last hurrah, which is probably for the best.

[OBJECTION MAN]

That kinda [parasitic bomb] sounds awful. Glad I changed my mind on wanting to be in Video Game Development.

I still have aspirations of working in the industry myself, to which I'm working on to this day. In my opinion, the way to go is indie development. Tiny one team companies are popping up all over and developing for numerous platforms. Some more successful than others. In my spare time I'm working toward being an indie developer. Sometimes slower to progress than I'd like, but I move ever closer. I may not have the biggest budget, or the best talent and technology, but I will be able to make games I believe in. Games I have pride in. They'll never be triple A titles, or big cash cows, but they'll be fun games that people like my friends and I would enjoy playing. To me, that's what it's all about.

That said; There's no shame in working the triple A industry. You can learn a lot from being there. They have the budget and the big talent usually. I'd be happiest making small scale quasi retro titles with a small team, but I know I'll never be immortalized like the director of a multi-million dollar block buster.

[Protoman Blues]

I wish you the best of luck!

[Pyro]

Sometimes slower to progress than I'd like, but I move ever closer. I may not have the biggest budget, or the best talent and technology, but I will be able to make games I believe in. Games I have pride in. They'll never be triple A titles, or big cash cows, but they'll be fun games that people like my friends and I would enjoy playing. To me, that's what it's all about.

Hey, with someone could make an enjoyable "retro game" adaptation of the Great Gatsby on essentially no budget, then anything is possible.

[Fxeni]

I still have aspirations of working in the industry myself, to which I'm working on to this day. In my opinion, the way to go is indie development. Tiny one team companies are popping up all over and developing for numerous platforms. Some more successful than others. In my spare time I'm working toward being an indie developer. Sometimes slower to progress than I'd like, but I move ever closer. I may not have the biggest budget, or the best talent and technology, but I will be able to make games I believe in. Games I have pride in. They'll never be triple A titles, or big cash cows, but they'll be fun games that people like my friends and I would enjoy playing. To me, that's what it's all about.

That said; There's no shame in working the triple A industry. You can learn a lot from being there. They have the budget and the big talent usually. I'd be happiest making small scale quasi retro titles with a small team, but I know I'll never be immortalized like the director of a multi-million dollar block buster.

Just keep at it. At least you have a realistic view of things, which is a very good start. Most people usually have a more... idealistic vision of things.

[Jericho]

I still have aspirations of working in the industry myself, to which I'm working on to this day. In my opinion, the way to go is indie development. Tiny one team companies are popping up all over and developing for numerous platforms. Some more successful than others. In my spare time I'm working toward being an indie developer. Sometimes slower to progress than I'd like, but I move ever closer. I may not have the biggest budget, or the best talent and technology, but I will be able to make games I believe in. Games I have pride in. They'll never be triple A titles, or big cash cows, but they'll be fun games that people like my friends and I would enjoy playing. To me, that's what it's all about.

That said; There's no shame in working the triple A industry. You can learn a lot from being there. They have the budget and the big talent usually. I'd be happiest making small scale quasi retro titles with a small team, but I know I'll never be immortalized like the director of a multi-million dollar block buster.

Awesome post right here. You and I have a lot in common just from reading this and as such, I wish the best for you in the future. Just keep at it.

[Fxeni]

Reading that over again, I'd like to point out that many indie companies/groups usually have a very hard time of it. For all the success stories we hear about, there's far far more disappointing tales out there. Don't get me wrong, developing games a la indie is certainly more entertaining since you have a greater say in it's development, but it's definitely not as good as lots of places make it seem.

[OBJECTION MAN]

Thank you all for your encouraging words.

Reading that over again, I'd like to point out that many indie companies/groups usually have a very hard time of it. For all the success stories we hear about, there's far far more disappointing tales out there. Don't get me wrong, developing games a la indie is certainly more entertaining since you have a greater say in it's development, but it's definitely not as good as lots of places make it seem.

Haha, I know. It's a gamble, but for me I can't imagine not trying it. Perhaps misguided or arrogant, but I think my game ideas will work out very well and are generally better planned than most of the indie stuff I see. However, if it doesn't work out I can always just go back to putting badguys in jail. I find it an almost equally rewarding career.

[Flame]

Well, you also have experience in the triple A industry, so if you want to go indie, you already have experience with the big players to know how certain things work/should work/etc etc.

Not everyone does.