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Reggie: Nintendo Devs Don't Enjoy Making Mature Content

by Andy Goergen - March 19, 2010, 8:32 am EDT
Total comments: 36 Source: MTV

The Regginator admits that Nintendo looks to third parties for mature content, but also encourages consumers to buy the mature games out there.

Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime recently spoke to MTV about a very hot topic, namely the availability of "mature" games on Nintendo platforms.

While reiterating the importance of offering a wide range of entertainment options and the importance of third-party success on Nintendo systems, Fils-Aime was very candid when discussing Nintendo themselves creating games for mature audiences. He admitted that, "we, ourselves, Nintendo, don't create that type of content. We're not experts at it. Our developers don't particularly enjoy making that content. They probably could make stellar content, if they chose to. We choose to do something else. So it really is up to the third party developer to create that great content and bring it to life on the platform."

He also challenged those gamers asking for mature content to actually purchase the mature games that are made available. Citing Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars and The Conduit as quality games that received sub-par consumer response, Fils-Aime explained that "What we want to do is continue to encourage that type of development, and candidly also encourage those consumers who have been saying, 'Hey, Nintendo, where is this content?' to go out there and buy it and support it."

Talkback

BlackNMild2k1March 19, 2010

He should start mentioning other games besides those 2. If gamers haven't bought them yet, even after him mentioning them (especially the conduit) in the last 10 or so interviews where he was asked about Mature games, then maybe they just aren't interested in them.

He cold always mention HoTD:Overkill, Silent Hill, Cursed Mountain or No More Heroes. He really needs to switch it up. Just mentioning the same 2 games over and over again makes it sound like there are only 2 to choose from.

Yeah, and The Conduit isn't even rated M (or all that great). The best M-rated game on Wii is RE4, and guess what? We did buy that game, in droves.

Ian SaneMarch 19, 2010

So Nintendo relies on third parties to deliver mature content but doesn't make much of an effort to improve third party relations or encourage third party support.  This is called "self-fulfilling prophecy" here.

The thing is the mature content is on the other consoles and I think we're at a point where those that are truly interested in those types of games gave up on a Nintendo console providing them.  They either own a second console or never bothered with a Wii to begin with.  If Nintendo wants these types of games to sell on their consoles they need to seriously shake things up.

What Nintendo doesn't seem to realize is that their own games influence the third parties.  Nintendo doesn't make mature games so that is why they have always been labelled as kiddy.  Third parties make the assumption that since Nintendo only makes family friendly games that a Nintendo console is aimed at kids and families.  This gen Nintendo's emphasis on non-games, even though they make core games as well, is likely the main reason why third parties treat the Wii like a casual console.  Any types of games that Nintendo doesn't make, and this includes individual genres as well, typically don't appear on Nintendo consoles.

In comparison Sony will make Ratchet & Clank and God of War.  Something for the kids and something for teens and adults.  And Sony has never had any demographics issues like Nintendo has had.

And I find it so odd to suggest that Nintendo devs don't like making mature games.  Aren't these people adults?

With mature games what I usually look for isn't blood and tits and swearing.  What I like is when a game doesn't feel like it is intentionally designed for a younger audience.  Metroid Prime is not rated M.  But it just feels like a game about a space bounty hunter fighting aliens.  When Zelda isn't a cartoon it just feels like a game about an elf on an adventure.  Mario feels like it is intentionally catered to children with the whoo-hoos and such.  I find it harder to get into that game as a result.  Wii Sports feels like it caters to non-gamers which also turns me off.

And looking at non-Nintendo games something like God of War feels like the mature content is thrown in to be exploitive so the whole thing appears very silly to me and very calculated.  Resident Evil is very gorey but it fits the subject matter of the game so it just feels like a game, and in this case the game just had to be M rated.  It just wouldn't work otherwise.  It's natural.

KDR_11kMarch 19, 2010

Take your Conduit and shove it where the sun don't shine. That's not a quality game.

BlackNMild2k1March 19, 2010

I think he meant that Nintendo doesn't make Mature rated content, not mature games, as games like Brain Training & Blue Ocean are mature vs something like MadWorld or DOA: Beach Volleyball that are rated mature for (immature) content.

Kytim89March 19, 2010

Quote from: KDR_11k

Take your Conduit and shove it where the sun don't shine. That's not a quality game.


I resent that, I actually thought the Conduit was a good despite its flaws and pain in the ass controls and story.  ;D

As for mature content on the wii, I want a GTA for the wii very soon. I am hoping to hear something at the next E3 and love to see it happen.

PeachylalaMarch 19, 2010

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

I think he meant that Nintendo doesn't make Mature rated content, not mature games, as games like Brain Training & Blue Ocean are mature vs something like MadWorld or DOA: Beach Volleyball that are rated mature for (immature) content.

Quoted for absolute justice.

SpinnzillaMarch 19, 2010

Quote from: Kytim89

As for mature content on the wii, I want a GTA for the wii very soon. I am hoping to hear something at the next E3 and love to see it happen.

I'd like to see that too.  It's not like the sales Chinatown Wars didn't pick up, it has sold pretty well for a 3rd party games.

D_AverageMarch 19, 2010

Quote from: KDR_11k

Take your Conduit and shove it where the sun don't shine. That's not a quality game.

Exactly. And people wonder why I've always considered Reggie a schmuck. Know yor product sir. The Conduit is neither mature nor quality.  Do us all a favor and go back to the horrendous light rock music channel you came from. 

Mop it upMarch 19, 2010

Quote from: Kytim89

I resent that, I actually thought the Conduit was a good despite its flaws and pain in the ass controls and story.  ;D

If you have a problem with the controls in The Conduit, it is because you did not take the time to adjust them to your liking. The Conduit has more control customization than any game I've ever seen, you can't really fault the game for yourself being too lazy to tinker with the controls.

broodwarsMarch 19, 2010

Quote from: Mop

Quote from: Kytim89

I resent that, I actually thought the Conduit was a good despite its flaws and pain in the ass controls and story.  ;D

If you have a problem with the controls in The Conduit, it is because you did not take the time to adjust them to your liking. The Conduit has more control customization than any game I've ever seen, you can't really fault the game for yourself being too lazy to tinker with the controls.

Actually,  I spent a good hour or so configuring those controls and I never did find a setting I liked (especially button mapping).  They were far from that game's worst problems, though.

Mop it upMarch 19, 2010

Well, people who don't like the Wii controller aren't going to like the controls, but that isn't a fault of the game.

Spak-SpangMarch 20, 2010

Yes, I think Reggie meant rated M games...and you know what GOOD FOR NINTENDO.  Why should Nintendo be forced or pressured to make the type of games their developers and ARTISTS don't enjoy making.  Nintendo makes great games.  Amazing games, that all have the unique Nintendo style.  And to tell them they are wrong is stupid.  I am proud of Nintendo keeping to their vision of games, and without Nintendo in the business I would be out of gaming for good.

And, Nintendo is doing things to help their relationship with 3rd parties...but the deal is Nintendo can change their fans or perceptions in the marketplace.  If gamers want mature games, they are going to go for the HD consoles with the games they like.  Because lets face it, if the latest rated R movies show a reality is that the more beautiful the sex and violence the more it sells.  Movies like 300 aren't quality films but they are pretty to look at.  The video game industry is going that same mainstream direction.

TheBlackCatMarch 20, 2010

Quote from: Mop

If you have a problem with the controls in The Conduit, it is because you did not take the time to adjust them to your liking. The Conduit has more control customization than any game I've ever seen, you can't really fault the game for yourself being too lazy to tinker with the controls.

Of course you can fault the game.  Making it configurable is no excuse for not having it work well up-front.  Configuring controls should be the exception, rather than the rule, it should never be something developers demand players do.  Doing so is just laziness and is not acceptable for a high-quality game.  You may never be able to make it work well for everyone, which is why you have configuration, but it should work well for most people.

BeautifulShyMarch 20, 2010

Since when is having options a bad thing. The default controls work well. Heck Stratos when we got the game and didn't even play the single player first beat pretty much everybody with the default controls.

KDR_11kMarch 20, 2010

"Mature" games is the modern industry term for testosterone driven games.

Quote from: Mop

Quote from: Kytim89

I resent that, I actually thought the Conduit was a good despite its flaws and pain in the ass controls and story.  ;D

If you have a problem with the controls in The Conduit, it is because you did not take the time to adjust them to your liking. The Conduit has more control customization than any game I've ever seen, you can't really fault the game for yourself being too lazy to tinker with the controls.

That's like saying if you don't like the levels in a PC FPS you didn't take the time to make your own ones. Proper controls are something that should have been included by default, there's a lot of bullshit in the default settings. You shouldn't be required to spend half an hour tweaking obscure sliders to get anything useful out of your game. For example, the default doesn't let you aim up or down by more than 50° and as Zero Punctuation pointed out the level design in the SP mode frequently demands aiming up. Sure, customization is nice but the defaults should have been better since tweaking is too complicated for the average user.

ThePermMarch 20, 2010

its funny how perception influences reality

iv never played Conduit, but its reviewed well. I can see it as being a sleeper hit type game. A game thats pretty good, but because its in the unfortunate position of being the best of its kind it gets panned for not being good enough.

StratosMarch 20, 2010

Quote from: Maxi

Since when is having options a bad thing. The default controls work well. Heck Stratos when we got the game and didn't even play the single player first beat pretty much everybody with the default controls.

And then I tried Modern Warfare on Wii...and wonder why Conduit's "fully customizable controls" can't let me map reloading to the nunchuck.

But yeah, the controls work fine enough.

KDR_11kMarch 20, 2010

Quote from: Stratos

And then I tried Modern Warfare on Wii...and wonder why Conduit's "fully customizable controls" can't let me map reloading to the nunchuck.

I believe I wanted to bind it to a remote shake like in Onslaught but yeah, that's not an option.

Mop it upMarch 20, 2010

The reason why you can't put reload on a motion is because it is also the function you hold to pick up a weapon. I've no idea why they decided to combine these, it seems strange. "Fully customize" is always a bit of a misnomer. In no game can you have any function you want be placed on any input you want. For example, you can't move using the IR pointer and aim using the analogue stick.

I s'pose the defaults could have been a bit more universal to require less tweaking. Still, the options are there, so I think it's a bit silly to complain about the controls as a whole. That'd be like complaining about the Wii Wheel in Mario Kart Wii when there are other controllers available.

broodwarsMarch 20, 2010

Quote from: Mop

Well, people who don't like the Wii controller aren't going to like the controls, but that isn't a fault of the game.

Yes, we all saw what you did there, but although I'm not the biggest fan of the Wiimote I've found quite serviceable control schemes in other FPS games like Metroid Prime 3.  The Conduit just has too many buttons that have to be mapped onto a controller that's ill-equipped to comfortably handle all of them, and I'm sorry but I shouldn't have to spend an hour right at the start of the game constantly having to reconfigure button placement and confusing sliders because what High Voltage set as default is total ****.  There's no reason the controls in Conduit couldn't have been as serviceable as any other Wii FPS, but that's how High Voltage decided it must be so they deserve all the complaints they get.

And like I said, in the grand scheme of things I have many more complaints about the ****ty level design, boring gunplay, and total lack of originality than I do about the control scheme.

Mop it upMarch 20, 2010

The button restriction is a fair criticism, I'm not sure what they were thinking with that one. As far as configuring the controls, it took me only a few minutes of tinkering to find a setup that works great. Plus it isn't like you have to adjust them every time you play, it's just a one-time thing so I really don't see it as any big deal.

MorariMarch 20, 2010

The level of customization in the controls was about the only thing I felt The Conduit actually did well. It was so refreshing to see a console game give you so many options. Being able to customize the bounding box for the reticle made it the only decently controlled console FPS ever. Being able to actually aim and look around, without having to push the reticle to the side of the screen, was great. It felt like a real FPS in that regard.

PeachylalaMarch 20, 2010

Reviewers said the game was good, but that was baseless hype and nothing else.

Expect that so much, nothing surprises me anymore.

Quote from: Mop

Well, people who don't like the Wii controller aren't going to like the controls, but that isn't a fault of the game.

I think it was more an issue of Conduit having too many control functions (especially for such a simple game) and it being hard to create a button layout with all the important ones readily available.

StogiMarch 21, 2010

I like the wording "Don't Enjoy".

It's as if they wanted to, they could dominate the market, but they simply "Don't Enjoy" it.

That's classy.

ThePermMarch 21, 2010

enjoy has another meaning to, to enjoy is to receive some sort of benefit by doing something, so if they don't enjoy it, they don't receive any benefit

PeachylalaMarch 21, 2010

If the benefit was "going to the needs of whiny fans only to have them whine more", I can see why Nintendo's top tier developers are like that.

Be glad they are not Kojima.

D_AverageMarch 22, 2010

So what does this strange group of developers "enjoy" then?

Ian SaneMarch 22, 2010

Quote:

If the benefit was "going to the needs of whiny fans only to have them whine more", I can see why Nintendo's top tier developers are like that.


I'm sure Nintendo's Japanese dev teams are completely unaware of what the non-Japanese fans think of their games and I'm sure they don't care either.

Plus I always felt that "they'll whine anyway" is just a lame excuse used to justify staying the same and not making improvements.

I think the real situation is that Nintendo devs make whatever the fuck Iwata or Miyamoto tell them to.  It's probably those two that don't want to make mature content so Nintendo as a whole doesn't.

PeachylalaMarch 22, 2010

Quote from: D_Average

So what does this strange group of developers "enjoy" then?

They enjoy making games that their own families can play.

I wonder how they know they don't enjoy it; Nintendo, as far as I know, has never internally developed an M-rated game. They've published a few, but they were all done by outside studios.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 22, 2010

Cuz Nintendo is full of nice people.

Mop it upMarch 22, 2010

Just out of curiosity, which M-rated games have Nintendo published?

Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure Rare published both their M-rated N64 games themselves, so the only one I can think of that Nintendo published would be Geist. If Disaster had come to North America it may have been M, but it never did, and if (a huge if) Zangeki no Reginlev comes over, it'll be M.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 22, 2010

Eternal Darkness
Geist
Style Savvy

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