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[MotherFan]

So EA is dropping its fresh focus on new IPs and experiments so quickly then? If so then it's really sad. It seems like we're heading towards a shift in the last part of this generation where a large part of it will be a concentrated focus on Wii. It will be interesting to see if the gaming industry can recover from losing tons of money on the HD systems, or if the new wii focus can hold the industry together in the mean time.

Fixed

 

[MikeE21286]

I'll believe it when I see it....would be nice to toss something that interests me into my Wii

 

[HK-47]

So EA is dropping its fresh focus on new IPs and experiments so quickly then? If so then it's really sad. It seems like we're heading towards a shift in the last part of this generation where a large part of it will be a concentrated focus on Wii shovelware. It will be interesting to see if the gaming industry can recover from a potential collective intellectual snooze, or if the independent devs who wants to push themselves can hold that part of the industry together in the mean time.

 

[HK-47]

Fixed

 

[Vinci]

I have no doubt EA like Ubi or the majority of Western devs will make some cheap cash in trash missing the point of the system. The Wii is not in the Western development DNA and this will show time and time again.

Oh well, guess they'll keep losing money then.

 

[titiklabingapat]

So EA is dropping its fresh focus on new IPs and experiments so quickly then? If so then it's really sad. It seems like we're heading towards a shift in the last part of this generation where a large part of it will be a concentrated focus on Wii shovelware. It will be interesting to see if the gaming industry can recover from a potential collective intellectual snooze, or if the independent devs who wants to push themselves can hold that part of the industry together in the mean time.

Boom Blox is the very definition of experiments and fresh focus.

Pointing is a better application of the wiimote than some of other stuff (such as the Mario jump referenced above), but I don't see why it's much better than aiming using a thumbstick. I'm not saying it ISN'T better, I just don't see it myself.

Just because you're used to it doesn't make it any better.

 

[Rapping Granny]

Mirror's Edge on Wii oooo

Would like to see that.

 

[HK-47]

Boom Blox is the very definition of experiments and fresh focus.

Just because you're used to it doesn't make it any better.

Doesnt mean he cant prefer it either...

 

[jrricky]

So EA is dropping its fresh focus on new IPs and experiments so quickly then? If so then it's really sad. It seems like we're heading towards a shift in the last part of this generation where a large part of it will be a concentrated focus on Wii shovelware. It will be interesting to see if the gaming industry can recover from a potential collective intellectual snooze, or if the independent devs who wants to push themselves can hold that part of the industry together in the mean time.

SSSSSSSSssssssssssssssooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Gooooooooood!!!!!!!!!!

 

[saunderez]

Oh well, guess they'll keep losing money then.

And next generation they're all going to be screwed because either Nintendo shifts to HD or the 40-odd million people that currently own 360s and PS3s don't bother upgrading because nothing has changed.

 

[Vinci]

And next generation they're all going to be screwed because either Nintendo shifts to HD or the 40-odd million people that currently own 360s and PS3s don't bother upgrading because nothing has changed.

Would they prefer a paycheck now or never?

 

[viciouskillersquirrel]

And next generation they're all going to be screwed because either Nintendo shifts to HD or the 40-odd million people that currently own 360s and PS3s don't bother upgrading because nothing has changed.

Except for platform support. Once a new generation starts, devs and pubs abandon the old and busted consoles for the new hotness and customers are more or less forced to upgrade if they want the latest games.

Hell, I'd still be buying new SNES or even NES games if they were still supported.

 

[Metsuke]

RE4 was more fun with motion controls and aiming. Really third person/first person action, racing games, point and click/ survival horror (falls in with third person?) and party games would work best. With well done controls anyway.

And motion plus stuff will help. Hopefully.

Racing games are far better with more horsepower in your console. Only in the sense that the plastic Mario Kart wheel is cheaper than a real racing wheel does the Wii have any advantage.

 

[SuperJay]

It has Begun!

 

[A Twisty Fluken]

Racing games are far better with more horsepower in your console. Only in the sense that the plastic Mario Kart wheel is cheaper than a real racing wheel does the Wii have any advantage.

You need some EXCITE in your life!

 

[HK-47]

You need some EXCITE in your life!

I'm sure thats what he was talking about...

 

[Metsuke]

You need some EXCITE in your life!

Sure, but Motorstorm wipes EXCITE's crusty ass.

Not to mention what happens if you want a sim.

 

[Wolves Evolve]

AniHawk: you're right about the influence of committees. All these major corporations seem to just neglect the basic business of product-building. They have spent equity building up people who can design and make games that work, and then ignore that investment by asking other people - with totally worthless MBAs - to decide what gets made. The infuriating thing is that EA seems to be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. The real problem is at the level of product - cheaper, better games GENERALLY are a good idea - and it shouldn't matter as much where those games go.

Honestly, the Wii is not the showcase for great games design it could have been by now. If we are brutally honest, we'd also say the other two consoles are pretty dismal too. If you're looking for pinpricks of light, you're in the dark.

 

[HK-47]

Sure, but Motorstorm wipes EXCITE's crusty ass.

Not to mention what happens if you want a sim.

If you want a sim, you go PC.

 

[SpokkX]

aw crap... this isn´t good

Wii can´t handle much of the real hardcore genres (think Fallout, GTA)

 

[herod]

how long does the average game take to produce?

 

[SpokkX]

for Wii?

perhaps 6-8 weeks

 

[Pennywise83]

aw crap... this isn´t good

Wii can´t handle much of the real hardcore genres (think Fallout, GTA)

Uhm... my 7-yr old PC runs Morrowind very well. Except for the graphic engine I can't see so many divverences between Fallout 3 and Morrowind.
Oh, also between Gta: San Andreas and Gta4....

 

[Metal Gear?!]

Yeah, I don't think publishers and developers could see that far into the future when they started making their projects for the HD systems two or three years back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0QN-FYkpw

So you're a conservative and a hardlycore?

What gives, man?

The PC is the only true hardcore system, consoles are just casualfied PCs.

This is almost as depressing as reading a convservative Republican blog. So much dumbness.

What do you mean? Republican blogs are great fun to read since the election!

I guess this is GAF's equivalent of the election...

 

[Neo C.]

how long does the average game take to produce?

IIRC:
- DS games, less than a year.
- PSP games, often more than a year
Though these statements were made in 2004/2005, I guess DS games nowadays are higher value now, especially all these JRPGs recently.

Wii games? There are many ports, cheap cash-ins and low budget games, the majority of these games don't need more than a year.
Generally, high value games on Wii need as much time as HD games, which have - I would guess - about two years or more.

 

[Suburban Cowboy]

"Nintendo is the leader; they're getting half our emphasis in terms of title counts,"

Half of their titles are going to be on the console with shortest development times. Obviously less than half their budget will be on these games.

They still dont fucking get it.

 

[ymmv]

Not really. Graphics wise maybe...but alot of games are more fun with well done aiming and motion controls. Next gen will have even better motion controls and everything will be HD.

I fail to see the problem here.

I'm all for supporting the Wii, but I certainly don't want this trend to harm games development on the PS360 (less titles, lower budgets for PS360 games, PS360 games getting simplified because the Wii has become the baseline, etc)

I've got multiple consoles including all current-gen consoles yet I'd really hate to see titles like Street Fighter IV or Resident Evil 5 go to the Wii in the future. AAA titles should get defining versions that are a clear step up from past releases. That's simply not possible on the Wii, all you could possibly get is a slightly better looking Gamecube game with motion controls. The Wii should really stick with Nintendo titles and party games. That's what it does best. Keep the big games on the PS360.

 

[herod]

IIRC:
- DS games, less than a year.
- PSP games, often more than a year
Though these statements were made in 2004/2005, I guess DS games nowadays are higher value now, especially all these JRPGs recently.

Wii games? There are many ports, cheap cash-ins and low budget games, the majority of these games don't need more than a year.
Generally, high value games on Wii need as much time as HD games, which have - I would guess - about two years or more.

so if EA announced they were putting more emphasis on Wii last year, we will see the results when?

 

[beje]

I'm all for supporting the Wii, but I certainly don't want this trend to harm games development on the PS360 (less titles, lower budgets for PS360 games, PS360 games getting simplified because the Wii has become the baseline, etc)

I've got multiple consoles including all current-gen consoles yet I'd really hate to see titles like Street Fighter IV or Resident Evil 5 go to the Wii in the future. AAA titles should get defining versions that are a clear step up from past releases. That's simply not possible on the Wii, all you could possibly get is a slightly better looking Gamecube game with motion controls. The Wii should really stick with Nintendo titles and party games. That's what it does best. Keep the big games on the PS360.

Delicious bitter tears

 

[Metsuke]

If you want a sim, you go PC.

Yep, either way, Wii is the last choice.

 

[Grampa Simpson]

Not to mention what happens if you want a sim.

The PS1 had Gran Turismo on it. That's a sim, isn't it?

 

[jarosh]

Where did this first come from again? :lol

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128758&page=6

 

[Ravidrath]

Hmm.

While I am not against EA giving the Wii more love, this move strikes me as coming too late. If they started now, it would still take them 2 years or so to get a quality Wii game out, and by that point we're probably going to be talking about Nintendo's next system even more than we are now.

Now, all of this could just be laying the foundation so they can hit the ground running next time around. Some studios are already starting to think about MS's next console and the PS4, so it wouldn't surprise me to see EA already thinking about Nintendo's next system so they're not caught off guard again. If they can manage a hit game on the Wii, then they'll be set for a hit sequel on the next system.

 

[professor_t]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128758&page=6

Lulz.

The Internet: If you're a grammar-challenged retard, we WILL find out.

 

[professor_t]

You're not one of those guys who thinks a thumbstick is as good as a mouse too are you?

Um, no. You're not one of those guys who makes spurious assumptions about other people, are you?

 

[Cynar]

aw crap... this isn´t good

Wii can´t handle much of the real hardcore genres (think Fallout, GTA)

:lol The sad thing is that he probably believes the crap he's posting.

 

[Grayman]

The PS1 had Gran Turismo on it. That's a sim, isn't it?

Not as much so as the stuff on PC. I'd say that GT is a good driving sim, but for racing it would be called an arcade game on PC. Lapping an M3 in GT4/5p is comparable to one in GTR2 but a race makes GT look bad. I say this prefering GT, it just is not there as a "real sim" IF you are talking about racing(which PC fans always are ).

 

[sankt-Antonio]

ea will always have some prestige games on ps360/pc - even if they make less money than there wii games, its about reputation, and in this marked its earned mostly and fastest with good gfx (kz2, crysis..etc)

 

[Neo C.]

so if EA announced they were putting more emphasis on Wii last year, we will see the results when?

Phew, depends on effort they put on each game, really. If they want to do an AAA-budget game right now, probably end of 2010 or in 2011. Nintendo's best efforts are normally between 2 and 3 years.
Though since EA has missed the opportunity years ago, they won't give their best efforts on Wii, it's basically too late.

 

[DarkMehm]

People here forget that there still are very passionate developers, especially on the teams that brings you RE5, FFXIII or other high profile games. These guys want to do the best possible, in every aspect and I can relate. If i was one of those guys and an executive steps in to say that the company is now focusing on one way weaker system I'd be pissed as hell and would commit myself less than ever before on these new projects.

And I'm sure EA has teams as well, where a lot of those guys work. So Anihawk does have a point in this case.

 

[CiSTM]

If i was one of those guys and an executive steps in to say that the company is now focusing on one way weaker system I'd be pissed as hell and would commit myself less than ever before on these new projects.

Wouldn't you be already pissed because you are developing games for PS3/Xbox360 insted of PC ?

 

[polyh3dron]

As long as they put out some really good games on the Wii, that's fine with me.

But please, no shovelware.

Give me a reason to dust off my Wii, EA.

 

[bdouble]

People here forget that there still are very passionate developers, especially on the teams that brings you RE5, FFXIII or other high profile games. These guys want to do the best possible, in every aspect and I can relate. If i was one of those guys and an executive steps in to say that the company is now focusing on one way weaker system I'd be pissed as hell and would commit myself less than ever before on these new projects.

And I'm sure EA has teams as well, where a lot of those guys work. So Anihawk does have a point in this case.

Huh but what if I was a guy that was absolutely sick of developing games with a traditional controller and wanted to try something else? Have to think of this both ways. Also look at Anihawks tag.

Sure, but Motorstorm wipes EXCITE's crusty ass.

Not to mention what happens if you want a sim.

Fzero GX > MS from what I've played. Yes this will probably hold true to me until F Zero Wii. If it ever comes and it isn't motion controlled.

 

[User Tron]

People here forget that there still are very passionate developers, especially on the teams that brings you RE5, FFXIII or other high profile games. These guys want to do the best possible, in every aspect and I can relate. If i was one of those guys and an executive steps in to say that the company is now focusing on one way weaker system I'd be pissed as hell and would commit myself less than ever before on these new projects.

Would you be less pissed without a job?

 

[Hero]

It took EA way, way too long to react to the market on this one. Their stubbornness to adapt will be their downfall. I hope they seriously put a lot of effort into a diverse amount of titles for the Wii.

And with this, I think we can finally decisively say that the push for HD consoles this generation was a mistake for everyone but the consumer. Mass studio closings and employee layoffs was not worth seeing things in HD.

 

[Laguna]

People here forget that there still are very passionate developers, especially on the teams that brings you RE5, FFXIII or other high profile games. These guys want to do the best possible, in every aspect and I can relate. If i was one of those guys and an executive steps in to say that the company is now focusing on one way weaker system I'd be pissed as hell and would commit myself less than ever before on these new projects.

And I'm sure EA has teams as well, where a lot of those guys work. So Anihawk does have a point in this case.

Tell your story to people who lost their job due to this attitude.

 

[Dascu]

People here forget that there still are very passionate developers, especially on the teams that brings you RE5, FFXIII or other high profile games. These guys want to do the best possible, in every aspect and I can relate. If i was one of those guys and an executive steps in to say that the company is now focusing on one way weaker system I'd be pissed as hell and would commit myself less than ever before on these new projects.

Yes, I'm sure the people working on FF13 are thrilled that they have to do all those overtime hours to make sure the Lightning's hair looks just right.

Don't kid yourself, a game development studio isn't Santa's Magical Toy Workshop where the Elves are singing carols all day long.

 

[DarkMehm]

Tell your story to people who lost their job due to this attitude.

People didn't lost their jobs due to this attitude. It's because their executives made mistakes in very very hard times. Also people tend to forget that a year ago, before the global crisis, most 3rd Parties made record profits and that's with HD development. It's easy to only blame HD that many companies face hard times.

 

[SimpleDesign]

They should spread out their releases, whoever decided it was a good idea to release Mirror's Edge in November is a fucking idiot.

I'm interested in what they put out for the Wii. Although, if it comes down to Need for Speed Kart Racing and Madden Jr. I won't be surprised.

 

[Shockgamer]

Let's actually look at EA's 2009 Wii lineup.

SimAnimals
NASCAR Kart Racing
MySims Party
Trivial Pursuit
Boom Blox Party Bash
Madden NFL 2010
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Need for Speed Nitro
Spore Hero
MySims Racing
EA Sports Active
EA Sports Tennis
Dead Space
Tiger Woods

...Yeaaaahhh, I'm trying to get all angry and indignant here but there's nothing on that list that either isn't coming to/already on an HD system or I wouldn't want to play regardless. Five pages of fuss over NASCAR Kart Racing and SimAnimals? Really?