Support NeoGAF

[Shikamaru Ninja]

Kotaku explains how Nintendo EAD and Platinum are co-developing Star Fox U

Interesting bit since most people are not aware that Nintendo's EAD group doesn't co-develop games typically. But this generation Miyamoto has introduced the idea of outsourcing an internally developed prototype (Steel Diver) or completed source (Wii Sports / Star Fox) to externally produce games with outside developers.

EAD x Platinum collaboration

"Art is being done at Platinum’s Osaka office, but design is being done in Nintendo’s offices in Kyoto, where some of the Platinum guys have taken temporary root. Nintendo’s director on the project is Yugo Hayashi who previously did level design on The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess and then directed Wii Fit U. As for how in the world one goes from Zelda to Wii Fit to Star Fox, Hayashi said, “I was kind of surprised by it, too.” Miyamoto joked: “Probably the main reason is actually that he sits the closest to me [of anyone in the development group].”

On Project Giant Robot / Project Guard

"Nintendo EAD and Hayashi is overseeing it, also with the help of Platinum. Miyamoto said it is meant to be played online and that Nintendo is still figuring out if or how to release it in conjunction with Star Fox Zero. Development of Giant Robo, another, less impressive E3 2014 experimental game is on hold."

 

[Weng]

They're also talking about why the game looks the way it looks, and surprise, it's because of two different screens @ 60FPS.

Hmm I'm sad about Giant Robot being on hold. I hope it'll reappear in the future.

 

[LOCK]

I'm happy these two are getting cozy.

 

[jj984jj]

Miyamoto should've gone to Sandlot with Giant Robo.

 

[Diddy Kong]

I'm really glad they actually got Platinum to work on this. I can't believe they didn't mention it in the direct. So stupid.

 

[MrRudiMentary]

I'm a huge fan of Platinum by I have no idea why they would outsource the art to them. I mean, their games can be really ugly at times.

 

[bobbychalkers]

Miyamoto should've gone to Sandlot with Giant Robo.

Oh my god yes!, why hasn't that thought cross my mind!?

 

[Pacbois]

Everything is Platinum.

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

I'm really glad they actually got Platinum to work on this. I can't believe they didn't mention it in the direct. So stupid.

Miyamoto's name is the one that tends to sells games though.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

So when is Nintendo taking Platinum under its wing?

 

[jj984jj]

I'm a huge fan of Platinum by I have no idea why they would outsource the art to them. I mean, their games can be really ugly at times.

It's been previously mentioned that they're handling the campaign, so art probably means most of what they have to do for the single player here.

So when is Nintendo taking Platinum under its wing?

Hopefully never. Nier 2 wouldn't be possible if they had done that already. It's cool that Platinum can continue to work on projects like that.

 

[Pikma]

Giant Robot looked way more interesting than Project Guard, wtf is wrong with them

 

[fernoca]

Kinda weird that "Star Fox has no online multiplayer", but Project Guard (which is been integrated(?) in Star Fox) is meant to be played online.

 

[Jessmo111]

They're also talking about why the game looks the way it looks, and su dpde, it's because of two different screens @ 60FPS.

Hmm I'm sad about Giant Robot being on hold. I hope it'll reappear in the future.

But.. But other wiiu games look better, doing 2 screens 60 fps, making a sandwhich, while making love, throwing in a reach around. :-(

 

[Boney]

I really wonder how the collaboration will pan out. When two developers have such different styles of game production and especially when there's a clear hierarchy it could be troublesome when they don't know exactly how to communicate what they want from each other.

Other M is a clear example of a clear communication problem. Nintendo wanted TN to do it like that while TN expected Nintendo would want it like this. This permeated to game systems, sound design and cinematics. I have a lot more faith in Hashimoto and Miyamoto working everything out, especially as Nintendo themselves worked a great deal on it independently before. Hope they can efficiently build on top of each other.

Looking forward to the Iwata Asks!

 

[KooopaKid]

So when is Nintendo taking Platinum under its wing?

When they'll finish Scalebound for Microsoft, Transformers for Activision and Nier 2 for SquareEnix.

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

Kinda weird that "Star Fox has no online multiplayer", but Project Guard (which is been integrated(?) In Star Fox is meant to be played online.

I think they are referring to no online dog fighting / coop. The Project Guard thing seems like a tentative work in progress. Not absolutely confirmed yet.

 

[fernoca]

But.. But other wiiu games look better, doing 2 screens 60 fps, making a sandwhich, while making love, throwing in a reach around. :-(

Which other Wii U games look better at 60fps while rendering 2 different viewpoints? Most just stream the same or use a 2D menu/map.

Unless it was sarcasm.

I think they are referring to no online dog fighting / coop. The Project Guard thing seems like a tentative work in progress. Not absolutely confirmed yet.

Yeah. Guess if anything there will be an online component, even if it's just Miiverse integration. Keeping an eye out.

 

[Berordn]

Hopefully never. Nier 2 wouldn't be possible if they had done that already. It's cool that Platinum can continue to work on projects like that.

Plus if they ever got bought out we'd lose over half of our Japanese gaming output.

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

I really wonder how the collaboration will pan out. When two developers have such different styles of game production and especially when there's a clear hierarchy it could be troublesome when they don't know exactly how to communicate what they want from each other.

Other M is a clear example of a clear communication problem. Nintendo wanted TN to do it like that while TN expected Nintendo would want it like this. This permeated to game systems, sound design and cinematics. I have a lot more faith in Hashimoto and Miyamoto working everything out, especially as Nintendo themselves worked a great deal on it independently before. Hope they can efficiently build on top of each other.

Looking forward to the Iwata Asks!

Well Metroid: Other M was completely developed at Tokyo in Team Ninja's development studio. Sakamoto and his team drew up plans, and basically Sakamoto would board the train a few times a week to check in on the progress, while two other Nintendo SPD guys were in e-mail contact.

EAD actually has the prototype engine in their Kyoto office, soo apparently Platinum has some staff at Nintendo's offices working within that.

The latter sounds much more controlled than the former.

 

[mf luder]

So it looks like shit because they wanted to force some 2 screen gamepad use,great.

 

[AzureTranquility95]

I'm really glad they actually got Platinum to work on this. I can't believe they didn't mention it in the direct. So stupid.

PlatinumGames isn't exactly worthy of a bullet-point. They're not a well-known developer outside of hardcore gaming circles... hell, barely then, either.

I'm no fan of their games but even I know they used to be Clover Studios, who made supposed "classics" like God Hand and Okami. Does the PG fan of today even know this?

 

[Jessmo111]

Which other Wii U games look better at 60fps while rendering 2 different viewpoints? Most just stream the same or use a 2D menu/map.

Unless it was sarcasm.


Yeah. Guess if anything there will be an online component, even if it's just Miiverse integration. Keeping an eye out.

Mario kart, smash,?

 

[Weng]

Mario kart, smash,?

Are you serious? You're comparing a map and a damage display to rendering a 3D game?

 

[Diddy Kong]

Miyamoto's name is the one that tends to sells games though.

PlatinumGames isn't exactly worthy of a bullet-point. They're not a well-known developer outside of hardcore gaming circles... hell, barely then, either.

I'm no fan of their games but even I know they used to be Clover Studios, who made supposed "classics" like God Hand and Okami. Does the PG fan of today even know this?

Agreed on both parts, but Platinum Games and Starfox have been the internets peanut butter and jelly for quite some time now. Still think its a bit silly not to have said anything.

 

[Space Medafighter X]

They're also talking about why the game looks the way it looks, and surprise, it's because of two different screens @ 60FPS.

Hmm I'm sad about Giant Robot being on hold. I hope it'll reappear in the future.

Ahh, makes sense. The environments weren't looking too hot.

 

[Leiru]

Are you serious? You're comparing a map and a damage display to rendering a 3D game?

are YOU serious? you can have the game on both screens at the same time.

 

[RMS Gigantic]

Are you serious? You're comparing a map and a damage display to rendering a 3D game?

If you press the Gamepad screen in either of those games, you get a reproduction of what's on the screen.

Still, those are two different renderings of the same view, whereas this is two different views. Nintendo Land would be a better comparison.

My money is personal on the idea that this game is still in development and doesn't have its final coat of optimization/polish.

 

[Zero148]

are YOU serious? you can have the game on both screens at the same time.

same viewing point, so the scene is rendered one time and just displayed on both TV and gamepad. Star Fox has two viewing points, so it is rendered two times

 

[Linkstrikesback]

are YOU serious? you can have the game on both screens at the same time.

If you press the Gamepad screen in either of those games, you get a reproduction of what's on the screen.

Still, those are two different renderings of the same view, whereas this is two different views. Nintendo Land would be a better comparison.

My money is personal on the idea that this game is still in development and doesn't have its final coat of optimization/polish.

He was looking for a game that renders two different things on the screens at 60fps. Not reproduces the same thing.

 

[Croatoan]

They're also talking about why the game looks the way it looks, and surprise, it's because of two different screens @ 60FPS.

Hmm I'm sad about Giant Robot being on hold. I hope it'll reappear in the future.

They could have, you know, made it one fucking screen with great traditional flying controls and better graphics. I mean, that would have sent the internet into overdrive in a good way. Instead we get this trainwreck in slow motion.

 

[Shaanyboi]

Everything is Platinum.

But is everything PURE Platinum?

 

[Converse]

On Project Giant Robot / Project Guard

"Nintendo EAD and Hayashi is overseeing it, also with the help of Platinum. Miyamoto said it is meant to be played online and that Nintendo is still figuring out if or how to release it in conjunction with Star Fox Zero. Development of Giant Robo, another, less impressive E3 2014 experimental game is on hold."

This is actually a major disappointment for me. I thought Project Giant Robot looked genuinely fun and had tons of potential. Project Guard looks like an absolute snore.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

Development of Giant Robo, another, less impressive E3 2014 experimental game is on hold."

NoooOOOooooOOOO

Miyamoto should've gone to Sandlot with Giant Robo.

YeeEEEeeeeEEEEssSSss


I want my KING KONG game dammit! It's perfect for Giant Robo and Starfox!

 

[NEO0MJ]

But is everything PURE Platinum?

It looks like the A-team is working on Nier.

Just kidding

Though they do seem to be spreading themselves thin between these projects.