Why did Nintendo buy Monolithsoft?

[wsippel]

We all know that Nintendo usually doesn't buy developers. Sony does it, Microsoft does it, but the last studio Nintendo bought prior to Monolithsoft was Retro a few years ago if I remember correctly. And it's not like they couldn't afford to buy whichever developer they want - it's just not their style. Which begs the question: Why did they buy Monolithsoft?

Maybe it's important to ask why they bought Retro to understand that decision. Retro never released a game prior to the akquisition. Retro wasn't a proven developer. On the other hand, Metroid Prime ended up being one of the best games, if not the best game of the last generation. Nintendo obviously knew what they were doing, they've seen something in Retro nobody else has seen back then. There was a lot of controversy, but Retro delivered in the end (it doesn't matter whether or not you like Metroid Prime, by the way).

Did they see similar potential in Monolithsoft? Monolithsoft already released quite a few games, and while most games were OK, there were no huge hits, neither gameplay nor sales wise. Did they do it because they considered Disaster (aka "crappy GTA") to be the next big thing? Or is there some other, more promising yet unrevealed game in the works? Or did they do it to do NamcoBandai a favor?

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Just a shot in the dark, but I think they wanted them to develop games.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Metroid Prime ended up being one of the best games, if not the best game of the last generation.

:lol :lol

 

[Dead Prince]

To keep them safe in the Nintendo Nest. They can rest and make no more games while big momma does all the work. IDK.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

rpg's

 

[Operations]

:lol :lol

(it doesn't matter whether or not you like Metroid Prime, by the way)

.

 

[Visualante]

Cheaper than outsourcing stuff to Hudson.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

:lol :lol

Funny things that are...true?

 

[Dascu]

To give Yasumi Matsuno a studio to work with, obviously.

 

[Xisiqomelir]

The sheer weight of moneyz in the bin was on the verge of causing catastrophic seismic events, so the American and Japanese geological societies requested that they divest themselves of some of it.

 

[kizmah]

Because Nintendo needs a good rpg of their own. They bought Retro to make action games and now Monolithsoft to make rpg's. In other words, to fill in the voids in Nintendo's output of games.

 

[CrushDance]

We all know that Nintendo usually doesn't buy developers. Sony does it, Microsoft does it, but the last studio Nintendo bought prior to Monolithsoft was Retro a few years ago if I remember correctly. And it's not like they couldn't afford to buy whichever developer they want - it's just not their style. Which begs the question: Why did they buy Monolithsoft?

Maybe it's important to ask why they bought Retro to understand that decision. Retro never released a game prior to the akquisition. Retro wasn't a proven developer. On the other hand, Metroid Prime ended up being one of the best games, if not the best game of the last generation. Nintendo obviously knew what they were doing, they've seen something in Retro nobody else has seen back then. There was a lot of controversy, but Retro delivered in the end (it doesn't matter whether or not you like Metroid Prime, by the way).

Did they see similar potential in Monolithsoft? Monolithsoft already released quite a few games, and while most games were OK, there were no huge hits, neither gameplay nor sales wise. Did they do it because they considered Disaster (aka "crappy GTA") to be the next big thing? Or is there some other, more promising yet unrevealed game in the works? Or did they do it to do NamcoBandai a favor?

First of all. Nintendo wasn't going to purchase anybody a few years ago, due to their financial "problems". Second, Nintendo is not some magical company that "saw potential" in Retro. If I can find the interview, it took a lot of change at Retro. And Nintendo wanted to revive Metroid and wanted a western developer for that.

They were purchased to make games or bring in more people.

 

[grandjedi6]

Nintendo obviously saw something in Monolith Soft. However, who knows what it is? We still don't know why Nintendo bought Retro

 

[dawnXjustice]

To make RPGs (hopefully)

 

[ksamedi]

Here is the thread ending official answer from Iwata.

In the case of Monolith Software, Mr. Sugiura, the president, and Nintendo have a long-term relationship. How Mr. Sugiura thinks is close to how Nintendo thinks. The software Mr. Sugiura would like to create is in line with what Nintendo would like to have for its platform. So, we thought that Nintendo should support this idea, and we decided to take action.

If certain conditions are met, we may do the same thing in the future (M&A). However, we will be very careful and selective, so that we will only partner with people with whom Nintendo can create a long-term working relationship.

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/070427qa/index.html

 

[Shard]

They were really, really impressed with Disaster: Day of Crisis?

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

You see, I bought the Monolith Software company so I could dismantle it

 

[grandjedi6]

First of all. Nintendo wasn't going to purchase anybody a few years ago, due to their financial "problems". Second, Nintendo is not some magical company that "saw potential" in Retro. If I can find the interview, it took a lot of change at Retro. And Nintendo wanted to revive Metroid and wanted a western developer for that.

They were purchased to make games or bring in more people.

Nintendo's financial problems were having a small decifiect once, nothing to stop them from buying new studious. Nintendo just doesn't like buying studios. Nintendo didn't see magical potential in Retro but they saw something obviously. You don't just buy random studios.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

They were really, really impressed with Disaster: Day of Crisis?

IT WILL BE AWESOME

 

[wsippel]

:lol :lol

Guess you didn't read the rest of my post:

it doesn't matter whether or not you like Metroid Prime, by the way

I was talking about reviews...

 

[Enduin]

One can only dream

 

[Dragmire]

The real reason was to gain access to the secret treasure in Monolithsoft's basement.

Answer #2: Corporate blackmail involving love hotels.

 

[duckroll]

Nintendo clearly bought Monolithsoft so they could team with Brownie Brown and make RPGs that rival Square Enix on the Wii. Clearly.

 

[wsippel]

Here is the thread ending official answer from Iwata

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/070427qa/index.html

That's not thread ending. According to Iwata, they've obviously seens something. Especially since Monolithsoft might think similar to Nintendo, but they create completely different games...

 

[Kyoufu]

Nintendo clearly bought Monolithsoft so they could team with Brownie Brown and make RPGs that rival Square Enix on the Wii. Clearly.

You bastard, I was coming here to post "Final Fantasy Killer".

 

[Teasel]

to get to the other side

Spoiler

wait... this isn't a "why did the chicken crossed the road" joke?

 

[duckroll]

You bastard, I was coming here to post "Final Fantasy Killer".

You snooze and you lose! Gotta be quick to get to Nintendo threads before they get stale! :lol

 

[Kyoufu]

You snooze and you lose! Gotta be quick to get to Nintendo threads before they get stale! :lol

Like how Xenosaga episodes got stale?

 

[wsippel]

Nintendo clearly bought Monolithsoft so they could team with Brownie Brown and make RPGs that rival Square Enix on the Wii. Clearly.

I actually honestly believe Nintendo could create a RPG that rivals SQEX' best efforts (contrary to Mistwalker). But I doubt they're interested in doing it - they simply have no reason to do it. I personally tend to think Disaster was the reason...

 

[duckroll]

I actually honestly believe Nintendo could create a RPG that rivals SQEX' best efforts (contrary to Mistwalker). But I doubt they're interested in doing it - they simply have no reason to do it. I personally tend to think Disaster was the reason...

Yeah, you're probably right. They have the ability to make an amazing RPG that destroys Final Fantasy, but they're not interested because it's makes much more sense instead to buy a RPG developer to develop an exclusive action shooter with waggle minigames and generic character designs.

Gotcha.

 

[the year 20XX]

They wanted to stop more Xenosaga games from coming out however they could.

 

[Kyoufu]

I actually honestly believe Nintendo could create a RPG that rivals SQEX' best efforts (contrary to Mistwalker). But I doubt they're interested in doing it - they simply have no reason to do it. I personally tend to think Disaster was the reason...

If it was a console Pokemon RPG with epic adventuring and battles, yes, it'd be fucking monstrous, but you're right. They have absolutely no reason to create one when it does monstrous numbers on handhelds already.

 

[SumGamer]

Didn't the core members of the team leave already?

 

[SephCast]

To develop the real Console Pokemon RPG?

 

[duckroll]

Like how Xenosaga episodes got stale?

They wanted to stop more Xenosaga games from coming out however they could.

Nintendo's always thinking of the common gamer. Such a noble company, no other publisher even compares!

 

[Kafel]

Vision Red.

 

[sphinx]

:lol :lol

I knew I was going to use this more than once:

 

[ziran]

The rumour is, part of the reason goes back to Nintendo's supposed attempt to buy Bandai, which was quite a big stir at the time. You can read about the drama here:
http://gamespot.com/news/6083620.html

Once Bandai and Namco merged, Nintendo was left with 2.6% of half a company, and the reason for this merger was, in part, supposed to stop a Nintendo acquisition. Once it became clear the buyout wasn't going to happen Nintendo and Bandai-Namco came to an arrangement where they were given Monolith Soft in exchange for the shares. I don't know if this bit is true, it's just what that ruby_(whatever) character on GAF believes/made up, but there is a kind of sense there.

Monolith Soft has some kind of reasonable relationship with Nintendo through their various projects, so I'm sure there may be some common philosophy, though, from the titles they've made I can't see it...

And, obviously Nintendo needed an established studio for Matsuno

 

[mr_nexus]

Xenosaga Ep4! Yeah, it's not going to happen but one can dream.

 

[Gallagher]

We all know that Nintendo usually doesn't buy developers. Sony does it, Microsoft does it, but the last studio Nintendo bought prior to Monolithsoft was Retro a few years ago if I remember correctly. And it's not like they couldn't afford to buy whichever developer they want - it's just not their style. Which begs the question: Why did they buy Monolithsoft?

Maybe it's important to ask why they bought Retro to understand that decision. Retro never released a game prior to the akquisition. Retro wasn't a proven developer. On the other hand, Metroid Prime ended up being one of the best games, if not the best game of the last generation. Nintendo obviously knew what they were doing, they've seen something in Retro nobody else has seen back then. There was a lot of controversy, but Retro delivered in the end (it doesn't matter whether or not you like Metroid Prime, by the way).

Did they see similar potential in Monolithsoft? Monolithsoft already released quite a few games, and while most games were OK, there were no huge hits, neither gameplay nor sales wise. Did they do it because they considered Disaster (aka "crappy GTA") to be the next big thing? Or is there some other, more promising yet unrevealed game in the works? Or did they do it to do NamcoBandai a favor?

Like Nintendo said: "Retro Studios are creating games which Nintendo cant"

I guess its the same with Monolith Software. They need some RPGs or games with rpg elements like "Disaster - Day of Crisis".

 

[Tristam]

To make Tabris cry.

 

[wsippel]

Yeah, you're probably right. They have the ability to make an amazing RPG that destroys Final Fantasy, but they're not interested because it's makes much more sense instead to buy a RPG developer to develop an exclusive action shooter with waggle minigames and generic character designs.

Gotcha.

That's not what I said...

 

[daemonic]

I can't complain really. I loved Baten Kaitos (plan on starting the first again) and Xenosaga was decent in some parts. I really thought we would have seen BK on the DS by now though. I'm really curious as to what Monolith might be developing now.

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

Nintendo doesn't buy companies based on hostile take-over situations.

Retro-Studios
Jeff Spangenberg approached Nintendo of America with the offer. Nintendo invested a lot of money into the establishment and maintenance of the company with hopes of having a western-based development arm. Spangeberg started going crazy, and Nintendo stepped in to protect their investment and decided to completely absolve the company by buying the rest of the shares. Nintendo downsized the studio and prioritized their output to one game.

Brownie-Brown
The members approached Nintendo. Nintendo approved. This is the same case with several other small Japanese upstarts.

Like Nintendo said: "Retro Studios are creating games which Nintendo cant"

I really don't know about all that. Maybe the Japanese arm because it is an American style game but Metroid Prime itself isn't a genuinely new idea just a well executed one. One that was partially developed by Nintendo Japan (Kensuke Tanabe, Kenji Yamamoto, etc)

 

[Ledsen]

:lol :lol

What? If anything, it's an understatement. Metroid Prime is the best game ever made.

 

[sphinx]

In my opinion, Nintendo fell in love with Baten Kaitos. I was really surprised to see an annoucement of a prequel, after seeing how lukewarm (terrible?) the first game sold worldwide.

I get the impression that If BKO exists, it is because nintendo paid for it and was enamoured with the premise. I don't think Namco bandai wanted to have anything to do with that IP after they released the first game.

So, I guess nintendo think Monolith is the better half of the tricrescendo-monolith duet that created BK and rushed to buy it.

every developer that gets help from nintendo does a great game. Retro, Silicon Knights, N-space ( yes, geist was a game n-space could have only dreamed of producing if left all by themselves). This "2nd party nintendo affairs" are great, because it's like you get the so called " hardcore external support" but with nintendo quality.

I am really excited to see what will come out of this.

 

[HugBasket]

Miyamoto could have made Halo?

I really don't see where this thread is going to go with all the Metroid comments. It got high scores, doesn't mean you have to like the game or if review scores even have to hold some sort of worth in your life, it still got high scores.

Now what I think about why they did it. I'd say they saw Nintential.

 

[KyanMehwulfe]

Necromatasuno AKA Matsunozero needed an army of workers.

The Dreadlord Yamauchi targeted Monolithsoft relentlessly and brutally.

 

[pn18]

I knew I was going to use this more than once:

oh snap.

 

[Neomoto]

[...]I'm really curious as to what Monolith might be developing now.

Soma Bringer (DS)

http://pici.se:8080/pictures/LQUIuMFIA.jpg
http://pici.se:8080/pictures/zUXGFkuwE.jpg
http://pici.se:8080/pictures/AZghloPWY.jpg
http://pici.se:8080/pictures/YlEawgqkP.jpg

And of course Disaster: Day of Crisis (Wii). And supposedly they had 2 more unannouncent (exclusive) Wii titles in the works back in the day before they were bought so they might still be around.