Nintendo seeking more third party support

Wii News | Could Take-Two Interactive be on the cards?

With an overwhelming response towards the Wii since E3, every week it seems like more and more developers are announcing their support for Nintendo's new console. It appears though that Nintendo still aren't satisfied.

Speaking to MTV, Nintendo of America President, Reggie Fils-Aime, revealed that Nintendo were seeking support for the Wii from a number of third party developers. Surprisingly, Fils-Aime mentioned that Nintendo were in talks with Take-Two Interactive, the creators of the much loved Grand Theft Auto series.

"We're reaching out to every publisher, frankly every day." Fils-Aime stated. "I'll be spending some time later today with the folks over at Take Two to see what type of support they can give our console. The fact is there will be M-rated content on the Wii console. EA has already announced that they're bringing 'The Godfather' to our console. And we want every single best-selling game to be available on Wii. Whatever that content is."

It appears that Nintendo are pushing for more third party support to avoid a lack of titles being released throughout the entire year. We'll keep you informed on any new publisher announcements, particularly if their is any mention of a Grand Theft Auto game for the Wii.

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20 Comments

döppelgangbang

5 years ago

So its not just me that likes the idea of punching in a prostitute's face with the wiimote? Could make stirring the sugar into hot coffee a little more interesting too.

admeister

5 years ago

Sounds like a smart tactic to me, looking for plenty of 3rd party support to make sure that lots of games come out!

That is exactly what the GCN didn't have.

littlemo

5 years ago

Yeah, yeah and they said the same thing when the GameCube was about to come out and what happened?

1) Third parties released kids games as a token effort.

2) Third parties released half-ass ports (read: no graphical upgrades over PS2, no progressive scan, cut back extras, 6 months late etc.)

3) Nintendo zealots refused to buy anything not published by Nintendo.

The same thing is happening on a similar scale on DS, third party games are the exception on that platform, sure you can tell me about Phoenix Wright and Trauma Centre, but those are not the norm.

Spanca

5 years ago

Reggie wrote

The fact is there will be M-rated content on the Wii console. EA has already announced that they're bringing 'The Godfather' to our console.

It'd be nice if there was good M-rated content.

Reggie wrote

And we want every single best-selling game to be available on Wii.

= we want ports.

dc0079

5 years ago

The question remains whether there will be X rated games or not

With Wii's functionality, it's a rather good idea.

Samboy

5 years ago

dc0079 wrote

The question remains whether there will be X rated games or not

With Wii's functionality, it's a rather good idea.

kinky

Karai Pantsu

5 years ago

Bad Reggie, BAD! We do *not* want 'every best selling game' on the Wii, because that'll just mean watered down ports with token effort payed to including wiimote use.
Getting in on the big-name cashcows is fine and dandy, but don't make it sound like you'd rather be playing 'me too' than getting new IPs.

admeister

5 years ago

Karai Pantsu wrote

True, they need to be careful about that. At least they're showng that they are trying to break their stereotype a bit, branching out from stuff like Mario.
Look at Project H.A.M.M.E.R and Day of Disaster.

Karai Pantsu

5 years ago

I have to admit that Day of Disaster has me interested, I hope they show off a preview of it soon so we can get some impressions.

rodvcpetrie

5 years ago

I think a lot of people forget what Nintendo has done for the gaming industry.

Without the NES the video game industry would of been eradicated.

Without the SNES you wouldn't of had the concept of L and R buttons on the controller, something which was taken up by Sony for the first PlayStation.

Without the N64 you wouldn't of had the concept of a thumbstick, something which Sony worked into their PlayStation controller.

I am happy to admit that although I was going to buy a GameCube before they came out, it didn't hold my interest afterwards and I missed out on that Nintendo console. But with the Wii I get to play those games I missed out on.

I can assure you that in the next generation of consoles, you'll see similar things to the Wii-mote on other systems. Its getting closer to true interactive gaming. You thought games were an interactive medium?

Interactivity has only just begun.

Nev

5 years ago

"Without the NES the video game industry would of been eradicated."

Exactly right.

And if Henry Ford hadn't invented the motor car, we'd all be riding horses.

Seriously though... Do you really buy into that stuff about the "great video game collapse?" Gaming was doing JUST fine, both in the arcades and the home PC market. Nintendo revitalized the home CONSOLE market in the States, true... but if they hadn't done it, someone else would have.

Atari screwed up - Nintendo took their place. Then Nintendo screwed up and Sony took THEIR place.

Is Sony going to screw up and hand the reins to someone else? Time will tell.

I think littlemo summed it up best. Nintendo consoles are bought primarily by Nintendo fans, who purchase first party games at the expense of third party titles. This may change with more casual gamers entering the market (if Nintendo's strategy pays off), but they may well fall into this trap also, with titles like Brain Age and Nintendogs.

No matter how successful the Wii is, if third party games are overlooked, they'll take their business elsewhere.

And if so, that's probably where I'll be.

realitybites

5 years ago

Nintendo have succeeded this time around in wooing the 3rd party developers much better than they have in the past. Basically a reconstituted Gamecube developer kit and your off.

Littlemo definitely hit the nail on the head. Very succinct, probably bit harsh but the reality all the same. Point 3 is the big one will Wii owners buy 3rd party games?

Eternal Darkness was easily my favourite title in the last gen (on any console) but it only sold 250,000 copies. Sad. Just glad Silicon Knights didn't go broke from all the effort they put into the Gamecube. Yes, I know they were 2nd party but its the same as 3d party none the less.

If the sales don't come through Nintendo won't get another chance (N64, GC and Wii). Strike three and your out.

Getting the biggest selling games after the other consoles isn't going to help Wii's cause either. Late, watered down and not designed for the nunchuck. Ugly.

Only time we tell if Nintendo's strategy works. You can only put your best foot forward, prepare and hope that it works out as planned.

Spanca

5 years ago

Nev wrote

"Without the NES the video game industry would of been eradicated."

Exactly right.

And if Henry Ford hadn't invented the motor car, we'd all be riding horses.

The sweet irony of that analogy is that Ford has been losing money for years, and they're only now coming up with strategies that should hopefully see them post a profit in 3-4 years time.

Klawrence

5 years ago

as a whole, i agree with you and can see you make a good piont, but as for this:

realitybites wrote

if you are refering to Nintendo as a console producer, you may be right, but as a company i think people forget about the HUGE revinue the GBA and the DS is bringing to Nintendo, with that profit alone Nintendo could have not released the GC at all, and still be in the position to release Wii.

just take a look at this: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/wii-anticipation-drives-nintendo-stock-price-to-six-year-high/

And with pre-orders selling out at Amazon.com but 1 day from the day they were announced aswell as Nintendo world (NYC) selling out of Wii pre-order slots also within hours, shows that the Wii isnt doing to bad atm.

so i cant see this being a 3 strikes and your out situation for Nintendo.

Spanca

5 years ago

Pre-orders mean nothing for the long-term profitability of a console. Those are almost exclusively snapped up by hardcore fans, not the casual gamers that buy tens of millions of consoles, years after launch.

And I think the 3 strikes analogy is fairly true for Nintendo. If their name in the living room suffers 3 serious blows in a row, they really will have a hard time selling consumers a new console if they've shown they can't compete when they do things traditionally, nor can they compete when they try new things.

That's not to say their name in the handheld market is in any way sullied.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

Spanca wrote

Nev wrote

"Without the NES the video game industry would of been eradicated."

Exactly right.

And if Henry Ford hadn't invented the motor car, we'd all be riding horses.

The sweet irony of that analogy is that Ford has been losing money for years, and they're only now coming up with strategies that should hopefully see them post a profit in 3-4 years time.

No the irony is Ford did not invent the car. He invented the concept (and I think first use of) of the assembly line.

Spanca

5 years ago

Well yeah, that too

Joseph

5 years ago

Karai Pantsu wrote

I have to admit that Day of Disaster has me interested, I hope they show off a preview of it soon so we can get some impressions.

Yeah, I'm curious of this game to. It sounds interesting, like some sort of major movie plot. Very little is known about this title, although the developers have said they've almost finished the title, so we should see it early next year. Hopefully at the Tokyo Game Show too.

D.Dark

5 years ago

The three strikes analogy could be true if nintendo was in that situation, but they arent, just take a look at this for instance and also read the comments about the Wii there and tell me nintendo isnt doing things right. Even if they dont win this generation they will surely show there presence in the console industry and in the homes of many.

realitybites

5 years ago

Yes, I meant the home console market (this is a Wii thread isn't it?). Not their entire business. Should have been more specific I suppose I just take it for granted that people understand they have multiple lines of business.

To be honest I'm really surprised developers decided to support them this time with the Wii.

My only thoughts are:

* the developement tools must be near identical to the GC. Less cost in development cycle.
* Developers have been making good profits from the DS and GBA.
* Community admiration for the DS, Wii and Wii controller. That always spurs the developers on.
* Lots of smooth tallking from Nintendo execs

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