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3D isn't everything says Miyamoto photo

In a recent article in Nintendo Power Shigeru Miyamoto got to talking about 3D games versus 2D and voiced his opinion that going 3D isn't always the best thing. It's an age old argument, and considering Miyamoto has delivered unto us some of the greatest games in both styles in one franchise (New Super Mario Bros. Wii, FTW) his opinion on the matter should probably be respected.

"I don’t think everything needs to be 3D, or that just because we’re seeing more 2D games now, that everything’s going to shift back to 2D. Instead, I think that what’s going on is that people are realizing the benefits of a 3D game, and at the same time, remembering what the benefits of 2D games were," he said. "When going 2D, you need the courage to not be so attached to visual appearance of the games and to really pursue the gameplay experience.”

Amen, brother. This seems blatantly obvious, especially since most gamers who know their stuff have been screaming it at the top of their lungs for years. However, I have to agree with Miyamoto that it seems that developers are just realizing this. It took a while for the blind love affair with 3D to wear off of gamers and developers, but I think we're getting there.


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43 comments | showing # 1 to 43

GamesAreArt's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:05
GamesAreArt
YES YES YES, AND MORE YES. 2d is not better then 3d, nor vice versa. They are just different.
Derek Gillies's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:09
Derek Gillies
In other stunning revelations, Miyamoto revealed that the sky is blue but grass is green and neither should change.
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:10
deiga-the-semivaliant
Honestly, we don't need 3 dimensional graphics in the same way movies don't 'need' color. You can make a film with no color. Indeed, a lot of fantastic and (relatively) modern movies were made without color, but it's a design choice that needs to be deliberate and meaningful in order to gain the notice of the audience. Same goes with games. 2-d graphics need to be something other than a retro love note in order to capture the attention of most gamers these days. 3-d graphics in games(even in the confines of a 2-d perspective) is as expected these days as having color in a movie.

I like to see developers use 2-d sprites and graphics in a way that benefits the game, not just to make it look like a NES shoot-em-up.
artha14's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:15
artha14
Yes indeed.
RBinator's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:19
RBinator
If this is considered words of wisdom from Miyamoto,than I think we're in a sadder state of things than I thought. I'm not dissing Miyamoto, but I would think this would be something that's more understood among developers. If this would common enough knowledge, I don't think he would have mention it.

Speaking of which, didn't Sony try to force most games on the PSOne to be in 3D aside from a few exceptions?
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:22
Monodi
Will this be the beginning of a more harmonious time for the graphical content?

i am also a huge animation enthusiast, and 2D is bashfully, but progressively stepping out to the theaters again.
Electrium's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:22
Electrium
@ Deiga-the-semivaliant - I sort-of agree, but I don't think 2D gaming necessary means sprites. NSMB definitely is not sprite-based, and it looks hella' good.

Well, I'm glad Miyamoto realized it, now maybe other devs will listen. We've all been begging for 2D Metroid for years.

Now, if we could get more RPG developers to make the same realization about action battle systems versus turn-based...
networkingyuppy's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:24
networkingyuppy
That's exactly why I'm still playing my snes.
HEL105's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:34
HEL105
I agree 1000%. My list of my favorite games has a nice mix of 2-D and 3-D games in the top 10.
Maniac's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:35
Maniac
No offense to the guy, but this has been obvious since the N64 days. I didn't buy into the Super Mario N64 hype because I spent half the time struggling with the stupid controls.
lovemana23's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:36
lovemana23
''It took a while for the blind love affair with 3D to wear off of gamers and developers, but I think we're getting there.''

Amen to that. Finally indeed. Yes!
DUNKPuppyT's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:38
DUNKPuppyT
Shadow Complex is pretty awesome! Thats mainly 2d! Go 2d boy and World of GOO!!!!
Nitex's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:40
Nitex
While I do enjoy some 2D stuff here and there. I couldn't imagine a world without 3D games. I was never that into gaming until it all went 3D. Sure I had a SNES but I must admit I played and enjoyed the N64 an enormous amount more. Man I remember when I first saw 3D games on the PC I immediately abandoned my SNES like it was a red headed step child.
Drakengard's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:45
Drakengard
Does that mean a new 2D Sonic game in the future?
Neo Gio's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 21:52
Neo Gio
When 3D gaming first came out people needed all the 3d they could get, so publishers capitalized on that. Anything 2D was boring, and stupid. But now that we got all the 3D out of our system we can again enjoy the goodness that it is 2D gaming. Don't forget 2D it's where gaming started, and we still love all the good 2d games out there (except for SMB2).
DustyBlue's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 22:00
DustyBlue
Obvious Miyamoto is obvious?
TheStripe's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 22:03
TheStripe
@maniac - just because it's obvious to the connoisseur, doesn't mean it's obvious to everyone. It's pretty easy to fall into the 2d < 3D trap, as the industry has been steadily moving away fro m 3 d. We know what we like, and that means both.

I'm sure the graphics loving fanboy doesn't play his snes much anymore, in other words.
Jon B's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 22:19
Jon B
I guess this is a perfect opportunity to say that the Wii is PERFECT for a back-to-basics, proper 2D based console. Look at Muramasa. Look at NSMBW. Both great games, both on the Wii, where there really isn't a need to put them on the other consoles.

Okay, I'll admit, I played Muramasa emulated in 1080p, but that's not my point. If people would focus on getting the concepts and stuff right in 2D then they wouldn't fall assbackwards overcomplicating things by shooting for WHAOMG GRAPHICS on the 3D part.
Artemus's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 22:45
Artemus
2D, 3D, 2.5D whatever. As long as the game plays well who cares what the D is!
Also, Bubsy 3D. One of the greatest 3D games ever.
PJMan's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 23:00
PJMan
Truer words haven't been spoken. Each type of game has it's place. Some only work in 2D, some only work in 3D.

It's better this way. I'm so glad that these 2D games are coming back. For a while I feared the 2D genre was dead
Bigmoose85's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 23:07
Bigmoose85
the 11th dimension is where its at... fuck 2d & 3d!
gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 23:09
gamadaya
I guess that's true, but I've always preferred 3D to 2D. Only 1 game in my top 10 is a 2D game.
manasteel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 23:20
manasteel88
where was this argument during the PS1 era? There were a boatload of 3d games that looked and controlled awful.
buzski's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 23:32
buzski
how about little big planet? combo of both I'd say
dolson's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/22/2009 23:45
dolson
NSMBWii looks better than many, many Wii games. So, saying you can't be attached to visuals when going 2D seems a bit backwards, at least as far as the Wii is concerned.
Gee-Man's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 00:07
Gee-Man
I agree, but it's a shame that something like this isn't already accepted truth. Some games have to be in 3D, some have to be in 2D to really work. It's easy to end up in the 3D>2D delusion after nothing but 3D games for so long, but hopefully some 2D genres will soon make a comeback. God knows I'd kill for another 2D Metroid. Come on Nintendo, you just made a 2D Mario, now do it again for Metroid!
x1251x's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 00:22
x1251x
this coming from the jackass that forced nearly everything on the N64 to be 3D, just because he could- seems a bit hypocritical.

The fanboy love for Miyamato is ridiculous.
bustaballs's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 01:00
bustaballs
Trashing one of the greatest and most respected developers in gaming history is more ridiculous.
neoREgen's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 01:03
neoREgen
It doesn't make him hypocritical.
People can change their mind.

If he made that mistake before, now he just speaks from experience.
psycho terror2's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 01:38
psycho terror2
METROIDS.
Im OK's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 02:09
Im OK
Needs more Captain Obvious.

Now, then, when can we expect the next great 2D Metroid, Mr. Miyamoto?
gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 02:20
gamadaya
"this coming from the jackass that forced nearly everything on the N64 to be 3D, just because he could- seems a bit hypocritical.

The fanboy love for Miyamato is ridiculous."

Are you retarded? What the hell was he supposed to do? The N64 was a system that was built from the ground up as a 3D system. It was new technology at that point, and of course people were excited to experiment with it. I'm glad they pushed 2D aside for that period. 3D needed to be explored. And if you actually look at the games he directed on the N64, you'll find that there are only 2, SM64 and OoT. A lot of games he was the producer for were 3D, yes, but they were also games that really made the most sense in 3D. And he also produced Super Smash Bros and Yoshi Story, 2 great games on the N64, both in 2D. So basically he had a part in a ton of great games that shaped 3D gaming for years to come, and yet he also managed to spend some of the N64's short lifecycle working on some 2D games. Yeah, I can really see how he's overrated.
Enduro's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 02:48
Enduro
Is it that time already? I could have swore we just had this conversation 5 years ago.
wonky360's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 03:03
wonky360
we see in 3D.
pedrovay2003's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 03:36
pedrovay2003
I totally agree with him. Every type of game is awesome in its own way.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 03:59
Cowboy TTop
Indeed, this is like calling the sky blue, when we've known that for some time now.

On a sidenote, while I know Miyamoto is a genius in his own right, I feel he doesn't push his ideas enough in 3D, like he previously did in 2D. Its cool for him to say this, but I doubt he'll point to any recent examples of 2D games, like Shadow Complex, which show that their is a place for both. I doubt he's even aware of the game, correct if wrong.

Japanese devs do the worst thing by hanging on his every word, which is why many devs are now struggling to get their games into 3D, when we've had 3D games for since Saturn etc. I love both and have enjoyed excellent games in both, but I feel at a time when many japanese developers are trying to make the transition to decent 3D, while trying to get their games notice in a competitive market, what he's saying does not help them, but is obviously a fine view from Nintendo's tower of gold.

You people should be wise, not to hang on every word of a person, just because of his stature. To disagree with him also shows respect. Besides, I think for all Nintendo's genius, their 3D games require a good push, but their clinging to much to old technology, and trying to hold back time won't help them. Why do you guys think Nintendo needed help with Metroid Prime series and even Pilotwings 64, and purchased Rare? Because their strength in 3D games is pretty weak, beyond the simplicity of Mario 64, Sunshine, Galaxy. I think Twilight Princess was the last game, that made that is anything on par or just below todays 3D standards. Had Nintendo invested properly in 3D talent and technology, and the problem is we see less to none of that from Nintendo. I feel we would have had that Pilotwings game I've been waiting ages for. Anyone else would have pushed that out on Wii ages ago.

So yes, 3D isn't everything is it Nintendo? 3D games are not your enemy, and dodging making more of them, by clinging to much to 2D can still hurt, as not every developer is Nintendo. Learn to use them better, and you too can reap the rewards and produce better games, both 2D and 3D as a result. Hell, look at what From Software created with Demon's Souls. Amazing stuff from a smaller developer many of us have ignored previously, and kudos to them, showing it pays to learn shit properly in 3D. More tricks make you a better magician, not less.

Oh yeah, Miyamoto. Check Epic's website for their Unreal 3 engine for download. I'd love to see what you could do with it in 2D or 3D or both, but perhaps you aren't talented enough to try, and Wii not strong enough to execute such games (JUST A JOKE). Go figure.
Sherwood513's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 06:56
Sherwood513
Wait wait wait....they still make nintendo power?
feedback's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 08:53
feedback
Metroid.
sprldr's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 09:01
sprldr
I prefer 3D.
kjohnson1585's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 09:25
kjohnson1585
@Artemis - I know you're being sarcastic, but I just want to comment cause that's exactly what I was gonna say, sarcastically.

Also, Bubsy 3D is worse than Superman 64.
TheJesusNinja26's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 11:11
TheJesusNinja26
MARIO 64 changed perspective in gaming for ever, you can't take it back now. You so crazy Mugatu!
DGX Goggles's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/23/2009 12:20
DGX Goggles
True, true. But that doesn't mean stuff like 3D fighters can't be the equals of 2D ones. Just different styles.
Butternine's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/09/2010 16:54
Butternine
Thank You, Mr. Miyamoto. :)
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