I don't ever like to be too harsh with my opinion, but Wii Music looks like vapid trash. Hey, I could be wrong, but I get a kind of vapid trash-esque vibe from it somehow that I just can't seem to shake. Design legend Shigeru Miyamoto knows more about it than I do, however, and has stated that his new pantomime horse is "more interesting than a videogame."
MTV's Stephen Totilo got the word from the man himself:
At a Nintendo developer’s roundtable event this evening in Los Angeles, a German journalist asked Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto if it would be more appropriate to call “Wii Music,” which lacks goals and points, a” toy” rather than a “video game.”
Miyamoto replied tersely: “Yes, that’s right. And that’s why it’s more interesting than a video game.”
I hadn’t seen that side of Miyamoto before! Could it be — in this case as in so many before — that he’s right? Are we too hung up on traditional video game constraints to appreciate something more free-form?
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe moving my hand around to such epic tunes as Yankee Doodle Dandy and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is actually a fascinating and rewarding experience. We all saw Miyamoto's little face at the Nintendo press conference, he was loving it. Either way, Wii Music is going to make millions of dollars on name value alone, no matter how worthwhile it actually is. Kind of like Paris Hilton.
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This looks extremely dumb but will sell like like crazy and we all know it.
We are no longer in Nintendo's target market.
Why bother? I can just play a real instrument instead.
...Or Guitar Hero, or Rock Band. >.>
Either way, Wii Music is going to make millions of dollars on name value alone, no matter how worthwhile it actually is.
...probably why we're not getting an external storage device any time soon. as mattynunchuks said, those of us that frequent Destructoid are no longer Nintendo's target audience.
What happened to Kid Icarus? That should've been the big reveal.
:/
I'm sort of sad. I grew up playing all these great Nintendo games, and while they will eternally churn out new Zelda, Mario and Metroid games, I feel as if we're rarely, if ever, going to see any new IPs from Nintendo that are targeted towards our demographic.
On the bright side, hopefully we can get a few decent third party games every year.
I wonder if this means he handed Zelda and Mario over to other people like he did Metroid? When the creator of a series is tired of rehashing and releasing the same game... maybe its time for a change.
But this piece of shit. This can't really be for the better in terms of change. Its almost like a step or two backwards imo. Why the fuck can't Miyamoto come up with a new vein of Zelda games. One that focuses on plot with entirely new characters, enemies, and setting with next to no relation to any of the previous Zelda games. In fact, why not come up with something entirely new? Was Zelda, Mario and Metroid the best he could think of? Or has he and Nintendo pretty much just stopped trying.
Why the fuck isn't Nintendo throwing money at people like the creator of Cave Story? Thats the kind of new thinking and new game they need. Can you imagine if the creator of Cave Story got together with Miyamoto and they had a brainchild together and released it on the Wii? *sigh*
well at least we agree on something...WiiMusic is not a videogame.
I'm no Nintendo fan, but I kind of like the basis of this idea;
I agree, its not a game, but its definatly heading in that previous direction of Mario Paint on SNES and Music on the PSX, no one complained then, forget your manual music based games like GH and RB.
I actually think; Its quite a good idea.
Its not sold a Wii to me, but I can imagine this being a lot of fun with friends and family which is what sells. Much better than just ripping off peoples previously explored ideas.
It's pretty much inevitable, It doesn't matter what we think or say about this stupid idea. It's going to sell millions to the casual gaming market.
I think Miyamoto isn't concerned with console dick waving or some allegiance to video gaming clique-ism. Aside from the obvious monetary results of these things that are not video games (Wii Fit, Wii Music, kinda Wii Sports), It seems like he's more interested in presenting fun experiences.
I don't think this is a changed Miyamoto we're seeing. I don't remember Miyamoto ever being a champion of gaming as a lifestyle or hardcore hobby. The Wii and the expanded market have afforded him the chance to developer outside of the box. Pandering to us, frankly, is pretty limiting. And considering how much people shat on the last Zelda, and how much people freaked out when the concept of cell-shaded Zelda was exposed, can you blame the man for not having some faux loyalty to us fickle gits?
There plenty I'd like to for Nintendo to do differently, for sure. But it feels now like an actor's movie role cycle. WiiNotVideoGame is the fluff flick that pays the bills, and Zelda/core Mario/Pikmin is the art flick that garners the actor some respect and feeds the soul. Or vise verse, from the "casual" perspective.
It sucks. He's wrong. Moving on.
"We all saw Miytamoto's little face..."
I see what you did there, spelling his name wrong to get back at him. You sly sly devil you.
It pwints moneeeey!!!
Nintendo doesn't want anything to do with the "Core" gamers, for now.
When the Casuals are gone to other things, the "Core" may not be there.
False.
I want video games with a great stroy, gameplay and graphics. Not this faggit ass bullshit called Wii-Music. If I wanted to play a real music game, I would pick up Rock Band or GH. Miytamoto can go fuck off!
"Shigeru Miyamoto if it would be more appropriate to call “Wii Music,” which lacks goals and points, a” toy” rather than a “video game.”
Miyamoto replied tersely: “Yes, that’s right. And that’s why it’s more interesting than a video game.”
Now I can't believe this asshole would say this. If it wasn't for videogames he would be fucking no where. Oh, and I would rather play a video game than a action figure.
As we've grown up on their systems, our hardware requirements have shifted out of Nintendo's realm. It was Nintendo choice to either go for a new market, or fade out of hardware like Sega.
My brother collects Dragon Ball Z toys. As much as I respect DBZ's creator for all he's done, the toys are in no way more interesting than any of the Dragon Quest games he's worked on. Therefore toys are no where near as fun as video games.
I was also a bit disappointed with the news of Wii Music... but to be honest, name one game Shigeru Miyamoto did that wasn't 2 steps over the "super awesome" line. Fun experiences has always been his main focus.
Plus, even though some of the first party games are poop, 3rd party, and other first party games are still awesome. Simply because nintendo releases one game that is geared towards kids, doesn't mean the rest are.
Plus, how can you deny RAVI DRUMZZZZ! :(
I appreciate everything Miyamoto has done for videogames in the past, but fuck him for everything he's doing right now.
I'm not really sure what he's trying to say. Maybe it got lost in translation. Maybe?
Also, that stab at Paris Hilton was completely uncalled for. She is a very respectable women; I can't believe you would talk about her like that.
...I tried
Looks like crap, sounds like crap, must be crap.
It looks like something little kids would go apeshit over.
It's gonna sell a billion copies.
@free touch: Super Mario Galaxy became repeated and trite after a few levels and does not bare repeated playthroughs (I didn't even finish my first).
@trailerparkjesus: My thoughts exactly.
I think the dude is just going senile.
Of course he was smiling, HE WAS ROCKING THAT COWBELL!
So now Miyamoto is public enemy #1 because he released Wii Music and didn't announce Pikmin 3 (which is now confirmed) or the new Zelda and Mario titles he is working on?
Yes, Wii Music looks like crap. I'm not here to defend the game. I'm here to say that Wii Fit and Wii Music do not undo everything Miyamoto has done, nor does it turn Nintendo into "we hate core gamers". They are in the business of making money. So is Microsoft. So is Sony. Nintendo did open the door to people who didn't game before, that much is true. In fact they've done it twice, and we were just the first time.
Mario Paint is one of the most well-respected games of all time. Yet, we can't see that these "Wii (insert word here)" are the same thing for these new gamers? Mario Paint was not a game, it was a toy.
I understand people being upset about this, especially because it was the centerpiece of their conference, but I feel was as gamers have lost our minds and been spoiled rotten to the point that if we don't get what we want, we will demand drastic changes be made. Whether that is selling our consoles because of a bad E3 conference or asking for Miyamoto to be fired from Nintendo (I have seen both stated outside of Destructoid), there is something wrong here. And "our tastes have changed" does not describe it.
Also, from the same source Mr. Sterling used:
"I’m trying to find some time to post my impressions of “Wii Music,” the newly announced Wii game that you can’t lose and that didn’t seem to go over with the E3 press corps as well as “Wii Sports” or “Wii Fit.” My short take: I liked it better after I played it today."
Who knows? Maybe we will, too.
Wii Music looks to be one of Nintendo's first mistakes. I don't know how much soccer-mom's are going to want to play twinkle twinkle little star. Even the senior citizens playing the Wii in their awesome bowling leagues grew up with peppier music than that.
I don't doubt that this game will sell, but I have doubts that it will be as successful as Wii Fit was.
@Kannon
To be fair, in Mario Paint the draw was that you were creating something. From what I've seen of Wii Music, you do little more than wave the controllers around in time to the music. If that's your cup of tea, more power to ya.
Wii Music looks to be one of Nintendo's first mistakes.
Kannon:
Rawr rawr rawr
I don't think Nintendo's 'abandoned' core gamers. They're just really not talking to us much any more.
Think about it... it's rather perplexing that Nintendo didn't discuss a lot of the games that we're hearing about *now* that really do appeal to us in their conference... but we still heard about them, didn't we?
That conference was for the people that don't constantly wander around gaming blogs looking for the most up-to-date information on the latest games. It was, indeed, for the people that Wii Music is going to mostly appeal to... and we, generally, aren't those people. So, I reckon they felt that they really had to get the word out on something like that right then and there.
To me, their conference was disappointing... but in no way was it shocking. As for E3, on a whole, I see a lot to look forward to from Nintendo, personally.
Interesting piece Jim. I might write a proper response in a post.
I think the man lost his mind
*Agrees with Mister Disco*
Also,
A couple people make a good comparison to Mario Paint. If a new version of that had been announced, people would be loving it. I'll admit that this looks silly and pointless, but I thought the same thing about Katamari (you just roll a ball? wtf?). A drum machine may be fun, if briefly. Details will tell all. And even if it does suck, they'll be pimping out their franchises again soon enough.
Holy Shit... could you imagine Wii Mario Paint??? That would be the greatest thing ever! Seriously! Why do we not have that game yet?
Kannon:
Fap fap fap fap fap fap halo fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap
We already have Rock Band, so Nintendo gives us Band Nerd. Of course!
NihonTiger90: I'm upset because Super Mario Galaxy is a horrible game because there is no challenge at all and the exploration is short and not entertaining. It's because of the attitudes that lead them to make Wii Music that it came out that way.
I really don't see what their strategy is since they're banking on a fad market that isn't likely (and definitely not guaranteed) to upgrade to the next console in a few years and doesn't really buy any software.
"Mario Paint is one of the most well-respected games of all time." - Really? Thats a bit of an over statement I'd say.
LOL @ Grim and his awesome picture of Wii Seizures
With Will Ferrel as the conductor.
Memba Donkey Konga... memba?.. Nope? Well, in a few years I can ask the same thing about Wii Music and get the same response.
@hpv
I don't see why people wouldn't upgrade in a few years. The "casual" movement has been brewing for years now. If Nintendo can deliver at the same price point (One of the huge factors of the Wii's success, imo) then its probably got a good chance of maintaining great console sales.
And for a console that's always made them profit, from day one, why worry much about medium software sales?
Sorry Shiggy. I fucking disagree.
"Are we too hung up on traditional video game constraints to appreciate something more free-form?"
no.
Thats it. I'm done with Nintendo.
Needs more blood and tits.
After the N64 when Nintendo brought the gamecube everybody though Nintendo was going to die crushed by the combined forces of Sony and Microsoft combined: and they did died it seems. At least they seem to have lost all confidence in the "core" market they lost, you know, people who play VIDEOGAMES and since they just could not compete with the big players they decided "oh fuck it lets just make things for people other than gamers" and stopped trying.
True they were always family oriented, but they used to be in the business of making GAMES, even if they were for the whole family they were still games. Now they are just bitter about their failures and are burning bridges down with this shit.
Godspeed Nintendo, you will not to well as a toy maker even if present success seems to indicate you will.
I am not going to be buying this game. I thought the Wii was just for working out!
I'm not sold on Wii Music, but I'm happy with some other tidbits coming out for the Wii. Hell, I'll admit, I'm quite curious about how the WiiMotionPlus will feel. If it's as good as I've heard, then maybe we could move beyond waggle to something truly revolutionary....
I friggin felled out of my chair @ work when I saw this:
@ Misanthrope: Holy Mountain FTW!!!
I think a big part of the problem is Cammie. I think that Reggie "Mayor of Hamburger Town" Fils-Aime is trying to move away from being Nintendo's mouth piece since he's been promoted to COO of NOA. In turn, I felt that this E3 was a transition from the Reginator to Cammie, and she probably had a good deal of input on what was gone over during the presser. A lot of "market expansion" talk was done, and I think she probably wanted to really press that Nintendo was going to continue on that path.
What I'm hoping for is that we'll hear something a little more substantial at E4A or PAX from Nintendo.
@Hoodie: First person in this site who recognizes the avatar, yes I loke me some Jdorowsky :D
Miyamoto is in a higher spiritual level.
Remember how when Wii Music was shown a year or so ago with the orchestra, and how everyone loved it then?
How times have changed... :/
Without wading too much into Nintendo Defense Force mode, I think what he meant by the comment is that a toy fits more into the mantra of imagination and experimentation. Games like 'GTA' aside, video games are often governed by the rules instituted by the developer (note: I am not saying they are bad games).
Then again, how much imagination and experimentation lies within 'Wii Music' is a toss-up ...
Miyamoto so riped off haze on this game. Its obvious this games is ment to be enjoyed while high.
Sorry Miyamoto I'll pass on this one.
I don't typically share Sterlings anti-casual sentiments, but he's dead on when it comes to Wii Music. Nintendo really missed the boat on this one, they could have given us a music simulator. Maybe something that would actually teach you how to play the drums, let you freestyle and record your own drum tracks. Instead, we get to wave our arms around and let the "game" do all the work. Lame.
Nintendo, at E3, you please the core gamers. You don't think we're your biggest market anymore? You think staking everything on your precious "casual gamers" is a viable long term strategy? Fine. But at E3, where we're the only ones watching you, judging you, actually caring what you say, then you throw us a goddamned bone. And you couldn't even do that. Pathetic.
Lawl@ some of these comments. 25+ years of awesomeness, some of the best video games EVAR MADE, and the singlehanded creation of the platform gaming genre alone and ya'll are throwing Miyamoto under the bus over a game none of us have ever played because he wants to try something different.Probably one of the reasons Nintendo could give a fuck less about us "core gamers", we are some ungrateful sumbitches, HA.
I say until I have seen a completed version of the game in my hands, I am going avoid the old cliche of judging a book by it's cover. Nintendo has proved me wrong before (Wind Waker being the biggest example) and I still trust Miyamoto more than I probably should. But...I will see. Maybe I am right about Wii Music, and maybe Miyamoto is right. I will only know in time.
* Nintedo must have mesclade casual and hardcore games in your presentetion. The hype from one segment impulses the other. And wii music, I don´t know. Even Wii Sports and Wii Play had any challenge.
Kev, this isn't just something different. This is something shitty.
@kevkevblazini
To be fair some of us didn't grow up with "the best video games EVAR MADE" so we can't really be ungrateful. The earliest Nintendo game I remember really liking was Mario 64, and I wouldn't say that it was the best game I ever played. As for the "ungrateful sumbitches", is it so wrong to have high expectations and then be disappointed?
I think Miyamoto may have gone senile.
He should get checked out, make sure he doesn't have brain damage.
Even if he doesn't I think he may be getting too old to make games anymore.
He's lost touch.
Does he have a son that could fill in for him? Someone who is more in tuned with what ACTUAL gamers want.
Like fun.
I dont see anything fun or interesting about mashing random buttons and magically playing preset notes. It takes no skill and you dont learn anything. Maybe its fun for 5 or 10 minutes...
@kevkev.
say youre favorite metal band started making pop albums and you hate pop music or vice versa. Of course you would throw them under the bus. Youre not going to listen to shit that you think is lame. Doesnt mean you cant appreciate the old stuff or have hope that theyll put out something good in the future. But until then, theyre under the bus.
But he said they're working PIKMIN!
WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE PIKMINS!!!!!!!?!!?!?!!!!!
WHO CARES WHAT YOU GUYS THINK!?!?!!? or say,
Believe it or not, people will still buy this crap, Nintendo Poop has been selling high, more than crack-cola.
If you don't believe me, ask Yohimbo :)
"I appreciate everything Miyamoto has done for videogames in the past, but fuck him for everything he's doing right now."
I agree wholeheartedly.
I think there was a fair amount of Super Mario Galaxy that was challenging, enough to make it better than Sunshine 64.
Wii Music will be a fun distraction I guess. Animal Crossing CF looks like my new crack.
Yeah yeajh all cry all you want Nintendo will still make millions 360 will still get more titles for it's system that were once excsluvie to the PS3. ANd the PS3 will still cost to much for me to care about buying it. :P
The Wii is marketed so much to casual gamers that it would be just pointless for a developer to spend their time and resources making a game that just won't sell. Think about this: why spend shitloads of money and years in development for a FPS for the Wii, when you could easily make 2-3 times more profit by making the game for the PC, PS3 or 360.
I would expect some good quality GAMES coming for Nintendo consoles occasionally, but for the most part this kind of stuff is the crap we can expect.
i think what's really funny is that the argument has gone from, "guitar hero is stupid, play a real fucking guitar" to "wii music is stupid, play a real fucking guitar game".
Until they come up with Saxophone Hero, Im stuck with WiiMusic, which I actually like unlike everyone else on the godforbidden internet.
I need to apologize to Chad in advance for this comment: Shigeru Miyamoto is out of his fucking mind. He has lost touch. He does not know what the hell he is doing anymore (beyond printing money).
That said, I do agree with his implied point that we put too much emphasis on "gaming" and complexity and challenge, and not enough emphasis on just simply having fun. Still, Shigs is off the deep end.