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E3 08: Miyamoto: Wii Music 'more interesting than videogames'

7:14 AM on 07.17.2008, Jim Sterling 97 comments

E3 08: Miyamoto: Wii Music 'more interesting than videogames' photo
     E3

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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SWE3tMadness's Avatar
SWE3tMadness at 07/17/2008 07:21
Why bother? I can just play a real instrument instead.

...Or Guitar Hero, or Rock Band. >.>
zombiekiller13's Avatar
zombiekiller13 at 07/17/2008 07:24
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.
ShinAmano's Avatar
ShinAmano at 07/17/2008 07:24
:/
the Golden Avatar's Avatar
the Golden Avatar at 07/17/2008 07:24
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.
Demtor's Avatar
Demtor at 07/17/2008 07:33
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*
Tyrian3's Avatar
Tyrian3 at 07/17/2008 07:47
well at least we agree on something...WiiMusic is not a videogame.
freker's Avatar
freker at 07/17/2008 07:47
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.
VashTS's Avatar
VashTS at 07/17/2008 07:50
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.
Tubatic's Avatar
Tubatic at 07/17/2008 07:54
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.
garrfunkel's Avatar
garrfunkel at 07/17/2008 07:54
It sucks. He's wrong. Moving on.
BlackSheep's Avatar
BlackSheep at 07/17/2008 08:01
"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.
gamesronlygames's Avatar
gamesronlygames at 07/17/2008 08:04
It pwints moneeeey!!!
SnakeDude4Life's Avatar
SnakeDude4Life at 07/17/2008 08:11
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.
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 07/17/2008 08:18
False.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/17/2008 08:23
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.
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 07/17/2008 08:26
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.
mikeyed's Avatar
mikeyed at 07/17/2008 08:31
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.
free touch's Avatar
free touch at 07/17/2008 08:33
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! :(
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar
TrailerParkJesus at 07/17/2008 08:38
I appreciate everything Miyamoto has done for videogames in the past, but fuck him for everything he's doing right now.
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 07/17/2008 08:39
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
Gavin's Avatar
Gavin at 07/17/2008 08:48
Looks like crap, sounds like crap, must be crap.
highrobot's Avatar
highrobot at 07/17/2008 08:49
It looks like something little kids would go apeshit over.

It's gonna sell a billion copies.
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 07/17/2008 08:51
@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.
jrwolv's Avatar
jrwolv at 07/17/2008 08:52
Of course he was smiling, HE WAS ROCKING THAT COWBELL!
NihonTiger90's Avatar
NihonTiger90 at 07/17/2008 08:54
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.
Master E's Avatar
Master E at 07/17/2008 08:56
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.
Leathersoup's Avatar
Leathersoup at 07/17/2008 09:11
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.
Mister Disco's Avatar
Mister Disco at 07/17/2008 09:12
@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.
gotdurnrite's Avatar
gotdurnrite at 07/17/2008 09:18
Wii Music looks to be one of Nintendo's first mistakes.

Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 07/17/2008 09:31
Kannon:

Rawr rawr rawr
Master E's Avatar
Master E at 07/17/2008 09:33
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.
Y0j1mb0's Avatar
Y0j1mb0 at 07/17/2008 09:38
Interesting piece Jim. I might write a proper response in a post.
delriego's Avatar
delriego at 07/17/2008 09:38
I think the man lost his mind
Jordan Grim Devore's Avatar
Jordan Grim Devore at 07/17/2008 09:39
*Agrees with Mister Disco*

Also,

sweetchuck's Avatar
sweetchuck at 07/17/2008 09:41
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.
free touch's Avatar
free touch at 07/17/2008 09:45
Holy Shit... could you imagine Wii Mario Paint??? That would be the greatest thing ever! Seriously! Why do we not have that game yet?
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 07/17/2008 09:46
Kannon:

Fap fap fap fap fap fap halo fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap
Hoodie's Avatar
Hoodie at 07/17/2008 09:50
We already have Rock Band, so Nintendo gives us Band Nerd. Of course!
hpv's Avatar
hpv at 07/17/2008 10:01
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.
Demtor's Avatar
Demtor at 07/17/2008 10:06
"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
Paul Soth's Avatar
Paul Soth at 07/17/2008 10:12
With Will Ferrel as the conductor.
teach4food's Avatar
teach4food at 07/17/2008 10:16
Memba Donkey Konga... memba?.. Nope? Well, in a few years I can ask the same thing about Wii Music and get the same response.
Tubatic's Avatar
Tubatic at 07/17/2008 10:19
@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?
GuitarAtomik's Avatar
GuitarAtomik at 07/17/2008 10:20
Sorry Shiggy. I fucking disagree.
jpitner's Avatar
jpitner at 07/17/2008 10:25
"Are we too hung up on traditional video game constraints to appreciate something more free-form?"

no.
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 07/17/2008 10:26
Thats it. I'm done with Nintendo.
Comrade Snarky's Avatar
Comrade Snarky at 07/17/2008 10:42
Needs more blood and tits.
Misanthrope's Avatar
Misanthrope at 07/17/2008 10:42
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.
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