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Home Epic Games updates

The Wii is just not Epic's 'thing'

6:29 AM on 07.08.2008, Jim Sterling 101 comments

The Wii is just not Epic's 'thing' photo
     Epic Games

Epic's Mark Rein has said that the Wii isn't his company's medium, and asking the studio to develop games for Nintendo's little white waggle box is akin to asking a sculptor to paint.

"No, we don't have any plans to make something for the Wii. That's like asking a sculptor when he's going to start painting. That's just not our medium," stated Rein, reiterating what I just said above (which he didn't have to do for me, but thanks). "That's not our area of expertise. Our area of expertise is the more high-end consoles and things that push technology higher. That's what we do.

"There's a lot more water in that well for us; when that runs dry then maybe we'd have to think of doing something else, but I don't think that well is going to run dry any time soon."

Fair enough. The Wii has moved beyond games consoles to the point where I think it almost inhabits its own space, and I can see why some developers just don't have an interest in it. Fans looking forward to Gears of Waggle will have a long wait though, unfortunately.


Next page: More Epic Games stories




NightDehumidifier's Avatar
NightDehumidifier at 07/08/2008 06:52
No support from Clifford Blezinski = Doomed system. Bye Wii, see you in last place.
episodic's Avatar
episodic at 07/08/2008 07:08
Our area of expertise is the more high-end consoles and things that push technology higher

This being said, Gears of War 2 still not coming out for the PC? Or is this internet myth?
nerpin's Avatar
nerpin at 07/08/2008 07:15
These guys make a decent lowest common denominator game, but this guy seems to run his mouth about the Wii a lot.
stevenjazz787's Avatar
stevenjazz787 at 07/08/2008 07:19
"Our area of expertise is the more high-end consoles and things that push technology higher."

Like the Xbox360 with it's...
built in wifi, wait....
standard internal storage, nope...
motion controls, ugh...
inferred camera for pointer input, crap...

This isn't a knock at the 360. The 360 has great online service and awesome graphics. Mark Rein however could have phrased his comment better. Well, maybe ho couldn't, he is Mark Rein after all.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 07:29
Why would he want too? He wants to PUSH TECHNOLOGY not hold it back. You guys that purchased the Wii need to wake up.

nerpin

"These guys make a decent lowest common denominator game"

lol, I thought the lowest common denominator game was mini-games. Well, I guess your statement can't be true since Epic will never make a cheap ass Wii game. Sorry pal. Buy a better system, you Nintendo bed buddy.
BigKev's Avatar
BigKev at 07/08/2008 07:33
Wow, Jack, way to be a complete fucktard.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 07:34
steven

Don't get me started. Jim knows I wont stop till all of you are pissed off and he has 100 comments lol.


"Like the Xbox360 with it's...
built in wifi, wait....
standard internal storage, nope...
motion controls, ugh...
inferred camera for pointer input, crap..."

Dude! Your Wii doesn't even have a DVD player. It doesn't even have a eternet port. Its motion controls hinder gameplay to the point you want to sell the console.
Cubilone's Avatar
Cubilone at 07/08/2008 07:35
Michellangelo was just a sculptor before the Pope asked him to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 07:36
BigKev

Thats what this thread is meant for....
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 07:37
Cubilone

Why should Mark Rein be mislead like Michellangelo?
Spitfire's Avatar
Spitfire at 07/08/2008 08:12
What he says makes sense, the Wii is not powerhouse. Its just a shame he wont consider making a game for it. Its a console that is lacking real innovation for big games and it seems that is something that he could help push in the right direction.

Maybe they could be the first developer to take hold and really push what the Wii is capable of. Its not like every Wii game HAS to have motion controls. No More Heroes used it very sparingly.
shouryuuken's Avatar
shouryuuken at 07/08/2008 08:20
@jack: if i wanted a dvd player, id buy one. i buy game macines to play games... "ha! your bluray player doesnt even play games!"

and to mark rein: meh.. epic just isnt my thing. that is a bad analogy though, great artists, even though they may be known for one medium, they work in anohter.
heretrix's Avatar
heretrix at 07/08/2008 08:25
Oh shit! Mark Rein making a dumb ass comment?

That's never happened before.
Nogarda's Avatar
Nogarda at 07/08/2008 08:27
I think Epic Games just got +5 respect points from Jim secretly for that after yesterday XD.
BigKev's Avatar
BigKev at 07/08/2008 08:40
No Jack, its apparently all that you are good for though. This biased shit is what's hurting the games industry. If you react like a complete douche, you are forcing companies to choose between trying to please the hardcore crowd who will turn on a developer at a moments notice and hate on a game for being too mainstream, or the 'casuals' who dont give a shit and are ones who really just want to STFUAJPG.

When people like YOU stop turning the games market into a mire of combative idiocy, the better off everyone will be. Hating on alternatives does nothing but show off the massive phallus on your forehead.
Novakaine's Avatar
Novakaine at 07/08/2008 08:57
I wonder when the HD studios have lost more millions in games that don't pay off, they'll ask for a Wii dev kit. Nah, Rein would probably die before deigning to be on a "weak" system.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 08:58
BigKev

Give me a break lol. What fucked up world do you live in? Im not forcing developers and companies to choose sides. Developers know that strongly made games that push the envelope on graphics and gameplay sell well. Look at Cod4. I praise developers for not taking the easy route and making cheap ass stupid games the belong on cell phones.


I think its fucking stupid of you to want a shallow game industry that doesn't push technology.
Rifter01's Avatar
Rifter01 at 07/08/2008 08:58
Ahh.. I remember when Epic Games were just a lad.. I think.

Epic Games started as 21st Century Entertainment, then became Epic Megagames - if I'm not mistaken.

They were Amiga computer guys, and if you know, it took alot of nudging for any Amiga developer to make something for PC, (PC?? Oh perish the thought!).. So, yea, the guys may still be holding judgement and staying on the platform(s) they feel are best. To each their own.
Demtor's Avatar
Demtor at 07/08/2008 08:58
I'd put money down on the theory that most people that bought a Wii, don't want any of Epic's games to being with. So whats the big deal here?
Face's Avatar
Face at 07/08/2008 09:01
Don't really care. I play the Wii when I want a break from big guys picking up progessivly bigger guns to kill progessivly bigger aliens. Not that I don't enjoy that sort of thing. Anyway, if they were really in it to "push" things you would think the PC would be their primary platform, or at least the PS3.
JonDarkwood's Avatar
JonDarkwood at 07/08/2008 09:28
The Wii controls aren't tight enough and the graphics aren't good enough. Some developers just don't belong on the Wii. They're one of those.
TheStripe's Avatar
TheStripe at 07/08/2008 09:43
@ Dick of No trades:

"Its motion controls hinder gameplay to the point you want to sell the console."

I missed that part. I guess I was blinded by all the fun I was having with Zack and Wiki and No More Heroes.

"Your Wii doesn't even have a DVD player."

Awesome. I already have more than a dozen devices that can play DVD's, and two that can upscale to HDMI.

"Why should Mark Rein be mislead like Michellangelo?"

So you're saying the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was a failure? Looks to me like it's one of the most recognizable works of art on the face of the earth. Maybe Epic could make an awesome Wii game. But I guess "I don't wanna," is a good enough excuse not to try to improve the Wii's third party support.

"I think its fucking stupid of you to want a shallow game industry that doesn't push technology."

Ah, Nintendo's holding back technology. That's why my PS3 is the most powerful processor in the house. You're an idiot. I thought for a minute you had a point to make, but you're just an idiot.
BigKev's Avatar
BigKev at 07/08/2008 09:45
God you are a dipshit. Your bias knows no bounds apparently. Why is the focus on graphics, huh? And when did i say i wanted a shallow industry. Get this through your skull, I WANT AN INCLUSIVE INDUSTRY!! You think the only people who buy CoD4 are the people who post on Dtoid and the like. No, dipshit, it has mainstream appeal, especially because its well made. But technicality is not a reason to push a game, and its not a reason most people buy games. Focusing on graphics is fucking stupid from a consumer standpoint, BECAUSE YOUR NOT FUCKING PLAYING THE GRAPHICS YOU TARD, and because forcing production costs higher faster than they should be hurts everybody. We get either, a) higher production costs, meaning higher prices for consumers and less profits for producers, which means b) lazier production, leading to bullshit shovelware and the like.

My point is, you being a complete fucktard about the options that game companies have in front of them (and in a second i will point out why the Wii which you so subtly refer to is not inferior) is only going to paint hardcore gamers as an unreliable market. If the choice is hardcore gamers who seemingly assume the fetal position at the sight of non-720p vision, or the apparently more 'casuals' who are happy with a fulfilling gaming experience that doesnt cost bucketloads to produce, who exactly do you think they will choose?

AND ANYWAY, the Wii is:
- Absolutely more powerful than last generation, it is more efficient, and to call it a step backwards, even neglecting motion controls, is ridiculous, because it is clear that the PS3 and to a lesser extent the 360 overstepped the technological improvements this generation.
-The motion controls are also very impressive (something Sony apparently couldn't manage) and can provide amazingly immersive gameplay possibilities. I know Metroid Prime 3 proves that point.
- Some minigame-based games (a genre which you seem deride past the point of mental health) are very fun, very innovative and do not require obscene budgets to be a sucess(Wii Sports and Boom Blox are fantastic games, with impressive control schemes/physics engines that manage to focus on engaging the user, and if you think otherwise, you ARE WRONG)

I have no problem with Mark Rein's point of view, he can paint on whatever canvas he wants. But we as the knowledgable gamers should be trying to be just that, knowledgable. Fair assesment, without bias, and without idiotic infighting. You tell Wii owners to "stop being a Nintendo bed buddy," because your bias can't accept that, maybe, there are other ways of enjoying games than yours. You attack us who own and love our Wii's (i know, DICK JOKE) as holding back the game industry, but the truth is YOU are holding back the game industry. CoD4 wasn't made with you in mind, it's designed well, for everyone to enjoy. No, games which ignore actually being fulfilling to appeal to the graphics obsessed pants-on-head (thanks Yahtzee) retarded hardcores like the acres of Halo and Gears clones on the 360 and PS3 that forget about actually being fun and instead get all gloomy while forgetting to actually write a decent story and some innovative gameplay, thats what your ramblings and the ramblings of everyone like you represent us to be to the gaming industry, and its fucking stupid. Just fuck right off.
lubczyk's Avatar
lubczyk at 07/08/2008 10:00
Epic are just lazy, uncreative developers who use technology as a crutch.

Nintendo proves that the Wii can compete and surpass anythimng the small minds at Epic can come up with.

UT hasn't been good since 2004 and Gears of War is a beefed up version of KillSwitch on the PS2
lubczyk's Avatar
lubczyk at 07/08/2008 10:02
If he wants to push technology why don't he create games exclusively on the PC, since PCs shit all over the 360 and PS3 horsepower wise?
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 07/08/2008 10:05
You'd think being since Epic's games have done pretty poorly on the PC (being as how they pretty much gave the platform that made them a success a big fuck you), he wouldn't be quite so negative toward untapped platforms.

If they are so interested in pushing the enveloped why did they stop developing for PC instead of the rather inferior consoles?
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/08/2008 10:05
Ugh, more fodder for the PS360 fanboys. Go ahead. Feel better about yourselves. Don't worry about the fact that the Wii is absolutely whooping your console's sales figures. Just keep whoring up the graphics and rubbing your nipples.

"OMG THE LIGHTING IS SO REAL! THIS GAME MUST BE FUN AND INNOVATIVE!"
savagesaladin's Avatar
savagesaladin at 07/08/2008 10:08
"Waggle box"? "Gears of Waggle"? Pretty fucking lame and said over and over again by game 'journalists'. Think of something else. You're not clever. If you're going to try to be a journalist, skip the bias. You hate the wii. We get the point.

Gears of War was fun for about 4 hours.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 10:17
The Stripe

Awww poor babies. Did I hit a nerve? You guys are pathetic. Look I sold the Wii. Motion controls are sloppy. Nintendo is holding back technology within its own division so they can make a quick buck without working too hard.

How deep does Nintendo fuck you?

BigKev

Calm down you little sissy.

"You think the only people who buy CoD4 are the people who post on Dtoid and the like. No, dipshit, it has mainstream appeal, especially because its well made."

I sure don't see any grandmas playing it asshole. Your definition of mainstream is fucking twisted.

"Focusing on graphics is fucking stupid from a consumer standpoint, BECAUSE YOUR NOT FUCKING PLAYING THE GRAPHICS YOU TARD, and because forcing production costs higher faster than they should be hurts everybody."

Ohh I only pay 10 bucks more than you and I get 1000x more content. Shut the hell up. Also, graphics help define the gameplay you little dick. I bet you think a game is good because it has bad graphics. Wow, your so cool!
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 07/08/2008 10:17
I don't hate the Wii and I don't want to be a journalist but thanks for being presumptuous.
TheStripe's Avatar
TheStripe at 07/08/2008 10:21
"Also, graphics help define the gameplay you little dick."

Epic Fail.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 07/08/2008 10:21
I expected there to be a high degree of fanboyism in the comments for this post, and I was not disappointed. It's still early though, you guys can do a lot better!
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 10:22
killas2

You guys only like the Wii because its in the spotlight right now. You must like riding on the bandwagon. You guys remind me of Dallas Cowboy fans.

Ohhhhh WoW!! The Wii has sold more than the PS3 & 360. That must make it so much better! I think you guys are sourpusses becuase the Wii is a horrible gaming platform.

This is your guys frame of mind.

Good Graphics = Bad Game
Bad Graphics = Good Game

What ever makes you feel better....I guess.
TheStripe's Avatar
TheStripe at 07/08/2008 10:25
"This is your guys frame of mind.

Good Graphics = Bad Game
Bad Graphics = Good Game "

No one was talking about graphics until you pointed out that "Also, graphics help define the gameplay you little dick."

Space invaders is fun. it's also blocky and old. Goldeneye is fun. It's also Blocky and old. MGS4 is fun. It's highly polished and cutting edge. Uncharted is not fun. It's highly polished and cutting edge.

Maybe there's no weight to your argument after all.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 10:26
The Stripe

Good graphics are the devil. We should have stayed in the 8 bit era and never pushed the limits.
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 07/08/2008 10:27
Who cares? Certain companies like to focus on certain systems, I don't see why some Wii owners are taking this as an insult. I mean, did any of us really think that EPIC was going to develop a game for the Wii? Mark Rein is simply stating the obvious, get over it.

Like other people have said, the Wii's demographic is not what EPIC is going after.

@Killas:

Your just as bad as the so called "PS360 fanboys". Get the fuck over yourself and read the fucking article before commenting.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 10:29
The only reason why we still like those old games is because of nastagia. If you made an eight year old thats been raised off of the xbox, PS2, PS3 & 360 generations he would say those games sucked.

Doesn't it suck to get old?
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/08/2008 10:32
"Ohhhhh WoW!! The Wii has sold more than the PS3 & 360. That must make it so much better! I think you guys are sourpusses becuase the Wii is a horrible gaming platform. "

I'm just trying to explain why there is such a need for PS360 fans to talk down on the Wii at every opportunity. It's like some sort of redirected penis envy. Your consolepenis is not selling, so you find ways to demean the consolepenises of your perceived competition. Why else does almost every comment thread turn into a Wii-bashing thread? Why the obsession? If it's so terrible, just forget about it and move on. I'm sure you have TONS of FANTASTIC MIND BLOWING video games on your PS3. Hell, how do you even have time to be on the internet? There are probably like 3 or 4 great games waiting for you RIGHT NOW.

I could give a shit about what sells. I have a PC, so I have all the standard gaming I need. I have a Wii because it's got lots of fun stuff I can't get anywhere else. If I really want to play Halo, I'll just go down to the frathouse for some brewskis, date rape, and 360 action.
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/08/2008 10:37
"Your just as bad as the so called "PS360 fanboys". Get the fuck over yourself and read the fucking article before commenting."

Yes, you have a fantastic grasp on the English language. That is clearly the form of "your" you were going for.

Also, I was mostly replying to all the Wii-bashing crap in this thread. I could really care one way or another about Epic. Regardless, I think any developer that ignores the highest-selling platform is making a mistake, but it's not really a big issue for me.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 10:37
killas

I only bash the Wii in Wii bashing threads. If you go read some of the other posts today there isn't one with a Wii bashing word in it. Don't be sensitive. I love you.
BigKev's Avatar
BigKev at 07/08/2008 10:40
Okay, my definition of mainstream is odd. Im not quite sure how GRANDMA's are the definition of a mainstream gaming audience. Id be much more likely to define it as males aged 15-25, but thats just me. And im pretty sure CoD4 sells pretty well there?

Where did i say that i like bad graphics? Where did ANYONE SAY THAT??? What i said was, and read more carefully this time, graphics being a primary reason behind purchasing a game only leads to worse games. Graphics is NOT a part of gameplay, and to say so is literally one of the most ass-backwards things i have ever heard. And 1000x the content, don't make me laugh.

It sounds more to me like you feel the need to justify your decision to sell the Wii more than anything, and frankly Destructoid would be a better place if people like you could be banned for utter stupidity.
AClockWorkMelon's Avatar
AClockWorkMelon at 07/08/2008 10:41
Stevenjazz787

Why the hell does the 360 need WiFi? In case you didn't notice, most people don't have wireless internet. The good old-fashioned ethernet cable is good enough for me.

"Standard internal storage?"
Do you even know what you're talking about? The core package comes with a 20gb hard drive. Guess not only otaku want storage space on Microsoft's system.

Also, before you get high and mighty about the Wii's remote- shove it. I'd rather play using a traditional controller than wave a stick at the television.

Despite Jack of No Trades being a complete twat, even he mentioned that the Wii can't even play DVDs. Yeah, I get it. You Nintendites already have DVD players. But that doesn't make it excusable in today's market for a "next-gen" system to not have such a basic, bare bones feature.

The Wii's sales show nothing about it being a glorious, awesome system. It just shows that it's able to scoop up the massive Nintendo fanbase. No More Heroes, Brawl, Boom Blox, Mario Kart. Those are the only decent games on the Wii IMO. That would mean that half of their good games are just hashed up remakes of old tried-and-true sellers for Nintendo. Maybe one day the Wii will have a best seller that DOESN'T feature Link or an Italian plumber.

Oh, btw. No Trades is still a twat. :3 I'll agree with all of you on that. As am I, though. Since apparently disliking the infallible Nintendo's pile of junk makes us biased. Then biased I am.
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/08/2008 10:42
"I only bash the Wii in Wii bashing threads. If you go read some of the other posts today there isn't one with a Wii bashing word in it. Don't be sensitive. I love you."

haha, aww, thanks Jack. That means a lot to me.

If Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson can fight Global Climate Change together, maybe PS360 fans and Wiitards can fight graphic whoring and the flood of casually marketed minigame collections together. If only....
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 10:46
BigKev

I don't think they would ban me for posting article related comments in this thread. I never take my Wii bashing out of context. Get an avatar.
BigKev's Avatar
BigKev at 07/08/2008 10:49
Clockwork, you seem fair. Though you have neglected some great games in your list. Galaxy and Metroid 3 were both incredible experiences, and Metroid in particular made great use of the Wiimote. Twilight Princess is pretty great too, and there are alot of other games that are at least decent if not better.

Calling the Wii a pile of junk makes you biased though, when it pretty clearly isn't, and its success has been to more than just appealing to the normal fanbase :P

Now Jack, Epic saying they dont want to produce for the Wii does not make this a "Wii Bashing Thread". You saying as such is exactly my point. What Rein said was reasonable, and with merit. Some of us, wanting to live up to our title as knowledgable video game consumers would like to have reasonable discussion (punctuated with cock jokes) without turning things into a fanboyish flame war.

You don't apparently. Good for you. Fuck off.
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 07/08/2008 10:49
Killas2:

I love how you use stereotypes of the average 360 owner while praising the Wii. Your bias is hilarious. I could give similar stereotypes about both PC and Wii owners. Like I said, your not acting any better than the "PS360 fanboys".
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 07/08/2008 10:53
BigKev

Anything that Jim posts is a Wii bashing article. Get use to it or go to Joystiq where Wiifanboy's are respected. Mark doesn't want to dumb down production and use an old game engine to produce waggle games.

Get an avatar.
AClockWorkMelon's Avatar
AClockWorkMelon at 07/08/2008 10:56
Calling the Wii a pile of junk makes me biased? Then saying it ISN'T a pile of junk makes YOU biased.

I just happen to dislike Twilight Princess (Link to the Past on the SNES was and still is my favorite). Metroid, along with games I shove under that same rug (Mega Man) don't interest me much either.

As it so happens, I own a Wii. But when I see people responding to Wii criticism by attacking the OTHER systems (as if it makes the Wii better), I bare my teeth. And yes, they're made of Windows 95. Therefore, you could say I have the deadliest bite evah.

Haha. I know. I kill myself.
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