Iconic game designer Will Wright has described the Wii as more of a toy than a gaming console, and believes the system should be considered as such. Before you get your torches and pitchforks though, bear in mind that he doesn't mean that as a bad thing.
"I think the Wii is a very unique platform, and that's kind of its core value," he explains. "That's why it's been so successful -- because it's pretty clearly different than the Xbox or the PlayStation. I think the Wii provides very fun experiences for the most part, but it's kind of a different level of experience; it's not like these 40-hour involved RPG games as much as it is like these fun toys to pick up and start playing in five minutes.
"And it's really fun with a group of people sitting around... It really is more into what I would call the toy market, because most of the Wii games I've enjoyed felt more like toys than like games."
Funnily enough, the Wii is starting to get quite a few involved RPGs and there are plenty of traditional games if you know where to look. I totally see what he's saying though. The Wii is a gimmick and a toy, but that's not a bad thing at all. It is, after all, why Nintendo is so effing rich right now.
Wii Belongs In Toy Market, Says Will Wright [Industry Gamers]
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12:00 PM on 03.10.2010
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Also, keep Birthmark Destructor out of this thread.
• noun 1 an object for a child to play with, typically a model or miniature replica of something. 2 a gadget or machine regarded as providing amusement for an adult. 3 before another noun (of a breed or variety of dog) much smaller than is normal for the breed.
On topic, yes the wii is a toy. What's wrong with that? My ps3 is also a toy. Its a more advanced toy, but still a toy nonetheless. I really don't understand the point of people saying things like this.
And thats exactly the reason why i think those waggling shovel games dont work on other platforms! The PS3 and our beloved box-o-evil are more a thing for core games.
Its like he said: get it connected(put togheter?) and start gaming instantly. Its ideal for the cassuals(also known as parents).
While on the two HD systems inheres a smell of complexity. Wich you first have to get used to it. Also the Wee ^^ is kind of slim and looks top notch future sexy.
I do see what he's saying, though. It's a different kind of toy.
I agree that all consoles are toys. The only difference is that their designed for all ages especially with the Wii and DS.
I think JRPG developers have just accepted they have to go where its most affordable, which is the handheld market and Wii. Probably also helps Nintendo that all that money they're rolling in can create attractive deals for partnering with teams like Mistwalker to create a first party exclusive RPG. That and they bought Monolith Soft.
This month is pretty decent for console RPGs, but it looks like there's another drought to come on 360 and PS3.
Second, considering the sort of games Will Wright makes... The overly detailed micro-managing "is this a game or a full-time job" simulations... I'll take my toys over his games any day.
@Sir playedallot
It's "Oui"
And gaming consoles aren't toys, but serious productivity machines?
.... boggles my mind.
I guess graphics defines whether something is a toy or not. If your console renders heads getting blown off in real-life hd detail then it can't possibly be a toy. :)
You made may day^^
Yes the Wii is more of a toy than a game console. Yes I like it that way.
MY FUCKING EYES!
GOLDENGAMERZERO YOU BELLEND!
@The Silent Protagonist - Except that the Wii has a notorious reputation as a hard system to crack for third party developers. In fact, many developers have went on to generalize the Wii as a first party system because of all the success the Wii has, Nintendo reaps like 70-some-odd percent of it.
Not saying no one can crack the Wii's profitability except Nintendo, but third party developers/publishers tend to have a much harder time getting a good profit out of a Wii title.
XP
Also, Dragon Quest. That's millions of Wiis sold in Japan just for that.
The niche market on the Wii - if you want to consider the JRPGs within the nice market - hasn't been the tough market to crack. Niche gamers go where the niche games are. Atlus can put Shiren the Wanderer on Wii and Atlus fans will go right for it, Atlus knows how to reach the niche gamer. And Atlus doesn't publish anything more than they think would sell.
These people trying to sell these waggle minigame collections and others aren't going for the niche, they aim for the mainstream, spend more money than necessary on a project and that forces them with higher sales expectations than what a company like Atlus or even Nintendo does it.
Thank you sir. I now feel obligated to search that after i get home from work...though i am afraid.
I'll save you the trouble. It's an Asian woman with a penis...
If you're still curious, make sure you click on the picture. There's PLENTY more where that came from.
The only difference between the Wii and the HD platforms is that 360 and PS3 are trying to be more than just gaming machines due to the continued effort to include and expand on their multi-media features.
@GoldenGamerXero: I will definitely avoid that, as futanari ain't my thing.
2) Will Wright's new project is something toy-oriented, so expect him to refer to a lot of things in that manner (whether that's just how he views things now, or he wants to justify working on some sort of toy-oriented project by referring to more respected non-toy items as being toys).
3) Any possible way to describe the Wii as a toy could easily be used to describe the 360 or PS3 in a similar manner.
4) Really, the same could be said about, say, a DVD player. (Especially if you use a literal definition, like the one Pudge provided.)
The way games like Wii Sports were designed makes them unique in terms of control and how they've got this pick up and play social aspect to them. In addition, the appeal of these types of games has lead to the penetration of the expanded audience. Furthermore, it has allowed Nintendo to stay true to its philosphical roots as a company that tries to be provide different experiences from what its competitors are offering.
For example, Sony's clearly pushing the technilogical aspect of the PS3 along with the movie watching capablities of Blu-ray. Microsoft is focusing largely on the social online experience. Both of these home consosoles are also focusing on providing cinematic, HD-type of video games.
With the Wii, Nintendo is mainly focusing on the social aspect of local gaming and using motion control as a way to tool to offer a seperate kind of experience seperate from the tradtional way of how video games are being more cinematic and story-driven. That's why the Wii is only a gaming machine and not a multi-media centric platform like how the PS3 and 360 are trying to be.
Well it's not like he's being negative about it.
I wonder if Birthmark is going to adress that in his inevtiably shitty blog he's gonna write.
Video games can be a toy or they can be an artform, depends on the game, not the system you fucking dunce(s).
I'm just hoping he puts that tranny picture in as the header when he copy and pastes his comments into the c-blogs.
I'm still hating you for that right now.
Doooont for-get about meeeee, i came up with that wee thing in the first place!