IGN's Nintendo Minute

I don't really like IGN. I don't hide that fact. Combine their lack of journalistic integrity to being another hivemind for "OMG GTA4 GAME OF THE FOREVER, OSCAR-QUALITY DIALOGUE LOLOLOL", I really have no respect for them at all, and they don't deserve any either.

I'm making an exception since an NoA rep does most of the talking. Thank you, gaming god almighty. However, this isn't fair. I can't possibly comprehend all of this information in a minute! Those IGNorant people at IGN should know better! ...You mean I don't have to read it in a minute? Oh, the person is given a minute to say their piece. It's probably because the people they interview for a minute want nothing to do with IGN Nintendo, and that's all they can get from important people in the gaming world-- one minute.

(Andrex, who has posted on this blog and is an active contributor to NeoGAF, organized the majority of the interview text. I hope he does not mind me using it.)

Denise Kaigler: Nintendo of America's VP of Corporate Affairs
(I would spoil her with riches, I would.)

Matt Cassamassina (so-called journalist) : Some Nintendo fans remain worried that the company is ignoring or marginalizing the hardcore gamer. Where's the proof that this isn't true?

Denise Kaigler: I thought the burden of proof was on the prosecution!

Matt, fortunately in this case I have plenty of evidence, so let me build my case.

Nintendo cares a great deal about our core gaming fans who have enjoyed Nintendo products and games for many years, and we continue to develop with this consumer in mind. But what we've done, in the simplest terms, is to look at the video game market in a different way. Contrary to some of the feedback I've received from game enthusiast media, we have not shifted focus to the casual market, but, rather, have expanded our efforts to include them.

Let's focus the argument on home consoles and Wii. Already we have seen core Nintendo games like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy and Mario Kart Wii. And Wii is still less than two years old. Mr. Iwata announced at E3 that the Mario and Zelda teams are working on new games for Wii, and Mr. Miyamoto announced that he's working on a new Pikmin game. Plus our WiiWare service adds interesting new games each week like World of Goo and Mega Man 9.

Additionally, you are seeing core gaming content from key publishers on the Wii platform. Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Call of Duty are great examples. Lastly, we have recently talked about new games coming from Nintendo and 3rd party publishers that will further satisfy the gaming core … titles like:

• Punch Out!
• Sin & Punishment 2
• The Conduit
• MADWORLD
• Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop

I don't want to go too far over my "Minute," but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least touch on the Nintendo DS. Recently, we've seen games like Kirby Super Star Ultra and Spore Creatures. And soon we'll have Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. The upcoming Personal Trainer: Cooking is a great example of a casual game that is really resonating with core gaming journalists. On its face it has "casual" appeal, but as with any title, it's all about the interface and content. Your fellow gamer guys love the idea of an electronic cookbook they can control with the stylus or even their voice. Other upcoming DS titles we recently showcased at our Fall Media Summit include Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, Rhythm Heaven and Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia.

This may sound like typical blah, blah, blah "corporate speak," but we really are about making games for everyone. Different players, even among those who describe themselves as "hard core," have different tastes. Some like racing games, while others are into role-playing games. We're breaking down the barriers that separate the core and casual gaming groups. We think the two can coexist peacefully and play together. And since I am a self-described member of that expanded audience, I sure hope that's true!

Direct Link Here

That's Matt Cassamassina for you-- asking the tough questions... that HAVE ONLY BEEN ASKED 50 MILLION TIMES NOW. The shmuck...

What a nice woman. Seemed very knowledgeable. With Wii Music, de Blob, Wario Land, Tiger Woods 09, and MySims Kingdom, I'm going to be a busy Wii owner. Of course, not everyone has an interest in some or even all of those games, so they definitely want more core experiences. Then you have people who don't give any game a try and ignore the good ones just to rationalize their ideal that the Wii has no games and sucks. See this "holy crap, Wii haters, dislikers, and trolls are pathetic" thread for more on that story. No facepalm is mighty enough for that kind of ignorance from THAT kind of forum...