Shattered Memories Designer Responds on Mature Games

By 22.01.2010 35

Shattered Memories Designer Responds on Mature Games on Nintendo gaming news, videos and discussion

Speaking to the Official Nintendo Magazine, the lead designer on Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Sam Barlow, has discussed his views about On-Rail shooters. His views go in response to the recent claims from Capcom and SEGA, that mature games don't sell very well on the Wii.


He also commented about his own game and how Wii users do want to play games aimed at the older audience on the Wii.

Without badmouthing people, a lot of the games they've been complaining about are rail shooters and a rail shooter wouldn't have sold no matter what platform you put it on because it's a rail shooter and that's a niche genre that had its heyday back in the Dreamcast era.

Ultimately the way we looked at it was that there's a huge audience who own Wiis, we own Wiis and we know that amongst that audience there is a sub-sect who love dark stories, thrillers, mysteries and horror movies and so the development of Shattered Memories was all about removing the obstacles to those people enjoying this game.

If they really enjoy a good horror story, they should enjoy this so we've tried to create a product that has broad appeal but does something

Do you agree with Sam Barlow views?

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PMD is offline. PMD 23.01.2010#1

That's exactly what I have been saying. Find a Wii game that would have sold better on a different console and then you can complain.

 
Simes is offline. Simes 23.01.2010#2

We'll see how No More Heroes does on PS360 then I'll let you know. PMD

 
jb is offline. jb 23.01.2010#3

I don't think these on rail shooters would do any better on the 360/PS3 - perhaps ever so slightly, but the differences I think would be pretty slim.

With an audience that really isn't so bothered and a lack of promotion it's pretty difficult to sell a formula that isn't quite working.

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JoshSL is offline. JoshSL 23.01.2010#4

Maybe we'd have some more conclusive stuff if SEGA and Capcom actually made any mature titles that weren't on rail shooters.

Also I'm pretty certain NMH will do worse on 360 than it did on Wii.

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Simes is offline. Simes 23.01.2010#5

It's looking good in AytchDee though SuperLink, but yeah I'm sensing fail.

 
JoshSL is offline. JoshSL 23.01.2010#6

Simez said:
It's looking good in AytchDee though SuperLink, but yeah I'm sensing fail.

It's looking good, but that doesn't mean it'll sell.
NMH is a very Japanese game that didn't even sell well in Japan. The 360 just doesn't have that demographic; and the game won't be leaving Japan either.

However the PS3 version will probably do quite nicely.

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crackedthesky is offline. crackedthesky 23.01.2010#7

Didn't know No More Heroes was becoming non-exclusive.

Shattered Memories was a lot of fun and had some great graphics. The control scheme was just cool, and worked well. The only downside is that the game was very, very short. But I had a lot of fun with it. My first impression stuck best: Any developer should play this game before even thinking of making a Wii game.

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RudyC3 is offline. RudyC3 23.01.2010#8

i finsihed your game twice already dear shattered memories developper and it's definitely one of my favorite wii games so far. keep up the good work !

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Simes is offline. Simes 23.01.2010#9

I just started it on my PSP it really is a surprise how good a creepy this game is. The gameplay mechanics don't gimmicky or tacked on and the music and story are sucking me in. Good game so far Climax.

 
welshwuff is offline. welshwuff 23.01.2010#10

Ok, everyone buy a copy of this game to proove the point this guy's point, hes hit the nail on the head and need's to show it!

 
Stulaw is offline. Stulaw 23.01.2010#11

Well, Capcom are releasing two solid games in the west this year with Tasunoko Vs Capcom, and Monster Hunter Tri, and if they fly off the shelves like nobody's business like MH3 did in the first week of Japanese sales, they'll have no reason to complain what-so-ever.

But yeah, I totally agree with the guy though, Devs should put the effort they make complaining into the games and they might actually see results.

( Edited 23.01.2010 01:34 by Stulaw )

 
Simes is offline. Simes 23.01.2010#12

If they release Dead Space as a third person game and Capcons gave us the RE2 remake we all wanted instead of rail shooters they would get a shit load of sales. Think about how many sales RE4 Wii Edition made.

They fucked up an they know it. Can't wait for Dead Space 2 though Altman be praised.

 
crackedthesky is offline. crackedthesky 23.01.2010#13

I don't think I'd care if they remade RE2. I want them to make a new game, and one that isn't stupid. Though I guess with Mikami out of the picture, that may never happen.

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Simes is offline. Simes 23.01.2010#14

Funny Mikami's name's in the credits for Resident Evil 5. Though yes he is genius.

Trust me Resident Evil 2 remake is almost asked for as much as an FFVII remake. Capcom suck now anyway.

 
Darkflame is offline. Darkflame 23.01.2010#15

Stulaw said:
Well, Capcom are releasing two solid games in the west this year with Tasunoko Vs Capcom, and Monster Hunter Tri,

Thing is, Monster Hunter has never sold in the west anyway.

Why should we, effectively, be having to "proove" a market for these dumb companys over games that arnt automatic salers anyway?

Dont get me wrong, I probably will buy the game.
But if Monster Hunter sales poorly it still wouldnt reflect badly on the Wii seeing as its already done better then the PS2.

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JoshSL is offline. JoshSL 23.01.2010#16

Simez said:
Funny Mikami's name's in the credits for Resident Evil 5.

Why in the heck?

Darkflame said:
Thing is, Monster Hunter has never sold in the west anyway.

I'm pretty sure all titles combined mixed with the heavy advertising has made MH's western success a bit of a momentum based one. Without a doubt MH3 will be the best selling version yet.

If it's not then people are stupid.
I don't even like Monster Hunter but my brother will probably buy it on launch.

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Simes is offline. Simes 23.01.2010#17

Toon SuperLink said:
Simez said:
Funny Mikami's name's in the credits for Resident Evil 5.

Why in the heck?

I know, he was part of the development but not a major role, so I don't think he had any input or guidance.

 
Andrezao is offline. Andrezao 23.01.2010#18

Pff what is this guy thinking?? The industry doesn't use logic! Ridiculous!

Good on him for this, I will buy this game when I have spare $$. This, Muramasa, Mario and Luigi 3, amongst others. If only my job called me to work more and I didn't get that fine for crossing the red lights Smilie damn you Au$340 fine. I should have shown them the finger when they flashed me.

 
JoshSL is offline. JoshSL 23.01.2010#19

As much as it pains me that I won't buy a hardcore game on Wii that so many people think is great (despite not being exclusive), I can't stand horror, so I'll have to apologise to Barlow here ._.

Sorry for not buying your awesome game!

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Andrezao is offline. Andrezao 23.01.2010#20

Any reason you don't like them in particular? Out of curiosity of course! Like is it to do with the gameplay, the theme, atmosphere, dunno? I love it cause it makes me suspenful, it's a thrill! Smilie

 
Guest 23.01.2010#21

This game looks great, just watched the trailer and a bit of the first impressions vid on GiantBomb. Sounds like something I definitely need to buy next month.Smilie

 
JoshSL is offline. JoshSL 23.01.2010#22

Andrezao said:
Any reason you don't like them in particular? Out of curiosity of course! Like is it to do with the gameplay, the theme, atmosphere, dunno? I love it cause it makes me suspenful, it's a thrill! Smilie

Well... because they're scary... Smilie

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crackedthesky is offline. crackedthesky 23.01.2010#23

If Mikami's name is in the credits for RE5, it's either special thanks, or because he created the franchise. He had NOTHING to do with the game's development. I can find you an interview where he says he won't even PLAY it, because he doesn't want to play through thinking about how he would've made it differently.
Anyway, I"m pretty sure he doesn't work for Capcom and didn't when RE5 was made. So no, he didn't have anything to do with RE5.
I know people want a remake of RE2. I think it's pointless. Like I said, I'd rather have a good new game than a remake of an old one.

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crackedthesky is offline. crackedthesky 23.01.2010#24

Toon SuperLink said:
As much as it pains me that I won't buy a hardcore game on Wii that so many people think is great (despite not being exclusive), I can't stand horror, so I'll have to apologise to Barlow here ._.

Sorry for not buying your awesome game!

If you were to buy a horror game, it should be this one. There's no combat at all, the game isntead focuses primarily on character development and puzzle-solving. Any scenes involving monsters require you to just run, and even that isn't so bad, as long as you follow the blue paint. The only part where it gets REALLY bad is when you have to take pictures while doing it, but even then, it's not so bad.

NNID: crackedthesky
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Simes is offline. Simes 24.01.2010#25

justonesp00lturn said:
If Mikami's name is in the credits for RE5, it's either special thanks, or because he created the franchise. He had NOTHING to do with the game's development. I can find you an interview where he says he won't even PLAY it, because he doesn't want to play through thinking about how he would've made it differently.
Anyway, I"m pretty sure he doesn't work for Capcom and didn't when RE5 was made.

Well that's where you are wrong because amongst about 20people he's is credited as a Designer, not "Special Thanks" or "Special Guest" or even "Lead Designer" his names sits about 14th on the list of "Designers". He was part of the development team. The original Resident Evil team Capcom Prod. Studio 4 created RE1, RESmilieC, RERebirth, RE4, Killer7 (Co Production). At this time Mikami was working for a functioning Clover (Kamiya left). Clover were made to work on RE5's development as well as Umbrella Chronicle. Mikami was not credited in that game.

 

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