Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto has expressed a desire to stop making video games for people who "passively" enjoy the medium.
During an interview with Edge Magazine, Miyamoto spoke candidly about the topic of creating video games for casual gamers.
"Their attitude is, 'okay, I am the customer. You are supposed to entertain me," said Miyamoto. "It's kind of a passive attitude they're taking, and to me it's kind of a pathetic thing. They do not know how interesting it is if you move one step further and try to challenge yourself [with more advanced games]."
Tell us how you really feel, Mr. Miyamoto.
According to "Computer and Video Games," this is the first time a Nintendo executive has ever publicly declared aspirations to develop games without casual gamers in mind. The original Wii's appeal, released in Nov. 2006, was that it catered to casual gamers. The model of marketing and developing for casual gamers proved to be very successful as the Wii sold over 100 million consoles.
The Wii U, launched in Nov. 2012, and has achieved very meager success in comparison to its predecessor. The issue is two-fold. Motion control design was the very thing that appealed to casual gamers, but it was completely removed from the Wii U, an incredibly shortsighted mistake. This monumental error was compounded by giving the new console the same moniker as its predecessor with a "U" behind it which made some consumers believe the Wii U was simply an add-on like the Sega Genesis' 32X.
However, Miyamoto's point does have lots of merit. Gamers didn't suddenly disappear. Dedicated gamers are still spending their currency on video games everywhere in the world. Where are they and why aren't they buying Nintendo consoles? Miyamoto's concern about developing more challenging games is a major factor when gamers are deciding which console to purchase. Other concerns such as online viability are being addressed by Nintendo as they find innovative ways to provide a smooth, family-friendly online experience. Nintendo also released of a worthwhile DLC that gamers around the world collectively pumped their fist for.
Nintendo has been a leader in the video game industry in four different decades -- often imitated and rarely facing a worthy adversary. The last few years for Nintendo have been a humbling period as both Sony and Microsoft have taken a monumental lead in the console wars. Miyamoto's declaration is his way of saying that Nintendo has recognized its mistakes, and will be making strides to make things right. Hopefully, Miyamoto sticks to his guns on this issue.
