• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Should Nintendo acquire mercury steam/wayfoward before someone else does?

Should Nintendo acquire the studios?

  • Yes, both of them

    Votes: 21 36.8%

  • Just WayFoward

    Votes: 5 8.8%

  • Just Mercury Steam

    Votes: 7 12.3%

  • Neither

    Votes: 24 42.1%
  • Total voters
    57
justiceiro

justiceiro

Marlboro: Other M
So, now that we know both these developers are working in games from Nintendo owned IPs, should they worry about embracer or even Microsoft buying them anytime soon? Or are neither of these developers really worth?

If I remember correctly, mercury steam is already partially owned by some publisher, correct?
 
WayForward has been QUITE multiplatform for at least 9 years now with a slight lean towards Nintendo. Mercury Steam has been fairly multiplatform as well. Their stronger lean towards Nintendo has only happened in the last few years. Both studios are hit or miss with their games. If I were Nintendo I would want to see more consistency out of them for quality first. Then develop a strong relationship. Then if the stars align, offer a buyout. If someone else buys them it's not big deal. Nintendo would just find someone else to contract games based on their IP. There is always another developer and neither of these two are worth getting worked up about right now.
 
I think Nintendo overall is not into buying teams as they were at one point. It's simpler just to contract things out than having to add an entire new investment on overhead to the overall company budget.

Also, I believe MercurySteam has something in the works with 505 Games as well. And WayForward does a ton of stuff for different companies.
 
worldwithpyramids said:
No. They aren't at that level yet.

I could see MercurySteam becoming the next Next Level Games over the next decade though.
Click to expand...
can't remember…Nintendo purchased Next Level, right? Have there been any other worthwhile acquisitions from Nintendo over the past gen or two?
 
Last edited:
I voted both, but I changed my mind. I think they should get Mercury Steam.
 
Nobody wants MercurySteam except for Nintendo. MS is like a D-tier developer for projects Nintendo doesn't want to invest more than table scraps in.
 
CGiRanger said:
I think Nintendo overall is not into buying teams as they were at one point. It's simpler just to contract things out than having to add an entire new investment on overhead to the overall company budget.

Also, I believe MercurySteam has something in the works with 505 Games as well. And WayForward does a ton of stuff for different companies.
Click to expand...
I think when some people talk acquisitions they forget that very important part. It's not just the upfront cost of purchase. The company has now taken on the responsibility of ensuring a steady paycheck, benefits like insurance, and all the behind the scenes costs of employing someone that many people don't even see. So even at times when these studios aren't productive or falling behind schedule, the parent company has to continue burning through money for them. Contracting a studio is much simpler. You give them the money they ask for and let them sort out how to use it. If they become unproductive or fall behind schedule it's not really your problem.
 
I always thought Mercury Steam was a team with a lot of promise and talent, but unfortunately bad managment, the horror stories i heard during the making of Lord of Shadows games were something else 😳 its a miracle the games turned as good as they were.

Im not sure whats their current situation but it seems they are gaining goodwill from Nintendo and thats always good news, i wish them luck, of course its just too soon to talk about an acquisition
 
I don't think either are for sale, but if they were right now, I would say neither. Nintendo only seems to acquite studios if they wish to be brought or have a long history with Nintendo. Since both studios are also multiplatform developers, it's probably more trouble than it's worth to acquire them.
 
They are both so small I doubt Sony and Microsoft care to aquire them.

Hence Nintendo doesn't need to.
 
Last edited:
Neither brings much in the way of IP to the table, except maybe Shantae, which...fine, whatever. Mercury Steam seems like the more flexible dev, able to do more, and if their Metroid game is a hit, then they could become a solid prospect.

I'm in the camp that Nintendo needs to staff up immediately because they're going to have to self-support the Switch for the next couple of years; but even so, I'm not sure either of these studios is the way to go just yet. A big pickup with lots of IP, several studios, and PC development experience would be much more to Nintendo's benefit (which is why I think they should start seriously looking at Sega--their legacy content alone would be a big boon for any future Virtual Console-like).

TL;DR: Neither for now, but put a gun to my head and I'd say Mercury Steam is the better pickup.

EDIT: On second thought, Wayforward's 2D experience might make them the right vehicle for Metroid, moving forward. On the other hand, Shantae always felt artistically accomplished but kind of, I dunno, lifeless.
 
Last edited:
Not too familiar with wayforward.

MS still has a lot to prove IMO.
Haven't played return of Samus, though it seems to have gotten pretty good reception.

I did however play Castlevania Mirrors of Fate and it was Horrible. Lord of Shadow 2 was also a massive disappointment.

Their new metroid looked extremely unimpressive to me. I mean it doesn't look bad, but it just looks like another decent indie Metroidvania when it should be way more spectacular.
 
Mercury steam have wanted to work on metroid for years. They even made an unsolicited pitch for a metroid game before working on samus returns. I don't think they'd be willing to give up the chance to work on the series by selling to anyone who would prevent them doing so.
 
i will say no but they can be a good adition to Nintendo devs. What about the studio that made Fast RMX. what their name. i wish nintendo had more partners studio from Euro country. More diversity the better
 
I voted just mercurysteam, they haven't made anything noteworthy since the LOS games, and now it seems like people are happy with what they are doing with metroid, might be successful for them, rather doing flops like the mp game I can't even remember the name off.
 
Shodan09 said:
Mercury steam have wanted to work on metroid for years. They even made an unsolicited pitch for a metroid game before working on samus returns. I don't think they'd be willing to give up the chance to work on the series by selling to anyone who would prevent them doing so.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if I knew this.

Really awesome if this is what the studio wants to work on.

Metroid is in good hands with them.
 
Yeah, I also remember reading news that Mercury Steam pitched both 3DS and Wii U Metroid projects to Nintendo, but were rejected. However, Sakamoto saw the pitches and was impressed and travelled personally to Spain to meet the developers. Samus Returns was the product of that meeting.
 
MercurySteam is GARBAGE! They killed castlevania with their shitty QTE infested combat and dull atmosphere. They also made a castlevania 3DS game that no one remembers. Their Metroid II remake was worse than a 1 man team (AM2R)

Honestly, why are Nintendo still letting them do games? Fold that crap.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

[Arab 'insider]: Ubisoft Has Been Acquired by 'someone'
2 3
129
940
MDSLKTR replied
Nintendo should buy Rare Studio back
2
66
820
taizuke replied
Should Sony and Microsoft stop releasing games on Steam?
2 3 4 5
222
1K
Kurimao replied
Does anyone else remember schools sending PlayStation consoles home for kids to use for educational games?
19
47
UltimaKilo replied
So realistically - what will happen to Steam? Should we care?
24
308
Punished Miku replied
Top Bottom