When the contract defines exactly what they have to develop (i.e. a port), of course there's no creative freedom in what they can do. But it's small contract work done out of necessity. It's not on the same level of the publishing contracts with EA or Nintendo. They're not comparable.
Retro Studios and the next step
- Thread starter EVH
- Start date
When the contract defines exactly what they have to develop (i.e. a port), of course there's no creative freedom in what they can do. But it's small contract work done out of necessity. It's not on the same level of the publishing contracts with EA or Nintendo. They're not comparable.
What you're saying is exactly what many people were saying in 2010, then Retro released DKCR. There's no question about their abilities as a developer at this point.
As far as ever surpassing Metroid Prime, I think that game benefited greatly from not only being a great game, but also the huge impact of being the first 3D Metroid title. The only way something like that can really ever happen again would be if they released a game focused specifically around something entirely new and immersive, like the Oculus Rift.
RPGCrazied
Member
Übermatik;50353269 said:
Which they did that for me on the gamecube(Prime 1) and Wii(Prime 3). If its a Metroid for Wii U, I'd go buy it the day it comes out.
Dreamwriter
Member
Well, they've only made two great games and two easy sequels so far, and of those games we know Metroid Prime needed a LOT of handholding from Nintendo to get as good as it was. And there are a number of their games that Nintendo canceled because they weren't good enough (such as Raven Blade). So maybe the reason we haven't heard anything recently is just that they haven't had anything Nintendo deems worth mentioning as of late.
shhh... the "westernize" Nintendo activists might get you!
lunchwithyuzo
Banned
Sure but from what we've seen, contracted ports are all Armature seems able to really manage after 4 years. That's the point, if they left for "creative freedom" they now find themselves in an even worse position for really pursuing that on any sustainable level.
evilromero
Member
All four were great thankfully.
So sequels can't count as "great games" in their portfolio because supposedly they are easy to make? Good to know!
While Corruption was good, it was kinda disappointing coming from Echos.
Please no. It won't work.
They pulled a West & Zampella by attempting to burn down everything around them before leaving. The industry as a whole is sure to have become wary of them based on what happened, which would account for the lack of work.
In other words, if you were a big publisher you'd be stupid to let these destructive, vindictive types into your business. They turned on their previous bosses, colleagues and friends, they'll be sure to do the same to you if it suited their agenda.
Easy sequels oh lawwwwwwwd.
evilromero
Member
Opposite for me. I enjoy Echoes but Corruption was infinitely more accessible and better paced. I played through it five times whereas I don't think I could muster up the energy to quite finish Echoes a second time.
Now that we know DKCR is coming to 3DS DKCR2 makes sense. 3DS owners who get DKCR might consider getting the sequel on Wii U, maybe even buying a Wii U for it. Or DKCR2 will be on 3DS. But maybe Retro is working on something else and Monster Games porting DKCR to 3DS is just practice for their next game: DKCR2 on 3DS.
I don't really see how it couldn't work. There's a sizeable market among Nintendo fans for great FPSs. Plus, who knows, it could reach the hardcore the same way Smash Bros. does.
It would have to go above and beyond the... oh erpd derp.
Seriously, it would have to be more like Bungie's new game for any chance of success. And success here doesn't mean lots of profits, just market share. A non-AAA casual game system seller would be better. Image a working SimCity type game on a home console with the use of the gamepad... sort of like how Pikmin was an interesting console RTS game on Gamecube.
They needed focus, and Nintendo gave it to them the hard way, as it looks like the control was from Japan. Nintendo is a good coach, but Retro showed already that they understand the way they have to work, so a bit more of freedom could be given to them and start working with a new IP.
But now I think they could be very good for the Japan Nintendo side. Western devs have a lot more experience with HD developments and this is something they should consider with the new Wii U.
Maybe. But I'm saying that the people they're hiring all have lots of experience with either first-person or third-person shooters in HD development, so I'm expecting one of those from Retro. It's definitely going to be an AAA game, that's for sure. And Nintendo fans have proven that there's a market for shooters on Nintendo consoles, when they're done right.
Cerebral Assassin
Member
They are probably making tracks for MK Wii U.
I don't doubt that a market exists. I'm saying that it is competitive to the extent that the value of making the game is diminished. Eventually, if you go down this road, you will have to continue to spend to compete or exit. If they are making a AAA shooter, and make anything other than a Bungie/Destiny style game, I don't see how their project will get renewed for another iteration.
lunchwithyuzo
Banned
Sammy Samusu
Member
INB4FPS
Would have to agree, unfortunately.
Would love to be wrong given how amazing Prime 1 was. But given how their quality output has been slipping a notch with each new game, I'm not holding my breath.
This would be almost the worst possible outcome. The worst would be Mario Party U or some straight up garbage like that.
I'm expecting Metroid, Star Fox or a new hardcore IP. If it's anything less, :lol
Well, I don't expect Retro to simply make a generic FPS. It's going to be done with Nintendo-style development (lots of gameplay experiments, no set timeline), so I expect an amazing game with that Nintendo touch, something that can become a staple Nintendo franchise. Nintendo needs more of these types of games anyway, and putting your top Western studio on the job is probably the best way to accomplish this.
Sure, I'm not doubting the quality of the suggested game either. I'm just curious about the long term implications of it. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
lunchwithyuzo
Banned
Funny enough, Prime 1 was also their game with the most direct NCL oversight/tea tabling.
Though since DKCR is by far the best thing Retro's ever put out, I'm happy to inform you that you are indeed wrong.
For you maybe, but DKCR is one of my favorite games of recent memory, so I don't believe that.
LOL.
Seriously though, it's Nintendo's last BIG franchise that hasn't gotten a good 3D release yet (64 sucks IMO). I think Retro showed that they could succeed in bringing a franchise into the 3rd dimension with Prime, and Nintendo probably gave them DKCR as an artistic "test run" for the DK world.
This is my crazy fanboy theory anyway.
I've always wondered if this played a role in them not having much success. While the Infinity Ward situation got a LOT of attention what happen with Retro Studios pretty much went under the radar. If what was said is true these people didn't leave Retro/Nintendo. They were planning on leaving until Nintendo got wind of what they were trying to do (get others to come with them before they officially leflt) and fired them on the spot and had them escorted them out of the building at lightening speed. There is no doubt that word of what happen circulated within the industry or at the very least among those in HR and in charge of making business deals. If I recall correctly it was said at that point that whatever they were working Retro Studios on was canceled and they were offered Donkey Kong Country Returns and Mario Kart 7. That's a great way of fixing morale I think.
Glass Rebel
Member
If Retro works on a Halo-killer I will break something. I love FPS and I like Halo but we know what happened last time a console holder attempted to do that...
bequietdrive
Member
Don't worry - whatever it is won't be as dull as Killzone.
They were pretty different games to I guess it makes sense people have different opinions on them.
Ok I'm pissed I never bought the Trilogy Pack. They need to reprint them.
I regret opening mine. While I don't plan on selling it I would love to have a sealed copy to display.
HolyBaikal
Banned
Actually...
I have no idea why Nintendo abandoned Star Tropics. I know Star Tropics II didn't do so well, but seriously.
I don't think it needs to be a Halo killer. It needs to be a Halo equivalent for Nintendo. Something that only Nintendo has that fulfills that void left in their IP line up. That's needed to keep people from drifting from the Wii U to other systems. Provide similar experiences and things will go their way. That was a big failing of the Wii I felt when it came to the core Nintendo gamer and why it was a BIG mistake for them not to follow up Metroid Prime 3 with something similar when it was clear FPS were getting extremely popular. You don't need to have the same games as the other systems. In fact maybe you shouldn't. You need similar games though.
Diddy Kong
Banned
Banjo-Threeie #Believe
lol, yeah pretty much. If they were working on a "Halo-killer" then I hope they have a time machine to go back and release it when such a thing was even relevant.
People that crave a "Halo equivalent" will drift to other consoles for all the other AAA games that won't show up on the Wii U anyway. Not saying that Nintendo can't make a worthwhile shooter, but let's not kid ourselves when it comes to strategic planning and marketing.
StreetsAhead
Member
Wasn't it made by their defunct Western branch?
Dreamwriter
Member
What I meant was, all the effort went into the first game - Metroid Prime was a truly great, original game, and its greatness was just as much due to Nintendo of Japan as Retro. The two sequels didn't really change the gameplay much at all, they were basically extensions of the first game; Retro took what Nintendo helped them make and just kept going with more levels, more powerups. The fact that those two games were pretty good isn't really an indicator of Retro's quality of work when making new original games. So that's why I said, Retro so far has basically made two great games and two easy sequels, and a number of games Nintendo didn't like (and did some busy-work for Mario Kart 7). So it's very possible that the reason we haven't heard anything about their current project, is they may not have actually done anything up to the standards for what Nintendo considers worth talking about.