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[timetokill]

Just hoping it's not a military shooter. Anything but that


My secret hope is they're working on two projects, one of which is Mario Football (not soccer)

 

[DashReindeer]

Just hoping it's not a military shooter. Anything but that


My secret hope is they're working on two projects, one of which is Mario Football (not soccer)

Haha. Would have loved to have played their Mario Football prototype for GameCube.

 

[Meelow]

God I hope we get a more "mature" looking game. Metroid Prime 4, Eternal Darkness 2, new FPS IP, anything. While I love DKCR I feel we need a real "next gen" looking Nintendo game on the Wii U, and I'd be disappointed if we got something stylized like DKCR again.

I 100% agree. I doubt we'll see Retro's game before E3 so It will be something all right when they finally show it off.

 

[wsippel]

Just hoping it's not a military shooter. Anything but that


My secret hope is they're working on two projects, one of which is Mario Football (not soccer)

I think it's a shooter, but not a military shooter. They hired several dudes with a lot of expertise in the field, including level designers. Guys who worked on RAGE, Borderlands, Modern Warfare, Enemy Territory, No One Lives Forever, Unit 13 and so on. At the same time, they hired several former Vigil artists, and the former Naughty Dog artist mentioned a while ago that he enjoys working at Retro because he prefers working on non-realistic games. Could certainly be Metroid I guess - either Prime 4 or some sort of spinoff not starring Samus if they want to focus on multiplayer.

 

[synce]

This would explain the huge drop in quality between Prime 1 and Prime 3... I hope the new team can redeem the series on WiiU

 

[Boerseun]

Since Activision recently gave up the Bond license, I'd love for Nintendo to pick it up and put Retro on the job adapting some of the classic movies (with appropriate actor likenesses) and/or prose. Maybe they could even do a game based on the cancelled Bond '91, which we still don't know all that much about.

This would explain the huge drop in quality between Prime 1 and Prime 3... I hope the new team can redeem the series on WiiU

The perceived drop in quality is purely subjective though. You'll find people in this very thread who prefer Metroid Prime 3 over the other entries. It's also not difficult to see why some would prefer it when you consider the streamlined design and improved controls.

 

[apana]

This would explain the huge drop in quality between Prime 1 and Prime 3... I hope the new team can redeem the series on WiiU

The main people were still on board for Prime 3. It is only some people below them that left to places like EA, Sony Santa Monica, etc. That is just natural turnover after a studio makes a successful game. The three big guys who formed Armature left after Prime 3 I think.

 

[Celine]

Haha. Would have loved to have played their Mario Football prototype for GameCube.

I thought it was just a football game without the Mario license.
Maybe you are thinking of Mario Striker...

 

[Easy_D]

Whatever they're making I can't wait to see it. Prime 3 looked fantastic and that was on the Wii. Just the jump to HD is going to do wonders if they keep to similar titles.

Just hoping it's not a military shooter. Anything but that


My secret hope is they're working on two projects, one of which is Mario Football (not soccer)

Why on earth would you have Retro of all studios work on a game based on that dreadful sport?

Edit: Personal opinions aside, I do think it's a waste of Retro's resources to have them work on a Mario sports title.

 

[Screamapillar]

With the 3 directors leaving to form Armature I have doubts Retro will ever top Metroid Prime.

Why would people want to leave? Potentially concern about their long term career, being left behind working on less powerful hardware... perhaps they simply weren't being paid enough.

Some people at Retro no doubt didn't appreciate NCL's iron-fisted approach to game development, being told what to make/ how to make it/ hard deadlines...etc.

Some people at Retro probably love being a first-party Nintendo studio, and they probably love being included in making first-party IPs for extremely beloved franchises, even though Nintendo's approach is no doubt demanding.

The people from the first group have probably mostly left by now, as it's a 100% Nintendo-owned studio.

 

[Glass Rebel]

I thought it was just a football game without the Mario license.
Maybe you are thinking of Mario Striker...

Retro NFL Football was a Mario Football title in early planning. But Nintendo wouldn't have it.

Why on earth would you have Retro of all studios work on a game based on that dreadful sport?

Edit: Personal opinions aside, I do think it's a waste of Retro's resources to have them work on a Mario sports title.

I agree. Looking back at their output so far their strengths lie with atmospheric, immersive worlds with strong level-design and they're some of the best in the industry at this. Putting them on a sports title would be a huge waste.

 

[Anticitizen One]

One thing I don't understand is how faceless Retro is. Look at their website

http://www.retrostudios.com/news.asp


>_>

Their Facebook page consists of one liners about holidays and doesn't even have a header image...

Rare's website has always been basic as well even during there golden years. I agree with Retro's response. I'd rather have good games over a good webpage.

 

[TheGreatMightyPoo]

Until I see otherwise, their game is Star Fox.

I don't want it to be but they'd make an amazing Star Fox and I'd be there day 1.

A new IP would be risky but awesome.

In this order, my most likely scenarios for their new game:

Star Fox

Metroid

New IP

If their game is at E3, it will easily be one of Nintendo's best E3s of all time.

 

[CrisKre]

My wish is their game turns out to be star tropics.

My mind tells me it may be mario kart u. At first gaf will bitch, but in the end is going to turn out glorious and be a breath of fresh air for the franchise.

 

[timetokill]

Why on earth would you have Retro of all studios work on a game based on that dreadful sport?

Edit: Personal opinions aside, I do think it's a waste of Retro's resources to have them work on a Mario sports title.

Because Retro is Nintendo's best American studio?
And because I enjoy football but don't enjoy most football games because they are too focused on being a simulation rather than the arcadey nature of Mario sports games.

 

[deviljho]

Because Retro is Nintendo's best American studio?
And because I enjoy football but don't enjoy most football games because they are too focused on being a simulation rather than the arcadey nature of Mario sports games.

b.. bu... but Nintendo needs Retro to make a "hardcore mature" gaem

 

[Out of Working Order]

It's got to be Metroid Prime. But much more ambitious than their previous work.

Metroid's world in richly detailed HD. It has the potential to look spectacular, and be really quite scary (if they were to push it in that direction. I hope they do).

 

[deviljho]

Retro's game will be something all right!

Just found where I heard they hired a Crytek staffer

http://nintendoeverything.com/82106/nintendo-adds-ex-crytek-staffer/

Interesting. I didn't know they had someone from Crytek as well.

I don't think he ever worked "for" Nintendo in the traditional sense. He was a consultant as his title said. And then he moved on.

Mark Atkinson's Experience

CTO
V-Nova Ltd.
September 2012 – Present (7 months)

Consultant Software Engineer
Nintendo
September 2011 – September 2012 (1 year 1 month)

Engine Optimisation Specialist
Lionhead Studios
April 2010 – April 2011 (1 year 1 month)

http://www.linkedin.com/in/markatkinson99

 

[IceDoesntHelp]

Rare's website has always been basic as well even during there golden years. I agree with Retro's response. I'd rather have good games over a good webpage.

Are you trying to say they've peaked? Its still the Golden years baby.

 

[Instro]

Staff turnover is generally pretty high in the US for this industry, particularly because many people work on a contractual basis rather than as salary employees due to the nature of game development. I don't really think there's much indication there as to what is happening in any given studio unless they are known to be lay offs or significant hiring for a new project.

As for what Retro is currently doing, I'm pretty sure its going to be a new IP. It being some sort of first person game wouldn't surprise me, but its unlikely to be something that is comparable to another game. Nintendo generally looks to offer software that is unique in the market, so I can't see them having Retro just make a cut and dry FPS. Metroid is probably going to be on ice for a little while, or kept by Sakamoto.

 

[wsippel]

I don't think he ever worked "for" Nintendo in the traditional sense. He was a consultant as his title said. And then he moved on.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/markatkinson99

Considering he's now the CTO at V-Nova, I think he worked with Mobiclip, not with one of the game development studios. V-Nova does video processing and encoding: http://www.v-nova.com/

 

[D3RANG3D]

I want Retro's game to be a super casual, non-AAA game that sells like crazy so that Iwata can handout tissues to the haters. Well... as nice as that would be if their game was such, Iwata will be handing out tissues soon enough regardless.

The biggest myth regarding Retro is that somehow they are a model for Nintendo to have more studios making AAA "westernized" games as THE path to their salvation.

He'll be handing out tissues with his resignation written on them.

 

[Easy_D]

Because Retro is Nintendo's best American studio?
And because I enjoy football but don't enjoy most football games because they are too focused on being a simulation rather than the arcadey nature of Mario sports games.

Wait, so only American studios can work on American Football games?

b.. bu... but Nintendo needs Retro to make a "hardcore mature" gaem

Yes. Totally. Not like I'd like to see another Donkey Kong or anything.

 

[timetokill]

Wait, so only American studios can work on American Football games?

Obviously not, but I don't think it's controversial to say that Americans are generally your best bet for truly understanding and appreciating American football.

 

[Oblivion]

I've posted it before, but I asked them about this and I thought there response was interesting:

That's an utter shit response. I have about a semester's worth of web design experience and I can shit out something that would look 10 times better than the crap excuse for a website they got.

 

[nephilimdj]

If they wanted football, wouldn't they get square to make another sports mix? (not just a half assed ds to wii port)

Then could actually sell in Japan and other countries.

American rugby
basketball
ect.

 

[Canon]

I want Donkey Kong Country Returns 2. Why should they stop making a game that sold 5.5 million copies, more than every Metroid Prime game combined.

 

[Spinluck]

I don't know what the'll show us or when...but I hope somehting like this will happen to me, when I get the first glimpse of it.

You'll turn into a Last Of Us baddie? Lol, jk.

Anyway, is Retro big enough to split into two, so they can work on separate projects?

 

[Jindujun]

I wouldn't mind Donkey Kong as long as they make it a 3D game. Stylized games can easily be more stunning anyway.

I'd kill for another 3D Donkey Kong. I loved DK64

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Retro NFL Football was a Mario Football title in early planning. But Nintendo wouldn't have it.



I agree. Looking back at their output so far their strengths lie with atmospheric, immersive worlds with strong level-design and they're some of the best in the industry at this. Putting them on a sports title would be a huge waste.

That is by far the most craziest shit I ever read. As a madden player they seem to be putting in efforts that EA has not done this whole damn generation..goddamn.

Anyways..I really think its Metroid Prime game. And that shit will look crazy. As for developers leaving have people looked at the developers incoming? I think retro will be fine.

 

[Peter Bazooka]

It's Star Tropics. MARK. MY. WORDS.

But I want it to be Eternal Darkness 2.

 

[flattie]

I want Donkey Kong Country Returns 2. Why should they stop making a game that sold 5.5 million copies, more than every Metroid Prime game combined.

Because there's already plenty of 2D platforming goodness either available or forthcoming.

I want something that is gonna make the console scream. I hope it's Metroid, but will accept anything suitably ambitious.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Also funny thing on facebook. I sent retro a message before along the lines of why havent we seen the project or whatever. They never replied back but after some weeks there was checkmark next to the message. A few weeks ago I looked at again and its simply just the I sent a message icon. The checkmark means they read and saw it. The sent message means they mustve marked it as unread now for some unknown reasons. I just wanted to share that.

 

[Oblivion]

I want Donkey Kong Country Returns 2. Why should they stop making a game that sold 5.5 million copies, more than every Metroid Prime game combined.

Wow, DKR sold THAT much? I thought it bombed?

 

[MarkusRJR]

Until I see otherwise, their game is Star Fox.

I don't want it to be but they'd make an amazing Star Fox and I'd be there day 1.

A new IP would be risky but awesome.

In this order, my most likely scenarios for their new game:

Star Fox

Metroid

New IP

If their game is at E3, it will easily be one of Nintendo's best E3s of all time.

Wait, what? There is nothing even pointing towards Star Fox being their game apart from that dumb Paul Gale rumor. Being so set on it being Star Fox is kinda weird...

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

I like that paul gale rumor. Especially since Iwata said they have more collaborations with 3rd parties. I know it doesnt match up but thats probably where that rumor could based off even though its two first party IP.

SMTXFE...Pokemon X Monster Hunter holy shit im getting crazy.

 

[Makonero]

Wait, what? There is nothing even pointing towards Star Fox being their game apart from that dumb Paul Gale rumor. Being so set on it being Star Fox is kinda weird...

I think Miyamoto has said it's the game he wants the most on the Wii U, combined with the release of Starfox 64 3D (as a way to gauge sales?), it's certainly a safer bet than F-Zero. I would love for Retro to work on a new IP or something other than Metroid or Donkey Kong, so Star Fox would be fine, as would Startropics, Ice Climbers, or Mother.

 

[Glass Rebel]

You'll turn into a Last Of Us baddie? Lol, jk.

Anyway, is Retro big enough to split into two, so they can work on separate projects?

Linkedin says they're 51-200 people, so being optimistic they could possibly split off a very small team. Naughty Dog for example has over 240 people and they revealed The Last Of Us 1 month after the release of UC3.

 

[Jindujun]

I like that paul gale rumor. Especially since Iwata said they have more collaborations with 3rd parties. I know it doesnt match up but thats probably where that rumor could based off even though its two first party IP.

SMTXFE...Pokemon X Monster Hunter holy shit im getting crazy.

As much as I'd like to see this happen I dont think Nintendo would ever make a game where you could slaughter Pokemon.
Would be awesome to see them work out an entire ecology for a Pocket Monster Hunter game though...

 

[Xun]

A Zelda-like StarTropics reboot would be a dream, but I doubt it would happen.

 

[EVH]

I could see a StarTropics reboot, but would like to see it in the style and appealing to the Uncharted audience, for example.

 

[Glass Rebel]

I could see a StarTropics reboot, but would like to see it in the style and appealing to the Uncharted audience, for example.

That would be a surefire way to kill my interest in a StarTropics reboot

 

[deviljho]

...in the style and appealing to the Uncharted audience, for example.

again with this? get away from meeeee

 

[MDX]

I dont think Retro is working on a single game, I think they are finishing off a series.

 

[Yonafunu]

Whatever it is they're working on, I just hope it's ambitious. If it's a new IP, I hope it's as ambitious as a new Metroid or Zelda would be.

 

[Sendou]

People expecting StarTropics could take a look what Nintendo did with Kid Icarus. Uprising was 20 years apart from the last installment so it could as well be consider a new IP. So Nintendo made Kid Icarus and Pit known with including Pit in Brawl and making stuff like 3D Classic game of Kid Icarus.

So I'd argue that if Retro was indeed working on StarTropics we would see some kind of movement from Nintendo regarding reviving the series. That's why (amongst other things) new SSB is so exciting: it tells us about Nintendo's plans with their IP's.

 

[Screenboy]

I was at Retro the other day...you will say WOW.

Spoiler

Generic Rumour

 

[Übermatik]

That's an utter shit response. I have about a semester's worth of web design experience and I can shit out something that would look 10 times better than the crap excuse for a website they got.

Would you like to think of a better reason as to why their website is under developed? It's not like they don't have the talent or the resources, is it? Their response is probably the truth.

 

[Gummb]

That's an utter shit response. I have about a semester's worth of web design experience and I can shit out something that would look 10 times better than the crap excuse for a website they got.

Well, they said it was intentional. :\

 

[Oblivion]

Would you like to think of a better reason as to why their website is under developed? It's not like they don't have the talent or the resources, is it? Their response is probably the truth.

Well, they said it was intentional. :\

I'm not saying they're lying, I'm saying it's still a douchey way to go about this. I'm not talking about something ultra fancy, with flash videos and whatnot, but something more competent and cleaner than what they have right now? That's literally a day's worth of work, even for an amateur like myself. We're not talking about having to lay off a 3D modeler or animator to offset the costs or anything.