The Wii U Speculation Thread V: The Final Frontier

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rösti
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I was replaying the game again on NDS for the first time in ages. It just...boggles my mind that this game hasn't been copied to death yet. It's like an answer to most of the complaints about JRPGs. It's fast-paced, there's no random battles, the fairy tale storytelling rises above the bad anime shit you usually get, absolutely no grinding necessary with a perfect difficulty curve, 20-25 hours of content no filler, incentives to replay, you can walk away from long-winded NPCs...

It's just so weird. CT is maybe one of gaming's most universally-loved creations, but its essentially been ignored going by influence, and I think the genre was worse for it.

Its strange that jrpg devs haven't really fixed their issues with bloat that really crept into the genre during the PS1 era. Trying to prop up some grand story for 60+ hours is such a difficult task to juggle with all the other stuff that goes into making one of those games. I look at something like TWEWY and that turned out quite fantastic in many ways. Its helped by the fact that it was not particularly long, but much like CT encourages replay. I think back to many of my favorite jrpgs of the SNES era in general like Terranigma or Illusion of Gaia, and those were not lengthy games either yet they deliver pretty powerful experiences. It's no surprise that handheld jrps in general have significantly outclassed their console counterparts this gen, considering how much of a tighter experience most of them are.

I look at something like XenoBlade, which I enjoyed very much, but I can't help think that it would be even better if they had cut a chunk of the garbage quests out of the game. That game gets away with its bloating thanks to giving the player an interesting world to explore while questing, but it is still problematic. I put 130-140 hours into my first play through and still didn't 100% it.
 
Right, because an Pokemon MMO absolutely has to adhere to your strict definitions of play and design, and it's impossible for the series to be reworked, rebuilt and designed from the ground up for an online focused environment, catering to gamers of all ages and skill levels.

This is impossible. Because BurntPork said so.

You're absolutely right. They could do that. However, was that what I was arguing?

Simply put, the MMO would have to be self-contained to work so that the the mechanics could be changed to suit the genre. In other words, you wouldn't be able to use the Pokemon you raised in the handheld games. That's why it doesn't work.
 
You're absolutely right. They could do that. However, was that what I was arguing?

Simply put, the MMO would have to be self-contained to work so that the the mechanics could be changed to suit the genre. In other words, you wouldn't be able to use the Pokemon you raised in the handheld games. That's why it doesn't work.

Being able to capture and raise Pokemon from the get go in the MMO would be one of the foundational premises needed for it to work properly. And allow it to separate itself from the handheld line.
 
You're absolutely right. They could do that. However, was that what I was arguing?

Simply put, the MMO would have to be self-contained to work so that the the mechanics could be changed to suit the genre. In other words, you wouldn't be able to use the Pokemon you raised in the handheld games. That's why it doesn't work.

Or it would use scaling and instancing like most MMOs already do.
 
You're absolutely right. They could do that. However, was that what I was arguing?

Simply put, the MMO would have to be self-contained to work so that the the mechanics could be changed to suit the genre. In other words, you wouldn't be able to use the Pokemon you raised in the handheld games. That's why it doesn't work.

Ideally you wouldn't get anything from playing the handheld games. Everyone starts off the same, with the same choice of starter Pokemon (which could determine starter zone).
 
Chalk me up on the uPad team, my preferred name anyway. DRC is off because the controller doesn't resemble a remote control and uMote seems off because I associate mote with wii mote.
 
I dislike RPG games in general (turn based or not), but Pokemon is different. It's an amazing adventure and worth playing. You have to at least try out Soul Silver or Heart Gold. As a Nintendo fan you just have to.

(back from my evening walk)
You've convinced me. If I don't do Silver sometime this year (should be easy - I bring my 3DS to work all the time), I'll for sure join you guys online if they make an MMO. And you are going to be in my party if they have that kind of system, haha!

The funny thing is, I know lots about Pokemon already because of RMC's podcast; MomBrain (I adore her!) gives us a profile of one pokemon at the beginning of each webisode, so I know more trivia than I probably should..

Chalk me up on the uPad team, my preferred name anyway. DRC is off because the controller doesn't resemble a remote control and uMote seems off because I associate mote with wii mote.
Same here, but only because it took me forever to associate "DRC" with the uPad.

What does Nintendo call it? I sometimes like to defer to them when I'm ambivalent or on the fence.
 
(back from my evening walk)
You've convinced me. If I don't do Silver sometime this year (should be easy - I bring my 3DS to work all the time), I'll for sure join you guys online if they make an MMO. And you are going to be in my party if they have that kind of system, haha!

The funny thing is, I know lots about Pokemon already because of RMC's podcast; MomBrain (I adore her!) gives us a profile of one pokemon at the beginning of each webisode, so I know more trivia than I probably should..
Awesome. After you have started, if you need to trade or anything I'm always willing to help.

Also this site is your friend. http://serebii.net/index2.shtml

:D
 
Or it would use scaling and instancing like most MMOs already do.

Which would still make transferring Pokemon effectively useless because it would have a totally different stat system. It would be like letting you transfer Pokemon from Gen 1 and 2 to later gens by resetting the stats.

The MMO would have to play differently so that it becomes entirely skill-based, since the luck-based IV system really gets in the way. It needs to be set up in a way such that all players start from equal footing and all trainers have an equal chance at building up the skill they need to get to the top. It really works best as a self-contained game, and imo that's at odds with the series as a whole.
 
What does DRC stand for?

Display Remote Controller.

If I'd hazard a guess, the controller is formally called "Display Remote Controller", and informally it is called "the controller" (because why do you need to give it a name if it's the default for the system?). The subscreen is the screen on the controller.

Seems fairly cut and dry.
 
2009 interview with Game Freak director, Junichi Masuda's response to Pokemon MMO:

"Trading is a core concept of Pokemon. So when you're trading, you meet with a friend and decide which one you want and which one they want. I would like to emphasize real-world communication. You don't see each other online."


2011 interview with Game Freak director, Ken Sugimori's response to bringing Pokemon main series to the home console:

“I am interested in strong visual effects. However, I believe that Pokémon is most appropriate for portable consoles.”

Junichi Masuda said, "I’m really not thinking about having the main Pokémon games on the Wii, because using portable consoles means you can always carry Pokémon around with you and you can play with other players, so that’s the future I’d like to emphasize.”
 
Looks like one of the high end remotes with the screen on it, hence the name U-mote.

Hmm, it does also have an IR transmitter for controlling the TV (apparently), so it is a universal remote.

Edit: However, I should point out that the Wii didn't get a special truncated name for its controller. It was simply "The Wii Remote". Not much more of a name than "The Xbox Controller".
 
Keep in mind that the only thing actually coming from the cited source is that there's a Star Fox game in the works. The part about Retro is speculation on the part of the journalist. So there's no reason in particular to think that it's fake.

You're right, but I still find the way that the article mentions that rumor makes it all rather suspect. If they had a source who knew what Retro's game was, why even bother mentioning anything else?
 
I dont believe its retro, but it would be great if it were. Regardless, that series needs to stay relevant. Flight/action games like that are rare, and the series would definitely benefit from a reboot.

Would fans be furious if the furries where removed, and instead became call signs for actual characters?
 
Which would still make transferring Pokemon effectively useless because it would have a totally different stat system. It would be like letting you transfer Pokemon from Gen 1 and 2 to later gens by resetting the stats.

The MMO would have to play differently so that it becomes entirely skill-based, since the luck-based IV system really gets in the way. It needs to be set up in a way such that all players start from equal footing and all trainers have an equal chance at building up the skill they need to get to the top. It really works best as a self-contained game, and imo that's at odds with the series as a whole.

Right, it would work best, and be most ideal, if everybody started out on equal footing. But it's impossible to say that cross game importing wouldn't work.

MMOs inherently function differently to single player games. They demand a unique, multiplayer focused environment with carrot-on-a-stick design to keep members actively paying/subscribing. A good MMO ('good' as in 'hooks consumers') will use instancing, scaling and other features to make players feel there's always something to aspire to.

If it were simply the handheld games made massive multiplayer, it wouldn't work. It wouldn't work as a ground up MMO either. The entire construct of what is a Pokemon game would need an overhaul to take into account long term play with thousands of players interacting with one another.

But it still could be done with imports. What you need is game mechanism that shape to player skill level, so that import still have something to work towards.

Pokemon is inherently an OCD collect-a-thon by design. You could easily rope in dumb grinding features, rewards and other junk that would keep people playing, even with the same Pokemon that they always use.

2009 interview with Game Freak director, Junichi Masuda's response to Pokemon MMO:

"Trading is a core concept of Pokemon. So when you're trading, you meet with a friend and decide which one you want and which one they want. I would like to emphasize real-world communication. You don't see each other online."

Yeah, but this is typically dumb, backwards thinking shared by many Japanese developers/directors and why the country is falling so far behind the West in terms of digital distribution and community driven networking.
 
I dont believe it sadly, because i want it to be true badly. Flight games like that are rare, and the series would definitely benefit from a reboot.

Would fans be furious if the furries where removed, and instead became call signs for actual characters?

Why even give it the same name, then? If you're going to totally change the universe, you might as well create a new IP.

"And They Have A Plan", my ass!
 
Hmm, it does also have an IR transmitter for controlling the TV (apparently), so it is a universal remote.

Edit: However, I should point out that the Wii didn't get a special truncated name for its controller. It was simply "The Wii Remote". Not much more of a name than "The Xbox Controller".
I always called the wii remote the "Wii-mote" as well
3AQmK.gif
 
Awesome. After you have started, if you need to trade or anything I'm always willing to help.

Also this site is your friend. http://serebii.net/index2.shtml

:D

Many thanks! Bookmarked, and order placed on Amazon for SoulSilver! Between work and travel, this and Rhythm Thief are going to be my two big portable titles for the Summer.

Side note:
I won't be registering it with Club Nintendo until their new biennium. Already past Platinum, and I'm sitting on a hill of coins that'll get me halfway to Platinum status already. The Wii U and my Launch Day purchases should get me past the finish line. Geez.. I really want Club Nintendo integration with this system. They'd better do it!
 
Yeah and the article is misleading. The quote "It’s a project everyone wants us to do" was not in relation to Star Fox specifically, just that they were working on a project that "everyone" wanted. So it could be damn near anything, if that quote is even still valid.

Most people take that quote as meaning either Metroid or Zelda (for good reasons, mind you).


how about just "touch pad?"

Might be copyrighted by RIMHP. (edit: sorry, got my failed tablet vendors mixed up)
 
2009 interview with Game Freak director, Junichi Masuda's response to Pokemon MMO:

"Trading is a core concept of Pokemon. So when you're trading, you meet with a friend and decide which one you want and which one they want. I would like to emphasize real-world communication. You don't see each other online."


2011 interview with Game Freak director, Ken Sugimori's response to bringing Pokemon main series to the home console:

“I am interested in strong visual effects. However, I believe that Pokémon is most appropriate for portable consoles.”

Junichi Masuda said, "I’m really not thinking about having the main Pokémon games on the Wii, because using portable consoles means you can always carry Pokémon around with you and you can play with other players, so that’s the future I’d like to emphasize.”
They just dont know that a MMO would increase what they're aiming for 10 fold. You gotta remember this is Nintendo, underestimating online capabilities since forever.
 
Maybe it's because I'm a news junkie, but when I read DRC, I immediately think of the "Democratic Republic of the Congo".

That's what I was trying to think of! Thank you - it's been buggin' me!

I think my preference might come down to the name that I can type fastest/easiest on the iPad.
 
That's what I was trying to think of! Thank you - it's been buggin' me!

I think my preference might come down to the name that I can type fastest/easiest on the iPad.

You could always call it "UC". That'd be short for "U Controller", but it's pronounced "uicy". For some reason.
 
Right, it would work best, and be most ideal, if everybody started out on equal footing. But it's impossible to say that cross game importing wouldn't work.

MMOs inherently function differently to single player games. They demand a unique, multiplayer focused environment with carrot-on-a-stick design to keep members actively paying/subscribing. A good MMO ('good' as in 'hooks consumers') will use instancing, scaling and other features to make players feel there's always something to aspire to.

If it were simply the handheld games made massive multiplayer, it wouldn't work. It wouldn't work as a ground up MMO either. The entire construct of what is a Pokemon game would need an overhaul to take into account long term play with thousands of players interacting with one another.

But it still could be done with imports. What you need is game mechanism that shape to player skill level, so that import still have something to work towards.

Pokemon is inherently an OCD collect-a-thon by design. You could easily rope in dumb grinding features, rewards and other junk that would keep people playing, even with the same Pokemon that they always use.



Yeah, but this is typically dumb, backwards thinking shared by many Japanese developers/directors and why the country is falling so far behind the West in terms of digital distribution and community driven networking.

The bold is what I was arguing from the start.

Personally, I think such an import system would be useless unless it were made into more of an unlocking system that lets you get a Pokemon of the species you want to import. Just transferring it would basically be the same thing except you lose the Pokemon in the handheld game and might not be able to ever send it back.

What's wrong with uPad?

The inspiration for that name. It makes it sound like an iPad rip-off, and three years ago people would have made fun of such a name.
 
What's wrong with uPad?

Nintendo wants to distance their product from tablet computers. Their marketing push is that what they offer is fundamentally different from these other things (and it is). Having a name that's almost the same as the most popular one out there makes comparisons much more likely.
 
You could always call it "UC". That'd be short for "U Controller", but it's pronounced "uicy". For some reason.

Man.. the references to that certain name have been increasing lately.

I'm thinking of starting a telephone campaign where we call Nintendo's 1-800 number every day asking them to change the name to the Nintendo Juicy™.

1-800-255-3700

We can do this!
 
Hey you guys I just had a thought:

I really don't like calling the new controller a "tablet", too long and it reminds me of ipads and other tablet devices. How about calling it a "tray"? The wiitray to go with the wiimote?

I like calling it the Subscreen.
 
Chalk me up on the uPad team, my preferred name anyway. DRC is off because the controller doesn't resemble a remote control and uMote seems off because I associate mote with wii mote.

Same. I've been calling it Upad for as long as I can remember. I probably won't change till I hear Nintendo's official (if they give it one) name.
 
They just dont know that a MMO would increase what they're aiming for 10 fold. You gotta remember this is Nintendo, underestimating online capabilities since forever.

Of course they do. Theyre a business that makes billions of dollars in revenue every year. Its probably come up dozens of times, but concluded it wasnt worth it.

MMOs are expensive to develop and take years to make.

Kid centric f2p MMOs havent been big for very long. (how are numbers for the big disney and sony ones now a days?)

From interviews, it seems they feel it goes against what they see as the series portable focus.

And most important of all:

Like mario, it reduces the worth of owning/buying a system if the audience for Pokemon can get their fix elsewhere. They want to sell people more than just pokemon, but they need them to want the system first.

Giving them a game they can play indefinitely (in theory) would probably hurt sales of the protable remakes and sequels.
 
Call me a asshole, but I'm not a fan of the idea of a Pokemon MMO. Not that I'm necessarily a fan of MMO's or even Pokemon in general, I just don't see that core concept working as a MMO. A Pokemon game with a heavy MP component sure, but not a conceptual MMO.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom