"Mario, Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto discusses how he stays creatively inspired when making sequels, Wii U struggles, and eventual retirement.
Shigeru Miyamoto, the 60-year-old developer behind iconic franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong is “definitely creatively satisfied.” Though some of his time is now spent working on new entries to existing franchises, namely Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and Pikmin 3, the developer told GameSpot today that he’s content with his work. Gamers shouldn’t shrug off sequels over thoughts that they lack innovation, because this is not the case, he argued.
GameSpot sat down with Miyamoto today at Nintendo’s New York City offices, speaking with the longtime industry veteran on a range of topics. In addition to stating his creative satisfaction, Miyamoto opened up on his eventual retirement, the struggles of communicating the Wii U’s message, Pikmin 3’s recent multi-month delay, and why Luigi is akin to a salad entrée by contemporary convention.", writes GameSpot.
'We believe that it is important to nurture developers who take this unique concept to heart.' -Miyamoto
By making pretty much only AA games so they can sell them for the same price as AAA games.
By being threatened by dev teams innovating on formulas found in your cash cow, but are either afraid or lack the talent to implement themselves
Well with the exception of Zelda and Xenoblade Chronicles series, Nintendo first party games are usually less demanding (see Arms, Nintendo sports series 2d kirby + mario games, Mario sports series, Warioware, Mario Party etc).
Zelda doesnt even have voice acting for its characters most of the time and its games use simpler textures than lets say Horizon Zero Dawn, Last of Us, Gears of War 5 etc which means that the development costs are lower.
Even so, their games are generally polished and well thought of and as the Switch generation showed, many of their franchises actually grew considerably in sales (Kirby , Xenoblades, Metroid etc).
I still love Zelda, and Mario Kart/Party is always a good time as well, although Nintendo isn't chasing hyper realistic graphics like a lot of the other studios are.
Japan CEOs take pay cut to keep talent, USA CEO take 20 million bonuses and fire talent
Nintendo’s iconic developer Shigeru Miyamoto gives a talk to new employees each year to appraise them of the company’s values and what it takes to create excellent video games.
A series first.
Aonuma is the main zelda guy currently after all. I'm sure Miyamatos been too busy with many other things and especially the next big zelda.
"When you have a meal in front of you, and you have people who eat meat or you have people who eat vegetables, there's sort of the main dish and then you might have a dessert or a salad. Luigi is green, so maybe he's kind of like a salad and right now it seems like people tend to like lighter fare. [Luigi] is a little weaker and timid and maybe people like timid things these days. I guess Link's green, too [laughs]."
30 years later, Miyamoto is still wonderfully insane. In my 24-25 years of gaming, it never even crossed my mind to think of Luigi or Link as some pieces of lettuce.
0__o
As much as I like Miyamoto, I feel it's time for him to step down, let some new blood get in the game.
No Miyamoto, you're supposed to want more power and beefier consoles so you can express your creativity because what we have now just won't cut it.
I agree with the ‘looking-fun' element, I think the big problem aside from games is that not many people have gotten their hands on it let alone aware of the system's existence. When people saw the Wii, it looked fun to play or at least enticed people to try it out. The Wii U from a distance looks like another game console.
Much respect for Miyamoto.
:) O' Miyamoto you know we aren't ever going to let you retire.
EVER! >:-(
If Miyamoto retires, I am pretty sure that will just mean he will only work on 1 game at a time.
He doesn't strike me as the sit at home type.
I think no matter what he'll always have some Nintendo function...
At least that is the scenario I comfort myself with...