Nintendo wants to shed their perception as a ‘kiddie’ company
This story isn’t directly related to the Wii’s successor outright, but it’s still relevant and a great cause for speculation nonetheless.
Not too long ago, THQ announced that Saints Row: Drive By had been canceled for the 3DS as well as every other platform it was in development for. Interestingly, last June, THQ spoke about why they started working on getting it onto a Nintendo platform in the first place – namely, because Nintendo apparently really pushed them to do so.
Nintendo really wants to launch with a very balanced portfolio. They really don’t want it to feel like a kiddie platform. They were very clear: they really wanted Saints Row on it.
So, there’s a load of kerosene poured onto the rumour that Nintendo’s wooing Rockstar Games with a development kit for the new console. If they already convinced THQ to at least start work on bringing a major franchise to the 3DS (the reason for its unfortunate cancellation is probably unrelated to Nintendo themselves), it’s more than likely they’ve been, still are, and will be in similar talks with third parties about the Wii’s successor.
Maybe THQ themselves are even working on something as we speak. Brian Ferrel, the company’s CEO, hinted very strongly a couple of months ago that Nintendo may announce their new hardware this year. And I don’t think he would’ve said that if he hadn’t already seen the system, and how far along it is in development. “We’ll let [Nintendo] announce their new hardware,” he said.
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Personally, I don’t think this “kiddie” label should’ve existed in the first place. Nintendo makes games for EVERYONE. Mario and Zelda weren’t supposed to be marketed to the 13 and under demographic, it’s supposed to be enjoyed by all.
However, I do understand where Nintendo is going with this, if this is true. While we don’t think Nintendo is really “kiddie,” the rest of the gaming communities say otherwise. Markets aren’t determined by facts, but by the common perception of what the group has for the other. If games doesn’t have gratuitous violence and sex, it is generally seen as “kiddie.” I’m not saying fans of games like Grand Theft Auto or Gears of War don’t appreciate Nintendo’s games, but ask most of them what they think about them, and they’ll most likely answer it to be “kiddie” or something along those lines.
As long as the image they want is ‘For Everyone’ and not ‘hardcore’, I’m cool with it.