Revolution to see 'extensive' third party support

By Games Industry.biz Published 24 April, 2006

Deja vu, anyone?

Discussing the impending launch of the Revolution console, Nintendo of America's SVP marketing and corporate communications, George Harrison, stressed the importance of third party publisher support.

In a recent interview with US magazine Game Informer, Harrison talked about the lessons learned from GameCube, noting that a lack of broader support outside of the company's own titles was detrimental to the machine's success, and it's a mistake Nintendo aims to rectify with its next generation console.

"One of the lessons we tried to learn from GameCube was that we kept things too close. And so as we got ready to launch, we had some of our own great games but third parties were kind of behind the eight ball in terms of being able to have games ready," Harrison stated.

In terms of early support for the Revolution, which launches this year alongside Sony's PS3, third party software ought to be available in abundance, Harrison confirming "We've got more than 1,000 developer kits including the controller kits, out, so there should be plenty there."

Whilst Harrison refused to be drawn on the still-unconfirmed pricing strategy for the new machine, the company ethos of introducing "disruptive devices" into the market was echoed in the interview, as Harrison reflected on the current generation and mused on what's really important for generating success.

"I think that, oddly enough, when people talk about horsepower, sheer graphical processing and things, the system that had the least impressive technical specs, the PlayStation 2, became the huge winner in the last generation," Harrison commented.

"That told us that it wasn't always just about horsepower. One of the things that we did learn, and one of the reasons that we're here today is that you have to get third party involvement early and they have to be able to get access early."

Nintendo plans to unveil further details on the Revolution console, its online and digital content support, and a number of first party software titles at the forthcoming E3 expo in May. As the convention draws closer, and the launch of the console approaches, third party developers are also starting to voice their support, and a number of launch titles are expected to be announced, if not displayed at the show in May.

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Comments (42) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Blerk #1 6 years ago

    I'll believe it when I see it, given that they said the exact same thing about the Cube.

  • Carlo #2 6 years ago

    "I think that, oddly enough, when people talk about horsepower, sheer graphical processing and things, the system that had the least impressive technical specs, the PlayStation 2, became the huge winner in the last generation"

    ...and the reason? They had better games and more exclusive to 1 platform that anyone else.

  • Spud_leg_wizz #3 6 years ago

    Yes, I'm sure developers will enjoy creating an entirely new control method for multi-platform releases. That's really convenient for them.

  • Chim_chimma_nee! #4 6 years ago

    disruptive devices.... i'm thinking signal jamming + E.M.P bursts etc.

  • Cabelo #5 6 years ago

    Just noticed the Rev section is all red... it's very nice :)

    Am I drain bammaged or is this a new thing?

  • Carrybagma #6 6 years ago

    I wonder if anyone is developing anything *new* for delivery via their on-line service?

    I'm really not likely to buy any old titles on-line if I've already got a modern version, which rules out a lot of their back-catalogue. Are they going to copy the 360 situation whereby great titles=hens teeth and they expect you to buy crap (skins, extra levels) to complement the aforementioned hens teeth?

    Or will there be oodles of awesome wand-waggling games to make me forget on-line even exists?

  • Eighthours #7 6 years ago

    This could have been copied and pasted from 5 years ago. Seriously. It's identical to what they said before the Gamecube launch. Identical.

  • ytzulu #8 6 years ago

    the more news i here of revolution...the more i fear for it...

    -on the brighter note that leaves me an extra £200 on ma holiday this christmas

  • MadMirko #9 6 years ago

    Anyone care to show me where they said "the exact same thing about the Gamecube"? Well, to make your life easiert: You can't, because they didn't.

    At GC's launch there were more games from 3rd parties than from Nintendo. The press release from the Nov 2001 US launch states "nearly 20 games", 4 from Nintendo.

    The interesting difference this time around is that they say how much importance they see in the 6 months post-launch.

    @Carlo: Exactly. That's what they are aiming for, and a unique controlling method will make sure that games utilizing it STAY exclusive. It will take quite a while for Sony and MS to copy Nintendo this time.

    @Spud: See what Carlo said. Multiplattform releases are not what you want as a console manufacturer. You want exclusives.

  • ytzulu #10 6 years ago

    anyone hered of nintendo's virtua boy?
    tried a little too hard to be falshy and...uhem...reveolutionary it was super flop wasnt it? i get the impression that nintendo are adopting a similar philosophy with the rev.

    /shighs...

  • ytzulu #11 6 years ago

    @ MadMirko

    are u that sure that titles will be exclusive?
    look at the DS, publishers are not shy about porting theie games across, are they?. The only thing that will be exclusive is the control method. im sure well see many ports, fifa, need for speed etc - big money making titles - nintendo will not let these kinda of titles slip out.
    Edited by 1 at 24/04/06 @ 16:21

  • Cappy #12 6 years ago

    Extensive third party support? Like... more than two games worth purchasing every year?

    I'm falling in love with Nintendo all over again.

  • Zuiyo #13 6 years ago

    The Revolution will also support standard controlling via GameCube pads.

  • Blerk #14 6 years ago

    Anyone care to show me where they said "the exact same thing about the Gamecube"? Well, to make your life easiert: You can't, because they didn't.

    Oh, really? Interview with Iwata, circa August 2001:

    "With the Nintendo 64, 3rd party software took awhile because the hardware was difficult to develop for," he admits. "We've taken that into consideration when designing the GameCube, so we don't feel that's a problem this time."

    Full story

  • drumbaby #15 6 years ago

    Looks forward to 'The Capcom 5' mk II :)

  • el_pollo_diablo #16 6 years ago

    The way I see it, lots of people (myself included) are taking a wait and see approach to the Revolution.

    As I'm sure Nintendo are aware, nobody will buy a console if it looks like it isn't going to last the distance, and because the Rev is something quite different, it's in a more dangerous position than both of the other next gen machines. A slow start could kill it. Sales drive sales.

    So Nintendo really do have to get as much publisher support as they possibly can right from the start, because they need to be pushing the same volume of games out the door as Sony and Microsoft, if not more, right from the word go.

    They don't have the best track record in this area, but they're not stupid. I think this time they're aware of the stakes, and the need to get genuine third party support.

    I hope so - the Rev could be a really good fun piece of kit.

  • Blerk #17 6 years ago

    Not just from the start, either. They need to make sure they hold on to 3rd party support this time. They had some very nice signings last time, only to see them all dwindle away surprisingly quickly.

  • DrDamn #18 6 years ago

    @MadMirko: "Multiplattform releases are not what you want as a console manufacturer."

    Yes you do, of course you do. Sure you want great exclusives, but you don't want just exclusives. Lots of good (big selling) titles are multi-platform releases. Every console manufacturer needs these too.
    Edited by 1 at 24/04/06 @ 16:35

  • el_pollo_diablo #19 6 years ago

    Aye Blerk, you're right.

    But I think they need to build up a real buzz this time from the outset, because if everyone takes the wait and see approach then they'll be in deep trouble. And if that happens, then they can kiss that third party support goodbye.

    Oh isn't it all so much fun.

  • Kami #20 6 years ago

    A few thoughts from my mind.

    * N64 a failure?! Oh yes, that's right, so I'm sure we've not taken into consideration it also had games which regularly feature in any top 10 best games ever list (Mario 64, Goldeneye and Zelda: Ocarina of Time). Wasn't a huge success, no, but you want failure... *glances towards his Sega Saturn*

    * Marketing bullshit is like this from any company, didn't SEGA say the same things? I'm pretty sure they did - the idea is to say it, come across as convincing and then hope it comes true. But Nintendo does have a few aces to play on the Rev - not least that it will be a cheap platform to develop for compared to the two powerhouses, which should attract a lot of smaller developers to its side, as well as bigger publishers. Everyone is discussing the "wand", good or bad, and it's price point could also work in its favour. Heck, Nintendo's design of the Rev could be labelled as "cool". It's got plenty to work in it's favour this time around. Will it work? Who knows. But it's cot far more potential than the Gamecube (Which, lest we forget, gave us RE4 first and arguably best this generation).

    * Marketing bullshit should always be taken with copious handfuls of salt. As I said, SEGA said similar things. And if you really want to see how to spectacularly fail, that's the yardstick by which all should be measured - developing a console when you are already in the red is not a bright idea. Just take it as it is, a bit of marketing spin, and leave it as that. We'll sooner or later see if it ends up being true.

    * As for the virtual boy, ok, yes, utter shit. But now a nice collectible piece of shit...

  • JetSetWilly #21 6 years ago

    Yes, I'm sure developers will enjoy creating an entirely new control method for multi-platform releases. That's really convenient for them.

    Have you not heard of the conventional "shell" controller that will house the Revmote and allow games to be played in a "traditional" way? The controller is not an issue when porting multi-platform games. If there's a problem anywhere it will be the horsepower.

    Deja-vu? So what? What do you expect them to say "We look forward to Revolution having no third-party support?".

    Everyone loves bashing the "loser" and backing a winner.
    Edited by 1 at 24/04/06 @ 16:41

  • Carlo #22 6 years ago

    SMG. The DS doing as well as it is, is not (just?) because it's cheap: It because the games are 'better' (Whever that means to the consumer who keeps buying them).
    Edited by 1 at 24/04/06 @ 17:11

  • nickthegun #23 6 years ago

    It doesnt matter if there is not third party support, because there will still be literally hundreds of games for the rev. I for one am looking forward to paying upwards of a fiver for 10-15 year old games that I once owned and now cant even be bothered to play on one of the many emulators I have for almost every machine I own.

    It certainly is a revolution........

  • ytzulu #24 6 years ago

    the virtual console seems like a cheap add on, what would be nice to see is if developers make cool new games - ala - geometry wars, that would be ace.

  • el_pollo_diablo #25 6 years ago

    Nickthegun -

    If you can't be bothered to play them on an emulator, will you really fork out for them again for the Rev? Seems a little odd! :)
    Edited by 1 at 24/04/06 @ 17:49

  • Pac-man-ate-my-wife #26 6 years ago

    From reports it seems as with the Revolution Nintendo is actively courting and working with developers to create software they don't have experience of themselves. Look at Ubisoft with Red Steel and the rumours that Nintendo have sent 35 development units to Take Two.

    They realise that mature content won't just appear on the console and are being very open in working with companies that can deliver it. Plus having a platform that's easy and cheap to develop for will aid that.

    And the DS has shown that the right sort of innovation works. I have a feeling that while the Rev won't be the second coming some have predicted, it'll do very well and attract a audience beyond that of the GameCube.

  • smelly #27 6 years ago

    As for "why would you pay to download them, when you can play on an emulator for free posts"..

    Using that logic, why pay for any game?

  • The-Bodybuilder #28 6 years ago

    >" noting that a lack of broader support outside of the company's own titles was detrimental to the machine's success"

    That's why you probably built a remote based around the prespective of miyamoto?

  • BartonFink #29 6 years ago

    Definately a case of heard it all before Nintendo. I will believe it when I see it and I am not all that hopeful.

  • ytzulu #30 6 years ago

    /nods with sage like look on face @BartonFink comments above

  • el_pollo_diablo #31 6 years ago

    As for "why would you pay to download them, when you can play on an emulator for free posts".. Using that logic, why pay for any game?

    I think you've misread people's comments there.

  • Jo0j #32 6 years ago

    if I had a choice(which, coincidentally, I do), I'll take a Revo over a PS3 every...single...time

  • Rambaldi #33 6 years ago

    Surely, for a third time, Nintendo won't behave like that kid at school that invited all their mates round for a party, only to not let them play with his toys for more than 5 minutes....let's hope not.

  • Dafub #34 6 years ago

    I have a 360 will probably buy a Rev at launch

  • brainbird #35 6 years ago

    Seriously, shouldn't we encourage innovation? If we buy Revolutions, developers will follow. It's up to us to support Nintendo this time, not because we're fanboys, but because we love gaming. For the same reason we bought SotC, Katamari or any other innovative piece of "game"... I bought Vib-Ribbon at full price, to cry out loud!

    And hey, if there is no exclusive 3rd party support on a system, doesn't that make it exclusive for the other system(s)? ;)

  • the_jamaster #36 6 years ago

    I think Nintendo really have learnt their lesson this time. They've made mistakes but you look at the positive reception of the DS and with the Revolution having noticeable benefits (cheaper developement costs=more games) and (no expensive HD-TV required) it's going to be the console I'll be getting.

  • king_skins #37 6 years ago

    I'm still yet to be convinved that the controller will work and the Rev will be anything more that a system full of party games. Although fun for a weekend, they never keep my interest.

  • smelly #38 6 years ago

    What people seem to forget is that a few years back, 1/3rd of american households owned a nintendo system.

    Sure things went tits recently, but history has shown us that just because one machine did well or didnt do well this gen, doesnt mean the playstation or xbox will be equally successful next time, nor that nintendo will do as badly.

  • smelly #39 6 years ago

    > it's going to be the console I'll be getting.


    Always amazes me how people can make sweeping statements like this without seeing ANYTHING running on the machine!

  • Azu87 #40 6 years ago

    Saying the said the exact same things about Gamecube is bullshit. They didn't think too much about 3rd party support at that point. Of course they wanted support, but they didn't exactly DO anything about it. Now they've been much more open about Revolution (to developers), we can see this with Ubisoft already. Many will be surprised how much support Revolution has after E3.

  • Azu87 #41 6 years ago

    smelly, we have already had previews from Red Steel and tech demos, and they have all said the same thing: the controller WORKS well. Add games like Metroid, Super Mario, NiGHTS into Dreams (rumoured to be coming to Revolution) and whatever the whacky Japanese developers invent, and you've got yourself one great console.

  • smelly #42 6 years ago

    We dont know that for sure though do we?

    I'll do the same as im doing for all 3 new consoles holding out until i've played one and seen at least 5 games i MUST HAVE for it.

    (360 is gonna take a while for that to happen it seems)