Insiders close to development studio NST allege to IGN that the software company's Wii action title, tentatively titled Project H.A.M.M.E.R., has been terminated by publisher Nintendo. Sources further claim that the team formerly working on the title is now underway with one or more efforts that fall into the "expanded audience" lineup of games.
The cancellation of a game with some promise, particularly one for the Wii, is noteworthy enough, but the reason IGN cites for the cancellation may be the most interesting part of the story.
Quote:
Our sources were unable to provide a reason for the alleged termination. However, IGN Wii has heard separately that Nintendo is actively re-working some traditional games so that they are more accessible by casual players. If it is truly canned, Project H.A.M.M.E.R. may have become a casualty of Wii's newfound success in the mainstream market.
Stories have been circulating for a while now that Nintendo's desire to position the Wii as an all inclusive system may resuly in fewer games aimed at the hardcore (or traditional) gamer. Genres like complex RPGs and combo-based action adventures may be kept on the sidelines in favor of simple sims and party games like Wii Sports and Wario Ware that appeal to non-gamers. The known quantities, big franchises and names, will still see the light of day, but smaller titles without impressive pedigrees that don't fit into that philosophy may not get the support they need to flourish.
Stories have been circulating for a while now that Nintendo's desire to position the Wii as an all inclusive system may result in fewer games aimed at the hardcore (or traditional) gamer.
That would be terribly disappointing if true. Although there are plenty of "hardcore" games on the DS so I'm not too worried.
__________________
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.
It's by the guys who made WaveRace:Blue Storm, so I was very excited about it.
I think all this conjecture about Nintendo doing away with games is a little silly. "hardcore" is an assinine tag that we've added to the concept, but the fact is that games are games. A lot of the, sarcastic quotes, "hardcore" games out for sale today are BLINDINGLY easy and mentally deficient. Many of them are just button mashing. So, to say that Nintendo is somehow dumbing down it's games in order to appeal to a wider audience can't possibly be true. Many of them could not posisbly be dumbed down moreso than they already are.
Let's add to this equation the fact that most of the modern pop culture phenomenon games like Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, Halo, Brain Age and Pokemon are BUILT around, and have found their success with, challenge.
I think Ninendo knows this.
I believe we'll see a lot of games like Project Hammer, which was by all looks just a standard action game, replaced with more genre defying titles, not dumbed down "less hardcore" titles.
I'll agree with Jaz. HAMMER looked kinda good, but really lacked quite a bit. It was kinda weird, because it seemed to me to be the sort of B-list brawler that was a dime a dozen on the last generation..and without a license to go with it. Not a good combination.
If true, this really is Nintendo killing off a faux "hardcore" dumbed down title.
__________________
But there's no sense crying over every mistake
You keep on trying until you run out of cake!
I agree with Draft, I want games that use the new controls intelligently and have more going on than a Mario Party mini-game. At this point, the only reason I'd buy one is for Smash Bros., and that doesn't even require the Wiimote to play.
It begins. Congratulations, Nthings. You won the war, and killed your hobby. Enjoy 5 years of Popcap.
Meh, I'll be enjoying Metroid, Smash Bros, Mario Kart, Battalion Wars, Zelda, Final Fantasy, No More Heroes, Manhunt, Nights, Resident Evil, Soul Calibur, etc. etc.
Quite frankly, if it's time for something different, that's fine by me. The best system right now for me is the DS. By far. It's not even close.
If the Wii, over the next year provides a DS-esque experience, even if that's all there is, I'll be a very happy guy. I'm a hardcore gamer, but my big games are not God of War, Gears of War, Halo, or what have you. My big games are DDR, Viewtiful Joe, Disgaea, Guitar Hero, etc.
For me, the DS development path for the industry works for my gaming tastes. It makes me very happy.
I don't think the HD development path ever had a chance, to be honest. Actually, it may have if they held out 5 years until the tech was mass-market affordable. But there was never a chance that was going to happen.
__________________
But there's no sense crying over every mistake
You keep on trying until you run out of cake!
I love this baseless speculation that doesn't really make any sense. Games are cancelled because 1) the publisher thinks it will bomb and they want to cut their losses or 2) the project is in trouble and will likely be a big money and time sink to get it out the door and the publisher doesn't want that risk, or 3) the publisher/developer goes broke trying to get it out the door. That's pretty much it. If Nintendo had faith in the game, they'd see it through regardless of what type of game it was.
Personally, I think Popcap Prime 3 is going to be great. As well as Final Fantasy Popcap Chronicles, and Firey Popcap Emblem, and Madden PopCap Edition, and Resident Evil: Popcap Chronicles, and Super Popcap Galaxy, ...
__________________
"In vain they seek to hide behind the flag and the Constitution. In their blindness they forget what the flag and the Constitution stand for." - FDR
Quite frankly, if it's time for something different, that's fine by me. The best system right now for me is the DS. By far. It's not even close.
If the Wii, over the next year provides a DS-esque experience, even if that's all there is, I'll be a very happy guy. I'm a hardcore gamer, but my big games are not God of War, Gears of War, Halo, or what have you. My big games are DDR, Viewtiful Joe, Disgaea, Guitar Hero, etc.
For me, the DS development path for the industry works for my gaming tastes. It makes me very happy.
I don't think the HD development path ever had a chance, to be honest. Actually, it may have if they held out 5 years until the tech was mass-market affordable. But there was never a chance that was going to happen.
Disgaea and VJ are the literal definition of hardcore games that the Wii demographic won't touch with a 10 foot stick.
__________________ Special Tactics And Rescue Service
Personally, I think Popcap Prime 3 is going to be great. As well as Final Fantasy Popcap Chronicles, and Firey Popcap Emblem, and Madden PopCap Edition, and Resident Evil: Popcap Chronicles, and Super Popcap Galaxy, ...
Oh, I forgot about Popcap Emblem, I might have to pick up a Nintendo Popcap machine sooner than I thought.
Disgaea and VJ are the literal definition of hardcore games that the Wii demographic won't touch with a 10 foot stick.
What about Viewtiful Joe would scare off the Wii demographic? It's complex controls? Maybe you forget, the Wii demographic doesn't hate side-scrollers?
__________________
You've read Jeffool's post, now read Jeffool: The Blog!
It begins. Congratulations, Nthings. You won the war, and killed your hobby. Enjoy 5 years of Popcap.
Hehe, what's the count on popcap games on Live Arcade, seems more than on the Wii. News flash, everyone wants casual gamer's money, Nintendo is simply succeeding. But go ahead, claim the sky is falling because you felt a drop of rain, kinda par for the course around here.
I didn't see anything notable about HAMMER, and it looks like it's being touted as 'what we really wanted' simply because it was canned (the comment about it showing promise seems unfounded). I have no doubt, however, that the Wii will have it’s fair share of brawlers of various types.
