This Just In: Nintendo Doesn't Get It
There is this ridiculous ongoing series called "Ask Iwata." A recent entry saw Miyamoto and Iwata talking about New Super Mario Bros. The whole thing is somewhat frightening, but I especially "enjoyed" this part:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iwata
That's why rather than having lots of checkpoints where you can save your position, it's better to play through the easy part again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miyamoto
Right. That's more pleasurable for the player. And while you're playing the parts that you're good at again, you'll get even better at the game. In the past, when arcade shooting games would keep getting more and more difficult, the "Continue" system was developed…
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iwata
Insert a 100 yen coin and you can keep on playing…
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miyamoto
That was doubtless something the arcade was happy about, as players would keep pumping in 100 yen pieces. But what it actually ended up doing is ensuring that the player would always be playing at the very limit of their abilities. I don't think it feels good to play like that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iwata
You're right.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miyamoto
It might be exciting, but it doesn't feel good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iwata
So it might be thrilling for the player, but it doesn't give them that sense that: "Hey, I'm really good at this game!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miyamoto
Precisely!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iwata
All the player experiences is that feeling that: "I'm still useless at this!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miyamoto
But once someone makes the assumption that always playing in a high state of nervous excitement is more fun, and they then come to discussing how the gameplay should be balanced, they'll always be trying to ramp up that excitement. But the ideal is actually to make the player feel this kind of nervous excitement in moderation while being able to enjoy playing. However, it is not very easy for us to be able to realize that all the time. So, I think replaying the levels is the correct way to enjoy an action game. That's something that I'm quite particular about.
How do you say "hippie socialist" in Japanese?
