Satoru Iwata GDC Keynote Recap
Written during the wee hours of the morning, here is the Live Blog from Iwatas GDC keynote if you werent awake! Along with announcing the new firmware and SD card solution for the Wii (see here) and kindly reminding us that Nintendo has a “load” of money, Iwata also announced that the Virtual Console will be expanding with Arcade titles, a demo of Rock N Roll Climber, oh and a new Zelda for the Nintendo DS. Please note this article was written on the fly at 2am, expect hilarity.
Iwata in leather!
1:02AM – DSi Firmware update is available!
1:02AM – Welcome guys, currently awaiting any information from the Live Blogs.
1:07AM – Megan from the GDC welcomes people; going going! DSi Firmware no changes I can see.
1:09AM – A wild Iwata appears!
1:10AM – Iwata speaks: The global markets changed since they introduced the Wii. 100 Million DSs Shipped, Wii now at 50mill. Its all beyond what they had all hoped for.
1:11AM – “weve made a lot of money, look how much etc…”
1:12AM – This just in: Nintendo is rich!
1:13AM – Iwata now asks "How can we get more market (share) – that is the question?"
1:14AM – Some devs feel they cant compete with Nintendo because of money, and there was a time he felt the same way. He talks about Nintendos History with people like HAL.
1:15AM – He is talking about pressures with his first game at Nintendo. He wanted more time on the game. If he had more time it would be a better game but they only had two days – so they had to compromise.
1:17AM – "I believe the reason Nintendo was able to make better games was simply because they had more money, which created more time."
1:19AM – Iwata speaks of his love for Miyamoto, "Hes a great developer". Talks about how he turns his hobbies into games Pikmin, Wii Fit etc.
1:20AM – Wii Firmware update is now available, supports games from a dedicated SD Card menu. More as it happens. Back to Iwata!
1:21AM – Iwata has put a NDA on anything Shiggy does at home, as anything fun could turn into their next game.
1:22AM – Iwata is now showing a simple demo of Wii Sports Boxing, showing how they dont use huge design documents to make games but rather design prototypes.
1:25AM – Miyamoto is a perfectionist. Prototyping stage can take up to two years.
1:27AM – Prototypes that do make it through, he and Mitamoto discuss further. Miyamoto was his mentor, but now he answers to him. Strange twist of fate.
1:29AM – Iwata says Shiggy is never angry, and if he does "upend the tea table" he will still help put all the dishes back.
1:30AM – According to Iwata: Nintendogs and Super Mario Galaxy were both meant to be launch games, but neither made it on time. But Wii Sports did.
No this picture really is from his keynote.
1:32AM – Iwata says Shiggy will kidnap employees at Nintendo (not for real) who dont play games. No charges have been pressed yet. Kidnapee is handed a controller and told to play a game with no prompting, sort of a focus test. He watches what works and what doesnt.
1:34AM – One goal for Miyamoto and all of Nintendo is to surprise consumers; but they must first surprise themselves.
1:35AM – Example of such surprise: Japanese musician named Tsunku contacted Nintendo with the desire to make a game based on his own rhythm theory. Iwata asked Metroid director Sakamoto to contact Tsunku. Director of WarioWare became involved. Small team put together a prototype. -1up
1:38AM – Talking about Rhythm Heaven on the DS, how it was a small team. First time even Iwata approved a dancing game on the DS.
1:41AM – Apparently the Virtual Console now has some arcade games up (this is not from the keynote, just letting you know). 1:42AM – Iwata gave away Brain Age last GDC and it sold well, is giving Rhythm Heaven away this time. The game wasnt expected to sell really will but is now at 1.7 million.
1:43AM – Iwata is breaking down U.S. market — Wii owners; new gamers vs. long-time gamers. Nearly half of all DS buyers last year were women. Branching into new markets.
1:44AM – "Everyone understands manufacturers of hardware must help build an install base so developers have more opportunities to sell their games. We took this seriously with Wii" — major franchises within first 18 months. Virtual Console reminds gamers of the good ol days.
1:45AM – Iwata notes: more 3rd party titles sold for Wii than any other platform last year. Err not entirely the best thing but yay!
1:46AM – Now he is talking about Virtual Console: Reveal of new WiiWare game: Rock N Roll Climber. Not an Ice Climber game. Game is about – you guessed it – climbing a wall. Its a fight against gravity as you use the Balance Board. Balance Board and wiimote to let you climb by placing your hands and shifting your weight. At the end of each stage you rock out on a Guitar.
Picture from IGN
1:47AM – Bill Trinnen takes stage, Iwata had talked about how “while we like Wii Ware we dont like how much space is on the Wii to save” (no really).
1:48AM – "I am here to show you a menu." Complete storage solution for Wii." "WiiWare will remain a viable outlet for your games and ideas. Important for gamers, too." There is a SD Card menu near the settings button – this update is live folks – update your Wii now (if you dont have homebrew).
1:51AM – Wii System 4.0 – at bottom of screen, theres an SD card icon that goes to a menu. Same 12-item-per-screen layout, but there are 20 screens per SD card. 240 games total. Support for up to 32GIG SDHC cards. You can also now download direct to the SD Card.
1:53AM – Loads up Zelda… from the NES (jokes about rumours of Zelda). 1:54AM – Small loading time but who cares SD LOADING IS HERE. Get the update now says Iwata.
1:56AM – Original FF coming to VC, the rest will be coming too. Sequel to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, and FFIV: The After Years confirmed for WiiWare.
1:57AM – Onto DSi Ware Memo app, Can upload and download creations. Bill Trinen Shows video by someone "with actual talent"
2:03AM – Now showing off Wario Ware Snapped, we know how awesome it is. Takes photos of you playing and makes you look dumb at the end. Bill leaves stage, Iwata is back!
2:04AM – Now talking about the DSi in general, more preorders then any other console. Amazon sold out, Gamestop have more preorders then they had with the original DS.
2:05AM – Iwata announces expansion of Virtual Console to include Arcade games, Space Harrier, Gaplus, Star Force, Solvalou, The Tower of Druaga, Mappy. NEW ZELDA
2:08AM – The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks announced! Link is a railroad conductor, Link has the ability to control/create enemies and make them fight enemies. Railroad mechanic is an extension of Phantom Hourglass boat system — riding a rail and shooting cannons.
2:14AM – Iwata laughs in the face of Economic Downturn. 2:15AM – Fin, now Im going to bed! 2:35AM – Still not in bed! Sources include: 1up, VG247. Pictures via Joystiq
