-
Hey everyone, staff have documented a list of banned content and subject matter that we feel are not consistent with site values, and don't make sense to host discussion of on Famiboards. This list (and the relevant reasoning per item) is viewable here.
-
Do you have audio editing experience and want to help out with the Famiboards Discussion Club Podcast? If so, we're looking for help and would love to have you on the team! Just let us know in the Podcast Thread if you are interested!
StarTopic Nintendo First Party Software Development |ST| Nintendo Party Superstars
- Thread starter astrogamer
- Start date
- Pronouns
- He/Him
TotK cutscenes and dialogue are such a mixed bag - what do they need to hire to fix that? I’m constantly taken out of the moment by awkward, unnatural lines. Like it’s step up from Breath of the Wild, but that’s an incredibly low bar.
Why have they not sorted this out yet?
LukasManak22
who the fuck is that
We know that Splatoon 3, Nintendo Switch Sports and Tears of the Kingdom are running on ModuleSystem. Last EPD game that shipped with LunchPack was New Horizons in March 2020, since it's started development way earlier than all 3 above.
Assuming that Splatoon 3, Switch Sports and Tears started at earliest around 2018, why is 3D All-Stars using LunchPack in it's menu selection? Did they have the collection ready since Switch launched or it was something they felt they could use LunchPack? Since Splatoon 3, Tears and Sports started with ModuleSystem in mind (cca 2018) why they did not used that in 3D-All Stars too?
Assuming that Splatoon 3, Switch Sports and Tears started at earliest around 2018, why is 3D All-Stars using LunchPack in it's menu selection? Did they have the collection ready since Switch launched or it was something they felt they could use LunchPack? Since Splatoon 3, Tears and Sports started with ModuleSystem in mind (cca 2018) why they did not used that in 3D-All Stars too?
Last edited:
TheMoon
(not a sphere)
- Pronouns
- He/Him
that position is not gonna fix that. that's VO direciton.
SirArthur
Kremling
- Pronouns
- He/Him
He is 65. I agree with the retirement idea since his last works were Pokemon XY and Smash Ultimate. He does have non gaming works thats recent (2021)
- Pronouns
- he/him
Hip Tanaka is the only composer I trust with the upcoming Urban Champion reboot that I saw in my dreams.
boodream
Paratroopa
Generally speaking, I think it is the dubbing in English that is very bad. Whether in Japanese or in other translations other than English, I find that the artistic direction is less off topic and the intonation sounds less fake.
It’s not necessarily just about the voice tone. When I hear Princess Zelda’s dubbing actress explain that she is inspired by game of thrones and Daenerys, I think that there is a real problem, a real ignorance of the original work and that it can explain the general feeling of English dubbing failed.
Giancarlo
Nintendo connoiseur
all the voice actors sound good in Tears of the Kingdom, the problem is that a canadian american voice actress is trying to fake a british acent to sound like royal, and this sound fake, gratting to a lot of person, if Nintendo has hired a actual person with british nationalty to voice Zelda, it would sound less granting, some actors with british nationality can fake it acent to sound like actual americans in the case of Benedict Cumberbatch or Tom Holland and you hear this actors and you never realized oh Tom Holland/Benedict Cumberbact sound so convincing as americans
It's not just about when the games started development, it's about when EPD thought the engine would be production ready, as well.
boodream
Paratroopa
But the very idea of wanting Zelda to be a British accent is completely incongruous to begin with. Not to mention the fact that the princess sounds much older which creates a gap between what we know of her character in cinematics and the voice with which we hear talking.
I saw the tweet about it, but is that something you can take for granted? Is it confirmed that there is a new engine? Moreover, it would be interesting to define what is meant by the word engine in any case.
It seems clear that Zelda requires precise and specific tools given the uniqueness of the gameplay but I think each game has specific needs. So what are we talking about when we talk about a common game engine? And what does that actually change in the development process? For example, what does this change for the Zelda team compared to breath of the wild? What is this new engine if it exists will change in the way EPD Tokyo works?
The exact dividing lines are somewhat fuzzy, but ModuleSystem seems pretty clearly to be a new engine aiming to unify existing EPD engines based on how it's been described by dataminers.
D
Deleted member 887
Guest
With few exceptions, when you see an across-the-board dislike of acting work, it isn't the fault of the actors. I can't speak for Tears but I know for Breath of the Wild Nintendo committed every sin to guarantee weak work.
The ability for voice actors to make something out of nothing is incredible - but remember, they don't know the plot. NCL is secretive enough they're given a list of lines with no context, they don't have a script to know what they're responding to, they don't know what's on screen, and in the case of Link, he's a silent protagonist meaning you've got to figure out how to have a conversation with someone who doesn't talk back.
The ability for voice actors to make something out of nothing is incredible - but remember, they don't know the plot. NCL is secretive enough they're given a list of lines with no context, they don't have a script to know what they're responding to, they don't know what's on screen, and in the case of Link, he's a silent protagonist meaning you've got to figure out how to have a conversation with someone who doesn't talk back.
boodream
Paratroopa
This lack of information seems to be an additional reason to avoid improvising directions or artistic direction. It’s not a question of picking on one of the actors in particular; that’s far from my intention here.
If you have little information, it is hard to work well, but it is also an additional reason not to invent risky things just because according to your own cultural perspective it sounds good. The actors are obviously not responsible for that.
Vanpool announces its dissolution.
- Pronouns
- he/him
Wow, that is... sad. Hope everyone lands on their feet.
Unfortunately, there is too little information available and all we know at this point is that it is breaking up.
The only thing I can say is that Triple Deluxe & Planet Robobot are unlikely to get the remaster.
given how they often worked on Kirby, I hope many found their way to HAL if not elsewhere
Hero of Legend
Like Like
- Pronouns
- He/Him
FUCK NO.
They were the last of the OG Love-de-Lic studios left and I thought they had a secure career at least being tied to HAL/Kirby. What could've happened?
I hope they all just move to HAL, would explain things. But fuck, they were the last hope of us ever seeing Dillon or Chibi-Robo again.
Onion Games is the only Love-de-Lic studio left and do keep that spirit alive, but I really wish Nintendo would work with them, as Nintendo with anyone from Love-de-Lic was a heavenly combination.
HockeyBird
Villager
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I touched upon this in the Vanpool thread but people who ask "Why doesn't Nintendo invest in X company?", they need to understand that these third party partners are not subsidiaries of Nintendo. They are their own independent companies with their own cultures, structures, values, etc. Nintendo does not pay the employee salaries and benefits. It's just job that independent company to do that. Because of their independence, these companies presumably can work on any projects they are able to negotiate for whether that be Nintendo or someone else. It's a client-contractor relationship where Nintendo is the client and the third party company is the contractor. Nintendo hires them do a project for X amount of money is the contractor is expected to deliver that project within X amount of money.
A big reason why companies use contractors to begin with is because they either need an established group to being work on a project quickly and/or because the project is only a relatively short term thing, it doesn't necessitate the need to hire full time. Namco with Smash Bros is a good example of this. Nintendo needed a large and experienced group of people to code the Smash Bros games. But there wasn't a need to acquire or create an entire development studio just for Smash Bros. specifically. So they hired Namco to work on the project instead of spending months or years building a brand new team within Nintendo.
That also applies to these smaller studios. Nintendo could acquire them but if there is no long term benefit, then any company like Nintendo is unlikely to do it. It's also important to note that many of the smaller studios wish to remain independent or don't want to substantially grow in order to maintain their current culture. These smaller studios may not have the scale to work on Nintendo products anymore or the investment simply isn't worth it. If Nintendo needs a development team of 200 people to work on a Mario RPG but your company only has 50 people, that's an issue. Also if it now costs $50 million to make a Mario RPG but you're only projected to make $45 million from it, well then a company simply isn't going to do it. These are made up examples btw but you get the idea.
It all comes down to return on investment. Companies aren't just going to throw money at a fledgling partner simply because they made stuff for them in the past. There has to be a meaningful value in doing so. As much as it sucks, a lot of developers simply aren't at the scale for modern game development and that means it's going to be harder for them to get contract work from big publishers and said publishers often don't have financial incentive to just throw money around to save these smaller developers.
A big reason why companies use contractors to begin with is because they either need an established group to being work on a project quickly and/or because the project is only a relatively short term thing, it doesn't necessitate the need to hire full time. Namco with Smash Bros is a good example of this. Nintendo needed a large and experienced group of people to code the Smash Bros games. But there wasn't a need to acquire or create an entire development studio just for Smash Bros. specifically. So they hired Namco to work on the project instead of spending months or years building a brand new team within Nintendo.
That also applies to these smaller studios. Nintendo could acquire them but if there is no long term benefit, then any company like Nintendo is unlikely to do it. It's also important to note that many of the smaller studios wish to remain independent or don't want to substantially grow in order to maintain their current culture. These smaller studios may not have the scale to work on Nintendo products anymore or the investment simply isn't worth it. If Nintendo needs a development team of 200 people to work on a Mario RPG but your company only has 50 people, that's an issue. Also if it now costs $50 million to make a Mario RPG but you're only projected to make $45 million from it, well then a company simply isn't going to do it. These are made up examples btw but you get the idea.
It all comes down to return on investment. Companies aren't just going to throw money at a fledgling partner simply because they made stuff for them in the past. There has to be a meaningful value in doing so. As much as it sucks, a lot of developers simply aren't at the scale for modern game development and that means it's going to be harder for them to get contract work from big publishers and said publishers often don't have financial incentive to just throw money around to save these smaller developers.
KCannon
Tektite
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I think it's more of a localization issue. Cutscenes are made with Japanese dialogue in mind, so lip-synching and speed have to account for that flow. And that influences dialogue and voice direction.
Apopheniac
Monolith Soft action game truther
- Pronouns
- he/him/his
Is there a good source for info on the shift in internal engines? All I've seen are OatmealDome's tweets
no, no one dives into these things but people like OatmealDome and other dataminers
Mr Doggo
Anti oof
Make western lip sync
TheMoon
(not a sphere)
- Pronouns
- He/Him
there's no such thing as a Nintendo-anything conference.
Simba1
Bob-omb
Bad wording, I thought about Nintendo June Direct like previous years.
TheMoon
(not a sphere)
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Well they didn't even have one last year. Anything anyone could say at this point is just wild speculation. Their schedule is empty after Pikmin, they have to announce something soon. So, in short: maybe. who knows, certainly not us. But the annoying "insiders" will poke their buddies in PR again soon so they can start teasing for clout.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
That is extremely surprising to me. Oof.
Their schedule implies some sort of Direct or similar presentation soon, but that's still entirely in the realm of speculation right now. The Direct Speculation thread is probably a better place to discuss that in depth.
LukasManak22
who the fuck is that
And it will for sure have no credits, so patents + AskTheDev are our best friend
Giancarlo
Nintendo connoiseur
why why why Nintendo you did the sequel of the worst Switch game
Giancarlo
Nintendo connoiseur
Labo team?
LukasManak22
who the fuck is that
EPD4, who else. It's sequel to 1-2 Switch.
P.Scoop
Mostly lurk, talk sometimes.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
No. Nintendo at this point wouldn't announce games with a project or codename titles. Even if the game is in early development, they would already have the final title decided or just use a tentative name (like Mario Kart for Nintendo Switch for example)
LukasManak22
who the fuck is that
N75
Like Like
I’m not even sure if we’ll get an Ask the Developer segment for this game. It feels like Nintendo is ashamed of it lol, unless it’s been significantly reworked. Though based on the budget price and complete lack of media, I doubt it.
LukasManak22
who the fuck is that
I haven't really thought of that, maybe it really skips AskTheDev. Due to rumors it was supposed to be out sometime last year so they either just sit on it or were waiting for appropriate time slot, am not holding my breath for it to be significantly reworked but the short reveal-to-release is common for EPD4 games, having no trailer whatsoever is weird but even the initial Ring Fit reveal was basically non-existent. At this point they just should really kept it as NSO Expansion Pack bonus if they really wanted to release this.
boodream
Paratroopa
If the game is bad enough to be almost secretly announced and sold at a low price from its launch, I wonder if it is wise to release it. It’s not like there’s a huge sales potential, and if the result is disastrous, it can damage Nintendo’s image. I’m curious to see that.
In any case, we now know why nothing was planned for June. And this announcement also decreases the likelihood of a Nintendo Direct this month.
In any case, we now know why nothing was planned for June. And this announcement also decreases the likelihood of a Nintendo Direct this month.
Unless the game features klansmen lynching minorities, this won't do anything to Nintendo's reputation. It's not like they haven't released bad games before and those times were less favorable to them. This release is designed to be a non-issue.
as to why release it, it's done and they probably had copies sitting around, wasting money. Not to mention it was probably a cheap project to make
as to why release it, it's done and they probably had copies sitting around, wasting money. Not to mention it was probably a cheap project to make
Supreme Bum 01
Bob-omb
Was this analogy really necessary to make that point?
to hammer in the point that Nintendo has to be pretty extreme to ruin their credibility than merely a bad game. and they made some bad games in the past and gotten through just fine
I still think there will be a Direct. Nothing has been announced after July yet, and the fact that this game was announced with no trailer or footage means it'll probably show up in a sizzle reel or something.
D
Deleted member 887
Guest
Well, Nintendo is beginning to really play with budget titles, and the game was finished by all accounts. If you have a product that has no real prospects, then it is a chance to experiment with marketing/pricing/release timing at low risk
Also, with party games like this "bad" and "good" can sometimes be "finding its audience" more than anything else. Someone at Nintendo believed in it enough to finish the game, a company notorious for killing prototypes if they don't work. So there may be a simple belief that, hey, it tested poorly, but we think that we can massage the reviews so that they're more "not my thing" than "actively bad." Right now the Switch ecosystem is dominated by Tears of the Kingdom which leaves Nintendo's casual/family market underserved, and very little room for marketing anything else. They'd never risk a Mario Party in that environment, but this game isn't in a franchise that Nintendo needs to preserve, or expects to sell like gangbusters.
So release it now, when no one is looking, steer the reviews toward "You know, maybe it's a misfire, but weird Nintendo should be supported," position it as a budget title, and make some of the money back.
- Pronouns
- he/him
I realized this earlier but this is starting to look like the first Switch year without a Mario release unless they announce something soon. Wild.
