"Nintendo is still a great company but obviously it has changed immensely since its heyday in the ‘80s. Back then there was literally just a handful of us who formed the core of the company – we worked closely together on almost every facet of the business and the camaraderie and friendships enjoyed then remains very special to me. Also, in the early years (1985-1991) the games were more fun as emphasis was on the simple but fun mechanics with deep and challenging levels to entertain and reward players.
Since then the industry became overly-enamored with character and story and to some degree content. The fun in games is determined primarily by what you do, but that fact has been lost or never realized by many current-gen game creators. Generally speaking Nintendo still honors an emphasis on gameplay, but the big budget productions and marketing efforts of today's games can pull them off point." - Howard Phillips
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Since then the industry became overly-enamored with character and story and to some degree content. The fun in games is determined primarily by what you do, but that fact has been lost or never realized by many current-gen game creators. Generally speaking Nintendo still honors an emphasis on gameplay, but the big budget productions and marketing efforts of today's games can pull them off point." - Howard Phillips
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Wise words from Mr. Phillips. Is he still working with LucasArts?
Honesty if Nintendo did one thing good it is the emphasis on gameplay while still creating a worthwhile world and story. I do also not agree on the fact that the increased focus on story, characters and content is in some way not good. By all means, if there is anything the industry still lacks these days then it has to be great stories that complement the gameplay. Or great gameplay that lets you think about the story and the society it takes place in. Most games focus on shooting things or killing things, that really has nothing to do with great story or character. Nintendo on the other hand knows how to create characters that fit their gameplay, and not just cool muscle dudes that are really just the way they are to catter to the average male gamer demographic.
He's absolutely right. The story in games like A Link to the Past was so secondary that it had little effect on the experience. What was great about that game was the rewarding feeling of exploration and discovery.
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