Tyrone Rodriguez, co-founder of Nicalis games (Isaac Rebirth, Cave Story, VVVVVV), has made clear his opinion of the Wii U GamePad in a recent tweet. Beyond pure dislike the exact nature of the game designer’s complaint is a bit difficult to unravel, as many on Twitter pointed out in an ensuing conversation. A response from Mr. Rodriguez helps clarify his statement.
Clearly then he believes Nintendo is the one cheating its customers (and the one that should feel the regret). Nintendo should, and likely does regret many things about the Wii U. Does Microsoft regret certain aspects of Kinect’s design and marketing strategy? Absolutely. However it is untrue that consumers aren’t using the GamePad. Developers, Nintendo included, are responsible for showing the users in what ways technology can change the way we play games.
Giving Mr. Rodriguez the benefit of the doubt, he is most likely referring to developers and not consumers. Wii U owners enjoy the GamePad most often for things indirectly related to new or paradigm-shifting types of gameplay (i.e. off-TV play). But then we must ask you Mr. game developer, if you (not us) are given the GamePad as a tool, why don’t you create something more substantial?
What do you guys think?
[via Twitter]