Scott Moffitt has been talking with the Examiner over a series of topics for the past week or so, with several shots aimed at the competition this console cycle. The first part of the interview he gave was aimed setting Nintendo away from the pack, by claiming that Nintendo doesn’t follow industry trends.
He was also quick to promote how well Nintendo has opened their platform to indie developers, which is thanks to Dan Adelman who no longer works for Nintendo. Instead, he works directly with several indie developers. Despite that loss, Moffitt said his company wouldn’t be opposed to working with indie developer Playtonic Games to help promote Yooka-Laylee once the game is ready.
Now, Moffitt is taking indirect shots at both Sony and Microsoft for homogenizing their consoles. Moffitt said that the GamePad has been the only innovation we’ve seen this console cycle:
That’s our real secret sauce is [the Gamepad], it is the only real innovation in this console cycle, it’s the only real new idea or game experience and with Super Mario Maker it shows you how magical it is to create levels with that Gamepad. It’s so easy and intuitive.
He was quick to state that those who had dismissed the Wii U in its early years should take a look at games coming out in the near future to see the true power of the GamePad.
Then with Star Fox Zero it’s showing how the Gamepad can give you a different view into your game world. You are piloting the ‘R Wing’ and you’re getting a cockpit view on the Gamepad. I think those types of experiences may help us propel the system to new heights.
Of course Moffitt is going to have nothing but good things to say about the system, but the subtle callout that Microsoft and Sony’s consoles haven’t done anything innovative is an interesting point. What do you think? Was the GamePad innovative?
