God of War dev thinks Wii gets boring quickly

by David Hinkle { Feb 23rd 2007 at 2:35PM }

As a director for the upcoming Sony game God of War 2, Cory Barlog is no stranger to the game's industry. He knows the ins and outs, and (we imagine) has a large love for the medium. We'll tell you what he doesn't love though: his newly-acquired Wii. Upon getting the gift and opening it, Cory contributes "It was fun...but the wow factor wore off fairly quick."

He goes on to talk a bit about the game he wanted to play most (how that wasn't Twilight Princess, we'll never know), saying "The one game I wanted to play, Trauma Center, was definitely a bit of a let down. The wiimote was woefully inaccurate and sapped the fun of the game. The Wii sports golf and bowling was cool...the boxing is freaking terrible though. In the end I hope to see some cool games come out of it, though it has me worried that the whole 'what new thing can you do with the controller' fad will wear off after awhile and I will have left is a much slimmer wireless gamecube." We can't say we share his opinions, but what about you guys? Do you think the system is headed where he sees it going?

Tags: dev, godofwar, godofwar2, gow2, nintendo, nintendowii, traumacenter, twilightprincess, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jeremy Conn @ Feb 23rd 2007 2:45PM

I think he knows he's going to make a lot more money playing favorites to Sony than to anyone else, and with Sony clearly loosing the console war to both the wii and the Xbox 360 he's just doing a little old fashioned brown nosing. This will go down in history as a smaller version of such classic flubs as the mid 70's "No one is going to want a computer in their home."

James @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:32PM

I consider myself something of a Wii Fanboy (tm!), but I can feel a bit of what he's saying. I have a my hopes pinned on the full release of AiLive, because a lot of the innovation that was supposed to be ZOMG MOTION CONTROLS!!!1! stuff has boiled down to either a) shake to emulate a button press, b) tilt to emulate an analog stick or c) use the pointer like a mouse. Wii Sports makes more intricate use of gestures, but everything else I've seen so far (which is only 4-5 games) has felt slightly gimmicky or tacked-on.

That said, first of all a wireless Gamecube with a pretty good mouse-like controller is a damn fine console to own, and second of all even if only 10-20% of games doing really innovative things with motion sensing, that would be impressive in my eyes. I feel like the real "wow" is still down the road a ways -- I just hope it gets here intact.

Naruhodou @ Feb 23rd 2007 2:59PM

I can see (and agree) about Wii Boxing being inaccurate, but Trauma Center? Doesn't that just use the pointer?

Spaz @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:05PM

Jeremy Conn seems to have hit the nail on the head. I also tend not to believe a Sony developer who says the Wii controls are "woefully inaccurate". And isn't this the exact same thing that everyone said of the DS? That is was a "gimmick" that "would get old really quickly"?

shadow @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:07PM

Jeremy: "Why would I buy stock in Microsoft? That company is never going to last, computers are just a fad!"

Aww, good times.

At any rate, this guy is probably both trying to brown nose and also make stabs at the console because he secretly wants to dev for it. In all seriousness though, how can anyone take this guy serious? He played two games and called the console a flop. Now let's get a Wii developer to buy a PS3 with two games with mediocre graphics and claim that the PS3 is more like the XBOX graphically.

Duffman @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:04PM

One Word. Bozo!!!!

danjo1 @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:09PM

probably not enough boobs in wii games for his liking...

Jackson Pritt @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:16PM

I think Cory Barlog's problem isn't that the Wii controller can't continue be used in fun and immersive ways that make it better than a traditional dual-analog controller, it's that Cory Barlog can't think of any fun and immersive ways to use the Wii controller that make it better than a traditional dual-analog controller.

For some people who are used to making games within a very strict set of guidelines the Wii remote can seem like it offers *too much* freedom and that it goes too far outside the "box" of traditional gaming. From the sounds of that quote, it sounds like Mr. Barlog is definitely one of those people.

RolexDPracer @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:17PM

Gee; he's right!!! What was I thinking enjoying my Wii. I should be playing bad Xbox 360 ports on the PS3.

Permanent4 @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:41PM

I kind of agree with him on the accuracy issues in Wii Boxing, but if he can't see the possibilities for the console and its controller, he's brain-dead. This thing has only been out a few months. Within 12-18 months, developers are going to go bonkers coming up with new ways to use the Wii-mote.

Lego @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:29PM

Trauma Center inaccurate? What is this guy smoking?

meist3r @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:32PM

Well I can't really take his words seriously. Coming from a man who is referred to as developer for a game that confuses roman mythology with "no-brain american action/violence entertainment" and who has played possibly the worst titles for Wii one could try. I'd love to force him to sit down and play through Zelda:TP but I bet that would only make him a believer in the franchise not the console. Just for the menu the Wii beats all competition in my book ... and well no more cramped hands because I can MOVE them.

Chicago_Josh @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:35PM

I've owned the console since launch and, honestly, the whole idea of motion sensitive controls is no more different than reading the instructions and saying "So I use this button to punch, this button to kick, and this button to turbo boost.)

He needs to realize the Wii isn't about "hey, look at the freaky controls," it's about "hey, check out all of these fun games!"

A couple of points that made me chuckle
1. He doesn't think six-axis innovations will get old, and 2. Paying $600 for a PS3 isn't going to thin out his wallet?

justin @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:37PM

The Wii is just plain fun. I don't consider myself a harcore gamer by any sense of the word. So why would someone who makes games that can never be beaten without cheat codes or 100 hours of your time know about lasting gameplay. Why does EB, Gamestop, and Gamecrazy have traded in games? It is because people got tired of playing them. I still have Mario Golf, Tennis, Super Strikers, and Party. Why do I still have them you say because I might have 15 minutes to play a game and who wants to get immersed when you only have a short time. He should go blow it out is A@@.

Hirsbrunner @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:43PM

From his blogspot: "Apparently Kotaku picked up on the posting that said I was dissapointed about my wii...and now the nintendo fans are all ripping me a new one. Nice."

Naruhodou @ Feb 23rd 2007 3:53PM

@Hirsbrunner

Just read that.
..Say anything negative about a console and get hated by the internet for several days.

corybarlog @ Feb 25th 2007 4:10PM

"..Say anything negative about a console and get hated by the internet for several days. "

so completely true. If anyone bothered to read it all you would see I don't write the wii off nor did I say it sucked...I just was not so comletely bowled over by it. I built up what Trauma center would be in my mind based on my love for the DS version and it didn't live up to my own hype....that's all.

I seriously could care less about console and hardware wars. I like games...good games.

*continue flaming now*

eurotransient @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:02PM

I agree with the guy. Please note that I own a Wii and *not* a PS3. But ultimately, the Wii fun was there for a few weeks, but then I picked up my 360 control and I've barely touched the Wii since. Maybe its a software selection thing, but a part of me just doesn't really want to wave the Wiimote around anymore.

soccerdrew17 @ Feb 23rd 2007 4:32PM

Although I'm not getting a wii I hope it succeeds because of deep games. This will force innovation and that is a win for everyone. Right now though developers aren't using it to its fullest. If they do then I might be force to get one :)

Kenny @ Feb 23rd 2007 5:41PM

Wii Boxing controls do suck. For the most part though, the controls work fine for me and although I've only had the Wii for a few weeks now, it has not lost it's appeal. I think the controls for Zelda are brilliant. Wii Sports (Tennis, Bowling, etc.) are still fun to me. I like Warioware, Excite Truck, etc.

I thought Trauma Center was ok. I may have liked it better if the story was better. The gameplay was pretty fun, but I couldn't get into the story.

kraoro @ Feb 23rd 2007 5:42PM

How terribly appropriate: God of War dev thinks Wii gets boring quickly; I think God of War gets boring quickly.

Moff @ Feb 23rd 2007 6:05PM

He's an idiot. People are really close minded sometimes.

Speaking of close minded... Screw the PS3.. LOL!

Sean @ Feb 23rd 2007 6:22PM

I used to totally agree with people who said the Wii Boxing controls were sloppy and inaccurate, and I just stopped playing it entirely, without really giving it much of a shot.

A couple months after launch after I'd hit the 2000 level in Tennis and exhausted the other modes, I decided to try out boxing again, and I feel like I had completely misjudged it. I feel like it's one of the best sports in the package, but it's just one of those things you have to get used to how it works.

So give it another shot and have some patience with it, it's actually a lot of fun.

mushiking @ Feb 23rd 2007 8:09PM

yeah, shame on him for having opinion.

and i agree guys, God of War 2 will totally suck... which is why it's already being ranked across the board higher than Twilight Princess:

http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/932295.asp

Peter Holubz @ Feb 23rd 2007 9:05PM

He must really be uncoordinated if he thinks that Trauma Center has lousy controls. I have no problem quickly executing procedures and switching tools.

Rocketboy @ Feb 23rd 2007 8:42PM

Humm.. I too think that God of War booring. I couldn't even be bothered to play all the way thru the demo before I turned off the game.

360 rulez @ Feb 23rd 2007 10:34PM

Jeez... There aren't enough titles out yet that showcase what this baby is capable of. Don't take it to heart guys. Hardcore gamers are graphic whores (myself included)!!

Nintendo has ALWAYS been the pioneers of the gaming world... like Apple is to the computer world. Nintendo has always been big in Japan too. It's here to stay. The concept is right... now it's just up to developers to develop games strictly for the wii and not ports with tacked on wii control. Developers can't ignore that the wii attracts a large market that the 360 and PS3 have not been able to touch... casual and first time gamers. Hell, this console also appeals to families and has more ways for parents to get involved in activities with their kids.

I remember buying a 360 close to launch and having to wait months for a new title. That's what stage this console is in. Everyone is always impatient for results right away. Bottom line.. a lot of people own wii's... demand is still high.. now let's get some more wii games. If anyone knows FUN it's Nintendo.

fraxyl @ Feb 23rd 2007 10:37PM

If he thinks it gets boring quickly, why doesn't he just develop something for it that won't get old quickly? He's a developer and has the opportunity unlike most of us.

Lee Gibson @ Feb 24th 2007 12:40AM

OK, all you people bored with your wiis, you just email me and I'll buy it from you for a fair price.

Otherwise, quit your whining.

Andrew @ Feb 24th 2007 12:31AM

To Quote Marisa Tomei, and add a spin of my own:

"The Pointer In Trauma Center is DEAD ON BALLS ACCURATE"

It's all a matter of the steadyness of your hand.

This guys a Douche hater, plain and simple.

Saying the controller is gonna get old is like saying "Boy, That A Button that makes Mario jump got old really fast."

F'n Ridiculous.

catfoodgood @ Feb 24th 2007 12:52AM

If that was really Cory that replied above, which I suspect it was, HUGE props for replying directly to the community!

For the rest of you... we all love our Wiis (hehe), but every gamer is entitled to their opinion, and most developers make games because they love them so much that they HAVE to make them. I have a great deal of respect for ALL game developers that can complete a project, and this guy has a strong track record with alot of released titles, at least show some respect. I personally love the immersive feel of the Wii controls, I feel more like I'm in the game performing the motions. I would love to play God of War type action and feel like I was controlling my attacks, flailing my arms around like an idiot.

Anyway, Cory you have to see the potential though, in the hands of the right developer the controls shouldn't feel gimmicky they should feel like you are doing the actions on the screen, you ARE the character. So my challenge to you is, talk to your bosses, bring out the potential that every developer has to see. Lower-end graphics could easily equate to a lower budget, but I think Resident Evil 4 really showed last gen that the most powerful console doesn't always mean the best looking game.

David Hinkle, this is obviously worded as flame-bait aimed at a respected developer. I know this is Wii Fanboy, but that's still not cool. Slam Sony, Microsoft and the publishers all you want, but the developers are the guys that create our great game experiences.

Just my 2 cents. Flame on...

Zeroo @ Feb 24th 2007 8:17AM

"yeah, shame on him for having opinion.

and i agree guys, God of War 2 will totally suck... which is why it's already being ranked across the board higher than Twilight Princess:

http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/932295.asp"

Gosh, I don't know maybe it's because there have only been 10 god of war 2 reviews and 73 Zelda:TTP reviews.

If god of war 2 still has 96% average after 70 reviews then we'll talk.

corybarlog @ Feb 24th 2007 8:58PM

"If god of war 2 still has 96% average after 70 reviews then we'll talk."

Good point...only time will tell with that one. would be great if it did happen though:)

cory

Jeremy Conn @ Feb 26th 2007 11:26AM

"It was fun...but the wow factor wore off fairly quick...........

the whole 'what new thing can you do with the controller' fad will wear off after awhile and I will have left is a much slimmer wireless gamecube."

Thats not pretty much a write off Cory