Umbrella Chronicles was almost like RE4

by David Hinkle { May 1st 2007 at 10:00PM }

And what exactly do we mean by this? Well, Capcom almost decided to make Umbrella Chronicles the spitting image of Resident Evil 4, which you can bet we would've been totally on board with, but after seeing Nintendo's Wii console in action, the company decided to make it an on-rail shooter. While we could sit here with a frown on our face and pout about the possibilities that could've been, we'll just think about unicorns. And big, fluffy clouds.

The game's producer, Masachika Kawata, argued that the new direction is more fir for Wii owners, claiming the game would've been "too complicated to enjoy. Wii users like easiness. Umbrella Chronicles is not only for game enthusiasts. Complex operability can be an obstacle for Wii users. We want players to enjoy the game's horrifying and creepy world and its thrilling shooting action. By reducing enthusiast-only elements, players can purely enjoy the world." Personally, we like our games to have some depth and find ourselves disagreeing with his stance on the issue.

Just because the Wii has these amazing innovative controls and product that appeals to just about every person on this planet, doesn't mean you should totally do away with an already established hot product (Resident Evil 4 is set to grace three different systems and has sold how many copies?). Or, are we crazy and Capcom's decision is the more sound one from a business point of view?

[Thanks, Josh!]

Tags: capcom, nintendo, nintendowii, re4, residentevil4, umbrellachronicles, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

hvnlysoldr @ May 1st 2007 10:16PM

Fir is a tree. I like the House of the Mansion fine enough.

Don Day @ May 1st 2007 10:33PM

hvnlysoldr
Perhaps you meant House of the Dead chief.

I hope that this is purely a business decision. Otherwise it may imply that the version of RE4 coming out isn't as fun as we hope.

Andrew Hsieh @ May 1st 2007 10:33PM

Complex things are obstacles to Wii users?! What are we, infants?

Chris @ May 1st 2007 11:30PM

I hate Capcom even more after those statements. I think I might turn into a giant pissed off green dude and start throwing couches and such. Douche bags.

Sonic_13 @ May 1st 2007 11:47PM

The logic in general makes sense. Wii does have a lot of new gamers who like simpler pick-up-and-play games, so games should be made to accommodate theses new gamers.

However, this was a mistake.

A bloody shoot-em-up zombie killing Resident Evil game is not the type of game that would EVER appeal to these types of gamers. Why should the game be changed to accommodate people who are never going to play it?

Chris @ May 2nd 2007 1:24AM

So, here is my opinion, I would have loved this game to be like RE4, but I have fond memories of playing House of the Dead 1 and 2 with my dad at Dave and Busters. He just recently bought a Wii, and I am sure he would enjoy an on rails shooter, it would probably be fun to play multiplayer. I know for a fact that a complicated game like RE4 would not appeal to him, because it takes him way longer to figure out how to play a game that it does for me, so he doesn't feel that it is worth his time (he is a busy guy, what can I say). So while I think this kinda sucks, it will also give some people that arcade experiance that they loved in their own homes, without all the overhead bullshit of complicated controls.

Chris

Cyanide @ May 2nd 2007 1:28AM

Ok, since there is already someone named Chris, i will take the handle "Cyanide" ^^ Sorry to confuse

samfish @ May 2nd 2007 1:36AM

Sooo....we're all a bunch of Wiitards, 'eh?

DAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!
*waggles hand against chest)

Lawr. @ May 2nd 2007 4:54AM

re: "Resident Evil 4 is set to grace three different systems and has sold how many copies?"

actually, RE4 didn't exactly light up the sales chart when it came out, even when it was out for the PS2.

Re-issuing RE4 for the Wii and starting a new chapter with UC is actually a smart move by Capcom that reduces overlap and frees up dev resources for RE5 and DMC.

Chris the 2nd @ May 2nd 2007 6:11AM

"too complicated to enjoy. Wii users like easiness"
If they changed the game to a on rail fps from the old third person shooter because Wii users like the game to be easy, why did they release RE4 wii edition ?
I wanted a RE4 gameplay for chronoicles now its a on rail shooter lasting 15 hours.... they just lost themselves a buyer.

Jayenkai @ May 2nd 2007 6:24AM

Experiment time
Boot up Red Steel, then pass the controls onto "Non-Gamer" and see how well they hold up.
Then boot up the shooting gallery of either WiiPlay or Wario Ware.

See the difference?

We get RE4, The rest of the family get UC. And it'll be fun to play both.

Raycer @ May 2nd 2007 7:15AM

"for Wii owners, claiming the game would've been "too complicated to enjoy. Wii users like easiness... Complex operability can be an obstacle for Wii users. "

That there is the reason why, as much as I like my Wii, it's going to be the death of hardcore gaming if it wins the next gen battle. I don't care if someones grandmother can play a game; I want the game to challenge me, not coddle me.

zwarrior @ May 2nd 2007 7:55AM

He wants to re-establish Resident Evil to the casual market, and that is fine, but after a slew of easy uncomplicating games, it would not hurt to have a hardcore shooter coming our way, and no, altough I will get it anyway, I don't mean a GC port Capcom.

PacoDG @ May 2nd 2007 8:39AM

I love Capcom for Lost Planet, however, they f'n think NOTHING of Wii owners.

This thread from their official boards comes to mind big time http://www.capcom.com/BBS/showthread.php?p=206735 ... really worth a read for some more insight on how they think (or don't think) of Nintendo lovin folks.

KilgoreTrout XL @ May 2nd 2007 9:19AM

"Personally, we like our games to have some depth and find ourselves disagreeing with his stance on the issue."

Yeah, that's one way to put it, I guess.

:-|

Sgphilip @ May 2nd 2007 11:34AM

Capcom is underestimating their user base. Chances are the ppl that were or are going to be the first one to get this game will be the fans of the franchise. If they do not like it due to the new system it will fail. If we do like it then it will be successfull by our word of mouth and the fact that we will be driving it off the shelf. Now I am still on the fence and will prob get this game, but if I don't like it then I will let ppl know that. I am also looking forward to RE4 and think they made a smart decision making the title only $30.