Wii Warm Up: A little Sadness

by Alisha Karabinus { Jun 11th 2008 at 8:00AM }

Yes, it's back, in IGN-forum-rumor form: Sadness, the game that ain't, or may be eventually. Back in April, after an appearance by poster "nibris" in the IGN Wii Lobby when a screenshot surfaced, we were expecting more media and a trailer by the end of May. Well, Twiilight_Prince recently returned, with an all-new possible screenshot (seen above), and a statement that the website was supposed to go live by the end of May. A third of the way into June, it's nowhere to be seen ... but should we expect more from a company that apparently has some dude on the internet doing their PR?

Sadness makes us, well, sad. We're sad because it's such a great idea and because it seems to be going nowhere ... or, if it's going somewhere, it's really, incredibly slow about it. On the one hand, we would be almost tempted to cut a new dev a little slack. Making games is hard (notice we're not doing it), and making a game that sounds cool is even harder. But damn, y'all. Stop making promises already, since you've yet to keep a single one. If they'd just do that, we would probably be more inclined to believe it when something does surface. Because we want to believe. As it is, however ... we just don't.

But let's talk about this possible screenshot. Real? Fake? Awesome? Not? Tell us.

See also: A look back through time: Sadness

[Update: Corrected the spelling of the poster's name.]

Gallery: Sadness

Tags: nibris, reliability, sadness

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Phil @ Jun 11th 2008 9:16AM

I'd say it's real, but actually only because I want it to be real. Let's be honest, though...if this game ever does come out, it'll probably be bad. I'm predicting wonky motion controls and a bad twist at the end. But maybe I'm just a pessimist.

BDR @ Jun 11th 2008 9:20AM

Nibris are not a game developer. They have not, and will never, develop a game for Wii or DS, I can guarentee you this. Too ambitious too early, they're probably bankrupt already.

Charles @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:00PM

"In addition to this, Nibris has informed Cubed³ that the team was indeed present at this year’s Games Convention over in Leipzig, Germany, showing off demos of Double Bloob (NDS) and ROTR (NDS), along with Sadness (Wii) materials. This was done at FOG Studios’ booth (the company that has just teamed up with Nibris to represent its projects), which was behind closed doors. There, both FOG and Nibris met with several publishers, media and even some lucky fans and 1,000 unique Sadness cards were handed out. Nibris has stated that the end of 2007 is going to be very big for it, so people should definitely pay attention!" Sounds like you might be wrong

BDR @ Jun 24th 2008 5:57AM

This information is from Nibris itself, so that in of itself should tell you it is either a lie or misleading. "Materials" means concept art, which does not mean development is in progress. The Leipzig Games Conference was held last August, so this information is almost a year old (if it is indeed factual) so ask yourself why we haven't seen any gameplay footage. I will believe that Nibris made a game when I physically insert it into my Wii, and not before.

The quote itself backs me up here. Nibris couldn't even get their own booth at LGC, they shared one with another publisher. This is historically the trademark of a small-time or independant developer (not always, but usually). The quote also claims that "the end of 2007 will be big" but Nibris has remained mysteriously quiet even to this day, mid 2008.

Look deeper into it, and you'll find they have no SDKs licensed from Nintendo, no publisher for their game (if said game exists) and a very small staff with little game programming experience. I repeat, they have not and will never develop a game for Nintendo platforms.

jmf @ Jun 11th 2008 9:44AM

Not going to happen. Though I wish it would :(

guttertalk @ Jun 11th 2008 9:56AM

It's hard to know if that shot is actually from a game: it certainly looks like it could be. But if it were, why would they not have more details to float out to us? A company like Nibris relies on word of mouth it would seem.

I appreciate the fun of the Mario games, but it is beginning to get tired of playing the same characters. (I don't know how some of you do it over 3-4 generations of consoles.) I'm ready for some new blood.

Unfortunately, intriguing games like Sadness, Crisis: Day of Disaster, and The Conduit all have doubtful futures. And I think the Wii really could use the potential these games suggest this year to bolster the library.

At the same time, we have no idea how any of these games play because we're getting mostly just visual information.

Charles @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:00PM

If by in doubt you mean coming out then Conduit is not in doubt. True they do not have a publisher but that is not because nobody wants to publish the game. The developer said they wanted the game finished before they decide who to publish it so the publisher doesnt come in and screw the game up or try to change anything. They have several WiiWare titles in the works. Ones out now, another will be out tomorrow. I'd put real money on Gyrostar being a big seller on Wii ware and helping fund their work even more.

Orion @ Jun 11th 2008 10:02AM

High Voltage is at it's prime, publishers are fighting over each other for the Conduit, and High Voltage has several wiiware games about to come out. So how exactly does the Conduit have a doubtful future?

TheCoats @ Jun 11th 2008 10:10AM

It might be real but looks to be a cut-scene! so far with what we have we know that there could very well be 30 sec. of cutscenes!!!

Can't wait to see a REAL trailer or a website, but by the time the game comes out (if and when) we will all be playing a different system! Hopefully called Wiii

Twiilight_Prince @ Jun 11th 2008 1:02PM

Yeah I assure you the screenshot is REAL, I dunno why Nibris didnt update their site like they promised me, something to do with E3 I am guessing, Nibris is real and so is Sdness, just because they are secretive doesnt mean they arent a real company, I have spoken with Fog Studios a representation of Nibris, the CEO there Ed Dilles, assured me Nibris is actively developing Sadness for a early 2009 release, at this point I expect the Sadness website to launch after or about the time of E3... but enough about that...hows about that Screenshot?! The graphics are clean and crisp, and I really like the way this game is turning out, I hope you enjoy the screen as much as I did.... oh and here we are halfway through June and you post a screenshot I posted a month ago...so I cant help but say OLD NEWS lololololol JK, see ya when I have more info

Twiilight_Prince @ Jun 11th 2008 2:14PM

oh and u spelled my name wrong in the article :)

Alisha Karabinus @ Jun 12th 2008 12:41AM

There is nothing newsy about this at all, old or new.

Your posting name has been changed to its "correct" form.

Sonic_13 @ Jun 11th 2008 2:40PM

Sadness is more than just a game. It is an emotion that is evoked by thinking about this game that never will be.

HellsHammer @ Jun 11th 2008 3:15PM

"but should we expect more from a company that apparently has some dude on the internet doing their PR?"
It's because of this, and all the secretiveness that makes me think the game is real.

Guttertalk said "A company like Nibris relies on word of mouth it would seem."
Which is exactly what this post is. Think of all the rumors and 'it's a fake game' stories and posts you've read. I've read quite a few. It's a decent marketing plan to have everyone question and underestimate your game, only to turn around and surprise the hell out of every and actually release it.