Jaffe attacks Nintendo for insulting loyal fanbase

[Shrygue]

via Games Industry


God of War designer David Jaffe has launched an attack on Nintendo following the company's marketing director stating only "geeks and otaku" want more storage for the Wii.

Writing on his personal blog, Jaffe accuses Nintendo of snubbing its loyal fanbase for mainstream success, and says Laurent Fischer – who he incorrectly refers to as female – should be ashamed of his comments.

He wrote: "This statement, especially coming from a marketing person, reeks of one of two things:

A - Arrogance at a level that should make Nintendo – if this statement reflects the core of the company – very ashamed.

B - A marketing person who has no real clue about games and thinks she's being cute and coy by dissing the 'geeks' 'cause she thinks the mainstream loves them now... if this is the case, she really needs someone to sit her down and explain to her which side her f*cking toast has been buttered on for years and will eventually get back to being buttered on."

He said that although he's a big fan of Nintendo games, and admires the business and they way it has uplifted the games industry in general, Nintendo is in danger of alienating it's hardcore audience, even accusing the company of "immaturity".

"I like Nintendo. And I love old Nintendo. And both old and new Nintendo have brought so much to this industry that they should be proud and excited and even a little $#@!y when it comes to their amazing accomplishments.

"Anyone in our business should envy their ability to read, direct, and redirect the market. And to also – when they want to – make some world class, ground breaking games.

He added that the comments by Fischer were "really, really sad. And not so much because Nintendo seems to be telling a chunk of its loyal fanbase to go f*ck itself, but because it's just reeks of junior high school vibe immaturity bulls**t."

[AlienSpurm]

me thinks that only an uptight geek with an identity complex can feel so scorned by such a statement. Embrace your geekdom, my friend; we are all geeks and that is nothing to fear

[marios_shadow]

me thinks that only an uptight geek with an identity complex can feel so scorned by such a statement. Embrace your geekdom, my friend; we are all geeks and that is nothing to fear

I think it's more the fact that it's being used as a negative.

[bah]

I think it's more the fact that it's being used as a negative.

Exactly.
If they said 'only geeks want more storage, and we are working on allowing them to have it' then it would be fine.

'We're not doing something because *only geeks* want it' uses the term with derogatory connotations ('they don't matter, we're the mainstream mini-game company now'), and is insulting to the core audience that made them the success they are.

It doesnt really bother me (more storage would be nice though), but I can see where the guy it coming from.

[AlienSpurm]

True, I suppose I was merely taken off guard by the sheer vehemence of the fellows reaction.
More storage would be nice

[Shuichi]

Yes that's right take that Nintendo that's what you get for insulting us for buying your games.

PS: That sounds so strange.

[iSynic]

He may have gone about it the wrong way, but he has a fair point. Nintendo is being extremely foolish about additional storage, and they do deserve to be called to task for it.