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Topic: AMA#1 (Ask Me Anything) - Tom Whitehead - Editor and NL words man

Posts 41 to 60 of 72

ThomasBW84

Last question regarding food... Are you a nattou guy?

Hm, don't think I've ever tried it. Now I want to.

What's better: Vietnamese, Chinese or Japanese food?

Well, I can't say what's 'better' My favourite out of those is Japanese, though.

So my question is; What is your relationship with developers (AAA and Indie) as a whole, and are those types of questions asked and not responded to? Not asked? Would those hardball questions limit future interactions? Put differently, Why do you think Companies are not held accountable for many of the comments they make and are not called out on them by the gaming media?

With Indies it's much easier, as they're far more approachable, direct and upfront with their answers. If an Indie is asked a question they're pretty good about answering it (mostly, not always). On the Ori thing, though, asking them why the game isn't out on Wii U is a somewhat different topic. They're interested in NX and were frustrated by the lack of access; they're one of many, many indies where it's not been technically possible or financially sensible to port to Wii U. I'm not saying the Wii U question isn't interesting, but they're not actually 'related' to each other directly, if you see what I'm saying?

We try to follow up with Indies on things, do regular interview etc but, of course, there's always plenty of room to do better.

As for the likes of EA, they typically ignore the likes of us as they're a company that's barely engaged with Nintendo in recent years. The likes of Eurogamer, IGN etc have much better odds of getting actual comments from them, but I can't talk to whether they actually try. That said, I have pretty decent relationships with the likes of Bandai Namco, so some larger publishers do reply if I send an enquiry.

We do have a good relationship with Nintendo, too, which means we sometimes have major interviews, and typically if we ask a question we get an answer. The kicker, though, is that an answer from a company like Nintendo will have gone through a lot of filters and, often, won't say much at all. For example I followed up on something recently, there was a delay, and a few hours later a relatively bland statement was posted on social media and Nintendo's official site - we were then directed to that. You don't have a 'conversation' like you do with Indies. With a big company you ask a question, it crosses multiple desks (I suspect) and they work on the safest, least risky answer possible, often just pointing to official statements.

I have to say the PR people at the likes of Nintendo and Bandai are very friendly and try to help, my point is that they're limited and have to abide by strict processes.

I hope that clarifies a little, anyway.

ThomasBW84

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3469-6599 | Nintendo Network ID: ThomasBW84 | Twitter:

jump

Let's have a sticky wicket question...what's your thought on gamersgate as I don't remember Nintendolife touching it at the time?

Also I've suggested this before in the site suggestion/feedback part of the forum but could you do stories on event pokemon giveaways? I know you did one on Mew recently but for the most part this site doesn't really cover stuff like that and whenever I go to Serebii I'll notice I've missed the last 3 or 4 UK giveaways.

Edited on by jump

Nicolai wrote:

Alright, I gotta stop getting into arguments with jump. Someone remind me next time.

Switch Friend Code: SW-8051-9575-2812 | 3DS Friend Code: 1762-3772-0251

Freeon-Leon

@ThomasBW84: Do it under your own risk. I like it a lot but many people find it disgusting because of its strong smell and flavour. It's really healthy and makes you look young though

Check out my super awesome Super Mario Maker levels.

3DS Friend Code: 4596-9585-5314 | Nintendo Network ID: JahirBGoode

LzWinky

Team Smash or Team Splatoon?

Current games: Everything on Switch

Switch Friend Code: SW-5075-7879-0008 | My Nintendo: LzWinky | Nintendo Network ID: LzWinky

ThomasBW84

Let's have a sticky wicket question...what's your thought on gamersgate as I don't remember Nintendolife touching it at the time?

We didn't tackle Gamergate directly on the site, though we have covered tricky topics when directly related to Nintendo in the past, for example issues around marriage options in Tomodachi Life. We always aim to deal with issues like that when relevant to our remit.

As for my personal views on Gamergate, I'll start with my general principles. I'm a supporter of inclusivity in games, in terms of content for all players, and I want to see gender equality in the industry at large. I also believe the press is responsible for doing its work as ethically as possible, learning from mistakes (I made one today, funny enough, posting a fan project that wasn't really suitable and then retracting it) and striving to meet high standards.

As for 'Gamergate' itself, I didn't so much see a sensible campaign but rather an online free-for-all that rapidly descended into anarchy and, sadly, showing some of the very worst sides of the web. The trouble with unmanaged online 'campaigns' is that they're easily appropriated, and Gamergate seemed to become a vehicle for sexist, aggressive and hateful behaviour from some online, in the process making some people's lives miserable. Those that originated the term may protest that's not their goal, but if you try to crowdsource a campaign on Twitter, Facebook and forums, it goes wrong quickly. I think Gamergate became a mess, and I hated how some used it as a vehicle to push bigoted and hateful ideologies; as a result I thought it was a bad thing, in terms of the 'campaign'.

ThomasBW84

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3469-6599 | Nintendo Network ID: ThomasBW84 | Twitter:

ThomasBW84

Also I've suggested this before in the site suggestion/feedback part of the forum but could you do stories on event pokemon giveaways? I know you did one on Mew recently but for the most part this site doesn't really cover stuff like that and whenever I go to Serebii I'll notice I've missed the last 3 or 4 UK giveaways.

I'll certainly try to keep on top of them

Do you ever visit the other sites, Push Square or Pure Xbox?

Sure. In terms of gaming I check in on PS and PX, Eurogamer, and occasionally see what's up on NeoGAF and Reddit. Away from gaming I use The Guardian and BBC for non-game news, plus the usuals like YouTube.

Team Smash or Team Splatoon?

Hm, tricky. Probably Team Splatoon, but only just.

Do you play online FPS games? If so, do you have a favorite and what is it?

Not really, no!

Edited on by ThomasBW84

ThomasBW84

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3469-6599 | Nintendo Network ID: ThomasBW84 | Twitter:

Rocko52

Are you at all a Godzilla/Kaiju fan? If so - who's your favorite monster?

Anime watching: Mobile Suit Gundam, Lupin III, & Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable
Reading: The Golden Compass

3DS Friend Code: 3093-7191-2654

ThomasBW84

What do you think about the new design of NL?

I really like it, and I'm not just saying that because I'm supposed to. It's like all redesigns, once I find my way around it I get along fine.

Are you at all a Godzilla/Kaiju fan? If so - who's your favorite monster?

Not really a big fan, sorry! I quite liked the recent Western movie, but that may be sacrilegious to say out loud.

ThomasBW84

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3469-6599 | Nintendo Network ID: ThomasBW84 | Twitter:

Dezzy

Have you ever been to that place in Wales with the absurdly long name?

It's dangerous to go alone! Stay at home.

ThomasBW84

Have you ever been to that place in Wales with the absurdly long name?

Sadly not, but I've tried to read out a sign with its name on in Cardiff.

Who are you exactly?

I'm an International Man of Mystery.

ThomasBW84

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3469-6599 | Nintendo Network ID: ThomasBW84 | Twitter:

jump

Snog, marry and kill*...Peach, Samus and Zelda?

*In case you don't know it's a game where you must decided which person you want to snog, marry and kill from the choices given but once you decide you want to snog one you then can't marry the same character and vice versa so you must match up all options without leaving anyone out.

Nicolai wrote:

Alright, I gotta stop getting into arguments with jump. Someone remind me next time.

Switch Friend Code: SW-8051-9575-2812 | 3DS Friend Code: 1762-3772-0251

ThomasBW84

Snog, marry and kill...Peach, Samus and Zelda?

Snog Zelda - because she's royalty and, besides, any long term relationship would have the tension of Link constantly hovering in the background.

Marry Samus - because she's badass and we'd both still lead our own lives.

Kill Peach - because she'd make me fatter than I already am by constantly baking cake

... This thread's getting a bit weird

ThomasBW84

3DS Friend Code: 4253-3469-6599 | Nintendo Network ID: ThomasBW84 | Twitter:

jump

ThomasBW84 wrote:

... This thread's getting a bit weird

Still it could be weirder like snog, marry and kill...Donkey Kong, Pikachu and Yoshi.

Nicolai wrote:

Alright, I gotta stop getting into arguments with jump. Someone remind me next time.

Switch Friend Code: SW-8051-9575-2812 | 3DS Friend Code: 1762-3772-0251

veeflames

How big is the Nintendo Life office? How many computers are in there?

God first.
My Switch FC: SW824410196326

3DS Friend Code: 1134-8006-9637 | Nintendo Network ID: VolcanoFlames

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