Bayonetta 2 is currently in development at Platinum Games and is shaping up to be one of the Wii U's most important titles. Gamasutra has been speaking to director Yusuke Hashimoto and producer Atsushi Inaba about the game's path to release, its finely-balanced combat mechanics and the company's relationship with Nintendo:
Gamasutra: Bayonetta is so gameplay-focused that I honestly feel that Nintendo would understand it very well. Do you find that's the case?
Yusuke Hashimoto: Yes, exactly. And all of the things we want to do in the game, they're not standing in our way, in that sense. But it's almost as if they are a very critical player that can sit back and give us great advice on how we're creating the game.
Atsushi Inaba: Working with Nintendo, one thing that comes out of that is that we're not able to cover up weaknesses in the core gameplay by making the graphics prettier or adding cutscenes, or whatever. The concern, first and foremost, is the core of the game and the quality of the gameplay. They really have our back in that sense. And that's actually a little bit unnerving, working with people who are such perfectionists in that sense.
Gamasutra: Has the game changed much since Nintendo came into the picture?
Yusuke Hashimoto: Actually the spec hasn't changed at all. Really, Nintendo has been more as an observer, and really good to just let us do our work, but to point out some minor things throughout the course of development.
Sounds like Platinum and Nintendo have a good thing going on there — plenty of mutual respect and a shared desire to create the best game possible. All of which makes it even harder to endure the wait for this game! Thank goodness we have Platinum and Nintendo's other project — The Wonderful 101 — to tide us over beforehand.
[source gamasutra.com]
Comments 53
Nice - Hopefully the good press from these guys and NLG will convince other studios to maybe approach Nintendo for funding(ala Bayonetta 2)/work with Nintendo as a 2nd party (ala W101)
"We're not able to cover up weaknesses in the core gameplay by making the graphics prettier or adding cutscenes, or whatever. The concern, first and foremost, is the core of the game and the quality of the gameplay." Other companies, TAKE NOTE! GAMEPLAY MATTERS MORE THAN GRAPHICS!
"We're not able to cover up weaknesses in the core gameplay by making the graphics prettier or adding cutscenes, or whatever. "
I love this quote. You can't fool Nintendo with shiny objects.
Yeah, it's a great quote, makes Nintendo look so bad-donkey.And who said Nintendo doesn't give free reign to developers they are working with (regarding possible Atlus acquisition).
@hwrose379 @19Robb92 It is indeed proof of Nintendo's correct focus: gameplay. It's not a slightly interactive movie. It's the right way to make "let's play's" not stand in the way of sales. Make the game something you must experience for yourself! Not just pretty to look at. Not something even youtube can emulate.
I have absolute faith in these two games.
@dumedum
That's a different issue though. Nintendo is a LOT stricter with their own 1st party software (which Atlus games would be if Nintendo bought them).
Platinum and Nintendo are an awesome match. Once B2 and W101 are done i'd like to see them make a 3DS title.
I'm going to pick this up when it comes out, even though I've not played the first one yet
Game developer in 'saying nice things about publisher funding their game' shocker. I don't remember the first game covering up bad gameplay with cut scenes either :s
need more games like this!
Platinum havent made a bad game yet so im really excited for both Wii U projects in development. Long live this budding relationship.
That's how games should be made, not with graphics, but with gameplay.
There is a specific standart in graphics for modern games, but you don't need a PS4 or XBone to reach this standard, and Gameplaywise, these two have nothing mor to offer than the 360 and PS3.
Peach 64 has a point that good gameplay isn't new to the Bayonetta series...but just imagine if the series had fallen into the hands of someone like Sqaure Enix or Konami...shudder At least Nintendo is sustaining the gameplay model over the solely graphical. I think in general Platinum and Nintendo are a great match in that way. Now if only Nintendo would be smart and snag Atlus (even at an initial loss if need be) so they can get some nice variety.
god i can't wait any longer for this game xD it wasn't the 1. party titles or the gamepad that made me buy a wii u, it was just PlatinumGames inc. making exclusive games for Nintendo
@19Robb92 That quote stuck out to me as well. it's great to see Nintendo creating partnerships like this, really encouraging. Can't wait for both P* games..
@19Robb92 Agreed. I love the fact that a highly-respected AAA third party is saying something like this.
That's a good interview, thanks for the link. I'm excited about the Platinum/Nintendo relationship - Bayonetta 2 and Wonderful 101 are probably my two most anticipated Wii U games.
That interview, and especially the quote everyone else has already mentioned, kind of made me sad that Nintendo didn't buy Vigil though.
@seronja Couldn't have put it better myself.
while i applaud Nintendo for trying to make all their games a perfect as possible, i feel that it's all the pushing that they do is what is putting third party's off their console and if they just stepped back a bit on the third party's they might get more support
Bayonetta 2, one of the main reasons I bought the Wii U, need I say more.
This game just looks awesome, this game for me is up there with the likes of MK8 as my most wanted, can't wait!
graphics on dat are nice though.
Nintendo are nowhere near as good (People thought they were difficult to work with but the quality was undeniable when you look at what they had to work with) as Hudson / NEC Avenue were with the PC Engine. (That is what I want them to aim for).
Should allow only technically excellent and good idea type games onto the platform at all. (No shovelware whatsoever or film tie in stuff).
Well, Platinum's focus on a myriad of things not related to a good game experience have always been "unnerving" to me.
Here's hoping existing Bayonetta fan's won't scoff at the sequel for being under Nintendo's scrutiny as if that somehow made it worse.
so looking forward to this game 8)
@19Robb92
If nintendo bought atlus, i think they would be treated like a second party, just like retro or intelligent systems or monolith.
But we will see what happens there.
"we're not able to cover up weaknesses in the core gameplay by making the graphics prettier or adding cutscenes, or whatever."
That right there is the one of the big things holding the industry back. This attitude that its ok to cut corners in exchange for some nice bullet points for the back of the box. Nintendo considers themselves toymakers, well theres a big difference between making cheap, flimsy garbage and something hand crafted and worth cherishing. Both can make money but sometimes the hard way is just better.
@SandersEvers Still not sure what any of those have to do with Bayonetta or Platinum...
@peach64 I believe he is replying to your earlier comment about what games use cut scenes to hide weaknesses. He named a few. What a negative nancy lol. Good ish tho @SandersEvers
@Judah_83 Maybe he and you need to read a little closer then because that's not what I said.
When developers focus mostly on gameplay they produce a game with HIGH replay value.
Look at Pikmin 3. It might be a short campaign, but the gameplay is just so unbelievably good that I will replay it a few times this year, ESPECIALLY with mission modes.... If the gameplay sucked, It would be a one and done play through like with TLOU.
they might not be able to fool Nintendo with better graphics and cutscenes nor Nintendo's fans, sadly most "hard core" gamers are easily fooled by graphics, cutscenes, recycled game play and ideas. shiny bells and whistles sell
@Peach64 Stop being so cynical peach!
@peach64
Your always the skeptic and negative/doom and gloom. SandersEvers responded to your sarcastic comment and I found it humurous and agreed with what was said in response. That's all. Getting all bentout of shape. Smh. Felines I tell ya.
@Peach64 Im just joking mate,i was in a bitter mood the other day. And yeah Bayonnetta 1 was all about gameplay too. I think the interview underlines how much of a great partnership nintendo and platinum make as both companies (in general) focus on gameplay and originality
@FullbringIchigo The third party situation on Wii U is strictly business.... if the Wii U were to go on and sell gangbusters over the next couple of years, publishers wouldn't be able to ignore it...> But right now with only 3.5 million systems in the wild, it isn't exactly a good business decision, with too much risk.
Personally I don't care for third party games as much because rarely do third parties make really good games. Honestly I cannot even think of a single third party title that would I rate it with 9's..... Nintendo first/second party game routinely hit those numbers without question. I'm a consumer not a charity, so I don't think I should buy third party games strictly for the reason of coaxing them to release more.... Third parties need to make a game I can get behind. I'm really hoping Watch_Dogs is that game, but then again Ubisoft doesn't have the best record (although I loved ZombiU)
@Zombie_Barioth Welcome to the games industry where 90% of publishers tell their devs that graphics are top priority. Gameplay comes second, or not at all.
With such a good relationship and two high profile games coming out, I wouldn't be surprised if a superhero or gun toting witch will be heading to everyone's favorite fighting game.
@Zombie_Barioth Nintendo compromised on New Super Mario Bros 2 swapping 60hz for graphical gimmicks.
Same with most of the 3DS games. And it is never worth it.
Hopefully this is true, the last thing I would want is Nintendo stepping in and saying the game is "too difficult for casuals" or "too offensive".
I seriously hope Bayonetta grows her hair back at some point in the story.
@R_Champ Why does everyone pick on Konami? Besides Sega, they are pretty much the only other third-party developer who still puts solid gameplay into their games. Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker were both amazing games, and Lords of Shadows was a really well done and fun game that did not deserve to be demonized as a souless "God of War" ripoff.
Not to mention, Konami has already worked with Platinum, so I doubt they would have really gotten involved with Bayonetta 2 or changed it.
If you had said Capcom or Square Enix I would have agreed with you, but Konami alongside Sega is one of the few large Japanese third-party developers who I still respect.
Lords of Shadows 2 and Metal Gear Solid V both look awesome:)
@DarkKirby Why are you so afraid? Have you played Donkey Kong Country Returns?
"We're not able to cover up weaknesses in the core gameplay by making the graphics prettier or adding cutscenes, or whatever. "
This does not compute for PC gamers.
@19Robb92
That's true to a certain extent, but I think it gets way over-exaggerated sometimes. All companies are selective, restrictive and are willing to censor when necessary. Just look at Naughty Dog's The Last of Us, which had much of it's violence edited and censored for the European version. Every company in the industry is selective about its content in certain regions, Nintendo just gets all the negative attention for it.
And Nintendo has come a long way from the bloodless Mortal Kombat days of the 16-bit era. I think it's the stigma attached to Nintendo from that era that really misrepresents the company that exists today.
@unrandomsam
When you put it like that, it sounds so bad. But keep in mind, the system is called the 3DS, and the retail releases are expected to be in 3D. There'd be a pretty big uproar if they released NSMB2 in 60hz without 3D, and we all know it.
3DS retail games should and must have 3D. That's the whole point of the system. It plays games in 3D without the need for glasses. You can't sacrifice 3D on a system based on 3D gameplay to achieve better refresh rates. The game will still play with lower refresh rates, but the game wouldn't be that viable as a 3DS release if it didn't have 3D.
Personally, I would never give up 3D just to have a slightly better refresh rate. 60hz isn't the threshold of what makes a game viable, neither is running in 1080p. 95% of gamers wouldn't even tell the difference, and wouldn't really even care tbh. But they would definitely care if the new Mario game they bought for their 3DS didn't play in 3D. Call it a gimmick if you want, but it's a cool feature that many enjoy, and one that all retail releases on the handheld are expected to have.
@dumedum Which is why in "The Last Story", a first party Nintendo game, there's scenes where the heroes assist knights who are killing unarmed women and children.
This isn't the 90's NOA isn't afraid of lawsuits like they were before the ESRB came around. Now the big "M" on the side of the box shields them from responsibility if kids play the game. You did know fear of lawsuits and bad press was why NOA did that crap, right?
@Caryslan http://youtu.be/4g1xMAPG8Ik
That's why.
@Caryslan @b23cdq
Spot on b22cdq. Plus, they're milking MGS to death. The story was done with IV and yet we're getting V. For a Story-driven series that's VERY troubling. It's a prequel? So let's call it: MGS: The Phantom Pain Menace. In a way Konami is becoming frighteningly like Capcom. Constant rehashes and releases, beating cash cow series to death, and ignoring amazing gameplay driven IPs like Megaman, and Breath of Fire for Capcom; and Gradius, and Zone of the Enders for Konami.
Please just buy platinum games, nintendo.
We need more developers like this! I am willing to wait longer for a game if that means that it's going to be perfect. I'd rather wait a while for a perfect game, then get a game on time that is flawed.
Also, I love how companies that are actually working with Nintendo speak out about how easy and fruitful it really is to work with them. This is also why I LOVE Nintendo. Gameplay comes first before graphics and everything else.
This will be epic, believe me.
System seller folks. What this space.
@19Robb92 Yes. This was always through.
That's Bethesda doesn't do games on Nintendo platform, they, in 2011, were able to release a bugged game for PC, FOR PC! Come on, even i know some basic programming on PC!
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