Former DICE CEO: 'The Wii Is A Virus'

Despite the Nintendo Wii dominating sales charts and setting records left, right and centre, it's still never really won over the games industry. Comments from Sega and Capcom have only helped to fuel the negativity surrounding the console, and it's apparently a feeling that's echoed among other developments too.

[Selyah]

I think most people probably are aware of this by now

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

The type of games that sell on the Wii is just different and it seems only Nintendo is able to cater to them.

So stop making hardcore games or gimmicky mini party games. Perhaps then you will have a hit!

[deadreckoning666]

Ummm..why? The only virus here is within the mentality of the uninformed buyers who now regret buying their Wiis thinking that there were getting more than what they thought.

@people who label things like the Wii, Modern Warfare, and ipods as viruses

No one FORCES consumers to buy any of this stuff, yet they willingly do it. If u are currently dissapointed cause your Wii has no games that appeal to you or that Modern Warfare 2 has too many glitches..its UR fault for not informing urself about these problems beforehand. Being an early adopter isn't smart.

Its kinda of ironic though. The Wii has done MORE for gaming than the PS3 and 360 in terms of mainstream popularity, even though the Wii is considered poison by hardcore gamers.

[eagle21]

I really laugh at the so called "core gamers" who take your precious gaming time you could be playing MW2 or whatever new FPS you are playing to try and downplay Nintendo. I am very excited for Wii in 2010.

I enjoy my PS3 and Wii, either ignore the Wii or shut up. Talking about things keeps them current. :)

[Lich120]

I think you're missing the point. This is a well known person in the industry talking about something they have stake in. It's extremely valid. If however you are only upset because you like your Wii, well then stop being upset and just enjoy it.

I have all three major consoles, I can safely say I play my Wii the least and only have it for the major Nintendo releases. In that regard, I think its valid criticism for a third party developer to talk about why they wouldn't develop for it.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

@Deadreckoning.

Right because you're able to inform yourself of things to come in the future. We all had little mystical orbs that let us see into the future telling us the Wii would have little to no hardcore games and that MW2 would be the glitched hack fest it is now.

Right?

[na-no-nai]

i would agree if the devs are actually trying on the wii but they arent
how many are actually AAA title?

[sikbeta]

"Gaming Union: Are you surprised with the negativity surrounding the Wii from various groups, even after all this time and its success? Would you develop a Wii game if you were a traditional developer?

Fredrik Liliegrin: If I got paid to develop a Wii game I would do it. I would not put an original IP on the Wii today unless I thought I had an absolute home run.

Gaming Union: Why not?

Fredrik Liliegrin: Because the Wii, to me, I would describe it as a Virus, that doesn't stick. Everyone comes home, it's a toy, people have got to realize the Wii is a toy, not an entertainment focused product. People come home, someone, they play Wii for a bit, feel it's really cool, blah blah blah, they go out and buy one. Ask people how often they play the Wii, that are not the core game consumer that buys one because they have an Xbox 360 and a Wii or a PlayStation 3 and a Wii. The people that only own the Wii, ask that consumer how often they use their machine. They just don't use it, it was cool, but they're not gamers, so they put it away. Other than the Wii Fit phenomenon that helped a lot of people get a nice cutie voice telling that they're fat and need to go work out, they need to find other alternatives. Nintendo is smart in that way in that they realize this is not a video game machine, this is not a games game machine"

What do you Guys think about?

[evilmonkey501]

Stop kidding yourselves.The wii has done NOTHING for the gaming community. The masses of people who buy the wii aren't into gaming.They're into toys.These peole arent going to "cross over" to real video game machines.Ever.Its a fad.Its a toy.
Why do you guys think it has no "games"? Because no one buys the "games". They buy the wii fit and other gimmicky programs.
Mark my words: Arc and Natal will go the way of the dodo bird too....just like my wii.

[Saaking]

I, unlike many others, actually like the Wii.

Yes, Nintendo has made some major mistakes and it pisses me off how many casual titles there are; however, they've also made some of the greatest games this generation. Just look at this year. Zelda, Mario, and Metroid all in one year. That is just amazing.

The Wii has a better lineup than the 360 this year, at least it does if you're a Nintendo fan. I'm glad to see Nintendo succeed.

[vhero]

Thing about the wii is people dont look at it as a games console more at a fun toy and thats why it sells so well.

[somekyle]

A Virus? xD

[Braska]

More of a parasite if you ask me...

[Sanrin]

Id like to think of it more as a disease.

[vandaLl_L]

It is a Pandemic.

[mcgrawgamer]

it's safe to say that the wii doesn't cater to all gamers, but to call it a virus??? LOL that's harsh. Extra harsh.

[Xander-RKoS]

"people have got to realize the Wii is a toy, not an entertainment focused product"

I thought the a toy was an entertainment focused product? Do toys not entertain? I'm confused.

[Park_Triolo]

Well, Fredrik Liliegren... if the Wii is a toy and not meant to entertain, what are Xbox 360 and PS3 supposed to be... washing machines??? Give me a break. This Liliegren probably got drunk one time to many in Helsingør. Fredrik... if you don't like the Wii, then don't develop for it. Nobody will miss you.

I bought the Wii a year ago and I play it almost every day... and YES... there are a LOT of cool games for it. People who say otherwise are either ignorant or jealous. I got my first computer in 1983 and I think that people from my generation know what a REAL game is... and no, it's not only about cool HD-graphics... it all comes down to gameplay, people... GAMEPLAY. In the old days we had games like AticAtac and Sabre Wulf... anyone remember those? I bet not, but those were addictive games with tons of gameplay and fun.

Today people are lured into buying games just because of the graphics. Well, I love cool graphics too, but not if I have to give up on gameplay and story. One of my friends has a PS3 and is of course very happy with it, but he is also a little disappointed with the games. For example he really looked forward to Killzone 2 and bought it, when it came out. Sadly... an hour or so into the game he almost fell asleep. The words were: Boring... repetitive. This is really sad... I really loved all the trailers for this game, but all it came down to was how cool are the graphics... typical for the gaming industry and the consumer of today.

The PS3 and Xbox 360 are a very nice machines and there are some good games for them, I admit that and I would also like to play those games. But it's really sickening that some gamers blame other gamers for their choices in gaming hardware... and even worse when a so called developer like Fredrik Liliegren does it.

People... enjoy your gaming rig... whether it be PS3, PS2, PSP, NDS, Wii, PC, Xbox, Xbox 360 etc. What matters is what YOU think and not what some swedish developer seems to think he knows.

Now I will play with my Wii... and maybe a little later I will also take my PS2 and iPhone for a little spin.

Have a nice weekend...

[evilmonkey501]

"Well, Fredrik Liliegren... if the Wii is a toy and not meant to entertain, what are Xbox 360 and PS3 supposed to be... washing machines??? Give me a break. This Liliegren probably got drunk one time to many in Helsingør. Fredrik... if you don't like the Wii, then don't develop for it. Nobody will miss you."

Because no one would buy your "game" to begin with...and it would most likely suck...

[Aphe]

I'm sure Nintendos feelings will be very hurt by comments made by the former CEO of DICE.

[spunnups]

LOL @ the headline.

IMO, the Wii is a party system. It's great for drinking games and the occasional party fest. Other than that, it has little hardcore gaming and too much Mario. It does have the occasional good game i'll give it that. But with the lack of online integration it doesn't get a lot of play in my household. I would to try that "Open Ocean" game. Looks like something I could get into.

It does have one of my favorite series, Zelda.

The Wii is geared towards younger kids and older people who find the PS3 controller to be too complicated. My dad for instance hates every system but the Wii. He finds it easy to use and just plain fun. I don't hate on the wii for the simple fact that it caters to a different audience.

[evilmonkey501]

playing Zelda games...

[Gimped Hardware]

Up until the PS1 video games were pretty much the domain of geeky guys, sure adults played to but the way they were marketed was so much different to now.

With the advent of the PS1 Sony's mareketing was awesome - making the PS1 fashionable amongst the people with the most disposable income and putting pods at events that were hip and happening to create a buzz, and boy did it work!

Nintendo, with the Wii have taken it that much further - not just selling to the hardcore, or casuals but simply to everyone - even if they aren't interested simply because 'everyones got one'.

Next Gen is going to be something special with what MS,Sony and Nintendo come up with and how they market it - colour me excited :D

[tunaks1]

oh please,
the fanboy nonsense that comes from PS360 owners is a virus,
a focus on things that were never necessary to gameplay is a virus (never ending cutscenes, generic FPS, over use of QTE).
I've found more traditional games on the Wii then any other console.
Having the Wii and a good PC makes any other console obsolete.

[eagle21]

thank you. :)

[baum]

"I've found more traditional games on the Wii then any other console. "

It must be fun to be blind. Also, you can't play PS3 exclusives on a beefed up PC. Seriously, what is it with this hypocritical Wii fanboys hating on people that "downplay" the Wii and yet they do the same with other consoles. How sad.

[iamgoatman]

@baum

Not everyone wants to play your precious PS3 exclusives. You talk about them as if they are the be and end all of gaming.

[Darkfocus]

"Having the Wii and a good PC makes any other console obsolete. "

if you have a good PC the Wii's the most obsolete console, there's near perfect emulation for almost every Wii game now and they look tens times better on PC. PC is best at almost everything but the ps3 has tons of good exclusives so I'd say thats the only non obsolete console if you've got a good PC

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

"a focus on things that were never necessary to gameplay is a virus"

OH SH-

You mean like motion controls!?

[sikbeta]

@tunaks1

Sorry Pal, but WTF PS3 Owners have to do with the cr@p the guy is talking about, I mean he's the CEO and co-founder of DICE, not a Random fanboy, don't need to start a fanboy-war cuz a guy who doesn't Represent any Console Brand talk in a "bad way" about your console of choice

Gamers FTW!!!

[EvilTwin]

"Ask people how often they play the Wii, that are not the core game consumer that buys one because they have an Xbox 360 and a Wii or a PlayStation 3 and a Wii."
-------------------------

Umm...ask some of the 140 million people who "are not the core game consumer" who bought the PS2 how often they played it. What, people think ALL of those PS2's went into the hands of the "core"?

Why the bizarre double standard? Some people buy a gaming console to play it only once in a while. It's not a new phenomenon.

[ChickeyCantor]

Not only that,
These people also have a F*CKING LIFE.
They go to work, get home, take care of the kids( no not killing them, that would be epic XD) do some more work get some rest play a game here and there.

Yes its true, Gamers are no lifers, since we have to play 3 hours straight to call ourself " HARDCORE GAMERS".

F*ck this generation, this is the most pathetic one.
/rage.

[EvilTwin]

I completely agree with you. I don't have the time or money to make playing games an outright lifestyle. I won't be able to buy S&P2 or SMG2 on launch, because my gaming budget is pretty skimpy, and the money I have right now is reserved for RS2 and Metroid. And it's going to take me months to beat them both.

I'll put in a few marathon sessions when I can (most recently with COD:MWR). Then I'll go a week without playing at all.

[TheColbertinator]

Why would the former CEO of DICE care about the Wii.All they make is FPS games which are mostly popular on the PC.

Reminds me of when Epic criticized the Wii which they have no good reason to.

[mephman]

Because he now runs a new studio that doesn't make Battlefield games, and that could make a Wii game.

[Aphe]

It could but it doesn't sound like it's going to happen does it. Especially now.

[mephman]

Well, he said he'd make one if someone paid him to. xD

[Aphe]

Heh, good point. I imagine the meetings between the two companies if that was to happen would be a little frosty.

[bjornbear]

I don't make games for any platform so...i can't comment on any of them...

nor can you...or most people here....too bad =/

palhaço xD

[devsgreat]

''I would describe it as a Virus, that doesn't stick. Everyone comes home, it's a toy''
amen

[mrv321]

It's a real shame this 'virus' has done more for gaming than the PS3 or 360.

Now hear me out. I enjoy my PS3 and 360 I don't own a Wii BUT the Wii has brought new blood into an industry heavily reliant on nerds... the PSone and PS2 helped, but no one can deny the Wii has brought so many people AND money into a industry which could be better compared to comic books.

[deadreckoning666]

Ur right, ur absoulutely right. Instead of blaming the Wii, we should be blaming the people who buy the Wii.

[mrv321]

No, no, no.

Instead of blaming it on anyone or anything. How about we buy the games we enjoy to play from developers we want to support and then if there's a change it's because of a majority.

[Noble Spartan]

Wii has got some amazing games such as Zelda and Mario games. Also metriod.

Anyone who got a Wii, go here

http://gameshubwii.piczo.co...

read the whole article will tell you how to get free wii points/game! Yes its the Nintendo Connection Ambassasor promotion.

[dredgewalker]

^^
Dont forget No More Heroes 2, Sin and Punishment 2 and Tatsunoko vs Capcom.

[pcz]

The wii isn't a party system, or a system for kids, mothers, grandmothers, casuals or any of the other typical stereotypical responces these bs topics inspire. The wii is just a games system like all the other consoles. So what the wii has party games, the entire library isn't made up of party games.

When people talk about ps3, they don't single out the fact it plays bluray movies, and then say its a system for people who watch 'enter really rubbish movie series,' so why say that for wii?

If people buy the wii to use to entertain their guests at parties, that is up to them. If some people want to use their wii as an exercise machine, fair enough. I use my system to play the 'traditional' videogames, so as far as im concerned, the wii as a party stystem doesn't exist.

I think it just shows how diverse the wii is, it is different things to different people. If you think its a virus, i think you are just an idiot.

[eagle21]

It didn't stop me from enjoying it and never caring of owning a 360 to save my life. Now it's the toast of the town and even those 360 fans are buying them. Some people like to be told what to buy and enjoy. I buy what I totally enjoy and leave the rest in the store. I didn't buy MW2 or AC2. I did buy NSMBW and Uncharted 2 and would buy both again at a higher price! :)

[Biggest]

I'm the moron that bought all four of those games you mentioned. And I want to kick my own a** for the glitchfest and snoredisk.

[ChickeyCantor]

" If you think its a virus, i think you are just an idiot."

/RAAAGEEE

[washingmachine]

thats cause most that get the wii will mod it to play games on the hdd or usb etc,plus the already wii owners already are doing the same.

[silvacrest]

i would call it a disease only because microsoft and sony have felt the need to imitate it

[edoman20]

Thw Wii is crap for me

I have been only nintendo fan since kid, always with the BIG N in the good times (SNES and NES), f***ing Bad times (N64) and not so good times (GAMECUBE), but the Wii disapointed me in so many levels that i decided to get a ps3

But what could i say, they lost me but are swiming in money

[FwanK]

The 360 is a terminal disease

[RagTagBnd445]

So the best selling stationary console this gen is a virus? How laughable.

[Consoldtobots]

I just call it a gimmick, I was doing motion control on my pc 4 years before the Wii came out. There is nothing in the Wii that is new tech, unless you are an ignorant run of the mill consumer. To true gamers the Wii is a casual piece of crap.

[deadreckoning666]

Oh okay, I get what ur saying.

[Dave1351]

"People have go to realize the wii is a toy"

absolutely right! it cant compete against the 360 for ps3 (game wise not sales)

[bigjclassic]

DICE is a well known PC dev. Nintendo is a traditional video game company. Big difference.

Xbox and Xbox 360 ushered in the era of PC devs becoming successful in the console market. With that said they are still very new to the console game and have a PC centric view of things.

If i was a snobby PC gfx whore I would agree with the FORMER DICE CEO, but as a traditional console gamer I am gonna laugh at him while playing We Love Golf drinking a Caribou Lou.

[RagTagBnd445]

So you blame all pc gamers for one mans word. Also are we pc gamers snobby whores because we prefer to pay more and get better (technical) graphics.

[Handhelds_FTW]

Y U mad, brah?

[tunaks1]

"OH SH-
You mean like motion controls!?"

as long as I can hold a controller, it has buttons, and an analog stick, then ill be fine.

"if you have a good PC the Wii's the most obsolete console, there's near perfect emulation for almost every Wii game now and they look tens times better on PC. PC is best at almost everything but the ps3 has tons of good exclusives so I'd say thats the only non obsolete console if you've got a good PC"

yes because when people come to play(people still do that you know) I don't want them to crowd around my PC, unfortunately mine isnt hooked up to my tv. On the PC I can get all the ground braking visual games I want, and on Wii I can get all the great 1st Party games, and the 3rd party games that don't suck- and stop being delusional they exist.

'I've found more traditional games on the Wii then any other console.'
"It must be fun to be blind"
Really? Thanks for letting me know!

the Wiis got all new 2D games like NSMB, Murumasa, A boy and his blob, wario shake it, all the VC games, and the awesome retro Metroid Other M.

[na-no-nai]

i say we blame the devs for making crummy games for the wii

[Mahr]

Haters gonna hate?

[eagle21]

Articles like this make me happy Ninty is #1. They would hate regardless of their position. I started with Nintendo back in the 80's and will end with them. :)

[Gr81]

This $hit Again?

Whatever dude. There's so many great games coming that I couldn't care less about this guys 'opinion'

I hate to say it but, this guy needs to grow up. This mentality is very immature. The best thing about this is take the Wii's contribution away from the equation and look what the 'industry' looks like as a result.

[ForROME]

I agree the wii is a joke, a toy, and will soon be laughed at when other machines get motion control on a more TOY like style.

[GFahim]

so many comments, expecially from the ps360 fanboys over this wii news simply because its something NEGATIVE about the wii.

but when great wii news comes out such as a new wii game being announced, the comment section always feel deserted.

[foxxy]

I just hope they make a beast nitendo console with hd zelda 100 playeable chracters for smash bros and really use the money they earned from the wii and ds.

[lizard81288]

maybe they should make better games then. i'd like to see a 5 hour rail shooter sell well on the ps360.

besides, that would be like me saying the only reason to own a ps3 is for its blue ray player. in one of my computer classes i'm taking about 5-10 people own a ps3 in my class and they all agreed they only use it for a blue ray player. even my professor has a ps3 and only uses it for a blue ray player, but you don't see articles about that.

wonder why its cool to hate the wii?
if you peel the crap games away from the wii, it has a good line up, and more to offer than just FPSs.

i have a Wii and PC so i'm good.

[silencedisturber]

You could say that the Wii is a virus. But by saying that, you'll also state that the Wii is progressive and always one step further than its cure. Since most hardcore gamers nowadays believe one of the cures for the Wii are the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, it would make sense that the Wii is a virus, since it isn't just one step further, but about a dozen.

So from a certain point of view, the guy has a point. But not necessarily a negative one :).

[evilmonkey501]

If you have an hdtv, dont buy a wii....

[turok]

I have an hdtv, and I use it for the Wii. lot of aliasing but otherwise looks okay to me. lol I use the hdtv for my ps3 as well thx to hdmi cable. Wii on hdtv is okay so as long as u can ignore the A.

[dredgewalker]

We couldn't use the PS2 and Wii on our hd-tv. It looks a little bad in an hd-tv so we hooked them up with a regular sd-tv which looked much better. The other reason is that my daughter always plays with it and we wouldnt be able to play with the PS3 if all consoles were hooked into one tv.

[turok]

did u have the correct a/v cables to make it look better? even though upscaled it still looks decent or did u use the a/v cables u got from the box that u bought for $200? lol no matter it look decnet for me either ur hdtv sucks or u didnt have teh right connections... lol I have my Wii and the ps3 share the same hdtv xP.

[dredgewalker]

U may be right but it pays to have separate tv's on separate systems so that everyone can play.

[evilmonkey501]

I did buy the 480p component cables.It did look marginally better than the composite cables that came with the system.

[prodg52]

it's the games. Games have changed so much since the early NES days, but nintendo hasn't. If you make an SNES style platformer I bet it will sell great on the Wii.

[tiamat5]

While I think this is a bit of an exaggeration, it does say something. The Wii does basically nothing. Its Nintendo's safety net, its safe place to crawl into. Not many people have a Wii alone. Whenever you hear anyone talking they usually have a Wii and some other gaming system. They usually buy it for a female partner or their children. In all seriousness even after all the money its made,no one but clingy fanboys take the Wii seriously. Not even developers take it seriously. Even now the so called supporters of Wii are now turning their heads towards the PS3 and 360 develop games for them e.g. No More Heroes,De blob.And with the new motion controls coming more games I'm sure will follow. The Wii has done nothing to establish itself and Nintendo sits in its own little world feeding on nostalgia and fanboyism hoping and praying that no one notices that all their games pale in comparison to current gen games and the other systems don't stomp on them just like Sony . So the Wii is not a virus, its a parasite.

[Seekerofthewind]

You're ridiculous. Not even worth a genuine reply, bro.

[turok]

I have read enough of these retarded fanboy talk. PS3, 360, and the Wii are all good get along now. I personally own the PS3 and the Wii and have played the 360 before (Halo 3 ODST only if I remember correctly) and its all good. where has all this hate coming from? And please shut up on the wii hate just because nintendo didnt come up with what u were expecting dont mean the end of the world now, sony and ms are there as alternatives lol.

[ozstar]

Have you played Bit Trip Beat?

Don't tell me there isn't an audience for core gamers.

[artsaber]

But constantly making games for the Wii? It is obvious by now that the games they are trying to make are not selling on it. If you don't like your sales, stop making games, period. Capcom only made Tatsunoko VS Capcom is on the Wii... WHY? If you are gonna develop a game solely on one console, then why even complain?

Good for the Wii, if the developers as a whole are too dumb to stop making games for it (that aren't selling), and some aren't even that great, it is their own damn fault. They should shut up and like it, they are doing it to themselves.

[turok]

Also note that lack of advertisement is a very big issue for Wii 3rd party games as that area is almost not invested at all... I see all the so called "shovelware" at my local gamestop and I can see why they don't sell as I never heard of them.

Games need love and by love I mean damn good advertisement. If there is no advertisement then its crap.

[dredgewalker]

I used to hate the Wii but seeing my daughter have fun with it like i used to when i was a kid i realized that its not such a bad thing to have. I then got my own type of games and it does have games worth playing. The PS3 is still our main console but were happy to add the Wii to our console collection.

[keysy420]

the wii is what we all wanted a system to be for years and years. its just when we got it were not happy with the results.
For years and years people have been complaining about how people view video gaming, people have always said it is a waste of time and that it cause kids to do bad things. And that only nerds play video games. but now that the wii has came to the market people want to complain that everyone is gaming. look thats what happens when everyone games. most people are going to use the machine but they arent going to buy games for it. the wii brings new gamers and it may not be until later/next gen that they start actually buying games.

developers are mad but why the hell would you put a hardcore games on the wii that you dont market the hell out of. ok so the wii has proven that motion controls isnt going to grab the community without really thight and percise control, the reason why first party does so well.

basically step your game up we want great games not shovelware and dont bring major franchises from the 360/ ps3 to the wii. like dead space. you could have just waited on the arc for that. if that game doesnt get a port its shouldnt be nlamed on the wii it should be blamed on dumbarse developers

[AWBrawler]

Truth is Great do need Hate to survive.

[turok]

Some people just can't handle the truth :( ...

HD graphics is the real virus I know some well graphical games that looked real good but only to flop at everything else... We need good gameplay and storyline not some eye candy. Heck I don't like CoD on my PS3 but love it on my Wii (didn't like how to aim and wii zapper makes CoD worth playing for me.)

[Shnazzyone]

We give a damn about what an unemployed ceo of an only moderately successful company thinks? Sounds like this guys just got issues. 2010 proves wii owners have good games. This guy is merely spewing hate in hopes of finding work again by becoming visible.