Platinum doesn't want to alienate Bayonetta fanbase

September 16, 2012 11:50PM PDT

By Laura Parker, Associate Editor

Platinum Games president Tatsuya Minami says partnership with Nintendo will help Bayonetta brand become stronger; says console games market is in a "state of upheaval".

Platinum Games president and CEO Tatsuya Minami has acknowledged that the studio's Bayonetta 2 Wii U-exclusive announcement may have come as a shock to fans of the franchise.

Platinum Games hopes Bayonetta fans won't be upset by the news of the sequel's exclusivity to the Wii U.

In a post on the Platinum Games website, Minami expressed concern at alienating Bayonetta fans from participating in the future of the franchise, but said that the studio's decision to partner with Nintendo for a Bayonetta 2 Wii U-exclusive was important to the future of the brand.

"The console games market is in a state of upheaval, so establishing a new game franchise requires a considerable amount of will, determination, and love," Minami said in the post.

"Bayonetta is a brand that we want to see become stronger, reaching the hands of more and more gamers, so we have continued to consult with Sega, the previous game's publisher, on how we can make sure this takes place. Our answer was a new partnership with Nintendo."

Minami went on to praise Nintendo's dedication to the future of the games industry, saying Platinum Games hopes to grow the Bayonetta brand beyond where it stands today with the support of Nintendo.

Bayonetta 2 was previously rumoured to have been cancelled due to company-wide restructuring at former publisher Sega. Bayonetta 2 will be published by Nintendo for the Wii U with a release date of March 2013.

By Laura Parker, Associate Editor

Laura Parker is the Associate Editor of GameSpot Australia. She loves adventure games, sparkly stuff, Trivial Pursuit, cake, Master Chief, earthworms, and rhetorical questions. She once stole a sandwich from Peter Molyneux.

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1056 comments

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hectortat

THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. Why does it say that it wants to bring the experience into the hands of more gamer's but THEN MAKE IT AN Wii U EXCLUSIVE! What would have been the smart thing to do is keep the game exclusive to consoles and systems that allowed the game to be played, and add the game to the Wii U. FUCKING BULLSHIT, when this stated that the they have concerns about doing this. It is obvious that EA has forced them to do something so shallow and stupid. EA has them by the balls because of their sponsored development of the game.

Bayonetta2013

1 Like

Too late. Good luck selling anything on Bayonetta 3 if you ever make it after this. I don't expect this game to sell more than 1 million copies.

What are Nintendo fans going to do with an M-rated game?! *[]*

abHS4L88

@Bayonetta2013

Play it, duh. I find Nintendo fans (usually) to be more open minded than the others, they don't care what rating is slapped onto a game, if it's good, they'll play it.

I'm not going to restrict myself only to M rated games, nor will I restrict myself only to E rated games, that stupid mentality and it's stupid to assume that just because it's an M rated game, users are not going to buy into it.

Whatever though, you're clearly bitter about the whole situation, I'm going to enjoy Bayonetta 2 and do my part in making sure it's a success.

Bayonetta2013

@abHS4L88 So you expect me to dish out an extra $200+ for one game? I never intended to buy a WiiU in the first place and I certainly won't now...duh. There aren't any other games besides Bayonetta 2 that I would even think would justify a WiiU purchase, and I'm certainly not going to waste my money now.

I'm not bitter, but I fear for the reputation of Bayonetta after this release. It is not going to sell even half of what the original sold because it's available on one platform that is mainly dominated by a younger fanbase that are more interested in the many Mario and LoZ games than good, solid action games like Bayonetta.

I might might watch a playthrough...then go back to the original to reminisce when Bayonetta was good.

abHS4L88

@Bayonetta2013

That's funny because as a Wii U owner, most of the largest communities on MiiVerse (after New Super Mario Bros. U and NintendoLand) are under games like Assassin's Creed 3, Batman, Call of Duty Black Ops 2, Mass Effect 3 and ZombiU, plus majority of the active members are CLEARLY not children or young teens.

The original sold a little less than 2m, although it is unlikely that Bayonetta 2 will outperform its predecessor, it's more likely because the install base of the Wii U will still be rather small by the time the game comes out (I'm predicting around 4m by then), however Nintendo is backing this game and they know how to market a game and get it to sell so even if half of the Wii U user base gets Bayonetta 2, it'll be a success.

I still find it funny that people insist that the Nintendo market is dominated by kids. I've been working with kids for over 4 years and the good majority of kids play either on the PS3 or 360, it's usually with handhelds when they own a Nintendo system.

CMONSTA211

@Bayonetta2013

Exactly, but the main reason that it probably won't sell if it's actually any good is because the Wii/U is aimed at noobs and casuals (not like all consoles aren't like that to some extent TBH).

So they may be forced to design it around a 30 fps cap to accommodate N's fanbase, if so I obviously won't be buying it ever.(not that I would ever buy a Wii U for it regardless, maybe if I find one in someones trash or in a charity shop for $10 in a year or so ...).

Bayonetta2013

@CMONSTA211 ZombiU was god-awful; I played my friend's as I played probably one of the worst games in history. Most of those games are aimed towards a younger fanbase; hell, if anyone wants proof, look at the commercials and ads all over TV and the internet. They're aimed towards kids.

Same here. Though even then I might not even waste my time.

grey_fox1984

1 Like

In response to the headline:Then release the sequel on the same platforms the original was on. I loved Bayonetta, but not enough to shell out $300 for the ability to buy the sequel.

BlueFlameBat

After Nintendo 64 lost Final Fantasy VII, GameCube lost some Rare games, and both systems lost a few to other consoles, I refuse to feel sorry for those upset about Bayonetta being exclusive to a Nintendo console. If it makes you feel any better, I'm upset that it's not coming to a system I already own ... such as Wii.

Bayonetta2013

@BlueFlameBat Don't damage the name anymore!

As an FF fan, I can say that at least Final Fantasy is available on nearly every console these days and FFVII is now on the PC, PS1 of course, and PS3. These days there's DS, PC, X360, PS3, and 3DS.

Maybe if you actually tried to understand why we're upset than your argument would be valid. But you immediately shoot the idea down.

BlueFlameBat

@Bayonetta2013 Bayonetta 1 was and still is available on PS3 and XBox 360. Besides, rarely does a game ever get cancelled for a non-Nintendo system and end up on a Nintendo system. The other way around seems to happen frequently.

And just because Bayonetta 2 is an exclusive to Wii U does not mean that a possibly Bayonetta 3 won't be on more platforms or that a future remake of Bayonetta 2 has no chance being made for multiple platforms. Nintendo may be paying for the development of Bayonetta 2, but the IP still belongs to SEGA.

Bayonetta2013

@BlueFlameBat Bayonetta is on PS3 and Xbox 360?! NO WAY. -_-

Obviously it's on the consoles I care to spend my money on presently, but don't take my comment so literally. What I wanted people to get from it was that by the time (if one is ever made) Bayo 3 releases for whatever console - Nintendo, Microsoft, or Sony - the fanbase will have completely forgotten about it.

I just hope it eventually does come to consoles, multi-plat. Than at least I can enjoy a game from a series I'm a fan of.

Master_2

1 Like

hm...does that mean that we might see Bayonetta in the new super smash?

jark888

1 Like

This game will do just fine without partnering with Nintendo. Probably even make much more money that way.

abHS4L88

1 Like

@jark888

This game wouldn't exist without Nintendo, plain and simple so how can it "can much more money" if it got cancelled?

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/09/platinum_without_nintendo_there_would_be_no_bayonetta_2

jark888

@abHS4L88 Get some kind of financial aid program like Kickstarter. Fans will support it to launch on their platforms. I don't really buy that mind degrading link of yours. Bayonetta is not any game. There must be more optimal options(No offense though).

abHS4L88

@jark888

Indeed, Bayonetta is not just any game, meaning they're going to need a publisher with a lot of resources to fund such a project, after the first Bayonetta didn't sell as well as expected, how could you expect them to rely on something like Kickstarter?

Either way, it's coming out on the Wii U, if you want it, get the Wii U (and don't say you're not getting it for just one game, try exploring other titles before making such a statement). I have a Wii U and enjoying the hell out of it and I eagerly await the release of Bayonetta 2.

TuxedAaron

2 Like

I have to admit, I was kind of on the fence about the idea of Bayonetta 2. I mean, on the one hand, the original Bayonetta was a masterpiece. How could you NOT want to play more of this? But on the other hand, at the end of the game, Bayonetta saves the whole frickin' UNIVERSE. How can you POSSIBLY go up from THAT? So looking at it from that perspective, if you love the woman, let her walk out the door with the dignity she came in with. Don't settle for a sequel for its own sake.

Mind you, that was then, when I DIDN'T know a sequel was coming. This is now, when I DO. While I'd be lying if I said I didn't still have concerns, it's not like we're talking a game like Tomb Raider, where they keep cranking out a new installment year after year after year, solely as a cash grab. This is a sequel five years in the making, Platinum didn't rush it. So I have to feel that they wouldn't be thinking to put this game out there if they didn't truly believe they had something that could stand up to the magnificence of the original.

Also, while some people may have worries about this Wii U-exclusivity, I personally feel there's a lot of room for tapping vast potential, now that Bayonetta is flying Nintendo's banner. After all, Bayonetta 2 is just one game. Let's look beyond that, everyone...

Think 3DS...

Think SUPER SMASH BROS...

(Have I blown at least one person's mind yet?)

Yes, I think the doors are getting flung wide open here. And if Bayonetta 2 becomes the blockbuster hit I think we all hope it to be, I can't wait to see what happens when everyone's favorite Umbra Witch decides to walk through them.

franzito

"Bayonetta brand getting stronger"... didn't you mean "developer getting lots of money"? How much story can Bayonetta get for this 2nd part? Luca is kidnapped? Jeane becomes a real villain..? Bayonetta pretty much exhausted its core as a game with the first one, for me the beginning and the end was very clear, and there wasn't a reason to add a sequel or a prequel. But, as gaming culture of continuation is copying what happens with movies that are a success, Bayonetta 2 will become reality and we hope not a sad one.

jark888

Over a thousand comments. You got nothing to worry about fan base now.

theKSMM

1 Like

I was initially disappointed to learn that this was a Wii U exclusive, but once I understood that it was almost canned entirely, I'm glad that it is being released at all. Heck, I'd take a 3DS version over no version at all.

mariokart64fan

raikageryu obviously you never heard of wii u controller pro , if you didnt like the tablet use that , problem solved, whats your next excuse , id love to hear it , your just mad nintendos getting third party support is where im getting at

RaiKageRyu

You already alienated me though. Bayonetta is a type of game that begs to be taken to the max with the next gen versions of the PS3 and 360. There was no point in having it on Wii U, where the control scheme is less than desired.

nintendoboy16

@RaiKageRyu You realize that the Wii U HAS the PRO controller, right? It has no touch screen, unlike the standard controller for it.

RaiKageRyu

@nintendoboy16 @RaiKageRyu Yep, but like the Wii. It ain't going to be bundled.

RaiKageRyu

@nintendoboy16 It's stupid to bring up those games cause even their publishers include those peripherals with the game.

The fact remains, Platinum Games shouldn't say something hypocritical like not wanting to alienate their fans and then choose the system fans of Bayonetta would not likely get and one where Bayonetta wouldn't be hampered by system limitations.

It would be alright if they said they are going in a new direction of Bayonetta, but from the looks of things it continues the same traditional style.

nintendoboy16

@RaiKageRyu So you have no respect for developers like Harmonix because you require either a mic, drumset, or guitar in order to play Rock Band?

Sorry, but stuff like that is something you have to deal with. It's not that big of a deal. Heck, better to buy a different controller than it is on-disc DLC.

RaiKageRyu

@nintendoboy16 Talk about being a full sheep. If a company makes a game on a console that requires them to have an accessory in order to get the best experience, they lose my respect already, cause it's forcing one to buy unnecessary things. It is BS to say otherwise.

nintendoboy16

@RaiKageRyu If the game interests you, use the necessary controllers then. I did for Wii, and games like Rayman Origins, Sonic Colors, Mario Kart, and various fighting games play way better with them.

Seriously, you're avoiding a game that HAS the right control options you're looking for just because it's on a console with OTHER control options you hate, but you won't ALWAYS have to use depending on the game (which I don't see for Bayonetta 2)? Also bearing in mind the fact that the standard Wii U controller is more like a standard controller when compared to the Wii Remote and Nunchuk?

*insert brain full of f*** image here*

RaiKageRyu

@nintendoboy16 But it did mean I didn't play Muramasa even though I have and enjoyed Vanillware's earlier work, Odin's Sphere.

nintendoboy16

@RaiKageRyu So? That still doesn't mean it's not there. It didn't stop games like Muramasa: The Demon Blade from being on the Wii, and that game never used motion controls.

super_voltron

third party exclusives arent always forever , most in the past where no more then a year.

Karjah

While the original was enjoyable if Bayonetta 2 is the best 3rd party support Nintendo can muster for Wii U only months before it's release date I simply won't buy the console.

abHS4L88

@Karjah

In an age where multiplatform games are huge what do you expect?

dr_jashugan

Will it be a kiddie Bayonetta (more hair and less skin)? XD

METALGEARNICK

BAHAHAHAHAH im sorry but i f***in hated this game LOL i spent times at my friends house laughing at how much it knocked off dmc and how dumb it was to me but ey my opinion XDD

solidine

1 Like

I'm confused. They want it Bayonetta to reach new audiences by alienating the two consoles that the original was released on? That seems really counter-productive.

abHS4L88

@solidine

The whole Nintendo Wii U userbase = new audiences simple as that.

PumpkinBoogie

@abHS4L88 @solidine ......yeah, a 'new audience' that's essentially going to be starting on a new console userbase that's gonna be SMALLER than the multiplat userbase it originated on. And simply b/c people may purchase the WiiU doesn't equate an instant Bayonetta 2 sale.

abHS4L88

@PumpkinBoogie

I know that but considering the modest sales of the first, with Nintendo backing this game along with really no other title like it currently displayed on the Wii U, it could easily draw a lot of attention. I honestly don't think Nintendo's seeking to trump the sales of the original, just provide more hardcore experiences for the Wii U userbase and if it does well, hooray!

Todoruk

@solidine

I agree that this game would be better as multiplatform, if the choices are get it released on WiiU or not at all, which do you think Platinum would choose? At the end of the day its about the dollar, not the gamers

This comment has been deleted

Todoruk

@shadowriku3 @solidine

Actually I have my Deluxe WiiU preordered along with Zombi U, and mario. Am on the fence for bayonetta currently

PumpkinBoogie

Well, too late for THAT thinking now, isn't it, Platinum?

You all have basically already set the ball in motion for that alienation, anyway. Just sayin'......

KimCheeWarriorX

well theyre letting it get alienated by letting nintendo get its grubby hands on it, however, i also understand that they didnt have much of a choice (go with nintendo or maybe lose the chance of it ever getting published). sega aint getting off easy either, letting a gem like bayonetta slip away from their fingers. the numerous sega game references in bayonetta 1 were some of the best parts in that game and its a shame that they probably wont be seen in bayonetta 2. bayonetta is one of the few non-first person/stealth-based games left that are actually thumb blisteringly fun that heralds back to a time when developers actually paid more attention to the fun factor in a game opposed to production values. the wii-u hasnt quite proven to me that its a viable platform just yet, although it'd be a lie to say that i havent been impressed at some of the showcases of its abilities, its just not quite enough to convince me to shell out $300+ for one just yet.

abHS4L88

@KimCheeWarriorX

Bayonetta won't be coming out until next year so hopefully so you see more games to convince you. Nintendo does seem more serious about getting 3rd party support and has yet to reveal any huge 1st party titles (holding off on us until E3 I'm guessing).

Arsyad00

LOL

Halloll

this reminds me of Ace Combat 6. seeing how the series was a ps2 exclusive Namco decided to make 6 a 360 exclusive eFing the whole fanbase at the time.

Jedilink109

16 Like

Minami was immediately inundated with death threats upon announcing that Bayonetta 2 was to be a WiiU exclusive. Do I need to say anything more about how obnoxious gamers are these days and how insanely entitled they are for some reason??

Developers don't owe us diddly squat people. It's their franchises and they can legally do anything they want with them.

Besides, I thought that video games were supposed to be about FUN and having a good time. Why do I hear so much pointless complaining from you people anymore?

KimCheeWarriorX

@Jedilink109 because not everybody can afford a new system whenever one pops up out of the blue and a drastic change like that can be a shock to anybody. im not exactly dealing out death threats and im not hating on nintendo in general. the only problem i have is the hard luck of it only being on the wii-u. its really nobody's fault except maybe sega who let the property slip from their fingers. like i mentioned in a previous post, many of the numerous throwbacks to classic sega games were some of the most memorable stages in bayonetta 1. its gonna be weird not seeing them in bayonetta 2.

abHS4L88

@KimCheeWarriorX

Then again, it's been 6 years since a new console has been released so unless you got your 360/PS3 rather recently, I actually don't see what's wrong with having a new console (finally) on the horizon and it having games that we want to play. Before it was only 4-5 years between each generation and no one complained about that really. I know times are tough for many, but I'm pretty sure a lot of the ones complaining aren't even going through "tough times" they just want to complain that they're not getting the game they wanted on their console.

PumpkinBoogie

@KimCheeWarriorX @Jedilink109 You made my point, exactly, lol.

Are there some people being asses about this and overreacting w/ crazy mess like death threats & shit? Sure. Or ridiculous fanboy/girl console entitlement? Yeah, I'd assume so. But I think many are just like what you described (I know I fall into that too) who simply don't 'have it like dat' to have the funds to invest in several different home consoles and certainly not so when they first come out. I'm not particularly a fan of Bayonetta, but I can certainly understand the jilted feelings some fans may have of being axed out the picture due to this little partnership.

I'm sure maybe Platinum didn't do w/ the intentions on alienating their fanbase, but the fact of the matter is that that's exactly what's gonna end up happening.

parrot_of_adun

4 Like

@Jedilink109 Whenever people look at the downside of gamers, they like to conveniently forget that our little group is rather typical. Gamers are little more obnoxious than anyone else. In fact, from my own experiences at least, they tend to be somewhat less so. But yes, *humanity* is obnoxious and insanely entitled.

But more importantly, your post is a huge Straw-man. The problem is that many fans may not be able to play the latest entry in the franchise because they chose exclusivity on a platform whose host wasn't even supported the last time around. Now let's say, for argument's sake, that I thought Bayonetta was the greatest thing ever. I would be pretty damn bummed that this thing would only be available to me were I willing to pay out for a system I otherwise had no plans to buy. That's called alienating a huge portions of your own fans. And no matter how much you want us all to smile again, that's a bad thing Platinum has done. They've made a decision for their future that requires amputating a big portion of those consumers that made them, and all in the effort to "strengthen the brand". That's worth getting upset about. It may not be worth death threats, but if a fan of the game were to take any good meaning from your post, it's that Bayonetta's not worth the trouble, and that they should just move on and have fun.

Discomaster

9 Like

@parrot_of_adun @Jedilink109 Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't this happen before? I distinctly remember becoming a pretty big fan of Final Fantasy way back in the day. I was a big Nintendo fan back there and loved my Super Nintendo, and Final Fantasy III (VI) ended up being one of my most favorite games on the SNES, and II (IV) wasn't far behind either. I was hooked. Then when I found out about Final Fantasy VII, I was excited about a new game (although I was confused about the numbering), but then shocked that it was going to be on Sony's platform instead of Nintendo's. And I had no plans to get a PlayStation... I was happy with Nintendo consoles.

Since then I've gone though a denial/acceptance thing where I said I'd never get to play it because I would never buy a console from anyone other than Nintendo. But you know what? I've played Final Fantasy VII... and really enjoyed it. And I've been a PlayStation gamer for about 7 years now. My PS2 sat nicely beside my Gamecube, and now my PS3 sits nicely beside my Wii, and will eventually do so with my Wii U. I can't be the only gamer that's gone through that same thing.

In this situation here, it's just going to have to be the opposite. I had to accept another platform to play the games that I wanted to play, and that worked out favorably. People can deny all they want, but it's the same situation. This is one of those things that's good for helping fanboys stop being fanboys. If you're going to dedicate yourself to only one platform, game publishers can't be the blame for alienating you... You're only alienating yourself with your own decisions. Been there and done that, I'll never look back.

leimonides

@parrot_of_adun @Discomaster completely agree; there is a legitimate reason for major disappointment, which will overshadow the "good" aspect of this news.

parrot_of_adun

@Discomaster It's nice to see people branching out, and I agree with you to some extent. But to give people an ultimatum like that is just lame, even if it leads to something positive. The right way to do it would simply be to have it on all systems, I say.

After all, this is hundreds of dollars we're talking about. What if someone just isn't in financial a position to buy a whole new console for one game? I imagine it might feel like extortion to some.

parrot_of_adun

@Todoruk I doubt Nintendo was their only option. Though, yes, some amount of appreciation might be due there.

Todoruk

@PumpkinBoogie @Discomaster @parrot_of_adun

You would think that the fan base would be happy. This way the game actually comes out. If Nintendo saved it from being trashed, the fanbase should be appreciative that its coming out, even if it is not on the system of their choice

PumpkinBoogie

@Discomaster @parrot_of_adun While I don't entirely disagree w/ your point, one thing many keep forgetting is that it's not simple fanboy/girl console loyality that keeps some from owning other consoles, but rather their financial situation and life obligations.

What of those individuals that stood by the Bayonetta game, paid for it, loved it and supported it that *only* have a 360 or *only* a PS3, and afford to go chucking out hundreds of dollars of getting another system? I mean, I'm no Bayonetta fan, but I can imagine the kick in the guts feeling many in its fanbase must feel who are in that situation I just described.

I mean, I don't knock the move from Nintendo and I can see that in some sense Platinum probably did it out of love for their work and not wanting to see the project die. But I have to wonder if this may not end of burning Platinum in the long run, w/ some of their fanbase.

kavadias1981

1 Like

@Discomaster That was a very interesting, sensible and realistic comment. Nice one.

torrne667

1 Like

I am totally with you, I have been a gamer since the sega master system came out and have pretty much owned every console that came out(apart from the atari jaguar..that pad looked like a fucking telephone!) All these people who are waffling on about everyone elses console being shite and they will only be true to one brand are one of two possible types...1.Jealous because they could only afford one system(nothing wrong with this cos times are HARD!), and maybe they are envious of another systems games or better performance ...or 2. Are absolute idiots who are cutting their nose off to spite their face and missing out on some amazing games on multiple formats. It always seems to be immature kids who are arguing about this shit anyhow...leave em to it and i'm sure they will come around :)

abHS4L88

3 Like

@Jedilink109

Fun? PSSH! Videogames aren't about fun! They're about pwning noobs and screaming insults at other people like making fun of their moms and calling them obscene words despite not even knowing the other person. There's no room for fun when you have to obtain every last achievement just to show off your trophies/gamerscore to people who honestly don't care.

That's why REAL gamers hate Mario and Zelda, because you can't pwn noobs in that game or have achievements to show off.

leimonides

@abHS4L88 @Jedilink109 your far too loud there - them words are dangerous! You wanna keep your head, don't you?

FlameEmperor

3 Like

@abHS4L88 Lol that made me laugh.

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