A few days ago I was browsing GoNintendo.com, when I saw a “rumor” posted up from videogamer.com.
Videogamer.com reported it, saying, “Developers are already working on a ‘new Nintendo platform’ ahead of a possible reveal at this year’s Game Developers Conference…”
Well, I’m thinking we received confirmation of the new Wii HD platform, without even knowing it.
On May 26, 2009, IGN.com revealed The Grinder to the gaming world. In the first paragraph, Matt Casamassina said, “We think you’re going to want to move this extraordinary Wii-exclusive to the tops of your must-have lists.”(emphasis added on Wii-exclusive)
During the interview about The Grinder, IGN asked about the game’s release, and Eric Nofsinger of HVS said, “The goal is holiday 2010 and our projects tend to ship on time more often than not!“
Earlier today, IGN revealed in an interview with HVS, that The Grinder is no longer a Wii-exclusive.
When asked if HVS was keeping The Grinder a Wii exclusive, HVS’s CEO Kerry Ganofsky said, “Our secret is out! Grinder is no longer a Wii exclusive. We plan to ship on Xbox 360, Sony PS3, and PC as well.“
I know my reaction, as well as many others was, “What? Why?”
I was more surprised by the delay of the game, being pushed to Halloween 2011, than I was that it’s going multi-platform.
Going back to that “rumor” now. In videogamer.com’s article, an employee from a large publisher was quoted as saying, “Just heard a rumour that you may be interested in: Nintendo are going to announce a new platform at GDC. Some devs have already started work on it.“(emphasis added)
If some developers are already working on Nintendo’s next system, I think one will be confirmed as High Voltage Software, and The Grinder will be their debut game on the “Wii HD” system. Why do I think this?
From the interview today with IGN.com, just look at a few of these lines:
Eric Nofsinger said, “…when we come out with another announcement for Grinder around GDC we want to ensure it blows your socks off!“
Would the announcement of it being multi-platform blow off socks? Perhaps. Many gamers have been very vocal about the news today.
I think that an announcement of it being one of the first Wii HD games would blow off even more socks.
Matt then asked about more bump-mapping and “awesome projected shadows” in the new video.
Kerry Ganofsky replied, “We have some new announcements coming soon that leverage these improvements such as better lighting options.“
What new announcements would leverage those improvements more than a new console?
If the engine had been upgraded, why wouldn’t they just say, “Quantum 3 is the reason it looks better”, instead of saying, “We have some new announcements…that leverage these improvements…“
I think that screams the game is going to be running on HD consoles across the board, including the “Wii HD”.
Thoughts/Questions:
Why would HVS delay The Grinder on the Wii, if not for the sole purpose of waiting on the Wii HD?
If it was just a regular Wii version, it could be released 2010 like they originally planned, and then they could release the Xbox 360
Kerry Ganofsky said, “…higher resolution art content needs to be created which takes a bit longer than our previous games.“
Unless the Quantum 3 engine has been extremely upgraded for the Wii, I don’t see why the Wii version would be delayed for “…higher resolution art content…”.
Once GDC arrives, we’ll know for sure.
I’m making a “prediction” now: The Grinder will be on the Wii HD(whatever the name will be!), not the current Wii
Do you think this confirms the Wii HD? Or do you think The Grinder will be on the current Wii?
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