Game Daily's top Most Overrated Industry People

[8th lutz]

http://www.gamedaily.com/canvases/gd/_a/fe...321142209990001

 

#5 - Koji Igarashi

We love Igarashi, a.k.a. "Iga," and his Castlevania games, but he needs to take the game series to the next level. Despite minor tweaks, like blending 2-D and 3-D in the upcoming Dracula X Chronicles, all these games, from NES (1986) to DS (2006) play exactly the same. Iga deserves kudos because fanboys will buy them over and over, but the rest of us want a game that doesn't involve traversing yet another castle so we can battle Dracula for the gazillionth time. Stop repackaging the same old video game. Symphony of the Night is sooo 1997. Hell, the original is so 1986.

 

#4 - David Jaffe

Getty Images Sony Computer Entertainment's outspoken game designer rocketed to "stardom" with God of War. With that being said, fans and/or journalists treat him as the God of War figurehead, which somewhat undermines God of War II Game Director Cory Barlog's importance. This is no insult to Jaffe. We enjoy his off the cuff remarks as well as the games he's worked on, but his latest offering, the not yet released Calling All Cars leaves us unimpressed. Perhaps we're incapable of realizing how difficult it is to follow up God of War.

 

#3 - Hideo Kojima

Getty Images Konami's famous visionary revolutionized the action genre with his Metal Gear franchise, but we have more respect for his directing abilities. He continues to thrill people with his over the top cut scenes, but we still don't know what's going on in his games. Characters ramble on for more than five minutes at a time, and some of them look and sound ridiculous. ("Laugh and grow fat", anyone?) Furthermore, most of the MGS games play the same (Acid and Acid 2 excluded). MGS3's camouflage was fun to mess with, but we need more than fancy outfits. MGS4 looks incredible, but some of us have no interest in watching polygons jibber jabber. Kojima needs to prove that he's more than flashy visuals.

 

#2 - Shigeru Miyamoto

Nintendo fan boys (and girls) go gaga over everything "Shiggy" says, but come on. He doesn't create games by himself. Sometimes, he joins teams and, whether he intends to or not, receives all of the credit. He earned his place among the industry elite, thanks to his early contributions, but please add new (and memorable) characters to the Mario universe. Even better, come up with new IPs. Introduce us to new worlds and faces instead of falling back on the same overused franchises. In addition, cut back on the forced appearances. We feel uncomfortable watching you conducting imaginary orchestras and swinging the Master Sword to make gamers cry with joy.

 

Don't get us wrong. We love Miyamoto, and we'll bludgeon anyone that bashes Wind Waker, but we'd rather see him as an influential, cultural icon instead of Nintendo's PR puppet.

 

#1 - Reggie Fils-Aime

Last we checked, Reggie hasn't kicked anyone's ass, nor has he taken their names (what does that mean, anyway?) We're confidant that Nintendo of America's President and Chief Operating Officer makes significant contributions on a weekly basis, but to read message boards (we do, unfortunately), he's become this mythic figure that rescued the company from itself, introducing millions of consumers to a more hardcore Nintendo. While that may be true, we still cannot find Wiis and friend codes suck.

 

Tetsuya Mizuguchi -- Rez is an amazing video game, and we've spent countless hours playing Lumines and Lumines 2. Ninety-Nine Nights and Every Extend Extra? Message to Mizuguchi supporters: the man is human after all.

 

American McGee -- Gets tons of credit for 2000's Alice, but that happened almost roughly seven years ago. His recent efforts, Scrapland and Bad Day L.A. do not impress us.

 

Your thoughts and what would be your top 10.

 

I Would have to make some changes to that list, Ed Boon Belongs on that list and take Miyamoto off the list. What Ed boon has done outside of Mortal Kombat in the last 10 to 15 years? Some of the games in the Mortal Kombat Franchise were overrated.

Edited March 24, 2007 by 8th lutz

[Bill Brasky]

5. David Perry

4. David Perry

3. David Perry

2. David Perry

1. Shigero Miyamoto. For every fanboy that loves smelling his farts there are two gamers that don't really care for his cutesy, wanna be Disney-esque recycled characters and games. God I'm sick of hearing about this guy.

[AtariJr]

smell his farts? no.. cant say many do that.. but when it comes down to it, he does come out with many of the industries top games. not saying its him alone, but when it comes down to it, nintendo wouldnt be what it is without him, which is a scary thought to be honest with you.

[n8littlefield]

5. David Perry

4. David Perry

3. David Perry

2. David Perry

1. Shigero Miyamoto. For every fanboy that loves smelling his farts there are two gamers that don't really care for his cutesy, wanna be Disney-esque recycled characters and games. God I'm sick of hearing about this guy.

 

Sales seem to indicated you're rather wrong on this one. Have you seen the sales charts for NSMB or Twilight Princess? Last time I checked the DS was the fastest selling system of all time, the Wii was still sold out, and Zelda was selling nearly 1:1 with the console.

 

Speaking of recycled - they need CliffyB on the list. His characters have been recycled in style since Unreal Tourney and Gears of War is nothing more than Kill.Switch done with prettier graphics. Completely overrated.

[Bill Brasky]

Already two posts defending his honor. I forgot to add: Prepare to get dogpiled for saying anything about "the chosen one" aka Miyamoto. Gee, what did YOU guys think of the article?

[Starscream]

Already two posts defending his honor. I forgot to add: Prepare to get dogpiled for saying anything about "the chosen one" aka Miyamoto. Gee, what did YOU guys think of the article?

 

Ya know, I never quite got the fascination with this guy. I've read many things about him and I think it's kinda cool how he used his childhood visions for games and crap like that. But he isn't amazing at all. What you said about recycled characters and stories sums it up. More recently, I decided I have about 0 interest or respect for the guy after his GDC speech. I think it's arrogant and takes a ton of nerve to tell the development community that they all should focus on "happy" games. This guy and his minions must really think he is all that is video games. To me he has usually shown a lack of creativity and now he would like everyone to follow that path. Good thing that everyone will ignore him as they should and use their own creativity the way they choose. He belongs on this list.

 

Don't even get me started on Reggie. He is an embarassment to the video game world.

[Atarifever]

Already two posts defending his honor. I forgot to add: Prepare to get dogpiled for saying anything about "the chosen one" aka Miyamoto. Gee, what did YOU guys think of the article?

Bill, please stop being a stupid shit. You said people like "smelling his farts". You meant that to not be defended as much as I expect you to like being called a stupid shit. Now you're saying that the people who disagree are 'defending the honour" of the "chosen one". Way to go; you're transparent. Stop trolling.

Edited March 26, 2007 by Atarifever

[Atarifever]

Already two posts defending his honor. I forgot to add: Prepare to get dogpiled for saying anything about "the chosen one" aka Miyamoto. Gee, what did YOU guys think of the article?

 

Ya know, I never quite got the fascination with this guy. I've read many things about him and I think it's kinda cool how he used his childhood visions for games and crap like that. But he isn't amazing at all. What you said about recycled characters and stories sums it up. More recently, I decided I have about 0 interest or respect for the guy after his GDC speech. I think it's arrogant and takes a ton of nerve to tell the development community that they all should focus on "happy" games. This guy and his minions must really think he is all that is video games. To me he has usually shown a lack of creativity and now he would like everyone to follow that path. Good thing that everyone will ignore him as they should and use their own creativity the way they choose. He belongs on this list.

 

I think it's impossible to overrate him. If all he ever did was Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Super Mario Bros. he'd be more than deserving of all the praise he's ever gotten. Seriously, I still think David Crane deserves a ton of praise every single day for the rest of his life, and what's the last thing he did?

[Starscream]

I think it's impossible to overrate him. If all he ever did was Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Super Mario Bros. he'd be more than deserving of all the praise he's ever gotten. Seriously, I still think David Crane deserves a ton of praise every single day for the rest of his life, and what's the last thing he did?

 

Yup, I agree his first accomplishments are to be praised. I don't think that making those same basic games for 30 years in worth praise. I also don't think that someone who only knows how to make games one way and feels everyone should make them to his liking is worth, well, anything. He is only a very small simple part of what games have become, not the creator of it all.

[PuddWakkr]

Did Miyamoto make good games? Yup.

Does he still make good games? Not really.

While I can appreciate what he did in the past all he is now is a name for Nintendo to throw out in order to sell games to raving fanboys who froth at the mouth for anything that has his name attached to it. It doesn't matter if all he did was stop by the developers offices to use their toilet, Nintedo will say he's involved just to make sure the rabid Shiggy lovers buy the game. I think it's starting to wear pretty thin. I love a good game of Donkey Kong but the new stuff is just not my cup of tea.

 

While I can respect Miyamoto for what he has done in the past I can do no such thing for that douche bag Reggie. He has done nothing. Nintendo forums think he's like that dude who rose from the dead on Easter. Most every other gamer thinks he's a joke. Me included. He has never and could never kick my ass.

 

I like God of War a whole lot. Don't know anything about Jaffee. Don't really want to know anything about him either. Just make some more sweet games like GoW or fade away.

 

POST SCRIPT

 

I love that movie Ice Pirates. That part where they go into the future and that one guys 'fro gets huge. That some good stuff right there.

[liveinabin]

Peter Molyneaux. God I wish he'd be quiet.

[PressureCooker2600]

I love the Castlevania games, no matter how much they remain the same....so I guess that makes Koji cool in my book.

[+remowilliams]

David Perry

Yeah he might just belong there at this point

 

What you said about recycled characters and stories sums it up. More recently, I decided I have about 0 interest or respect for the guy after his GDC speech. I think it's arrogant and takes a ton of nerve to tell the development community that they all should focus on "happy" games.

 

I don't think that making those same basic games for 30 years in worth praise. I also don't think that someone who only knows how to make games one way and feels everyone should make them to his liking is worth, well, anything. He is only a very small simple part of what games have become, not the creator of it all.

Did Miyamoto make good games? Yup.

Does he still make good games? Not really.

While I can appreciate what he did in the past all he is now is a name for Nintendo to throw out in order to sell games to raving fanboys who froth at the mouth for anything that has his name attached to it.

 

That pretty much sums up my feeling on 'Shiggy'

[PressureCooker2600]

David Perry

 

I liked Messiah a lot.

The two EJ games were good.

[n8littlefield]

Already two posts defending his honor. I forgot to add: Prepare to get dogpiled for saying anything about "the chosen one" aka Miyamoto. Gee, what did YOU guys think of the article?

 

Ya know, I never quite got the fascination with this guy. I've read many things about him and I think it's kinda cool how he used his childhood visions for games and crap like that. But he isn't amazing at all. What you said about recycled characters and stories sums it up. More recently, I decided I have about 0 interest or respect for the guy after his GDC speech. I think it's arrogant and takes a ton of nerve to tell the development community that they all should focus on "happy" games. This guy and his minions must really think he is all that is video games. To me he has usually shown a lack of creativity and now he would like everyone to follow that path. Good thing that everyone will ignore him as they should and use their own creativity the way they choose. He belongs on this list.

 

Don't even get me started on Reggie. He is an embarassment to the video game world.

He isn't amazing? Have you seen the list of Shiggy produced games? Even if you don't care for the reuse of characters, you can't deny the longetivity of his games, his ability to produce amazing gameplay generation after generation and the fact that just about every game he touch has sold insanely well. No designer has maintained a career legacy like his and I doubt anyone will again. I understand that you dislike Nintendo's properties, but he is one of the rare figures in gaming that truly deserve the recognition he has received.

 

I think that going in front of a developers conference and saying to the developers who often just want to work with more power and more mature themes and saying that he wants to focus on fun happy games that appeal to both him and his family takes quite a large set of balls actually. I'm amazed that on a classic gaming board people would actually not appreciate the huge influence Shiggy has had, and continues to have on gaming.

 

Reggie is just a figurehead, a way to give Nintendo a face in the U.S. He does his job quite well, but his influence in the gaming world is overrated - he just puts a fresh face on the message that Nintendo of Japan gives him.

Edited March 27, 2007 by n8littlefield

[Steril707]

I like David Perry for having the vision of releasing something like MDK ten years ago, but i really don't know what he is doing these days..

 

Miyamoto rocks, and personally i like his view of things. Will everybody follow him? No, definitely not, but me, getting into my mid thirties now, i enjoy playing the "friendly" stuff he is envisioning. It doesnt have to be shooting people into the head all of the time for me now.

 

I have met Tetsuya Mizuguchi two times in my life personally in Tokyo, and he is a really cool person, i feel he deserves all the praise people give to him.

[Shannon]

Peter Molyneaux. God I wish he'd be quiet.

 

2nded... In my mind he is like the king of broken promises.

 

That being said I did like

 

Populous, Power Monger, Dungeon Keeper, Syndicate, Theme Park, Magic Carpet, Theme Hospital

 

All bullfrog production titles.

 

Then there is Black & White and Fable... All talk, no delivery.

 

and I know some people are gonna kill me but I also put Sid Meir up there as well.

 

What has he done beside Pirates! and Civilization (and it's ten million offshoots).

 

I'm really digging here in fact some of you may not even recognize the name, but Chris Crawford in my mind is over-rated as well. All of his games were built off of the same premise (see Sid Meir).

 

Say what you want about Shiggy. I think his "influence" rating is well deserved. He has a good understanding in regards to gameplay, the foundation of all games. Even if he is involved in projects with recycled characters, musc, etc.

Edited March 31, 2007 by Shannon

[Student Driver]

I'm really digging here in fact some of you may not even recognize the name, but Chris Crawford in my mind is over-rated as well. All of his games were built off of the same premise (see Sid Meir).

 

Funny. I was gonna mention Chris Crawford myself.

 

Chris Crawford designed some okay games at one point, but he became overly didactic regarding his own theories about what makes a good game (and incredibly short-sighted about anyone else's ideas of game design), and has seemed to spend the last 20 years in a snit over the fact that the games industry doesn't reflect his vision.

 

The Miyamoto debate is kind of interesting. I've never held him in such high esteem, but I don't loathe the guy either. He is credited too often with "creating" games that he's merely directed or produced (see this Wikipedia list for an example-- it claims he "created" 73 games, but he is only credited as the game's developer on... three.), but the series with which he's been connected are an impressive lot. It's not just Mario, Donkey Kong, and Zelda... it's Wave Race, Super Smash Bros., Pikmin, Star Fox, F Zero, Kirby, Nintendogs... and you gotta give the guy credit for doing Pac-Man Vs. Dude doesn't just make games that fanboys worship, he does games that non-gamers flock to... an impressive feat.

 

I also kind of consider Tommy Tallarico to be overrated. Can anyone explain why his music is considered so amazing?