Buzz! dev: We need to make games for Miyamoto's wife

One of the brains behind Sony's trivia quiz game series believes that the industry needs to stop being so snobbish about casual games.

BRIGHTON, UK--Relentless creative director and cofounder David Amor told delegates at the Develop Conference on the UK's south coast that he thinks its time that people stopped looking down their noses at social, party-style games.

Amor is the brains behind Buzz! The Music Quiz, a 2005 PlayStation 2 title that came with four buzzers with bright red buttons. The game was a casual gaming success story, and has since spawned a handful of spin-offs.

Amor's presentation was titled "Making Games for Miyamoto's Wife," but those expecting dirt on a game development love triangle would have walked away disappointed. The name of the session was actually a reference to Shigeru Miyamoto's keynote address at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco earlier this year. During his speech, Miyamoto said he uses his nongaming wife's interest in a title as a measure of how successful he has been at making a fun, accessible game.

He told the conference attendees, "People were really snobby about it in the specialist press. Not in the mainstream press though, the mainstream press loved it. I don't like that we've got used to this feeling that somehow these games are second-rate and unsexy to develop. We loved making Buzz!"

Amor revealed that the game had first featured a group of zany characters as contestants and hosts, including an onion, a clam, hot dog, and a giant wisdom tooth. According to Amor, "Sony said lose the clam, use new characters to make it more accessible. So we changed the crazy characters to musical stereotypes."

Relentless also originally had some 30 or so different quiz games, but whittled it down to the eight which were "really, really simple."

The creative director said that after the game was released in October 2005, it debuted in the top 20, before moving into the top 10, and then began to sink, seemingly out of the charts, in the normal trajectory. Relentless was then working on another Buzz! game, Buzz! The Big Quiz, the first of many planned, and Amor received a terse call from Sony saying that would likely be the last in the series. He laughed, "They'd made a lot of buzzers and it looked like they were going to have to build a big hole in the desert somewhere [for them]."

Then something miraculous happened--over the Christmas holiday and new year period, the game never left the top 20. "The week after Christmas was our peak period," said Amor. "We think that's because people would go round other people's houses and play it, then think, 'This is a good game, and it's only £30, I'll get it too.'"

He listed his five criteria for making a successful game for "mainly drunk nongamers." It must be something they know already (for example, pretty much everyone has watched a quiz show at some point), simple, approachable, it has to provide opportunities for entertainment offscreen, and it's vitally important for the developers to choose the right interface.

Amor strongly believes that Buzz! The Music Quiz, the first Buzz! Game, would not have been as successful had it not been for the buzzers which came with the title. They drew attention to the packaging in stores, making it stand out from other titles, and the buzzers were dead simple in comparison to other controllers.

"Sixaxis has 17 buttons on it," Amor noted. "It's quite an intimidating interface."

97 Comments

  • veni-vidi-vici

    Posted Jul 28, 2007 2:11 am PT

    hmm...

    and whoa sixaxis has 17 buttons?

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 4:17 pm PT

    Oh, this is interesting to say the least. But really it's cool with me if they make a bunch of casual games, just keep the good stuff too..

  • jknight5422

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 2:53 pm PT

    If they're going to sell silly games that appeal to women, then in the future I can forget consoles. It'll save me time & money.

  • YukoAsho

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 1:08 pm PT

    kbaily - Their plan to sell hardware's working. Software beyond the traditional Nintendo faves... Not so much. Nintendo's best selling software titles in the west are STILL Mario, Zelda, and Pokemon titles. Not that I dislike casual gaming, but without a diverse linup that has a something for every type of gamer, the Wii fad will die out soon.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 12:59 pm PT

    I have no problem with developers making causal games for the casual audience. As there are still hardcore games out there, I am fine.

  • somejobro

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 12:58 pm PT

    The elitist, entitled attitude of the "hardcore" gamers here is embarassing. There's room for everybody and no need to insult people just because they don't want to play FPS #1469.I've recently had to lean towards the casual side of gaming due to time restraints.I have a job with a crazy schedule and hobbies that actually require me to get up off my butt.I LOVE my RPG's and adventure games,but just don't have the time to put in 3 hour sessions or play a 40 hour game anymore.I squeeze my gaming in when I can.10 min here...another 10 there.Casual games fit the bill perfectly and,though they may not be any more original than this year's Madden,sometimes those falling block puzzles and quiz games are fun.( A lot suck too, but there is garbage in every genre.)And when was Nintendo ever "hardcore"? They used to be criticized for making too many kids' games and now it's party games.Seems to me they're just staying the course.If you want guns/blood/cars/swords/whatever else meets a "hardcore" gamer's definition of a game, buy a 360.There's an abundance of virtual shooting goodness there.

  • Rect_Pola

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 10:18 am PT

    *sigh* There are so many definitions for "casual vs hardcore".
    Amount (more likely %) of money a person spends
    Amount of money a person makes (that's just wrong)
    Time they devote to playing
    Preference in specific game types (could go either way)
    Openness to game types (also could go either way)

    And that's just the people who play them! Games get labeled based on their maturity, difficulty, complexity, length, graphics, how shiny the disk is. These arguments are becoming a blur of nonsense.

  • Dark_Nexus3367

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 9:54 am PT

    I think that casual games are fine and dandy for those who don't have that much time to dedicate to games.The devs make a lot more money off of casual games because they are cheaper to produce and sometimes sell very well.So if the devs take that revenue and apply it to games like Halo or Gears of War then it really isn't a bad thing.As long developers don't forget to make some games for the hardcore audience,which Nintendo is ignoring,I don't think there will be a problem with casual games being made.So yes,make all the casual games you want as long as some of that money goes into making hardcore games as well.I think that both types of games can co-exist,as long as developers don't lose track of one audience like Nintendo did with the Wii.I mean,the wii is a great system,I own one and play it every now and then after beating Zelda and Super Paper Mario,but since not many Wii games capture my interest I play more on my 360.It's not necessarily bad to have casual games,just make sure have at least a few offerings for the hardcore audience.

  • hitomo

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 8:59 am PT

    If gaming nonsense is something you wish,
    Then get yoursefl a Wii and some casual games,
    and glub like a fish!

  • Jebril

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 8:53 am PT

    No LLsmooth the only diffrence between Casual Gamers and Hardcore Gamers is that Hardcore Gamers will spend over 50% of their income into gaming and put more than 50% of their time into games, Casual play whenever they play.

    I used to be a Hardcore myself spending 8 hr periods at one time playing games, that is until I had to go to college and I got a gf. Now I consider myself a Casual. Either way your income (or where you get it) or what you play has nothing to do with Casual or Hardcore. It's how much you spend in terms of time and money on the games.

  • boobush

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 8:19 am PT

    "you know... casual only means LESS SUBSTANCE, shallow or `more supeficial´ ... hardcore gamers must be wealthy people, just think about it ... if you are in the fast-food-business, how could you afford hardcor-gaming equipment...?"

    That's coming from a guy who likes SpongeBob.

  • hitomo

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 6:40 am PT

    you know... casual only means LESS SUBSTANCE, shallow or `more supeficial´ ... hardcore gamers must be wealthy people, just think about it ... if you are in the fast-food-business, how could you afford hardcor-gaming equipment...?

  • LLsmooth

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 5:47 am PT

    The only difference in so called "Casual" gamers and "Hardcore" gamers is that

    Casual Gamers have real JOBS.
    Hardcore Gamers work at the local burger joint.

    Point is.. if you are a real GAMER... you will play any game regardless of its platform or focus.

    But.. if you are a trendy, wanna be cool gamer.. you come on these boards and talk about Halo and GTA cause you think you are "cool".

    Grow up kids.

  • amogley

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 4:05 am PT

    I don't see what the big issue is ... as long as the companies don't forget the hardcore gamer ... although I have a horrible feeling that they will see the casual market as easier to develop for, and easier to get money from. Hardcore gamers are a lot more critical of the titles that they buy.

  • ClaudeLv250

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 3:41 am PT

    There's always been casual games. I honestly don't know why all these so-called "hardcore" gamers are suddenly *****ing and screaming at it all of a sudden. The way people were whining about Wii Fit, you'd think Nintendo had canceled its entire 07 line up.

    Some people seriously need to get a grip.

  • Poshkidney

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 3:05 am PT

    why dosen't antha turnner make a game about being a house wife

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 2:53 am PT

    my mum and dad are in their 70's, they have a P3 and 2 Wii's, my dad has completed Zelda on the Wii and my mum has completed Motostorm on the PS3, but they would be seem as old farts on here,

  • rpgisforme

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 2:07 am PT

    My Dad used to play games, after the NES it got too complicated for him and he hasn't touched a game since. I say Hell yeah and make games for casual players. I'd buy my Dad a PSP for the chance to watch him play some games again, He was funny to watch. Almost had my mother playing GTA San Andreas once, she said it looked fun.lol. She's 55 and watching her play GTA would have been the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. They need to make more games for the "non-gamers" could turn them into "real gamers"

  • kamiboy

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 1:56 am PT

    Pfft, casual games. Which developer in their right mind would want to be stuck a year working late hours on a game that they would never have any interest in playing themselves? Casual games are cop outs.

  • MichaeltheCM

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 11:50 pm PT

    Proman good one

  • Proman84

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 9:23 pm PT

    I hear Miyamoto's wife's favorite control has no buttons, but has vibration feedback.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 9:04 pm PT

    I don't think so

  • Bill900

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 8:29 pm PT

    Wait... a casual game developer thinks we need more casual games... is this really surprising to anyone?

    Not that this is bad, but still anyone think his opinion might be just a little bit biased?

  • Auricom_Pilot

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 8:05 pm PT

    It's so true. they've put out other games for smaller kids as well that aren't mentioned in the article and everyone has fun playing them. Like the singstar range too.

  • vaejas

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 7:33 pm PT

    Case in point: Zen of Sudoku is a fanfreakingtastic game. by far the best Sudoku in my opinion. Yet the developer made it purely for the reason of funding a FPS mod. That's business folks, and it ain't all bad.

  • Great_Ragnarok

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 6:32 pm PT

    example Wii and look how successful that is!!
    We hardcore gamers are a minority!!

  • xcollector

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 5:45 pm PT

    I was never snobbish about casual games. I will never play games I don't want to play and that includes casual games. There is a reason why I don't watch TV Trivia shows. And the same reason is why I don't play video game trivia or even board game trivia.

  • gamenux

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 5:18 pm PT

    They should re-release the Atari, NES, SNES cause that is what the casual really want. Those console are pretty much dummy-proof. Cause that is what Miyamoto wants.... make games, consoles, accessories that are dummy-proof enough that even his wife can understand it.

  • ahyumifan

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 4:56 pm PT

    It's their wish, and they will be the one who will pay at the end.

  • kbaily

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 4:53 pm PT

    In the end, it doesn't matter how much we hardcore gamers whine about the Wii's graphics, or too many casual games, or whatever, the Wii continues to fly off shelves and these "casual gamers" are buying them left and right. Nintendo's crazy plan is working and there's nothing we can do or say to stop it.

  • Lord_Alan

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 4:04 pm PT

    "Casuals are ruining the game industry."

    Yeah, the increased cash and expanding market is going to be hard to recover from. Casuals, if anything, are helping the game industry by making it sustainable. In case you hadn't noticed, exponentially increasing game production costs leading to diminished returns are exactly the opposite.

    As long as there are still "hardcore gamers" who want to buy more traditional titles around, there's money to be made, and nothing will be ruined.

  • Angryduck67

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 3:54 pm PT

    Telling "real" gamers to stop being snobby about casual games is going to be like training a dog to stop eating it's own feces after taking a dump.

    If you don't get the analogy, don't ask.

  • V-Nine posted Jul 26, 2007 2:57 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    V-Nine

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:57 pm PT (hide)

    Casuals are ruining the game industry. Sixaxis...intimidating? I want more friggin' buttons!

  • kenerhai

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:56 pm PT

    casual/party games are cool and all, especially on the wii, but when it comes to the wii itself, i think its time nintendo stop concentrating solely on those types of games, and made some serious games for the wii.

    nintendo needs to realize that they may have that corner of the market, um. . .cornered, but they also cannot forget that they have a devoted fan base that has been loving nintendo consoles and games for more than 20 years, and we enjoy a engaging game experience like Metroid and Zelda. Time to remember more experienced gamers and give them what they really want.

  • adamska_br

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:45 pm PT

    I doubt Miyamoto will allow his wife to play a PS2.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:42 pm PT

    SIXAXIS is not intimidating... especially when you only need to know one button for the game.

  • YukoAsho

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:42 pm PT

    jenovaproject - You realize that your elitist ass is the reason most non-gamers view us with such incredible disdain.

  • xion2k4

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:31 pm PT

    it's not that the gamer comunity is being snobish ,its our money who fuled the industry for the last god knows how many years and then they find out they can make more money off the casuals with gimmicky concept then screw us over with crap games

  • jenovaproject

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:28 pm PT

    I'm in my late 20s, and have a fair bit of disposable income. Games ARE games, but tell that to some people...

    This is a common opinion of many people in their late 20s and 30s. We see stupid things happening, and we can't do a damn thing. Doesn't mean we don't feel about it.

    Games are an art form. It was all some of us had, growing up., because of certain dickish groups that now seem to think that casual games are cool because you can drink while playing them.

    Whatever, I'm out.

  • BonziBoce

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:27 pm PT

    haha i remember as a kid the sega genesis had too many buttons haha

  • Conanfan1

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:26 pm PT

    Casual games are alright, but whenever I see people buying a DS for something like Brain Training or Diner Dash I wish I could introduce them to all of the better, more serious games available on the console.

  • astro64th

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:23 pm PT

    I totally agree wtih GabuEx, I may know how to work a game controller, but I totally do not know what every button on my TV remote does, and I only use a handful of them anyway. Most normal people don't know what all those buttons do, and yes, can't figure out how to program their dvd player clock. Much less figure out how to even hold a video game controller properly. Let's hope the Wii will be the vehicle that a lot of nongamers use to get them into gaming. And like LLsmooth was saying, I don't know why so many of you think that game types have to mutually exclusive. I'm a hardcore gamer who loves games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry , the Final Fantasy series and classic titles (been gaming since Super Mario Bros. on NES, I just reviewed the third-one matter of fact, All-Star version on my SNES) yet I love casual games. There's no reason not to love fun . . . heck I've been playing Elite Beat Agents more than anything else lately (definitely a hard-core game once you get passed the lowest difficulty setting), but a game like that is easy enough for non-gamers to pick up. And I think it's that kind of balance that developers need to work toward. Satisfies both the casual and hardcore. I also love games like Scrabble and Monopoly, which I still play regularly if I can find someone to play it with.

    So why not enjoy all games on all systems? Just cause a game is casual, doesn't automatically make it a bad game. Hardcore gamers can have fun too, you don't always have to be playing Ninja Gaiden Sigma on Master Ninja difficulty. Grow up, I say.

  • LLsmooth

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:05 pm PT

    You youngsters need to realize that gaming is not some cult or some cool group that you belong to. A freaking game is a game.

    People who play chess could argue that video games are for lazy, fat belly kids who are dumb and dont have any brains.

    You just press a few buttons and you play the stupid game.

    Relax.. you will get your shooters, and fighter games and stuff..

    But there is a new market now that spends and has more money than you do!

    Money talks and BS walks!

  • japanesegoth

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 2:01 pm PT

    whatever. as long as they keep making games for gamers...

  • jenovaproject

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 1:51 pm PT

    People are like sheep. They can't be seen trying to play REAL games, but nobrainer party games to be played while drunk are OK because someone else in their little peer group has made the first move.

    I've had to deal with lots of these new casual gamers being dicks to me, they're just as bad or worse as the 'mainstream media' thinks we are.

    I just want to get along. Drunken churls don't.

  • GabuEx Site moderator

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 1:50 pm PT

    @ Kekira:

    "Dude wtf is this? Intimidating? My Cable remote(digital cable) has 55 buttons on it and if people can figure that out they can figure out a game controller."

    The two are hardly comparable. A TV remote has buttons, but most of them only have one single purpose which is clearly stated on the remote, and the ones that don't, a casual TV surfer probably would never even need to care what they do. Channel selection and volume control are pretty much the only things you need to know about when controlling a TV. I don't even know what some of the buttons on my remote do.

    And as another person pointed out, you don't need to be able to control the TV remote in a certain span of time. You can stare at it and try things out until something works. You don't die a quick death if you fail to turn to channel ten in one second.

    Anyone who thinks that game controllers are not complicated, I encourage you to find someone off the street who doesn't play games and try to get him to play, say, Gears of War or Resistance without coaching him on the controller. It is an entirely unintuitive interface for anyone who has not been using controllers since either their childhood or the days of the NES.

  • gorilla_killa

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 1:49 pm PT

    sieg6529 man your right man. and the right game is.....Beer Can Opener. Heres the catch it comes with a beer bottle that its cap has sensors and when you twist it off.... you win, and the faster you twist it off the better points. also another game can be......Walk in a Straight Line.

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