Making Mario Mainstream
Our friends over at eglive.com let us feature their grounbreaking article about Making Mario Mainsteam. Be sure to check their site out.
What if Nintendo were to go out of their way to invest in a Mario title with the sole purpose redrawing interest in the franchise? Whilst Mario titles are still popular, titles like Halo 2 for the Xbox drive new now famous mascots such as Master Chief to the forefront, selling upwards of 5 million copies in a matter of weeks, while Mario sales have seemingly decreased, as Super Mario Sunshine managed to sell around 1 million copies over the course of 3 years. This is what motivated me to create a article based on the Mario franchise, and how it can be more appealing to the mainstream. There are a couple steps involved to achieve such a goal, and most of them are by studying the current flow of the market, and what concepts are now considered a requirement. Other steps, though, involve going back to Mario's roots of point A to point B levels, and the mainstream-attractive simple-yet-complex two-button control gameplay. How is that possible? Simple controls, complex gameplay. The physics from the original Mario Bros. offered a complex challenge of controlling Mario in a simple manner.
Let's also get one thing clear. By 'mainstream', I don't mean making Mario a dark anti-hero with sarcastic one-liners.
Step 1: Makeover!
Let's face it, Mario needs a makeover. His model was more pleasing to look at in 2D then it is in 3D. When things translate into 3D directly from the Super Nintendo, with no physical or cosmetic changes, they become childish looking. Mario needs to grow as a mascot and meet and take advantage of the third dimension truely for the first time. While some may find the drawing attractive, they may still feel drawn to the original model due to the novelty and nostalgia of him never drastically changing. The reality is Mario has drastically changed over time - why stop now? This is still Mario here in terms of personality. If that's not enough to convince you, take another look at the currently used Mario model.
Mario needs to take one more step towards looking more human, and one step away from looking more like a demonized troll doll.
Step 2: Back to the basics.
What was initial draw of the original Super Mario Bros.? The game had an award winning-formula: Simple + Complex + Fresh and New = Worldwide success and financial security of a now famous video game company. Super Mario Brothers had two buttons, run and jump - yet it offered a challenge in the complex physics involved in controlling Mario as he leaps from ledge to ledge or timed jumps to nail multiple baddies. The game was easy to learn, yet addictively challenging. I believe Mario should go back to this concept - this is something the mainstream will find attractive. Don't you often hear from most gamers that they preferred his 2D outtings more? This doesn't mean the game cannot take advantage of the latest technology with full 3D graphics and levels. A good reference of simple-yet-complex gameplay taking advantage of today's technology would be the popular Super Monkey Ball franchise. How can we do this?
Step 3: Freedom
By studying the latest flow of this industry, freedom seems to be the key aspect in taking advantage of the latest technology, and player's love the ability to choose for themselves. Why not give the full Mario experience? Imagine the large explorable overworld of the Mushroom Kingdom, with full 3D control, free to choose which area to explore before entering the linear side-scrolling level.
But wait, didn't Super Mario 64 already do this, only a little smaller? Minus the old school level design, technically Super Mario 64 has. It is the first free-roaming 3D video game, not Grand Theft Auto 3.
Do you remember the formula that made the original Super Mario Bros. famous during my one-man brainstorming session? Simple + Complex + Fresh and New = Success. We're missing fresh and new!
Step 4: Fresh and new
Ok, fine. We have a game that's easy to play, yet challengingly addictive - we have the freedom to choose, yet old school linear platforming. We're currently offering everything a Mario fan could want. This is where the 10 out of 10 games are seperated by the 9 out of 10 games. We need to go one step further then the player's expectations.
The initial draw of the video game in general was that it offered something new no one had ever tried before. The intial draw of the Mario franchise was that it was the first side-scroller. That means we're going to have to do something new, here. Variety is the spice of life, and if a game features different ways to play a game, it ultimately makes it more enjoyable. Enter a previously badly executed idea from Nintendo, courtesy of HAL's Kirby Air Ride. The City Mode in Kirby Air Ride was a mode that placed Kirby in a big city full of items and such. At random times during the mode, huge events will take place somewhere in the city, such as a UFO attack. While the event will continue with or without you, you are rewarded for taking part in the event. While the mode was badly executed, there's no denying the concept is original, fresh, and ingenius. It has surprisingly never been truely attempted.
Why not apply this to Mario's Mushroom Kingdom overworld? Imagine the possibilities. Bowser will have his daily storm of Peach's castle gates with his Troopas, an airship is on the loose and wreaking havoc, or a goomba stampede is roaming the fields. It would be the most immersive Mario experience ever. You would actually feel a part of the Mushroom Kingdom.
What would be your reward for taking part in events? Perhaps you would earn tokens to work towards unlocking new warp pipes to new levels?
Step 5: Epic
Mario games need a story to truely give it a soul, as I have been shown courtesy of the charmingly fantastic and comical Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Nintendo needs to hire the people, including the localization team, behind this game to give it a more epic feel of story. The comical and well written storyline also allowed older gamers to appreciate and be comfortable with it's bright colors and atmosphere since it seemed to not take itself too seriously. The cartoon Spongebob Squarepants is a perfect example of a type of humor that can be appreciated by all, and Paper Mario 2 is quite evident with it.
And there we have it, the ultimate Mario experience. A new, less textureless and rounded look for Mario, 3D platforming, 2D platforming, and the freedom to explore the actual (active and alive) Mushroom Kingdom. What more could the mainstream complain about? Nothing
What if Nintendo were to go out of their way to invest in a Mario title with the sole purpose redrawing interest in the franchise? Whilst Mario titles are still popular, titles like Halo 2 for the Xbox drive new now famous mascots such as Master Chief to the forefront, selling upwards of 5 million copies in a matter of weeks, while Mario sales have seemingly decreased, as Super Mario Sunshine managed to sell around 1 million copies over the course of 3 years. This is what motivated me to create a article based on the Mario franchise, and how it can be more appealing to the mainstream. There are a couple steps involved to achieve such a goal, and most of them are by studying the current flow of the market, and what concepts are now considered a requirement. Other steps, though, involve going back to Mario's roots of point A to point B levels, and the mainstream-attractive simple-yet-complex two-button control gameplay. How is that possible? Simple controls, complex gameplay. The physics from the original Mario Bros. offered a complex challenge of controlling Mario in a simple manner.
Let's also get one thing clear. By 'mainstream', I don't mean making Mario a dark anti-hero with sarcastic one-liners.
Step 1: Makeover!
Let's face it, Mario needs a makeover. His model was more pleasing to look at in 2D then it is in 3D. When things translate into 3D directly from the Super Nintendo, with no physical or cosmetic changes, they become childish looking. Mario needs to grow as a mascot and meet and take advantage of the third dimension truely for the first time. While some may find the drawing attractive, they may still feel drawn to the original model due to the novelty and nostalgia of him never drastically changing. The reality is Mario has drastically changed over time - why stop now? This is still Mario here in terms of personality. If that's not enough to convince you, take another look at the currently used Mario model.
Mario needs to take one more step towards looking more human, and one step away from looking more like a demonized troll doll.
Step 2: Back to the basics.
What was initial draw of the original Super Mario Bros.? The game had an award winning-formula: Simple + Complex + Fresh and New = Worldwide success and financial security of a now famous video game company. Super Mario Brothers had two buttons, run and jump - yet it offered a challenge in the complex physics involved in controlling Mario as he leaps from ledge to ledge or timed jumps to nail multiple baddies. The game was easy to learn, yet addictively challenging. I believe Mario should go back to this concept - this is something the mainstream will find attractive. Don't you often hear from most gamers that they preferred his 2D outtings more? This doesn't mean the game cannot take advantage of the latest technology with full 3D graphics and levels. A good reference of simple-yet-complex gameplay taking advantage of today's technology would be the popular Super Monkey Ball franchise. How can we do this?
Step 3: Freedom
By studying the latest flow of this industry, freedom seems to be the key aspect in taking advantage of the latest technology, and player's love the ability to choose for themselves. Why not give the full Mario experience? Imagine the large explorable overworld of the Mushroom Kingdom, with full 3D control, free to choose which area to explore before entering the linear side-scrolling level.
But wait, didn't Super Mario 64 already do this, only a little smaller? Minus the old school level design, technically Super Mario 64 has. It is the first free-roaming 3D video game, not Grand Theft Auto 3.
Do you remember the formula that made the original Super Mario Bros. famous during my one-man brainstorming session? Simple + Complex + Fresh and New = Success. We're missing fresh and new!
Step 4: Fresh and new
Ok, fine. We have a game that's easy to play, yet challengingly addictive - we have the freedom to choose, yet old school linear platforming. We're currently offering everything a Mario fan could want. This is where the 10 out of 10 games are seperated by the 9 out of 10 games. We need to go one step further then the player's expectations.
The initial draw of the video game in general was that it offered something new no one had ever tried before. The intial draw of the Mario franchise was that it was the first side-scroller. That means we're going to have to do something new, here. Variety is the spice of life, and if a game features different ways to play a game, it ultimately makes it more enjoyable. Enter a previously badly executed idea from Nintendo, courtesy of HAL's Kirby Air Ride. The City Mode in Kirby Air Ride was a mode that placed Kirby in a big city full of items and such. At random times during the mode, huge events will take place somewhere in the city, such as a UFO attack. While the event will continue with or without you, you are rewarded for taking part in the event. While the mode was badly executed, there's no denying the concept is original, fresh, and ingenius. It has surprisingly never been truely attempted.
Why not apply this to Mario's Mushroom Kingdom overworld? Imagine the possibilities. Bowser will have his daily storm of Peach's castle gates with his Troopas, an airship is on the loose and wreaking havoc, or a goomba stampede is roaming the fields. It would be the most immersive Mario experience ever. You would actually feel a part of the Mushroom Kingdom.
What would be your reward for taking part in events? Perhaps you would earn tokens to work towards unlocking new warp pipes to new levels?
Step 5: Epic
Mario games need a story to truely give it a soul, as I have been shown courtesy of the charmingly fantastic and comical Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Nintendo needs to hire the people, including the localization team, behind this game to give it a more epic feel of story. The comical and well written storyline also allowed older gamers to appreciate and be comfortable with it's bright colors and atmosphere since it seemed to not take itself too seriously. The cartoon Spongebob Squarepants is a perfect example of a type of humor that can be appreciated by all, and Paper Mario 2 is quite evident with it.
And there we have it, the ultimate Mario experience. A new, less textureless and rounded look for Mario, 3D platforming, 2D platforming, and the freedom to explore the actual (active and alive) Mushroom Kingdom. What more could the mainstream complain about? Nothing