Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Can GoldenEye 007 (Wii) Legally be Ported to the Xbox 360 and PS3?


Coffee Beans:
     GoldenEye 007 on the Wii was a huge surprise to many when Nintendo showed the debut trailer for it at E3 this year(though because of the idiocy at IGN, it was spoiled to many the day before, when they uploaded the trailer and left it public for a few hours).
     When the announcement was made, many people probably wondered like me, "Will this GoldenEye be just like the original?"
     Two questions that also seemed to surface quickly after GoldenEye 007 Wii's announcement was, "Why the Wii?", and whether or not it would stay a Wii exclusive.

     I have seen a few comments that GoldenEye on the Wii can't be ported to the other consoles, because of Nintendo holding the license to the original; and also because Nintendo helped Activision with this version of GoldenEye, by providing advice and working some with Eurocom during development.

     So, from the information that we know about GoldenEye on the Wii, and past GoldenEye video games, does evidence suggest it will remain a Wii exclusive, or will it be a timed "exclusive" like many other games in history?  Can GoldenEye 007 on the Wii legally be ported to the Xbox 360 and PS3?  Let's take a look...

Roasting - GoldenEye's Console Gaming History:
     GoldenEye 007 was originally released on August 25, 1997.  The game was developed by Rareware, and published by Nintendo, for the N64.  The game was based off of the James Bond movie of the same name, and had players playing through levels as James Bond, who was imaged after Pierce Brosnan from the movie.  The game received critical praise when it was released, and sat at the top of the Nintendo sales chart for months.


     With the release of the new consoles this generation, and services like Microsoft's XBLA and Nintendo's Virtual Console, many wondered if GoldenEye 007 would get re-released.  Rare developed GoldenEye, but was purchased by Microsoft; Nintendo published GoldenEye 007.  So, according to many reports, both Microsoft and Nintendo would have to agree on re-releasing the game, but that hasn't happened.

     Fast-forward to November 22, 2004, and gamers were given a new GoldenEye game.  The game was GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, and it was developed and published by Electronic Arts.  GoldenEye: Rogue Agent did not have players in the role of James Bond, but instead players were playing as a...you guessed it, a "Rogue Agent" who had a "golden eye" of sorts.
     While GoldenEye: Rogue Agent was released on all the consoles at that time, GameCube, PS2 and Xbox; it was not received as well critically, as the original GoldenEye 007 on the N64.
     Here are the review score averages for GoldenEye: Rogue Agent on each console:

     Fast-forward again, to Tuesday, November 2, 2010.  GoldenEye 007 for the Wii was released, and since the initial announcement at E3, we learned that GoldenEye 007 on the Wii isn't a direct port of the N64 version, but it is a remake/re-imagining of the original Nintendo 64's GoldenEye 007 and the GoldenEye movie.
     GoldenEye 007 for the Wii was developed by Eurocom, and published by Activision; and Activision holds the James Bond license for making any James Bond video games.
     While GoldenEye 007 Wii has only been out a week now, the game seems to have been received pretty well by the "professionals".  While the game isn't reviewing as well as the original did, it is reviewing better than GoldenEye: Rogue Agent did a few years back.


     While players play as James Bond, they aren't playing the Pierce Brosnan James Bond character, instead James Bond in GoldenEye 007 for the Wii is imaged/acted by Daniel Craig, the current actor filling the role of James Bond in the movies and games.

Brewing - What We Know:
     So, we have three video games set in the James Bond universe, that all have the name GoldenEye in their titles.  Two are console "exclusives", while one was a multi-console release.
     As soon as the new GoldenEye was announced at E3, it seemed every preview/hands-on with the game quickly adapted to calling the game just "GoldenEye".  With the initial trailer showing off footage from the dam level, and gamers repeatedly hearing/reading "GoldenEye", many thought it was going to be a direct port of the original.
     The levels in GoldenEye 007 Wii are not designed exactly the same as the N64's GoldenEye, and there are different levels in the single-player campaign, as well as the multiplayer.
     One of the regular readers here on CoffeewithGames said two of his friends purchased the new Wii GoldenEye, but are planning to return it.  Why were they planning to return(or trade-in) GoldenEye already?
     According to NicodemusatNite, when speaking about his friends that purchased and are planning to return GoldenEye, he said, "Yeah, they didn't like the controls, and the multiplayer levels...(the) multiplayer levels aren't the same, and that was the biggest reason they got the game."

     While it appears Nintendo gave advice to Eurocom, only a few Nintendo employees are given a "thank you" in GoldenEye 007's credits.


     I think this "Thanks" is a big key whether GoldenEye 007 can be ported to the PS3 and Xbox 360, as it's a "Thanks" and not an actual credit to Nintendo for anything specific on the development/publishing side.

The Cup of Coffee aka The Verdict:
     Here's the list of things that are different from GoldenEye 007 on the Wii, compared to the original GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64:
  • GoldenEye Wii has Daniel Craig as James Bond, not Pierce Brosnan
  • GoldenEye Wii was developed by Eurocom, not Rareware
  • GoldenEye Wii was published by Activision, not Nintendo
  • GoldenEye Wii's levels are different, redesigned some from the original, while others are completely new
     As for Nintendo being mentioned in the credits, I researched a few of the names from the Nintendo "thank you" list in the credits, and most seem to be in management or licensing departments/positions at Nintendo.

     Based off of this information, I would say that GoldenEye 007 can be ported to the PS3 and Xbox 360.  I don't think it's a matter anymore of "IF", but perhaps now the question should be, "When will GoldenEye 007 be ported to the PS3 and Xbox 360?"

Questions:
     If you have purchased GoldenEye 007 on the Wii, what do you think of it?  If you are playing online, my friend code for the game is, 2043-7355-3797.
     Do any of you think, like myself, GoldenEye 007 on the Wii will be a timed exclusive only, based on the information I provided above?


If you are interested in GoldenEye 007 for the Wii, or GoldenEye 007: Reloaded for the PS3 and Xbox 360, you can see prices listed on Amazon.com linked below:
      

14 comments:

  1. No. I don't really think so. Reason: Blood Stone. Anyway, I have the game, so I don't care.
    I don't have my friend code, but I will get and add you when I have the time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Also, I forgot this reason, which is a legal one:
    RARE made an updated version of GoldenEye a few years ago, much like their Perfect Dark HD. The game was finished and ready for release on XBLA. It was never released because they couldn't get permission from Nintendo. So I guess this is a legal reason why GoldenEye will stay on Wii.

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  3. As far as I know Nintendo still owns the license for GoldenEye and until they sell that to Activision, I don't see this coming out for anything else. I give it a 20% chance in 6 months, and honestly Nintendo would only sell it if this one bombs and they see no more money potential left in it. Why do you think they held onto for so long.

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  4. @Refyref:
    Yea, but Blood Stone doesn't mean GoldenEye 007 for the Wii can't be ported, but perhaps is a reason it won't be ported.

    I remember reading about the RARE and GoldenEye fiasco, and how it seems that Nintendo didn't want it to happen, so it didn't. That was the old GoldenEye 007 though, from the N64, not an updated game developed/published by two totally different companies. I don't see any legal reason, that GoldenEye 007 on the Wii, can't be ported.

    @Brad Jerger (The Butcher):
    Nintendo does hold the license for the original GoldenEye 007 yes, but not for this GoldenEye 007.

    GoldenEye 007 on the Wii is a different game from GoldenEye 007 on the N64, so I don't see how Nintendo has any say in this situation...just depends when Bobby Kotick decides he needs more money, I think.

    Thank you both for the feedback, do you understand what I'm saying about the license from the original game, and this game though?

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  5. The title is Goldeneye 007, just like the n64 version. The multiplatform game "Rogue Agent" is a different title and a different story. I think it may be possible that Nintendo owns the rights to the title "Goldeneye 007" or maybe even the scenario.
    Yeah, I also think they made Blood Stone because they couldn't port Goldeneye over.

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  6. I think Nintendo holds the rights to make a game based on Goldeneye the movie

    ReplyDelete
  7. @Anonymous from November 10, 2010 @ 8:06PM:
    The title on the game box is "Goldeneye 007" just like the original. The only difference I have seen is the copyright is for 2010, versus 1995 for Danjaq and 1997 for Eon Productions.

    However, Nintendo is not seemingly credited for any James Bond license on this title, just Danjaq.

    I think Blood Stone was in development to be released along with a movie of the same name(I thought), but the movie was delayed because of contract/legal issues or something...and I think it is now being called "Bond 23".

    @Anonymous from November 10, 2010 @ 8:31PM:
    While Nintendo has the rights to the original game, this game isn't the same game...as the reasons I stated in the article.

    I think with James Bond being Daniel Craig, and the levels being different, that there really isn't a reason it can't be ported if Activision wanted it to be.

    I don't think Activision or Eurocom ever said this game couldn't be ported, just they weren't planning it.

    Thanks for the feedback! Any other thoughts? Agree, or disagree?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great article. I have a feeling Activision's lawyers were all over this game giving them the freedom to make this game as close to the original as possible without being sued. And also, know Activision, this game will be announced for 360 and PS3 for a June release next year. Just my thoughts.

    Also, CoffeeWithGames, I added your Friend Code. Here is mine:

    1874-7206-9021

    Hope to see you online. My name's Tanooki.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think if it uses the word "GoldenEye" in it. Nintendo can puff its wings. :0

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  10. I'm sure Nintendo gave them some cash money to keep it on their system for a little while. But who buys Wii ports on hardcore systems after it has the Wii stink on it?

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  11. @Travis Hendricks:
    Yea, it could even end up being a digital release title only on the PS3 and 360, if they don't want to take it retail.

    Also, I'll add your code later tonight!

    @Brad Jerger (The Butcher):
    Well, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent was able to be a multi-console release because of the title difference and different story/levels I would guess, the title is the same(minus some retail listings that differ), but the levels are different.

    @Who Burned My Toast?:
    "But who buys Wii ports on hardcore systems after it has the Wii stink on it?"
    Remember that game No More Heroes? It's on the PS3 in Japan now I believe.

    But more closely on the topic, Eurocom developed Dead Space: Extraction for the Wii...and not it's going to the PS3 also, with Move support.

    Thanks again for the feedback everybody! Now, where are the legal teams to discuss this with?!

    ReplyDelete
  12. @ Coffee, I'm curious what the sales will be of No More Heroes in PS3 when it gets here... Extraction will be an include with Dead Space 2 so we can't use that as a gauge. I'm not sure when Travis Touchdown is coming to the states.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The original Goldeneye has become a nightmare in terms of who owns the licensing rights these days. Too many people involved with James Bond, the N64 game, and now this. Now more people are added to the pot.

    It found its home on a Nintendo system. People associate the nostalgia with the N64. Will it stay? Who knows? Do I think it will fare the best on a Nintendo system in any case? Most definitely.

    ReplyDelete
  14. @Brad Jerger (The Butcher):
    Yea, I know NMH was already released in Japan for the PS3, and I think first week initial sales were higher on the PS3, than originally on the Wii.

    @The Dread Pirate Guy:
    I think it would have been interesting to see how GoldenEye would have fared, if it was released on all the consoles at the same time.

    Thank you both for the comments, sorry it's taken me a while to reply back!

    ReplyDelete

Keep the comments clean. Rated "E" for Everyone. :)

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