Gamedaily's Top Five Most Overrated Industry People

[Captain Wrong]

Since everyone loves lists and everyone loves getting their panties in a knot, I figure this ought to be a fun topic for discussion...

Ready?

Steady?

GO! (http://www.gamedaily.com/canvases/gd/_a/feature-top-five-most-overrated-industry/20070321142209990001)



Spolier ahead:








I agree with the list, for the most part. Personally, I'd replace Koji Igarashi with Tomonobu Itagaki (or Dead or Alive fame,) and put him at #4 and swtich Hideo and Shiggy. I'd also throw the Gran Turismo guy on my honorable mention list instead of American McGee (honestly, who really rates that guy for him to be overrated these days?)

[neuropolitique]

a bunch of "don't get us wrong, we love him, he just ain't all that." meh.

[ubersaurus]

You know offhand I know Miyamoto came up with Pikmin a mere console generation ago. I'd say that qualifies as a new IP.

[p_b]

I expected to see Peter Molineux (sp?) on that list :-)

[agbulls]

I really don't think its fair to put Miyamoto on that list. After all, do people say Spielberg is overated? I'd consider them to be somewhat similiar in regards to stature for their chosen mediums. I couldn't disagree with putting Peter Moloneux on that list. I'm sick of hearing his lists and lists of Fable 2 promises. Koji gets a ton of credit from me only because he is solely keeping 2D platforming/action games alive with the Castlevania DS--and now PSP iterations. He gets props for that.

Other considerations? How about the Stamper Brothers at Rare? Yes, I know they're gone now--and for good reason. The last major hit I can think Rare produced was Goldeneye or DK on 64. Both Perfect Dark and Kameo were senior produced by these guys with a ton of hype. Overated dev house? I think so.

My favorite choice? Ed Boon at Midway. Here's a quick trivia question for ya:

1. How many game franchises has Ed Boon been involved with in the last 10 years at Midway?

Give up?
ONE.

Mortal overated Kombat. Nuff said.

[Aussie2B]

While I wouldn't really argue with the people chosen nor the basic reasoning for them, the article just falls apart when it gets to the details. The NES Castlevania plays just like the new DS ones? What the hell is this guy thinking? He talks about how Miyamoto gets all the credit when he doesn't deserve it, yet he acts like Wind Waker is Miyamoto's personal creation? Not to mention ignoring the fact that Miyamoto has actually been put the MOST input into brand new franchises, yet these new franchises, like Pikmin, fail to meet the same commercial success. Oy, so many problems that make the journalist in me cringe.

Anyway, instead of putting industry figures down, whether they deserve it or not, I'd like to see a list of the most underrated people in the industry. I'd nominate Gunpei Yokoi and, speaking of Miyamoto getting all the credit, Eiji Aonuma.

[Richter Belmount]

Heresey! except for reggie

[neuropolitique]

Anyway, instead of putting industry figures down, whether they deserve it or not, I'd like to see a list of the most underrated people in the industry. I'd nominate Gunpei Yokoi and, speaking of Miyamoto getting all the credit, Eiji Aonuma.

Is Gunpei really under-rated? I suppose many don't know of him, but those who do surely think of him highly, no? Maybe it's just my inner Game Boy fanboy speaking.

[Richter Belmount]

Im a gunpei fanboy myself =P .

[bangtango]

They should retitle this list.

"The five guys who might not do an interview with us for a year or so, until this blows over."

[Hep038]

I thought the list looked about right. They kind of put their foot in their mouth, but as far as lists go looks good to me.

[DreamTR]

That is a useless article, and I will explain why:

For Castlevania, they tried to go out on a limb with the 3D games, but they did not fell like "the magic" of the other games in the series (specifically all the 2D ones). "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" GAMEDAILY should be ECSTATIC Konami still WANTS to do 2D Castlevania games, which ARE good games instead of conveniently forgetting about the 3D games in the series which are subpar.

Reggie Fims-Ames is just a marketing guy. Nintendo did very well with the "Howard Phillips" figurehead, and that's all he is. WHy he is even on this list is beyond me since he does not do any game design, but I guess "overrated" and "industry" can mean anything.

Miyamoto? For all the complaining they do, did they forget what happens when Mario decides to sway away from his normal gameplay and then turn out Mario Sunshine? Mario ols school style games SELL, and they play WELL. GameDaily seems to have issues understanding these concepts. Each and everytime someone tries to release something COMPLETELY new, you run the risk of failure, which is not an option in the days of shareholders and missed opportunities. If you have a AAA franchise, you don't want to piss off fans "too" much because you end up losing out on sales.

Metal Gear? Maybe now. Metal Gear Solid 2 is way more movielike, and they are becoming very complex with little gameplay. Metal Gear Solid was Kojima's shining star, and he was WAY ahead of his time, revolutionizing the "stealth" genre back in 1987 when Metal Gear first came out, so I don't think he is overrated by any means. Again, GameDaily needs to go after the "hype" from franchises that did not sell for shit instead of going after tried and true names.

[djbeatmongrel]

ok list i geuss, i'll defend Tetsuya Mizuguchi though, even if he is only an honorable mention. sure his games have ups and down but the man really knows how to incorpate style into his games in fresh and modern ways.

I'm shocked we didnt see Will Wright on that list. really how many damn sims games/expansions do ya need? i'll hold judgement till spore is finally out though.

[GillianSeed]

Hah -- so Kojima and Miyamoto make the list, but not Cliffy B? We'll see who's talking about his games five years from now.

[Aussie2B]

Is Gunpei really under-rated? I suppose many don't know of him, but those who do surely think of him highly, no? Maybe it's just my inner Game Boy fanboy speaking.

Well, he gets some attention, but not nearly as much as I think he deserves considering his contributions to the industry. I do my part to change that, though. :)

[diskoboy]

I agree with David Jaffe and Hideo Kojima.

But American McGee should be at the tip top of the list - no 'honorable mention'....

With the exception of Alice, all his games were overhyped pieces of shit.

[Snapple]

Reggie Fims-Ames is just a marketing guy. Nintendo did very well with the "Howard Phillips" figurehead, and that's all he is. WHy he is even on this list is beyond me since he does not do any game design, but I guess "overrated" and "industry" can mean anything.

After writing that, you still don't understand why Reggie is overrated? He IS just a marketting guy, yet he's treated like he's so much more. Hence overrated.

I actually agree with the SELECTIONS on the list, but I disagree for their REASONING for the selections. So I pretty much agree with what Aussie said a few posts up.

Cliffy B is starting to get overrated, too. I was expecting to see him on the list.

I knew Kojima and Miyamoto would be there.

[Push Upstairs]

I don't know why American McGee is even on the list.

Aside from "Alice" (which was awesome, except the ending) he really hasn't had much. I've never read anything that hyped American McGee's newer efforts, only read about how they were lame.

[klausien]

Hah -- so Kojima and Miyamoto make the list, but not Cliffy B? We'll see who's talking about his games five years from now.

Thank you. His middle name is Overrated.

I also agree with Captain Wrong in that Itagaki needs to be on this list. Honestly, outside of killer graphics and babes, I don't see what's so special about Team Ninja's output. Ninja Gaiden was better on the NES.

I also agree that putting Reggie on the list was a mistake for all the reasons everyone has already mentioned.

I can't agree with Will Wright. Sims factory or not, he is a legend on par with Meier, Miyamoto, Suzuki and the rest of the best. Also, I don't take kindly to people insulting Mizuguchi. The triumphs of Rez and Lumines outshine the fact that Q Entertainment needs to make other, lesser games to make money.

Here's my take:

5. Peter Molyneux
4. Hideo Kojima
3. Cliff Bleszinski
2. Tomonobu Itagaki
1. Hironobu Sakaguchi

Honorable Mentions:
Ed Boon
David Jaffe
Kazunori Yamauchi

Face it. The Final Fantasy series, while having their moments and historical significance, are the most overrated video games of all time.

[PallarAndersVisa]

I agree about Iga (or the castlevania series in general) being overrated. Don't get me wrong, its my FAVORITE franchise, but the last handful of games on the handheld systems were almost identical. I can only play SotN in different flavors but so many times. And the 3-D games were ALL horrible. I tried, tried and tried. But they fail as sub par devil may cry clones.

I do not agree with Kojima on that list. Every MGS game has blown me away every time. I love the cinema-like stuff, sometimes I wish I could just watch the movie sequences one by one.

[ubersaurus]

After writing that, you still don't understand why Reggie is overrated? He IS just a marketting guy, yet he's treated like he's so much more. Hence overrated.

I actually agree with the SELECTIONS on the list, but I disagree for their REASONING for the selections. So I pretty much agree with what Aussie said a few posts up.

Cliffy B is starting to get overrated, too. I was expecting to see him on the list.

I knew Kojima and Miyamoto would be there.

But that's the thing, he's a marketing figurehead. He's SUPPOSED to be visible. It's his job.

Game designers makes games. There's not that much reason to know who they are.

[j_factor]

Lame list. I've never even heard David Jaffe being talked about. I knew who he was, but that's about it. Where the hell is Cliffy B?

I can't agree at all with the honorable mentions. Mizuguchi has done some great work and isn't all that highly recognized, and no one gives a shit about American McGee (although Oz would've been good).

[ShenmueFan]

I agree with all the people - especially Kojima.

MGS2 sucked soooooooo much it wasn't even funny. Well, actually, I DID laugh throughout the whole game because it was so god-awful.

Kojima $%#@ed up MGS2 so much so that I haven't played the newer games and could care less about the upcoming next-gen sequel.

Miyamoto is overrated simply because he is the gaming world's equivalent of Steve Jobs. People honestly don't think his crap stinks. I have seen ZERO innovation in a Zelda game since 2000's Majora's Mask, ZERO Innovation in a 2D Zelda since '93's Link's Awakening, ZERO innovation to a 3D Mario game since 96's Mario 64...ZERO innovation to a 2D Mario game since 95's Yoshi's Island, ZERO innovation to Star Fox since the original game in '93, ZERO innovation to 2D Pokemon since the original, ZERO innovation to Metroid since Prime and Super Metroid...basically, this guy is thought of as some awesome something because he either created or worked on great games years or decades ago. I'm not saying he isn't worth anything because obviously he's talented...but the last truly good game he made from scratch was Pikmin. Since then, nuthin' but sequel city...

[gepeto]

I disagree with Kojima and Miyamoto being on the list I think they deserve there spot of greatness because they earned it. great games like msg for the psx and super mario 64 maybe old and forgotten but are 2 of the best produced games out there.

[ShenmueFan]

I disagree with Kojima and Miyamoto being on the list I think they deserve there spot of greatness because they earned it. great games like msg for the psx and super mario 64 maybe old and forgotten but are 2 of the best produced games out there.

They weren't overrated THEN but they are overrated NOW.

No one was saying they didn't do great things in the PAST. But just because you do something great once or a few times doesn't mean you should get to wear the crown of "Awesomeness" forever. Also, if you end up creating crap later on, that should damage your reputation as well.

I my opinion, MGS2 sucked so bad it HURT my memories of the original game. I don't doubt the original MGS is a good game, but I no longer mention it to people as something truly wonderful....Kojima's fluke of greatness, that's all.

[Aussie2B]

I have seen ZERO innovation in a Zelda game since 2000's Majora's Mask, ZERO Innovation in a 2D Zelda since '93's Link's Awakening, ZERO innovation to a 3D Mario game since 96's Mario 64...ZERO innovation to a 2D Mario game since 95's Yoshi's Island, ZERO innovation to Star Fox since the original game in '93

And those are conveniently the points in which Miyamoto stopped having a significant role in the development of the games. ;) For the most part, all he does these days is have other people create new entries in the franchises he created, and once they have something to show, Miyamoto takes a look and says "yeah, this looks good".

I don't see what Miyamoto ever had to do with Pokemon and Metroid, though. o_O Metroid is Gunpei Yokoi's baby (and he died after Super Metroid), and Game Freak developed Pokemon.

[ShenmueFan]

All Nintendo games are basically credited to Miyamoto nowadays, just like the Gamecube was pretty much HIS machine, made the way he wanted. This is both good and bad because whether or not he was involved with a game every step of the way or just giving the final okay to a title under the Nintendo brand, he is the name everyone associates with it.

So, yes, while other people may have had more significant roles on certain games, when you hear Nintendo you think Miyamoto...not the guy who made Super Mtroid or the guy who was the creator of Pokemon or the guy who came up with Starfox and so on.

[Aussie2B]

Well, that's the point of his inclusion. He deserves all the credit he gets for his own creations, but he's overrated when he's getting credit that other people should be receiving. But he also shouldn't take the blame if there are any problems with the recent games.

[Frica89]

That list is absolutely terrible...the guy has no idea what he is talking about.

[Griking]

Hah -- so Kojima and Miyamoto make the list, but not Cliffy B? We'll see who's talking about his games five years from now.

Actually I was talking about his games over 8 years AGO when he designed the original Unreal Tournament. I give the guy a whole lot of credit for having two monster games in UT and Gears of War under his belt by the age of 32.

[bangtango]

If people are going to put Miyamoto on the list then what about Jason Rubin, formerly of Naughty Dog? If Crash Bandicoot and his various games (including Crash Team Racing) weren't inspired by Mario in some way, then you'll have to tell me what the inspiration was. A lot of the Crash games weren't even that good. I'd be curious to hear why Rubin hasn't even been mentioned yet. At least Miyamoto has had a few more original ideas in his lifetime than Jason Rubin. He sure as heck hasn't put together a game as sloppy as Way of the Warrior, at least not any game I've ever heard of. I understand a fighting game released back on the 3DO shouldn't have any bearing on a list released in 2007 but that isn't the point. The point is that maybe Miyamoto is overrated but top five? I just don't see why Jason Rubin or his (former) cohorts are getting a free pass here.

[gepeto]

They weren't overrated THEN but they are overrated NOW.

No one was saying they didn't do great things in the PAST. But just because you do something great once or a few times doesn't mean you should get to wear the crown of "Awesomeness" forever. Also, if you end up creating crap later on, that should damage your reputation as well.

I my opinion, MGS2 sucked so bad it HURT my memories of the original game. I don't doubt the original MGS is a good game, but I no longer mention it to people as something truly wonderful....Kojima's fluke of greatness, that's all.

Well My point is that if you stack their resumes up with any others they will hold there own. How many people try to develop games and create blockbusters? Tons of people try but many never get the brass ring. The unfair thing is that no one can consistantly put out blockbusters. The is not one person alive. Ms2 might have hurt your eyes but alot of people loved it and zone of enders 2 was great as well as pikman. I call it crabs in the barrel when you are on top people want you to fall off. They revel when you do just look at Rare to hear people talk you would think rare create drake. When one makes a great great game it is hard to top it No matter how good a sequel is to some it is never better than the original. overated I don't think so.

[Guru of Time and Space]

ShenmueFan sure does talk a lot.
Sorry dude, but the majority of your posts just come off as really, really annoying.

I have nothing to say about the list. I barely play any games by anyone on the list, besides CastleVania and Tetsuya Mizuguchi's games. I agree that CastleVania is getting stale, and I liked Every Extend Extra.

Yeah.

-GoTaS

[bangtango]

ShenmueFan sure does talk a lot.
Sorry dude, but the majority of your posts just come off as really, really annoying.

That seems uncalled for. I don't have a problem with his posts.

[ShenmueFan]

ShenmueFan sure does talk a lot.
Sorry dude, but the majority of your posts just come off as really, really annoying.

I have nothing to say about the list. I barely play any games by anyone on the list, besides CastleVania and Tetsuya Mizuguchi's games. I agree that CastleVania is getting stale, and I liked Every Extend Extra.

Yeah.

-GoTaS

Well people with stupid opinions who can't back up what they're saying annoy me!

At least I attempt to back up my opinions with a good description of WHAT I'm trying to say.

[Guru of Time and Space]

Beef min.
Calm it.

-GoTaS

[ShenmueFan]

Beef min.
Calm it.

-GoTaS

Okay.........................anybody understand that or do I have to break out the L33T dictionary, 5th grader edition?

[Push Upstairs]

Search for a thread called "it calm the beef min".

After you find it, be prepared to be just as confused as you are now.

[ShenmueFan]

Just searched and .... yeahhhhhhh ... ummm.... I'm gonna go to sleep now.

[GillianSeed]

I my opinion, MGS2 sucked so bad it HURT my memories of the original game. I don't doubt the original MGS is a good game, but I no longer mention it to people as something truly wonderful....Kojima's fluke of greatness, that's all.

What about the original Metal Gear series for the MSX and NES? He more or less invented the sneaking game, how many designers can boast that they've created/popularized a new genre? And Snatcher and Policenauts?

[GillianSeed]

Actually I was talking about his games over 8 years AGO when he designed the original Unreal Tournament. I give the guy a whole lot of credit for having two monster games in UT and Gears of War under his belt by the age of 32.Neither of which are very ground-breaking, they're merely refinements of pre-existing genres. I don't see him in anywhere near the same league as the Kojimas, Miyamotos, and Garriotts of the world -- people who blazed new trails in the industry. Yet everywhere I turn it's Cliffy B this and Cliffy B that... we'll see how long that lasts.

Speaking of which, it's odd that they didn't go after Lord British... I loved Ultima, but he hasn't done much since then. I guess it wouldn't have generated as many hits for their Web site.

[Lothars]

Neither of which are very ground-breaking, they're merely refinements of pre-existing genres. I don't see him in anywhere near the same league as the Kojimas, Miyamotos, and Garriotts of the world -- people who blazed new trails in the industry. Yet everywhere I turn it's Cliffy B this and Cliffy B that... we'll see how long that lasts.
:

Maybe your not talking about the same game

Unreal Tournament is Groundbreaking IMO

Cliffy B is not overrated in the least, and I honestly don't see why your saying that, I bet you it will last a lot longer.

[Lothars]

ShenmueFan sure does talk a lot.
Sorry dude, but the majority of your posts just come off as really, really annoying.


I hate to say it but yeah I agree fully

[Griking]

Neither of which are very ground-breaking, they're merely refinements of pre-existing genres. I don't see him in anywhere near the same league as the Kojimas, Miyamotos, and Garriotts of the world -- people who blazed new trails in the industry. Yet everywhere I turn it's Cliffy B this and Cliffy B that... we'll see how long that lasts.

*shrug* I think that the original Unreal Tournament is the best FPS I've still ever played.

[ShenmueFan]

I hate to say it but yeah I agree fully

C'mon Lothars...back in your cage...c'mon now...

[Ed Oscuro]

Anyway, instead of putting industry figures down, whether they deserve it or not, I'd like to see a list of the most underrated people in the industry. I'd nominate Gunpei Yokoi and, speaking of Miyamoto getting all the credit, Eiji Aonuma.
Right you are on the article. For this bit, though, if Gunpei was still around he'd doubtlessly be catching the same flak everybody else is.

I'm kinda happy that Iga got on the list only at #5. Sure, he's polarizing, and his games aren't the best ever, but he isn't deserving any worse treatment, not at all.

Itagaki is just a bit of a loudmouth (and doesn't treat his women right, allegedly). His games still rock and that's a big chunk of what matters.

Also - Jaffe who? I guess this is an insider's list or something.

[Nature Boy]

Fun list.

I agree with pretty much everybody, even Miyamoto (whose Zelda games I couldn't adore more).

Kojima would have been my #1. He did a great job with Metal Gear Solid, but every game after that has made me wonder why everyone gets so hyped for a next release. I can't *stand* watching when I should be playing, and nobody has more cut scenes than he does. I didn't bother finishing MGS 3 because of it. Don't get me wrong, I like cutscenes. But if they last longer than a few minutes I get frustrated. After playing Splinter Cell I just couldn't go back to MGS.

[Ed Oscuro]

Hot damn, you're absolutely right, Nature Boy. I ALSO gave up MG for SC. Heh.

[Aussie2B]

if Gunpei was still around he'd doubtlessly be catching the same flak everybody else is.

I don't know about that. I mean, Gunpei was no longer working for Nintendo before he died, anyway, and the WonderSwan wasn't exactly garnering him a lot of attention, especially not from the Western point-of-view. If anything, I think his death may have resulted in a heightened focus on him, since people look back on his greatest creations. If he was still alive, he might still be working on relatively obscure systems, causing people to think he's just a wash up with his glory days behind him. He definitely wouldn't deserve that, but I could imagine narrow-minded gamers thinking that.