Nintendo isn’t exactly in the most comfortable position. The Wii U just isn’t pushing as many units as anyone predicted, and the current software lineup is as barren as can be. Plenty of games should get announced when E3 finally kicks off in a few weeks, but as of now, the Mario maker is being counted out by many industry veterans. However, one storied developer thinks that it’d be an absolute mistake to count the company out.
Warran Spector, the creative force behind Deus Ex and Epic Mickey, recently spoke to GameSpot about his life after the end of Junction Point Studios. Although he had little rest toward the end of Epic Mickey 2's development, Spector is hoping for new work to crop up before too long.
"I was exhausted and pretty burned out when [Junction Point Studios] closed. You try working 30 years without a vacation! I kind of got it in my head that I’d stay home until I got bored, whenever that might be," Spector said. "I didn't want to go out and look for anything, but I spread the word that I'd talk to anybody who wanted to talk to me–from startup to multinational corporation. I'd listen and if the perfect thing showed up, I'd do it."
No location has been locked down at this time. However, Spector seems to have a soft spot for Nintendo, which could use a helping hand.
"I've been pretty upfront about my enthusiasm for Nintendo. I think we need a company that's dedicated to games. Every time I visit Nintendo, I'm relieved to have spent time in a place where you can just feel how much everyone loves games," Spector said. "And, really, how many times have people written Nintendo off? I think you underestimate them at your peril."
Nintendo’s been in interesting situations in the past. After the GameCube, no one could have predicted the wild success of the original Wii. We don’t yet know if things will turn around for the struggling company, but I suppose at this point, we should trust their judgment to a certain degree.
