The delightful CNET has let loose with a new photo album that informs the male world of the ‘Top 10 products with a high ‘wife acceptance’ factor’. Number nine on the list? The Nintendo DS. [Hope the image didn’t give the story away]
‘Gals say it’s the games. I say his-and-hers matching DS units means game on–which is better than game off.’
The popular Lik Sang website was shut down recently thanks to ‘multiple legal actions brought against it by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.’.
GWN has a new article up that argues in defense of Sony, claiming that the game company did the right thing for gamers by shutting down Lik Sang.
‘Take a look at Lik-Sang’s history before you jump to their defense. In 2002 they were sued by Nintendo and Microsoft as well as Sony for selling modchips for consoles and handhelds which could be used to play games without purchasing the product. So last year when Lik-Sang began exporting Sony PSPs to customers in Europe before the product’s European release it wasn’t their first transgression against the console giant.’
Nintendo have had used up all their chances with gamers. The Wii is the final bid to win back a decent share in the console market. What effect would a gamer-friendly console miscarriage have on Nintendo?
State of Affairs
Nintendo have made all the right moves so far. A new controller, a new ethos, new marketing tactics and a brand new name. Nintendo have concentrated on one word. Fun.
The name is easy, and makes primary schoolers and football jocks of all ages giggle. The games are bright and exciting, and the controls can be muzzled by all ages. It’s small, cute and cheap.
The Wii is hot, and not just with hate filled Zelda junkies slavouring for a fix after the long wait. The public is learning about the Wii. And somewhere, deep inside each and every person that learns about the new ‘video game computer’ is a yearning. They want to play.
Enter Wired, Rolling Stone, the New York Times and even the Official Land Rover Magazine. These publications have each had a feature on the Nintendo Wii. New demographics are being exposed to, and infected by the Nintendo Wii.
What do gamers think of Nintendo?
To be honest, alot of gamers were not impressed with the GameCube. In fact, it wouldn’t be outrageous to claim that the GameCube was a major mistake, plunging the future of the influential game industry founder into the abyssal depth of failure.
Gamers feel betrayed by Nintendo.
If the Nintendo Wii doesn’t reach certain levels of gameplay, the Wii-mote doesn’t pay off as a serious controller and if popular companies avoid producing games for the ‘gimmicky’ console, then gamers will desert Nintendo.
There is a point where an abusive relationship becomes too much. Those with their hearts pledged to Nintendo may stick around, but as an open minded gamer, with expectations of how to be treated in a consociation, I will be packing my bags and running away. Forever.
But.. the DS!
The Nintendo DS fused public appeal, gimicks and quality gameplay into a unique, delightful hand held system. The console appeals to gamers and the public alike. In fact, Nintendo has reported a 72% gain in profit directly linked to sales of the Nintendo DS and New Super Mario Bros.
Why has the DS been such a runaway success? Because for the first time, an entire console was designed to be accessible and entertaining for anyone. The DS can be switched on and off easily and tucked away. It is designed elegantly enough to produce on a Subway, or on an airplane.
Previous attempts to familiarise new demographics with the Game Industry have resulted in scabruos attempts to design niche games. By designing a completely friendly console and fun, often social games that do not require, but can accept total immersion, Nintendo suddenly ‘did it‘ for the public, and reaped the rewards from their venture.
With 26,000,000 units already sold, and millions more being manufactured, Nintendo has locked itself into the game industry. A New Super Game Industry.
The New Super Game Industry?
The conventions of the Game Industry have changed. Consoles are designed for the masses. Gone are the days of ‘fun’ consoles, that only a semi-serious gamer or a gaggle of kids could play. Nintendo aims to produce consoles that can be played by any demographic with stepping outside the targets comfort zone.
Unfortunately, the evolution of gaming has come at a price. Multitudes of past-gen gamers are not required to purchase Nintendo to make the Wii successful.
By spreading a virtual net over grandparents, the middle aged and other non-gaming demographics, Nintendo has set itself up for the future. Children will grow up with new gaming styles, technology Monkey see, monkey do.
It’s us of them
Nintendo have chosen to continue to appeal to gamers with a solid array of game titles and content. They want to hold onto both markets, both old and new. But in the end there is to be an ultimatum. Nintendo must make a decision on which course is better for the company’s future.
It’s hardly an official Nintendo confirmation, but it is close. The enigmatic Matt Casamassina has revealed in the latest IGN Weekly that the Nintendo Wii will have a signle friend code. In other words, a single string of text or numbers that identifies each Wii console individually.
Check out the IGN weekly [30] for the report from Matt.
The evil, hair raising Nunchuk rumble rumour has resurfaced. Over at NeoGAF, a poster reads ‘EDGE’ magazine which reported…
‘because it does not require batteries, the Nunchuk feels unusually light in operation, although the inclusion of a rumble facility ensures that it has a tactile quality.’
And then a quote from the reputable GamesMaster
‘this level of immersion goes beyond just controller movement. Both the Wii remote and nunchuk attachment have their own rumble function, so there’s feedback in both your hands while you battle.’
Could the Nunchuk make an appearance, Less that three weeks before release date? Never afraid to eat my own hat, I’ll say no.
Eidos has given us what we have all been waiting for… the official Pony Friends DS Fact Sheet. The game looks reasonably indepth for its kind, and may well appeal to young pony lovers with an interest in solid gameplay.
Pony Friends DS
Release Date: 2007
The pony you always wanted in the palm of your hand!
When Ubisoft ships GT Pro Series, the Wiil, a Wii-mote holding steering wheel attachment will be included in the packaging. Today it has been revealed that GT Pro Series will be shipped in a cardboard box, similar to a stereotypical PC game packaging in size.
GoNintendo has the net diagram of the Box Art.
Nice is a bit of an understatement. Users over at the official NSider forums have been flexing their virtual muscles, and showing off their Photoshop skills in one of the coolest threads around.
Take the Wii image and skin it. What you get from is some seriously kickass, sometimes obscure and always eye-candy images.
Check out the thread!
Dial-up? Probably not the link for you due to heavy imagery.
Walmart is showing off their new pretty, a shiny $25.00 USD 2000 Wii Points card. If you are unaware, Point Cards enable users to download Virtual Console games on the Nintendo Wii. The Virtual Console is a virtual [hic*] way to play old favourite games from the NES, SNES and N64.
One Wii Point is equal to one Japanese Yen. 2000 Points would buy you two N64 games, Alternatively it could buy you four NES games. Or Two NES games and one… With the pricing at 500 Points for a NES game, 800 for a SNES and 1000 for a N64, you can figure out the ideal combination for yourself.
“Aaaaaaarrrgghhh! Death to the cursed brethren!”
One thing that the Wii didn’t have yet was a bloodthirsty survival horror game. Oh yes, the Nintendo Wii has survival games, and even some ‘horror’ games, but these games don’t have something. Vampires.
1up is reporting that a brand new game, developed by The Collective is to be released on the Wii, Playstation3 and the Xbox360. The game is called ‘Harker’ and has been described as ‘Buffy, in an alternate, more violent universe.
The game concentrates on single enemy battles, which for you gore-lovin horde shooting kids out there, ‘assassination missions’ without minions. The gameplay is unique, and concentrates on being frightening, interesting and rewarding.
