If Infinity Ward makes a new Call of Duty game every year, it's awesome. If Microsoft puts out a new Halo FPS, it's a great announcement. If Konami keeps milking the Metal Gear franchise, it's phenomenal. If Square Enix puts out fourteen Final Fantasy games, they're amazing. If Nintendo makes ONE new game based on one of the best games ever, they're spinning their wheels and sounding their death knell. Gotcha.
I can understand cinephiles and audiophiles. Their appreciation is for tender French movies based on childhood experiences, or for Charlie Parker jazz solos. But I can't understand the snobbishness of hardcore gamers. You like games about gore, tits and explosions. You don't have the right to look down your noses at other fare.
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Thursday, June 4, 2009
(E3) Why Nintendo's Conference Was Good
I'm surprised by the reaction of gaming journalists to the three major E3 conferences. Between Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft, most say that Nintendo's presentation was the weakest. This strikes me as odd. Nintendo is in an entirely different position than the other two companies, so their conference was different as well.
Microsoft and Sony are still fighting to get people to buy their equipment. For instance, Microsoft has now announced that they're planning a ten-year console cycle, the same as Sony. Why would they do this? It's because they want developers to know that this new tech that they're demoing will be around for a while so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE start developing for it. They're letting consumers know that they won't have to replace their systems so soon so BUY OURS PLEASE.
Nintendo doesn't have to fight for gaming space anymore. They have their base of fifty million systems that are out in the wild. They now have to get people to buy more games for the Wii. That was the focus of their presentation, and they handled it well. They simply had a different objective than the other companies.
People are pointing to the new motion controls on other systems as Nintendo's undoing. Some now sneer at Nintendo's MotionPlus, saying that Nintendo now has the most expensive and least elegant motion solution. That's not really the case. Nintendo has already sold those Wiis. They only need to convince people to drop $50 for two MotionPluses. Microsoft and Sony have to convince people to buy the whole system yet, and we still don't know how much Natal or Sony's motion controls will cost.
Besides, who do motion controls appeal the most to? Hardcore gamers? Listen to them complain every time the Wii makes them move. The people who are most enamored with motion controls are the casual gamers. They're the ones who want to pretend that they're really swinging a tennis racket or rolling a bowling ball. Here's the dirty little secret: They've done it already. ON THE WII.
Now, I'm not knocking any of the new motion solutions. The Natal tech is amazing, and Sony's controls work better than Nintendo's. They would be fantastic if and only if they were first to market. As it is, Nintendo beat them to it, so they didn't have to push hardware revisions at E3 or new tech. They just have to convince those that have their console to buy more things with the console. They handled that objective admirably.
Microsoft and Sony are still fighting to get people to buy their equipment. For instance, Microsoft has now announced that they're planning a ten-year console cycle, the same as Sony. Why would they do this? It's because they want developers to know that this new tech that they're demoing will be around for a while so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE start developing for it. They're letting consumers know that they won't have to replace their systems so soon so BUY OURS PLEASE.
Nintendo doesn't have to fight for gaming space anymore. They have their base of fifty million systems that are out in the wild. They now have to get people to buy more games for the Wii. That was the focus of their presentation, and they handled it well. They simply had a different objective than the other companies.
People are pointing to the new motion controls on other systems as Nintendo's undoing. Some now sneer at Nintendo's MotionPlus, saying that Nintendo now has the most expensive and least elegant motion solution. That's not really the case. Nintendo has already sold those Wiis. They only need to convince people to drop $50 for two MotionPluses. Microsoft and Sony have to convince people to buy the whole system yet, and we still don't know how much Natal or Sony's motion controls will cost.
Besides, who do motion controls appeal the most to? Hardcore gamers? Listen to them complain every time the Wii makes them move. The people who are most enamored with motion controls are the casual gamers. They're the ones who want to pretend that they're really swinging a tennis racket or rolling a bowling ball. Here's the dirty little secret: They've done it already. ON THE WII.
Now, I'm not knocking any of the new motion solutions. The Natal tech is amazing, and Sony's controls work better than Nintendo's. They would be fantastic if and only if they were first to market. As it is, Nintendo beat them to it, so they didn't have to push hardware revisions at E3 or new tech. They just have to convince those that have their console to buy more things with the console. They handled that objective admirably.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
(E3) Curb Your Enthusiasm: Nintendo Edition
Nintendo's press conference yesterday made me all kinds of giddy. As you can see by my previous posts, I was practically ready to call this generation for Nintendo and move on. However, I thought it would be a good idea to temper this unbridled enthusiasm with some dark truths. Anyone who doesn't like cynicism should look the other way for a bit.
Metroid: Other M
The new Metroid trailer looks awesome, right? Did you see where Samus holds down the monster and shoots him in the head? AWESOME! Still, a few things are sticking in my craw.
Samus has been slowly moving from internal character to external character. That's okay. We learned a little about Adam Malkovich in Fusion, and we know that the Galactic Empire is mad at her. We get that there's more to the Space Pirates and Mother Brain that we haven't been told yet, and we want to know that. Here's the thing: This is a pretty jarring transition from all appearances. We're learning waaaay more about Samus than we ever have.
We're also running a major risk in introducing new characters. The key with Metroid games has always been isolation. You're all alone on an alien planet, and you must get stronger, defeat your enemies, and make it out alive. If you add in a wisecracking buddy or chatty enemies, it ruins that feeling of solitude.
Now, I'm not saying that Team Ninja is going to ruin that feeling. They're working pretty closely with R&D1, so they shouldn't. Still, it's a major concern.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Sidescrolling Mario games are awesome, right? So it stands to reason that four-player Mario would be awesome too, right?
Here's the problem: New Super Mario Bros. for the DS wasn't made by Nintendo's A-team, and it shows. The level design was never as clever as it pretended to be. There were lots of neat ideas, but it wasn't very cohesive as a total. The bosses were too easy. The new Koopa Troopa suit was frustrating to use.
It very well could be that this new game is made by Nintendo's A-team. It certainly seems that way, and we can hope. Still, these games live and die on their level design, and the DS version didn't give me enough to believe that they can pull something great out of their hat.
Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Zelda games are always great, right?
Well, the last one, Phantom Hourglass, is much-loved. It's also home to the Temple of the Ocean King, the single worst thing to happen to Zelda games since EVER. It was like Nintendo forgot everything they ever learned about game design in one brief, blundering moment of stupidity.
Will they repeat the same mistake? Or will Nintendo learn from their mistakes and continue making excellent games?
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario Galaxy was the best Mario game since the 16-bit era. A sequel HAS to be good, right?
Maybe. Galaxy 2 will hopefully be full of cool new things to do and see. At least 90% new. That, right there, is what has me worried. Do they mean that 90% of the levels are new? If that's the case, why aren't 100% new? I don't want to play a rehash of Galaxy's Greatest Hits. If they reuse levels, they better have a darn good reason for it.
Instead, do they mean that 90% of the gameplay techniques are new? Okay, that sounds a little better, but Galaxy was brilliant. Does it really need that much changing? To put it another way, how much of Galaxy have they changed? Too much or not enough?
---
To be fair, most of this doomsaying probably won't come true, but I'm finding that it's a good idea to temper expectations instead of getting too excited. I'll be first in line for most of these, but there always needs to be the little voice in the back of your head telling you that the game is going to suck so that it can (hopefully) be quieted.
Metroid: Other M
The new Metroid trailer looks awesome, right? Did you see where Samus holds down the monster and shoots him in the head? AWESOME! Still, a few things are sticking in my craw.
Samus has been slowly moving from internal character to external character. That's okay. We learned a little about Adam Malkovich in Fusion, and we know that the Galactic Empire is mad at her. We get that there's more to the Space Pirates and Mother Brain that we haven't been told yet, and we want to know that. Here's the thing: This is a pretty jarring transition from all appearances. We're learning waaaay more about Samus than we ever have.
We're also running a major risk in introducing new characters. The key with Metroid games has always been isolation. You're all alone on an alien planet, and you must get stronger, defeat your enemies, and make it out alive. If you add in a wisecracking buddy or chatty enemies, it ruins that feeling of solitude.
Now, I'm not saying that Team Ninja is going to ruin that feeling. They're working pretty closely with R&D1, so they shouldn't. Still, it's a major concern.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Sidescrolling Mario games are awesome, right? So it stands to reason that four-player Mario would be awesome too, right?
Here's the problem: New Super Mario Bros. for the DS wasn't made by Nintendo's A-team, and it shows. The level design was never as clever as it pretended to be. There were lots of neat ideas, but it wasn't very cohesive as a total. The bosses were too easy. The new Koopa Troopa suit was frustrating to use.
It very well could be that this new game is made by Nintendo's A-team. It certainly seems that way, and we can hope. Still, these games live and die on their level design, and the DS version didn't give me enough to believe that they can pull something great out of their hat.
Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Zelda games are always great, right?
Well, the last one, Phantom Hourglass, is much-loved. It's also home to the Temple of the Ocean King, the single worst thing to happen to Zelda games since EVER. It was like Nintendo forgot everything they ever learned about game design in one brief, blundering moment of stupidity.
Will they repeat the same mistake? Or will Nintendo learn from their mistakes and continue making excellent games?
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario Galaxy was the best Mario game since the 16-bit era. A sequel HAS to be good, right?
Maybe. Galaxy 2 will hopefully be full of cool new things to do and see. At least 90% new. That, right there, is what has me worried. Do they mean that 90% of the levels are new? If that's the case, why aren't 100% new? I don't want to play a rehash of Galaxy's Greatest Hits. If they reuse levels, they better have a darn good reason for it.
Instead, do they mean that 90% of the gameplay techniques are new? Okay, that sounds a little better, but Galaxy was brilliant. Does it really need that much changing? To put it another way, how much of Galaxy have they changed? Too much or not enough?
---
To be fair, most of this doomsaying probably won't come true, but I'm finding that it's a good idea to temper expectations instead of getting too excited. I'll be first in line for most of these, but there always needs to be the little voice in the back of your head telling you that the game is going to suck so that it can (hopefully) be quieted.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
(E3) Console Conference Rundown
Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony all made their pitches to the gaming public within the last couple of days. How did each one fare?
Microsoft's show was an intriguing one. They demonstrated what's possible with Project Natal: controller-less gaming in HD. I mention the HD part of it because whatever Nintendo does going forward, that's still the trump card for both major competitors. I suspect that once Project Natal starts getting demoed, it'll gain traction among the casual crowd. It's just too cool not to, frankly.
While Halo isn't really my thing, Halo: ODST looks good, Alan Wake was demoed, Metal Gear Solid was showed off, and Final Fantasy XIII has a firmer release date. All-around, some good things shown off. While the games weren't revolutionary, I would give Microsoft's show an B, if only for Natal. It has the potential to revolutionize gaming or to be a giant flop, but at least they're trying for something new instead of mimicking the wand technology.
Nintendo's show was all about the games, and they delivered. After a lackluster 2008, Nintendo came roaring back with several big reveals for the Wii. New Super Mario Bros. this year, Metroid: Another M, Sin & Punishment 2, and, above all, Super Mario Galaxy 2. That alone made me wet my pants. I don't know about you, but when I saw that the "big Mario reveal" was New Super Mario Bros., I was a little disappointed. I liked NSMB all right, but it wasn't what I was hoping for. Galaxy 2 made my day.
That was just the Wii side. The DS has more great stuff coming out this year yet, like Spirit Tracks and Mario & Luigi. If games are what make a system, the Wii and DS are ready to go. I will admit to disappointment at not seeing a new Kid Icarus or Kirby game, but what they gave us was more than enough. Definitely an A.
That brings us to Sony. I was expecting to be thoroughly bored during the Sony conference and not to see a lot of exciting new stuff. I was wrong. ModNation Racers has a cool, LittleBigPlanet vibe to it. Assassin's Creed II looks awesome. God of War III looks nice. Sony had a lot of leaks before the show, so things like the PSP Go! and the new Metal Gear Solid game were already out there. Of course they demoed Final Fantasy XIII, but the shocker was the announcement of the online-only, PS3 exclusive Final Fantasy XIV. Didn't see that coming.
Of course, Sony has its own attempt at motion controls as well. I thought that they would try and ape the success that Nintendo has had with the Wii, and the tech looks good. The problem comes down to price, once again. How can Sony compete when they're telling customers to shell out upwards of $500 for the system, these wands and games as well? It's crazy talk.
Still, Sony's conference deserves kudos for acknowledging the leaks and providing things that we didn't expect. As much as it pains me to say it, Sony's conference was as good as Nintendo's. The only thing missing was a price drop. Grade A stuff.
Microsoft's show was an intriguing one. They demonstrated what's possible with Project Natal: controller-less gaming in HD. I mention the HD part of it because whatever Nintendo does going forward, that's still the trump card for both major competitors. I suspect that once Project Natal starts getting demoed, it'll gain traction among the casual crowd. It's just too cool not to, frankly.
While Halo isn't really my thing, Halo: ODST looks good, Alan Wake was demoed, Metal Gear Solid was showed off, and Final Fantasy XIII has a firmer release date. All-around, some good things shown off. While the games weren't revolutionary, I would give Microsoft's show an B, if only for Natal. It has the potential to revolutionize gaming or to be a giant flop, but at least they're trying for something new instead of mimicking the wand technology.
Nintendo's show was all about the games, and they delivered. After a lackluster 2008, Nintendo came roaring back with several big reveals for the Wii. New Super Mario Bros. this year, Metroid: Another M, Sin & Punishment 2, and, above all, Super Mario Galaxy 2. That alone made me wet my pants. I don't know about you, but when I saw that the "big Mario reveal" was New Super Mario Bros., I was a little disappointed. I liked NSMB all right, but it wasn't what I was hoping for. Galaxy 2 made my day.
That was just the Wii side. The DS has more great stuff coming out this year yet, like Spirit Tracks and Mario & Luigi. If games are what make a system, the Wii and DS are ready to go. I will admit to disappointment at not seeing a new Kid Icarus or Kirby game, but what they gave us was more than enough. Definitely an A.
That brings us to Sony. I was expecting to be thoroughly bored during the Sony conference and not to see a lot of exciting new stuff. I was wrong. ModNation Racers has a cool, LittleBigPlanet vibe to it. Assassin's Creed II looks awesome. God of War III looks nice. Sony had a lot of leaks before the show, so things like the PSP Go! and the new Metal Gear Solid game were already out there. Of course they demoed Final Fantasy XIII, but the shocker was the announcement of the online-only, PS3 exclusive Final Fantasy XIV. Didn't see that coming.
Of course, Sony has its own attempt at motion controls as well. I thought that they would try and ape the success that Nintendo has had with the Wii, and the tech looks good. The problem comes down to price, once again. How can Sony compete when they're telling customers to shell out upwards of $500 for the system, these wands and games as well? It's crazy talk.
Still, Sony's conference deserves kudos for acknowledging the leaks and providing things that we didn't expect. As much as it pains me to say it, Sony's conference was as good as Nintendo's. The only thing missing was a price drop. Grade A stuff.
(E3) SWOON
So we have New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii, we have a new Metroid game, Golden Sun DS, AND Super Mario Galaxy 2? Nintendo's back, baby!
I can't help but feel a little snobbish after this presentation. I mean, how much more can they do? They're giving everyone exactly what they want. This year is going to be STACKED. I'll break it down a different day. Now, to gloat.
I can't help but feel a little snobbish after this presentation. I mean, how much more can they do? They're giving everyone exactly what they want. This year is going to be STACKED. I'll break it down a different day. Now, to gloat.
Monday, June 1, 2009
(E3) Project Natal Looks Cool
With E3 upon us, I thought I'd give my thoughts on what we're seeing so far.
First, if I were Nintendo, I would be a little nervous about Project Natal. It's a cool new platform for games. No controller? Sounds neat.
However, it's important to remember specifically why Nintendo is ahead. Let's say you get a 360, then you get Natal. How much money are you spending? We don't know yet, but let's guess that it's about $350. Let's say you buy a Wii and get the Wii Play bundle. You're sitting at $300 AND you can play every game in the Nintendo library with the equipment you have. Not so with Natal. Not every game is Natal-ready. Heck, pick up two MotionPlus addons and you're at about $350 WITH a pile of extra games. I really wish Microsoft the best, and I'm excited to see what Natal will bring to the table. Still, I don't see it supplanting the Wii anytime soon.
However, let's chew on these numbers for a moment. In the last generation, the PS2 was the clear winner with 140 million units sold, with the XBox sitting at 30 mil and the Gamecube pulling up the rear with 20. (To put that in perspective, the PS3, which is widely considered a misttep by Sony, has ALREADY sold more units than the Gamecube did.) In other words, the PS2 sold over 4.5 times the units of its nearest competitor, and 2.8 times the units of both other consoles combined.
The Wii has so far sold 50 million units, but the 360 is sitting at about 30 mil and the PS3 at 20 million. The Wii has a strong lead, but it's not insurmountable. I think Nintendo knows it, so we'll see what they bring to the table tomorrow. I'll be watching.
It better not be Wii Music 2, or me and Nintendo are done professionally.
First, if I were Nintendo, I would be a little nervous about Project Natal. It's a cool new platform for games. No controller? Sounds neat.
However, it's important to remember specifically why Nintendo is ahead. Let's say you get a 360, then you get Natal. How much money are you spending? We don't know yet, but let's guess that it's about $350. Let's say you buy a Wii and get the Wii Play bundle. You're sitting at $300 AND you can play every game in the Nintendo library with the equipment you have. Not so with Natal. Not every game is Natal-ready. Heck, pick up two MotionPlus addons and you're at about $350 WITH a pile of extra games. I really wish Microsoft the best, and I'm excited to see what Natal will bring to the table. Still, I don't see it supplanting the Wii anytime soon.
However, let's chew on these numbers for a moment. In the last generation, the PS2 was the clear winner with 140 million units sold, with the XBox sitting at 30 mil and the Gamecube pulling up the rear with 20. (To put that in perspective, the PS3, which is widely considered a misttep by Sony, has ALREADY sold more units than the Gamecube did.) In other words, the PS2 sold over 4.5 times the units of its nearest competitor, and 2.8 times the units of both other consoles combined.
The Wii has so far sold 50 million units, but the 360 is sitting at about 30 mil and the PS3 at 20 million. The Wii has a strong lead, but it's not insurmountable. I think Nintendo knows it, so we'll see what they bring to the table tomorrow. I'll be watching.
It better not be Wii Music 2, or me and Nintendo are done professionally.
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