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Nintendo Loses Over $300M - A Wake-up Call for the Big N

2011-07-28T23:45:00.002-04:00

Nintendo Loses Over $300M - Wii News at IGN

The above link is from the original IGN.com article that I got the original news from.

Nintendo is finally having the wake-up call that it needs.

Nintendo revealed its earnings for the 2nd quarter today and as a result had to adjust their income projections...by 82%! This in turn has facilitated a price cut of the Nintendo 3DS system from $249.99 to $169.99 starting August 12, 2011.

Now, we have known for some time that Nintendo was in its own economic slowdown with the Wii market oversaturating in systems but with no significant software titles to drive new customers or keep Nintendo Wii relevant (except for their normal Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii...pretty much their own casual IPs)

In addition, according to the Wall Street Journal, the Nintendo 3DS, which started off with a bang selling over 3.6 million last quarter, has only sold a little over 700,000 in the last 3 months...which in the eyes of investors is pretty pathetic and a revealing truth of what the industry is going through at the moment.

And what are the (2) factors in my opinion...Apple and Nintendo themselves. Of course, we can factor in the economy and the tragedy in Japan, but Apple still out did themselves.

According to Reuters, not only did they beat quarter estimates by 33%, but they sold over $20.34 million IPhones this quarter...beating estimates by over 2 million and doing so with a new IPhone on the horizon! And what can you get on an IPhone...? Apps, games...mostly for free or chump change of $1-$5 dollars. Downloading it through a secure and easy to use network without having to insert a $40-$50 cartridge.

Not to mention, you can GPS, collect coupons, order through Amazon, take pictures, have MULTIPLE touch controls, and do almost anything...no gimmicky 3D included.

Apple in my opinion is doing it again in my opinion as a silent killer...creating innovative products in the essence of what Nintendo did in the 80s vs. Atari and puts their name and product in the hearts and minds of the world. Believe me, with an Apple TV in the works and their passion to go all in with the "cloud," Apple is setting itself to be a part of everyone’s lives. If they ever came out with a streaming gaming/movie/internet/uploading network...people will come.

As for Nintendo, I will not spend too much time on the obvious - they put too much into their casual Wii market and got sloppy. With their oversaturation, they expected a 3D system without glasses to automatically be the prime selling point of what is really a supped-up DS system. Honestly, I prefer to believe that the DSi (a disgrace to release in my opinion) is nothing more than what the GameCube was to the Wii. Not to mention, 3D movie sales have dropped and is still not a proven staple to the entertainment industry.

However, more importantly...where the heck are the games! Other than Zelda 3DS, once again like the Wii, there are no real games for the system. Software sells systems and the 3DS does not have it - especially with 3rd party developers pushing/cancelling games which is not a good sign for Nintendo at this juncture.

Then we have the Wii U. Which takes me to another problem I have had with the Big N - their pompous and ridiculous marketing and communication.

When someone walks away from a presentation, you should have a clear idea of what the presenter is attempting to accomplish with said presentation and exactly what you just saw. This was the exact opposite with the Wii U.

People were scratching their heads on whether or not Wii U was a new console or a peripheral to the Wii itself? Why so much talk about using Wiimotes and the balance board? And why was Reggie so skittish about answering questions about who developed the prerendered demos? That fact that we walked away from E3 asking if the Wii U was a Sega CD add-on is simply sad.

It is this crap that boils me over with my beloved N because they constantly shoot themselves in the foot while trying to present pompous talking points and expecting everyone to simply accept their point of view. Well, this all changed today when they proceeded with their biggest price cut for a recently released system ever.

There is so much I can say...but I will end with this thought.

Nintendo has always been about innovation and using established technology to its fullest. With the right moves, Nintendo could already be at the forefront of downloading, streaming, interfacing...if they would incorporate more into their devices (not just gimmicks), communicate more effectively with 3rd parties and their customers, and go back to what they did in the 80s before riding Wii train over the cliff.

In the 80s, Atari was simply a gaming company...but Nintendo decided to release the "Nintendo Entertainment System" - it was more than a gaming device...as even shown on the original box art. It was a device for the entire family to be entertained by and it changed gaming forever. Apple is now using this same strategy in my opinion; branching it to online capabilities, interfacing, streaming, and giving instant access to multiple features - not just games.

Reggie stresses that Nintendo is a gaming company.

Well, I hope Nintendo feels the urgency and takes a double take at that statement.

Sega was once an innovator...it is now merely a gaming company.

Feel free to leave any comments - thanks again and happy gaming!

Operation Rainfall: Source: NTSC Xenoblade Done, The Last Story In Pro...

2011-07-13T16:14:00.000-04:00

Operation Rainfall: Source: NTSC Xenoblade Done, The Last Story In Pro...: "NTSC Xenoblade Finished Prior to E3 Nintendo of America Sitting on Announcement July 7, 2011 American localization of Xenoblade is compl..."

Has been quite a while since I have shared my thoughts on the world of gaming...but better late than never. So I dispense with the pleasantries!

As many have heard over the last few weeks, Operation Rainfall has been on the offensive, fueled by the motivation of angry Wii gamers, to get hard core RPG games released in the Americas.

Well...The Big N finally responded - both publicly and possibly privately. Officially, Nintendo stated that they had no plans "at this time" however, as the title suggests, according to an N-sider who wishes to remain anonymous, Xenoblade localization is complete with The Last Story in progress.

Wow! A little meaningful complaining can go a long way! However, none of this has been officially confirmed so we can only hope.

As a fan of Nintendo since the very beginning of the Nintendo Entertainment System (complete with ROB! and zapper), I have been sour with Reggie and the gang for some time. From releasing multiple DS/DSi/DSiXL iterations to a rushed 3DS debacle in my opinion, to their marketing campaigns and foolishly-structured press statements (i.e. commenting on slowing Wii sales and lack of third party game purchases), Nintendo has created hatred towards itself from the people who really matter - the gamer.

Sorry for that run-on sentence, but desperate times call for lack of grammar structure on occasion!

Is all of this salvageable...in my opinion...yes.

Bring these games over...not with silent releases, but proper marketing, advertising, price points and third-party agreement.

Then, don't stop there, bring on Another Code Wii! - There is a treasure trove of games that never make it to our shores…with special editions, giveaways…and I’m not talking about a special downloadable suit for a FPS.

People scoff that the American gamer will not go for said RPGs, visual novels, adventure games…I say they are wrong and this movement is proof of such. Not everyone in the world settles for shovelling in Call of Duty and Wii Sports! Do not misunderstand – I do not mock these games, but we the open-minded gamer expect more with artistic stories, characters and designs that keep our industry diverse.

In my opinion, the issue runs deeper than Nintendo releasing these games, but that is all the time I have for now.

You can click on the title of this blog post to read the full story from Operation Rainfall’s blog. I praise Operation Rainfall and every Nintendo fan who has voiced the truth.

If you have any comments about this issue, please drop a line below – happy gaming!

Other M - A disturbing voice for the Metroid franchise

2010-10-04T22:49:00.000-04:00

When this game was first announced, I myself was a bit skeptical at the "edgy" nature and controls being presented for Samus, however, I gained excitement as I saw additional footage in development. When I picked this game up, I was finally happy that Samus was going to have a voice...however, I never knew that it would leave such a bland taste in my mouth.

(www.ign.com)

I have only played this game for a little over an hour and the majority of it is Samus speaking in a very monotonous voice. The tough-as-nails bounty hunter that most Metroid fans grew to love was being presented as a person bordering manic depression and seriously needing therapy (I do not poke fun at this assessment, it is simply shocking to see Samus presented in this way - You will find out in an early cut-scene that the death of a baby Metroid from the 90's Super Metroid game deeply disturbed her and seemed to push her over the limit). What was surprising is that this character has gone through so much in the series, I just do not feel this is the best first impression of her with a voice. A Japanese-styled self assessment does not breed the best vocal homage to someone who has always been projected as being so much stronger in our imaginations.

Weapon's authorization? - This was perplexing to say the least in an exploration-based series as Metroid. Samus meets up with her former superior officer early in the game and is instructed NOT to use any of her weapons unless he authorizes it. This is simply incredible! Normally, a player is directed to locate all of Samus's weapons during the journey to the final boss showdown - a beautiful investment to strengthen your character and complete the game. At this stage in Samus's career, she should be running the show and this design decision takes away from our love of weapon's exploration and upgrading. - There is even a point in the game where Samus takes damage simply because she is not authorized to use a special heat-resistant suit.

(mDUO13.com)

In addition, there is too much of this "thumbs down" scene! (anyone who has seen the trailer will understand what I mean) - I will not get into much detail, however, it revolves around a call sign that Samus used to do when she received her missions from her superior officer in the past. The cut sequence is supposed to show how Samus, being a woman in a man's world, feels out of place and feels she needs to prove herself to her male counterparts. The problem??? - they repeated it 3 times and then Samus is "explaining" it to us! At this point, I just want her to be quiet. Effective story and character development could have been achieved by showing the scene and allowing the player to feel the impact and soak in Samus's emotions - especially since the cut scenes were done so beautifully. We are also presented with this monotonous voice again that sucks any life out of the monologue.

Lastly, the controls are a bit fidgety when it comes to directional usage and using the missile. Unlike the controls for Metroid Prime Trilogy, this game is mostly playing with the Wiimote in a side-ways position...similar to playing a Super Mario Brothers game. However, trying to navigate our heroine in diagonal directions feel non-responsive and turning the character felt like she was in a box instead of being fluid. The best motions actually are presented when the character enters First Person mode (this is achieved when you point the Wiimote at the TV and you are presented with a First Person perspective of the game) - yet there is one big problem...YOU CANNOT MOVE! The player can only turn to view items and to shoot missiles. Some of the best motions are experienced in this view, however, I feel that it is completely underused from what we experienced in the Metroid Prime Trilogy.

(www.all-nintendo.com)

Playing a little over an hour was enough for me to put this down and turn to Halo Reach. I will eventually pick it up again but I am in no rush to return. I am disappointed in Nintendo for this design direction since Metroid Prime was such a success. I am happy that fresh ideas were presented; however, I believe that a majority of Metroid fans will choose not to accept this interpretation of Samus and play mechanics.

If you are looking for a more exploratory and adventurous Metroid expedition, pass on this one and please turn to Metroid Prime Trilogy for the Wii or Super Metroid (currently available on the Wii Virtual console). Samus may not talk in these games, but her exploits will leave you speechless!

Singularity...a smorgasborg that still delivers!

2010-07-28T02:21:00.005-04:00

The first thing one might say is...audio logs, moving objects, humans and scientific experiments...this has all been done before...Heck, it has been.
The only differene, in my opinion, is Singularity finds a way to still deliver and winds up being plain fun.

Unfortunately, I as others discovered this gem under its "veil-of-secrecy" style launch yet, word of mouth over the internet already has requests for a sequel.

(news.bigdownload.com)

The strongest aspect was the story. What I loved most was how it felt like a smorgasborg of information being peeled away, yet still finding a way to be unconfusing. You play as the mostly silent Captain Natianiel Renko who is sent to a creepy island off the coast of Russia to investigate high spikes in radiation. The intro keeps the story streamlined and sets the player up for the eventual crash that strands our hero and his Special Ops squadmate on the supposed abandoned Katorga-12. It is from here that the first hour of gameplay unfolds an horrific tale of how this "installation" was centerplace for the Soviet attempted domination of the United States and the world.

Familiar audio logs and projectors reveal backstories and humorous proganda on how the Ruskies needed to win the nuclear race against the evil West (a grizzly Uncle Sam caricature was particularly priceless to see!) Statues of Stalin court the dust-ridden halls and information explains how a disaster took place on this once active rock. However, a literal "disturbance in the force" reveals that the Soviets had worked on more than simply weapons of mass destruction...but also the manipulation of time.

Without giving too much away, you eventually find yourself in a Back to the Future 2 style adventure where you use a weapon known as the TMD (Time Manipulation Device) to travel through periods of time and assist you in your battles against the Soviets and "other things." As we learned from the great Doc Emmet L. Brown, "disastorous consequences" can take place to the space time continuim and this game is no exception.

The Audio is crisp and clear in many sections, however, an option for subtitles would have been greatly welcomed. The Russain actors seem to sport fake accents, however, it adds to the nostalgia of a Sci-fi flick.

I particularly found the action and gameplay addictive. For the first time in a while, I found myself playing a game for days straight (inspite of working!)...and I am not referring to online play.

(Insingularity.com)

Simply, the player finds themselves in ever changing-sections to complete objectives. In the beginning, you are simply researching the islands archives and feeling the girth of an abandaned installation. You are then thrown into Call of Duty style shooting sequences but progress into Dead Space style horror...scaling down a hall with enemies lurking around you. The TMD then appears for both puzzle solving and enemy desctruction. The weapons seem basic at the beginning but upgrade easily via stations scattered in the environment (again another similarity to Dead Space). My favorite wound up being a seeker shot that allowed you to direct the bullet around corners and defeat out of sight enemies. I must point out that there is a feature that allows you to turn enemy combatants into creatures that will clear out the baddies for you! (believe me you will love it!)

If there were any negatives, it would simply be on some of the visuals and the content itself!

There were certain angles that I adored the textures and dark layers, however, there were times where generic flames, sky, and hallways could have been polished a bit better. Character models also seemed excellent in certain shots, but a bit dated in others.

As for the content...I am simply referring to the story itself. I wish that the tale had not ended as quickly (I must have clocked approximately 8 hours of gameplay on Normal.) When you experience the conclusion, you will witness the possibility for a definite continuation. Raven even stated that items were not initially included since it is a new IP, however, they are strongly hoping for proper sales to warrant a sequel.

As for me, I do hope that you pick up this First Person Experience as I like to put it. It might not be completely original, but it certainly packs a punch.

Good day, Comrade!

Ace Attorney Investigations Demo! Miles Edgeworth takes down cronies next year!

2009-12-29T19:07:00.004-05:00

Just a little treat before the end of the decade! Below is a demo of part of the first case of Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth. Just pause my site music at the bottom of the page and hit the "New Game" button on the DS to enjoy! The Game releases this upcoming February.

Please comment on your experience...especially on the new above-angled investigation mode in Edgeworth's office!

Happy New Year! See you next year!

The Holidays are here and Mega Man 10 is upon us!

2009-12-18T13:28:00.004-05:00

Happy Hanukkah and almost Merry Christmas to everyone!

I cannot believe that we have finally made it through to the holidays and the New Year is practically upon us!

It just seems like yesterday we were awaiting our technological demise at the hands of the Y2K virus, and yet we will shortly be entering a new decade of the 2nd Millennium AD.

Anyway...back to gaming. VideoGamer.com announced today that Mega Man 10 will be coming to all major console downloading services in March of 2010. This time, the blue bomber is fighting the after-effects of a robotic flu epidemic known as Roboenza that is infecting robots and causing them to run-amok...sound familiar???

Once again Mega Man is called to task in classic stage-select style, but this time we are optioned with playing as fan-favorite Proto-Man from the start!

My big gripe is the inclusion of what is dubbed "Easy Mode" which VideoGamer.com quotes as "allow[ing] more gamers to enjoy what is traditionally a hardcore series." My question to Capcom...WHY NOT MAKE THE GAME DIFFICULTY SIMILAR TO MEGA MAN 2 AND 3???

As far as I am concerned, those two gems were the masterpieces of the series in story, techniques and difficulty. Mega Man 2 brought us the return of Doctor Wiley and the inclusion of more robot warriors to destroy in classic rock/paper/scissors format. It did include an Easy mode, however playing in Normal brought a satisfying feeling. Mega Man 3 brings us to the inclusion of Proto-Man and a slew of new gadgets and mega-techniques...including the beloved SLIDE! The game was a single yet gratifying difficulty that progressed me through the story until the climactic conclusion.

Did I play for hours on end?...YES! Did I die in certain spots?...YES! Did my friends and I consult in the lunchroom about how to defeat Wiley's minions?...HECK YEAH! And when I finally beat the games, did I play it again?...OF COURSE! AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AGAIN...!

This is not the case with Mega Man 9.

Look at any forum, and there will be some gamer commenting on the immense and ridiculous difficulty and how it becomes a turn-off. This is not what Mega Man needed. Call them neewbies or casual gamers or whatever...I have personally played the game and find myself critiquing the heck out of its booby traps and death wish stage areas. I even remember watching one of Capcom's representatives playing the game live during an interview and dying 5 times straight by falling into a pit! As far as I am concerned...not good marketing.

As for replayability...let us just say that I would rather be putting my time in to Call of Duty or Ace Attorney than replaying a designer's nightmare of a Mega Man 9 stage...which is sad to me.

Ditch the Easy Mode and give us consistent progression through the game. The newbies will stay and the seasoned Vet will relive their childhood memories.

My question is...what do you think? Should Mega Man 10 have an Easy Mode or have a single difficulty? Should the slide come back and what other gadgets would you like to see? Also, tell me about your own Mega Man 9 experiences and let me know if you were really satisfied.

In the meantime, enjoy the holidays and I will be stopping by before the New Year!

Peace to you and Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving weekend...reflections and decisions

2009-11-24T23:24:00.005-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving Eve Eve! I hope everyone is ready for their holiday weekend of family get-to-gethers, glorious eatings, bone-crushing football and some holiday shopping.

While we celebrate this festival of Thanksgiving reflection, we as gamers also have much to be thankful for...we have video games, the internet, instant communication via text messaging or vocal communication, high definition, motion controls, downloadable applications, WiFi, friend codes! (well, maybe we do not have to be thankful for everything!).

From the days of Pong until now, we have seen momentous steps in our genre and the ball just keeps on rolling! So when you pick up a deathmatch on Xbox Live or simply go through a campaign this weekend, just remember where we came from and where we are now. I am truly thankful that video games are here to stay and with Project Natal, PS3 motion controls and the rumored Wii HD on the horizon, there is much more on the horizon.

On another note, for the past few weeks, Black Friday ad scans have been leaked to the public with gravitating responses...mostly leading into a negative blackhole! However, some power-playing by Walmart, Best Buy and Amazon.com have changed the playing field for both the seasoned and amateur buyer and now the consumer may find reason to lose some hours of sleep this Friday morning (or in some cases for the diehards...Thursday night!)

As I had mentioned in a previous post, Bfads.net is one of the top notch websites to gain access to up-to-date Black Friday and surprise retailer deals. In addition to their monetary information, they have also provided a Holiday gaming guide for those seeking a console or handheld system of choice. They have broken down the best bundle deals by store to give the consumer an overview of what they would get and how great of a doorbuster sale it is. I highly recommend this to anyone venturing out on America's busiest shopping day. You can view the information by clicking here.

So to one and all, Happy Thanksgiving and have a safe weekend!

Black Friday and Video Gaming

2009-11-14T10:53:00.007-05:00

I hope all are doing well as we approach the holiday season.
It is getting blustery up here in the Northeast and the once auburn tinted leaves are all over my lawn! (I will certainly have a lot of fun bagging them this year :) )

Today, I wanted to speak a bit about the "unofficial" holiday that takes place the week of Thanksgiving - Black Friday.

Historically, this is the day where retailers put out their best deals at an attempt to entice holiday shoppers to their locations (or in the case of online, their websites). People line up hours or sometimes days before to try to be one of the blessed few who snatch a doorbuster deal or discounted item. This activity must not be overlooked by the gaming community.

Numerous ads have already been released on Black Friday specific sites such as bfads.net and gaming deals are apart of the package.

For example, Best Buy is offering a PS3 slim 120 GB for $299.99 but with 2 free games - Ratchet and Clank Future 2 and Little Big Planet Game of the Year Edition. You are saving $120.00 which is not so bad.
Best Buy is also offering an Xbox Elite deal with 6 free games at the $299.99 price. If you do not already own this system, that is a beautifying deal.

On a similar note, Walmart conducted a "Pre-Black Friday" Saturday deal last week where you purchase a $199.99 Xbox Arcade system and receive a free $100 gift card. In retrospect, you are getting the system for $99! - You cannot go wrong!

Gamestop will be releasing a Black Friday ad that will include numerous used and new gaming deals. Amazon will also we offering deals the entire week of Thanksgiving/Black Friday that will most certainly offer stocking stuffers for the gamer at heart (with no tax to boot!)

The point is, with the economy the way it is and with holiday shopping in general, we as gamers can be smart with our pocket books as well. It is true that we want to be the first to play the game when it releases, but sometimes if you do a little searching and have some patience, you can save some money in the process.

Also, be on the look out for gaming deals that include free gift cards! Right now, if you purchase Mordern Warfare 2 from Amazon.com, you can get a $10 gift card towards a future video game purchase!

So do some research, check out bfads.net to see the latest Ad scans and holiday deals, and enjoy!

In the meantime, feel free to comment on your Black Friday gaming experiences and what you are looking for this year.

Happy Shopping and God Speed! ;)

My Review of SERGEANTS - VERDICT

2009-11-14T10:52:00.002-05:00

Originally submitted at SKECHERS

Make your decision to keep cool and comfortable in the SKECHERS Sergeants-Verdict boot. Waterproof oiled smooth leather or oiled smooth nubuck upper in a six eyelet casual field boot with plain toe, reinforced seams and side S logo detail.

Wonderful Purchase!

By JP from Tristate Area on 11/14/2009

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels true to width

Pros: Waterproof, Sturdy, Comfortable, Stylish, Attractive Design

Best Uses: Wear To Work, Going Out, Casual Wear

Describe Yourself: Style Driven

View On Shoes: I'm Really Into Shoes

These boots are a welcome upgrade from previous black boots I haved owned.
They have the right comfort and sturdiness around the ankle heel.
The waterproofing is a plus especially during the winter.
I especially love the style, since I can wear these to work or a night on the town.
Higly recommended for the style and comfort room.

(legalese)

Video Games are Dead Part 2...A New Beginning?

2009-08-25T16:09:00.002-04:00

Two weeks ago, I posted on part 1 of Digital Trends' Players Only documentary "Video Games Are Dead" and confirmed that our gaming industry is not coming to an end. More refreshingly, it is growing up.

In Part 2, minds of the gaming industry discuss what is happening and where we are headed.
David Perry states that the video game world is "changing" and it is time to "move with the times." From the Wii, which has inevitably brought a new casual consumer to the table, to hand helds and cell phones, the market is promoting broader diversity which opens the floodgates for development opportunities and gaming communities.
David also stresses the strength of "social networking" and how it is time to "tak[e] the time to look at things that you never looked at." He points out how a website has millions of female users that play games with no cinematics, not story...just dressing up! Why is this happening and what does this say about a person's pereption.?

Other discussions focus on the industry giants and how they might survive an onslaught of independent creators and developers themselves needing "more power" to create awesome games. This inturn leads to the continuing "used game" debate and whether a publisher/retailer agreement might one day be settled so the developers do not suffer.

Overall, it is exciting to see where video games will be going in the next few years. With digital downloading, additional motion controls, and a new market the possibilities are wide open!

You can see the part two of Video Games are Dead by clicking here.

Bionic Commando developer GRIN shut down

2009-08-13T22:01:00.002-04:00

The following story is shared from Whattheyplay.com describing the disappointing closing of GRIN...the developers of Bionic Commando and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfigher 1 & 2. A few former employees opened up a new studio which is promising, however, when things like this happen anywhere, it is saddening.

Thank you GRIN, for the wonderul memories. I hope that your legacy will live on.

What They Play - Bionic Commando developer GRIN shut down

Shared via AddThis

Video Games Are Dead...The End of The World as We Know it?

2009-08-11T21:52:00.014-04:00

VIDEO GAMES ARE DEAD! This can't be happening! Mario...Master Chief... Starfy!!!...don't leave me!

Wait! Not to worry. A rapturous apocalypse has not damned our gaming libraries just yet. The aforementioned phrase is simply the name of a 2-part documentary appearing on Digital Trends Season 2 of Players Only - "Video Games Are Dead"...sorry for that mouthful.

With our current economy and gaming market on the ropes, this thorough documentary examines how gaming has changed and where developers, publishers and ultimately the gamer will find themselves in the future. Innovative minds from the gaming industry offer their opinions on the future styles of winners and losers, the emergence of digital distribution and the complications of our transitioning gaming market.

Being a gamer, it is compelling to be an outside witness to this transition. Video Games have evolved from an 80s fad into a societal juggernaut that has touched the lives of millions...both consumer and non-consumer alike. Over the last decade, we have witnessed console wars between the Big 3 (Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft), expanding video game opportunities through IPhone apps and other wireless media, and a used-game market that creates as much bickering as it does sales.

Yet, the industry is suffering today. Some might say that the current video game industry has grown too much for its own britches...and it is time to fix this with more innovation, and not simply with the pocket book.

Video games themselves are not dead, but the distribution and way we do business with them...very well might be.

You can view "Video Games Are Dead" part 1 by clicking on the linked name or by clicking here. Let me know your thoughts on its insight and the future of gaming. I will post on part 2 when it releases.

Nintendo says "I Don't Know"

2009-07-30T10:59:00.013-04:00

There are days that gamers love Nintendo and others that they sigh. It's times like this that I wish I could have a nice sit-down with the execs at Nintendo and inform them of the blogger and forum opinions in the core gaming world.

Wired.com recently had an interview with Nintendo of America’s vice president of corporate affairs, Denise Kaigler, during the Wii Sports Resort extravaganza taking place in NYC.

In addition to discussing the probable sales numbers, a possible Wii price cut, and new Motion-controlled competition, the interview turned toward the lack of third-party "hardcore" gaming sales. When asked why games such as Madworld and The Conduit were chalking up "disappointing" numbers, she responded:

"You know, I don’t know. It’s hard to say. It could be titles have the same type of sales curve that a lot of Nintendo titles have. A lot of Nintendo titles don’t follow that traditional sales curve where they launch big and then that’s it. Our titles have a long tail. They build in popularity, and this could be the case with, as you mentioned, MadWorld and The Conduit. I’ve played both. I’m not a core gamer, and I found that they were challenging and fun."

As a person who has worked with sales and marketing teams as well as being an avid Nintendo fan, this response is disappointing. Responding that you simply do not know projects a lack of care for the issue and adding that you are not a core gamer seems to push the dominant "forum-based" conclusion: Nintendo is out of touch with the core gaming world and it is not an issue to them.

Some would state that she proves this with her "traditional sales curve" comment. She is referring to the fact that the Wii's top games of 2009 have all been older video games. NPD reported that Nintendo's top 3 selling video games of 2009 were Wii Fit, Wii Play, and Mario Kart Wii. That is fine and dandy when it comes to casual sales numbers, however, maybe she is trying to spin what Nintendo already knows.

Japanese and US sales are slowing. Granted that we are in a recession, however, for the 2nd Holiday in a row a strong line-up of titles coming out for the 360 and PS3 this Fall/Winter (Uncharted 2, Halo 3 ODST, Modern Warfare 2, Assassin’s Creed 2 just to name a few) will once again cause Nintendo to lose software ground against the Hi-def, core titles. Even though MotionPlus will definitely create a spike for the Wii, Nintendo knows the seasonsed gamer is off their radar once again.

From a marketer's point of view, she is focusing on her bread and butter...the casual gamer.

I have been a gamer all of my life. When the DS and Wii first emerged, I was once again proud to be a fan of these great innovators. However, three years later, many state that their Wii continues to collect dust, waiting for the next Zelda or Mario game to emerge. When masses ask why there are not more core offerings for the Wii or why the few titles catering to this genre are poor in sales, the big N has to come up with a more thoughtful response than the unruly, "I don't know."

You can read the full interview with Denise Kaigler at wired.com by clicking here.