Joespimpin Ratng Scale breaks down as follows:
10 EXTREMELY IMPRESSED
To qualify for this rank, the product rather be it hardware or software has to be well designed with consumers in mind. Must be worth the cost. Needs to serve its purpose. This rating is hard to get, well almost impossible, however I will tell you now I am not saying the product is perfect. 10 means its a top class product with little to none that come close.
9 WORTH YOUR MONEY
Although not as good as a 10, 9 really means the product developer has gone above and beyond and really deserves to have the average gamer buy the product to show support. The consumer needs to be kept in mind. A product can only score this high if another product offers the same type of service or experience that is relatively the same and has come out before the product being reviewed. My 9 is almost always a sure bet.
8 STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU LOOK INTO
Not for everyone coming in at 8 is nothing to be ashamed of. It may not be the all attracting AAA product. But it is well designed enough to warrant your attention. It is also important to note 8 is the bottom of my worth your time category of products. Make sure you do research other than my reviews to find out if a product is right for you, if its below this rating.
7 GREAT EFFORT YOUR ALMOST THERE
A 7 isn't a bad rating. It's like I am saying its an OK product. I really mean it with great effort. Products at this rating are almost there but might be missing a few key features that keep it from being more than average in rating. I strongly suggest you research any item rated at this level or below before buying.
6 DEFINATELY RENT OR PLAY IT FIRST
If your in this category it means you are only really going to have a chance of liking it if you are a fan of the genre and are ok with all the annoyances. Being a 6 means you have forgot to reach outside of your core group to be more appealing to other gamers. As such I can't recommend for everyone. This is the last level of the OK products. Anything below this, you might honestly just want to forget about.
5 I CAN'T BELIVE YOU ARE SELLING THIS
To score a 5 you have to really be selling nothing worth having to the consumer. As the name describes, I can't believe the lack of thought that goes into products at this rating. Sometimes I think they cost way more to the company and retail stores then they actual sell to consumers.
4 ALL THE GOOD IDEAS TAKEN OUT BEFORE PRODUCTION
To get a 4 you have to go out of your way to make using your product rather useless or impossible to use. This takes some real skill. A product at this level should never leave the prototype stage ever!
3 NEVERMIND
To score a 3 on my scale you have to be pretty much not worth mentioning. As the name implies you probably shouldn't even bother to read the review, just see the score and never buy this product.
2 YOU LEFT OUT THE TARGET MARKET CALLED CONSUMERS
To score a 2 you have to have made a product that doesn't do anything for its market of consmers. The amount of thought and functionality has to pretty much be 0. Definately not worth buying, reading reviews or mentioning ever again.
1 FORGET ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
To score a 1 means you should have forgotten this product exists long before you even read my review of it. Don't even waste your time.
0 THE SCALE SADLY DOESN'T GET ANY LOWER
The product is so bad at this level that you can use its name as a swear word to others. This product is so bad saying someone bought it is like a big insult. At this point and probably a few before, the company should pay you lots of money for even looking at it.
joespimpin Blog
Wii Hardware Review Console Box Only!
by joespimpin on Comments
Hi everyone:
The Wii has been out in North America for a day now. It is so hard to believe that it is finally here. Now that the system is out here and so many are still on the fence as they patiently wait for their turn in December, I thought it was appropriate to write a Review of the actual hardware. What I like and don't like as well as everything in between. I hope you enjoy.
THE GOOD: Excellent controller, sleek design, disc load is painless, very quiet, easy internet setup, games are easy to get into, interface is very charming.
THE BAD: Wii Remote pointer can lose position easily, component cables not included, requires batteries for Wii Remote, not everything promised out as of Nov 19th.
NOTE THS IS FOR THE CONSOLE ONLY! I WANT TO USE THE SYSTEM LONGER BEFORE REVIEWING IT ENTIRELY.
The Wii is a small white box with a slot loader. It was designed to fit into small places and it can thanks to the engineering at Nintendo. The console can be either vertical (pictured in most Wii console pics on a stand) or horizontally. It won't affect gameplay or disc reaing, so it is really up to you.
The slot loader disc drive on the Wii is quiet and pulls the disc in from your hands. You don't have to force it in. Discs come out just as easily as they come in.
The front features a Power Button, Reset Button, and Eject Button. There is a light on the power button. It is my understanding the light will be red if its not in Wiiconnect 24 mode and the system is off, yellow if Wiiconnect 24 mode is enabled and the system is off and green if the system is in use.
There is a blue light around the disc loader that blinks on very quickly if you turn on the system. The online support claims the light also comes on when you put a disc in but I have yet to see it happen. There is no way to have the light on all the time as of now. If someone sends you messages through Wiiconnect 24, expect to see the light on either dim, bright or off depending on how you set it up. I have it on bright as it is the easiest way to know I have received new content.
The stand the system comes with is nicely designed and doesn't feel cheap. It also comes with a clear plastic stablizer so you don't have to worry about pulling your Wii off the stand when playing VC or gamecube games using a gamecube controller.
Over all the console is rock solid and a testimate to what exactly Nintendo can create. Ironically it doesn't look anything like the other Nintendo consoles did which used to resemble a toy. I am definately impressed by the small size, simplified connections and how diverse it is with space tight entertainment centers.
I give the console hardware a solid 10 based on its design, quietness and small form factor. This hardware box was very well thought out and definately utilizes all the space available on it.
Joespimpin Score:
10 EXTREMELY IMPRESSED
The Wii has been out in North America for a day now. It is so hard to believe that it is finally here. Now that the system is out here and so many are still on the fence as they patiently wait for their turn in December, I thought it was appropriate to write a Review of the actual hardware. What I like and don't like as well as everything in between. I hope you enjoy.
THE GOOD: Excellent controller, sleek design, disc load is painless, very quiet, easy internet setup, games are easy to get into, interface is very charming.
THE BAD: Wii Remote pointer can lose position easily, component cables not included, requires batteries for Wii Remote, not everything promised out as of Nov 19th.
NOTE THS IS FOR THE CONSOLE ONLY! I WANT TO USE THE SYSTEM LONGER BEFORE REVIEWING IT ENTIRELY.
The Wii is a small white box with a slot loader. It was designed to fit into small places and it can thanks to the engineering at Nintendo. The console can be either vertical (pictured in most Wii console pics on a stand) or horizontally. It won't affect gameplay or disc reaing, so it is really up to you.
The slot loader disc drive on the Wii is quiet and pulls the disc in from your hands. You don't have to force it in. Discs come out just as easily as they come in.
The front features a Power Button, Reset Button, and Eject Button. There is a light on the power button. It is my understanding the light will be red if its not in Wiiconnect 24 mode and the system is off, yellow if Wiiconnect 24 mode is enabled and the system is off and green if the system is in use.
There is a blue light around the disc loader that blinks on very quickly if you turn on the system. The online support claims the light also comes on when you put a disc in but I have yet to see it happen. There is no way to have the light on all the time as of now. If someone sends you messages through Wiiconnect 24, expect to see the light on either dim, bright or off depending on how you set it up. I have it on bright as it is the easiest way to know I have received new content.
The stand the system comes with is nicely designed and doesn't feel cheap. It also comes with a clear plastic stablizer so you don't have to worry about pulling your Wii off the stand when playing VC or gamecube games using a gamecube controller.
Over all the console is rock solid and a testimate to what exactly Nintendo can create. Ironically it doesn't look anything like the other Nintendo consoles did which used to resemble a toy. I am definately impressed by the small size, simplified connections and how diverse it is with space tight entertainment centers.
I give the console hardware a solid 10 based on its design, quietness and small form factor. This hardware box was very well thought out and definately utilizes all the space available on it.
Joespimpin Score:
10 EXTREMELY IMPRESSED
How the PS3 and Wii Compliment Each Other
by joespimpin on Comments
With both Sony and Nintendo launching their consoles in just a little over a week in North America both companies have said much about what they plan to do to satisfy consumers during gamplay and away from gameplay. It has become increasingly important to shift away from offering only a means to play proprietary gaming media on the system. As our world goes more and more online in our daily lives it is no wonder Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all have plans this generation of game console hardware to be more integrated into the lifestyles of the consumer without hindering progress achieved already by computers in the online community.
So here you are the average consumer. Well probably not so much the average consumer if you are reading this article. There are three viable options out there ready to eat your gaming dollars. Cost of entry in the long run plays little part to the average gamer. Gaming has placed itself at the very root of our pop cultrue and intends to stay there. This holiday you might only have enough for one console or you may be on the fence with rather to purchase two and if so what two to pick? It is a puzzling choice this time around. Each console seeks to push their own agenda and is happy to allow you to come along. Where as many people will tell you the Wii60 (Wii and Xbox 360 short form) is the way to go I am here to tell you that Microsoft isn't the choice you want to make. You might think this is bogus but it is true. After this read hopefully you will understand a little more about the "big picture" and what it can mean for you in the long run.
WHAT MICROSOFT ISN'T TELLING YOU!
Microsoft is first and foremost a computer software company as many of us know. Microsoft is starting to feel the burn with its market leading operating system software Windows. Windows is really the symbol of what doing things the Microsoft way is all about. In in massive dominating market there are competitor solutions to Windows. Linux is above all else everything Microsoft wishes Windows was.
So how does this affect games? What do you care if Windows has problems you are going to play games not worry about Microsofts other business ventures. The problem with this view is the little understood truth about Microsoft. Everything must revolve around Windows. This is the way Microsoft keeps control of the market. By making consumers and business dependent on the product as opposed to drawing people in with an effect software product. Xbox 360 is no exception to this rule. This is where Games for Windows comes into play.
Under our noses in this seemingly harmless logo is a vicious attempt to destroy the way games as we know it will work and offer. Games for Windows set to start up in January of 2007 is Microsofts first real step towards its real goal. The goal of eliminating the console and bring gaming to Windows as a mass exclusive to muscle out consoles for good.
Some of you might read this and think that is real far fetched. However it is closer and closer to becoming a reality then you may think. Games for Windows offers some unique takes on how a computer operating system interacts with games. With the Xbox Live Service pretty much able to be accessed via Windows Vista releasing early next year and cross platform online gaming between PC and console it has become real apparent that Microsft wants to eliminate the lines of PC and console.
Why would this be a really bad thing. If Microsoft succeeds at this it would immediately give Microsoft majority share of the gaming market. No matter how many PS1, PS2 and PS3's are out there if this line is erased as Microsoft desires, their market share will far exceed this 10 fold. Almost every home in the world has a computer and most of them run Windows.
Aside from that there would be no need for Microsoft to continue making hardware. Which this part isn't bad because they can't seem to streamline their Xbox 360 platform to begin with. If you still don't think I am on to something lets look at some other steps Microsoft has taken in this direction besides Games for Windows.
Windows XP Media Center Edition was designed to allow the Xbox 360 to connect to it via a local network to stream music and videos. Once again adding more dependence on the user to use Windows to access more features of the system. That wasn't doing so well so Microsoft also added in its latest update of 360 functionality to use Windows XP which is more widely in homes to acces media as well.
We also have a 360 Wired controller that can plug in and be used on the PC with the promise of a wireless controller to soon be released. Once again bringing the experience more to Windows.
Xbox 360 doesn't mean the next generation Xbox console. It means full circle of their idea and direction they are trying to go in. At the start they left the Windows platform to venture and grab the hearts and wallets of gamers. Now that they have that its tme to bring them back to the Windows platform, which is right where Microsoft started to begin with.
WHERE SONY FITS IN
Many people will tell you that Sony is copying Microsoft's Xbox Live Service for its online soltution and Microsoft will be the first one there to stand by that statement but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Sony's online plan is not only free of charge but it is also free of many of the hastles you will have to face with Xbox Live. Where as Micosoft wants sole control of your online experience Sony has decided to leave it up to the developer to chose which type of online services to feature. Aside from this being an ingenious strategy that is used by enterprise business networks around the world. For us it means not putting your eggs all in one basket. By offering a distribution network service your PS3 will see more up time and less potential lag problems Xbox Live currently faces. Overall the platform has more potential because Sony isn't regulating and forcing developers to make their content a certain way and they aren't forced to only offer it to a gold member.
Aside from that Playstation 3 has alot to offer. More so then what is under the hood and what is seen as the holy grail of gaming that only Nintendo has been able to match. Not only is the Playstation 3 fully backwards compatible, but it has arguably the best first and third party reach with massive AAA titles and a strong foundation of solid gameplay experiences that other companies dream they could copy.
Sony and Microsoft both want to be your entertainment hub in the future. Where they differ is really in their direction. Sony understands most consumers still don't know how to use a computer to do complicated multimedia tasks. Or they chose to never learn. Apple Computers has banked on this by offering easy to use software. Sony's approach is no different. By doing many of the more advanced tasks in the background the average consumer is left with an easy to use interface that will allow all entertainment needs to be addressed. This brilliant strategy is the reason why Sony stands a strong chance to stay as the market leader dispite the negative press. Where as Microsoft wants to draw you into Windows. Sony's approach is to eliminate the aging concept of the PC and bring what consumers really want out of PC technology to the living room in a seemless experience. Rather it will be just that is yet to be seen. But it is already clear Sony intends to eliminate the dependence on the PC for multimedia entertainment without eliminating the overall user experience.
NINTENDOS LITTLE SECRET CODE NAMED Wii
Like it or not Nintendo is on to something with this little unintimidating box. Although it isn't the power house of technology that the Playstation 3 is. It never wanted to be to begin with.
Nintendo continues its never ending role of gameplay innovation and thinking outside the box by replacing the conventional controller. Where the Sony has unleashed the Sixaxis to add gameplay functionality. Nintendo changed its controller to be non intimidating and offer a way for people to play videogames without having to learn complex controls.
Nintendo seeks to also bring online gaming to the masses. Using Wiiconnect 24 Nintendo will allow gamers to play games online, send messages and get game updates and demos all while you are sleeping or out on the town. This brilliant idea breaks down the barriers of interface interaction that might have turn off the less tech savy with the Playstation 3 solution. Although not as comprehensive as the Playstation 3 platform Nintendo's offerings are in no way meger. Utilizing a friend code that is system specific, Nintendo will eliminate many of the hastles that bring negative experiences to gamers everyday. Nintendo wants you to be able to play with your friends online. Although many will argue that they just want to play with everyone online, truth be told many of us make online friends and play in locked rooms with them to avoid cheating, trash talking and other annoyances that have caused us to throw our controllers to the floor countless times.
Nintendo has always been a family gaming company and that is a good thing. Nintendo is there to remind us that we don't have to fire big weapons and blow things up to have fun in a game.
The unique games the Wii can deliver along with the channel service will bring in new gamers and lure casual gamers quicker. Nintendo strives to be everything Sony isn't and there fore is a direct indirect competitor to the gaming giant.
OPPOSITE SIDES MEET IN THE MIDDLE
Microsoft seeks to beat Sony as market leader and Peter Moore has been said to have debunked the Wii as a party game machine. Sony and Nintendo seek to meet in the middle.
The two companies may overlap in market targets, but it is clear that sony wants the hardcore to the casual gamer. Where the Wii is going for the non gamer to the harcore. Wii is more focused on non gamer and casual gamer though with little offerings in the works for the true hardcore gamer. This means that both systems offer opportunities that eachother can not.
Aside from approaching gaming with different philosophies and gameplay mechanics, both companies want to push console gaming forward away from PC gaming where it belongs. Regardless of rather you love the Xbox 360 or not, it needs to fail to ensure the future of console gaming.
From what I have seen and read about the Wii and Playstation 3 this will not only be no problem. But in a couple of years Microsoft might actual begin to realize they can't push Windows on the gaming word.
Are Pre Orders out of control?
by joespimpin on Comments
I remember a time when you could walk in and pick up a video game console without any problems. I did that for the Atari 7800, Coleco Vision, Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and even the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
Something happened after that. The Nintendo 64 was in shorter supply then it could meet. I remember that being the first pre order console I have ever had. As gaming became more popular initial production couldn't meet the needs of everyday consumers. Early adopters found themselves playing games just to be able to play games. Everything from be first in line, to call in a fake fight to secure my place became the norm. What has happened to this industry? Where has it come from and where is it headed?
COMMING SOON! THE HISTORY OF PREORDERS
How it all started and where it is all going.
Something happened after that. The Nintendo 64 was in shorter supply then it could meet. I remember that being the first pre order console I have ever had. As gaming became more popular initial production couldn't meet the needs of everyday consumers. Early adopters found themselves playing games just to be able to play games. Everything from be first in line, to call in a fake fight to secure my place became the norm. What has happened to this industry? Where has it come from and where is it headed?
COMMING SOON! THE HISTORY OF PREORDERS
How it all started and where it is all going.
Wii Reviews Comming Soon.
by joespimpin on Comments
Hi everyone:
Looks like I will be having a Wii Nov 19th due to my gamestop reserve. I am getting Zelda TP, Redsteel and rayman with this console. I have pre paid everything so I know they will be mine.
I will be posting reviews of these games on the site but for those who read my blog posts I will go more in depth with how the controller works and how well it works for each title.
I look forward to your inputs on these opinion pieces.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A WII YET
I WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD ON NOV 19TH!!
Looks like I will be having a Wii Nov 19th due to my gamestop reserve. I am getting Zelda TP, Redsteel and rayman with this console. I have pre paid everything so I know they will be mine.
I will be posting reviews of these games on the site but for those who read my blog posts I will go more in depth with how the controller works and how well it works for each title.
I look forward to your inputs on these opinion pieces.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A WII YET
I WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD ON NOV 19TH!!
Wii Roundtable's Comming Soon
by joespimpin on Comments
I have posted quite a few Wii roundtable topics on the Gamespot Wii forum to discuss the more sensitive issues of the Wii. I hope that many people are putting their input into these topics. I am shooting for approximately 10 questions and look forward to updating this blog with all 10 links when they are done.
Is Nintendo Wii in a unique or best position for next generation?
by joespimpin on Comments
What a wierd question I just posted and it almost sounds like they could be one and the same in a way, but in fact they are very different from eachother.
For a long time, well basically til now we as gamers have only been able to get what companies call the "next generation". What that usually meant is more power under the hood to make games look prettier and allow more realistic environments and music. This stride forward towards realism seems to damper anything that doesn't look realistic or photoesc. The Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 are the forerunners for this new way of gaming.
Then along comes Nintendo. Everyone knows that Nintendo does their own thing. For better or for worse they always go in a direction that they see fit. Atleast that is what they want you to believe. The past two generations of consoles for Nintendo have been direct competitors to the other iterations of Sega, Sony and Microsoft. From the Failures of the Nintendo 64 and Gamecube as well as the Dreamcast it became apparent that fighting Sony and Microsoft head on would be sure suicide everytime.
Why would I say that? Well its obvious that Microsoft and Sony are big clonglomorites. Their company portfolios stretch well beyond gaming. This allows they to incorporate other attractive offerings into their consoles that Nintendo would have to spend lots of money to even consider the option. This means Nintendo would be fighting a losing battle out of the gate.
Microsoft which was first to come to the market as we all know chose an online approach to gaming, after the phenominal success of xbox live for the original xbox, it was a natural step for the xbox 360 to include a stronger version of the live service. For better or for worse the 360 games are online, many with problems that require later patches and some that even patches won't begin to fix the problem but Microsoft definately puts pressure for developers to use the Xbox Live model for online gaming.
Sony has a much different approach, sony being a huge music and movie label brought out the blu-ray format and wanted to focus on high definition movies and gaming as their attractors. Although the xbox 360 does high definition as well, the lack of HDMI, a next generation media format as well as 1080p ensures that the PS3 defines itself as the leader in that category. Not much is known about sony's long term plan and their online model and full disclosure of it is yet to be announced. I know they can succeed with it, it most likely copies the Xbox Live model to some degree and adds features to it.
The problem is these two companies are so in love with their technology, they forget that most of their potential buyers don't have the money or home theatre equipment to take advantage of any of it. And that is exactly the weapon Nintendo is using against them. Much like gazing only in a mirror Microsoft and Sony can't see the world around them for what it is. The depend on the gamer to change and buy this expensive stuff to be entertained. But is it necessary? I say no it is not.
As these games become closer and closer to real life, they go further and further away from being videogames. As a previous owner of a Xbox 360 I can tell you for sure that HD graphics isn't all its cracked up to be.
Nintendo put itself in a unique position this generation, not the right position. Reason being, until the numbers are in and we have all decided we don't know if Nintendo is in the right position. The unique position Nintendo has put itself into is quite underestimated by the giants of gaming.
Nintendo says they want to disrupt the gaming market, they want to bring innovation back to gaming. In order to do this, Nintendo has to think of a way to go in which Sony and Microsoft will practically laugh them off the stage. Not going HD is one example of this. Nintendo is pretty much in all the areas that Sony and Microsoft are not. From Microsoft and Sony who don't see the world for what it is, they don't care. But for Nintendo they put themselves between Sony/Microsofts HD systems and the consumers without a struggle.
Sony showed signs of intimidation when they unveiled the Shake features of the PS3 controller. Microsoft still pays no attention, with peter moore saying the Wii will be fun for 5 minutes at parties. They don't see it at all. Luckily Nintendo's strategy takes time to manifest. Launch will not indicate anything about the Wii's position compared to the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3. It will in fact take a year or more. Developers have to figure out just how to use this controller, much like the DS took time. Although there is a different learning curve, once developers have time to get their Wiimotes the way they want them, we may see a massive amount of unique titles and excellent uses in more conventional titles.
So what does this all mean? Right now Nintendo is taking hit after hit from Sony and Microsoft. Allowing them to say whatever they want and claim that they are better, much like a videogame, Nintendo is sitting back and watching the two giants wear eachother out before trying its hand. Mostly this is because it will take time to surface, but if it is allowed to, Nintendo could not only prove the Wii the winner for this generation, but it would defy everything the sony and microsoft business models stand for. It would be the equivilant of finding out the earth is round. Sony and Microsoft would have nothing to stand on.
This alone wouldn't put Nintendo at the top and wouldn't allow the Wii to be number one. But the Wii isn't designed to be the number one system. The Wii is the first step in a multilevel plan to topple the industry and rebuild it from the ground up. You have probably seen blogs about how Nintendo will save the gaming industry, this is what they are talking about. Not about the Wii becoming number one in console domination, but in changing everything for the better.
In order to stop these over priced consoles and focus more on software that is fun rather than looks realistic Nintendo has adopted a distruption strategy. It depends on how well the Wii is excepted and rather a gamer will fill confortable and benefit from this new way of gaming. Making things harder will never get people to change their minds. Only making it easier will. Nintendo's next system will be announced roughly 3 years from now. I can be quoted saying that on the gamespot boards a few times at least.
Most people take that comment as I am anti Nintendo, but its far from it, the reason the Wii is so cheap to make and buy is because Nintendo isn't planning on leaving it like this. If Nintendo succeeds in its model, the Wii successor system, will not be a Wii2 or anything like that, it will be much like the leap from the Gamecube to the Wii, something completely different and the next stage of the disruption strategy. Over time the market for gaming and Nintendo's market will grow if this works.
The key to Nintendo's victory isn't in battling head on, but by hitting their competitors weak points. Sony and Microsoft are huge companies, if they have to change up to compete with what Nintendo is doing, it will take time and by the time they do, Nintendo's next console and idea will be ready to announce and the cycle will go all over again. Luckily this only means good news for us gamers, Nintendo isn't trying to hurt us, they are trying to freshen the industry and make good money doing it. Gamers win no matter what, but if Nintendo wins, gamers win with more money in their pockets and more fun game development over time.
For a long time, well basically til now we as gamers have only been able to get what companies call the "next generation". What that usually meant is more power under the hood to make games look prettier and allow more realistic environments and music. This stride forward towards realism seems to damper anything that doesn't look realistic or photoesc. The Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 are the forerunners for this new way of gaming.
Then along comes Nintendo. Everyone knows that Nintendo does their own thing. For better or for worse they always go in a direction that they see fit. Atleast that is what they want you to believe. The past two generations of consoles for Nintendo have been direct competitors to the other iterations of Sega, Sony and Microsoft. From the Failures of the Nintendo 64 and Gamecube as well as the Dreamcast it became apparent that fighting Sony and Microsoft head on would be sure suicide everytime.
Why would I say that? Well its obvious that Microsoft and Sony are big clonglomorites. Their company portfolios stretch well beyond gaming. This allows they to incorporate other attractive offerings into their consoles that Nintendo would have to spend lots of money to even consider the option. This means Nintendo would be fighting a losing battle out of the gate.
Microsoft which was first to come to the market as we all know chose an online approach to gaming, after the phenominal success of xbox live for the original xbox, it was a natural step for the xbox 360 to include a stronger version of the live service. For better or for worse the 360 games are online, many with problems that require later patches and some that even patches won't begin to fix the problem but Microsoft definately puts pressure for developers to use the Xbox Live model for online gaming.
Sony has a much different approach, sony being a huge music and movie label brought out the blu-ray format and wanted to focus on high definition movies and gaming as their attractors. Although the xbox 360 does high definition as well, the lack of HDMI, a next generation media format as well as 1080p ensures that the PS3 defines itself as the leader in that category. Not much is known about sony's long term plan and their online model and full disclosure of it is yet to be announced. I know they can succeed with it, it most likely copies the Xbox Live model to some degree and adds features to it.
The problem is these two companies are so in love with their technology, they forget that most of their potential buyers don't have the money or home theatre equipment to take advantage of any of it. And that is exactly the weapon Nintendo is using against them. Much like gazing only in a mirror Microsoft and Sony can't see the world around them for what it is. The depend on the gamer to change and buy this expensive stuff to be entertained. But is it necessary? I say no it is not.
As these games become closer and closer to real life, they go further and further away from being videogames. As a previous owner of a Xbox 360 I can tell you for sure that HD graphics isn't all its cracked up to be.
Nintendo put itself in a unique position this generation, not the right position. Reason being, until the numbers are in and we have all decided we don't know if Nintendo is in the right position. The unique position Nintendo has put itself into is quite underestimated by the giants of gaming.
Nintendo says they want to disrupt the gaming market, they want to bring innovation back to gaming. In order to do this, Nintendo has to think of a way to go in which Sony and Microsoft will practically laugh them off the stage. Not going HD is one example of this. Nintendo is pretty much in all the areas that Sony and Microsoft are not. From Microsoft and Sony who don't see the world for what it is, they don't care. But for Nintendo they put themselves between Sony/Microsofts HD systems and the consumers without a struggle.
Sony showed signs of intimidation when they unveiled the Shake features of the PS3 controller. Microsoft still pays no attention, with peter moore saying the Wii will be fun for 5 minutes at parties. They don't see it at all. Luckily Nintendo's strategy takes time to manifest. Launch will not indicate anything about the Wii's position compared to the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3. It will in fact take a year or more. Developers have to figure out just how to use this controller, much like the DS took time. Although there is a different learning curve, once developers have time to get their Wiimotes the way they want them, we may see a massive amount of unique titles and excellent uses in more conventional titles.
So what does this all mean? Right now Nintendo is taking hit after hit from Sony and Microsoft. Allowing them to say whatever they want and claim that they are better, much like a videogame, Nintendo is sitting back and watching the two giants wear eachother out before trying its hand. Mostly this is because it will take time to surface, but if it is allowed to, Nintendo could not only prove the Wii the winner for this generation, but it would defy everything the sony and microsoft business models stand for. It would be the equivilant of finding out the earth is round. Sony and Microsoft would have nothing to stand on.
This alone wouldn't put Nintendo at the top and wouldn't allow the Wii to be number one. But the Wii isn't designed to be the number one system. The Wii is the first step in a multilevel plan to topple the industry and rebuild it from the ground up. You have probably seen blogs about how Nintendo will save the gaming industry, this is what they are talking about. Not about the Wii becoming number one in console domination, but in changing everything for the better.
In order to stop these over priced consoles and focus more on software that is fun rather than looks realistic Nintendo has adopted a distruption strategy. It depends on how well the Wii is excepted and rather a gamer will fill confortable and benefit from this new way of gaming. Making things harder will never get people to change their minds. Only making it easier will. Nintendo's next system will be announced roughly 3 years from now. I can be quoted saying that on the gamespot boards a few times at least.
Most people take that comment as I am anti Nintendo, but its far from it, the reason the Wii is so cheap to make and buy is because Nintendo isn't planning on leaving it like this. If Nintendo succeeds in its model, the Wii successor system, will not be a Wii2 or anything like that, it will be much like the leap from the Gamecube to the Wii, something completely different and the next stage of the disruption strategy. Over time the market for gaming and Nintendo's market will grow if this works.
The key to Nintendo's victory isn't in battling head on, but by hitting their competitors weak points. Sony and Microsoft are huge companies, if they have to change up to compete with what Nintendo is doing, it will take time and by the time they do, Nintendo's next console and idea will be ready to announce and the cycle will go all over again. Luckily this only means good news for us gamers, Nintendo isn't trying to hurt us, they are trying to freshen the industry and make good money doing it. Gamers win no matter what, but if Nintendo wins, gamers win with more money in their pockets and more fun game development over time.
What are graphics in a game, do people even know?
by joespimpin on Comments
Hi everyone:
I was inspired on the Gamespot message forums to write up a truth about what people call graphics and why HD isn't as big of a deal overall.
First lets straighten something out. Most people think graphics is the realism of a game. As in how realistic character models, background textures, environments, weather effects, scaling, are. The problem is this is incorrect. Graphics themselves aren't anything to do with realism. Graphics is about presentation.
Most gamers out there have played good games to bad games and everything in between. It is hard to say rather a game is graphicly good or bad if you aren't in sync with what is presented.
For example let us take a look at current generation. We will start with Okami for the PS2, anyone who has seen and played this game will say it is beautiful. Very rich and authentic looking environments. And its all done with paints. It's an artistic view protrayal of paint in Okami. But wait Okami isn't HD so it can't have good graphics like the Xbox 360 right? WRONG!
Graphics are tools for getting the players attention and immersing them in the world of the game. Okami which is all done in paint style is able to do this because you feel like you are looking at a portrait. HD has nothing to do with the quality.
In a way you could easily say HD makes developers lazy. If they can easily create basic effects and make a game out of it. They won't be inspired to make something new and different. An example of this is Gran Turismo HD presented at E3 2006. Gran Turismo 4 cars in HD and for some reason Sony felt it necessary to showcase it as a bid deal.
Overall I could go on about graphics but the point I want to get across is what people are calling graphics. I believe if you look at the style of games and the use of darker and lighter themse you will see there are more to graphics then how real it looks, more importantly does it portray the mood and feeling that you should have in the game at the time. Graphics are presentation elements not HD slaves. HD makes it easier but not always better. With the next wave of consoles we will see first hand the difference between pushing the limits of the imagination and pushing the limits of raw horsepower.
I was inspired on the Gamespot message forums to write up a truth about what people call graphics and why HD isn't as big of a deal overall.
First lets straighten something out. Most people think graphics is the realism of a game. As in how realistic character models, background textures, environments, weather effects, scaling, are. The problem is this is incorrect. Graphics themselves aren't anything to do with realism. Graphics is about presentation.
Most gamers out there have played good games to bad games and everything in between. It is hard to say rather a game is graphicly good or bad if you aren't in sync with what is presented.
For example let us take a look at current generation. We will start with Okami for the PS2, anyone who has seen and played this game will say it is beautiful. Very rich and authentic looking environments. And its all done with paints. It's an artistic view protrayal of paint in Okami. But wait Okami isn't HD so it can't have good graphics like the Xbox 360 right? WRONG!
Graphics are tools for getting the players attention and immersing them in the world of the game. Okami which is all done in paint style is able to do this because you feel like you are looking at a portrait. HD has nothing to do with the quality.
In a way you could easily say HD makes developers lazy. If they can easily create basic effects and make a game out of it. They won't be inspired to make something new and different. An example of this is Gran Turismo HD presented at E3 2006. Gran Turismo 4 cars in HD and for some reason Sony felt it necessary to showcase it as a bid deal.
Overall I could go on about graphics but the point I want to get across is what people are calling graphics. I believe if you look at the style of games and the use of darker and lighter themse you will see there are more to graphics then how real it looks, more importantly does it portray the mood and feeling that you should have in the game at the time. Graphics are presentation elements not HD slaves. HD makes it easier but not always better. With the next wave of consoles we will see first hand the difference between pushing the limits of the imagination and pushing the limits of raw horsepower.
My thoughts on the Xbox 360
by joespimpin on Comments
Hi everyone
When looking back at the Xbox 360 until now I really can't see a reason for owning one. I used to own a Xbox 360 until June of this year. I got mine in April of 2006 with Oblivion. Oblivion was a fun game, but the 360 had too many problems with overheating, not booting right all the time, game freezes, broken games coming out that the system was more of a headache then an entertainment experience. I will break this down into sub parts much like I did with the Wii thoughts post.
ONE YEAR EARLY
Microsoft wanted to get out of the gates before the other two could saddle up. Their strategy for coming out a year early was based on the PS2 domination factor, which they believed coming Sony's power play of a year early would ultimately be the reason for its massive install base.
This strategy was flawed big time. The fact is the system came out with many hardware defects from bad hard drives, bad cpu's, frying cpu's, power problems, overheating, ect... When it came down to it, it was almost like the 360 was out as a beta machine and not the final product. Microsoft also forgot to put in a HDMI interface in their next generation "high definition" console. Also because microsoft refused to take risk, the HDDVD drive is now an eyesore external device.
ONLINE GAMING
Introducing the Xbox Live Service was a breakthrough for consoles and a burn through for consumers. Micro transactions, Micro transactions, Micro transactions, seem to be what Xbox Live is all about. Not only do you have to pay for expaned maps and so forth that should have been put in the game to begin with, but for themes you have to pay, for gamer pictures you have to pay. I really don't get that at all. The Gold service for Microsoft that allows you to play games online really isn't worth it. It should be free. I still don't see the difference between the Gold and Silver besides the one point I just mentioned. Everytime something big happens, Silver members are promoted to Gold making the whole thing pointless to me. Xbox Live Service really just simply allows developers to be lazy with making games, examples of broken games are:
Chromehounds: Problems with game freezing
Dead Rising: Hope you didn't want to read that text on SDTV
Test Drive Un: Oh you wanted those online features to work.
Prey: I knew we should have put map in the multiplayer
Although Prey saving grace is the announced free download of the maps, so atleast they atoned for what they did.
NO WELL KNOWN FRANCHISES
This one I really have a problem with, when it comes to Nintendo and Sony's platforms I can think of lots of franchises that I will like to play but I am really tired of only Halo. If I remember the xbox platform has been around since 2001. Its time to make more IP (Intellectical Properties). I want more must have games to come out on the system. Heck I want a must have game to come out on the system. Microsoft did a bad job of selling me on why I should have the system. I buy gaming consoles for games, not extra content. To me regardless of the platform a game should be able to stand on its own with out any additional content.
Halo 3 comes out next year and gears of war looks promising, but one title isn't really enough. Especially sense we are in second generation xbox 360 games now.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE
This was the one really good thing Microsoft did with the system. Not only does it have games for casual gamers, but also additctive games that will keep hard core gamers happy too. The ability to try before you buy is essentially the icing on the cake. You can play the demo as many times as you want to as well. The Vision Camera also allows the next level of online immersion to surface. Truely Microsoft has done alot with the XBLA function.
I don't like the way retailers jack up the pricing for points. I agree with the point structure for the most part, I also like the way many old games have a version of the game with newer HD graphics to really bring it into the new age, it always doesn't work right but its nice to see them putting effort into a HD focused system like that.
CONCLUSION
I really can't recommend the Xbox 360 to anyone. It offers too little for too much money and has more problems with its hardware than it is worth. Definately an improvement over the Xbox, but there isn't enough there to warrant its price point. I would wait for a price drop on the high end package before bothering with this console.
When looking back at the Xbox 360 until now I really can't see a reason for owning one. I used to own a Xbox 360 until June of this year. I got mine in April of 2006 with Oblivion. Oblivion was a fun game, but the 360 had too many problems with overheating, not booting right all the time, game freezes, broken games coming out that the system was more of a headache then an entertainment experience. I will break this down into sub parts much like I did with the Wii thoughts post.
ONE YEAR EARLY
Microsoft wanted to get out of the gates before the other two could saddle up. Their strategy for coming out a year early was based on the PS2 domination factor, which they believed coming Sony's power play of a year early would ultimately be the reason for its massive install base.
This strategy was flawed big time. The fact is the system came out with many hardware defects from bad hard drives, bad cpu's, frying cpu's, power problems, overheating, ect... When it came down to it, it was almost like the 360 was out as a beta machine and not the final product. Microsoft also forgot to put in a HDMI interface in their next generation "high definition" console. Also because microsoft refused to take risk, the HDDVD drive is now an eyesore external device.
ONLINE GAMING
Introducing the Xbox Live Service was a breakthrough for consoles and a burn through for consumers. Micro transactions, Micro transactions, Micro transactions, seem to be what Xbox Live is all about. Not only do you have to pay for expaned maps and so forth that should have been put in the game to begin with, but for themes you have to pay, for gamer pictures you have to pay. I really don't get that at all. The Gold service for Microsoft that allows you to play games online really isn't worth it. It should be free. I still don't see the difference between the Gold and Silver besides the one point I just mentioned. Everytime something big happens, Silver members are promoted to Gold making the whole thing pointless to me. Xbox Live Service really just simply allows developers to be lazy with making games, examples of broken games are:
Chromehounds: Problems with game freezing
Dead Rising: Hope you didn't want to read that text on SDTV
Test Drive Un: Oh you wanted those online features to work.
Prey: I knew we should have put map in the multiplayer
Although Prey saving grace is the announced free download of the maps, so atleast they atoned for what they did.
NO WELL KNOWN FRANCHISES
This one I really have a problem with, when it comes to Nintendo and Sony's platforms I can think of lots of franchises that I will like to play but I am really tired of only Halo. If I remember the xbox platform has been around since 2001. Its time to make more IP (Intellectical Properties). I want more must have games to come out on the system. Heck I want a must have game to come out on the system. Microsoft did a bad job of selling me on why I should have the system. I buy gaming consoles for games, not extra content. To me regardless of the platform a game should be able to stand on its own with out any additional content.
Halo 3 comes out next year and gears of war looks promising, but one title isn't really enough. Especially sense we are in second generation xbox 360 games now.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE
This was the one really good thing Microsoft did with the system. Not only does it have games for casual gamers, but also additctive games that will keep hard core gamers happy too. The ability to try before you buy is essentially the icing on the cake. You can play the demo as many times as you want to as well. The Vision Camera also allows the next level of online immersion to surface. Truely Microsoft has done alot with the XBLA function.
I don't like the way retailers jack up the pricing for points. I agree with the point structure for the most part, I also like the way many old games have a version of the game with newer HD graphics to really bring it into the new age, it always doesn't work right but its nice to see them putting effort into a HD focused system like that.
CONCLUSION
I really can't recommend the Xbox 360 to anyone. It offers too little for too much money and has more problems with its hardware than it is worth. Definately an improvement over the Xbox, but there isn't enough there to warrant its price point. I would wait for a price drop on the high end package before bothering with this console.
My thoughts on the Wii
by joespimpin on Comments
My thoughts on the Wii are actually going to be quite hard to convey. I am neither pro Wii or con Wii. I am in the middle of the spectrum right now. I do play on getting one at launch out of morbid curiosity. I will also buy Red Steel, Zelda and Rayman at launch. I think the best way to do this article is to follow a break up strategy and talk about points independently.
MARKETING STRATEGY
The Nintendo Wii marketing strategy is completely off its mark with this console. There will be alot of Wii fanboys mad at me for saying this but its true. Nintendo with this console really wanted to hit what they call the non gamer market. The problem with this is really the recently announced price for the console, but I will go into that in another point section. Nintendo is banking on really parents picking up their kids wiimote out of curiosity and hopefully getting them to play games. Also this time around Nintendo appears to be focusing on teenagers instead of younger kids. But lets face reality here for a minute. The people that are going to adopt Wii in the first place are going to be the core gamers for now. It really is going to be up to nintendo to put the Wii everywhere, much like the DS in order to gain that image that its ok to be doing this. Video game consoles don't necessarily mean for kids or childish, but they have that hobby feel to them and to be main stream they have to make it as important as the TV or DVD player in the home.
PLAYING = BELIEVING
This strategy is a good strategy for them but hurts them the most in the short run. Long term problems can't really be predicted until we see the adoption rate of the Wii. The fact is Nintendo wants you to believe that system specs and graphics aren't really that important to enjoy a videogame. However a videogame by definition of video has more to do with what you see than any other factor. Nintendo is half right, graphics don't have to be the center piece but they are important. The real problem with this strategy is no one has really played the system. Game journalists playing helps because they film it, but its not the same. If playing is believing, Nintendo better do some kiosks soon as in now so people can see for themselves what the Wii is all about. It almost seems like Nintendo doesn't understand their own strategy.
DEFINING NON GAMER
This one is a little ambiguous to me. Nintendo says they want to create a new market of gamers out of non gamers. There is a big difference between someone like my mother who sees no point in videogames and a person that is intimidated by the current controllers to pick up a game. I almost feel sorry for Nintendo here.
THE WIIMOTE
Ok this one really confuses me, the wiimote looks very unintimidating however you look like a fool using it, some editors have said in the past. Aside from getting tired from using a motion controller, the fact that you may think you look like a fool, self image may turn you off to even trying it to begin with. Also adding things like the nunchuk, to a non gamer, guess what it just got intimidating again. The Wiimote is more of a camoflauge complicated controller than a simplistic controller.
THE SENSOR BAR
If Nintendo is trying to make it more simple, why can't you play very good close to a TV? 1up show most recent as of this post, the editors claimed that detection was sometimes lost leaving people with confused looks on their faces, not knowing what happened. This doesn't really make the Wii accessible to people who play in their rooms or so forth which really isn't including everyone at all.
PRICE VS PACKAGE
Ok this is the biggie. I am going to break this sub point into sub points :)
-Wii will give you more fun for less money.
Said at E3 by reggie, turned out to be for more money when you look at the whole picture. This system is only cheaper by 50 dollars compared to the xbox 360 core pack, which supports HDTV and so forth. Not really less money and definately not a mass market price, if so more people would have bought the core system of the 360.
-Wii is about inclusion
Also said by reggie at E3, fact is the system only comes with one Wiimote in the box, so you can play with yourself. Why come with wii sports then? That game is made to play with friends, not by yourself. It sounds less like wii and more like mii.
-packaging wiisports everywhere but japan
This announcement made me mad, without two controllers I see no point to wii sports, considering the USD translation is less than 250 for the japan system, I am paying for wii sports. I would rather have to buy wii sports and get two controllers in the box.
-not a mass market price
The Wii isn't a mass market price, its a game console buyers price for sure though. Considering you only get one controller in the box and its a risk to buy for what Nintendo calls a non gamer its really just another console with a motion controller now.
-we want to make a gamecentric console, we want gameplay to be the centerpiece for our next console
said in interviews with Iwata. Yet I see all these channels that have nothing to do with games on my console? Looks like they gave in knowing the key to being in the living room is not with a gaming console, but with a multimedia system.
CONCLUSION
The Wii is really a reasonable risk for a gamer. For a non gamer I would wait right now. Many developers are excited about what the Wiimote can do, and the fact Nintendo isn't using really powerful hardware allows developers to push the system to the limits faster. I don't doubt it will be a fun experience for any gamer, but I doubt it can be a lone console and satisfy all gaming needs. Nintendo has a good strategy, but it never actually came to be and now they stand to lose unless third party developers really carry the system for the Nintendo gaming community.
MARKETING STRATEGY
The Nintendo Wii marketing strategy is completely off its mark with this console. There will be alot of Wii fanboys mad at me for saying this but its true. Nintendo with this console really wanted to hit what they call the non gamer market. The problem with this is really the recently announced price for the console, but I will go into that in another point section. Nintendo is banking on really parents picking up their kids wiimote out of curiosity and hopefully getting them to play games. Also this time around Nintendo appears to be focusing on teenagers instead of younger kids. But lets face reality here for a minute. The people that are going to adopt Wii in the first place are going to be the core gamers for now. It really is going to be up to nintendo to put the Wii everywhere, much like the DS in order to gain that image that its ok to be doing this. Video game consoles don't necessarily mean for kids or childish, but they have that hobby feel to them and to be main stream they have to make it as important as the TV or DVD player in the home.
PLAYING = BELIEVING
This strategy is a good strategy for them but hurts them the most in the short run. Long term problems can't really be predicted until we see the adoption rate of the Wii. The fact is Nintendo wants you to believe that system specs and graphics aren't really that important to enjoy a videogame. However a videogame by definition of video has more to do with what you see than any other factor. Nintendo is half right, graphics don't have to be the center piece but they are important. The real problem with this strategy is no one has really played the system. Game journalists playing helps because they film it, but its not the same. If playing is believing, Nintendo better do some kiosks soon as in now so people can see for themselves what the Wii is all about. It almost seems like Nintendo doesn't understand their own strategy.
DEFINING NON GAMER
This one is a little ambiguous to me. Nintendo says they want to create a new market of gamers out of non gamers. There is a big difference between someone like my mother who sees no point in videogames and a person that is intimidated by the current controllers to pick up a game. I almost feel sorry for Nintendo here.
THE WIIMOTE
Ok this one really confuses me, the wiimote looks very unintimidating however you look like a fool using it, some editors have said in the past. Aside from getting tired from using a motion controller, the fact that you may think you look like a fool, self image may turn you off to even trying it to begin with. Also adding things like the nunchuk, to a non gamer, guess what it just got intimidating again. The Wiimote is more of a camoflauge complicated controller than a simplistic controller.
THE SENSOR BAR
If Nintendo is trying to make it more simple, why can't you play very good close to a TV? 1up show most recent as of this post, the editors claimed that detection was sometimes lost leaving people with confused looks on their faces, not knowing what happened. This doesn't really make the Wii accessible to people who play in their rooms or so forth which really isn't including everyone at all.
PRICE VS PACKAGE
Ok this is the biggie. I am going to break this sub point into sub points :)
-Wii will give you more fun for less money.
Said at E3 by reggie, turned out to be for more money when you look at the whole picture. This system is only cheaper by 50 dollars compared to the xbox 360 core pack, which supports HDTV and so forth. Not really less money and definately not a mass market price, if so more people would have bought the core system of the 360.
-Wii is about inclusion
Also said by reggie at E3, fact is the system only comes with one Wiimote in the box, so you can play with yourself. Why come with wii sports then? That game is made to play with friends, not by yourself. It sounds less like wii and more like mii.
-packaging wiisports everywhere but japan
This announcement made me mad, without two controllers I see no point to wii sports, considering the USD translation is less than 250 for the japan system, I am paying for wii sports. I would rather have to buy wii sports and get two controllers in the box.
-not a mass market price
The Wii isn't a mass market price, its a game console buyers price for sure though. Considering you only get one controller in the box and its a risk to buy for what Nintendo calls a non gamer its really just another console with a motion controller now.
-we want to make a gamecentric console, we want gameplay to be the centerpiece for our next console
said in interviews with Iwata. Yet I see all these channels that have nothing to do with games on my console? Looks like they gave in knowing the key to being in the living room is not with a gaming console, but with a multimedia system.
CONCLUSION
The Wii is really a reasonable risk for a gamer. For a non gamer I would wait right now. Many developers are excited about what the Wiimote can do, and the fact Nintendo isn't using really powerful hardware allows developers to push the system to the limits faster. I don't doubt it will be a fun experience for any gamer, but I doubt it can be a lone console and satisfy all gaming needs. Nintendo has a good strategy, but it never actually came to be and now they stand to lose unless third party developers really carry the system for the Nintendo gaming community.
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