Today marks the beginning of something anew at WiiBlog.net. Some might see it as laziness on my part for having others write for the site, but I see it as an opportunity for others to voice their opinion about the Nintendo Wii.

So, if you love the Nintendo Wii and have something to say about anything regarding it. Be it news, reviews, editorial, preview, movies etc… Send it my way at jvinson@ientry.com. You will be given a credit for the post, much like Holly's post. If you send enough entries, you could become an author at WiiBlog. I can't offer anything by way of money, but it does provide good writing experience. Also very open dialogue for getting your opinions out on the Wii.

Holly, has taken advantage as the first guest writer and has written a review for World of Goo. I hope to receive some good articles, and keep gaming on.

WiiBlog.net - Where all of your dreams come true.

Hey guys, I was wanting some good constructive criticism on my first ever video preview.

I unfortunately don't have the physical file to upload, as my friend actually made the video.

Here's a link to it though, and like I said let me know what you think and what I can improve:

Marble Saga: Kororinpa Video Preview

I couldn't believe all the things that are being said about the RE5 demo. IGN has a list of "problems" to fix before the game releases, most of them being some showing around the forums and so on. I must have taken something before playing, because I absolutely loved the demo. There are problems to be sure, but every game has problems but that doesn't keep it from being great.

First, why all this hatred for the controls? Everyone keeps comparing this game to Dead Space and other over the shoulder shooters, why? Resident Evil isn't Dead Space, it isn't Gears of War, it isn't GTA IV....it's RE5, and restricting what your character can do is part of the suspense. You're not supposed to just stand around shooting everything, you need to be running around to stay alive. This idea is shown off well in the first stage, if you just stand around trying to shoot all of the villagers then you're more than likely not going to make it through.

Which leads to another gripe I keep hearing that I don't understand. Lack of ammo. For those who have ever played Resident Evil, you know that limiting ammo is part of the experience. It's supposed to keep the player from just "running and gunning", and invoking a sense of suspense. Resident Evil isn't an action game, it's a survival horror so treat it as such.

Another odd complaint I've been hearing, and one that IGN listed was the variety of races that the game has. This is another silly argument. Does all the character in the game need to be black? I'm pretty sure that there are a variety of different races living in Africa, and depending on what part of Africa can be quite diverse. So, don't really understand the complaint there.

Overall, I'm digging the game so far. The co-op was odd at first, but for the computer AI I'm pretty impressed. So far, she hasn't made any dumb, head scratching glitchy mistakes yet. And I love online co-op, can't wait to play through RE5 with my friends. RE5 is also the most beautiful game I've played on a console so far. I believe it rivals MGS4 in the graphics department, so much so that the cut-scenes are very similar to in-game.

If you love RE, and want to see the series continued then I highly recommend you play the demo. If this is but just a small portion of what's to come from RE5, then color me excited. If you're really not into RE, then you might want to stick to a faster paced TPS, but I wouldn't have my RE any other way.

'Development Limbo', 'Dev Hell', these are just a couple of names given to games that just can't quite make it out of the development process and actually be published. The Conduit was in this development limbo for awhile, before SEGA finally decided to take a shot on it. After reading IGN's exclusive look at Winter, I have a gut feeling someone out there will take a chance.

Winter, is a project that was secretly being worked on by n-Space. The details of the story haven't fully been released, but as of now we know that it follows an EMT worker, Mia. She's stuck in a midwest town that is being blanketed by an un-natural snow storm. She, of course has lost her memory and must try to survive, while trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

Here's IGN's video showing off Winter:

Winter Demo Movie

After reading IGN's interview, and watching the video I was completely blown away. The demo itself is down right spooky, and shows off some impressive graphical features. This excerpt from the IGN interview was what really piqued my interest:

"For all interactions, the Wii Remote and Nunchuck became extensions of the player's hands. To open a door, the player points at the handle with the Remote, pinches the A and B buttons, and pulls it open. If I'm worried about what's behind the door, I can pull it open slowly to peek inside first.

Each tool the player finds takes advantage of the unique nature of the Wii Controllers. For example, the flashlight will flicker at times, requiring players to tap the Wii Remote against their hands until it starts working properly. Other examples include a flare that needs to be cracked open with a sharp movement of the Remote, or a glowstick the player cracks and shakes in order to bring it to full intensity. Using simple gestures that make sense was a big part of our design."

The unfortunate part of the story, is that Winter is on the 'Cancelled' list. The n-Space developers tried to sell their game to a numerous amount of publishers in the industry. All of them answering in the same way (I'll paraphase), 'It's a great looking game, but we can't take a chance on a new survival-horror game at the moment'.

After reading the interview, I've come to a couple of conclusions as to why Winter hasn't been picked up. First, publishers are real antsy about investing into a new IP, specifically ones that could run into delays, and high production costs. Of course, judging by the fact that only a 12 person team worked on the Winter demo, those points could easily have been avoided.

The main reason that Winter hasn't found a publisher, is n-Space hasn't hyped the game up at all. In the interview, they mention that the movie we viewed was created in March '07. I would then ask, 'Why is this the first time I'm seeing it?'. The Conduit was going through nearly the same struggles that Winter is. It was uncertain as to whether or not The Conduit would find a publisher. So, what did High Voltage do? They created a massive hype for it by advertising it on the internet. They allowed numerous sites to view their game in action. They showed off demos to the public at all the popular gaming conferences. Then, once the snowball started rolling publishers began to take notice. Then, SEGA decided to invest in it, which in turn will likely lead to them reaping the reward.

So, what should n-Space's next move be if they really want to progress forward in the hunt for a publisher? I don't claim to be a huge expert, but maybe having a company website offering more that this is a good start.

Now that the game is out there, really try to start building the hype train. Make a blog, start a Facebook community about the game, show up at all the huge public conferences. Engage in interviews, and go onto as many gaming sites as humanly possible. If you give me reason to, I'll praise the advancement of Winter until there's nothing else to write about. Create a media circus around your demo, and I'll guarantee a publisher will take notice.

I might have sounded harsh towards n-Space, but it really is tough love. Winter looks like a game that could be quite an amazing experience on the Nintendo Wii. If 12 guys were able to come up with something so freakishly delightful, then I'm ready and willing to play a final product. Unfortunately, having a solid product isn't enough anymore. You have to prove to investors that your product is going to sell. With the population on the internet, there's quick and easy ways to do so. Hell, contact me and I'll give you some good start points.

I want to see what lies ahead for Mia, so please n-Space do something.

WiiBlog.net - I wish real life winters in Kentucky were as fun as survival horror gaming winters are.

Michael Rudder is a video game voice actor who you may or may not heard of. His list of appearances is Splinter Cell, Far Cry Instincts, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within. He was never the main voice in any of the games. After reading his traumatic, yet amazing story I doubt you'll ever forget him.

I was in absolute disbelief while reading the CBC article about Michael Rudder. Rudder is primarily known for his stage acting in Canada, as well as his list of voice acting stints.

Rudder was a victim of one of the terrorist attacks that occurred in Mumbai, India. In a Mumbai hotel, while dining with his friends is where the attack took place. Instead of explaining the story myself, here's Rudder's own words.

"We heard gunshots and, the idiot that I am…I went towards them thinking, what's that? The staff shushed me back and said, 'It's just gangsters, sir, it's not a problem, just go back to your table.' And there was my sorta fatal error, really, because I did go back to my table and I said, 'Apparently it's just some kinda gangster activity and it's no big deal.' Five minutes later, we were just ripped to shreds by bullets."

Rudder then went on to talk about his survival of the attack…

"I found myself in a Bruce Willis Die Hard moment…where my arm — had a lovely white shirt on — and it just exploded into red. And, while I was taking that in, I got a bullet in my leg. So I quickly got myself on the floor to get a bullet in the butt as I was going down — and then another bullet, still another bullet grazed my head. So I just laid there in utter shock."

Playing dead worked until the terrorists started to use smoke grenades, then Rudder had to make a move…

"If I would've sat there and said, 'Oh, I don't feel well, I don't think I'll get up from the floor and watch the smoke come in and suffocate me,' I think I would've been kind of an idiot…To tell you the truth, I followed the bloodstains…I just crawled out and got down to the service exit off the kitchen, walked out into the street, which was cordoned off, and one of those wonderful yellow-and-black cabs came roaring out of nowhere, bundled me into it. They zoomed us over here to the Bombay Hospital."

Rudder then goes on to talk about comparing his experience with movies to the actual event. If you want to read the rest of the story, click the link above. I'm still in shock just reading his story. Coming so close to Christmas, it serves as a reminder of how lucky we truly are to have what we have. Luckily Rudder should be able to make a trip back to Canada in time for Christmas, to be with his family.

It might be Wednesday to most people of the world, but to me it might as well be Friday. It's the last day I have to come into the office, as my four day vacation is coming up. So, unfortunately this will be the last post until December rolls around. Unless some really earth shaking news strikes, then I'll sacrifice some turkey time to bring it to you.

Yesterday, I wrote a good sized rant, criticizing a recent editorial on the state of Nintendo, and the 'hardcore' gamers. I won't get into the issue any further, as you can read for yourself how I feel about it. While crafting that editorial I came across a nifty site, Island.net who has a nice chronology of the history of Nintendo. So, in light of my new discovery we're going to take a look at the Top 5 years that Nintendo has seen since it made its console debut in 1985.

5. 2006 -

Major Releases In 2006:
Nintendo Wii
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
New Super Mario Bros. (DS)

Top News In 2006:
Rodrigo Lopes sets a new time record for completing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past video game on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System: 1 hour 36 minutes 43 seconds.

Electronic Gaming Monthly presents a list of the 200 greatest video games of their time. Number 1 is Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

France's Ministry of Culture honors Shigeru Miyamoto with knighthood in the Order of Arts and Letters.

Nintendo announces there will be over 30 game titles available for the Wii within the launch window.

At a press conference in Los Angeles before the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo announces the release name for its next-generation console system: Wii, shows a conventional controller for it, and demonstrates The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Galaxy for it.

In New York, Nintendo announces the Wii will be on sale in the USA on November 19. Price will be US$250 including the Nunchaku controller and Wii Sports game. The Wii will be available in Japan on December 2.

There are very few events in the history of video games that truly changed, or revolutionized the gaming world. In the year 2006, one of these massive happenings began to take its form. It all started with the release of a little console called, Nintendo Wii. Up until its release, the Nintendo Wii had gone through a roller coaster of opinions from gamers. Some were so excited to usher in a new way to play video games, while others were left skeptical.

Needless to say, we all know what the outcome would be. While some were calling for a massive launch of the PS3, it was the Nintendo Wii that became the hard to find item for Christmas. Then would repeat that some moniker when 2007 rolled around.

4. 1985 -

Major Releases In 1985:
Nintendo NES System
Super Mario Bros.
Duck Hunt
Baseball
Ice Climber

Top News In 1985:
At the Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nintendo first shows the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US

At the Summer Consumer Electronics Show Nintendo introduces the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It uses a 6502 processor, and generates images with 256×240 resolution in 16 colors. It includes two controllers, a Zapper gun, and a Robotic Operating Buddy robot. Distributors show little interest in taking any orders.

Nintendo releases the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in the United States, in New York City. Special displays are set up in department, toy, and electronics stores. The NES comes with the Robotic Operating Buddy and the Zapper light gun. Price is US$125. Seventeen game cartridges are available with the launch of the game system.

During Nintendo's test-marketing of the Nintendo Entertainment System in New York, 90,000 units are sold.

What 1985 lacked in quantity for news and games, it easily made up for with importance and quality. 1985 gets its spot on the list much for the same reasons as 2006. While the Nintendo Wii might have started a new revolution in gaming, 1985 was the actual beginning of the revolution. For that reason alone, not to mention the release of one of the greatest games of all time (Super Mario Bros.) 1985 rightfully sits at #4 on today's list.

3. 1998:

Major Releases in 1998:
Resident Evil 2
1080 Snowboarding
Banjo-Kazooie
Mortal Kombat 4
F-Zero X
Pokémon (GB)
WCW/NWO Revenge
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron

Top News In 1998:
At the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences holds its first annual awards ceremony. Shigeru Miyamoto is indicted into the Hall of Fame for his contributions to the video game industry.

Nintendo announces the Game Boy Color handheld video game system.

The European Computer Trade Show names Goldeneye 007 for the Nintendo 64 the Console Game of the Year.

Nintendo and LucasArts sign a five-year agreement for three new Star Wars games on the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color.

1998 represents everything that has been great about Nintendo throughout the years. We saw the induction of Miyamoto into the Hall of Fame. Not to mention arguably the greatest Nintendo game of all time, Ocarina of Time, released in 1998. Oh, Banjo Kazooie, and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron made an appearance as well. Those three games are all some of the top Nintendo 64 games of all time.

2. 1987:

Major Releases In 1987:
The Legend of Zelda
Dragon Quest II
Gradius
Pro Wrestling
Castlevania
Spy Hunter
Metroid
Punch-Out
Metal Gear
Final Fantasy
Mega Man

Top News In 1987:
Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. This is the first NES game with a battery-powered save feature.

Nintendo begins including the Super Mario Bros. game cartridge with the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US.

Unit sales to date of Nintendo Entertainment System game systems: about 4 million. (Dec. 31)

There might not have been a whole lot of ground breaking news in 1987, but with all the games that released who needed to hear news? Seven game franchises that are still kicking it in the year 2008 saw their first releases in 1987. It's easily the year of the 'Franchises', and makes 1987 the easy pick for #2 on today's list.

1. 1996:

Major Releases In 1996:
Mega Man X3
Tetris Attack
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Nintendo 64
Super Mario 64
PilotWings 64
Wave Race 64
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble
Killer Instinct Gold
Wayne Gretkzy's 3D Hockey
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

Top News In 1996:
Nintendo announces a delay in introducing its 64-bit video game system in the US until September 30, due to a chip shortage.

In Los Angeles, California, Nintendo gives a preview of the Nintendo 64 game system, showing the Super Mario 64 game.

Nintendo releases the Nintendo 64 video game system in North America. Price is US$199.95.

At the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington, over five days, 3000 participants rate 57 video games. Top pick is Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64.

By Thanksgiving Day in the USA, Nintendo has sold 750,000 Nintendo 64 systems in the USA, making this the fastest-selling system to date.

Unit sales of the Nintendo 64 video game system in the US during the year: 1.7 million.

Deciding between 1987, and 1996 was probably the hardest placing of #2, and #1 that I've had to do for these lists so far. 1987 might have been the year that so many franchises got their start, but 1996 represents the greatest year that Nintendo gave us.

To me the transition of SNES to Nintendo 64 is the best current-gen/next-gen transition we've ever seen in gaming. At the end of the SNES' life cycle we saw some of the best games come out and really sent the system out with a bang. Don't believe me? Go back and play Super Mario RPG. Then right after that the Nintendo 64 ushered in the era of 3D gaming, and gave us what I think is the best launch lineup of games ever seen on a home console.

Due to this transition, and the greatness of two consoles seen in a single year warrants 1996 as the best year Nintendo has given its fans.

Are there any years that specifically stand out in your mind? Did I have any errors in the history that I posted? Feel free to leave any, and all comments below.

I strolled into the office today, just wanting to get through the day so that Thanksgiving could finally get here. Turkey was/is calling my name…..That was until I read this little "gem" by Matt Casamassina of IGN. I have respected IGN's views towards the Wii, until now.

The article is titled, "Editorial: Has Nintendo Lost the Hardcore Gamer?" Oh, boy. If you're a frequent reader of WiiBlog, then you've more than likely read my views towards the media created, and fueled dichotomy of 'hardcore vs. casual'. I expect there to be a fighting game based on this long, blog commenting, editorializing whine-fest that "core" gamers and the media have carved out these past couple of years. Just like I expressed in my past post, it's just about all I can take anymore. I'm just about to give up on gaming media altogether and just enjoy games for what they truly are. Not what the online gaming media world makes them out to be.

Casamassina's article isn't just ridiculously long, it contradicts itself to the point I'm not sure what point he's truly making. He starts the article by criticizing the Animal Crossing: City Folk ad, that still leaves me puzzled. So, at the beginning I was with Casamassina and the point he was making. After his Animal Crossing ad rant, is where I started to roll my eyes.

First let's start with this calling he makes to his fellow 'core' gamers who have emailed him about their problems with Wii's lineup,

This is the state of Nintendo's Wii console, easily number one in monthly hardware sales and reliably dead last where the hardcore gamer is concerned. Is this an unfair criticism? I don't think so. It's not an assertion I make lightly or without ample evidence, either anecdotal or factual. As a so-called "core" gamer, I feel it and I see it. The slim selection of AAA titles from Nintendo this holiday. The missing truly big guns. The countless e-mails I receive from longtime readers who find themselves just as discouraged as I am.

In the year 2008, we've already had the oppurtunity to play Mario Kart: Wii, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Can anyone remember the last time that Nintendo released two big console heavy hitters like that in a span of one year? Just first party titles mind you, not from third party developers? In 2007 we also got the chance to play Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, and Super Mario Galaxy. Ok, but before that have we ever had a year where so many huge first party developed titles were released?

2006 - Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
2005 - Super Mario Strikers, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
2004 - Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
2003 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
2002 - Metroid Prime, Super Mario Sunshine
2001 - Paper Mario, Luigi's Mansion, Pikmin, Super Smash Bros. Melee
2000 - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
1999 - Super Smash Bros., Pokémon Snap
1998 - 1080 Snowboarding, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
1997 - Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64
1996 - Wave Race 64, Super Mario 64
1995 - Super Mario World 2
1994 - Super Punch-Out, Super Metroid
1993 - Super Mario All-Stars, Star Fox
1992 - The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario Kart
1991 - Super Mario World, F-Zero
1990 - Super Mario Bros. 3, Dr. Mario, Star Tropics
1989 - N/A
1988 - Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Super Mario Bros. 2
1987 - The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Punch-Out
1986 - Donkey Kong (NES),
1985 - Super Mario. Bros. (NES)

First, thanks to Island.net for providing a great chronology of Nintendo's history dating all the way back to 1977. This is some of the most fun I've had writing for a post on WiiBlog. Going back and studying the history of Nintendo and seeing how everything unfolded through the years was a treat. I'm not going to get sidetracked from the issue at hand (of course that list is going to be perfect for a future post). I wonder if Casassamina has done his research and really looked at how Nintendo has released first party developed titles in the past.

We've gotten two huge releases this year, and two major releases last year. Before that there were only three times in a span of 23 years that Nintendo dropped more than 2 major game releases on us that were developed in-house. So my question is, has Nintendo really given up on its core audience? Have they left Mario, Link, Samus, Fox, Donkey Kong, and other series left out to dry? Are all the games we're going to have in the future be mini-game compilations, and workout routines?

NO, and this isn't me blindly defending Nintendo. The facts are right there for you to view yourself. Is Nintendo trying to reach out to a new market, and attract gamers? Hell yes they are, and who's to blame them? Having a company and releasing a product is about making money, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar. So, Nintendo is doing what they think needs to be done to sustain a profit. If that means inducting non-traditional gamers into the foray so be it.

But I'm so sick and tired of reading these asinine editorials by the gaming media, like they all sit on some cardboard crafted Mt. Olympus. Peering down and making sure everything fits in their little "hardcore" niche. Video games should be for everybody, and Nintendo is treading down that road in a way no one has ever seen before. Are they leaving the 'core gamers' behind? Well, what I consider true core gamers and the truly informed gamers; the answer is irrefutably, No.

What I do think has changed in this newly crafty dichotomy is the mindset of gamers. We've gotten so ingrained with always having a video game controller in our hand, that we expect something great to come out every month. If there's a down period, or slow spell then everyone is ready to give up. There hasn't been a major first party release since March?? Well then I guess Nintendo has just moved on and sold us out to the Wii Fit, and Carnival Games crowd.

In conclusion, it's my hope that the "hardcore" gamers that sit in their basements throwing around ridiculous comments on forums about the Nintendo Wii not being for them would open their eyes. There's so much great gaming to be found on the Nintendo Wii, as well as the other consoles. What makes the Wii so special is that it is ushering in an era where games can be for everybody. Instead of pulling out pitchforks, and rallying in our favorite sites to whine let's try and embrace it. Maybe, we can show these new gamers some of the games that we love to play. Or we can keep having the same elitist attitude like the people that have emailed Casassamina.

Many Nintendo Wii owners, specifically those with more gaming experience have been crying for a RPG. I happen to be one of those people. I've never been a 'huge' Tales of Symphonia fan, but enjoyed the more cheeky, and funny JRPG oriented stories in the game. Apparently, Daemon Hatfield of IGN doesn't feel that way as he has blasted the new Tales of Symphonia game in his review.

After reading his review, it seems like the same problem I see from most game reviewers. I can tell from the problems that Hatfield has with the game, that he probably isn't as well versed with JRPGs as many of the genre's dedicated followers. There's nothing inherently right or wrong with that, just that it leaves a skewed view. If I happen to like some of the off-the-wall, zany fun that most JRPGs have, I'd like to hear that voice so I can respond accordingly.

Yes, The Hero Is Probably A Whiny Teenager. Just Like Every FPS Has A Standard Pistol For A Starting Weapon. But Review Scores Shouldn't Be Based On Those Trends.

I could be totally wrong and Hatfield could be right about his points. I'll have to wait to play the game to make that decision. The way he worded his article though, it seemed like more of a bash on the genre than just the particular game. JRPGs have always been linear, and their storylines tend to always be convoluted. Just like games of other genres all follow certain patterns.

I'll safely admit that I'm not a huge fan of third-person shooters. I like my shooters in the first person variety. So, if I were to review a third-person game, I'd like to give my readers a review from someone that does appreciate the third-person aspect. That way there's a balance for everyone involved.

I'm not going to lay into Daemon Hatfield for his review because everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just would rather see more variety from some of the larger review sites. I know they have the budget to do it, and I think their fans would appreciate that. You can already tell there's going to be a huge backlash from Tales fans, because there's already 86 reader ratings. The reader score is sitting at 9.6 after those ratings, and the game comes out today. Considering most game stores won't have it until noon, I highly doubt that those readers have actually played any of it. Which leads me to suspect those reader ratings are from upset fans who actually haven't bought the game yet.

If I was a JRPG fan, and was waiting for an opinion that reflected close to my feelings of the genre I'd probably be upset too.

WiiBlog.net - Just like most JRPGs, there's a whiny teenager inside of me that updates the site

Why must Obama keep doing, or saying things that make me write about him. I don't want to write about politics. I've gotten a migraine from debating with people, listening to commercials, listening to debates, occasionally laughing at a pundit. It's enough to make me want to curl up in bed and wait for November 4th to just pass, so it can all be over with. Obama's latest ad is what has spurred yet another post on WiiBlog about the candidate.

Before I give my two cents on the ad, I'll let you take a view of this ad if you haven't seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UFzkO5OhKY

I won't even get into the ludicrousness of the ad (apparently we need to take off an entire day to go vote). My big question is, why do you need to put a Wii Remote in your video to prove your point? Does Obama really not give the American people enough credit, that he thinks they'll be playing video games all day and not exercise their right to vote? Are we led to believe that people have really gotten that addicted to electronic media?

What's worse, why even use a brand name device and not something generic? The point could have been made with some non-branded looking video game controller. Why single out a company like that, considering some if its employees have donated significant funds to the Obama campaign. What's funny is that using video games in ads like this go even further to contradict his spending of advertising space in video games. So, I guess the message we should take from Obama is that we should be playing less games, and "making history". But when we do play games we should be seeing his face, and message on virtual billboards.

I'm JohnnyV, and I approve this message, for all you gamers out there (a bit cheesy?).

*EDIT* - The link to the donations by Nintendo employees is broken. The amount is $2,650. If you want to research it yourself, visit FEC.gov.

WiiBlog.net - A vote for JohnnyV is a vote for America. The real America.

Politics, there's hardly any other word that can make me sigh more than it. Radio, television, internet; these are all places where politics rears its ugly head and it's something I get tired of fairly quickly. At least from the mainstream aspect of things.

When I pick up a video game controller, I can be secure in knowing that it's one place I'll be safe from political advertising. Or is it? It has been reported that Obama has launched an ad campaign that will see his ads plastered over a slew of EA titles. The most notable is in Burnout Paradise, where Obama's ad/face will be featured on many of the billboards in the virtual city. This makes me sad personally because I really like Burnout: Paradise, and I don't want political advertising making its presence known there.

I've been against a lot of in-game advertising since its conception. I know some will say it adds to the 'immersiveness' of the games, but do we really play video games to feel more in the real world? I know that when I put a game disc into my system, I'm doing it to become part of something outside the conventions of the real world. In Burnout: Paradise for example, it's all about driving cars really fast and in some instances pulling off crazy aerial stunts. So when I'm doing 3 aerial flips with my Ferrari looking sports car, do I really want to see Obama's face and be reminded of what's happening in the real world?

In game advertising before this latest example was all about selling products. Now its shifted to getting a political message out to the masses. And I'm not talking about in-game politics, but real life politics. Which to me, there's nothing more sad and depressing than the current political system.

So, I've expressed my general feelings towards Obama's political advertising. Now where does my frustration and anger need to be directed at? Should I completely blame Obama for wanting to get his message out to gamers? Even though he's mentioned before that people need to get off their couches and stop playing games. Or is it EA who's profiting off Obama's big dollars and they're the ones to blame?

The truth of the matter is that the problem even goes beyond Obama and EA. But to encompass the overlying problems would require more than just one blog post, so let's keep the focus just on these two. In this situation both are sharing my anger and frustration equally. My main anger towards Obama is the statements he's made about video gaming in the past, yet he doesn't mind trying to score some votes through its advertising. EA gets the brunt of my anger because even though Obama paid for the adspace, there had to be someone else out there that was willing to pay equal to what he was offering. Specifically companies without a political agenda.

People who aren't into video games will probably say I'm over dramatizing the situation. As a gamer who's been going strong for about 20+ years, I think I have a cause for anger, and concern. Like I mentioned earlier, video games are one of my great escapes from political agendas, and ideas, and basically everything that sucks about the real world (I've overused it haven't I?). So when a media platform that I love and enjoy starts to adopt this kind of advertising, I can't rightfully sit by and not voice concern.

Ok, I think I've went on a rant long enough. For those who think I'm trying to pick on Obama please know that if this were McCain I would be writing the same article with a different name at the beginning.

WiiBlog.net - I'm running for presidency, so if you'd like a button just shoot an email, and $100 to my address