News and Analysis

Minecraft – Game As Dialogue

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So I returned to playing Minecraft again.  I do this now and then because it’s fun, well-planned, and evolving.  Every few version’s there’s something new as Notch tweaks and adds and changes.  Then I spent way too much time building stuff.

I actually enjoy starting games over.  Each time it’s a new adventure, each time it’s different:

  • I remember my first game where I built a network of quick travel tunnels.
  • I remember my second game where I spent days exploring a huge underground ravine filled with treasures and twists and turns.
  • In my current game I’ve got a lovely small home built into a mountain by a beach, and I’m alternately exploring caves, farming, and trying to penetrate the dense nearby jungle (largely by fire).

I’m sure I’ll stop playing at some point, and I’m sure there will be enough changes and additions I’ll fire it up again.  There’s conventions and events and suggestions and mods that I might even get involved in, should I wish.  Always something new.

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Target Douses The Kindle

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Yes, Target is phasing out the Kindle in it’s stores.  Amusingly, the Nook isn’t getting the same treatment.  They site “conflict of interest.”

There is plenty of conflict of interest – Amazon is competing with big stores like Target, Wal-Mart, etc.  This is also a gutsy move as this stuff is popular, so I figure Target has very good reasons.

My takes?

  • I think Target is going to side more with Nook for now.  B&N isn’t a competitor and can be an ally.
  • Remember B&N is also allied with Microsoft.  Keep in mind what this can mean.
  • Note nothing from Wal-Mart.  I still think they might make a low-price play/deal for some media or tablet device – but something like this could mean they seek an ally (and a way to take on Amazon)?
  • This is key as it’s someone striking right back at Amazon.  Others may feel emboldened to follow.
  • I would strongly consider the chance there’s other initiatives we don’t know about.

– Steven Savage

 

A $99 Xbox? More Than Meets The Eye . . .

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OK so Microsoft’s launching a $99 X-Box with Kinect. Sure you then need to pay a subscription fee (which comes with access to XBox Live Gold), but you also get a warranty.

So that throws things back into Sony’s part in the price wars on their aging platforms. I think it’s got a few interesting repercussions beyond that:

  • It’s pretty smart pricing – totally you’d pay $29 for the subscription model, but you also get a lot of benefits. Microsoft may be trying some new plans that won’t just be for this system – but for the next.
  • As it’s a two year plan, my guess is we won’t be seeing a new XBox for 1 1/2 to 3 years.  If you’re developing for XBox, breathe a sigh of relief – but not if you just started a new project.
  • This is an experiment. How it pans out will be watched by others – and responded too.  Pay attention.
  • It reverses common methods of pricing game systems – and merges them with online services all-but-totally.  If you work in gaming, pay attention (and notice how Microsoft is even more of a gatekeeper).

– Steven Savage