Video Gaming

Wii U, Wii Me

by

Well, here it is, the Wii U demoed at E3.  Word is it’s going to launch last quarter of 2012, which of course means we all know what’s gonna get given at Christmas.  It demoed with quite a few titles (a smart move) and of course is doing the usual Nintendo thing of sucking the oxygen out of the room, which Nintendo is pretty damn good at.

Kotaku’s reviewer is slightly underwhelmed, even though they’re exploding with Wii U cover.  Ubisoft, meanwhile, is heavily invested in the Wii.

I’d actually expect more enthusiasm, but honestly, this is weirdly subdued E3 so far.  I see plenty of twitter complaints on FPS overload, etc.  So I’m trying to take this in context.

My take?  In context:

  • This is, as noted, Nintendo stealing everyone’s thunder.  Despite the Wii’s slow slide into irrelevancy, it was very popular in its time, and came out at the perfect time to get people’s attention.  I sense a nostalgia factor.
  • The launch titles are moderate to quite strong.  The Lego City Undercover, in fact, looks like a winner – basically Lego GTA IV.
  • The oddball controller, of course, has everyone’s attention – that’s what Nintendo does.
  • The new platform is going to help get interest and of course rile up the competition, who seem more focused on other issues.
  • There are new services, so it’s hopeful Nintendo isn’t going to botch the “extended” world.

I’d say a solid launch, with a few advantages, but coming during a tired time.  If Nintendo is smart maybe they can get some energy going.

– Steven Savage

 

EA’s Not-Good Day

by

Well, in case you hadn’t heard, EA had it’s stock price drop, probably due to the loss of members of the Star Wars MMO – yes, that MMO lost people.  And, yes, on top of this a restructuring is coming.

So the question arises, is EA a takover target.  Yeah, I’m already seeing articles on that right after the bad news.

As an old gamer, this question has come up a lot.  EA has its highs and lows, and certainly has had a very erratic time of it as of late.  Since I’ve seen so many times EA has supposedly been having a bad time, I’m kind of used to it.

Looking it over, EA does seem to have a lot going for it – it has IP, it obviously has plans for gaming (such as social), so it’s not flailing.  It’s also published some good stuff.  So I get a bit cynical when I hear another story of EA getting bought out.

However, I’d add a few things.

  • First, I don’t think EA is going to get bought out right now.  This is just one thing, and you know – seen it all before.  My one concern is that if EA keeps having problems or has a rapid-fire series of issues . . .
  •  . . . there are players with big money out there.  Remember the wits that suggested Apple just buy into Hollywood?  Think about the other big players out there – and then don’t discount foreign sources as well.  Some have weathered the economic issues well, and could whip out the cash if EA remains vulnerable.  I’m not saying Apple would buy them (I doubt it), but other multimedia conglomerates like Disney or Vivendi.
  • There’s also the chance that EA doesn’t look like a good acquisition.  I mean when there’s so many other ways to get into gaming, if EA actually implodes it might be more trouble than it’s worth to buy, so you wait for a fire sale.  Speaking of . . .
  • I’d also add that a troubled EA might survive by selling stuff off or by partnership or deals.  They have the goods.

In the end I don’t see EA as being taken over in the short term, and it’d take other stumbles for them to be in that situation. It’s something to watch out for, but not panic over.

So if you want to work at EA – beyond the restructuring – I don’t see any reason why not.

– Steven Savage

Minecraft – Game As Dialogue

by

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.

Read more