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From Satoru Iwata, Nintendo Co Ltd President:
“In other words, the old formula for success - the combination of high-specification game consoles and advanced graphics - is no longer working, ” Iwata said, “We now need to create a new proposal for our customers to set a new course for the industry, and the launch of the Nintendo DS is our answer to such challenge.”*

I agree Satoru. Almost.

You are correct that we should propose to the customers new ways of gaming and that those are the correct way that the industry should go. You are wrong, however, in that the current model isn’t working - sales of the Xbox and Playstation (in America) should tell you this.

I really wish Nintendo would quit trying to act like they are here for the customer. Nintendo is like El-P of Company Flow saying to MTV that his music really fits their format, and then giving them his current style. It’s a lie.

Nintendo - stand up and be a man! A true revolutionary! Quit trying to please everyone. Make your art and let the people come. Imagine if you gave a big F-U to the current audience and stated that you were in this to innovate and revitalize the industry (much like you did in the 80s). Imagine the support you would get. Instead, you are being wishy-washy and your words aren’t matching your actions. You are get trashed in the media because of it.

Stand up for what you believe in and let your words reflect your true actions!

*source: IGN

*source: EB Games

Posted from Penny Arcade:

I do not hold it against them that they did not feature gamers of the sort that I would recognize. I have no interest in seeing a person who looks like myself on television. At the same time, I think there may be a gaming culture and a gaming aesthetic that is definable and does exist. The musical elements of the show I found immensely entertaining, but I did not recognize or resonate with the lion’s share of what was happening. This is something else I don’t hold against them. I think that the process started by Sony’s Playstation is now one hundred percent complete. I think that what has happened is that we are no longer relevant. Gaming culture has been seized, reconfigured, and commodified and programs like this are just the taut skin over a pulsing boil.

What Tycho is talking about here is the Spike TV Video Game Awards which I am totally against. I am all for my underground hobbies and likes getting mainstream attention. I am, however - much like breakers were with Breakin’ and it’s sequel Breakin’ 2: Electric Bloobily Blah - angry that when this happens it gets all mushed together with other parts of popular culture, particularly parts that have nothing to do with those hobbies and likes. I give a crap about Snoop Dogg or Ludacris when I want to see awards given out to my favorite video games.

I would bet a rib* that if you asked video game players today what their favorite type of music is they wouldn’t say rap.

My other gripe with these stupid shows is that they neglect an entire (entirely huge, that is) chunk of the gaming population. These shows focus on the sport and extreme genres of gaming and treat other genres as if they were only released for the NeoGeo Pocket. In fact, if you only watch these shows and are ignorant of video games otherwise, you could assume that Nintendo has gone bankrupt.

They have a best new technology award and Nintendo DS won it (thank God). It was up against other technology that isn’t exactly new beyond it being available this year. Fable wins for Best RPG based solely on recognition I’m sure. They actually have 2 separate awards for Best Military Game and Best First Person Shooter - ha.

I’d rather there be absolutely no publicity for games than this kind of publicity.. the only thing good from this is that companies will still be able to fund cool side games from all the money they make on crappy summer blockbusters.

*the rib used to make Eve so I win either way!

Here I am at the entrance to Ironforge in World of Warcraft begging for money:

Notice the chat window to the left. I swear, I must be the funniest person in all of Dun Morogh! I don’t think anyone’s ever done something like this. No friggin’ way!

I took the most amazing picture while playing World of Warcraft last night. My gnome mage, Oldymcgee, decided to sit down and logout.

World of Warcraft is becoming better and better. I don’t know why I’m liking it so much. I think it’s the fact that I can play it for an hour and get a quest done and feel like I’ve accomplihed tons. Also, being able to meet up with your friends and fight it pretty awesome too. If Xbox Live could have something like this (which they could and almost did with that True Fantasy Live Online game) I would gobble it up in a second - so long as they didn’t charge extra like PSO.

Speaking of, I keep hearing of this other MMORPG called Guild Wars where you won’t have to pay monthly and that sounds pretty cool too. I don’t think my time could ever afford two MMORPGs but I like the idea of not paying beyond the intial purchase price.

Then again, I’d have to make new friends since I don’t know anyone playing that. I have trouble making new friends. Especially Necromancers. They aren’t easy to get along with.

I’m here with my Nintendo DS impressions. I know you’ve been waiting for them.

This system is so cool. The two screens, the touch screen, Pictochat, the wireless function - all of it is cool. I just wish I had more friends with the system so I could actually utilize the wireless function. I need more video game friends (that like Nintendo).

Super Mario 64 DS is good so far although the controls are tough. It’s tough using the touch screen to move and it’s tough to move your character without an analog stick. I hope that Nintendo doesn’t keep this control scheme with their other games.

Feel the Magic: XY/XX is pretty great. I imagine after the thrill is gone and I’ve beaten the game that I won’t play it but it’s really fun while it’s lasting.