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The Xbox 360 rush is on
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May 20, 2005
The new machines offer the promise of state-of-the-art graphics and could leave their predecessors, Sony's PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's GameCube, in the dust.
But the two consoles will be launched into a video game atmosphere in which software sales are slowing, and many worry that innovation has been forgotten in lieu of a never-ending flow of sequels. And while franchises like Electronic Arts' "Madden" and Nintendo's "Super Mario Bros." are reliable best sellers, some fear that the industry has lost its enthusiasm for creating brand new titles.
Thus, though the November launch of Microsoft's next-generation console, the Xbox 360 was considered a success, and it's still hard to find one of the machines, there's been a notable lack of excitement over any of the Xbox launch titles. And that's because, though there were a couple of brand-new games for the Microsoft console, most of the 18 that were available for launch were sequels.
For its part, though, Nintendo said it plans to bring a new level of innovation to the table with Revolution. And with that in mind, CNET News.com recently caught up with Reggie Fils-Aime, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Nintendo America, and asked him about the company's plans going forward.
Q: We understand you have some New Year's resolutions for Nintendo. Let's start there.
Fils-Aime: Sure. From my perspective, I have five resolutions for the industry heading into 2006. The first is keeping our eyes on the prize. This industry is about entertainment, and in the end, he with the best games wins. So at Nintendo, we're focused on putting the most entertaining products into the marketplace.
The second resolution is keeping the mass in the mass audience. The world is fragmenting all around us, and many companies are making their products too exclusive and expensive for the general consumer.
For example, for American consumers to get into the Xbox 360 franchise, with games and extra contollers, they had to spend more than $700, not including an HD TV, which is really the only way to positively experience 360. We resolve at Nintendo to remain within reach for the vast majority of our consumers.
How?
Fils-Aime: By first creating gaming-centric systems and consoles, whether it's handhelds or home consoles. That will ensure that for gamers, our products are totally focused on their needs versus products that try to integrate music or other things that, frankly, aren't what great gaming experiences are all about.
Since you mentioned pricing, I assume the Revolution will be accessible to gamers for substantially less than $700?
Fils-Aime: That's correct. The next-generation console from Nintendo, code-named Revolution, will cost less than $300. Our third resolution is to stop turning away new players.
This industry has become more and more focused on the niche, and at Nintendo, we've opened our systems to a wide range of consumers. Whether it's consumers older than 35 or female gamers, we've attracted them with "Nintendogs" and "Animal Crossing," so we've resolved to bring as many new consumers into this industry as possible.
And the fourth resolution?
Fils-Aime: It is to turn game development into a democracy of great ideas. Just as the cost of systems seems to be getting out of reach for everyday consumers, the cost of game development is getting out of reach for game publishers. The Revolution will be more affordable for game developers to create for, and that will result in fantastically innovative content.
Let's talk handhelds. Obviously, the Nintendo DS is doing well, with 13 million sold so far. But Sony's PSP seems to have more buzz.
Fils-Aime: I disagree. The DS is outselling PSP across the world. The DS is also generating huge buzz in the blogosphere. The fact is, we have a number of not only worldwide but even U.S.-centric million-unit selling games, and Sony doesn't.
We have games that are successfully expanding the audience for gaming for DS, and that's not true for Sony. The buzz for the DS is huge and growing, and the most anticipated handheld titles are on our platform, not on Sony's.
OK, so what about the fifth resolution?
Fils-Aime: The mythical performance vector for this industry is more processing power and prettier pictures, but what's really driven growth is actually improving the way consumers play and get into the game. It's what we've successfully done with the Nintendo DS and what we're committed to doing with the Revolution and the controller we've unveiled for Revolution.
Tell me about the controller. What makes it noteworthy?
Fils-Aime: It allows you to essentially manipulate the game by pointing at it. The activity that happens in the game is quite responsive with the controller, and we've shown that sports games can be brought to a new level of immersion with the controller.
How so?
Fils-Aime: It allows you to manipulate not only a puck or a football, but also to manipulate the player in a way that's never been done before. So if I'm developing a football game, I can move across
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Viva la Revolution!
Unfortunately, we live in America. And the average American barely has enough intelligence to tie their shoe. So they will naturally assume bigger is better. Hell, a bigger stick will smash better than a small one, right? So, Nintendo has their work cut out to win over the mindless masses that are the typical gamer. Let's watch and find out what happens; shall we?
I know when I play games with a "regular" paddle I am often moving the paddle about and aiming it every which way while I play. If the revolution requires I aim the remote exactly at where I am going or want ot go on the screen with percision all the time I could see thier paddle being an annoyance really. I don't think I could hold it still long enough to play games.
So, is that how it works? Like a laser pointer?
Revolution can't advertise and position itself with Mario games and simultaneously create Grand Theft Auto where Mario shoots hookers. It's just plain UNPOSSIBLE to do such a thing.
Nintendo is pretty much the undisputed champion of cutesy gaming so I would say that's a lock... Which leaves the more adult themed games up for grabs between 360 and PS3...
My money is on PS3.
Guess what? For $400 I built my own computer, it has much better graphics then the PS2, Gamecube or Xbox (though I will admit, the 360 has me beat, for now). See, the thing with Computers is that you can buy $100 for a new graphics card, and upgrade your system, without buying a new box, with the extra **** you already have. Plus, the number of games for PC destroys ANY console system.
Not only that, gameplay for computers will be skyrocketing soon. Windows Vista, yes, I will admit Windows, not a big fan, but Vista will change things. By putting graphic and vector calculations ON the graphic's card itself, instead of the CPU, you are going to free up a TON of CPU power, and things will go much faster. Also, while the console research is missmashed, I mean, please, if all the money spent on developement were all put together (like it is in the PC market), they would be good, but they are trying to cut each others necks.
Of course tech. on computers is just better. You can do SO much more things, plus, online gameplay is free for 98% of the games! You don't need to shell out cash for Xbox Live, whats even better? I watch DVD's on my computer, a DVD drive costs $30, and its even backwards compatable, with every single game I have ever bought! Wow, check that **** out!
Plus, some say, oh, I don't like keybord gameplay, so? You can buy a freeken Xbox controller that hooks right up to a USB port, no problem! My graphics card can even hook up to a TV if I want, two TV's if I want! I can play duel screen!
Oh, AND, you can get a Gig of storage for about 60 cents a gig now, its fast, and you will never run out of room. Lol, I love how you still need to buy memory cards for the PS2, look at the PSP, thats silly, like a trillion dollars for one gig of memory.
Computers are advancing much faster then the consoles, no matter how many millions of dollars Sony thows at it. They are easy to update, easier to maintain, do a host of applications that consoles CANNOT do, and in the end are much cheeper then the console that you buy, and goes out of date in about 2 years. So stop arguing about which console is the best, PC wins baby.
Oh, P.S, you will be able to buy a Blue Ray player for your Computer for about half of what the PS3 costs, so I don't see what all the hubub is about...
- Revolutions Limits.
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by zaznet
January 22, 2006 9:13 PM PST
- Revolution is aiming at a select group, while they tout the new customer advantage, they are missing many in that market by limiting the capabilities of their console.
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See all 28 Comments >>No movies
No online play
No Hi-Def
The only reason I would consider getting a revolution is because of their promise to offer NES games. Now I am waiting to see how much access to those titles will cost as well as which titles will be made available. If it's only Nintendo titles then it will lose all interest with me.
I also love the irony of pointing to sequals as what everyone else is doing wrong. Later they point to their own sequals with Mario Brothers and Metroid as if they are immune to the problem of too many sequals.