Major Next-Gen News Tonight

[pk500]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

I don't think the Wii has a real chance to unseat the 360 in the U.S. From memory (may not be accurate), I think over 30% of video game sales in North America are from the sports market. I just don't see the Wii being able to provide nearly as good a product that the 360 can. I see sports games from EA (or lack of them) being similar to the support for the Gamecube. Sports titles aren't that important in Japan but are crucial in the U.S. I think that's where the Wii will fail and why I have little interest in the Wii.

Good points, Rudy, and it's one of my fears about the Wii. But if the Wii sells very well in the U.S., then third-party publishers will have to take notice and start developing sports games for the console. The growing install base of the Wii represents a lost revenue stream if they don't jump onboard.

EA didn't jump on the Dreamcast wagon despite solid early sales for the console. But it didn't have to -- it already was making a killing from PSX hardware, and the Xbox and PS2 were coming within a year or two. It could hedge its bets and wait it out.

I don't think EA and other third-party developers can afford that with the Wii if it sells well. First, Nintendo has been in the business longer than any existing player and is flush with cash from its thriving handheld division, so it's not going anywhere. Second, companies like EA are in financial trouble and need to take advantage of every potential revenue stream they can.

So if the Wii sells well, I think we'll see increased third-party support for sports games. And why not? I think it would be bad-azz to play a hockey game with the Wiimote, swinging it like you would a stick for shots, passes and defensive play, for example.

It will be very interesting to see how the console landscape looks six to nine months from now. Intriguing times.

Take care,
PK

[aholbert32]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

And how again does that improve gameplay?

Take care,
PK

I wasnt referring to gameplay. His point was that he hasnt seen a gameplay jump and hasnt seen a graphics jump. I told him that you never see a gameplay jump in the first year of a console. The first year is always graphics focused.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

Good points, Rudy, and it's one of my fears about the Wii. But if the Wii sells very well in the U.S., then third-party publishers will have to take notice and start developing sports games for the console. The growing install base of the Wii represents a lost revenue stream if they don't jump onboard.

Take care,
PK

I hope you are right. I'm not a ***** and I do like the fact that the system will be the cheapest because I still think the 360 is too pricey let alone the PS3. I really only play sports games and 90% of that time its football. I'll mix in some baseball, basketball or hockey but I need EA to support this. NCAA 2007 for the PS2 is my most played and favourite game. I also love the Show but have stopped playing it now that its football season.

If EA doesn't make NCAA for the Wii, there is a 0% chance of me getting this system.

[UNC_Pete]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

I like all sorts of games. Unfornetly the 360 variety leaves a lot to be desired. I'll porbably play my sports on the 360 and others on the Wii as it looks like a lot of fun.

[pk500]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

I wasnt referring to gameplay. His point was that he hasnt seen a gameplay jump and hasnt seen a graphics jump. I told him that you never see a gameplay jump in the first year of a console. The first year is always graphics focused.

You're absolutely right. Sorry, my mistake.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

If EA doesn't make NCAA for the Wii, there is a 0% chance of me getting this system.

Keep your fingers crossed, Rudy. If Madden 07, which will be a launch title for the Wii, is successful, I would think it would be pretty easy for EA to bring similar features to NCAA 08 for the Wii.

Time will tell.

Take care,
PK

[dave360]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

Word of mouth will sell more Wii's than any advertisement will. The DS has spread like wildfire thru forums, friends, etc. When I bought my DS, I bought it for Mario Bros, but haven't touched that game in ages due to some of the games PK mentioned, Trauma Center, Brain Age, Big Brain Academy, etc. You can call the Wii a "kiddy system" all you'd like, but I guarantee that as many or more 20 somethings and 30 somethings will have a Wii as opposed to children.

[pk500]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

Word of mouth will sell more Wii's than any advertisement will. The DS has spread like wildfire thru forums, friends, etc. When I bought my DS, I bought it for Mario Bros, but haven't touched that game in ages due to some of the games PK mentioned, Trauma Center, Brain Age, Big Brain Academy, etc. You can call the Wii a "kiddy system" all you'd like, but I guarantee that as many or more 20 somethings and 30 somethings will have a Wii as opposed to children.

Agreed. That's why it's pretty important for Nintendo to get those Wii kiosks at retail outlets pretty quickly. I think once people actually play this console, they're going to like what they see and feel.

Take care,
PK

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

I don't think the Wii controller works for certain sport games like hockey and basketball.

Whether it's fair or not, Nintento does have the kiddy image for some people.

On a 1up podcast about a month ago, a Sega rep said the company is fully behind the Wii but doesn't see Sega brining M rated games for the Wii since he expects the userbase to be more kid friendly than the 360 and PS3.

Cliffy B from Epic Games said they won't develop for the Wii because it's not powerful enough for the games they make.

Overall I don't see a lot of system exclusives from 3rd party developers. One exec said Nintendo is their own enemy in terms of 3rd party support. More Nintendo owners are more likely to buy Nintendo games than 3rd party games. If the Wii is going to work, Nintendo needs to make more games.

[dbeth]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

Why do the sports games have to use the Wiimote? Remember, Nintendo is also packing in the classic controller with the four face buttons, 2 shoulder buttons, and two thumbsticks. Use that for the games that don't fit the Wiimote well.

As for me, I'm looking forward to how the Wii plays out as well. I got a DS Lite this summer and have NSMB, Nintendogs, and Brain Age (working on getting Mario Kart). I can't get the thing away from my wife, and she's not a big gamer. She always told me that she wasn't a big Mario fan, but got into the Brain Age and N'Dogs. However, she is currently halfway through World 8 on NSMB and addicted to it in the worst way. It's quite funny, actually.

The DS has changed my opinion of and outlook for Nintendo. I think they're going to be just fine.

[dave360]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

Why do the sports games have to use the Wiimote? Remember, Nintendo is also packing in the classic controller with the four face buttons, 2 shoulder buttons, and two thumbsticks. Use that for the games that don't fit the Wiimote well.

As for me, I'm looking forward to how the Wii plays out as well. I got a DS Lite this summer and have NSMB, Nintendogs, and Brain Age (working on getting Mario Kart). I can't get the thing away from my wife, and she's not a big gamer. She always told me that she wasn't a big Mario fan, but got into the Brain Age and N'Dogs. However, she is currently halfway through World 8 on NSMB and addicted to it in the worst way. It's quite funny, actually.

The DS has changed my opinion of and outlook for Nintendo. I think they're going to be just fine.

My wife is the same way man. The DS been the perfect system for her to play at school and sitting on the porch while she's killing time. She loves Nintendogs, Trauma Center, and there's a game coming out Tuesday called Cooking Mama which uses the stylus much in the same way Trauma center does, but you make recipes. The game sounds dull to me, but from looking at screens and videos, it may be another winner for sure. She's very excited about that.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

My wife is the same way man. The DS been the perfect system for her to play at school and sitting on the porch while she's killing time. She loves Nintendogs, Trauma Center, and there's a game coming out Tuesday called Cooking Mama which uses the stylus much in the same way Trauma center does, but you make recipes. The game sounds dull to me, but from looking at screens and videos, it may be another winner for sure. She's very excited about that.

I know very little about the DS Lite. What the heck is a Nintendog? Your wives love these games? My wife used to like Mario as a kid and maybe she would be interested in things like this. Who knows? If she did, it would be great while I play NCAA on the TV. Her birthday is coming up but this never crossed my mind before. Is there any links or info on this thing on OS? The net nanny makes it hard to find stuff on the main sites (games are filtered).

[dave360]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

I know very little about the DS Lite. What the heck is a Nintendog? Your wives love these games? My wife used to like Mario as a kid and maybe she would be interested in things like this. Who knows? If she did, it would be great while I play NCAA on the TV. Her birthday is coming up but this never crossed my mind before. Is there any links or info on this thing on OS? The net nanny makes it hard to find stuff on the main sites (games are filtered).

Well you're in luck. The new Black DS Lite comes out next Tuesday or Wednesday over here. I'd suggest you check out this thread if you've got interests or questions about the DS Lite because most of your questions were answered in this thread. Candyman, EG and some of the other folks answered many of the questions about the DS in that thread.

http://forums.operationsports.com/vB...d.php?t=170000

As far as Nintendogs, it's a bit like the old "Tamigotchi raise your own pet" game with more options. You adopt a puppy, bring it home, teach it tricks, etc. I only messed with it for a few minutes after I bought it for my wife, named the dog a dirty name which it answered to which in turn made my wife a little angry

[pk500]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

Brain Age and Brain Training are awesome. I don't own a DS, but every time I see one at a kiosk with Brain Age and Brain Training running, I instantly lose 10 minutes of my day. My 5-year-old son really enjoys Brain Training, as it's a stimulating way for him to learn numbers, letters and memory skills.

Take care,
PK

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Major Next-Gen News Tonight

Well you're in luck. The new Black DS Lite comes out next Tuesday or Wednesday over here. I'd suggest you check out this thread if you've got interests or questions about the DS Lite because most of your questions were answered in this thread. Candyman, EG and some of the other folks answered many of the questions about the DS in that thread.

http://forums.operationsports.com/vB...d.php?t=170000

As far as Nintendogs, it's a bit like the old "Tamigotchi raise your own pet" game with more options. You adopt a puppy, bring it home, teach it tricks, etc. I only messed with it for a few minutes after I bought it for my wife, named the dog a dirty name which it answered to which in turn made my wife a little angry

Thanks. I'll have to consider this. What are your wives favourite games (please label if they are racing or whatever since I will have no clue)?