New lines drawn in NextGen War

[neotokeo2001]

So much for the Wii60 Combo that Microsoft was mentioning before. Seems that the Wii has become a threat.

 

 

 

 

Wiis are for kiddies according to Microsoft

 

When it comes to taking jabs at the console competition, Sony is usually in the spotlight. Shortly after the announcement of Microsoft’s new $479.99 USD Xbox 360 Elite, Sony responded by stating: “The PlayStation 3 is the only elite gaming system on the market. Microsoft is trying to catch up to us at this point.”

 

Sony execs have also traded words with Nintendo over its hugely popular $249 Wii. The Wii has been burning up the North American sales charts outpacing both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. But back in early February, Sony's Dave Karraker labeled the Wii an “impulse buy.”

 

Now it appears that it’s Microsoft’s turn to kick a little mud now that it has confirmed what everyone has been talking about for weeks. Instead of going after its perceived chief rival, the PS3, John Rodman, group product manager for Microsoft’s Xbox platform and Xbox Live, took the opportunity to take a shot at the Nintendo Wii.

 

“We don’t feel like the Wii customer and the Xbox customer are the same thing,” said Rodman. “We think that as soon as the Wii customer turns 14 they want something else.”

 

Microsoft still sticks by the notion that the Xbox 360 is for serious gamers and points to the fact that six out of ten Xbox 360 gamers are tapping into the Xbox Live online service.

Article

[AtariJr]

umm.. in about 20 days im 22.. so .. yea..

 

why is it that so many people percieve that you need to have blood, gore, and a shit load of fps in order for it to be a "mature" game. last i checked, i, and many other people, prefer games from the past that were.. well.. just GAMES. no one bought a game because it was more gory, it was becuase it was fun to play. i also think its kinda cute that they want to promote "mature" gamers.. yet M rated games are for 17 year olds, not 14 year olds lol. not that i personally care, but for "mature" gamers, w/e that means, there are already M rated games and soon to be many more for the wii.. last i checked, i woudlnt let a 10 year old kid play Godfather.

 

i think if you are truly "mature" you dont buy games only because it has blood and sex and shit in it.. that , if anything, sounds like what a 14 year old would do, just to be popular amoung aquaintences. i personally buy games based on weither or not they are fun.. regardless if it has "mature" content or not. i gladly switch from mercenaries to mario to resident evil... all of them are because they are fun.

[Jess Ragan]

You'd be amazed at how quickly Sony and Microsoft's fans are parroting these talking points. Reading the thread on Engadget is enough to make my brain bleed...

 

The problem with these so-called "hardcore" gamers, who typically have just finished puberty themselves, is that they can't understand and actively resist the notion that video games can be for anyone but themselves. They're remarkably selfish... if a game company doesn't get on its knees and cater to their every whim, then it's "kiddie" and not worth their time. Gee guys, how remarkably self-centered of you!

 

JR

[n8littlefield]

If anything it's a compliment to how Nintendo is doing. Before, when Microsoft was saying "Buy a Wii60" it basically was that they didn't consider Nintendo a threat to them. Both Microsoft and Sony were saying nice stuff about Nintendo originally. However, now that the Wii has launched and is doing incredibly well they see Nintendo as a competitor again and the bashing was bound to start sometime.

 

Not a big deal as to what he said, that's just the corporate line he has to tow. However, the fact that they are starting to bash Nintendo is a pretty good sign that Nintendo is on the right path.

[+remowilliams]

That is a rather cheap shot by Microsoft, but Nintendo's 'kiddie' rep is not undeserved.

 

I agree with the statement that the 360 and PS3 are tailored for the 'hardcore gamer' as much as I hate to use that phrase. The Wii by it's design, price point and philosophy is decidedly geared towards casual gamers.

 

What I also see a lot of people failing to realize is that there is a difference between adult content and themes in games, and just plain gore and violence. Not all PS3/360 games are about senseless murder, just as not all Nintendo games are 'kiddie' I have a real problem with Nintendo's arrogant stance that all games should be 'family friendly' for the good and enjoyment of all.

 

There is a market for 'adult' games, I'm an adult modern gamer and I am definitely not Nintendo's primary target audience for the Wii.

Edited March 28, 2007 by remowilliams

[NE146]

Wiis are for kiddies according to Microsoft

 

ermmm.. wasn't that their line long before there was even a Wii? I remember an article where they all but dismissed Nintendo including their future console after the gc as a competitor..

[spacecadet]

You'd be amazed at how quickly Sony and Microsoft's fans are parroting these talking points. Reading the thread on Engadget is enough to make my brain bleed...

 

Just as many people (and not necessarily Wii fanboys) are calling them out for what these talking points really are.

 

It's an obvious acknowledgement that the Wii is now a threat. I really don't think MS expected to be in second place in the US at this point, and third (month to month) worldwide. So on the one hand they hurriedly try to emulate the PS3 with the Elite (though for $20 less you lose a high-def optical drive, which doesn't seem like a very good deal), then on the exact same day as the Elite announcement, they go and badmouth the Wii. They're obviously feeling the heat.

 

I personally think the Wii is a fad - come on, when Brunswick Bowling is your hottest upcoming game, you've got a problem - but I also think MS is looking pretty desperate with their actions today. The big winner so far this week has to be Sony, who are now looking pretty confident after that successful Euro launch, looking vindicated by the announcent of the 360 Elite (not to mention a pretty good deal in comparison), and who have thus far basically been ignoring the Wii.

Edited March 29, 2007 by spacecadet

[ewing92]

I agree with remowilliams, that title that the Wii is a kiddie toy is not undeserved. Loo into a Nintendo Power magazine sometime, it literally looks like that magazine was made for a 7 year old. I'm not bashing Nintendo, but come on, they need to recognize there is still a broader, older crowd that enjoys the Wii just as much as the kids.

 

Mature gamers.......i was a Mature gamer at the age of ten then, because that's when i first played Resident Evil on the PS1. I dont think that the age of a gamer has anything to do with wether the gamer is a "mature gamer". Mature Gamers, i think, should be classified by the way we perceive what is in the game, not by, "ohh your 12, you shouldnt be playing this game".

[ninjarabbit]

I've said all along one of Microsoft's biggest mistakes was not treating the Wii as competition. Money spent on the Wii is money not spent on the 360 or any other system.

 

I also think that Nintendo's reputation as a kiddie company is largely undeserved. Yes they make games for kids but they have also made games (or had second parties make them) targeted at the older audience like Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Metroid Prime, and Eternal Darkness.

[moycon]

Actually these days Nintendo's sounding more like a seniors systems. Old folk homes are buying the Wii's up so the residents can play Wii Sports!!

I know both my folks and my girlfriends folks want one, too bad they have no interest in any other game but Sports though. Still that one game is selling systems believe me. I predict it wont be long before folks who hate Nintendo will be saying it's the Old Farts System. To be honest I doubt Nintendo cares as long as people are buying. Gonna hurt them tho if the people don't buy any software. They should release a Wii Shuffleboard ASAP.

[Jess Ragan]

Mature gamers.......i was a Mature gamer at the age of ten then, because that's when i first played Resident Evil on the PS1. I dont think that the age of a gamer has anything to do with wether the gamer is a "mature gamer". Mature Gamers, i think, should be classified by the way we perceive what is in the game.

 

Resident Evil is about as mature as a B-grade horror film, complete with the bad acting. Even the bloodiest and boobiest of video games don't deserve to be considered mature... not when they're appealing to the lowest common denominator by indiscriminately splashing blood and guts all over the screen. A truly mature game would stimulate the mind and force the player to make tough moral decisions.

 

David Jaffe, the creator of God of War, had proposed a game which would have forced you to choose between fighting a desperate battle against China's insurmountable army or staying home to protect your family from the red threat. It was brave, it was controversial, it was groundbreaking... and it would have fit the term "mature" far better than many of the games available today.

 

JR

[AtariJr]

Mature gamers.......i was a Mature gamer at the age of ten then, because that's when i first played Resident Evil on the PS1. I dont think that the age of a gamer has anything to do with wether the gamer is a "mature gamer". Mature Gamers, i think, should be classified by the way we perceive what is in the game.

 

Resident Evil is about as mature as a B-grade horror film, complete with the bad acting. Even the bloodiest and boobiest of video games don't deserve to be considered mature... not when they're appealing to the lowest common denominator by indiscriminately splashing blood and guts all over the screen. A truly mature game would stimulate the mind and force the player to make tough moral decisions.

 

David Jaffe, the creator of God of War, had proposed a game which would have forced you to choose between fighting a desperate battle against China's insurmountable army or staying home to protect your family from the red threat. It was brave, it was controversial, it was groundbreaking... and it would have fit the term "mature" far better than many of the games available today.

 

JR

 

i totally agree. mature should be content, story etc... not how much guts are splashed on the screen.

[n8littlefield]

You'd be amazed at how quickly Sony and Microsoft's fans are parroting these talking points. Reading the thread on Engadget is enough to make my brain bleed...

 

Just as many people (and not necessarily Wii fanboys) are calling them out for what these talking points really are.

 

It's an obvious acknowledgement that the Wii is now a threat. I really don't think MS expected to be in second place in the US at this point, and third (month to month) worldwide. So on the one hand they hurriedly try to emulate the PS3 with the Elite (though for $20 less you lose a high-def optical drive, which doesn't seem like a very good deal), then on the exact same day as the Elite announcement, they go and badmouth the Wii. They're obviously feeling the heat.

 

I personally think the Wii is a fad - come on, when Brunswick Bowling is your hottest upcoming game, you've got a problem - but I also think MS is looking pretty desperate with their actions today. The big winner so far this week has to be Sony, who are now looking pretty confident after that successful Euro launch, looking vindicated by the announcent of the 360 Elite (not to mention a pretty good deal in comparison), and who have thus far basically been ignoring the Wii.

 

Just wanted to point out that Brunswick Bowling is not the hottest upcoming game - I think that nod goes to Super Paper Mario which looks absolutely amazing - watch the IGN vids, the switching from 2d to 3d is insanely mind bending.

 

I, like alot of others, actually expect Sony to do well in Euroland - but I do think they have a serious battle in the other teritories. I think, much like the SNES/Genesis era, we're going to have a split decision this round. I think Japan will go to Nintendo, US to Microsoft, Europe to Sony.

[Jess Ragan]

I think that's a very astute observation, and one I agree with for the most part. I'd like to think the Europeans would know better than to reward Sony for four months of neglect, but I guess things just aren't done that way in the Old World. I still can't wrap my head around the deserted launch events in Europe coupled with the explosive system sales, though.

 

JR

[RickHarrisMaine]

I don't know about you guys, but my heart has room for all 3. My almost-completed gameroom (the painting will begin this coming week) will also have room for all 3. And if I can find about $2000 in the street somewhere, I'll get them all! They all have a lot to offer.

 

Its a shame though that a next-gen Dreamcast never made it. That's still my favorite "modern" system!

[NE146]

I don't know about you guys, but my heart has room for all 3. My almost-completed gameroom (the painting will begin this coming week) will also have room for all 3. And if I can find about $2000 in the street somewhere, I'll get them all! They all have a lot to offer.

 

Its a shame though that a next-gen Dreamcast never made it. That's still my favorite "modern" system!

 

Yep.. console war talk for any generation has always mattered about ZERO to us Console Whore's

 

When you got and like em all, what the heck would you argue about? It's like useless chatter in the background...

 

I wonder if we're the opposite of the supposed "fanboys" .. I mean if they're fanboys then what are we?

Edited March 30, 2007 by NE146

[figgler]

I love how Nintendo stays right out of this stuff most of the time.

Nothing says mature like staying out of pointless bickering wars while the kiddies fight it out.

[AtticGamer]

i think if you are truly "mature" you dont buy games only because it has blood and sex and shit in it.. that , if anything, sounds like what a 14 year old would do, just to be popular amoung aquaintences. i personally buy games based on weither or not they are fun.. regardless if it has "mature" content or not. i gladly switch from mercenaries to mario to resident evil... all of them are because they are fun.

That's like me as well.

I rarely play a game that everyone else plays, only exception may be Resident Evil 4 and DS games. I never play GTA SA, Godfather, Project Gotham, the newer Burnouts simply because they don't seem like fun to me. It's strange because the only games I bought with influence from other were Pokémon Fire Red and Devil May Cry.

 

Microsoft really doesn't know teens and adults, adult means consciousness when choosing a game, teen most of the times play what their friends play and it's mostly M Rated games to show off. An adult or experienced gamer knows what he/she wants.

[8th lutz]

I own a wii and I am in my late 20's. I don't buy games becouse of blood, sex or violence, I buy games because they are fun to play. Playing video games is supposed to be about having fun while playing games not playing mature video games just to look cool.

 

Microsoft has gotten it wrong. People of my brothers and my age group (mid to late 20's) want to play good games for fun, not to look cool playing mature games that aren't fun to play. If you are out of you teens, playing mature games just to look cool is nolonger cool to other adult gamers.

[DracIsBack]

Agree with a lot of points here. I think Microsoft and Sony got arrogant by dismissing Nintendo and Nintendo kicked them both square in the crotch and has them doubled over right now. They forgot where Nintendo's biggest strength was -- in making games. Neither Microsoft and Sony are primarily a "video game company" (one of their many businesses) whereas Nintendo is.

 

Now the question I have (which others have raised) is whether Nintendo has got some games in the roster to sustain the pace? They're off to the races right now, but they'd best get some really ass-kicking games out that make use of the Wii-Mote or some big "Sony exclusive" or "Microsoft Exclusive" is going to come hand in hand with a 360/PS3 price drop.

[+remowilliams]

LOL, okay I suppose I should have predicted how this thread would progress.

 

Really, people play games because they're fun? I mean they really do? Me, I play games because the boxes are pretty.

[PressureCooker2600]

PS3's are gay.

 

PS2 for life!!!!!

[AtariJr]

Agree with a lot of points here. I think Microsoft and Sony got arrogant by dismissing Nintendo and Nintendo kicked them both square in the crotch and has them doubled over right now. They forgot where Nintendo's biggest strength was -- in making games. Neither Microsoft and Sony are primarily a "video game company" (one of their many businesses) whereas Nintendo is.

 

Now the question I have (which others have raised) is whether Nintendo has got some games in the roster to sustain the pace? They're off to the races right now, but they'd best get some really ass-kicking games out that make use of the Wii-Mote or some big "Sony exclusive" or "Microsoft Exclusive" is going to come hand in hand with a 360/PS3 price drop.

 

 

for summer/fall : Project Hammer, Distaster DOC, SSBB, Metroid, Mario Galaxy... just some 1st party efforts.. i think they should be fine. dont forget about FF Crystal Chronicals 2 etc..

[Shannon]

Talk about a killer app Wii sports is it! Too bad it may be the very thing that kills the Wii. Only time will tell.

 

I think the only thing that caused this round of console wars to be lopsided is the price differences between the 3. People are more hesitant to buy an expensive system unless it's around christmas time.

 

Saw 19 PS3 systems at Best Buy while I was out today shopping.

 

Anyways in regards to software lineup. I think all three systems are gonna pretty much end up the same way the previous generations. Only possible exceptions is it seems mickeysoft managed to come up with a couple RPG's and due to the high volume of Wii sales you might see more third party stuff.

 

LOL, okay I suppose I should have predicted how this thread would progress.

 

Really, people play games because they're fun? I mean they really do? Me, I play games because the boxes are pretty.

I think you may have jumped onto that one too quick. For the most part people were not saying that. They were trying to make a point in regards to MS and Sony's misperception of "mature" gaming. 14 year olds weaning off of nintendo are obviously too young for "Mature" games and "Mature" games don't necessarily represent mature gaming, but moreso contain material considered in-appropriate for younger uns. I mean blood, boobs, and bad language "just because" are about as immature as kiddy games IMHO. Just because something is appropriate for adults does not make it "mature". Just because someone is old enough to partipate in these things by no means in my mind makes them mature. Oh coool, and adult can watch porn, drink beer, and smoke. I'm impressed. Big whooooopeee dooo.

 

The funny thing is alot of people I've seen that are into casual gaming consider any non-sports game kiddy. I've also seen alot of people considering gaming childish, yet they'll sit in front of the boob toob all day. Either watching sitcoms or sports. Yeah... well at least I'm excercising my brain while playing these games. So....

 

I think I mighta kinda got a little off topic here. I know there is a point buried away somewhere in there.

Edited March 31, 2007 by Shannon

[Starscream]

I coulda sworn Nintendo has been pounding the fact into the ground that they aren't in "competition" with Sony or MS Now that it's sold good for a few months, Nintendo is all about the competition all of a sudden. Expected. They way I see it, Nintendo drew a division on their own with statements like that and shouting louder than the other 2 about family and fun. They want to be on their own, so this comment is nothing Nintendo hasn't said themselves. MS has complimented Nintendo very often since the wii was released, and most of the mouthpieces openly admit to owning one or getting one as soon as Nintendo decides to make some more. Nintendo, has just kicked dirt on Sony or MS at any chance, which is expected and part of the game. When you look at the wii overall and the 360 overall, when it's time to play online or join a community plus many many other things, you gotta go beyond the wii for any of that. The comment is truthful as it's stated, but when you throw in fun and mature to make it say something else then there is no limit to bitching.

 

Besides, the developer that said the wii is the new hoola hoop still has the best comment.

Edited March 31, 2007 by Starscream