[Dakar V]

Originally Posted by Mac User #001 

I agree with a lot of the comments - don't try and be more western. We need those Japanese games to keep the video game soup tasting good. One flavor is bland.

Uh, he was saying the exact opposite. That Japanese games are all one flavor and need to look towards the west more.

[Mac User #001]

I'm saying if they look to the west, we'll just get more western games and lose what Japanese games always were.

[Dakar V]

Originally Posted by Mac User #001 

I'm saying if they look to the west, we'll just get more western games and lose what Japanese games always were.

That's bad only if you assume two things:
• The Japanese wouldn't add their own type of flavor to western archetypes
• We're actually playing anywhere near a majority of the games they're releasing

The US has become bored with most of what Japan is offering. He isn't suggesting they duplicate what we're doing, he suggesting they look towards what we're doing for new inspiration.

[Jawbone54]

There is a comparatively small segment of the U.S. gamer population that enjoys Japanese gaming, anime, etc., but a hefty majority of the American gaming public is playing Halo, GoW, Madden, and the like while ignoring Japenese-style games. Final Fantasy is really the only Japan-oriented series that has gone mainstream over here.

Likewise, Japanese gamers couldn't care less about Halo. The only common ground games (Wii excepted) are ones like LitteBigPlanet. Platformers and certain types of action games will do well anywhere.

[Dakar V]

I think of stuff like Dead Rising, which has a cult following over here, and Capcom pretty much refuses to make a sequel for since there's no market for it in Japan. It's retarded.

[Jawbone54]

It's all about the Big $.

In Japan, it's all about the teeny voices, big eyes, and 100-hour generic story lines.

Also, voice actors are required to grunt and make strange moaning noises during moments where their characters don't have any dialogue.

[Dakar V]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

It's all about the Big $

That'd be wrong. Capcom would be certain to get some bling from a second Dead Rising, it's just that the money wouldn't be coming from Japan.

In case you're not aware Japan has a nice xenophobic streak in it.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by Dakar V 

In case you're not aware Japan has a nice xenophobic streak in it.

Wacist? Nooooooo...

[Dakar V]

And your Top Ten bestsellers for 2008 are...

01. Wii Play (Wii) - 5,280,000
02. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 5,000,000
03. Wii Fit (Wii) - 4,530,000
04. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) - 4,170,000
05. Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360) - 3,290,000
06. Call of Duty: World at War (Xbox 360) - 2,750,000
07. Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360) - 2,310,000
08. Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3) - 1,890,000
09. Madden NFL 09 (XBox 360) - 1,870,000
10. Mario Kart DS (DS) - 1,650,000

[Mac User #001]

Maybe with the list of strong PC-only titles in 2009, we'll see at least one PC game on that list...

[Dakar V]

Originally Posted by Mac User #001 

Maybe with the list of strong PC-only titles in 2009, we'll see at least one PC game on that list...

...

That's the best-selling, console-specific best selling video games of 2008 that does not include Windows or Mac titles.

[Hawkeye_a]

Mario Kart (DS) ? Really ? I got that game in 2006

Top 20 Software sales for December08:


7 are Wii titles( 9 if you count Wii Play and Link's Crossbow Training.... i don't). Myth busted ?
5 XB360
4 NDS
2 PS2/3 title, 0 PSP titles.

[Mac User #001]

Originally Posted by Dakar V 

...

What I quoted didn't show, but I didn't read the page. Just what you posted.

[Jawbone54]

Finally got our $1,200 from the government (HUGE problems with the IRS this year), and I'm pondering possibly becoming a dual-system owner for the first time in my life.

I'm liking the idea of Left 4 Dead with some NN'ers and CoD with my online family members.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

According to IGN 1 out of 4 Wii games ranks bellow a 4.0 score which is much much higher than for the other systems. My power went out in Sept and I haven't bothered to turn my Wii on since then, by far it is the worst Nintendo system for me, even gamecube had more quality titles. Wii fit? Gimmie a break.

http://www.vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=53463

[Luca Rescigno]

This is a funny bit of console gaming news:

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=21933

Despite the PlayStation 3's quantifiable third place status in the present-gen console war, Sony Computer Entertaiment chairman Kaz Hirai says the numbers don't matter -- the PS3 still maintains "official leadership" in the industry.

"This is not meant in terms of numbers, or who's got the biggest install base, or who's selling most in any particular week or month, but I'd like to think that we continue official leadership in this industry," Hirai told Official PlayStation Magazine, as reported by consumer site Eurogamer.

Hirai took a dig at Microsoft and its Xbox 360 when asked to describe its competitive position: "You need a word that describes something that lacks longevity," he said, discussing Sony's oft-stated ten-year plan for the PS3 and suggesting its rival would "fall by the wayside in five years."

As for Nintendo and its market-leading Wii, Hirai said he doesn't see it as competition. "They're a different world, and we operate in our world - that's the kind of way I look at things," he said.

He also took on frequent accusations that the challenges developers often find in programming for the PS3 represent an obstacle for the console.

"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do, so then the question is what do you do for the rest of the nine-and-a-half years?"

Hirai suggested the PS3 would see the same kind of software evolution curve that the PlayStation 2 did, as represented by the fact that God of War 2 was noticeably more sophisticated than its predecessor on the same console.

"So it's a kind of - I wouldn't say a double-edged sword - but it's hard to program for, and a lot of people see the negatives of it, but if you flip that around, it means the hardware has a lot more to offer," he said.

I like how he spins it to make it sound like the PS3 being hard to program for is a good thing.

[Mac User #001]

That's stupid.

[Dakar V]

Sony's spin machine has been in overdrive this generation. Yeah, they're positioned to outlast both the Wii and the 360, but it means nothing if they can't lure the gamers in long beforehand.

[Dakar V]

Well, since I destroyed BioShock, I ordered Orange Box. I don't see myself playing anywhere near as religiously, but it gives me some options for solo FPS play when no one is on L4D or Gears (Or I'm sick of them).

[sek929]

Half Life 2 series > BioShock

[Stogieman]

How much did you pay for Orange Box Dakar?

[Dakar V]

$19.99 on Amazon.

[Dakar V]

This thing is just too cool not to post.

[sek929]

Wow, that guy has some serious skills.

I want one!

[Mac User #001]

Huh? No freaking way!

I can't believe that. The detail and quality of it is impressive!

[Stogieman]

I don't even know what it is but I want one.

[slugslugslug]

Originally Posted by Stogieman 

I don't even know what it is but I want one.

Well, if you have a PC, XBox 360, or PS3, I command you to go out and buy the Orange Box, then. You'll want that thing even more.

[Hawkeye_a]

This is an awesome soundtrack to a game, give it a try, it's free !!! Imo, this game's soundtrack is second only to the fully orchestrated Mario Galaxy Soundtrack.

World of Goo Soundtrack (Legally Free for Download)

Enjoy!

[sek929]

Originally Posted by slugslugslug 

Well, if you have a PC, XBox 360, or PS3, I command you to go out and buy the Orange Box, then. You'll want that thing even more.

He has a 360 so he could saunter over to the Live Marketplace and get Portal: Still Alive which has the original game plus 14 new challenge maps.

[Dakar V]

He's been considering adding Orange Box to his backlog of games for the past month, tho.

Edit: Still Alive is the same price as the entire Orang Box, isn't it?

[sek929]

Uhh, it's 15 bucks I think.

[Dakar V]

Whatever, irrelevant.

[Luca Rescigno]

Five extra dollars to also get Half Life 2 and episodes 1 and 2, as well as Team Fortress 2 (even though that game sucks), seems like a good deal to me.

OTOH I don't think the Orange Box ships with any of the new challenge chambers that you get with Still Alive. The PC version, though, gives you those for free if you own the Orange Box.

[sek929]

Yeah, The Orange Box console game only comes with the original Portal game, not any of the new challenge maps.

[slugslugslug]

Yeah, when I told him to go get it, I couldn't remember if Still Alive included the original or just the add-ons. I'm SOL with my PS3

[Mac User #001]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye_a 

This is an awesome soundtrack to a game, give it a try, it's free !!! Imo, this game's soundtrack is second only to the fully orchestrated Mario Galaxy Soundtrack.

World of Goo Soundtrack (Legally Free for Download)

Enjoy!

Thanks!

[Stogieman]

Originally Posted by sek929 

Yeah, The Orange Box console game only comes with the original Portal game, not any of the new challenge maps.

You'think Valve would offer the challenge maps to Orange Box owners via DLC.

[sek929]

I though that's what it was, but to my chagrin I paid money for a game I already own, plus some add-ons.

Still Alive is sweet as hell, I just didn't need the original game again...

[hyteckit]

I bought the Orange Box over a year ago. So far I've complete half-life 2 and episode 1. Still working on episode 2. Hopefully by the end of the year, I'll be trying out Portal and Team Fortress.

Oh, I still haven't played Bioshock I bought over a year ago. It must be a good game. Good things come to those who wait.

[Dakar V]

DLC hits a new low.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by hyteckit 

I bought the Orange Box over a year ago. So far I've complete half-life 2 and episode 1. Still working on episode 2. Hopefully by the end of the year, I'll be trying out Portal and Team Fortress.

Oh, I still haven't played Bioshock I bought over a year ago. It must be a good game. Good things come to those who wait.

You bought The Orange Box and haven't played Portal? Dude, you're missing the best part!

[Dakar V]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

You bought The Orange Box and haven't played Portal? Dude, you're missing the best part!

I know, that was my only motivation to rent Orange Box last year.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

So any games coming out for Wii that are going to rate over 8.5 and not a minigame or do I have to wait 2 more years for another Zelda or Mario if I want to be entertained for more than a couple hours?

[Luca Rescigno]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

So any games coming out for Wii that are going to rate over 8.5 and not a minigame or do I have to wait 2 more years for another Zelda or Mario if I want to be entertained for more than a couple hours?

You will have to wait two more years and buy another Nintendo system too!

[Hawkeye_a]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

So any games coming out for Wii that are going to rate over 8.5 and not a minigame or do I have to wait 2 more years for another Zelda or Mario if I want to be entertained for more than a couple hours?

http://forums.macnn.com/77/gaming/37...ing-wii-games/

This half of 2009 Wii will be getting Deadly Creatures, MadWorld, Conduit and House of The Dead.

Also, that Indy.Jones. game that Lucasarts cancelled for the XB360/PS3 last year has found a new exclusive console home on the Wii.

But i guess, u'll probably choose to wait anyway. . I hope there will be something to keep you occupied on the XB360/PS3, what with so many of those studios going belly-up and stuff.

Cheers

On another general topic, It has to be said that it's *almost* sad that studios and publishers who ignored the Wii over the last 2 years are experiencing layoffs. Who'd have thunk the financials wouln't add up ?(high cost, small user base, low roi) Funny how despite the gaming industry having the biggest quarter ever, 'nex-gen' studios, along with Microsoft and Sony have been laying off quite a few thousands. Also think i'll mention that Sony, Microsoft, Dell, etc... have all been laying off employees(as part of 'restructuring') in the past 12 months.... Unlike those other two companies(Apple & Nintendo) which have yet another thing in common (staff retention).

It's too bad that Microsoft and Sony's decisions for this console generation caused so many people to loose their jobs in the industry...if only it didnt cost so much to develop for those platforms and if only they had a larger potential audience for those unnecessarily expensive games and if only developers didnt buy into all that glitter, so many jobs might have been saved. but the graphics are awesome, i'll give you that.

[Dakar V]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye_a 

it's *almost* sad that studios and publishers who ignored the Wii over the last 2 years are experiencing layoffs. Who'd have thunk the financials wouln't add up ?(high cost, small user base, low roi) Funny how despite the gaming industry having the biggest quarter ever, 'nex-gen' studios, along with Microsoft and Sony have been laying off quite a few thousands. Also think i'll mention that Sony, Microsoft, Dell, etc... have all been laying off employees(as part of 'restructuring') in the past 12 months.... Unlike those other two companies(Apple & Nintendo) which have yet another thing in common (staff retention).

It's too bad that Microsoft and Sony's decisions for this console generation caused so many people to loose their jobs in the industry...if only it didnt cost so much to develop for those platforms and if only they had a larger potential audience for those unnecessarily expensive games and if only developers didnt buy into all that glitter, so many jobs might have been saved. but the graphics are awesome, i'll give you that.

Cheers

Wow, I guess you've pretty much cemented yourself as loathsome there. You do know how competition works right? I'm no longer a Sony fan, but I'm not in my bedroom, pantsless, high-fiving myself about their lay-offs. Sounds like a lot of jealousy that even though the Wii is the undisputed king, third-party developers still aren't excited to make games for it.

For a guy who claims to be happy with what he's getting, you don't seem very pleased that we're also happy with what we're getting, and don't want what you're having either.

[Luca Rescigno]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye_a 

Also, that Indy.Jones. game that Lucasarts cancelled for the XB360/PS3 last year has found a new exclusive console home on the Wii.

Oh boy, a game based on a movie, and a terrible movie at that. I can't wait!

Originally Posted by Hawkeye_a 

Funny how despite the gaming industry having the biggest quarter ever, 'nex-gen' studios, along with Microsoft and Sony have been laying off quite a few thousands. Also think i'll mention that Sony, Microsoft, Dell, etc... have all been laying off employees(as part of 'restructuring') in the past 12 months.... Unlike those other two companies(Apple & Nintendo) which have yet another thing in common (staff retention).

It's too bad that Microsoft and Sony's decisions for this console generation caused so many people to loose their jobs in the industry...if only it didnt cost so much to develop for those platforms and if only they had a larger potential audience for those unnecessarily expensive games and if only developers didnt buy into all that glitter, so many jobs might have been saved. but the graphics are awesome, i'll give you that.

So now MS and Sony are at fault for the recession? Give me a break. Sony made bad business decisions regarding the PS3, which costs too much to make largely because of the Blu-ray drive. And both companies are part of much more than just making video games (unlike Nintendo). So even if their gaming divisions do well, they're still hurt because the rest of their divisions are getting hit by the bad economy.

I suppose you'd prefer if every company sold overpriced, overhyped, underpowered products, just like Apple and Nintendo.

[Hawkeye_a]

Actually, i do feel sorry for those dudes loosing their jobs. (That was a little heartless even for me, i admit). And competition is a great thing. But it's those studios, developers and publishers who made the 'wrong' decision willingly to develop for the wrong platforms and ALSO ignore the most popular platform.

Actually, if it was just the recession to blame for these job losses, Nintendo would have announced layoffs as well. We might be in a recession, but the gaming industry(unlike other industries) is actually still growing, which means there's incrementally more money to be made (if you are selling a product that people want, that is). So instead of yelling 'recession', maybe one should be questioning the business making decisions at these companies, and why so many jobs were put at risk to begin with ?(just to make a prettier game) Why did they CHOOSE to develop games that required so much money/credit that in the end could not be made back from the installed base of those consoles ? And now that it's that much harder to get funding for new games, i wonder how many of those studios will be capable of making more 'next-gen' games ?

And no, as far as i know, the Indy game is not a movie tie in. either way it's nice to see Lucas arts actually developing a game for the Wii internally, for a change, instead of outsourcing it to a 'B studio'.

PS>> Blu-Ray is a great reason why; but not a good excuse.

PPS>> One unfortunate casualty of these bad business decisions is the MSFS team at Microsoft.

[Hawkeye_a]

Originally Posted by Luca Rescigno 

I suppose you'd prefer if every company sold overpriced, overhyped, underpowered products, just like Apple and Nintendo.

Actually no, i wouldnt. But i'm not going to buy a spaceship to commute to work either.

[exca1ibur]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye_a 

But it's those studios, developers and publishers who made the 'wrong' decision willingly to develop for the wrong platforms and ALSO ignore the most popular platform.

A studio making a bad game has little to do with the platform. Garbage is garbage no matter what hardware it's running. Lot's of these companies made bad games, look at the sales and reviews of the latest games they have done up to their layoffs and closings.

Shovel ware will probably rule 2009 because very few are going to push or take risks on big budget new games, the way it's going.