Ken Kutaragi replaced as president of Sony's gaming unit

[Q Classic]

Originally posted by Asher
I take it you haven't played Xbox Live Arcade games...

Look at Geometry Wars or Bejeweled for instance. They use what, 1 button and 1 or 2 sticks?

Asher, I don't know if you're willfully misreading what I'm saying, or if you are truly denser than Aggie.

I'm well aware that Bejewelled and Geometry Wars don't use that many buttons or controls.

The fact that they're there is enough to make most casuals and potentials lose interest, whether they're used or not, particularly if there's nobody there to hand-hold them.

****, Katamari Damacy doesn't really use the buttons much at all, and yet the uninitiated are wary of the game because the PS2 controller has buttons. They ease up when you tell them to ignore them outright.

[Elok]

Originally posted by Asher
Except when your likely most popular game doesn't use it...

Yes, that would be a huge problem if it weren't for the fact that almost everyone who plays SSBB will have had a Gamecube to play SSBM on, and thus will own one or more Gamecube controllers.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Q Cubed
Asher, I don't know if you're willfully misreading what I'm saying, or if you are truly denser than Aggie.

The problem is you weren't clear -- I thought you were talking about using lots of buttons, not the fact that the controller simply has them.

Especially because it was in response to my comment about specific types of games, and your comment was about hardware.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Elok
Yes, that would be a huge problem if it weren't for the fact that almost everyone who plays SSBB will have had a Gamecube to play SSBM on, and thus will own one or more Gamecube controllers.

So you don't think Nintendo is trying to expand its audience past the 3rd-place Gamecube, then.

[Q Classic]

Fine, perhaps I was unclear, but in context...

In any case, I understand that you're having trouble even comprehending what good the Wii is for, and frankly, that's to be expected. You're a typical gamer. As in, one for which the X360 and the PS3 has been designed for. The reason why the Wii throws you for a loop is because you're not the type of person the Wii was designed for.

Like I said, a big gamble on a market that may or may not coalesce. If it succeeds, Nintendo will make obscene profits. If it fails, well, Nintendo's already in third.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Being an on again mostly off agina gamer, the Wii holds the most allure for my tastes. While I wish it was priced at $150 (as I inidicated it should be). Most likely I'll wait a year and snatch up a use system at that price point.

[Asher]

I understand the market the Wii is going for, but I doubt it'll make long-term impact. The control is nifty enough to be a novelty initially, but it won't sustain the console over ~5 years.

I also don't agree that the main problem is how oh-so-complex/intimidating the buttons are. The problem is some people just don't like to play video games at home infront of the TV. They prefer being outside going hiking, or prefer reading a romance novel, or prefer practicing cooking. The kind of people who are genuinely interested in playing games find a way to play games, and buy games.

At best Nintendo will sell quite a few Wii consoles, but its software attach rate will be very low as most people who they hope to buy the console will be "casual casual" gamers who probably won't know a game is out until they see it in a bargain bin.

[Elok]

Originally posted by Asher

So you don't think Nintendo is trying to expand its audience past the 3rd-place Gamecube, then.

No, I do. Are you being disingenous, or just not comprehending? SSB has been a big draw for Nintendo since the first one on the N64. It attracts huge interest...mostly among people who've followed the past two incarnations of the game. It's a guaranteed seller, but since it doesn't require the new controller and most of the people who will play it are accustomed to the old controller layout and will have an old controller, there's not much sense in bundling the old controller in for SSB alone. If a lot of games get made for the Wii using the old controller for whatever reason, they may want to change that policy in the future, perhaps. SSB is a fine example of "simple-yet-complex" fun, but it's not at the core of the company's current sales angle.

[Whoha]

http://ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20061011

[Q Classic]

Originally posted by Elok


No, I do. Are you being disingenous, or just not comprehending? SSB has been a big draw for Nintendo since the first one on the N64. It attracts huge interest...mostly among people who've followed the past two incarnations of the game. It's a guaranteed seller, but since it doesn't require the new controller and most of the people who will play it are accustomed to the old controller layout and will have an old controller, there's not much sense in bundling the old controller in for SSB alone. If a lot of games get made for the Wii using the old controller for whatever reason, they may want to change that policy in the future, perhaps. SSB is a fine example of "simple-yet-complex" fun, but it's not at the core of the company's current sales angle.

To be honest, SSB is a fighting game that I don't really have the patience to learn all the combos and **** for.

I button mash. Then again, I've never really liked those fighting games.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Elok
No, I do. Are you being disingenous, or just not comprehending? SSB has been a big draw for Nintendo since the first one on the N64. It attracts huge interest...mostly among people who've followed the past two incarnations of the game. It's a guaranteed seller, but since it doesn't require the new controller and most of the people who will play it are accustomed to the old controller layout and will have an old controller, there's not much sense in bundling the old controller in for SSB alone. If a lot of games get made for the Wii using the old controller for whatever reason, they may want to change that policy in the future, perhaps. SSB is a fine example of "simple-yet-complex" fun, but it's not at the core of the company's current sales angle.

Why would games aside from guaranteed sellers like SSB use the regular controller?

This is the problem you do not comprehend. By not bundling the regular controller, Nintendo is telling everyone to use the Wiimote. If you don't, you restrict the target market of your game bigtime, which is not a good idea.

These controllers cost them what, $6 to make...bundle it with the frickin' console if you're going to support it as the only controller for some games. There's no other excuse, and I don't care if you want to "but but but" rationalize it. It's distasteful, like Sony not including a memory card with the PS2.

[Kuciwalker]

Actually, SSB doesn't really have combos. That's why I like it.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Actually, SSB doesn't really have combos. That's why I like it.

It is the epitome of mindless, talentless button mashing, which is why all kinds of stoned college kids like it.

It's not a very good game, alas.

[Elok]

Originally posted by Asher

It is the epitome of mindless, talentless button mashing, which is why all kinds of stoned college kids like it.

It's not a very good game, alas.

Ohhhboy...take a look at gamefaqs' Smash Brothers or SSBM section sometime. Look at the in-depth guides for how to effectively control each individual character, bearing in mind said character's weight, speed, jumping abilities, comeback move, and range with varying other moves. Then report back to us.

It's mindless, talentless button mashing...if you're playing against mindless, talentless button mashers. The controls are extremely simple, so you don't need to master elaborate combinations to execute a character's best move. But if you don't know how to use different moves effectively, and you're playing against someone who does, you will get your ass handed to you, FAST. It was especially noticeable on the original SSB with Ness players. Ness was freaking mean if you were good.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Elok


Ohhhboy...take a look at gamefaqs' Smash Brothers or SSBM section sometime. Look at the in-depth guides for how to effectively control each individual character, bearing in mind said character's weight, speed, jumping abilities, comeback move, and range with varying other moves. Then report back to us.

It's mindless, talentless button mashing...if you're playing against mindless, talentless button mashers. The controls are extremely simple, so you don't need to master elaborate combinations to execute a character's best move. But if you don't know how to use different moves effectively, and you're playing against someone who does, you will get your ass handed to you, FAST. It was especially noticeable on the original SSB with Ness players. Ness was freaking mean if you were good.

So why is this a good example of what Nintendo is going for?

It's either a simple game or it's a complex one. Just because its controls are simple doesn't mean the game is, and simple controls doesn't make it accessible or appealing if the mechanics themselves are complicated.

You need to make up your mind -- is SSB simple or complex?