LONG BLOG
Microsoft Press Conference Impressions: Naia is on her Soapbox Edition
I know I have been scarce on the blogs lately. I’ve had some personal stuff that has distracted me from coming up with interesting things to talk about, but in light of E3, I’m feeling compelled to get on my soap box once more.
One thing that bothered me was Microsoft’s unabashed attempt to emulate the Wii. I’m surprised the rumored motion controller didn’t debut on stage. The use of avatars doesn’t do anything more for me than Mii’s do and it seems like nothing more than a “mii-too” gesture. Even the trailer for Scene It was a page from Nintendo’s marketing department. What Microsoft doesn’t seem to realize is that the reason why Nintendo has done well this generation is more than just the features that appeal to everyone, but that the GAMES themselves are good. Say what you want about Nintendogs, but it’s a great puppy sim. It’s well made and intuitive. The other ones don’t compare. I feel like Microsoft is in that same boat. Maybe one day they will prove me wrong and make compelling software that rivals Wii Sports, but until then this was painful to watch.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying the Microsoft press conference was a failure. In fact it was far from it. I’m excited for Portal on XBLA, netflix, the incredible Rock Band 2 list, the and the bevy of RPG’s coming. I may even try Banjo 1 when it comes out on arcade (I know I fail for having never played any of the games). What’s happened is the dissipation of the spark of E3. The focus is much more reserved and on the mainstream market. This is both a good thing and a bad thing depending on how well they still continue to cater to the hardcore market as well as the casual. The software lineup shows that they do, but everything about their attempts in the casual market have seemed forced and contrived.
I don’t want to have this be a downer. E3 has changed a lot in the last two years and the conferences perhaps reflect that change. I worry that E3 is losing the spark it once had for the gaming public. It’s no longer that “Christmas for gamers” we once had. The surprises are more spread out.
And the internet exploding over FFXIII is incredibly entertaining.
One thing that bothered me was Microsoft’s unabashed attempt to emulate the Wii. I’m surprised the rumored motion controller didn’t debut on stage. The use of avatars doesn’t do anything more for me than Mii’s do and it seems like nothing more than a “mii-too” gesture. Even the trailer for Scene It was a page from Nintendo’s marketing department. What Microsoft doesn’t seem to realize is that the reason why Nintendo has done well this generation is more than just the features that appeal to everyone, but that the GAMES themselves are good. Say what you want about Nintendogs, but it’s a great puppy sim. It’s well made and intuitive. The other ones don’t compare. I feel like Microsoft is in that same boat. Maybe one day they will prove me wrong and make compelling software that rivals Wii Sports, but until then this was painful to watch.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying the Microsoft press conference was a failure. In fact it was far from it. I’m excited for Portal on XBLA, netflix, the incredible Rock Band 2 list, the and the bevy of RPG’s coming. I may even try Banjo 1 when it comes out on arcade (I know I fail for having never played any of the games). What’s happened is the dissipation of the spark of E3. The focus is much more reserved and on the mainstream market. This is both a good thing and a bad thing depending on how well they still continue to cater to the hardcore market as well as the casual. The software lineup shows that they do, but everything about their attempts in the casual market have seemed forced and contrived.
I don’t want to have this be a downer. E3 has changed a lot in the last two years and the conferences perhaps reflect that change. I worry that E3 is losing the spark it once had for the gaming public. It’s no longer that “Christmas for gamers” we once had. The surprises are more spread out.
And the internet exploding over FFXIII is incredibly entertaining.
Login to vote this up!
0 COMMENTS
Please login (or) make a quick account (free)
to view and post comments.
Login with Twitter
Login with Dtoid
Three day old threads are only visible to verified humans - this helps our small community management team stay on top of spam
Sorry for the extra step!
Login with Twitter
Login with Dtoid
About naia-the-gamerone of us since 1:51 PM on 09.13.2007
My name is Naia (pronounced either Nay-a or Neye-a, like yay or like eye). I've been poking around here for a while, although I don't comment as much as I used to. I do the music and the sound stuff. Teach and do scholarly research too! I do mostly freelance work and I'm always looking for people (even on DToid) to do fun projects with in entertainment. That can be either in theater, film, TV, or video games. I want to be like Kermit the Frog and be part of a group that entertains and makes people happy. I also love blue slimes, puppies and Sprinkles Cupcakes.
I've been playing computer and video games all my life. My dad was a programmer so we got an IBM 5150 PC very early on in the 80's. For Christmas in 1989 my parents surprised me with a Nintendo and it's been downhill ever since. I have/had most consoles over the years, mainly from Sony or Nintendo. I've had some Sega consoles and an Xbox 360 too.
I'm a big fan of the JRPG trinity of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Fire Emblem (more DQ and FE lately, but I didn't hate FFXV). I was a finalist in Nintendo's DQ6 trivia contest back in 2011. I play RPGs, Action/Adventure, Platformers, Puzzles, and Point-n-Click Adventure games. I will play fighters and shooters, but they have to be the right kind of game.
Also, Rydia is my hero.
I'm such a nerd, I like to keep track of all the games I've completed in an excel file (it's over 400). Now that my backlog is out of control I have a word document for that too. My goal is to for once and for all eliminate the backlog, or at least keep it to a number in the single digits.
I have a lot of things to say about the game industry, it's something I care deeply about and love giving my opinions. I like to rant about shit. I'm here just to share what I have to say, in hopes someone is willing to listen.
Also for the record, my Top 5 Games of All Time
1. Chrono Trigger
2. Final Fantasy 4
3. Super Mario 3
4. Dragon Quest 11
5. Phantasy Star 4
Yes, I love my retro games (and DQ 11)
Thanks to The GHost for this awesome card!
I've been playing computer and video games all my life. My dad was a programmer so we got an IBM 5150 PC very early on in the 80's. For Christmas in 1989 my parents surprised me with a Nintendo and it's been downhill ever since. I have/had most consoles over the years, mainly from Sony or Nintendo. I've had some Sega consoles and an Xbox 360 too.
I'm a big fan of the JRPG trinity of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Fire Emblem (more DQ and FE lately, but I didn't hate FFXV). I was a finalist in Nintendo's DQ6 trivia contest back in 2011. I play RPGs, Action/Adventure, Platformers, Puzzles, and Point-n-Click Adventure games. I will play fighters and shooters, but they have to be the right kind of game.
Also, Rydia is my hero.
I'm such a nerd, I like to keep track of all the games I've completed in an excel file (it's over 400). Now that my backlog is out of control I have a word document for that too. My goal is to for once and for all eliminate the backlog, or at least keep it to a number in the single digits.
I have a lot of things to say about the game industry, it's something I care deeply about and love giving my opinions. I like to rant about shit. I'm here just to share what I have to say, in hopes someone is willing to listen.
Also for the record, my Top 5 Games of All Time
1. Chrono Trigger
2. Final Fantasy 4
3. Super Mario 3
4. Dragon Quest 11
5. Phantasy Star 4
Yes, I love my retro games (and DQ 11)
Thanks to The GHost for this awesome card!