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Twas The Night Before Microsoft's Big Debut

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:01:41 -0500

There are only a few hours left until the big event, where the console wars are joined in earnest by the newest launch from Microsoft. But what will show up at tomorrow's event? What won't? I know there are some things I'd like to see, so with only a good night's sleep and then some ahead of the big event, I took a little time to run down my wish list.

Easily one of the first things I want to see in the next Xbox, to paraphrase Ronald Reagan: "Mr. Ballmer, tear down this paywall!". I'm not saying here that Microsoft shouldn't make money providing content. No, of course not. I am, however, saying that services like YouTube, that are already free from any PC, should not be available through the next Xbox on a paying basis. If I hooked up a PC to my television--easier than you might think, really--I'd have YouTube on a big screen at no charge. It's the same with some televisions and Blu-ray peripherals. In the same vein, why pay Xbox to access the content that I'm already paying Netflix or Hulu or anyone else to access?

But by like token, another thing I'd like to see would make a great addition to Microsoft's lineup: video content. Some have been suggesting that Microsoft might step into the ring as a content provider, or at least a content aggregator. There's a lot of content out there that is, as yet, currently unaffiliated, and that's a big opportunity for Microsoft to step in and get together some new content that can be a real draw for them. Between the stuff that Microsoft can develop on its own, and the stuff that's already out there waiting to be licensed, there's plenty of video out there, and Xbox Video--or whatever it's ultimately called--could be a huge step.

Finally, this is more of a personal thing, but with the next big console comes an array of launch titles. Perhaps my two biggest favorite titles over the last decade have been the Fallout series and the Elder Scrolls series. Being as we just got through an Elder Scrolls lineup recently thanks to Skyrim--the ultimate edition of which will be coming out soon at last report--the next one in the lineup will likely be Fallout. Whether we'll be looking at Fallout 4 or possibly Fallout: New Vegas 2 is somewhat unclear, but the fact of the matter is it's been years since our last go-round with the shattered nuclear wasteland, and it's high time we went back. A Fallout title of any stripe as a launch title would be a treat.

Those are just some of the things I'd like to see when the new Xbox makes its grand debut tomorrow. Hopefully we'll see some more between now and the big official launch date--indeed, between now and E3 in a few weeks--but still, it's looking like a great time to be a gamer, and hopefully we'll have plenty to talk about in the coming months.

]]> Tags: Elder Scroll, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout (series), Microsoft, Personal computer, Ronald Reagan, Xbox, YouTube Related tags: elder scrolls, microsoft, content, fallout, launch, already
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Can New Consoles Bridge The Entertainment Gap? - May 08, 2013

Xbox, The Living Room, And The Live Gold Paywall - Apr 11, 2013

CES 2013: Microsoft's IllumiRoom Makes Games Huge & Immersive - Jan 10, 2013

Are Consoles Doomed? - Oct 16, 2012

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On May 21, The Console Wars Begin In Earnest - Apr 24, 2013

New Xbox Release Date, Pricing Suggested With New Reports - Apr 08, 2013

Xbox 720 Announcement May Come In, Well, May. Maybe. - Apr 03, 2013

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New Word About EA's Star Wars Plans

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:51:01 -0500

Just yesterday there was some exciting news emerging that DICE L.A, an offshoot of DICE Sweden, would be focusing completely on Star Wars games as part of the new license between EA and Disney. As it turned out, that wasn't to be the case, and the resulting news is enough to make one wonder just where EA's going with this license.

EA's PR director, Pete Nguyen, offered up a bit of clarification, saying that DICE L.A. was a branch of DICE Sweden, and both companies are working on the same project. That same project? "Battlefield 4." This is actually similar to what Ubisoft does, at last report, with its "Assassin's Creed" lineup. So what does Star Wars have to do with DICE? As it turns out, DICE, Visceral and BioWare would all be working on Star Wars games with the Frostbite engine.

So, essentially, this raises two possible points for consideration. One, since Nguyen made it rather clear that DICE, be it Los Angeles or Sweden, was 100 percent focused on "Battlefield 4", yet will be working with BioWare and Visceral, it's a safe bet that any Star Wars games won't come out until after "Battlefield 4." Now, along with that comes another interesting possibility. Since Nguyen also let out that the Star Wars games would be developed with the Frostbite engine. Most of EA's titles involving Frostbite were first person shooters including much of the Battlefield series, as well as "Medal of Honor: Warfighter" and "Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel."

A first person Star Wars game may not be what people were hoping for in terms of this new license, but with an MMO already in play in the form of "Star Wars: The Old Republic", it may well prove to be good enough. Frankly, I wouldn't mind a Star Wars first person shooter, especially if it's one like the "Fallout" series. Give me some wide open spaces to run and gun in, with lots of things to find, well, I'd welcome it. Another vent-crawler, though, would be profoundly disappointing. It's still somewhat distressing to see that EA will likely be going back to the well of the ultra-safe FPS when it comes to its big new license, but then, there's something to be said for going with what you know. Hopefully EA can take a page or two from BioWare's book with "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" and include the time and resources to do the job right.

Just what DICE, Visceral and BioWare can put together is as yet anyone's guess, but it's looking pretty clear that it will be a while before we see anything Star Wars-related out of EA under the terms of this license.

]]> Tags: Battlefield, BioWare, Electronic Arts, Frostbite, Los Angeles, Star Wars computer and video games, Star Wars: The Old Republic, StarWars Related tags: visceral bioware, frostbite engine, license, games, bioware, battlefield
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eSports & Plantronics--A Winning Team

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:37:51 -0500

Those of you who were around earlier in the week remember our earlier discussion about eSports, and how the Meltdown London may be something of the first step toward a whole new paradigm. Well, eSports just got another metaphorical shot in the equally metaphorical arm thanks to a whole new sponsor signing on.

Plantronics joined up with Riot Games as an official partner of the League of Legends Championship Series, where it will be the official headset maker of Season 3's tournament games. This by itself is only reasonably important, but when it's added into the larger picture, the picture becomes a little clearer: eSports is starting to take off.

Right now, no one's talking about just what kind of cash was necessary for Plantronics to put down before being allowed to be an official sponsor, but in all likelihood products are part of the deal along with any other considerations. But it's clear that eSports is coming into its own.

There are three separate components in any sports league: an audience, players, and sponsors to keep the league operational. There have been players since there were video games, so that was never really an issue. An audience has been in the making since streaming video really got started; go check out YouTube sometime to see just how many people will watch people play video games. From TobyGames to Let's Play and a whole bunch of others in between, the concept of video games as a spectator sport is making moves all its own. Better yet, the eSports bar concept is gaining ground as evidenced by just the expansion of the line in Europe alone. Now with Plantronics in play as a sponsor--hopefully only the first of a growing number of same--the chances of eSports as an authentic sports league on par with baseball and football go through the roof.

Admittedly, there may still be some image problems--getting eSports onto network television, or at least ESPN, will be a big step toward legitimizing and mainstreaming the concept--but the basic idea of eSports as a way of life may be gaining ground. Today Plantronics, tomorrow maybe Razer. Or even Dell. And from there, why not take the next big step and hit up Yum! Brands? Surely the guys who brought us Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Mountain Dew would be happy to sponsor professional gaming!

eSports may just be getting started, but it looks like a reasonably bright future ahead if the concept can keep gaining ground.

]]> Tags: Electronic sports, eSports, League of Legends, Pizza Hut, Plantronics, Riot Games, Taco Bell, YouTube Related tags: gaining ground, video games, sports league, esports, games, plantronics
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What Should Be Done About Bad Sports In Video Games? - Dec 06, 2012

Twas The Night Before Microsoft's Big Debut - May 20, 2013

Can New Consoles Bridge The Entertainment Gap? - May 08, 2013

Xbox, The Living Room, And The Live Gold Paywall - Apr 11, 2013

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Konami Has Big Plans For E3

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:34:35 -0500

Exciting news has emerged with Konami's plans for E3, which is only a little over a month out. Some very impressive games are getting ready for the pre-E3 show, but it's not just the games that are worth noting with Konami's pre-E3 event.

The Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) has been a big deal for some time. When E3 shows up, all the big names put on a big show--with varying degrees of big, of course--but the common thread is that the upcoming titles for most every console get trotted out. Konami looks to be no exception on this front with several titles prepared.

Not only will Konami have footage for the new Pro Evolution Soccer game--always a must for soccer fans--but also, ther will be a new trailer for "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2" as well as several "new announcements" coming in from Kojima Productions, which bodes well for new announcements on the Metal Gear Solid front. Considering that only recently the marketing for "Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain".

But that's not all the great news coming out this time: the pre-E3 event, Konami's third thus far, will be streamed live for those who want to see it. Starting at one P.M. Eastern time, the show can be seen on Gamespot, on Xbox Live's Gamespot app, and on Konami's events page as well.

It's interesting that Konami's putting on this kind of show just ahead of E3. The full array of new consoles are likely to be shown soon, but from the looks of it, Konami's show is going to have a bit of a lack when it comes to new console matter. However, it's still sufficiently early that anything else could be coming out. There's nothing to say there won't be a new console version of all these games listed, either, as well as any other titles that just plain aren't in play. Not seeing a Konami launch title for the new consoles would be a bit hard to swallow, in all honesty, but there's still a lot of ground to cover between here and there.

It's odd to not see some next generation stuff mentioned here, but then, it simply may be just not mentioned yet. Chances are there will be plenty more to see not only with Konami's pre-E3 show, but also with Konami's actual E3 presence. It's clear that this will be one of the bigger E3 events to take place in a long time, and with just under a month to go, there's plenty of anticipation to go around.

]]> Tags: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Electronic Entertainment Expo, Gamespot, Kojima Productions, Konami, Metal Gear Solid, Pro Evolution Soccer, Xbox Live Related tags: konami, games, coming, console, titles
, metal gear solid 5: the phantom pain, next generation, E3, pre-E3 show, pre-E3 news, Konami, Metal Gear Solid, Gamespot, Pro Evolution Soccer, Electronic Entertainment Expo, Kojima Productions, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Xbox Live

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Why The eSports Bar Could Be Up For High Scores

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:08:39 -0500

Earlier today, word came out from several sources about the upcoming opening of the Meltdown London eSports bar, a sports bar that would offer not only a variety of video game-themed drinks, but also a variety of video games.

The whole package--as far as Meltdown London would go, anyway-- would include not only game time for amateurs, but also for those amateurs looking to compete in local tournaments, as well as the ability to watch professional gaming contests in action. Locals would be able to play things like "League of Legends," "StarCraft II," "Street Fighter IV" and others.

This isn't the first such occurrence of a bar with video games, of course--several others from the Mana Bar in Australia to the other Meltdown locations in Paris and Berlin to several across the United States like chain restaurant Dave & Busters are all in play. But the idea of an eSports bar is still something a little on the new side, and it may well prove to be the kind of thing that catches on.

Most bars target users who are over 21. It's largely necessary as those are the only people who can legally drink alcohol. So that means the target market of an eSports bar pretty much has to be born in, at the very least, 1992. The so-called golden age of video arcades, by way of comparison, was the early- to mid-1980s. There was also a resurgence of popularity that happened in the mid-1990s, but as home gaming technology improved, the role of the arcade started to fall apart.

So what could get the eSports bar up and running? Two critical points: one, while the technology improved, there are other elements associated with the arcade experience that the eSports bar can offer. Perhaps the biggest of these is the local social experience. A local social experience allows like-minded people--in this case gamers--to physically meet, get together, and do that which they clearly enjoy. While that can be offered on a certain level by home gaming--the increasing number of Xbox Live connections and the like certainly helps--there's just no complete substitute for that live, personal connection. That's the kind of thing that an eSports bar can bring into play.

With eSports making gains across several continents, we may well be looking at the time when a bar for eSports could come into its own. With its target market likely still smarting from the comparative lack of arcades and potentially interested in live social engagement, there's every possibility that the eSports bar may well be ready for prime time. It may not come to pass, of course, and it may well be the kind of thing that doesn't catch on everywhere. But it may be that the live gaming experience could be looking for a comeback, and only time will tell just how far it goes.

]]> Tags: Electronic sports, eSports, League of Legends, Mana Bar, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, Street Fighter IV, United States, Video game Related tags: variety video, technology improved, video games, target market, local social, esports
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BlueStacks' GamePop Out To Offer Quick Games Faster

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:11:53 -0500

The idea of mobile games on big screens has been gaining in popularity of late, with several companies looking to get in on the market space. One of the latest such attempts to step in is BlueStacks, which was formerly well known for bringing Android apps to desktop PC platforms. Now, with BlueStacks' Gamepop service, the company is poised to make a splash in the gaming market as well.

BlueStacks' Gamepop service offers its subscribers access to 500 different Android game titles, routing said titles through a game console that bears more than a little resemblance to a Boxee Box with a different color scheme. Those who get in on the pre-order running this month will get the console--and a controller besides--at no charge.

Naturally, this isn't the first we've heard of such endeavors. The Ouya is already showing up--though some reports suggest that the Ouya has proven a bit disappointing so far--and the GameStick is also out there. But according to Rosen Sharma, CEO of BlueStacks, there's more to Gamepop than meets the eye. BlueStacks is eager to get Gamepop to show up on a variety of different devices, beyond televisions, to make it essentially the Netflix of gaming.

Some might want to tell BlueStacks here that Gamefly is really more the Netflix of gaming than BlueStacks, but there's a point here that BlueStacks has with Gamepop. BlueStacks has already aligned itself with Glu Mobile and Halfbrick to bring out more games, and new developers can easily join in the fray, since all developers need is a game on Google Play. BlueStacks then shares subscription revenue with developers, and if there are in-game purchases to be had, BlueStacks lets those go completely to the developer. This is a good deal for developers, and that's likely to put more punch in BlueStacks' offering and make people more inclined to drop the necessary $6 a month to join.

One thing that's clear from this approach is that there's plenty of room in the field for such an idea. Mobile games--which is essentially what Android games are--enjoy a particular point of place in gaming right now. Core gamers--those who stick to broader PC and console gaming titles--only make up about 15 percent of the total gaming picture. The rest is given over to casual gamers, and getting casual gamers into the action means the possibility for a pretty big market.

With the triple-A gaming market having seen better days, and a growing number of gamers turning to casual gaming, bringing out a console for casual gamers isn't a bad idea at all. If Gamepop can keep up its slate of offerings--maybe get the disc titles involved too like Gamefly does--then it may well truly be the Netflix of gaming, offering both streaming and disc options, a little something for everyone.

Gamepop has an exciting start to its credit, but can it keep this pace up? Only time will tell just how far this truly can go, but things are certainly looking good for Gamepop.

]]> Tags: Android, BlueStacks, Boxee Box, Gamefly, Glu Mobile, Netflix, Ouya, Video game console Related tags: bluestacks gamepop, casual gamers, netflix gaming, gamepop service, gaming market, bluestacks
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Can New Consoles Bridge The Entertainment Gap?

Wed, 08 May 2013 19:00:39 -0500

It wasn't so long ago that, for entertainment, the idea that people would use game consoles only for gaming was pretty much etched in stone. Sure, some were using them to play DVDs and Blu-rays in some cases--this was half the selling point of the PlayStation 3 in its early days--but for the most part, consoles were for games and everything else was for, well, everything else. But now, consoles are changing, and we may well be at a point where consoles can serve as the ultimate in entertainment boxes.

No less a personage in gaming than Will Wright actually started wondering something similar himself while at the GameHorizon Live event on a live webcast. During the resulting Q&A session that followed, Wright--the creator of such major titles as "The Sims" and "SimCity", started discussing how the upcoming game consoles could prove to be "connective tissue" between games and entertainment like movies and music. Inspired by what he called a "Cambrian" explosion of development for app stores, the idea of a consolidated experience began to catch his attention.

Indeed, he's got a point. Call it the combination of several factors coming together at once. For one of the first times in history, we've reached a point where large quantities of video can be sent via the Internet. Indeed, many users are throwing over traditional television--cable, antenna or satellite--in favor of online video sources. Game consoles are more readily connecting to the Internet, and bandwidth options are starting to catch up to where it's now possible to not only watch a lot of television online, but it's also possible to use a game console as a kind of cable box. Indeed, with the Xbox 360, for example, users can get access to Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Netflix and even YouTube, and that combination is a potent one indeed in terms of how much video can be accessed.

But at the same time, it's not quite ready yet. Users aren't exactly having an easy time of things, compounded by Microsoft's baffling insistence at demanding a secondary paywall via Xbox Live Gold that essentially turns free services into paid services, and paid services into double-paid services. It's not surprising that users that already pay Netflix for access aren't too enthusiastic about paying Microsoft a second time just to watch Netflix content on an Xbox 360.

Still, there's a lot of potential in something like that. As Kinect advances in overall capability--improving the voice response and gesture controls and such--and Microsoft starts improving the content offerings, which it's definitely been working on, the idea of an Xbox, and only an Xbox, as the primary impetus for living room entertainment is a definite possibility.

There are still bugs to be worked out in the concept, but a game console as a larger entertainment platform is not only a possibility for the future, but in many ways, it's here right now. Suboptimally, granted, but here nonetheless.

]]> Tags: Microsoft, Netflix, PlayStation 3, SimCity, Video game console, Xbox, Xbox 360, YouTube Related tags: consoles, entertainment, users, video, indeed, services
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EA's 2014 Fiscal Year Seems Short On Star Wars

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:41:32 -0500

Strange developments are emerging as Electronic Arts (EA) staged an investor call to talk developments for fiscal year 2014, which runs from April 2013 to March 2014. EA took a look at several titles to emerge in said fiscal year, and the development list looks strange indeed.

EA is planning to offer up 11 major titles across the standard slate of consoles and on PC, though there's not much discussion about the next generation of consoles. It could be that ports are planned, but the early term looks like EA will be focusing on the more standard fare. Set for release in the 2014 fiscal year are the next Madden title, FIFA and FIFA Manager, the standard array of regular sports games like NCAA Football, NHL and NBA Live, the next "Need for Speed" installment, the next "Battlefield" and "Command and Conquer" installments, "The Sims 4," and "Fuse." "Fuse," for those not already familiar, follows a group of operatives in search of a stolen alien power source known as, as the game implies, Fuse.

If something seems missing from this list, it's because fiscal year 2014 will not feature a Star Wars game, especially noteworthy as EA had announced only yesterday that it had picked up a multi-year deal with Disney to build Star Wars universe titles. That's a little disconcerting, but only a little. After all, it's going to take time to develop a game like that, so rushing a title to stores just because it has the license so to do would be kind of a blow to the franchise, and to both EA and Disney.

However, there are some reports that EA may be looking to subcontract out. Reports from Frank Gibeau, EA Labels' executive vice president indicate that BioWare, DICE and Visceral will be working on the Star Wars games, so we may well yet see something come out with the EA name on it, even if not necessarily developed in-house.

But there's a couple extra twists to this particular development. EA has 11 titles slated for launch this year. But EA also lost fully 1,000 employees recently thanks to layoffs following the departure of CEO John Riccitiello. Plus, remember all those studios said to be working Star Wars? They're currently, reportedly, neck-deep in other projects. DICE is working "Battlefield 4," and another group is working on "Mirror's Edge 2." The "Battlefield 4" team is probably safe as EA's already been talking Battlefield, but "Mirror's Edge 2" might well be delayed or shut down outright in the wake of this news. Visceral, meanwhile, is also said to be working Battlefield, and BioWare previously made the "Star Wars: The Old Republic" MMO which went free to play after a run regarded on many fronts as a disappointment.

So with most of EA's backup currently at least partially occupied, will the lack of Star Wars shine through? It's hard to believe that EA would get a license which was no doubt pricey and then just let it sit for the first year unused. Will other games be delayed or cancelled? Neither prospect is not unheard of in this industry. Will EA do some hiring? Will EA find people willing to work in an environment like EA? It's an interesting concept, and certainly one to watch in the near-term future as EA starts getting its 2014 together.

]]> Tags: Battlefield, BioWare, Electronic Arts, FIFA Manager, Frank Gibeau, Star Wars computer and video games, Star Wars: The Old Republic, StarWars Related tags: working battlefield, fiscal, battlefield, working, titles, games
, BioWare, Electronic Arts, Star Wars: The Old Republic, StarWars, Star Wars computer and video games, Battlefield, Frank Gibeau, FIFA Manager, mirror's edge, mirror's edge 2, DICE, need for speed, command and conquer, fuse, the sims 4, Visceral, disney

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Do Games Need To Get Shorter?

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:40:10 -0500

I caught a great article today on VentureBeat's gaming section all about the length of games, and that got me to thinking about my own gaming experiences. The more I thought about game length, the more I got to wondering how the length of games would impact the industry as a whole.

Basically, the VentureBeat article ran down some very important points. Specifically, it talked about the average age of gamers, the growth of the mobile industry, and the concept of bloated games, and it all started around a recent tweet from Hideki Kamiya around the upcoming release of "The Wonderful 101." Seems that the game may prove to be a bit shorter than some were hoping for.

While a game that's too short can be a serious problem, a game that's too long can be just as much a problem. After all, a game that's too short doesn't realize its full potential, and that cheats the player out of a fully realized experience. But a game that's not short enough can drag on and be just as disappointing as--maybe even more so--than the alternative.

Indeed, as the article noted, the average gamer is 30 years old. 30. This is a person who more likely than not is working a 40 hour week, maybe even more. Maybe that gamer owns a small business. Maybe that gamer is married, or has other commitments. Maybe that gamer is a homeowner and can't take a run through "Bioshock" or "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" because said gamer has to mow the lawn. A game that provides a shot of fun in ten minute installments isn't unwelcome at all, and that's leaving a lot of gamers turning toward games that were previously only the province of casual gaming.

I've been there. One of my new favorite games is "Dead Pixels", a side-scrolling zombie shooter where players can buy a load of hardware with which to blast zombies. Along the way, they can enter abandoned buildings to search for loot or just take cash off blasted zombies. It's like "River City Ransom" with more corpses and more gunplay. It's also a lot of fun. Granted, I enjoy my "Skyrim" and my "Fallout" installments, but I can do those in pieces, save at any time, and come back later. In fact, it's not easy to leave because I'm having fun most of the time, but even then, there's fun to be had down the line.

It's not out of line, really, to think that games are going to start looking more modular, shorter overall, but with a focus on replayability. With the standard triple-A game costing progressively more to create and market, it's not out of line to think that game companies would start up a line of shorter, less expensive games to capitalize on the gaming market that's increasingly short on time. An aging gaming market is making for different product needs, and shorter games--or games in more pieces--may well come out of that.

]]> Tags: Bioshock, Gamer, Games, Hideki Kamiya, River City Ransom, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, VentureBeat, Wonderful 101 Related tags: maybe gamer, gaming market, length games, games, shorter, gamer
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How Microsoft Could Ditch Used Games And Still Keep Gamers - Feb 27, 2013

Is Far Cry 3 A Sign Of Change In Gaming? - Dec 10, 2012

The Future Of Gaming: Mobile Games, Fewer Gamers? - Sep 05, 2012

The Smell Of Gaming: Does It Smell Like Success? - May 02, 2013

Selling Games In A Saturated Market - May 01, 2013

Place Your Bets...On Android Games - Apr 30, 2013

Random House Gets Into The Gaming Market - Apr 16, 2013

Xbox, The Living Room, And The Live Gold Paywall - Apr 11, 2013

My Time In Bioshock Infinite's Columbia - Mar 26, 2013

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The Smell Of Gaming: Does It Smell Like Success?

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:25:19 -0500

Considering the sheer number of things that have been tried in terms of perking up the gaming industry, it's not surprising that games might try different kinds of feedback beside the visual. Haptic feedback--feedback of touch--has been a major part of development for some time, but what about the other senses? Sure, aural feedback gets plenty of action, as does visual, but what about one of the more underappreciated senses: smell?

Recently, the NeuroGaming Conference and Expo featured some discussion on how best to get smell into gaming, so as to make it even more immersive than any generation of gaming since, well, the first, really. Sure, there have been attempts to do the job in the past with chemical packs and dispersers, but the folks at the NeuroGaming Conference and Expo want to step things up a notch to included digital devices that can add smell to games while playing.

In a sense, this sounds like a great idea; imagine the smell of brine in any of the Bioshock titles, for example. Throw high-octane fuel and rubber in a racing game, or pine in the forested RPGs. In others, not so much; care to hazard a guess as to what the Willamette Parkview Mall smells like? For those who don't remember their gaming landmarks, that's the mall from the original Dead Rising. Yeah, it smells like a combination of zombie, food court, sporting goods, psychopath and sweaty photographer. That's not exactly the kind of night-on-the-town scent that most discriminating ladies might care for. But by like token, there's a possibility here that scents can really perk up a gaming experience and add to that immersion quality that everyone's eager to get. About the only thing left would be taste, and trying to simulate tastes would be incredibly difficult.

Not that smells are that much easier; the idea of smell in gaming has been batted around before. The ScentScape plugin, for example, goes as far back as early 2011, but finding word about them after early 2011 is oddly difficult. Not a one was found on eBay, and an Amazon search turned up no luck either.

While the folks at the NeuroGaming Conference and Expo may have an ambitious idea on their hands, actually executing such an idea is going to be a tall order. Simulating smells can only be done in so many ways: chemical approximations or direct nerve stimulation are pretty much the only options. Trying to convince gamers to buy cartridges full of chemicals to approximate the smells coming from a game may be an even taller order unless these chemicals are particularly long-lived.

Still, you've got to give them credit for trying, and it's entirely possible that a new development could make it so that forest we walk through or that beach we walk along smells just like whatever it is we're in the midst of.

]]> Tags: Bioshock, Business, eBay, Expo, NeuroGaming Conference, Olfaction, Sense, Smell and Taste Related tags: smell gaming, neurogaming conference, folks neurogaming, gaming, smell, smells
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Selling Games In A Saturated Market

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:53:55 -0500

It's getting to be downright amazing how many games there are out there, but with more and more games showing up on a regular basis--huge names and indie fare among them--that's posing a bit of a challenge to marketers, and to players alike.

Recently, Nintendo's president Satoru Iwata took some questions from investors while discussing Nintendo's annual financial results. During the course of that conversation, he made note of that aforementioned development when it comes to gaming: there are more and more games in play with every passing month, and the games that are showing up aren't having the kind of impact they used to.

Iwata said, more specifically, that "...these improvements are becoming less noticeable." Indeed, Iwata even went so far as to say "In short, what one platform can offer will eventually become saturated. Every consumer will inevitably become tired of and get less excitement from the same type of entertainment."

Basically, it's a sort of analogue for the law of diminishing returns. Even as games improve, people get so used to what's being offered that there's just no sense in offering it any more because the impact is lessened each time. Throw in the idea that a $50-$60 game may or may not offer the same thrill ride that's offered by a set of 20 or more indie games at $1 or more a crack and the picture becomes downright bleak.

Of course, then again, one clear issue comes up: the games themselves. Where have the improvements been made? Primarily in the graphics. We're absolutely laden with first-person shooters: Battlefield 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Borderlands 2, and so on. Consider the number of games out there that just look a lot like any other and the problem becomes clear.

Now consider the games that aren't like many others. Consider the Fallouts and Skyrims, first-person experiences with a huge depth of play. The Grand Theft Autos with the third-person fun, the Saints Rows with the sheer outlandishness. That pool is a lot smaller.

In one sense, Iwata's right. The market is becoming saturated. But where Iwata's off is just what it is that's saturating the market. Innovation is the key to the whole matter; innovation that produces games with unusual features, games with unusual game play. The more innovation that shows up in gaming the better off we'll all be, and the more likely our games are to keep our interest even the farther down we go.

]]> Tags: Battlefield 3, Games, Iwata, Nintendo, Reggie Fils-Aime, Satoru Iwata, Video Games, Wii Related tags: games unusual, games showing, games, iwata, saturated, person
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Will Future Consoles Be Loss Leaders? - Oct 25, 2012

End Of An Era: Is Nintendo Power On Its Last Life? - Aug 21, 2012

Place Your Bets...On Android Games - Apr 30, 2013

Nintendo Goes Back To The Nostalgia Well - Apr 17, 2013

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Used Games In Play On PS4--Now What? - Feb 21, 2013

Xi3 & Valve Show Off A System For Steam's Big Picture - Jan 07, 2013

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Place Your Bets...On Android Games

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:38:07 -0500

When I first read about Skillz, the new online platform that allows users to place wagers on games of skill, I admit that I was a bit taken aback. But the more I read about the idea, the more...well...the more the picture became muddy. Depending on certain stances on certain issues, this is either a great idea or a terrible one, but it's certainly ohe to take a closer look at.

Skillz is a platform that allows users to place small wagers on the outcomes of certain games. The platform is available for games like Bubble Shooter, 3D Cave Runner, Big Sports Fishing 3D Lite, GnarBike Trials, and around eight or so other games, making for a total number of a dozen or so games on Google Play that can work with the Skillz platform. As for Skillz itself, it's a multiplayer platform that matches up gamers, and allows each to wager a small amount--a dollar each, at last report--on the outcomes of their matches. Skillz and the developer of each individual game gets a cut of the wagers--about 10 percent total--with the rest of the pot going to the winner of each matchup.

Thus, a whole lot gets accomplished. Skillz makes money for serving as the intermediary. The developer gets a new revenue stream, which is tough to do these days, especially for indie game developers. Players get a new way to have fun, and often stick around longer, which is good for the developer and Skillz.

Those concerned about legality needn't be; as it turns out, since Skillz focuses on, much as the name implies, games of skill, most states will allow wagering on a game of skill, reportedly. Even those states which don't allow games of skill wagering, like Montana, there's a virtual currency option which provides at least an approximation of the whole experience. Skillz can even tell if each individual state allows the gambling portion to activate thanks to the built-in GPS on most Android devices. What's more, Skillz thinks it can expand its offerings outward to games of chance as well.

The idea isn't a terrible one; indeed, there are so many winners in this particular race that it's hard not to see the advantages. But by like token, again, there are those with objections to wagering at any level, and they're worth considering as well. But then, even for those who object to wagering at any level, are they really so injured? They can continue to play the games that are, in part, developed thanks to the cash brought in by those who do wager. Even these objectors are winners, beneficiaries of a system partially funded by wager.

Will it be long before there's an equivalent for Xbox Live Gold members, or Sony enthusiasts, out to put a dollar down on the outcome of, say, a game of Team Fortress 2? Or Uno? Or anything else, for that matter? There certainly are possibilities enough, but will they come around? Only time will tell just how this all ends up, but there's certainly enough room for them to be expressed.

]]> Tags: Browser Based, Bubble Shooter, Gambling, Games, Google Play, Skillz, Sony, Video Games Related tags: games skill, allows users, users place, place wagers, platform allows, games
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Can Gaming Make The Jump To Television?

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:21:42 -0500

An interesting new phenomenon is shaping up as far as gaming goes, and that's with games making a jump to television. But the trend is growing thanks to some recent new reports that make a new game headed for television.

Recently, the SyFy Channel got involved with a similar phenomenon, bringing out the MMO with a television show equivalent in Defiance. Defiance was some terrific stuff, sure; I'm still rather enamored with it myself. But now, a new version has arrived with reports of EVE Online getting its own television series.

Called Eve Universe, it's stemming from a partnership between CCP Games and Baltasar Kormakur's production company, and it takes the stories submitted by EVE Online players and turns them into full-on television episodes. Given that Kormakur has already done such movies as "Contraband" with Mark Wahlberg, it's clear that this isn't likely to be some cheap affair. There are certainly more than enough stories of wild action, clever double-crosses, and plain old weirdness out there for anyone--consider the stories of Haargoth Agamar of the Band of Brothers guild, or the killing of Mirial of the Ubiqua Seraph corporation--and it's clear there's plenty of room for a series here.

What's really interesting here is that there are, progressively, more venues available out there for content, but where is the content coming from to fill these venues? With an increasing number of cable networks in play out there and a rapidly increasing number of streaming venues, it's clear that the material to show up on these venues will have to come from somewhere. Using video games--especially those which generate their own stories on a regular basis--is a fairly smart idea. It's been widely noted that, before G4 imploded, it was heavily into video game related content. Shows like "Code Monkeys" and "Cinematech"--not to mention "Cheat" and perennial review / news favorite "X-Play"--gave the network plenty of gamer appeal. Bringing back content about video games is offering content to a largely untapped niche.

If gaming is to make the leap to television on a larger scale than it has in the past, it's going to need good content. Looking to modern-era video games for that content may produce just what's needed, but what we're seeing right now won't be enough in the long run. There are some great examples out there of indie fare going this route--consider "The Guild" or "Video Game High School"--but it's going to take a lot more than that.

]]> Tags: Baltasar Kormákur, CCP Games, Cinematech, EVE Online, Eve Universe, Mark Wahlberg, Massively multiplayer online game, Video game Related tags: video games, increasing number, content, television, games, video
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How The Digital Omnivore Is Changing Gaming - Mar 20, 2013

Early Word On The Elder Scrolls Online Suggests Exciting Possibilities - Mar 19, 2013

Part Game, Part TV Show--All Defiance - May 31, 2012

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The Games Industry Doesn't Need A Nanny - Apr 04, 2013

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Nintendo's E3 Plans: Brilliance or a Dropped Ball?

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:26:31 -0500

Recently, new information has slipped out regarding Nintendo's plans for the upcoming E3 event, and the plans in question aren't what a lot of people were expecting. The plans in question are, in fact, rather innovative, but innovation almost always carries a risk of backfiring. So today, we're going to take a closer look at Nintendo's plans for the upcoming E3 event, and wonder: does Nintendo have a good plan, or is Nintendo about to shoot itself in the foot?

Basically, Nintendo won't be doing one of the giant colossal press conferences this year like it has in years past, and like competitors Microsoft and Sony do most every year. Instead, Nintendo will be hosting two smaller events, one for the gaming media, and one for the retail partners. The retail partners event will be held at the Nokia Theater, which Nintendo has already rented out, and the media event will be at the LACC just ahead of the show opening.

There are, of course, two ways to look at this. The positive way says that, hey, this is a great idea. Let the games speak for themselves to the gaming media, and give them a shot to get in on the event before the crowds start filling the place up. The media gets to actually get hands on with the new titles and without having to jostle their way through a room full of people, all right.

The pessimistic way, meanwhile, says Nintendo's lost more face than a slasher movie convention and can't keep up with its competitors...again. The Wii U, tech wise, already looks like it's about on par with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, so watching Nintendo get blown away by the new hardware that will show up would just be, well, kind of sad.

As is commonly the case, the truth here probably lies between the two extremes. While it is something of a blow for Nintendo to not make the scene, it may well be on to something. Its Nintendo Direct reports have put out a lot of information already, so it's not like Nintendo's ignoring the fan base. Most people likely won't even make it to E3 anyway, so as long as Nintendo puts out plenty of game trailers, it'll do just as well in the end. Plus, Nintendo saves who knows how much money by cutting out the big show and probably still, in the end, gets just as much press.

Sure, Nintendo will lose some face for not being "in the mix". It's likely going to take a little bit of mockery for not showing up. But it may well be on to something that might catch on, and may well spell an end to E3 one day. Apple pulled out of CES once, after all...maybe the big trade show is going the way of the dodo.

]]> Tags: Electronic Entertainment Expo, Media event, Microsoft, Nintendo, Nokia, PlayStation 3, Sony, Xbox 360 Related tags: retail partners, plans question, gaming media, plans upcoming, nintendo, plans
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Trouble Ahead For Nintendo? - Feb 28, 2013

Gaming's 2013: What To Watch For - Jan 01, 2013

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New Xbox Release Date, Pricing Suggested With New Reports - Apr 08, 2013

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On May 21, The Console Wars Begin In Earnest

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:47:54 -0500

The big day is in readiness, folks, and with just a few days left to April, we now know when the next Xbox will be making its grand appearance. But before the big day arrives, it's worth taking a quick look at the variety of points that probably should be tackled before we start hearing about the next system.

Naturally, there will be points that want for official confirmation left, right and center. While certainly we will be eager to hear about the final spec loadout, seeing just what the next Xbox will have under the hood, there's quite a bit more.

First off, what is this thing's name? We've heard plain old "Xbox", some are still batting around "Xbox 720", there's an outside chance of it being maybe the "Xbox 360 2", although that may just be the kind of thing that came to me in a vision following one donut too many. Either way, the name is still somewhat up in the air.

Second, the issue of used games. This is something that really needs to be settled, and settled soon. This particular issue has kept a lot of gamers up at night, and no one's exactly sure yet--snarky tweets aside--if the issue of always-on consoles is going to follow the next version of the Xbox into the future.

Third, the issue of backward compatibility is still somewhat up in the air. While some reports have emerged saying that there's no way that old Xbox 360 games will play on the new Xbox version, that's still no substitute for an official announcement.

From there, of course, we wonder what titles will be had at launch, how much the system will cost, and so on; given that E3 will follow just a couple weeks later, there likely won't be too much showing up about new games at the special event. But this is likely to be where the whole thing begins, and where the PlayStation 4 and the new Xbox can be fully compared for the first time, and proper assessments can be made in terms of figuring out just where the next generation of gaming will go. Will Sony be ready to keep the game rental market going? Will Microsoft blow its big lead from the Xbox 360 generation? Will Nintendo manage to get its game roster together and salvage the Wii U?

This should be an extremely big event, no matter how you slice it, and should produce a staggering array of questions for Microsoft to answer. Hopefully those answers will be of the kind that gamers are hoping to hear. The console wars are about to heat up in earnest, and with them, bring a lot more action that just what's on the screen.