This entry is about something very important to me: Video
Games. I ask that even if you don’t understand them, or have no interest in
them—that you read what it is I have to say, because the world of gaming is
about to become a part of your life.
But first, a message to core gamers:
They lied to you, gamers of America. You put your faith in
them and they lied to you. Killzone II (The video game that made people go nuts
over the graphical capacity of the PS3) was all a lie. All of it—it was all
something to get you to buy something. Sony wants $600 dollars of your money
for five years of the same old stuff. Their idea of “Next Generation” is better
graphics, more weapons, more vehicles, bigger levels, darker plots, more
disturbing subject matter, more violence, and more…crap. It’s just more of the
same old stuff. Games will keep getting more complicated—more data—more
expensive storage technology—more money from the consumer. The only thing they
have is good franchises to pull you with…you can’t live without Metal Gear
Solid and Final Fantasy.
…But that doesn’t matter anymore.
Microsoft wants your money too. They have the backing of the
best hardware creators in the world. They’ll keep making upgrades to their
thrown together console and demanding that you buy them. It’s the same money
making tactic they’ve been using on their personal computer technology. More
expensive hardware—more money from your pocket. And they have their franchise
too—you can’t live without Halo. It connects you to people in a way you never
thought possible through the overpriced Internet connection.
…But that doesn’t matter anymore either.
Some of you probably know where this is going. Feel free to
put on the Mario theme now. May I suggest the “Great Medley” from Super Smash
Bros.
I’d like to extend my welcome to everyone, and I do mean everyone
to the wonder of gaming. The Nintendo “Wii” has done it. They have found the
essence of what gaming is: it’s supposed to be a fun, immersive, and sharable
experience. I’m so excited because we (the gaming community) will finally be
able to show you non-gamers what all the fuss is about. And you will understand
the MINUTE you pick up the new controller and play—I guarantee it.
Those of you who haven’t been able to get into games: Ask
yourself this question—why? “It seems so stupid and ridiculous. It’s childish.
I can’t get into it. It’s frustrating. It’s not fun for me.”
Nintendo has solved your problems. Now you can play games
that revolved around simple actions. Example—Wii Sports. All you need to know
to play this game is how to swing a tennis racket, golf club, or baseball bat.
Gaming is no longer about sitting on a couch and having your hands handcuffed
to a controller with a thousand buttons on it. Gaming is simple and accessible
again. The controller is two handed, and combines simple button pushing from
the previous generations with brand new state-of-the-art motion sensing
technology. Now, if you want to swing a sword you grab hold of the controller
like a hilt and swing it. Imagine how connected you’re going to feel to Link
when you have to aim his bow at an enemy using the motion controller. You hear
the bowstring grow taught in your hand via the speaker on the controller. When
you release the bow the sound travels from your hand to your enemy and he is
vanquished in a plume of smoke. THAT is satisfying. When you block with your
shield, you can bash your enemy with it by imitating the action with your right
hand. While they’re stunned, you actually spin the nun-chuck controller hard to
perform the spinning attack. You expelling energy. By the end you’re out of
breath. The battle was hard and satisfying and you feel ACCOMPLISHED through
your action. THAT is satisfying.
Don’t be afraid at the term “State-of-the-Art” either.
Nintendo has not released the price of their system yet—but they’ve promised a
cheaper price and fairer treatment of the consumer. People are estimating the
price to be around 200. Some even go so far as to say 150. That’s what they
want—YOU the consumer to have FUN. That’s what video games are to them: their
little works of art that sell because they’re FUN—not because they’re “The next
step”.
The floor opened on 25 to 30 different games that all took
advantage of the Wii’s new control system. When the members of the gaming
community got their hands on them they realized that Nintendo wasn’t making
false promises. This really was the start of a new age in gaming. They also
realized that everything Sony and Microsoft have was STOLEN from Nintendo.
Solid Snake is a NINTENDO property. Halo is just Metroid with all the
imaginative puzzle solving taken out, and with sappy and retarded “Badassedry”
thrown in to hook a bunch of teenagers (Their target demographic). Snake is
already on Wii in the new Super Smash Bros…you can probably expect a Metal Gear
Solid game in the next few years. Final Fantasy is a NINTENDO property as well.
Imagine how connect you’ll be to these story-driven games when you’re
performing MOVABLE actions within them. Any game developer with a brain is chomping
at the bit for a chance to experiment with the endless possibilities that are
available to them with this new controller.
I implore each and every one of you to embrace the Nintendo
Wii. It stands for everything games are supposed to be. Don’t let these
corporations steal your money on lifeless shock value, and pointless
complicated game play. That’s not fun. That’s not a game.
I can’t wait for the day when a father and son can play
catch inside on a rainy day, and then later play baseball with another father
and son in Europe or Japan. Imagine where this is going to go. Imagine how this
can help us connect to one another. That’s what the name “Wii” means. We. Us.
Let’s all get together and have some fun.
You can find the press conference here:
http://www.gamespot.com/search.html?type=11&stype=all&qs=nintendo+press+conference&x=0&y=0
It’s very entertaining and fun. Everyone should at least watch
the opening speeches. You know what to add to your Christmas list if its free.
*Special Note:
Nintendo has also made very powerful friends. George
Lucas was at the press conference, and he was spellbound. You can expect a Jedi
simulation game to be released very soon. Rumors are flying around about an
online light saber duel game. Imagine all the fun and competition of Halo 2…but
with first person light saber duels with people all over the place.
"Nintendo’s mission is to try to make people happy; to try to make people smile."
-Nintendo President Satoru Iwata
*Unrelated*
I'm
coming back on the 17th. This summer is going to be very special to me.
It's quite possibly the last time I'm going to be able to come home
during the summer--so I hope I get to see all of you. Texas means alot
to me, and this summer is the end of my being able to call it home.
It's hard, but I'm cool with it. See you guys soon.
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