Monday, 10 September 2007
Casual or Hardcore?
In the race to win the 'next-gen' sales war the Wii is selling quicker than warm buns, but with a flurry of 'casual' game releases where are the games to keep the traditional gamer busy. With games like Mario Party 8 and Boogie doing exceptionally well in the charts then it seems that a lot of people might have bought it as a party machine which they bring out to impress guests. If they have, then they won't be disappointed, it fills that role perfectly. But if the Wii gets an outing once or twice a month, and only one or two games are year are purchased then where is the longevity of the machine, particularly for Nintendo's profit margin. Standard console marketing lore dictates that the consoles are sold at cost or even at a loss and profits are made from the sale of games.
It does appear amongst the people I know, some of who would be considered to be quite serious gamers and others who have never played a computer game in their lives, that it's equally popular with both.
Don't get me wrong though, I think much of the pleasure that is to be gained from videogames is and always has been their ability to surprise, and I think the Wii does this as well as, if not better than what else is on offer, and it's this surprise element which is appealing to 'casual' and 'serious' gamers alike. Maybe it's that that makes it the first console with mass appeal.
As much as it sounds like I am be-moaning the party games, I am not! I do like the party element to the Wii, it is great that when friends or family come round that anyone from my niece to my mum can have fun and enjoy gaming. I just hope that this is not just a fad (Christmas '08 sales will probably decide if it's a fad or not). I am just waiting to see more balance in the games available, admittedly there are a few 'meaningful'
titles out there, or on the horizon, but just not enough.
Party Games (recent and up-coming releases)
Mario Party 8
Boogie
Tamagotchi Party On!
Guitar Hero III
Carnival Funfair Games
EA Playground
Alan Hansen Sports Challenge
Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Cheggers Party Quiz
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
More 'Serious' Games (recent and up-coming releases)
Super Paper Mario
Super Mario Galaxy
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Tony Hawk Proving Ground
It does appear amongst the people I know, some of who would be considered to be quite serious gamers and others who have never played a computer game in their lives, that it's equally popular with both.
Don't get me wrong though, I think much of the pleasure that is to be gained from videogames is and always has been their ability to surprise, and I think the Wii does this as well as, if not better than what else is on offer, and it's this surprise element which is appealing to 'casual' and 'serious' gamers alike. Maybe it's that that makes it the first console with mass appeal.
As much as it sounds like I am be-moaning the party games, I am not! I do like the party element to the Wii, it is great that when friends or family come round that anyone from my niece to my mum can have fun and enjoy gaming. I just hope that this is not just a fad (Christmas '08 sales will probably decide if it's a fad or not). I am just waiting to see more balance in the games available, admittedly there are a few 'meaningful'
titles out there, or on the horizon, but just not enough.
Party Games (recent and up-coming releases)
Mario Party 8
Boogie
Tamagotchi Party On!
Guitar Hero III
Carnival Funfair Games
EA Playground
Alan Hansen Sports Challenge
Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Cheggers Party Quiz
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
More 'Serious' Games (recent and up-coming releases)
Super Paper Mario
Super Mario Galaxy
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Tony Hawk Proving Ground
Labels: Games
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