Nintendo unveils new DS model: The DSi

From an article found here: http://adjix.com/j63q

In a world where every electronic device purchase would be potentially obsolete in a few months, Nintendo just made the Nintendo DS you bought for your kids last Christmas obsolete. Boasting new features and trade-offs, the DSi would be available for US consumers on April 5. New features such as larger screens, two built-in cameras, upgraded hardware and memory, and SD memory card support. Also in the mix, the expanded wireless support and features. Users can now connect wirelessly with a free web browser, go online, and purchase item through the Nintendo online store similar to the Wii Shop feature on the Nintendo Wii.

Now the trade-offs. The new Nintendo DSi would no longer support Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance game library. Developers would take time to take advantage of the camera feature. In addition, the steeper price tag of $170 (The current models run up to $129) would make consumers hesitate a bit given the current economic environment.

So how will this affect the gaming world? In my opinion, not much… at least for a while until developers take full advantage of the new camera features. While the added camera feature would be fun, paying $170 for a cell-phone quality camera does not seem like a great use of hard-earned cash. The gaming community only had a few titles that used a built-in camera in the game play. Titles like Eye-Toy and In the Movies never really took off and made profits for developers. Let us not forget the competition. While the PSP never really put up a real fight, the iPod Touch/ iPhone can give the DSi a run for its money.

Although I expect the DSi to sell very well, I am not inclined to buy the new model for two reasons: the Trade-offs mentioned above and I already have a Nintendo DS Lite. I am sure that I am wrong about developers not utilizing the camera function. I was wrong about the touch screen feature and thought that developers would not buy it. I was a PSP proponent back then. Nintendo had managed to pull off a success with the touch screen and wii-mote feature of their products and I would not be surprised if I eat my words in a few months. However, in today’s economic uncertainty, I am sure kids would have a hard time convincing their parents to take the plunge especially if a) they already have a DS b) the price point of $170 + tax would scare off lay-off worried parents. That I bet would determine whether the DSi would make a huge impact in the gaming industry.

Pros

• Larger screen size and thinner design

• Two built-in cameras

• Expanded Wireless features

• Upgraded hardware and SD card support

• Cheaper than the PSP and iTouch/ iPhone

• More gaming titles than PSP

Cons

• $170 price tag (An Xbox 360 now sells for $199)

• $30 average for game titles while cheaper than PSP (around $40), it is more expensive than iPhone/ iTouch apps that are mostly below $10

• Would not play old Game Boy Advance games (Why not Nintendo?)

• Not an iPhone/ iTouch killer.

• Untested camera features in gaming titles

Filed under: Opinion, 2 cents, 2009, apps, April 5, article, camera, Canon Powershot camera, Christmas, Con, device, DS, DSi, economy, electronic, eye-toy, family, Game boy Advance SP, games, iPhone, iTouch, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, obsolete, photo, pictures, pink slip. recession, Pro, PSP, SD Memory card, titles, wireless

Cheaper Video Games… good or bad?

I just read a recent article stating that the era of $59.99 price range for video games could be over (see: http://adjix.com/3ndr).

The article stated the current trends of retailers cutting down prices of Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii games from $59.99 ($49.99 for the Wii) to $39.99 up to $49.99.  Any knowledgeable gamer knows that price reductions are common practice for older or less popular titles, but the current global recession and retailer bankruptcies (i.e. Circuit City) have placed these reductions front and center.  It used to take at least six months or so before game titles go down in prices but these days, prices are low on relatively new titles such as Mirror’s Edge, Madden 2009, Saint’s Row 2 and Prince of Persia.

 

 Although this may be a welcomed treat for gamers like me, this can be a hard hit for the bottom line of Developers and Publishers.  I just saw an article that Electronic Arts would eliminate another 11% of its workforce (see: http://adjix.com/3nbw).  This proves that the once recession-proof industry is finally feeling the crunch and is slimming down their operating costs. 

 

The price cuts could help drive individual sales for game titles but with a smaller profit margin for publishers and console makers, this could spell some trouble with the whole gaming industry. Is the growth of the gaming industry in danger?

 

My answer is no. 

 

Here are the reasons why:

• Gamers would be gamers. Gamers would continue to purchase quality video games and would rank gaming as their number one source of entertainment.
• The recession is forcing more and more people to stay home.  This would equate to increased time spent gaming.
• Gaming has become Mainstream.  With the success of  the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Guitar Hero, Rockband and online gaming in luring casual gamers, the demand of video games would increase exponentially in the next few years (my own opinion only)
• Video games are not only for fanboys and for geeks anymore.  With the Wii Fit, The Sims and Bejewelled, casual gamers are discovering gaming’s “IT” factor.

 

So what is the verdict?  Are cheaper prices good for the gaming industry?  For consumers, of course it is good.  Cheaper prices mean more spending money to try out other lesser-known game titles.  In the short term, it would hurt developers and publishers but if they invest in the long term and use their brains, this could be the best thing that happened to the gaming industry. The good old parental excuse of video gaming as an expensive hobby is obsolete. Gamers are now more willing to try out other genres and titles. In addition, this would force developers to churn out quality games over quantity.  The problem I had recently is the tidal wave of games that flooded the market (Not all releases are great… most are just crap). A good variety and supply of new games are good but a flood of games causes frustration and confusion with gamers who do not have the time and money to try out all these new games. Basic economics… less supply, more demand = higher prices and profit.  Games such as Halo, Gears of War and Grand Theft Auto sell out for a reason.  Such games are in demand for the gaming quality and replay value that gamers respond positively.

 

However, developers and publishers should take this as a warning. They need to be more creative in what games they bring to the market.  I understand the need to milk out their killer apps but this can get old.  For instance, how many versions of Madden do we need to get closer to the NFL experience? (I think I just stepped on a couple of toes there).  They need to develop new and creative IP (Intellectual Properties) to entice gamers and grow their audience. With this in their minds, the future of gaming would be bright.

 

As for now, I will enjoy the lower-priced games (as we all should) and HOPE for the time when I will be playing the next killer app games like Halo, Civilization and Sims.  Only time would tell.

 

 

Filed under: Opinion, 2008, 2009, bankrupt, bejewelled, challenge, childhood, Circuit City, civilization, DS, EA, Electronic Arts, gamers, gears of war, grand theft auto, gutiar hero, halo, Nintendo DS, nintendo wii, online gaming, pink slip. recession, playstation 3, prices, ps3, rockband, the sims, video gaming, wii fit, xbox 360

Friday Relief

Tis Friday at last

A week’s worth of working late

Ends with me in bed

 

TGIF.

 

The letters above stand for Thank God It’s Friday.  It is more than just a restaurant chain’s logo and caption. It’s a prayer of millions of office drones, blue collar ants and scholarly creatures the world over.  It is a sigh of relief for people who managed to survive another week of dodge office politics, the occasional backstabbing, the bruising of already weak egos and mindless routine tasks that would rival a nearby bee hive.

 

Although one couldn’t complain much because of the global economic crisis adding the official coming out of the economy from the recession closet.  So, with looming lay offs and bankruptcy filings, the regular Joe Six-Pack who still earns a living should be thankful.  However, are the still employed any better off than the depressed unemployed?

 

Unlike the depressing reality of the unemployed facing starvation, eviction and humiliation (wow, they rhyme..), the survivors face far bleaker future in their current position.  Some survivors experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the stress of waiting for the dreaded “pink” slip (are they still Pink?) and the pain of watching fellow co-workers pack up their personal belongings.  After PTSD, the drones switch to Paranoia.  They fear that one false step would be the death of their professional career.  Although some of their fears are exaggerated, the current trend the past couple of decades have given these worker bees enough basis and precedence for their fears. 

 

Given these possibilities, one could imagine the state of mind of the person who coined TGIF (who did?).  Did the person experience a jobless? Did he/she survive downsizing? Was he/she forced to closed down his/her business?  God only knows.

 

So the next time you stop by the local TGIF on Friday night (Which should be their Happy hour/night right?), be thankful that you a job/biz that stresses you out to say: TGIF.

Filed under: Haiku, Opinion, Bee, blue collar, closet, Disorder, Drone, economy, Friday, God, Joe Six-Pack, pink slip. recession, Post, PTSD, Stress, TGIF, Traumatic, unemployed