Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Whoopee for the Wii
As yet the Clarion has no gamers on staff, our old fuddy-duddies were last personally current on the hot gaming systems in the Intellevision era. In recent years we have followed the battle between Sony (PS 2,) Microsoft (X Box,) and Nintendo (previously the Game Cube, now the Wii) via the financial pages. Nonetheless, suddenly we are hearing the Wii buzz on the streets. The people, they love it. The wand, it is working for them.
Today, the NY Times is featuring a story on the front page of their business section (hard copy) that video game programmers are stoked about the Wii as well. The roots of the hep word from these constituencies are slightly different. The players love the action. From tennis to boxing, the gamers we have talked to rave about the play, the movement, the response. The Times says the software companies like that it costs only 1/4 to 1/2 as much to design a game for the Wii, as it does a game for the X Box 360 or the PS 3. At $5 million per, designing a game for the Wii is bargain. Plus, according to the game developers the Times talked to, Wii games can be written in as little as twelve months. This was compared to as much as twenty-four months or more to do similar games for Sony and Microsoft’s systems.
This is not to say, the Playstation 3 and the X Box 360 might not kick ass. In the last go round, sales of the Nintendo Game Cube jumped way in front only to be run down to a third place finish before the end of what the industry considers the 5 to 6 year lifespan of a gaming system. This time Microsoft's X Box 360 has the early lead, thanks to a release date that was almost a year earlier than its competitors.
Nintendo has to be enthused about the Wii, we know the 16-30 year olds are. There are only 60 titles for the Wii at present according to the New York Times. The momentum appears to be moving in their direction. The reviews on the sports games are all raves in North Carolina. Now to see the gray old lady quoting no less than the deacons of sports games, EA Sports, “There is a clear sense of excitement about the Wii at E.A.,” said the president of the casual entertainment division of Electronic Arts.
It can only be, "Whoopee for the Wii."**
**note: Neither the writer, nor the editor of this story have yet to actually play the Wii, let alone the PS 3 or the X Box 360.
Today, the NY Times is featuring a story on the front page of their business section (hard copy) that video game programmers are stoked about the Wii as well. The roots of the hep word from these constituencies are slightly different. The players love the action. From tennis to boxing, the gamers we have talked to rave about the play, the movement, the response. The Times says the software companies like that it costs only 1/4 to 1/2 as much to design a game for the Wii, as it does a game for the X Box 360 or the PS 3. At $5 million per, designing a game for the Wii is bargain. Plus, according to the game developers the Times talked to, Wii games can be written in as little as twelve months. This was compared to as much as twenty-four months or more to do similar games for Sony and Microsoft’s systems.
This is not to say, the Playstation 3 and the X Box 360 might not kick ass. In the last go round, sales of the Nintendo Game Cube jumped way in front only to be run down to a third place finish before the end of what the industry considers the 5 to 6 year lifespan of a gaming system. This time Microsoft's X Box 360 has the early lead, thanks to a release date that was almost a year earlier than its competitors.
Nintendo has to be enthused about the Wii, we know the 16-30 year olds are. There are only 60 titles for the Wii at present according to the New York Times. The momentum appears to be moving in their direction. The reviews on the sports games are all raves in North Carolina. Now to see the gray old lady quoting no less than the deacons of sports games, EA Sports, “There is a clear sense of excitement about the Wii at E.A.,” said the president of the casual entertainment division of Electronic Arts.
It can only be, "Whoopee for the Wii."**
**note: Neither the writer, nor the editor of this story have yet to actually play the Wii, let alone the PS 3 or the X Box 360.
Labels: Pop Culture, technology
Comments:
Look here, as predicted by consumer reaction, the Wii has now taken over the top spot in video game console sales from the X-Box 360. More than 10.5 million units have been sold.
yeah, man. wii kicks ass (says a reader who has played it!) it's more accessible and user friendly, meaning it can reach both an audience of casual gamers and more hardcore fans who place gameplay and invetiveness ahead of just simply "kick ass graphics" (as 360 and ps3 can boast). it's gyroscopic controller intrigues game developers as to what its possibilities are. all around great system. much preferred by this reader to sony or microsoft. plus you just can't beat wii tennis for good old fun.
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