Joystiq

Sega still publishing for PS2

Zack Stern — 2006-12-31T20:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

BusinessWeek interviews Simon Jeffery, chief operating officer at Sega of America, about the console transition and gamers' plans to upgrade hardware. Jeffery offers insight into Sega's thought process; he expects the PS2 to continue to sell well for at least another year.

Jeffery says that retailers have forced the GameCube and Xbox off shelves to make more room for the new hardware. However, he hasn't seen -- and doesn't anticipate -- the same fate for the PS2; the company will still release occasional PS2 games, although Jeffery says they'll be ports from the newest hardware.

Who's buying PS2s? Jeffery thinks they're secondary systems for PS3 and Xbox 360 owners, and the Wii may be competing directly with the PS2. But we wonder how many of those PS2 sales are by gamers who can't afford -- or find -- a PS3.

See also: PS2 to outsell newer consoles through next year?

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Designer: Xbox 360 may take third-place

Zack Stern — 2006-12-22T17:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

In his Designer's Notebook column, Ernest Adams compares the ways developers approach game design between the Wii and PS3. While well-argued, his analysis breaks down to input innovation (read: Wii) versus output innovation (read: PS3) that many writers have already considered. But in addition to that background, Adams tackles the question about how many -- and which -- consoles can succeed simultaneously. His tentative prediction: Wii and PS3 over the Xbox 360.

Adams thinks that the videogame market can support two consoles fighting for first place in addition to a distant third-place console. Nintendo has filled the third-place role since the N64, but because of the buzz and potential of the Nintendo's latest, Adams thinks that the Wii and the PS3 will lead the market. Why the snub for the Xbox 360? Its early launch may have hurt it more than anything, as techies will see the PS3 as the latest hardware, and casual gamers will like the variety and price-point of the Wii.

What about the games? The Microsoft lead has given its developers more time to take advantage of its hardware; the upcoming crop of Xbox 360 titles includes several standouts. Is that development time an important piece in selling hardware?

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Analysts discuss 2006, console futures

Zack Stern — 2006-12-19T21:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

Gamasutra asks several industry analysts about this year and what they expect to happen in the next several years. The open-mic blurbs offer a few opinions, but many share the theme that Xbox 360 sales have been weaker-than-expected and PS2 sales are still significant; put together, these trends suggest that most gamers are still waiting for 360/PS3/Wii-only games before upgrading their consoles.

We also wonder how the HD-expectations of the PS3 and Xbox 360 impact the market; gamers with standard TVs will see little difference in graphic quality over the previous system. Are gamers slow to upgrade because they're waiting for the killer apps, or do they plan to first get an HDTV? At least 2007's anticipated exclusives -- especially for the oldest of the three, the Xbox 360 -- will ease one of those issues.

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Dirty cops exposed: cut to front of PS3 line

James Ransom-Wiley — 2006-12-07T16:55:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3

A pair of greedy Rhode Island police officers have been accused of skipping the line that formed outside of Providence Place Mall's Sony Style retail store on PlayStation 3's launch day. Two security guards allowed the officers, along with five others, to move past those who had gathered earlier. The guards have since been dismissed from employment, and the officers now face punishments handed down by their respective police departments.

One of the officers has admitted to his superiors that he cut the line, but believes in using his authority to do so, he has done nothing wrong. "I just beg to differ. We think he did something very wrong," expressed a concerned Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman. "He's been identified and he's going to be disciplined."

The second officer, of Warick, is currently under investigation. "If the facts bear out these allegations, we will take disciplinary action against the officer," declared Warwick Police Chief Steve McCartney. If you were chief, how would you punish these jerks?

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Penny Arcade console wars in Wired

Zack Stern — 2006-12-06T18:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360

The Penny Arcade comic from the December issue of Wired is now available online for freeloaders and people with short memories. The two-page comic presents a person from the distant future reminiscing about the PS3/Wii/Xbox 360 console war and other past-to-him-future-to-us events. Check it out to stave off withdrawal symptoms until your next hit of Penny Arcade.

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Today's hottest game video: Wii in Japan

Zack Stern — 2006-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo Wii, Video

Today's most-watched YouTube game video shows Japanese news coverage of the Wii launch, including a brief interview with Wiimote Guy. Non-Japanese speakers may like seeing some of the shots of the lines, people swinging Wii controllers around, and New Year's-like countdowns to Wii sales; other than that, the video relies on voice-over and man-on-the-street interviews.

See the video after the break.

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The Onion skewers Wii and PS3

Zack Stern — 2006-11-30T01:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii

The Onion posts a hi-larious infographic comparing the PS3 and Wii in such categories as "ability to tear families apart" and ability to be a "parenting substitute." (Both consoles score "excellent" in the latter category.)

We would have added "reason you upgraded the TV." (PS3: Needed the full 1080p experience. Wii: Tried to show off home-run swing to first date and let go of the remote.)

What other headings -- and judgments -- would you add?

[Via N'Gai Croal's Level Up]

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Walking out on PS3, waiting for Wii

Zack Stern — 2006-11-27T21:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii

2old2play reminds us to buy consoles because we want them and the games, not because we're victims of hype. It seems simple enough, but the story describes a trip to a Toys 'R' Us in search of a Wii, only to find four PS3s instead. We can identify with the author's pit in his stomach while leaving the store empty-handed; the hype says this is the rarest, most sought-after console, so he wasn't sure if he was making a mistake by walking away.

These console choices are personal. Stay stronger than a company's ad budget, and pick the one -- or more -- that's right for you.

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Console launch lineup scores compared

Zack Stern — 2006-11-26T22:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Retro, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

1UP compiled a list of the best and worst games of modern console launches, including an average review score of each system's launch titles. This post updates a similar Next Gen article with just-released Wii and PS3 scores. The verdict? The Wii has the worst recent launch lineup, the PlayStation holds the all-time worst record, and the PS3 lands only two slots above the Wii.

While we had fun browsing the best and worst games, we'll keep in mind that this list means little. (1UP and Next Gen even have marginally different numbers.) All of the 1UP launch scores average in the 70-80 percent range, so none clearly represents the success or failure of a console; the Dreamcast comfortably sits in third place, with Soul Calibur as the highest ranked launch title for any system.

See also: Next-gen launch reviews projected

[Thanks, Embassy]

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A Wii Thanksgiving test on the family: Part 2

Zack Stern — 2006-11-25T09:05:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo Wii

My family gathers in northern Wisconsin each Thanksgiving; we all fly or drive across the country to reach this rural area away from TV reception and high-speed internet. We've always played games at these gatherings, and for the past three or four years, I've brought videogames. (We have a TV for DVDs and videotapes.)

In previous years, I lugged a GameCube and/or PS2 across two time zones. The most popular games have been unique or competitive titles; favorites have included Bomberman and Katamari Damacy. This year, I brought a Wii, and all the extra controllers I could find -- three Remotes and one Nunchuk.

Our Thanksgiving gathering is smaller than normal; we're missing a collection of cousins that regularly visit. But my parents, sister Alison, her boyfriend Zurich, and I have been playing the Wii, and this post documents our experience.

The amount of videogames each of them plays varies from never to occasionally. Alison has gamed over the years, but usually only with me. Zurich has a PS2 but doesn't play much anymore.

My parents don't play videogames. My dad didn't realize that Nintendo was launching a console; he thought I was trying to buy a PlayStation 3. My mom calls the Nintendo system the "Wee Wee."

None of them has liked the console name. My dad asked, "They could have gotten a better name, don't you think? Or does it stand for something?" All of them have wondered about its meaning, and all I can do is trail off, saying, "You know ... for kids."

Once we set it up, I gave them a Remote to create Mii characters. With little guidance, they aimed the pointer to change hair, type names, and otherwise build the players. My sister was amused at the unplanned resemblance between her character and my mom's Mii. They had fun making the avatars; Zurich has revisited his a few times to update its hideous appearance.

Wii Sports has been popular, with them regularly playing everything but golf. Alison boxed Zurich last night, and after pummeling him to the mat, she asked, "Can I punch him when he's down?"

"That could be a good workout," she added, towering over his virtual, crumpled body. "Tomorrow morning, we'll put on our gym clothes and come down here..."

"... And I'll get my ass kicked," Zurich added.

Seeing them play, I've grown less concerned that they wouldn't be interested in the Wii and more watchful for injuries; nobody has thrown a controller across the room, but my mom hit Zurich in the hand with a tennis swing. Everyone has been engaged in the games instead of their surroundings, wildly flailing Remotes around themselves. (The exception is my dad; he has usually played from the couch.) Four-player tennis requires a big, open room; I may have to move furniture around my apartment to make it work at home.

Rayman Raving Rabbids has been another favorite; we've most-often played the dancing mini-game. This game, similar to Samba De Amigo, requires players to shake the left and/or right controller in time with the music.

While my sister and mom competed, my dad grew interested, but I wasn't sure if he'd make an attempt. He heard them play many rounds of the beginning level, with Misirlou as the background music. He asked from the couch, "Have you got anything like [Willie Nelson's] Stardust?"

He eventually stood up for the first time to play -- he'd even bowled from the couch, shoveling the ball down the lane -- laughing and smiling while shaking his wrists to the music's beat. We were all surprised at how well he picked it up.

After the music ended, he deadpanned about the better of two bland choices, saying, "There was a lot of pressure. ... Between this and [watching] the Vikings [football] game ... I'd go for this." He then bowed out, adding, "I'm not sure my cardiologist would permit a second game."

My mom, still impressed with the performance, said, "I was amazed. I didn't think you had rhythm."

"I have rhythm," he answered.

The Wii has been popular with my family of never-to-occasional gamers. The big question I still have is about longevity; will the Wii keep them entertained, or is it a novelty that will soon grow stale? Even if it doesn't turn them into regular gamers, I'm sure we'll revisit the Wii on future Thanksgivings.

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Make a Wii component cable

Zack Stern — 2006-11-22T09:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Hacks, Nintendo Wii

Mere hours after the Wii launched with underpowered composite cables -- not even Y/C -- the distributed minds of the internet have figured out how to mod that connection into component; members of the NFG Games forum pulled off this smooth hack. Nintendo says its component cables are on the way, but can you just sit patiently and hope to buy them soon? 480p waits for no one.

The Wii end of the in-the-box cable doesn't have the full pin-outs that make the Xbox 360 cable a delight to mod. But, Macgyver it up a bit -- "acem77" on the NFG Forums used paper clips -- to add new pins. Follow the forum thread or wiki for signal and construction details.

See also: Add VGA to standard Xbox 360 cable

[Thanks, Vince Vu]

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Metareview - Red Steel

James Ransom-Wiley — 2006-11-21T22:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Action, First Person Shooters, Metareviews

Ubisoft's closely watched project has failed. True, Red Steel has likely enjoyed enough press to move units through the holiday, but critical reception is decidedly underwhelmed.

Ubisoft's would-be-grand FPS is still broke, dashing hopes that a third-party developer would 'get' Wii at launch. Instead, Nintendo's lust for innovation has again proved to be a hurdle for developers conditioned in the old ways. Give it time.

Game Informer (75/100) - "Aside from Zelda, Red Steel may be the most-anticipated Wii launch title. Unlike our boy in the green tights, this game's doesn't fully deliver on its promise ... Most of Red Steel's faults lie with the game's presentation. Enemies shout annoying obscenities in your direction during every firefight, the cheesy score is bad enough to incite chuckles, and the jaggy graphics look worse than many Xbox and PlayStation 2 games."
IGN (60/100) - "When we first started playing the title, we were prepared to score it in the low 5s because of the controls. Defenders may claim that the Wii is unable to simulate a faster, quicker aiming mechanic, which is untrue. Activision's Call of Duty 3 looks like a mess compared to Ubisoft's effort, but it is still the better shooter because its controls are much more responsive ... [We] think that there will be a lot of gamers who will completely ignore any control drawbacks and focus on the prettier visuals and varied play. But these people will be kidding themselves, for although Red Steel was born to use Wii's controller, it rarely uses it in a satisfyingly intuitive manner."
1UP (50/100) - "[The] four-player splitscreen multiplayer, while somewhat fun, is sooo two gens ago. After playing games online, it's hard to revert back to the archaic act of herding four friends together in a room ... Don't be fooled into thinking Red Steel reinvents the FPS. It's nothing more than a ho-hum shooter with a creative but flawed gimmick stapled on."

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Metareview - Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire

James Ransom-Wiley — 2006-11-21T14:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action, Simulations, Metareviews

Logic demands that each launch lineup will inevitably feature a "worst" title; the weakest link. This time around, Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire is that game (Genji has narrowly escaped this fate).

We pity thle poor fellow who errantly added Gundam to his launch day shopping cart; or worse, the one who will be forced to feign appreciation after discovering this grotesque creation lurking beneath the wrapping paper. Please folks, inform your potential holiday gift-givers.

GameSpot (39/100) - "Even if you could get past the horrid frame rate problems, lackluster presentation, and lack of online multiplayer, the gameplay in Crossfire is practically identical to the half-dozen or more Gundam games that appeared on the PlayStation 2. If you're looking for a game to show off what your PlayStation 3 is capable of, Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire should be your last choice of all the launch titles."
Game Informer (38/100) - "Imagine that you've worked hard and saved for years, and finally bought the luxury sports car of your dreams. You open the door and get in for the first time, carefully adjust the mirrors, program the radio and then, once you're comfortable, take a giant dump on the seat ... That's essentially what you're doing if you spend the money on a fancy new PS3 and choose this as your launch game of choice ... I have nothing positive to say about this game. I even hate the menu screen."
1UP (20/100) - "So, the story is nonexistent, the gameplay is a joke, and the controls are unresponsive. Could Crossfire get any worse? Unfortunately, that's a resounding 'yes.' Poor level design cripples any hopes of enjoyment ... The game is an embarrassment to the Gundam name, and raises suspicions that it was rushed for the PS3 launch."

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Wii launch corrupted by fatal error '110213'

James Ransom-Wiley — 2006-11-21T13:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Online

Nintendo has begun replacing Wii units corrupted by fatal error 110213. An unknown percentage of users have been struck with the malfunction after attempting to download the WiiConnect24 update. Affected units will not be able to connect to Nintendo's online services and must be replaced.

Luckily, offline modes still function, giving you an opportunity to back up your Zelda progress onto SD before shipping the unit off to Nintendo's scrap yard. You do have an SD card, right?

[Via Engadget]

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Minute springs monitor controller motion

Zack Stern — 2006-11-21T03:35:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Business

CNN reports on some of the motion-sensitive parts that make the PS3 and Wii controllers possible. These special sensors are based on tiny springs that make circuits when jolted, while sensitive meters measure the flow of electricity through the connection.

How tiny are the parts? The silicon pieces that flex against the springs weigh about a millionth of a gram. And they only move slightly when the controller shakes -- the distance of 10 to 100 hydrogen atoms -- but their position can still be measured.

The sensors have existed for years but were only recently cheap enough for games, at less than $1 per axis, making motion tracking the new arms race in game control. Will the 360 -- or next Xbox -- have motion control?

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PS3 launch: Blast Factor impressions

James Ransom-Wiley — 2006-11-20T14:55:00+00:00

Filed under: Arcade, Sony PlayStation 3, Action, Online

Comparisons between Blast Factor and Geometry Wars are unavoidable. In truth, Sony's downloadable games service launch title is more akin to PomPom's Mutant Storm Reloaded (Xbox Live Arcade) both in gameplay and price. We will say, of the three (Blast Factor, Geometry Wars, and Mutant Storm), Bizzare's $5 gem still trumps all in aesthetic and pace.

Where Blast Factor lacks style it makes up for with dynamic gameplay elements, including the most effective usage of Sixaxis's motion capabilities to date. While deceptively simple, the act of jerking the controller left or right to slosh around the liquid within each stage (corralling the enemies) typifies a clear advantage PS3 could have over Xbox 360 -- though the lack of rumble certainly damages the game's 'blast' factor. Other noteworthy devices include Blast Factor's auto-adjusting difficulty and enemy variation (players must discover how each class of baddie is defeated).

There are some quibbles that make Blast Factor's $9.99* price tag difficult to swallow. That each level (there are seven) contains an identical stage map, with each stage bordered by the same hexagon, is disappointing; that each level's boss is essentially identical is even more disappointing -- and puzzling, given that Bluepoint designed a decent range of non-boss foes. Still, we would have be willing to look past these faults if Blast Factor sustained that frantic whirlwind of action so elegantly composed in Geometry Wars. But it doesn't.

*Blast Factor is currently on sale for $7.99.

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NY Times: The PS3 "isn't that great"

Blake Snow — 2006-11-20T14:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

Seth Schiesel from the New York Times logged more than 30 hours with 13 games for the PS3 over the last week. His early verdict? Sony has failed to deliver on their promise and the new video game system "just isn't that great." He criticizes the lack of in-box HD cables, having to connect "wireless" controllers to the console for recognition purposes, and the difficulty playing custom playlists in games. He basically deems the 360 the better machine for now calling it a "powerful but intuitive system" likening the PS3 to a "brawny but somewhat recalcitrant specialized computer."

From the article: "Measured in megaflops, gigabytes and other technical benchmarks, the PlayStation 3 is certainly the world's most powerful game console. It falls far short, however, of providing the world's most engaging overall entertainment experience. There is a big difference, and Sony seems to have confused one for the other."

The man does praise multi-player battles in Resistance: Fall of Man, but even Joystiq's own Chris Grant, quoted in the same article, believes the console "doesn't feel finished." Granted, all newly launched systems have hiccups. The real factor is how the manufacturer handles said hiccups moving forward.

[Thanks to all who sent this in]

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Wii FAQ with 44 answers

Zack Stern — 2006-11-19T21:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo Wii

BFF, Engadget, blasted out a 44-point FAQ about the Wii. If you're still undecided on a Wii buy, the answers may help make a choice. Or if you have a Wii and run into trouble -- like it asks for a non-existent startup disc -- the FAQ offers tips. (Or in that startup case, it gives a shoulder to cry on.)

Not all of our questions were answered. (How many angels could fit on a Wii? Does it stay crunchy in milk? If the Wii were a tree, what kind would it be?) But Engadget pulls some tech-fu, trying to pair a controller with a computer as a Bluetooth device (result: recognized but not paired) and connect USB keyboards (result: not recognized). The full FAQ includes even more geeky goodness.

See also: FAQ: Answers to your PlayStation 3 questions

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Small town scores big Wii numbers

Zack Stern — 2006-11-19T20:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo Wii, Business

Chris McVeigh, one of our Canadian reader-moles, sent a detailed report about Wii sales in Bathurst, New Brunswick. McVeigh's small town of 15,000 is overflowing with Wii goodness; the local Wal-Mart stocked 96 Wii systems and is still long on remotes and nunchuks.

While the store sold its Wii consoles by noon -- McVeigh got one without any camp-out -- his story reminds us to search for remotes and nunchuks in rural areas; those stores may still have stock. Road trip to Bathurst, anyone?

[Thanks, Chris.]

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Nintendo's Wii launch party (Times Square, NYC)

Christopher Grant — 2006-11-19T13:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo Wii

We were joined by our friends at Engadget and Nintendo Wii Fanboy at the Times Square Toys "R" Us last night to partake in the midnight launch of Nintendo's little, white console. Eager fanboys and girls were wrapped around the entire block, from 45th St. down 8th Ave, to 44th St. and back up 7th Ave (peep Engadget's fancy map). When Reggie took the stage at 11:40 to preach to the choir, he said over 3000 people were lined up, but they were prepared with over 4000 consoles (we'd heard over 5000 and even over 8000 from various insiders). Everyone in line got a white wrist band guaranteeing them a Wii; however, not everyone got the baby blue Wii shirt and white knit-cap (things apparently got a little out of hand, so they stopped handing 'em out). We gathered a ton of pictures and video (coming soon) of the event, which you can hit up after the break. Any 'stiqers in attendance?

The Wii branding was omnipresent!

Like OMG! The Wiiiiiiiiii! People were actually counting down, following a long standing Times Square tradition of counting while looking at bright, blinky things.

We'll take the bait. Show us your glove love!

Where's your DS Lites? Somebody call security, these aren't gamers! (We keed, we keed).

G4 took the bait too ... now we feel predictable.

The 2nd floor Wii department in Toys "R" Us, located conveniently next to the Barbie display (insert "OMG Wii is fr liddle grls ROFL" joke here).

Alright, we're not helping things with our image selection but she was playing the Wii at the time. Don't shoot the messenger.

Reggie's here to show folks that not only is Wii for little girls, but grown men also. Nice form Reggie!

He just threw a ninja star at a Sony fanboy.

Okay, we know it seems like we're looking out for this stuff, but someone at Toys "R" Us is making a very concerted effort to pair Wii promotional materials with doll products.

Video displays inside the store show off the on-stage festivities happening outside.

STAY BACK!

We actually taught this guy how to throw up the Wii sign. Let's give 'em a hand!

Sooorrryyyyy!

SegWii!!!!

We think those are car batteries powering this whole rig.

Lovin' that tape job.

Reggie's final Wii secret: every Wii comes with it's own Segway.

Segway + Wii = nerdiest mode of transport ever devised.

Folks loved this Super Mario Brotha.

The last guy in line. How long have you been waiting? "2 seconds." Nice.

Scantily clad women with hoola hoops. We don't get it either.

This guy's back has got to be sore this morning.

A Japanese news crew surveying the scene.

That's Reggie's chair. We tried to touch it and they sawed our hand off. Actually, we're not sure who's chair it is, which makes the whole hand sawing thing even more upsetting.

Gamespot asks the tough questions.

They brought this family of three who'd been camping out up on stage so they could run down a list of canned responses about how great Wii is for people of all ages. The only way we knew they weren't plants is because their responses when asked what games they were most looking forward to. Mother: Zelda (okay, she's fine). Daughter: NBA Live 07 (wha?). Son: Metroid (you may be waiting awhile then, friend).

The crowd files in to claim their Wiis!

Reggie bags up the very first Wii purchase. Paper or plastic?

He's taking names.

... and there, the guy's name is actually Triforce. Seriously, he changed it.

Wanna Wii?

Bucket o' Red Steel.

Bucket o' SD.

Bucket o' Zelda.

Bucket o' Wiimotes.

Notice the mutagenic Xbox green leaking out from behind this Wii kiosk. They'd partitioned the entire Xbox section off behind curtains and kiosks.

No, thank you!

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