RANDOM VIDEO GAME NEWS - CON SEASON

[Serrano]

NES Mini sold 3.6 million copies in under 6 months. A single machine which can play more than 1 type of cartridges is less niche product than 4x space strategy games. There are lots of collectors. EMU scene has its boom on Twitch. And there are still games made for some old school game systems.

 

Wow, my mistake, thank you for the information

[Mamoulian War]

 

NES Mini sold 3.6 million copies in under 6 months. A single machine which can play more than 1 type of cartridges is less niche product than 4x space strategy games. There are lots of collectors. EMU scene has its boom on Twitch. And there are still games made for some old school game systems.

 

 

Wow, my mistake, thank you for the information

And now, even to my big surprise, I dug out info, that SNES Mini sold even more (5.28 million copies in 6 months)

[SonicMage117]

That's not to mention that the market for such a system as the SNES Mini is far different from that of which is the system I posted. Being that the SNES Mini is an officially licensed Nintendo product under limited run changes the aspect of product sale and motive of purchase quite a bit. Tis only natural but inarguable on any ground.

[Mamoulian War]

NES mini is not limited anymore. SNES Mini was never limited. The market is the same. The retro gaming market. People in their 40s no longer strike their epeens in a futile war, which system is better.

[SonicMage117]

I seem to remember it coming in shortage of stock. A large percentage of buyers were not nostalgic gamers but scalpers who had no interest/knowledge of gaming, all they knew at the time was that the stock would be in shortage - which is was, it wasn't because it was selling like crazy.

https://www.geekwire.com/2018/nintendos-nes-classic-returns-stores-massive-hype-limited-run-going-fast/

 

That only tells me the market is far different from say, a nostalgic system in which people would have to be rooted in nostalgic presence to be remotely interested in, such as the system I posted. That conclusion is only ethical since we know scalpers will not be interested in such a system. It tells true to how niche the nostalgic gaming console commumity/interest really is. Not saying that the interest generated in which is quality which drives it. There are too many variables which are to be excused/considered, misplaced or even misdirected.

 

More info here:

https://youtu.be/hIGBccw_vL8

 

So this is what happens when marketing, legacy, hype and other things are used to push interest and demand. I don't really count that as true interest in nostalgic gaming. It's closer to peer pressure than self-induced. If we had an awesome 16-Bit system with great games which were on cartridge, from a group of nobodies, I doubt anyone would care. In fact we've already seen this as a reality.

 

Producing a shortage, watching people get angry and then using that to say "We're bringing our product back due to popular demand" certainly does sound good for headlines though lol

 

As far as which systems are better, I agree, there isn't really a better or but exclusives to me will always make or break my bias and my piggybank. I'm 32 and will always favor Sonic over Mario and Sony exclusives over PC's best and Xbox's greats... Til they prove me otherwise. I will probably be this way til the day I die but that said I enjoy all equally at the end of the day.

 

Edit: ^Look at my essay, it really is beautiful!

Edited September 13, 2018 by SonicMage117

[ShadySands]

Starflight 3 isn't looking so hot at 42% funding with 12 days left

[Malcador]

[kirottu]

Why call it gameplay trailer if you're not going to show any gameplay?

[Cpl Halsbart]

Why call it gameplay trailer if you're not going to show any gameplay?

Why call it a game when its Bioware?

[213374U]

Why call it gameplay trailer if you're not going to show any gameplay?

 

Why call it Democratic People's Republic of Korea if it's neither democratic nor the people's and most certainly not a republic?

 

I thought it was interesting how both EA's and especially Bioware's brands are essentially absent from the trailer, except in a small corner at the end. I remember old Bioware trailers always started with a sleek studio brand animation.

 

Maybe I'm just seeing things.

[LittleArmadillo0]

 

Why call it gameplay trailer if you're not going to show any gameplay?

 

Why call it Democratic People's Republic of Korea if it's neither democratic nor the people's and most certainly not a republic?

 

I thought it was interesting how both EA's and especially Bioware's brands are essentially absent from the trailer, except in a small corner at the end. I remember old Bioware trailers always started with a sleek studio brand animation.

 

Maybe I'm just seeing things.

 

Yeah the studio name doesn't seem to be a part of the prime marketing material. I did remember one of the trailers for Jade Empire featured Bioware's name prominently, but most of the games nowadays don't focus on the Bioware name in the trailers and marketing.

[Malcador]

https://www.pcgamer.com/the-making-of-total-annihilation/

 

Light background on making of TA

[injurai]

[Cpl Halsbart]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IIiQZw_p_E

[Serrano]

Hail to the king!

[Mamoulian War]

In EU (at least in the western part) physical sales are still more than 75% of all sales.

 

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-09-14-why-do-gamers-still-buy-physical-games

[Mamoulian War]

And more Loot Box news. More and more countries are investigating the ****.

 

[Keyrock]

You know, the last thing I wanted was for governments to get involved with gaming, but since corporate greed knows no bounds their hand was forced. Thanks a lot ********!

[Cpl Halsbart]

So do EU members want a cut of the loot box profits, or is this a move to ban them? I don't know how gambling's regulated over there.

[Malcador]

And more Loot Box news. More and more countries are investigating the ****.

 

 

Well, hope the loot box phenomenon can endure.  Wonder what they'll switch to if they can't do that - maybe just put oppressive progression schemes on everything

[marelooke]

So do EU members want a cut of the loot box profits, or is this a move to ban them? I don't know how gambling's regulated over there.

 

How it will end up being handled will depend on how the (mainstream) press handles it, if they bring this, and keep this, in the spotlight then lootboxes in their current form are done for. This is clearly affecting children, especially in Belgium (like in most of Europe, I imagine) where FIFA is enormously popular as football ("soccer" for you US-ies) is easily the most popular sport (on that note: this explains why 2K isn't quite as up-in-arms, basketball isn't even remotely as popular over here).

 

What happens (in BE, at least) will depend on how it will be classified, if it ends up tossed in with casino games then that means there is an age restriction of 21+, which, combined with how FIFA is enormously popular with the youth would, I imagine, be a very big cut out of EA sales.

 

How the EU will handle it is anyone's guess, but all this noise definitely will put it on the radar of politicians and the general public, a combination that doesn't generally bode well for companies utilizing business practices they rather not have scrutinized... If nothing else I'd bet on tighter regulation and more public awareness. Best case is of course a plain ban on these practices, but that might be a bit optimistic.

[majestic]

So do EU members want a cut of the loot box profits, or is this a move to ban them? I don't know how gambling's regulated over there.

 

That very much depends on the member state. Gambling laws are notoriously complex and each member state has their own. If lootboxes were to be classified as gambling (or a game of chance*) they would fall under each member state's regulation - in some states publishers might be able to get a gambling license and continue to sell lootboxes, to mature audience only though, in others not so much.

 

*Outcome determined by luck, not skill. The distinction is also done on a member state level and adds another layer of complexity with very fluid lines. Black Jack is usually a game of chance, but Texas Hold 'Em often isn't (even tough there's arguably a layer of strategy for Black Jack).

Edited September 18, 2018 by majestic

[kanisatha]

The only thing people need protecting from is governments. It is the height of patronizing arrogance to be telling people what is best for them. I hope a whole bunch of corporations simply stop doing business in these countries and the home countries of those corporations retaliate by counter-banning business originating from these countries.

[Mamoulian War]

Yeah, can't wait EA stopping doing business in EU. The stain on our cultural heritage will be finally gone!!!

Edited September 18, 2018 by Mamoulian War

[Malcador]

https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/brian-fargo-wants-to-buy-back-interplay-1202944111/

 

Wonder how much Interplay costs.