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Metroid Prime 2 - Echoes Shows Multiplayer Action For GameCube
Thanks to Nintendo.com for its new info page officially revealing Metroid Prime 2: Echoes for GameCube, showing several impressive screenshots of "this highly anticipated sequel to Metroid Prime", as the first hints of setting are discussed: "Hunted by a mysterious entity and a warring race called the Ing, Samus Aran must explore the light and dark worlds of this doomed planet." The previously rumored multiplayer mode is also confirmed: "Up to four players can battle each other as they search for weapons, grapple across ceilings, and turn into Morph Balls to make their escapes."
Oh come on, man, you can sum up any game like that.
GTA: Walk around city, shoot at people, get in car, get out, repeat.
Mario: Enter level, jump around, jump on enemy, collect stuff, repeat.
Halo: Run around, shoot at enemies, drive a jeep, repeat.
Interesting point. I think that's one of the prime (ahem) reasons why Nintendo is so skittish about going online.
When all is said and done, the image they're trying to project is one of a family company...which is quite different from a kiddy company, despite popular opinion. Making a game online capable requires such freedom of communication that it's impossible to censor it and not cripple the experience. Look at Phantasy Star Online: do you think you'd be able to bond with your buddies as well using only the Symbol Chat interface? And even then, they still managed to "dirty" it up...it seems you can make a lot of questionable images with those symbols.
Even if they stuck on a big, shiny sign covering half the retail box that said, "Hey, people on the net can be assholes, so we're not responsible for hurt feelings incurred playing online!" parents would still bitch the first time little Timmy was told to "fuck off n00b". I guess doing without that grief, and the resultant image shift, is worth the online sales. I disagree, but that may be part of the rationale.