Man's Best Virtual Friend

Via GameSetWatch, an L.A. Times article discussing the existential reality that exists inside the world of Nintendogs. From the article: " Today, the saga further unfolds with the Nintendogs phenomenon. That's a form of computer intelligence running on that experimental platform, the Nintendo DS, a hand-held game system far less advanced than the theoretical HAL 9000 but still powerful enough to let you walk around with a bunch of simulated beings living in your pocket. Yes: virtual pets. A game of tail-wagging, ball-chasing, romp-loving puppies is the latest evolution in the man-machine interface, now available for $29.99 at Wal-Mart and quality electronics retailers nationwide."

Comments

now available for $29.99 at Wal-Mart and quality..

[Winckle]

oh come on Zonk, that reads like a commercial, at least cut that bit out. I love Nintendo, but that last bit made me feel ashamed to read games.slashdot.org.

Re:now available for $29.99 at Wal-Mart and qualit

[nmaster64]

It's trying to make a point, that you can now practically buy a friend for 30 bucks at Wal-Mart. It's a writing technique of emphasis, not an ad.

And please, Zonk gets to much flack. Just leave the man alone people and let him do his job.

Say whay?

[Anonymous Coward]

Since when is the DS an experiment? Better check your sales figures chump

Re:now available for $29.99 at Wal-Mart and qualit

[Seumas]

Emphasis in the written word is usually . . . uh . . . emphasized. Yet another Sashdot failing. When the entire blurb is emphasized, it doesn't leave much room to convey subtext.

It was a freaking joke

[technoextreme]

oh come on Zonk, that reads like a commercial, at least cut that bit out. I love Nintendo, but that last bit made me feel ashamed to read games.slashdot.org.

Can't you see sarcasm when you see it????? It's an interesting concept but it deserves to be made fun of.

Re:now available for $29.99 at Wal-Mart and qualit

[ZakuSage]

The whole thing reads like an advertisment, if truth be told.

Seriously

[Anonymous Coward]

But wait, there's more! Click this link now and you'll also get a freeeee t-shirt!

Not "American" enough?..

[JamesInsomniac]

I don't think the Nintendogs will do well in the "Good 'ol United States". It's very Japanese. And it shows. In Japan, most households do not have dogs, so they need video game simulations. In America, nearly half (or more) of the population has one or more dogs. I don't think our youth have become connected to video games so much that they will choose a simulation over the real thing. But that's just me...

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[basscomm]

Won't sell well in the United States? The game sold about 250,000 units within a week of its release.

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[Grym]

I don't think the Nintendogs will do well in the "Good 'ol United States". It's very Japanese. And it shows.

Are you kidding? I made the mistake of waiting until days before our anniversary to buy this game for my girlfriend as a gift... It was completely sold out--and that was weeks after the game had already been released! I visited any store that even remotely had an electronics section and it was to no avail. In the end, I had to eventually order it online and get 2-day air shipping.

You don't think it will do well? It already has done well!

In Japan, most households do not have dogs, so they need video game simulations. In America, nearly half (or more) of the population has one or more dogs. I don't think our youth have become connected to video games so much that they will choose a simulation over the real thing.

See the funny thing is, my girlfriend already has a dog.

The beauty of Nintendogs is it even appeals to dog owners--especially dog owners! Because dog owners, (hopefully) by definition, love animals. Moreover, they appreciate more than the layman the differences between breeds, which are crucial to the enjoyment of the game--otherwise there'd be no point in having any more than one Nintendog or advancing through the game.

The last point shouldn't be overlooked. A big appeal of Nintendogs is in owning a purebred dog of a particular breed. Not everybody has either the time or money to do that. Getting the breed you want can be very difficult--especially if it's rare. I managed to find a breeder for the breed I like the most, Bernese Mountain Dogs. But do you know how much time an effort it took to find a good, ethical breeder for such a rare breed? It was ridiculous! I literally did research for over a year and drove for hours on end visiting multiple breeders before I finally found what I was looking for.

In the end, I got Misha (Pics). But, after my experience, I can definitely empathize with simply buying the Nintendogs. In fact, if you're not willing to do the legwork to get a good purebred dog ethically, I would recommend getting Nintendogs instead.

-Grym

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[Jacius]

In America, nearly half (or more) of the population has one or more dogs.

That's because Americans love puppies, of course! Everybody loves puppies, hence the amazing sales figures for Nintendogs worldwide!

I have to say though, I'm really looking forward to the inevitable Nintencats! Picture this:

• Your Nintencat won't come when you call it's name, thanks to the DS microphone!
• Don't teach your Nintencat tricks using the touch screen and stylus!
• Don't take your Nintencat for walks and explore the neighborhood!
• Don't compete in disc-fetching and agility trials!
• Real time! Your DS will start wailing and making loud thumping and scratching noises when you're tryng to sleep, and you won't be able to find where your Nintencat is napping during the day!
• Set the game on "Hiss Mode" and close the DS, and Nintencats will use Wi-fi to detect other nearby Nintencats and get in fights with them!

I don't think our youth have become connected to video games so much that they will choose a simulation over the real thing.

EA Sports would care to disagree with you on that one, "Tubby." (I kid, I kid.)

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[TheLink]

Just curious, do you know whether the puppy in this pic is a real dog and if it is, what breed it is?

puppy.

Thanks!

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[Anonymous Coward]

Also, you don't need to feed your Nintencat because it lets itself into the neighbours house and eats their cats food during the day!

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[Anonymous Coward]

Sorry but Tripod doesn't allow external links to pictures. You're going to have to put it into a page and then link that page or use another website to host.

-Grym

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[Anonymous Coward]

Works if you copy the link and use it directly in a new browser window.

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[TheLink]

OK here's a non-tripod link to the picture I mentioned earlier.

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[Delphiki]

You are clearly just a dog fanboy.

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[Grym]

Wow... that is a tough one. Especially because the dog is so young.

I would say, in all honesty, it is probably a mutt. However, it could be a really young Corgi (without its ears cropped). Here's a picture of a young Corgi that looks really similar.

I hope that helps!

-Grym

Re:Not "American" enough?..

[TheLink]

Hey, yeah that does look like it! Definitely closer than the other breeds I looked at anyway.

Thanks!

Hmm ears not erect is listed as a fault. I think they'd look fine without erect ears, especially if the ears are still symmetrical :).

Re:now available for $29.99 at Wal-Mart and qualit

[PhotoBoy]

Yep, plus if you don't have a DS it's a little bit more than $29.99...

Still if anyone doesn't have a DS I strongly recommend getting one, Mario Kart is amazing.

doubleclick.slashdot.org?

[spyrochaete]

Please keep advertisements in the banner on the side of the page so that my Adblock extension catches them.

dog owners getting Nintendogs

[David Nabbit]

"Timmy, I told you to feed the dog!"

"But Ma, I did already!"

"The real dog, Timmy."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that one."

Re:now available for $29.99 at Wal-Mart and qualit

[natedog44]

oh come on Zonk, that reads like a commercial...

Says the guy with the signature that reads; "Web hosting solution only 8 dollars a month"

=P

Actually,

[wahgnube]

it appears that you have more serious issues on your hand than the overtly-cute virtual dogs. That said, screw the fashion show, GAME ON!!11!

"It was at the Ashley Paige runway show during Fashion Week that I realized how much I'd become bonded to my little buddy Ding Dong. A very lithe Bijou Philips was trotting toward the cameras in a $300 trim-tailored knit bikini, but I was busy opening a can of virtual wet food for Ding Dong, whom I'd just noticed was "famished," "thirsty" and "filthy." Oh my god, poor little Ding Dong -- I'm sorry I forgot about you!"

Best part of the article

[steveo777]

"now available for $29.99 at Wal-Mart and quality electronics retailers nationwide" Implies that Wal-Mart is not a quality electronics retailer... which is true.

A friend of mine worked in the electronics dept. at Wal Mart for around four years. He had a defeated look on his face whenever he was working. Customers who shop at Wal-Mart, typically, are not looking for quality. He can tell endless stories of store patrons asking why the Sony DVD player for $130 was so much more than the $30 APEX. He tried to tell them about digital out, but that didn't matter because 90% of the time they also needed an A/V to RF adapter for a 15" B/W TV. Stories of customers who would bitch because they bought a new DVD player and (I kid you not) it wouldn't play their tapes.

Yes, these stories are recent. Yes, we live in a metropolitan/suburban area.