It's common on tech forums to see "females naturally don't like tech or math". When and how did we prove with undeniable certainty the "natural" inclinations of a person, based on their gender? Considering many of these professions are hardly "natural" anyway, how do you make that determination? Are females born with a propensity to like purses rather than wallets?
Personally, I welcome diversity, and while many people will clamor that it forces unqualified people into workplaces, I'll show you many people who are simply "making it work" and are nothing special. In fact, I'd argue the most damage of keeping unqualified workers exists in "they know (or are related to) X". Many female developers I've met are just as skilled as their male counterparts and usually tend to be more organized in my experience. I've seen less female "rock stars" but that may be due to the fact that I've worked with WAY more men (sample bias).
While this is an anecdote, I feel like it has some truth in it. I was at Target. A mother and her daughter were shopping around. The young daughter begged to be Spider-Man for Halloween and the mother continually said, "No, that's for boys. You can choose something else." My experience tells me that is far from a rarity, and that's simply concerning dressing up like some fictional character. I feel like many people in the tech community who are decently rational will say, "Who cares what costume or choice a child makes based on their gender" and then attempt to apply that to how others react to the same situation. Well, there are many people out there who still apply genders to the most minute of decisions, and they are parents.:)
P.S. I'm not a SJW, at all. Please stop overusing the term. However, I just don't see what's worth whining about. Who the fuck cares? Your job is not at risk by a certain discipline attempting to be more inclusive. If it is, then that is an HR problem at your company or your skills aren't that great. People who are upset are either severely overreacting (for whatever reason) or are just play the protectionist game.
It was one thing to push wireless for mobile phones. I don't like it, but at the very least, you're usually not stationary, and I've had cords get tangled or yanked on the go.
But seeing as laptops are often productivity workstations where you may spend hours at a time working, I want and need a 3.5mm jack. My good, wired headphones are for the long hauls. No charging needed (and no batteries to expire) and are reliable. I use Bluetooth when I'm on the go or exercising and a cord may actually get in my way. I'm not going to go on a 7-hour jog either, so I'm not worried about charging it.
No, I don't want any peripherals, either. I WILL lose peripherals, and I hate that the knee-jerk reaction to these type of complaints is to purchase a peripheral. I understand how to solve that simple problem, okay? My issue is that it's a problem I didn't ask for!
MacBooks are the only hardware I'm interested in purchasing from Apple, but if this happens, no way.
The main driving force is always price. Always. That's why I believe Android will continue to win, and it's simply a huge perk that we have access to the source (even though delays frustrate the entitled folk).
Apple popularized the smartphone market, meaning they brought the 'taste' to the mainstream. They did the same with MP3 players. However, when comparing products, Android may not be optimal for everyone's tastes, but if it's 'good enough' then it's a formidable substitute. And at a lower cost, it will not lose.
I swear the anti-Apple crowd are far and away worse than the real fanboys. Even in the worst-possible scenario, with everyone who likes Apple kit being a fan (ahem, including both genders, here) , at least the fans have something they like, appreciate, and enjoy using. The haters just hate. And that's pitiably sad.
Oh really? I find them both equally irritating.
I had a friend requesting advice for a laptop that may be used for video editing. His budget was $500 and he was thinking about a Mac since Windows XP was giving him issues on an older desktop. Out of the woodwork, the discussion was filled with rabid Mac fans pushing him to buy without regard to the price point, many recommending outdated models and offering their old ones. My contribution was that he had options, especially for his needs, his budget and the relative decency which is Windows 7. There was no option for these other people.
Yet he impulsively bought one not soon after. Funny thing. He went on craigslist and accidentally bought a stolen one. He has been subpoenaed to testify against the thief. His blog post here (no ads, it's just his story).
Whether or not I believe we are spelling our quick demise is really none of my concern. Many publications on the topic have claimed much of the damage is irreversible. Some seem to inappropriately model the data (read: make accurate predictions). Inability to make such predictions isn't proof of incorrectness, but instead, it makes me ponder the usefulness. However, while I do I have my reservations on these findings, I do have a strong opinion on energy. With our current plans, it's quite finite.
In short, I'd rather have more money being poured into renewable technologies, even at the expense of climate change research (not cutting it). If we know the proposed solution is a future-bound inevitability (regardless of the validity of climate change theory), what's all the fuss for? I'd just suggest to look at how much money and power the industry of energy holds. That's why it's political.
I will add that I believe what bothers me about some "Global Warmists" is the animosity and push for dramatic overnight change. Some people even discard nuclear energy, dubbing it too dirty. Sure, it's not perfect but it's a farcry away from coal and a good stepping stone as we search for better answers.
Infrastructures have to be rebuilt. New technologies must be found. Limitations must be overcome (wind, etc.) Resources must be considered every step of the way. Money is also required. Focus on the solution. It will be needed no matter the issue.
Such a virus could serve three purposes in my mind:
1) Disseminate and house child pornography anonymously
2) Bored person playing a cruel prank
3) An attempt to legitimize the "infected computer" defense. No way I knew about it. My computer is infected.
You work a 60-hour work week. Apparently, you also get a poor amount of sleep. Working out involves recovery time. Adequate sleep is paramount to a sound body and mine.
You can't do a workout program? You can't wake up early? You really can't do anything outside of your days off. You want a magic fit pill? You want longer days? You want what does not exist.
The answer is blatantly obvious: find a new job or face the fact that your mental and physical state will erode over time.
It is comforting to know that IT doesn't require common sense.
Piracy is rampant on the DS too, and there's tons of money being made there.
Agreed. Buy a flash cart, a microSD card and you're off to the piracy races for the DS. Much less complicated than PSP modding even though that is relatively simple.
It boils down to a few things: price, game selection and allure of the hardware.
It automatically failed on price. Remember, when its price dropped the PSP received a decent boost in sales. Unfortunately, due to their sparse selection of quality games, I don't think it held much interest.
The launch of the DS was stronger. The DS Lite reinvigorated and popularized the console. Also, it provided an interesting way to play games. Now games could be made that actually interested mom and pop (read: Brain Age). The PSP stuck with hardcore technological advantage and fell on its face. Not to mention the 'nub' joystick is a pain to get used to or the disparity in battery life.
Sony has no one to blame but themselves, but honestly, they've done relatively well in an arena that Nintendo absolutely slaughters.
Maybe their whole production process is customized with a Vista image. Imagine that you now have an employee that needs to yank out the vista hard drive, throw in an xp hard drive, and then have another employee make sure that it is an XP system before it ships out. Not to mention the cost of changing the OS sticker on the laptop...
I'd also imagine that such a production process could have custom XP deployments for their machines especially when there seems to be a demand for it. I was given an HP laptop with Vista on it as a gift. It took me less than a day to hunt for the drivers and get it running despite it being a bit of a pain. Now why can't a company with much better resources than me alone accomplish this same task much quicker?
The software/computer industry has always gone the way of forced obsolescence. It has guaranteed revenue for quite some time. With Vista, what we are seeing is consumer backlash with this concept. Couple that with the speeds that your average PC has, and other than hardware failure, your average PC consumer shouldn't need an upgrade for years unless their needs increase.
I estimate I spent about 10 hours on the game, and I would far rather have 10 AWESOME hours than 40 hours of padded frustrating crap. I'm old enough I don't want to waste my time on stupid sh@# just for the sake of being hardcore like an internet suicide.
The combat is eventually a bit tedious, yes. I'd prefer the game be even MORE stripped down. I'm perfectly willing to drop $40 for 8 hours of making you feel like a total badass.
Elika is amazing - she is never annoying (which is astounding for a companion) and the dialogue is interesting and funny. And the ending is just fantastic; it deserves a mention even separate from the lack of death. I can't say anything much without spoiling it, but I love how it asks you (and you likely comply gladly) to subvert everything you've done.
I can't tell if you're talking about a movie or a game. But then again, they'll starting to slowly merge IMO. HD graphics, motion control and CPU power getting better and better. Virtual reality is on its way. Part of me is psyched and the other part worried.
Kind of like buying a house and having to pick the lock to get inside. No thanks.
No.
More like buying a house, having to pick the lock, and occasionally the guy you're paying comes and changes the locks. Did I mention that if you want to renovate your bathroom, too bad. The homeowner has decided the bathroom provided is optimal.
While some people use voice recognition software strictly for dictation, others use it to control their computers, specifically disabled people.
My brother is disabled and he says he has grown to hate flash. It oftens slows his computer down, causes crashes, and isn't accessible outside of manually navigating to its buttons unlike standard HTML which he can just say the name of the link to access.
I also do some web page design here and there and I always dissuade people from using flash as a solution. Sure, you can provide an awesome interface, but at the cost of processing power, bandwidth and broken accessibility, it hardly seems worth it. The goal of a page is to access information with everything else coming after in order of importance IMO.
Focus on quality It's simple. The developers need to stop hacking together horseshit and make quality games, but there's also a few things Nintendo needs to do.
If you go casual, just add quality. I'd be down for some good "casual" games as well. For example, it's been a while since I've seen a Jeopardy game. The Wii is perfect for it and with DLC becoming all the craze, we can now ensure that the content stays fresh. The market is out there! Casual can be fun, but it still requires effort from developers. There is a pattern developing here (hint: quality).
To Nintendo: Improve the online There's a reason the 360 has the highest attachment rate right now: an average of higher quality releases and Live. Make the online experience reliable (a few games have exhibited the potential) and possibly make it more expansive but reliability is required. I won't go into the irritation that are friend codes because most people already know. You come standard with Wi-Fi, take advantage of it. The fact that people are willing to fork over the ridiculous amount of $100 for wireless on the 360 shows that the online arena is a moneymaker. Good online will definitely help increase attachment rates.
To Nintendo: Stop fucking around and give us a solution to the storage issue I don't care if it's being "worked on". Fix it. Fix it fast. Unfortunately, you stand to make more money. I don't get the hangup.
If online gaming is essential to you then that's why you don't see any games worth playing. There's no question that the Wii needs to pick up the game in the online arena to attract that crowd although the 360's latest offerings seem to take a bit from both the Wii and the PS3.
To name a few worthy games IMO:
Twilight Princess
Metroid Prime: Corruption
Zack & Wiki
No More Heroes
Dragonball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2 & 3
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Paper Mario
Mariokart Wii (the online is much better)
SSMB
Boom Blox
Okami (waggled port)
Resident Evil 4 (waggled port)
Of course it's a matter of opinion, but there are at least ten solid titles IMO. I own all three systems and I find myself gaming on my PC & DS more than all three combined. The PS3 library is sparse. Most 360 games offer a similar feel and Live isn't that interesting for me.
Why do people bother with OS projects when they could invest their time in something useful like curing cancer?
I don't know if that makes much sense. Let's see through a hypothetical interview.*
Interviewer: So Mr. X, you are the creator of the hugely successful homebrew application GenericApp.
Creator: Yes, I am.
Interviewer: Well, many of your critics have said that your efforts could have been better spent in an effort to cure cancer.
Creator: Um...
* DISCLAIMER: Such interviews would not actually occur. A more realistic incident would be a forum thread littered with people complaining about the functionality, the interface, getting it to work as they want it, and of course, the con side telling said idiots to do something themselves.
Seeing as the Virtual Console doesn't offer any games that really make proper use of the intuitive controls of the Wiimote, I would think that many non-gamers would brush it off as irrelevant. Seriously, your gramps may love Wii bowling, but I don't think R-Type is going to work for him. However, with original content, it's time for Nintendo to get their wheels rolling on some things that will attract the non-gamer crowd. There's load of possibilities. All of these board and puzzle games can be readily exploited and actually make more sense to some people who use a Wiimote.
OTOH, I see more online multiplayer titles as a smart move. The console is lacking the online support it needs ATM, and I think some original titles could help give it a much needed boost. There is a lot of potential, so let's see if Nintendo does the right things with it.
I'm not surprised. I've read in a ton of different places that the PS3 is making its way to the shelves (some units being returns from unsuccessful eBay sellers). And sometimes taking a few days to sell ten or so units in some places. I know the local Circuit City had 15 units for a few days although I haven't checked to see if they are still stocked. Why make a purchase online when you can just go to your local store and pick one up?
The Wii, on the other hand, is practically nonexistent in many places. No wonder the eBay prices are still there.
The fact that customer service companies in India cannot communicate with the average person in western English speaking countries on a level that is equitable.
I agree completely.
It greatly annoys me to contact a place in hope of help to receive someone who is obviously reading from a script or can't understand more complex questions. Of course, I don't fault the person on the other end, but that's all the more reason to use my money elsewhere. So not only will their lack of respect to their employees become apparent over time (higher turnover rates), their lack of respect to their customers will also have an impact as well.
I'm sure there are a host of gamers who don't require online multiplayer in order to enjoy games. I'd prefer my real friends as well, but many of them have jobs and other responsibilities that don't always coincide with my schedule. Who cares if it's at the bottom of the social ladder? Unfortunately, it's not really about making friends for many people; it's about having a better experience.
Plus, if the Xbox Live service is any indicator of general interest, I'd say that Nintendo has a lot to gain in terms of offering online services, especially if they're free.
Personally, I would want a stronger online system. And if they want to appeal to the parents, they could have two separate systems; one that protects children and a more sophisticated solution for a mature (up for debate) audience. Upon initial setup, the parent could choose a password to limit the online functionality for their children.
Check out the Dragonball Z game for the Wii
on
Two Weeks with the Wii
·
· Score: 4, Interesting
I hear a lot of talk about Zelda and Wii Sports. That's cool as they're both fun.
But, I rented Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, and I was thoroughly impressed. The game takes a little while to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, it can get pretty damn crazy. Using the nunchuck and Wiimote, you'll perform a variety of moves that you would normally use a standard controller (WHICH IS AN OPTION). However, the remote adds a bit of depth that just plain excites you.
For example, the way special moves are peformed, it makes it that much more exciting. Not only can you shoot a fireball as if you are really doing it, but you know it's coming when you see your opponent making peculiar moves. Trust me. It's a great joy to execute a combo and end it by actually making the motion for the possible final attack. Plus, other than the remote depth, the game itself is deep with a great assortment of characters from all Dragonball Sagas.. The graphics are crisp and run fluidly like any worthy fighter should.
If you're a Dragonball fan, it's a must buy. For everyone else, it's worth a shot no matter what.
So I'm asking serioiusly... is there still a problem with 3rd party relations for Nintendo, or are things smoothed/smoothing over after the GameCube era?
I know that the response has been positive from many developers; however, that does not necessarily guarantee anything at this point. Also, your average gamer doesn't know company plans and direction. If they know anything, it usually comes from a more-informed gamer friend. I would work on getting a significant name or title that will draw the "mature" audience.
I am still excited for the upcoming titles on the Wii and new 3rd-party support, but as an owner of an N64 and a Gamecube, you may understand my hesitation on the speak of 3rd parties.:P
Slashdot Mirror
It's common on tech forums to see "females naturally don't like tech or math". When and how did we prove with undeniable certainty the "natural" inclinations of a person, based on their gender? Considering many of these professions are hardly "natural" anyway, how do you make that determination? Are females born with a propensity to like purses rather than wallets?
Personally, I welcome diversity, and while many people will clamor that it forces unqualified people into workplaces, I'll show you many people who are simply "making it work" and are nothing special. In fact, I'd argue the most damage of keeping unqualified workers exists in "they know (or are related to) X". Many female developers I've met are just as skilled as their male counterparts and usually tend to be more organized in my experience. I've seen less female "rock stars" but that may be due to the fact that I've worked with WAY more men (sample bias).
While this is an anecdote, I feel like it has some truth in it. I was at Target. A mother and her daughter were shopping around. The young daughter begged to be Spider-Man for Halloween and the mother continually said, "No, that's for boys. You can choose something else." My experience tells me that is far from a rarity, and that's simply concerning dressing up like some fictional character. I feel like many people in the tech community who are decently rational will say, "Who cares what costume or choice a child makes based on their gender" and then attempt to apply that to how others react to the same situation. Well, there are many people out there who still apply genders to the most minute of decisions, and they are parents. :)
P.S. I'm not a SJW, at all. Please stop overusing the term. However, I just don't see what's worth whining about. Who the fuck cares? Your job is not at risk by a certain discipline attempting to be more inclusive. If it is, then that is an HR problem at your company or your skills aren't that great. People who are upset are either severely overreacting (for whatever reason) or are just play the protectionist game.
It was one thing to push wireless for mobile phones. I don't like it, but at the very least, you're usually not stationary, and I've had cords get tangled or yanked on the go.
But seeing as laptops are often productivity workstations where you may spend hours at a time working, I want and need a 3.5mm jack. My good, wired headphones are for the long hauls. No charging needed (and no batteries to expire) and are reliable. I use Bluetooth when I'm on the go or exercising and a cord may actually get in my way. I'm not going to go on a 7-hour jog either, so I'm not worried about charging it.
No, I don't want any peripherals, either. I WILL lose peripherals, and I hate that the knee-jerk reaction to these type of complaints is to purchase a peripheral. I understand how to solve that simple problem, okay? My issue is that it's a problem I didn't ask for!
MacBooks are the only hardware I'm interested in purchasing from Apple, but if this happens, no way.
Source article Most of his submissions from there. Just sayin'.
I've been coming to this place for a while, mostly for the discussion.
I don't post much at all, but without an effective and easy way to consume/produce comments, this place is fucking worthless.
DOWN WITH BETA.
I'd do it as one last effort. And then vanish and say nothing more about it.
The main driving force is always price. Always. That's why I believe Android will continue to win, and it's simply a huge perk that we have access to the source (even though delays frustrate the entitled folk).
Apple popularized the smartphone market, meaning they brought the 'taste' to the mainstream. They did the same with MP3 players. However, when comparing products, Android may not be optimal for everyone's tastes, but if it's 'good enough' then it's a formidable substitute. And at a lower cost, it will not lose.
Oh really? I find them both equally irritating.
I had a friend requesting advice for a laptop that may be used for video editing. His budget was $500 and he was thinking about a Mac since Windows XP was giving him issues on an older desktop. Out of the woodwork, the discussion was filled with rabid Mac fans pushing him to buy without regard to the price point, many recommending outdated models and offering their old ones. My contribution was that he had options, especially for his needs, his budget and the relative decency which is Windows 7. There was no option for these other people.
Yet he impulsively bought one not soon after. Funny thing. He went on craigslist and accidentally bought a stolen one. He has been subpoenaed to testify against the thief. His blog post here (no ads, it's just his story).
Whether or not I believe we are spelling our quick demise is really none of my concern. Many publications on the topic have claimed much of the damage is irreversible. Some seem to inappropriately model the data (read: make accurate predictions). Inability to make such predictions isn't proof of incorrectness, but instead, it makes me ponder the usefulness. However, while I do I have my reservations on these findings, I do have a strong opinion on energy. With our current plans, it's quite finite.
In short, I'd rather have more money being poured into renewable technologies, even at the expense of climate change research (not cutting it). If we know the proposed solution is a future-bound inevitability (regardless of the validity of climate change theory), what's all the fuss for? I'd just suggest to look at how much money and power the industry of energy holds. That's why it's political.
I will add that I believe what bothers me about some "Global Warmists" is the animosity and push for dramatic overnight change. Some people even discard nuclear energy, dubbing it too dirty. Sure, it's not perfect but it's a farcry away from coal and a good stepping stone as we search for better answers.
Infrastructures have to be rebuilt. New technologies must be found. Limitations must be overcome (wind, etc.) Resources must be considered every step of the way. Money is also required. Focus on the solution. It will be needed no matter the issue.
Such a virus could serve three purposes in my mind:
1) Disseminate and house child pornography anonymously
2) Bored person playing a cruel prank
3) An attempt to legitimize the "infected computer" defense. No way I knew about it. My computer is infected.
You work a 60-hour work week. Apparently, you also get a poor amount of sleep. Working out involves recovery time. Adequate sleep is paramount to a sound body and mine.
You can't do a workout program? You can't wake up early? You really can't do anything outside of your days off. You want a magic fit pill? You want longer days? You want what does not exist.
The answer is blatantly obvious: find a new job or face the fact that your mental and physical state will erode over time.
It is comforting to know that IT doesn't require common sense.
Agreed. Buy a flash cart, a microSD card and you're off to the piracy races for the DS. Much less complicated than PSP modding even though that is relatively simple.
It boils down to a few things: price, game selection and allure of the hardware.
It automatically failed on price. Remember, when its price dropped the PSP received a decent boost in sales. Unfortunately, due to their sparse selection of quality games, I don't think it held much interest.
The launch of the DS was stronger. The DS Lite reinvigorated and popularized the console. Also, it provided an interesting way to play games. Now games could be made that actually interested mom and pop (read: Brain Age). The PSP stuck with hardcore technological advantage and fell on its face. Not to mention the 'nub' joystick is a pain to get used to or the disparity in battery life.
Sony has no one to blame but themselves, but honestly, they've done relatively well in an arena that Nintendo absolutely slaughters.
I'd also imagine that such a production process could have custom XP deployments for their machines especially when there seems to be a demand for it. I was given an HP laptop with Vista on it as a gift. It took me less than a day to hunt for the drivers and get it running despite it being a bit of a pain. Now why can't a company with much better resources than me alone accomplish this same task much quicker?
The software/computer industry has always gone the way of forced obsolescence. It has guaranteed revenue for quite some time. With Vista, what we are seeing is consumer backlash with this concept. Couple that with the speeds that your average PC has, and other than hardware failure, your average PC consumer shouldn't need an upgrade for years unless their needs increase.
I can't tell if you're talking about a movie or a game. But then again, they'll starting to slowly merge IMO. HD graphics, motion control and CPU power getting better and better. Virtual reality is on its way. Part of me is psyched and the other part worried.
Kind of like buying a house and having to pick the lock to get inside. No thanks.
No.
More like buying a house, having to pick the lock, and occasionally the guy you're paying comes and changes the locks. Did I mention that if you want to renovate your bathroom, too bad. The homeowner has decided the bathroom provided is optimal.
While some people use voice recognition software strictly for dictation, others use it to control their computers, specifically disabled people.
My brother is disabled and he says he has grown to hate flash. It oftens slows his computer down, causes crashes, and isn't accessible outside of manually navigating to its buttons unlike standard HTML which he can just say the name of the link to access.
I also do some web page design here and there and I always dissuade people from using flash as a solution. Sure, you can provide an awesome interface, but at the cost of processing power, bandwidth and broken accessibility, it hardly seems worth it. The goal of a page is to access information with everything else coming after in order of importance IMO.
Focus on quality
It's simple. The developers need to stop hacking together horseshit and make quality games, but there's also a few things Nintendo needs to do.
If you go casual, just add quality.
I'd be down for some good "casual" games as well. For example, it's been a while since I've seen a Jeopardy game. The Wii is perfect for it and with DLC becoming all the craze, we can now ensure that the content stays fresh. The market is out there! Casual can be fun, but it still requires effort from developers. There is a pattern developing here (hint: quality).
To Nintendo: Improve the online
There's a reason the 360 has the highest attachment rate right now: an average of higher quality releases and Live. Make the online experience reliable (a few games have exhibited the potential) and possibly make it more expansive but reliability is required. I won't go into the irritation that are friend codes because most people already know. You come standard with Wi-Fi, take advantage of it. The fact that people are willing to fork over the ridiculous amount of $100 for wireless on the 360 shows that the online arena is a moneymaker. Good online will definitely help increase attachment rates.
To Nintendo: Stop fucking around and give us a solution to the storage issue
I don't care if it's being "worked on". Fix it. Fix it fast. Unfortunately, you stand to make more money. I don't get the hangup.
If online gaming is essential to you then that's why you don't see any games worth playing. There's no question that the Wii needs to pick up the game in the online arena to attract that crowd although the 360's latest offerings seem to take a bit from both the Wii and the PS3.
To name a few worthy games IMO:
Of course it's a matter of opinion, but there are at least ten solid titles IMO. I own all three systems and I find myself gaming on my PC & DS more than all three combined. The PS3 library is sparse. Most 360 games offer a similar feel and Live isn't that interesting for me.
Why do people bother with OS projects when they could invest their time in something useful like curing cancer?
I don't know if that makes much sense. Let's see through a hypothetical interview.*
Interviewer: So Mr. X, you are the creator of the hugely successful homebrew application GenericApp.
Creator: Yes, I am.
Interviewer: Well, many of your critics have said that your efforts could have been better spent in an effort to cure cancer.
Creator: Um...
* DISCLAIMER: Such interviews would not actually occur. A more realistic incident would be a forum thread littered with people complaining about the functionality, the interface, getting it to work as they want it, and of course, the con side telling said idiots to do something themselves.
He's a lunatic that feeds off attention.
Why give him ammunition?
Seeing as the Virtual Console doesn't offer any games that really make proper use of the intuitive controls of the Wiimote, I would think that many non-gamers would brush it off as irrelevant. Seriously, your gramps may love Wii bowling, but I don't think R-Type is going to work for him. However, with original content, it's time for Nintendo to get their wheels rolling on some things that will attract the non-gamer crowd. There's load of possibilities. All of these board and puzzle games can be readily exploited and actually make more sense to some people who use a Wiimote.
OTOH, I see more online multiplayer titles as a smart move. The console is lacking the online support it needs ATM, and I think some original titles could help give it a much needed boost. There is a lot of potential, so let's see if Nintendo does the right things with it.
I'm not surprised. I've read in a ton of different places that the PS3 is making its way to the shelves (some units being returns from unsuccessful eBay sellers). And sometimes taking a few days to sell ten or so units in some places. I know the local Circuit City had 15 units for a few days although I haven't checked to see if they are still stocked. Why make a purchase online when you can just go to your local store and pick one up?
The Wii, on the other hand, is practically nonexistent in many places. No wonder the eBay prices are still there.
The fact that customer service companies in India cannot communicate with the average person in western English speaking countries on a level that is equitable.
I agree completely.
It greatly annoys me to contact a place in hope of help to receive someone who is obviously reading from a script or can't understand more complex questions. Of course, I don't fault the person on the other end, but that's all the more reason to use my money elsewhere. So not only will their lack of respect to their employees become apparent over time (higher turnover rates), their lack of respect to their customers will also have an impact as well.
I'm sure there are a host of gamers who don't require online multiplayer in order to enjoy games. I'd prefer my real friends as well, but many of them have jobs and other responsibilities that don't always coincide with my schedule. Who cares if it's at the bottom of the social ladder? Unfortunately, it's not really about making friends for many people; it's about having a better experience.
Plus, if the Xbox Live service is any indicator of general interest, I'd say that Nintendo has a lot to gain in terms of offering online services, especially if they're free.
Personally, I would want a stronger online system. And if they want to appeal to the parents, they could have two separate systems; one that protects children and a more sophisticated solution for a mature (up for debate) audience. Upon initial setup, the parent could choose a password to limit the online functionality for their children.
I hear a lot of talk about Zelda and Wii Sports. That's cool as they're both fun.
But, I rented Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, and I was thoroughly impressed. The game takes a little while to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, it can get pretty damn crazy. Using the nunchuck and Wiimote, you'll perform a variety of moves that you would normally use a standard controller (WHICH IS AN OPTION). However, the remote adds a bit of depth that just plain excites you.
For example, the way special moves are peformed, it makes it that much more exciting. Not only can you shoot a fireball as if you are really doing it, but you know it's coming when you see your opponent making peculiar moves. Trust me. It's a great joy to execute a combo and end it by actually making the motion for the possible final attack. Plus, other than the remote depth, the game itself is deep with a great assortment of characters from all Dragonball Sagas.. The graphics are crisp and run fluidly like any worthy fighter should.
If you're a Dragonball fan, it's a must buy. For everyone else, it's worth a shot no matter what.
So I'm asking serioiusly... is there still a problem with 3rd party relations for Nintendo, or are things smoothed/smoothing over after the GameCube era?
I know that the response has been positive from many developers; however, that does not necessarily guarantee anything at this point. Also, your average gamer doesn't know company plans and direction. If they know anything, it usually comes from a more-informed gamer friend. I would work on getting a significant name or title that will draw the "mature" audience.
I am still excited for the upcoming titles on the Wii and new 3rd-party support, but as an owner of an N64 and a Gamecube, you may understand my hesitation on the speak of 3rd parties. :P