Think Forward

Gamasutura - Analyze this

Link to my latest edition to Gamasutra's Analyze This feature.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2012/analyze_this_will_there_ever_be_.php

On whether the industry will develop a standardized gaming platform: I do not think the industry will ever resort to one console. It would be bad for the industry. I could understand the argument for a single development standard, but not a single hardware standard. A single development standard would obviously make the lives of developers much easier and game development overall cheaper.

However, in regards to a single console, it would hinder innovation and consumer choice. I think everyone would agree that life would be pretty boring if all we had were Windows-based computers. One console in my opinion would be a step backward for the industry, not forward.

On how independent developers would not benefit in a market with a single gaming platform: I have talked with many publishers and developers and I understand the struggles they go through. However, consumers benefit when choice exists. It causes hardware and software makers to continually innovate and differentiate to stay competitive. It is those factors that contribute to the growth of an industry. At the end of the day, consumers are the ones spending the money to drive the interactive entertainment industry forward. They are the ones who need to be catered to because they are the ones really in control.

On the PC already being the de facto standardized gaming platform: This analogy for the PC is true right now because Windows is the dominant operating system. This does not mean that companies using other operating systems won't enter the market. I hear a lot of developers are either supporting or looking to support Apple. This, again, is good for the consumer. The consumer should choose the platform that fits their life best, and this is how it should be.

Social Gaming - A new category for the game industsry

I have begun hearing this term “social gaming” in the past few month’s as an evolution of the term casual gaming. I really this term "social gaming" as a new category for the industry. I think the new term has come about because casual gaming had been seen as a category for an individual player. Whereas social gaming still implies it’s casual not immersive but also implies that it is done with a group. This is very fitting, as we have watched the growth of the Nintendo Wii as a new gaming experience. I have “anointed” the Wii the board game of a new generation. Families are now having fun playing together on the Wii the same way they used to play board games before TV monopolized evening eyeballs.

I have heard rumors that retail is even considering developing a whole kiosk dedicated to the social gaming category. This is also great news for developers as we are now able to expand the gaming category in general. Now creative software developers can dream up new experiences in this new category.

One modern example I am excited about is Scene It for the XBOX 360. Stemming from the popular DVD board game it has now been taken to a new level by offering it on the XBOX 360. It has made me think how I can bring my game consoles to family events so we can have a large range of social games to play.

I am quite excited to see this category grow as I have seen the benefits first hand in my own life and how much fun gaming as a family has become. I believe this new category will add value to the gaming industry and help to expand the gaming experience and the category at large.

T'is the Season to be gaming

It always seems like the fall and winter are my heavy gaming month's. I always find myself the first part of the year wishing I could play more video games like when I was younger. But life and family take priority but then comes fall. With this years release of Madden, Bio-shock, Halo 3 and more I find myself staying up until the wee hours again getting my video game fill. Each year however though the market seems to get more crowded with compelling games that vie for my time and attention.

I did the piece on the local NBC 11 channel for the news last week on Halo 3 and what it means for the industry. Some of the questions got me thinking that we may be entering a phase where more then 3 or 4 games a year dominate the market sales. Game developers are starting to really push the game play experience and come up with some super compelling experiences. Of course there will always be the franchise's that do well but Bio-Shock and Gears of War are examples of new titles that can become instant franchises.

Now for the industry that is great but for consumers what happens when there are so many games you want to play but can only get one or two. How do you decide? I am anxious to see how the industry handles market saturation of quality games. I am wondering if some business models will need to change where games may cost less or be free but have integrated marketing into it. For example Madden this year is littered with advertising that I really don't mind from Sprint, Under Armor etc. I am wondering if the future of this industry isn't more subsidized games through advertising. Just a thought.

"Analyze This" How Important are Exclusive Video Game Titles

http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070312/wen_03.shtml

On how important exclusive titles are this generation: Exclusive titles are important for console differentiation and will continue to be a focus for the proprietary studios of Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.

However, I feel title exclusivity for other developers is less important then title differentiation. All three consoles have strengths, and I would advise [developers] to clearly develop with the console in mind, and I would stress differentiation within their titles.

This clearly poses a problem for smaller, more financially strapped developers who don't have the budget to develop what is in essence three separate games. My advice to them would be to really focus on the type of game experience they are hoping to provide for their customers and then pick the best one or two consoles that encompass the capabilities to deliver that experience.

On whether developers still benefit from developing exclusive titles: I think it is more advantageous for developers, especially the smaller, less funded ones, to focus their efforts on one console and deliver on a unique and innovative game experience. That will generate more buzz both in the media and word of mouth and excite retailers.

On console-moving exclusives to keep an eye on this year: Obviously for 360 we are hoping for a totally new and innovative Halo 3. I think Sony needs to knock one out of the park with a PS3 SOCOM and Metal Gear Solid. Nintendo has too many unique opportunities to name them all.

Why the Wii changes the game

The Nintendo Wii may be a more revolutionary device then people give it credit for. Maybe that is why the code name used to be "Revolution." Considering we know gamers desire social gaming experiences Nintedo has produced one of the more entertaining social expereinces around gaming. I recall a few years back at E3 several companies were touting game accessories that were small bats, golf clubs, boxing gloves etc. The accessories companied with the software literally let you play the game virtually. There were many problems with this mainly how in the world would I swing a baseball bat or golf club in my living room. None the less the expereince in that booth was great and I was engrossed. That is why when I first played the Wii I knew this was something big.

Nintendo has approached this new experience full on. I have all three new consoles and when friends come over we play the Wii the most. I truely believe the experience around the Wii and the revolutionary approach the controlers and sensor bar bring is the future of gaming and even more then gaming. It is a great start at a truely immersive expereince. I am looking forward to when developers really get their creative juices going and develop some titles that cause physical pain :)

Analyze This: Wrapping Up the Year in Gaming

Original Article:http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061219/wen_01.shtml

2006 overall was a great year; [game] sales of Xbox 360, PS2, DS and even PC platforms showed that the industry is still growing strong. It was interesting that the PS2 competed monthly with the Xbox 360 on a regular basis. I also found it very interesting that Nintendo seems to now target an older demographic on the back of the success of Brain Age. I think you will continue to see Nintendo explore what the DS can mean to a bigger demographic.

I am looking forward to next year with continued innovation to the platforms, both in hardware and software and exciting, new immersive game experiences as developers expand their knowledge of developing for the next-gen consoles. The industry is learning what really matters to gamers in next-gen consoles and next-gen games. I am hoping that some real solid game titles start to evolve and that developers begin to really focus on new innovations in game play and game design. I hope we do not oversaturate any particular genre, thus making choosing a game like an FPS difficult for consumers.

Analyze This: Handicapping the 2006 Holiday Gift-Buying Season

Original article location: http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061127/wen_04.shtml

On the next-generation consoles: Sony has proven that it knows a thing or two about the gaming industry and what its consumers want. This was evident by the crowds of people who lined up more than a week in advance to wait in line to buy a PS3.

The Wii has very strong appeal to a particular demographic. I think the Wii will do even better once word gets out about the revolutionary gaming experiences it provides.

The Xbox 360 will remain this holiday season the easiest next-gen console to get your hands on. They will do well as demand is still high.

Other thoughts: On the PS3, Resistance: Fall of Man will be a driver. On the Xbox 360, Gears of War will be a holiday driver. On the Wii, look for games that really take advantage of the console's unique capabilities.

Simply due to all the new console launches and exciting game titles, this holiday season will be quite productive for the electronic games industry.

PS3 First Impressions

I received my PS3 hot of the press Monday morning. Unfortunately I was in LA Monday but proceeded to set it up as soon as I could on Tuesday. The out of the box experience was going well until I realized they don't provide either the HDMI cable or component cables necessary to experience the PS3 in Hi-Def. Something I found a little odd, here people will be spending $599 and they don't get all they need to use it in Hi-Def, HMMM.

Other then that the setup process was pretty clean. My only real complaint is no where in any instruction set does it say you first need to plug it in using the provided AV cables to then set the video output to HDMI or component. Sony in my press kit gave me an HDMI cable so I used it. I learned the lesson about the AV cables the hard way because I started off by plugging the HDMI into my TV and got no signal until I used the AV cables to set the output to HDMI.

After that was done the first thing I did was pop in the provided Taladega Nights that comes with every PS3 in Blue Ray. This is pretty sweet because Taladega Nights doesn't even release to DVD until next month. Perhaps this is a sign that Sony Studios may offer some cool things to PS3 owners where they can get titles before they go to DVD. One can only hope.

After enjoying Blue Ray for a while I popped in Resistance Fall of Man. Quite impressive graphics and game play. This weekend I will be putting the XBOX 360 and PS3 to side by side comparisons for graphics. So stay tuned for that.

Overall I have had an impressive experience. The PS3 is almost silent and puts off EXTREMELY less heat and noise then the 360. PS3 is clearly superior in heat and noise. Over the next few days I will be putting the online and community features through the ringer.

Analyze This: Are Gamers Really Saying "I Want My HDTV!"?

External URL: http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061009/wen_04.shtml

I personally feel Microsoft and Sony are emphasizing [HDTV] "just enough." HDTV is important to the future of gaming in general. I am seeing increasing interest on the PC gaming side, as well. HDTV is a big part of the next generation of entertainment, but it is hard to justify over-emphasizing it when HDTV sets are still not the majority of TVs in houses, and Europe in particular really lacks in HDTV set sales.

Practically speaking, Microsoft wants the Xbox 360 to be a "convergence device." They are banking on the idea that it will be more convenient for you to buy a HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360 than to buy a whole new DVD player. I am quite disappointed, however, that the HD-DVD drive will not be used for game content, and is a negative next to the PS3.

It is hard to say [if] Nintendo made a mistake not including HDTV; I feel they made the decision knowing what their market wants. They continue to show that they understand their market, and what their market wants, incredibly well.

I do not think the gaming industry is jumping in prematurely at all. There is great demand among the early market that flocked to buy the Xbox 360 and that will flock to buy the PS3. It is definitely important to give the market a 720p and 1080i/p gaming experience, but I would never advise a game developer to not support standard definition TVs for the foreseeable future. Although it is not premature to start to innovate game graphics and experiences for HDTV gamers, it is irresponsible to not support the still very large market of non hi-def TVs.

Consumers generally say they do not want to upgrade yet [to HDTV] because there is not enough content available. So if a person watches more TV and movies than playing games, then the answer is when more movies and TV become available, they will upgrade. If the consumer plays a lot of video games as well, then that only adds to the amount of hi-def content available for them to enjoy, so the decision becomes easier. My advice to consumers has always been if the majority of entertainment medium you consume is available in hi-def, then upgrade and enjoy.

Analyze This: Does Microsoft Need Japan to Make the Xbox 360 a Hit?

Original Article: http://gamasutra.com/features/20060719/wen_03.shtml

"I don't feel that the Japanese market ultimately matters to Microsoft. In fact, if you ask them right now, I think they would tell you the 360 is already a success. For Microsoft, the Xbox 360 is a marathon race for the living room. So they are in this for the long haul.

"I am not sure Microsoft did anything horribly wrong with Japan. The problem they face is that this is a market dominated by Sony, who employs many people in that country and are loyal to those products. If Microsoft has done anything wrong that needs to be fixed, it is a lack of understanding of the Japanese market.
"Sony and Nintendo do well in Japan because they have a deep understanding of their consumers' lifestyles. Microsoft has created a lifestyle product in the 360 and much of the lifestyle it caters to is U.S.- and U.K.-based. So for Microsoft to succeed in Japan, they need great games for that market, but they also need to provide a product that fits into the Japanese lifestyle and culture. That may mean a very different looking and feeling Xbox 360 [for Japan].

"They definitely need Japanese developers for Japan-based games. I don't think they need it for games outside the Japanese market. Games are best created when they are born out of the culture they are developed in, and it is those games that I think do best in those markets.

"The Wii is different and unique. One big question is how will U.S. gamers as a whole grasp [the Wii] and will it just be a niche product in the U.S. -- something people only bring out during parties, as opposed to something you play for hours upon hours? The Wii game experience is so new that I'm not sure we can answer that at this point."