Tag Archives: Nintendo

Train2Game students do you agree? Two screens “is the future” say Nintendo

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As extensively reported by the Train2Game blog, Nintendo revealed the Wii U at E3 last month. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the new console is the controller which features a large touchscreen.

According to Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime a two screen set up for consoles is the future, and he believes that the company do have history setting industry trends.

“All I can say is that this is not the first time that Nintendo and our competitors have had dramatically different views on the future of gaming,” said Fils-Aime.

“When we launched the original DS everyone was saying the handheld competitor coming from Sony has more powerful graphics, that’s really the way to go. And we showed that no, two screens, a touch screen, a microphone, that actually led to better gaming experiences.” He continued.

“With the Wii, as well, Nintendo shunned the idea that a modern console needed high-resolution graphics. “We said we think that a motion-controlled experience could be more fun,”

“86 million units later around the world, I think people would say we got that one right as well.”

The Nintendo boss of America is confident the company have done it again with the Wii U.

“In this case we’re saying that this two-screen experience – either two screens playing the same game or two screens doing fundamentally different things – is the future,” he said.

And as reported by the Train2Game blog last month, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata sad that core gamers – which includes many Train2Game students – will be drawn to the Nintendo Wii U.

So Train2Game, do you think Nintendo are right? Is gaming on two screens the future of the industry? Or are Nintendo just pumping their own egos?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Beefjack]

Train2Game News, Nintendo on why core gamers will love the Wii U. Will YOU love it Train2Game?

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As reported by the Train2Game blog earlier this month, perhaps the biggest news from E3 was the reveal of Nintendo’s Wii U.

And in a Q&A session with shareholders, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata explained why he believed core gamers – a group many Train2Game students fall into – didn’t take to the Nintendo Wii.

“Wii was not accepted by core gamers because they did not want to abandon their preferred control approach” he said.

“Additionally, Wii did not use HD because HD cost performance at the time was low. Wii U makes it easier to use conventional controls. Also, the Wii U controller is not as big or heavy as it looks,” Iwata added.

Nintendo say that initial impressions from the video game press, themselves core gamers, have been very positive.

“Reactions directly from L.A. were extremely good. The reaction differed greatly between those who covered the product at the show and those who just covered it online. In other words, the point is how Nintendo can convey the value of the product,” Iwata explained.

And as reported by the Train2Game blog earlier this month, EA boss John Riccitiello believes the future of the games industry is here. Indeed, he made a personal appearance during the Nintendo E3 Wii Upresentation.

So Train2Game, do you believe the Wii U can bring core gamers back to Nintendo? Will you buy one? And would you like to develop for the console in future?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Andriasang via Industry Gamers]

Train2Game E3 News: Miyamoto – Apple & Nintendo in ‘very different areas’

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As reported by the Train2Game blog, Nintendo revealed their new console – the Wii U – during their E3 press conference.

The Wii U’s touchscreen controller certainly raised eyebrows on the Train2Game forum, but some have noticed that it looks just a bit like an iPad. Nintendo are however playing down this observation.

“I have to be honest, I don’t really know everything that Apple is planning right now, so it’s hard to say,” Shigeri Miyamoto replied when asked by CNET to compare the Wii U and the iPad.

Last month the Train2Game blog reported on what the Nintendo legend belives it takes to become a Game Designer.

“When I look at things, I feel that Nintendo is looking at video games, and how we make the most compelling and fun video game experience. And then, within that framework, how can we use that to create new and fun entertainment within the living room setting

“So we’re really looking at it strictly from an entertainment perspective, and when I think about the things that Apple is talking about in terms of cloud computing and things like that, I’d say that they’re just two very different areas that we’re both looking at.”

Earlier today the Train2Game bog revealed that Triple A games will soon be available on the likes of the iPad thanks to a cloud service from OnLive. The device will also be able to be used as a controller in a similar fashion to the Wii U.

Smartphones and tablets aren’t just for playing games anymore, with the Train2Game blog reporting earlier this week that one new app allows game developers to produce games using the iPad.

Regular Train2Game blog readers are also well aware of how valuable developing mobile games can be for an aspiring game developer. Indeed, Train2Game students on work placement at DR Studios helped develop newly releases iPhone and iPad title Bug Wings.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the similarities? Are there any? What does it say about the games industry? Or is it all just a coincidence?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: CNET]

Train2Game E3 news: Nintendo reveal Wii U

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Wii U controller

While yesterday the Train2Game blog reported that Microsoft’s E3 presentation seemed to focus on bringing the Xbox 360 to a wider audience, and Sony focused on its core market, Nintendo E3 conference revealed how they want to incorporate both markets with a new console – the Wii U.

As reported by the Train2Game blog in the run up to E3, the new consoles controller does indeed feature a touchscreen control pad, which as demonstrated by Nintendo, will be integrated into many aspects of gaming and other activities.

Will U will be equally satisfying to all. No machine has done that before,” Satoru Iwatatold the E3 audience. “It will offer deeper and wider experiences than any gamer has realised before. It will let everyone see games in a different way and represents a major step toward reaching our goal.”

Nintendo do indeed look to be providing deeper experiences for the core gamer, with the Wii U reportedly supporting the same level of graphical prowless as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. And while we’ve yet to see what it looks like, the Wii U is a new console designed to compete with Sony and Microsoft for the core audience with HD graphics.

That isn’t to say Nintendo are abandoning the casual audience picked up via the Nintendo Wii. Far from it in fact, with the new touch screen controller designed for use with much more than just games.

Demos demonstrated how the controller will be usable with functions such as video calls, compatibility with current Wii peripherals and even use of the 6.2 inch screen to play games. Nintendo were keen to point out however that the Wii U isn’t a handheld, and the console needs to be turned on in order to play games through the controller screen.

And the Wii U will have plenty of games, with various Triple-A titles coming to the console, including Batman: Arkham Asylum.  A range of developers including EA and Ubisoft will be bringing titles to the new console – something that may convince Train2Game students that Nintendo really is looking at re-establishing its core audience.

The Wii U is set for release next year with no price confirmed as of yet.

In a further step that may convince Train2Game students that Nintendo is keen to focus on the hardcore, a range of new titles were announced for the 3DS handheld console. Core titles including Mario Kart 3DS, Starfox 3DS, Super Smash Bros and Luigi’s Mansion 2 were all revealed during the presentation.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Nintendo’s E3 conference? What do you think about the Wii U? Will Nintendo once again revolutionise the game industry? And can the newly announced 3DS titles revive the handheld console?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Report suggests Nintendo ‘Project Cafe’ features touchscreen controller

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What's reported to be a Project Cafe concept image

Its E3 week, and many Train2Game students will have their eyes glued to the various presentations and conferences that’ll be happening throughout this week.

Nintendo’s big keynote isn’t happening until tomorrow, but already rumours suggest that the Nintendo Wii’s successor – known currently as Project Café – will feature a new type of controller with a touch screen.

That’s what a report in Japanese mainstream newspaper Nikkei details according to a translation by Andriasang.

It suggests that the next Nintendo console will feature a six inch touch screen for the controller which can not only be used to control games, but also used as a handheld separate from the console.

The controller also reportedly features a camera that can be used for in-game functions and rechargeable batteries. Nikkei say the next Nintendo Console will be released in mid 2012.

Many Train2Game students will no doubt be tuning into the presentation tomorrow to see what’s going to be revealed!

But first there’s the Microsoft presentation, which starts this afternoon.

What are your thoughts on the report? Will you be watching the Nintendo conference? What do you want from their next console?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Andriasang via GamesIndustry.biz]

A must read for Train2Game students: Nintendo ‘Godfather’ Shigeru Miyamoto on the role of a Game Designer

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Train2Game Game Designers should strive to make their work as unique as possible. That’s the lesson to take away from comments made by the father of Super Mario and Donkey Kong in a recent interview.

“In the past, game design was all about which game was the best on the hardware that was available,” Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto told The Guardian.

“That still holds true in the current world, but for the Game Designer, it’s important to understand the overall system.

Plus, it’s important to understand all the mechanisms in games, otherwise the movement or the gameplay would not be right. If that is good, then it will be evaluated as a good game.”

The Nintendo legend believes Game Designers should be unique; it’s likely that those on the Train2Game Game Design course do believe that they have unique ideas to bring to the industry.

“But games nowadays are at a higher level, and the devices are higher-technology, so generally speaking, people can [and should] make good games.

Nowadays, it’s really important that the designer should be unique, and that their individuality should show through in the production itself.”

Continuing on from this, Miyamoto added that a Game Designer should never do something just because it’s popular.

“It’s costly if you do something because other people are doing it, but the focus should be: ‘Because people are not doing it, we’ll go this way.’ Uniqueness is important.

Finance-wise, you can put more budget in, but your energy has to be focused on something, otherwise it won’t work. For me, if you tell me, ‘I’ve seen this before,’ or ‘I’ve done this before,’ that’s challenging.”

Earlier this month, the Train2Game blog reported that Shigeru Miyamoto wants to teach when he retires.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Miyamoto’s comments about Game Design? How useful is it for you that one of the most iconic people in the industry has said what he thinks the ideal designer should be?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum

 [Source: The Guardian] 

Nintendo boss labels ‘cheap mobile games’ biggest risk to games industry

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Reggie Fils Aime Train2Game blog image

The Nintendo of America boss has labelled low price mobile phone games are one of the biggest risks for the games industry. Reggie Fils-Aime made the comments in an interview with GameTrailers TV.

“I actually think that one of the biggest risks today in our industry are these inexpensive games that are candidly disposable from a consumer standpoint,” said the Nintendo Executive.

“Angry Birds is a great piece of experience but that is one compared to thousands of other pieces of content that for one or two dollars I think actually create a mentality for the consumer that a piece of gaming content should only be two dollars.

“I actually think some of those games are overpriced at one or two dollars but that’s a whole different story.”

The comments could be seen as a direct attack on the Apple App store, which sells many games for less than £1…with each iOS owner downloading an average of 60 apps. The remarks come just weeks after Capcom suggested that mobile gaming is drawing people away from traditional handheld consoles. It’s an opinion that Train2Game forum users agreed with.

Nintendo themselves are preparing for the global launch of the 3DS, and you can find out about the device on the Thoughts of Train2Game blog. The price of Nintendo 3DS games is expected to be as much as £39.99, but the company still believe the device will have a ‘rocket start’

Meanwhile, it’s been predicted that the revenues of social media gaming will surpass $1 billion this year.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Reggie Fils-Aime’s comments? Does he have a legitmate concern or is he just ‘trash talking’ one of Nintendo’s biggest rivals? Are the games too cheap? Or do you think the Nintendo 3DS titles are too expensive?

As usual, you can leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum. Alternatively, you can let us know what you think via Twitter.

Train2Game, in association with DR Studios and the University of Bedfordshire, will be holding a Game Jam at the end of March. For more information, see this Train2Game blog post or the Train2Game Game Jam Facebook page. Alternatively, keep an eye on the Train2Game Game Jam Twitter account.

Nintendo CEO sees ‘rocket start’ for 3DS

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The Nintendo President predicts the 3DS will have a ‘rocket start’ in the USA , boosted by high definition graphics and the games available for the handheld.

“There will be not only our own software, but also third- party titles, which have the photo-realism that will satisfy Western gamers,” said Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata “We expect the 3DS to get off to a rocket start, like the Wii’s debut.”

The latest handheld from Nintendo had its release date and price revealed during a press event in Amsterdam yesterday.  The 3DS is set for release on March 25th here in the UK with retailers setting prices around £220 to £230. Meanwhile the US will have to wait two days longer for the 3DS to be released on March 27th, and will be able to get it for $249.

When currency conversion is taken into account that means a Nintendo 3DS is £60 more expensive in the UK than it is across the Atlantic, a fact that has frustrated some Train2Game students.

For more news from yesterday’s Nintendo 3DS press event, see the Thoughts of Train2Game blog.

There is a huge desire for the 3DS, as evident on the Train2Game forum, and it’s reported to be the most demanded electronic device right now and analysts predict it’ll provide the game industry with a boom.

The 3DS launch should be a major catalyst for the game industry,” said Tony Wible, an analyst with Janney Montgomery Scott LLC.  “Polls have shown more pent-up demand for the product than any other consumer electronics device in the market.”

Meanwhile Michael Pachter says the 3DS will sell more than its rival the PSP2:

“I think that the 3DS will outsell the PSP2, because the 3DS is new and different, while the PSP2 is likely going to be a souped up version of the old PSP.  Thus, I think that 3DS will have greater success in capturing the consumer’s imagination.”

The 3DS may also receive some competition from mobile games on devices such as the iPhone, which the Train2Game blog recently reported have seen a massive increase user base in recent times.

Nintendo say they will ship over 4 million units of the device in its first month to prevent a shortage of stock, while it’s predicted the 3DS will bring Nintendo extra $1.8 billion dollars a year.

The Nintendo 3DS is set for release in the UK on March 25th 2011.

So Train2Game, do you agree with the Nintendo President that the 3DS will have a ‘rocket’ start? What are your thoughts on the pricing? And will you get one come March 25th?

As usual, you can leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Nintendo sold 15 million consoles in US during 2010

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Train2Game blog image Nintendo Logo

Over 15 million Nintendo consoles were sold in the United States alone during 2010 the gaming giant has announced.

Their figures say the various Nintendo DS consoles sold a combined total of 8.5 million units during 2010 while the Nintendo Wii was the best selling home console with over 7 million of them sold.

Nintendo sold more than 2.5 million Nintendo DS systems and more than 2.3 million Wii systems in December alone, bringing their lifetime U.S. sales totals to more than 47 million and more than 34 million, respectively.

“Nintendo has sold more game systems than anyone else for five years running,” said Charlie Scibetta, Nintendo of America’s senior director of Corporate Communications.

“Of the quarter billion hardware systems sold in the United States during the past 10 years, Nintendo sold more than half. We look forward to bringing fun new experiences to consumers when Nintendo 3DS launches in March.”

The 3DS looks set to bring Nintendo even more success. The handheld console doesn’t yet have a European release date, but it’s likely to be revealed at an event in Amsterdam next week. The Nintendo 3DS already has a Japanese release date which is set for 26th February

While we have no official confirmation of what the European launch titles will be, though this is likely to change after the Nintendo event! You can check out the Thoughts of Train2Game blog to see which games Gabe believes will be available with the Nintendo 3DS at launch.

It’s not only the Nintendo consoles that had a successful 2010, with Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports resort both appearing the top selling UK games of the year.

What do you think about Nintendo’s success? Is it well deserved? Can they keep the momentum going? And how successful do you think the Nintendo 3DS will be this year?

You can leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog or on the Train2Game forum.

European Nintendo 3DS announcement coming next month

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Nintendo 3DS

Good news for the Nintendo fans among Train2Game students!  The Japanese giants are set to reveal launch plans for the Nintendo 3DS at a launch event in Amsterdam next month.

MCV Online report that invitations to the gathering have been sent out to the press, and suggest that Nintendo will reveal a European launch date and price for the 3DS, along with a launch line up.

The Nintendo 3DS is not only the world’s first 3D handheld console, but it also offers the chance to play games in 3D without the need for special glasses. Train2Game students who wear regular glasses are no doubt pleased about this!

The Nintendo 3DS will be available in Japan from February 26th 2011, with a European release date expected to be in March. If that is the case, it’ll mean eager Train2Game students should be able to resist importing a 3DS from Japan!

There are no official launch titles yet, but earlier this year Nintendo revealed a software trailer that shows a wide variety of 3DS games in development. Big name titles include Super Street Fighter IV DS, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater, Dead or Alive Dimensions, and Mario Kart 3DS. This morning CVG has reported that The Sims 3 will also be coming to Nintendo’s handheld.  You can see the Nintendo 3DS software line up video here on the Train2Game blog.

While we have no official confirmation of what the launch titles will be, though this is likely to change after the Nintendo event! You can check out the Thoughts of Train2Game blog to see which games Gabe believes will be available with the Nintendo 3DS at launch. Of course, all will be revealed on January 19th.

Earlier this month on the Train2Game blog, we reported on how handheld consoles are losing the mobile gaming market to smartphones. Could the Nintendo 3DS help slow down this trend?

So Train2Game, do you want a Nintendo 3DS? Are you looking forward to the announcement? And which games do you expect to be launched with the handheld console next year?

As usual, you can leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.