Destructive Gaming
The Next-gen consoles are all trying to make their game controllers better than the previous generation. The XBOX 360 only added wireless capability, the Sony PS3 SIXAXIS controller added wireless capability with motion sensing, and the Nintendo Wii employs the most revolutionary controller.
The Wii allows users to use its Wiimote to control the action on the screen with realistic motions. The controller employs a simple strap put around your wrist to ensure that the controller doesn’t go hurling out of your sweaty palms. However, turns out that this single safety device is prone to breaking causing the Wiimote to become a finely guided missile headed for none other than your beloved HDTV.
If you think it takes the strength of an overactive adolescent or adult to cause this strap to break, think again. There are reports of little girls enjoying a game of Wii Sports bowling or tennis causing this sort of damage.
Perhaps creating a controller that players would have to swing around wasn’t such a good idea after all?? Nintendo does make a “classic” controller for the Wii, how long do you think it will be before people start flocking back to that?
Cheers
[Via Engadget]
PC Gamers Downfall
I’ve been playing PC games since my teenage years starting in the early 90s. Back in the day, the variety of games that were available catered to every players genre. With each year, there was a general progression towards specific genres that were really popular.
Today, the FPS and RPG genres have taken the forefront in PC gaming while RTS, adventure and simulation are largely ignored. I’ve tried my hand at essentially all of these genres and had found simulation and adventure games to be the most engaging. Read the rest of this entry »
Rainbow 6 Vegas
I got a chance to play the Rainbow 6 Vegas demo last night. This demo hasn’t been released in the US yet due to some exclusive deal with OXM so you will have to the trick of I talked about here to get your hands on the demo. I already own G.R.A.W and found that gameplay to be fairly tough. The controls are a little tough to get used to and I feared that R6 Vegas would be similar.
I was glad to see that the controls are a whole lot easier. However, learning the tactics of a squad based game and directing your squad mates will take a little bit of time. I’m used to just running around shooting by myself. The game employs some fairly simplistic measures for directing the squad. Moving them from location to location is a simple as pointing to the desired destination and hitting the A button. Can’t get any more simple than that. Read the rest of this entry »
R6 Vegas Demo on XBL Marketplace
One of the smartest things that a game developer can do to better market their game and sell many copies is to release a playable demo that showcases the game. The XBOX Live Marketplace infrastructure allows for an easy venue for releasing these demos.
Unfortunately, Microsoft has decided that certain demos are only worth releasing in the US or Europe or Japan. One would think that this would be a hindrance to a gamer, but fear not. Turns out all you have to do is visit Xbox.com and create a new gamertag which is attached to an email account housed in Japan or Europe.
A case in point is the new Rainbow Six Vegas demo which is only available on the non-US marketplaces. Go figure!
Cheers
