6.22.2011

Smartphone advances hurt console gaming industry

The console game industry is being challenged by a growing platform for gaming: Smartphones.
            These phones are widely available and used by 42.7 million Americans, according to a 2010 study by comScore.
Smartphone users are creating an entirely new audience as the demand and popularity for these games grow.
         “It takes away a lot of my boredom and I can just get out my phone and play,” HTC Aria user Amanda Segura said.
            Due to the rising demand for game efficiency on smartphones, Sony has dedicated a new phone entirely to gaming.
            The phone is the Sony Xperia Play. According to the Sony Ericsson website, it slides up to reveal the same gaming controls as the PSP and was released March 2011.
            In addition to this type of phone, developers are equipping other smartphones to have more effective gaming programs that appeal to xbox users.
            “Many of the Windows 7 phones are capable of connecting to their Xbox at home,” AT&T sales associate Brian Luna said. “There are mobile versions of the games that you can only play with these phones.”
            Despite these new developments there is one feature that smartphone users value the most.
            “I like the quickness,” iPhone 4 user Briana Murray said. “It’s only one thing and you don’t have to set it up to play.”
         The ease of access of the games pose the biggest threat to the console game industry Mobiledia reported. However, there are still some people prefer to stick with the console games for detailed reasons. 
         “Smartphone games are very addicting, but you don’t get as involved,” PS3 owner Tricia Workman said.They are basic games that don’t have the full story mode experience.”
        The work that goes into a console game also has a stern advantage over smartphone games and provides a unique experience claims Xbox 360 owner Gilbert Lopez.
         “The average game on a console can take up to two years to develop,” Lopez said. “There are in-depth storylines, graphic designers, and a lot more that make it a long process.”
         The price reflects the immense detail and work that is put into the console games. The average price for a console game is $60 while a large variety smartphone games can be downloaded for free.
            “I don’t spend money on the games I get,” Segura said. “I get their free ones, like a Pokemon one I downloaded. They are still pretty good quality, but not the best.”
           Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has said the inexpensiveness of the games could cause a threat to the console gaming industry, according to Mobiledia. But for others like Murray, it’s a new opportunity.  
“I think [smartphones] help the gaming industry. Its just like another console, you just have different ways to play different types of games,” Murray said.

Absence

I apologize. My absence from the blog was due to the fact I was bettering my journalism skills at a camp these past two weeks. On the plus side, I wrote an article for you all about Smartphones and console games. I know its a little rough, but I hope you enjoy it!




Your's truly, 
HavokRose

6.11.2011

Conferences Pt. 1

Microsoft

We begin with a darkened video displaying a gridded layout of a city and orders being given over radio waves. Two men begin drilling through an underwater gate.. then the controller disconnects. If the iconic  green and black didn't give the video away, it was the pause menu.

The video continues with swimming followed by more swimming. The impressive graphics don't make the lengthy b-roll any more interesting. This demonstration is saved by the action that follows. 

 Despite their minor mishap and the slightly drawn-on presentation Microsoft was able to start off their conference strong with the presentation Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. This wonderful bun shall be delivered November 8th, 2011.

Other titles that were announced:
  • Tomb Raider  
  • Tiger Woods PGA, FIFA, Madden NFL (K) 
  • Sims 3 Pets (K)
  • Family Game Night 4 (K)
  • Mass Effect 3 (K)
  • Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (K)
  • Gears of War 3 (X)
  • Ryse (K)(X)
  •  Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (X)
  • Forza Motorsport 4 (K)(X)
  • Fable: The Journey (K)(X)
  • Minecraft (K)(X) 
  • Disneyland Adventures (K)(X) 
  • Star Wars (K) 
  • Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster (K)(X)
  • Kinect Sports: Season 2 (K)(X)
  • Dance Central 2 (K)(X)

(K = Kinect enabled. Awful puns were included in the presentation.) (X = Xbox Exclusive)


Surprisingly, voice command was the most popular key feature each game utilized Kinect for, not motion control. This is probably to set it aside from Sony's Playstation Move and Nintendo's Wii. Isn't this something that could have been developed with the headsets that are already linked to the controllers? 

New Features were also announced:

  • Kinect enabled xbox main screen. (Scroll through the menu or use voice control)
  • YouTube
  • Xbox Bing (Searches movies, games, and videos) 
  • UFC Xbox Live (Purchase, bet, and connect) 
  • Xbox Live TV (Coming this fall) 
  • Kinect Fun Lab (Multiple programs made by developers and users that utilize Kinect features) 

Personally, I'm not too thrilled about all this Kinect mumbo jumbo. Especially the voice command. I mean, what if I am trying to have a healthy conversation and my game messes up because I was talking? And if it requires a headset, then the entire advertisement that went with the new voice control feature is misleading consumers into thinking all they'll need is their current Kinect. The headset that would go with it have to be wireless (which would mean a very expensive new accessory) in order to prevent the player from having to plug into a controller which would impede their movement. I am incredibly disappointed that the next Fable is going to use the Kinect, as I will not be able to purchase it because I have no intention of purchasing a Kinect. What a shame. 

However, my disappointment was relieved with an announcement that left me incredibly excited. Microsoft really saved the best for last. 





Oh yeah Bungie, you milk that cow! 

However, Halo 4, of course, will not be the last Halo game. Don Mattrick, Microsoft's President of the Interactive Entertainment Business, said before presenting this video that it was the "dawn of a new trilogy." Hm. We'll see where that takes us!

If you'd like to view the Microsoft conference yourself, click here.

Yours truly, 
HavokRose

6.08.2011

First Entry...!

I find it only fitting that I officially start this blog during the holy week of E3. If only I really were there (one day I will be!). Anyways, thank you for joining me in the launch of my first official gaming blog. I hope you enjoy it.

In the next few entries I'll be summing up each of the major press conferences from E3, beginning with Microsoft.

Yours truly,
HavokRose