東西 | dongxi

With the PS Vita launching in the coming week, the big question remains: is it worth it? Five years ago, a portable handheld gaming system with nearly the power of a PS3 would have easily resulted in a resounding yes. Yet today, in a world plagued with persistent next-gen iPad, iPhone, and Android rumors, the very notion of a dedicated gaming handheld calls in doubts. I’ve had the fortune of playing with a PlayStation Vita for the past two months and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. It’s a device with tons of potential. The question is, will it ever get a chance to realize it?

Upon first glance, the Vita looks very much like its predecessor, the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Of course then you notice the second analog stick and the repositioned (and smaller) buttons. The real jaw dropper happens once you turn it on. The 5-inch OLED screen does not fail in wowing viewers. It’s bright, colorful, and crisp.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Though built on Android, the Vita interface has be redone to its own unique style. It doesn’t carry anything from the PS3 XMB. Instead you have giant bubbles that open applications, games, and functions for the device. It’s not the most innovative or sexiest of UI, but it’s made fully in the mindset of taking advantage of the touchscreen. You touch, swipe, and hold down, just as you would any other smart device you find today.

Custom Vita Home Screen

Aside from gaming, the Vita has camera, music, and video functionality. While that may have been a big plus years ago, these features seem average at best. It’s hard to really see the Vita become that all-in-one device when phones offer more music options and tablets offer a better viewing experience. Most likely it won’t be replacing any of those devices. Then again, at the end of the day, those getting the Vita aren’t getting it for the multimedia options; they’re getting it for the gaming.

So how does it do as a gaming platform? It performs remarkably. It’s essentially carrying the PS3 in your pocket. The games are snappy, vibrant, and can provide the same amount of action you’d find in the home console. Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom translates nearly the same experience over on the smaller screen. The only major difference I noticed is the lack of full background movement (things move, but the stage doesn’t change over the course of a battle). Uncharted: Golden Abyss still delivers an amazing roller coaster ride worthy of the Uncharted franchise name. Make no mistake, the Vita is a device made for the traditional and hardcore gamer.

PS Vita Windows

Gaming is ultimately what it all boils down to. While detractors are quick to point out that the tablets and smartphones offer tons of successful games, the iOS and Android platform has yet to build a true marketplace for hardcore games. A few minutes of Angry Birds might do the job on a quick subway ride to work, but casual games do little to satisfy a true gaming experience. I found it difficult to put down my Vita as I found myself in a world of temple ruins, mercenaries, and treasures as Nathan Drake; I haven’t been able to say the same about any of the games I’ve played (and bought) on my iOS and Android devices.

The question to whether or not to buy the Vita is tied to the type of gamer one is. If you’re into buying hit games (especially around the day of release) and would like to bring that experience on the go (because slingshotting birds at pigs just isn’t cutting it), the Vita may be for you. The problem is whether or not third party publishers will continue to support the game past launch. There’s a decent lineup now and bringing PSP compatibility adds that cherry on top, but at even at $250, it will take a lot more hits to make this a viable and worthwhile platform.

PlayStation Store

Final Verdict: If the games you see now can tie you over for the next few months and you’re looking for a “true” gaming-on-the-go experience, the Vita is definitely an option with pursuing. If you’re on the fence, it’s better to hold off and wait to see where the Vita will go.

This week rumors swirled around the “Xbox 720“. One of the biggest surprises was the speculation that the new system would deny users the ability to run used games. The market for used games, which has become a large thorn on the sides of game publishers all over, will eventually fade away. The bigger question is when.

The used game market is as old as the video game industry itself. With games costing a hefty dollar, no matter the decade, gamers have relied on the second hand game market to widen their reach of gameplay. The real game changer, however, was the eventually dominance of GameStop. Though the primary retail destination for console games, GameStop sees even greater profit margins from used games. Not all that different from other second hand markets, GameStop buys low and sells high from gamers as they finish (or return) games. Over the years, GameStop has continued to incentivize consumers to trade in their games, with extra bonuses, deals, and loyalty programs. While others have tried, GameStop remains relatively unchallenged in the market.

The biggest problem with this market is that it ultimately hurts the game publishers and, in turn, game developers. A game’s success is ultimately determined by its sales. With used games, any additional sales and profits go to the third party (most likely GameStop) and not the publisher. Complicating things further is GameStop’s position as the dominant retailer for gaming companies; it prevents these companies from taking drastic action against GameStop. As Sony was pursuing digital downloads only options for the PlayStation Portable, GameStop made clear threats of dropping retail support for the fledgling system. It’s one reason why digital distribution in video games have not developed to the extent many have expected.

Many publishers have found other ways of addressing the used games. One common tactic is the development of DLC, digital downloaded content. Oftentimes DLC will provide extra maps, levels, or characters in hopes of extending the life of the game with the consumer, thus holding it off from being sold. It’s a new direction Epic Games now swears by. Another tactic is the development of online passes. Each game is shipped with a unique code for multiplayer function and support. With the code attached to that one account, the next owner of the game will find themselves unable to go online unless they pay to secure a new code. Also, with the growth of XBLA, PSN, and WiiWare, the market continues to grow in the digital space, forcing retailers like GameStop to rethink their long term strategy.

The PC gaming market has already long since moved past this issue. For years, publishers have implemented unique codes and DRM to restrict users from buying games second hand. Furthermore, digital services such as Steam have weened consumers away from physical copies and pushed users to accept the digital copies as the default.

So while console gamers may revolt at this prospect of used game lockouts, this shift is only leading to the inevitable. Ultimately, this shouldn’t be seen so much as a loss for consumers. The used game market have ravaged the profit margins of smaller publishers and developers; reshifting the money flow away from retailers and back to the game makers will help to continue the library and variety of games so many of us have come to enjoy.

Despite mixed news of PS Vita sales in Japan, Taiwanese sales have left the system sold out in most shops. Currently retailers are only looking to restock on the bundle pack. In contrast to the US version, the Taiwan bundle includes the WiFi model, a case, a screen protector, a 4GB memory card and a card holder as well as a copy of Uncharted.

Importing the Vita is a possibility as the system is not region locked. Normally Asian PS systems reverse the O and X buttons, but so far all controls have been touch based. The system only allows one account at a time.

The PS Vita will be available in the US February 15th with the 3G pre-order bundle. All else is available the week after.

PS Vita Bag

Value Pack Box

Inside Bundle Box

Inside Bundle Box

Accessory Pack

Vita Box

AC Adapter

Power On Screen

Home Screen

Near Selection Screen

Locating Nearby Gamers

Like the PS3, language Settings are available. The Vita is not region locked.

The US PSN Store is currently unavailable.

Select already open programs

Uncharted for PS Vita

Well, it’s official, GTA V is going back to the West Coast to the sunny beaches of Los Angeles. Or at least, some sort of version of LA. As Liberty City was for New York, GTA V will feature some sort of amalgamation of the Los Angeles metro area.

Some initial thoughts and observations from the trailer, by timecode:

0:07: Typical LA beach

LA Beaches

0:11: Santa Monica Pier (though a bit dirtier than real-life)
0:13: Downtown skyline
0:18: Clear view of the US Bank building in downtown LA
0:19: Port of Los Angeles
0:21: Yosemite/Big Bear/mountain hiking in LA

Hiking Outside of LA

0:24: Venice (corner of Windward and Pacific Ave)

Venice

0:32: 5-Freeway with references to “Little Seoul” (Ktown)

5 Freeway

0:34: Muscle Beach in Venice
0:39: Downtown LA, right by the US Bank building. Reminds me of the construction back when they were building the Ritz Carlton. “Mile High Club” building by the “STD” company
0:43: Clear shot of the farms outside of LA
0:48: Perhaps Rodeo Drive, maybe the Grove?
0:53: 110 underpass near downtown; graffiti looks like it says “Los Santos”

Los Santos?

0:55: Foreclosures – bad housing market (present day)
0:59: Another shot of the 110 near downtown with a Niko look a-like

Is that Niko?

1:01: Will planes be an option this time?
1:03: Oil derricks commonly found throughout LA

LA Sunet

1:10: Hollywood or “Vinewood”

No word on release date yet.

Subway has begun promoting their Uncharted 3 sweepstakes, offering early access to the multiplayer mode with the purchase of a large 30 oz. drink or a bag of Harvest Cheddar Sunchips.

The sponsorship includes mentions and clips in Subway’s television spots as well, with gameplay footage and actual Nathan Drake Subway call-outs shown in commercials.

Though a fan of Uncharted, even I have to admit that it’s a bit weird seeing Nathan Drake dancing along to the $5 footlong song. Then again, if it gets me early access to the game (along with a cheap lunch), why not?

If you’re a fan of the Portal series, you’ll be amazed by this fan-made masterpiece. Shot in live action, the world of Aperture Science is one step closer to reality.

With sales of the 3DS far below expectations, Nintendo will slash the price of the handheld system down to $169 – $80 down from the initial price of $249 starting August 12. For current owners of the 3DS, ten NES and ten Game Boy Advance games, twenty total, will be free, given that they use the Nintendo eShop before August 12.

The push in 3DS sales should help to push Nintendo’s slate of triple-A titles including Kid Icarus, Mario Kart, and Super Mario 3DS, all slated for later this year.

Still, the bigger question remains, are dedicated portable gaming consoles still a viable business? With the Playstation Vita release looming, both Nintendo and Sony need to convince gamers in that $170-$250 investment (for just the console itself), while $1 games continue to flood the iOS and Android marketplace.

Several publishers including EA and Gameloft offered heavily reduced pricing for their iOS games for the July 4th weekend. The drop in price can be linked to the immediate jump in ranking among paid apps on the iTunes Store.

This week also marks the release of Capcom’s Street Fighter IV Volt, a sequel to the popular iOS port of Street Fighter IV. This latest release included an interesting pricing model; the game started off at $0.99, increasing by a dollar each day until the final price of $5.99. While this tactic may prove to be useful in driving downloads and increasing game ranking (in the iTunes Store), the massive surge in purchases for pre-existing games for the holiday weekend may have negatively impacted results.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo kicked off some of the hottest upcoming games at the Los Angeles Convention Center last week. So who were the big winners?

1. Sony: When it came down to the big three, Sony’s press conference comes out on top. Not only did it focus on games for the (hardcore) gamer audience, but their announcements were focused on the near future, compared to Nintendo’s slate of TBD game. While nothing came as much of a surprise, the PS Vita and schedule of triple-A games edges Sony as this year’s winner.

Wii U

2. Kinect: Microsoft’s press conference was all about their Kinect peripheral. Not only will games like Mass Effect 3 and Ghost Recon integrate gameplay with the motion/voice sensor, the Kinect is expanding into home use, including Bing search and live TV watching. Essentially Microsoft is looking to make the Xbox THE home entertainment system.

3. Super Mario 3DS: Best described as a hybrid of Suoer Mario Bros. 3 and Mario 64, this game returns to it’s roots that made the 8-bit games so great. A modified Tanooki suit returns along with a 2D-3D mix of gameplay.

4. Battlefield 3: While CoD made big waves at the Microsoft conference, little was seen on the show floor itself. EA’s Battlefield 3 offered games an alternative to the popular shooter franchise with impressive visuals and exciting gameplay.

5. Street Fighter X Tekken: If you’re a fighter fan, this game brings the classic “Street Fighter versus Tekken” argument back to the forefront. While the feel of the game replicates the feel of classic games, this game does offer tweaks that’ll keep both Street Fighter and Tekken fans on their toes.

Street Fighter X Tekken Booth

6. Batman: Arkham City: This game will have a lot to live up to, but it’s so far looking great. With a much larger and expanded world (or city) to explore, this next Batman sequel looks to build upon the various features that made Batman: Arkham Asylum such a hit.

7. Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster: While not the gamer’s game, this title is slated to be a big seller. The image of one’s child having fun  interacting with Elmo and Cookie Monster is enough to get many parents ready to run out for this game. Using the Kinect, kids are able to directly connect with the various mini-games and interations.

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster

8. Bioshock Infinite: Though still months away, the momentum continues to build for the next installment in the Bioshock franchise. Set in the aerial city of Columbia, you battle steampunk opponents while unraveling the mystery of this floating dystopia.

9. Tomb Raider: Gone are the jagged polygons. Taking cues from Uncharted, this game will be much darker, grittier, and realistic than previous installments. In an extended trailer, Lara was chained and strapped in a mysterious cave, only to fall onto a sharp spike as she attempted her escape. It definitely looked painful. Fortunately, This game, however, looks far more like pure fun instead.

10. Playstation Vita: Despite doubts in the future of handheld dedicated gaming systems, Sony’s Playstation Vita does hold promise. Sony seems to get most of it right this time: crisp screen, dual analog controls, promising gaming lineup (Uncharted, Little Big Planet, Street Fighter X Tekken), fair price of $250, and even region-free support. It’s definitely going to pose a big challenge to the Nintendo 3DS. While the introduction of smartphones and tablets have challenged dedicated handheld gaming platforms, the Vita may just have what it takes to be a winner among the hardcore gaming market.

PS Vita Booth

While Nintendo has now confirmed the development of a next-gen, post-Wii platform (code named “Project Cafe”), not much is actually known. There are plenty of rumors though, varying with anonymous sources claiming HD graphics, backwards compatibility, and even a system more powerful the Xbox 360 and PS3. A playable build will be available at E3 – until then, we can only speculate.

Project Cafe Mock by IGN

Still, does Nintendo have what it takes to hold its place in the console wars? It may take some drastic shifting in strategy. Here are some strategies Nintendo needs to take to win things back.

Focus Less on Casual, Back to Hardcore: While there’s no debate on the success of the Wii (and DS), Nintendo has also pigeoned themselves into a difficult situation. Casual gamers were a relatively untapped market that Nintendo capitalized on, blowing away expectations and critics when the Wii first came out. However, these same casual gamers have now moved on to other platforms, finding very little need for loyalty to any one source of entertainment. Cheaper alternatives such as Facebook, Zynga, and smartphone games (Angry Birds) have stolen the spotlight. Microsoft as well has been chipping away at Nintendo’s base of family gamers with additions like the Kinect. While expanding out to the casual market can help increase revenues, it can’t be done at the cost of the hardcore gamers. At the end, it’s the latter that will be much more brand-loyal and stable as consumers.

Graphics Matter: Graphics doesn’t have to come at the cost of gameplay quality – take Uncharted 2, Crysis, and Batman: Arkham Asylum for example. Truth is, graphics and power do matter. Consumers have demonstrated this with their wallets. In addition, the Wii lost out to many of the top selling (third party) games. Aside from the top franchises like Guitar Hero or Madden, developers often didn’t have the resources to make a Wii-specific version. Likewise for consumers, it’s hard to argue in paying an additional $40-$60 for a lower powered version of the same game found on a PS3 or XBOX 360 (e.g Madden, Call of Duty, etc.).

Uncharted 2 for the PS3 - Pretty and fun!

Less Gimmicks, More Gameplay: Nintendo products have been primarily focused on gimmicks. Perhaps it’s that they can’t compete on the graphics or power front against companies like Microsoft and Sony. The DS did find popularity with the double screen – it was something new and different that was worth playing. The Wii followed up with motion controls. Now we have the 3DS with 3D. Still, even the Wii’s motion control has lost its appeal, especially with the Kinect. Don’t get me wrong, innovation is incredibly important, but it’s important to focus on ways to enhance the gameplay experience, rather than capitalize on a trend or find a way to sell additional hardware. Yes, the Wii made quite the splash, but today it’s most likely collecting dust on a shelf, taken out only for group events and parties (the modern day board game).

Third Party Support: What’s saved Nintendo thus far is their library of franchises and IPs. From Mario to Zelda, gamers are willing to dish out money just to play the latest iteration of these games. Yet, it’s also been this narrow focus that has shunned away third party developers that have found little to no support with Nintendo. Since the 8 and 16-bit era, new franchises and IPs have taken hold of the gaming community. Titles like Call of Duty have claimed top rankings in units sold – it’s important for Nintendo to make their next console a gaming device that extends past their own branded titles. You can only milk the Mario Kart and Smash Bros. franchise for so long before it gets old.

Nintendo's going to need full support (and better looking games).

More Than Just Gaming: Nintendo was firm to establish that the Wii was to be a pure gaming system, but today’s system has to be more than just that. Even Nintendo eventually took in Netflix. In this day in age, no man (or system) can be an island. Users want a way to consume content on their devices, whether it be video, music, photos, etc. If Nintendo really wants to stir things up, it needs to find deals with partners like Hulu, Pandora, Apple iTunes, Twitter, and Facebook (for starters). The idea is to keep the device on as long as possible. People are lazy and that extra step of swapping TV inputs can make a drastic difference in capturing that market share. Word of caution though – these integrations have to be done well. Even today, PS3 supposed Facebook “integration” is nothing short of a bad joke.

Fix Multiplayer: Online gaming has never been as popular as it is now. First things, Nintendo’s friend code system has to go. It was overly complicated and amazingly annoying to input. Friends lists, cross game chats, avatars, and support for online games will be crucial for the next round in gaming. Multiplayer also locks people into specific consoles. As Sony discovered, coming late to the market (with the PS3) cost them several new consumers that went Xbox, as their friends were already buying games on that platform. Multiplayer done right can lead to a snowballing network effect to increase market share.

Multiplayer needs and overhaul in the next system.

This next era will be an incredibly vital point in Nintendo’s history. This could be the make or break year for Nintendo. If it fails to (re-)capture gamers, we may end up with Mario games on Playstation and Xbox (just like another popular 90s icon known for its speed and blue colors). Can Nintendo make it? Perhaps. It’s not too late… yet. Will it? Only time will tell.