Xbox convert Gosen warns against Wii gimmicks – Avatars & Lips anyone?
The Nintendo Wii has probably innovated more new ways of interacting with the humble games console than any other console before it. But at what point do the simple yet brilliant control methods become gimmicky rather than useful?
Love it or hate it, the Wii has altered the games industry, or rather the success of the Wii has altered the games industry. There were already signs that gaming was becoming more of a mainstream hobby than simply the domain of the geek that it was just 15 years ago. The original Playstation helped this increase in acceptance, and then the PS2 added even more weight to the ‘games are for all’ argument.
Then the Wii came along and completely shattered everyone’s idea of what makes a successful console. While Sony and Microsoft argued about graphical prowess on the PS3 and Xbox 360 respectively, Nintendo decided to produce fun games that can be played by all, and screw what they look like.
Wii Sports was the first of the breed to really hit big, with people of all ages lapping up the chance to play tennis or baseball from the comfort of their own home. Then earlier this year came Wii Fit, which enables fat people to get fit in the comfort of their own homes, ridding them of facing ridicule at the local gym (unless they live in Manhattan and want to pay $110 for the privilege).
Wii Fit is a hugely successful game/lifestyle device that is still hard to come by, and going for quite a sum on eBay. But former Nintendo executive David Gosen, now Vice President of Xbox, isn’t convinced that the Wii Fit Balance Board is a worthy peripheral, in fact, he sees it as nothing more than a gimmick. He told Develop:
What Nintendo have done with the Wii is truly fantastic – there is no question about it. But I think sometimes there is a thin line between gimmick and great gameplay. We’ve seen some research that says 60 per cent of people who bought a Wii Fit play it once and don’t play it again. So we have to get the balance right, because what we are doing is bringing new consumers into the market for the first time in their lives they are playing games sometimes – and we have to treat them with respect.
I can see his point, but if someone is stupid enough to pay the sort of price Wii Fit retails for and then only use it once, they only have themselves to blame. No-one forces anyone to buy a console, game, or peripheral, so what’s the point in bitching about it?
Gosen then went on to talk about Xbox Live Avatars and the new Singstar-alike Lips karaoke game, neither of which are gimmicky in the slightest I’m sure.
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23 Responses to “Xbox convert Gosen warns against Wii gimmicks – Avatars & Lips anyone?”
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August 7th, 2008
“Bitching”?…..whoa….David is using bad language now
August 7th, 2008
I call flamebait
August 7th, 2008
I second that call. DAVE PARRACK needs to make his mind up, does he want the fanboy wars to stop, or does he want them to continue?
I find it amusing that both sides of the fence are picking up on DAVE PARRACK’s flamebaiting and rather than attacking each other, are focusing on him now…
August 7th, 2008
Lol i love the flamebaiting! Brings out the inner fanboy in me and others! i also find the sarcasm against xbots funny especially when Hairy reacts in that way “neither of which are gimmicky in the slightest I’m sure”.
Round 1 and DAVE PARRACK is being cornered by angry Xbots. The question is has he left it too late for a comeback? Find it here first on Gamer.Blorge.
August 8th, 2008
What the fuck are you talking about Bourne? I was pointing out the hypocrisy of DAVE PARRACK’s ‘articles’, I wasn’t reacting in a fanboyish rant, unlike your last post, you fucking idiot.
August 8th, 2008
Harry
I agree, Bourne is a complete idiot. Bourne = Flambait. Dave Parrack is the biggest flambait I have ever seen. He writes a article called ” Stop the fanboy wars! There’s room for PS3, Xbox 360 & Wii fans” and still continues to feed the flames. Someone fire this guy.
August 8th, 2008
This article isn’t actually flamebait, far from it. I was trying to draw attention to the hypocritical views of Gosen when he slags off Nintendo for gimmicks before talking up two Microsoft gimmicks. The fact that he used to work for Nintendo just makes it worse.
August 8th, 2008
How about your write about the Kids that did those car bombs and said they learned it form GTA4 or how Warner want to increase the money it makes for music games or how Nintendo claims they have sold the most third party games or about Mass effect developers are trying to get the game on the DS. There is so much to write to create a discussion about the game industry yet all you write is artlicle that cause flam wars.
August 8th, 2008
He was talking about perpetuals that are made for concoles that don’t have a lasting effect. They are gimmicks to get people to react and buy these items and they never really use it. Avtars have a lasting effect and so does Lips (I think). All I know is that Asains love Karokee. Wii fit, when it comes to excercise most people need to be motivated making it a gimmick. The Snowboarding does look intresting though.
August 8th, 2008
CAD/Hairy – If you feel that strongly then why do you keep coming back. Its quite pathetic really. You raise these flamebait arguments and say that you’re never coming back because DAVE is a flamebaiter/fanboy but you never do leave. For some reason your compelled to stay. There are plenty of other Gaming websites/blogs to visit yet you still come here.
August 8th, 2008
Bourne, we never said we were not coming back, how about you get your facts straight before posting your jibberish?
And while we’re on the topic, it was you who raised the flamebait argument, not us. Again, get your facts straight before you post your jibberish, idiot. Grow up.
August 8th, 2008
@ DaveP, who are you trying to convince? Us or yourself?
August 8th, 2008
Well why do you come back then just to bitch and complain all the time? You just bitch about how this site sucks and how the journalists suck and to be honest your grating on everyone. If you don’t like it here, leave.
August 8th, 2008
Bourne
You started it so shut up. Harry tried to agree with you and then you turned on him. Your such an Idiot.
August 8th, 2008
Hey Bourne, Why don’t you leave and don’t come back.
August 8th, 2008
Yeah Bourne, read back, I was agreeing with you until you turned on me. I don’t seem to be grating on everyone, only you, and to be honest, I am happy about that.
Grow up, idiot.
August 8th, 2008
LOL you two are hilarious! Your like a married couple
“get him honey”
But my argument still stands. No matter what gets published you still wont agree with it, because of your ego’s? perhaps.
August 8th, 2008
Wow, a homosexual joke, you really must be desperate.
I have agreed with some posts, but not all. So again, your ‘argument’ has holes all through it.
Again, grow up, idiot.
August 8th, 2008
Kids, don’t make Kevin and I turn this website around and take you back home.
-Arvis
August 8th, 2008
lol sorry Arvis!
August 8th, 2008
AAAAALLLLL….WEEEEEE….ARRRRE….SAAYYYING………IS….GIVE…PEEEACE…. A…..CHAAAAANCE…
August 9th, 2008
amen to that kevvo
August 12th, 2008
I leave home for a few days and these guys take over my job, ha ha. Well The Future of Sega is BACK in town boys!!!! Yehaaaaw!!!