N-Sider Opinion Collection: Week [6.02] - [6.15]
The feature is for those of you reluctant or simply without the time to scavenge the internet for reading material. These are editorial and other opinion pieces for a particular week that, in a way, reflect the current discussion of the gaming industry. While N-Sider doesn't necessarily share the opinions of the included pieces, we found them to be informative and possibly of interest to you. Be sure to click on the links to be forwarded to the full articles.
Q&A:
Nintendo exec shrugs off Sony's talk
The last few weeks have been fairly slow. The passing of E3 has dulled much of the discussion and the
prospect of summertime has relaxed restless minds. Nevertheless, we'll start out with a piece that
highlights the trials and tribulations of being Nintendo. While it may be a bit old, here's an
interview conducted with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, during the past E3. The interview reveals
Nintendo's mission for the coming year. Will the future work into Nintendo's favor? ...or will a
dismal reception to connectivity be yet another slap in the face?
Rumor: Nintendo and
Microsoft to Partner?
Speaking of a slap in the face, where'd this outrageous "Nintendo rumor of the week" come from? Nintendo and Microsoft to become allies? Speculation is all fun and games until I poke your eye out. While the chances of such an event happening are not impossible, the fact that it comes from a website called Sp0ng makes one suspicious or possibly giggle. Either way, the prospect of such an
event - Nintensoft GameBox (a plush toiletry item?) - is an interesting thought.
GBA vs PSP
Although this topic has already been traversed and dissected one too many times - despite no new
information since E3 - here's yet another look at the Nintendo GBA vs Sony PSP. Is Nintendo's fallout
in the console market a sign of what's to come in the handheld arena? No one really knows, but
everyone is happy to offer their opinion on the matter.
Are Video Games
Art?
Are video games art? That's the question the author of this article poses. He also examines
the seriousness of such a revolution. Here's a quote from the article. "First, developers need to
stand up as artists and continue to envision and create new possibilities of expression with
videogames. Second, gamers need to see videogames as more than time-wasting stress-relieving outlets
and appreciate the efforts of revolutionary developers like UGA and titles like Rez. Until
developers and gamers expect more of themselves and of videogames, the financers and publishers of
videogames will continue to clone the latest proven bestseller rather than innovate new ways to
challenge gamers intellectually and emotionally." Deep stuff.
Marketin
g Video Games In Germany is Feat of Skill
Germany is at war with robots. According to this article, Germany has spent five decades developing
one of the world's strictest decency standards for books, comics, movies, music and games. For example, if a game features blood splatterings (paper cuts?), decapitations or death cries, it runs the risk of being placed on a government list known as "the index". Being
indexed means it can't be sold to anyone under 18, displayed in stores or advertised on television,
in newspapers and in most magazines. Bah.