Let’s face it, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are all in the business of games (yes, it is a business) to make money.  They wouldn’t be investing billions of dollars into research and development or financing massive marketing campaigns if it didn’t add to their bottom line.  If you look back to the start of this new generation it was widely accepted by “professional” analysts that the Xbox 360 and PS3 would be fighting it out for market supremacy and the less cutting-edge Wii would finish a distant last.  Wow, could those predictions have possibly been more wrong?  Today, the Wii is selling out to the point where Nintendo has trouble even getting enough of them into stores…and this is YEARS after the launch.  Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 has been hammered by technological problems (I think we all know the 3 red lights of death) and the PS3 is struggling to even stay competitive this generation despite putting out the console that won the HD format war with Blu-ray.

So what have we learned so far about this generation of consoles?  Well, for one, graphics and cutting edge machines that we gamers prefer are not the key success factors that Microsoft and Sony thought them to be.  Nintendo took an entirely different approach and instead opted for innovation and simplicity over technological prowess.  As a result, Nintendo has managed to capture a far larger market – the holy grail that Microsoft and Sony have been desperately aiming for since they entered the business.  Nintendo has won the hearts and minds of the mass market.  They have essentially created the “casual gamer.”   Sure, some “hardcore” gamers still own the Wii and play games like Mario Galaxy and Zelda, but the majority of Wii owners now are not in it for what can be considered a true gaming experience.  For example, my sister hates games.  She has always associated them with nerds, being dorky, wasting time and I could go on.  But now she loves the Nintendo Wii.  Wait a second, isn’t that a gaming system?  The other night she asked me if I had ever played Mario Kart.  I laughed in her face.  No wonder the Wii is able to churn out rehashes of all their old classics and watch them sell like beans before a nuclear war.  My sisters dramatic shift from game hater to Wii lover is by no means an isolated incident.  The other day, my boss suggested that we should think about getting a Wii for the office.  What!?  He’s a 62 year old man and the last person on earth you would ever expect to want a gaming system.  Of course, there was no mention or even an indication that he knew about the Xbox 360 or the PS3.  Nintendo wins again.

Does this mark the end for the hardcore gamer?

Ok, so Nintendo is winning this console war by a landslide.  Why is that a bad thing?  For starters, look at the people who are buying the Nintendo Wii.  It’s my friends mom, my sister, my 62 year old boss.  They love the idea of swinging a controller and “hitting” a ball, “bowling” and “boxing” just like you would in real life.  Right.  The problem is, in the traditional sense of the word, these are not video games.  They require almost no skill and little or no thought.  Sure, proponents for the Wii will scream that there is strategy and will show you how you have to move your arm so you bowl a strike every time.  Ok.  Great.  As I see it, these games offer no challenge, and thus, no reward.  As a gamer, I love games because they challenge me and force me to use my brain to overcome and solve a situation or puzzle.  That is what makes me a hardcore gamer.  I like the thought of playing a game that makes me actually think.  If it’s mindless, it’s no better or more stimulating than turning on the tv and watching some trash like the Hills or Night Court (ha!).  Hence, the term, casual gamers.  The Wii caters to those people that don’t want to play something they might not be able to win.  What it’s so frustrating now is because this casual gamer mentality is winning the console war (making the most money) for Nintendo.  Sony and Microsoft see that.  As a result, the “New Xbox Experience” and “Home” have been born.  As a gamer, I could care less about either of them.  Thanks to Nintendo, you can bet that you are going to see a lot more casual games, which I like to think of as games for babies.  My sister couldn’t play and win Braid to save her life.  My boss wouldn’t last 30 seconds in an online match of Call of Duty.  Why?  Because those games require actual skill and NOT EVERYONE CAN DO IT.

As Nintendo builds on it’s already huge momentum it’s clear that the Xbox 360 and PS3 are slapping each other for second place.  Nintendo has won the console war this generation.  There is no disputing that.  Both Microsoft and Sony have realized this and they are scrambling to make their systems more appealing to the causal market.  For traditional gamers, there is good reason to be concerned.  While hardcore games like Halo, Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy aren’t going away anytime soon, it’s certainly possible that MS Sports will be launched with some sort of motion wand that is also compatible with latest Harry Potter game.  And what about Sony?  They are undergoing a major internal evaluation of their entire business and that includes the games division.  Don’t laugh, there is a chance that the once might Playstation could go the way of the dodo.

Developers are by no means immune to the effects of the Wii’s dominance in the market.  They are in the business to sell games, and lots of them.  With the Wii garnering a huge percentage of the market share the amount of shovelware has increased tenfold this generation.  Even worse, efforts to attract more gamers to traditionally hardcore gaming experiences have already ruined some games.  A prime example would be the newest Prince of Persia.  I was a huge fan of the original game which offered great puzzles and challenging gameplay.  This generation, the latest Prince is so easy and holds your hand so much it’s laughable.  You can’t die?  Check.  Easy puzzles?  Double check.  I couldn’t even get through it.  I actually was screwing up because I’d hold the A button when I was wall-running when actually the game did that for me automatically (unlike the other games).   I felt like I wasn’t even playing a game.  I may as well have been watching the AI play through the game.   I just pray that other developers aren’t so quick to follow Ubisoft’s lead on this one.

You are going to see a lot more of this

Well there you have it, just a few of the reasons why the Wii is going to hurt hardcore gamers in the long run.  Why make difficult games that aren’t going to sell as well as the next Ponies game for the Wii?  Because companies must answer to their shareholders and are truly motivated by making the most money, why would they ever cater to hardcore gamers who are becoming a smaller segment of the market every day?  Until such time as there is evidence or indication that the Wii acts as a sort of gateway drug for people to move onto more interesting and challenging games, games are only going to get easier and more dumbed down.  If that’s the case, you can count on me dropping games for good.  When my brain decides it’s bored and decides to leave, it takes my body with it.

So how do you feel about the trend towars easier games meant for all players of all ages?  Are you happy to see more people playing games today?  What do you think is going to happen?

UPDATE:  Wow, right on queue.   Check out this HORRIBLE news story that is very much related to this artcle and confirms that Nintendo is paving the way for the almighty “casual” gamer.

Once again, Microsoft has screwed Canadian gamers with the news that the biggest and most hyped feature of the NXE won’t be available in Canada.  That feature is access to Netflix, an online service that allows users to stream over 12,000 movies and television shows from their PC straight to their Xbox.  That’s right, you will only be able to use the Netflix feature if you live in the U.S.   What is even worse though, is that there are currently NO PLANS to extend the Netflix service to Canada.

An Xbox news release claims that “The New Xbox Experience offers more online entertainment from one remote than you can find from any device that connects to the television.”  Sure, great, but only if you don’t live in Canada.  Thanks Microsoft.

So, instead of getting the full “new experience” that Microsoft has been marketing like crazy, Canadian will have to settle for silly Avatars (think Nintendo Miis) and a new dashboard interface.   Basically, this update provides nothing of any value unless you live in the US.  It will be very interesting to see what great new features Microsoft rolls out in the coming months that also completely ignores Canada.  I have a feeling it will be a lot.  If I were Sony, now is an opportune time to show a commitment to gamers in Canada who have clearly been ignored or brushed aside as an insignificant part of the Xbox “community.”

Well fellow Canadians, are any of you as pissed off as I am?  Are you sick and tired of being ignored by Microsoft?  Frankly, I think Microsoft has clearly demonstrated which gamers they really want to appease…and it’s not us.  It’s the US.

In attendance were the venerable (and hockey game legend from NHL 04) Jeremy Roenick, cover athlete Dion Phaneuf, Corey Perry, Patrick O’Sullivan and Wild goalie Josh Harding.  At the event all the players got to experience the “Be a Pro” mode and played as themselves.  It was set up as the Calgary Flames (for Phaneuf) vs. the San Jose Sharks (for Roenick).  Here are just a few comments that could be heard from the players.

Roenick: “Holy crap this game is realistic!” – after Perry cross-checked his player and was assessed a penalty

Phaneuf: “I’m not sure who would win in a fight between myself and Dan Boyle” – after his character lays out Boyle in a scrap

Roenick: “Jesus this is realistic.” – about the game in general

So yeah, you get the point.  They were loving it.

Also attending the event were gaming journalists from far and wide.  I had the privilege of getting a chance to chat with Brian Ekberg of Gamespot fame.  He was a very cool guy and is one of the best and most respected game journalists around today.  Thanks for being so approachable Brian!

Brian Ekberg and Yours Truly

Overall it was a great event and with the reviews pouring in being overwhelming positive, it seems NHL 2009 is poised to have another great year.

Check out some more photos from the event below.  I’ll have a review of the game up sometime in the coming weeks after some extensive testing of the online leagues…but the early word is that the game is amazing.

Levelling up in a sports game? Awesomeness ensues.

So what exactly is the EASHL?  It isn’t just another online mode…it’s basically an introduction of RPG elements into the sports genre with a dash of MMO for flavour.  In the EASHL, you take control of your own player and you (yes you, it is your name on the back of that jersey and your real name that appears on the leaderboards – not your gamertag), play online and are graded on your performance.  With the new performance tracker feature, you are graded on how well you play hockey, not on how well you play a video game.  A new system for tracking your progress and skills allows players to “level up” their hockey player by attributing skill points and improving stats…just like an RPG.  Perform well on a consistent basis and your hulking power forward will improve with you.

When you first begin there will be 10 player types to choose from across 3 categories of players:

Forwards: dangler, grinder, playmaker, power forward, sniper
Defensemen: defensive defenseman, offensive defenseman
Goalies: stand up, hybrid, butterfly

Want to be the next Sidney Crosby?  Become a playmaker.  Think you may be the next coming of Patrick Roy…choose a butterfly style goalie.  Point is, you get to tailor your own player and make him into a superstar…that is, if you have the skills to back it up.

So how do the RPG elements work?  As you play online with your created skater you will be awarded hockey cards which give you points to spend on your player’s growth in three areas: offense, defense, and athleticism for skaters and reflexes, puck control, and athleticism for goalies.  You may choose to level up your player across any of the three areas.  Even better, if you decide at any point in your career to change player types you retain all of the points you have earned and can redistribute your skill points to the new player type.

So how is it like an MMO?  All of this player development takes place online in the EASHL with teams made up entirely of gamers just like you.  You will have to work with your team and play your position if you are to have any chance of winning.  Players can emerge online as snipers, grinders or shutdown defensive specialists.  Best of all, it will be your name the opponents fear.  As you prove yourself online you will ascend the leaderboards and can challenge for the distinction of being the best player in the game at your position.  For once the leaderboards truly will mean something.

For anyone that has ever played a sports game this has to come as exciting news.  Finally, gamers have the chance to prove themselves in a system that rewards the player for playing better than everyone else.  Maybe it will finally help answer the question that all sports fans ask…who is the best?

If you want to learn more about the game be sure to check out the official NHL 2009 website here.

Is it just me or was the recent revelation that Bungie Studios is rumoured to be announcing a Halo prequel very disappointing? Are gamers really ready for another installment with Halo 3 still fresh in our minds? Sure the Halo franchise has been great ride. I’ll be the first to admit I played and won them all within 24 hours of their release dates. But I can’t help but wish that Bungie, newly separated from Microsoft Game Studios (MGS), would put their immense talent into developing a new intellectual property. Something we have never seen before. They are basically the forefathers of the modern day first person shooter on consoles. With so much creative talent one can only imagine what other pet projects they have on the backburner or filed away in a desk somewhere.

With that being said, what has led to this decision to retread old ground?

Is Bungie continuing to work on the Halo franchise because the fans are demanding it? Do you, as a gamer, want another adventure with Master Chief? For me the answer is no. I think Bungie did a good job of wrapping up the story (if you want to call it that) and left the franchise on a high note with Halo 3. The multiplayer was amazing and still ranks in the top 3 most played games on Xbox Live month after month. Truthfully, I’m just not sure there are many new directions to take this franchise…and I fear it will only lead to disappointment in the future.

Maybe it’s part of the deal signed with Microsoft when they struck out to be independent. Perhaps they were only permitted to distance themselves from MGS if they promised to continue developing games exclusively for the Xbox 360 for a certain number of years. That would certainly make sense for a company like Microsoft strictly from a business perspective. In effect, Bungie would be unable to develop games for rivals Nintendo or Sony. The console wars continue…unless the unthinkable happens to Xbox 360 fanboys and the game is announced for multiple platforms (retribution at hand for Sony fans perhaps?)

Heck, it may just be that Bungie loves Master Chief and the Halo universe so much that they are eager to visit it again. For some reason, I think this may not be the case. They have worked on Halo games now for the better part of a decade. It’s like eating macaroni and cheese every day. Sure you love mac and cheese, but on the one day you are offered the chance for a hamburger wouldn’t you take it?  I don’t think Bungie was allowed to reach for that burger…at least not yet.

Regardless of the reasons a new Halo game is on the way. And that only leaves one question remaining…are you happy about the upcoming game that is essentially Halo 4? Is this something you wished for every time you saw a falling star? You know what I think already. Let’s hear what you have to say.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Once I fired up the game I was already impressed with the visuals.  This has been a point of contention on the net with many claiming that the game looks no better than PS2 games with sparse envirnoment and terrible character models.  Well, no, it certainly doesn’t look like a PS2 game.  I have just come off playing some of the best games that the PS2 has to offer in God of War 2, Okami and MGS2.  Too Human takes them all to school.  The art design is excellent and the norse setting make for a truly unique game world.  Character models look good, not great.  Certainly, Too Human should not be confused with the visual powerhouses of the industry – think Gears of War 2 and Killzone 2.  However, the game manages to have its own style and it works well here.

In the demo only one character class is unlocked, but you can access all of them through some easter eggs that the Silicon team threw in there.  If you want to try all the classes, here is how you do it:

1. Disconnect from Xbox Live.
2. In the Dashboard go to System blade > Console Settings > Clock
3. Go to “Date and Time” and change the year from 2008 to 2009
4. Launch the Too Human Demo
5. By changing the date you have already unlocked the Berserker and Commando classes
6. To play as the Defender or Bio-Engineer position the screen on that character class.  Then simultaneously flick the left thumbstick right and press A, to play the demo as a Defender or Bio-Engineer

Sounds complicated but its as easy as pie.  Definitely check out all the classes.  I’ve now gone through and played the demo with all of them and they are all unique with very different sets of abilities.

Now, the important part.  How is the gameplay?  Does the fixed camera work?  Is it fun to play?  Well, the short answer to all those questions is yes.  As Dyack has been claiming all along, you really need to experience Too Human before you will understand it and how it plays.  I’m inclined now to agree with him.  Watching countless videos and looking through screenshots isn’t going to convey how this game feels, and it feels great.  Using the right thumbstick to attack with the triggers as guns is not only intuitive, but is surprisingly deep.  The combo system and air juggling turned out to be far more robust than I imagined and had a great time dispatching the hordes of cybernetic enemies that litter the screen.  Many people have worried that the combat may be too simplistic, but I would challenge that notion after having played the game.  I only played about 45 min of the demo with a low level character and was still learning the intricacies of the combat as I tried each character class.

Check out the video to learn more about the game from Dyack himself:

The bottom line is that Silicon Knights has delivered.  While it won’t be the most graphically impressive game to arrive this year, the unique combat system, incredibly deep loot and customization system and what appears could be an engaging story all add up to an experience that I am officially excited to begin.  I have to give Dyack credit.  His game is good.  My only hope is that enough people give it a chance so the trilogy can be completed.  Before you write this game off be sure to try the demo.  It may change your mind faster than you think.  I already pre-ordered the game…let’s make it the success it deserves to be!

First of all, the game is looking great.  The visuals look amazing and the atmosphere is very reminiscent of the Alien Trilogy (Quadrilogy my ass). If you enjoyed watching Ripley battle aliens in dark corridors against insurmountable odds this game should be on your radar.

Second, the story is almost exactly the same as the now legendary Ridley Scott directed Alien film…and that’s a good thing.  Set on a mining ship that is in, you guessed it, deep space, protagonist Isaac Clarke finds himself up against an alien species called “Necromorphs” that have taken over the ship and killed everybody.  It’s a classic science fiction story and one that perfectly creates a situation where you are completely alone and afraid.

Third, Dead Space is a third-person survival horror game that is very similar to Resident Evil 4 and the upcoming Resident Evil 5.  Chances are, if you like those types of games, this one will be much the same…only with less zombies and a sci-fi twist.

Fourth and finally, this game is a brand new IP from EA, a company that is traditionally very hesitant to take chances and move in creative new directions.  There is far too much money involved these days with developing new IP’s and the fact that EA is taking a chance on a new one is a positive sign not only for the industry but for gamers.  If you are tired of playing sequels and the same games that have been rehashed over and over again, now is the chance to throw your support behind a game that is trying something new.   Lets be honest, new IP’s don’t come along very often because of the financial risks involved. Too often a great new IP will be released that is gains universal critical acclaim…only to catch on too late with gamers. Fans of the amazing PS2 game Okami will agree that the game should have had far more success with the gaming community.

If you are one of the many that has not even seen this game yet be sure to check out the trailer below.  Better yet, be sure to see the awesome developer commentary video. Science fiction fans should be excited.

I think this game is going to be worth taking a “chance” on.  To learn more from someone that has actually played the game, check out a hands-on preview written by IGN’s Hilary Goldstein.

To be clear, I’m not advocating that you should go out and buy this game…yet. But if it comes out and is actually really good I only hope that gamers will give it a chance. Otherwise, all we may have to look forward from EA will be the next iterations of Tiger Woods and Burnout for years to come.

Many gamers will end up mistaking Darkness for an adventure game. Even those who download the demo may not get far enough into the story to realize that Darkness is in fact an RPG, and a very good one at that. RPG fans should take notice. The battle system in Darkness utilizes real time mechanics but adds a turn based flavour (Final Fantasy fans may yawn at this point…but there’s more). As you select commands for your group you are also responsible for blocking enemy attacks, which actually is a game in itself. Timing a block takes practice and it will keep you on your toes throughout the game. Like any good RPG, each character has a special attack that charges over time and can be unleashed after completing a successful mini-game. In action, the battle mode is at the same time frenetic but also very strategic. It needs to be experienced to be truly appreciated.

Technically, Darkness looks and runs great. The cartoonish animations and comic panel approach give the game an authentic comic book feel that works incredibly well. Add in some Mass Effectesque dialogue trees and the game does well to immerse you into its crazy world and ridiculous story. Darkness is easily one of the best looking XBLA games to-date.

Of course, there is some bad with the good. The cost of entry for Darkness is a bit high at $20, making it the most expensive stand-alone XBLA title so far. This wouldn’t be so much of a problem if the game was a bit longer…most gamers will be finished with Darkness after 7-9 hours. Unfortunately, Darkness doesn’t lend itself to multiple playthroughs, so once you are done, you likely won’t be replaying it. In addition, despite being relatively short the game still manages to require a fair amount of backtracking which may turn off some gamers.

The Good:

+ Fantastic battle mode mechanics
+ Refreshing humour (if you like Penny Arcade especially)
+ Graphics and presentation are great

The Bad:

- A bit short at 7-9 hours of gameplay
- Some backtracking
- High cost of entry

The Verdict: BUY IT

Penny Arcade’s first game manages to overcome a high price tag with a game that will win over RPG fans and Penny Arcade enthusiasts alike. For those who are on the fence, at the very least you should try the demo. For me, I’m already looking forward to the next episode. Let’s just hope they don’t make us wait too long.

If you want to see the game in action, check out a clip here:

Ubisoft has been hard at work on a new Prince of Persia game and has finally lifted the curtain on the next-generation reinvention of the Prince (though apparently he isn’t a Prince in this iteration). Rather than follow the previous storyline, the new game is a full reboot of the franchise. Gone are the abilities to control time and the princess. This time around, you are a vagrant who is swept up in events that lead you into a battle against “the corruption” a black ooze like substance that is released upon the land. While details of the story are still very sparse, it has been revealed that the prince will have an AI companion named Elika who will work with the Prince throughout the game.

While still very early, the visuals for the game look impressive. Instead of going the usual route, the new Prince will take on an “illustrative” look and feel…which is hard to explain and must been seen. The shots look amazing (courtesy IGN).

To see why this game is something to get excited about, check out the first video of the game posted by IGN. I think it’s all CG, but it certainly does the trick of getting Prince fans excited for his return this fall.

In development since 1999, Too Human will be available exclusively for the Xbox 360.

The official list of the game’s features has just been made available. Try to ignore the obvious PR speak.

• Thrilling action-RPG gameplay. Unlike some games that may force players to choose between two genres, “Too Human” combines all the creative economy features and social experiences of a typical RPG, such as collecting loot and leveling up, while maintaining the excitement of an action game. With a wide array of weapons, armors, cybernetic implants and skills, players have an unprecedented level of customization with their characters.
• Explosive melee and firearms combat. It will take more than brawn and raw strength to supplant the machine hordes. Using a sophisticated blend of seamless melee and high-tech weapons combat, players have the power to vanquish foes near and far. Witness the fluid grace of heroes and enemies in battle as enacted by the acclaimed motion-capture group Full Action Stunt Team (FAST). Feel each punishing blow through advanced visual effects made possible through the power of Xbox 360.
• The birth of an icon. Fight as Baldur, a powerful cybernetic god battling his way through enemy armies to become one of gaming’s renowned iconic heroes. From weaponry and armor to combat techniques and combos, players can fully customize Baldur to become the best possible hero.
• Advanced cinematic presentation. Characters and environments come to life with amazing visual fidelity. Experience the full excitement of combat through a dynamically driven presentation system that portrays the combat with cinematic quality. Survive pulse-pounding battles against hordes of on-screen enemies set against the vast landscape of the “Too Human” world. A sweeping orchestral score sets the mood for heartbreak, anger and blood lust as each tune encapsulates the gamer within the immersive gaming environment.
• New level of accessibility through intuitive combat. Perform Baldur’s elaborate and complex combat maneuvers, and chain together rapid-fire attacks and combos with ease. Through the use of an intuitive combat system, “Too Human” delivers gameplay that is easy to learn and rewarding to master.
• Shared experience. Conquer the world of “Too Human” alone or with friends in advanced, online two-player co-op gameplay through the Xbox LIVE service. Online co-op play requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership.
• Modern take on classical Norse mythology. In a world ruined by centuries of war, “Too Human” chronicles the epic story of Baldur, favored son of Odin and one of a group of humanity’s protector, the Aesir. As Baldur, you must destroy the ancient war machines that threaten the world, but to do so you must balance your sense of duty and honor against your lust for revenge — perhaps even sacrificing your humanity in the process.

I think this game is going to be amazing…so August 19th can’t come soon enough. Check out a few gameplay videos to see what all the fuss is about.

Source: xbox.com