As with all things video game related, as soon as someone comes out with something even remotely popular, everyone else jumps on the bandwagon and tries to capitalize on the lemming-like attitude of the general public. Sometimes this results in a positive thing, like Guitar Hero or Rock Band being available on all consoles. Other times, the result is more costly, more time-consuming, and, in the end, just basically inadvisable.
In my opinion, the rise of the motion-sensor equipment and games fall squarely in the latter category.
Sure, Nintendo’s Wii sort of pulled their butts out of the fire at the time, and they have done solid business since…but they were also filling a need that was not being met by the big dogs, Microsoft and Sony. Nintendo was doing their part to make video games accessible to the non-hardcore gamer demographic, and that was a brilliant marketing strategy that almost certainly stopped them from going the way of the dodo.
Remember when people only waved at their television when they were really, really high?
The problem is that Sony and Microsoft, having come so close to finally stomping out Nintendo once and for all, just couldn’t help but try and steal those new “casual gamers,” by trying to get in on the niche that is motion-sensor gaming. I can’t help but liken this to money-grubbing relatives trying to knock off Granddad for the inheritance money. It is dirty, it is under-handed, and in the end, it just distracts everyone from what should be the one goal for all video game companies…namely to keep making good freaking games.
Finally...you can experience video game bowling as you only have at least 2 other ways before!
I mean, ok…the major games, the Name Brand Games…THOSE are still coming out regular as clockwork. Those being the standard big name shooters and sports games. But lately–and it may be just me–but lately, it seems as if there is a noticeable lack of good NEW games, and it makes me wonder if the folks who are usually working on innovative new games for us, the hardcore gamers…are now being made to waste their time trying to capture a casual audience.
If that is the case…does anyone besides me think that that is CRAZY!?
-Matty out