"The Game"Evolution
02-08-2004, 06:40 AM
This first article is for all you Guilty Gear X fans out there:
January 23, 2004 - One day following confirmation of the game's existence, Sammy has revealed a final Japanese date for Guilty Gear XX # Reload. The game will hit the Japanese market on 4/29 at the lower than usual price of 4800 yen.
In addition to new features, including new characters from the arcade game, the Xbox version will feature Live support for Online fighting. You'll be able to search and seek out opponents Online and communicate in full voice as you fight.
No word yet on a possible American release for the game.
MARVEL VS.E ?
Marvel Vs EA
New games will feature Marvel heroes and brand new EA characters.
February 06, 2004 - Electronic Arts and Marvel Enterprises announced today that they have entered a multi-year agreement in which EA will develop a new series of fighting games featuring licensed Marvel characters as well as an entirely new set of EA superheroes.
Further, as part of the agreement Marvel will be granted exclusive worldwide licensing rights to publish comic books featuring the new EA characters.
"It's a unique opportunity, partnering with Marvel to bring their renowned Super Heroes into original videogame environments, as well as providing us an opportunity to create new heroes that will live in games, comic books and other licensing or media opportunities that Marvel presents," said John Riccitiello, President and COO for Electronic Arts. "Fans of both traditional Marvel comics as well as video games have a lot to be excited about as they will be able to fight it out between established Marvel Super Heroes and EA's new heroes in original scenarios."
While EA has indicated that games featuring the new superheroes are already in development at the EAC studio in British Columbia with an expected late 2005 release, no specific titles or characters have been announced. We do know, however, that The Hulk and Punisher characters will not be included, as these characters are already covered in licenses with other publishers. Spider-Man and X-Men characters, however, may well appear in the new titles.
Platform details have not been announced, although the license agreement covers all current and next-generation platforms.
Spider-Man versus Madden, anyone? Stay tuned for more details as they come in.
-- David Adams
IGN's review of the PS2 game starring the female ninja with bite Nightshade:Closing Comments
In the end, aside from having a fetish for hot looking female polygonal characters, there is absolutely nothing that Nightshade offers players that Shinobi didn't. I guess that's a big "aside" for some of you, but come on. The unique jump-jump-dash combat mechanic is still pretty innovative and interesting on many levels, but it's implemented in many ways that are equally frustrating and hate-making.
It's interesting to look at the progress of games like Maximo: Ghosts to Glory, and its sequel Maximo Vs. The Army of Zin in comparison to Shinobi/Nightshade. The Capcom sequel softened its roughest parts (the platforming), making it a better, more likeable experience, while adding sub-quests and little extras that made it worthwhile for people who were on the border with the first one. Nightshade, on the other hand, does nothing of the sort. It is a direct sequel with 99% of the same qualities, both positive and negative. Every single flaw from that one has made it over intact from the first, unblemished.
Would I recommend this game? If you thrive on super unforgiving titles that'll make you rip live hamsters in half with your bare teeth out of agonizing frustration -- and you simply have to have every ninja game on the planet, well then, by all means, be my guest. If you didn't like the first, I can easily say there is nothing that'll make you want this game the second time around.
-- Douglass C. Perry
links :: strategy guide faqs codes boards previews reviews news features
Ratings: Description:
out of 10 click here for ratings guide
8.0 Presentation
Your basic cutscene-game-cutscene affair, with slick and quick digital-style menus.
6.0 Graphics
Sega WOW got what it wanted -- speedy 60 FPS movement, and great character design, at the cost of dull textures and boring looking environments.
7.5 Sound
The good, re-imagined old-school Genesis music is countered by terrible dialog and even worse voice-overs.
6.5 Gameplay
Just like Shinobi, with a kick. Only this time, you take to the air. It's the kind of thing you'll get to hate even if you love it.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
There is a level select mode and a Survival mode, but this 8-to-10 hour game doesn't have much replay value.
7.0 OVERALL:
(out of 10 / not an average)
I guess its safe to say the upcoming Xbox title Ninja Gaiden wont have anything to worry about concerning this title.
Rumorville:
Rumor Control: Re-enter the Matrix and PSP pre-orders
These join the life-sized Kasumi bikini pillow and the rest of the week's weirdest rumors.
See it » Unfortunately, the most earth-shattering news of the week--the Half-Life 2 and Halo 2 delay announcements--turned out to be more than idle rumors. They were true. However, a few other interesting stories bubbled up through the primordial sludge of game gossip.
RUMOR #1: EB Games is already accepting pre-orders for a $299.99 PSP and Nintendo $199.99 Nintendo DS.
Source: Our very own GameSpot forums.
The official story: "Uh, not yet"--several baffled EB sales reps.
What we heard: Forum-trolling is an essential part of any self-respecting muckraker--I mean, reporter. While many threads are packed with idle gossip, vicious flaming, and goofy .jpg signatures (personal favorite: a kitten with a sniper rifle), many others are the place where keen-eyed gamers first bring breaking news to the public. So when news of price-pointed PSP and DS pre-orders popped up, it sounded perfectly feasible...until we talked to numerous staffers at EB Games' physical and online stores, where befuddlement was the watchword.
Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus with a capital "B".
RUMOR #2: Atari is readying a sequel to Enter the Matrix.
Source: Monday's Atari stock-analyst conference call.
The official story: "We will reveal more about this unique property we have been associated with at this year's E3."--Atari Chairman and CEO Bruno Bonnell
What we heard: When it was announced, Enter the Matrix seemed like a brilliant extension of the high-tech film franchise into the next frontier of entertainment, games. It was one of last summer's top games, and, despite taking a Burly Brawl-level beating from critics, the PlayStation 2 version would become the ninth best-selling title of 2003. Industry-watchers assumed it would only be a matter of time until a sequel was announced. Then came The Matrix Revolutions, the movie that singlehandedly convinced the most hardcore Neo-phytes to jack out of all things Zion. Given that Ubisoft was rumored to be mulling shutting down its Matrix Online MMORPG (which is still due in October 2004), an all-new Matrix game seemed unlikely. However, when directly probed about an Enter the Matrix sequel during Monday's conference call, Bonnell issued the cagey comment above. GameSpot couldn't get a further comment on the matter, but it looks like Atari sees more milk in this cash cow.
Bogus or not bogus?: Poor reviews didn't stop Atari from starting on a sequel to Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Not bogus.
RUMOR #3: Many of ATI's production partners have stopped shipping free Half-Life 2 coupons with Radeon 9600 XT and 9800 XT chipsets.
Source: Hardcore hardware-info site Tweakfactor.com.
The official story: "We were told of boxes shipping without the coupon, looked into it, found out that it was the case in very few instances."--ATI spokesperson Patti Mikula.
What we heard: According to the article, several manufacturers of ATI-powered chipsets quietly stopped including Half-Life 2 coupons with their cards after December 31, 2003. The withdrawal reportedly came with little or no fanfare, with mention of the Half-Life 2 coupon disappearing from GPUs' online product listings and/or physical packaging. After a week of e-mails and phone calls, ATI finally addressed the charges by both flatly denying them ("Coupons still included in all ATI/Radeon-branded 9800 XT, 9600 AT, All-In-Wonder 9600 XT, and All-In-Wonder 9600 PRO products") and then cautiously side-stepping them ("In December, we made it optional for our partners to include the HL2 coupon"). But several manufacturers, including GeCube, openly admit they are shipping graphics cards without Half-Life 2 coupons. As always, caveat emptor.
Bogus or not bogus?: Nothing about Half-Life 2 should seem surprising anymore. Not bogus.
RUMOR #4: Several shareware developers have received cease-and-desist letters from someone claiming to have patented computer solitaire.
Source: The Ur-geeks and all-around smashing fellows at Slashdot.
The official story: The full letter can be seen on LawGeek.
What we heard: While anything that decreases the use of computer solitaire, one of most pervasive time-wasters in history, is certainly laudable, claiming you have patented a card game is downright insane. However, developer Thomas Warfield received a notice from a lawyer saying his Pretty Good Solitaire infringes on patents held by one Sheldon Goldberg. According to Warfield's blog, the letter said his use of "a card game, such as solitaire, in which an ordered collection of card representations is generated where each card representation is eligible for play in a game of solitaire" violates Goldberg's patent. In fact, Goldberg holds three 1996 patents on multi-player card game applications. But, Mr. Warfield points out, solitaire is played by a single person and has been around since at least the 1700s. Apparently several other solitaire makers have received similar letters.
Bogus or not bogus?: The letters sure seem real enough. As for the suit...
RUMOR #5: Tecmo is releasing a life-size body pillow featuring Dead or Alive Ultimate's Kasumi in a bikini. (see image)
Source: Famitsu, the Cahiers du Cinema of Japanese gaming.
The official story: "I won't be able to give you an answer until next Monday since Japanese marketing guys are off for the weekend."--American Tecmo representative.
What we heard: According to Famitsu, each of the 5,000 limited-run Dead Or Alive Blue Xboxes released on March 25 will also come with a bonus: a pillow emblazoned with the likeness of Kasumi, one of the fighting game's characters. Were it normal-sized and its subject wearing normal clothes, the pillow might be cute. However, the pillow measures out at 160cm--five feet, three inches--and sports Kasumi in one of the more revealing swimsuits this side of Rio. There was no information about whether the pillowcase's fabric would be sensuously smooth and/or stain-resistant.
Bogus or not bogus?: Frighteningly, not bogus. What's next, a blow-up doll of Final Fantasy X-2's Yuna?
By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot [POSTED: 02/06/04 08:07 PM]
Xbox live news:
Xbox Live to expand in Asia
Microsoft plans to launch its Xbox Live online gaming service in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore in April.
As first reported by Reuters, Microsoft has today announced that it plans to launch its Xbox Live online gaming service in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore in April. Microsoft claims to have sold more than 1.3 million Xbox consoles in the Asia-Pacific region to date, and today's announcement follows the October 30 launch of Xbox Live in South Korea, where around 6,500 players currently subscribe to the service.
"People can utilize their broadband connection at home, which is really a huge advantage for Asia, given that the penetration of broadband in homes throughout Asia is leading the world," said Alan Bowman, general manager of Microsoft's Xbox business in Asia.
Microsoft is actively encouraging developers in Taiwan and Korea to produce Xbox games that cater to the Asian market and claims to have projects under way with no fewer than 30 different developers there. Subscription prices for the Xbox Live service in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore are expected to be announced nearer launch.
By Justin Calvert, GameSpot [POSTED: 02/05/04 07:37 AM]
And last for the day.A news article on "M"rated titles for gamers.
Spot On: Games Gone Wild
The ESA says M-rated games sales are on the decline, but a closer look shows the Mature genre is getting more "adult."
See it » Last week, the Entertainment Software Association announced that sales of Mature-rated titles were on the decline. The E3 organizers and industry lobby proudly cited numbers from NPD/Funworld, which showed that M-rated games fell to 11.9 percent of all games sold in 2003, versus 13.2 percent in 2002. The decline "reflects this industry is producing a broad array of highly entertaining content appropriate for people of all ages," said ESA president Douglas Lowenstein. ESA also pointed out that the only M-rated game to crack the top 10, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, was from 2002.
The ESA may be spinning the market-share shift as an overall decline in M-rated games demand, but analysts had a simpler explanation: With the GTA franchise skipping a year and Half-Life 2 and Halo 2 MIA, there weren't enough major high-quality Mature games to spark high-volume sales. "There were many games that emulated GTA and fell far short in gameplay value as well as sales," said Zelos Group games analyst Billy Pidgeon. "If Manhunt was as good a game as Vice City, it would have sold better."
Analysts also agree the market for Mature-rated games is here to stay. "The average age of the video gamer is 25," said IDC analyst Schelley Olhava. "Much like TV and movies, adults will choose content that matches interest," she continued. "And let's face it, violence and sex sells."
Violence has long been a staple of the game industry. And even though BMX XXX crashed and burned at the end of 2002, the past year has seen a rise in so-called "naughty" M-rated games--games that emphasize sex over violence. The same week the ESA was saying interest in M-rated games was waning, the most-searched-for game on GameSpot was The Guy Game. The Girls Gone Wild-esque title rewards success at trivia and drinking games with real-life nudity, courtesy of video clips of flash-happy coeds on Spring Break.
Does clicking on a naughty title's GameSpace translate into buying it at the sales counter? Konami seems to think so. At its recent Gamers' Day event, the company announced it was paying some of Japan's top polygon talent millions of dollars to make WWX Rumble Rose's brassiere-stretching catfights as anatomically correct as possible. Sex sold last year as well, with Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball's and Outlaw Volleyball's scantily clad heroines seeing surprisingly sturdy receipts. However, Guy Game creator J. Moon is dismissive of other games' peekaboo antics. "Those games started with BMX and volleyball and tacked t**s onto them," he said. "The difference is that we started with t**s and tacked trivia onto them."
Although many ultraviolent games have been best-sellers, analysts don't think sexually gratuitous games will ever achieve blockbuster success--in America, anyway. "The big retailers are squeamish about sex, and the console manufacturers will not alienate their largest distribution channels," says Pidgeon. "In Germany, retailers want more sex and less violence in games, but the United States is the primary industry market." (A fact demonstrated by the success of CDV's Lula series across the Atlantic.) However, the niche market naughty-M games currently enjoy is enough to sustain smaller-budget titles like the ultraviolent and ultranaughty Postal 2. "Ultra anything by nature appeals to a niche market," said Vince Desi, president of Postal developer Running With Scissors. "But I keep wondering, when does niche become so popular that it's mainstream or widely accepted as OK? Postal 2 is stocked at Best Buy, so is it now becoming mainstream?"
One thing that will never be accepted--even by niche developers--is the all-but-unused Adults Only rating. In its current form, the AO label is the kiss of death, since virtually no major retailer in the country will carry a game that bears it. "We simply won’t release the game with an AO rating," says Moon. Ironically, Desi thinks the rating should be reformed and then implemented more often. "Let's start using the AO rating and deal with this issue openly and honestly," he said--a statement that many politicians who want games like Postal banned would likely agree with.
By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot [POSTED: 02/06/04 04:51 PM]
Thats it for now folks.More in the future.
January 23, 2004 - One day following confirmation of the game's existence, Sammy has revealed a final Japanese date for Guilty Gear XX # Reload. The game will hit the Japanese market on 4/29 at the lower than usual price of 4800 yen.
In addition to new features, including new characters from the arcade game, the Xbox version will feature Live support for Online fighting. You'll be able to search and seek out opponents Online and communicate in full voice as you fight.
No word yet on a possible American release for the game.
MARVEL VS.E ?
Marvel Vs EA
New games will feature Marvel heroes and brand new EA characters.
February 06, 2004 - Electronic Arts and Marvel Enterprises announced today that they have entered a multi-year agreement in which EA will develop a new series of fighting games featuring licensed Marvel characters as well as an entirely new set of EA superheroes.
Further, as part of the agreement Marvel will be granted exclusive worldwide licensing rights to publish comic books featuring the new EA characters.
"It's a unique opportunity, partnering with Marvel to bring their renowned Super Heroes into original videogame environments, as well as providing us an opportunity to create new heroes that will live in games, comic books and other licensing or media opportunities that Marvel presents," said John Riccitiello, President and COO for Electronic Arts. "Fans of both traditional Marvel comics as well as video games have a lot to be excited about as they will be able to fight it out between established Marvel Super Heroes and EA's new heroes in original scenarios."
While EA has indicated that games featuring the new superheroes are already in development at the EAC studio in British Columbia with an expected late 2005 release, no specific titles or characters have been announced. We do know, however, that The Hulk and Punisher characters will not be included, as these characters are already covered in licenses with other publishers. Spider-Man and X-Men characters, however, may well appear in the new titles.
Platform details have not been announced, although the license agreement covers all current and next-generation platforms.
Spider-Man versus Madden, anyone? Stay tuned for more details as they come in.
-- David Adams
IGN's review of the PS2 game starring the female ninja with bite Nightshade:Closing Comments
In the end, aside from having a fetish for hot looking female polygonal characters, there is absolutely nothing that Nightshade offers players that Shinobi didn't. I guess that's a big "aside" for some of you, but come on. The unique jump-jump-dash combat mechanic is still pretty innovative and interesting on many levels, but it's implemented in many ways that are equally frustrating and hate-making.
It's interesting to look at the progress of games like Maximo: Ghosts to Glory, and its sequel Maximo Vs. The Army of Zin in comparison to Shinobi/Nightshade. The Capcom sequel softened its roughest parts (the platforming), making it a better, more likeable experience, while adding sub-quests and little extras that made it worthwhile for people who were on the border with the first one. Nightshade, on the other hand, does nothing of the sort. It is a direct sequel with 99% of the same qualities, both positive and negative. Every single flaw from that one has made it over intact from the first, unblemished.
Would I recommend this game? If you thrive on super unforgiving titles that'll make you rip live hamsters in half with your bare teeth out of agonizing frustration -- and you simply have to have every ninja game on the planet, well then, by all means, be my guest. If you didn't like the first, I can easily say there is nothing that'll make you want this game the second time around.
-- Douglass C. Perry
links :: strategy guide faqs codes boards previews reviews news features
Ratings: Description:
out of 10 click here for ratings guide
8.0 Presentation
Your basic cutscene-game-cutscene affair, with slick and quick digital-style menus.
6.0 Graphics
Sega WOW got what it wanted -- speedy 60 FPS movement, and great character design, at the cost of dull textures and boring looking environments.
7.5 Sound
The good, re-imagined old-school Genesis music is countered by terrible dialog and even worse voice-overs.
6.5 Gameplay
Just like Shinobi, with a kick. Only this time, you take to the air. It's the kind of thing you'll get to hate even if you love it.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
There is a level select mode and a Survival mode, but this 8-to-10 hour game doesn't have much replay value.
7.0 OVERALL:
(out of 10 / not an average)
I guess its safe to say the upcoming Xbox title Ninja Gaiden wont have anything to worry about concerning this title.
Rumorville:
Rumor Control: Re-enter the Matrix and PSP pre-orders
These join the life-sized Kasumi bikini pillow and the rest of the week's weirdest rumors.
See it » Unfortunately, the most earth-shattering news of the week--the Half-Life 2 and Halo 2 delay announcements--turned out to be more than idle rumors. They were true. However, a few other interesting stories bubbled up through the primordial sludge of game gossip.
RUMOR #1: EB Games is already accepting pre-orders for a $299.99 PSP and Nintendo $199.99 Nintendo DS.
Source: Our very own GameSpot forums.
The official story: "Uh, not yet"--several baffled EB sales reps.
What we heard: Forum-trolling is an essential part of any self-respecting muckraker--I mean, reporter. While many threads are packed with idle gossip, vicious flaming, and goofy .jpg signatures (personal favorite: a kitten with a sniper rifle), many others are the place where keen-eyed gamers first bring breaking news to the public. So when news of price-pointed PSP and DS pre-orders popped up, it sounded perfectly feasible...until we talked to numerous staffers at EB Games' physical and online stores, where befuddlement was the watchword.
Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus with a capital "B".
RUMOR #2: Atari is readying a sequel to Enter the Matrix.
Source: Monday's Atari stock-analyst conference call.
The official story: "We will reveal more about this unique property we have been associated with at this year's E3."--Atari Chairman and CEO Bruno Bonnell
What we heard: When it was announced, Enter the Matrix seemed like a brilliant extension of the high-tech film franchise into the next frontier of entertainment, games. It was one of last summer's top games, and, despite taking a Burly Brawl-level beating from critics, the PlayStation 2 version would become the ninth best-selling title of 2003. Industry-watchers assumed it would only be a matter of time until a sequel was announced. Then came The Matrix Revolutions, the movie that singlehandedly convinced the most hardcore Neo-phytes to jack out of all things Zion. Given that Ubisoft was rumored to be mulling shutting down its Matrix Online MMORPG (which is still due in October 2004), an all-new Matrix game seemed unlikely. However, when directly probed about an Enter the Matrix sequel during Monday's conference call, Bonnell issued the cagey comment above. GameSpot couldn't get a further comment on the matter, but it looks like Atari sees more milk in this cash cow.
Bogus or not bogus?: Poor reviews didn't stop Atari from starting on a sequel to Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Not bogus.
RUMOR #3: Many of ATI's production partners have stopped shipping free Half-Life 2 coupons with Radeon 9600 XT and 9800 XT chipsets.
Source: Hardcore hardware-info site Tweakfactor.com.
The official story: "We were told of boxes shipping without the coupon, looked into it, found out that it was the case in very few instances."--ATI spokesperson Patti Mikula.
What we heard: According to the article, several manufacturers of ATI-powered chipsets quietly stopped including Half-Life 2 coupons with their cards after December 31, 2003. The withdrawal reportedly came with little or no fanfare, with mention of the Half-Life 2 coupon disappearing from GPUs' online product listings and/or physical packaging. After a week of e-mails and phone calls, ATI finally addressed the charges by both flatly denying them ("Coupons still included in all ATI/Radeon-branded 9800 XT, 9600 AT, All-In-Wonder 9600 XT, and All-In-Wonder 9600 PRO products") and then cautiously side-stepping them ("In December, we made it optional for our partners to include the HL2 coupon"). But several manufacturers, including GeCube, openly admit they are shipping graphics cards without Half-Life 2 coupons. As always, caveat emptor.
Bogus or not bogus?: Nothing about Half-Life 2 should seem surprising anymore. Not bogus.
RUMOR #4: Several shareware developers have received cease-and-desist letters from someone claiming to have patented computer solitaire.
Source: The Ur-geeks and all-around smashing fellows at Slashdot.
The official story: The full letter can be seen on LawGeek.
What we heard: While anything that decreases the use of computer solitaire, one of most pervasive time-wasters in history, is certainly laudable, claiming you have patented a card game is downright insane. However, developer Thomas Warfield received a notice from a lawyer saying his Pretty Good Solitaire infringes on patents held by one Sheldon Goldberg. According to Warfield's blog, the letter said his use of "a card game, such as solitaire, in which an ordered collection of card representations is generated where each card representation is eligible for play in a game of solitaire" violates Goldberg's patent. In fact, Goldberg holds three 1996 patents on multi-player card game applications. But, Mr. Warfield points out, solitaire is played by a single person and has been around since at least the 1700s. Apparently several other solitaire makers have received similar letters.
Bogus or not bogus?: The letters sure seem real enough. As for the suit...
RUMOR #5: Tecmo is releasing a life-size body pillow featuring Dead or Alive Ultimate's Kasumi in a bikini. (see image)
Source: Famitsu, the Cahiers du Cinema of Japanese gaming.
The official story: "I won't be able to give you an answer until next Monday since Japanese marketing guys are off for the weekend."--American Tecmo representative.
What we heard: According to Famitsu, each of the 5,000 limited-run Dead Or Alive Blue Xboxes released on March 25 will also come with a bonus: a pillow emblazoned with the likeness of Kasumi, one of the fighting game's characters. Were it normal-sized and its subject wearing normal clothes, the pillow might be cute. However, the pillow measures out at 160cm--five feet, three inches--and sports Kasumi in one of the more revealing swimsuits this side of Rio. There was no information about whether the pillowcase's fabric would be sensuously smooth and/or stain-resistant.
Bogus or not bogus?: Frighteningly, not bogus. What's next, a blow-up doll of Final Fantasy X-2's Yuna?
By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot [POSTED: 02/06/04 08:07 PM]
Xbox live news:
Xbox Live to expand in Asia
Microsoft plans to launch its Xbox Live online gaming service in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore in April.
As first reported by Reuters, Microsoft has today announced that it plans to launch its Xbox Live online gaming service in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore in April. Microsoft claims to have sold more than 1.3 million Xbox consoles in the Asia-Pacific region to date, and today's announcement follows the October 30 launch of Xbox Live in South Korea, where around 6,500 players currently subscribe to the service.
"People can utilize their broadband connection at home, which is really a huge advantage for Asia, given that the penetration of broadband in homes throughout Asia is leading the world," said Alan Bowman, general manager of Microsoft's Xbox business in Asia.
Microsoft is actively encouraging developers in Taiwan and Korea to produce Xbox games that cater to the Asian market and claims to have projects under way with no fewer than 30 different developers there. Subscription prices for the Xbox Live service in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore are expected to be announced nearer launch.
By Justin Calvert, GameSpot [POSTED: 02/05/04 07:37 AM]
And last for the day.A news article on "M"rated titles for gamers.
Spot On: Games Gone Wild
The ESA says M-rated games sales are on the decline, but a closer look shows the Mature genre is getting more "adult."
See it » Last week, the Entertainment Software Association announced that sales of Mature-rated titles were on the decline. The E3 organizers and industry lobby proudly cited numbers from NPD/Funworld, which showed that M-rated games fell to 11.9 percent of all games sold in 2003, versus 13.2 percent in 2002. The decline "reflects this industry is producing a broad array of highly entertaining content appropriate for people of all ages," said ESA president Douglas Lowenstein. ESA also pointed out that the only M-rated game to crack the top 10, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, was from 2002.
The ESA may be spinning the market-share shift as an overall decline in M-rated games demand, but analysts had a simpler explanation: With the GTA franchise skipping a year and Half-Life 2 and Halo 2 MIA, there weren't enough major high-quality Mature games to spark high-volume sales. "There were many games that emulated GTA and fell far short in gameplay value as well as sales," said Zelos Group games analyst Billy Pidgeon. "If Manhunt was as good a game as Vice City, it would have sold better."
Analysts also agree the market for Mature-rated games is here to stay. "The average age of the video gamer is 25," said IDC analyst Schelley Olhava. "Much like TV and movies, adults will choose content that matches interest," she continued. "And let's face it, violence and sex sells."
Violence has long been a staple of the game industry. And even though BMX XXX crashed and burned at the end of 2002, the past year has seen a rise in so-called "naughty" M-rated games--games that emphasize sex over violence. The same week the ESA was saying interest in M-rated games was waning, the most-searched-for game on GameSpot was The Guy Game. The Girls Gone Wild-esque title rewards success at trivia and drinking games with real-life nudity, courtesy of video clips of flash-happy coeds on Spring Break.
Does clicking on a naughty title's GameSpace translate into buying it at the sales counter? Konami seems to think so. At its recent Gamers' Day event, the company announced it was paying some of Japan's top polygon talent millions of dollars to make WWX Rumble Rose's brassiere-stretching catfights as anatomically correct as possible. Sex sold last year as well, with Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball's and Outlaw Volleyball's scantily clad heroines seeing surprisingly sturdy receipts. However, Guy Game creator J. Moon is dismissive of other games' peekaboo antics. "Those games started with BMX and volleyball and tacked t**s onto them," he said. "The difference is that we started with t**s and tacked trivia onto them."
Although many ultraviolent games have been best-sellers, analysts don't think sexually gratuitous games will ever achieve blockbuster success--in America, anyway. "The big retailers are squeamish about sex, and the console manufacturers will not alienate their largest distribution channels," says Pidgeon. "In Germany, retailers want more sex and less violence in games, but the United States is the primary industry market." (A fact demonstrated by the success of CDV's Lula series across the Atlantic.) However, the niche market naughty-M games currently enjoy is enough to sustain smaller-budget titles like the ultraviolent and ultranaughty Postal 2. "Ultra anything by nature appeals to a niche market," said Vince Desi, president of Postal developer Running With Scissors. "But I keep wondering, when does niche become so popular that it's mainstream or widely accepted as OK? Postal 2 is stocked at Best Buy, so is it now becoming mainstream?"
One thing that will never be accepted--even by niche developers--is the all-but-unused Adults Only rating. In its current form, the AO label is the kiss of death, since virtually no major retailer in the country will carry a game that bears it. "We simply won’t release the game with an AO rating," says Moon. Ironically, Desi thinks the rating should be reformed and then implemented more often. "Let's start using the AO rating and deal with this issue openly and honestly," he said--a statement that many politicians who want games like Postal banned would likely agree with.
By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot [POSTED: 02/06/04 04:51 PM]
Thats it for now folks.More in the future.