I aim to misbehave

Is the 3DS, a portable, actually Nintendo’s next console? No, not as in the next Wii will have 3D. As in, this is where they will be putting the lion’s share of their marketing and development budgets for the next 5 years?

So the 3DS may launch earlier that expected. Which means we can anticipate that the usual enthusiast press Nintendo reporting cycle will arrive earlier that expected too.

You know the drill right?

1. Mild hype mixed with cautious “seems like a gimmick” backhanded compliments.
2. Official reveal crticisim about specs and graphical chops (will happen at E3)
3. Long period of doubt and smack talk as cutting edge hardware receives poor third party support
4. Complete and utter flip flop when Microsoft and Sony reveal copycat devices with larger processors.

Prove me wrong, you hardcore asshats. Please, prove me wrong.

Destructoid details the cornucopia of titles headed to the Wii in 2010. The Xbox 360 and PS3 libraries, ironically, look incredibly anemic by comparison.

Shigeru Miyamoto Has Never Called Video Games “Art”

I am utterly humbled that, on this issue at least, I share the same exact opinion as a video game master.

Indie shops smell blood in the water.

“I think big elements of the games industry are in a rut right now, with so many games being produced that are me-too,” offered Wiggins in an interview published today. “How many gritty first person shooters or Gears of War clones does the world need? We’re just not interested in replicating those sorts of experiences.” - Matthew Wiggins, co-founder of Wonderland Software

Indeed. I hope these smaller shops begin to feed sooner than later.

“EA lost money for 11 straight quarters. New plan? Wring $10 from each used-game buyer, instead of making better games. http://bit.ly/a2S0rb” [diskopo]

Don’t look now, but Nintendo is having issues keeping Wii’s on the shelves again. Probably just a passing fad. Or sneaky Nintendo is manufacturing a shortage. Or something. Just read the comments on articles like this one to get the delusional picture. Hint: Adam Coate.

“One thing you have to understand about this gadget is that the gadget disappears pretty quickly. You’re looking into pure software.”

That’s New York Times business writer Nick Carr, on the iPad. It’s no coincidence that this device and the Wii have enjoyed—and will enjoy, as is the case of the iPad—such success. It’s all about the software, not the hardware. Always has been.

Question: What happens when you base your entire strategy around a huge, multimillion dollar blockbuster title meant only for the small percentage of gamers we call “hardcore?”

Answer: Your net revenue for digital entertainment (games) drops 32.5% the following year because you blew your load with that one title (which most people agree was one big cutscene letdown).

Microsoft promises you a trip to paradise, someday, and eventually sells you a picture, maybe. Apple and Nintendo show you playable products and then sell you…playable products. And we still wonder why these two companies are selling so much kit that they seem untouchable?