PixlBit

We've certainly come a long way from the console reveals of the late 20th century.  Back then, systems were announced with games... and lots of them (well, except for the N64).  Even the announcements of the PS2 and GCN were exciting and met with positivity.  But, what we're seeing now with the X1 is atrocious.  The hardware is being sold for the hardware's sake, and video games are becoming a peripheral function.  And, for the games that will be available, they are going to be heavily dependent on subscriptions, DLC, and DRM to make their money.  I didn't ask for this, I don't want this, and I can't believe Microsoft is going ahead with this.

I find it... unusual that Microsoft is planning to launch this console worldwide by the end of the year.  What do they have for Japan?  What aspect of this console, that requires a device - Kinect - that the Japanese couldn't use the first time around, will appeal to them?  This is not going to end well for the X1, especially for those of us who want Japanese games released in the West.  Of course, the big companies like Capcom, Tecmo-KOEI, Konami, and Namco-Bandai will develop for the system regardless.  But the stuff that interests us, the quirky and/or traditional rpgs, will simply not exist on the X1.  Far too many developers were burned on the launch deals with Microsoft, and I can't see them falling for it again.  As it is, NIS and Idea Factory have already discussed their PS4 plans, and there's a good chance other niche developers will follow.  So, I doubt the X1 will see the same level of support that the 360's Japanese launch received, and I don't see it gaining any momentum in Japan at all (again).

I know you want to experience Micronics' NES games the proper way, but after the game has abused you in every possible way, couldn't you just extrapolate the experience, work through it with save states, and move on?  I mean, you could still keep track of all the frustrating and cheap deaths, as well as how many times you would have needed to restart the game had you played it through legitimately.  There's so many better NES games out there; why spend more time on the junk than is necessary?  Then again, it's possible you might stick with it long enough and learn to enjoy it.

What happened to the rest of this?  Actually, this reminds me of some of the old glitches on 1up where it would just eat the second half of a blog.

Anyway, to comment on what I can see, Microsoft seems to be intent to do everything in its power to make this system unappealing.  Between tying games to a single unit and requiring you to check in once a day through the Internet, I just can't be bothered with any of this.  Console gaming is finally slipping into the routine that pushed me away from PC gaming.  Every company wants to know what you're doing with their game, and I don't care to put up with that attitude anymore.

So, the X1 has DRM built into the system level.  I guess I don't need to concern myself with this system any longer.  I suppose I should say that is a shame, but considering how this system is fragmenting its user base right from the start (game publishers can't sell games to the TV watching segment), this outcome was unavoidable.

The bullet crafting in God Eater Burst is like its own little game.  I haven't put in the time to learn the system yet (it doesn't help that the game continues to add MORE options as you progress the story), but I have tinkered with it and noticed the impressive possibilities.  The only thing I've been able to design on my own so far was a high-powered healing shot.  I'm still terribly lost on how to deal effective damage to the Aragami, though, with the gun.  I do know I need to design special ordnance for each enemy type, which directly follows the Monster Hunter school of design, but the time commitment to do so is enormous.

As for Ninja Gaiden, the inclusion of that remix in Warriors Orochi 3 put a smile on my face.  Hayabusa and that piece of music fit the game perfectly, so I hope they keep him around if they decide to continue the Orochi saga.

I was interested in picking this game up for a while, at least until I heard about the unstable framerates and glitchy quest progression.  I'm surprised that the 360 version suffered with the instability, though.  In general, PC ports run quite well on the hardware, and it's always the PS3 version that is broken.  I suppose this game was just damaged to begin with.  It is a shame that it turned out this way because it did look like something I would have enjoyed.

That's terrible.  There's no other words to describe both the Wii U's and Vita's sales performance at this point.  They're both pulling in niche sales, which makes sense when you consider the types of games appearing on both platforms (or not appearing).  This is especially true of the Vita, and it's not going to change.  While Ys, Dragon's Crown, and Muramasa are interesting games, it's not enough to change the system's fortunes or widen its appeal.

As for the Wii U, I can't see it recovering.  The system simply costs too much and lacks the necessary software to sell the hardware.  I'm sure we've talked about this before, but there's just too much competition and very little to differentiate the Wii U from what's already on the market, Nintendo or otherwise.  The industry is changing, rapidly, and the strategies that worked seven years ago no longer apply to today.  Nintendo was not ready for HD development, they have little to no partners in the Western development community, and Japanese developers are fleeing to the handhelds.  Whatever it was they hoped to accomplish with the Wii U has been ruined.  Even if they manage to release a game or two to spark sales of the hardware, there isn't enough to keep gamer attention afterwards.  The past few months have done nothing but paint a very grim picture of the Wii U's future, and I think Nintendo should prepare for the worst.

This is how it has to be done between the different digital providers.  After all, they are competing with each other and "free" alternatives (especially when retro games are involved), so it's better to price these games low and get something out of it.

I did the same thing.  If I discovered that the PS3 version of a game lagged behind the 360 version (my biggest concern was framerate), I would go on to ignore both the game and the developer.  I would prefer they not waste the resources and skip a PS3 release althogether, than to release an inferior product and still ask full price for their work.

As for the rumored parity between the next generation consoles, it would definitely benefit Sony.  The PS3 did miss out on a number of major and minor releases because of its proprietary design, and I'm sure plenty of developers are glad to see Sony dropping that business strategy.