Nintendo Wii

[StevieB]

Ah, one mans innovation is another mans quirk :wink:

I will qualify my statement then - to me it appears that the new controller is a gimmick at the moment. Thats not to say all 4th generation consoles won't have them mind you. It really depends what you want from your gaming experience - better graphics, better gameplay, or ultra realism. Nintendo have always gone for family friendly and quirky gameplay, the PS3 and XBOX360 are going for ultra realism - possible due to the immense power of the new processors in them. Nintendo are trying to appeal to a slightly different market to the other two, possibly because they dont have the processing power to compete in the same arena.

As to Nintendo games being played more, since the target audience is different thats not really a fair comparison. Its like saying a Disney film is more watched than Star Wars so it must be better. Different strokes for different folks. Personally I am still playing the Final Fantasy Series and Grand Theft Auto series. SWMBO cannot stand them but will play Sonic the Hedgehog on the megadrive. I agree that Nintendo has appeal, its just not my favourite. If I had to have only one console, the Nintendo Wii wouldn't be it.

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[woodbloke]

ByronBlack wrote:

yes woodbloke, you can learn something from some games!

Not being snobbish here at all, dismissive yes. Being stuck in front of a screen attempting to interact with some etherial, make believe fantasy figure inside a computer I find hugely frustrating, and I have had a go on a PS2.

I am slightly intrigued to learn what can be learnt from a computer game...for example you wouldn't have me believe that playing Grand Turisimo 3 ('scuse me if I've got the name wrong) will actually make you a better driver on todays roads...I hope not :shock: - Rob

 

[StevieB]

I am slightly intrigued to learn what can be learnt from a computer game...

Good question. It probably depends on your age and what you consider learning to be I dont think anyone pretends Grand Turismo 3 will improve your driving. But what computer games can do is teach you more etherial skills. Planning and commerce in RTS games for example. Reaction times and hand eye coordination in FPS games or interaction skills and teamwork in MMORPGs. No console game is really designed as an educational tool except perhaps the recent brain training game (and I have doubts about that). It really depends on what you percieve as learning and whether you mean that as useful learning such as skills or techniques, or more abstract concepts. I agree that teamwork and hand eye coordination can be taught through other things such as a game of rugby for example, and possibly taught much better. But how many people play games that would not play rugby?

Like anything taken to extremes, gaming can be harmful. 10 hours a day in your bedroom with the curtains drawn and Warcraft on the PC is not healthy. Taken for what it is, an entertainment, used in moderation, it can be useful and educational. Try playing Age of Empires, or some of the other historically accurate games that exist. There are small bits of education in most titles, even if it is only that entering a corner too fast in a car will make you slide out and roll your beloved Evo VIII in Grand Turismo 3. The consequenses are not the same as in real life, but the physics are certainly getting there :wink:

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[woodbloke]

SteveB wrote:

Like anything taken to extremes, gaming can be harmful. 10 hours a day in your bedroom with the curtains drawn and Warcraft on the PC is not healthy. Taken for what it is, an entertainment, used in moderation, it can be useful and educational

Steve - good reply, fair enoughski...it does worry me though about 'yoof' (I would suppose) in their rooms for 10 hours a day ensconced in a cyberworld that they may think has some bearing on the real world - Rob

 

[StevieB]

Having said that, I do remember reading an article not so long ago about an American journalist and avid games player who decided to see if he could make a living playing online games to a high level and selling the products of his gaming to other players. For example, it takes many hours to get a game character to the point where it can make the uber weapon of death (TM), as such players would rather buy it than make it. I seem to remember he made more than the basic wage selling virtual products from a virtual world on ebay but said he wouldnt want to do it for the rest of his career! Cannot for the life of me recall where I read it though :roll:

I am lucky if I can snatch an hour or so a week at the moment so no danger of me getting rich that way!

Steve.

 

[syntec4]

ByronBlack wrote:

yes woodbloke, you can learn something from some games!

Not being snobbish here at all, dismissive yes. Being stuck in front of a screen attempting to interact with some etherial, make believe fantasy figure inside a computer I find hugely frustrating, and I have had a go on a PS2.

I am slightly intrigued to learn what can be learnt from a computer game...for example you wouldn't have me believe that playing Grand Turisimo 3 ('scuse me if I've got the name wrong) will actually make you a better driver on todays roads...I hope not :shock: - Rob

Hey woodbloke, I'm certainly no Yoof. My son has a PS2 though , which he plays with quite a bit, although he prefers to be out on his bike (motor or BMX). He has this game called TT Superbikes. essentially it's a sim of the IOM TT Course. I used it to learn all the corners and the turn in/braking points. I haven't 'raced' the TT but It did improve my Mad Sunday Lap ahem cruise times. I have to say it was spot on, every apex, junction and marker is there. Pretty amazing for a 30 mile lap.
Perhaps not the educational value you were looking for, but still great fun. Oh yeah, I have played Gran Turismo as well, I think it also has some value if you drive in London :shock: I work in Wembley and when I visit the office I have to say it feels like everyone is trying to beat the lap time on the North Circular!

Cheers
Lee.


Edited... 300 posts YEY!

 

[woodbloke]

Syntec4 wrote:

Gran Turismo as well, I think it also has some value if you drive in London

:shock: :shock: :shock: - thank God for the M25 then! :lol: Rob

 

[syntec4]

If anyone is looking for a comparison of the PS3 and the Wii, I think this should cover it :wink:
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?doc ... 4838642038

 

[ByronBlack]

Quick update on the Wii

It's bloody brilliant!!! Swmbo has never been so interested in games in her life, and the main thing is we are both enjoying the experience, communicating with each other, and just generally having a laugh instead of vegging out on the sofa watching TV

Our current favourites, are the bowling and the golf games, very realistic. I can definitly see how this could improve a golfers putting skills, and the bowling has very senstive controlls, allowing you to perfect your curve and spin!

Well worth a punt if your looking for a bit of family (or single) fun. I also purchased 'Red Steel' for it, and that is very clever, espeically the sword-fights, very smart!

 

[Gary H]

Another PC games fan here, I'm afraid
Could never get to grips with the PS/XBOX controllers meself - prefer the keyboard/mouse set up (except on FIFA - impossible without a controller!!:evil: ). Must say that's why the Wii controllers do look kinda interesting to me too.

For anyone interested in 'shooty-firing type style games', get to the America's Army website, download the COMPLETELY FREE game (no catches or subscriptions or nuthin! Just a HUGE download) and play that for a bit. Best first person ever made IMHO.

Blimey though, didn't realise the subject of gaming could provoke such emotions!! :shock: :shock: Folks really do get quite frantic don't they.
The way I see it is I treat games as entertainment and sometimes stress relief, which is a matter of personal taste and opinion i guess. Same as music or art or television or any other kind of hobby i s'pose. I just don't play habitually or to an excessively unhealthy level.

It could even be said that, (pulls out his biggest stirring spoon here) spending hours upon end on sumfin like ebay or surfing the net or even forums may become habitual and unhealthy :-$ He says after spending 20 mins writing a post - heh, irony eh?

Errr...okay..gotta go now. There's a large angry mob carrying torches and pitchforks beating a way up the garden path...speak soon....if I get outta this alive!!!

Gary

 

[WoodStoat]

I think I must have something missing in my mental wiring, as although I can build PCs and can learn programmes if I want to, I have never for the life of me been able to figure out how to play video games. None of the buttons seem to do the same thing consistently, and fans of them view my efforts with scorn, as my figures nut themselves against trees and run over cliffs. One chap I used to know tested games for one of the manufacturers, and the sight of him in a bluetooth headset, yelling "Fire in the hole!" at nobody in particular whilst colours flashed and noises wailed, is not one I shall forget in a hurry.

 

[Vormulac]

It was a joyous moment of extreme sillyness when I played Unreal Tournament 2004 and found I could control the bots by voice. I think SWMBO thought I had finally lost it completely, sitting in front of the pc yelling "Blue team cover me!" and similarly gung-ho nonsense to no-one in particular

Great stuff!

 

[dedee]

I'm firmly in the corner with the other SOGs.

I can't imagine that the full effects of a Wee or any other console can be appreciated on a 14" portable and that's the only TV I have/need. My Imac has a bigger screen :lol:

Sorry can't quite understand the need for large screen, flat screen, wide angle TVs costing 100s if not 1000s of pounds. I've better things to spend me money on.

Andy, quietly waiting for the kids to grow up so that I can justify the expense of some of these toys :wink:

 

[tombo]

I see computer games from another point of view as i used to write them! I sort of got gamed out, i was an addict when young but doing for a living takes the shine off. Nowadays i just admire the effort that goes into producing them and i look at them thinking how i might have tried to write that bit of code.
Playing a game is about as productive as playing snooker, doing sodoku or reading a novel, each to his own.

blast from the past

This game got to no1 and took me 6 months to write but is smaller in size than most jpegs on a website

Tom

 

[Noel]

Byron, don't forget about the recall on the strap on the wand thing that you shake at the screen.

"yes woodbloke, you can learn something from some games!"

I've picked up loads of tips on social etiquette from the GTA series........

 

[ByronBlack]

noel - there's no recall, just an offer to replace the strap if it breaks, but to be honest, most people who break them aren't really being particualr sensible, it's quite hard to let go of the thing.

 

[Noel]

It was originally reported as a recall but that may have got mixed up with the adaptor/transformer recall in Japan.

 

[Rod]

I have never had any interest in gaming, rather read a book or mag or make or repair something.Son has several consoles but since he discovered World of Warcrap on the pc he is addicted.He is presently downstairs into his ninth hour today on the bl**dy thing.It has caused more arguaments than anything else in our house.If anyone gets chance watch the Southpark episode about W OF W ,absoluteley true to life .Totally addicted dare not take his eyes away from the screen,won`t stop to eat,have to drag him away from it and then he causes so much trouble and such an atmosphere it has nearly come to blows. I WISH HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT.

 

[mailee]

Hmm, sounds very similar to my son Rod, although he is not into the games consoles so much as the internet games. I think he is becoming a recluse as the only time he comes down from his room in his underwear?? is to eat. What's that all about?? :?

 

[Colin C]

Andy, quietly waiting for the kids to grow up so that I can justify the expense of some of these toys :wink:

Andy

If you wait until they grow up, you will not keep up so start practicing now :wink: