Hikari: Enlightening Entertainment

2007-12-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

Lost Odyssey is a fun game for fans of the traditional RPG genre (I hate calling them JRPGs because these types of games were considered the main RPGs a generation ago.) however it does come with a number of inexcusable flaws for a next-gen title. I will by begin outlining the good.

The story seems to be both involving and unique. This is a long slowly developing story and fans of story driven games will appreciate that. Cut scenes are abundant but the contribute to making the game what it is. Sakaguchi did well to keep the story unfolding regularly and with good pacing.

The music is pure Uematsu. He has managed to create a soundtrack that keeps the tone, pacing and mood of each scene. You'll enjoy having the sound on for this game.

The voice acting in LO is well performed. Mistwalker was wise to choose a comedian to play the goofy, Jansen. He actually contributes to lightening the air around a continually somber, Kaim and his ad libs make for small smirks more often than not. In general, everyone's voice so far has fit their character.

The game's "system" is also well thought out and involved. You will constantly find yourself going into the menu screen to manage things. You'll need to forge rings, attach skills, equip new items, etc. This is what being an RPG gamer is about and Mistwalker paid service to the fans.

Random battles are not overabundant and levelling does not feel like a chore. Most battles will require you to consider what type of creature you are fighting and not a simple tap of the attack button. The "aim ring" will force you to pay attention and worry about timing. These act as more elements to keep the player involved in the game. Fans of the genre will not be disappointed with the overall product.

However, there are still a few negatives that must also be mentioned. First off, I will begin by saying that I agree with the IGN initial impressions of the game. Frame rate (or "slow down" as they called it in my day) does exist and it is noticeable. There are times when the screen jumps and times when it just moves slowly. It's enough that it is noticeable and should be addressed.

Graphics, while looking good in some parts, are an overall let down for a next-gen game. Yes, the game runs in 720, so it's nice and shiny. But Mistwalker was obviously going for a look of realism with LO, and they unfortunately failed in their execution. Facial models are nice. Close-ups and camera angles usually work. But one major, unforgivable flaw is in character movement. The characters often move in unnatural ways with models rotating rather than just turning around. This may be forgivable in a more cartoony environment such as Blue Dragon, but not here. Arm and hand gestures are stilted and sometimes even walking looks belabored. The industry has been using motion capture for some time now and with PS2 games like Metal Gear Solid 2 setting the precedent for realistic movements, this is an unforgettable and unforgivable flaw on the Xbox 360. Moreover, as Anoop (IGN review) suggested, some of the character models look like they had been ported from PS2 and just given a slight HD upgrade.

**************************Next paragraph is a potential spoiler*************************
There is a scene regarding a flower dispute toward the end of disk one. The unrealistic and implausible scenario and lines destroyed the story-telling and tone. Mack and Cooke are caring for flowers when the Queen's troops come over to pick them. This leads to an encounter. Would soldiers battle over flowers? Moreso, would a group that just met two children, fight soldiers that merely want to pick flowers because the children's mother holds those flowers dear? This is an example of melodrama. Do we really care for this? Later, in the scene where Kaim meets his daughter, the children's annoying banter actually took away from the emotion that the story was trying to convey. I should have been more invested in the relationship between long lost child and father, but I wasn't. While the overall story so far seems tight, it is scenes like these that make it falter. I wasn't moved here. I was slightly sad, but that was almost entirely a result of Uematsu's well placed score.

**********************************End spoiler****************************************

At this point some may argue that this game isn't about graphics, it's about story and gameplay and that is true, to a point. However, Final Fantasy has been known to push the envelope in terms of graphics. Each one featured improvements over its predecessor to create jaw-dropping visuals. That sense of awe is not present in Lost Odyssey.

The jump from SNES to Playstation with FFVII had everyone's collective head turning. Here however, we have none of that. While the graphics look nice, it doesn't bring the player to high-enough new grounds. While this may not be a FF game, it does have the hand that crafted them pulling its strings. Unfortunately, the lack of graphical prowess is a let down.

All of that said, this is still a good game. As previously mentioned, fans of the genre will love it. However, the negatives should not be ignored and while many have shown a disregard for them, and attacked the IGN review, they fact remains that the problems do exist. I have personally always been a fan of traditional RPGs and this one with all its graphical and story-telling flaws will still keep you wanting to go back for more.

No More Heroes: First Impressions

2007-12-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

We've played about 2 hours of the Japanese version of No More Heroes and so far the verdict is that No More Heroes is a lot of fun. There is no doubt that creator, Suda 51 is a fan of both Japanese and American pop culture. This shows in the overall tone and style of the game.

Main character, Travis, has a number of T-shirts and other available wardrobe selections that tell us that though he may be an otaku, he is not one of the Japanese kind. He is thin, athletic, and as his wardrobe suggests, aware of fashion. It's almost as if Travis is acting as Suda's own avatar, playing in a world he wants to be in. He's managed to create an environment where pro-wrestling items give you power ups, you are working to become an even more powerful everyman, and the women around you are all hot. Travis lounges around in his small apartment with all he needs: anime, food, TV and his cat, Jeane, which apparently shares its name with his former lover. As a bonus you can watch music videos of in game music on Travis's TV.

The story is wacky and there are plenty of old-school gaming elements to keep veteran gamers like myself happy. You get 8-bit style graphics and sounds interspersed throughout, as well as other references and basic play control. There is a lot to digest all at once in terms of the fighting system, but it's actually quite simple. The Wii remote was the perfect choice for this game, as it really keeps you involved in the battle. Once you get the hang of things, you'll want to keep hacking away on enemies for interactive fun.

If you have a Wii and have longed for a game that was for gamers and not a mini-game. Look no further. No More Heroes is a lot of fun.

Dragon Quest Swords

2007-07-22T04:44:00.001-07:00

It has been some time since the Wii got a non-mini-game-based title that was designed specifically with its hardware in mind. In fact, it is arguably its first time. The surprise here is that it isn't a first party title but rather the product of third party, Square-Enix (Squeenix). Clearly the hegemon in the world of RPGs, Squeenix is best known for creating the endless stream of Final Fantasies and Dragon Quests -- quality titles that are always critically acclaimed, if not well received by gamers across all shores. Dragon Quest Swords (DQS) is no exception.

Released on July 12th in Japan, DQS sold over a quarter of a million discs in just 3 days! Though this may not come as a surprise, given the Dragon Quest fan base in Japan, it is nonetheless an impressive accomplishment. However, the real issue concerning curious gamers is not how well the game sold, but how well the game plays.

From the very beginning, players will soon realize that Squeenix has successfully managed to capture the feel of Dragon Quest, while at the same time incorporating an entirely new battle system. Though the obvious limitations of the Wii keep the game graphically inferior to its next-gen counterparts, the visuals still look good. The signature Toriyama character art together with the familiar sound effects and music work to constantly remind us that we are in the world of Dragon Quest.

Where Swords deviates from the norm is in the way you do battle. You can still bring up menus that allow you to choose how you'd like your partners to fight, but no longer do you have a turn-based system with time to calculate your next move. This time around you'll have to act quickly and use your Wii-remote to slash and defend. You can lock on to areas by pressing the A button. Then swing your Wii-remote in the direction you wish to slice. The B button is used to bring out your shield. You'll need to carefully place it in the way of the monsters' attacks in order to defend. Meanwhile, you can have your partners provide you with support magic such as healing and defensive or attack spells. The premise here is simple but it is also very satisfying. The interaction made possible by the Wii will have you feeling like you are actually cutting your way through monsters. It's a fun an interesting new take on Dragon Quest that brings new life to the more than 20 year old series.

The only major criticism for this game is that it only utilizes the Wii-remote and not the nunchuk. Perhaps this was done so that players did not have to own an extra accessory in order to play. Defending and moving with the nunchuk while slashing with the Wii-remote seems like it would have been more intuitive, making it easier to switch between defense and offense. As it stands running by pressing up on the cross button and the B button feels clunky and a tad bit awkward. That said however, DQS is a great game that no Wii owner and RPG fan should be without. Time to get slashing!

Eye-Catching Ad

2007-04-08T05:06:00.000-07:00

Pepsi Twist didn't have a long life in Japan. Perhaps the taste didn't sit well with many of the Japanese. Maybe the lackluster ad campaign didn't increase awareness as well as it should have. Whatever the reason, Pepsi Twist Diet is no more. However, in its place there is Pepsi Nex.

The name does not make mention or even hint to its lemony flavor. You'll have to make a conscious effort to look for that information on the product's label. In fact, rather than focusing on its refreshing flavor, what Pepsico (or rather Suntory) wants you to know this time around is that the product is zero calories, and it's zero calories of deliciousness.

So now that they've successfully disguised its little citric additive, how is Pepsi Nex going about getting its name known? Well, how about using hot celebrities to attract the 18-35 year-old crowd?

Suntory has enlisted the talents of Masaharu Fukuyama, Satoshi Tsumabuki, and Erika Sawajiri for their new ad campaign, spanning billboards, TV and the Internet. To be honest, I am not very interested in Japanese TV dramas, but Ms. Sawajiri's seductive pose and provocative outfit in the ads make her worth investigating; and thus make Nex stick out in the collective minds of most men. If Suntory can make someone with virtually no interest in Japanese TV or mainstream films take note of their ad campaign, there is no doubt that with the popularity and sex appeal of the celebrities in these ads, Pepsi Nex will be a well known beverage in no time.

Watch the ads here.

Blue Dragon Manga Volume 1

2007-04-08T04:10:00.000-07:00

The first volume of the Weekly Shonen Jump manga, Blue Dragon Ral Grad, is now on sale. Book/comic stores across Tokyo have been promoting sales with large displays set up at entrance ways. Hikari posted an article on the new series and its risque nature in January (Blue Dragon: Beautiful Visuals, Some More Revealing Than You Would Expect). Look for a more in-depth review of the manga soon.

NiGHTS Confirmed for Wii

2007-04-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

After years of waiting and months of rumor and speculation, NiGHTS' official sequel will be coming to the Wii. Though not much detail is available, Takashi Izuka of Sonic Team USA, the new game's producer, had this to say:

"In 1996, we created the NiGHTS character to achieve a concept of 'being refreshed from being able to fly in the sky'. 11 years later, at last, we have broken our silence. NiGHTS will now fly in a new dream world: new stages, new story, and on the new Wii platform. Please look forward to NiGHTS and friends exploring this brand new adventure."

The Wii remote should be a perfect match for the play control of this new iteration of the Sega Saturn cult classic. NiGHTs is currently slated for a winter 2007 release in the US.

Game Rankings, 3/26~4/1

2007-04-05T06:19:00.000-07:00

Only one "next gen" title makes the top ten this week, and that's Wii Sports (some even argue that the Wii is not in the "next gen" category).

1. Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ (PS2)
2. Muso Orochi (PS2)
3. More English Training DS (DS)
4. Digimon Story Sunburst (DS)
5. Yoshi's Island DS (DS)
6. Tamagochi no Abare! (DS)
7. Pro Baseball Spirits 4 (PS2)
8. Word Puzzle Mojibitan (DS)
9. Wii Sports (Wii)
10. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)

Media Create

Reason #3 to Be Pissed at Microsoft

2007-03-28T15:29:00.001-07:00

Damn, I forgot perhaps the most important reason here to be frustrated at this week's announcements.

Let me first refresh your memory with another quote from way-back-when (this time, from around November):

"At this point we’re not ready yet to roll out a bigger hard drive. I can tell you what people tell me they do to get around this. What they do is they put their Live account on a memory unit and then they have one hard drive that they put their games or related content on, and then they have another drive that they put their movies and TV on." [link, Wired via GamersReports]

Got that? Turns out this is horrible, horrible advice -- aside from the insane cost of having to shell out $100 (at the time) for each supplementary drive in this ridiculous scenario.

Here's better advice: Don't run out and buy one of the upcoming 120GB drives in hopes of consolidating your multiple Xbox 360 drives. You won't be able to!

That's according to a Microsoft Japan press release, located here.

What were you even thinking, listening to Microsoft in the first place?

[link]

Two Things That Kind of Piss Me Off About the Xbox 360 "Elite"

2007-03-28T11:49:00.001-07:00

…Or more specifically, about the announcement of the "Elite".

First: Let's talk about the high margin of return. External 120GB drives routinely sell for US$65-$90. Microsoft's selling its new add-on for around $180. There's profit, and there's gouging, and once an application (something IPTV-related, maybe?) debuts that requires much more than the paltry 13GB of usable capacity on the current-gen Xbox 360, Microsoft will have officially embarked into the realm of the latter.

Thing No. 2 that burns me:

"I think at the moment we have the widest available connections on the system. If you want to get great HD, I think we've got a good solution for that ... At the moment, everything you might have seen is just looking at our experimentation back in Redmond, not really a product that we're thinking about announcing."

That was said by Chris Satchell at Microsoft's game developer group, all the way back in January. Now, I understand that Microsoft didn't want to hurt sales of the "regular" Xbox 360 models between then and the present. But there comes a point when deliberate obfuscation hurts consumers. And it's pretty clear console companies don't understand this.

Let me clarify it for them. The point where you stop helping your cause and begin actively hurting consumers occurs when:

In other words, once the rumor mill reached fever pitch about the Xbox 360 Elite, Microsoft should have stepped up and gone ahead and announced it. Instead, some consumers were duped. This could include people like my girlfriend, for instance, who may conceivably have waited for the Elite before buying her 360 Premium.

Microsoft, of course, isn't alone here in treating consumers like they're the enemy. Sony, in the course of a few short months, has already established a solid track record of not only ignoring consumer needs, but the needs of developers, retailers, stockholders, and the press. Did I leave anyone out?

These companies need to behave a bit more like the big hardware vendors in the PC space. Intel and AMD, for instance, publish roadmaps of where they're headed well in advance of future models. They react quickly to feedback, and don't ram unneeded features down consumers' throats.

They understand that customers, the retail channel, and the entire damn ecosystem involves knowing what's coming out and when -- not thinking so short-term and trying to squeeze out a few months' more of sales of an old model through duplicity before they roll out a replacement. They're not as arrogant as the console companies, are more willing to work with partners, and most importantly customers, to deliver products that meet current and future needs.

Customers deserve an informed choice, not obfuscation.

Funny, I wrote nearly 500 words on this, and I'm not nearly as irate about the PR game around the Elite as I am about Microsoft's shitty support around the brief Xbox Live outage this weekend. More on that later, perhaps.

More Rumors, More NiGHTS

2007-03-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

Last week, the Internet was buzzing over an ad in the Official Nintendo Magazine, claiming a world exclusive on "a classic game set to make a long overdue return." Most speculated that the game in question was NiGHTS, an old time favorite among SEGA Saturn fans.

While no specific game system was mentioned, today Swedish game magazine, Game reactor, released an image of their upcoming April issue, featuring the NiGHTS jester on the cover. This seems to provide strong support to the rumor that a new NiGHTS game is on its way.

Though most game related sites are convinced the new game will be a Wii exclusive there has yet to be any official confirmation. However, with all the new evidence that's been leaking and certain unofficial confirmation, it's becoming hard to discredit. It's only a matter of time before we know the truth.

Xbox 360 Elite

2007-03-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

What was once a rumor known as the "Zephyr," the new Xbox 360 "Elite" has been officially confirmed by Microsoft. The system comes in black and touts an upgraded 120 gig hard drive, as well as an HDMI port for high definition. The Elite will retail for 479.99 USD and ship on April 29th in North America.

There are no present plans to release this version of the 360 in Japan. However, gamers on this side of the world will be able to purchase the stand-alone 120 gig. HD on June 6th for 18,900 yen.

Lost Connections

2007-03-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

Letting my mind wander and see where it takes me (and sometimes it takes me to some very surprising places), I was struck by some of the similarities between the popular ABC primetime series “Lost” and the Saturday morning children’s show of the mid-seventies “Land of the Lost.” And yes, it was the tenuous one word the two series share that brought me to this realization.

“Lost,” for what it’s worth, has been compared to series “The X-files” and other shows with an undercurrent of the supernatural. “Lost” also makes extensive use of tropes common to science fiction (or speculative fiction, if you must). The main plot of a bunch of castaways trying to eke out an existence on a remote (and usually) tropical island has been a staple in literature and film since Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe.” In that regards, “Lost” doesn’t break new ground. But its combination of those themes and using them as a backdrop for intriguing character development and analysis has brought it no small measure of success.

To say “Lost” has been influenced, or more accurately, the creators and writers have been influenced, by thematically similar works is taken as granted. No doubt the writers themselves could produce a list detailing all their direct influences. However, there are more than a few odd similarities, some overlapping motifs, between “Lost” and “Land of the Lost;” so many, in fact, that I can’t help but wonder if the creators are trying to recreate that series for a current, adult audience.

As I was born the year the last season of LOTL aired, I had to catch it in reruns when I was a toddler. My memory is sketchy, but with some help from Wikipedia, the torrent of memories is released from the reservoir. LOTL is the story of the Marshall family (the father Rick, his son Will, and the daughter Holly) who, during an earthquake while they are rafting down a river in present-day (1970s) Earth find themselves transported to a mysterious lost land with nothing more than their raft, the meager supplies in said raft, and the clothes on their backs. This is a land that resembles prehistoric Earth, with all the large dinosaurs wandering about to prove it. No sooner is the family washed up in the LOTL, when they are attacked by a giant Tyrannosaurus rex, whom they dub “Grumpy,” and are forced to seek shelter in a cave halfway up a mountain. (I remember as a kid being scared during the opening credits when Grumpy would give up on the Marshall family and turn to the “camera” to devour the audience. He never got me, however, because I was watching this all in complete safety – from behind the sofa.) Without going into too much detail, the series focused on the Marshall family’s attempts to return to their own dimension while trying to understand the magic and mystery of the lost land.

Overall the plot doesn’t seem that similar to “Lost,” but it’s not exactly dissimilar either. You could argue, if you like, the plot of LOTL has as much in common with “King Kong” or “Survivor” and you wouldn’t be wrong, in my opinion. But the devil is in the details, and it is the particularities of LOTL that are analogous to parts of “Lost.”

I’ve already mentioned the T-Rex, Grumpy, and the cave in LOTL. In “Lost,” one of the continuing mysteries (much to the annoyance of many fans) is the truth behind the smoke monster. For many people, including myself, until we actually saw the smoke, we were led to believe it was some giant dinosaur, or at least hoped it would be, just because, well, dinosaurs are cool. LOTL has Grumpy and “Lost” has Smokey. At one point in season one of “Lost,” some of the characters decide they would be safer in the newly discovered caves instead of at the beach, just like the Marshalls decided they would be safer in the cave away from the river.

One of the things the Marshalls wanted to be safe from, aside from some bad stop-motion animation dinosaurs, was a race of beings known as the Sleestak. These humanoid lizard-like creatures were the antagonist aborigines of the lost land who wanted the Marshalls for some unknown but presumably nasty business. That business turned out to be ritual sacrifice to the Sleestak’ god who dwelled in a mist-covered pit. His diet consisted of any sacrifices the Sleestak brought (anyone the Sleestak didn’t like, and that was everyone), but no word how the god went to the bathroom in that pit are how he disposed of the remains. (Probably got a little, um, ripe down in there.) The Sleestak who made nothing but trouble for the Marshalll family, we later learn, are the descendants (in the truest sense of the word) of the Altrusians who built the Lost City and whose technology is scattered around the lost land. The Altrusians were a highly advanced race who, like many empires the world over, lost their exalted status through hubris, and the Sleestak were the primitive result of that.

One of the biggest mysteries in “Lost” is a group of apparently primitive people running around the island making an already tough life egregiously tough for the plane crash survivors. While they appear primitive (and in season three we learn it was a ruse, but that doesn’t destroy the LOTL connection; the creators just used it as a springboard for new ideas), they exhibit intimate knowledge of the island and use it to their advantage. They kidnapped multiple members from the survivors’ group to use them for things we can’t even imagine, as their purpose in doing so has yet to be revealed. We know they were probably not the first people to inhabit the island, as that honor goes to the scientists working for the Dharma Initiative. Those teams, while not much is known about them, we do know they were quite technologically advanced as compared to the Others in their Swiss Family Robinson guise (which is revealed to be just that in the third season of “Lost”). From certain information gleaned from the show, we might assume that the Dharma scientists were either wiped out by a mysterious disease and/or subsumed by the others. If the former, was the disease of their own making? We already know they did experiments on sharks and polar bears. Did their own science wipe them out as the technological advances of the Altrusians wiped them out? And what remnants survived, did they become part of the primitive Others as the Altrusians degenerated into Sleestak? As “Lost” progresses, those analogies may prove to be tenuous at best; but if you just look at the first two seasons of “Lost,” it’s hard not to see the parallels. (EDIT: In season three, episode thirteen Ben, the ostensible leader of the Others claims to have been born on the island. This raises the question of who was there first, the Dharma Initiative or the Others? LOTL enjoyed flip-flopping on the origin of the Sleestak, without ever giving a definitive answer. “Lost” enjoys teasing the audience in the same way with the Others.)

Dotted throughout the LOTL were mysterious structures left by the Altrusians called Pylons. These narrow, pyramid-like structures were more capacious inside with their “compressed space” than what their superficial structures presented. Inside some of these Pylons – if not all – was a stone table known as the “crystal matrix control table.” By rearranging the power crystals on the matrix table, the user could affect certain reactions in the LOTL including altering weather and time itself. The Marshalls were convinced these matrix tables inside the Pylons offered the key to returning to their own dimension. In “Lost,” the Dharma Initiative left behind many stations for pseudo-scientific research, as it would appear. The most famous of these stations was know as the Hatch, and inside was a computer that could be used to control a magnetic discharge on the island. As the Altrusians are to Dharma, so are the Pylons to Dharma’s stations, with the computer serving as the island’s version of the crystal matrix table. Now that the Hatch has imploded and the need for the computer obviated by Desmond’s actions at the end of the second season, it remains to be seen what role the magnetic discharge will play in future episodes and how many, if any, Dharma ruins remain to be found. (EDIT: In episode twelve of season three, a group of the crash survivors find a series of tall, derrick-like posts encircling the village of the Others. Sayid distinctly calls them “pylons.” If the village the Others live in turns out to have been built by Dharma, it would connect to the Lost City built by the Altrusians and inhabited by the Sleestak.)

And speaking of Desmond, what would “Lost” be without its version of Enik, the time-traveling Altrusian who learns that his race is doomed to degenerate into the Sleestak? As Enik is the last Altrusian representative in “present-day” LOTL, Desmond, as far as we know, is the last survivor of the Dharma Initiative. While Desmond was never a true member of the Dharma Initiative, he remains the last person to be revealed who had any connection to them. After the implosion of the Hatch, Desmond exhibited certain time-traveling abilities. Whether he physically moved through time or just mentally relived moments has yet to be answered. Desmond is now stuck on the island because his one means of transport – a sailboat – was lost to the Others by Sayid, Jin, and Sun. Enik also lost his primary means of time travel when Will Marshall destroyed it.

Desmond isn’t the only interesting character on the island when the plane crashes. A mysterious French woman named Danielle Rousseau pops up every now and then. According to her own story, she has been on the island for sixteen years when a ship she was on was stranded there after following a radio signal being sent from the island. She does indeed aid the survivors from time to time, but she prefers to live the life of recluse so as to avoid contact with the dreaded and despised Others. As with “Lost,” LOTL also had its own deranged recluse in Jefferson Davis Collie, a Confederate soldier who has been trapped in the LOTL for what appears to be decades. He spends most of his time mining the power crystals and using his cannon to keep the Sleestak at bay. He even helps the Marshalls attempt to escape the lost land, but decides to head back to his cave because he doesn’t want to encounter any dinosaurs along the way.

For me there are already enough similarities between “Lost” and LOTL to view former as homage to the latter. But there is one more point, perhaps not as germane as the others, but still intriguing nonetheless. When Sayid, Jin, and Sun are sailing around the island to rescue Jack and company, they spot the remains of what presumably was a gigantic statue. All that is left is two feet cut off above the ankles, and Sayid remarks that there are only four toes on each foot. At this point in “Lost,” nothing has been revealed as to the origin of those remains, but they might not be related to the Dharma Initiative or to the Others. LOTL also had a similar set of ruins of unknown origin called the Builder Temple. This temple was neither built by the Altrusians nor the Sleestak, but by some other humanoid race that never reveals itself. Unfortunately, this temple was not seen outside of a handful of episodes and the mysterious race was never explained nor fully introduced.

LOTL only lasted three seasons before it was cancelled. By the third season, the show’s budget was drastically reduced and the execs took over, not only diluting its contents, but also dumbing it down to insipid levels. The third season never quite lived up to the panache of its predecessors, and lacking many of the original creators, the quality of the show quickly declined. I hope that is one point where “Lost” can digress from its philosophical and inspirational forbearer.

As the “Lost” progresses, its connections to LOTL will more than likely disappear entirely. Indeed, events in the third season have shown that those connections really only hold for seasons one and two of “Lost.” As the series evolves, and more secrets are revealed (one hopes!), perhaps the series can have a satisfying conclusion that LOTL never had.

Miguel E. Corti (Contributor)

Game Rankings, 3/12~3/18

2007-03-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

This week's rankings still favor Nintendo with Yoshi's Island DS still holding on to the number one spot and a total of eight Nintendo titles in the top ten.

1. Yoshi's Island DS (DS)

2. Word Puzzle: Moji Bitan DS (DS)

3. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)

4. Wii Sports (Wii)

5. Kin Iro no Goruda 2 (PS2)

6. Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town (DS)

7. Wii Play (Wii)

8. Tokimeki Memorial: Girl's Side 1st Love (DS)

9. Super Robot Taisen W (DS)

10. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS)

Media Create

Good News for Gamers, Good News for Sony--Maybe

2007-03-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

Though analysts have been notoriously wrong in the past, Goldman Sachs is predicting that Sony will slash the PS3 price tag by a $100 worldwide in October. This would be good news for gamers that have been holding back due to cost. Sachs analyst, Yuji Fujimori states, "The PS3 price has long been cited as high," noting that cutting the price of game consoles has historically quadrupled volumes. This would be a good weapon for Sony to use against Microsoft, as they are planning to release the newest addition of their well-received franchise, Halo 3 at about the same time (Couple this with a killer ap, like MGS 4 or FF XIII, and we should see systems flying of shelves during the holiday period--ed.).

The Sony PR and marketing machine, helmed by Phil Harrison, seems to paint a different picture however. Less than a month prior, at the 2007 D.I.C.E. summit held in Nevada, Harrison reiterated that Sony feels no pressure to price drop, not to mention their on-going mission to convince consumers that PS3s are on store shelves as a result of Sony's hard work to make them available to everyone. In terms of business strategies and hardware design, Harrison stated that Sony has "no regrets whatsoever."

Related articles:

PlayStation 3 Price Cut May Be Ahead
Phil Harrison: We Are Under No Pressure to Drop PS3's Price
D.I.C.E. Summit 2007

Good News for Microsoft, Bad News for Sony

2007-03-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

The biggest news in gaming today has to be Capcom's decision to release Devil May Cry 4 on multi-platforms. This marks yet another loss of a former Sony exclusive. While Sony has already lost the exclusive rights to Virtua Fighter 5, this will be the first time a game of this magnitude will receive a simultaneous release across next-gen platforms.

In December of 2006, rumors that Metal Gear Sold 4 would make its way to Xbox 360s abounded. These rumors were subsequently denied by Konami but left many gamers and industry insiders wondering about their potential validity. Recently, Mistwalker's, Hironobu Sakaguchi had this to say about Final Fantasy:

I feel that the Final Fantasy series should come to Xbox 360 as well. This is wise. It makes so much sense to me...it has so much potential in North America and in Europe. So there's a great chance for the series to succeed on 360 as well.

[in English] And I heard they made the White Engine open platform as well. [Final Fantasy XIII is being developed on the White Engine; if the engine is indeed cross-platform, an Xbox 360 port would be a simple matter. (Read more here: Gamespot)

Though Sakaguchi no longer has any control over the FF series, comments like these do not bode well for Sony. With major exclusives being lost and the potential for more to follow suit, Sony may have an even harder time reclaiming its former number one place in the game industry.

Mainstream Articles Just Aren't All That Informative

2007-03-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

There's an article up on Yahoo today that is a good example of how the mainstream media handles game-related news. You can read the article here: Is Wii Winning the Console Race?

If you are a gamer, Hikari doubts you'll find anything new. There is however, an exclusive section with famed game developer, Shigeru Miyamoto that may be of interest.

Ryuku Statue

2007-03-18T05:09:00.000-07:00

The Shibuya Tsutaya is celebrating the release of the DVD version of the Death Note movie with a life-size (no official confirmation on that yet--ed.) in-store Ryuku statue. Customers were stopping to take photos of the huge Shinigami.

The two-disc DVD set, released on March 14th, has already sold 500 thousand units in pre-orders and the first half is number 7 in terms of overall rental sales (source: Tsutaya Online).

Game Rankings, 3/5~3/11

2007-03-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

The DS reclaims the top spot with Yoshi's Island DS, but Monster Hunter 2nd is still has numbers strong enough to take the number 2 slot. Monster Hunter 2nd has sold an impressive 936,231 units overall!

1. Yoshi's Island DS (DS)
2. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)
3. Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town (DS)
4. Kenka Banjo 2: Full Throttle (PS2)
5. Super Robot Taisen W (DS)
6. Wii Sports (Wii)
7. Gundam Muso (PS3)
8. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS)
9. Wii Play (Wii)
10. Tohoku University Research Center: Big Brain Academy (DS)

See more details here:

Media Create

Regional Advertising

2007-03-11T04:13:00.000-07:00

Released in Japan for the DS on February 22nd, the Sim City DS advertising campaign is well underway. Tokyo's Yamanote line of Japan Railways, a popular advertising ground for Nintendo, had some cars carrying advertisements entirely devoted to the new game. While this is not an uncommon marketing tactic, what stood out was that the ads seem to hold a specific "Tokyo" feel to them.

Tokyo, overrun by and often remembered for its salarymen and private school girls, constantly struggles to maintain its image as the culturally urbane capital of Japan. The look of the people in these ads exploits those aspects of Tokyo. The salaryman is represented as a progressive thinker in both looks and philosophy. Yet, he seems stuffy and introverted. The schoolgirl appears intelligent, but with an innocent naivety that could build a bright tomorrow. Her facial expression however, makes her seem distant and cold. Their looks alone are enough to assume that these ads would not work in more down-to-earth Osaka.

Osakans are known for their warm-hearted openness that sometimes makes them honest to a fault. They take pride in their collective sense of humor. While salarymen are present in Osaka, they do not make up the heart of it and they are most certainly not portrayed or focused on in the same way as the one featured here.

The private schoolgirl image may appeal more to a cosmopolitan Kobe dweller than to a typical Osakan. The overall tone of the ads just doesn't seem to fit. Of course, this is nothing but speculation and conjecture but having lived in both areas, these thoughts immediately flooded my brain. Hikari got in touch with its contacts in Osaka to see if the ads were being run there as well. The results were negative. A thorough Internet search revealed little conclusive evidence but did turn up something interesting.

The DS van travelled throughout Japan, starting its run in Fukuoka on January 27th and retiring on the 25th of February in Shibuya. This van made use of basic advertising that had no real regional flavor. Much like in the US, ads are geared for certain audiences. Japan is no different and we think the Sim City DS ads help exemplify this.

Follow Up: Video Games and Art

2007-03-10T21:19:00.000-08:00

Industry reporters are highlighting an interview with Capcom R&D Head, Keiji Inafune, at the Game Developer's Conference, where he attacked former Clover producer, Atsushi Inaba for his inability to sell his games. While most agencies are focusing on that portion of the interview, Hikari believes Inafune's comments give a strong insight into the split ideologies within the industry. Inafune claims:

"Games are not a work of art. It's actually a product. If we think of it as a work of art, then... when we think about Picasso and Van Gogh's paintings, the end result is beauty, so it doesn't matter if you sell it or not. However for games, it's a product. It is a commodity. "

Interesting point to consider and a relavent contrast to an essay we posted earlier regarding games as art. Click on the links below for more information.

GDC: Lost Planet Creator Disses Clover
Hikari Article: Video Games and Art

Game Rankings, 2/26~3/4

2007-03-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

Gundam fever never seems to die in Japan. It's number one for this week in gaming sales.

1. Gundam Musou (PS3)
2. Super Robot Wars (DS)
3. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)
4. Wii Sports (Wii)
5. Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town (DS)
6. Wii Play (Wii)
7. Machigai Museum 2 (DS)
8. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS)
9. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
10. Tohoku University Research Center: Big Brain Academy (DS)

Media Create

PS3 In-Store Demos: One Man's Opinion

2007-03-04T07:51:00.000-08:00

The Shibuya Bic Camera has a PS3 display that shows some of the upcoming titles that the system has to offer. I have to admit that Sony did well in choosing what to include in the demo: trailers for Metal Gear Solid 4, Final Fantasy XIII, and Ninja Gaiden Sigma. This is what a lot of hardcore gamers are clamoring for. Watching these games running on the 1080p screen really brings out the details and colors, not to mention the excitement and anticipation of wanting to play. But when, Sony? When are we going to get to play them?

MGS4 and FFXIII will undoubtedly move systems off store shelves. Unfortunately, for now, without any clear release dates, gamers will just have to be satisfied watching the future possibilities of the system at store displays. There just isn't enough incentive to buy yet.

Mika Ninagawa

2007-03-04T03:38:00.000-08:00

The astute gamer's eye will recognize that this is a photo of the star of The Oneechanbara. But that's not the only thing that makes this photo worth mentioning. What you see here is the cover of a photo collection by Mika Ninagawa. Her feature film directorial debut, Sakuran, was released on the 24th in the Kanto area and nationwide this weekend.

As expected, Variety labels the story, "tired" but "the beauty of the images cannot be denied (Review)." This comes as no surprise as Ninagawa is world renowned for her dazzling photos, best known for their vivid and energetic colors. Variety goes on to claim that even when the camera is moving, the "pic feels like a like a still photograph recreating the tableaux of a ukiyoe scroll."

Many Japanese online reviews by movie-goers seem to echo Variety's sentiments. While they agree that the story is uninspired, the beauty of the visuals makes up for it. Click on the links below to see for yourself why Mika Ninagawa is being praised for her photography, in both still and moving forms.

Sakuran: Official Site
Mika Ninagawa: Official Home Page

Video Games and Art

2007-03-03T08:37:00.000-08:00

On my coffee table is a book called, I AM 8-BIT, comprised of cool artist renditions of iconic video game characters. I doubt anyone would deny the book of having artistic merit or integrity, but there are those out there that do not consider video games an art form.

There is an interesting article on Contemporary Aesthetics that makes an argument for video games as art. You can read the article here.

As a bonus, here are a few video game art related links:

I-AM-8-BIT Exhibition Opening

Video Game Art Archive

Video Game Lego Art

Report: Wii to Outsell PS3 and Xbox 360 For the Next Two Years

2007-03-03T07:59:00.000-08:00

Market research firm, IDC has recently put out a press release stating, "...none of the three new consoles will dominate the market in the next five years like the PS2 dominated last cycle; however, Nintendo's Wii will outship and outsell the 360 and PS3 in 2007 and 2008."

IDC cites that Nintendo has successfully created a system that will extend beyond the traditional market base by being less intimidating and more appealing to the non-gamer. Meanwhile, the PS3 and Xbox 360 will be fighting over the same hardcore gamer market. This will help the Wii to gain a slight edge.

"IDC believes hardware shipments of Nintendo's Wii will capture a little more than a third of the worldwide market by 2008, rising slightly above Sony's PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360."

Read the full press release here:

IDC Press Release

Game Music Links

2007-03-01T15:08:00.001-08:00

I was so underwhelmed by the news I just posted ("Video Game Music Now Available on iTunes") that I feel compelled to give you some legitimately cool info on video game music.

To that end, here are a couple of my favorite links:

Game Music Online

Video Game Music Archive

8-Bit Peoples, who I saw not long ago play here in NYC.

Cheers.

Video Game Music Now Available on iTunes

2007-03-01T15:04:00.001-08:00

That's right -- your favorite video game music will now be available on iTunes. That is, your favorite music from EA games.

Old-school gamers like Pete and myself have more than just a fond place in our hearts for the music in our games of yore. Whether it's the early 8-bit "bleep-blop-bloop"-style of Super Mario Bros. or the sweeping Wagner/Götterdämmerung orchestration of Final Fantasy VII (a recurring theme on this blog), we're down with the oft-ignored musical subgenre known simply as "game music". What a coup, then, that the general public can get into the same sort of music we've been fans of for ages!

Well, sort of. Don't expect any of the video game music you know and love -- unless it's from the past couple of years.

EA has contracted artists such as Good Charlotte, Scissor Sisters, and Franz Ferdinand to record music for their games.

[...]

"If it's in the game, it's now available for fans to own. We consider this to be the next major step in evolving the music discovery experience," said Stever Schnur, music and marketing executive at EA.

Crap! This just means the music licensed for (or, in some cases, produced for) EA games will make it onto iTunes. Old-skool gamers, you're out of luck: No 8-bit music for you.

The plan also seems, to me at least, to be another key selling point to encourage music labels to shell out cash to get their artists featured in games: sign with EA, get your music hyped in a major title, AND get a cut of iTunes sales. Of course, the cynical observer would note that handing over so much control of in-game music to the biz-dev folks -- away from the game developers -- takes away from the creative focus of a title, and there by becomes another reason why games aren't as good as they used to be, why they're chock-full of mediocre-but-big-budgeted musical artists, why major labels typically get premium placement on AAA titles, why the Apocalypse is on its way, etc. etc. etc.

Oh, and get this bit of inanity:

[EA] even signed on The Black-Eyed Peas to re-record some of their songs in the nonsense language known as Simlish for its popular "The Sims" franchise.

I guess I'm not surprised that the B.E.P.s would stoop so low. But, man... What's the point?

Also of note is that EA evidently already offered some sort of CD-purchase service on its Web site, dubbed "Trax". Sounds vaguely familiar. Has anyone heard of this?

[link]

History and Role of Media in Society

2007-02-28T23:24:00.000-08:00

Last week, Hikari posted an editorial about changes in information transfer and media. This week we've learned, courtesy of kotaku.com, that Frontline has created a four hour special called, News War. The program examines the political, cultural, legal, and economic forces challenging the news media today and how the press has reacted in turn. Kotaku and blogging get mentioned in the program.

Watch News War on the official Frontline site. Part 3, 19 focuses on online media.

Link

Reuters Article on PS3 "Shortages" in North America

2007-02-28T20:42:00.000-08:00

Mirroring what Hikari has been reporting for month's now, Reuters has been quoted with the following:

Consumers and analysts have praised the PlayStation 3's graphical prowess and potential, but they have also raised concerns about its high price, a weak line-up of current games and what has been perceived as arrogance on Sony's part about the desirability of its flagship product.

In North America in January, Sony sold 244,000 PlayStation 3s, compared to 294,000 for the Xbox 360 and 436,000 for the Wii. With systems still on store shelves, and Microsoft outselling Sony, we're not sure if the "shortages" are a real problem.

Read the entire article here: Yahoo News

Weekly Sales Charts, Japan

2007-02-28T19:07:00.000-08:00

This week has Nintendo taking all but the top two slots. But no game even came close to Monster Hunter 2nd's numbers. To say the game sold well would be an understatement.

Sales figures from 2/19~2/25

1. Monster Hunter 2nd
2. Higurashi No Naku Goro Ni Matsuri
3. Fire Emblem: Goddess of Dawn
4. Sim City DS
5. Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town
6. Wii Sports
7. Naruto--Shippuden Gekitou Ninja Taisen
8. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
9. Wii Play
10. Picross DS

Source: Media Create

Final Fantasy Advent Children Limited Edition Collector's Set

2007-02-28T17:31:00.000-08:00

While Japan will be receiving the Blu-ray, "Final Fantasy: Advent Children Complete" sometime later this year, on February 20th, the US was treated to a double-dip version of the CG movie. The update includes the following:

Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, Thai
Available Audio Tracks: Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Deleted Scenes
Featurette: Reminiscence of Final Fantasy VII
Featurette: Venice Film Festival Footage
The Making of Advent Children with English cast interviews
Theatrical Trailers
Anime Special: The Last Order
Bonus Script
Bonus Book
Bonus Postcards

The new additions make this one similar to the limited edition released in Japan in 2005, with the greatest selling point being, The Last Order: an anime feature providing more depth to the relationship between Cloud and Zack. We'll have a review of FFACVII Complete after its release.

For now, read Hikari's original review of Advent Children below:

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
A 3D CG Movie That Falls Somewhat Flat

I will preface this review with the admission that I am an avid player of RPGs and a big fan of the Final Fantasy game series. Having played Final Fantasy VII numerous times, I am quite familiar with its story and characters. I use that knowledge only when it is relevant to its successor at the plot level. This is a review of FFVII: AC based on its merits as a film and not as a fanboy’s paradise.

The film opens where Final Fantasy VII left off—500 years after its main events. We are treated to visions of the future, with Nanaki (Red XII) and his apparent offspring running to see the now idyllic scene of what was once the industrial wasteland, known as Midgar. It felt as if this had no other purpose other than to re-familiarize us with the emotions of excitement that gamers had while playing and completing the original game. It re-assured us that this is indeed Final Fantasy VII. To those with no formal background with the game, this scene would have lost its poignancy and thus I found it unnecessary.

At this point (if he hasn’t already), one must come to the realization that the movie assumes you are familiar with the game. Although the movie does include an opening review and a featurette that quickly glosses over key points in the game, it is not enough to elicit the emotions one had while actually playing the game and watching its story unfold. This is one of the film’s major downfalls: Not only does it expect you to understand the story’s background, but it also hopes that you have invested emotions in its characters.

Rewind 498 years. We are introduced (or re-introduced) to Tifa. She and Cloud have started a delivery service of sorts. Marlene is there. Do we know her connections to Tifa? Who is Tifa for that matter? Other than the fact that she is hot for a CG character, do we care about her? If you played the game you might but her character development in this film was nowhere to be found.

Moving on we see Cloud riding along on his ultra-sleek motorcycle, named Fenrir (a little tribute to Final Fantasy summon magic). We’ve just discovered that Cloud is afflicted with a semi-mysterious illness that has permeated the land and has also infected Midgar’s children. Oh heaven’s no, not the children!

Cloud has flashbacks to Sephiroth. Do we know who he is (other than what we saw in the short intro)? Does it matter?

We are then introduced to three new characters: Team leader, Kadaj, Brawny Roz and one more Sephiroth clone that is so irrelevant that the only thing I can remember about him is that he is overly effeminate.

The next scene provides us with the first of sequences that demonstrate the film’s technical prowess. Cloud and the boys engage in battle. These scenes are wonderfully rendered and choreographed. This is what the film is about--showing off its CG goodness. I must admit that my eyes were treated to many visual delights and got a solid workout trying to capture all that happened during these frenetic screen moments. My mouth was agape and my senses were stimulated.

For whatever reason, the line, “kaasan wa doko da?” won’t stop reverberating in my mind; maybe for its sudden delivery. Then again, maybe it’s because we discover that the boys are searching for their mommy.

Once the battle sequence ends, we learn that Cloud has been summoned by a shrouded figure, in collusion with the Turks, ostensibly to make a delivery. Yeah, the Turks, Reno and Rude. They provide some amusing comic relief throughout the film. Cloud is disinterested in the offer. Later, Kadaj pays a visit to our shrouded mystery man and demands his mother back. We learn that the mother he is searching for is Jenova, the “mother” of Sephiroth and the destroyer of civilizations. The boys plan to resurrect their elder brother, Sephiroth and lay waste to a damaged planet just beginning its healing process.

To help realize their goal, Kadaj and the boys recruit the children, afflicted with what turns out to be part of Jenova’s DNA. Cloud attempts to save the children and we are then gifted by the appearance of other FFVII cameos.

To expedite matters and avoid too many spoilers, I’ll provide a quick rundown of further plot points:

Tifa gets into a skirmish with Yazoo

Cloud talks (metaphorically, maybe) to Aeris.

Kadaj summons what appears to be Bahamut, and a battle, including all main FFVII heroes, ensues.

Jenova is reclaimed.

There is a battle with Sephiroth.

To be fair, I imagine that this movie was made solely for the fans and the battle scenes and CG do not disappoint. Unfortunately, as a fan and a movie-goer, the plot left me with a “so what?” taste in my mouth. The story added nothing to the series and the movie was nothing more than a spectacular visual orgasm for the senses. The cliché Japanese over-acting elements that are prevalent in most TV dramas are present here as well. They can be easily overlooked in anime but not in a CG movie that steps too close to copying human expression. Yes, these characters are super-human, but so is Spiderman. Tobey Macguire added a sense of realism to the character. The overly melodramatic components and the over-exaggerated features (I am not referring to their "powers" when I say this) of the characters does not work in this.

When going in to watch this DVD, enjoy it for its action, for its nostalgic factor, and for its escapism qualities. After some consideration, I hesitate to call it a film because it feels more like a game that you are not in control of. The visuals are there. The characters are there. Unfortunately, the story to drive you is not. Overall, it's a fun ride, but this is no movie. Maybe it’s just the evolution of gaming.

Weekly Sales Charts, Japan

2007-02-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

Here are the top ten selling video games in Japan from the period of February 12~18:

1. Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town
2. Tales of Destiny 2
3. Bleach DS 2nd (Requiem)
4. Death Note: Kira Game
5. Soul Cradle: World Eater
6. Picross DS
7. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
8. Wii Sports
9. Wii Play
10. Tohoku University Research Center: Big Brain Academy

Virtua 5 has dropped to number 25, while Nintendo continues to hold on to most of the top spots.

Click here for official numbers from Media Create.

It's Official: Old People Love the Wii!

2007-02-22T15:30:00.000-08:00

...at least, here in the U.S. The Chicago Trib is reporting that the Wii is a big hit with the geriatric set.

Evidently, old-timers are getting a kick out of using the Wii's much-lauded controller, particularly enjoying games like Wii Sports' bowling. One nursing home recently set up a Wii in a common area, where senior citizens gather after dinner to geek out.

"I've never been into video games," said 72-year-old Flora Dierbach last week as her husband took a twirl with the Nintendo Wii's bowling game. "But this is addictive."

[...]

"We'll even have a fan for people to dry their hands before they bowl," said Dierbach, head of Sedgebrook's entertainment committee.

Nintendo seems to be embracing the attention given the Wii from the older crowd. According to this piece in GameDaily Biz, Nintendo marketing executives approached AARP about demoing the Wii and DS at a recent convention.

EGM also recently ran a feature in which the writers sat down with several elderly folks to try out some of the games. The reception was generally lukewarm, if pleasant.

New Fire Emblem

2007-02-22T07:07:00.000-08:00

On February 22nd, 2007, Fire Emblem: Akatsuki no Megami (Goddess of Dawn) was released for the Wii in Japan. The game appears to be faithful to the previous Gamecube build. Though a simulation RPG, and not an action RPG like Zelda, it should still satisfy gamers looking for something to play post Zelda.

Official sales figures have yet to be released but amazon.co.jp's best seller list currently places the game at number 12. Check the official site for more details.

Link

Heisei Fuzoku

2007-02-22T06:01:00.000-08:00

Prostitution for the Heisei Period, or something like that. That is a rough translation for the title of Ringo Shiina's latest addition to her discography. Released on February 21st, the new album has her collaborating with conductor, Neko Saito and his orchestra. As is often the case with Shiina, the album travels between musical genres; this time touching on elements of rock, lounge music, and electronica, all with a jazz slant.

The first song, Gamble, fuses rock and orchestration to create a symphony that ultimately crescendos with Ringo's powerful voice. Stem once again makes a Shiina Ringo album, sounding very similar to her jazzed but mellow DVD version. There is nothing new to be heard here.

The pace picks up on Sakuran, a song named after the upcoming manga movie, where Shiina worked as musical director. The song features a long piano solo and horns that make it reminiscent of a 70s show tune. The signature Shiina Ringo voice makes a strong presence here.

Hatsukoi Shojo has her voice masked and muffled, giving it a distant electronic sound. The music here, entrenched in electronica and strings, would not feel out of place in any new next generation game title.

Papaya Mango could have easily been stolen from a lost Tony Bennet or Frank Sinatra collection with Ringo's voice track recorded later and laid on top. Here though, her distinctive voice adds a new twist to the former crooners' styles.

Ishiki is another throw away: a good jazz rendition but we've heard this before. In fact, there are a total of 6 songs that have made appearances on other albums and DVDs but have either been rehashed or slightly tweaked and added here.

Karisome Otome (Tameike Sannoh version) is string heavy and palpably different from its acid jazz original. For this version, she chose to sing in English with words delivered much more deliberately. It adds strength to her conviction.

Oiran is experimental electronica. Again, Shiina choses to alter her voice to combine with the music and create an experience that can best be described as a surrealistic journey through space.

The album appropriately concludes with the Sakuran ending theme, Kono yo no Kagiri. This is a very upbeat sounding show tune. Though very removed from typical Shiina style, she collaborates with her brother, Junpei, to create a sound that inexplicably puts a smile on your face.

While Ringo chan has composed an album sure to please her die-hard fans, with a price tag of $26.20, it's hard to recommend it to those casual fans, who already own her previous works. Not only is this a departure from her earlier rock days, but there are too many songs that are being repeated here. This one is for new comers and loyalists only.

Click the link below for purchasing details.

Link

Death Note Media Blitz

2007-02-22T02:54:00.000-08:00

First came the manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump about a boy who finds a notebook capable of killing simply by having the specific person in mind while writing his name in it. The story contains a fair amount of complicated exposition and character development, very uncharacteristic of a mainstream shonen manga. Even with that, Death Note went on to become a sleeper hit. Perhaps it was the intriguing story line and impressive artwork that propelled Death Note to fame beyond typical Shonen Jump readers. Despite its continued success however, Death Note ended in 2006 with a total of 12 volumes and a special edition that breaks down the story and characters in minute detail. Like many manga before it, its popularity naturally spawned a live-action movie.

Hollywood giant, Warner Brothers, was responsible for the films' production and distribution in Japan. It was released in two parts and took certain departures from the manga. In particular, each half had its own original ending as well as the introduction of characters not included in the manga's storyline. The films went on to achieve commercial success in Japan and were enjoyed by fans and non-fans alike. The DVDs for the films, Death Note and Death Note: The Last Name, will be available on March 14, 2007. They can be purchased on amazon.co.jp for 2,678 yen each.

The Death Note craze didn't end there: merchandising, related novels, and as with all well received manga, an anime adaptation. The anime follows fairly closely to the manga's original storyline and airs in Tokyo on NTV every Tuesday at 12:56 am. The show is currently on episode 19.

(Late night anime in Japan is as common as talk shows on late night American TV. What does this say about cultural differences and audiences?)

The anime DVDs have been released monthly since December of 2006. A soundtrack is also available. Click for DVD/CD details from the official NTV Death Note page.

Of course, what would all of this anime/manga/movie love be without a video game tie-in?

On February 15th, the Death Note: Kira Game, was released for the DS: the next logical step in the Death Note marketing campaign. In Kira game, the player takes up the role of either Light or L (Ryuzaki) in what Konami is calling a "communication mystery." Your character's goal is simple: Discover your opponent's identity and administer justice. You can do this by speaking with other NPCs, and how you interact with them will determine certain outcomes. Click on the link below to access the official website and game videos.

Link

Games and Media

2007-02-20T00:07:00.000-08:00

Back in the early days of consoles, gamers didn’t have many sources to turn to for the latest relevant news. Once the Atari, Commodore 64, Intellivision, and other systems of that age became household names, publishers began to realize the then niche market and created a few game related magazines that mainly focused on puzzles and basic programming. Unfortunately, the popularity of game consoles began to wane in the 80s and the industry headed on a path to extinction. That is until Nintendo released its Entertainment System (Famicom) in the mid 80s.

Nintendo had the foresight (or marketing prowess depending on your perspective) to understand that gamers wanted to be informed. Nintendo Fun Club, which later became Nintendo Power, delivered game fans with the detailed information about games that they craved. Nintendo managed to revitalize the ailing gaming industry and created a sensation that has today grown even larger than Hollywood. At the same time, they inadvertently forced the birth of a new branch of media, one related to gaming entertainment.

Numerous gaming magazines began to sprout up in the late 80s and 90s. Gamers had an outlet where they could air their opinions, learn new information about upcoming titles and get maps and walkthroughs to help them beat games. Game journalism was born. Consumers were more educated about games than ever before. Long gone were the days when games would be purchased solely on the attractiveness of the box and the pictures on the back. Gamers now knew what they wanted and this helped make games better. Game creators were forced to appeal to their audience and their audience had a vessel with which to communicate.

Once the mid 90s hit, information was ported into a new age. The Information Super Highway was to be the new method of gathering and disseminating information. News agencies naturally made the move to provide up-to-the-minute news to their audiences. Gamers no longer had to wait a month for the next publication. They didn’t have to listen to word-of-mouth accounts that had no major credibility. Gaming news was there, online, 24 hours a day, uniting gamers worldwide.

While the game magazines had proven to be helpful tools for game companies to understand what gamers wanted, perhaps the expedition of the Internet has become a bit of a thorn.

Rumors can spread fast. Leaked information can be damaging. Easy access to thousands or even millions of dissenting voices can potentially damage sales. Has the new method of information transfer become an encumbrance for the gaming industry? A more pertinent question to ask is: How does this affect the games they make?

This is a difficult question to conclusively answer but a good one to ponder nonetheless. Take for example the PS3. Original hype and expectations moved systems. The media outlets wrote favorable articles and were as anxious as gamers. But what is happening now? There is a real lack of system-selling games on the market and no killer-aps scheduled until Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy XIII hit store shelves. People are waiting. But is it the sense of collectivism that is keeping them from buying? So many articles of late, in both Japanese and in English, have included or at least alluded to the fact that consumers are waiting to purchase the system. Has that kept other gamers from buying? The Sony marketing machine has been quiet and the game magazines and Internet forums are picking up the slack. Of course there are positive reviews out there as well. The system is no doubt a powerhouse with potential to bring gamers the best in the next generation of gaming. This brings us to yet another question: Why didn’t an excellent title, a perfect arcade port, like Virtua Fighter 5 sell more?

There is no hard evidence to support an answer here. Could it be the lack of media on Sony’s part? Gaming magazines gave glowing reviews to the game. A search on google.co.jp reveals over 1 million links. However, many of the top links related to the home version include information that takes away from the PS3 version; namely that it will also be made for the Xbox 360 and that it didn’t sell as well as it should have. To its credit, the game managed to reach number one on the charts last week, with reasonable numbers. Perhaps the media has created a set of expectations too high for systems. Must systems always be sold out to be considered successful? Is the problem related to the emergence of blogs and editorials without rule? Are consumers following a natural trend to fit in with what they see or perceive to be real, a trend often attempted to be artificially created by marketing managers?

One could argue that this type of trend benefits gamers by forcing companies to make games the public wants. But what happens when good games like Virtua Fighter 5 go unnoticed? VF5 is by no means a failure. Neither is the PS3. But how much of a negative impact is the speedy transfer of news having on gamers’ decisions to make purchases? For now, we can only continue to observe and search for answers.

Top 5 Gadgets You Shouldn't Buy

2007-02-19T18:24:00.000-08:00

Smart Money has made a listed of gadgets that consumers should wait to buy. Most of these should come as no surprise to the informed buyer, but may be worrying to Sony, who are part of at least the top two. Microsoft's Vista comes in at number 4.

Read the article here:

Link

PS3 Ranking on Amazon Japan

2007-02-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

Inspired by an article on kotaku.com about the PS3 and how it ranks on amazon.com's Best Seller List, Hikari has decided to do the same for Japan.

Both amazon.com and amazon.co.jp have a Best Seller List that updates every hour. At the time of this writing, Nintendo merchandise is dominating the top spots and the PS3 is listed at number 68. That places it below a Dreamcast title and only a number of spots above the Xbox 360 game, Idol Master; a game that allows players to act as music producers trying to turn their clients into idol superstars.

Click the link below to see why this is a real surprise. (Maybe Amazon is only for otaku)

Idol Master

Amazon Best Seller List

Update: Game Rankings for 2/5~2/11

2007-02-17T21:52:00.000-08:00

Official sales numbers published by Media Create show that Virtua Fighter 5 has taken the number one slot with a total of 48,346 units sold during the period ending on February 11th.

To put this in perspective however, the number 2 game, Wii Sports, managed sales figures of 45,897 after over two months on the market. What is keeping this great arcade port from making higher numbers? Is it the lack of online play? Are PS3 gamers not fighting game fans? What does this mean for future Grade A titles released on the PS3? Keep your eye on Hikari for more gaming news from Japan.

Game Rankings

1. Virtua Fighter 5
2. Wii Sports
3. Wii Play
4. Tohoku University Research Center: Big Brain Academy
5. New Super Mario Bros.
6. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
7. Burglar Wario the Seven
8. Bokujo Monogatari: Kimi to Sodatsu Shima
9. Luminous Arc
10. J. League: Make Your Own Soccer Club

Link

Voting Channel

2007-02-14T05:01:00.000-08:00

Nintendo continues to encourage interaction by offering new channels for its Wii console. On February 14th, the Wii in our offices here in Tokyo was breathing its blue pulse to alert of us of the latest offering, the voting channel.

This free download enables users to specify the prefecture in which they live and then answer fairly innocuous questions ranging from whether you own a pet to which type of noodles you prefer. There is even a category that will have votes tabulated worldwide. After making your choice, you can try to predict which answer will come out on top. It's a simple concept but fun and attention grabbing nonetheless.

Click on the link below to get more information on Wii channels from Nintendo (Japanese).

Link

Virtua Fighter 5: Fighting for its Life

2007-02-13T19:53:00.000-08:00

What was expected to be one of the highest selling games in recent times for the PS3, Virtua Fighter 5 was released in Japan on February 8th to a lukewarm response.

Even with Fumitsu placing VF5 in its platinum category and hailing it as an exact arcade port, it managed to sell only 30,000 copies in its first day on the market, falling far below projections. While some thought the game could be a considerable asset in persuading consumers to purchase a PS3, VF5 ended up selling less than half of what Dead or Alive 4 sold in its first week. There is still plenty of time for numbers to grow, however when one considers that the Xbox 360 had only 80,000 units in homes when DOA was released, while the PS3 has already sold 600,000, the figure of 30,000 appears even smaller.

According to Akiba blog, a blog related to gaming and the otaku paradise, Akihabara, a clerk at a game store testified that it was the first time a game had not sold even one copy by 5pm on its release date.

To add insult to injury, the Virtua Stick High Grade, that was released along with the game has been found to be defective. If you can read Japanese, check out the source material here.

Xbox 360 Gamerscores Actually Worth Something

2007-02-09T12:43:00.001-08:00

And you thought they were just for bragging rights among your loser friends. Not so! According to press reports, Microsoft has decided to reward loyal Xbox 360 players with SWAG.

The program works like this: the more you play each year, the bigger the potential payout.

Users are broken down into three categories:

Level 1 (0 – 4,999 annual Gamerscore): You are developing your skills and gaining experience. Take some time to get used to the program and learn your way around. The Challenges will typically be easier and the rewards smaller.
Level 2 (5,000 – 9,999 annual Gamerscore): We are going to turn up the heat a bit. You have proved that you know how to play and are willing to put in the gaming time to reap the benefits. The Challenges will get a bit more difficult. Never fear, the reward value goes up as well.
Level 3 (over 10,000 annual Gamerscore): This is an arena filled with the who's who of gaming. We don't want to claim that Level 3 is an exclusive club, but if you find yourself winning Challenges here, you've obviously pulled out the big guns, so enjoy while it lasts.

Initially, the competition will center around some sort of marketing agreement with (inexplicably) Old Spice, which an ex-girlfriend once described as the "most dadly" of colognes. As part of that agreement between O.S. and Microsoft, next week will see the beginning of the Old Spice Experience Challenge. Hurrah! But only in the U.S. Boo!

During the Challenge, which lasts until mid-April, users will be rewarded for increasing their Gamerscores by at least 1,500 points.

What kinds of awesome swag can we win?

Level 1 The popular [still, twenty years later? -Ed.] Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami (Retail Value $5.00)

Exclusive Old Spice Level 1 Xbox Rewards gamer picture

An experience upgrade to Xbox Rewards Level 2
Level 2 The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami

Exclusive Old Spice Level 2 Xbox Rewards gamer picture

100 Microsoft Points

An experience upgrade to Xbox Rewards Level 3
Level 3 The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami

Exclusive Old Spice Level 3 Xbox Rewards gamer picture

200 Microsoft Points

Old Spice T-Shirt (Estimated Retail Value $10.00)

A copy of Fuzion Frenzy 2 game (rated: E10+) (Estimated Retail Value $50.00)

I don't know about you, but I'm jonesing for one of them Exclusive Old Spice Xbox Rewards gamer pictures. As luck would have it, most of these prizes are first-come, first-serve, to boot.

At any rate, more contests (and swag giveaways) will be held in the future, Microsoft promises.

Xbox Rewards is not just about playing online and racking up your Gamerscore—you don't even have to be an Xbox Live member to participate and score some great rewards. As the community responds, the program will grow and new challenges will be announced. Some will be open only to certain Rewards levels, some may be specific to certain games, and others won't even require you to turn on your Xbox 360.

I guess this means I should hold off on playing any Crackdown till the contest starts, eh?

Link

Quieter, Gentler Drives

2007-02-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

It seems that Microsoft has responded to complaints that their Xbox 360 DVD drives emit too much noise. Xbox-Scene is reporting that the BenQ VAD6038 drive has replaced the existing Toshiba-Samsung and Hitachi-LG drives in a portion of Xbox 360s produced from November 2006. Click the above link for more details.

Upgrade: A Personal Message

2007-01-29T06:53:00.001-08:00

Well, I am currently Stateside on business. I could say it's related to games, since the magazine I work for is associated with design and semiconductors but that would just be a stretch. However, I can delighfully say that my hard work has paid off because as of March, I will be working as a project manager at a localization company that specializes in video games! That's the big news for now. Hikari will publish more when we can. Look for updates soon.

Pete

Update: Xbox (A)Live

2007-01-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

At least Major Nelson was told he was banned

After spending hours on the phone with Microsoft "customer service," Hikari Japan has finally gotten back on line with Xbox Live. On a whim, we decided to test our old forcibly canceled gamertag to see if we could sign up for a 3-month Gold Membership. To our joy, we discovered that our "Kurairyu" gamertag has been granted permission to go Gold by the powers that be at Microsoft. Though this new discovery was a welcome one, we are still puzzled as to why we were not contacted by a representative as promised. However, if we consider that they never informed us when we were canceled, it shouldn't really be too surprising.

Perhaps this is in line with protocol over at Microsoft or part of a new marketing campaign. "Xbox 360, so next generation you won't know what's coming! Always keep 'em guessing!" We won't complain too much though. At least the problem has been resolved. So much for customer service.

Hotel Dusk: Room 215

2007-01-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

The DS is known for being on the cusp of innovation. Back when it was nothing more than a rumor, skeptics were already wondering how two screens could effectively be used in a gaming machine. No one could have predicted how successful that small portable device would become. Now, over a year later, Nintendo still holds on to the top slot in portable gaming, beating even the more powerful Sony PSP.

Gamers know that it's not the power of the system that makes it popular, it's the games. The DS never fails to impress with its refreshing play mechanics that make even the old seem new. On January 25th (22nd in the US) DS owners will be treated to yet another invention, ウィッシュルーム天使の記憶 (Wish Room: Angel's Remembrance), or for you US gamers, Hotel Dusk: Room 215.

The game is being described as a DS mystery novel. Players will hold the DS on its side and use the stylus to interact with other characters that appear on screen. Hotel Dusk is very interactive and your treatment of characters will highly affect certain outcomes. Though we haven't gotten our copy yet, what we have seen is reminiscent of the Sega CD title, Snatcher, where you control a detective in a scenario very similar to that of Blade Runner.

This story however, revolves around a former NYPD detective, now salesman, named, Kyle Hyde. Set in 1979, Hyde comes to Hotel Dusk in LA, where he gets caught up in an old mystery and discovers that room 215 holds mysteries of its own; one being the supposed ability to grant wishes. Hotel Dusk: Room 215 looks sure to please fans of story driven, puzzler type games.

Hikari will report more once the game releases and we are able to put in some play time. For now, whet your appetites with a look at the Japanese trailer and a run through of the official site.

Shiina Ringo on TV カリソメ乙女(DEATH JAZZ ver.)

2007-01-16T00:17:00.001-08:00

Blue Dragon: Beautiful Visuals, Some More Revealing Than You Would Expect

2007-01-15T05:46:00.000-08:00

We have been excitedly working to get through our copy of Blue Dragon here at our Tokyo offices (Read: me in my apartment). With captivating visuals, great music, interesting play mechanics, and wonderful art direction, the game is a true success. While those Stateside have some time to go before they can get their shot at the game, be sure to check out the official website here. It's loaded with trailers and downloadable content. You can also link to, Victory club, Blue Dragon's official strategy based site, which contains videos and maps that assist you through the game.

By now, you have most likely heard of the two manga that have been serialized by Shueisha as part of the Blue Dragon media onslaught. While I am not too impressed with the art style that Blue Dragon ST has taken, I was excited to hear that Blue Dragon ラルΩグラド (Raru Omega Gurado) was being helmed by Takeshi Obata of Death Note fame. He has a distinct art style that makes characters feel less cartoony and more real than Toriyama's well done but semi-exaggerated creations. Given the light hearted feel of Blue Dragon's art direction and story, I was expecting something along those lines in terms of a related manga. So you can expect that I wasn't prepared for this:

Internet buzz has expressed mixed emotions but regardless of whether or not opinions have been favorable, everyone is in agreement over one thing: This manga is erotic. It's far removed from the heart warming puppy love of the game and replete with harems and bedroom scenes.

An online survey by OriRan shows most fans think Obata is concerned with sales and that they were hoping for something more like Death Note. Readers, that hadn't yet played the game, were fairly evenly split over whether or not they were interested in doing so.

We will have a review of the manga once the first collected volume is released.

Shiina Goes Solo Again, Sorta

2007-01-14T00:43:00.000-08:00

This one is for obscure music and JPOP fans.

The January issue of "Rockin On Japan" contains a 22 page layout on Ringo Shiina and her upcoming solo album, set for a February release. Yeah, so? "What makes her special?," you ask. Unlike a lot of the saccharine, cutesy, uncreative and/or idol-type singers that are prevalent in the Japanese music industry, Shiina is always thinking of ways to reinvent herself and produce a sound with integrity.

Ringo is the lead singer/songwriter for her band, Tokyo Jihen. Originally starting her career as a solo artist, she is known for producing complex lyrics and fusing together musical styles/genres to create a very unique sound. She has written songs influenced by blues, jazz, and classical but mostly rock, in all its forms. Already under her belt are four solo albums, two albums as Tokyo Jihen, and a number of singles and videos.

Her latest solo album comes after a three year solo hiatus (though all the while she has played and created with Tokyo Jihen) and is a result of Shiina's work on the upcoming manga based movie, Sakuran, where she worked as music director. "Rockin On" reveals that Ringo-chan had always wanted to make music for films. "The thing I really wanted to do most was create music for pre-existing pictures. I wanted to consider the mood, what type of music the scene calls for. I've had my music made into videos but I've never had to actually think about the visuals before I created the sound." Commenting on her work she claims, "I am happy when someone tells me that they either truly hate or love my music. That's the type of stuff you need to keep producing, at least for JPOP."

Her latest single was only released for purchase on the Internet. However, you can check out her latest sound on youtube. The song is titled, Kono Yo No Kagiri and has her collaborating with Neko Saito and her brother, Junpei Shiina. Ringo is also assuring fans of Tokyo Jihen not to worry. We haven't seen the end of them.

To learn more about Ringo Shiina and her band click on the links below.

Wikipedia

Official Site

Tokyo Jihen

Lost Planet VS Suit, in LEGO

2007-01-12T11:11:00.001-08:00

Nothing much to say here, other than this was being displayed at Capcom's U.S. launch party for Lost Planet. (To which, incidentally, we were not invited. Bastards!)

Link: Kotaku

Microsoft Responds to HDMI Rumors

2007-01-11T18:52:00.000-08:00

In an interview with Gamespot at CES 2007, Microsoft's Chris Satchell, game developer group general manager, responded to rumors of an upcoming HDMI compatible Xbox 360. "At the moment, everything you might have seen is just looking at our experimentation back in Redmond, not really a product that we're thinking about announcing."

The article further details talks of larger HD capacities, the future of Xbox Live and its newly proposed IPTV.

Read the interview here: http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6163965.html

Link

No HDMI For Our Current Xboxes?

2007-01-11T14:24:00.001-08:00

In other Microsoft Love news...

I just returned from Las Vegas and CES, jet-lagged and exhausted and needing to file copious stories for my day job. Which means that I'll have something interesting from the show for you soon, but not yet.

In the meantime, join me in freaking out about this news, which suggests that Microsoft may be planning to fix the pending lack-of-HDMI crunch with... a new Xbox model for us to buy.

Sonofabitch! Note that without HDMI (or DVI) on an Xbox 360, we'll (evidently) be unable to play digital 1080p content and copy-locked HD-DVDs, which require those sorts of connections because they support the HDCP copy protection standard. I hope, hope, hope that Microsoft figures out a way to add HDMI and HDCP support to current 360s, rather than forcing us to buy new ones.

Of course, this isn't a real problem at the present, considering that HD-DVD copy protection has yet to be activated, and that only a tiny percentage of users have 1080p displays. It still pisses me off though, irrational though my anger might be.

Next Gen Console Wars: Where Do They Stand?

2007-01-10T00:16:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting for numbers in hardware sales to be released so that I could substantiate my suspicions. Since the new year, I have been finding signs throughout Tokyo reading that PS3s are in stock. Tsutaya, Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera, small ma and pa stores; it seems that the PS3 is available almost everywhere. The Wii on the other hand continues to sell-out and gamers have been hard pressed to find the system, even at small shops that most consumers often overlook.

Japanese publisher Enterbrain reports that Sony has only managed to sell 466,716 PS3 units during the period from launch to the end of the year, falling below the projected target. In contrast, The Nintendo Wii sold 989,118 units from its launch on 12/2 to the end of the year.

It comes as no surprise that the Xbox 360 is behind the pack with only 290,467 units sold in total (from launch to the end of the year). However, sales surged in December thanks to the release of Blue Dragon at the beginning of the month and Lost Planet toward the end. In that month alone we saw 99,798 Xbox 360 units moved from store shelves. That's over a third of total sales! While no one truly expects the 360 to surpass or even match its rivals' sales, Microsoft is at least taking a step in the right direction.

Is the availability of PS3s an indicator that Sony needs to work harder? Perhaps they need to rethink consumer motivations. Yes, the system is a value for what you get. The problem is that in a country where HDTVs are yet to be in every home and hardcore gamers don't make up the majority of the populace, they have narrowed their market. In fact, they have done the exact opposite of what Nintendo did to become the leader again. Even Microsoft is trying to reclaim some market share by studying what their consumers want. Maybe it's time for Sony to reel in their arrogance and stop relying on their name alone. Maybe they shouldn't have forced consumers into buying a hardware component they didn't necessarily want. They could be so much more successful that way.

Link

Xbox Live No More

2007-01-07T19:03:00.000-08:00

With all of the new games for my Xbox 360 and some time off for the holidays, I thought it would be a perfect time for me to upgrade my Xbox Live subscription back to Gold from Silver. So at the beginning of December, I used my already registered with Live credit card to get "back in the game." I went online with Gears of War, fired away with Lost Planet and got back into fighting with the cast of Dead or Alive 4. Things were fine, until I got that mail on Saturday morning.

According to Microsoft, my account had been canceled. I thought for a moment that this could be fraud, some one's attempt to seize my credit card information. After all, I never ordered the cancellation. I decided that the best course of action would be to call Xbox Live customer support.

The first time I called, I was connected to what appeared to be an outsource company. It was a little difficult to get my point across but after some time, the agent notified me that there may have been some credit card discrepancies due to my card being stolen a few weeks ago. I thought this odd since the payment had already been processed a month prior, but went with his explanation. He has all the data right on his computer screen. He is a qualified agent. He should know what he is talking about. Right?

The agent told me to just reapply for Gold membership. I got off the phone and did exactly that.
"Xbox Live cannot process the information at this time." That's the message I kept receiving. "Well, I'll just have to call again," I mumbled to myself.

Call number two: This time the agent told me that there was a problem with the Live service a few hours before and that I should try to upgrade in two hours. When I asked if this was an attempt to get away from the issue because she couldn't solve the problem, she laughed. I stopped smiling.

Call number three: I was now introduced to a new problem. The agent explained that in the area designated for the name regarding credit card information, there were asterisks. In other words, my name did not appear. Someone at the corporate office found this suspicious and thus canceled my subscription. I asked to speak to a manager.

The manager reiterated what the previous agent had explained and also added that my gamertag would never be recovered. He claimed that I had received a warning (via email) regarding what he called, a "violation." So why did I feel like the one who was being violated? I never received a warning, at least not to my email account. Besides, if it was that crucial a violation that it pended gamertag cancellation, why wasn't I notified via my Xbox, the place where I actually play these games? I have been an Xbox member since 2005, why was I being deleted now? Let's just say that the manager I spoke with that day, had no intention of helping me remedy this situation and also provided misinformation regarding what I needed to do to proceed with setting up a new gamertag.

Angry but determined, I went upstairs to my console and created a new gamertag and Xbox Live Gold account. What the manager failed to explain to me was that I would not be able to access ANY of my saved games on the 360 hard drive. I almost canceled my original gamertag. That would have meant the end of all of my hard work! Now I have a Gold membership for a gamertag that can't access any saved data. It's like I just bought every game I already own all over again. I wasn't going to stand for this.

Call number four: I spoke to an agent that seemed to want to help. I was semi-relieved. I learned that apparently, the asterisks were a borderline issue of national security and that gamertag recovery could only be accomplished by Microsoft corporate. While the agent was as dumbfounded as I was as to why my gamertag would have been canceled, she couldn't provide me with a number for corporate. Apparently, Xbox Live customer service has no way of contacting them. So she gave me a mail address to contact them with. Yes, you read that right, a MAIL address. At least she had been the most helpful so far.

Call number five: Determined to fix this problem, I called what I believed to be a Microsoft corporate number. I got in touch with the MSN division, another outsourced department. After a grueling few minutes of trying to explain my situation and being told that my gamertag never existed, I was transferred back to Xbox Live. Even though I pleaded that they couldn't help me and that I needed to speak to someone in corporate, it all came full circle. I was put on hold while the MSN agent tried to explain the situation to the Xbox Live agent. Once the silence was lifted, I was greeted with a new voice. "Sorry, I couldn't understand him so I asked to speak to you directly." Isn't it great when companies have internal communication problems? It really puts you at ease knowing they should therefore have no problems communicating with customers.

Luckily, the new agent was helpful and logged everything that had happened to me up until this point. He then put me in touch with a manager. This time I was assured that things would be OK. He "escalated" (need to make sure to keep call center terminology straight) my call and sent a message to corporate, notifying them that my account should be reactivated. Of course, since no one has direct access to corporate phone numbers, I would have to wait ten business days before I received any notification. Let's hope this is not a "to be continued" story but one that gets resolved with this. Microsoft is not winning any points this week.

Link

Lost Planet Review

2007-01-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

Prepare to go old-school with a new style. Lost Planet is Capcom's latest addition to the evolution of the platforming genre. The game places you in control of Wayne, a soldier who is discovered frozen and awakes with partial amnesia on an ice planet overrun with insectoid monsters, known as the Akrid. He owes his recovery to Yuri, a mysterious figure who explains the purpose of the thermal device on his arm. Yuri is partnered with a woman named, Luka and her younger brother, Rick. Wayne becomes the newest addition to their group and goes on to fight through the frozen tundra searching for answers, mainly to discover who he is and what happened to his father.

The story is not however where Lost Planet excels. Voice acting is fair. Most of what it lacks can be attributed to the stilted dialogue that the actors had to work with. It's not necessarily bad, but it is sometimes unnatural and that takes away from making the viewer a part of the story. Unlike many RPGs, where the story exists to enhance gameplay, this story simply exists to give us an excuse to blow things up. We never feel truly invested in the characters as the story does very little to flesh out their personalities or make us care. Does this adversely affect the game? Not at all.

A look back to the heyday of the genre will quickly show us that story is not their strong suit. Metroid, Super Mario Bros, Bionic Commando, Castlevania: the list of great 8-bit platformers is vast but few, if any, offer us any type of engaging exposition. What little of the story we remember was most likely gleaned from the instruction manual and the rest conjured up in our minds. However, game expectations have changed and in today's gaming world, it would be an injustice to remove the story components entirely.

Lost Planet isn't about it's story. Sure, it bonds it all together, but Lost Planet is about shooting cool guns and creating huge explosions. It does not disappoint.

The battle is heated from the start. Right at Stage 1 the Xbox 360 demonstrates its technical prowess by displaying hundreds of enemies on screen. Not only is there none of the slow down historically known to plague platformers, but even with the abundance of enemies on screen, the game still manages to look great. The explosions look and feel real. With surround sound on, you'll get the sense of being on a real battlefield. Destroying the Akrid fiends gives you a real sense of satisfaction; the bigger the better.

After braving through abandoned buildings, across snow covered mountains riddled with thousands of Akrid, you'll eventually be met by human opponents. The game gets harder at that point, as their AI is significantly smarter than the AI controlling the brute strength of the Akrid foot soldiers.

Playing through the first few stages, you'll be impressed with the games' look, its play control (run, aim, and shoot) and its various mechas and weaponry. Then you'll start to realize why this game is so old school. Is it innovative? Not particularly. It retains all the traditional elements: jumping, shooting, running. While the 360, with its stunning graphics and impressive processing power, constantly reminds you that Lost Planet is rightfully a part of the next generation of gaming, the bosses will bring you back to the good ol' days. They are frustratingly hard. Did I mention that they are also cheap?

You are going to die; over and over again. Playing through early levels might give you a false sense of comfort. They aren't too hard. But the bosses are just as tough as they used to be. This is your dad's platformer.

They are huge. They are menacing. And they are going to stomp you. Just like in days past, the bosses have a pattern that you need to exploit. Capcom has done a wonderful job of recreating the excitement and ultra-frustration in fighting a boss for the first time. The battles are large scale and often put you inside a mecha, that is until it blows up and you are left to run around with nothing but a snow suit and your human hide to protect you. This makes fighting the beasts or enemy mechas all the more intense. However, once outside of your protective war machine, most bosses will relentlessly trounce you. You won't be given a chance. If a boss can corner you, it will. You just got hit? Don't expect to get up anytime soon. You will be crushed, shot at, fried, disoriented, and most likely, very, very angry. Remember in your younger days when you used to hurl your controller at the wall? You are about to relive them. One caveat though: The 360 controllers are wireless, so they'll go a lot farther. You will fight some of these bosses over 20 times in a row. Be mentally prepared. Capcom has made old school new again.

And in that, we are given a new sense of satisfaction after besting a boss. Laying him down never felt so gratifying. Playing through the levels is fun. They don't start to get all that difficult until around level 6. But it's the 30 plus minutes that you put into beating a boss that makes this game good. You will want to keep playing. You know you can't go out like that, and the cheapness of each boss makes you keep going back for more punishment. There's a story in there somewhere, but you'll just want to get to the next boss so you can hear more explosions and launch huge cannons. The pain and the reward that follows victory become addicting. Lost Planet is sure to satisfy fans of the genre.

As a bonus, Capcom has included on online multi-player component. This is a great addition, especially when playing with friends in a team. It's perfectly set up for a game of virtual "manhunt." While Gears of War is set with more of a military theme, Lost Planet gives you more of an environment many of us associate with epic battles. If GoW's multi-player allows us to feel the fear of being hunted, Lost Planet lends us the excitement involved with blowing things up.

Lost Planet is a game no fan of the genre should be without. With it's simple to learn control scheme, it's a game that even a newcomer could feel comfortable playing. Couple that with gorgeous visuals, larger than life sounds that shake the living room, and an online multi-player and you've got a game that is sure to entertain for days.

Link

Gaming Nation

2006-12-27T18:51:00.000-08:00

The Christmas season is known for being the most important period for retail sales in North America. In Japan, with the upcoming year-end holidays and Westernized ideas of Christmas, the season is also noted for its important sales numbers. It therefore remains that with all of the recent console and game launches that advertising and branding be very much a part of game company strategies.

The big three (Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony) need to enter consumer minds, tell us that we need them to have fun, and appeal to our collective attitudes of wanting to belong. It's no secret that one way of entering our minds is through the power of advertising.

While walking through the streets of Shibuya, one of the most frequented districts in Tokyo, I spotted a number of larger than life advertisements; most of them showing off how fun the Wii can be with family and friends.

Before you join with the hordes of pedestrians making their way across the Shibuya intersection, you can look across the street to see this billboard plastered along the side of the largest video rental store in Japan, Tsutaya. The ad is massive. It's imposing, but not in a frightening way. Look at those people. I'm having a terrible day. Hell, I am having trouble just weaving through all of these incredibly awkward walkers. But these people above me, they seem to be having so much fun. They look so powerful. Hmmm, what is this Wii thing?

I might ignore and forget about it. That is, until I make my way farther up the hill. That's where this next ad lies in wait.

Whoa, more people that have got to be having the time of their lives. OK, I need to get more details on this Nintendo Wii. And that is how the Wii appeals to the casual and even non-gamer. Nintendo didn't stop with ads plastered across town. They have strategically placed their ads on trains, on TV, and in stores. Their launch saw gamers line up overnight and systems sell out in minutes. It made international news reports. The Wii is already a household name. Nintendo made the right marketing decisions this time around. They learned from the DS that in order to make major profits, companies need to appeal to a universal market, the everyman. The Wii does just that and the marketing campaign reassures you of it. So Nintendo's only real problem then was marketing to the hard core gaming market. But they already figured out how.

I am one of those that believes that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is nothing more than a Gamecube game in disguise. It was in development for years and should have been released a year ago. Talks of tweaking this and improving that were mentioned but I suspect the delay was nothing more than insuring that the Wii had a launch title that appealed to the hardcore gaming community. Mario Galaxy didn't make the deadline, nor did Super Smash Bros. So Nintendo wisely chose to make Zelda its "killer ap." While many argue that it is unfair to compare the next gen. systems with the Wii, I find it somewhat unavoidable. I can forgive graphical downgrades so long as the game is fun. Unfortunately, going from the graphical superiority of Blue Dragon or Gears of War to the graphically inferior Zelda is tough to do. Yes, I called Zelda inferior.

On its own, Zelda looks wonderful and plays fairly well. If I refrain from turning on my Xbox 360 for some time and stick to my Wii, I can enjoy and am sometimes even moved by the director's use of mood and graphics in Zelda. There is no doubt that this game is good. What the game lacks is the feel that it needs to be a Wii title. Did we need a sword that slashes when I swing the Wiimote? Is targeting all that much better with the Wiimote than with a cross hair controlled by an analog stick? I suppose the answers will vary depending on the respondent. However, the play controls are so similar to past 3D Zeldas, I find them counter intuitive. I want a button to act as my sword and many times find myself running into enemies without it drawn.

Zelda plays like no other Wii title. In other words, it feels like it was forced to become one. Had this been a Gamecube title, I would be more willing to overlook some of its graphical flaws and its controls would have been fine, even if unchanged from previous incarnations. The move to make it a Wii title was most likely a ploy to lure hard core fans and gamers than it was the result of wanting to make control enhancements.

Nintendo and its followers will tell you that it's not about the graphics and I agree to a point. The DS doesn't render its graphics as well as the PSP but over here in Japan, it has far outsold it. However, I have to evaluate Zelda on its merits as a game title for the new system. If Nintendo isn't going for cutting edge graphics but instead for "revolutionary" new game play, then I have to rate it accordingly. Zelda is a great Gamecube title, but it lacks that extra punch as a Wii game. It is enjoyable and deserves many of its received kudos but next time, please remind us why it should be on the Wii, otherwise, just let us use our regular controllers.

That said, what Nintendo has done with its console launch this season is marketing genius. They've captured the hardcore gaming market that would be the ones to line up overnight for a Wii, as well as those non-gamers that just want a new piece of hardware to have fun, just like the people in the media blitzkrieg.

Nintendo wasn't the only one out this season fighting for its place in our homes. Microsoft has fought hard and continued to provide Japanese gamers with more of what they want.

Here is the so-called, "Do-Do-Do" campaign, in time for Christmas. Microsoft has ads appearing on TV focusing on its new games, Blue Dragon and Lost Planet. It has noticeable displays spread across electronic stores, with Xbox girls explaining the latest and greatest game titles. Its Lost Planet/Xbox 360 box sets are sold out in many shops. Could this be Microsoft coming back? Blue Dragon created a spike in Xbox sales from 4,053 units sold the week prior to 35,343 units sold in the week following its release. Lost Planet sold about 20,000 copies in its first day. Though gamers have been responsive and some even optimistic, this may not be enough to propel the system forward. The point here is that Microsoft is trying to appeal to the Japanese market. They are definitely making their presence known. Now they need to work on erasing their negative stigma as being an "otaku" vehicle.

So where does this leave Sony? Nintendo has ads stretching throughout the land. Microsoft is fighting hard to stay above water, releasing market focused games and campaigning with strategically placed ads. Sony has the PS3. And...

The name alone is enough. The PS3 is selling like hotcakes. Who needs ads? Sure there was a focused ad campaign when the PS3 launched, but who needs that now? I don't remember one ad that sticks out in my mind regarding the PS3. It's a cultural phenomenon for sure, but why should we own one. Where are the reminders that tell us how fun it is?

The game stores have demos set up for us to play. Let's review what we've got. There's Gundam, a game that should appeal to Japanese gamers except that it is the worst rated title for the new system. That wouldn't be so bad if the rating wasn't below average. Next, we have what is considered the PS3's "killer ap," Resistance: Fall of Man. That might be great if Japanese gamers liked first person shooters. Genji? No, that got poor reviews too. The list continues with either mutli-platform games or games that received mediocre scores. So why rush to own a PS3 now? Why does Sony seem to be narrowing its market while others try to expand theirs?

Did we need Blu-ray in the machine? Wasn't this just another marketing ploy in attempt to ensure Sony's hegemony in the next generation of home entertainment visual mediums? They certainly don't want to repeat what happened with Betamax. So we have games that aren't all that appealing, a system that is beyond many people's price range, that includes technology that is not yet necessary nor thoroughly desired and to top it off, a lack of a real ad or branding presence. Will the Sony name and reputation in gaming be enough to keep them on top? Initial sales were great but will they continue and how will shortages affect the market? Only time will tell.

I'll close this entry with a photo of an ad for a well done manga, now anime. Enjoy and Happy New Year.

Link

Dreams Into Nightmares

2006-12-21T05:54:00.000-08:00

Today marks the official release of Lost Planet for the Japanese Xbox 360. So as expected, when I arrived home from work this evening and opened my mailbox, nestled deep in its corner, I discovered a courier's slip notifying me that my copy had arrived while I was away. Sometimes Japan offers you little conveniences to life: One of those being the ability to call delivery drivers on their cell phones until 9pm so they can bring your games back to you on the same day they were meant to arrive. Please be sure to note the "sometimes" in the last sentence.

I promptly made the call and then started my transformation from salaryman, back to entertainment maven. I finished dinner and began to shed the suit that has slowly begun grafting itself to my body when the doorbell rang. It had come.

Lost Planet was here but I wasn't excited. I was worried, stressed even. Why would a gamer stress over a hotly anticipated holiday title that he already had in his hands? The answer can be seen below.

You don't see it, do you? To most gamers, the photo featured above is a dream: The sold-out Wii with a copy of Zelda: Twilight Princess, An Xbox 360 with copies of the rapidly selling Blue Dragon, the just released, Lost Planet, and the killer ap, Gears of War. So what's the problem? That's hours of fun just waiting to be had. And therein lies the problem; it's waiting to be had.

What happens when you take a guy who loves entertainment, place him in a Japanese company that focuses on semiconductor technology (a completely unrelated and foreign field) and where overtime is required but not paid? The answer is simple: You get one stressed out gamer.

I have only just begun to dive into Zelda. I have solely scratched the surface of Lost Planet. Gears of War and Akumajo: Gallery of Labyrinth have been put on indefinite hiatus. And Blue Dragon needs to be played again before I forget the control scheme. All of these great games and no time to play them. Having all of them arrive within a 3 weeks period complicates matters as well. It is truly a gamer's nightmare.

Luckily, work holidays begin on Friday evening, giving me a week and a half to get reacquainted with my games. While other game sites are on break, expect updates here. Christmas will provide the time necessary to get back into the field where I belong.

Happy Holidays!

Link

Wii Users In Action

2006-12-18T13:37:00.001-08:00

Despite all the controversy (or however you'd describe it) around the Wii controller's problems, I doubt that anyone faults it for a failure of pushing the envelope in terms of the console controller paradigm.

Which is why this gallery of Wii users -- in action -- is so gratifying. (Does that mean they're "Wii-ing"?) It's also downright worrisome: If you're like me, you're thinking, Do I look like that??

Enjoy. (Link)

Via Boingboing

Testing new software

2006-12-18T13:27:00.001-08:00

Since 95% of blogging seems to be about blogging itself (meta-blogging... dig!) I'd thought I'd write about how I'm attempting to use new blogging software. It's called Performancing, and among other things, it provides a pop-up window in Firefox on which to blog about whatever I'm looking at.

If this just winds up destroying the blog, Pete, I'm sorry.

Blue Dragon: Early Impressions

2006-12-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

Hironobu Sakaguchi, Nobuo Uematsu and Akira Toriyama; they are some of, if not the most recognized names in RPGs. Among other things, the names surely conjure up images of small, spritely Final Fantasy characters, memorable victory music, and a distinct art style. If RPGs are your thing, you have without a doubt, experienced at least one of their creations. This is the second time all three of these RPG gods have come together since Chrono Trigger (though Uematsu left that project early on) , a highly acclaimed RPG for the Super NES. Microsoft is hoping that Blue Dragon will push Xbox 360 sales in Japan by feeding its gamers so hungry for the next rival to Dragon Quest/Final Fantasy.

And the name of the game is Blue Dragon. This keeps in line with what seems like a fascination that Toriyama has with the mythical beast (Dragon Quest, Dragon Ball, and now Blue Dragon).
After playing through about 6 hours of the game, I can say that it looks like Mist Walker has a hit on their hands.

The graphics are beautiful. I found myself smiling at how gorgeous the game looked. It felt like I was watching an animated movie rather than playing an RPG. The characters have that trademark Toriyama look and feel. This works for the game and holds that bit of nostalgia that a lot of us would have with RPGs and anime.

The story thus far hasn't been too thought provoking. This is no Final Fantasy XII, where you are given a multi-layered plot that often forces you to question just who or what is wrong. This is just a simple story of a young boy and his friends on their way to save the world. Maybe it gets more involved further on, but for now, it's just a fun story of good and seemingly evil. Though to be fair, the main villain appears to hiding his true intentions.

The battle system is a welcome change to the role playing formula. Once you gain control of your shadow (the big blue monsters that reflect your "feelings"), you will be able to begin arranging abilities. There are different categories of skills that you can learn and they range from assassin to monk and your more traditional white and black magic. Once you select a skill for your shadow, you will then earn sp points for it in the same way you would gain experience points. As you gather more points you begin to unlock new skills.

The fighting itself is turn based but there is a function that allows you to hold the "A" button so that you can select when your character will strike. A bar appears with your characters' and enemies' pictures positioned above it. Each character's turn position is placed on the bar. Holding down the "A" button will cause the bar to fill up and move your character's turn position. The problem is that you cannot predict the speed at which the bar will fill so you need to be careful.

I unfortunately don't have much time to go into many more details but I do want to include one issue I had with the game. Although it doesn't prove to be a complete nuisance, I found that the camera angles can sometimes keep you from knowing where the action is and it often takes a few seconds to regain your orientation. Other than that however, Blue Dragon has so far turned out to be a vibrant, exciting and imaginative journey. I hope that it just keeps getting better.

Link

David Lynch + Psychological Horror Games

2006-12-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

On a related note (to my last post, that is) My girlfriend and I went to the IFC Center to check out the new David Lynch film. This went about as well as you can expect:: an incomprehensible narrative, some very convoluted plotting, strange inside references, and occasional bouts of (not unwelcome) nudity. We saw the actor Justin Theroux after the show, and he attempted to answer some questions, but mainly just reinforced the notion that no one besides Lynch has any idea what's really going on. That is to say, David Lynch was in fine form.

The film also gave me the moment to fantasize, as does any lengthy period of semi-boredom, about video games I'd make. The first one I came up with would involve an alien (who looks like the baby in "Eraserhead," maybe) inside your house, creating passages to other buildings, times, and dimensions and slowly driving you insane. The other one would involve trying to prevent your own death by assuming control of the bit players you encounter throughout your day, which happens to be the last day of your life. I'd expect neither to sell well, if at all.

Reminds me: Whatever happened to the "psychological horror" genre of video games? Do those still exist? I'm talking creepy horror titles – the kind of horror that doesn’t feature zombies constantly jumping out of sewers (not to mention gigantic mutant alligators.) Stuff like "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" and "Darkseed".

Some might argue that those sorts of adventure games (that elicit a deeper and creepier sense of horror and dread) largely disappeared when consoles became popular and started edging out computers for the video gamer's hard-earned dollar/yen/etc. -- the old "console gamers aren't as smart as PC gamers" theory -- but I know Darkseed also came out on the Sega Saturn in Japan. And, hell, there were plenty of creepy moments in Final Fantasy games, for my money. But still, the FF series isn't fundamentally about horror, so the problem stands.

Maybe one day we'll have computer horror games that frighten and disturb by means other than that tired old routine of having zombies play possum, before suddenly becoming reanimated and jumping up -- usually just as you're walking your character out of the room. Is this some sort of industry requirement in survival horror games? I'm just wondering.

Bathroom graffiti

2006-12-08T23:39:00.000-08:00

Hiya. I'm going to start my inaugural post with about 98% culture commentary, and 2% gaming. An inauspicious posting, maybe, but I think that all of you out there on Pete's side of the planet might enjoy a look into a nicely storied institution here in New York City -- but which is certainly not limited to the Big Apple, as it's found in most (but not all, of course) major cities worldwide.

By this, I mean graffiti in bathrooms. (What else?)

After leaving a theater where we'd just seen film -- not just any theater, the indie-theater-for-people-who-love-movies-but-hate-going-to-the-Angelika theater, the IFC Center; and not just any film, David Lynch's indie-film-for-people-who-love-movies-but-hate-understanding-them film, "Island Empire" -- my girlfriend and I swung by a Belgian beer bar that used to be one of our favorites. (It's since fallen out of fashion in part because two equally fine Belgian beer places have opened near our apartment in Hell's Kitchen, but that's neither here nor there.)

The bar, located over in the Village, is clean, well-stocked, has a literate college-y/West Side-y clientele, which is reflected in the graffiti one sees in its bathroom. Now, bathroom graffiti is certainly nothing new in NYC, nor anywhere else, but I think what it says, and how it says it, are important indicators of cultural values... and other crap. Mainly, it's just kind of funny to check out what morons are writing when other people are lined up outside waiting to piss.

Pseudosociographical rambling aside, I snapped a few pictures.

The wall (a mop closet door, really) that greets you as you walk in. It wasn't until just now that I realized that someone had tagged "HELL" at the top of the door. Not sure what this means, exactly.

Exhibit one: Some random URL. These are all over the place in the city as people take to the Web to drum (heh) up support for their crappy band.

Exhibit two: Political graffiti, the first of MANY in this bathroom.

Side wall. Tags, band stickers, doodling, and some sort of inspirational message, perhaps?

Tag detail.

More political graffiti.

Awwww.

Bwa ha ha ha

I'd say a good 50% of the graffiti on NYC bathroom walls is about mocking someone else's graffiti.

Still more political graffiti.

See?

???

Rear wall. More assorted tags, some nice X-rated doodling, and so on.

A random tag.

Truer words have never been written.

Hell yeah! (Although I guess some of you know the game in reference as "Bare Knuckle")

The Salaryman and the Dragon

2006-12-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to make this a full entry, story or review so a brief entry will have to suffice.

Today was the day: The official release date of the Xbox 360 title, Blue Dragon. Like most salarymen in Japan, I am shackled to my desk for more hours than is legally allowed. The fact that I don't get overtime pay adds to the torture I must endure each work day. Today however, I managed to escape early enough to get home and receive my scheduled delivery of Blue Dragon.

I was lucky enough to get a bonus mouse pad and stickers for my Xbox with the order. I don't have any time to play this evening but I'll prepare a review as soon as I can. Expect entries on Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, Gears of War, and Blue Dragon in the near future. For now, here is a picture of my new friend.

Wii Launch

2006-12-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

In video game journalism, it's difficult to report on the games without being a gamer yourself. It's impossible to simply be a conscientious observer. In order to report about the games and their respective culture effectively, one needs to be a part of them, to understand their ins and outs. This is reflective of "gonzo journalism" (minus the fiction) and its embedded elements of sociology keep the reader more involved by reading exposition rather than basic words describing a scene. Maybe this sounds all too unnecessary for an article about games but as gamers will tell you, they not only want to hear about the games, they want to know about motivations behind them and the energy that surrounds them.

With that in mind, the following report is a tale about 3 people pursuing Wiis, 3 people with different levels of enthusiasm, and the power of hype and collectivism.

Chris has been a gamer for many years. He's not what you'd call a hardcore gamer but he has his PS2 and plays games with the occasional anticipation over the next hot title. Chris had no original intent to line up for a Wii. Sure, "It looked good," he thought, but it was something he'd get eventually, nothing he needed to have right away.

Simon had no intention of actually owning a Wii. He was more along the lines of what a casual gamer would be. He had his home system and his DS but he played it out of boredom or to get his occasional sports game fix.

I have been a hardcore gamer since the age of 7. My Atari kept me busy for hours on end and spawned what would become and endless addiction. However, even with that background, I wasn't too excited by the PS3 launch. Who needs a system with Blu-ray when you don't have an HDTV or an expensive game machine that lacks what it needs most to function, games? Resistance: Fall of Man? FPSs aren't for me as my gaming tastes coincide more with that of Japanese gamers than those of my American brothers.

The Wii had more to offer. It was to be the "revolutionary" new console. That alone had my interests but Nintendo played its Trump card when they moved Zelda to the new console. Zelda was a game I needed to have. It appealed to the hardcore gamer. But there was something else. The system seemed to contain a universal appeal. Anyone could play. It was to be the system to bring people together for fun and the advertisements, the branding and the marketing were all there to remind us of this on the macro level.

We all saw it. It permeated our cultures. There is no need to explain it as you must have by now, experienced it first hand. What about the influence of this meme on the micro level?

As the launch date approached, I began to get excited. My enthusiasm and anticipation began to spread to those close to me. Chris decided he would accompany me on my quest. Originally, I thought it would be necessary to line up the evening before December 2nd. Chris didn't seem so pressed. If the PS3 launch was any indicator, we would be able to arrive on the first train at 5:30am and still secure our Wiis. Analysts seemed to be agreeing with him. Japanese newspapers reported that with such a large number of Wiis ready to hit the market, one could arrive at a game store at any time before 12pm on the 2nd and procure a Wii. It is my nature to be skeptical, and skeptical I was. But I had a contingency plan.

Akihabara (Akiba) is a heaven for otaku. Yodobashi Camera is one of the largest electronic store chains in Japan. Combine the two and you have a cornacopia of joy for gamers. You can get anything your fetish mind desires in Akiba. So it only made sense that the Akiba Yodobashi be the place to go for your Wii. That's where we set our marks. And to nearly assure my chances, I had my girlfriend (hereafter referred to as our Osakan correspondent) line up at Yodobashi Camera Umeda in Osaka.

Chris suggested seeing a movie to kill time. Simon came along. Roppongi seemed like the perfect place to wait. The theatre there was state of the art and the subway would take us straight to Akiba. The film ended at about 3, giving us 2 more hours before we could catch the first train.

Simon was feeling hungry so we headed to the nearby "Chinese Cafe." It looked more like a restaurant to me but how could one argue against a sign that read, "Enjoy cafe and Chinese time?" I was too full from the massive amounts of caramel popcorn that I had eaten at the theatre to eat any more but the others enjoyed a small meal. At about 4am, a phone mail from our Osakan correspondent made its way to my phone. When she arrived at the scene at 1am, she was given a ticket by the Yodobashi staff securing her a Wii. They were moved to the building's indoor parking lot where, to quote, "(she) felt like a refugee." She was number 1,643 and at 4am, there were over 2000 people waiting. How would this bode for our chances at Yodobashi Akihabara? Did we have a chance? Before we could make it there, we needed to get coffee.

It was getting cold and sleep was trying to take control of us. Roppongi was spilling over with inebriated party-goers. We weren't a part of them tonight, Things looked so different, clearer, We had a goal to reach. We got our coffees and made our way to the subway. It was almost time.

We finally arrive in Akiba, thinking that our true wait had only just begun. We were expecting to be greeted by an immensely large line, instead we were greeted with this:

Now what? We were supposed to see an endless line. We were supposed to feel anxious. We were supposed to be afraid we might miss our chance being too far back in line. But we got none of that. That's when I noticed a change. Simon and Chris had gone from being passive observers to wanting to take control. After all, they had a goal and they weren't settling for failure.

We walked around Akihabara but it was almost a ghost town. A few people waited in lines here and there for nothing more than raffle tickets giving them a chance to get a Wii. This Gamers store had only nine units but there were already over 2o people in line.

I suggested that we make our way to Shinjuku. If everyone has already secured Wiis in Akiba, we might have a chance if the abundance of electronics stores in Shinjuku had been neglected. We had to take action.

On the train ride to Shinjuku, Simon had begun gathering intel using his phone and online blogs. Conditions seemed grim. Akiba was almost sold out completely. Areas in Tokyo that didn't exhaust all of their pre-orders did not have enough capacity to provide all of those in line with a Wii. Shibuya had fallen. Akiba was already gone. And prospects in Shinjuku weren't looking good.

(Photo is sideways for your pleasure)

We were fortunate enough to have our conversation heard by a Gamespy contributor. He gave us even more information on the launch. Perhaps travelling to the outskirts of Tokyo would be safer. After all, it seemed that the Internet community was pointing to the fact that Wiis would be easier to get out away from the major cities. But we were steadfast and stayed our course.

We made our way to the Shinjuku Yodobashi Camera. Things seemed better, well at least there was a line to wait in this time. It was now 6am.

There must have been already a few hundred people ahead of us. Most people lined up in places where they were assured a Wii if they waited early enough in line. This line must have been for the people like us, the ones that got there too late. It sounds unreasonable to wait this long for a lottery but I wasn't surprised. Chris had already gone from not caring too much about having a Wii to overflowing enthusiasm for one. He needed to have it. And Simon was hoping for one as well. He was the real surprise. Before the night began, Simon wasn't even thinking about owning one, but now he too was secretly hoping he could get one too.

I was calm. I knew that I had my Wii out in Osaka. In fact, I may have actually lost some excitement because I knew I wasn't going to be able to go home to play.

At about 6:30, the employees came out to give us our lottery tickets.

That's right I was number 545 in a line for a lottery ticket! This didn't look good. Chris was getting a bit worried. Were they going to have enough supply? We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Wiis being shuffled into Yodobashi but there only seemed to be a few hundred. Was that going to be enough? Were they going to keep the number of raffle winners low?

Collectivism is a large part of Japanese society and this gave us a chance to bond with people of common interests. We even got to make friends with a guy named, Ko. He had just decided to wake up early and get in line for a Wii. It was almost an afterthought for him. He wanted a Wii but it wasn't a top priority. At this point I think Chris was thinking that Ko had made the right decision. We were tired and getting hungry and we didn't even know if we'd win the lottery.

At a little after 7am, the employees came out to announce the winners. This was just chaotic. It didn't seem like the Yodobashi workers were ready for the large amount of people. Their megaphone announcements couldn't reach all of those in line. People soon disbanded from their neat lines and became one huge unorganized crowd.

People began complaining about not being able to hear. They wanted to know where they stood. They wanted to know if they'd get their Wiis.

Then there was a calm. The amplified voices started becoming clear and everyone listened with trepidation. The winning numbers were called. Any number ending with a 1,2, 3, 4, 7, 9, or 0 was a winner. I had lost, but to me it didn't matter. I already had me Wii. But what about Chris and Simon. Chris lost too. He was 546. But Simon had won! He was nice enough to give his ticket to Chris though. He knew Chris needed it now. Simon could go without, but I could sense he too wanted it now.

Now all we needed to do was wait to get in and pay for it. We just had to wait for about 300 people before us. Then from behind, a figure moves close and in English speaks to us. "Hey, you guys want this?" It was another winning ticket. "My friend already got us a Wii somewhere else. I don't need it." And like that, Simon had his wish. From having no desire for one, to going through great lengths and overcoming odds to get his hands on a Wii.

There is no doubt that the Wii launch was a success for Nintendo. We'll get official numbers soon, but all units gone in a flash. We decided to take our new spoils and head for a well deserved breakfast at McDonalds.

There we met a friend of Simon's. He was drunk from a long night out. We were drunk on euphoria and lack of sleep. When Simon's friend caught sight of our Wiis, I could sense the feeling of envy, of being left out. We told him of our night's adventures and he said he'd get his someday. Then we parted.

Moments later, Simon got an email from him. Somehow he had walked into a ma and pa shop and bought a Wii. Maybe those analysts weren't completely wrong after all.

Launch

2006-12-02T01:02:00.000-08:00

Well, so it begins: Our first attempt at publishing an online magazine. It all begins with an idea and effort. But you are saying to yourself, "Hey, this looks like a blog." Probably because that's what it actually is. Going against certain rules, I will start out by saying this is more about marketing than it is an actual magazine launch. That requires effort, time, and resources that we have yet to gather.

What you see here is a passion of ours, one that includes writing about ideas based on our combined interests. You'll read about games, culture, and entertainment from Japan and the US. Being based in both New York and Tokyo helps keep us at the forefront of information and technology. We hope that this blog will allow us to convey our experience and understanding to an audience that wants to read about them.

The bottom line is that this blog is here for you but it is mostly here for us. This is what we want to write about. This is how we want to write about it. We can only hope that you want to read it.

Thanks for your support.

Pete

Hikari: Enlightening Entertainment

No More Heroes: First Impressions

Dragon Quest Swords

Eye-Catching Ad

Blue Dragon Manga Volume 1

NiGHTS Confirmed for Wii

Game Rankings, 3/26~4/1

Reason #3 to Be Pissed at Microsoft

Two Things That Kind of Piss Me Off About the Xbox 360 "Elite"

More Rumors, More NiGHTS

Xbox 360 Elite

Lost Connections

Game Rankings, 3/12~3/18

Good News for Gamers, Good News for Sony--Maybe

Good News for Microsoft, Bad News for Sony

Mainstream Articles Just Aren't All That Informative

Ryuku Statue

Game Rankings, 3/5~3/11

Regional Advertising

Follow Up: Video Games and Art

Game Rankings, 2/26~3/4

PS3 In-Store Demos: One Man's Opinion

Mika Ninagawa

Video Games and Art

Report: Wii to Outsell PS3 and Xbox 360 For the Next Two Years

More Game Music Links

Game Music Links

Video Game Music Now Available on iTunes

History and Role of Media in Society

Reuters Article on PS3 "Shortages" in North America

Weekly Sales Charts, Japan

Final Fantasy Advent Children Limited Edition Collector's Set

Weekly Sales Charts, Japan

It's Official: Old People Love the Wii!

New Fire Emblem

Heisei Fuzoku

Death Note Media Blitz

Games and Media

Top 5 Gadgets You Shouldn't Buy

PS3 Ranking on Amazon Japan

Update: Game Rankings for 2/5~2/11

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