Video Games

On numerous occasions at This Is My Joystick, I have defended the gaming industry from what seems like wave after wave of attacks from the media that are intent on blaming much of societies ills on our beloved pastime. Sure, there are violent games on sale but they carry an 18 certification so the only issue up for discussion should be that of parental responsibility. With all this in mind it was somewhat of a surprise to see EA appear to be marketing their new 18 certificate game Dead Space 2 at underage children as #yourmomhatesthis became the top trend on twitter recently.

The games website your mom hates this features what I can only describe as mature mum-like ladies being asked to watch video footage of Dead Space 2, followed by their horrified reactions of how nasty the game is and their declarations that people shouldn’t play games like this. You can almost visualise the media types that we all know and love in Starbucks with their low-cut vests and roll-up cigarettes saying “let’s make it go viral” but isn’t it all a little irresponsible?

“It’s Revolting, it’s Violent, it’s everything you want in a game… and your Moms going to hate it!” is what the trailer tells us, and although it is mildly amusing I cannot help but think that behind the fun lurks a sinister campaign to market an adult game to under-age children. Slightly irresponsible and not to mention frustrating when I have been saying ”adult games are for adult gamers” until I am blue in the face for what seems like forever. I wonder how long we get the Daily Mail type headlines of “ban this sick filth” and the same tiresome debate in return again. (more…)

Gamers, as a rule, have a reputation of not being the most active of people but make no mistake Kinect is not aimed at your hardcore gamers, but at the all important family market over the Christmas period.

Whilst the PS3 and Xbox 360 sales hover around the 45 million mark, The Nintendo Wii has so far sold a whopping 75 million units because they managed to tap into the “Christmas Family Market”. Of course there are now many Nintendo Wii’s that are left unloved and untouched and sales are dropping like a stone because the fickle occasional gamers are looking for something more sophisticated to impress at their Christmas Party.

In my head there will be many snob like scenarios, where people find themselves gathered in a living room of people whom they see once a year and when the Wii is turned on, someone will say “Darling, the Wii is so last year haven’t you seen Microsoft Kinect? We have it and it’s so much better”. At this point the hostess runs upstairs in tears saying “Why do they always have to be better than us and ruin our Christmas”. Christmas ruined! For me, this is the market Microsoft is aiming for.

As news breaks that worldwide sales of Microsoft Kinect smashes the one million mark in ten days, I thought it was about time I should test the latest must have from Microsoft in a home environment. The biggest drawback seems to be that you need to be at least six feet away from your TV with no obstructions in the way. This may be fine for your typical American living room, but I think it’s fair to say that the average UK living room is a little more intimate, or should I say cosy.