Nintendo's Sercet Patent Is Finally Revealed...

[VonVirgo]

and may be quite possibly the most retarded thing I've ever heard of as a gamer.

On a recent article on the "Game Hunters" section of the USA Today website, it says Shigeru Miyamoto revealed a feature in the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii that will apparently cause the game to play itself when the 'player' comes to a part in the level that proves too difficult for them and needs help.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/06/67677679/1

Note I how use air quotes on player because really, I feel you may be a bit of a lost cause if your so bad at games (a mario game, no less) that the game itself has to play for you.

Or am I being to harsh and/or cynical? This, obviously, yet another thing from Nintendo pandering to the 'Casual' gamers, and the supposed 'Hardcore' gamer wouldn't even glance at if they were actually given this option. But honestly, do we really need this; isn't the point of playing videogames PLAYING videogames; It is one thing to ask a friend over to help beat the level for you or going on YouTube and watch a walkthrough, this is really something odd and all it'll do is adding more Flame bait on the war of "Hardcore vs. Casual" gamers.

*sign* Any other opinions?

 

[ProfessorLayton]

...why? Why would you buy a game and then not even want to play it?

 

[ZeroMachine]

So in other words, Mario has gone from being one of the most difficult game series of all time to being the first series to have the game play itself.

The fuck, Nintendo... seriously...

 

[USSR]

*palmface*

 

[VonVirgo]

Hopefully the game fails so hard that Nintendo drops so drastically in revenue that the realize their mistake. Too bad that will never happen.

Also I'd like to point out that you didn't use "air quotes" you used "quotes" "air quotes" are when you use your index finger and middle finger to create "quotes in the air."

Hypothetical Air qoutes, then.

Plus, I don't want the game to fail, I would rather that Nintendo take step back and realize that the idea is kinda... dumb

 

[mooncalf]

I heard about this somewhere before... Can't remember.

Seems a pointless sort of a thing to patent, but patents are fairly pointless things.

I'd rather overcome adversity myself, thankyouverymuch.

*Edit* Hypothetical Air Quotes... Highly conjectural Air Quotes not well supported by available evidence? Nice hole you got there.

 

[Bigfoot_King]

I'm so glad nintendo patent this idea so no other developers uses this stupid idea

 

[CarbonEagle]

That sort of defeats the purpose of playing doesnt it. I geuss if your 5 years old it would be nice but thats definately the minority.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

Games where the characters simply solve the problems themselves while the "player" passively watches? Where have I seen this sort of thing done before?

Oh, yeah. Movies.

I can understand wanting to help someone get through a particularly tough section (and let's admit, we've all hit those at one point or another) but simply letting the game play itself is a poor option. I know slippery-slope arguments aren't always fitting, but how long before we hear this kind of conversation?

"Hey, dude, did you get Super Mario Bros. 19 to beat itself yet?"
"Nah, man, the computer can't get past the boss in Level 962-B-41. The game sucks."

 

[asiepshtain]

Games where the characters simply solve the problems themselves while the "player" passively watches? Where have I seen this sort of thing done before?

Oh, yeah. Movies.

I can understand wanting to help someone get through a particularly tough section (and let's admit, we've all hit those at one point or another) but simply letting the game play itself is a poor option. I know slippery-slope arguments aren't always fitting, but how long before we hear this kind of conversation?

"Hey, dude, did you get Super Mario Bros. 19 to beat itself yet?"
"Nah, man, the computer can't get past the boss in Level 962-B-41. The game sucks."

LOL, yes I said it and I mean it, LOL.

 

[pha kin su pah]

Since when can't you beat Mario alone?

 

[megapenguinx]

I don't know the source, so I can't comment whether it's true or not.

I do know however, with a copy of the patent on my computer, that Nintendo is making a "demo" play of the game. In low resolution quality it will run a video on how to beat the level, in a small window. Thus eliminating the need of strategy guides and helping those who are lost on a level.

With the above "confirmation" it would seem Nintendo is countering itself.

Who do I believe most?

Me.

I believe yours more. I think they were talking about a Zelda game where this would be implemented too.

 

[BloodSquirrel]

So in other words, Mario has gone from being one of the most difficult game series of all time

I'm going to stop you right there: Seriously?

I can understand wanting to help someone get through a particularly tough section (and let's admit, we've all hit those at one point or another) but simply letting the game play itself is a poor option. I know slippery-slope arguments aren't always fitting, but how long before we hear this kind of conversation?

"Hey, dude, did you get Super Mario Bros. 19 to beat itself yet?"
"Nah, man, the computer can't get past the boss in Level 962-B-41. The game sucks."

My fear is that this is going to be an excuse for poor playtesting and balancing. Is one section basically broken, way outside of the difficulty curve and almost impossible to beat? Don't bother fixing it, the game will just play itself over that part.

 

[murphy7801]

anger rising (I did not Mario 64 100% for nothing)

 

[KaiusCormere]

If the game has a progressive difficulty, they may as well just put the controller down and let Nintendo finish the rest, because it ain't gettin easier.