Nintendo's Sercet Patent Is Finally Revealed...

[Hookman]

Surely part of the fun in a game is overcoming the challenges it puts in your way. Why would you buy a game just so it could play with itself?!...Maybe I should rephrase that.
Who would pay up to £50 for a game then sit back and let the game get on with it?!...It still sounds wrong.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

I knew that Nintendo was responsable for the degradation of hardcore gaming, but this is utterly ridiculous

CONSOLE gaming was responsible for the degradation of hardcore gaming, this is fact.

No, pretentious PC gamers are a symptom of the degradation of hardcore gaming. Amazingly, like the Nazi's before you, just because you think you're better doesn't make it so, and blaming us for your woes is not going to solve them.

I am a console gamer. I didn't play Quake, Unreal, or Doom, or most of the PC games back in the day, but the fact remains that the game titles that were considered to be 'hardcore gaming' was pretty much all on the PC. Console games broadened the audience, and PC got less and less games in favour of more console oriented games, which were less about micromanagement and dedication, and more about, well you played the games.

P.S. Don't assume that because I said posted that previous statement that I was a PC gamer, just don't.

 

[Silva]

This is interesting. If ever I go to pause the game to eat something or get distracted by a friend, but forget to press the Start button, then the game might save me.

Nah, just kidding. There is no real way to legitimise this. It's pointless. It turns the game into a live demo.

 

[RobCoxxy]

They patented what's basically an "interactive" rolling demo?

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

I knew that Nintendo was responsable for the degradation of hardcore gaming, but this is utterly ridiculous

CONSOLE gaming was responsible for the degradation of hardcore gaming, this is fact.

No, pretentious PC gamers are a symptom of the degradation of hardcore gaming. Amazingly, like the Nazi's before you, just because you think you're better doesn't make it so, and blaming us for your woes is not going to solve them.

I am a console gamer. I didn't play Quake, Unreal, or Doom, or most of the PC games back in the day, but the fact remains that the game titles that were considered to be 'hardcore gaming' was pretty much all on the PC.

Ever heard of NES hard? Matter of fact, you hear tales of people saying Doom made gaming far more casual (because the FPS will always have more wiggle room and less demand for perfection than the platformer).

And I'd argue that JRPGs are just as much about micromanagement, and yet are a genre almost unheard of on the PC.

NES hard? Difficulty through simplicity. Those games were nails, but a lot of them didn't take dedication. This is why hardcore games do not exist, there are only games, and what you do with it makes you a hardcore gamer.

However for the sake of argument, if you were to go back to the days of the fifth generation of consoles, the Playstation brought an audience and a wealth of games that people didn't consider to be 'hardcore' because of the lack of depth that the hardcore gaming generation at that time was used to. The wave of people who wouldn't touch Monkey Island or Dune with a ten foot sterilised pole and turning the once dominant sect of 'hardcore gamers' into outcasts, was considered to be part of the degradation of the hardcore gamer community.

Also while Japanese RPGs have a fair bit of micromanagement, I could argue that they don't have as much as Western RPGs do, and they certainly don't have as much as games like Master of Orion:

 

[Merteg]

Hilarious!

I'm glad I bought a X-Box 360.

 

[GuerrillaClock]

Ugh... you know, I always try to defend Nintendo against the people who bash them over the Wii, because they always have made the best games, and amongst all the sludge on the Wii, if you dig hard enough you'll find the brightest diamonds this gen has to offer.

But this time, I can't. This is inexcusable, Nintendo, and if it is true I will not buy this game, end of.

For fuck's sake man, it's OPTIONAL. They aren't forcing it upon you at all, and people have been making great points as to why this is a good idea and not the most retarded thing ever.

Of course you aren't going to like it, you've been playing games for probably more than a decade, and know what you're doing, while there are kids who probably haven't played a Mario game at all and are stuck on certain parts of it, without anyone to help them. Games should be entertained by everyone regardless of skill level.

While I totally agree that games should be for everyone, in fact I welcome the Wii or DS opening themselves up to the "casuals" (I know that word is irritating but I can't think of a better one) as well as the "hardcore" (sorry again for the hateful lingo) crowd, but I see kids playing NSMB on the DS, and Galaxy on the Wii all the time, and they enjoy it. Even when they fail. People say the Wii is good for allowing anyone to get into gaming, and I agree with them, but kids will get tired if there's no sense of achievement to beating a game. I'm aware this is an optional thing, but I fail to see the point of adding such a feature. The people who use it won't get anything out of it, and the people who don't use it look upon it with scorn, so what does it bring to the game?

There are other ways to make games accessible to everyone without adding in silly features that damage Nintendo's image, which is all this will do. I know, to me or you, image doesn't matter, but what happens if the people who care stop buying "Gayfag Mario" or "N00b Zelda"? No matter the quality, Nintendo is a business and they will do whatever is necessary to maximise profit.

I'm not saying that this is the end of gaming or anything like that, but if it sets a precedent for the future then I don't want to give any of my money towards that.

 

[Raregolddragon]

Someone hit the with a rater blunt and heavy object.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Ugh... you know, I always try to defend Nintendo against the people who bash them over the Wii, because they always have made the best games, and amongst all the sludge on the Wii, if you dig hard enough you'll find the brightest diamonds this gen has to offer.

But this time, I can't. This is inexcusable, Nintendo, and if it is true I will not buy this game, end of.

For fuck's sake man, it's OPTIONAL. They aren't forcing it upon you at all, and people have been making great points as to why this is a good idea and not the most retarded thing ever.

Of course you aren't going to like it, you've been playing games for probably more than a decade, and know what you're doing, while there are kids who probably haven't played a Mario game at all and are stuck on certain parts of it, without anyone to help them. Games should be entertained by everyone regardless of skill level.

While I totally agree that games should be for everyone, in fact I welcome the Wii or DS opening themselves up to the "casuals" (I know that word is irritating but I can't think of a better one) as well as the "hardcore" (sorry again for the hateful lingo) crowd, but I see kids playing NSMB on the DS, and Galaxy on the Wii all the time, and they enjoy it. Even when they fail. People say the Wii is good for allowing anyone to get into gaming, and I agree with them, but kids will get tired if there's no sense of achievement to beating a game. I'm aware this is an optional thing, but I fail to see the point of adding such a feature. The people who use it won't get anything out of it, and the people who don't use it look upon it with scorn, so what does it bring to the game?

There are other ways to make games accessible to everyone without adding in silly features that damage Nintendo's image, which is all this will do. I know, to me or you, image doesn't matter, but what happens if the people who care stop buying "Gayfag Mario" or "N00b Zelda"? No matter the quality, Nintendo is a business and they will do whatever is necessary to maximise profit.

I'm not saying that this is the end of gaming or anything like that, but if it sets a precedent for the future then I don't want to give any of my money towards that.

Points understood, however think about it this way. People have used walkthroughs throughout gaming, and I'm sure we have used at least part of one at least once in our gaming lives. Consider this to be a basic video walkthrough of a game, which in turn helps the player understand the mechanics of the game. If he is shown how to overcome a certain obstacle, he/she can do it themselves when a similar obstacle is encountered, because they have been shown how to do it.

I consider this to be no different to when my cousins (older mind you) used to ask me to help them 'wall jump' in a certain part of Shinobi, then afterwards they did it themselves after seeing how I did it. The gamers that may use this won't be stupid (not saying that you were saying so, mind) they will play the game themselves because it is more fun, and not just leave the entire game on autopilot and watch it. They can learn from it, and become better gamers themselves, or perhaps play through the game again without Digest activated, and subsequent titles of the same ilk.

EDIT: Also consider this if there is no one to help a gamer who has no clue what they are doing. I have friends that have hit dead ends in games due to their lack of skill or knowledge, and just stopped playing altogether (including the MGS series, think Psycho Mantis and The End).

 

[Kage Me]

Eh, this really doesn't seem like a bad idea, provided it doesn't actually activate upon pausing the game. It allows Nintendo to put challenging levels in the game without making it less accessible to younger gamers. If anything, it'll enable them to make a game geared towards the "hardcore" gamers while still making it accessible to the "casual" gamers.

 

[squid5580]

Who cares...? It's a option for little kids, they're not forcing anyone to use it.

Well it was 33 posts in but someone FINALLY said it.

Ahh but what is this teaching said kids? That if something is too hard get someone else to do it for you? Cuz it sure in hell ain't teaching kids what they should be learning. Stuff like taking pride in what you are doing. Or that the harder it is the more rewarding it is. Oh thats right I forgot kids are to delicate and must be kept in a bubble til they turn 18 and then throw them to the wolves. PATHETIC!!!!! God I hope I don't live long enough that I have to rely on the next generation to care for my sorry old man ass.

Sigh, gaming's primary output is entertainment and fun. Ask yourselfs when you were young when you had troubles with a certain level and gave up. Nintendo have seen this and are working on a solution, its what we call innovation.

If you don't like it fair enough, Reggie isnt there with a knife forcing you too use the option or even buy the bloody game. I love how this one simple idea that helps out the lesser skilled gamers causes such a hoo haa with the "hardcore" crowd.

Never thought i would have to use it, but people ITS A VIDEO GAME!!!

Soccer,baseball and hide & seek are just games to. Is it ok for a kid to call in an experienced player because they are losing? They too are just games afterall. Oh look JR. is up to bat. He has struck out everytime at bat this season. Oh whats this? Joe DiMaggio is coming out to the plate. There is the pitch and it is a homerun. JR. has just won the game. The crowd goes wild. Now how is that any different than this besides the fact one game you use a controller and a TV to play?

You've never heard of pinch hitting?

As a gamer I think it would be awesome. I can't tell you the amount of times I have wasted 60 bucks because I got stuck at 1 little part and the game went on the shelf to collect dust. It wouldn't feel as good as it does when I do the "impossible" and would leave me feeling the same way when I have used a cheat code. Prolly worse even since I am still at least playing.

As a parent I am disgusted and my child will never have anything like this. The whole "it is just a game" doesn't fly with me and is counterproductive to say the least. If you want respect as an industry you can't throw that back when the going gets tough. Games hold alot of value for a developing mind. Improve hand eye co ordination, problem solving and reading skills. For Nintendo the only console who seems to be focused on the younger crowd to turn around and pull this is just stupid and pointless. Why not encourage family time instead. Kid having problems? Ask you mom or dad to help you. At least then there is a chance for the kid to learn where they were going wrong because there is someone there to teach them. Not to do it for them.

You're a very uncommon parent, then. Something tells me the casual crowd this is aimed at aren't the type to force their children to sit down and play a video game until they get it right. You, on the other hand, are free to punish your child if they have the audacity to use this option. Nintendo doesn't have that authority, nor can they take the direct route and force more parents to get involved with gaming and children to spend time mastering them.

The whole debate seems to be on accessibility versus...whatever the heck the hardcore gamers are arguing. Exclusivity?

Don't get me wrong here. I won't force her to play it. She has the freedom to choose another game if she should choose. Or just not play it. To me it just speaks volumes about the way society has headed. We want everything for nothing. And we want it now. If she wants to see the end of the game she is going to work for it dammit. Even cheat codes still make you work for it. It may make it easier but it doesn't just say "here you go, enjoy".

I grew up in a different time. My parents beat my ass if I was bad. Made me do hard labor for a buck a week. Kick me out of the house for hours and taught me how to be independant. Lessons like there is no free lunches and anything worth having is worth working for. It is stuff like this that completely contradicts those lessons and that is what I find offensive.

 

[GuerrillaClock]

Points understood, however think about it this way. People have used walkthroughs throughout gaming, and I'm sure we have used at least part of one at least once in our gaming lives. Consider this to be a basic video walkthrough of a game, which in turn helps the player understand the mechanics of the game. If he is shown how to overcome a certain obstacle, he/she can do it themselves when a similar obstacle is encountered, because they have been shown how to do it.

I consider this to be no different to when my cousins (older mind you) used to ask me to help them 'wall jump' in a certain part of Shinobi, then afterwards they did it themselves after seeing how I did it. The gamers that may use this won't be stupid (not saying that you were saying so, mind) they will play the game themselves because it is more fun, and not just leave the entire game on autopilot and watch it. They can learn from it, and become better gamers themselves, or perhaps play through the game again without Digest activated, and subsequent titles of the same ilk.

EDIT: Also consider this if there is no one to help a gamer who has no clue what they are doing. I have friends that have hit dead ends in games due to their lack of skill or knowledge, and just stopped playing altogether (including the MGS series, think Psycho Mantis and The End).

I take your points, and I do see where you're coming from, but... I just don't see this feature as being the same as a walkthrough or asking a friend for help. In these two circumstances, there is still some level of interactivity with the game itself, the thing that gaming is meant to be about. I just don't see how watching a computer perfectly run through a level would encourage people to go back and try again, indeed the wording of the article suggests that it is in fact a means of bypassing individual areas entirely. Not only that, but if it ends up in the likes of Zelda and Metroid, then it could completely neuter what those games are all about.

Agree to disagree I suppose, but I just worry that one day we'll be seeing people letting the CPU race on Mario Kart online in the name of accessibility, or people switching off to bypass a tricky opponent on SSBB.

Anyway, I shall now have to lie down and recover from the shock of being quoted on a Nintendo thread and not being flamed...

 

[NeutralDrow]

Anyone who thinks the people in charge at Nintendo aren't snorting MASSIVE amounts of cocaine have now been proven wrong.

I guess this is what they meant when they said the heart monitor would tell when you've fallen asleep. Press pause, go to sleep, it wakes you up when the game is over.

I find it funny how people are accusing Nintendo of thinking people are a bunch of idiots, then turn around and think people will actually use something like this to stop playing...

 

[JediMB]

*skips past 5 pages*

Okay, there's a lot of retarded posts in here, and I'm just not going to bother with wading through all that shit.

The feature mentioned in the patent and the OP is intended as an aid in transitioning new players into more advanced games. It makes the games less frustrating to people who aren't very skilled, and lets them continue on. This will improve their overall experience with the game, and improve the chances of them wanting to play more games of that kind.

So if people weren't so busy being elitist fucktards with their heads stuck up their own asses, they'd see that this is part of a conversion process to get more people to play Nintendo games of the kind they've been known for making for the last 20-25 years. Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and all that jazz.

And we won't be seeing this feature in Mario Kart. We've already seen the tool Nintendo used to get less experienced players into that series, and it's called the Wii Wheel. Plus, no matter how unskilled you are you will still be able to get through every single track in a racing game, even if you don't finish first.

 

[RICK BO]

*palmface*

So phail it doesn't deserve a right proper facepalm.

Seriously, Who turned the game development train onto the lame track?