Editor’s note: I’ve heard a lot of debate about what the implications of Microsoft’s and Sony’s motion control initiatives might be. What I haven’t heard is a pragmatic pull down of the present situation. Tyler’s thoughtful article asks a question about motion controls that doesn’t concern the future — it’s all about the here and now. And I agree with him. With Wii being the runaway success it is, why are its two combatants so deadly focused on peripherals that play “catch up”? Why not cede this generation and wait for new interface improvements until the next go around? -James
“It’s not about reinventing the wheel, it’s about no wheel at
all,” explained legendary director and producer Steven Spielberg
at last year’s E3. Those were the words he used to describe Project Natal.
Natal, of course, is Microsoft’s bid to capture a piece of the market
Nintendo originally sought out (and succeeded in taking) back in
2006. And with Sony’s “anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better”
mentality, Microsoft isn’t embarking on this endeavor alone. At the same Expo last year, Sony introduced its own motion-control
interface, codenamed Gem. Is this the next
step in the industry? One thing is certain: the future of gaming is in
motion controls — at least for the time being.
Nintendo’s Wii has been a massive success — no way around it. The
little white engine-that-could currently adorns 50 million living
rooms. Its uncanny appeal to the “casual” gamer attributes
its success. But I’m not here to lecture you on things you’re already
aware of. The point of this article is not to question whether the
near future of video games lies in motion controls — that’s already
certain — but rather, can Microsoft and Sony find a balance in this
generation?
A balance of what? Well, the press often publicizes a schism
between two types of players — the gamer and the game consumer. But
let me ask you this: Is it reasonable to assume that something can
appeal to every
single person? Will the 50-year-old dad who enjoys a couple rounds
of bowling in Wii Sports equally enjoy a marathon session of
heart-stopping, palm-sweating action in Modern Warfare 2? Probably
not — and this indicates a fine, gray line separating grandparent from
grandchild. It begs the question: Is it possible to appeal to
both?
Perhaps, but certainly not all games are able to freely traverse
this boundary. This
is the balance I’m driving at.
Nintendo recognized this early. Instead of catering exclusively to
the gamer, the company’s decision makers broadened their focus by
employing nearly every resource toward creating experiences that are
both palpable and unprecedented. Nintendo has unlocked a whole
new demographic. Now grandparents, soccer moms, and many
baby boomers play video games.
And of course, this is where the issues begin. Many long-time
gamers feel that the folks at Nintendo have turned their backs on
them. Whether or not this is really true is a debate in and of
itself. Regardless, the accusation poses a question: Is it possible
to cater to both the dilettante and the lifer successfully? Can
“casual” and “hardcore” gamers coexist on the
same platform while maximizing that platform’s successes right now?
Clearly Microsoft and Sony believe an equilibrium can be found.
They have been hastily working to grab a piece of the pie. But that’s
strange; isn’t the Wii’s huge success directly related to its
exclusive use
of motion controls? And isn’t the success of Sony and Microsoft — in
each company’s respective markets — predicated on
near-photo-realistic graphics and awesome gameplay? Can one have the
best of both worlds and expect to be more successful or, at least, as
successful as it was before? Arguably no — at least not in this
generation. This is why I expect Natal and Gem to be flashes in the
pan.
That’s not to say console manufacturers can’t achieve such a
marriage. But Sony and Microsoft need to face the facts. They’re too
late to the party. In fact, the people at Nintendo have already left
the party and taken all the hot chicks with them. No one’s going to
go out any buy an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 solely on a count of
Natal or Gem because the people who care about that type of thing
already own a Wii.
But if these new technologies won’t ship units, which is almost
certainly what they’re designed to do economically, then what’s the
point?
Realistically, Microsoft and Sony need to continue developing
these new technologies until they can be implemented in a way that’s
both appealing to seasoned gamers and familiar to newer consumers. My
greatest fear is that Natal will seem like a cheap gimmick at worst
and a tech demo at best. If they implement it improperly, they risk
losing credibility. Right now, the Xbox 360 and PS3 are too
inscrutable for neophytes, but if they dumb their consoles down, they
will lose the veterans. The latter is a hard reality to face…these
two companies are fighting over the core user
base — and holding on for dear life.
As a last thought, some argue that the Wii will be in trouble when
Nintendo decides to launch a new console. It stands to reason that
Wii buyers aren’t the type to go out and get the latest and greatest
games. This is a valid point, but one that’s partially incorrect.
Yes, the core users of the Wii aren’t going to buy the newest games,
but that doesn’t mean they won’t want the hottest item on the market.
Just like people purchase a new TV every so often, they will purchase
a new system. The Wii’s user base is probably more likely to accept
incremental change — or more accurately, an “upgrade.” Look at
how successful Apple has been with its iPhone improvements. Sure, it
won’t be as substantial as a new console is for the hardcore gamer,
but I think Nintendo is smart enough to realize that. They are at the
table, and they know how to play poker.
What will happen next generation? It’s hard to say, but it will
certainly be interesting — and important. How the efforts of
Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony play out will define our gaming
experiences for at least five years thereafter. Will any of them find
a balance between the hardcore and casual gamers, or will they fall
flat on their faces?
In the end, it all comes down the catalyst — the Wii. What has it
really done to gaming? The answer to this question depends on the
lifecycle of this console generation, and where developers take it
from here.