iNiS and Q Entertainment both shared a love of music and a different view of how to interpret music into a game setting. Both companies decided the proper platform for their games was handheld devices; this could be due to the price of handhelds and music games being marketable to non-gamers. Casual games, like music games, serve as an excellent way to introduce people to games and gaming systems. Gaming companies have recently began to realize the profitability of marketing to non-gamers, Nintendo’s Wii has become the best selling console ever by following this strategy. iNis and Q’s games speak to this audience by utilizing something that is inherently human, music. Music is something that speaks to everyone; games that are based around music have the opportunity to have the same power. The games that iNiS and Q have designed seem to have this power with their audience. iNiS’s Elite Beat Agents does an excellent job of drawing the player into the beat of the song, and making them feel like they control the song, this ability to draw the player in and keep them absorbed in the game play is where music games excel.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Akihabara, arcade, Culture, Gaming, social
While gaming stores and street kiosks are popular places for people to show off their talent at playing video games, the best place is still the arcade. While the arcades are quickly dieing the in United States, they are still thriving in Japan. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune spoke about the dire situation the American arcade is facing. Young people in America just don’t seem to have an interest in social gaming anymore; this has been a long-standing problem since the introduction of home consoles. In the beginning the arcade games offered a higher quality experience; this drew people from their homes to go to the local arcade. As console began to compete and then super cede the experience offered at the arcade visitors began to dwindle. Many attribute the continued success of the Japanese arcade to the constant advancement of the machines, but the social nature of gaming in Japan is another reason. Japanese gamers don’t enjoy Online gaming as much as their American counterparts, in favor of a social experience.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/explore/chi-arcades-end-0605jun05,0,3830088.story
One of the coolest stores in Akihabara is Super Potato, it is a famous Mecca for classic Nintendo fans. If you are looking to buy a Super Famicon new in box, this is the place to go. Stores like this and arcades show how important gaming is to the culture of Japan. This was not a store full of tourists wanting to buy exclusive or classic Nintendo gear, but a place to fulfill everyone’s nostalgic love of Nintendo. Super Potato is filled with classic games, systems and merchandise it really is the perfect visit for anyone that has any interest in classic gaming. It was very interesting to see the Japanese equivalent of some of my favorite systems, such as the Famicon and Super Famicon. It was even more interesting to watch locals play some of my favorite games in the store, it appeared the store had also become a place to show off one’s gaming prowess with the classics. This is one of multiple places were people congregate to show their skill and accept challenges.
