Comments on Ghosts in the Game: Save Me, Play Me

pockyninja, and the nintendo fanboy have it about ...

2006-08-22T09:29:00.000-06:00

pockyninja, and the nintendo fanboy have it about right. It's more about the sense of design. Personally, I'd take my PS2 memory cards. But, if someone has already unlocked more than me, their profile winds up getting used. Only rarely can you combine personal data in-game.

But Nintendo has a better grasp on how to make sharing invisible and intuitive. You bring your controller, and you have not only something familliar to play with, but you get all you personal data on screen.

Oh, and no stupid... Please don't shut off the console, remove the save card or controller, breathe, or blink for the next 20 seconds while we save 20k of data to a flash card.

How long does it take to save? It shouldn't take any time at all.

OK, the reason that the controller is different fr...

2006-08-22T09:00:00.000-06:00

OK, the reason that the controller is different from the memory card is that you do not need to plug it in. You just walk into your friends house, whip out your controller, and start playing. You do not need to plug it in, nor does your buddy (who could be an only child) need to have a spare controller. And, thinking of SSBM/SSBB, if you set up a profile, it would be automatically loaded into the controller's user. This way, you can have multiple users in the game at the same time, and have all their progress tracked. No "now take out the card in slot B and replace it with your friends card". It's just walk up and play!

This is a brilliant idea. I wonder if this is real...

2006-08-22T01:25:00.000-06:00

This is a brilliant idea. I wonder if this is really in the works. If it is, Nintendo has truly stuck gold with their controller.

"There are rumours that the Wii-mote will contain ...

2006-08-21T22:09:00.000-06:00

"There are rumours that the Wii-mote will contain at least enough memory for a gamer profile."

The very interesting part about this, the part that gets me excited, is the idea of a portable gamer profile.
Let's not forget that the Wii is always online. This means that your Wii-mote, when used on a friend's Wii, could very well provide you with access to your own system. By visiting your friend who has a Wii, you might be able to bring along whatever information is on your system--save files, digital media, anything. And anything you do at your friend's place can then be recorded back at home. New high scores, character developements (think FFCC!), hell--even the fact that you hung out with your friend, all of these could be sent via Wii-net.

"how is the Wii remote game save idea any different than the portable memory card idea?"

A controller is a very personal thing. Every time we got together, each of my friends would bring their own, even in cases when there would be enough available. Your controller just feels right.

Good article, but...how is the Wii remote game sav...

2006-08-21T15:24:00.000-06:00

Good article, but...

how is the Wii remote game save idea any different than the portable memory card idea? Other than the fact that it is both a controller and a game save device, it has all the same advantages and limitations.

Everything you said about the Wii remote is already true with, say, a PS2 memory card (e.g. just want to trot game saves from one friend to another, not ready to buy your own system, have all your saves already when you do buy a system, etc). Except the memory card is much cheaper, and not nearly as cool.

Absolutely fantastic idea. Incremental buy in mig...

2006-08-02T03:08:00.000-06:00

Absolutely fantastic idea. Incremental buy in might also be a fantastic strategy for the consoles with bigger price points (PS3). People may have bought the PSOne or PS2 for quality, but they'll be buying the PS3 because they have an investment in the brand. Consoles should DEFINITELY be reducing the cost of initial buy-in. After all, games are like crack. The gamers will be coming back for more - you can bet on it.

Actually, I think if I have the time I'll quickly mention this on my blog!