"Anouma took a break from crafting his next Zelda adventure (still top secret) to look back at the game that shaped his career." - Nintendo Power interview
That's a piece of the interview from the latest Nintendo Power.
Retailer Sets Sights to Become Most Convenient Destination for Hottest Video Titles, Prepaid Game Cards
DALLAS—(BUSINESS WIRE)— Gamers never die; they just grow up … and continue to play … and play … and play. Today, the average gamer is not in his teens, but in his early 30s and, not surprisingly, most likely male. They play at home, at social gatherings, at work (shhhh) and online.
That’s good news for 7-Eleven, Inc. whose customer base skews heavily male between the ages of 18 and 34. The world’s leading convenience retailer is ready to take the proverbial plunge into video game sales after dabbling in it over the past years with successful Slurpee® beverage promotions aimed at top-selling game franchises like Microsoft’s Halo and EA Sport’s Madden.
This month, participating 7-Eleven® stores introduce a line-up of seven of the top video game titles for sale as well as one of the most comprehensive selection of prepaid gift cards for another growing gaming phenomenon – Massively Multi-player Online Games, or MMOGs.
“Video games aren’t just for kids anymore, and they’re not just sold at big box and game stores either,” said Michael Jester, 7-Eleven category manager for gaming and electronics. “We can compete with the major players and offer consumers a more convenient place to purchase games and accessories. They can pay a deposit and reserve their copies ahead of time and pick them up starting midnight (12 am) on the release date at locations closer to their homes.”
The video game industry is a $12 billion business and growing. A recent survey by the Entertainment Software Association found that 65 percent of American households play computer and video games, with 41 percent of Americans expecting to purchase one or more games this year. Of the top-selling games, 85 percent are rated E for “Everyone” and T for “Teen.”
“AAA” VIDEO GAMES
“AAA” games, as they’re called in the industry, are the top-selling, most anticipated games, often sequels with proven appeal to both serious and casual player alike. Suggested retail prices are $59.99 for Xbox 360 and PS3 games, $49.99 for Nintendo Wii, and $39.99 for PS2.
Predicted to be the hottest sellers this holiday season, these game titles are available at 7-Eleven stores while supplies last:
* Guitar Hero: World Tour-Band Kit (Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii) * Fallout 3 (Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PS3, personal computer or PC) * World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (MMOG available on PC only) * 007: Quantum of Solace (Xbox 360, PS3 and PS2) * Gears of War 2 (exclusive to Xbox 360) * WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 (Xbox 360, Sony PS3 and PS 2) * Call of Duty: World at War (Xbox 360, PS3)
“This is not just a holiday promotion for us,” Jester said, “but a brand new product line-up that will be available year-round. We may not be a total entertainment destination … yet, but we’re hoping to expand our selection beyond the high-dollar, hot- selling games to include options for all budgets, like value-priced video games as well as DVD movies. For consumers wanting convenient one-stop shopping for at-home entertainment along with groceries and gas or who just want to avoid big-store shopping inconveniences, their local 7-Eleven store is open and ready.”
PREPAID MMOG GIFT CARDS
Displayed right next door to the console games is a broad selection of online game gift cards to make virtual purchases in MMOGs or pay for your monthly subscription. Played on the Internet, these online games feature at least one virtual world and enable players from around the world to communicate, cooperate and compete with each other.
“MMOGs got their start in Asia, but have gained a worldwide audience of millions,” said Brian Haynes, 7-Eleven category manager for services. “In November of 2007, 7-Eleven was the first convenience retailer in the U.S. to introduce the Nexon gift card, its first foray into the world of MMOGs.”
This year, the number of prepaid game cards available at participating 7-Eleven stores has expanded to approximately 20 different cards in varying denominations. So popular have these prepaid game cards become that 7-Eleven is placing a major focus on this growing segment of the prepaid business this year next.
While most games are free to play, players can use microtransactions, an innovative cash-shop system that allows payments of little as a quarter for a virtual item, to make purchases to individualize their characters and create unique identities. These features are purely optional, and players can try out items in virtual dressing rooms before making a purchase. They can also spend cyber-dollars to unlock clues and levels of the different games.
Most top-selling video games have action- or battle-oriented objectives popular with male players. Many of the online MMOGs, however, are classified as “casual,” “role-playing” or “experiential” and attract a higher percentage of female players.
The 7-Eleven prepaid game card line-up includes Nexon, Habbo, Gaia, Guild Wars, gPotato, Runescape, Aeria, City of Heroes, Exteel, ijji, IMVU, Neopets and Sims2 prepaid game cards. Sold primarily in denominations of $10 and $25, many of the cards can be used to make purchases within multiple online games. 7-Eleven and Slurpee have a presence in some games where players can receive a FREE Slurpee Machine to place in their virtual room.
Along with the prepaid MMOG cards, 7-Eleven offers prepaid gift cards for the two biggest game platforms – Sony PlayStation Network and Microsoft Xbox Live. Players can use the Xbox and PlayStation gift cards to download new games, and game content and access playable demos of upcoming releases.
“We think video games will be a great year-round seller for us,” Jester said. “Whenever a big-name game is released, it creates instant demand, and we plan on being there to meet it.”
"Mr. Young (Ziff Davis CEO Jason Young) said the company was considering taking its other print magazine, the video-game publication Electronic Gaming Monthly, into an online-only format, but would not make a decision before the end of the year." - New York Times
Interesting. I'd hope they keep both, but I don't see it.
Luminous Arc 2 is now available in stores across North America! This epic strategy RPG is loaded to the brim with content, including a wealth of new characters (and the return of a few favorites), beautiful hand drawn graphics, a stunning score from famed composer Yasunori Mitsuda‘s Procyon Studio, local and online multiplayer support, multiple endings, a redesigned user interface, and tons of other new features. More engaging, more challenging, more attractive, and more satisfying, Luminous Arc 2 is the definitive strategy RPG for Nintendo DS owners this holiday season.
New to Luminous Arc 2 is the innovative Engagement System, one of the most jarring changes series veterans will see in the game. (It’s hard not to notice pictures of the Witches in their wedding outfits when Roland chooses to Engage with them.) The system is unique in that it offers Roland a variety of strategic possibilities so long as he keeps the Witches alive. Since the player will gain access to all the skills that a Witch has as well as stat boosts that vary per Witch for three turns, there are a lot of strategies one can build just focusing on Roland’s Engagement.
In addition, the player will also have to decide who to include for a balanced party. Do they decide to field a party of all Witches? Or do they rely on some of the non-magic using members of the party to dish out some damage? It will be interesting to see which strategies end up proving superior in the myriads of online battles that are soon to come…
Don’t forget: every copy of Luminous Arc 2 is bundled with a soundtrack CD featuring selected music from the game in a special oversized box, a rarity for Nintendo DS titles. Snag a copy, battle online, and show other players around the country who the master strategist is!
Okay, I hadn't posted this earlier this week, because it was just a rumor. But yes, Nintendo has officially confirmed that they will open a Portugal Office on March 1st, 2009!
"Nintendo had a long and beneficial relationship with Concentra, which did an excelent job in marketing and distibuting our products in Portugal since 1991. However, following Nintendo's expansion in the Spanish market the last few years, we decided it's the right time to strengthen our commitment to sales in the Portuguese market, so now it makes sense for Nintendo to have a direct intervention in Portugal."
"Opening a delegation in Portugal shows our commitment to this market right now and for the future." adds Luciano Pereira, Nintendo of Spain's director."We already have a strong position in the Portuguese market thanks to Concentra's hard work the last 17 years and now we're ready to build on that and turn Portugal into one of main growth markets." - Laurent Fisher, Nintendo of Europe's PR and marketing director
"Concentra is one of the oldest Nintendo partners in Europe and we feel honored to have contributed to the brand's growth in Portugal the last two decades. In the following months we'll work hard with Nintendo to guarantee a smooth transition in distributing their products in Portugal. We wish Nintendo and its new Portuguese team success in the future." - Pedro Feist, President of Concentra
I'm sure all our Portuguese readers will be overjoyed at this, since it looks like products will be reaching Portugal faster. Lets wait and see how this goes.
Activision is excited to make Guitar Hero® a lead sponsor of YouTube Live, YouTube’s first ever official live community celebration. A surprise real-live guitar legend will perform on stage alongside Guitar Hero expert and YouTube star Freddie Wong. Guitar Hero® World Tour kiosks will also be available throughout the event.
The in-person audience of thousands will experience some of YouTube’s renowned musicians, bedroom vloggers, side-splitting comedians and world-class athletes at Herbst Pavillion in Fort Mason on November 22. The more than 50 YouTube and real-world stars scheduled to appear on Youtube Live have a combined 2.5 billion video views on YouTube. Artists scheduled to perform are Katy Perry, Akon, William.I.Am, Soul Ja Boy Tell’ Em, Esmee Denters, Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters, Bo Burnham and Mc Hammer and many more.
For more information, visit http://youtube.com/live. At the same URL, fans can sign up for a chance to win tickets. The event will be streamed live on YouTube starting around 5pm (PST) on November 22nd via http://youtube.com/live.
Looks like those "exclusive DS Lites" we reported that Sears would be getting aren't so exclusive. Ah well. Click on the scan below for the rest (in our photo album):
First-Ever Lifestyle Game for Both Boys and Girls Allows Kids to Have Fun, Stay Organized
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – November 19, 2008 – TOMY Corporation today announced that My DoItAll is currently in development exclusively for Nintendo DS™. The first-ever lifestyle game for both boys and girls, My DoItAll is an all-in-one title that gives players the ability to have fun and interact with friends through customization capabilities, mini-games and voice over and sound effect applications. Players can also stay organized and up-to-date with a calendar and reference tools.
My DoItAll provides gamers a unique way to socially interact with friends and have fun, while staying organized on their DS handheld system. Players start off by customizing their very own avatar with a personal look and style, followed by creating a privacy protected Friend Card that includes basic details such as contact information, likes/dislikes, and personal data. From there, My DoItAll becomes a treasure chest of applications for the player to explore. Taking full advantage of the Nintendo DS capabilities, the game also allows players to connect wirelessly with up to six friends to participate in questionnaires, plan social activities, and play mini-games. As an added bonus, My DoItAll features a voice changer that records with the microphone, as well as a sound effects machine comprised of over 25 sounds. To complete the all-in-one package, players can also manage their schedules, keep a journal, and utilize reference tools such as a calculator and world map in order to become the ultimate whiz-kid.
My DoItAll is rated “E” for Everyone and will be available on Nintendo DS in February 2009 for an MSRP of $29.99. For more information, please visit www.TOMY-USA.com/videogames.
Key the Ignition, Rev Up, and Launch into the Most Exciting Racer on Nintendo DS
IRVINE, Calif. - November 19, 2008 Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it has secured the North American publishing rights for TrackMania®DS, the most heart-pounding stunt-filled racing game ever to burn rubber on Nintendo DS™. Master over 100 high-flying courses, use the powerful track design system to make your own stages, and then challenge friends to race your twisting, winding creations. Feel your pulse quicken as you thrust into a loop. Brace yourself as you fly off a ramp to the heavens. The thrills never cease, the possibilities are endless. Dream it, design it… Drive it!
TrackMania DS is scheduled for release on March 17, 2009, with an MSRP of $29.99.
For more information about TrackMania DS, visit the official website.
EDISON, N.J., November 19, 2008 - Food lover and culinary cutie Cooking Mama is a virtual chef who believes that good home cooked food, properly prepared from the best ingredients, can bring people together around the table and make the world a happier place. That's why Mama is taking a stand with oven mitts raised high against the latest PETA objection targeting her freshly released videogame, Cooking Mama World Kitchen, that shipped this week for Wii™ from Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL). Mama wants people to know that World Kitchen includes 51 recipes from around the world, ranging from vegetarian fare like miso soup and rice cakes to international delicacies like ginger pork and octopus dumplings.
"I would never put rat in my Ratatouille," said a feisty Mama while beating some eggs. "Like any accomplished cook, I create my recipes to appeal to a broad range of tastes and preferences. My only goal is to ensure you leave the table well fed."
Cooking Mama World Kitchen includes more than 25 vegetarian-friendly recipes including delicious breakfast, dinner, dessert and snack options. And, while Mama is not a vegetarian, she fully supports the humane treatment of animals, particularly for her canine protégé Max who makes his doggie debut in World Kitchen.
Sturdy Bright Saber Light Sword Allows Star Wars Fans Opportunity to Defend the Galaxy Without Relying on External Batteries or Power Source
Fremont, California, (November, 2008) – Jedi™ power just got a lot more lethal with the announcement of Penguin United’s new “Bright” Saber Dual Pack available just in time for the holidays. Penguin’s Bright Saber light sword draws its power straight from the Wii remote instead of any external power source as gamers fight their foes while saving money on batteries.
The Bright Saber is made from light weight, highly durable, round surface plastic. The dual pack comes with two light swords, one blue and one red that are built with safety in mind. The Bright Saber is also equipped with an easy locking mechanism and has a suggested retail price of only $19.99 in most galaxies.
Richard Huang, Penguin’s President and resident Jedi Master, prophesied: “The Bright Sabers will help any intergalactic combatants defeat their foe. They’ll also save them from having to constantly buy new batteries as they save the universe from the Dark Side. They also look really cool, too, and the durable plastic will live longer than Yoda™.”
The Bright Saber Dual Pack for Nintendo Wii is one of many peripherals the company has launched to a Nation weary of overpriced and under performing accessories.
