Monthly Archives: July 2016

NES Classic Edition and Emulation Discussion

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Nintendo announced the “NES Classic Edition”, which is a miniature NES, that has an HDMI port, and controllers based on the original designs. It also comes pre-installed with 30 classic NES games, some of which are absolute favorites of mine: Metroid, Final Fantasy, Super Mario Bros. 1-3, Star Tropics, Zelda, Zelda II, and the list goes on for a bit. However, while I do want one [and will have one], I don’t really think it addresses the real issue at hand here. And what is that issue? Let’s talk about emulators and emulation. Emualation is a bad word for some people, a foul, odious word. Only thieves and awful human beings emulate, right? For those of you who aren’t privy, emulators are programs that play downloaded versions of video games. Typically NES, SNES, GBA, Sega, all the way up through PlayStation 1 and 2. In almost every instance of these games, the person does not own the game, or sometimes even the console its on. It’s not making Nintendo any money.

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So what did Nintendo do? They released a miniature, portable machine with a bunch of ROMs [the games in question] so that players can have those retro games for a decent price. I think it’s a great idea, and that it’s a step in the right direction, but it’s not really addressing the issue of Emulation. The idea behind emulating on a PC is that you can have all the games you want at your fingertips. No worrying about buying a portable like the Vita or PSP or DS [though there have been homebrews for those to play emulated games. . .] and instead you can play them whenever and wherever. Nowadays people can play Pokémon, EarthBound, or a host of other games on their cell phones with the greatest of ease. But it’s not really portable, now is it? You still need something with an HDMI port. What Nintendo ought to do is release something similar, maybe designed like a GBA with the ability to download/purchase Nintendo games? Just a thought, anyway. At least that way, they still make money, and while of course people will still emulate, they will wind up making something out of it. Their idea is really good, and I like what they’re putting out, but I don’t know if it’s enough. Will we get more titles? Or different ‘versions’ to purchase? Or is this a matter of “too little too late”? I love the NES classic again, but ultimately I don’t think they’re addressing the issue of Emulation in quite the right manner.

What do you think? Will you get one? Do you think it’s dumb? Let me know below!

OnRPG’s Kicktracker Report #18 – July 2016

OnRPG’s Kicktracker Report returns for July 2016. Get the latest overview on our favorite picks on Kickstarter and keep up to date on major news from previously crowdsourced games with your host, Mikedot.

KINETIK (Unsuccesful campaign)
http://www.onrpg.com/games/kinetik/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heromachinestudios/kinetik-a-tactical-rpg-shooter

Greedy Guns (Successful campaign)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/339204957/greedy-guns-a-metroidvania-inspired-by-metal-slug

Fable Fortune (Canceled campaign; Secured additional funding)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flamingfowl/fable-fortune-a-fable-ccg-with-co-op-pvp-and-quest

Xydonia
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/breakingbytesgames/xydonia-action-packed-japanese-inspired-retro-shmu

Wizard of Legend
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/contingent99/wizard-of-legend

Prey for the Gods
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/802508750/prey-for-the-gods

OnRPG’s team believes strongly that the only true innovation in online gaming is set to come from the wild wildness of indie game developers. Do your part to support a project you truly believe has potential to make that change happen!

Pokémon Go: The WoW Killer

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Virtually every MMO I’ve reviewed, the question invariably comes up, “Is this the WoW killer? Will this be the one?” and everytime I tell those people that they are idiots, because you just can’t kill an MMO with another MMO. It might draw some of their numbers away, but to kill it? No way. Not with their numbers and experience in the field. However, I have to retract that statement. I have found the WoW killer, and the numbers don’t lie. Pokémon Go, yes, the mobile game where you catch Pokémon and capture gyms, is the WoW killer. For years, Pokémon has captured our hearts, and the idea of getting into the world and really being a Pokémon Master has been all but a fantasy. Now it’s reality. Let’s look at this with a logical lens:

  • Over 20 million people playing it. Right now. Every corner of the world is catching Pokémon!
  • It’s mobile: Come on, you play it on the go. And we’re a society where we’re always out and about. No matter where you are in the world, Pokémon is there for you.
  • In less than a week I believe it’s grossed 14 million bucks? For a “free” game.

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World of Warcraft’s numbers have gone down over the years with a variety of poor decisions, like the entire Pandaren expansion. Pokémon Go has at most the first 151 available and there are still a pile of generations to go. New gyms to add, features that aren’t in the game yet. If people are willing to spend money on a game that only has a trifle of features, let’s be honest with ourselves: Pokémon Go within a few months is going to bury every MMO on the market. And they’re just getting started. Can WoW get people exercising, socializing outside and in general, make the world a better place? Not on your life. It creates bitter, angry people that bitch about not standing in fire. Even Pokémon battles so far have been peaceful affairs. Crimes are being solved faster, people are happier! Weight loss, adventures, new friendships; how can another company compete with that?

This is [mostly] a work of satire.