Shawn Layden, the former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, has defended the importance of exclusive games in a context where they are becoming increasingly rare. In a recent appearance on the podcast Pause for Thought, Layden pointed out that while not all games need to be exclusive to a console, the existence of unique titles adds significant value to the platform brands, such as PlayStation and Nintendo. VIG: Very Important Games Layden emphasized that multiplatform games are often “programmed for the lowest common denominator,” which can negatively impact the quality of the […]
Shawn Layden, the former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, has defended the importance of exclusive games in a context where they are becoming increasingly rare. In a recent appearance on the podcast Pause for Thought, Layden noted that while not all games need to be exclusive to a console, the existence of unique titles adds significant value to the platform brands, such as PlayStation and Nintendo.
VIG: Very Important Games
Layden emphasized that cross-platform games are often “programmed for the lowest common denominator”, which can negatively impact the quality of the final product. According to him, exclusive games allow developers to “maximize quality” by fully leveraging the technical capabilities of a console. However, he also acknowledged that the future may see the coexistence of exclusive titles and massive multiplayer games, which will likely be cross-platform to attract a wider audience.
Currently, Xbox has begun porting almost all of its exclusives to other consoles, while PlayStation has started sharing some of its games, such as Helldivers 2 and Lego Horizon Adventures, with Microsoft and Nintendo. Despite this trend, Layden pointed out that Nintendo has shown no interest in opening its intellectual property to other platforms, which contrasts with the recent policies of PlayStation and Xbox.
Layden concluded that although the trend of exclusive titles seems to be diminishing, there will still be space for some unique games in the future, especially those looking to make the most of the player experience. His analysis resonates at a time when the industry is reevaluating how games can be distributed and played across multiple platforms.
Super Mario ha alcanzado un hito significativo al cumplir 40 años desde su lanzamiento en 1981. A lo largo de estas cuatro décadas, este icónico personaje ha dominado múltiples franquicias, desde carreras en Mario Kart hasta aventuras intergalácticas con Super Mario Galaxy, e incluso ha dado el salto al cine con el reciente lanzamiento de … Continue reading “”
Super Mario has reached a significant milestone by turning 40 years old since its launch in 1981. Throughout these four decades, this iconic character has dominated multiple franchises, from racing in Mario Kart to intergalactic adventures with Super Mario Galaxy, and even made the leap to film with the recent release of Super Mario Bros.: The Movie. Despite his long history, Nintendo assures that its protagonist will not only remain relevant in the market but aims for Mario to celebrate his centenary in 2085.
Un personaje cuyo propósito es la diversión
In a recent book from the Nintendo Museum, key figures from the company, such as Takashi Tezuka, an executive at Nintendo, emphasize the importance of the constant evolution of the franchise. “One might think it would be a miracle if Mario is still here after 100 years,” notes Tezuka, who adds that the key lies in maintaining fun: “If it’s not fun, you’ll get bored.” This approach highlights Nintendo’s commitment to innovate and adapt to new forms of entertainment without losing the essence of the game, which has always been running and jumping.
Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of the character, also supports this perspective. Commenting on the future of the franchise, he indicates that Super Mario will continue to incorporate digital technologies and expand into new fields, including movies, while always maintaining the interactive aspect. “I believe Mario will be with us for a long time,” Miyamoto assures, reaffirming that the essence of the character will be key to the enjoyment of new generations of players.
Además, los videojuegos de Mario han logrado unir a diferentes generaciones, permitiendo que tanto padres como hijos disfruten de las aventuras del famoso fontanero. Nintendo es optimista sobre el futuro de Mario, prometiendo que continuarán creando juegos que ofrezcan diversión y adaptabilidad a medida que evolucionen las tecnologías y los gustos del público.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., a milestone that has left an indelible mark on the history of video games. Among the various installments of the saga, Super Mario 64 stands out for having revolutionized the 3D platforming genre, and its legacy persists in the community, where many players continue to seek secrets and curiosities of the game. Discoveries arise from experimentation Recently, content creator Kaze Emanuar made a fascinating discovery. By leaving the game on for 14 months, he managed to activate a glitch that allows players to hear a hidden sound effect […]
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., a milestone that has left an indelible mark on the history of video games. Among the various installments of the saga, Super Mario 64 stands out for having revolutionized the 3D platforming genre, and its legacy persists in the community, where many players continue to seek secrets and curiosities of the game.
Discoveries arise from experimentation
Recently, content creator Kaze Emanuar made a fascinating discovery. By leaving the game on for 14 months, he managed to activate a glitch that allows players to hear a hidden sound effect associated with the shark known as ‘Sushi’, present in the Great Pier level. This sound, which normally repeats at regular intervals, becomes accessible due to a hidden counter in the game’s system, which, when exceeding certain limits, causes unexpected changes in its behavior.
These secret counters, which do not reset after certain events occur, lead to particular situations, such as the case of the ‘Sushi’ sharks that emit a sound every 16 frames, but whose audio files are longer than what the player can hear in a normal game. Due to the bug generated by the prolonged wait, the shark is freed from the repetition of its sound, thus allowing for its complete listening.
It is important to note that the findings of Emanuar and other creators do not criticize Nintendo’s original programming, but rather expand the understanding of a title that continues to enchant new generations. Although this type of experience may seem like a whim, they reveal the rich complexity and mysteries that still surround Super Mario 64. Fans continue to explore every corner of this classic, reaffirming its legendary status in the world of video games.
Hollywood has begun to look towards video games as a source of inspiration for its upcoming major film productions, and one title that stands out is Call of Duty. The iconic franchise, which has sold over 500 million units and generated approximately 30 billion dollars in profits for Activision, has become an undeniable draw for film studios. It is rare that it took them so many years to make it. Recently, Paramount Pictures signed a deal with Activision to develop a live-action film based on Call of Duty, as well as potential television series. […]
Hollywood has begun to look towards video games as a source of inspiration for its upcoming major film productions, and one title that stands out is Call of Duty. The iconic franchise, which has sold over 500 million units and generated approximately 30 billion dollars in profits for Activision, has become an undeniable attraction for film studios.
It’s rare that it took them so many years to make it
Recently, Paramount Pictures signed an agreement with Activision to develop a live-action film based on Call of Duty, as well as potential television series. This move not only reflects Hollywood’s growing interest in video games, but also underscores the opportunity represented by a franchise with a player base that exceeds 600,000 daily online users.
Over the years, the Call of Duty series has evolved since its initial release in 2003, covering various themes, from historical realism to zombie narratives. The appeal of the franchise lies in its ability to connect with different audiences, making it ideal for a film adaptation. This agreement comes in a context where there are around 30 video game adaptation projects in development in Hollywood, including titles like The Legend of Zelda and a version of Elden Ring directed by Alex Garland.
After years of being considered the ugly duckling of cinema, video games are beginning to receive more serious treatment from the film industry. The recent acceptance of successful adaptations, such as those of Sonic and Super Mario, has cemented the idea that video game stories can be translated to the big screen in a coherent and entertaining way. With the growing demand for new narratives and the potential represented by video game franchises, Hollywood is clearly looking for its next big bet.
The emblematic Mario, whose first appearance dates back more than 40 years in the Donkey Kong arcade machine, has transcended his role as a mere mascot of Nintendo to become the most recognizable face of the video game industry. Initially known as JumpMan, ‘Ossan’ or Mr. Video, the plumber acquired his famous name in honor of the landlord of the Nintendo of America offices in New York. A pun with a lot of history March 10, known as Mario Day, is celebrated in tribute to this iconic character. This event, which derives from a […]
The iconic Mario, whose first appearance dates back more than 40 years in the Donkey Kong arcade machine, has transcended his role as a mere mascot for Nintendo to become the most recognizable face of the video game industry. Initially known as JumpMan, ‘Ossan’ or Mr. Video, the plumber acquired his famous name in honor of the landlord of the Nintendo of America offices in New York.
A word game with a lot of history
March 10, known as Mario Day, is celebrated in honor of this iconic character. This event, which is derived from a play on words with the date (Mar. 10), was officially adopted by Nintendo in 2016, and since then has served as a platform for promotions and special activities. The fan community, which has kept the tradition alive, has declined its influence over the years, creating a cultural phenomenon around the character.
Since 2017, Nintendo has started to implement a series of activities that have evolved, from events in the eShop to notable collaborations like the LEGO Super Mario line, introduced in 2020. This year, the promotion “Your game continues with Mario and his friends!” will offer discounts on various Mario video games, including the recent Princess Peach: Showtime! and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, in an effort to celebrate his legacy.
The future of Mario looks bright, with a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2, where significant announcements about the Switch 2 and other projects are expected. Additionally, a new animated movie is anticipated that could bring the plumber back to the big screens once again. Without a doubt, Mario continues to be a pillar of digital entertainment, reminding us of the timeless influence he has had since his creation. Happy Mario Day to all fans!
Not so long ago, every movie released in theaters had its corresponding video game. It didn’t matter if it was Catwoman or The Lord of the Rings, nor if the games somehow followed the movie’s plot or completely made it up. They were just another piece of merchandising. The Goonies? Video game. Spider-Man 2? Video game. Fight Club? The Godfather? E.T.? You know it. However, recently, it’s rare for a movie to decide to accompany its release with a more or less mediocre game. And the reason, believe it or not, is technological advancement. […]
Not so long ago, every movie released in theaters had its corresponding video game. It didn’t matter if it was Catwoman or The Lord of the Rings, nor if the games somehow followed the movie’s plot or completely invented it. They were just another piece of merchandising. The Goonies? Video game. Spider-Man 2? Video game. Fight Club? The Godfather? E.T? You know. However, recently, it’s rare for a movie to decide to accompany its release with a more or less mediocre game. And the reason, believe it or not, is technological advancement.
In 1982, Raiders of the Lost Ark achieved a record: being the first video game in history to license a movie. However, before it, there were already several examples of the industry’s eagerness. For example, in 1976, Death Race was very loosely based on Death Race 2000, opening the door to adaptations. After all, anything was possible at Atari. An Alien game that was actually a rip-off of Pac-Man? Of course. And The Empire Strikes Back? It was only a matter of time!
However, we all know what happened with E.T: the game symbolizes the decline of video games (although it was neither the worst nor the only example) in the early 80s, and marked a before and after, as if it were a cautionary tale. Beware, everyone, of movies, because if you don’t play your cards right, they can sink you. However, in 1983, the craziest versions were still appearing.
Porky’s, Dark Crystal, Halloween, Rocky, and even The Texas Chainsaw Massacre had their versions that ended up in the hands of players who were already anticipating the arrival of NES and Sega Genesis. And that’s where the madness began: everything could be a video game, from Back to the Future to Rambo: First Blood, including Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and Top Gun. So, where did it all go wrong?
This smells rotten
Over the years, games based on movies (with honorable exceptions like 007: Goldeneye or Spider-Man) have rightfully earned the label of “shoddy.” They were made in a rush to satisfy fans’ cravings, and often consisted of repetitive screens, subpar graphics, and a storyline that had nothing to do with the movie itself.
There are thousands of examples: versions of Underworld, Van Helsing, or Bad Boys, versions of Mission Impossible without Tom Cruise’s face (due to lack of rights), adaptations of Elf (for some reason), or fighting games with Shrek. Everything goes, at a certain point, to which we must add the TV franchises: The Simpsons, SpongeBob, etc. And of course, the quality suffered because, deep down, the developers knew very well that they didn’t have to spend a lot of money if they wanted to recover their investment in a Nintendo DS game of the Hannah Montana movie. And, unintentionally, they started to saturate the market.
By the time they tried to fix it, it was already too late, and the versions of Chicken Little, Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer, or even Madagascar 2, caused the system to wobble: it was increasingly necessary to invest more time and resources in making these games, and very few (very, very few) times did they yield profits. It might still have been worth it on consoles like the Nintendo DS, where a tiny team could bring to light a more or less playable and easy-to-monetize title, but it wasn’t worth putting a hundred people to work on the PS3 to make the version of Megamind and Surf’s Up.
In the mid-2000s, anyone who called themselves a “gamer” wouldn’t buy games based on movies, because they were aimed at a very specific target: children. Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks made versions of practically all their titles, from Up to Flushed Away, until even these stopped being profitable. The competition was high, cinema was no longer the main entertainment and, with the possibility of playing games on Facebook or directly in Flash, it wasn’t worth dusting off the PS4.
What now?
In 2024, not a single game based on a movie has been released. In 2023, only Robocop: Rogue City, Puppet Master, Avatar, and SD Shin Kamen Rider Rumble have reached the public, and the previous year wasn’t much better. The loss of AA games, combined with a much less naive audience, a greater entertainment offering, and the fact that cinema has lost its leadership to the video game industry, make no one want to take risks anymore. Why play the Space Jam: A New Legacy game if there are all kinds of basketball games on the market? What does it offer?
It’s not that cinema has abandoned video games, of course: they are simply now DLC for games like Fortnite. There’s no need to create a story, nor to think about how it might damage the brand, nor to have a hundred people making a game because right now, a very high graphic level is needed, and no one would pay attention to something more amateur. It’s much easier to put your intellectual property as a downloadable character in Fall Guys, so the public doesn’t forget its existence and you can take a break.
Are games based on movies still being released? Yes, of course, but they are usually a passion project, like Alien Isolation, which don’t have the pressure to be released as soon as possible to fit into the release schedule. They are another chapter of the saga, not an adaptation. And deep down it’s a bit of a shame that movies like Barbie or Wild Robot haven’t had their pixel version, because they could be very imaginative and fun (although experience tells us they would be simple platforms without much to explore).
At its core, the lack of movie adaptations is yet another symptom of a disease affecting the entire video game industry, one that indicates you need to constantly copy your neighbor to ensure success, that demands minimal risk, that requires all games to be million-dollar AAA titles, without allowing games with fewer resources, where novice programmers can gain experience and perhaps showcase surprising new ideas, to come to light.
Nobody is saying that we have to keep playing infamous games like Catwoman, The Wizard of Oz, or Home Alone (have you seen its version for PS2? I recommend it for a day when you want to open an unknown door to a black hole), but beyond marketing, these games provided variety in the library of consoles increasingly in need of games. However, it is not understood that no one can expect everything released to be an expensive blockbuster. Sometimes, we simply need a Spider-Man 2. And that has been denied to us.
Is it a work by Homer? Perhaps Plutarch? Nothing could be further from the truth: it’s the fanfic by Aura Channeler Chris, the author of ‘The Subspace Emissary’s Worlds Conquest’. Quite something, isn’t it?
“It had been a long battle for survival, but he had managed to prevent the idiots from defeating him once and for all.” That’s how one of the longest novels in human history begins. Is it a work by Homer? Plutarch, perhaps? Nothing could be further from the truth: it is the fanfic by Aura Channeler Chris, the author of ‘The Subspace Emissary’s Worlds Conquest’. Quite something.
Between 1913 and 1927, after 18 years of work, Marcel Proust completed his ‘In Search of Lost Time’, an epic of one and a half million words divided into seven parts that is not only an undeniable masterpiece, but also the longest work published on paper in history (hence the famous author’s madeleine, by the way). But it pales, and in a big way, compared to Chris’ colossal work based on ‘Super Smash Bros Brawl’.
221 chapters with a total of 4,102,328 words that were published from 2008 to 2018, when the author left the story unfinished with aliens entering Palutena’s world, from ‘Kid Icarus’. And before you ask: yes, there are people who have read it all… even though Chris started it with the sole intention of improving his English.
The plot couldn’t be simpler, basically: Lucario (from Pokémon) and the character that the author already created in another fanfic, ‘The Aura Bond’, are jumping between different Nintendo worlds trying to stop their disappearance. However, since 2018 it has been surpassed by others like ‘Ambience: A Fleet Symphony’, based on the video game ‘KanColle’, which reached 4,555,264 words and, especially, by ‘The loud house: Revamped’.
This is a fanfic updated daily (daily!) since 2017 and based on the Disney series ‘Una casa de locos’ in which its own author meets the characters and goes on adventures with them. Do you want to read it? It already has 16,777,215 words in an absolute madness divided into 2217 episodes. In its latest episode, it already has characters like Goku, Vegeta, the Winx, the original ‘Dragons and Dungeons’ group, and even Steven Universe. Only for the bravest.
The anniversary edition of a cult game that once caused a sensation has been announced, promising many changes and new content.
Whenever an old game is re-edited, it’s good news. Preserving video games is something we shouldn’t take for granted, especially when the industry doesn’t always have its best interests in mind. But it’s particularly exciting when it also brings something new. Not a remake or a remaster, but the classic game with new content that sheds light on the game itself. Like the extras in movies when they come out in physical editions, something we rarely see in video games. Because that’s what Braid Anniversary Edition offers us.
Originally released in 2008 by Jonathan Blow, Braid is a puzzle platformer that allows us to manipulate time in unusual ways to rescue a princess who has been kidnapped. A deconstruction of classic fantasy stories, in addition to Super Mario itself, it was exceptionally well-received at the time, considered one of the first great indie games in history.
Now the game is set to receive a new version from Thekla. Called Braid Anniversary Edition, this edition of the game aims to offer a version as close to the original as possible while adding substantial enhancements. Among the promised features are improved sound, redrawn graphics, animations with extra frames, and the ability to switch between the old and new versions with the press of a single button. However, what has drawn the most attention is a 15-hour audio track where the game’s director, Jonathan Blow, along with various experts, discusses the game’s design and how it was developed.
Braid Anniversary Edition promises to be the best way to experience Braid today, but we still have to wait a bit to enjoy it. The game will be released on April 30, 2024, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PC, iOS, and Android, via Netflix. A golden opportunity to discover or rediscover a video game classic.
It has always been a priority for you to spread joy, and I am sure you will be a great Mario Ambassador
When Mario was born in ‘Donkey Kong’ as a replacement for Popeye, for whom Shigeru Miyamoto couldn’t get the rights, he didn’t expect that 42 years later he would have to define what a “Mario ambassador” is, so that the former dubbing voice of that character knows exactly what he’s going to do from now on. For now, and from what we’ve seen, it’s all about traveling around the world and telling anecdotes. What else is there to do? Ya-hoo!
In a video that Nintendo showed on Twitter, we see Miyamoto and Charles Martinet hand in hand talking about their friendship. For example, we have learned that the dubber called his creator “Papa” with the mythical voice of the Italian plumber and that he once hit his head when entering a restaurant in Kyoto because he was almost two meters tall. If you play basketball, take a good look at the edges of the doors when traveling to Japan.
Now that we all know that another voice will appear in ‘Super Mario Bros Wonder‘ (probably from an impersonator, we are not yet ready to see Mario with a different accent from so many years) Martinet has been repositioned as “Mario’s Ambassador”. And what does that mean? Well, the same as “visibility payment”: something that nobody knows how to define very well, not even Mario’s creator himself.
Here’s a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles Martinet regarding the change of Mario’s voice actor, announced on 8/21. pic.twitter.com/4mOpD2Cx3a
“You have traveled all over the world visiting events and doing the voice of Mario for fans, putting smiles on people’s faces. It has always been a priority for you to spread joy, and I am sure you will be a great Mario Ambassador. For all of you watching, you should know that Charles will continue to travel the world and meet fans, do the voices at events, sign autographs and celebrate being with all of you.”
So this new job is basically travel and fun, by the looks of it. Where does one sign up? Although Martinet is 67 years old, we don’t know if that’s the reason why he has stopped playing Mario, or who is going to replace him and how. Pure video game history fading away before our eyes, mamma mia!
Mariosyear and Luigi year have passed: it's time for Waluigi to shine.
Nintendo, come, listen to me: we’ve already had a good laugh, but it’s time to fix an injustice that even you know is an injustice. We need to talk about someone you’ve deliberately ignored over the years, but who deserves his first solo game, even if it’s an indie. It’s been Mario’s year and Luigi’s year: it’s time for Waluigi to shine.
The year 2000 not only brought us a new millennium, but also a new character to join the Super Mario franchise and who came to fill a gap in ‘Mario Tennis’. Waluigi was not a sensation right off the bat, and in fact not even Nintendo itself is very clear who he is or where he comes from: in the American instruction manual they announced that he was Wario’s little brother, but not even Charles Martinet, voice of the character, knows if that’s true.
Since then everything has been laughs. He has had two tracks in ‘Mario Kart‘ (Waluigi Stadium on GameCube and the wonderful Waluigi Pinball on Nintendo DS), he was Mario’s enemy in ‘Dance Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix’… and not even for these did he get to be a selectable character in ‘Super Smash Bros Ultimate’ despite the general anger.
And the fact is that Waluigi started as a joke, ended up as an Internet meme and has now taken a 180-degree turn to be loved and respected by fans of the franchise. If Wario has had two chances (in ‘Wario Land’ and ‘Wario Ware’), why not try to give Waluigi his moment of glory? He’s cynical, he’s funny, he’s grotesque, he’s unique, the fans love him… What more do we need for him to replace Toad in the multiplayer of games like ‘Super Mario Bros Wonder’?
Or, why not, a ‘Waluigi Ware’. Or a ‘Ring fit adventure’ style exercise game. Or… The possibilities are endless! Of course, they’re not going to spend a fortune to make a ‘Super Waluigi Odyssey’, but the character deserves more love. Nintendo, get your act together. This is your chance to do justice to Wario’s supposed brother, who will be 25 years old in 2025. It’s his time. Just pray to Miyamoto.
