User-Centered Hardware Design?

It’s a weird time to be a gamer. This console generation’s lasted quite some duration already, and now we’re just kind of, what? Adding peripherals to everything? Come to think of it, pretty soon each of the Big Three hardware manufacturers will have released a motion-based supplement of some sort. Which is especially weird considering the Nintendo Wii launched with one.

And now Sony and Nintendo both are releasing FOURTH iterations of their respective portables?

Don’t get me wrong — I’m okay with not being pressured to purchase a radically different platform…my PSP-2000 will do me just fine for now, thanks. What I find strange is that it seems there’s only the barest skeleton of a plan dancing around these two new(?) gaming machines. The PSPgo is clearly positioned to offer consumers a download-only future, but its “Minis” line seems pretty ill-defined. The DSi XL makes some slim margin of sense, but less when you consider its release coming right on the heels of the not-yet-one-year-old DSi. Why these products, and why now?

What I’m wondering is whether there’s a consciously participatory approach to these systems’ designs. Perhaps both Sony and Nintendo intend to see how users respond to the devices and market from there?

Yes, it’s a weird time to be a gamer. But it’s probably even weirder being a consumer right now. What I’m certain of, though, is that being sold essentially the same thing with only incremental improvement is much less exciting than buying something truly new.

UTES Piece

UTES Piece

Another Flipnote Studio project.  This one is dramatically different from my first attempt and uses quite a few more frames of animation. Oddly enough, I’d consider it somewhat less ambitious and almost certainly vastly inferior.

Flickering Candle

Flickering Candle

Flipnote Studio has GOT to be the greatest freebie in the history of downloads. Okay, so that’s hyberbole. But it’s pretty damn cool nonetheless.

The above link will take you to my first-ever animation. Hope you like it!

A Survey of Sony’s Penchant for Symbology

Square. Triangle. Circle. Ex.

Those four buttons are an aspect of Sony’s hardware design that’s become an integral part of their brand image. Certainly they set the PlayStation apart from everyone else’s comparatively run-of-the-mill A, B, X, Y controller tech. And yet I think there’s something more going on here. Lots of companies cultivate a distinctive look through iconography, but, in mapping icons to buttons, Sony has subverted a strong tradition — and created something new in the process.

Demonstration Nation 3

My looord! I’ve been trying demos or fiddling with web games for probably six weeks straight. Next week, I’ll likely be able to get back to being thoughtful about games. Probably I’ll try to determine whether my demo-playing experiences can be culled for any insight as to what makes a given demo great. Below, you’ll find my thoughts on the final five demos I had yet to play.

Demonstration Nation 1

I’ve neglected my PS3 for almost a solid month now. All I’ve done with the machine is download demos and watch TV on DVD. But today, it’s time to check out some of the free stuff. First up: Wet.

Confession: Sometimes I Feel Like a Sucker

The last time I played a game I didn’t like was, well…uhhh…

Actually — I can’t remember.

It’s a question that’s been disturbing me for some few weeks now. What was the last less-than-stellar game I played?  When did this take place?  Why can’t I recall?

Are lousy games THAT forgettable? Or am I just, like, not nearly discerning enough? Gyuh.

I’ve downloaded demos that I thought were awful.

I don’t know. Maybe it’s time to re-calibrate my critical mind. Maybe fun’s just middle of the road. Maybe I’ve an obligation to really slag something once in a while. I’ll try…