Business Week looks into the rebranding of previously released DS games like Nintendogs and Brain Age under the new Touch Generations label. From the article: “The key for Nintendo will be to continue offering games with fresh, original content that stands out from the formulaic sports-franchise games, the first-person shooters, the movie-themed titles, and the exhaustive sequels. Games like Brain Age do, and it has hooked in new players as a result. To successfully tap the trends of older gamers and increasing portable sales, Nintendo’s Touch Generations brand will have to deliver.”
Do you think the Touch Generations label can do a good job of connecting non-gamers to Nintendo portables?
No. I think it comes down to marketing in the appropriate places. My dad won't see an ad for Brain Age on MTV since he doesn't watch it. He will see it during Sunday Morning on CBS. The only thing I see Touch Generations doing is providing a way to lump those titles together. What would help is if you bought Brain Age and saw a little sheet in there with the packaging that lists the other Touch Generations games .. such as "if you like Brain Age, try …"
I think it's a cool idea that Nintendo is doing this whole "touch generation" gaming, but at first I was turned off to the whole idea. Just until lately have I gotten myself a DS lite that I have joined into the "touch generation" of games. Quite personally, though, I feel there aren't enough titles. Games like Brain Age, Big Brain Academy, Sodoku, Nintendogs, and Electroplankton just don't do it for me. I'm a veteran gamer all the way back to the NES days and some things just need to be played with a controller. I must say, though, that Magnetica is one of the most strangely addicting games in my opinion.Sadly, though, I think that Nintendo has done all it can with the touch screen as of now. It's an amazing concept, but the DS has such a small library and an even smaller library of worthwhile games.
Finally, business week has recognized Nintendo instead of Microsoft in video games.
I don't think of "touch generations" as a casual-gamer only brand. I think they are just games that are simple and fun. A hardcore could defenatly enjoy these games.
"I think that Nintendo has done all it can with the touch screen as of now." –thejonI think you need to have a look at the forthcoming Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and Mario vs Donkey Kong 2. Both are played exclusively with the stylus.Also, try the already-released Kirby Canvas. You can't play that game with the D-pad or analogue stick. It works tremendously well with the stylus and would otherwise be just a dull 2d platformer.Have to say, in general, you're displaying a singular lack of imagination: just because the touch-screen games don't appeal to you, doesn't mean they won't appeal to anyone else either.
"It's an amazing concept, but the DS has such a small library and an even smaller library of worthwhile games."WHAT!?!?!Come on, I have a hard time getting all the great games available on the DS. In the last year, most of the titles to come out were AAA titles.
If there's a company that can make older people buy games is Nintendo. They already do for their kids and I always wished my parents like games so I didn't went to so much trouble to get a new one…
YES touch generations is wworking…because my own MOTHER was playin brain age on my DS ans she loveeeed it! she's 49!
Okay, Anthony, but did she see a Touch Generations ad and run out to buy a DS and Brain Age herself? That's the real question here, isn't it? Is the Touch Generations marketing angle going to work?
This is an interesting question with an interesting answer.The funny thing is that in public (recently, that is), when I see an adult playing a DS, and I ask them what they are playing, it generally turns out to be one of the Touch Generations titles. I think Nintendo is getting its wish in hooking new players. It seems like more adults are playing games now.So I think it's having a positive affect on buyers altogether. Plus, regardless of how impactive the sales of these titles are, theyr'e at least original and fun ideas that can keep a person busy. I dont own any of the titles, but I've played some of them, and theyr'e definately enjoyable.Perhaps the impact will take some time.