Ninty Boss Slams iPad
The iPad has shifted 300,000 units on its launch day, but Nintendo aren't worried about losing any of its handheld market to Apple's latest gadget. In an unsurprising move, NoA boss Reggie Fils-Aime has once again stepped up to the plate to badmouth the competition.
Apple "is not having an impact on Nintendo when you look at our business, our volume, our hardware, our software. If our games represent a range between snacks of entertainment and full meals depending on the type of game, (Apple's) aren't even a mouthful, in terms of the gaming experience you get."
We love Reggie here at Dealspwn. Whilst we don't always agree with what he says, we're pretty much guaranteed a good story every time he opens his big mouth. However, he's got a point this time. The range of games may be improving on the iPhone and iPad, but big companies tend to shy away from the platform thanks thanks to its low profit margins and frequently horrendous control scheme. Oh, and most of Apple's mobile games tend to be horrible. We've been echoing this sentiment for a while, but only time and sales will tell if the iPad can improve Apple's standing in the gaming community. Perhaps Steam integration would help? [Kotaku]
Free Mechwarrior 4 Redux Delayed by Microsoft
Mechwarrior once reigned supreme as the premier mech sim, and Smith & Tinker's upcoming franchise reboot is looking very slick indeed. However, we were promised a free reskinned version of Mechwarrior 4 to sharpen our appetites for the next installment... that should've hit last summer and then disappeared without a trace. MekTek, the modding community that was involved with the project, has finally admitted that Microsoft's practically quashed the deal and put a huge strain on the small companies.
“We had hoped that this release would be the Mechwarrior4 Free Release promised by Smith and Tinker, Inc. last summer. However, it would seem that the Free Release is held up at Microsoft and it is unknown to us and our Studio when the Free Release will be given the final go ahead.”
"Due to the demands placed upon us by industry lawyers to release the Mechwarrior4 Free release we were forced to insure our Studio at a premium rate to meet the Microsoft standard."
We're a deals website- and we hate to see a great free game go astray. We also hate to see a little company get smacked around by a corporate jugegrnaut (though it gets a little easier every time). Naturally, we'll let you know if we hear that the project's back on track. [icrontic]
Natal will Sell "Millions and Millions"...
You guessed it, folks: it's time for more mo-con smacktalk. Today's comes courtesy of Microsoft's Product Director Aaron Greenberg, who's predicting massive sales for the motion capture peripheral.
"The first impression [of Natal] has to be a magical one. But because we expect millions and millions of these things to be sold this Christmas, over time developers will know millions of customers have these sensors so they can add functionality to their games."
Whilst devs will have to factor Natal into upcoming titles if the system sells, it still remains a fairly big if. I'm beginning so suspect that you're all getting as bored as I am about the constant motion control one-upmanship and empty promises... in fact, I'm pretty sure that Molyneux, Greenberg, Tretton and Kevin Butler will be the only four people that give a damn when Natal and Move's release dates roll around.
Beg to differ? Drop us a line in the comments! [CVG]
