Topic: IGN Article - The 3DS Drought Is Over (So Stop Complaining)

@Waltz nice comparison between Call of Duty and Love Plus, and same goes for GTA... none of those games apeals to me to be honest but I know there are audiences out there for them. But yeah, Call of Duty can just be as "harmfull" to people who would be affected by the virtual girlfriend audience. And if these "socially-awkward Japanese men" are so affected by these sim games then why is the rate for Sexual Crimes so low in percentage against its western counterparts mabey the availabilty of hantei reduces rather than promotes the need to fulfill these sexual fantasies.
Im not interested in Love plus, but I do enjoy some of the Japanese Social Sims along the line of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Maker and My Life as a King on wiiware.

Love+ 3DS Trailer:
[youtube:qs8HRmqjfxE]

For those not in the know, it's a dating/girlfriend/relationship simulator. The DS version of the game is the one made famous worldwide when a Japanese guy married one of the in-game characters.

@Waltzy: Does your wife know you're planning to get it? Will we need to make a meme for you?

Sighs, as someone who actually has love plus DS, it's an utterly harmless game. No nudity, no sex. Obviously the trailer is going to play up bits and pieces to make the game look appealing. Much like, you know, the trailers for every other game are not in context either.

Love Plus is innocent, and it's actually a very, very intelligent game. It's been exhibited as an example of interactive art in Japan.

And if you're going to use one dude's insanity to dismiss a game, well boy are you opening a can of worms. Once again, FPSers and people going on rampages in real life, and the media. Exactly the same mix.

So, while it's cool if you're not personally interested in the game, don't go pretending its something it isn't, or cracking childish jokes at the expense of people that might be interested in the game. That's just freaking pathetic.

The alternative is I expect you to start finding "memes" to have a go at everyone who mentions they like Pokemon (kids game), GTA (Meathead's paradise), any kind of RPG (LOL NERDS LIVING IN THEIR PARENT'S BASEMENTS!), Sports games (bloody jocks), Call of Duty (homocidal maniacs), horror games (creepy weird goth people)...

Can do this all day.

Even if you're not at all interested in them I think it'd be hard to argue that Mario and Mario Kart appeal to "niche" audiences. I mean, both of the last two Mario Karts sold over 22 million copies and the last portable Mario sold over 26 million copies.

They might not be games for you but they are mass market and there are, I'd argue, few people who jumped on the 3DS bandwagon this early who are not interested. So by definition they break the drought. If the 3DS ends up being as successful as the DS was (it might) Mario Kart, Super Mario 3D Land and (wait for it) Nintendogs will probably all sell over 20 million copies.

Well.. people play The Sims (I do and I actually enjoy it) which is kinda similar to Love Plus if you really wanted it to be (getting married, having kids, etc.)

Just throwing it out there. Kinda surprised no one brought it up.

It's hard to say that a "drought" is over until the two Marios are released. If you base things on what Iwata has said and the current NLife talking point, things do seem to be looking up. Improved online functionality with more online games on the way, firmware updates, Swapnote, eShop games with user-generated content is coming etc.

In all likely hood though and in response to Corbs, I believe there will be AT LEAST three games in the coming months after the Marios. Maybe Luigi's Mansion in February, Kid Icarus March/April, Mario Tennis in May? All of this is highly probable.
Afterall, Iwata did promise that there won't be a first-party drought like the 3DS launch again as well as the introduction of new genres.

I believe there is plenty of quality software on the horizon.

Actually I find at least half of those games on the list to be mass market friendly. Of course what sells and what doesn't is a different story. In fact, the only true "niche" games on the list are Lautrec and Rhythm Thief.

@Waltz The fact of the matter is that what shingi said is true-- it's not coming to America because it would be deemed too creepy. What you said about 'people only thinking it's creepy was because they haven't played it' is also true. But since most people will consider it creepy/pervy to play, most people won't play it, and the opinion that it is creepy will remain. So you're part of the niche. And since you're a journalist, you of all people should know that it wouldn't be a good business decision to bring a game to an area where most of the people will ignore/protest against/be creeped out by it. It just wouldn't sell. So if you really want it so badly, that's fine-- import a Japenese 3DS, and purchase and enjoy your game. What games you play is your choice, and you can play whatever you want-- but so can every body else. So don't be giving people grief over what games they do or don't want to play. Not cool >.>

I don't see how the two are related to be honest lol

Yes, I'm the one giving people grief over game's they want to play. Super Mario Land is a game for creeps and I'll go post up a meme picture to back me up.

See what I did there?

As I've said, multiple times, from my very first post, I realize Love Plus isn't getting a translation, and I'll need to struggle through the Japanese language on my imported 3DS. It's unfortunate that this is the case, because the game has a stupid reputation it doesn't deserve in the slightest. The reason it has that reputation is people keep insisting on passing judgement, despite not having played the game. And they continue to do so in this thread despite me, numerous times and as someone who has played the game, pointing out that the reputation is not justified.

I'm not suggesting that Rainfall go and start kicking up a stink about the game though to get it over here - Love Plus is never going to be able to overcome people's ignorance to get them to try before passing judgement.

@everyone else, as I've already said, 'niche' was the wrong word, I should have said 'limited.' The 3DS' game library still lacks for real variety. It's like a movie buffs collection that only contains the blockbusters; it's nice and all, but it doesn't have the more niche hits. I'm only using myself as and a example to highlight my point, but as someone who has, almost exclusively, a very big library of very niche RPG and strategy games on the DS, the 3DS isn't doing nearly as much for me as the Vita's lineup is already offering.

It's nice to have both, you know? The blockbusters and the niche stuff. It goes back to Nintendo's fundamental problem in attracting third parties - the DS didn't, the Wii did, and then 3DS is shaping up to take after the Wii, unfortunately.

Bleh there we go. Shoulda explained better/ you people should have listened better. Hopefully tenth time's the charm

Yes, translate a game that will only be supported by a small number of people. Brilliant

I don't think it has much to do with ignorance that people aren't interested in Love+. I am categorically uninterested in dating simulation, no matter how intelligent it may supposedly be.

3DS could use more niche games, but it is still early.

Ignorance comes in when they start calling it 'creepy.' there's a world of difference between this game and "If I was in a locked room with a girl." Another Japanese 3DS game that is quite genuinely creepy.

Which is why one is popular in Japan, and the other won't be.

Why does it seem like every. freaking. post. turns into 'WaltzElf defends a dating sim'? Can we get back to the original topic, please and thank you in advance~

IGN is split up into different sections to have coverage of the different systems but it makes them look like hypocrites when PlayStation section says one thing and Nintendo say another and etc...

What is the original topic again? Oh yeah, the 3DS drought. Yes, it's over.

Oh, some of you guys are so hard to please! With that said, everyone's idea of when a 'game drought' is over will be very very subjective from one person to the next, considering we all have unique and individual gaming tastes. If you're a huge fan of whatever game came out then you will think it's over. If you're a big fan of whatever else hasn't come out yet or isn't slated to be released, then you'll think the 3DS is crap. If you're a content Virtual Console/Zelda/Mario/puzzle fan like me, then you're happy already Anyways, let's sit back, enjoy what's to come, and what we've already got. I think there are lots of nice surprises in store for us in the coming months!

hehe!! agreed.

Off Topic but I was wondering why my post was edited until I realised that it's not exactly family friendly. Sorry about that.

Anyway as for the drought discussion there's a bunch of relatively high profile releases on the way next year, most obviously Resident Evil, Tekken and Metal Gear Solid. There's also a bunch of games like Ace Combat and Skylanders that I can't afford to pick up until after christmas so there seems to be enough to keep me entertained for a while.