Looking from the outside as a Brit, this writer observes that most things are bigger in the US. Buildings, stores, malls, servings of fries, all big. It seems Birthday parties also fall into that category - a game of bowling and a few balloons isn't enough, it's important to hire a huge truck for entertainment on the go.
That seems to be the concept behind GameTruck parties, in which they park up at a venue and - as one option - offer gaming parties with loads of systems, screens and 'game experts' to help everyone have a good time. Nintendo of America clearly likes the idea, as it's announced a partnership with GameTruck for Splatoon parties that'll kick off from June.
That's shortly after the game is released, and is no doubt designed to help promote the multiplayer merits of the colourful third-person shooter. The lucky birthday boy or girl will also receive an amiibo toy for the game 'while stock lasts' - that promotion will last at least 24 hours, then!
It's an interesting partnership, in any case, and it wouldn't surprise us if Nintendo and GameTruck try to get some profile pieces on news stations etc once the parties are underway. If you want to book one of these Splatoon parties, meanwhile, you can apparently get the ball rolling on the GameTruck website.
Do you think this is a smart bit of PR from Nintendo of America? Let us know.
Comments 15
Dang.
Ooooh... I love the screenshot by the way. This is gonna be an awesome game! System seller!
This is a good idea.
@ThomasBW84
Very true about American culture. Our french fry servings are indeed, very big. Haha.
@MoonKnight7 - Very rarely do I eat fast food and I always forget that medium is the same size as extra large was 15 years ago.
They had one of these trucks set up at the last concert I went to and it was pretty impressive
The main thing bigger in the States is the distance one needs to travel to get to this sort of venue.
My son went to one of these parties last year. I wasn't that impressed actually. There's also a store near where I live that has rooms that you can rent for video gaming. It's just like the truck but at a permanent location. For as much as you spend on these parties, you could almost buy a brand new system and a new game!
My kids have been to 3 parties w/ these trucks, a birthday party for a boy about 10 or 11 and 2 bar mitvahs for brothers about 2 years apart. The kids love the trucks b/c they are filled w/ video games. The parents love the trucks even more b/c the kids are all in the truck for 2 hours w/o need of supervision. And it's hard ot miss a big green truck parked in the street anywhere so this will certainly be goo dexposure for the game.
Very important question though - if this game is basically online only how will that work? We all seem to be in agreement the balloon battle is boring, so that may scare off more customers than it gets them. And I've never seen a Wii U in 1 of these trucks either. So if Nintneod is going to do this they better get 8 Wii U in each of those trucks for 4 on 4 battles.
Nice to see that NOA cares about advertising this one. So I hope they make more amiibo than normal to try and meet demand.
@sinalefa - Yes, they really need to make way more of these amiibo than they think they'll need. They need to be in stock on stores shelves and at online retailers. No excuses about port strikes and not knowing how well they'll sell.
We'll see.
Why don't they add voice chat to this game and think about its longevity instead of the now!!! This game future will be much brighter with that incorporated
I've seen this before, one of the kids in my neighborhood had one at his house for (what I assume to be) his birthday party. Anyway, neat way to advertise.
Party
Any marketing is good marketing. These truck parties sound like a great idea.
My company hired a game truck for last year's summer party. I hope they do it again so I can pone my fellow colleagues at a game they've never played.
i am gonna buy the game. don't need steaming hot party trucks.
Tap here to load 15 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...