Sakura

@chiptoon They sell vinyl in my local supermarket. Saw it yesterday. A small rack, but about 10 different albums.

There are many reasons that people may choose to behave in such a way.

On social media a person may choose to join a group and reinforce their sense of belonging and, therefore, their sense of acceptance by others - shared interest, shared values, reinforced sense of identity, a positive image of the self.

Another person or persons may dislike the group and what they stand for, criticise it/troll it and set themselves up as outside the group by virtue of their superior understanding, intelligence or any other quality they deem important. Each act of criticism etc reinforces the positive image of the self.

I would guess that the sharing of indecent images in a game is more about reinforcing self-image in some way - we're so clever, superior because we rebel ("those Nintendo gamers are so uptight, lets mess with them to show them how much we own them") etc. It probably has very little to do with the actual harming of children in their minds. The end goal is only to create the illusion of being "better/superior" by the very fact that they stand outside the group. Argument and rationalisation isn't needed. That's how it is possible to act outrageously, to ignore fact, to be deaf and blind to reason. Ego trip.

If only I had someone to play with...

Super Chariot has put me off trying to play co-op games alone. I still enjoy it to a point, but when the difficulty spikes towards the end, it becomes more frustrating than fun. I may have to bribe someone to help me complete it. Not many people can play when I can.

Great to see co-op coming back a bit, though, and this looks like a quality title.

"We see tremendous opportunity in using the mobile platform to introduce IP to consumers who may not be as familiar. Animal Crossing is a great example. Tremendous interaction with Pocket Camp. Fans are really enjoying that experience. We’re introducing it to new consumers."

Fans of Animal Crossing are really enjoying Pocket Camp or fans of Pocket Camp are really enjoying Pocket Camp?

If you're talking about fans of Animal Crossing, then they aren't truly new consumers and they're asking for something else anyway.

If you're talking about fans of Pocket Camp really enjoying Pocket Camp, then how sure are you that they will translate into console buyers? PC offers a different way of playing with its constant events and updates instead of the much more laid back traditional AC. Can you get the free-to-play-ers to actually lay down some cash? Wasn't revenue from PC disappointing? Enjoying a free game is vastly different to investing £300 to play a console game.

After just doing Super Chariot, which is also a co-op game that you can supposedly play on your own, I have reservations. The very end of the game was a bit too hard to complete alone (at least without it becoming un-fun).

I'm in.

@Agramonte Thanks! Considering the positive reviews here from players, I've gone ahead and bought it. I don't mind challenge, I just like it to be fair. I think Super Chariot was hard because it was designed first as a co-op game. Another player would make that last level much easier.

How hard is this? I've been playing Super Chariot and the hidden level is really, really hard to do on your own. I know it was designed as a co-op game, but I'd like to have finished it. Life's too short, though.

@RickD I don't know... They made BOTW when they were in a desperate position with the Wii U. A change in approach can pay off. They still have problems positioning themselves in the market, though.

@ImagineerNik I was just thinking that. Switch is way too expensive an investment for people who aren't gamers and are only interested in Labo.

Is this an example of the "clear marketing" that is making Switch a success?

@RickD That too.

I like Labo, but it's a niche product for a niche demographic. Doesn't mean it shouldn't exist, just that making niche mainstream is quite a task.

Nintendo is definitely doing better with the Switch, though there are still some things that could be improved upon.

E3 demonstrated that the strategy is not cohesive. The pacing was bad - 25 minutes on one game, while blasting through a list of other games. Sales are supposed to drive purchases, so why not mention the E3 sale in the presentation? No linking with the later Splatoon MyNintendo cover. No showing the amiibo until the Treehouse. Ridley is likely to be popular. Some games coming soon not covered. No coverage of games coming releasing in the next financial year, which limited what people think the console is going to be able to deliver. No mention of online service.

There are good games and experiences coming, but Nintendo isn't doing everything it could to transmit that message.

I respectfully disagree with the WHO. As you can replace gaming with any other activity, there is nothing specific to gaming that causes such disordered behaviour. Gaming is merely the expression of the disorder.

Therefore, such behaviour is better explained by referring to an obsessive compulsive disorder or even social anxiety disorders or attachment disorders, where such activity is compensation for being unable to function adequately in normal life.

Lack of impulse control is the root of the problem, not anything inherent in gaming. Impulse control is learnt in infancy and childhood via healthy attachments to caregivers. If attachments are not healthy, a whole range of disorders can develop. It is, of course, important to remember that some people develop disorders in the presence of healthy attachments.

Good early care is essential to good mental health in the teenage years and in adulthood.

I'm not much interested in the VC as NSO as it stands, to be honest. Not unless they put GC games on there.

What I'd really like to know is why there has been such a long delay.

Efficient use of time? HAHAHAHA

I still think the Direct works better than a live broadcast for Nintendo, considering their former live presentations.

@rjejr "3DS isn't dead yet"

That's not the impression Nintendo just gave

Joking aside, a 3DS Direct or a Direct with mention of 3DS/2DS has to be coming at some point. I'm looking forward to Luigi's Mansion. I'd like a sequel to Detective Pikachu too. It was simple, but it's the only Pokemon game I've really enjoyed. Probably would be on Switch too, though.

I think a highlight for me is that there seemed to be a fair few heroines in sight to go along with the traditional male heroes.

The low point, I suppose, is seeing Nintendo return to its trademark disjointed and confusing marketing strategy. An E3 sale that they don't mention at E3? Games releasing that they don't mention at all? Yoshi shown last year that this year will be shown when ready? I'm sure Nintendo has their reasons, but I'm not at all sure they realise that those reasons don't always make sense from the outside.

@rjejr I forgot about Y's VIII. Would have been nice to see that.

We never did get any amiibo adventure game, did we? We had those challenge games and amiibo Festival, but they don't count.

I suppose they're fine as collectibles, but would have been nice to have good implementation too. Mostly, they're just unlocks, which can be problematic in itself as a form of locked content.

I should know by now that it's pointless to wonder what Nintendo is doing. Inconsistency seems to operate at a whole-company level. They're quick to bail too. They launched the 2DS XL only a year ago and nothing at all shown even though they do have new games coming.

@rjejr I think they made things look worse than they are. There are other games; they chose not to show them. Not a smart move when we consider that one of the fears is a lack of games. It wasn't just leaks, it was that they had announced a lot themselves already too and failed to reveal their new projects.

There's that Panic Button game expected to be revealed next month. Granted it might not fit their short-term schedule, but I think that's a detrimental strategy.

There's also Disgaea 5 and that's releasing in October. Go Vacation is out this year too. I'm sure there are more.

Plus, they gave us half an hour of Smash that we know quite a lot about already because it's a known franchise (despite the changes) and barely five seconds of newly-announced games. I've nothing against Smash, but there were too many details and that did much to frustrate excitement.

And weirdly failed to mention the E3 sale. At E3! Some of those discounts are good if people are going all digital. "Octo expansion releasing now" should have been followed by "and there's 33% off in the eShop in our E3 sale.

And why not show the Ridley amiibo? They didn't do that until the Treehouse, I think. Amiibo sales might be slowing down, but that amiibo will surely sell well.

They should have made it clear that this was a selection of upcoming content and not all they have. Long-term projects are just as important too. That's only my opinion, but if you're trying to build a brand, don't limit what people think you have to offer.

No online clarification either, which has me fearing it will be poorly executed.

"There's no play like it!" When I'm at my most curmudgeonly, I think that's not a selling point, but part of the problem.

Wait! Did Nintendo announce this anywhere in the presentation? It's called the E3 sale for goodness sake! Would have thought they could mention it.

@Realnoize Well, there's the idea that they were supposed to come with the online service, but that's been delayed. Otherwise, it's anyone's guess.

The eShop sale is impressive for Nintendo, though - Splatoon is discounted. Though, why they didn't mention that when they revealed the Octo Expansion is again anyone's guess. They seem scared of joined up thinking.

Um, archaeology is usually about past human activity, societies, technologies and myths/rituals etc using the material cultures they left behind. Dinosaurs come under paleontology.

I like the sound of an archeological game, though. There were some great French point-and-click history/archeology themed games in the 90s/2000s.

@rjejr Yeah, I just feel they should have kept up the momentum of last year and shown more than the short-term lineup, even if it were just a splash screen full of logos. As it is, they killed it with the "we've not got anything much that's new to show" message. Same old, same old.

Honestly, Reggie, I'd almost have been happier if you just showed a huge infographic like the one from last year.

@GrailUK
True! I still think Nintendo should be called out for not announcing it, though.

One of the areas of concern for Switch is third party, so if they have a major third party game coming, why on earth not mention it at what is still the focus event for the industry?

Oh, Nintendo! Marching to the beat of your own drum is fine until you end up shunned in the corner for making a discordant racket.

Well, whatever, I suppose, shrug! Switch has plenty of games coming and they probably thought Fortnite would be enough.

Golf Story definitely, perhaps Hollow Knight - I'm struggling with Super Chariot still; that last bit is hard.

And I need more information on Pode. Can't always find anyone to play co-op so need to know how difficult it would be without a second player.

Had my eye on Mulaka from last week too.

I feel like Nintendo is the Sheldon Cooper of the gaming industry; they have touch of genius, but they struggle with getting on in a world that doesn't really fit their mindset.

Last year's E3 was very successful in building the Switch brand, showing the long-term plans. This year they've... gone back to the old way.

There are still way more games than in the Wii U era. I'll be far from starved of things to play. Some momentum has been lost, though, and it shows from the somewhat lukewarm reaction to their Direct.

Count me in!

Also, I felt that they cold have had a splash screen at the end showing titles/logos of upcoming games like Yoshi and Prime 4. All they needed was to remind us they're still coming.

Doesn't make sense to announce games one year, then not even mention them the next.

It felt very light on content for me. The only game they mentioned that I'll buy is Captain Toad and I already knew about that.

I don't think it's all bad news, though. There are games coming and they appeal to many people - Smash and Pokemon particularly, but there was also Fortnite, Hollow Knight, etc. Even though I won't play them, it's good they're here.

So poor for me personally, but not necessarily bad long-term for the future. Gives me a chance to catch up on my backlog anyway. I haven't started Odyssey yet, so I'm good.

@geordie Yes! I really liked that game. I was number 1 in Europe for a little while when it first came out. Not enough people played it.

Looks interesting and the kind of thing I'd like.

I found the use of capitalisation in the wording a bit annoying. not enough to put me off, but why do That?

"..assuming they haven't already been announced."

Couldn't most of these games be those from that other leak? They are still technically unannounced.

I love point-and-click, so it was a must to get this. Should be here tomorrow.

I'm not too bothered by preposterous plots. There's enough real-world confusion for a game not to register as offensive in that regard. BTW, the Spanish Inquisition often gave several weeks notice of their intentions by the reading of notices in church. The main purpose was to give people a chance to confess or to denounce someone else as a heretic. Not very stealthy, but it matches the biblical model, I suppose. Well, apart from the problem of being put to death in spite of confession anyway.

It's cute but most cats won't tolerate headgear like that. I asked mine and he gave me a, "Don't even think it!" scowl.

I wouldn't feel right tormenting him just for a quick laugh.

Has 3 made it to Switch? Or has it gone the way of Steep? Could get it on PS4, but I'd rather play on Switch.

Those are decent deals, but I have the ones I want already. I might still pick up one of the other two if nothing else comes along before my gold coins expire. I wonder if Switch rewards will ever show up. Eshop credit is okay, but discounts/deals on games I don't already have and want would be better.

Up to level 2.1 and really enjoying it so far, even though I'm doing single player only. The chariot mechanic provides something more than just jumping and I really appreciate that. Reminds me a little of the time I spent with Snake Pass - a little difficult to start with but great once you know what you're doing.

Edit: Thought I'd come back and update now that I'm near the end. I very much enjoyed the game, but the difficulty spike of the hidden level is a bit too much (a least for me) to complete alone. I can see how helpful it would be to have a second player. So, I'd give this a higher rating as a co-op game than as a single-player game. Unless you really want a challenge. I may finish it one day, especially if I can find a second player, but for now I'll have to leave it as nearly complete.

There's always a "but", isn't there...

Once you've bought the adapter to charge it, you save £10. Really not much of a deal. Much more sensible to still buy the whole thing unless the price drops considerably.

I bought the DLC ages ago and forgot about this upcoming content. I did love the game, so this is great!

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I have no interest in the game myself but I'd like to see how far this is technologically possible.

Is it truly viable? Do any downgrades negatively impact on the experience? How is the lag? Can this be played in handheld (at home) or do you need the extra juice of the dock? What happens to your savedata when the 6 months are up - can you go back to it? Will it be commercially successful?

A game where you are supposed to die? Sounds like it's at my skill level...

I like to give quirky ideas a chance. Reminds me of the Darwin Awards. The premise doesn't bother me, which is weird because I avoid shooters with humanoid targets and blood. Too real. Perhaps because it's so ridiculous, it sits much more easily.

@NIN10DOXD Hmm... All I'm saying is hype usually ends in disappointment. I hope it does turn out to be good, though.

@Maxz Oh well, back to my first instincts that whatever it is will be far less seismic than the hype is indicating.

@patbacknitro18 On reflection, it's probably more likely to be an announcement about a mode/mechanic/character/stage involving electricity in some way. "Shock the world" is so over-the-top. I guess we'll see.

If they announce that Splatoon is becoming a multi-platform release for PS4 and XBONE as well as Switch, I might agree that would constitute "shocking the world". Anything else, not so much.

I will pay for it just for the ability to back up to the cloud. Transfer to a different Switch is better than the current encrypted system on 3DS. Need clarity on what software is not backed up, though.

Apart from that, there's nothing else for me in the current set up. Don't want online, don't want the app, don't want the NES games. That "might" change when offers are revealed. Discounts for Switch on MyNintendo for games I don't already have may make both services more attractive. Physical is still usually cheaper, though.

I'm subscribing anyway, but am fully aware that it's not good value for me since all I want is the save back up.

I get why it's the way it is. This is the cost of piracy/hacking/cheating. Not sure that the best way to tackle it is to make me pay for cloud saves. It wasn't me and it's being hacked without using saves anyway. Imposing restrictions and a paywall for online backup on legitimate consumers because others have compromised intellectual properties feels a touch unfair.

But, it what it is. Take it or leave it. I'll take it, but not without some disappointment.

I'm as enthusiastic over the Switch Online model as I am over the MyNintendo model :/

I really only want the cloud saves at the moment. The Special Offers might improve both services, but we'll have to wait and see what those turn out to be.

"Meal" is maybe a bit of a stretch... No harm once in a while, though. Almost tempted by that pole dancing Mario.

That much hyperbole is going to take some living up to.

I can't really tell what the gameplay is like, but it looks intriguing. Definitely keeping an eye on this. I had great fun with text-only exploratory games back in the day.