Gaming news: Discussions on potential Nintendo Switch 2 design, Elder Scrolls castle building, and a metaphor for reinventing oneself.

Thursday's letters page amused by Nintendo's Alarmo, reader suggests indie game Arco.

October 10th 2024.

Gaming news: Discussions on potential Nintendo Switch 2 design, Elder Scrolls castle building, and a metaphor for reinventing oneself.
I can't help but wonder, just how strange will the Switch 2 end up being? The rumor mill surrounding this new Nintendo console has been a wild ride and I have to say, I'm loving every minute of it. Unlike the PS5 Pro, which seemed like a pointless and predictable upgrade, the Switch 2 has everyone on the edge of their seats. We can't wait to see what new games will be announced and what unexpected features and ideas Nintendo will bring to the table.

Speaking of unexpected, did anyone else catch the news about the Alarmo? I have to admit, I was a bit bemused by it. An alarm clock? Really? But then again, this is Nintendo we're talking about. They always seem to surprise us with their innovative and quirky ideas. And let's not forget, they have a knack for turning seemingly mundane things, like an alarm clock, into something exciting.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. As much as we love speculating, we won't know anything for sure until Nintendo themselves reveal the Switch 2. And even then, who knows what surprises they have in store for us? One thing's for sure, their track record for success speaks for itself. Sure, there may be some detractors out there who complain about too many Mario and Zelda games, but the variety within each franchise is unparalleled. And let's not forget, Nintendo always keeps us on our toes with their constant innovation.

On the other hand, there is a familiar problem that seems to be plaguing another beloved game franchise. The Elder Scrolls: Castles has been receiving some less than favorable reviews, and I have to agree. As a fan of Skyrim and Fallout 3, it's disheartening to see Bethesda struggling to keep up with modern trends and innovate. And with the highly anticipated release of The Elder Scrolls 6 on the horizon, I can't help but worry that it will be another outdated and unimaginative sequel.

But let's not dwell on the negative. Let's talk about the exciting news from Nintendo, the Alarmo. I have to admit, I was initially confused by the announcement, but after watching the trailer, I think it's a pretty cool idea. However, I can't help but wonder who the target audience is for this $100 alarm clock. Kids? Maybe. But I highly doubt they would put it at the top of their Christmas list. And as for the sleep data feature, it seems a bit unnecessary for such a novelty item.

Moving on to a different topic, have you heard about the indie game Arco? I've been playing it and I have to say, I'm really enjoying it. The visuals and music are top-notch, but the writing and dialogue could use some work. Overall, it's been a hidden gem for me, and I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

And finally, let's talk about the next Halo game. There are rumors circulating that it will be for the next gen Xbox, and if there is a current gen version, it will most likely be inferior. It seems like Microsoft is shifting towards timed exclusivity for most of their games, which could potentially shrink the Xbox console playerbase. It's a risky move, but it's clear that Microsoft is focused on making record profits, even if it means sacrificing the Xbox brand. It's a new era in the gaming industry, where Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo players are all seen as potential customers. And while this may not be what Xbox fans wanted, it's a reality that we have to adapt to.

In the end, it's clear that Microsoft is changing the rules of the game. They see the success of games like Call of Duty and Minecraft, and they want every IP they own to have the same level of success. It's no longer a console war, it's an IP war, with Microsoft owning some of the most successful live service games. And while some may argue that this is a soulless approach driven by corporate greed, only time will tell if it pays off for them. But one thing's for sure, the gaming industry is constantly evolving, and we can only wait and see what the next quest will be.
The anticipation for the next Nintendo console, Switch 2, is at an all-time high and I must say, I am thoroughly enjoying the rumor mill surrounding it. Unlike the PS5 Pro, which was met with little interest and was deemed pointless and expensive, everyone seems to be on the edge of their seats waiting for the latest and greatest from Nintendo. Along with the console, we can also expect a slew of new game announcements and, of course, some quirky and unexpected features that only Nintendo can come up with.

Speaking of unexpected features, did you hear about their latest invention, the Alarmo? It's basically an alarm clock, but the way they announced it, you would think it was the most groundbreaking technology of our time! This is what I love about Nintendo, you can never predict what they will do next and that's a huge part of their success. We've seen rumors that the Switch 2 will have a similar design to the current model, but who knows, Nintendo may throw us a curveball and surprise us all.

One thing that's for sure is that when it comes to detractors, it's clear they haven't actually played any of Nintendo's games. They always complain about too many Mario and Zelda games, but the truth is, each of these franchises offers such a wide variety within itself that it surpasses what most other publishers have achieved in their entire history. But that's not to say that Nintendo is infallible. The Switch 2 could potentially be a flop, but that uncertainty just adds to the excitement and keeps things interesting.

Moving on to a different topic, I recently played The Elder Scrolls: Castles and I have to admit, it was not a good game. The main issue I had with it was that it felt outdated, like a clone of Fallout Shelter that should have been released years ago. Sound familiar? I used to be a huge fan of Skyrim and Fallout 3, but with each new game, it becomes increasingly obvious that Bethesda is stuck in their ways and struggles to innovate. Starfield was a prime example of this, but it's been a recurring problem for at least a decade now.

Despite my reservations, I can't help but look forward to The Elder Scrolls 6. However, I also have a nagging fear that it will be yet another outdated and unimaginative sequel riding on the coattails of its predecessors. Perhaps Bethesda needs new leadership, but whatever the issue may be, they need to do better. Even smaller projects, like a mobile game, should be an opportunity for them to experiment and break away from their repetitive mistakes.

Shifting gears back to Nintendo, let's talk about their latest hardware announcement - the Alarmo. Like most people, my initial reaction was, "Wait, what?" Sure, it's a cool idea, but after watching the trailer, I couldn't help but wonder who exactly this was targeted towards. It seemed like it was geared towards kids, but I highly doubt any child would have an $100 alarm clock at the top of their Christmas list. Plus, do we really need sleep data in a novelty item like this?

On the other hand, many adult Nintendo fans may not appreciate the loud coin sounds as they wake up. Don't get me wrong, I don't think this will be a failure, it will most likely sell out within days. But I can't help but think that Nintendo missed the opportunity to make even more money by creating a cooler, more affordable novelty alarm clock.

Moving on to a game recommendation, have you heard of Arco? I'm almost finished with it and I have to say, I've thoroughly enjoyed the game and its unique aesthetic. The visuals are incredibly impressionistic and the music is simply amazing. The only downside is the terrible writing and jarring dialogue, which prevents it from being an all-time favorite for me. But I think you would enjoy playing it and I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Switching gears once again, let's talk about the next Halo game. I believe it will be released for the next-gen Xbox and if it does have a current-gen version, it will most likely be inferior. My prediction is that Microsoft will start focusing on timed exclusivity for most of their games. While this may bring in record profits for them, it will also result in a shrinking player base for the Xbox console. Microsoft doesn't seem to care as they now see Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo players as their customer base. This may not be what Xbox fans wanted, but it's a soulless approach to making money in the gaming industry.

Games like Call of Duty and Minecraft have shown Microsoft that they don't need to cater exclusively to their own fan base. Now, they want every IP they own to achieve the same level of success. It's no longer a console war, but an IP war, with Microsoft owning some of the most successful live service games. Their approach is a fine line between being a platform holder and a third-party publisher. And while logic may suggest that it won't work, it's clear that their corporate greed has changed the rules of the game.

In conclusion, there are certainly a lot of surprises and uncertainties in the gaming industry right now. From Nintendo's quirky and unexpected features to Bethesda's struggle to innovate, we never know what to expect. And while Microsoft's shift towards timed exclusivity may not sit well with some fans, it's clear that they are determined to dominate the industry. But as long as we continue to get hidden gems like Arco and exciting new hardware like the Switch 2, we can't complain too much. Keep the surprises coming, Nintendo!

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