Miyamoto Concerned About Gamer Image Stereotype

kukyfrope writes "In a recent interview with MTV News, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto voiced his concern for the stereotypical image of gamers as kids alone in a dark room. He says that Nintendo wishes to change that image with the Wii, a sentiment made obvious by the wide array of people shown playing Wii in Nintendo's recent promotional videos." From the article: "I think it's time to break free from that stereotypical definition of what a gamer is, because until we do, we'll never truly be part of the national or worldwide culture."

That's why...

[oahazmatt]

That's why I love my Gamecube. I love all the four-player games available on it. I can not stress how much fun I've had on a weekend with my friends playing SSBM, passing the controller around, and just generally having a good time.

I will be purchasing a Wii, and the extra controllers, and will be taking it to a friend's house rather immediately.

Console Vs Pc

[meh13579]

This doesn't seem to be as much of a problem with console gamers as it is with gamers on PCs. It's much easier to imagine someone playing in a group of friends on a console than it is on a computer.

Re:Worldwide?

[Dis*abstraction]

As a first-generation Japanese American, I've never understood why people like you fetishize [wikipedia.org] my country of origin in such an uncritical, irrational manner. Is it because you want to steal our women? By all means, help yourself--but be warned that Fecal Japan is no myth at all. Is it because you imagine yourselves being able to "fit in" better in Japan? Let me assure you that this is nothing but delusion, an artifact of your Western upbringing perhaps. But unless you share with the Japanese a slavish, unquestioning intolerance, isolationism, sexism, homophobia, and a general social conservatism that makes Hitler look progressive--oh, and by the way, Japanese-looking features and male genitalia--don't expect to find over there the acceptance you lack here.

It's self-fulfilling, unfortunately.

[argStyopa]

All well and good for him to say that, but at least here in the US, part of the very typical group dynamic is an exclusive sense of elitism even if the group is relatively 'low' on the social dominance scale.

Thus rather than saying "OK, we need to broaden our appeal, let's try to get lots of people gaming!" (a message that would of course appeal to a BUSINESS selling good to the identified market segment), the members of the group behave rudely, and reject any broadening of the franchise to "outsiders".

Look, for example, at the level of scorn directed at casual players of World of Warcraft by 'hardcore' players in-game. Or (for a broader, but similar example) the sneers of derision by /.ers at people who find Windows XP perfectly adequate. The 'geek hierarchy' writ large.

Sure, it's a defensive reaction based entirely on protecting the ego. The lame geek KNOWS he lives in his parents' basement, KNOWS that while spending 12 hours a day playing a video game he's missing out on other social activities that are widely considered to be more constructive, KNOWS that virtual wish-fulfillment might be very satisfying, but really doesn't compare to actually accomplishing anything.

But to welcome in the unwashed masses into his 'world'? That would be to at least partially accept their 'yardstick' of normalcy, against which his self-image would measure smaller. Who would welcome that?

Re:consoles have cme full circle

[FirienFirien]

Some work, some don't. Apple marketed its iPod as cool, funky, etc, in an advertising campaign; at that point the public's perception of Apple was probably more "cute"/"different" with the original iMac shape. iPod was a hit hit hit because it got marketed right or hit a sweet spot or both; depending on how Nintendo markets the Wii, they can go the way that Apple has gone in the mp3 player market, or how Pong went in your example. The Wii has massive potential to be freaking awesome to gamers as well as interesting/attractive/cool etc to non-gamers; in the same way that DDR had its fad a few years ago. It depends entirely on how they pitch this; so far they're making the online community buzz gently with interest, and naming it the "Wii", while still amusing, got a whole bunch more publicity; their control interface allows them to grandly enter the market for both gamers who find this the next must-have technology, and appeal very broadly to the borderline markets who have gone for the things like donkey kong bongos and so on - because it has the potential to be anything at all, depending on the software developers who work with Nintendo. I've never owned a console; I've been vaguely tempted when new nifty games come out, but it's simply not enough. Again, the Wii has a new nifty gadget that looks to link to dexterity and skill, and that's very appealing.

Sure - it could go down like Pong, and simply inspire bigger and better things later. On the other hand, Nintendo are currently playing their cards very well to make it go the way the iPod has - with a high trump price point over the PS3 as bonus.

Re:Worldwide?

[randyest]

Hi. Sorry to help him burst your fantasy bubble there pal, but you are so ignorant and you picked such bad examples that, well, I couldn't resist:

Tell me, is there a serious cultural movement to ban birth control in Japan? (I'm going to laugh at you if you say there is.)

If by "birth control" you mean "the pill" (and not, say, abortion) then you might be surprised to learn that it was not available in Japan until 1999 [princeton.edu].

Any gay people crucified on fences over there? No?

Homosexuals in Japan may not adopt or marry [japan-guide.com]. While a fantastically unrealistic concept of homosexuality [murdoch.edu.au] is tolerated in Japan, sometimes even esteemed, real homosexuality is almost always kept very discreet and is considered shameful by most. The disparity in "acceptance" of homosexuality between the rural and urban areas is even more stark than your colorfolly-worded description of the same issue in the US.

Any other ignorant fantasies about Japan you'd like shattered?

(I enjoyed that more than I should have, sure, but slapping morons is so fun.)