iOS-Nutzer hüpfen bereits seit Mitte Dezember durch Marios Mobil-Ableger Super Mario Run, Android-Nutzer sind laut Nintendos japanischer Twitter-Ankündigung (via Gematsu.com) im März an der Reihe (zum Test der mit 60% bewerteten iPhone-Fassung geht es hier). Um negativen Bewertungen und erbosten Kommentaren vorzubeugen, weist der deutsche Beschreibungstext auf Google Play gleich mehrmals darauf hin, dass es einen kleinen, kostenlosen Demo-Teil gibt und man den kompletten Rest per einmaliger Zahlung nachkaufen kann. In Apples Appstore hatten sich zahlreiche mit Free-to-play-Modellen sozialisierte Spieler über eine derartige "Abzocke" beschwert. Dort lag der Preis bei 9,99 Euro. Hier die Infos von Google Play, wo sich das Spiel für eine Benachrichtigung "vorregistrieren" lässt.
"Eine ganze neue Art von Mario-Spiel, mit einer Hand steuerbar.
In diesem Spiel bewegt sich Mario durch die jeweiligen Level vorwärts und du lenkst ihn mithilfe diverser Sprünge in Richtung Ziel. Marios Verhalten ist dabei vom Timing deiner Berührungen des Bildschirms abhängig. Dein Geschick entscheidet, ob es dir gelingt, Münzen zu sammeln, das Ziel zu erreichen und Mario dabei auch noch gut aussehen zu lassen.
Hinweis: Es wird eine Internetverbindung benötigt und es können weitere Kosten durch das Herunterladen von Daten entstehen.
Welten
Renne und springe in stilvoller Manier, um Prinzessin Peach aus Bowsers Fängen zu befreien!
Deine Reiseroute umfasst Ebenen, Höhlen, Spukhäuser, Luftgaleeren, Festungen und mehr...
6 Welten mit 24 brandneuen, speziell für einhändiges Spielen entworfenen Leveln warten darauf, durchgespielt zu werden!
Hinweis: Du hast nur dann Zugriff auf alle 6 Welten, wenn du sie gekauft hast.
Toad-Rallye
Lass Mario mit coolen Aktionen glänzen, tritt gegen deine Freunde an und fordere Spieler aus der ganzen Welt heraus.
Bei diesem vielfältigen Herausforderungsmodus ähnelt keine deiner Partien einer vorherigen.
Es geht nicht nur darum, noch trickreichere Manöver als dein Kontrahent aufs Parkett zu zaubern, sondern auch darum, Münzen zu sammeln und von vielen Toads angefeuert zu werden. Wenn du überzeugend genug bist, können sogar Toads in dein Königreich einziehen.
Coole Aktionen füllen deine Münzrausch-Anzeige und können so letztendlich einen Münzrausch auslösen!
Hinweis: Du benötigst Rallye-Tickets, um eine Toad-Rallye spielen zu können. An diese Tickets kannst du auf unterschiedliche Art und Weise gelangen, beispielsweise durch das Abschließen einer Welt oder über Bonusspiele in deinem Königreich.
Königreich
Sammle Münzen und Toads, um dein ganz eigenes Königreich zu gestalten.
Erschaffe ein einzigartiges Königreich, indem du Gebäude und Dekoration platzierst. Sammele Toads in Toad-Rallyes, damit neue Elemente verfügbar werden.
Die freundlichen Toads, die du bei der Toad-Rallye beeindruckt hast, sind also der Schlüssel dafür, dein Königreich ganz nach deinen Vorlieben auszuschmücken, zu vergrößern und zu verbessern.
Es gibt über 100 verschiedene Elemente, die du im Königreich-Modus platzieren kannst!
Hinweis: Du kannst das Spiel kostenfrei herunterladen und einen Teil davon gratis spielen oder gegen Zahlung eines festgesetzten Kaufpreises den kompletten Spielumfang genießen."
Das Switch-Lineup im Launch-Fenster bekommt Zuwachs: Entwickler Nicalis hat mit einem Trailer verkündet, dass sein Future-Racer Redout im Laufe des Frühjahrs 2017 auch für Nintendo Switch erscheint. Wie die PC-Version der Hommage an WipEout, F-Zero, Rollcage und POD in unserem Test abschnitt, erfahrt ihr hier. Mit Fast RMX kommt übrigens noch ein futuristisches Rennspiel auf Nintendos künftige Konsole.
Beim Deutschen Computerspielpreis 2017 werden Preisgelder in Höhe von insgesamt 550.000 Euro vergeben. Das Preisgeld für den Förderpreis für die deutsche Spielebranche steigt damit zum dritten Mal in Folge. 2015 wurden 385.000 Euro vergeben; 2016 waren es 470.000 Euro. Der Preis wird in 14 Kategorien verliehen. "Wie vom Bundestag im Rahmen des Beschlusses über den Bundeshaushalt 2017 gefordert, werden die Preise je zur Hälfte vom Bund und der Wirtschaft bereitgestellt. Im konstruktiven Dialog ist es den Ausrichtern des Preises, dem Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur sowie den Branchenverbänden BIU und GAME gelungen, einen erneuten Anstieg der Preisgelder auch unter den neuen Auflagen des Bundestages zu ermöglichen", heißt es von den Veranstaltern. Entwickler können ihre Spiele noch bis zum 27. Januar 2017 für den Deutschen Computerspielpreis einreichen. Am 26. April 2017 werden die Gewinner ausgezeichnet.
Dorothee Bär, Parlamentarische Staatssekretärin beim Bundesminister für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur: "Der DCP bleibt auf Kurs: Er ist bedeutendes Schaufenster und Gradmesser für die Akzeptanz des Computerspiels: So viele Akteure wie noch nie haben sich in die Debatten eingebracht - und im Ergebnis steht erneut das deutliche Bekenntnis: Wirtschaft und Politik haben gemeinsam ein Förderinstrument geschaffen, das sie weiter stärken werden. Mit Preisgeld und Know-how rüstet der Computerspielpreis deutsche Spiele für den internationalen Vergleich."
Felix Falk, Geschäftsführer des BIU - Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware e.V.: "Die Erhöhung der Preisgelder ist ein starkes und wichtiges Signal. Ich bin dem BMVI und dem GAME für die partnerschaftliche Zusammenarbeit sehr dankbar, die dieses erfreuliche Ergebnis möglich gemacht hat. Der Deutsche Computerspielpreis ist für den BIU eine Herzensangelegenheit. Daher haben wir angesichts der besonderen Herausforderungen in diesem Jahr unser Engagement nochmals erhöht."
Prof. Dr. Linda Breitlauch, stellvertretende Vorstandsvorsitzende des GAME Bundesverband der deutschen Games-Branche e.V.: "Wir freuen uns sehr, dass die Ausrichter gemeinsam einen Weg gefunden haben, die Preisgelder erneut zu erhöhen. Besonders zu würdigen ist die Bereitschaft der Branche, durch zusätzliche Medialeistungen, insbesondere aber von erstklassigen Mentoren aus der Mitgliedschaft des GAME, den Preis zusätzlich aufzuwerten. Dies kommt vor allem dem Nachwuchs zugute, also der nächsten Generation der Games-Branche."
Die Preisgelder der 14 Kategorien teilen sich wie folgt auf (Veränderung zu 2016):
Bestes Deutsches Spiel: 110.000 Euro (plus 10.000 Euro)
Bestes Nachwuchskonzept, 1. Platz: 45.000 Euro (plus 5.000 Euro)
Bestes Nachwuchskonzept, 2. Platz: 30.000 Euro (plus 5.000 Euro)
Bestes Nachwuchskonzept, 3. Platz: 15.000 Euro (plus 5.000 Euro)
Bestes Kinderspiel: 75.000 Euro (plus 15.000 Euro)
Bestes Jugendspiel: 75.000 Euro (plus 15.000 Euro)
Beste Innovation: 40.000 Euro (plus 5.000 Euro)
Beste Inszenierung: 40.000 Euro (plus 5.000 Euro)
Bestes Serious Game: 40.000 Euro (plus 5.000 Euro)
Bestes Mobiles Spiel: 40.000 Euro (plus 5.000 Euro)
"Erstmalig erhalten die Gewinner des Deutschen Computerspielpreises zusätzlich zum Preisgeld Unterstützungsleistungen im Gegenwert von 90.000 Euro. Damit summieren sich die Preise auf einen Gesamtwert von 640.000 Euro. Die zusätzlichen Preise werden in Form von Medialeistungen in Höhe von 60.000 Euro für den Gewinner in der Kategorie 'Bestes Deutsches Spiel' von der Computec Media GmbH bereitgestellt. Die drei Preisträger in der Kategorie 'Bestes Nachwuchskonzept' erhalten Mentoring-Leistungen im Gegenwert von 30.000 Euro, die der GAME Verband aus seinem Expertennetzwerk zur Verfügung stellt."
Achtung, hier könnte es eine Storno geben! Wer davon allzu sehr enttäuscht wäre, liest also am besten gar nicht erst weiter.^^ Alle anderen können ja mal ihr Glück versuchen -immerhin ist die Limited Edition von The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild für die Nintendo Switch nahezu überall ausverkauft. Redcoon bietet diese aber noch für 99,99 EUR bzw. 96,98 EUR inkl. 5 EUR Newsletter Gutschein und Versand an. Beachtet dabei den Hinweis!
Hinweis: Ihr müsst das Spiel (leider) selbst auf der Seite suchen und dann direkt von den Suchergebnissen aus in den Warenkorb legen, da es die Produktseite (nicht mehr) gibt. Die Bestellung kann dann aber ganz normal abgeschlossen werden. Jedoch mit Storno-Gefahr.
Saturn verkauft gerade Homefront: The Revolution Day One Edition (One) für 3,99 EUR. Ein Preisfehler, wie es scheint. Wer das Spiel noch günstig sucht, der kann zugreifen.
Update: Check out our Xbox One X review. A head of its November 7, 2017 release date, make sure to check it out to see how Xbox One X's specs perform and how games run at 4K on it.
Original Story: With Microsoft revealing more information on Xbox One X, we have updated our console specs compared story to include the latest information on Microsoft's upcoming system. Specs, features, and prices for all the modern consoles are condensed in our comprehensive chart below.
Xbox One
Xbox One S
Xbox One X
Playstation 4
PlayStation 4 Slim
PlayStation 4 Pro
Switch
CPU
1.75GHz 8-core AMD custom “Jaguar” CPU
1.75GHz 8-core AMD custom “Jaguar” CPU
2.3GHz 8-core AMD custom “Jaguar” CPU
1.6GHz 8-core AMD custom “Jaguar” CPU
1.6GHz 8-core AMD custom “Jaguar” CPU
2.1GHz 8-core AMD custom “Jaguar” CPU
1020MHz Nvidia custom Tegra SOC
GPU
Integrated AMD graphics clocked at 853MHz with 1.31 teraflops of performance
Integrated AMD graphics clocked at 914MHz
Integrated AMD graphics with 6 teraflops of performance
Integrated AMD graphics clocked at 800MHz with 1.84 teraflops of performance
Integrated AMD graphics clocked at 800MHz with 1.84 teraflops of performance
Integrated AMD Polaris graphics with 4.2 teraflops of performance
Black (Joy-Con controllers are also available in red/blue)
Optical Drive
Blu-ray/DVD
4K/HDR Blu-ray drive
4K/HDR Blu-ray drive
Blu-ray/DVD
Blu-ray/DVD
Blu-ray/DVD
NA
Networking
Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi A/B/G/N 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi A/B/G/N/AC 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 B/G/N, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 2.1
Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 B/G/N/AC, Bluetooth 4.0
Gigabit Ethernet
802.11A/B/G/N/AC Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant) / Bluetooth 4.1 (TV mode only. A wired LAN connection is possible through the use of a commercially available wired LAN adapter.)
Internet Subscription
Xbox Live required to play online
Xbox Live required to play online
Xbox Live required to play online
PS Plus required to play online
PS Plus required to play online
PS Plus required to play online
Nintendo Switch Online Service required to play online
Ports
Power, HDMI in, HDMI out, 3x USB 3.0, S/PDIF, Kinect port, IR out
Power, HDMI 2.0a in, HDMI 2.0a out, 3x USB 3.0, S/PDIF, IR out
Power, HDMI 2.0a in, HDMI 2.0a out, 3x USB 3.0, S/PDIF, IR out
HDMI, analog-AV out, 2xUSB 3.0, AUX, S/PDIF
HDMI, analog-AV out, 2xUSB 3.1, AUX
HDMI, 3x USB 3.1, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x PS Camera
Game Card, Audio Jack, SD card slot, USB-C, HDMI out, 2x USB port (on dock)
We’ve highlighted a few interesting tidbits below:
Which console is the most powerful? On paper, Microsoft's Xbox One X console is the most powerful system with its 6 teraflops of performance. This is over 4.5x of that of the original Xbox One and 1.4x the PS4 Pro, its closest console competitor.
Which console offers the most storage space? The console that currently offers the most storage space out of the box is the 2TB version of the Xbox One S. It’s worth mentioning that you can swap out the storage drives on the PlayStation 4 consoles, which is something Xbox One systems currently can’t do.
Which console is the smallest? Being a handheld console, the Nintendo Switch is the smallest system here measuring 4x6.8x2.1 inches.
Which console is the heaviest? While the Xbox One X is the smallest Xbox console yet, it's also the heaviest out the bunch, weighing in at 8.4 pounds.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia appears to be either a game heavily inspired by or a remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden "on a grander scale." Gaiden is the second game in the Fire Emblem series, but it never saw release outside of Japan. It consisted of some unique elements that Nintendo says will be represented here.
Those include a world map you can navigate and 3D areas you can wander around. Combat looks to still resemble that of Fire Emblem Awakening and Fates. Character progression is described as "flexible."
Surprising as it is to see a new Fire Emblem so soon after last year's Fates, what might even be more surprising is how soon it's coming. Shadows of Valentia launches for 3DS on May 19. Alongside it, a two-pack of Amiibo figures with the game's two protagonists, Alm and Celica, will also be released.
Update: Fire Emblem Heroes will in fact launch for Android and iOS at the same time. Despite initially providing a date for the Android version and saying the iOS version would launch "soon," Nintendo of America has now clarified it'll be out for both platforms on February 2.
At its most basic level, Heroes plays out like any Fire Emblem game. It's a strategy RPG with turn-based combat, a tile-based map, and a weapon triangle that dictates each weapon's strengths and weaknesses. Maps are designed as 8x6 grids intended to fit the screen of a mobile phone. You'll drag characters around to move them from tile to tile, with movement and combat apparently working like in a typical Fire Emblem.
The "Heroes" part of the name refers to the characters you'll control and fight against--many of them are fan-favorites returning from previous games like Marth, Roy, Chrom, Lon'qu, Anna, Lyn, and Robin (your character in Fire Emblem: Awakening). Each one has a color that dictates where it stands in the weapon triangle, and they all have new artwork and voicework for Heroes.
Being a free-to-play game, there are some noteworthy differences from previous titles. Heroes adopts the popular gacha model used in many free-to-play games in Japan. Characters can be added to your team using Orbs, which are obtained by either playing or paying real-world money. Summons are random, although you can pick a certain color (corresponding to the weapon triangle) from a choice of five summoning stones to bolster a certain part of your team.
While final prices may still change, today's livestream briefly showed Orb pricing; it ranges from $2 for three orbs to $75 for 140, and it looks as if higher-priced options may also be available. Summoning initially costs five Orbs, but repeatedly doing so from the same set of stones lowers the Orb price of each summon. Summoned characters are assigned stars that determine their stats, skills, and weapons. That means there may be a benefit to summoning the same character more than once, although it is possible to increase a character's star level over time. New skills (of the active and passive variety) can be obtained by fighting enemies or leveling up.
Nintendo also promises "[f]ree and timely updates will add new characters and content for additional hours of gameplay."
Unlike Super Mario Run, which debuted on iOS, Heroes launches as a free-to-play on Google Play on February 2. It'll be available "soon" on iOS devices.
Dynasty Warriors developer Omega Force's upcoming spin-off Fire Emblem Warriors is due this autumn on Switch, Nintendo revealed in a Nintendo Direct stream tonight.
Interestingly, it will be coming to New 3DS too, just as Hyrule Warriors did.
Unfortunately, this handheld version will be specific to the New 3DS, not the older models.
The Nintendo 3DS is getting a surprise new Fire Emblem, with a remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden - the last Famicom entry in the series, and a game that never made its way out of Japan - coming out on May 19th in the UK.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is an expansive remake that brings the art-style of Awakening and Fates to the 1992 game while retaining its unique character, with the free-roaming open world map returning alongside branching class promotions. New animations from Studio Khara also feature, while the release will be accompanied by two new Amiibos featuring stars Celica and Alm.
Nintendo also used the occasion to announce that Fire Emblem would be coming to the Switch next year, with an as-yet untitled new game set to be the first series entry on home consoles since 2008's Radiant Dawn.
Nintendo's next big mobile game is leading on Android, with Fire Emblem Heroes coming out on the platform on February 2nd before heading to iOS devices at an unspecified later date.
Fire Emblem Heroes follows quickly from Super Mario Run - which debuted last year on Apple's own hardware first - and sees the long-running tactical RPG series debuting on mobile as a free-to-play game with 'gacha' style monetisation whereby players can pump in currency to gain a chance to unlock new characters.
The series grid-based gameplay seems to have found a great fit on mobile, with maps taking place on small 6x8 grids that promise relatively quick-fire scraps. Fire Emblem Heroes also features stars from across the series' history - though if you want to unlock your favourites, you'll likely be looking at investing a fair amount of money into the game.
1,2 Switch wird mit mehr als 20 Mini Games erscheinen. Die neue große Minispielsammlung? Anscheinend möchte Nintendo mit der Nintendo Switch die Erfolgrezepte der Wii wieder ausgraben. Zum Start erhalten wir nicht nur Core Gaming Titel wie Zelda, sondern auch Familien Spiele wie 1,2 Switch die gleichzeitig eine perfekte Demo ...
This giant version of the classic arcade game was spotted at the Bandai Namco booth at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016 in Alexandria, Virginia. The question is, how can I get one at home? Yeah, I know they’re going to charge thousands of dollars, but I don’t care. I must play some giant Pac-Man. Nothing else is going to bring this fever down!
Look Bandai Namco, just give me a price and I’ll tell you where to deliver it.
Nintendo is ready to make your Zelda gaming experience a reality with a Zelda-themed escape room that will go on tour in 2017. It was created in collaboration with escape-room designer SCRAP and is called Defenders of the Triforce.
The real-world puzzle adventure will start in San Francisco on January 31st. After that it will be making its way to Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix, Houston, Chicago and New York. Teams of six will work together to solve puzzles, in order to save the world from Ganondorf. Players will also be using classic items from the series to solve puzzles and progress to the next room/level.
Long time Zelda fans will want to get in on this action. Admission starts at $38(USD). If this is a hit, I imagine they will tour other themed live-action games in the future.
I never really put much thought into what it would cost to actually make and operate the things we see in sci-fi movies. Take the Death Star for instance. It never crossed my mind to think about how much it would cost to build. Estimates peg that cost at $852 quadrillion bucks if you are wondering.
As it turns out, the cost of building the Death Star would be a drop in the ocean of money it would take to run the thing on a daily basis. You can check out the infographic below and see more detail, and to find out just how much it would cost to operate.
Ovo Energy got help from real scientists, and they estimate that it would cost £6 octillion (~$7.58 octillion USD) daily to power the Death Star. I don’t even know how many zeros that would be. What we do know is the amount is 30 trillion times more money than there is on all of the Earth. Good going, Darth.
In an interview with IGN, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma hinted another Zelda could be coming to Nintendo’s new console/portable hybrid later in the system’s lifespan.
“I haven’t been able to fully use all of the new features of the system,” Aonuma told IGN. “There could be the possibility of another Zelda on Nintendo Switch.”
We asked Aonuma where Zelda could go next given the new game’s large scale and scope, to which he jokingly replied, “It’s always easy to top the best,” before explaining what he would like to expand on.
“I think the core element of Zelda gameplay kind of stays the same. There’s the main character development as well as characters you meet along the way, and then you learn new things as the character develops,” he said. “With that said I think we could keep all that, and then I do wonder how we can expand from here with that in mind.” It appears Nintendo hasn't started thinking too much about the next new Zelda game. Back at E3, Aonuma said the next Zelda after Breath of the Wild could be another multiplayer game.
Jerry Seinfeld has a signed a new production deal with Netflix that will see his hit show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, move from Crackle to Netflix.
As first revealed by The Hollywood Reporter, 24 brand new episodes of Comedians in Car Getting Coffee will debut exclusively on Netflix starting in late 2017 through 2018 and beyond. The show's previous 59 episodes will be available to stream on Netflix as well.
Jerry Seinfeld (right - seen here with David Letterman) in Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
If any video game character has the right to be angry, it’s oft-maligned platformer hero Bubsy. Thanks to the power of ROM hacking, the bobcat mascot finally has an appropriate outlet for his righteous rage.
It may have been a while since there has been an update, but I’ve been busy behind the scenes, honest!
There have been many, many, Lynx SD cartridges shipped in the past few months, but I’ve also been working on more new and exciting hardware. In preparation for the JagSD, which is underway, I have been working on a NeoGeo Pocket Colour SD / flash cartridge which actually uses all the components I intend to use on the JagSD. So it’s actually been a really handy testing ground for Atmel micros and Lattice hybrid CLPD / FPGA devices. Exciting stuff!
Remember that teaser for a short Majora's Mask fan film? Well start getting excited because the wait is over, $2 Shit-Beer Mondays are backit's here now, all 4+ minutes of it. I'm not sure if it's the first in a series or if this is all they're making but it definitely left me wanting more. Like when you order a soup and half-sandwich combo for lunch. Come on, I can eat a cup of soup and a whole sandwich, I'm not a child. "Please stop drawing on the table." I WANT ICE CREAM.
Keep going for the video, it's quality.
Auf der diesjährigen CES in Las Vegas hat der Hersteller Retro-Bit eine inoffizielle Auflage des Nintendo Gameboy angekündigt. Das Gerät ist optisch stark an dem klassischen Gameboy angelehnt und kann Classic, Color und Gameboy Advanced Spiele wiedergeben. Das "HD" Display soll dimmbar sein.
Der Akku hält laut Retro-Bit bis zu 10 Stunden. Im Vergleich zum klassischen Gameboy sind 2 zusätzliche Tasten verbaut, die die Funktion der Schultertasten vom Gameboy Advanced übernehmen werden. Ein Release für die USA ist für August 2017 angepeilt. Für Europa wurde noch kein Datum genannt. Der Super Retro Boy kommt für $80 in den Handel, inkl. einem Modul mit 10 (bisher noch unbekannten) Spielen.
Nintendo sees its new Switch device as a home console first, according to a new interview.
Speaking to Wired, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime stated, "At its heart, [Switch is] a home console that you can take with you on the go."
The executive was addressing a question about what the Switch's launch means for the 3DS. Fils-Aime responded by saying the introduction of one doesn't mean the other will become obsolete, and that he sees the Switch as a home console first.
"3DS has a long life in front of it," he said. "We've already announced games that will be launching in the first couple quarters of this year. There are a number of big games coming. And in our view, the Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo Switch are going to live side-by-side. You're going to be meeting different price points, you're going to be meeting different types of consumers, you're going to have the newest, freshest content available on Nintendo Switch, you've got a thousand-game library available on Nintendo 3DS, plus some key new ones coming. They're going to co-exist just fine. We've done this before, managing two different systems.
"I think there's a sense that Nintendo Switch is a portable device. It is portable. But at its heart, it's a home console that you can take with you on the go."
The long-time Nintendo exec also spoke to GameSpot at the recent Switch reveal event in New York. He addressed the clamor for a potential new Metroid game by saying, "So I have nothing to announce--here. But we are aware that there are some key IP that consumers just can't wait for the next true instalment in that franchise's legacy. Suffice it to say, we're aware of it, and talk to me in a year and let's look back and see what's happened."
He went on to say that it's essential to have "a regular cadence of critical launches to drive the install base and keep the consumer base engaged." Nintendo thinks Wii U had a great lineup of games, but with Switch, it hopes to avoid having those "large gaps" between releases.
Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) is one of the most recognizable esports tournaments in the world. Originally started by ESL in conjunction with Intel, IEM has been around for 10 years, making this its 11th season of competition. IEM brings teams and individuals from around the globe together to compete in games like StarCraft II, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, and more, attracting huge numbers of fans to its major stadium events.
Thanks to Intel, this year I had the pleasure of attending IEM Gyeonggi in South Korea, the last stop in the 2016/2017 season of IEM before the big show in Katowice, Poland. This was the second time IEM had been hosted in Korea, the last being in 2008 for World of Warcraft, Counter-Strike 1.6, and Warcraft III tournaments. Intel and the ESL partnered with Goyang City, running IEM Gyeonggi 2016 at the Goyang Sports Complex, featuring League of Legends, StarCraft II and for the first time, Overwatch. The venue has full facilities for the production of spectacular large-scale events, and is capable of seating around 3000 in its stage configuration.
That is, if they decide to show up.
The most striking thing about IEM Gyeonggi 2016 was the distinct lack of attendees. It was startling at first. We were milling about, having just completed a behind-the-scenes media tour of the facility, when suddenly the lights went down, and a timer started on the big screens above the stage. As the timer approached zero, presenters stood on raised podiums, and began addressing the various crane and static cameras around the stadium, seemingly attempting to hype-up a crowd that simply wasn't present. The event was open, and hardly anyone was there. Crane shots of the stage were carefully cut before they could pan across empty seats, and sizzle-reel footage from previous IEM events was intercut between announcements, showing teeming crowds waving thundersticks and shouting for their favorite teams in stark contrast to the empty stadium of IEM Gyeonggi.
Expo booth and security staff were often seen sitting, idly scrolling through their phones. Boxes upon boxes of LED-laden thundersticks sat mostly full at each spectator entrance to the arena. The stadium itself is situated in an area that was nearly devoid of foot traffic during business hours, making the entire surrounds feel still and quiet amidst the bitter cold of Korean winter.
On day two of the three-day event, I sat down with George Woo, esport and marketing manager for Intel Corporation to discuss how the event was going, from his perspective. "I'm happy," he began, "it's been eight years, and as Korea is the mecca of esports, bringing IEM--the longest running global PC gaming platform—here has been an honor." Seemingly sensing the direction of questioning, Woo shifted across to discuss the obvious. "I think the model definitely is something we need to adapt to the Korean market, though."
Woo was referencing the fact that typically, when tournaments occur in Korea, qualifiers and preliminary matches are held in a studio and broadcast online. Only finals are run as live events, usually over the course of a single four or five-hour period. In a country that is so familiar with esports, and spoiled for choice when it comes to live esports-related content, it makes sense for their high frequency to result in shorter individual events. Contrast this to IEM Gyeonggi, a 36-hour festival featuring three different games. Each game was represented with matches on each day, meaning that fans of any one esport or team were required to sit through content they may not care about, having braved a lengthy trip to Goyang City via public transport, or through the horrendous traffic jams that have become commonplace in Seoul during its ever-expanding peak hours.
Is the IEM format simply incompatible with South Korea? Was IEM Gyeonggi a failure?
It's important to remember that esports, like many modern spectacles, exist as much online as off. More and more spectators choose to consume live sporting events online, massively increasing the total audience. More than 3.4 million viewers tuned into IEM Gyeonggi live broadcasts across Twitch, Hitbox, and Azubu. The event was also broadcast by the esports-dedicated TV channel OGN, according to an ESL press release. This means that despite the lack of a physical turnout, the event achieved what any good qualifying tournament needed to achieve: It was consumed by a large number of viewers, and still qualified teams for competition at the finals in Katowice. ESL vice president of pro gaming Michal Blicharz clarified that underselling seated tickets to an event doesn't spell its end. "Let's say we only half sell-out an event. The number of people we 'lost,'" he said, making airquotes with his fingers during our interview, "is nothing compared to the viewership we might find globally. An event like this is watched by upwards of one million to 15m people, so the stadium audience is always a drop in the bucket. We prioritize for the online audience; this is still a broadcast product."
Despite this, the spirits of the fans that did attend IEM Gyeonggi couldn't be dampened. Queues formed for player autographs after major matches, screams could be heard during tense moments. The finals saw the floor area of the arena filled with nearly 500 spectators. A far cry from the capacity of 3000, or even the minimum target of 1500, but enough to show that passion was there. Will IEM return to South Korea in 2017? "Absolutely, and we’re going to be a lot smarter about it. This is a critical market for Intel and IEM, and not just us, but overall for esports," said the effervescent and seemingly unflappable Woo. "Yes, we were a little bit ambitious for this year. But this is year one, and we want to have a lot of events that we’ll continually improve on."
Intel and ESL believe in their format, and they should. The primary lesson learned from IEM Gyeonggi was that a format that works in one country won't necessarily work in others. The fact that IEM Katowice has previously brought more than 115,000 people through its doors for a single event doesn't mean that the same should automatically be expected of South Korea. Intel and ESL have learned this, and have committed--on the record--to returning to Goyang City in 2017, and ensuring that it will be planned according to the sensibilities of the local audience.
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