TIME Readers Respond to Nintendo Article

TIME had an article on the Nintendo Wii just before E3. We now have some reader responses to it that they’ve published. Unfortunately, the two of the three readers did not seem to understand a word of the article.

“‘A Game for All Ages’ [May 15] reported that Nintendo hopes its new game controller, which senses a player’s hand movements, will appeal to girls and grandparents. As a female gamer who has been playing video games since the days of Pac-Man, I am always amused by game companies that feel the need to target female gamers. Not one of the games aimed at girls has appealed to me. You know what I want in a game? How about realistic female characters instead of bouncy, skinny, half-naked ones? I’ve given up playing female characters in any game because of how they look. Does anyone really believe female warriors ran around wearing little more than a metal brassiere? If Nintendo is serious about wanting to reach the female audience, it should treat us with some respect. We like questing too!” ~Michelle Hedstrom, Santa Clara, Calif.

I can’t think of any female Nintendo characters who are scantily clad. Samus is the exact opposite of the female stereotype – she kicks ass, takes name, and all without revealing a centimetre of skin. Peach and Zelda, formerly playing the role of damsel in distress, are now playing more active roles in games. Zelda fights alongside you in The Wind Waker and Peach needs to save Mario in Super Princess Peach. Heck, Samus, Peach, and Sheik are all in the top 10 when it comes to Super Smash Bros. Melee fighters.

“Nintendo believes that nongamers do not play video games because they are ‘really hard’ and the ‘learning curve is steep.’ As a nongamer, I have another take: we do not play video games because we prefer fresh air and sunshine, exercise, good books and conventional card and board games that allow us to interact with other humans.” ~Susan Mycroft, Asheville N.C.

The last person was a bit ignorant, but not stupid. This lady is ignorant and chooses to be sarcastic. Does she realize that gamers can go outside as well? Card games and board games are played inside as well as video games. Card games and board games are played with other people and so are video games. Just because video games have a single-player mode doesn’t mean they’re all solitary activities. Just like how Solitaire and Freecell are single-player doesn’t mean that all card games are solitary activities. I can’t wait to see her argument against movies and TV.

“Nintendo’s new game controller is quite intriguing. As a nongamer, I quickly saw beyond its recreational use to its potential in other areas. Could the movement and motion described as part of the gaming experience be incorporated into a program of rehabilitation therapy for people recovering from illness or injury? If Nintendo is looking for new markets, perhaps its engineers and developers should meet with some physical-therapy experts and explore the possibilities.” ~Kim Enders, Muscoda Wis.

I actually hadn’t thought about that. This should be interesting.

TIME had an article on the Nintendo Wii just before E3. We now have some reader responses to it that they’ve published. Unfortunately, the two of the three readers did not seem to understand a word of the article.

“‘A Game for All Ages’ [May 15] reported that Nintendo hopes its new game controller, which senses a player’s hand movements, will appeal to girls and grandparents. As a female gamer who has been playing video games since the days of Pac-Man, I am always amused by game companies that feel the need to target female gamers. Not one of the games aimed at girls has appealed to me. You know what I want in a game? How about realistic female characters instead of bouncy, skinny, half-naked ones? I’ve given up playing female characters in any game because of how they look. Does anyone really believe female warriors ran around wearing little more than a metal brassiere? If Nintendo is serious about wanting to reach the female audience, it should treat us with some respect. We like questing too!” ~Michelle Hedstrom, Santa Clara, Calif.

I can’t think of any female Nintendo characters who are scantily clad. Samus is the exact opposite of the female stereotype – she kicks ass, takes name, and all without revealing a centimetre of skin. Peach and Zelda, formerly playing the role of damsel in distress, are now playing more active roles in games. Zelda fights alongside you in The Wind Waker and Peach needs to save Mario in Super Princess Peach. Heck, Samus, Peach, and Sheik are all in the top 10 when it comes to Super Smash Bros. Melee fighters.

“Nintendo believes that nongamers do not play video games because they are ‘really hard’ and the ‘learning curve is steep.’ As a nongamer, I have another take: we do not play video games because we prefer fresh air and sunshine, exercise, good books and conventional card and board games that allow us to interact with other humans.” ~Susan Mycroft, Asheville N.C.

The last person was a bit ignorant, but not stupid. This lady is ignorant and chooses to be sarcastic. Does she realize that gamers can go outside as well? Card games and board games are played inside as well as video games. Card games and board games are played with other people and so are video games. Just because video games have a single-player mode doesn’t mean they’re all solitary activities. Just like how Solitaire and Freecell are single-player doesn’t mean that all card games are solitary activities. I can’t wait to see her argument against movies and TV.

“Nintendo’s new game controller is quite intriguing. As a nongamer, I quickly saw beyond its recreational use to its potential in other areas. Could the movement and motion described as part of the gaming experience be incorporated into a program of rehabilitation therapy for people recovering from illness or injury? If Nintendo is looking for new markets, perhaps its engineers and developers should meet with some physical-therapy experts and explore the possibilities.” ~Kim Enders, Muscoda Wis.

I actually hadn’t thought about that. This should be interesting.