Times' Asia Business Correspondent Leo Lewis reports:
Japanese women have overtaken men to become the biggest users of Nintendo's Wii and DS in what the company said would be "an overall transformation of the demographics of gaming." According to Nintendo, 51 percent of Wii users and 53 percent of DS users are women. Analysts believe the trend would completely change the business model in the video game industry.
Women are attracted to Wii and DS by Wii Fit, Wii Sports, Nintendogs, and a rich variety of "lifestyle" titles that teach cookery, healthy eating, and make-up tips. Whereas previous Nintendo products reached mainly a market aged between 7 and 16 years old, the Wii and DS have an ardent and sizeable Japanese fan-base aged between 40 and 62.
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata boosted in a press conference yesterday that a series of upcoming games that would feature Mario and Sonic on Nintendo's console; fifteen years ago, the Mario vs. Sonic rivalry was as intense and bitter as the console war between Nintendo vs. Sega. In what could deal a heavy blow to Sony, Nintendo yesterday also disclosed that Monster Hunter 3 would appear on Wii. Analysts believe that Capcom, which makes Monster Hunter, may be leading an exodus from the Sony platforms.
The game where you got to look after and train virtual puppies has remained in people's hearts since its original almost 15 years ago.
Nintendo's popular virtual pet simulation game Nintendogs may soon be available on mobile devices, according to a recent patent filing. The technology is centered around augmented reality, allowing players to interact with their virtual dogs in real-world environments.
Nintendogs looks to be making a comeback, with Nintendo having filed a patent describing a potential mobile version of the highly acclaimed DS game.
NOT, ( no offense, just keeping it real )