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Future Gaming is Family Gaming

Gaming is mainstream and growing, this is obvious to most video game enthusiasts. Even Jack Thompson has failed in taking down the industry in his efforts on video game violence and general FUD. In order to survive in a mainstream environment publishers and developers are going to target a broad demographic to make them as much money as possible.

Soon we'll start seeing more spouses changing their tune from, "games are stupid" to "let me try." As one of our podcast hosts found in episode 95 of our Gaming Podcast during his review of LittleBigPlanet, his wife pulled the controller from his hands to give the game a try and… liked it. As member ATC 1982 found when trying the Kingdom of Keflings demo, the family might actually like the game which could, in turn, cause him to purchase it.

Mainstream isn't your dad playing a video game in the basement after the kids go to bed, it's replacing Sorry with Spore and bringing out Wii Sports and having little family tournaments.
JonahFalcon - contributor
Published: 419 days 15 hours ago | Article | PlayStation 3 | Xbox 360 | Wii | Gaming | PC | Industry News
 
 

Showing: 1 - 17 of 17 Comments
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shqype - 419 days 19 hours ago
1 -
This is absolutely correct for many families. As the video-gamer generations begin having families and children of their own, they will share their hobbies with their sons and daughters. It will bring families together. With the expansion of the casual market, this can be only a positive thing. Games like LittleBigPlanet, Singstar, and Buzz! Quiz TV are great family and party games that families would enjoy.
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JonahFalcon - 419 days 18 hours ago
1.1 -
I don't have a family of my own yet, but Rock Band 2 is great for family get togethers.
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CEO OF N4G - 419 days 7 hours ago
1.2 -
I am sorry but if devs start to focus on this so called "FAMILY GAMING" more than hardcore gaming then i will be one pissed of gamer....
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bloop - 419 days 6 hours ago
1.3 - CEO.......
......I agree completely. I don't have a problem with these family orientated games, as long as we don't start getting the likes of "Super Gears of War Kart".
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solsub - 419 days 6 hours ago
1.4 -
Very well said, CEO.
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rmedtx888 - 419 days 9 hours ago
2 -
One of my co-workers recently got a PS3 and I recommended buying LittleBigPlanet and he bought it. Well, now his wife who's not a video game player, started playing the game and she's not letting him play. Shame on you Sackboy for causing marital problems....
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Fishy Fingers - 419 days 7 hours ago
2.1 -
Id recommend getting a second pad.
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No FanS Land - 419 days 7 hours ago
3 -
NOOO!! Though I like LBP, I don't want any wii party game to become the standard! These games are actually abusing people's mind. You want to reunite your family? then play a scrabble game, not a halo match.

as long as there is still one or more hardcore machine, there is still hope...
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Fishy Fingers - 419 days 7 hours ago
3.1 -
Gears, 2 million copies first weekend, Halo/Fallout $300million first week. The "hardcore" game is going nowhere, just that the shelves will have more variety in future, which can't be a bad thing.
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Jenzo - 419 days 7 hours ago
4 -
I'd say future gaming is multiplayer gaming with emphasis on user created content and other forms of online integration for gamers.
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No FanS Land - 419 days 7 hours ago
4.1 -
you're right about user creted content. this year really was the breakthrough year for it.

spore
LBP
GHWT

who's next?
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TheTwelve - 419 days 7 hours ago
5 -
Family gaming is only happening now because we gamers are growing up, getting married, and having kids.

But this should not mean that all games will turn into Wii games...we still need our hardcore fix.

12
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JonahFalcon - 419 days 6 hours ago
6 -
No one is saying they'll stop making Fallout 3 - it's making MONEY.

But now, people can make money making games that Dad can enjoy with Bobby and Suzy.
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SaiyanFury - 419 days 4 hours ago
7 -
"More spouses changing their tune from, "games are stupid" to "let me try."

This is already the case with my wife. She recently finished Okami for her Wii and is now replaying it through with the "New Game+" option she was given. We both play games and if and when we have kids, I'll also encourage them to play games as well.
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robotnik - 419 days 3 hours ago
8 -
No way, I like playing alone, I dont need any life forms that interrupt my amusement.
9 rainstorm24 | 419 days 2 hours ago - comment has been reported as SPAM -
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JonahFalcon - 419 days ago
10 -
Please read the article.

"Will this mark the end of “hardcore” games and reinvigorate less violent titles? Hardly"
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