Topic: Episode 207: Gotcha Mass x Gotcha Acceleration

[TJ Spyke]

I think a big part of UMD's demise as a move format was that it would usually be more expensive than the DVD versions while also usually lacking most of the special features. Unless you really wanted to watch the movie on the go (and didn't want to carry around a portable DVD player), then there was zero reason to buy the UMD version. Get the DVD version for less money and have more special features.

DVD sales are declining, but I wouldn't say plummeting.

[broodwars]

I'd appreciate it if Nintendo offered LEs for their games, if only because it would probably be the only way we'd ever get things like soundtracks (since it's pretty obvious at this point we'll never see them in Club Nintendo).
 
I have similar issues with game closure that you have, Jonny.  Especially with RPGs, I find that after about 20 hours or so I feel like putting them down and moving on to something a little more fast-paced, and then I have a lot of trouble going back to the game.  I loved Tales of Vesperia and enjoyed Sakura Wars 5 (for example), but somehow I just can't bring myself to go back and finish them when I have so many other games I could be playing. It's funny, really...replay value somehow still factors in greatly with my interest in purchasing games, yet I have trouble even getting myself to finish many of them once.

[Jonnyboy117]

I have come to place little or no importance on the concept of "replay value" for that exact reason.

[Jonnyboy117]

I think a big part of UMD's demise as a move format was that it would usually be more expensive than the DVD versions while also usually lacking most of the special features.

Those same problems would almost certainly apply to cartridge-based 3DS movies as well. The physical medium has less storage and is more expensive than discs.

[Kytim89]

I think a big part of UMD's demise as a move format was that it would usually be more expensive than the DVD versions while also usually lacking most of the special features.

Those same problems would almost certainly apply to cartridge-based 3DS movies as well. The physical medium has less storage and is more expensive than discs.

What I was talking about was similar to what the iphone does with movies. You would buy the movies from a 3DS app store or Netflix, download the movie and save it onto the internal memory of the 3DS and access it any time you want to watch the movie. How would this cost compared to physical media such as discs and cartridges? It would seem that downloading the movies would not only be cheap, but also quick and easy on Nintendo's part and we all know how they love quick and easy and especielly cheapness.

[TheYoungerPlumber]

You guys are just deluding yourselves with thoughts of a comprehensive online store with feed updates and digitally distributed movies. This is Nintendo we're talking about, in conjunction with the movie industry. Both of these parties historically prefer physical media for the (appearance of) stronger anti-piracy. I only see digital distribution of movies happening if Ninty teams up with Netflix. I give it an 80% chance movies are only distributed on 3DS cards, at least initially.

[NWR_insanolord]

I know neither Nintendo nor the movie industry are generally very logical, but people pirating a movie with the resolution of the 3DS that people only want because it's in 3D, which can't be done on anything else but bleeding edge TVs, doesn't seem like something that would be a problem.

[greybrick]

@ TYP

Well, at least someone agrees with my doubts:

I am doubtful that Nintendo will distribute these digitally, despite the general feeling that they will. Don't get me wrong, I truly hope they do release them digitally, but one never knows what will spur Nintendo towards doing or not doing something.

Everyone that has posted has pointed out genuine problems with selling movies in physical form, but we are forgetting who we are talking about here.

[Kytim89]

You guys are just deluding yourselves with thoughts of a comprehensive online store with feed updates and digitally distributed movies. This is Nintendo we're talking about, in conjunction with the movie industry. Both of these parties historically prefer physical media for the (appearance of) stronger anti-piracy. I only see digital distribution of movies happening if Ninty teams up with Netflix. I give it an 80% chance movies are only distributed on 3DS cards, at least initially.

As I said before, difital distribution is way cheaper and more return on investment than physical media. Also, Nintendo would most likely make it where you can not open up the 3DS shell and there can not pirate the software.

[vudu]

I hate to be the guy who always complains, but I have two things I'd like to say.

First, why is there exclusive content on the RFN Facebook page?  You guys have your own website--use it to its full potential.  I don't care if content is duplicated there, but can we avoid pictures, posts, etc. that are only available on Facebook?

Second, the plugs for Radio Trivia are great--more people need to listen to it because it's fantastic--but you stop teasing the new podcast by giving away which games are played?  I probably could have gotten Zelda II on my own but now I'll never know because as soon as I hear some 8-bit music I'll know the answer.

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Actually, Vudu, the teasing of a game selection was a request on my part in the hopes that RFN listeners who don't listen to Radio Trivia might be interested in hearing music/discussion of that revealed game, and then check out that Radio Trivia episode. The RFN episode plug intentionally comes out about a week after the Radio Trivia episode goes live--the idea is that regular Radio Trivia listeners would/should have already listened to the most recent Radio Trivia episode.

[Sundoulos]

TYP, have you considered making a facebook page for Radio Trivia like the one for RFN?  I've been posting links to some of the episodes, but be willing to suggest it to friends.

I've normally listened to the latest Radio Trivia episode before the game selection is revealed on RFN; I haven't been spoiled yet!  Mostly because I listen to podcasts when I run or work out, and RT is usually pretty great for running.

As far as the facebook site, I certainly don't know what future plans the hosts have, but it's not like they have a whole lot of exclusive content there.  After all, I'm sure that the goal is to provide content that would attract people to the show and NWR in general, not the other way around.

As far as the digital distribution discussion goes, I don't see Nintendo embracing it at the outset, either.  Like it or not, the demographic that prefers digital distribution still makes up a minority of Nintendo's target audience.  A lot of the consumers are still parents (or others) who will still prefer to purchase something tangible, so that they can give it to their children as a gift.   Just because I hate the clutter that collecting generates, I generally prefer getting stuff digitally, but it's still a difficult mental/psychological barrier for my family to overcome.  Even my wife doesn't prefer giving me a digital copies games or movies.    ...and to be honest, if I were to give a movie or a game to my (almost) 3 year old, it's going to be in the form of a disc.

[Pale]

It's official. I need to start mailing all the crappy games to James just so I can get so closure by listening to RFN.

[Pale]

Aw, now I got to the point where James complained about me taking so long to mail Jam with the Band... and now I feel bad.

[Crimm]

Aw, now I got to the point where James complained about me taking so long to mail Jam with the Band... and now I feel bad.

I think that game might have been infected by Monkey Madness.