The Video Game Critic

Posted: **February 25th, 2007, 7:34 pm**

You can't call it a gimmick if it's the standard.

Posted: **February 26th, 2007, 9:37 am**

Hmmm, I would say that the following were innovations: Sony's dual analog, memory cards, console hard drives, online play, multi-functionality(dvd, blu ray, backwards compatibility, etc.), consoles with more than two controller ports, wireless, etc. the DS's touch screen, Microsoft's Live Arcade, etc.

And, the gimmicks: GBA-GC Connectivity(what a joke!), the DK Bongos, the NES: Classic series rereleases(not sure if this can be considered a gimmick, but $20 a pop?! I don't think so!), Sony's PSX(not necessarily a bad idea, but far too expensive to have much of an impact), MS's half-arsed backwards compatibility(umm, where is it?!)

Posted: **February 26th, 2007, 9:39 am**

Oh, and the GC microphone, to me, is a gimmick!

Posted: **February 26th, 2007, 1:37 pm**

[QUOTE=bluemonkey]

Gimmick: any weird controller be it a dance controller, fishing controller, touch screen controller or Wii controller.

Innovation: online console gaming - better than the PC original, 6 button controllers, dual stick controllers, 4 controller ports.

[/QUOTE]
I disagree with putting any "weird" controller in as a gimmick. Any largely unsupported controller is a gimmick. In fact, any largely unsupported feature is a gimmick. Your definition is very limited and easily proven to be untrue.

Once d-pad controllers were weird. Once wireless controllers were weird. Once force feedback was weird. Once analog was weird. Once dual analog was weird. Once 6 button controllers were weird. As these things were supported, they stopped being weird. Come on man, you aren't even trying.

Posted: **February 26th, 2007, 4:32 pm**

Eh, analog as an innovation? Dude, my Atari has analog controllers. I'm not so sure adding the same interface with a nub constitutes an innovation. More like an evolution to the digital pad. But whatever, I can see it, it's just not innovative to me.

The Wiimote on the other hand - that's innovative as there's nothing else like it.

Posted: **February 26th, 2007, 5:47 pm**

Sega Saturn cartrige slot?

Posted: **February 27th, 2007, 12:38 am**

[QUOTE=Atarifever][QUOTE=bluemonkey]

Gimmick: any weird controller be it a dance controller, fishing controller, touch screen controller or Wii controller.

Innovation: online console gaming - better than the PC original, 6 button controllers, dual stick controllers, 4 controller ports.

[/QUOTE]
I disagree with putting any "weird" controller in as a gimmick. Any largely unsupported controller is a gimmick. In fact, any largely unsupported feature is a gimmick. Your definition is very limited and easily proven to be untrue.

Once d-pad controllers were weird. Once wireless controllers were weird. Once force feedback was weird. Once analog was weird. Once dual analog was weird. Once 6 button controllers were weird. As these things were supported, they stopped being weird. Come on man, you aren't even trying.
[/QUOTE]

I was gonna post something similar to this but you nailed it. By his weird definition, a computer mouse is a gimmick. Besides, the Wii remote is like a mouse for you TV, how can that be a gimmick? And if it WERE a gimmick by definition, why would the dual analog or 6 button controllers not be? I almost think of those more as simple evolution than innovation. Going from the 1 button 2600 controller to the 2 button NES and SMS controllers wasn't innovation, it was the next logical step.

I think the best definition of a gimmick is the ROB robot. Actually, if you want a good definition of a gimmick, look back at Alienblue's explanation of why the ROB ISN'T a gimmick. Ironically, he explains a gimmick perfectly. Something to draw attention to a product without necessarily being designed to be a permanent fixture or main feature. This is why I don't think of Dance Pads and Fishing controllers as gimmicks. I think of them as something to help make the product, or game, function more like it should. The ROB looked cool at the time but did nothing. Gimmick.

Posted: **February 27th, 2007, 11:26 am**

You're right, R.O.B. WAS a gimmick, I wrote too hastily in my post. I really meant it was a DIFFERENT kind of gimmick, i.e; most gimmicks are meant to trick CONSUMERS into buying the product- like the Power Glove or U-Force. But ROB was invented to trick STORES and BUSINESSES into carrying the NES ("it's NOT a videogame, it's an interactive TOY!") - so it's a gimmick but an unusual gimmick. Nintendo KNEW consumers would not want the slow, silly ROB and phased it out VERY quickly once the NES became established-to be sure, they would have made more than 2 games if they thought it would last-instead they focused on D-pad and gun games and ROB was history.

Posted: **March 1st, 2007, 9:38 pm**

Reading this thread again, I am surprised at how many things are being called innovations, that were really only the obvious next step. I just don't think a 6 button controller is an innovation. How hard is it to say "Dadgummit, how's 'bout we stick summore a dem buttons on that thing??"

Posted: **March 1st, 2007, 10:30 pm**

You're right Paul. The d-pad was an innovation, and the joystick was an innovation; extra buttons and an added joystick are not innovations.

The Video Game Critic

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