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Five Reasons Why Diversity Could Matter More for Nintendo
Let’s get this out of the way first: no, I don’t think that Mario Kart 8 needs to add some spiffy, new racially diverse humans to its roster solely to satisfy what basically no one was directly asking for and what seems to have been more of a way of communicating Nintendo’s outdated product than an actual plea for diversity in the first place. But, as a fan of post-first-generation characters like Waluigi and Princess Rosalina, I do think that Nintendo has a gift for inventing new and exciting avatars for their fans throughout the world. And, as long as we seem to be having the (incredibly irate) conversation anyways, now’s probably the time to discuss why, yeah, it could actually be a pretty solid move to introduce some fantastical go-karting buddies to the company’s roster that don’t look like quite so pasty.
1. Nintendo Makes Simple Stories
I want to take a moment to discuss another property that had accusations of racism hurled blindly at it: HBO’s Girls.
“Well, if the internet wasn’t angry before…”
The show, which chronicles the lives of four white, twenty-something girls living in New York, has been the subject of a variety of controversies and generally toxic statements since it first aired but none was quite so blatantly dumb as the idea that by having a central cast made up exclusively of white folks that the show was inherently a rhetoric for the supposed superiority of the melanin-deficient. As time went on, it became increasingly clear that the progenitors of this theory were not fans of the show but simply a group of like-minded detractors desperately grasping for whatever straws they could use to hopefully get the show cancelled.
There’s a discussion there, though, about the reason why Girls made the artistic choices that it did. As a literary drama, Girls is an exploration of gender, race, generation and all sorts of other complex and inevitably convoluted stuff that makes up personal identity and the expressions and conflicts thereof. Girls maybe not be racially diverse but it is about race, from a certain perspective, because the race of the characters informs their decisions — albeit, in an indirect manner. You might be able to handle the same general topics from a number of viewpoints (and I’d certainly love it if HBO as a network did just that) but you couldn’t do that here and retain the same flavor. It’s like the difference between sriracha and tabasco. They’re both spicy, sure, but in different ways. If you’re acknowledging that and then exploring that then you don’t need to represent both in the same dish.
The thing is, Nintendo isn’t telling stories like that. Mario, in particular, is just a series of disconnected parodies of the classic knight-errant tales. The ones which have been distilled in modern recollection as essentially being about noble heroes running fetch quests for damsels in distress and laying the smackdown on dragons along the way. Why is Mario a plumber? Because it’s funny to see the classic knight replaced with something more working-class. Why does Bowser team up with Mario on occasion and why does Princess Peach sometimes not need saving at all? Because it’s funny to see these roles played around with. Why go-karting? Because these characters are more flexible tropes that can be slotted in wherever necessary than truly defined, dramatic creations.
And that’s fine too, but then it slowly begins to beg the question: do they really all need to look so similar? If Mario’s skin color matters to him about as much as the relative bushiness of his mustache then why is it set in stone? If heroism isn’t a white quality then why does it look so white when displayed here? And again, I think it would be downright silly to accuse Nintendo of racism. But at this point, they’re potentially sending a message that they don’t want to be sending.
As time goes on this becomes less an issue of the representation of race and more an issue of the representation of Nintendo’s key values. Even if their message is entirely inclusive, and always has been, then how do they successfully communicate that in the twenty-first century?
And maybe the answer is that they just avoid the question and hope that people get what they’re trying for. Or maybe the answer is that they give some serious thought to how diversity has the potential to make their character roster stronger and then figure out what means for them going forward.
2. Nintendo is a Worldwide Company
Especially now, with the recent announcement that the company will be designing a series of consoles exclusively for emerging markets, it’s clear that Nintendo’s aims are very global in nature. And the world’s made up of a lot of different people with a lot of different looks and a lot of different experiences. If Nintendo hopes to cater to all of them, or at least most of them, it could do a lot worse than attempt to shake up its characters a little.
But let’s not pretend that this is as simple as or as painless as adding a few different faces to their increasingly crowded cast. While in the West audiences may place a premium on physical representation, this by itself is going to be less important in places that are less likely to have a mixing-pot culture. Look no further than Japan’s own crooked path of importing superheroes for proof of that. The road from Spider-Man to the Power Rangers is long and fascinating but I don’t have the time to cover it all here.
“Hint: there was quite a lot of morphin’ involved.”
Suffice to say that if Nintendo is splintering its efforts into a variety of very different and much smaller markets, each with their own interests and expectations, then it will either have to have the kind of line-up that translates well across all national and cultural boundaries (good luck) or it will have to find a way to juggle all of these demands if it hopes to be a juggernaut in Uzbekistan on the same level that it is in Japan.
3. Nintendo is Trying to Go Social
If Tomodachi Life is any indication, Miyamoto and company are in for a rocky future as far as adding social tools to to their games goes. When asking people to pay money to play as virtual versions of themselves, erring on the side of more options is always, in every circumstance, going to be for the best.
But even outside of games where you’re meant to create a stand-in for yourself, Nintendo is hoping that you’ll be the type of consumer that is so attached to at least one of their characters that you’ll want to take a snapshot of them from inside the game and post it for the world to see. And no, I’m not trying to say that, for example, black players simply won’t be able to connect to white characters. That would be ridiculous and just plain wrong-headed about human nature.
But you can’t necessarily predict what individual people will find appealing about a particular character. When I was a kid, I would always play as Luigi when given the chance because green was my favorite color (still top three, by the way). As an adult, I’ll usually play as Rosalina because, unlike the rest of the Mario cast, she has a more consistent backstory and I dig her look more than that of Peach or Daisy. But nobody ever sat down and designed either of them to appeal directly to me or people like me. Somebody at Nintendo just did something creative and I found my own reasons for liking it.
Diversity helps here because, if you want people to find that one character of yours that they really identify with or just want to explore further, then you need more choices and those choices have to be meaningful. Choosing between Bowser and Daisy is pretty meaningful. Mario and Luigi? Maybe a little less so.
4. Nostalgia Needs to be Refreshed
Eventually, the market that exists for New Super Mario Bros. VI: The Undiscovered Country is going to dry up. Because you can only milk nostalgia until the generation that responds to it either dies off or gets completely and finally bored and moves on. It’s time to start planting seeds now for the future thirty-year-olds who will want to relive their own childhoods later.
I’m not saying to reinvent the wheel here. After all, icons become icons for a reason. But icons can also fade (have you ever heard of Mr. Skygack? Yeah, exactly.) so it’s not wise to rest on your laurels either. What determines how long a property lasts is how well its basic principles can be adapted and re-molded to not only survive but continue to be fresh and exciting in successive iterations. The more predictable a franchise is, the more easily worn-out its joys can become.
And one way to keep the spirit of a thing alive is to lower its cultural barrier to entry. Young people are increasingly growing accustomed to the idea that humanity is a broad collection of individual quirks and backgrounds such that the character select screen for the next Mario Kart won’t so much look potentially offensive as… just kind of weird? Like something is off and they might not be able to place what it is but it could be enough to put them off the whole thing. Audiences are fickle, remember. Heck, I’ve seen people give up on entire mediums of expression because they’re not consistently being delivered the exact experience that they want down to the very last detail.
In the game of keeping people happy, practically every path leads to failure. So I have a lot of sympathy for Nintendo’s position here but I can also see that they’re having a more difficult time keeping on their feet than they ever have before. And that’s definitely the best time to try something new. Which, really, shouldn’t be much of an issue for them. After all…
5. Nintendo Tries New Stuff All the Time
It’s one of their best features! And while they may not have knocked them all out of the park, their batting average is still pretty danged high. So why the resistance from fans and the seeming trepidation from the company itself on this one issue? Are we really so suspicious of Nintendo’s ability to do this kind of thing right?
Heck, even Disney has been doing pretty solid with representation recently and I’m still not entirely convinced that their creative staff aren’t secretly the result of a Vault-Tec testing program.
So, come on, what’s the worst that could happen?
“Please don’t answer that.”
Are you tired of playing video games all day long? Why not take a break and watch some video game-based movies on Hulu in NZ? With its vast collection of movies and TV shows, Hulu is the perfect platform to satisfy your gaming cravings.
From action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas, we would recommend you to get Hulu in NZ, because Hulu has it all. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the top 7 video game-based movies that you must watch on Hulu in NZ.
Assassin’s Creed (2016)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Justin Kurzel
Major Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
The first on our list is the movie adaptation of the popular video game franchise “Assassin’s Creed.” Starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, this movie follows the story of Callum Lynch, who discovers he is a descendant of a secret society of assassins. With stunning visuals and breathtaking action scenes, this movie is a must-watch for any Assassin’s Creed fan.
Rampage (2018)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Director: Brad Peyton
Major Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Akerman
Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes
If you’re a fan of monster movies and video games, “Rampage” is the perfect movie for you. Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, this movie is based on the classic arcade game of the same name. The movie follows a primatologist who teams up with a genetically modified gorilla to stop two other genetically modified animals from destroying the city. With its over-the-top action and humor, “Rampage” is a fun-filled ride from start to finish.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Director: Jeff Fowler
Major Cast: James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes
For all the Sonic fans out there, “Sonic the Hedgehog” is a must-watch movie. Starring Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, this movie follows Sonic as he teams up with a human cop to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. With its fast-paced action and lovable characters, “Sonic the Hedgehog” is a movie that both kids and adults can enjoy.
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Simon McQuoid
Major Cast: Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson
Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes
If you’re a fan of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, you won’t want to miss the 2021 movie adaptation. With its gory fight scenes and iconic characters, this movie is a love letter to the fans of the game. The movie follows a group of fighters who are recruited to participate in a tournament to determine the fate of the world. With stunning visuals and non-stop action, “Mortal Kombat” is a movie that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Warcraft (2016)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Duncan Jones
Major Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster
Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes
Based on the popular MMORPG game, “Warcraft” tells the story of the battle between humans and orcs. Starring Travis Fimmel and Paula Patton, this movie follows a group of human heroes as they try to stop the orc invasion. With its epic battles and stunning visuals, “Warcraft” is a movie that will transport you to a world of magic and adventure.
Tomb Raider (2018)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Roar Uthaug
Major Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes
Based on the popular video game franchise of the same name, “Tomb Raider” stars Alicia Vikander as the iconic Lara Croft. The movie follows Lara as she sets out on a dangerous journey to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance. With its intense action scenes and captivating storyline, “Tomb Raider” is a movie that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
Resident Evil (2002)
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Major Cast: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Last but not least, we have the classic zombie horror movie “Resident Evil.” Starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, this movie is based on the popular video game franchise of the same name. The movie follows Alice and a group of survivors as they try to escape from an underground research facility infested with zombies. With its tense atmosphere and pulse pounding action, “Resident Evil” is a must-watch for any horror or action movie fan.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the top 7 video game-based movies that you must watch on Hulu in NZ. From the high-flying action of “Assassin’s Creed” to the terrifying zombie outbreak in “Resident Evil,” each movie offers its unique take on the beloved video games that inspired them.
Whether you are a die-hard gamer or a movie enthusiast, these movies are sure to satisfy your craving for pulse-pounding action and adventure.
Hulu in NZ offers a fantastic selection of movies and TV shows that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. With these top 7 video game-based movies, you can immerse yourself in the world of your favorite games and enjoy them on the big screen.
Fighting games have been a major sub-genre of the industry since the dawn of gaming. While the original fist-fighting game came out in 1976, the genre arguably peaked in the 1980s. Dozens of franchises came smashing down arcades, from Mortal Kombat to Tekken.
But gamers do not need to visit the local gaming center anymore to get in on the action, as platform fighters and hand-to-hand combat have long gone mobile. So, are you up for a brawl? Whether you’re into brutal MMA fights or formidable superhero battles, let’s round up some of the best fighting games to play on Android.
Marvel Contest of Champions
While movies and comic books are still at the core of its extended universe, Marvel has also expanded to the gaming medium. Much to mobile gamers’ dismay, though, exhilarating brawler games like Marvel’s Avengers and massive crossovers like Marvel vs. Capcom never made it to smartphones. But Marvel Contest of Champions is more than epic enough to make up for it.
Developed by Kabam, this versus-fighting action game features a pretty strong line-up comprising virtually every Marvel character in the book. Beloved heroes like Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Hulk are all set for battle throughout iconic Marvel locations, such as Asgard, Stark Tower, and Wakanda. Yet players may as well pick supervillains to pit against the good guys. So, assemble the strongest super-heroic team and combine each champion’s unique set of devastating attacks and special abilities. Better yet, this mobile Marvel game allows for competitive multiplayer fighting.
Skullgirls: Fighting RPG
Skullgirls is a solid contender for best mobile fighting game out there. This fighting RPG by Autumn Games has got some incredibly responsive battle animations going for it, and just enough grind to keep players engaged for hours on end. Fun special moves and combos take fast-paced combat to the next level, serviced by colorful background visuals and a jazzy soundtrack that may feel out of place but gives the game that much more flavor.
And all kicking and pummeling aside, Skullgirls has much in the way of the story, too. In an original twist on the genre, this 2D RPG features an all-female cast of quirky yet fierce hand-animated characters. Players may even customize their fighter while searching for the elusive Skullgirl and stopping her from destroying the city of New Meridian.
Mortal Kombat
Alongside Capcom’s Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat is probably the best-known fighting franchise in the world. The series stemmed from the idea of making a video game starring action movie superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme. Funnily enough, JCVD would eventually play center stage in the live-action adaptation of Street Fighter. Still, Mortal Kombat spawned countless installations, TV series, and feature films.
And gamers can now experience the visceral fighting and trademark Fatalities that made the franchise so infamous straight on mobile. Mortal Kombat shows off a whopping roster of over 130 warriors, who level up through challenges of increasing difficulty. Teaming up fighters with matching synergies, mobile players can tackle ferocious enemies in online competitive mode or all on their own. This mobile version of the legendary game also includes a card collection feature.
EA Sports UFC
The intensity of the Octagon translates superbly to the gaming medium. Released by Electronic Arts on multiple platforms, EA Sports UFC quickly became the go-to title for gamers with a knack for mixed martial arts. And the mobile version doesn’t disappoint, pitting up to 97 UFC fighters against one another in heated fashion – and even martial arts legend Bruce Lee as an unlockable bonus. EA Sports UFC may thus be the perfect mobile game to dive into while waiting for the next big superstar comeback.
Meanwhile, prominent fighters like Valentina Shevchenko and Nikita Krylov will keep fans on the edge of their seats in upcoming UFC events. And MMA enthusiasts can even spruce up the experience with a gamble. Reviewers like SBO have laid down the most profitable online bookies for punters to explore. The best sportsbooks offer a range of betting options on MMA, ranging from method of victory to total rounds. Lofty bonuses and welcome packages also await newcomers. And online punters can make bank out of even more sports, from the ultra-popular to the niche.
Fighting games are as old as time. But with improved gameplay and ever-so-striking aesthetics, they’ve remained fresh throughout the decades. And players can now get their fists to do the talking on mobile, from retro titles to inventive entries.
The 21st century has been a great time for gaming and online casinos. We’ve seen explosive growth in both sectors, with new technologies and platforms emerging constantly. The following 10 years promise to be even more exciting, as we’ll see even more innovation and growth in the gaming industry, as well as the online gambling industry.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the trends that we think will shape the next decade of gaming and online casino development. So whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gambler, read on to find out what the next 10 years have in store for you!
The increasing popularity of online casinos and gaming
With many people stuck at home, they turned to digital platforms for entertainment, including gaming and slots sites. As a result, these sectors have seen explosive growth over the past few years. With the increasing popularity of technology, games have moved from physical pieces to digital pixelated ones, allowing for even more immersive and engaging gaming experiences.
With the online world ever-growing, it was only a matter of time before gambling followed suit. Nowadays, casinos are looking for ways to pull in more business through rewarding online slots promotions, as opposed to the regular operations in brick-and-mortar casinos. In addition, advancements in technology have allowed for the development of online slots, poker rooms, and other casino games that are not only secure and safe to play but also offer a level of quality that is comparable to land-based casinos.
Although we have made a lot of progress, especially with online casinos and online slots games, there is still more to come. Here are some of the changes we predict for this billion-dollar online casino industry in the next ten years:
The increasing legalization of online casinos globally
As online gaming becomes more and more popular, we are seeing an increased push for the legalization of online gambling in countries all around the world. With more people playing on digital platforms and experiencing the benefits of online casinos, governments are recognizing this trend and moving towards changing laws to allow for wider access to these online gambling sites.
For example, in the United States, more states are beginning to implement legal gambling solutions due to the US federal government softening its regulations. And this trend will likely continue in the coming years, as more countries begin to recognize the benefits of legalizing online casinos which include increased tax revenues and a better way to regulate gambling in the digital age.
Virtual reality gaming
With the rise of virtual reality technology, we can expect to see casinos offer more immersive gaming experiences. Players will be able to experience realistic casino environments and games through VR headsets, allowing for an even more realistic gaming experience. Game developers are constantly releasing new concept games to online casinos, and we can expect these same sorts of fun, attractive experiences to be available in the next few years.
Blockchain Technology for Transparent and Fair Gambling Systems
Another major trend that we will see in online casinos and gaming over the next decade is the use of blockchain technology. With this technology, players can rest assured that they are getting a fair chance to win while enjoying secure transactions and transparent gambling systems. Blockchain technology allows for all casino transactions to be recorded on an open ledger, making it difficult for casinos to manipulate the outcomes of games. As a result, players can enjoy more trust, transparency, and fairness in their online gaming activities.
Game development
When visiting an online casino, it is essential to find an operator that provides a good variety of games. For instance, slots games are very popular in the digital environment, finding a provider with a good variety of slots games will chance your experience. You could find different slots themes and choose the slot game you like the most. In the next ten years, we could be expecting new games integration with better graphics, creative and fun. Game developers will have a higher demand and they will be providing cool slots themes and other casino games.
Top of the line Live Dealer Games
Finally, we will also see more sophisticated live dealer games in online casinos and gaming over the next decade. With the rise of 4K and 5K resolution cameras, online casino providers have been able to offer gamers a much more realistic viewing experience.
These live dealer games can be streamed from various locations, allowing more people to join and play different types of online games. With a more advanced streaming quality, players can now interact with real dealers in real time and enjoy a variety of table games such as roulette, slots, blackjack, and baccarat. With so many exciting changes coming our way, we can look forward to even more engaging gaming experiences in the years ahead!
In Summary
Overall, it’s clear that the gaming and online casino industries are undergoing major changes as we look toward the future. Whether you’re an avid gamer or just a casual player, there are exciting developments on the horizon that will shape how we interact with these platforms – and how they affect our daily lives. So if you’re looking for the best possible experiences from the gambling and casino industry, in particular, be sure to keep an eye out for these exciting online casino trends as well as online slots promotions that suit your playing style.
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