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I don’t know why this sentence bothers me so much, but it does. You say that Nintendo was the saving grace of the video game industry, then you say that it was annoying that “Nintendo” became synonymous with video games and the industry grew around them? This makes no sense to me. What do you expect with a “boom” in popularity of a new medium? The company leading the way typically will always have brand recognition, and because they have a head start they typically dominate for quite some time. I have never heard anyone say the following:
However annoyingly, "Coca-Cola" became synonymous with "soft drinks" and the industry grew around them.
However annoyingly, "Sony" became synonymous with "cassette players" and the industry grew around them.
However annoyingly, "Apple" became synonymous with "MP3 Players" and the industry grew around them.
Eventually though, as you said in your article the commercial success leads to competition, which often times leads to the company that brought the trend about being left in the dust (Typically for their inability to accept change, and ruling with iron fists). While I would agree that Nintendo made many mistakes, I find your message of “Nintendo saved the industry” in one sentence followed by “annoyingly, "Nintendo" became synonymous with "video games," and the industry grew around them” to be a tad bit contradicting. Then again maybe I am misinterpreting what you are implying.
On a side note: Nintendo is still synonymous with video games. I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard a non gamer saying that someone is playing a “Nintendo” even though they are playing a Play Station or Xbox, or they are playing a “Gameboy” because they have a handheld in their hands. Nintendo will be synonymous with video games for a long long time, especially with the major popularity of the Wii and DS lite with casual gamers.
On another side not: Great article. I must say it was very well put together and I learned about the evolution of other entertainment forms and the censorship that they went through.
Oh and I just realized I am criticizing what Evan said in an article where he is promoting free speech... a little ironic me thinks."
Then I bought a copy of Legend of Zelda Wind Waker from a trusted seller (with about 49/50 sales being positive). Well this fellow decided to rip a huge string of people off in a row. I paid $60 CAD for the game and it never showed up at my house. The guy would email me saying it should be there soon. Anyways eventually I noticed a lot of new negative feedbacks on his account. He ripped off around 20 people with the same deal. I contacted ebay for help, they said there was nothing they could do.
At the time I was using money orders though Canada Post. I tried going through them to get my money back but they said it would take 6 months to process so I said screw it as I didn't have the time of day for that. If I had my time back I would have pushed it as I think the person who ripped me off could have been charged with Mail fraud as they stole a money order. After that I basically stopped using ebay for buying gaming related items (an any items in general)"
I basically have a code that I follow: If I cant beat the game without help I do not deserve to beat the game. I know it is hokey, but thats how I roll. I would feel guilty (and embarrassed) as heck if I ever got help with FAQs. The only game I have never finished was Metroid Prime 2. I got ~30 hours in, stopped playing for 1 month due to final exams, and couldn't figure it out when i got back. I didn't have the heart to go back and play the game over again, and I definitely didn't have the heart to look up a FAQ. I just feel like its a game that beat me, and thats that."
Heck, she lived to be 91. We could all wish to live that long. Condolances to her family"