Holly Green writing for Polygon:

Integrating new technology into our daily lives relies upon accessibility, affordability and ease of use. Where motion control is concerned, video games are the perfect Trojan horse.

A great piece on the health benefits of motion control.

I’ve failed to look at video game motion controls as a power player in the physical therapy industry. I don’t doubt that motion controls will fade away from the consumer video game market. However, it is worth noting that these tools do exist and have been invested in while, at the same time, lifestyle betterment (health, environment, social, etc.) has become a huge focus in the tech landscape. I don’t think this is the end of Kinect.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, tells The Verge:

I have no intent to do anything different with Xbox than we are doing today.

Did anybody actually believe this would happen?

Ben Kuchera:

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t celebrate new ideas in games, I’m saying that new franchises and game titles aren’t any more or less likely to deliver them than games in an existing series.

Bingo, Ben.

I’m not sure the last time I cared about new IP. Frankly, I’m more excited to hear how Nintendo will reinvent Mario again.

thatgamecompany:

We are proud to share the news today that our studio has entered the next phase of development on our upcoming project and has raised an additional $7 million in funding. We are happy to partner with Capital Today and a team of other investors who share our vision in making meaningful interactive experiences that inspire, connect, and emotionally touch the hearts of players around the world.

With this new investment, our studio is able to scale up development efforts to focus on making the best game possible in the same spirit as flOw, Flower, and Journey. We’ll also begin laying the infrastructure to self-publish, market, and distribute on our own terms for this next project and beyond.

Cannot wait.

Mike Futter, Game Informer:

Nintendo is taking a step in the right direction here, but it is far from the open policy taken by publishers of all sizes, including Devolver Digital, Deep Silver, and Ubisoft. Based on what little we understand right now, it appears that YouTube creators will need to be part of the affiliate program in order to monetize. This would give Nintendo some control over content, and it could choose to remove those creators it later disapproves of for whatever reason.

I see others following suit.