Last week the UK high courts outlawed all flash carts as they believed that they lead to piracy. What they forgot to take into account is that the carts can also be used for open source software, known as homebrew, and of course backing up your existing game collection.
Nintendo’s argument was that their sales had dropped in the last year. I think that there may be reasons, other than piracy for this occurrence.
Firstly, we are in a recession, and if the current coalition government continues with their drastic cuts, we will no doubt be heading for another. During a recession most people would logically cut back on luxuries items such as entertainment products.
Secondly, there are, in my opinion, a glut of poorly developed games churned out by companies that just want to make a quick buck. If Nintendo developed a system whereby gamers could play trials of a game before they buy then people would be more likely to buy the full version of a trial they have enjoyed.
Thirdly, I feel that there are not enough Nintendo games aimed at the adult market. Most dedicated adult gamers that I know would scoff at the thought of a Nintendo console like the DSi; opting for a Sony PSP as the games are more stimulating for adults.
Lastly, I think that the rating system is a bit vague and I propose my NAG system. N is for Numpty, A is for Average and G is for Geek. That way the geeks won’t be insulted by the low level of intelligence required for the Numpty games and the Numpties won’t buy a game that they can’t understand how to play.
Piracy is obviously wrong; when people pour their time, effort and money into something they believe in to find it exploited is immoral. Conversely, with artists like Lady Gaga being the most legitimately downloaded artist of 2009 and films like Avatar breaking the box office it proves that, hype aside, consumers will pay for quality entertainment products. Surveys have also found that those that download copyright infringing material still spend just as much on entertainment products as those that don’t.
So perhaps the answer is for a try before you buy trial system on products like games and more information about products so that consumers aren’t mislead into buying things that just end up gathering dust on a shelf.
