Nintendo basically says, "There is no mafia."

[Dodece]

I respectfully disagree with the semantics of the argument. You can always define something in the broadest sense possible. The reality is that we do not live in some vague dystopia where things are only judged in the most general sense. Sensible people in a sensible society delineate points of difference, and branch concepts into smaller groupings to make sensible judgments.

For example we have two dogs in our household, and we consider them to be members of the family. Now were a fire to break out, and I could save either one of the dogs or my niece. I would choose to save my niece there is a disparity in value. According to the generalist principle I must choose the most efficient safest save, or toss a coin. Nobody except for the mental degenerates will always choose the person rather then the pet.

The reality is we define values within our family structure. Our child takes precedence over our grandparents. Our spouse takes precedence over a cousin. We create and live within these parameters. We cannot consider everything of equal merit. Thus is the same with gaming.

We have created these terms, and they are justified. They highlight specific differences in play style. While there might not be specific numerical values we can generally identify a casual, core, or hardcore gamer. There being gray areas does not invalidate the concepts.

These comments are a mere justification on his part. Nintendo isn't hosing the core gamers or the hard core gamers. Instead they are making games for everyone which just isn't true at least to the extent it should be. Your never going to satisfy core or hardcore gamers by adding a higher difficulty setting. You can never please everyone by making a generic product that nobody can specifically relate with.

What he is talking about is directing games to the lowest common denominator, and adding higher difficulty levels for more refined consumers. That is like only creating programs like Dora the Explorer, and satisfying adults with a text bar on the bottom. I would say if this is Nintendo's grand strategy then they are on the fast track to disenfranchising themselves with core and hardcore gamers. Who desperately desire real complexity, and real subtext.

I would really hate to game in the world this guy envisions. A world where I can only play a Mario Party, and never a Mass Effect, Halo, or Resistance. I might be arrogant to assume that most on these forums wouldn't like that either. Well at least those that are very serious about their gaming.