Microsoft’s Answer To Nintendo’s Super Guide

By Spencer . November 23, 2009 . 10:40am

Nintendo made waves with the Super Guide autoplay system in New Super Mario Bros. Wii., but they aren’t the only company developing in-game guides.

Microsoft has been working on a system that’s part Super Guide and part Demon’s Souls for well over a year. A patent filed by Andre Vrignaud, Director Games Platform Strategy at Microsoft, reveals a plan to assist gamers during difficult parts with help from other players. When a player gets stuck the game looks up the problem spot, accesses a database, and brings up a list of user submitted tips and guides. After absorbing the collective information players, with some more practice, should be able to pass the challenge.

The patent mentions this service will utilize Xbox Live, but it isn’t clear if it will be free or for Xbox Live Gold Members only.

On paper, it sounds like in-game FAQs. So, why would authors want to use this? Microsoft’s game guide system mentions a robust authoring system which allows players to capture screenshots, video clips, and annotate them with a digital pencil. Authors may even be able to add audio commentary and tag situations, objects, and items. Tags will be used to link tips to specific game situations. Developers will be able to created guides too, which can be starred or weighed higher than user created guides.

Microsoft’s community focused plan has potential, especially for achievement hunters, but it also has a chicken and egg problem. Popular series like Halo will have tons of tips. No problem there. However, smaller games — perhaps games to difficult for a mass audience, won’t have as large of a community.

This could be very interesting, especially the idea of contextual content.  Press the guide button and get help relevant to the current part of the game you are on.  Probably will be another Gold perk.

Nintendo's solution is better and far more complex from a development point of view. MS is just adding a wiki to the game, Nintendo actually provided a way to visualize how to get past the issue quickly and allow the user to jump right back into the action.

Yeah, that does sound better.  But MS's solution requires very minimal(if any, perhaps an indicator providing the context) developer requirements and would be ubiquitous across games.  Nintendo's solution would have to be done on a per game basis as it relies on rendering in game information to the player instead of just video, sounds, or text.

But I don't want this to be a Nintendo solution vs MS solution, the title came from the article.

I think games like Uncharted (where you're stuck Nathan hints at the player and tells where he should go next), are helpful enough.

I agree and most games, like zelda,  have had that type of help for decades.

And I wonder why GameFaqs.com and its ilk are still around.

Because Nathan won't go "oh ooh, there, a treasure"?

Because too many people can't figure shit out for themselves and instead like everything handed to them. I call that cheating.

I'll be the first person that actually has something good to say about this.

Will they add some kind of rewards for adding good hints or something?

Doesn't Nintendo's just do the part for you, where as this will give you tips and help but you still have to do it yourself. Microsofts sounds much better because even though you received help you will still have a feeling of accomplishment.