The best GUI's and UX considerations for video games are a completely different kettle of sushi than what you want from a consumer electronics device.
I want to play a puzzle with Super Mario.
I want to answer a red-eye phone call in the middle of the night with my iPhone without playing a game (it still has a lovely app wrapper for puzzle games, right there on the customisable app launching springboard for when I want that sort of software).
I adore Japanese hardware/software design, but I don't want my toothbrush or phone to be kawaii.
> "The best GUI's and UX considerations for video games are a completely different kettle of sushi"
Not to mention Japanese games are notorious for their inscrutable, awkward and sometimes downright user-hostile controls, menus, save systems, etc. (As per common western opinion; who knows, perhaps the Japanese truly prefer it?)
But when considering what is great about Japanese games, no-one has ever lauded the game-user interface. Their games are largely great in spite of that side of things.
The Wii and the particular games like Wii Sports, the hottest things during this generation of consoles, became so successful first and foremost due to the UI innovations they brought to the table.
That is interesting, since the notable thing about them is that they are physical devices. Boards to ballance on, guitarrs to play, fishing rods to swing...
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Video games are games.
The best GUI's and UX considerations for video games are a completely different kettle of sushi than what you want from a consumer electronics device.
I want to play a puzzle with Super Mario.
I want to answer a red-eye phone call in the middle of the night with my iPhone without playing a game (it still has a lovely app wrapper for puzzle games, right there on the customisable app launching springboard for when I want that sort of software).
I adore Japanese hardware/software design, but I don't want my toothbrush or phone to be kawaii.
> "The best GUI's and UX considerations for video games are a completely different kettle of sushi"
Not to mention Japanese games are notorious for their inscrutable, awkward and sometimes downright user-hostile controls, menus, save systems, etc. (As per common western opinion; who knows, perhaps the Japanese truly prefer it?)
But when considering what is great about Japanese games, no-one has ever lauded the game-user interface. Their games are largely great in spite of that side of things.
The Wii and the particular games like Wii Sports, the hottest things during this generation of consoles, became so successful first and foremost due to the UI innovations they brought to the table.
That is interesting, since the notable thing about them is that they are physical devices. Boards to ballance on, guitarrs to play, fishing rods to swing...