BijanBlog

Introducing Total MMO

If you are into MMOs like EVE, Everquest, WoW or others then you will want to check out Total MMO.

It's a new show about the worlds of MMOs, tips, tricks, reviews. And its brought to you by Next New Networks. In addition to the show there is a blog and also viewers/readers are encouraged to comment and upload video as well. Hope you like it.

(disclosure: we are investors in NNN)

Wii are family

We have had Xbox and PS2 for years.

Those machines only get a workout when my nephews come over. Usually Kevin destroys me or I get a break once in awhile and take him at Madden 200x.

Then we picked up the Nintendo Wii. And it's really so much fun. Last night the whole family played Wii sports (except for little James who is only 15 mos old). This thing is a really a riot. Watching Ellie play Wii Boxing is a hoot. Sophia was giving Lauren tennis tips. I wish I had taken some video. Next time.

Howard, Lindsay and howard's son are hilarious in this Wallstrip show covering Nintendo and the Wii. So funny.

 

First serve

  First serve 
  Originally uploaded by bsabet.

After the SendMe board meeting today I got a chance to play with the Nintendo Wii

My form was lousy, my hand is a bit sore but I had a blast. I gotta get one of these :)

Tamagotchi + Webkinz is a big idea

  Wanna be friends? 
  Originally uploaded by kitty80.

Sophia got her first Tamagotchi today. For those of you unfamiliar, Tamagotchi (wikepedia link, corporate link) is a digital pet that was originally brought to market in 1996.

It took Sophia about 10 minutes to figure out the basics of her new toy. The device reminds you to take care of it, feed it, play with it and even discipline it or praise it. She named her pet "ben". Already I can see why kids love these things.

It's interesting to see how she plays with the tamagotchi which has little/zero internet experience. On the other hand her physical Webkinz toy has little to do with the rich online experience.

There is a huge opportunity for someone to create an easy to use, fun, interactive physical toy (aimed at kids 8-13) that has a rich connection to the online virtual world.

Webkinz craze isn't slowing down

Our kids first introduced us to Webkinz in December. I blogged about it then.

Well my kids aren't bored of it  yet. They now own more pets and have more stuff going on in their virtual Webkinz world than ever. Their buddy lists are booming. I'm sure they would spend more time and money on this if we weren't setting limits.

Todays NYT describes the Webkinz craze. I like the idea of marrying physical products with online services. In the Webkinz case there is a very light integration between the virtual and real world.

I think we will see more toys and CE products that have a closer relationship to their online counterparts.

It's inevitable. And it's exciting to think about the possibilities.

Microtransactions in a Virtual World

Nabeel has a great post about the success of microtransactions of virtual products in gaming.

In addition to sharing various microtransaction success stories, he also hits home on a point that he's been making for a long time. Nabeel's thesis has been that MMO's are not hit driven like movies or console games. They are more like social networks.

I didn't think this was true when Nabeel first told me this idea last year but I'm getting it now. Certainly there are plenty of exceptions but generally I like this notion a lot.

Future of Gaming in Boston

My friend Nabeel organized a fun and interesting event last night called the Future of Gaming. It was held at MIT.

He invited a number of well known game designers, developers, entrepreneurs and industry folks to get together and talk about the opportunities and challenges in the future of gaming. Lots of opinions about how games will be financed, created, distributed and monetized in the future. There was also some entertaining discussion comparing VCs to publishers that made some good points but generally the comparison doesn't work.

In honor of one of Boston's coolest gaming companies, Nabeel had Guitar Hero set up and we had a chance to rock out.

But best of all, the local gaming scene in Boston is very strong. Long history of gaming companies from Boston and lots of new startups too. I think Nabeel mentioned that there are 50 gaming companies in Boston these days.

Thanks to Nabeel for making it happen. I hope he blogs about it soon.

Toy Fair - NYC

Last week my partner Santo told me about the American International Toy Fair taking place in NYC. The show ends tomorrow.

I tried to rearrange my schedule to make at least one day but I'm going to miss it. I'm bummed.

Looks like there was some great stuff shown at the event. I've been seeing (& buying) a bunch of internet connected toys lately. Social networks connected to physical toys. Powerful combination.

Yet Another Post about Second Life stats

There are a lot of opinions about Second Life these days. A lot of bullish commentary and cynical stuff too.

Raph Koster presents hard numbers with an nice analysis. I learned a lot.

Nintendo: Don't call it a comeback

Wow, things must be awkward at Sony. NYT reports that Wii is outselling PS3 in Japan even though they came to market 3 weeks later. As of Jan 7, the Wii has outsold PS3 2:1.

My friend Nabeel was right. Nintendo changed the game. They created a new category. And now the numbers show they are winning broadly as well.

I love when the small guy delivers.