This has been a dreadful week for me personally. If you've been following my blog, you know that I'm an avid Nintendo gamer, and the Nintendo community has been faced with some particularly dark news. Much to my dismay, Nintendo Power magazine, the official magazine for all Nintendo game news; the magazine I have read since childhood; the only game magazine I can trust for game reviews and info, is soon to cease publication. I can hardly begin to explain what a terrible blow this is to the game industry. Big name franchises like Mario and Zelda will likely be fine, but without Nintendo Power to cover obscure games like "The World Ends With You" and Solatorobo, how will any of us even know they exist?
"But Charles!" you might say, "can't we just find this info on the internet?"
The internet is best for finding info on specific games for which you are already looking. If you want to find info on the upcoming Castelvania, you're probably fine. Who in their right mind, though, would randomly plug in the words "blob," "boy," and "jelly beans" and happen across a page for "A Boy and His Blob?" Nintendo Power, on the other hand, has been a staunch promoter of games such as Solatorobo, Klonoa, Ghost Trick, Little King Story, Zack and Wiki, Shantae, and countless other criminally under-appreciated gems.
Without a dedicated magazine like this to bring new and original games to our attention, the marketability of these games will surely be diminished. Together with the economic downturn, publishers will be less and less likely to fund more radical endeavors. We'll begin see less and less upstart games like Ghost Trick, Solatorobo, and Monster Tale. The fall of Nintendo Power could signal the beginning of a dark age for the independent minded game developer.
Don't tell me I'm imagining this. You know it has already begun. It may be that Nintendo Power, and those like it, are the dam that is holding back the massive floodwaters of oblivion for all that brings us gamers joy.
Where does this leave yours truly? Ever since I played Super Mario Brothers for the first time, it has been my singular dream to be a game designer, and I have devoted a large amount of time, money, and energy to realize this goal. Considering the situation I described above, though, what are the odds that any of my ideas will see the light of day? How do you suppose this effects my dreams and goals?
What's more, I had always dreamed of seeing a game on which I had worked grace the cover of Nintendo Power magazine. Also, I've always considered winning (or even being nominated for) a Nintendo Power award to be the only accolade of any substance in the entire game community. Are we to merely walk away from this, leaving the unregulated internet community in charge of praising our industry achievers? How do you think the people who bring us games will feel about this?
"We're terribly sorry, Mr. Spielberg, but the Academy disbanded, and doesn't give out awards anymore. Don't worry, though! Your film got five stars from rottentomatoes.com!"
Yet, even in dark times such as this, there remains a glimmer of hope. Nintendo of America has been receptive to fan input before. Look, for example, to their long-awaited publishing of Xenoblade Chronicles, following the large Project Rainfall movement for its release. While I don't know that I can say the same for FutureUS, Nintendo Power's current publisher, I would imagine that they could be persuaded to continue this important magazine if enough people show their support.
So, at the risk of seeming pathetic, I ask of you... I beg of you... PLEASE HELP ME SAVE THIS MAGAZINE. I've included several addresses to which you can send your support. There is also a blog, by the name of Operation Power Up, organized for the continuation of this magazine. I advise each of you to drop each one of them a friendly message, saying how much this magazine means to you, to your friends, and to the world.
In closing, I'm sure some of you may have wondered where I learned to draw my characters. I have had many teachers over the years, but I first practiced my drawing skills by observing and recreating the artwork from Nintendo Power magazine. The issues describing "Super Mario All Stars" and "Street Fighter II: Turbo" were particularly important. So, while this is a longshot, it is indeed possible, that without Nintendo Power, there might be no PPL-Comics.
Please send your support to the following addresses:
Nintendo Power editors:
nintendopower@futureus.com
1-866-941-8368
Future US publishing:
FTRprod@cdsfulfillment.com
Nintendo:
http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/webform.jsp
Please take a moment to sign each of these petitions.
(There are several of them.)
(THESE LINKS HAVE BEEN REMOVED.)
Finally, please visit this site, operationpowerup.net, if you want to help our cause further.
Operation Power Up
EDIT: 4-19-2014
I took out the petition links above. They were keeping my page from loading properly. Anyway, since I posted this almost two years ago, the heroes at Nintendo Force magazine have taken it upon themselves to bring a high quality Nintendo magazine to American gamers. If you're reading this, Nintendo Force staff members, I tip my hat to you. You've really saved the day. Another magazine, Pure Nintendo, has also stepped in to fill the gap left by Nintendo Power. These are both bi-monthly magazines, so if you like your news on a monthly basis, I recommend subscribing to both of them. Still, while our need for a Nintendo-centered game magazine has been filled, those of us at Operation PowerUp would still like to see the tradition of from-the-source Nintendo news and tips continued, perhaps in an online newsletter format, or as an add-on to the popular Nintendo Club survey and rewards service. Maybe a weekly Nester cartoon on YouTube? We're open to ideas, Nintendo. Will you hear our plea?
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