Geomtery Wars 2, released this week on Xbox 360's "Xbox Live" online network, is the best downloadable game of the year, and perhaps EVER on any current-generation console. Definitely going to get added to The Score's tournament event schedule.
It's amazing the quality of the downloadable titles on all three consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii). The Wii's downloadable games (called WiiWare) are, in particular, of a very high quality as a group. Xbox 360's downloadable stuff is hit and miss, but when it hits, they really hit with some great software. PS3 is really getting up and running, although some would probably arguing they're just dying a slow death...
Quality downloadable titles (as opposed to games purchased at retail) is really good for The Score because it allows us to achieve a large degree of diversity in our event selection. We should be able to easily fill up our smaller tournaments (4-8 people each), given the proper marketing channels, using some of these downloadable games as the source content for our events.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wii being used in places that already have no shortage of entertainment.
A Wii bit of fun (and fitness) for travelers
Hotels and cruise ships plug in and get video active
By Rob Lovitt (MSNBC)
Tues., July. 29, 2008
At first glance, the fitness center at The Westin Bellevue, outside Seattle, looks much like any other exercise facility at an upscale urban hotel. There are the neat stacks of free weights, the windows overlooking the adjacent pool and the row of exercise machines offering airy views of the surrounding city skyline.
But then you notice the person doing the strange pantomime in the corner. He’s all by himself, but he’s bobbing and weaving and throwing punches like he’s going 12 rounds with Oscar de la Hoya. It isn’t until you look closer and see that he’s holding a pair of remotes and duking it out with an animated opponent on a high-def screen.
Welcome to the new world of exercise (and entertainment) for travelers. Already a fixture in countless family rooms and college dorms, it seems the Wii is hitting the road.
Wii would like to travel
The Wii (pronounced “we”), of course, is the interactive gaming system from Nintendo that lets users compete in video sports and activities by manipulating a wireless, motion-sensing remote. Designed primarily for personal use, it’s been turning up in hotels and other away-from-home venues since early last year.
This spring, though, Nintendo launched a new console better suited for commercial settings. Like the original, it comes a with a handheld remote and a Nunchuk, the secondary remote that’s used in activities that require two hands, such as boxing. But instead of using individual disks, the console is preloaded with a variety of games that can be accessed via an onscreen menu.
The standard unit comes with Wii Sports (baseball, bowling, boxing, golf and tennis), Wii Play (table tennis, billiards and others) and Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (mental games and puzzles). Individual properties can manage what games are offered and add new ones as they become available.
This summer, travelers are also getting the chance to work out with the new Wii Fit, which lets users engage in yoga, aerobics and a variety of balancing activities by standing on a wireless Balance Board. “People don’t always have the time or gear to work out or go for a jog,” says Amber McCollom, senior director of entertainment and trend marketing at Nintendo. “With the Wii Fit, they don’t need anything except bare feet.”
Wii would like to play where we stay
At Westin, the Wii and Wii Fit are the latest additions to the WestinWORKOUT, the company’s branded fitness and wellness program. Starting with two hotels — The Westin Bellevue and The Westin Times Square — the system is now offered at 10 properties, including hotels in Hilton Head (S.C.), Hollywood (Fla.), Houston, Kansas City (Mo.), Savannah (Ga.), San Francisco, St. Louis and Toronto.
While the typical Westin guest probably doesn’t play a lot of Myst or Dungeons & Dragons, many are finding the Wii’s sports offerings fit their busy, health-conscious lifestyles, says Matt Van Der Peet, general manager of The Westin Bellevue: “We have a lot of repeat customers who are always on the road. [The Wii] is a lot more fun than getting on the treadmill.”
Furthermore, says Ryan Anderson, Westin’s New York-based senior marketing manager, the Wii is expanding the demographics of gaming from its traditional base among the under-30 crowd. “It’s becoming a multi-generational activity, like golf,” he says. “We’re seeing guests as old as 74 using the Wii.”
Wii would like to cruise
Cruisers are also swinging for the fences and getting in touch with their inner yogi. Norwegian and Princess have had the Wii on board since last year and both are rolling out the Wii Fit across their fleets this summer.
On Norwegian, the units are located in each ship’s atrium and serve as a venue for passenger tournaments and other activities. According to Public Relations Manager Courtney Recht, older passengers enjoy the bowling game — “They can play for hours on end before actually feeling tired,” she says — while the kids are busy boxing and playing Guitar Hero.
On Princess ships, guests are also encouraged to participate in a variety of competitions, including ski jumping, heading soccer balls and Hula Hoop-ing with the Wii Fit. On ships that offer the Movies Under the Stars program, games are often played on the larger-than-life (300-square-foot) movie screens on the pool deck.
Whether they’re used for fun or fitness, the consoles will no doubt turn up in more places, giving travelers even more opportunities to say they, too, would like to play. At Le Parker Meridien in New York, for example, guests can rent a unit for $50 per hour or sign up for private sessions with a Wii and a personal trainer for $120 per hour.
Westin, meanwhile, will continue to offer the Wii free of charge, which, it seems, is not without its own risks. “We had a guest last weekend who wouldn’t give the remote back,” says Matt Van Der Peet. “She said, ‘We’re not using it right now, but we’re going to again later.”
Hotels and cruise ships plug in and get video active
By Rob Lovitt (MSNBC)
Tues., July. 29, 2008
At first glance, the fitness center at The Westin Bellevue, outside Seattle, looks much like any other exercise facility at an upscale urban hotel. There are the neat stacks of free weights, the windows overlooking the adjacent pool and the row of exercise machines offering airy views of the surrounding city skyline.
But then you notice the person doing the strange pantomime in the corner. He’s all by himself, but he’s bobbing and weaving and throwing punches like he’s going 12 rounds with Oscar de la Hoya. It isn’t until you look closer and see that he’s holding a pair of remotes and duking it out with an animated opponent on a high-def screen.
Welcome to the new world of exercise (and entertainment) for travelers. Already a fixture in countless family rooms and college dorms, it seems the Wii is hitting the road.
Wii would like to travel
The Wii (pronounced “we”), of course, is the interactive gaming system from Nintendo that lets users compete in video sports and activities by manipulating a wireless, motion-sensing remote. Designed primarily for personal use, it’s been turning up in hotels and other away-from-home venues since early last year.
This spring, though, Nintendo launched a new console better suited for commercial settings. Like the original, it comes a with a handheld remote and a Nunchuk, the secondary remote that’s used in activities that require two hands, such as boxing. But instead of using individual disks, the console is preloaded with a variety of games that can be accessed via an onscreen menu.
The standard unit comes with Wii Sports (baseball, bowling, boxing, golf and tennis), Wii Play (table tennis, billiards and others) and Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (mental games and puzzles). Individual properties can manage what games are offered and add new ones as they become available.
This summer, travelers are also getting the chance to work out with the new Wii Fit, which lets users engage in yoga, aerobics and a variety of balancing activities by standing on a wireless Balance Board. “People don’t always have the time or gear to work out or go for a jog,” says Amber McCollom, senior director of entertainment and trend marketing at Nintendo. “With the Wii Fit, they don’t need anything except bare feet.”
Wii would like to play where we stay
At Westin, the Wii and Wii Fit are the latest additions to the WestinWORKOUT, the company’s branded fitness and wellness program. Starting with two hotels — The Westin Bellevue and The Westin Times Square — the system is now offered at 10 properties, including hotels in Hilton Head (S.C.), Hollywood (Fla.), Houston, Kansas City (Mo.), Savannah (Ga.), San Francisco, St. Louis and Toronto.
While the typical Westin guest probably doesn’t play a lot of Myst or Dungeons & Dragons, many are finding the Wii’s sports offerings fit their busy, health-conscious lifestyles, says Matt Van Der Peet, general manager of The Westin Bellevue: “We have a lot of repeat customers who are always on the road. [The Wii] is a lot more fun than getting on the treadmill.”
Furthermore, says Ryan Anderson, Westin’s New York-based senior marketing manager, the Wii is expanding the demographics of gaming from its traditional base among the under-30 crowd. “It’s becoming a multi-generational activity, like golf,” he says. “We’re seeing guests as old as 74 using the Wii.”
Wii would like to cruise
Cruisers are also swinging for the fences and getting in touch with their inner yogi. Norwegian and Princess have had the Wii on board since last year and both are rolling out the Wii Fit across their fleets this summer.
On Norwegian, the units are located in each ship’s atrium and serve as a venue for passenger tournaments and other activities. According to Public Relations Manager Courtney Recht, older passengers enjoy the bowling game — “They can play for hours on end before actually feeling tired,” she says — while the kids are busy boxing and playing Guitar Hero.
On Princess ships, guests are also encouraged to participate in a variety of competitions, including ski jumping, heading soccer balls and Hula Hoop-ing with the Wii Fit. On ships that offer the Movies Under the Stars program, games are often played on the larger-than-life (300-square-foot) movie screens on the pool deck.
Whether they’re used for fun or fitness, the consoles will no doubt turn up in more places, giving travelers even more opportunities to say they, too, would like to play. At Le Parker Meridien in New York, for example, guests can rent a unit for $50 per hour or sign up for private sessions with a Wii and a personal trainer for $120 per hour.
Westin, meanwhile, will continue to offer the Wii free of charge, which, it seems, is not without its own risks. “We had a guest last weekend who wouldn’t give the remote back,” says Matt Van Der Peet. “She said, ‘We’re not using it right now, but we’re going to again later.”
Monday, July 28, 2008
Corporate Events - the other side of the business
With over 1,000 corporate headquarters based in Cool Springs, including the mammoth Nissan, Healthways, and Verizon corporate offices opening up here, there is tremendous potential for unique, engaging corporate events to be held at The Score.
The approach I am taking is that corporate events need to stand alone as its own business, separate and apart from the regular business of The Score (tournaments, leagues, and other programming). If corporate events stand on their own, and financially supports itself, The Score will be in great shape.
The Wii will be front-and-center in both corporate teambuilding and business vs. business events that will be held on site. Senior executives, as well as younger, newly-minted employees, need to feel equally comfortable participating in our corporate events, which creates a perfect situation for the easy-to-use Wii.
Titles incorporated into our events will certainly include Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii, a Mii design contest, and even the upcoming Wii Music title.
At the end of a corporate teambuilding event at The Score, young and old employees alike should feel more comfortable working together toward a common goal, and more comfortable using technology to accomplish that goal. And at the end of our business vs. business competitions, employees will share common experiences that will help strengthen team chemistry and help build morale, as well as help companies in the area network with other companies doing business in Cool Springs.
The approach I am taking is that corporate events need to stand alone as its own business, separate and apart from the regular business of The Score (tournaments, leagues, and other programming). If corporate events stand on their own, and financially supports itself, The Score will be in great shape.
The Wii will be front-and-center in both corporate teambuilding and business vs. business events that will be held on site. Senior executives, as well as younger, newly-minted employees, need to feel equally comfortable participating in our corporate events, which creates a perfect situation for the easy-to-use Wii.
Titles incorporated into our events will certainly include Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii, a Mii design contest, and even the upcoming Wii Music title.
At the end of a corporate teambuilding event at The Score, young and old employees alike should feel more comfortable working together toward a common goal, and more comfortable using technology to accomplish that goal. And at the end of our business vs. business competitions, employees will share common experiences that will help strengthen team chemistry and help build morale, as well as help companies in the area network with other companies doing business in Cool Springs.
Logos and other graphic design work
Graphic design work was front and center today, as I worked with a good friend to get the first round of logos evaluated and to see if we've got a keeper. I think we are actually very close to having a final logo even just after today. Some great ideas thrown around and some very good choices.
We also worked on a first draft of a layout mock-up as well. Next week I will hand over several pieces of marketing material that need to be completed, which will be huge once I get those back and get ready to head to the printer with them.
Tomorrow will be another major step toward negotiation of a lease here in Cool Springs, as I meet with the commercial real estate agent to keep things moving on that front. Wish me luck!
We also worked on a first draft of a layout mock-up as well. Next week I will hand over several pieces of marketing material that need to be completed, which will be huge once I get those back and get ready to head to the printer with them.
Tomorrow will be another major step toward negotiation of a lease here in Cool Springs, as I meet with the commercial real estate agent to keep things moving on that front. Wish me luck!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Score - Cool Springs now has a blog!
The Score - Cool Springs, the first retail location created under The Score Holdings LLC, now has a blog...and you've found it!
This blog will chronicle the events leading up to the opening of The Score - Cool Springs.
What is The Score?
An entertainment-based retail concept focused on video game tournaments, leagues, and other programming built around current-generation video game consoles.
Um, OK, so this is just an arcade?
Sort of. But not really. Think a movie theater for games. Tournaments held at set times, with a fixed number of available slots. Food and drink available, as well as merchandise and purchasing the actual video games (new) also.
What is The Arena?
The Arena is the physical center of each location of The Score, where video game competition is taken to the next level. Game Stations surround the outside of The Arena, but The Arena is the focal point of each location, suited best for 4 on 4 competition in a variety of current games.
I'm not a big gamer. Will I like this place?
We sure hope so, for the sake of the business. The Score isn't just a place for hardcore gamers to come and pwn some n00bs. The Score will have a number of tournaments and other programming centered around the Nintendo Wii - a Wii Sports bowling tournament, for example, will be held on several occasions - that will invite video games fans of all different levels of experience to join in. The Score also makes a point to give away prizes randomly among all participants in our tournaments, so it isn't just the "winners" that walk away with something cool.
Video games are, like, something you play at home. Who's going to come to this place?
From a parental perspective, online gaming has a variety of negatives to it, including the abundance of racism, sexism, and generally inappropriate conduct. Not to mention the inability to protect children from online predators.
From a gamer's perspective, while online gaming can be fun, there's nothing like winning a tournament in person. Getting to meet other gamers, face to face, who like the same games as you, is gratifying. The social aspects of video gaming have largely been underdeveloped, and as a result, most people think multiplayer video games can only be enjoyed online. We hope to prove that idea wrong.
Cool Springs is absolutely booming, with massive corporate HQ relocations seemingly occurring every day, and with residential home prices on the rise while the rest of the nation suffers dramatically.
Thanks for reminding us. If this business fails in Cool Springs, it is obviously not viable anywhere. The demographics in this community are profoundly ideal.
In addition, we look forward to implementing the complementary business piece of "business vs. business" video game competition and leagues. Get ready for some really unique, out-of-the-box (as much as I have come to hate that phrase) stuff.
You don't know how to run a business. What in the world are you thinking?
As they say, professionals built the Titanic, and amateurs built the Ark.
This blog will chronicle the events leading up to the opening of The Score - Cool Springs.
What is The Score?
An entertainment-based retail concept focused on video game tournaments, leagues, and other programming built around current-generation video game consoles.
Um, OK, so this is just an arcade?
Sort of. But not really. Think a movie theater for games. Tournaments held at set times, with a fixed number of available slots. Food and drink available, as well as merchandise and purchasing the actual video games (new) also.
What is The Arena?
The Arena is the physical center of each location of The Score, where video game competition is taken to the next level. Game Stations surround the outside of The Arena, but The Arena is the focal point of each location, suited best for 4 on 4 competition in a variety of current games.
I'm not a big gamer. Will I like this place?
We sure hope so, for the sake of the business. The Score isn't just a place for hardcore gamers to come and pwn some n00bs. The Score will have a number of tournaments and other programming centered around the Nintendo Wii - a Wii Sports bowling tournament, for example, will be held on several occasions - that will invite video games fans of all different levels of experience to join in. The Score also makes a point to give away prizes randomly among all participants in our tournaments, so it isn't just the "winners" that walk away with something cool.
Video games are, like, something you play at home. Who's going to come to this place?
From a parental perspective, online gaming has a variety of negatives to it, including the abundance of racism, sexism, and generally inappropriate conduct. Not to mention the inability to protect children from online predators.
From a gamer's perspective, while online gaming can be fun, there's nothing like winning a tournament in person. Getting to meet other gamers, face to face, who like the same games as you, is gratifying. The social aspects of video gaming have largely been underdeveloped, and as a result, most people think multiplayer video games can only be enjoyed online. We hope to prove that idea wrong.
Cool Springs is absolutely booming, with massive corporate HQ relocations seemingly occurring every day, and with residential home prices on the rise while the rest of the nation suffers dramatically.
Thanks for reminding us. If this business fails in Cool Springs, it is obviously not viable anywhere. The demographics in this community are profoundly ideal.
In addition, we look forward to implementing the complementary business piece of "business vs. business" video game competition and leagues. Get ready for some really unique, out-of-the-box (as much as I have come to hate that phrase) stuff.
You don't know how to run a business. What in the world are you thinking?
As they say, professionals built the Titanic, and amateurs built the Ark.
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