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Microsoft's Take on Nintendo's Super Guide

November 23, 2009 in News comments 16

Nintendo's Super Guide feature made it's much anticipated debut recently in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. However, Microsoft are keen to not fall behind on this concept. They've filed a patent for a feature that allows players to access hints and tips from a database to help them through tough spots. Read on to find out more about how the patent would work.

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.
McClubbin via siliconera.com »
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  • 0
    Aussie Legend Nov 24, 09
    Still not a big fan of the idea, but this at least sounds better than the Nintendo one.
  • 0
    Linkerd101 Nov 24, 09
    Ugh, stupid Microsoft and their posing qualities.
    Can't they be original at least ONCE?
    • 0
      Insanity Prevails Nov 24, 09
      Putting aside the fact that originality in video games is a rare commodity in itself, I'm not sure what you're getting at. Despite what the article title might be implying, this isn't anything like Nintendo's Super Guide but rather it's more like a user built hint system.
      • 0
        Linkerd101 Nov 26, 09
        They would have never come up with this on their own. Microsoft is so unforgivably assisted. They have so much money, that they can pull this shit off. First they pose Natal..and now this? That's what i'm getting at. They are the least original out of the three, hands-down.

        Now I DO understand, originality in games IS a rare accommodation. But when Microsoft stems a "golden idea" it is normally snatched from a previous impingement.
    • 3
      BANDITO ATTACK Nov 24, 09
      they invented digital distribution on consoles, achievements, party chat, and the first online service for consoles with social interaction features across every game available on said console.

      i'm not going to tell you which, but one of those has become a very important part of console gaming.
  • 0
    Gamesta100 Nov 24, 09
    Msoft have to learn the meaning of original or originaluity before they can practice it
    • 1
      dwg14390 Nov 24, 09
      I've searched everywhere and even I couldn't find what originaluity is.
      • 0
        Gamesta100 Nov 25, 09
        Smart arse.I saw that spelling mistake but couldn't be bothered to correct it.Everyone is smart enough to know what I meant...well except you
        • 1
          dwg14390 Nov 26, 09
          I was going to correct you but saw that smiley at the end of your post so I'm just gonna assume you where joking, as it was clear that my post was a joke. But everyone got that...well except you
  • 1
    RabidChinaGirl Nov 24, 09
    Microsoft flaming in 3... 2... 1...

    Oh, I'm too late.
  • 0
    Tiger of Wu Nov 24, 09
    I liked the old system better, where people used the internet. At least then people would try a little more beforehand. This is just getting ridiculous though. Evolution means people get better at things and adapt to them, not just make them easier because the modern gamer is a sappy little *bleep*. What happened to rewarding skill?

    Here's an idea; if you wanna copy Nintendo just fire everyone with any imagination or passion and then the big bucks will really roll in.

    *bleep*ing stupid tosspots ruining my gaming industry >.<
    • 0
      Daweii Nov 24, 09
      Or even more old school you waited it out and played through the levels you found hard, if you were still stuck you had to hope the latest issues of a magazine would have some cheat pages or even a better a small walkthrough, though this could be months after you bought the game and after you had spent weeks of that trying your hardest to get through. If you still couldn't get past then use a cheat code or a walkthrough, but this system will merely be abused just like super guides.. First sign of getting stuck and they hit a button and skip it while watching the level play out.
      • 0
        Gamesta100 Nov 25, 09
        When I was a kid I never even knew there were books with tips or cheats for games.I had to win everything on my own.
    • 0
      Xeros the Slayer Nov 24, 09
      quote Tiger of Wu
      Here's an idea; if you wanna copy Nintendo just fire everyone with any imagination or passion and then the big bucks will really roll in.

      *bleep*ing stupid tosspots ruining my gaming industry >.<
      Pretty sure Activision can beat them to that particular milestone, if they didn't already.

      Anyway the feature sounds better if they put human interaction instead of having a guide built into the game. Like a more advanced version of Demon's Souls notes.
      • 0
        Tiger of Wu Nov 24, 09
        TBH, I'm somewhat certain Activision did it before Ninty anyway
  • 0
    Insanity Prevails Nov 24, 09
    It sounds like an interesting enough idea, as it seems like a more integrated way of seeking help rather than going online to a forum or whatever, especially with the proposed screenshot setup. Just worried that big name titles might get flooded with "tips".

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