Resident Evil 5 Rumored Release, Miyamoto Saves the Games Industry with Wii Fit

Hope you had a good memorial day weekend.  Since we were last together I’ve:

• Turned 27
• Played a show with my band that went really well
• Thrown out my back (it’s getting better, thanks for asking)
• Finished Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1
• Gotten back into Oblivion for the 3rd time

I also forgot to mention last week that I bought and read Grand Theft Childhood while away in Canada, and I can confirm that it’s a fantastic read.  If you’re into videogames or you have kids who play videogames, pick it up.

There are several rumored release dates for Resident Evil 5 out there right now, most notably PSU’s claim that the game is due out in November.  Capcom made a statement that it will be released sometime this fiscal year (which runs till March 31st 09), but that’s all we know so far. 

We should get some more details about the game this week, as a new trailer will be released, and gaming journalists will get a chance to go hands on with the game at this week’s Capcom hosted event.  I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything.

1up has a good article on Wii Fit, and how it and in a larger context the Wii’s success will help “save” the video game industry by broadening the market. 

In Miyamoto’s mind, however, his new exercise-trainer-cum-minigame-collection is essential to gaming’s survival. “The core gaming market didn’t buy the Wii to play Wii Sports,” he says, referring to the system’s ultra-casual sports pack-in. “But it was a means by which gamers could get the nongaming people in their lives to take an interest in their hobby. Wii Fit will play a similar role: It will continue to broaden interest in videogames. That’s important for the core gamer — the bigger the audience, the greater the chance for something that’s new and unique to succeed.”

I overheard a 50 something man asking a Best Buy sales associate if they had copies of Wii Fit, only to be told that they sold out of them in 4 hours on day 1, and that it was probably going to be the same as with the Wii itself–keep calling to check.

Speaking of the Wii, I wanted to post this interesting little piece of software, if for no one else but my friend Chris, who I think will get a kick out of it.  Apparently, they’ve invented a Homebrew Channel for the Wii, which you can use to install and run DIY applications right on the interface.  Installing it involves a DVD mod, or you can use an exploit in Zelda: Twilight Princess and an SD card to get the channel up and running.

Finally, I was going to post an article from Destructoid’s Jim Sterling, in which he warns about the pitfalls of the upcoming Bioshock sequal, but I always find his writing to be pretentious, so it’s my perogative to simply mention it and then say “meh”.

Hope you’re having a wonderful Tuesday kids.  Make sure you save some time for gaming.

–WG