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MCV grabs its magnifying glass and takes a closer look at the quirky puzzle title that looks all set to cement DS’s mass popularity with new gamers…
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EVERYONE likes a puzzle: and Nintendo is uncommonly good at packaging them up in palatable chunks for consumers. The unstoppable Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training has certainly proven that – and that all-conquerin title is not too far removed from Nintendo’s latest potential DS hit, Professor Layton and the Curious Village. DS senior product manager James Honeywell gives MCV the inside scoop on the intriguing title: “The range of different puzzles in Professor Layton and the Curious Village is significantly greater than in previous ‘puzzle’ titles with over 130 to find and solve. It also incorporates different types of puzzles,
IN LAYTON’S TERMS Nintendo is focusing on promoting Professor Layton and the Curious Village with a wide-reaching marketing campaign. James Honeywell explains: “This will be our biggest new DS software launch this Christmas and will therefore receive considerable investment from Nintendo. “The campaign will comprise of long-lead print and PR activity before launch to significantly build awareness and then continue throughout the peak season. Starting early with a heavyweight online campaign and TV activity two weeks before launch, this will be followed with an extensive in-store campaign alongside further mass-market TV. “We also have plans to continue the promotion of Professor Layton over the coming year to maintain a longer sales curve.”
including word puzzles, riddles and other logic-based conundrums that I am sure will stretch everyone.” Non-gaming consumers familiar with Kawashima will find the title a ‘nextstep’ into gaming, as Honeywell elaborates: “We hope that this ‘unique’ blend of elements will give people brought into video games for the first time through Brain Training something to move on to – and at the same time give them a taste of what more traditional style games have to offer.” WIDE APPEAL
Honeywell adds: “We also hope that this title will offer something to more experienced players who will enjoy the great characters, story, visuals and puzzles from a title that has been receiving great reviews,” And appealing to non-gamers is still clearly something that Nintendo holds very dear to its heart. “As we continue to expand the audience we need to keep exploring new genres to ensure that we offer new experiences,” adds Honeywell. “The titles we have launched over the last few years have been specifically designed to attract to new customers. Professor Layton should appeal to a wide range of DS owners,
both old and new and will hopefully act as a bridge between casual and traditional-style games.” PRETTY CURIOUS
The game itself has its own brand of striking graphics: “The visual style of Layton really brings the story aspect of the game to life. The animation sequences are as good as a cartoon and push the DS to a new level. The visual style gives a good balance between the story and puzzles, allowing Professor Layton to appeal to both gamers who enjoy a good story and newer, casual gamers who like to complete puzzles.” The title has already begun to garner great word of mouth from the critical press and by the time the marketing campaign kicks in, Professor Layton and the Curious Village will be able to live up to being the biggest new DS IP to be launched this side of Christmas. RELEASED: NOVEMBER 7 FORMATS: DS PUBLISHER: NINTENDO DEVELOPER: NINTENDO PRICE: £29.99 DISTRIBUTOR: KOCH CONTACT: 08700 270 985