Nintendo Crossword Collection Recommended Extra 2009

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PIES OF FIVE CO PRESENTS: N DO NINTEN RD COLLECTIO O CROSSW

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You don’t need many clues as to what this product’s all about, but, just in case, let us fill in a few blanks for you... here’s already an eclectic array of games covering all sorts of genres on the Nintendo DS. All tastes are catered for.

But sometimes simple is best. And Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection represents a return to basics – albeit one with a few twists, turns and flourishes.

At the heart of the game are over 1,000 puzzles covering all possible levels of difficulty. There is plenty to get stuck into here for puzzlers of all ages and abilities.

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G Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection contains over 1,000 puzzles, plus two separate modes featuring word searches and anagrams.

G The title has been tailored specifically to suit the UK market, using words from British English rather than the American English vernacular.

G Three skill levels: Easy, Medium and four letters, begins with H, ends in D. G Handwriting recognition allows players to write letters straight into the crossword.

G When they get stuck, they can call on various degrees of hints.

G Players hold the DS like a book, so the game can be played to suit left or right-handers.

G Out just in time for Christmas.

The crosswords are completed by holding the DS vertically, like an open book. The clues appear on one screen, the crossword itself on the other. Players fill in the puzzle by writing straight onto the screen using their stylus.

When the going gets too tough, they can fall back on various hints and tips to get them going again.

As well as the 1,000+ crosswords, the Collection also includes a selection of word searches and anagrams to keep the mind sharp.

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GAME INFO Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection Format: DS Release Date: December 18th

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Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection contains over 1,000 puzzles, plus two separate modes featuring word searches and anagrams.

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04-05 Nintendo Crossword_Final

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CROSS PURPOSES Crosswords and the DS – a perfect combination; gaming on the go in manageable chunks. Senior Product Manager James Honeywell discusses the ideal game for the blank generation…

What’s different in this game?

Beyond the huge number of puzzles that offers more than any other single title, we have tried to ensure that it has the most user-friendly experience available. We have taken our experience from titles like Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? and 100 Classic Book Collection to offer class-leading handwriting recognition technology in this title, which will represent the most intuitive gameplay available.

There are obviously loads of crosswords in newspapers and magazines and on the net every day. Why will people want to play them on their DS, do you think?

Playing crosswords on the DS offers lots of benefits over more traditional forms. No longer are you limited to just completing one puzzle at a time on longer journeys, as you have over 1,000 puzzles available. You don’t have to worry about making corrections to mistakes, because you can quickly and easily update anything you have entered.

For me, this is a key feature as many times I have ruined my crossword in the paper with a rushed answer. It's really about offering new experiences and value to our installed base.

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Class-leading handwriting recognition technology in this title represents the most intuitive gameplay available.

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Have there been crossword games before on the DS – and if so, how did they do?

There are a few crossword-based titles already available for the Nintendo DS. However, none of them contain the same depth of content and quality of user interface as we hope this new title has. Plus, none have been backed with the same comprehensive marketing activity that we have planned.

How tough do they get? Is this really for serious puzzlers?

With six levels of difficulty on the puzzles in this title, there should be something appropriate for everyone.

We have spent a lot of time perfecting the puzzles available through extensive testing and we are confident that there will be difficult puzzles for the most experienced player alongside puzzles for those who are beginners.

The game comes out on December 18th. Do you think it’s a Christmas game or an all-yearround seller?

Christmas gifting just represents the first opportunity for this title, but there is no reason why sales would be limited to this period.

Crosswords can be enjoyed at any time, so we hope that this title will exhibit a long tail of sales in the future.

What are the extra elements of the game, beyond just filling in blanks?

Beyond the 1,000 crossword puzzles, we also offer an extensive collection of other puzzles like wordsearch and anagrams.

I guess this is one of those Nintendo ‘games’ that isn’t aimed at gamers at all. How does that affect your PR and marketing campaigns?

As gaming expands to appeal to consumers of all ages, it is important that we offer titles that will appeal to different groups and that we adapt our communication to suit them.

The great thing about DS is that as the library of titles continues to grow, we can ensure that there are games for everyone that will keep them coming back for more.

How important is price point for a game like this? And what price do you think it will be selling at?

As we are aiming at our Brain Training consumers, we are hoping to offer this title at a similar price.

However, as we don't set prices I can't confirm what this will be.

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As the library of DS titles continues to grow, we can ensure that there are games for everyone that will keep them coming back for more.

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MARKETING Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection will be backed by a TV campaign that runs right through the festive period...

Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection is the perfect companion for puzzle lovers of all ages and abilities, giving them access to more than a thousand different crossword puzzles. The marketing will focus on the message that Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection is the newest addition to the ever growing range of Nintendo DS titles targeted at the Brain Training audience, offering great value, intuitive gameplay and a new exciting way to experience crossword puzzles.

The marketing for Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection centres around a TV campaign which starts on Christmas Eve and will run for three weeks. Launching in the UK and Ireland on the 18th December Nintendo is hoping for a unique share of voice over the Christmas period, targeting existing Nintendo DS owners, taking advantage of last minute gift purchases and offering more reasons for non-users to experience Nintendo DS for the first time.

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FIVE COPIES OF NINTENDO PRESENTS: CROSSWORD COLLECTION UP FOR GRABS Fancy an early Christmas present? Of course you do. So, just answer the following question and see if you can grab yourself a copy of Nintendo presents: Crossword Collection...

Three letters, starts with M, ends with V, is well established as the games industry’s ‘trade bible’...

A) MCV B) MTV C) MOV Send your answers to crossword@intentmedia.co.uk

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