Monday, December 3, 2007

Chaos Theory Vindicated

Well, the folks just eloped to San Francisco for the weekend. Silly life. You are so strange.

Hey, have you guys heard about the Vii? I think it's going to be the next big gaming system. Mark my words!


James Approves!



2 comments:

SuiginChou said...

Did you watch the disassembly video? It's pretty funny! :) If your patience is wearing thin, jump to 40 seconds ... but try not to overshoot it and spoil the surprise!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncRWCVdFFM8&feature=related

Consider that they're selling that for the equivalent of 125 USD, which is a lot of money to your average Chinese family. Probably as much, if not more, than what we feel when we take the plunge to buy the actual Wii.

Still, I've read or seen a few things that may justify the Vii's existence:
1) apparently China doesn't have the Wii yet? Japan is notorious for its love-hate relationship with China ...

2) Check out these kids having fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgjia05tNDw&feature=related . As much as we may lampoon the Vii for being a Wii rip-off, "if the kid prefers Pepsi, let him drink Pepsi." Now, I agree, this is probably more a case of, "All the kid can find is Pepsi; if he could find Coke, he'd take Coke instead," but still. It's not like the Vii is not fun.

Then again ... the boy does voice complaints about the controls, hmm. ;)

SuiginChou said...

An unexpected gift from a very old friend of mine. Be sure to say thanks to him (via me)!

Translations of the first video
Narrator: The Vii system officially goes gold today! This is no illusion. This really is the simulated video game system that's making waves around the world, the Vii. Just point the controller at the TV, and you'd be able to play tennis, go fishing, go shooting, and play up to twelve different international sports. There is no limitation based on weather conditions, space, or air. The Vii's authentic sport controls has made a fan out of James, the co-chair of the Singapore Olympic Committee.
James: Promoting exercise among children is the best present a parent can give.
Narrator: The Vii gives kids an oppoortunity to build up their exercise spirit in the comfort of their own homes, preventing you from having to waste money to get your kids to exercise. You can also save time and storage space. There are as many as twelve international sports inside this tiny Vii system. Realistic pictures, lag-free motion detection, real-time sound effects, and realistic vibrations can create an authentic sporting experience.
Kid A: It's great!
Kid B: It's really, very fun!
Kid C: I like fishing! It's just like the real thing!
Kid D: It's tiring. It's no different from real exercise.
Narrator: Just point the controller at the TV, and you'd be able to play tennis, go fishing, go shooting, and play up to twelve different international sports. The completely Chinese interface makes it usable for both children and seniors. The 45-minute warning system can protect children's eyesight and prevent fatigue. You can pick from three different colors. And the system comes with 12 different games and decals for your controllers.
I can make out "Not too high. Not too high," "Woohoo," and "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
James: He's just like me, and can guarantee the success [of the Vii]
Narrator: How long has it been since you spent time with your kids? Do you know how lonely your parents are? The Vii can give you an opportunity to show your love for your entire family. You can build a bridge between your spouse, and can give your lonely parents the ability to be happy again. Your entire family will be happy. Just point the controller at the TV, and you'd be able to play tennis, go fishing, go shooting, and play up to twelve different international sports. The completely Chinese interface makes it usable for both children and seniors. The 45-minute warning system can protect children's eyesight and prevent fatigue. The ergonomic design of the controller will endear it to the entire family. Just point the controller at the TV, and you'd be able to play tennis, go fishing, go shooting, and play up to twelve different international sports. Your children and senior citizens will surely find a sport that they love. The entire family of James, the co-chair of the Singapore Olympic Committe, are lovers of the Vii. Realistic pictures, real-time sound effects, realistic vibrations, and lag-free motion detection can create an authentic sporting experience. The Vii will bring happiness to the entire family. The launch of the Vii has bought positive response on [the website posted on the screen]. Want to learn more about the Vii? Just hope online.

Translations of the second video
Person A: Dear readers. What you are seeing now is what we are seeing. This is the final screw. We will be able to see what the inside of the Vii looks like.
Person B: I bet it's terrifying.
Person A: We have all sorts of theories. My guess is that it's filled with air. And what about you, Xien-Er?
Person B: Hmm, that's pretty precise.
Person C: Is it really?
Person A: Hahaha.
Person C: I think it's probably cotton.
Person A: Actually...actually cotton is probably heavier than this. Doesn't matter. We are about to find out. Let's go.
Person B: Oh...
Person A: I've got a bad feeling that I wouldn't be able to put this back together.
Person B: Oh well. It's only a Vii anyways.
Person A: It's coming! It's coming! We are about to see what is inside a Vii!
All: Ahaha! Wah! Hahahahahaha!
Person A: What a surprise! This is just too shocking, Jack. Wow!
Person C: Why don't they just make it smaller?
Person A: That means we can make one that's only this small.
Person B: They probably just want to make it look like the Wii, use that as a selling point.
Person A: Otherwise...
Person C: But why?
Person B: That's powerful.
Person C: Hahaha.
Person A: So, are there any professionals that can help us explain this? Ok.
Person B: We should let Jouston explain it.
Person A: At least we proved a few things. First, these ports is real, these two, the two over here, really are connected to the main system. We don't know what they do, but we know that they are not fake. Second, the makers are afraid that this isn't heavy enough, so they glued a metal bar to the bottom.
Person B: Hahaha
Person A: To increase the weight.
Person C: That's whack.
Person B: That's powerful.
Person A: And then...let me see, this is the power source. The power source is basically something that looks like a power source. They deliberately left four connections, but only two are coming out. Apparently two of them are useless. And then there's this signal detector. There are three wires coming out, but in the end only (pause) two remains. Is this right?
Person B: Actually, I don't have much of an idea.
Person C: I don't know either. I don't know.
Person A: Are there any readers that can explain this to us? This is it. There's nothing out. That's whack.
Person B: That's too whacked up.
Person A: Too whacked up. Ok. I don't have anything else to say about this. You know what's the next thing we can do? We can create a shell that's only this small. And then we can play it.
Person B: We can just give it to Jouston.
Person A: Yeah, just give it to Jouston.
Person C: Good idea.