CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE "SENSEI" GAMER

Product Review: Sensei Pro Grade Laser Mouse, Diablo III Headset & Mouse, and simraceway Steering Wheel by SteelSeries

Every family has a "master gamer" (MG) or one who thinks he/she is just that. Your MG stands in long lines to get hot games as they are released, so, each holiday, you become brain-blitzed to figure out what to get them. This year, I think SteelSeries may have an answer or two or three for you.

OVERVIEW:

Sensei Pro Grade Laser Mouse $89.99 at http://shop.steelseries.com/us/mice/steelseries-sensei.html (at this publication - cheaper than you can buy it on Amazon)

SteelSeries claims this mouse to be as powerful as a Pentium computer. Believe them. Easy set up with a built-in menu of 5 gaming profiles. Your clicks will practically fly ahead of you. Imagine that kind of speed, whether your gamer is killing zombies or moving tanks into place for battle. The SteelSeries Engine technology makes this less of a mouse and more of a highly customizable controller. I actually like this mouse for other reasons - one I'll share when I get to the marketing ideas below. Here's a SteelSeries YouTube on the item: http://youtu.be/JpcG-Lb7vUE

Diablo III Headset $119 http://steelseries.com/us/products/games/diablo-iii/steelseries-diablo-i...

The headset is just hot! No other word fits this fiery red and black Diablo-worthy gear. And, no, the game, itself, isn't out yet - Blizzard says first quarter 2012--but that just makes this item hotter to have. This officially licensed headset is actually created to maximize the Diablo III experience - taking into account sound and gameplay. Includes a retractable mic and programmable illumination options. I especially liked how comfortable this is to wear. Sound quality is remarkable. Windows and Mac OS X. Here's the YouTube: http://youtu.be/K7F_2ZoFuxY

Diablo III Mouse $69.99 http://steelseries.com/us/products/games/diablo-iii/steelseries-diablo-i...

Like the headset, the mouse bears the striking Diablo III design. SteelSeries does such a good job in creating peripherals for the serious gamer...always taking comfort and positioning into consideration. My hands are smallish, but the shape and size are perfect. Meant for use and abuse, this item means business. Easy game configuration. Windows and Mac OS X.

simraceway SRW-S1 Steering Wheel $119.99 http://steelseries.com/products/other/simraceway-s1-steering-wheel

This techno wheel/dash combo is for the gamer who loves online live multiplayer racing. Your steering and all controls are right there on the wheel. With simulated tracks and skill-matching technology, you are getting about as close to a true racing experience as you can get without the wheels and the pit crew. I know a young police officer who would love this item for Christmas. My advice - you're gonna want a decent size screen for this. Includes free-to-play game with no subscription fee. Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. Compatible with all PC racing games. Check out the YouTube below. (Note: as of this publication, this video has more than 29k views. There's another video on this same product uploaded a few weeks ago with more than 50k views. That should tell a consumer that this is an item of interest.)

REVIEWER'S OPINION:

The quality of all these SteelSeries products is such that I can recommend them with total comfort. I know for some looking for gifts like these that they don't use themselves, it can be a difficult choice to make. My review team had nothing but good comments on all the items, but especially the Sensei mouse. I think they like thinking they are "elite."

UNIQUENESS FACTOR: Diablo III products - because the quality for an officially licensed product is beyond what is generally expected...and, because these items are ahead of the game launch. The Sensei for the ultimate customizable control experience. The steering wheel for a well-designed and complete racing experience.

MARKETING IDEAS FOR THE COMPANY:

• I'd take the Sensei Mouse to the Serious Games community. As soon as I felt the shape and considered the speed and customization, I thought of military, government, academic, medical, or corporate training games. On-screen strategy and reaction time in these types of games would likely be enhanced by a mouse that has the features this one does. Not sure if you'd have to add/detract to make it a better fit for serious games, but it could be a thought. You might consider getting the Sensei endorsed by an award-winning serious games developer/publisher or a respected org within that sector of games. One idea might be to gift a Sensei to appropriate award winners of the next Games for Change event. I'd be calling Jane McGonigal tomorrow asking if she's up for some kind of creative collaboration. This may seem like an odd direction, but I like the unusual "higher ideal" approach that gets attention from entities that could make big deals.
• Next thought is to collaborate with a notable composer that has put together a track of some of their work and package it with headsets. I have someone in mind, if interested.
• Last thought is to call me for an intro to a decision maker for a reward/loyalty site that has a mind-blowing ranking. There could be an opp for some good visibility there - worth exploring.
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Game Review: Boomblastica by Thrust Interactive

iTunes iPad Free

BOOMBLASTICA is a blast of retro meets J-Pop. This odd-themed (is there such a thing in games?) arcade shooter completely satisfies the retro-lovin gamer who digs boom box music and has a thing for Japanese Pop Culture. In fact, this seemingly strange combo hits the mainstream mark with the kind of addiction that makes grown women buy Hello Kitty jammies.

GAMEPLAY:

Gameplay is literally that of the retro shooter games, like the well known game, Space Invaders. Simply use your finger or on-screen joystick to move forward, back, and side-to-side, avoiding obstacles/enemies that could collide with you and destroy your character or cause health damage. You only get so many lives, but you can get 5 different powers/weapons to use on your enemies or incoming objects. You can switch between 2 different weapons at any given time. There were only two levels, so naturally, a suggestion would be to add more levels.

I like that you play as the heroine not a hero. There is fun, energetic, techno/electronic music playing while you fly through the air battling enemies. Upbeat energy keeps you wanting more.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:

I love the artistic style of the game. It has a similar look as the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels. It's comical and cute, but with much more of a Japanese pop culture flavor. An example would be the cutesy, fluffy clouds you shoot to get your power-ups and weapons. Smiley faces on inanimate objects, like cupcakes, bullets, hearts, and bubbles bring you fully into the theme and stays true to the Japanese pop culture feel.

My review staff had this to say: "I'm not usually a fan of that type of art style AT ALL! The oddness is usually too much of a cultural leap for me. BUT, this game I really got into it -- they make it work so well. That, said, I'm not gonna lie...as soon as I saw the controls were retro arcade-style shooters, I was like, hell yes; let's do this! Then, the awesome music and electronic boom box theme just clenched the deal." Don't think I need to say more.


UNIQUENESS FACTOR:

The theme of the game is about a girl who gets sick eating spicy ramen and then turns into a superhero to battle an evil monster who woke her up while she was listening to her music. This different (fresh) approach to a theme, along with cool gameplay is what will open the door for all types to play.

Also, they call the levels "tracks." When you are prompted to pick a level to play, it asks you to "select a track." And, your controls at the bottom of the screen look like those on a boom box, complete with play, pause, and stop buttons, and a digital readout with bouncing bars in time with the music.

MARKETING IDEAS:

• Well, this game is free - so we're talking more promo right now. But, biggest suggestion: Get out an iPod and iPhone version of the game tomorrow.
• Tap into the Japanese Pop Culture audience. Check out Giant Robot http://www.giantrobot.com - check into a collab with them (get their seal of approval on the game, or get some of your artist's work in the gallery (reason for a news release). Here's the link to how the topic surfaces on Twitter. http://loudtwitter.com/japanese_pop_culture/ Build your community here - create a group of college ambassadors to help spread promo. You could even create your own list on Twitter that can be found by others via search.
• Post a funny YouTube of a Ramen Eating Contest. Take it from there.
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Product Review: GameHelmet

If there's one thing we know about gamers, it's that they've got style. Funky...nerdy...rockin...loud...hip hop...and totally real. Gamers are all about expressing their authenticity. So...enter Kenyon McNeil - a talented artist who joined the world of gamer fashion with his wearable art called GameHelmets. And people are not only noticing...they're wearing them...


OVERVIEW: McNeil turns high quality (premium) fitted caps into custom hand-painted headgear, designed to show the wearer's "true colors."

Prices start at $25 and you can design your own helmet at the web site.

Game teams, media personalities, and even musical artists are all donning game helmets to show their style. You can check out whose wearing what at GameHelmet TV

Specialty lines include Nightmare Collection, FPS, and Game Face lines.

You can add your gamer tag - your sports team of choice, your twitter name, or your fave game title for a uniquely "you" helmet.

REVIEWER'S OPINION: How can you not love this whole concept? For the gamer that has every piece of hardware, controller, and a complete collection of gamer tees -- this is the item he/she doesn't have (a customized helmet created by a true artist). Do I hear jingle bells?

This product is top quality and very comfortable. I was able to size my "Fairy Game Mother" helmet immediately and wore it for a couple of hours without realizing I actually had it on. My husband liked it so much that he wanted me to wear it to a local restaurant - then proceeded to steal my Buffalo Bills helmet. Well, the Bills have been a roll lately. (um, should I take that back?)

My overall opinion is that this is a great one-of-a-kind item for anyone in the industry (gamers or those with a game to promote).



UNIQUENESS FACTOR: Of course, it's the creativity that McNeil uses in helmet design. His helmet collections show such a wide range of styles that it's hard to make a choice.

MARKETING IDEAS:

• Collaborate with a developer who will put a gamehelmet on a character within the game. Create a line of helmets designed around that game. Launch both simultaneously. If possible, consider bundling a helmet with the game.
• If not already done, create a tour helmet for Raheem Jarbo (aka Mega Ran - Hip Hop Recording and Concert artist.) Get Mega Ran to autograph a few tour helmets for a special "celebrity helmet gallery" on the web site to sell w/ a portion of proceeds that go to a charity. As soon as this post is live, I'll make the intro via Twitter between Mega Ran and Game Helmet. If one could take the collaboration further...consider a discount on a tour helmet with every CD Mega Ran sells.
• Contact Aaron Hassell at Beyond Gaming and see if there's a possibility to collaborate on a tourney or event. I'll make the intro.

WANT YOUR PRODUCT OR GAME REVIEWED?

Here's what I'm looking for:

ACCESSORIES: Anything that enhances gameplay or adds interest or fun to the player. Coolness factor is a must.

UNIQUE GAMES: Any platform or genre. The game must have a feature that is truly different, either in the way that it engages the player, the technology that was used to create it, the artwork, or the subject matter. I like "good games," too - ones with a charitable or self-help component.

Games that have extraordinarily violent, sexual, racial, or religion-bashing content will not be reviewed. I'm more interested in the mission of the game, the technology used, the engagement factor within the game.

If you want to submit, send an e-mail to mary@marykurek.com with your "single" product submission information. If it is a game, spend some time telling me about the uniqueness. If it is an accessory or a physical game, and I approve, you'll need to send a copy for review. You'll be instructed in your approval e-mail where to send. If it's a digital product, and I approve, you'll send me a link or code. All approved submissions will need to provide some images on the product.

All submissions will need to be on market and you'll need to have a live web site. If I approve, I'll incorporate marketing notes at the end of the review, giving suggestions/ideas on how to market.

Upon publication of each review - I'll send the link out to my Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin networks. You'll be informed when the review is published. Upon approval, you'll be given a guestimate of when that will be.

If it sounds like a fitter to you...get in touch.