NiSuTe, the Nintendo Support Team, wishes to let people everywhere in Europe know what kind of fun videogames can be and what a positive impact they can have. That is the intention of this group of young and ethusiastic gamers from the Netherlands. Read more about this dedicated group in their press release below.

Tilburg, the Netherlands - NiSuTe, the Nintendo Support Team, wishes to let people everywhere in Europe know what kind of fun videogames can be and what a positive impact they can have. That is the intention of this group of young and ethusiastic gamers from the Netherlands.

NiSuTe started off in august 2002 as an idealistic fan-project. Why? Well, according to most people's point of view the gaming industry produces childish products with an immature, violent theme. Even though the entertainment software industry is currently even more profitable than the the movie industry, videogames are still regarded by many as a fun but rather silly pastime. The fact is that the medium is more than just that. Games are a form of art in the same way as movies or music are. We want to give games and the act of gaming the status it deserves.

Our favourite producer of electronic entertainment software is Nintendo. We decided we wanted to help the European branch of this company by supporting them with our projects and organising our own events. For example: we are currently busy organising a Pokémon Battle Event, where players of this highly popular game series can meet each other and play with other fans of the franchise. We hope that our negotiations can put us together with Nintendo's official promotional tour for the Pokémon Sapphire and Ruby titles for Game Boy Advance in autumn 2003. We will also try to showcase a preview of the new Pokémon title for Nintendo's Gamecube at the event. This means fans and their favourite company working side-by-side!

Another project we're working on is organising a concert. We're currently under negotiations with Dynamix and hope that Nintendo can support us with the license of the music. Several concerts like this have already been held in Japan and a fan-based organisation just like ours arranged such a concert in the wake of last year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. The idea of having videogame music played by a symphonic orchestra may seem odd at first, but if it happens with movie soundtracks, why not with game music? It will only show that videogames are creative products that hold great cultural potential.

Who are the people behind NiSuTe?

The man who started it all is Maikel de Bakker. Thanks to his love for and his experience with games he managed to establish several contacts in the Dutch gaming scene. At this very moment he is attempting to set up a TV-show which primarily focuses on the game industry. As the founder of NiSuTe, Maikel is in charge of all our current projects.

But he can't do it all alone: several members are working on several projects and members Jean Beurskens and Jeroen IJpelaar are the ones in whose hands the realisation of the Pokémon Battle Event lies.

Two other members of our team, Maurice van der Goor and Mai van Oirschot, are responsible for organising the concert mentioned above. Mai van Oirschot and another member named Sander van Geelen are also busy creating NiSuTe's upcoming website. They're planning to launch the site coming spring 2003.

Besides the members we have already mentioned, we also have two freelance members working for us: Rens Spijkers and Martijn de Groot. Rens is our "man behind the scenes". It's his job to support Maikel de Bakker and Jeroen IJpelaar with their current projects and generally helping to keep NiSuTe going. Martijn de Groot is a new member and has not yet started his own project, but will do so or at least support another project in the near future.

Last one is Martijn van Best, our latest member who will act as NiTuSe's journalist. He will produce press releases about our activities and also write about what's going on in the gaming scene, especially if it concerns NiSuTe. The upcoming TV-show will most likely feature him as a reporter.

NiSuTe's goal is to become known in Europe as a group of gamers that not only plays the games, but also actively supports their favourite game company. We're not saying that our activities will change people's view on videogames in a short time, but by organising events and creating awareness as to the potential that electronic entertainment holds, we seek to contribute to the development of the industry.

Of course, the most important thing about games is to keep having fun with them! After all, that is what this medium started out with and it is something that we never will, nor should forget.

NiSuTe, gaming is more than you expect it to be

I am sure you agree with me is that these guys are doing an amazing thing for Nintendo. They support Nintendo in the fullest extend. You will definately find me at the concert when it is being held!

Cube-Europe will keep you updated on their progress in making these projects become reaility!