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Blog: Gadgets Wii Owners Don't Care About HD Graphics?
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - January 16, 2010 6:06 PM
Print 41 comment(s) - last by OKMIJN4455.. on Jan 24 at 6:43 AM
Nintendo America CEO Reggie Fils-Aime thinks Wii won't miss HD Netflix content

We have already talked about the Wii getting Netflix streaming via a disc similar to how Netflix service came to the PS3. The discs are likely the way that Netflix got around the exclusive streaming claims Microsoft laid out for the Xbox 360. Nintendo of America CEO Reggie Fils-Aime has been talking about the streaming service that is coming to the Wii.

Reggie went on CNBC and said that Wii owners won't miss the HD content available on the other game consoles via Netflix that the Wii won’t be capable of streaming. He said, " …there is really no loss for the Wii consumer."

He continued saying, "But, even more importantly than that, the consumer has voted. Over 26 million consumers have bought a Wii. The consumer is saying, for them, the quality of the visual is not nearly as important as the overall entertainment, the overall value of that experience and that is really, what has propelled us. In terms of what the future holds, we’ve gone on record to say the next step for Nintendo in terms of home consoles will not be simply to make it HD, but to add more and more capability and we’ll do that when we totally tapped out all of the experiences for the existing Wii and we are nowhere near doing that yet."

There continues to be a back and forth with Wii fans and the media about when and if a HD version of the Wii is coming. Nintendo appears to be very content to offer the old-school graphics that the Wii is capable of. Sure fans of the Wii enjoy good games, but I for one don’t think for a second that there aren’t large number of Wii users out there who don’t want HD graphics from Nintendo. The fact that we bought a Wii knowing it doesn't have the best graphics, doesn't mean we don’t want good graphics. I'm not sure Nintendo understands that fact.

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They still don't get it
By Telas on 1/16/2010 10:15:47 PM , Rating: 2
The hardcore gamers still don't get it. They disparaged the Wii for its resolution, lack of horsepower, and unpolished pixels. And when the Wii blew the doors off their precious 360s and PS3s, they called it a 'gimmick' and a 'one trick pony'.

The Wii succeeded because it brought fun to everyone. It didn't expend copious quantities of tech to have the highest resolution or most realistic graphics. It appealed to the other 95% of the population that wants to have fun, and doesn't care about framerate or 8x auto-aliasing.

Video converted to 1080 is nowhere near as clear and crisp as video shot in 1080, and I doubt that Netflix is going to be downloading 40 GB movies. So watching a downloaded film in 480p isn't going to make a heckuva lot of difference to the average viewer. (And again, the average viewer pays the bills more than the tech aficionado.)




RE: They still don't get it
By CharonPDX on 1/16/2010 11:15:10 PM , Rating: 4
Exactly.

It's also why ATI and nVidia make the majority of their profits on their $100 graphics cards that are scoffed at by hardcore gamers.

Yes, the $600 graphics cards have their place. But that's not where the profits are.

Sony and Microsoft haven't figured that out. And in the meantime, Nintendo is raking it in, hand over fist.


RE: They still don't get it
By Hieyeck on 1/18/2010 12:37:44 PM , Rating: 5
I don't disagree, I prefer content over pretty graphics, but again, if you can get the same content for the same price at higher quality, why wouldn't you? Are Wii users getting jipped? You betcha.


RE: They still don't get it
By xti on 1/20/2010 10:22:37 AM , Rating: 2
beer + friends + trying to hit a fast ball after 3 curve balls

yeah, no, id give up graphics anyday for the above. I say 360/ps3 owners were getting jipped this whole time by not catering to a different aspect of gaming this whole time.


RE: They still don't get it
By UNCjigga on 1/21/2010 7:52:15 PM , Rating: 2
I would've agreed with the "Wii wins" argument 3 years ago--but that was 3 years ago! Nowadays, you can get a 1080p TV for $500. I would estimate that at least 98% of new TVs sold over the last 3 years are capable of 720p or better. The Xbox and PS3 have seen many rounds of price cuts (Wii only had one) and both can be had for $250, so the price advantage has nearly eroded.

Later this year, both Sony and MS will debut true motion control technology for their respective consoles. Wii will be old hat by then. It had very little shelf life to begin with, and unless Nintendo has an ace up their sleeve for the holiday season they'll finish last in Q4.


RE: They still don't get it
By therealnickdanger on 1/16/2010 11:32:54 PM , Rating: 5
As someone who has Netflix and has streamed both HD and SD content, I can say that the difference between 480p and 720p is like night and day. My "non tech" friends can see the difference very clearly as well.

Also, 40GB is not required for 1080p. Streaming 1080p is already possible with much less data. With a good encode, even low bitrate 1080p can look pretty darn good. Blu-Ray? No, but certainly a step up from 720p.

Install Silverlight and go here:
http://www.iis.net/media/experiencesmoothstreaming...


RE: They still don't get it
By Shadowmaster625 on 1/20/2010 9:47:28 AM , Rating: 2
Do you know how much data they are streaming for a 2 hour 1080p movie? I know it is (or was) about 2GB for a 2 hr movie at 480p.


RE: They still don't get it
By JumpingJack on 1/17/2010 1:44:18 AM , Rating: 2
Precisely ... tech sites, such as this, and the users/commenters are a very narrowly focused audience of high tech gadgetry. They are very ignorant of what the main stay market really is and what it really wants.

Wii brought a unique, and fun, user experience that many people simply enjoy and they did it without all the fancy eye candy and uber enhanced graphics, rather great interaction on simple, casual games the the masses (non-uber fanatical hard core games) enjoy.

The is a pervasive tone in all tech sites, that if it isn't gut busting pretty, with 100+ FPS and overclockable -- it won't sell, it simply demonstrates how tunnel visioned they are about the topic they write about.


RE: They still don't get it
By theslug on 1/17/2010 2:27:10 AM , Rating: 2
As a Wii owner I'm perfectly fine that it doesn't have HD. It doesn't need to. Nintendo understands that the fun factor comes before visual quality. I have an HDTV and enjoy HD gaming, but that's what my PS3 is for.

If Nintendo had made the Wii in HD it would have unnecessary upped the price considerably and would not have added any real value. Their next system will likely be HD, but only because we'll be at the point where HD has been largely adopted by the masses, and because technology will be cheaper, which wasn't quite the case in 2006 when the Wii came out. I actually hope it is, because some Nintendo exclusive franchises would look great in HD.

The "hardcore gamers" you describe (aka fanboys) have completely missed the point of the system.


RE: They still don't get it
By nadafanboy on 1/17/2010 11:57:11 AM , Rating: 5
I'm no fanboy by any means. I own a PS3, a WII, and a high end gaming machine. Graphics doesn't matter? I'm an average gamer, and you sound as if you are speaking for me? Well, let me tell you...graphics, from an average gamer, being me, does matter. The only reason I bought the fad machine (WII) is because of my six year old daughter. It is fun, for a bit, but the fun factor wears off quickly, and now I have a $200 weight system that holds my entertainment in place. Even my six year old daughter notices differences in how the graphics is presented in games, and is vocal about it. The WII is just not as "pretty" as the PS3 or my gaming machine (her words not mine). The fun factor in the WII boils down to just what some posters in the PS3 vs. XBox vs. WII forums...price...that they would spend a lot less dollars in far less superior tech gadgetry than the PS3 or XBox. Not to take away from Nintendo's success with the WII, but I think there are a lot more people who find graphics more important than what one or two posters may say...I just tend to think that those consumers "settle."


RE: They still don't get it
By karielash on 1/18/2010 5:10:43 AM , Rating: 4
"The fun factor in the WII boils down to just what some posters in the PS3 vs. XBox vs. WII forums...price...that they would spend a lot less dollars in far less superior tech gadgetry than the PS3 or XBox"

Superior tech gadgetry..... funny how the XBox and PS3 crowd keep talking about the hi-res graphics on systems that 'might' have been considered graphically average when they were released several years ago but now are both looking extremely dated. At least the Wii still has the fun factor....


RE: They still don't get it
By theslug on 1/18/2010 6:13:35 PM , Rating: 2
Of course graphics matter. I never implied otherwise.


RE: They still don't get it
By Screwballl on 1/19/2010 9:36:32 PM , Rating: 2
We also need to remember that games on the PC have been in "HD" for over a decade now. Try getting any of the latest gaming systems to play Crisis at 1920x1200 or higher with decent framerates. Considering it took a massive leap in specialized hardware just to get them at 720 or 1080p, the graphics processing is still several years behind what is capable by even a fairly standard GPU for a computer.

The PS3 GPU is a 550MHz nvidia based GPU (with 256MB 700MHz GDDR3)... this is about equal to the nvidia 7300GT that is in my wifes office PC, which runs at 1920x1200 with "HD" content all the time...


RE: They still don't get it
By StevoLincolnite on 1/22/2010 12:06:18 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
The PS3 GPU is a 550MHz nvidia based GPU (with 256MB 700MHz GDDR3)... this is about equal to the nvidia 7300GT that is in my wifes office PC, which runs at 1920x1200 with "HD" content all the time...


What... a... load... of... crap...

Hint: Memory sizes doesn't make a GPU faster.

The RSX in the PS3 is a Geforce 7800 derivative, The xbox's is like a Radeon x1800/2900 derivative, both have different memory sub-systems and are not as easily comparable to PC graphics cards because of that factor.


RE: They still don't get it
By Etern205 on 1/17/10, Rating: -1
RE: They still don't get it
By nadafanboy on 1/17/2010 12:01:34 PM , Rating: 2
Hmmmmm, was that not a Nintendo N64? That definitely fits the mold of Nintendo players, only they really can't hold their e-penises with their hands as they go to the bathroom without pissing on three fingers.


RE: They still don't get it
By Etern205 on 1/17/2010 12:11:13 PM , Rating: 2
I can't seem to find one with a PS3 or xBox console. Anyway that how most hardcore gamers look like. :P


RE: They still don't get it
By vcolon on 1/17/2010 2:26:50 PM , Rating: 2
I don't own a console, but I stream movies and shows from netflix through my LG blu-ray player. HD is number 1 priority when device is paired with HD tv. But your rationale that "Hardcore" gamers own 360's and PS3's is flawed. "Hardcore" gamers are PC gamers and Tech Gurus. Console gamers are in a class by themselves.


RE: They still don't get it
By OKMIJN4455 on 1/24/10, Rating: -1
WiiHD
By gurutrue on 1/17/2010 2:13:23 PM , Rating: 2
I still can't believe that Nintendo won't release a WiiHD when they have already released the DS, DS Lite, DSi, and coming soon DSi XL. It's not like the company is not known for making incremental improvements to their hardware. The Gameboy went through several incarnations. As far as I know they didn't make these improvements simply for sales. Why not make a limited run of WiiHD and sell it at a premium price for those dedicated gamers who want it or license the tech like what they did with the Panasonic Q which was a premium Gamecube with DVD playback.




RE: WiiHD
By someguy123 on 1/18/2010 5:11:38 AM , Rating: 2
There's not as much reason to incrementally update a console system compared to a handleheld. Most of the updates have nothing to do with the gaming hardware inside and are mainly just decreases in size/better screen etc. Incremental graphic updates (HD support etc) would just reduce the gimmick factor of graphics in general, compared to the wow factor of releasing a new console with much better graphics.

With a console, unless you start huge and go small (like the ps3), there's no real reason to update the form factor. The wii is already, by far, the smallest console, so there's nothing they can change outside of peripheral updates.


RE: WiiHD
By Nutzo on 1/19/2010 12:25:21 PM , Rating: 2
Nintento needs to update the Wii

Add HDMI out (even 720p would be fine)

Update the controller to include the motion plus as a single unit.

Increase the internal flash to at least 4GB


Flawed study/vote whatever they did
By AnnihilatorX on 1/18/2010 3:52:31 PM , Rating: 2
The study is flawed. If you are to offer me a choice being:

1) Graphics is more important
2) Gameplay is more important

I would vote for 2 definitely. But that's half the picture.
Why can't I have both? HD graphics of the Wii's league should be trivial to do in hardware nowadays.

The customer surely isn't asking for top notch graphics like Crysis (sorry to use Crysis again, I know this is getting old), but a modest HD capability for general home entertainment or to retain compatibility with HD TVs for the Wii is a big plus and should not be a compromise that had to be made with gameplay.




RE: Flawed study/vote whatever they did
By theslug on 1/18/2010 6:16:03 PM , Rating: 2
Nowadays it could certainly be done, and I hope that Nintendo's next system is in HD. But I also agree with #2, that gameplay should take priority.


By BansheeX on 1/22/2010 3:23:43 PM , Rating: 2
In what way did Uncharted 2's amazing graphics afflict its gameplay? To most reasonable people, your argument is moronic. Weaker hardware does not automagically = better gameplay. If that were true, why has Nintendo been releasing new hardware to make games on at all? We should still be perfectly happy with the NES. You merely gain new abilities with better hardware, you don't lose old ones. If I had the choice between having Twilight Princess on the Wii vs the PS3, anyone with a brain would pick the PS3 in a heartbeat. Larger viewing areas, clearer textures, lusher environments, more immersion. That is why I have always wanted Nintendo to become a software developer only, because then we could have the best of both worlds, and less hardware to buy to access all games.


Is it HD, or is it effects
By drmo on 1/19/2010 2:55:43 PM , Rating: 2
Is it really HD capability, or the lack of hardware able to do the advanced effects and better textures, which hold the Wii back from looking better? I have seen the 720p videos on the Wii emulator, and I'm not convinced they are that much better.

On the other hand, don't DVDs still outsell Blu-Ray discs? That would suggest that more people don't care as much about HD, when the price is too high. So maybe they don't care as much about the Wii lacking HD if the system is cheaper (and some games more fun for some people).




RE: Is it HD, or is it effects
By dagamer34 on 1/19/2010 6:30:51 PM , Rating: 2
People are also convinced that buying an HDTV makes everything HD. -_-

It is not wise to believe a crowd. That is why our government is based on representatives.


RE: Is it HD, or is it effects
By Farfignewton on 1/20/2010 2:01:54 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
It is not wise to believe a crowd. That is why our government is based on representatives.


435 congressmen, 100 senators... yep, you're on to something. :D


A neutral opinion
By landonthegr8 on 1/17/2010 10:11:29 AM , Rating: 1
Okay, as a wii owner for 2 years, I can tell you that graphics are very important to the average gamer. I am one, so I know this. Look, I bought the wii because of the fitness games mostly. It was an attractive notion that I could get some practical use out of a video game system. And the fact that there was promised to be tons of fun games didn't hurt either. That said, I would like to point out that there hasn't been a lot of fun games. A few. The exercise programs have made this system as popular as it is, not fun gaming. Truly, there is so much crapware out there for the wii that it really is scary to think of buying a game rather than renting.

All in all I love my wii, but I have made up my mind to get a 360 or PS3 soon. Especially now that Natal is coming and PS3 is to offer something similar. Graphics and cooler games would have made the wii the ultimate system. And seeing how it is just as expensive, I don't know why it couldn't have delivered that. And if they do in fact release a version of wii with improved graphics, it can't just be the same wii. It better be controller-less because that's where the industry is going. They started the movement, but so far X-box is making the move to finish it. PS won't be far behind.




RE: A neutral opinion
By The0ne on 1/19/2010 12:13:32 PM , Rating: 2
I'm probably one of the few people here that loves gadgets and new tech but I certainly don't let it leave me astray from fun, entertainment, new experiences and such. Mind you if graphics is all you can use for your argument it's pretty pathetic, really pathetic.

Most people here probably haven't tried gaming in a complete virtual world. Now that's gaming for you, especially for FPS. I tried it about 15 years ago and although it hasn't picked up due to cost and such it is still pretty amazing to have it back again.

And like Landonthegr8, I will eventually buy a PS3 or 360 if there is a game I'm interested in. Two are coming this year and yes this time around graphics plays a big part of of my decision. These are FF13 and GT5. Amazing trailers so far. FF14 will be play on PC :)

So while I wait I am enjoying what Wii is giving me, fun; and fun that is unique, not just a couch potato getting fat pressing buttons. That was a joke of course :)


Fun
By HostileEffect on 1/16/2010 7:57:50 PM , Rating: 2
It would seem that Nintendo used the strange ability know as "common sense". People seem to purchase games that deliver entertainment and fun as a priority, inexpensive being a bonus.

I reinstalled Deus Ex because because it is fun and has a good multithreaded story.




In a Perfect World...
By porkpie on 1/16/2010 9:09:44 PM , Rating: 2
...I wouldn't mind if my Wii could stream HD content. But honestly, between my computer, my standalone blu ray player, and everything else I have that supports HD, I really don't care that much. I bought the Wii to game.

I would MUCH rather Wii2 had some groundbreaking new gaming feature than I would have it be nothing but a Wii refresh with HD support. Now, if they can do both, and offer it for a good price, more power to them. But I think they realize very well what most consumers are looking for in a Wii.




Correct. Wii don't care.
By ipay on 1/16/2010 11:27:35 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Wii Owners Don't Care About HD Graphics?


Not really, no.

Everyone's different, of course, but as someone without Blu-Ray, and with a 720p television, I really couldn't care less that I can only get 480p out of the Wii. I play a particular game because I am entertained by the gameplay, and I watch a movie because I am entertained by what is being shown, not so much how. As long as a modicum of video quality is there - DVD quality is just fine - I'm far more concerned about the content than the resolution. The DVDs I currently get from Netflix are acceptable resolution to watch; why would instantly-streamed movies of the same resolution be unacceptable?




By KingOfOldSkool on 1/16/2010 11:49:53 PM , Rating: 2
I think to flat out say that Wii owners "do not care" about HD graphics is a dangerous and incorrect line of thinking. It's one thing to say that maybe HD is not a top priority.. but to try and paint the entire userbase as gamers who have no need or interest in a bit more advanced technologies and features is as wrong as saying that everyone who buys the higher end consoles/graphics cards do no care about getting fair value, having more original and progressive gameplay and hardware features, and are nothing but mindless graphics whores. The fact of the matter is that when you get down to it.. both sides of the spectrum, while content with what they have, do have some desire for their platform of choice move closer to a happy medium that includes some of the perks from the other end.




Welcome to the New Paradigm
By Ulises on 1/17/2010 10:30:19 AM , Rating: 2
The world of tech users have spoken. Sure some of us/you will disagree and demand the highest resolutions possible, the fastest drives, external drives we can use for other than music, etc.

But the masses have spoken.

Don't believe me? Check out the link.

http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/magazin...




The Wii choice
By sillypsyche on 1/17/2010 3:26:09 PM , Rating: 2
I have an Xbox360 and was considering which my next system would be. A PS3 was tempting because the built in BlueRay player means one less piece of tech to buy. However I was really interested in trying the Wii Fit games so I had decided on a Wii as my second machine.
After reading this article I have changed my mind. I was originally considering a Wii DESPITE the lack of HD and high quality. That doesn't mean that I don't care about those features. I actually care quite a bit! This article has turned me off on Nintendo. Instead of a Wii, I'm buying a PS3 and a new gym membership. Gyms are in much higher definition.




Why does it matter?
By Pneumothorax on 1/19/2010 9:01:20 AM , Rating: 2
They'll be hooked up to 60" screens with composite cable anyway!




By rdhood on 1/19/2010 12:01:37 PM , Rating: 2
He is right. While there are *some* WII owners who would love an HD version, the vast majority of WII users (at least those that I know of) are 8-12 year olds. HD is not high on their list of priorities.




Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.....not!
By masamasa on 1/20/2010 11:06:49 AM , Rating: 2
Wii is a disappointment. Pretty much every title is for young children, novelty party enthusiasts, or Japanese anime fans, but I suppose that's what the console is geared to. They have very few quality games and once the novelty wears off it's time to shelve it. I'm looking forward to Natal as it will more than likely deliver games that more mature gamers can enjoy with the next level of user interaction.




720p?
By DarthKaos on 1/22/2010 9:55:32 AM , Rating: 2
I admit that I am not worried about getting 1080p graphics out of my Wii but I really think that having the next plumber adventure in 720p would be very nice. I can't imagine how lush and colorful the graphics of the next boy hero game would be or how much atmosphere could be added to the new alien hunter game.

I know this may increase development costs for developers but really that might just weed out some of the shovel-ware currently being produced.




Old school
By LuckyBubba on 1/17/10, Rating: 0
"Can anyone tell me what MobileMe is supposed to do?... So why the f*** doesn't it do that?" -- Steve Jobs













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