Author Topic: Revolution Eschews High Definition (Read 21990 times)

Jonnyboy117 · « **on:** June 13, 2005, 03:59:29 PM »

Nintendo says HD is not the future.

First they removed component video support from the GameCube; now Nintendo has confirmed that the Revolution will not be supporting high definition video outputs, such as 1080i and 1080p. Sony and Microsoft have already announced support for such formats with their respective next-gen consoles.

Nintendo of America supplied the following comment on this issue:

"There currently are no plans for Nintendo Revolution to support high-definition video output. We have thoroughly considered the best means of video output for the system and are dedicated to delivering the best hardware possible to meet the demands of our consumers. Please stay tuned for more details on Nintendo Revolution to be revealed soon."
-- Perrin Kaplan, VP, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Nintendo of America

At this point, it remains unclear what resolutions Nintendo considers to be high definition. For instance, the 480p format is not enabled on most older television sets, but since it is only a progressive-scan version of the standard 480 line resolution, it is often not considered to be "high definition". Since GameCube supports 480p output (although new hardware units do not included the required interface), Nintendo may support at least that format with the Revolution. This possibility is further bolstered by the fact that the Revolution prototypes at E3 2005 featured an output jack that looked exactly like the now-removed "digital output" jack on the GameCube.

G3cyco · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2005, 04:28:20 PM »

damn, it

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2005, 04:39:17 PM »

Key words:

"currently"

"demands"

"consumers"

I have no clue.

joshnickerson · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2005, 04:48:34 PM »

I think they just do this to give things for Ian to bitch about

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2005, 04:51:06 PM »

Reggie must be lollerskating.

Pale · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2005, 04:52:52 PM »

I've avoided commenting in the super thread on the rev boards, but the only thing I can say is, even though Perrin Kaplan said it, I don't necessarily believe the Rev won't have Hi-Def when it launches. I do believe that as of now, they don't plan on including it, but I'm pretty confident they will change their minds.

Regretfully, I guess the best way to bring that around is by everyone expressing their feelings about it...

=P

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2005, 05:13:14 PM »

Well hay, Nintendogs' title was changed from Puppy Times back to Nintendogs by this E3 wasn't it?

ThePerm · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2005, 06:42:25 PM »

one thing thta bothers me is that not having it will reduce sales...reducing profit...which may cost mroe then including the port for five dollars more. However....im going to wait till Iwata or Genyuo Takeda say something.

Either way Revolution Free Online > Hi-Def

JonLeung · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2005, 06:50:48 PM »

So I bought an HD-compatible primarily to play video games so that I won't use it to its full capacity? >_<

It better at least have component output cables, like the kind I had to order online for my GameCube...

Rob91883 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2005, 06:51:35 PM »

This is already having a negative impact, even though I could care less about High Definition because it wont really make a difference on gameplay it's going to alienate a lot of people that want this feature just cause Xbox360 and PS3 have it.

Savior · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2005, 07:09:48 PM »

Its a Mistake. Nintendo has still time to change it, and i fully expect it to possibly happen. Not make them mandatory ala X360, but give developers the option.

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2005, 07:18:41 PM »

As annoying as this may be, do you really think it is going to be that big of a deal? Will it be completely impossible to create amazing graphics without HD? Will it be impossible to create the correct aspect ratio for the HD televisions?

The truth is to the casual gamer and really even the hardcore gamers this won't be a big issue until middle of the generation or later generation. HD television is still too costly to be mainstream.

Nintendo is trying to create affordable gaming machines that emphasis the playability of the games. They are also trying to make it as easy as possible for developers to create games, and as easy as possible for those games to penetrate the market. Cheaper hardware with an intriguing hook will sell a system...specially if the price is drastically different. If it is a minor price difference like this generation was, then it won't be as huge of a deal. However, everything points out that Nintendo is trying to not only keep its hardware costs down, but also keep the games prices down, which is extremely important, because this next generation will see a huge increase in games pricing which will hurt the market.

You all may not like the choices Nintendo is making, but they believe they are helping the industry stay on track...and they may very well be.

Shift Key · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2005, 07:50:55 PM »

It is not set in stone. Nintendo is just being realistic - the uptake of digital TV around the world is not occuring rapidly enough to justify breakthrough technology like 1080p.

Quote
one thing thta bothers me is that not having it will reduce sales...reducing profit...which may cost mroe then including the port for five dollars more.

It's not the five-dollar port that is the issue, its weighing the cost of adding the hardware that is required to output HDTV against the percentage of buyers who will have HDTV-capable TV sets. Much like the digital output was removed from PAL GCs, this probably won't affect me. Digital broadcast uptake in Australia has been disappointing (analog TV was meant to end next year) and the price of digital TV sets are still ridiculous.

I like and use the 60Hz mode that some GC games support (Burnout 3 on PS2 also looks amazing in 60Hz mode), and I'd be happy with an increase to 720p that most LCD and plasma TVs support. That resolution is beautiful on a good TV, and the difference between it and 1080p would only be noticed by technophiles who like to complain (and know what to complain about).

Ian Sane · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2005, 08:40:23 PM »

Matt from IGN has an expected "rant" in the mailbag regarding the issue. A lot of his opinion is based on the fact that he has an HDTV so obviously he's going to consider this a bigger deal than those of us who don't have one. One line though I feel really nailed what's wrong with Nintendo's decision here:

"But with Nintendo, why does it always come down to an either/or decision? In this case, we either get high-definition games, or we get a weird, new controller. Why does a major sacrifice always have to made in order to innovate? Why can't we have both? It's such an off-the-wall approach to appeasing consumers. Imagine if Toyota came out and said, 'Well, our new Camry will have a revolutionary new steering wheel, but because we're emphasizing this new wheel, we've cut down on horsepower by 300 percent.' It'd be a disaster. And still, this is how Nintendo works, and everyone just accepts it."

I agree with that completely. Why can't we have both? This was a problem with the Cube. Nintendo had this pretty good idea for connectivity but it failed to sell Cubes. Why? Because Nintendo ran it directly against another feature, online, that the competition was offering but they themselves weren't. So connectivity became an alternative for online which completely negated it's selling power. Connectivity should have been a bonus. Connectivity plus online would have given Nintendo a clear advantage over the competition. The Cube would have been better. Instead it was just different and being different doesn't ensure sales.

If the Rev has a new way to control games (that works with old games as well of course, otherwise that's a whole different arguement) AND HD support then the Rev is better than the PS3 and Xbox 360. How could it not be? It has an extra feature. But without HD it's just different. By having a tradeoff of features Nintendo gains nothing. The two things cancel each other out. In order to gain any sort of advantage on the competition Nintendo has to first start from a level playing field and then add something creative. They have no advantage if their new idea is at the cost of other features.

ThePerm · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2005, 08:54:54 PM »

oh you mean that hdtv the company bought him so he could do his job?

Savior · « **Reply #15 on:** June 13, 2005, 10:20:45 PM »

No. He probably got a free one at that Microsoft briefing though.

wish i could get a free HD TV.

Shift Key · « **Reply #16 on:** June 13, 2005, 10:42:56 PM »

Matt is just starting drama. I don't see how it is a trade-off, because those two components are unrelated.

Wait until some solid specs are released before you grab a pitchfork and torch, Ian. You're too eager to burn Nintendo at the stake.

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #17 on:** June 14, 2005, 04:12:37 AM »

I still think we are making much to do about nothing...But that is just me.

You know, Nintendo may change its mind by the time release happens. If Nintendo is waiting till November to launch then little added touches to the system like HD compatiability can be added last minute before production. The only way it will definately be set in stone is if Nintendo is actually trying for an earlier launch in summer of next year.

Personally I still believe the November launch is bogus. That is way too late giving one competitor an entire year on the market.

Pale · « **Reply #18 on:** June 14, 2005, 05:06:54 AM »

As Shift Key said, Matts comments are stupid as usual. Though leaving HD out is not a decision I would have made, it has absolutely nothing to do with the revolutionary controller. It is just a case of some one swimming for an analogy to help prove their point...and then even his analogy is a crappy one.

Aside from that though, I will permit this argument against Nintendo to go on... =P =P

I would suggest keeping it very constructive though and staying away from the Nintendo is Doomed mentality...

I personally think Nintendo needs to sit down and think about the projected life of the Rev. I agree that HD is far from a priority to most people right now, and MS is just trying to use it to differentiate themselves in some way.

That said, there are two things Nintendo needs to think about right now.

1. Is it worth allowing MS to differentiate themselves in this way? They are in a pretty powerful position considering they can take everything that MS does use to make themselves stand out and put it in the Rev on top of what they already plan to.

2. If they want to fight against MS's attempt to shorten the console life cycle (which I hope they do) they need to consider where TVs will be in 4 or 5 years. Just look at what they were 4 or 5 years ago. I know for a fact there is a good chance I will have one fancy TV in about 3 years, even though I have a standard def 32 inch 300 dollar TV right now.

PaLaDiN · « **Reply #19 on:** June 14, 2005, 05:18:20 AM »

"We have thoroughly considered the best means of video output for the system and are dedicated to delivering the best hardware possible to meet the demands of our consumers."

Isn't HDTV the "best means of video output for the system" and the "best hardware possible"? What do they mean by "best"? Is there something better? Or is the keyword "possible"?

Why in the hell did Nintendo have a press release to say they wouldn't have a feature? With online they just let consumers figure it out for themselves. It doesn't make sense. It doesn't fit with Nintendo's MO. People say Nintendo is stupid but there's a certain consistent kind of "stupidity" they indulge in, and this is not it. I don't get it.

stevey · « **Reply #20 on:** June 14, 2005, 05:40:36 AM »

This for me is good news. I hate HD television, there just a scam. Intel they make a HD TV the size of a non HD TV at near the same price or under grand I'm not buying. HD is not this or next gen but next next gen

couchmonkey · « **Reply #21 on:** June 14, 2005, 07:02:50 AM »

I think it's a mistake. I won't say anything else, I just want it on record everywhere I go so in case Nintendo is watching the reaction here (and you can bet it is watching the reaction somewhere) it will get my "vote".

Ian Sane · « **Reply #22 on:** June 14, 2005, 07:27:35 AM »

"Why in the hell did Nintendo have a press release to say they wouldn't have a feature? With online they just let consumers figure it out for themselves."

Maybe they feel it's better to release the bad news now so that people don't assume that HD will be supported only to be disappointed later. The online thing pissed a lot of people off because it was widely assumed that Nintendo was going to go online with the Cube and then it slowly was revealed that they weren't. That plus the infamous Zelda footage switcheroo were both damaging because Nintendo allowed people to assume something that wasn't true. Perhaps they've learned that it would be better to clear things up right away so people don't assume things and thus get more upset when they find out Nintendo "lied" to them.

Kairon · « **Reply #23 on:** June 14, 2005, 07:38:25 AM »

Yeah, we have a 9 page thread about this in the revolution boards, lol. Come see!

Anyways, Matt Cassamassina... I can't stand the guy. LOL. He takes baseline thinking and the lowest common denominator and somehow believes that those things should be a part of Nintendo.

While I definitely wouldn't mind HD-support (even though I prob won't get an HD TV in the next 6 years), and it sure would look pretty on a features list that you might want to wave in people's faces, I don't see it as a big loss. Nintendo's success is based on one thing and one thing alone: whether or not they can make the next Mario 64.

If they make some of the greatest games of the generation, they'll always find an audience and always be profitable, whether that be in third place or first.

Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

PaLaDiN · « **Reply #24 on:** June 14, 2005, 07:48:07 AM »

But Ian, they haven't released ANY real technical specs yet. Why would the first solid piece of technical info they release be a bad one? They could just hide their bad news behind the fact that they haven't given out any news yet.

Why come out and deliberately make themselves look bad?

People will probably point out interviews with Iwata... but there's a difference here. Iwata just states his philosophies and those piss people off... he doesn't actually give out facts that paint Nintendo in a bad light.

And Perrin too... why is it Perrin giving out this news? Usually she jedi evades all negative questions... to actually come out and blurt negative news is extremely unlike her (the 2-3 times debacle doesn't count because it was retracted).

News:

Author Topic: Revolution Eschews High Definition (Read 21990 times)