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Wii

Website Aims to Change Nintendo's HD Policy

by Jonathan Metts - June 23, 2005, 2:32 pm EDT
Total comments: 55 Source: 1080up

Gaming activists have created an entire website devoted to bringing high-definition capabilities to Revolution.

After Nintendo's recent confirmation that Revolution is not currently set to include support for HDTV resolutions, strong reactions on several sides of the issue have come from fans and the media alike. Our own David Trammell recently wrote an editorial on the subject, and he may not be the last PGC staff member to weigh in.

A group of Nintendo fans have created 1080up.org, a website to focus efforts to change Nintendo's plans for the Revolution and HDTV. The website hosts written submissions from empassioned fans, links to articles in the media, and provides information on how to directly contact Nintendo.

Talkback

ssj4_androidJune 23, 2005

I would actually rather see HDD support than HD support. My eyesight is bad, and I'm satisfied with lower resolutions anyway.

KnowsNothingJune 23, 2005

If we all join hands, we can!

Why is this such a big deal? I mean, it's a game, you play it. It's not a photograph, it's not a movie, it's a game. How crisp the graphics are mean nothing. But whatever, the arguments going on in the other thread, I don't want to start something else here face-icon-small-tongue.gif

"My monopoly board is in HD, that makes it more fun!"

ArbokJune 23, 2005

How wants to make a bet that they are going to simply pocket the money they make off the site, and come out with a tidy profit when all is said and done?

ShyGuyJune 23, 2005

Wow, I have better things to do with my life.... Is HiDef really worth all this hassle? I guess it is to some people.

steveyJune 23, 2005

what do you want? hd game costing $80 or non hd game costing 30. nintendo dosen't do stuff for no resone. once teh rev. come we will know why face-icon-small-wink.gif

anubis6789June 23, 2005

I'm with Arbok on this, that site just does not feel right to me.

And I have said it before and I will say it again, as long as Nintendo gives the REV 480p support (which I am very sure they will do) I will be happy.

vuduJune 23, 2005

How are they going to make a profit? You can donate to the site, that's about it. If you don't like it, don't donate.

Personally, I don't really care about HD support, but I think Nintendo should offer it just to even the playing field. However, they definately should NOT make it a requirement.

steveyJune 23, 2005

"Look Nintendo, you're making her cry."

face-icon-small-laugh.gifha ha ha ha ha haface-icon-small-laugh.gif ha ha ha ha ha haface-icon-small-laugh.gif ha ha ha ha ha ha haface-icon-small-laugh.gif ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha face-icon-small-laugh.gifha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haface-icon-small-laugh.gif ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haface-icon-small-laugh.gif ha ha face-icon-small-laugh.gifha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha face-icon-small-laugh.gifha ha ha ha ha ha face-icon-small-laugh.gifha ha ha ha ha face-icon-small-laugh.gifface-icon-small-laugh.gifface-icon-small-laugh.gifthat is so some loser D&D geek mom!face-icon-small-laugh.gif ha ha ha ha face-icon-small-laugh.gifha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haface-icon-small-laugh.gif ha ha ha ha ha face-icon-small-laugh.gifha ha ha ha ha ha face-icon-small-laugh.gifha ha face-icon-small-laugh.gifface-icon-small-laugh.gifface-icon-small-laugh.gifthat the most fake web site if I seen long long time face-icon-small-laugh.gifface-icon-small-laugh.gifface-icon-small-laugh.gif I,m laughing so hard I'm starting to choke!face-icon-small-laugh.gifface-icon-small-laugh.gifface-icon-small-laugh.gif

I thought IGN's call-to-action "news" was distasteful...but now I see Jonny posting this on PGC?! Ick. I thought PGC didn't endorse online comic books. *sigh* now we'll start getting emails about some Star Tropics sequel comic book or Game Boy games on Revolution's Virtual Console.

Edit: Oh yeah, and these guys look like they're trying to make money off of this whole HD counter-movement with the T-shirts and stuff. Like Nintendo will look at a T-shirt and go "OH YEAH WE SHOULD DO THAT." They claim it will go to increasing exposure, but I highly doubt that will do anything to get Nintendo's attention. It'll just piss more people off who wouldn't have known the difference when the movement fails.

steveyJune 23, 2005

"Oh yeah, and these guys look like they're trying to make money off of this whole HD counter-movement with the T-shirts and stuff."

well duh it a .org when it clealy one guy at home try to make easy money.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJune 23, 2005

Quote

Originally posted by: TheYoungerPlumber
I thought IGN's call-to-action "news" was distasteful...but now I see Jonny posting this on PGC?! Ick. I thought PGC didn't endorse online comic books. *sigh* now we'll start getting emails about some Star Tropics sequel comic book or Game Boy games on Revolution's Virtual Console.

Edit: Oh yeah, and these guys look like they're trying to make money off of this whole HD counter-movement with the T-shirts and stuff. Like Nintendo will look at a T-shirt and go "OH YEAH WE SHOULD DO THAT." They claim it will go to increasing exposure, but I highly doubt that will do anything to get Nintendo's attention. It'll just piss more people off who wouldn't have known the difference when the movement fails.


Exactly... Although I agree that HD support should be in there, I think that site is messed up. They shouldn't be begging for donation and t-shirt sales. They should be asking for free publicity from major sites like Jonny gave them...

I'm asking Jonny to remove the news story, respectfully of course.

Editorials and (dare I say) comic books are a good way of dealing with these things. These guys just don't seem to be in it for the right reasons.

FamicomJune 23, 2005

While the site looks shady, it's good to see people try and get together over something they feel passionate about and make a change. I too hope Nintendo will support HD at some point in the Rev's life, but I don't think I'll participate in their campaign.

mantidorJune 23, 2005

jeeez... this is stupid debate is changing from annoying to pathetic.

nickmitchJune 23, 2005

Why do people care this much?
It's just so worthless to devote all that time (and any ammount of money at all) to something like this. If you have strong feelings then just write about it and share.
In fact, what I'd really like to see is an editorial about why this isn;t that serious.

dack25June 23, 2005

I think Nintendo should at least put it in as an option. I'm sure like most things that Nintendo decides not to support this will/could catch on and then they'll be pushing it after the competetion like they are doing now with online gaming on the Rev.

ssj4_androidJune 23, 2005

Quote

Originally posted by: Arbok
How wants to make a bet that they are going to simply pocket the money they make off the site, and come out with a tidy profit when all is said and done?


Most Likely. Nintendo already knows people want HD. This site will do nothing.

The OmenJune 23, 2005

Quote

I think Nintendo should at least put it in as an option. I'm sure like most things that Nintendo decides not to support this will/could catch on and then they'll be pushing it after the competetion like they are doing now with online gaming on the Rev.


And if Nintendo originally decided to have HD as an option, all these people saying it's no big deal, and Nintendo's right!!!!11!!!! would be singing their praises for including it. How can having the OPTION to present games in HD be harmful to the player? As far as I know, you can play HD games on a standard TV. You'll just have some others who can tap into the HD aspect. Big f'n deal, I mean why is it so bad to have options?

MarioJune 23, 2005

Quote

In fact, what I'd really like to see is an editorial about why this isn;t that serious.

Everyone with that viewpoint is too busy playing games.

KDR_11kJune 23, 2005

what do you want? hd game costing $80 or non hd game costing 30.

Reality check: Do you want a HD game costing 60$ or a non-HD game costing 60$? You can be sure that even if there were any major savings from going SD they wouldn't pass them on to the end user.

RABicleJune 24, 2005

This inspires me.
I should start a website, campaigning Planet Gamecube to support the new Widescreen era in forum avatars. I'll be aiming for 10% market penetration by 2006.

DeguelloJeff Shirley, Staff AlumnusJune 24, 2005

We must embrace the new technology of HD Avatars!

What's wrong with giving the forumers options?

PittbboiJune 24, 2005

Oh, the website's shady because it wants to sell t-shirts. Boo-f'ing--hoo. Seriously, people, of all things to jab at 1080up with, and that's the best thing you can come up with? PGC sells t-shirts, so does IGN and a lot of other major sites. And why? Because nowadays it's not that difficult to do. Yes, it's a source of revenue, but they're not forcing you to buy shirt. It's a donation, you know, that thing MOST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS humbly ask for and receive.

You guys have seriously lost sight of the point. The fact that sites like this even exist is evidence that there are a lot of people (Some of these people who may actually--*gasp*--be Nintendo fans!) that want to see HD supported by the Revolution, and are stirred enough to want to take action.

RABicleJune 24, 2005

Pittbbol if you were so in love with HD and this inspirational site then why don't you have a widescreen avatar? See you're jsut some fraud, claiming to support HD but with no real interest at all.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJune 24, 2005

Quote

Originally posted by: Pittbboi
Oh, the website's shady because it wants to sell t-shirts. Boo-f'ing--hoo. Seriously, people, of all things to jab at 1080up with, and that's the best thing you can come up with? PGC sells t-shirts, so does IGN and a lot of other major sites. And why? Because nowadays it's not that difficult to do. Yes, it's a source of revenue, but they're not forcing you to buy shirt. It's a donation, you know, that thing MOST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS humbly ask for and receive.

You guys have seriously lost sight of the point. The fact that sites like this even exist is evidence that there are a lot of people (Some of these people who may actually--*gasp*--be Nintendo fans!) that want to see HD supported by the Revolution, and are stirred enough to want to take action.


Pff... nice comparison there. The difference is, I WANT the guys at PGC to make some money because they work EXTREMELY hard. This 1080up site probably won't change. Whoever made it put a few hours into it at the beginning and now is hoping to collect free cash over the next year all the while _possibly_ lying about using all of it for advertising of the site.

I will change my opinion when I start seeing paid advertisments popping up all over the place and I won't be one of the people handing them money.

KDR_11kJune 24, 2005

What's wrong with giving the forumers options?

That the 100x100 limit exists for a reason? Rabicle is free to get a 16:9 avatar as long is it fits into 100x100.

RABicleJune 24, 2005

No but then it would be lower definition. That would be 100% dumb, like enabling widescreen view when you don't have widescreen.

Otherwise keep up the armchair moderation, I'm sure moderators like Jeff love being told how to do their jobs.

There's nothing wrong with Nintendo supporting HD or not supporting HD. The only thing I care about is whether it impedes Nintendo from making the games they want to make. As long as I get Nintendo games I'm happy.

Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

couchmonkeyJune 24, 2005

While I agree with KDR that Nintendo probably won't pass savings on to the end buyer, I think the idea is to not increase prices rather than to lower them. Other companies have been talking about price increases for games (which I think is a stupid idea) and I don't think Nintendo will follow suit. I don't think the companies that do increase prices will stick with the increases for very long, either.

steveyJune 24, 2005

Since the rev can get online update I hope nintendo make a wifi thing that let people have a hdtv hook up.

KDR_11kJune 24, 2005

No HDTV support doesn't lower production costs, the games won't be any cheaper to make.

RABicleJune 24, 2005

Quote

Since the rev can get online update I hope nintendo make a wifi thing that let people have a hdtv hook up.
Wow I can't wait to download a whole Compenent Video Out slot for the back of my revolution. I never knew the Webtron could install actual physical modifications to my existing hardware. I should look out for downlaods of extra USB ports for my iMac because four isn't enough.

vuduJune 24, 2005

Quote

Originally posted by: RABicle
No but then it would be lower definition. That would be 100% dumb, like enabling widescreen view when you don't have widescreen.
Your avatar isn't even in 16:9, dumbass. It's 3:2. Your weak avatar is not fistworthy.

nemo_83June 24, 2005

I guess I should weigh in on this.

I care more about widescreen than resolution. Seeing more of the image is good for gameplay. As far as resolution goes; if I watch a movie from the fifties with bad resolution does that make it look less real? No, it only makes it look old. I understand why Matt and others want Nintendo to adopt HD because it can affect Nintendo's position next generation. This movement of fans is one that hopes to help Nintendo. It's called feedback; and there is a lot of negative feedback about the lack of HD and the thought that Nintendo fans lost Factor Five and Silicon Knights due to this issue is wearing on the passions of gamers.

Nintendo's tight liped attitude is to blame here. They won't tell us what we gain from losing HD. That is all that needs to be done. Everytime they say something about the system it seems to be news that it will be missing x component or y features. In other words no high resolution, no hard drive, and no ethernet port. At what point does Nintendo tell us what we get back? WTF is the revolution in the Revolution?

I would not remove this article unless I found that the guys running 1080up are scamming anyone or are otherwise dishonest. Posting this thing is no worse than when we posted about the Drinky Puppy Club. When a lot of people come together to influence an industry, I consider that newsworthy. We don't report on online p3titions because we consider their influence to be insignificant. However, letter-writing campaigns can be very successful, and in fact there is evidence that such actions have influenced Nintendo policies in the past. 1080up plans to start a p3tition, but it's not the main part of their website.

If there had been an organized b0ycott of EA Sports back when they secured the exclusive rights to the NFL license, we would have reported on that too. Just like mainstream media reported on the Southern Baptist b0ycott of Disney (which just recently ended after several years). PGC isn't endorsing 1080up, we're just letting you know that it exists. That's what we do, ya know. When we post news about the latest crappy licensed GBA game shipping to retailers, we aren't endorsing that game, we're just letting you know that it's out.

By the way, I happen to know that the guys running 1080up have so far not made a dime, and they asked me if I think they should remove the donation/shopping features. I told them it was none of my business, of course.

vuduJune 24, 2005

Quote

Posting this thing is no worse than when we posted about the Drinky Puppy Club.
Come again?

nemo_83June 24, 2005

"When we post news about the latest crappy licensed GBA game shipping to retailers, we aren't endorsing that game, we're just letting you know that it's out."

lol.


Does planetgamecube have a comic?

I have no problem with the ads or tshirt campaigns. No need in going in the hole over passion. Ralph Nader sells tshirts, autographed books, and other political paraphernalia to keep his campaigns for president funded.

That's the Nintendogs blog site created by mostly American gamers who imported the Japanese version. Their efforts, along with PR exposure by sites such as PGC, may have influenced Nintendo's plans for the American release of Nintendogs. But the reason I posted it at the time was that it was a unique site that took an interesting approach to covering this very unusual game. For the many PGC readers interested in Nintendogs, it was a good resource. Similarly, I know that many PGC readers are interested in the HD issue, and 1080up is a good resource for information and opinions on the issue. Even if you disagree with the site's founders, you could use it as a resource to research counter-arguments and gauge the sources of criticism across the media, since the site has a page of links to articles covering the HD issue from various other websites.

By the way, at our last PGC meeting, there was plenty of debate over the HD issue, and I expect multiple editorials to eventually come out of those discussions. There are PGC staffers who take different stances on HD support, and I am encouraging them to write just as David did. But editorials cannot be assigned like regular articles, so all I can do is encourage.

Ian SaneJune 24, 2005

"Nintendo's tight liped attitude is to blame here. They won't tell us what we gain from losing HD."

That's a very good point. It doesn't help that we gained nothing from the Cube's big omission. Sure Nintendo supposedly saved money by not going online but we sure as hell didn't benefit at all from that. So without some sort of clearer explanation for us fans it's fair to assume this is the same thing: we lose a feature so that Nintendo saves money. Of course we might not actually gain anything from this. I think it's very likely that it is just Nintendo being el cheapo again. But if the fans don't gain anything Nintendo shouldn't do it in the first place. At least with cartridges on the N64 there was some noticeable advantage since we didn't have to deal with load times.

Bill AurionJune 24, 2005

Quote

Posting this thing is no worse than when we posted about the Drinky Puppy Club.

Except one is about praise, and the other about mindless bitching... face-icon-small-smile.gif

Mindless bitching that revolves around a tidbit that NOONE knows the motive of...

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorJune 24, 2005

Jonny I agree, and I was probably jumping the gun with the can you take it down thing...

But I do ask that you monitor the situation and make sure they are using the money in the way they say they are using it. If it looks like they are doing otherwise, I think you should post that on PGC, which I'm sure you probably would.

I still feel that asking for donations and creating a store is not the way to get Nintendo to take notice though. If you want people to wear it on a t-shirt, you should ask them to make their own and submit pics. That would create a more entertaining and less 'corporate' vibe. So if the guys over at 1080up are reading this, please take that into account. Remember all the fake "All your base" photoshops? People could start doing stuff like that only for realz.... =P

steveyJune 24, 2005

"Wow I can't wait to download a whole Compenent Video Out slot for the back of my revolution. I never knew the Webtron could install actual physical modifications to my existing hardware. I should look out for downlaods of extra USB ports for my iMac because four isn't enough. "

Ha ha I was talking about a wireless Compenent Video Out that hook up to a hd tv.

What do they do with the $$$ you give them?

Tim Forbrook, one of the founders of 1080up, emailed me again with a message for you guys. He says he's having trouble registering for our forums, so he asked me to post this message for him:

Quote

While I'm discouraged at the amount of, shall I say, "immaturity" with many of the posts within there, everyones suggestions have been considered. We removed the store/donations link. It's not needed anymore as we have word of mouth spreading this thing thanks to PGC and IGN. Had we not been given the quick coverage we received. Donations were really meant for just that, advertising. If we could have raised a few thousand dollars, we even had plans to take out a full page ad in the USA Today or New York Times. All I have to give you is my word that we have no intention of scamming people.

Please read our newly updated FAQ to understand our mission and why we're doing this. I'm sure you'll come to realize that we are still Nintendo fans first and foremost no matter what.

Thanks,

Tim Forbrook
1080up.org


So there you go. By the way, I do not agree with him about the level of maturity in this thread. A few people acted poorly, and they'll be watched carefully in the future, but most people have brought reasonable ideas and concerns to the discussion.

steveyJune 24, 2005

"to take out a full page ad in the USA Today or New York Times. "

I don't think that do much because people that can add hd to the rev LIVE IN JAPAN!

nickmitchJune 24, 2005

Yeah but the people at NOA would read it and then they report back to head office.
And I really don't see how people can be against HD. However, I do understand why people might question why people would feel so strongly about. So, if it doesn't make a diffeence to you in the least bit, then shut up and quit caring about what people are doing as I shall do starting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .now.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJune 24, 2005

Hey, I want to add something here.

People made the comment about the T-Shirts - that wearing them isn't going to get Nintendo's attention because Nintendo would likely not see anyone wearing them. While that is true, someone wearing the T-Shirt on the street might be like "Oh, what's this?" and go to the website and write a letter or two themselves...

anubis6789June 24, 2005

First I want to say that I am sorry about any offense that Mr. Forbrook, or anyone else who works on the site, took from my comments about 1080up.org, but I will not apologize for the statments themselves, that was how I felt about their site. It had nothing to do with them asking for donations or selling T-shirts or other stuff (except maybe the thong face-icon-small-wink.gif ). It just had to do with the general vibe that I got and the fact that I did not find anything saying what you will do with the money.

I have just recently revisited 1080up and read the FAQ, which I didn't read on my first visit,although I do not remember it being there at the time. Reading it made me feel much better about your site even though I do not plan to participate in its mission, but hey , you never know I may change my mind. Heck, I didn't really care much for PGC the first time I came to the site.

*EDIT: I would also like to say that the link to the store/paypal donation be put back on the main site. Removing it may be considered an acknowledgment of wrong doing, which is not the case since the use of merchindise/paypal donations has been explained.

Oh and more power to all of you for fighting for what you want.

I also changed some wording in my post.*

RABicleJune 24, 2005

Quote

Originally posted by: vudu
Quote

Originally posted by: RABicle
No but then it would be lower definition. That would be 100% dumb, like enabling widescreen view when you don't have widescreen.
Your avatar isn't even in 16:9, dumbass. It's 3:2. Your weak avatar is not fistworthy.
Oh really? Did you mesure out my avatar? When you take away the text on the top and bottom it works out to be 150 pixels wide by 84 pixels high. About as close as I could get to 16:9, afterall I can't do .375 of a pixel to make it perfect. But what would I know? I'm a dumbarse.

KDR_11kJune 24, 2005

Another flaw of widescreen, you can't add text above or below it.

nickmitchJune 24, 2005

I miss Misty.

RABicleJune 24, 2005

I hear that if you have widescreen then you can see her on the side of EVERY SCENE!

nemo_83June 25, 2005

Quote

Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"Nintendo's tight liped attitude is to blame here. They won't tell us what we gain from losing HD."

That's a very good point. It doesn't help that we gained nothing from the Cube's big omission. Sure Nintendo supposedly saved money by not going online but we sure as hell didn't benefit at all from that. So without some sort of clearer explanation for us fans it's fair to assume this is the same thing: we lose a feature so that Nintendo saves money. Of course we might not actually gain anything from this. I think it's very likely that it is just Nintendo being el cheapo again. But if the fans don't gain anything Nintendo shouldn't do it in the first place. At least with cartridges on the N64 there was some noticeable advantage since we didn't have to deal with load times.


Surly they are going to give something back with the Revolution by saving money on HD. I wish they would package in a small hard drive. I would find that more valuable to gameplay than HDtv. But it seems that early adopters and many hardcore gamers are concerned with this resolution issue and it could hurt Nintendo in console sales. I share the want for true wide screen support at least. Even If I don't buy a new tv until late in the REV life cycle; I will then have a reason to play through my games again if it supports the newer technology. And I don't want to see this simple issue be Nintendo's downfall next generation. I keep asking myself if this HD news means that the revolutionary aspect is perhaps involved with the display. Remember at one point they were pushing the idea of a screen for the GameCube. Then again it is more likely the revolution is in the controller, and though there are only a handful of candidates for the technology; there are many different ways it could be implemented into a controller.

Right now HD standardization in America is completely dependent on politics which I can't talk about. All I can say is that Congress has an election next year and the balance of power may change.

If Nintendo sticks by their decision it would make it difficult for MS and Sony in Japan and Europe because HD support will not catch on there at least until the next gen begins regardless of what political happenings occur here in America.

KDR_11kJune 25, 2005

I wish they would package in a small hard drive.

Harddrives cost 80$ and up. The HD stuff won't save them that much, even if they can cut out some RAM that way.

ThePermJune 25, 2005

theres a 512mb sd card...thats plenty of space..and its an sd card as far as i know...a gig sd card is $99..and by 2006 that will be half that price. Plus you can take sd cards and copy whatevers on them into your computer drive...(an sd card drive for your pc is a measly $19)
and pretty soon most people will have 200 gb hds....so this sd cards support is an enormous advantage as far as space goes.

KDR_11kJune 25, 2005

I'd prefer CF, you can get a 2.2 GB CF drive and I already have one GB of CF memory.

Flash memory has only a limited number of writes so depending on how it's used the internal flash memory of your Rev could fail after some years...

Athlon-pvJune 26, 2005

It is good that people would like to discuss this even further, im not sure what is happening. Is this a media trick by Nintendo to keep the debate going ? To see wheter their strategy is correct.

I am not sure that either we get "more sales" by not having it or having it. But one thing is for sure that at the end of the lifespawn of the Revolution it might look very "dated" versus the competition . That is if they manage to get "games" on their console's and not tech demo's

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