Anyone who knows me knows that from time to time I'll go on a little rant. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than belittling stupid people that I don't know and will never meet behind the guise of a web profile. But when I get worked up, I do so enjoy complaining. So from time to time, instead of offering my highly educated and humble opinion on the latest cool thing, I'll instead offer my highly agitated opinion on why stupid people are stupid and how whiny people complain too much.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
After watching today’s episode of Gametrailers.com’s Bonus Round, I have to say that I’ve had enough. The topic in question was revolving around Nintendo, post-E3 (because we simply must talk about E3 for four weeks prior and four weeks after). Sarcasm aside, Geoff Keighley, joined by three people whose names I don’t care enough about to look up, was discussing, once again, Nintendo’s lack of Wii HD. (I wonder how many commas can I get away with in that sentence.)
I have a couple of things to say about this Wii HD nonsense. Michael Pachter, whom I truly respect in the highest regard, continues to comment year after year about how Nintendo is foolish to not develop a Wii HD console, and I swear that’s all this episode was about: four other people whining about how foolish it is. Let’s get an opinion from the average game player, i.e. myself.
I am not a game publisher. I am also not a game journalist. I am not a game analyst, nor am I involved with the video game, film, and television industry in any way shape or form. It is an industry that am currently trying to get into, but that’s beside the point. What is the point is that it is neither my job nor my concern to invest money into purchasing a 40-inch, plasma, HD, LCD, PSP, ABC, TV. And I can guarantee that I am not the only one in this market. My parents only recently got a ridiculously anagrammed HD television in the past year. My best friend still doesn’t have one. Another good friend of mine also lacks one. And not one of my college friends own one. The average consumer doesn’t have the time, money, or concern to invest in a high definition television unless they’re making bank. And considering a good portion of gamers are either college-age or younger, that’s a pretty penny that most of us simply don’t have.
Yes, HD is pretty. Yes, HD would make Wii games look fantastic. And yes, HD televisions are the only way to play 360/PS3 games without investing in a magnifying glass in order to read the ridiculously small print that comes in an HD title. But they are very costly, and we don't all have the money to buy a diamond encrusted Playstation just because it glimmers at sun-rise. So unless all three places that I’ve lived in the past three years are poor districts, the average consumer probably doesn’t have one yet if they already have a standard definition television that works fine. Yes, the numbers are rising, but I doubt they’re higher than 30% of all gamers out there, and that’s hardly a majority. Plus, when the Wii is already as successful as it is, why even bother developing an entirely separate console when the Prias-driving analysts are the only ones having wet dreams over one?
Now, I think if Nintendo’s NEXT console isn’t HD compatible, then they’re foolish because by then HD televisions will probably be in around half of gamers’ households, and still steadily growing. Now I can’t predict the future like Michael Pachter, so my numbers may be bogus, but I’m going off of people I know. Also while I’m at it, those same journalists in the bonus round can’t stop being astounded by the fact that the 3DS works. But I can’t see why considering how successful the NES/SNES/GB/GBA/DS/Wii have all been, not to mention the fact that Nintendo’s been working on the 3D formula since the Virtual Boy 15 years ago. Plus, it’s Nintendo, whose only mistake in recent history was underestimating their competition in the Playstation, PS2 and Xbox. Why are you surprised that their product didn’t suck? Have a little faith in the most successful gaming company to date, please.
