The question of the day, “Do HD graphics matter to gamers?” If you’re currently rolling with a PS3 or Xbox 360 and you’ve got HDMI and or sweet component cables you’re probably saying, “duh, of course they do.” What about everyone else, those Wii consoles for instance, there are so many of those. What about gamers that do not know what HDMI means?
Let’s face it, an estimated 21-million people are still using over the air TV broadcast signal and a large portion of those think that their TV is high definition because it doesn’t have an analog dial anymore. Recent Nielson ratings are showing most gamers are still pushing PS2 hardware, which isn’t high definition.
In the US, HDTV sales only reach 25-30% of the population. Couple this with the fact that one in five HDTV owners can’t tell the difference between standard definition and high definition content and you’ve got roughly 20% of the population utilizing HD. Looking at the number of gaming consoles out there and the rate of uptake, it’s clear that a large majority of gamers are not using HD resolutions for their gaming needs. (loot-ninja)
We’d like to think 1080p looks much different than 480p but some people don’t seem to notice because, honestly, they just don’t care. We’d also like to think a PlayStation 3 buyer would be aware of the HD content and already have equipment at home to take advantage of the system. Although there are no solid facts to state otherwise, there must be a group of individuals that have purchased a PlayStation 3 and are rolling with SDTV (ghetto).
High definition graphics matter to people who want a true HD experience. Wii gamers don’t care about high definition because they’re focused on the game play environment or are just following the wave of hype and desire to own the infamous white box. The Xbox 360 gamers may go either way, a gamer wants to own the system because they can get a lot of cool new games for it secondary to the HD experience. The hot games just don’t get designed on the Xbox classic or PS2 anymore. We’d presume a PS3 gamer really wants to play a high definition game because the cost of the console is more and you’re getting a Blu-ray player all bundled into one.
HD graphics matter to us, we see the difference, respect the detail and use the HD portion of the console as an excuse for paying so much for the technology. The United States, as a whole, isn’t fully ready or equipped (mentally) for a full HD experience. When will they be prepared to experience high definition at its fullest?
My guess, five years after Nintendo makes the transition to 1080p. Nintendo is capitalizing on the “average Joe” and the average consumer is still catching up on the high definition. Hell, many gamers are still playing the dial-up game!
Maybe we need to start a new government funded orgnization: The No HD Left Behind Act. Everyone should be in HD.
… how can being nude drive a podcast’s ratings up? Now, if you were to be doing a videocast … now that’s something.
@Electronic Arts responds to expiring Online Pass:
Oh boy 🙂 … this seems to point out some serious issues at EA. I mean it feels like they automated a little bit too much of their systems.
@Divided memory pool causes lag for Skyrim PS3
The total is the same (256 + 256 versus 512), the reason of the split is not financial. It is technological/design.
@Skyrim Creation Kit landing in January
Hmm, Steam Workshop … it’ll most likely kill the other mod sites. Not in a year, not in 3. Maybe in 4 though.
@QOTW: none. When we go on vacation (1) we don’t go by car, so there is not enough room in the luggage to squeeze in a console, and (2), you don’t really need to go someplace else in order to sit in a room in front of the TV to play games.
“… how can being nude drive a podcast’s ratings up?”
That was the joke, just like a ventriloquist on the radio.
I would really like to see how this South Park RPG is going to turn out, but I’m not getting my hopes up one little bit.
Well seeing that there’s nothing in the news I want to discuss, I tried to leave you an iTunes comment, but apparently I need to give them my credit card number to create an iTunes account. -.-
Anyway, QOTW: No. Can you please come up with better questions of the week that can’t be answered simply with yes or no? =)
And Paul, you miss so many podcasts it’s not even funny anymore. Consider this as official hate mail.
dude paul is gone again , what the hell paul skipping podcast is getting more serious now, we need a good reason when you come back. I guess that’s my first hate mail..
@south park the game .
Wew I didn’t see that coming .ill probably w8 for the trailer or gameplay but I won’t buy the game coz I hate southpark and their stupid animation
@qotw whaaaaatttt this is stupid bringing a console whaaattt impossible good luck on carrying a big bulky system on your way to a resort..
I haven’t been downloading your podcast because of the tests its the first day of test and I’m already tired.
I just started listening. Didn’t know Jordan was from Oregon! I’m originally from Roseburg/Eugene area and moved to Cleveland for school/work now. Great podcast and can’t wait to hear more.
Thanks Justin! I grew up in Eugene and now I live and work just outside of Portland (Clackamas and Beaverton respectively…)
I went to school at UO before heading to the Midwest and have family in Beaverton. Listening to your latest show now. Great stuff!