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.
The Xbox 360 saw a
@The Last of Us features Naughty Dog’s “longest ever” campaign
… me likes. I quite like long SPs, so, bring it 🙂
The entire premise of the game sounds really nice, so this turns out to be one of the games I’m looking for.
@Sony confirms 4K movie service for PS4
… eh? I guess they’re trying to create a market for their TVs? Just doesn’t make sense. Somebody else should create content and be able to distribute it in order to drive up demand. If you do both then you’re risking too much.
As for eye resolution, it’s about 60 arc seconds. Think of a 3DS held at 10 – 12 inch away from the eyes.
@Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
… but Assassin’s Creed III is still quite recent. This is slowly becoming a Call of Duty thing. Not much of a fan.
@What was your favorite moment in the TD Gaming Podcast over the years?
I honestly can’t tell. Just too many to pick from.
Cop-out. Pick your favorites and just go with them.
@The Last of Us features Naughty Dog’s “longest ever” campaign: Again, as a PS3 fanboy and a huge Uncharted fan I can’t be more excited about The Last of Us. Already pre-ordered it.
I don’t believe it’s going to be a bad game so the more the better. However, I hope it’s more difficult than Uncharted 3 and is more tactical or strategic rather than an interactive movie. Sure, it’s not going to be open world but add some more decisions to it!
BTW, the fact that the infected are not zombies has been long known and is not a spoiler in any way unless you’re employing Paul’s blackout strategy while waiting for game releases 😉
@Sony confirms 4K movie service for PS4
Don’t care, don’t want. I’m usually satisfied with DVD-quality movies, I very rarely use the Blu-ray drive in my PS3. The movies should be more about other qualities than presentation. I hated Avatar which was nothing else than Pocahontas in space and all the fancy 3D CGI effects couldn’t save the movie for me. This is Sony being Sony and messing things up for no purpose whatsoever.
@BioShock Infinite‘s ending may cause controversy:
Insert disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author of this comment in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of the podcast’s staff 😉
This is great news! As an ardent atheist I’m always looking forward to breaking boundaries as far as talking about religion and showing it in media goes. In my opinion a game where Jesus and the Christian God are presented is nothing different than Kratos and Zeus in God of War. If you want to quit your job because of a controversial portrayal of a fictional character it’s your choice.
@What was your favorite moment in the TD Gaming Podcast over the years?
I only started listening some 30 episodes ago but I always enjoy Paul’s one-liner ‘don’t give a f*cks’ 😉 No hate mail for you, Paul, sorry…
@Naughty Dog
I agree. Every time they say they created amazing AI it always falls short. I still remember AI in FEAR using empty see-through shelves as cover. I just wish they would make a good Crash Bandicoot game. I miss them so…
@Sony better-than-life videos
I thought Sony learned their lesson with 3D: do not support technology unless it’s widely accepted by the consumer. If you care about resolution so much then you are fickle. You can have a 4k Star Wars Episode 1 but it will still be shit. It’s all about the content.
@Bioshook
I agree with Paul. Sounds a lot like a publicity stunt. Reminds me of Hitman. Never cared about controversy. Incest in Metal Gear Solid 2. Ghetto in GTA San Andreas. As long as they implement it appropriately and not just to shock some weak minded fools so that they make some racket i.e. free publicity.
@Assasins Greed
Milk is going sour. Maybe the franchise is really turning into the bull. Last one I played was AC2. I like the franchise but I prefer to leave it for later. To much of the same game can ruin franchise.
@QOTW
I enjoy each and every episode. And I plan on enjoying it for a long time to come…