Wii Hardware Upgrade Won't Happen Soon [Slashdot]

[Zoltor]

This thread made me realize something. Anyone who calls themselves "hardcore" is someone I want to ignore.

Lol yea I agree. I used to consider myself hardcore, but after seeing this thread, plus what new school gamers consider hardcore, I wouldn't want to take the chance of people mixing me up with the new school crowd, and what these "things" consider hardcore.


Note: I am pre-ording 3 games in 2 months(SMT: SJ, Shiren, and RO), so take that for what it is, but I won't be calling myself hardcore anymore.

PS. See you learn new things every day lol, evidently hardcore = HD graphics, and FPS(only) games, oh man then I was way off with what I thought hardcore gamer meant.

[TonyTheTiger]

The problem is that the definition is whacked. People who toss around "hardcore" all the time use it as a synonym for "games I like." So "I want more hardcore games on the Wii" translates to "I want more games I like on the Wii." And "Too many casual games" translates to "Too many games I don't want to play." So basically they're doing something as basic as describing their tastes but add a layer of pompous jackass on top of it.

Now I can say this while fully respecting the criticism against Nintendo for limiting the Wii to 480p. I have a problem with it myself simply because 720p/1080i support could have come at little additional cost to all parties involved. Is it enough of a reason to force out a new Wii HD console? Not at all. But if it were possible to add the capability to current consoles via an add-on or upgrade? Sign me up. Limiting the Wii wasn't the worst thing Nintendo could have done but it's certainly one of the more unnecessary ones.

[duffmanth]

It's been tried already. No More Heroes, Madworld... The "Hardcore" arn't biting. So, the logical next step is to stop listening to what they want. They won't buy it anyway.

Yeah I suppose you're right. Look at GTA: Chinatown Wars and Dead Space, they sold like shit on the DS and Wii.

[Hari Seldon]

The problem is that the definition is whacked. People who toss around "hardcore" all the time use it as a synonym for "games I like." So "I want more hardcore games on the Wii" translates to "I want more games I like on the Wii." And "Too many casual games" translates to "Too many games I don't want to play." So basically they're doing something as basic as describing their tastes but add a layer of pompous jackass on top of it.

QFT. Especially when hardcore translates as "My favorite games are of a niche genre that would feel more at home in MAME than in my 360" or "I spend so much time playing Team Fortress 2 that I've become a boring fuck who's only chance of socializing is going out with people just like me".

Hardcore gamer: Someone who's ass is likely to be bigger than the averange.

Gaming culture: A lie, it doesn't exist.

[blue lander]

I wonder if the people who are demanding an HD Wii are the same people who said the Wii was going to flop back in 2006. Seems to me that Nintendo's done pretty well for itself by ignoring the "hardcore" flock's demands.

[kedawa]

Seems like everyone in this thread has an axe to grind with someone.

[Leo_A]

I purposely have myself classified as a casual gamer on my XBL gamertag just because I don't like the term hardcore or think it has any bearing on the subject beyond signifying the person probably doesn't play anything besides Call of Duty, Halo, Madden, and Gears of War.

Yet, I want a HD capable Wii.

[kedawa]

I purposely have myself classified as a casual gamer on my XBL gamertag just because I don't like the term hardcore or think it has any bearing on the subject beyond signifying the person probably doesn't play anything besides Call of Duty, Halo, Madden, and Gears of War.

Yet, I want a HD capable Wii.

So that's who we're supposed to call hardcore?
I think of those folks as the lowest common denominator.

[TonyTheTiger]

Call me crazy but aren't the terms "hardcore" and "casual" simply ways to describe how much time a person invests in a hobby? If that's the case, I fail to see how specific games can be "hardcore" or "casual." "Hardcore/casual game" is a misnomer if I've ever heard one. A person who plays every Madden for 20 hours a week is far more "hardcore" than somebody who occasionally plays an Atlus RPG one or two times a year merely by virtue of them investing more time in the hobby.

[kedawa]

You're crazy.
You have a point though. I think what has to be considered is not only the time one invests in gaming, but the money, at least from the perspective of a company like Nintendo.
They have the expanded market zipped up, but there's still money to be made off of what they call 'core' gamers, which I can only guess are those who treat games as more of a hobby or interest than as a simple passtime. Maybe the 'core' gamer has a deeper knowledge of the medium and it's history, prefers games over other activities, buys shitloads of games and hardware, is serious about their skills, and has tastes that go beyond the handful of blockbusters that the industry cranks out every year. Either that, or they're just assholes who don't want you to enjoy your Wii for some undefined reason.

[BetaWolf47]

Screw resolution. View type is really the only advantage. Progressive > interlaced.

[kaedesdisciple]

Am I the only one who finds it really ironic that "hardcore" gamers, typically those found in PS3/360/PC gamers, can gain this alleged title by sitting on their behinds, twiddling their thumbs and yelling profanity into a microphone while many "casual" gamers are actually getting up off their couches and are physically active to play games like Wii Sports (Resort) and work out with EA Sports Active and Wii Fit Plus? Just a little something to think about.

I am a proud owner of both the 360 and the Wii, each has its uses and for their strengths, they deliver beautifully.

I don't harp on the omission of HD on the Wii at all and I'm playing it on a 46" Sony Bravia W series TV that also has a 360 and a BD player hooked up to it. Yes I can tell the difference and no I don't care.

All three consoles can keep on chugging for all I care, the games should continue to get better as developers continue to optimize their code & methods.

[kedawa]

Am I the only one who finds it really ironic that "hardcore" gamers, typically those found in PS3/360/PC gamers, can gain this alleged title by sitting on their behinds, twiddling their thumbs and yelling profanity into a microphone while many "casual" gamers are actually getting up off their couches and are physically active to play games like Wii Sports (Resort) and work out with EA Sports Active and Wii Fit Plus? Just a little something to think about.

You probably are, but you're definitely not the only one making baseless generalizations.
If you like playing those silly exercise games, more power to you, but I prefer to go outside and get real exercise, with fresh air and sunshine and all that jazz.

[Zap!]

Here in Staten Island, we would call those kind of people "bros." A "bro" is someone who's like "Yeah bro! Let's go to the Jersey shore bro! I'll smash that kid's face in bro! I just bought a $125 Ed Hardey hoody bro! Let's go home and play the 360, I'm hard core! Gimme a f'en Red Bull!"

[Leo_A]

Screw resolution. View type is really the only advantage. Progressive > interlaced.

If you don't think there is any significant visual leap with HD capable consoles on a nice HDTV, you've simply never have experienced it.

Simple as that

[PapaStu]

The problem is that alot of these 'hardcore' games are really just darker/more violent games than what are normally seen for specific systems (the Wii and DS). Sometimes these hardcore games are good, sometimes they arn't. I guess the publishers are making these games for those who arn't the normal system + 2.7 games (or whatever small sell through % most systems have) and are shocked that not everyone is off their laurens to get them. *I* do, but i'm no normal gamer.

[Berserker]

When you get right down to it, I think "Hardcore" is just a term you use to set yourself apart from a group of perceived lessers.

So, ask yourself - what makes them lesser?

Furthermore, is there really a point in trying to set yourself apart from "them" in this context? And if you really wanted to illustrate your dedication to the hobby, wouldn't it be better to do that through actions rather than terminology?

I think once you realize the irrationality of the reasoning behind it, the term loses whatever meaning it probably never had in the first place.

[BetaWolf47]

What I'm noticing lately is that people who view graphics junkies as "elitist" are becoming elitist themselves. I agree that people who view themselves as superior, hardcore gamers based on the strength of their system are arrogant. However, there are people here and all over claiming "No, you're an idiot for being enthralled by fancy graphics. I'm the true hardcore gamer because I care more about gameplay than anything." Surely ragging on other gamers for different priorities is just as elitist.

It seems to me that "hardcore" (term used tentatively) Wii owners are more hypocrites than anything. Whenever a Pokemon game comes out, Wii owners rag on it for being too much of the same. Yet when a game from an established franchise comes out and changes things up, and received critical acclaim for its intuition, Wii owners bash it because it's too different. (Case in point: "I'm not buying Donkey Kong Jungle Beat or another Donkey Kong game unless it uses a real controller. Where's my Donkey Kong Country 4?) They'll bash a series because it needs to be changed, then bash another one for the complete opposite reason. You know why? Same = rehash/milking. Different = gimmick.

If a Wii came out that could achieve 1080p, nobody would buy it. The "casual, ignorant" audience wouldn't care, while the "hardcore" audience would view HD as a gimmick that Nintendo is using to fatten its wallet.

[chrisbid]

dumb question

what prevents the wii from exceeding 480p? is it an actual hardware limitation or is it something in the system firmware that can be updated?

the original xbox could do true HD, im sure the wii processor can handle it if nintendo wanted it to

[Ye0ldmario]

I read some article somewhere on google that says the next one is gonna have 1080p bluray and all that but then bluray is owned by sony so yeah.

[BetaWolf47]

I read some article somewhere on google that says the next one is gonna have 1080p bluray and all that but then bluray is owned by sony so yeah.

Owned by Sony? News to me!

[Ye0ldmario]

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/10/29...ay-2010-oh-my/

[Baloo]

Why should Nintendo really give a shit about specs? The DS (which is 5 years old) and the Wii that's using more or less Gamecube hardware are selling like hotcakes.

Fuck the "hardcore" market! There's no money there!

[Leo_A]

Why should Nintendo really give a shit about specs? The DS (which is 5 years old) and the Wii that's using more or less Gamecube hardware are selling like hotcakes.

Fuck the "hardcore" market! There's no money there!

The number of systems sold is just part of the picture. Many of those customers are buying very few games and the console has a very low attach rate compared to the competition. Also, 3rd parties are finding the Wii market to be very tough to enter with any sort of success.

The traditional gaming market isn't one to ignore. I'm sure Nintendo isn't happy that Wii owners aren't buying as many games as the competition and that few 3rd parties are succeeding on their platform. Nintendo isn't in this business just to make money off console sales and their own games. They certainly want 3rd parties to be succeeding in a big way on their platform and more Wii owners that are going to buy more than just a game or two. That means going after traditional gamers.

That's why they're not going to ignore it because there is money to be had there. That's why so many large developers that have been in this industry for years remain so dedicated to the 360 and PS3 despite so many Wii's having been sold. There's money (And a lot of it) in this marketplace. And I can assure you Nintendo wants as much of it as they can. They're a business out to make a profit and they're not about to ignore a huge segment of their potential market.

[Icarus Moonsight]

If I sold my Wii and games, I'd have less games and less games that I enjoy. If that = hardcore then hardcore is an Orwellian term. I'd rather go by "Jack Thompson" gamer at that point. Reverse the poles and you win... YAY!

Ultimately, it amounts to nothing. There is no meaningful incentive for an HD Wii at this point, accounting for the given. Can that change? Sure! When the hardware sales indicate a needed action, by all means.