Blu-Ray and HD-DVD battle is "unfair" to gamers

Wii News | According to Nintendo man.

"Forcing" new technologies on gamers such as Blu-Ray and HD-DVD is unfair to consumers. That's the view of Pierre-Paul Trépanier, marketing bod for Nintendo Canada, who spoke to GamesIndustry.biz on the subject. Trépanier also revealed that Nintendo still hasn't decided on whether or not to release a version of its Wii console with DVD playback functionality in North America and PAL regions.

"When I'm buying a gaming system, I'm focused on the games; I want to play games, and I think that's the primary reason why someone would buy a gaming system," Trépanier said. "I think forcing a decision on consumers would certainly not be part of Nintendo's strategy, because we want to get more people into gaming and we want to make it affordable. Forcing people to adopt a technology and a model that's proprietary and still not established is unfair to gamers."

As for the DVD-compatible Wii that will be hitting Japan at some point in 2007, Trépanier was somewhat hazy, admitting that, "There needs to be some internal meetings and discussions about that. What we do know is in North America penetration of DVD players is very close to 100 per cent, and that very few consumers - a very niche market - would ever be interested in paying extra for DVD functionality."

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84 Comments

Joseph

5 years ago

I was telling my Sister and Mum the other day about Blu-Ray and HD.

My sister was like "what? already? it's only been five or so years since it became main-stream. what's the difference?"

I simply said better video quality and they can hold more data. She wasn't impressed.

I can see where Nintendo is coming from, but I already know two people that are disappointed the Wii dosen't have a DVD player built-in. I admit, I'm a little disappointed as well even though I would probably only use it once or twice. DVD players built-in are everywhere. And consumers lap it up with them. Remember that Nintendo.

On a side note - is this gonna be like DS Lite? It better not be. They're just saying the old version is cr@p and needs updating. From what I saw at the tours, it's perfect the way it is.

realitybites

5 years ago

Bit hypocritical when your about to release a unit with DVD playback.

To be frank Nintendo have made some poor hardware decisions in the last 3 generations.

N64 - cartridges and lack of CPU.

Gamecube - no DVD/CD playback and lack of 5.1 sound, no real online capabilities, dubious controller design for certain styles of games and the GBA add on.

Wii - no hi def, no DVD/CD playback and lack of 5.1 sound.

What if Blu Ray gets up? Than everyone that has a PS3 has a Blu Ray player.

Well its also a half ass comment becuase how do you hold the content for Hi Def gaming? See its not an issue for Nintendo they aren't playing in that space.

If you own a Xbox 360 currently you don't need the HD-DVD add-on to play games. Yes, that could change in the future but that hasn't been announced yet.

Do all these gaming companies employ "dopey" front men?

slasherD

5 years ago

I guess I'm part of that tiny, very niche market that would pay extra for DVD playback. My TV only has 1 component input and I'd like to be able to watch both my games and movies through it without crazy switching shenanigans.

"Forcing" gamers to become early adopters of new media technologies might seem unfair, but so might leaving out what is now considered "basic" functionality such as DVD playback and Dolby Digital.

renegadesx

5 years ago

I defend the 64 using carts, meant for most games, you didnt need a memory card

As far for lack of DVD and CD playback, wake up, its a f**king video game console, used for *shock, horror* playing games, the console in of itself the cube was a great system, I agree about 5.1 surround sound but MS and Sony have these horrible controllers

Cube failed simply because of their arrogance to 3rd party developers, so they all went to Sony, quite frankly they deserved it

As for Microsoft and the HD-DVD, its only for movies, not games. Its just Sony employing a Microsoft tactic of hopeful vendor lock-in

Microsoft endorse HD-DVD because it is not Blu-Ray, and Sony endorse and force Blu-Ray because they own it, meaning they get a cut of every movie, tv box set on that format that gets sold.

Sooner or later, which ever one will be easier to pirate will be the popular one.

Only Sony are forcing their format onto their customers, nobody is forcing HD-DVD on 360 users and the DVD comatible Wii is only there because there seems to be a demand for it.

DVD came about because it was needed at the time, there is no need for these HD blue lazer 50GB discs except filling it with uncompressed cut scenes on the latest PS3 games.

Gaming companies make mistakes and it cost them

Atari flopped because of some bad games (some would argue that ET alone was responsible for the game crash of 83)

Sega failed because the US and Japan divisions hated each other and they flooded the market with useless Mega Drive addons

Nintendo got into its slump by alienating 3rd party developers

Microsoft aren't going anywhere but their market is way to narrow to make any significant impact

And I have a feeling Sony is going to slump because of this Blu-Ray thing and overpricing their console

ugh the boot

5 years ago

Speak for yourself! Personally I think the best way to introduce another media type is to marry it with different entertainement mediums. Blu-ray video games will help sell blu-ray movies and vice versa.

renegadesx wrote

As far for lack of DVD and CD playback, wake up, its a f**king video game console, used for *shock, horror* playing games, the console in of itself the cube was a great system, I agree about 5.1 surround sound but MS and Sony have these horrible controllers

Do phones only make phone calls? Do cars only have the ability to travel? Why should we restrict gaming consoles to just one function? Personally I prefer being able to watch movies, browse the internet etc on consoles. I would rather a console with more fetaures than less? So I take it you prefer less?

ObsoletE

5 years ago

i've started and deleted a response to this thread 4 times now, i keep getting into a corner, or start talking in circles.

ok, i can see where Nintendo is coming from by not including a DVD player, and frankly, i applaud them for their decision. what's the point of including a feature that anyone who is likely to buy the Wii would already have a device that would play DVDs, and probably a damn sight better than any console could? it's not as if their still so expensive that it'd make a difference between sale, and no sale. (you can buy a DVD player from K-mart for $29 according to todays catalogue.)

i can see the appeal of browsing the internet through the consoles, though personally i don't see it getting me from behind my computer to check emails, or forums.

i do think that marrying the console market with either of the new formats competing for dominance is a smart move, although i can't help but think that the majority of consumers would stay away from both formats at retail until one emerges as obvious victor.

blah, i hope this made sense.

Zarnoss

5 years ago

I think if you don't have a DVD player these days but have a computer to rant on forums then something is wrong with you.Personally if they take something out of a system to make it cheaper and most people have that technology anyway then good in Ninty.
I know I don't like playing DVD's on my gaming systems anyway because of wear and tear.I'd rather the lens/mechanisms die due to gaming ,not watching Debbie does Dallas.

realitybites

5 years ago

renegadesx wrote

Why is Nintendo putting out a DVD version of the Wii? Just think about it for a moment instead of seeing red.

DVD storage was chosen on the PS2 and Xbox because of its high storage capacity. How do I fit a FFXII on anything else? So in hindsight it was a very good idea.

How much did it cost to add DVD playback? Probably $1. Nintendo put in the small form factor to stop piracy. Didn't help. Piracy still remained and all it did was alienate its install base and developers.

Every teenager I know that has a PS2 or Xbox in their bedroom connected to a TV watches DVDs. So how dumb is it?

As a matter of fact the PS2 was my only DVD player for 12 months. When DVD players still were priced at $500. My PS2 slimline is still the DVD player for my second TV.

History has shown cartridges was a very dumb idea. Why do you think the PSX was so popular not just with consumers but with developers. N64 is still a poorly designed system the CPU did not have the capabilities to run PAL games at an appropriate frame rate. Memory card is a far better approach to storing data such as save games. Rental? Give cartridge back lose game. Most N64 cartridges had limited save space. Memory cards offered the capabilities to have as many saves as you like.

Cartridges was only kept because Nintendo wanted to make larger profits by controlling the third party developers. It backfired big time.

Even the N64 analogue controller while innovative made you suffer from the dread worn thumb syndrome. The Dreamcast had a better analogue controller and even Sony improved their's to a dual analogue format. Trumping the N64 single analogue version.

The GC controller lacked two shoulder buttons like the PS2 controller. To be brutually honest the spongy shoulder feel made it difficult to play FPS shooters even Metroid. Fighters were much better accomodated on the Controller S and PS2 controllers. The 3 right hand side buttons limited combos plus the 4 way directional switch was in an awkward position..

Gamecube had no online play (besides the dud LAN add on which was just as big a dud as the GBA player).

Finally the Gamecube IS the worse performing console from Nintendo in terms of sales. So it doesn't matter how much you say it was great it came last in the home console race from a consensus of worldwide gamers.

The Plague

5 years ago

ObsoletE wrote

i can see the appeal of browsing the internet through the consoles, though personally i don't see it getting me from behind my computer to check emails, or forums.

Two weeks ago I would have agreed with you, but since then both mine and my sister's iBooks have died, and now my family only has one computer between all of us. Now I'll certainly want to be using the Wii's browser (if I get one, that money will probably be going to Apple for a new MacBook now).

I don't have a problem with Sony putting BluRay into the PS3. I think in a couple of years most games will be using more space than a single DVD can hold. The movies themselves, however, I will avoid at all costs. I just don't see the need.

ObsoletE

5 years ago

Realitybites:
i won't dispute that including DVD-video playback on the PS2 was a very good idea from a sales POV, i know many people who bought a PS2 primarily for this feature, and it certainly influenced my choice.

but that was the Playstation. by the time the Gamecube came out, DVD players were significantly cheaper, and it wasn't such an incentive to add it to the console, since they weren't yet cheap enough to make it a minor addition, especially in light of the gamecube's media format, and pecularities (it spins in the opposite direction to DVDs/CDs, in an attempt to curb piracy) meaning that to add even a simple DVD player, would've increased the price even more.

also, the difference between DVD-Video playback then, and Blu-Ray/HD-DVD playback now, is that DVDs were already an accepted format, whereas neither Blu-Ray nor HD-DVD is the chosen format yet, so consumers are taking a gamble with their money this time around. really, at this stage it would stupid of anyone to let Blu-Ray playback be the deciding factor on buying a PS3, and likewise HD-DVD and the XBox 360.

tbh: i think the format war has the potential to kill both formats, or at least relegate them both to Laser-disc status. we've really only just entered the DVD-age, and now we're being told to upgrade, after shelling out thousands of dollars (in some cases) in replacing our VHS films/TV Shows. personally, i'm in no hurry, and i don't know many people who are (hell, i know a few people still complaining about changing from VHS to DVD, still). i'll start buying Blu-Ray or HD-DVD films when DVDs are phased out completely and i have no choice. and by then i imagine the favoured format will have been revealed.

this period is when having inbuilt media players are likely to be the deciding factor, not at launch. though i guess this still depends on the price difference between stand-alone players, and the console counterparts too.

as for arguing about controllers... i'll just say you're entering dangerous territory. i definately think the Playstation Dual Analog controller design is the most comfortable to use, but it's probably the worst in terms of mechanical design.

The Plague:
i guess there are circumstances beyond controlling. if i had a choice, i would browse using a PC to a console. (at this stage, who knows what the next gen browsers are like?)

The Plague

5 years ago

ObsoletE wrote

At this stage, who knows what the next gen browsers are like?

Too true, and I'm sure thay'll be fairly terrible. My situation is unique - who else has access to wireless but not to a computer?

Jellyfish

5 years ago

Pretty hard to be without a computer though. I usually have three on me when I'm out (3G Mobile, iPod and watch). Sure two of them don't have the internet and the other one is a bastard to use, but they're still computers.

The problem is non-"computers" that access the web have horrible UIs. The DS/Wii both have a horrible text input system.

Ellegarden

5 years ago

renegadesx wrote

why is Nintendo putting a web browser on wii? or news, weather etc. channels? Why not Video games period. Microsoft maybe, but sony had a good controller.

Quote

DVD came about because it was needed at the time, there is no need for these HD blue lazer 50GB discs except filling it with uncompressed cut scenes on the latest PS3 games.

Alot of developers would disagree, there is a need for more space but microsoft believes in compression methods, Sony doesnt.

Quote

Cube failed simply because of their arrogance to 3rd party developers, so they all went to Sony, quite frankly they deserved it

Bad marketing on nintendo and its custom media was the fault, also using cartridges was one reason why square left Nintendo, ran to Sony. Its hypocritical for Nintendo to complain about Blu-ray when they've been doing this for years. On HD-DVD I cant make sense of it, since you're not forcing people to buy, just giving them option to buy a cheap player it really doesnt affect anyone. It wasnt arrogance, it was nintendo's fault, thats why they trying to change on Wii alot.

DrTim

5 years ago

This guys is talking out of his arse, and then some!

He makes it seem like having these new media is a BAD thing. The only downside will be that it will initially cost your mothers left lung, but after some time it will be more accessible and more widespread and then this fool will be eating his words. I mean more space for more stuff to look/sound better/longer. How is that bad?

admeister

5 years ago

realitybites wrote

Bit hypocritical when your about to release a unit with DVD playback.

To be frank Nintendo have made some poor hardware decisions in the last 3 generations.

N64 - cartridges and lack of CPU.

Cartridges weren't a hardware mistake! They were an excellent idea, internal saves, and very fast loading times. Way better than the PS1 IMO. Still, PS1 did help to push CD media for consoles.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

The 64 's cartridges, are one of Nintendo's biggest mistakes as it let Sony into the console business. Just like not using Windows CE on the PS2 was Sony's biggest mistake.

admeister

5 years ago

Maybe so, but do you think that they wouldn't have entered the console business anyway? I think that they would, even if the N64 had used CDs. I mean, nobody had to 'let' Microsoft into the console business, yet there they are.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

nikack wrote

Just like not using Windows CE on the PS2 was Sony's biggest mistake.

admeister wrote

No it was Sony's fault Microsoft are in the console business, Bill got really pissed off at Ken for dropping CE? and said he'd take him down. That's why they let the Xbox lose so much money, it's Bill's personal revenge

admeister

5 years ago

nikack wrote

Just like not using Windows CE on the PS2 was Sony's biggest mistake.

admeister wrote

I see.

That explains it!

Ellegarden

5 years ago

admeister wrote

Not really, Nintendo tried to screw sony and ended up created its biggest rival Sony. Didnt sega do that with dreamcast? they got microsoft backing on Windows CE. Plus Microsoft did have influence in PC market, they did create games and hardware such as the sidewinder which help lift off its video game business.

KickyFunkFresh

5 years ago

UmbrellaCEO wrote

Not really, Nintendo tried to screw sony...

Im pretty sure it was the other way around...

admeister

5 years ago

nikack wrote

The DS/Wii both have a horrible text input system.

Not necessarily. Did you hear about the whole "EziText" thing? At least Nintendo are trying to make it easier.

Ellegarden

5 years ago

KickyFunkFresh wrote

UmbrellaCEO wrote

Not really, Nintendo tried to screw sony...

Im pretty sure it was the other way around...

No, since Nintendo did have agreement over nintendo before development of playstation started, at last second nintendo had change of heart and was upset at the contract. Instead of negoiated a product that was set to manufacture, they released a press conference called ties towards philips, and disowning any collaboration with sony while sony were tooting about playstation. Sony decieded go ahead with the product, and Nintendo attourneys filed court order, which Sony won, thus the first playstation was born. The End.

ugh the boot

5 years ago

All I know is that Blu-Ray is superior storage to dvd....so i'm cool with it. If HD-Dvd (or anything) for that matter emerges as the victor....it doesn't change the fact that Ps3 will use Blu-Ray along with it's games! No one is even talking about the movies! All i know is Blu-Ray is superior to dvd....Ps3 uses Blu-Ray and 360 and Wii use Dvd....so which one has the superior storage format? Again just forget about movies! If hd-dvd emerges as the victor...great....buy a hd-dvd player....it's not like you bought the Ps3 for movies is it? You bought it for the games! If you did buy it for the blu-ray player....then frickin' buy blu-ray movies!

What really gets me is that a Blu-Ray player is like $1500!! So how are Sony ripping anyone off?! There is a Playstation 3 AND a Blu-Ray player included in the one!! Basically you're getting one for free!!

Honestly it's like if you can't afford a Mercedes....buy a Toyota...the people who can afford it and want heated seats, electrics, dvd player etc will pay that extra cuz they can afford it and cuz they want it. Same applies with Sony! If you can't afford the best tech....well quite honestly that's YOUR problem....people like me are happy to fork our big bucks for the superior tech!

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