tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4092463760286231519.post6783916610924364678..comments2023-10-10T05:18:50.863-04:00Comments on The Jones Report: Hidden Potential (And Why the Wii Doesn't Have Any)Scott C. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14584082553675139762noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4092463760286231519.post-80875314780307178292010-02-22T23:45:03.332-05:002010-02-22T23:45:03.332-05:00SCOTT Grow your beard again! Friggin pimp brother!...SCOTT Grow your beard again! Friggin pimp brother!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4092463760286231519.post-57901732505698932232010-02-11T19:07:50.781-05:002010-02-11T19:07:50.781-05:00"Hell, I'm still convinced that the PS2 h..."Hell, I'm still convinced that the PS2 has some life left in it."<br /><br />If that is true then there is potentially life left in the Wii as its graphics and processing capabilities are roughly equivalent to the original Xbox and PS2. Don't blame the hardware for the shovelware. It's the developers that create it. A simple programming model should make game development cheaper which unfortunately the uninspired game developers seem to take advantage of. There are plenty "inspired" titles for the PS2 and original Xbox - games of the same caliber should be possible for the Wii, especially if waggle controls would be suitably de-emphasized and the Classic Pro and GameCube controllers would be more universally supported. I suspect however that the "inspired" developers are too busy developing games for the "cooler", more challenging platforms. They will only start to pay attention to the Wii install base once it starts to have a better attach ratio - but that may require a greater variety and (on average) better games.<br /><br />"I liked the idea that both machines hold some hidden, unrealized potential."<br /><br />That potential will be left unrealized unless the platform has a sufficiently long life cycle. And the hardware has lost its glitz long before that potential is realized. The unrealized potential tends to inflate the platform's price when it is introduced which in turn impedes its adoption as only early adopters will purchase it. I suspect that the Sega Dreamcast's potential was never realized and all the unrealized potential of the PS3 almost cost it its commercial viability. Which one of the current "sales generation" has been making the most profit? Early adopters are expected to pay for "potential" that they cannot immediately exploit (other than through bragging rights) - hopefully their platform will not fail in the market leaving that potential forever unrealized and hopefully their unit will not fail until they can exploit the potential they paid for. From a consumer perspective it makes more sense to acquire a platform when it is closer to realizing its potential as the technology is cheaper and the selection of games is wider and more varied. The PS2 has been an absolute bargain for the past few years.<br /><br />Most of us would love to drive a Formula 1 (up to date and maxed out PC gaming Rig) or (and) a Sportscar (Xbox 360, PS3) but most of the time that Toyota Corolla (Wii, PS2) will do just fine.<br /><br />So far it seems that the software developers simply followed their existing target audience from the previous "technology generation" - former PS2 and Xbox owners who just can't get enough eye candy and on-line multiplayer action and others with similar cravings. From that perspective the more "advanced" platforms are a safer choice.<br /><br />Doesn't it seem the slightest bit odd that we need a PS3 to play successful contemporary titles like Pixeljunk monsters (granted now also available on PSP) and Pixeljunk shooter?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4092463760286231519.post-35736986375582035592010-02-09T17:34:04.719-05:002010-02-09T17:34:04.719-05:00I would imagine top-tier developers for the Wii do...I would imagine top-tier developers for the Wii don't really see any financial advantage in evolving the games. As it is they put out a popular title and it sells like gangbusters. Is it worth the extra costs of development for a negligible increase in sales? I think most people who would really care about the increased performance aren't playing the Wii much to begin with.Bradnoreply@blogger.com