Dispelling the myth: The Wii market is (NOT) bigger than the HD twin market

[F0X]

happydolphin said:

F0X said:

happydolphin said:

But I still think the reason for it is something we can argue a bit.

Is it because the market was poorly supported, and thus the twins "stole" sales off the Wii, or was the PS360 version simply going to be the better choice regardless, bottom line, and hence people chose what was better?

We need more data maybe to slice it.

It's neither to me. The market had support from... outsourced crap and PS2-grade downports. There would be more of a market if the market wasn't being given cow dung every time. If developers had made the effort to make at least some good Wii version, even if they weren't as good as the other versions, the situation wouldn't be as bad as it is. And yes, it is possible to make a good Wii version. It's been done before. It simple takes something I like to call "smart design choices" and "effort". Both of which aren't so dependent on raw power.

I understand your argument, but does it apply to COD, for example? Do you think the Wii version of COD was no good?

Sometimes if effort is put on both, the HD version ends up with the edge, especially in the case of shooters due to the nature of the game and the need for higher precision in graphics (to hit smaller targets).

It's on a case to case basis. Some shooters are excellent on the Wii, like Metroid Prime 3, because it is designed in a way to remove frustration without dampening the creative and innovative design. Sin and Punishment: Star Succesor is one of the few recent rail shooter masterpieces, because it squeezed out a frentic, memorable experience at 60 fps with near perfect controls that made complete sense on Wii.

In tha case of CoD and company, they served their purpose as downported experiences. I've known some people who really like the Wii versions, but in reality you're right - the graphical limitations and default control method don't make it a good fit. Activision, to their credit, has at least made it work. But a unique CoD game for the Wii, with a very different approach to design (suggestion: Halo-esque multi-person vehicles would actually work since one person is concentrated on driving and the others are totally focused on aiming) might just work. It's up to Activision: have a unique Call of Duty, port a Call of Duty game, or do nothing. I don't think the Wii would suffer greatly in any of those situations. *chuckle*

At any rate, I'm not arguing that every type of game is going to be of the same quality as the HD consles. In most cases I can see a graphically superior verison having a gameplay edge. But there's no excuse for the crap we've recieved over the years, either. Developers and publishers could have and, I believe, should have done a better job.