Awesome article. Very well written!

I think you hit the nail on the head, especially with the non-hyped games on PS360 having a hard time reaching an audience. It's really hit or miss.

Fallout 3: big hit = big profits
Stranglehold: ehm yeah, big loss

Both have high budets, but only one has success. The HD consoles will more and more become the platform of AAA hits only.

This is so sad, the idea of this.

Imagine if when DVDs came out, there was a big CHS movement, to get the big movies back onto VHS only? Did people rebel against CDs? Why are we fighting progress? I'm not saying you (OP), but some people online are so anti HD it's ridiculous. There is no need to regress. Wii can exist, and HD can exist, and next gen it will only be HD.

This is possibly the worst trend I've seen in gaming history. Why not just scrap the PS3 and go back to PS2 full time? Huge install base, and people buying it shows they don't care about HD, or more complex games.

Black and white DS coming soon? It'd be so easy to program for, plus it's so cheap! Everyone can get it!

I'm sorry to rant, but god this is ridiculous as a trend.

 To some extent I agree with you.  But even last generation a lot of developers were having problems balancing costs of making AAA games and realizing profit.   HD consoles have increased the cost threefold and is now resulting in a lot of smaller developers going under because of the tremendous overhead costs.

http://www.vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=58368&page=1

Graphics/power on Consoles and PC have hit the point of depreciating return (better graphics no longer results in more profit/sales but often in less or no profit despite same or greater sales).   As such the Wii may be seen as a saviour to the industry for providing an affordable alternative to develop on.

wow, i generally come into these types of thread ready for a good laugh...but your argument was both logical and plausible. great post gamerace1!

Reading the OP was like playing Wii Bingo in opposite land and I think got every field.

All that matters is that when/if it comes out (by the way I thought you were reffering to Indy developers) I'll be gettingi t, I really enjoy the Tomb Raider-isc games, even though Underworld was glitchy as hell - I preffer Anniversary to Underworld though.

The point of this thread is that the technology has outpaced the current business model.  When the breakeven point for an HD game is so high, not everything can be a success.  In fact, many less games can be successful than last generation in that tough environment.

That is why it is a good idea for small and medium sized games to know their place, and go to a platform where they can be successful.  Not every game needs to have amazing realistic graphics.

nicely written article and your points make sense.also it seems lucasarts has seen that the wii can be a good cash cow for them and they decided to make in wii exclusive, because of that reason.

lol cant believe people thought i was serious

it means more movie licensed games are coming to the console with the most casual gamers: the wii.

I've heard your exact statement more than once on this website, and yes, they were being serious.