Nvidia Criticizes Nintendo

[Chris]

Nvidia Says Graphics Matter
Dismisses Nintendo's assertion that graphics have reached a saturation point as nonsense.
by Mark Bozon

February 1, 2007 - Nvidia, one of the world's leading producers of graphics processing technology, seems to differ in opinion from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata on the subject of game visuals. In a recent interview with Next-Gen business, VP of content Roy Taylor voiced his opinion on the matter of gaming graphics and presentation.

"They're talking nonsense," he said of Nintendo assertion that videogame graphics have reached a saturation point. "It's ridiculous sot say that graphics don't matter. That's like saying 'The quality of my TV screen doesn't matter.' Oh really? So then in that case, you can go watch 24 in black-and-white on a seven-inch screen. It's nonsense to say graphics don't matter. I think we can do a lot better, but I think we'd like to see graphics encompassing the gameplay."

During the interview Taylor does state that gameplay can oftentimes play second fiddle to a game's visuals but reiterates that graphics will bring more emotion into software, stating that gamers seldom become as emotionally invested in characters from a videogame as they do in movies.



IGN Wii (http://wii.ign.com/articles/760/760643p1.html)

Awfully big words for a company whose stock just dropped as a result of their involvement with the PS3.

[Fats]

Well, considering that Nvidia's sole purpose in the PC/gaming industry is to push the graphical envelope on a constant basis this doesn't really come as a surprise to me, it's their pride and joy after all.

[SuperLuigiBros]

The way I see it is video games and tv/movies will always be different because of how we interact with them.

Movies and TV do need to look good because after all, we watch them. Graphics dont matter (as much) when playing games because we dont watch them primarily; we play them.

If what this guy says is true then how come Mario Bros. 3 is still one of the funnest games to play? what a noob.

Games =/= Movies.

(oh, and i agree that he's just sticking up for his area of expertise or w/e)

[stanDarsh]

I think the point he's trying to make is if graphics didn't matter at all, why aren't we still playing the systems of yesteryear? Commodore64, NES, Atari 2600, Master System etc. Companies like Nvidia and ATI wouldn't exist. But they do and people are constantly upgrading their Graphics cards.

In a way he's right. Noone really voices that they feel like they got ripped off paying for a Wii, yet for $100AUD more you could buy the basic XBox360 model which has more RAM, better CPU and GPU etc. So in a way feature for feature in comparison to X360 and PS3, the Wii is the most expensive for what it does.

With that all said and done, I'd still gladly shell out $400AUD just to play the latest Zelda, and many other Nintendo games. I guess perception is key.

[Phoenix]

Of course they think Nintendo is wrong - they are a "graphics company".

[Xer0]

The problem with this is not that hes wrong, i mean graphics are important, its that he has no clue what hes talking about. Nintendo never said that graphics arent important just that they have reached such a high state that other things need to be considered as well and they are right. This guy is making it seem like they went out of their way and said that anything above 8 bits is overkill. I mean Nintendo has been at the forefront of technology, and in a way still is i guess.

[koten]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

That's hilarious.

[Shadow Voa]

Nintendo has never said graphics dont matter... this guy is just biased since his company push graphics and Nintendo is one less company that has to pay them for newer graphics chips. Its just PR bullshit which as usual boils down to money and profits...

For the record, Nintendo has always been comfortable with the level of graphics they put out on each console, from the NES to the GC they have always used good graphics to convey what they wanted their games to. This is the first time its not at the same level as everyone else and all of a sudden its, "Nintendo doesnt care about graphics, lets watch tv on 1 inch screens in black and white haha111!!!!"

Idiots...

[Xer0]

Nintendo has never said graphics dont matter... this guy is just biased since his company push graphics and Nintendo is one less company that has to pay them for newer graphics chips. Its just PR bullshit which as usual boils down to money and profits...

For the record, Nintendo has always been comfortable with the level of graphics they put out on each console, from the NES to the GC they have always used good graphics to convey what they wanted their games to. This is the first time its not at the same level as everyone else and all of a sudden its, "Nintendo doesnt care about graphics, lets watch tv on 1 inch screens in black and white haha111!!!!"

Idiots...

So beat you to it :P

[Zeep]

The problem is, Nintendo never said "graphics don't matter." Reggie, Iwata, or Miyamoto will tell you graphics absolutely DO matter. They just don't matter as much as gameplay, and certainly not as much as certain other companies claim they do.

[koten]

I like your new sig and avi combo Zeep.

[venomv]

Well...NVidia wants people to be graphics whores, for obvious reasons.....

[Phoenix]

I like your new sig and avi combo Zeep.I don't, but I hated your old one so anything is an improvement.

[HolyPaladin]

Well...NVidia wants people to be graphics whores, for obvious reasons.....

I guess it's not really unlike the tobacco companies that used to testify that nicotine isn't addictive. Anything to save one's business, I guess.

Awfully big words for a company whose stock just dropped as a result of their involvement with the PS3.

Yeah, I was laughing at them earlier. After this bad-mouthing of Nintendo, it's hard for me to feel sorry for them.

[TheGreenElf]

Without constantly upgrading graphics, they'd be out of business. Of course he'll say that.

[Viper]

Well gee, say anything else and he loses his job.

Real fucking genius of a question.

First off, the totally doesn't understand what Nintendo said this time or any time else they've ever mentioned that graphics are back seat drivers to gameplay.

Secondly, he goes on about playing games on a B/W tiny TV as if that is what Nintendo is conveying this whole time by not being into HD. Dumbass, if they didn't believe in having any form of compelling graphics, Nintendo games would be played with paper and pencil like some D&D bullshit.