@HeadPirate
Wage gap? You do realize, that this is happening all over the world, were wage gaps might not be that much of an issue? Also, you're assuming people only use the money they are being payed in a month. There are people who have saved up money, so they can buy expensive stuff later, even if they don't have high wages.
What scalpers ultimately do, is not only get money from rich people, but also take advantage of the exhaustible resource that is called "patience". Everyone that has the money, and wants the thing can wait, until he/she cannot any longer. So, these scalpers exploit pretty normal psychological weaknesses. They know exactly what they do. What's there to cheer about? That's as if you would cheer for loan sharks and unregulated gambling.
I feel like we are at a point, where it is mandatory to provide some insights into the performance of a Switch port/title. Does this game hold at least 30 FPS?
"Nintendo consoles were never about hardware, they were always about something that boosts your gameplay experience, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next."
With a console that struggles to hold constant 30 FPS on more and more games (even 1st party ones), said gameplay experience is in serious trouble ...
Let me guess, you will now pull back to a statement like, "Oh, but there were XYZ games on Nintendo consoles.", right? ...
Doesn't mean they have anything to do with Nintendo, other than being sold on a Nintendo system. There is no rule for the characters, other than getting a license for them - which, of course, is much easier with Nintendo's own franchises.
As a replacement for a broken device or when getting your first Switch it makes sense. As an upgrade it doesn't. I'm sure, however, it will sell, same as new smartphones sell every single year, which make even less sense as an upgrade.
Creating an emulator with a reverse engineered BIOS is indeed legal. Companies were unable to do anything against this legally, so in the past they simply bought and shut them down. Interesting watch: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UGHul1PrXCE
Why do I get some disgruntled vibes from the creators, every time they mention Nintendo? It never reads like they agree with Nintendo's way of doing things.
@samuelvictor If you're putting out 30 FPS on 50 Hz you still get 30 FPS. It doesn't run any different than putting out 30 FPS on 30 Hz or 60 Hz. You get into trouble if you're e.g. trying to put out 30 FPS on 24 Hz.
@Bustacap What are you trying to say? Sure, my screen can have different Hz than the FPS my GPU throws out. So? 50 FPS/Hz are still more than the usual <30 FPS/Hz on Switch. Hence 50 FPS/Hz are no problem.
@Crono1973 Unfortunatelly, that is wishful thinking. While there are modders in some games trying to up the performance, by far not every game receives so much love. Also, there is the problem of implementing such mods. Some work in conjunction with Steam, others need to be injected via different means. If you want these, you cannot use the stock OS of the Deck and will have to install Windows. And that opens up a whole other can of worms. There will be a small set of people who are willing to do this, but the majority doesn't want to fiddle around with, what they perceive to be, a console.
The rude awakening some will have, when they finally realise nothing is optimised for the Deck ...
Devices like these are nothing new. GDP Win 3, OnexPlayer, SMACH Z, Aya Neo, and some others tried the same thing. Steam Deck is no console. It's a PC, and as such it needs a *****-ton of raw power which it can throw at games - especially newer ones. It doesn't have that power. Not now and most certainly not in the long run. Why do people still fall for such things? I guess it's "hope because of the company"?
The Steam Deck is basically a handheld PC. It combines things that do not fit well together, without a proper ecosystem and optimization to support it. Consoles like the Switch have both, which is a big part of why they work well.
Other than that, the Deck's control elements are inconveniently placed and will lead to an unstable gaming experience, while doing certain motions or button combinations. Apart from the handles, ergonomics are obviously an afterthought. That will annoy the players in the long run. This device will suffer the same fate as the Steam Controller and remain a niche product with no further development. Typical case of "We can do it, so let's do it!", without thinking about whether it makes much sense to do it.
Thus, in my books, it would be wasted money to buy it.
PS:
To those who wonder why I am formulating my text this way: I always do this with my friends, as a kind of competition, ... and I am ALWAYS right with these things, ... because I drink beer and know stuff ... **readjusts spectacles** ... You're welcome.
The developer tweaks bloom a little bit, blurrs the overall image, and suddenly people think it looks so much better? I finally get, why Nintendo thinks it's fine to constantly underdeliver. With a big enough core customer base so easily dazzled it's a viable method, yes.
@Nalverus
^You better listen to that one. Do NOT fiddle around with the MTU. This topic is by far not as easy as the writer wants you to think. In fact, it's pretty save to assume that he/she did not research the subject very carefully.
@westman98 Irrelevant. It's possible to design a Switch with a 1080p display and the components that can deliver the resolution, with a longer battery life and within the same price frame - as shown by many other handheld devices, read: smartphones and tablets. There is no reason to defend Nintendo's strategy, from a consumer standpoint.
PS: Sure, ... there are OLED factories juuust for "rigid" OLEDs and no other OLEDs ... Thank god Nintendo finally prevents those workers from constantly picking their noses and finally make them use their tech to build stuff. What would they have done without Nintendo? ...
@westman98
You keep repeating nonsense. Look up my answers. I won't repeat myself again, for you. Also, your OLED competition theory falls short, because it's not about 720p vs 1080p, but about capacity. Those displays roll over the same conveyor belts. You don't have people sitting around, just waiting for a 720p order to come in, because ... what? ... They somehow are too clumsy and stupid to fiddle together 1080p displays? So, no, your 720p OLEDS will be subject to the same shortage. Why do you think there ALREADY is a Switch shortage?
@TSR3
1 - UI and text scaling. It's not the display's fault if developers are sloppy. By your logic, every handheld device should never go above 720p.
2 - I already said, that the price is not an issue. There is better tech, for less or the same money.
@Dringo
Honestly ... I wrote about a device in the same family, and I placed this hypothetical Switch Pro, with meaningful upgrades, as a premium product alongside the normal and lite Switch. No one would be left behind. I also did not put Nintendo up against Apple or Sony products. Where is that all coming from ... ? It seems to me, you're trying to pull things out of thin air to distract.
1080p, 30 FPS, try to focus on that ... In what world is this not viable, too expensive or endlessly battery consuming? Once again, there are already devices out there, for the same or even fewer moneyz, that can do this and have better battery life. Why don't you see, that it could easily be done, but Nintendo just does the same trick again to save margin? That's nothing to cheer about, from a consumer point of view. Why would someone defend that?
@Dringo I knew you would write that first sentence. Every riled up person that has been caught in the act does it. Deflecting: "I'm not mad, you are!".
You're again talking about how Nintendo does things, without giving a valid reason as to why a bit more buffed up Switch would harm them, and at the same time would be bad for customers. Just can the comparisons to Sony, MS, and whatnot for a moment, because I never brought them up, nor did I suggest Nintendo should chase them. I'm talking about a 1080p display and stable 30 FPS, which is perfectly doable in our times, without the price going through the roof. I've given examples. Again, tell me why this would be a bad thing.
I'm sorry, I'm just not convinced by: "This is how things are." That's no argumentative basis. That's just a: "Consumer, eat or die!", which is never a good thing. We are allowed to try to push companies a bit. I don't understand why someone wouldn't. What disadvantage would you have, if Nintendo would bring out a meaningful upgrade? Actually, take this as a rethorical question, because I'm sure you would come up with some arbitrary answer.
@Kamalen I realize that, and it's exactly the thing that puzzles me so about the customer base. They do not tell Nintendo: "Well, that's nice and all, but you should really do something meaningful the next time around." No, they just jump to Nintendo's side and tell them: "Yes, please, aim for the minimum again. We're fine with that. We even dish out more cash for it.", and of course Nintendo is all: "Ohhh? Yes? Well, don't mind if we do!" This is literally why we cannot have nice things. ^^'
@Dringo
This is wrong on so many levels, because it simply ignores, that Nintendo's way of doing things is NOT the only way of, ... you know, ... doing things.
Apart from that, please explain to me, how it is not catering to everyone, when a company provides the market with different devices, within one family of devices, that have different levels of performance and/or features for different prices. As a business journalist, as you wrote, you know full well that this is not an uncommon or unviable thing to do.
I think, you are measuring Nintendo by a different standard than other companies, and I frankly don't fully understand why. Plus, you're getting riled up and and resort to using derogative phrases. Thus, my assumption, that you're biased in this case and unable to take a step back, to see the bigger picture. I get it, you're a fanboy, and once again, it is perfectly fine to like a company. However, no one gains from defending this behaviour but Nintendo. So, unless you're working for them, calm down a bit and think ...
From a customer point of view it would be better, if we pushed back a little. It's funny how you fight for capitalism on the side of a company, while forgetting the fact that customers are a very important part in capitalism ... Do you really want to tell me, Nintendo would be doomed, if they upped their game a bit more? Come on ...
@kobashi100
Yes, I'm talking about playing. With a new Switch you can play for 4-5 hours in handheld mode. You can play the same amount of time, even longer, on a modern smartphone with more than 1080p. Around 5-7 hours (PUBG) with a decent device. Upping the graphical settings is btw. not the same as maintaining current Switch graphics with a target of 1080p at 30 FPS.
@westman98
No, we should not stop comparing those, because they essentially use the same miniaturized technology. And as already written, smartphones are not necessarily more expensive. So, why would we not compare them? The Switch even is so bold as to come along as a very fat system, which has its advantages in heat dispersion.
Your "forward compatibility" is not a problem. It's a simple switch in a config file. It's already in the games. Hence the different resolutions in docked and handheld mode. You don't create a game that is only able to deliver one set resolution. That's not how it works ...
In order to fully take advantage of an OLED screen, games would have to support HDR - which in turn again would lead the naysayers to climb the barricades. So, according to your logic, Nintendo would have to leave out HDR support, which makes the OLED a pretty small upgrade. Also, 4k on TV would theoretically possible with a normal Switch as well, since it is very likely the 4k chip is situated purely inside the new dock. So, why would we buy a new Switch for the same or even more money? Enter the rumors around exclusive games ...
@Dringo It was 400€ (new) where I'm from. If it was cheaper in your country, good for you. Nintendo resells a lot of games and very rarely comes down with the first party prices. Also, there is extra stuff they sell, like Amiibos. Smartphones do not per se cost more. Depends on the company. Bought some cheap ones for my family with really great battery life, and good game performance. Contrary to some believes, there isn't only Apple to buy from. Nintendo consoles usually sell in the millions. If that isn't viable, I don't know what is. After all, Nintendo is still in the market and throws out new consoles. It's okay, that you like Nintendo, but please don't defend what's not defendable, because you gain nothing by doing so.
@westman98 My smartphone has more than 1080p and it most definitely also runs the higher resolution. Whether games support this resolution is a different story and completely besides the point. Again, compare a 720p display with a 1080p display and tell me there is no difference ... The goal for Nintendo should be to give us a Switch that can handle 1080p and STABLE 30FPS (at least) in handheld mode. As smartphones show, that is possible without compromising on battery life. Of course they would up the price again, but that's somewhat acceptable for a pro version. If you want to dish out less, you grab the normal or lite version.
Sometimes I wonder whether the opposition against a meaningfully updated Switch Pro is just this petty old I-don't-want-others-to-have-something-better-than-me-game. Or: "Oh no, I've just bought a Switch, now there is a Switch Pro, that must not happen, because ... I ... am not ready!" So, they tell everyone that a Switch Pro would just be fine with less specs or how it wouldn't work any other way ... No one gains from that but Nintendo - or any other company that has fanboys defending it blindly, for that matter.
Reading the comments here and elsewhere, it's amazing to see, what Nintendo can get away with. For years now, there are a lot of smartphones that have 1080p+ displays, really deliver the higher resolutions and run as long (if not longer) as the Switch. Most of them are also smaller than 7 inch. I dare you, take an old 720p smartphone and put it next to a 1080p one, then tell me again you don't see any difference in clearness.
People just have forgotten and generally don't care, if they don't have a direct comparisson in front of their eyes. 400 bucks, folks, that's the same price you had to throw on the table for much stronger consoles. I like the Switch, but from a technical point of view it's overpriced, and I'm afraid it will be again. I just don't get, why anyone would bluntly defend this by saying: "Nintendo, just continue like before! We're okay with that business practice." Makes no sense from my consumer standpoint.
@Bizaster Tell this kid you need any kind of Switch, or electric windows in cars, or an aircon. It's almost as if different circumstances in life lead to different needs and longings. That was really weak, you see?
Hard truth is: a) for us, it's almost never about things we need, but things we want, and b) you don't speak for everyone in regards to a Switch Pro. In fact, you never speak for everyone else. I'm sorry.
Nintendo did not say they don't want to bring a better Switch to the market. They said a) they want to keep the form factor (which doesn't mean, a next switch can't be better), and b) they don't PLAN to ANNOUNCE anything anytime soon (with "soon" meaning nothing, as per usual in the business).
I think, we will see something new at the end of this year. A Switch that has an OLED display, capable of 1080p, with smaller bezels. And yes, the difference between a 720p and 1080p is clearly visible - even on such small devices. You either never had the chance to compare, or you honestly need glasses if you think otherwise ... The SoC will only be so powerful to be able to fuel this new display. Meaning it will push games closer to 1080p 30 FPS in handheld mode, and in some cases stabilize them exactly there. The SoC will also be more power efficient. This combined with a slightly better battery, will lead to approx. the same running times, maybe even a little bit more. DLSS would be a thinkable killer feature - one can dream.
The 4k everyone is talking about only really makes any sense inside a new dock. There will be an extra chip that takes over as soon as the Switch is in docked mode. I don't think it will have much power overall, but will blow up the resolution to 4k (maybe 60 FPS). No improved drawing distance, reduced pop in, better shadows or some such. Might even be compatible to the current Switch. Other than that, I think, Nintendo will finally give us proper Bluetooth support, to connect our wireless headsets to the Switch.
All of the above doesn't make the current switch obsolete. It just opens up a new segment. You have the budget friendly Switch Lite, the normal Switch in the middle and a more expensive enthusiast Switch on the top.
Comments 39
Re: Tokyo Police Arrest Man For Re-Selling Around 200 Consoles And Games
@HeadPirate
Wage gap? You do realize, that this is happening all over the world, were wage gaps might not be that much of an issue? Also, you're assuming people only use the money they are being payed in a month. There are people who have saved up money, so they can buy expensive stuff later, even if they don't have high wages.
What scalpers ultimately do, is not only get money from rich people, but also take advantage of the exhaustible resource that is called "patience". Everyone that has the money, and wants the thing can wait, until he/she cannot any longer. So, these scalpers exploit pretty normal psychological weaknesses. They know exactly what they do. What's there to cheer about? That's as if you would cheer for loan sharks and unregulated gambling.
Re: Review: Unsighted - A Fantastic Top-Down Metroidvania With A Warm, Vintage Feel
@Robokku
Thank you!
Re: Review: Unsighted - A Fantastic Top-Down Metroidvania With A Warm, Vintage Feel
I feel like we are at a point, where it is mandatory to provide some insights into the performance of a Switch port/title. Does this game hold at least 30 FPS?
Re: Surprise! Ruined King: A League Of Legends Story Is On Switch Right Now
@sonicbooming
Alright, gonna keep that one in my sights.
Re: Shin Megami Tensei V Outshines Other Popular JRPGs At UK Retail
@Ralizah
Thank you. Guess, I'll give it a spin, then.
Re: Shin Megami Tensei V Outshines Other Popular JRPGs At UK Retail
I am having a reeeaaally hard time swallowing the design of the main protagonist.
Also, ... do I need to play the other SMT games to understand this one? ._.
Re: Surprise! Ruined King: A League Of Legends Story Is On Switch Right Now
Do I need to play LoL to understand this game? ._.
Re: The Switch Is Here To Stay, Says Nintendo Boss Shuntaro Furukawa
... "mid-point", they say ... LOL!
Re: "I Don't Think The Switch Needs A More Powerful Version" Says 'World War Z' Lead Designer
"Nintendo consoles were never about hardware, they were always about something that boosts your gameplay experience, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next."
With a console that struggles to hold constant 30 FPS on more and more games (even 1st party ones), said gameplay experience is in serious trouble ...
Re: Can't Find Dying Light On The Switch eShop? It Might Be Because It's Currently Banned In Germany
@6thHorizon
"It's wrong that one country's decision affects so many others like this."
Right? ... That's what I always say about the U.S.
I'm sure Nintendo will figure this out.
Re: Sakurai Invites Everyone To Watch Smash's Final Reveal, Whether You Play The Game Or Not
@Aya-chan
Only one? Okay ... Kazuya Mishima ...
Let me guess, you will now pull back to a statement like, "Oh, but there were XYZ games on Nintendo consoles.", right? ...
Doesn't mean they have anything to do with Nintendo, other than being sold on a Nintendo system. There is no rule for the characters, other than getting a license for them - which, of course, is much easier with Nintendo's own franchises.
Re: Sakurai Invites Everyone To Watch Smash's Final Reveal, Whether You Play The Game Or Not
@Aya-chan
There are already characters in the game that have nothing to do with Nintendo …
Re: Video: We Touched A Switch OLED Model, And We Liked It
As a replacement for a broken device or when getting your first Switch it makes sense. As an upgrade it doesn't. I'm sure, however, it will sell, same as new smartphones sell every single year, which make even less sense as an upgrade.
Re: Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 'Second Wind' Mod Gets Its Biggest Update Yet
Creating an emulator with a reverse engineered BIOS is indeed legal. Companies were unable to do anything against this legally, so in the past they simply bought and shut them down. Interesting watch: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UGHul1PrXCE
Re: The First Switch OLED Comparison Video Has Surfaced
As thought, OLED without HDR to back it up is kind of pointless.
Re: Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 'Second Wind' Mod Gets Its Biggest Update Yet
Just to make sure: This is an emulator thing only, right?
Re: Hideki Kamiya Reminds Fans Bayonetta 3 Is A Nintendo Switch Exclusive
Why do I get some disgruntled vibes from the creators, every time they mention Nintendo? It never reads like they agree with Nintendo's way of doing things.
Re: Uh-Oh, Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Games Might Be 50Hz In Europe
@samuelvictor
Understood. It worked differently back then. Interesting that they linked both together.
Re: Uh-Oh, Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Games Might Be 50Hz In Europe
@samuelvictor
If you're putting out 30 FPS on 50 Hz you still get 30 FPS. It doesn't run any different than putting out 30 FPS on 30 Hz or 60 Hz. You get into trouble if you're e.g. trying to put out 30 FPS on 24 Hz.
Re: Uh-Oh, Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Games Might Be 50Hz In Europe
@Bustacap
What are you trying to say? Sure, my screen can have different Hz than the FPS my GPU throws out. So? 50 FPS/Hz are still more than the usual <30 FPS/Hz on Switch. Hence 50 FPS/Hz are no problem.
Re: Uh-Oh, Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Games Might Be 50Hz In Europe
@Jake_qwerp
Yes, it does. One Hertz is one cycle per second. FPS is "frames per second", or in other words cycles per second ...
Re: Uh-Oh, Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Games Might Be 50Hz In Europe
Nintendo Switch owners are used to <30 FPS. So, no problem there.
Re: Random: 'Switch Vs Steam Deck' Memes Are A Thing Now, Apparently
@Crono1973
Unfortunatelly, that is wishful thinking. While there are modders in some games trying to up the performance, by far not every game receives so much love. Also, there is the problem of implementing such mods. Some work in conjunction with Steam, others need to be injected via different means. If you want these, you cannot use the stock OS of the Deck and will have to install Windows. And that opens up a whole other can of worms. There will be a small set of people who are willing to do this, but the majority doesn't want to fiddle around with, what they perceive to be, a console.
Re: Random: 'Switch Vs Steam Deck' Memes Are A Thing Now, Apparently
The rude awakening some will have, when they finally realise nothing is optimised for the Deck ...
Devices like these are nothing new. GDP Win 3, OnexPlayer, SMACH Z, Aya Neo, and some others tried the same thing. Steam Deck is no console. It's a PC, and as such it needs a *****-ton of raw power which it can throw at games - especially newer ones. It doesn't have that power. Not now and most certainly not in the long run. Why do people still fall for such things? I guess it's "hope because of the company"?
Re: Poll: So, Will You Be Getting A Switch OLED Or Valve Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck is basically a handheld PC. It combines things that do not fit well together, without a proper ecosystem and optimization to support it. Consoles like the Switch have both, which is a big part of why they work well.
Other than that, the Deck's control elements are inconveniently placed and will lead to an unstable gaming experience, while doing certain motions or button combinations. Apart from the handles, ergonomics are obviously an afterthought. That will annoy the players in the long run. This device will suffer the same fate as the Steam Controller and remain a niche product with no further development. Typical case of "We can do it, so let's do it!", without thinking about whether it makes much sense to do it.
Thus, in my books, it would be wasted money to buy it.
PS:
To those who wonder why I am formulating my text this way: I always do this with my friends, as a kind of competition, ... and I am ALWAYS right with these things, ... because I drink beer and know stuff ... **readjusts spectacles** ... You're welcome.
Re: Switch OLED Trailer Shows Tweaked Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Footage
The developer tweaks bloom a little bit, blurrs the overall image, and suddenly people think it looks so much better? I finally get, why Nintendo thinks it's fine to constantly underdeliver. With a big enough core customer base so easily dazzled it's a viable method, yes.
Re: Video: Nintendo Releases New Overview Trailer For Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
This game looks ... rough.
Re: How To Improve Your Switch's Internet Connection
@Nalverus
^You better listen to that one. Do NOT fiddle around with the MTU. This topic is by far not as easy as the writer wants you to think. In fact, it's pretty save to assume that he/she did not research the subject very carefully.
Re: Talking Point: Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Worried About The Rumoured Switch Pro's 720p Screen
@Dringo
Because they revisit the Switch anyway? Why not make it more enjoyable? I'm not talking about the next Nintendo console.
Re: Talking Point: Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Worried About The Rumoured Switch Pro's 720p Screen
@westman98
Irrelevant. It's possible to design a Switch with a 1080p display and the components that can deliver the resolution, with a longer battery life and within the same price frame - as shown by many other handheld devices, read: smartphones and tablets. There is no reason to defend Nintendo's strategy, from a consumer standpoint.
PS:
Sure, ... there are OLED factories juuust for "rigid" OLEDs and no other OLEDs ... Thank god Nintendo finally prevents those workers from constantly picking their noses and finally make them use their tech to build stuff. What would they have done without Nintendo? ...
Re: Talking Point: Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Worried About The Rumoured Switch Pro's 720p Screen
@westman98
You keep repeating nonsense. Look up my answers. I won't repeat myself again, for you. Also, your OLED competition theory falls short, because it's not about 720p vs 1080p, but about capacity. Those displays roll over the same conveyor belts. You don't have people sitting around, just waiting for a 720p order to come in, because ... what? ... They somehow are too clumsy and stupid to fiddle together 1080p displays? So, no, your 720p OLEDS will be subject to the same shortage. Why do you think there ALREADY is a Switch shortage?
@TSR3
1 - UI and text scaling. It's not the display's fault if developers are sloppy. By your logic, every handheld device should never go above 720p.
2 - I already said, that the price is not an issue. There is better tech, for less or the same money.
@Dringo
Honestly ... I wrote about a device in the same family, and I placed this hypothetical Switch Pro, with meaningful upgrades, as a premium product alongside the normal and lite Switch. No one would be left behind. I also did not put Nintendo up against Apple or Sony products. Where is that all coming from ... ? It seems to me, you're trying to pull things out of thin air to distract.
1080p, 30 FPS, try to focus on that ... In what world is this not viable, too expensive or endlessly battery consuming? Once again, there are already devices out there, for the same or even fewer moneyz, that can do this and have better battery life. Why don't you see, that it could easily be done, but Nintendo just does the same trick again to save margin? That's nothing to cheer about, from a consumer point of view. Why would someone defend that?
Re: Talking Point: Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Worried About The Rumoured Switch Pro's 720p Screen
@Dringo
I knew you would write that first sentence. Every riled up person that has been caught in the act does it. Deflecting: "I'm not mad, you are!".
You're again talking about how Nintendo does things, without giving a valid reason as to why a bit more buffed up Switch would harm them, and at the same time would be bad for customers. Just can the comparisons to Sony, MS, and whatnot for a moment, because I never brought them up, nor did I suggest Nintendo should chase them. I'm talking about a 1080p display and stable 30 FPS, which is perfectly doable in our times, without the price going through the roof. I've given examples. Again, tell me why this would be a bad thing.
I'm sorry, I'm just not convinced by: "This is how things are." That's no argumentative basis. That's just a: "Consumer, eat or die!", which is never a good thing. We are allowed to try to push companies a bit. I don't understand why someone wouldn't. What disadvantage would you have, if Nintendo would bring out a meaningful upgrade? Actually, take this as a rethorical question, because I'm sure you would come up with some arbitrary answer.
@Kamalen
I realize that, and it's exactly the thing that puzzles me so about the customer base. They do not tell Nintendo: "Well, that's nice and all, but you should really do something meaningful the next time around." No, they just jump to Nintendo's side and tell them: "Yes, please, aim for the minimum again. We're fine with that. We even dish out more cash for it.", and of course Nintendo is all: "Ohhh? Yes? Well, don't mind if we do!" This is literally why we cannot have nice things. ^^'
Re: Talking Point: Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Worried About The Rumoured Switch Pro's 720p Screen
@Dringo
This is wrong on so many levels, because it simply ignores, that Nintendo's way of doing things is NOT the only way of, ... you know, ... doing things.
Apart from that, please explain to me, how it is not catering to everyone, when a company provides the market with different devices, within one family of devices, that have different levels of performance and/or features for different prices. As a business journalist, as you wrote, you know full well that this is not an uncommon or unviable thing to do.
I think, you are measuring Nintendo by a different standard than other companies, and I frankly don't fully understand why. Plus, you're getting riled up and and resort to using derogative phrases. Thus, my assumption, that you're biased in this case and unable to take a step back, to see the bigger picture. I get it, you're a fanboy, and once again, it is perfectly fine to like a company. However, no one gains from defending this behaviour but Nintendo. So, unless you're working for them, calm down a bit and think ...
From a customer point of view it would be better, if we pushed back a little. It's funny how you fight for capitalism on the side of a company, while forgetting the fact that customers are a very important part in capitalism ... Do you really want to tell me, Nintendo would be doomed, if they upped their game a bit more? Come on ...
Re: Talking Point: Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Worried About The Rumoured Switch Pro's 720p Screen
@kobashi100
Yes, I'm talking about playing. With a new Switch you can play for 4-5 hours in handheld mode. You can play the same amount of time, even longer, on a modern smartphone with more than 1080p. Around 5-7 hours (PUBG) with a decent device. Upping the graphical settings is btw. not the same as maintaining current Switch graphics with a target of 1080p at 30 FPS.
@westman98
No, we should not stop comparing those, because they essentially use the same miniaturized technology. And as already written, smartphones are not necessarily more expensive. So, why would we not compare them? The Switch even is so bold as to come along as a very fat system, which has its advantages in heat dispersion.
Your "forward compatibility" is not a problem. It's a simple switch in a config file. It's already in the games. Hence the different resolutions in docked and handheld mode. You don't create a game that is only able to deliver one set resolution. That's not how it works ...
In order to fully take advantage of an OLED screen, games would have to support HDR - which in turn again would lead the naysayers to climb the barricades. So, according to your logic, Nintendo would have to leave out HDR support, which makes the OLED a pretty small upgrade. Also, 4k on TV would theoretically possible with a normal Switch as well, since it is very likely the 4k chip is situated purely inside the new dock. So, why would we buy a new Switch for the same or even more money? Enter the rumors around exclusive games ...
Re: Talking Point: Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Worried About The Rumoured Switch Pro's 720p Screen
@Dringo
It was 400€ (new) where I'm from. If it was cheaper in your country, good for you. Nintendo resells a lot of games and very rarely comes down with the first party prices. Also, there is extra stuff they sell, like Amiibos. Smartphones do not per se cost more. Depends on the company. Bought some cheap ones for my family with really great battery life, and good game performance. Contrary to some believes, there isn't only Apple to buy from. Nintendo consoles usually sell in the millions. If that isn't viable, I don't know what is. After all, Nintendo is still in the market and throws out new consoles. It's okay, that you like Nintendo, but please don't defend what's not defendable, because you gain nothing by doing so.
@westman98
My smartphone has more than 1080p and it most definitely also runs the higher resolution. Whether games support this resolution is a different story and completely besides the point. Again, compare a 720p display with a 1080p display and tell me there is no difference ... The goal for Nintendo should be to give us a Switch that can handle 1080p and STABLE 30FPS (at least) in handheld mode. As smartphones show, that is possible without compromising on battery life. Of course they would up the price again, but that's somewhat acceptable for a pro version. If you want to dish out less, you grab the normal or lite version.
Sometimes I wonder whether the opposition against a meaningfully updated Switch Pro is just this petty old I-don't-want-others-to-have-something-better-than-me-game. Or: "Oh no, I've just bought a Switch, now there is a Switch Pro, that must not happen, because ... I ... am not ready!" So, they tell everyone that a Switch Pro would just be fine with less specs or how it wouldn't work any other way ... No one gains from that but Nintendo - or any other company that has fanboys defending it blindly, for that matter.
Re: Talking Point: Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Worried About The Rumoured Switch Pro's 720p Screen
Reading the comments here and elsewhere, it's amazing to see, what Nintendo can get away with. For years now, there are a lot of smartphones that have 1080p+ displays, really deliver the higher resolutions and run as long (if not longer) as the Switch. Most of them are also smaller than 7 inch. I dare you, take an old 720p smartphone and put it next to a 1080p one, then tell me again you don't see any difference in clearness.
People just have forgotten and generally don't care, if they don't have a direct comparisson in front of their eyes. 400 bucks, folks, that's the same price you had to throw on the table for much stronger consoles. I like the Switch, but from a technical point of view it's overpriced, and I'm afraid it will be again. I just don't get, why anyone would bluntly defend this by saying: "Nintendo, just continue like before! We're okay with that business practice." Makes no sense from my consumer standpoint.
Re: Talking Point: So, What Are The Chances We'll See A 'New' Nintendo Switch In 2021?
@Bizaster
Tell this kid you need any kind of Switch, or electric windows in cars, or an aircon. It's almost as if different circumstances in life lead to different needs and longings. That was really weak, you see?
Hard truth is: a) for us, it's almost never about things we need, but things we want, and b) you don't speak for everyone in regards to a Switch Pro. In fact, you never speak for everyone else. I'm sorry.
Re: Talking Point: So, What Are The Chances We'll See A 'New' Nintendo Switch In 2021?
@Bizaster "Guys, I don't need a Switch Pro. Calm down lmao"
There, ... fixed that for you. Don't mention it.
Re: Talking Point: So, What Are The Chances We'll See A 'New' Nintendo Switch In 2021?
Nintendo did not say they don't want to bring a better Switch to the market. They said a) they want to keep the form factor (which doesn't mean, a next switch can't be better), and b) they don't PLAN to ANNOUNCE anything anytime soon (with "soon" meaning nothing, as per usual in the business).
I think, we will see something new at the end of this year. A Switch that has an OLED display, capable of 1080p, with smaller bezels. And yes, the difference between a 720p and 1080p is clearly visible - even on such small devices. You either never had the chance to compare, or you honestly need glasses if you think otherwise ... The SoC will only be so powerful to be able to fuel this new display. Meaning it will push games closer to 1080p 30 FPS in handheld mode, and in some cases stabilize them exactly there. The SoC will also be more power efficient. This combined with a slightly better battery, will lead to approx. the same running times, maybe even a little bit more. DLSS would be a thinkable killer feature - one can dream.
The 4k everyone is talking about only really makes any sense inside a new dock. There will be an extra chip that takes over as soon as the Switch is in docked mode. I don't think it will have much power overall, but will blow up the resolution to 4k (maybe 60 FPS). No improved drawing distance, reduced pop in, better shadows or some such. Might even be compatible to the current Switch. Other than that, I think, Nintendo will finally give us proper Bluetooth support, to connect our wireless headsets to the Switch.
All of the above doesn't make the current switch obsolete. It just opens up a new segment. You have the budget friendly Switch Lite, the normal Switch in the middle and a more expensive enthusiast Switch on the top.
I'd buy it in a heartbeat.