I continue to feel that the focus on High-Definition graphics in some newer consoles (PS3/360) is a little misguided for a simple reason: Many people cannot tell the difference between standard and high definition. Anecdotally, I have seen video game designers with 360 consoles running in standard definition, and I find that few viewers can accurately tell whether a given console or television channel is in high-def or not.
In the paper The emperor’s clothes in high resolution: An experimental study of the framing effect and the diffusion of HDTV, a group of Dutch researchers demonstrate that users will experience a standard definition signal as being of higher quality if they are told that it is high definition. Hence the idea of high definition will apparently override the quality of the television signal itself.
I also discuss the role of graphics and high definition in A Casual Revolution, noting that while graphical quality matters, and while all consoles will eventually be high-def, technical graphical quality just doesn’t translate directly into improved user experience…
Perhaps most users do not notice on games designed to display well on 480/standard resolution, but when 2D elements are designed (especially text) with the higher resolutions in mind, it is easy for the graphics designer to tell that their artwork is now blurry or the text unreadable. In fact, the text issue is one that I’ve seen in a few commercially available 360 games. I stopped using a standard resolution TV for this reason and switched to a 23″ LCD monitor.
Just my 2c, I’d say that most properly designed games are fine under 480, but when people don’t bother to think about their text color/size/weight on 480, it is painful.
I remember squinting at Dead Rising’s cellphone messages for a while, and then realizing that my eyes were more precious than the experience it could possibly offer. I also like this image from an in-depth criticism of Mass Effect’s interface:
I’m attempting some HTML, but in case it doesn’t work, it’s here: http://gamedesignreviews.com/reviews/mass-effect-massive-interface-fail-part-ii/
top of the page.
When I first started development on the Wii, I was shocked to realize that 640 X 480 is the standard resolution for all Wii games. Apparently, most Wii games “squeeze” their image, so that when they stretch across widescreen HDTV screens, they would appear “normal”.
Personally, I have never noticed the low resolution on the Wii, I’ve always thought it was high definition until I started developing on it. Shame on me.
The reason for the whole HD discussion is the console not mentioned here — the Wii. The perceived problem is that it doesn’t run in HD; but the real problem is that the Wii hardware isn’t up to snuff. With more triangle, full modern shader support, and excellent anti-aliasing, I doubt that anyone would really care whether it was HD or not.
Matthew and Dominic – you touch on something I noticed: that 2D elements such as text seem to the ones most in need of hi-def. Perhaps high definition loses some of its advantages when things move in 3D?
Rasmus – here’s a crazy theory: perhaps the lack of advanced shaders give Wii graphics a pleasant “flatness”? Couldn’t the lack of amazing lightning effects be seen as something that makes the wii less intimidating? (Just a theory.)
Does this take the size of the TV into consideration? On a large enough TV, I think the difference is extremely evident. I remember being floored the first time I saw football in HD. You could see everything on the field and the names on the jerseys and so much more that gets lost or blurred in standard definition.
I guess it doesn’t take size into consideration – to some extent we are likely to place ourselves closer to a small TV. It would be nice to see some data on this as well.
I’ve played half of Uncharted 2 in a standard TV 32′ (720×576) and the second half in a HD TV 40′ (1280×720 the resolution of the game, not the TV) and it makes a HUGE HUGE difference.
However if you try to see HD content in a screen below 32′ you won’t notice any difference.
best
nzagalo,
I think you are right that screen size is important here. But I also think the content matters: HD makes more of a difference for landscapes and vistas than for running around in hallways…