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PoV: Lack of DVD and Blu-ray playback on Wii U is a missed opportunity |
Listed in: Wii Tags: Nintendo
So recently Nintendo revealed that the Wii U won't offer DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilities. Instead, the company is choosing to stick with the 12cm proprietary disc and the 12cm discs for the Wii. In these days of gadgets that do pretty much everything, is this the right decision?
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata explains that the decision came about since Nintendo feels that "enough people already have devices that are capable of playing DVDs and Blu-ray, such that it didn't warrant the cost involved to build that functionality into the Wii U console because of the patents related to those technologies."
I get how Nintendo doesn't want to clutter up the Wii U console with DVD or Blu-ray playback if that makes production costs skyrocket, but it still kinda feels like a missed opportunity especially considering Nintendo's continued effort to bring gaming to a more varied audience. More and more new gadgets are offering multiple functionalities. It's one of the PS3's main selling points. Even Microsoft, who in times past just scoffed at the Sony console's multiple functionalities, is starting to broaden the Xbox 360's horizons by positioning it as more than just a gaming console.
On the plus side, every dollar Nintendo saves on the Wii U's production costs will eventually end up as a boon to the end consumer since it can help keep the console's final price point low. The cheap price helped put the Wii in a lot of living rooms so Nintendo's sometimes unconventional methods may prove to be a hit once more. It happened with the Wii. There's no real reason to say lightning won't strike twice.
One thing to look forward to though: hackers got the Wii to play DVDs. Perhaps they can do the same to the Wii U. What do you think? Sound off in the comments section or on the QJ.NET forums.
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Comments
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I think they said they'd use 25GB discs, which Blu-ray also uses, and HD-DVD too.
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WiiU: Why have a bluray player, when you have a WiiU that can play both games, dvs, and blurays... oh wait you can't, now you need both systems cluttering up your tv area.
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There are countless NEGATIVES with "all in one" units.
A Wii U that also plays BD would be sub par compared to other BD players. But then again it would be better then a couple POSs on the market as well.
So you enjoy buying a BD player for X amount only to turn around and buy a MORE EXPENSIVE Wii U that also has a BD player in it? So you enjoy buying things twice?
I think you underestimate the increase in cost that a BD player (integrated) would cause.
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I see all too often these kind of "NEWS" on this site. And it bores me.
However, its nice trying to create discussions but maybe you should place them somewhere else.
And yeah the Wii U doesnt have official support for DVD and BR playback.
this will probably become one reason for people to try and make unofficial support
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Whoever hacked Wii, did a great job because it made it capable of reading much more stuff than originally, plus it's usable as a DVD Player.
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So the tech is there, just not switched on. Silly much? Just pay the licence/patent fees for the tech and pass it on to the consumer. Make 2 versions. One that is gaming only, another for gaming/multimedia and see which people prefer to buy!
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Why make the Wii U more expensive so it can do what you already have? That would be ridiculous. Keep the cost down.
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That's a bogus argument.
1. I'm assuming you meant areN'T.
2. Based on your logic Nintendo can just pile on more and more features to the point where they can sell the Wii U at the said price point and they can simply just walk away with $1 per unit. Or maybe nothing at all?
That's false. While Nintendo "may" know what price point thy want to sell the Wii U, they also know exactly what they want to walk away with. Adding features would be a cost the CONSUMER would take on, not Nintendo.
Adding BD licensing to the Wii U would make a more expensive console for the consumer. Just like with the Wii, Nintendo is keeping costs down.
"They're fattening their bottom line by keeping the feature list tiny."
Yeah! How dare the man do that! Who do they think they are, a God damn business? How DARE THEY make money off me!!!!
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No I meant they ARE keeping the feature list tiny to keep the price point down.
2. Based on your logic Nintendo can just pile on more and more features to the point where they can sell the Wii U at the said price point and they can simply just walk away with $1 per unit. Or maybe nothing at all?
Other companies have done that exact thing. Sony was losing money on each PS3 sold. Obviously Nintendo is not going that route. They refuse to lose money on each item because to them it just doesn't make sense/cents. Nintendo KNOWS what price point they want to sell their product at because they know the price their customers are willing to pay.
I find myself really not wanting to continue even typing this because I'm wasting my time on this.
"They're fattening their bottom line by keeping the feature list tiny."
Yeah! How dare the man do that! Who do they think they are, a God damn business? How DARE THEY make money off me!!!!
Did I say there was anything wrong with wanting to make money? I'm just saying Nintendo isn't doing a good job at hiding it.
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You ever hear of a P&L?
They aren't fattening anything. They are doing exactly what they've always done and have always done well. Provided a piece of entertainment at a competitive cost.
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Certainly better then any bullshit coming out of you.
It says "POV" right in the title.
Dont fucking click on in and then you can shut the fuck up.
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I'm pretty sure that it probably has something to do with Anti-Piracy.
I mean how much does it really cost to throw a little DVD reading soft in there?
A fraction of a cent?
Although I can see maybe added costs for replacing worn lasers under warranty from people watching DVD's on it.
So it might be that too.
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