Comments on: Wii Channels, and other console computery. http://beastwith.in/2006/12/02/wii-channels-and-other-console-computery/ A mental brouhaha, est. 1996. Sun, 20 May 2012 09:37:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: WyldKard http://beastwith.in/2006/12/02/wii-channels-and-other-console-computery/comment-page-1/#comment-273 WyldKard Tue, 05 Dec 2006 00:37:35 +0000 http://mendax.org/?p=392#comment-273 <p>The Nintendo Wii does not have the cleanest interface of the three competing consoles on account of its lack of features. It has the cleanest interface because Nintendo caters to the lowest common denominator. That has always been Nintendo's strength, and is a necessity for the electronics world, as one can see by looking at TiVo versus other DVRs, Apple versus PC, etc.</p> <p>DVD playing aside (including whatever hi-def standard one wishes to invest in), the XBox 360 doesn't have a software foundation far beyond the Wii. Nintendo has all the necessary hardware for custom game soundtracks via SD cards, already has working messaging across co-registered units, and though limited per any new product launch, also has downloadable content, with categories for games and <i>workware</i>. Whether Nintendo decides to fully utilize the non-gaming category, the mere existence of the category would indicate a desire to utilize it beyond making just a web browser available.</p> <p>Catering to the lowest-common denominator is precisely what Wii Channels are designed to do: they remove the need to for a user to surf to different web sites. These Channels are quick and dirty sources of information, and offer tons of possibilities for expansion. This simplicity is what will make grandma love the Wii, rather than just satiate the average gamer.</p> <p>Maxator's response alludes to Nintendo's streamlined interface being a result of content sacrifice, but this is false; Nintendo's interface retains its simplicity even under two-dozen populated Channels and hundreds of downloadable games. While I agree that Nintendo should have launched the Wii with active Channels other than the Mii Channel, the simplicity of the Wii's user interface is not as off-putting as the interfaces offered by its competitors.</p> The Nintendo Wii does not have the cleanest interface of the three competing consoles on account of its lack of features. It has the cleanest interface because Nintendo caters to the lowest common denominator. That has always been Nintendo’s strength, and is a necessity for the electronics world, as one can see by looking at TiVo versus other DVRs, Apple versus PC, etc.

DVD playing aside (including whatever hi-def standard one wishes to invest in), the XBox 360 doesn’t have a software foundation far beyond the Wii. Nintendo has all the necessary hardware for custom game soundtracks via SD cards, already has working messaging across co-registered units, and though limited per any new product launch, also has downloadable content, with categories for games and workware. Whether Nintendo decides to fully utilize the non-gaming category, the mere existence of the category would indicate a desire to utilize it beyond making just a web browser available.

Catering to the lowest-common denominator is precisely what Wii Channels are designed to do: they remove the need to for a user to surf to different web sites. These Channels are quick and dirty sources of information, and offer tons of possibilities for expansion. This simplicity is what will make grandma love the Wii, rather than just satiate the average gamer.

Maxator’s response alludes to Nintendo’s streamlined interface being a result of content sacrifice, but this is false; Nintendo’s interface retains its simplicity even under two-dozen populated Channels and hundreds of downloadable games. While I agree that Nintendo should have launched the Wii with active Channels other than the Mii Channel, the simplicity of the Wii’s user interface is not as off-putting as the interfaces offered by its competitors.

]]> By: Maxator http://beastwith.in/2006/12/02/wii-channels-and-other-console-computery/comment-page-1/#comment-272 Maxator Mon, 04 Dec 2006 22:01:11 +0000 http://mendax.org/?p=392#comment-272 <p>I do believe WyldKard is becoming quite the Nintendo fanboy. ;) Seriously though, I do agree that Nintendo seems to be the only one that says hey, why not use our system to surf the web. And I would far rather do that then show slide shows off my Memory Stick (Sony you bunch of clowns.) I personally could care less about the Wii channels that seem to be a novelty and current a non-existent one (no channels are really working).</p> <p>My only major disagreement with WyldKard is his issue with the 360 dashboard "clutter." As a 360 owner I think Microsoft did an atypical for them great job designing the dashboard. It is easy to use and find the things I am looking for. Sony is an absolute buggy mess. I would agree that Nintendo's is the cleanest of the three, but perhaps that is because it effectively does nothing right now. The 360 plays games, DVDs, HD-DVDs, has downloadable content, messaging, supports custom game soundtracks, game achievements, and the Xbox Arcade. Nintendo has the Mii's and a very limited selection of downloadables. Believe me I am all for devices with UIs as accessible as TivO and Ipod, but never at a sacrifice of content. And no Nintendo, the future Nintendo News Channel is not what I had in mind. I get my news from the Daily Show and at mendax.org of course.</p> I do believe WyldKard is becoming quite the Nintendo fanboy. ;) Seriously though, I do agree that Nintendo seems to be the only one that says hey, why not use our system to surf the web. And I would far rather do that then show slide shows off my Memory Stick (Sony you bunch of clowns.) I personally could care less about the Wii channels that seem to be a novelty and current a non-existent one (no channels are really working).

My only major disagreement with WyldKard is his issue with the 360 dashboard “clutter.” As a 360 owner I think Microsoft did an atypical for them great job designing the dashboard. It is easy to use and find the things I am looking for. Sony is an absolute buggy mess. I would agree that Nintendo’s is the cleanest of the three, but perhaps that is because it effectively does nothing right now. The 360 plays games, DVDs, HD-DVDs, has downloadable content, messaging, supports custom game soundtracks, game achievements, and the Xbox Arcade. Nintendo has the Mii’s and a very limited selection of downloadables. Believe me I am all for devices with UIs as accessible as TivO and Ipod, but never at a sacrifice of content. And no Nintendo, the future Nintendo News Channel is not what I had in mind. I get my news from the Daily Show and at mendax.org of course.

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