High Definition and Multiplayer: The Coming Tempest in a Teapot

So one of those people who isn't Gabe or Tycho over at Penny Arcade, and who therefore don't matter at all has suggested that high definition is going to be unfair in multiplayer. It's an interesting piece, some good insights, and is probably fascinating from a development perspective. I'm sure people like Raph Koster could have veritable hours of fun going on about this. And, fine. It's an interesting discussion.

Except that it doesn't matter. What's high def going to do? Give the people who spend lots of money on gaming systems an advantage. Now, let's think this through. What do people who spend lots of money on gaming systems do? They play them. A lot. And they are thus, good at them. In fact, for the most part, the asshole who pwns you in Halo 2 right now - probably owns a PS2, a GC, a HDTV, and surround sound. Because he's fucking playing video games constantly and can beat you.

In other words, multiplayer is already unbalanced. It will always be unbalanced. It will always favor a particular group of people. And that group of people is the same group of people that high definition will favor. So the headline is... Multiplayer Remains Unbalanced.

There is no gaming news. Remember this. Nothing ever happens in video games.

Speaking of people who don't matter at PA, whatever happened to BatJew. I liked BatJew. BRING BACK BATJEW BIATCH! Wow. It's even alliterative.