Is HDTV the future of gaming?

[Mirage]

For me, graphics will always be a secondary concern.
I think the best reason for a game to have good graphics should be to give a great first impression, so that new gamers buy a game and then later find out how awesome everything else in the game is. Unfortunately, nowadays very many games only focus on eyecandy, with very little substance. Sadly, this strategy works as long as the graphics hype is constantly fed with new flashy stuff.

I wouldn't turn down the offer if I got a HDTV at the same size and price as a SDTV, but I would never go out of the way to get my hands on one. For me, DVD quality is sufficient for many years to come. When HDTVs are as cheap as SDTVs are today, then I'll buy one.

[Dreddz]

At the moment, not really, no matter what companies are telling you, its not. In the future, yes it will, but longer than what people will imagine. I can see lots of people sticking with their standard TV's for along time to come.

[Araciel]

you know thats the attitude i have, but at the same time, as i mentioned before, the games being designed for HDTVs means that we will suffer with minor annoyances. the difference IS staggering, but not enough to make me want to buy a new tv. graphics have always held a low place of importance for me. it's all about the gameplay!

[JKTrix]

I picked up an HDTV shortly after Halo 2 came out, and it was grand. I was all set for HD when the 360 came out, so when I popped in some games you could really see the difference. That Fight Night demo made my eyes pop.

HDTVs are still fairly new, and as someone mentioned before not yet mainstream. If you don't intend on getting a PS360 anytime soon, you can definitely do with your SDTV. Even if you do get the powerful Next Gen systems, you can still play most of the games, but the jump to HD is definitely noticeable in games that do it right.

[Reine]

Ive only recently seen what games and movies are like on an HDTV, thanks to the LCD attachable screen for my PS2, and it annoys me that actual TVs are still usually around $5000 NZ for a somewhat decent one. Yesterday, I saw the PS3's graphics at this expo thing, and despite not being at its full potential (for demo purposes or something) I couldnt believe how high the detail was.

It also annoys me that its almost pointless in me getting an XBox 360, as Ive seen what its like on a normal TV, it looked like PS2/XBox graphics, just a bit clearer.

I really dont have access to such large amounts of money to upgrade to an HDTV, and I wont be able to get one any time soon (In fact, it will be many years before I am able to get one..)

[Slothy]

I don't have one, but I could see myself getting one within the next three years or so (after I've graduated University and am working full time). Regardless of what people think about them, they will become standard in a few years. Standard as in, all major networks will be switching over to HD broadcasts, and HDTV's will be less expensive, and quite possibly, the only thing major manufacturers will offer. Technology is always coming down in price, and coming down fast. I could see a decent HDTV being pretty affordable within two years if that.

[Shoeberto]

If anyone has ever played PC games, it's kind of the difference between playing in 1024x768 to... 320x240. People say it's rubbish because they don't understand the technology behind it - it's not going to be a passing fad; it is going to be mainstream in just a few years as prices go down.

So yes, it is the future of gaming.

[Rocket Edge]

See what happened with colour TV? So yes.

[Mirage]

The shift from black/white television to colour television was much bigger than what from SDTV to HDTV is, atleast 720p, which is what a lot of TV channels will broadcast at.

[Rocket Edge]

The shift from black/white television to colour television was much bigger than what from SDTV to HDTV is, atleast 720p, which is what a lot of TV channels will broadcast at.

I think the question is irrelivant anyway. Sooner or later all TV's will switch to HD, and thats my point.

[XxSephirothxX]

I love playing games on my LCD HDTV for a couple reasons. One, widescreen is simply fantastic and makes games like Call of Duty 2 for the 360 all the more immersive. I think that's really where HDTVs come in and are an important part of gaming--these next-gen games are often about better graphics (with the exception of the Wii, or course) and better graphics are all about getting you more into the game. Of course, my TV can only do 1080i, and I'd love to see a 1080p tv that's really pushing the limit in action, but I probably won't buy one until SED TVs have been released and don't cost an arm and a leg.

So, basically, in a few years, as HD prices continue to go down, the majority of the country will switch over and HDTVs will be very mainstream, and therefore most, if not all, games will be geared towards the HD sets. While you don't need an HDTV to enjoy next-gen games, anyone who's seen a graphically impressive game running on an HD set probably won't want to go back.

[Mirage]

The shift from black/white television to colour television was much bigger than what from SDTV to HDTV is, atleast 720p, which is what a lot of TV channels will broadcast at.

I think the question is irrelivant anyway. Sooner or later all TV's will switch to HD, and thats my point.

Sure they will, but it's not as dramatic a change as colour TV was.

[Rocket Edge]

Sure they will, but it's not as dramatic a change as colour TV was.

True, but i was making it as an example.

[Sephex]

Like most technology, I'll get one when it becomes common and cheap.

[Yamaneko]

People that say there's no difference between SDTV and HDTV have obviously never played or watched a movie in 720p, let alone 1080p. PC games have been doing hi-def for years now. High resolution textures take a lot of power to render.