Feature: 'Analyze This: Are Gamers Saying 'I Want My HDTV!'?'

In today's Gamasutra feature, we quiz top analysts from Wedbush Morgan, ABI Research and Creative Strategies on the state of the high-def era, asking what affect HDTV will have on next-generation console gaming, and whether gamers even really care. The question posed for the analysts was: "Are Microsoft and Sony emphasizing HDTV too much, not enough, or just enough? Has Nintendo made a mistake by not providing HDTV resolution for the Wii? Microsoft intends to sell an HD-DVD add-on player for the Xbox 360. But the device won't be used for game content, just for playing movies. Standalone HD-DVD players will likely come down in price. So, practically speaking, what's the point for Microsoft? Capcom got criticism for not taking standard definition television sets into consideration when they developed Dead Rising -- vital on-screen text became illegible on non-HDTV sets. In another instance, some environments in Peter Jackson's King Kong appeared too dark when viewed in standard definition. Are game developers prematurely jumping into HDTV, and if so why? Which do you think may be the most important factor in persuading consumers (not necessarily hard-core gamers) to upgrade to an HDTV set: movies in one of the high-definition disc formats (HD-DVD or Blu-ray) or video games that take advantage of high-definition resolution?" You can now read the full Gamasutra feature on the topic, including the analysts' take on Microsoft's, Sony's and Nintendo's respective positions on HDTV (no registration required, please feel free to link to this feature from external websites).