Vanquish 'SDTV mode' enlarges text, icons, hopes

by Richard Mitchell on Aug 31st 2010 9:00PM

In this modern era of high definition gaming, there's a certain set of gamers whose voices beg to be heard. This group wishes desperately to be a part of the new generation of gaming but, too often, they are left behind, forced to squint at tiny text that hasn't been optimized for standard definition televisions. At times the unfortunate condition can get so bad that it renders a game practically unplayable.

This forsaken group, also known as "the majority," has something to look forward to in Vanquish, as the recently released demo reveals an optional "SDTV mode." As the name implies, SDTV mode makes text and icons larger and, blessedly, legible.

Tags: microsoft, Platinum-Games, playstation, ps3, SDTV, Sega, vanquish, xbox

Reader Comments (74)

Take that, Dead Rising!

I just don't understand why this is not standard. As the article says, the majority of people don't even have HDTVs. It's ridiculous.

@Killerlampshade

That would force the developer to take more time to test a game to make sure that there's no text, graphical HUD issue in both HD and SD views.

@Killerlampshade

Unless you're stuck in the 1990s, I don't understand how the "majority" of gamers do not have an HDTV. Even a 32" 720p set shouldn't cost more than $450.

It's also annoying how consoles have composite cables bundles in instead of somewhat decent component cables. Even if they're used to save money, I shouldn't have to suffer through crappy video quality on my nice HDTV.

/rant

(sorry)
:(

@Joseph9307 My 4 year old 360 came with a component cable.

@Killerlampshade

Btw, they'd have to spend more to test 2 standards than they already are for most developers. Be glad the games doesn't cost more than they already are.

@Ballistic H Kinda like PC games huh?

@RKN

No wonder it's not profitable to make a PC version.

@Killerlampshade An inaccurate, gross generalization Ballistic H.

@Killerlampshade Majority of people or majority of PS3/360 owners? I've never seen a statistic for the latter only the former.

@Ballistic H

Changing font and icon size isn't hard. At all. The guys mentioned in this article are doing it and they aren't charging $10 extra for it on release or anything like that.

@RKN

Ever tested a game? I used to be a tester and then a Project Lead. Any change, even minor, you need to test it. It is factored into the resources for the project. When comes the deadline, you have the producers, leads, critically calling which bugs are needed to critically fix before Code Release and etc. Going over budget lies to the producer's decision and that doesn't affect the game's price but the project team's reputation within the company. The producer can get sacked even if the game's got a nice release in the public's eyes because he didn't did a good job internally.

@Ballistic H

As a former game tester myself, I have to ask... why is it that most PC games are capable of displaying appropriate font sizes for the dozens of different selectable resolutions....

...While console games effectively only have two resolutions, and yet 99% of console games only have one font size?

@GuardianLegend
Cuz PC gaming cares about its users, unlike consoles. On a PC all the profits go to the developing companies, whereas on consoles some is giving just to the console manufacturer for permission to make the game, and then on top of that they stint their creativity.

A very good question indeed. A lot of people say games cost $60 b/c of increased development costs, yet the same game on PC costs $50, with 10 different display resolutions and every resolution displays properly. It's never too late to get yourself a nice gaming PC.

@Grubasaurus Rex
Yeah, your 4 year old Xbox did. The newer ones and the newer PS3's only come with composite. You have to buy component seperate.

@Joseph9307

It's a recession. Most people are still living paycheck to paycheck. Maybe you're fortunate enough that $450 is nothing to you, but to the majority of the (now shrinking) middle class, that can be more than a single paycheck. Which, mind you, has to go to bills, food, and essentials things, instead of an HDTV which will probably crap out on you in a few years, whereas SDTVs are cheaper and can last considerably longer.

Not to mention for $450, you could buy a PS3 or 360 and a few games. I understand that current-gen games are designed for HDTVs, but SDTVs are still...well, the standard. So developers should keep that in mind. Gamers don't really have a choice when it comes to SD-designed games, because they are all on last generation platforms. All the content, major developers and overall support are on current-gen platforms.

@Joseph9307 I know a couple of people who game in SD, since their games look so ugly, I think they deserve the ability to read.

@GuardianLegend

What does a game tester have to do with your question? Seriously, game testers are seriously at the BOTTOM rung as far as game development. I would even consider it not being in the industry as anyone can do that "job". Too many tout "Game tester" as if one has significant involvement in making games.

@thisredengine I was replying to a poster who used his game testing and game test lead background. He said that multiple font sizes in console games requires extra testing (it does), so it's usually left out. Since I was a game tester too, I could see some credibility to that answer.

But, it doesn't explain why PC games are often capable of displaying far more different font sizes than console games. Especially since PC games sell less copies and at a lower price. If anything, console games' popularity should mean there would be extra money for extra font size testing. And I don't know if I buy the theory that PC game makers care about their customers more.

PS- I agree that game testing is a terrible job and should be avoided like the plague.

"The Majority" of gamers are SD.. even amongst PS360's? shocking..

@Mazrael

I find it hard to believe, but I haven't done a survey. Hi def TVs are cheap, but SD TVs last a really long time (in many cases).

I think this is a great initiative, and I think Sony and MS should have made it mandatory for game approval. With Sony, who wants to push new TVs, of course, I understand why not, but this is still great news for gamers and costs devs very little.

@Dustin F

I think we should all strive to be more like Dustin.

He always brings substance to the comment section.

@Mazrael "Majority" being a nice way of saying "not really the majority but we just want to make it sounds more dire than it really is because we're part of that 'majority' and dont have any evidence to back it up." As you can see it's a lot shorter this way.

Seriously though I can understand the need to still do this, I just don't understand why it's such a big deal for anyone to include it. But on the other hand most of these games are 720p for a reason, and if you;re not willing to make an effort to upgrade you really have no one else to blame but yourself for not being able to take full advantage of the system's capabilities after putting down your presumably well informed cash to buy one.

@Mazrael

It may not be quite the majority in the US anymore. While just over half of US homes have an HDTV, it looks like just *under* half of homes are capable of receiving an HD signal. In other words, attaching SD sources to HDTVs (as of early this year, anyway).

http://hd.engadget.com/2010/04/29/nielsen-finds-53-of-homes-have-hdtvs-but-only-46-can-receive/

Eith er way, there's still a sizable audience with SDTVs or at least SD signals.

@RichardMitchell So it's based on TV signal reception.. hardly accurate then..
my HDTV only has 360, PS3 & Wii hooked up. Another room has HDTV with 360 & PS3 hooked up, both have no tv signal of any kind by choice, only the SDTV downstairs has Sky & analogue signals (no consoles on that one).. A mate of mine has no tv signals going to his HDTV/PS3 set-up.

Thank you so much. Me and my 32 inch JVC hope for this option in more games.

Majority? Based on who's statistics?

i'm not rich and so neither are the majority of my friends and the majority of us have HDTVs.

Yeah I find this dubious too, maybe it's just me but I didn't even think about buying a 360 or PS3 until I got a HDTV

On the flip-side it's fair to expect to be able to be able to walk into a shop, buy either console and have it work properly on a SDTV

Btw, do any of you still see SDTVs sold at retailers? I don't see any at all.

@Ballistic H

I don't' find it dubious, cause I didn't have an HDTV for the longest time. I got one last Black Friday, just a little one, but it works well and it was extremely affordable (100 bucks) and it's 720p, which for as small as the screen is is really nice. Yeah, not the greatest tv in the world, but it's the size of a standard computer monitor and works great for my 360.

But my point is, if it wasn't for that 100 dollar tv, I'd still be playing on an SDTV.

@Ballistic H Yes. Not so much at electronics focused stores but more so at places like Target.

@Ballistic H No major distributor still carries SDTVs at least not majrot companies are still making them. You can easily get a compatible monitor or HDTV for the 100-200 dollar range, you dont have to have a 60" tv just to get an HD screen. 3 years ago maybe it might have been tough to own one. Today? if you don't have one you're just not trying.

@Ballistic H

Seriously, I would like to see the stats as well. Actually, I would like to see the statistics of how many ps360 owners have HDTVs. Because you know these are the type of people keep up with the electronic jones's, in general.

I don't want to see stats where the majority of America still owns SDTVs because they are including tons of people that could care less about gaming and technology as a whole. I am mostly talking about anyone over 50 and such. The ONLY reason my grandmother has an HDTV is because we bought one for her for her birthday. Funny thing is, I think she hates it.

Anyway, it is obvious the SD people are voting hard in this thread, so I expect this to be grayed out in not time... but, you are being left in the dust. HD is the obvious future. Adapt or GTFO. Stick to your Wii's and PS2's if you can't invest in a HIGH DEFINITION GAMING SYSTEM properly.

@PN04

I have no idea why you are getting downvoted, PN04. Bunch of HD hating haters.

I am sure some people are still selling them, but you are correct in saying that it getting increasingly rare.

Look at Best Buy's website TV section. Not one offered.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/TV-Video/Televisions/abcat0101000.c?id=abcat0101000

@deathxrebirth

Just because HDTVs are going down in price doesn't mean people are going to trash their perfectly fine SDTVs.

I don't know anyone (aside from myself) who has an HDTV who doesn't have an SDTV as well. However, I do know people who have SDTVs who do not have an HDTV.

Also, I wish they'd make the font sizes bigger games being displayed in HD resolution. I have to squint to read anything on PS3 games and that's from maybe 5 feet away. Needless to say I have a relatively small HDTV. (c:

@Deozaan

I never said that anyone should trash a perfectly good sdtv? There are plenty of things you could do with it. Put it in your children's room, donate it to charity, sell it, even at a small price, towards the cost of a new one.

And of course, just because you don't know any one who doesn't have both, doesn't make it so either way. As in, I honestly can not think of anyone who still has an SDTV out of my friend/family circle. Maybe my girlfriends parents? Who cares? What does that mean? And what does it have to do with this? Are you saying that if you had an HDTV you would still do your PS3/360 HD gaming on your SDTV?

I'm not with you on the bigger font either. Get a bigger TV. Sorry to be gruff here, but why should the industry revolve around YOU, the one who chose not to buy a bigger TV. Do you want subtitle movie fonts to be bigger as well?

Great idea.

Maybe they could teach Bioware a thing or two...some of my friends who have SDTVs complain that they can't play Dragon Age on SDTVs at all--it's not just the text, but the game itself, which isn't compatible with SDTVs.

Have any of you played BFBC on an SDTV, i have and its a shitty experience... Dead Risings font is so small that you get aneurisms trying to read it

@PR0F3TA I haven't noticed anything wrong with BFBC on my SDTV. As matter of fact I've played nearly every major release in the last three years and the only two games I have had problems with were Dead Rising & Mass Effect 2 and they were all text related issues.

It also calls you a poor person. Quite rude, really.

@Sleeping Lesson

/hobo rage

I'm in love with this demo. Still can't beat the second form of the boss though...

Demo is the definition of 'I don't know what's going on but that was awesome. Wait.. Did I do that?"

I agree that this should be a standard to all games.
I finally bought Final Fantasy XIII last week and I still have a hard time reading a handful of symbols and numbers, particularly the status ailments and CP on the Crystarium Grid.
Its annoying.

......very annoying.

As did mine. I'm referring to the recent bundles.

So, if I wanted to play this in my mom's mininvan with its crappy composite ports, I could?

That would be awesome... but I just remembered that the PS3 takes up too much power to be used in there.

:(

There are a few games that adjust the UI automatically, compare Warhawk for example in SD and HD and there are clear differences.

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 50 Comments

Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.

Breaking News

The most popular posts
in the last 7 days

Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 221 comments
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 153 comments
David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 107 comments
Blizzard taking Valve to court over 'DOTA' trademark 100 comments
Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments

Vanquish

Vanquish 'SDTV mode' enlarges text, icons, hopes

Reader Comments (74)

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:04PM SEGA Scream said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:04PM Killerlampshade said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:12PM Ballistic H said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:18PM Joseph9307 said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:22PM Grubasaurus Rex said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:26PM Ballistic H said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:27PM RKN said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:29PM Ballistic H said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:32PM RKN said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:41PM DustbinK said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:42PM Diodax said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:59PM Ballistic H said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 11:17PM GuardianLegend said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 11:59PM Themoreyouknow said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 12:03AM Themoreyouknow said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 8:50AM CPRxChris said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 9:26AM Awesomaniac said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 10:36AM thisredengine said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 10:44PM GuardianLegend said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:05PM Mazrael said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:16PM Dustin F said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:21PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 10:00PM PN04 said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 10:50PM RichardMitchell said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 11:48AM Mazrael said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:06PM Tegolin said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:06PM Ballistic H said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:07PM Ballistic H said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:11PM Halwende said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:13PM Ballistic H said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:15PM MystileArmor said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:42PM DustbinK said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 10:08PM PN04 said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 12:22AM deathxrebirth said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 12:26AM deathxrebirth said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 12:30AM deathxrebirth said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 1:51AM Deozaan said

Posted: Sep 1st 2010 4:32AM deathxrebirth said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:12PM RKN said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:13PM Coriakin said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:16PM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:56PM komentra said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:16PM Sleeping Lesson said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:32PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:18PM Zacxx201 said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:20PM Cleric said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:20PM DjiegoMoz said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:45PM Joseph9307 said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:26PM Tre said

Posted: Aug 31st 2010 9:27PM MrAlex said

Vanquish Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

Double Fine Kickstarter passes $1 million in under 24 hours, breaking yet another record

Featured Stories

The Joystiq Show - 024: Kingdoms of Double Fine

Shank 2 review: Refined brutality

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier brings information warfare to the front

The most popular postsin the last 7 days

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW

The most popular posts
in the last 7 days