Kurt

Bill, you are spot on.

I actually do AI research. Computing power is not the problem. The problem is a lack of good AI algorithms for games. AI in games is 20 years behind the state of the art. With the exception of NERO (a game built by AI researchers), most game AI is a case-based "expert" system and some flocking behavior to make things look more realistic. How many games out there use machine learning to adapt to the player? How many use reinforcement learning? Neural networks? Genetic algorithms? Evolutionary methods? Basically none. Game companies hire artists, graphics programmers, game engine programmers, but not AI guys. Why? Because they are so behind the times. If game companies would invest some cash in AI research aimed towards games (the closest thing going on right now is DARPA investing money in combat simulator AI), they might wind up getting some good AI. But seeing as no one can get any grant money or make any $$$ researching AI for games, games is stuck in the AI ghetto.

As someone who is actually an AI researcher, I've gotta ask you guys to please stop with the comments about the Wii's AI vs. the PS3's AI vs. the 360's AI.

AI is not a hardware thing, it is a software thing. If I program my AI algorithms intelligently, it doesn't really matter what it's running on. A smart algorithm on a 386 will whip an only slightly less smart algorithm on a new processor. Modern games are not even close to pushing the processor when it comes to AI - most game AI is very, very rudimentary. Yes, physics can be tough, graphics can be tough, but any sort of elegant AI algorithm is not going to push the processor. If you are running up against the processor limits, you need to use a smarter algorithm.

Man georgedakota, you sure are bitter!

You can hate away and wonder why someone like me would support "this shit". I'll be having fun. I really don't care that much about graphics, and that's just my personal preferences. But I, for one, am glad that Nintendo is making this console, and I'll be there on day 1 to get it. W00t!

Some people just don't get it.

@Erik Novak:

Yeah, God forbid Nintendo give the people what they want. People have been clamoring for black DS Lites since they were announced. Nice try trying to hide your inner Sony fanboy.

eric_with_a_k, you are so right! The thing that's hard to believe is how badly the GameCube did with its free Nintendo WiFi Connection, its Virtual Console that lets you play generations of video game classics, its 512 MB of flash memory, and its DVD player! Connect24 was surely the worst feature of the GameCube - I could never even figure out how to activate it! Come to think of it, I never figured out how to activate any of those other features either!

DS gives me experiences I can't get anywhere else. Wii will do the same thing. That's the key.

They should have included "Ferrari" on the list. I bet lots of people are interested in a Ferrari! That means Ferrari sales will edge out both consoles!

Hello! Wake up! Just because something is "desirous" does not mean that someone will buy or can afford it!

Brain Age is the US version of Brain Training. Anyone want to guess if there are any sequels to Brain Training?

(Hint: the answer is yes)

Man. I had sworn off the 360. This makes me want one. I won't get one until the price comes down, though. I refuse to pay more than $250 for a console.

15: Or Phoenix Wright, Bust-a-Move DS, Age of Empires DS,...