Current Level of Technology isn’t Needed, According to the Father of Videogames

Cell processors, multi-GPU gigaflopahertz and all of the other high-end tech that you can find in new game consoles isn’t necessary, in Ralph Baer’s opinion. In case you don’t know, Baer is essentially the father of videogames; he created the first home videogame console and light gun game, among many other things.

Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Baer said, “The short answer is no. I mean, we played perfectly fine games with – by today’s standards – extremely primitive hardware like the Atari VCS.”

“There’s got to be a reason for playing the damn thing, but obviously the reason for playing most of those interactive, gory games is that they look a lot better when they are in high resolution.”

According to Baer, the technology simply isn’t necessary for the gameplay, and as time goes on things become more and more complicated and expensive. This lessens the size of the potential market and makes developing games smaller on the smaller indie companies. So, as you might guess, he’s a fan of the Wii.

“Who the hell – who didn’t grow up with that stuff – over 45 or 50 can handle pushing 50 different buttons on a hand control? The answer is no one, right? Or very few, so there is a whole pile of people left out of the equation.”

He’s no fan of violence in videogames, either, but recognizes that he might as well be howling at the moon. “Violence sells. There’s no question about it,” he stated. “And why does it sell? Because in the last 30 to 40 years, in my opinion, we have managed to debase our culture unbelievably.”

I don’t disagree with Baer’s core argument; I don’t think we need ultra realistic 1080p graphics and complex control methods to have a good game. But at the same time, I think he’s not acknowledging the market for casual games that require nothing more than a mouse and an internet connection to play.