HDMI or Rumble ... which would you rather not have?

I think it's time to bring this subject up again.

All these endless arguments about 1080p and HDMI which don't affect the
large majority of gamers while lack of rumble on the PS3 potentially
affects every gamer. I am continuing to wonder how many PS3 buyers
will be in for a shock (no pun intended) to find their beloved rumble
is gone when they first use their new $600 toy. I bet many average
gamers out there don't even know it will be missing. I can live
without an HDMI port, it doesn't affect gameplay, but lack of rumble
affects gameplay like racing games (feeling the bump of a car from
behind you or skidding) and FPS games (let's you know you're taking
damage from behind) and many other types of games. Sure, many gamers
don't like it and turn it off but many more have grown used to it and
depend on it as part of their gaming experience.

Tom wrote:
> All these endless arguments about 1080p and HDMI which don't affect the
> large majority of gamers while lack of rumble on the PS3 potentially
> affects every gamer. I am continuing to wonder how many PS3 buyers
> will be in for a shock (no pun intended) to find their beloved rumble
> is gone when they first use their new $600 toy. I bet many average
> gamers out there don't even know it will be missing.

You're probably right. I ran into a teenage kid in the local game store
and he honest to God said "Yeah, I'd like an Xbox 360, but they're too
expensive. I'm going to wait for the PS3 instead!"

At which point I laughed and said "Do you know how much the PS3 is
going to be? You might want to ask the clerk before you get all
excited..."

So he did... and freaked. He didn't even know how much the PS3 was
going to be.

And you're right, in cases like this HDMI is not going to be an issue.
I'll bet he doesn't even have an HDTV at home. I do, but my set only
goes to 1080i so it won't really impact me either.

But the thing is that Sony has been saying, over and over again, it's
not "real" HD unless it's 1080p and to release a system that's not
capable of that undercuts their position. HD gaming doesn't depend on
rumble.

- Jordan