Quote:
Why? A DVD player does not take anything from the gaming machine.
Well, it could easily take away from the gaming machine if

1) it made the interface more difficult to work with (which can happen when adding additional functionality not related to the core product)

2) it increased the price

3) The DVD software was subpar compared to the rest of the system. This might seem like it wouldn't take away from the gaming portion, but it would. It would be a negative strike in otherwise glowing reviews, giving people a complaining point, and call into question the quality of the product overall. Sure NOT having a DVD player provides a sticking point, but most people (and reviewers) don't seem to upset about it and quickly point to the pricetag as soon as it is mentioned.

4) if the software for the core system lessend in quality due to development efforts spread out to ensure that #3 didn't happen.

Obviously Nintendo felt like some non-game functionality was OK, as they have the picture browsing stuff, weather, etc., but the point is that sometimes adding "low hanging fruit" can decrease the overall quailty of a product even when it seems like it shouldn't. Adding functionaly ALWAYS adds complexity, so the risk has to be compared against the gain. I'm not saying Nintendo was correct in their choice, but I understand their concern.
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-Jeff
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.