Talk:Playdate (console)

Criticism

A Criticism section was added from an unknown user. "Panic came under criticism for bullying a long-running indie game event already called Playdate over use of the name." This citation link appears to be for a personal website and the statement itself includes bias. Using the term "bullying" doesn't present this in a way that's helpful to Wikipedia readers, I think. Panic has responded to the claims made in this post, but this story has not been picked up by media yet to present it in an unbiased way. And I suggest that if this criticism is added back to the page, we wait for that to happen first. Louiemantia(talk) 14:10, 28 May 2019 (UTC)

Agreed that criticism in and of itself is acceptable, as long as it is presented in a neutral way and with Reliable Sources to back it up. In this instance, a personal blog isn't enough. It would need to be widely reported across verifiable sources, much like the Playdate itself has been. @Etherjammer: perhaps you can provide additional sources after this criticism has run its course and there is a clearer picture of it all? —Flicky1984 (talk) 15:30, 28 May 2019 (UTC)

References

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3rd Party Titles

Is it worth it to add announced 3rd party titles at this point?

Since Playdate is an open platform, there is a potential for a large amount of indie games. I’d liken this to the App Store. Not every app has a Wikipedia page, and not every app is listed on the App Store Wikipedia page. First party and Season 1 games feel notable, though other third party games could be added in the future if they are considered notable. I think the answer to the question will become a little more clear the closer we get to (and past) the release of the console. For now, I think it’s best to hold off on adding indie games for the same reason aforementioned about smartphone apps. Louie Mantia (talk) 01:29, 1 August 2021 (UTC)

Following up on this previous post. I don’t know if games need a separate article page, but there maybe should be some discussion and eventually a consensus about what to do regarding adding more game titles to the list. Do new games get added to this page? Until when? How many until this list becomes unhelpful to readers? Do games have to be particularly notable? Adding every 3rd party game, at some point, will become difficult to maintain. Louie Mantia (talk) 20:10, 5 May 2022 (UTC)

Question

Hi This is a simple question Of what generation is this console? DavidChac (talk) 17:34, 3 June 2019 (UTC)

I wouldn't call it within a specific generation yet. it seems more like a novelty than a mass market item that's trying to compete in the console race/war.Blue Pumpkin Pie (talk) 20:56, 4 June 2019 (UTC)

Given that the Eighth Generation is the current generation, since 2012 to date, then that’s what this should be. Maybe by the time this thing is released the 9th generation will have begun, then it would be that, but it’s too early to say to say obviously. —Flicky1984 (talk) 17:33, 7 June 2019 (UTC)

Purpose of crank?

Surprised that the purpose of the crank, by far the most notable thing about this console, is not mentioned at all in the body of the article. Bulbubly (talk) 01:12, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

You’re right, the purpose of the crank is not mentioned, but neither is the purpose of the D-pad and A/B buttons, which are mentioned in the same sentence. Given the context of that sentence, do you think it isn’t clear that it is an input method, just like the buttons? Louie Mantia (talk) 01:17, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Considering that consoles have had D-pads and A/B buttons for 30 years, and most electronics with a crank use them to charge an internal battery, it's not clear at all. I'll edit it in. Spaig (talk) 16:10, 16 March 2021 (UTC)

Should this be listed as a ninth-generation console?

As per title. Obviously the Playdate fills a different niche than the Xbox Series X and PS5, but time wise, wouldn't it be in the same generation? Cortador (talk) 08:36, 27 September 2022 (UTC)

I agree. There are elements to the console that were not possible prior generations. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:988:180:1010:7802:DBBB:143:AD7E (talk) 22:39, 15 March 2024 (UTC)

Novelty

An IP user updated the text to include the word “novelty” in the intro, which I reverted, and then it was added back, so I figure it warrants a discussion.

I understand the argument that it doesn’t necessarily express a negative or positive point-of-view, however, I think also colloquially people do use the word “novelty” to downplay something. As in, “this gadget is more novelty than actually useful.”

I only removed it because I think in practice... most game consoles are novel. Novelty is new or original, and while many consoles repeat things of the past (and Playdate is not an outlier there, it shares a lot in common with consoles of the past), I’m not sure if it’s a meaningful word to have up top. If other editors agree, I think it may be more suitable elsewhere in the article, but perhaps not just in the intro. Louie Mantia (talk) 06:26, 28 May 2024 (UTC)

I second this. One mention of it being a "novelty" doesn't merit inclusion regardless, but should there be more descriptions of Playdate as such, per WP:LEADFOLLOWSBODY, any information in the lead should be mentioned in the article body. soetermans. ^{↑↑↓↓←→←→ B A TALK} 08:37, 28 May 2024 (UTC)

Here is a selection of reviews noting that the Playdate (a 1-bit console with no backlight and a crank that is not necessary for all games) is a novelty toy: https://www.pentopixels.com/article/playdate-review; https://www.npr.org/2022/04/18/1093100893/playdate-review; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpKytBlbhVM; https://www.techradar.com/news/playdates-success-proves-theres-a-strong-appetite-for-novelty-handhelds. Other reviews note that the Playdate is "quirky" or "weird". "Novelty" is an accurate, npov descriptor that provides immediate context for those seeking information in a reference work.

Saying the console has “no backlight” and a crank that is “not necessary” as justification for why the word “novelty” should be in the intro sounds like an attempt to use Wikipedia to voice personal opinions on how about this device is not “normal.” Saying that it’s a “novelty toy” seems something of an opinion rather than fact. Is it a toy any more than any other game console? Of course it is true that there is no backlight and of course the crank is not necessary for all games. But don’t games on other consoles similarly not make use of every feature provided? Don’t other systems have hardware features that are—at the moment they were released—unconventional in an effort to differentiate themselves? The Wii had a balance board. The XBOX had a body-tracking sensor. The PS4 introduced a touch pad. The Switch has detachable Joy-con. Are these all novel? Sure. If everything in this space has some amount of novelty, what use is it to point this out on this article in particular, then? Words like “unique” or “unconventional” are more neutral, but “quirky,” “weird,” and even “novelty” can come across as slightly negative. In any case, a qualifier is unnecessary in the lede. Louie Mantia (talk) 09:27, 29 May 2024 (UTC)