The difference between handhelds and real systems is immersion. Handhelds simply can't compare in that respect: and that is all that matters, when discussing art, and therefore videogames. recoil focused on complexity, but complexity is merely a means of immersion, so it's better to talk about the latter, since it includes the former.
So, why do real gamers hate handhelds? Because they are inferior in terms of immersion (i.e. they are
artistically inferior).
As for "pseudo-gamers", it's not so much that they don't like immersion: it's just that, being lower lifeforms, they can't appreciate higher levels of immersion any more than a dog can. Dogs watch TV too, for example, but only for a few moments, since they can't parse what's going on. The lower lifeforms simply lack the brain circuitry to parse higher forms of artistic immersion, and are therefore satisfied with the lower ones, whether that is handhelds as opposed to real systems, or 2D games as opposed to 3D ones, or meaningless puzzle games for example as opposed to elaborate interactive movies like Ubisoft et al. make.
The funny thing is that Recap argues
in precisely those terms in his essay, even if he doesn't use the word immersion:
Recap wrote:Since it would be absolutely foolish not to admit that the experience is directly proportional to the size of the screen that serves as interface and to the power of the speakers that transmit the sound (within some limits, logically). Experience and perception are two closely related terms, you know.
Indeed, the intersection of experience and perception is precisely immersion!
And yet, when it is explained to him that if 20-inch screens are superior to 4-inch ones, then FOV-COVERING VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETS are obviously superior to 20-inch screens, he bans you lol!
So my results can be arrived at by merely extending to their logical conclusions Recap's own arguments, and yet when this is pointed out to him he goes bananas! Which is the exact same behavior we see in all inferior types of lifeforms, like for example the liberals. The very same principles they use to promote the domination of subhumans over the other animals ("subhuman rights", "subhuman dignity" and so on), I use to promote the domination of humans and superhumans over the subhumans, and though we are using the exact same arguments, my results drive them insane!
In short, the immersion curve doesn't lie any more than the power curve does. All that preferring lower immersion does, is tell everyone else, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you are subhuman.
