The Next Generation Console Thread

[Citizen V]

Which one do you think will be the best console? The Wii (Nintendo),
X-Box 360 (Microsoft), or Playstation3 (sony). Which will dominate?

Give reasons for which console could dominate the rest,as well talk about the gaming genre on the verge of the "Next Generation" gaming power.

[Sanagi]

X-Box 360 has already failed to impress me, and the PS3's price tag makes it a non-issue.

Fortunately, Nintendo's goofily-named new system is the only one that's really interesting, anyway. If Retro can actually deliver Metroid Prime 3 as a launch title, they'll have me there in the store on day one.

[BlairH]

We can't really give honest opinions as to which console is "the best". 2 of the 3 consoles in question aren't even out untill the end of the year, so, for the time being I'll just enjoy my 360. I have a PS3 preorder, and I'll pick up a wii as well since it's quite cheap.

Personally, I believe PC gaming will recieve a massive qualitative boost early next year with the release of Vista and DirectX 10. The DX10 API and new DX10 compatible hardware will put the PC graphically one step ahead of the "next generation consoles" (which provide features roughly equivelant to the DX9 spec)

That's just me, I'm sure there'll be lots of people out there who are "loyal" to one or more particular brand(s), and will root for their chosen console.

[saintjon]

Wii is making all the right moves, the people behind it seem to see the gaming industry exactly the same way I do, and honestly I haven't heard anything about 360 or PS3 that gets me the least bit excited.

[Jmacq1]

360 may not have fazed the hardcore gamer market too much yet, but by the end of the year, it'll be in the best position to come out in the lead of the Console wars, thanks to both a year long head start, and the fact that their biggest competitor (PS3) needs to convince people that they're getting a huge bargain on a Blu-Ray DVD player rather than getting ripped off on a console game system.

If Sony can't "sell" the Blu-Ray aspect of the PS3, they're going to have a large deficit to make up. I know a lot of folks that skipped the 360 in wait for the PS3 (myself included), but when the price tag was unveiled, 360 was suddenly a very attractive alternative.

Wii may be a player, but Nintendo's lost a lot of its' console 'market'. Plus the Wii is the weakest of the 3 systems graphically and pure power-wise. It barely qualifies as a "next gen" system (More like a "half-gen" up from current systems). Still, the low price point and retro-gaming appeal may give it an edge, if people can get used to the funky controls.

My guess is by the end of the year, 360 will be ahead of the power curve, with Wii closing the distance. PS3 will be a distant 3rd/borderline failure unless they manage to really sell the Blu-Ray side of things.

[Citizen V]

The 360 is moving very carefully in Japan,due to the failure of the original X-Box not really catching on.From what i hear so far,that system has the most gaming power.

But the Wii is rumored to have the ability to play every Mario,Metriod and Zelda game ever made.But im not sure if this is true.

The PS3 has nothing to fear,im prediciting that this is the system that dominates early.

[Xero Kaiser]

PS3 will be a distant 3rd/borderline failure unless they manage to really sell the Blu-Ray side of things.

ehhh....no. There's no reason to believe that the PS3 will magically sell like crap. Remember the PS2 launch? People will pay for something if they want it. Considering that most places only sold them in bundles, technically, the 360 cost more than 500-600 and that sold out quick. Worst case scenario, the price will make the PS3 have a somewhat slow start but it'll sell. If for no other reason than the fact that Sony has Japan by the balls

[Gezora]

X-Box 360 has already failed to impress me, and the PS3's price tag makes it a non-issue.

Fortunately, Nintendo's goofily-named new system is the only one that's really interesting, anyway. If Retro can actually deliver Metroid Prime 3 as a launch title, they'll have me there in the store on day one.
Let's call it a 'WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!'

'Cause it's fun!

[saintjon]

Wii may be a player, but Nintendo's lost a lot of its' console 'market'. Plus the Wii is the weakest of the 3 systems graphically and pure power-wise. It barely qualifies as a "next gen" system (More like a "half-gen" up from current systems). Still, the low price point and retro-gaming appeal may give it an edge, if people can get used to the funky controls.

I was pretty happy with the graphics and pure power we already had personally...

[J Dog]

While Microsoft and Sony are focusing on making better and much cooler systems, Nintendo is focusing on the main reason people buy video game consoles: To play video games!

I mean, in an economy where people can't afford gasoline and rising costs to pay the bills, you have to admit that the Wii is a decent system. I mean, the style of having you play as the character may look corny as you play, but in some parts, it's really a good idea. I've seen people who get annoyed at the controller and wish that they'd control the play themselves. Plus that nunchaku really hits the spot.

And don't get me started on bringing in old games to the consule.

EGM had an article on the Wii (called the Revolution at the time of the article) mentioning the positives and negatives. In actuallity, the positives OUTWEIGHED the negatives big-time!

The PS3 probably is going to flop. It probably won't happen, but who would shell over $599 for something they never heard of (what the heck is a "blu-ray"?).

[Xero Kaiser]

While Microsoft and Sony are focusing on making better and much cooler systems, Nintendo is focusing on the main reason people buy video game consoles: To play video games!

What, is there a sudden lack of titles on Sony and MS consoles? I really don't get people who say things like this. Like having extras somehow means that Sony and MS are any less focused on games

And don't get me started on bringing in old games to the consule.

If money's that much of an issue, people can emulate it for free

The PS3 probably is going to flop. It probably won't happen, but who would shell over $599 for something they never heard of (what the heck is a "blu-ray"?).

People won't be getting it for the blu-ray, they'll be getting it because it's a playstation. Which people have heard of.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

How I'm rating each system.

NOTE: I somewhat consider myself a "hardcore" gamer.

1) X-Box 360: I have one already, and it's great. Also, the releases of Halo 3, 99 Nights, and Gears of War will mark the end of my social life. But seriously, it's the first console out, there are some great games for it, and I'm keeping it.

The console's future: It will maintain a fanbase in the U.S and Europe, and remain the best and/or second best console in my eyes. When the PC games let me down, 360 is my life-support. It still won't do much in Japan though.

2) PS3: It's Playstation. I don't care what price it has, or the power it has. Sony Playstation = Alot of great games, no matter what. I reserved two PS3s: One for me, one for ebay ($1000 dollars if not more, here I come!)

Future: Don't know. It may flop for it's price, or it will become the best console for it's great games and raw power. Flip a coin.

3) Wii: Yeah, yeah, we've heard it all before. It's innovative, it's revolutionizing the gaming world. I'm still not buying it. The only games that interest me are Smash Bros. and Metroid Prime 3, and that ain't enough.

I'm a fighting game fan, and well, the new controller is a major turn-off to me. I really would be angry if every fighting game plays like Red Steel or Oblivion (though I like Elder Scrolls). Is there even gonna be online play on the Wii? Hopefully and probably, but I'm still not buying it.

Also, the graphics for some of the games (especially the Tony Hawk one they're making), look lackluster at best.

Unless Nintendo makes games that interest me, I'm not buying their products (in other words: Get some mutha-f**kin' third-party support! I don't want to see a bunch of games based on the same characters we've seen for four console generations!).

Future: Will probably win the console war. It's great for non-gamers and kids. The Japanese are gonna eat this console up (millions will buy it, don't take it literally). I STILL will not buy it, though.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

While Microsoft and Sony are focusing on making better and much cooler systems, Nintendo is focusing on the main reason people buy video game consoles: To play video games!


That does not make sense. They are all focusing on that, they are just taking different routes.

If anything, it's the Wii that's doing what you are saying MS and Sony do (with the Retro-gaming, which can be easily emulated, and the new controller). If any company is doing what you are saying Nintendo does, it's Sony. That's why they have the most games and best games of this current-generation, and maybe the next.

[BlairH]

(what the heck is a "blu-ray"?).
Most people with an eye for home cinema and audio/visual technology know what blu-ray is, and are certianly anticipating it's arrival.

[metr0man]

Well, XBox 360 really doesn't seem like much of an improvement over xbox. I mean the graphics are better... but, it seems just as PC-ish, if not more. PS3 is too goddamn expensive for me, period. XBox360 complaints also apply here. And Blu-Ray can go to hell if indeed it pushed the price up, i'm not buying a single hd-dvd or blu-ray movie ever until one is dead and the other is close to replacing DVD. Nintendo Wii, well it's innovative but seems gimmicky, I know some people who've tried it on say that tennis game and talk how cool it is for 10 mintues then it becomse irritating. They don't have the killer apps I want either (most prominantly, final fantasy and other square or MGS games).

Overall it looks very disapointing so far. I'm looking forward to PS2 games (Yakuza, FF13, Rogue Galaxy) more than any new systems.

[Urusai Wrangler]

I think it's kinda hard to say which console I like the most, seeing as only one of them is available with playable games.

Sony's priced themselves out of my budget, but I already own a 360 which is quite simply the most amazing piece of technology I've ever played games on. I'd like to fit a Wii into the budget late this year, but as it seems I don't play as many games as i once did, I don't know whether or not the extra cost for another console will be justified.

This could be the first time I own only a single console in a given generation, and so far, the 360 exceeds every expectation I had for it. Overall I think the market will be split a bit more evenly between the three consoles this time out, which is probably a better situation for gamers than having one breakaway leader.

[BlairH]

Well, XBox 360 really doesn't seem like much of an improvement over xbox. I mean the graphics are better... but, it seems just as PC-ish, if not more.
(a) In what way is the XBox360 "PC-ish"?
(b) Is being "PC-ish" a bad thing?

[Citizen V]

Its sort of sad that some games like Metal Gear Solid 4 or Final Fantasy 13 are only being made for the new systems.This could be called a tactic to make gamers buy the new systems on purpose.

As for the 360,some people might think since Microsoft made the console,its PC like.I have to say,the 360 has alot of unwated facts attached to it.

Why was the Revoultion renamed "Wii" when the Revoultion itself was a good name?

Anyone got images of the PS3?What about a PS4?

[Urusai Wrangler]

Its sort of sad that some games like Metal Gear Solid 4 or Final Fantasy 13 are only being made for the new systems.This could be called a tactic to make gamers buy the new systems on purpose.

Not really. The fact of the matter is that games like these take several years and millions of dollars to create, and there's no point in developing them on yesterday's hardware if that hardware is already on the way out by the time these games are released.

[Taltos]

360, this system is going to fall behind. Its basically the poor mans PS3. Sony has better games and superior hardware, and the people know this. To me the idea of MS getting the better of sony in the console war, simply because of price and release date, is inconceivable.

The Wii on the other hand has all the tools necessary to topple sony. DS has proven that the people will accept different, or rather that they want different. If nintendo and third parties deliver on games, the Wii may very well break records.

At this point im only interested in Wii, but id accept a PS3 as a gift :)

[Urusai Wrangler]

360, this system is going to fall behind. Its basically the poor mans PS3. Sony has better games and superior hardware, and the people know this.

We most certainly do not; nothing exists yet, and nothing shown at E3 would qualify as 'superior'. Besides, there are plenty of people who like the Xbox's games better than Sony's, so 'better games' is entirely subjective.

Poor man's PS3? You could just as easily call the PS3 the Rich Man's 360, because I don't know anyone willing to pony up $600 for it. Considering that the graphics and sound will be virtually identical between the two systems, I don't really think power is an issue in determining which system to buy; it'll more or less boil down to whether you want to play Metal Gear Solid 4 or Halo 3.

[Xero Kaiser]

Its sort of sad that some games like Metal Gear Solid 4 or Final Fantasy 13 are only being made for the new systems.This could be called a tactic to make gamers buy the new systems on purpose.

uhh....yeah, people make new games for new systems. Where have you been the past 20+ years?

360, this system is going to fall behind. Its basically the poor mans PS3. Sony has better games and superior hardware, and the people know this

I thought the systems were roughly equal?

[BlairH]

Its sort of sad that some games like Metal Gear Solid 4 or Final Fantasy 13 are only being made for the new systems.This could be called a tactic to make gamers buy the new systems on purpose.
So? Why would the developers make games for the old, obsolete systems? That's like a step backwards. It is important that development studios keep up with the latest hardware or else they will fall behind their competitors.

I assume you also know that Metal Gear Solid 4 running on PS2 hardware would run horribly?

As for the 360,some people might think since Microsoft made the console,its PC like.I have to say,the 360 has alot of unwated facts attached to it.
"Unwanted facts"? Could you give me an example of one of these "unwanted facts"?

Why was the Revoultion renamed "Wii" when the Revoultion itself was a good name?
Think of how many people are talking about the new name. It's all in the publicity.

Anyone got images of the PS3?What about a PS4?
PS4? You've got to be kidding right? Not for at least another 4 years!

This is the PS3
http://cache.kotaku.com/gaming/ps3.sized.jpg

[Xero Kaiser]

Personally, I think the PS3 should look more like the girl

[BlairH]

Personally, I think the PS3 should look more like the girl

You mean it isn't going to look like the girl?

Damn it! I'm going to cancel my preorder.

[Phrozen]

360, this system is going to fall behind. Its basically the poor mans PS3. Sony has better games and superior hardware, and the people know this. To me the idea of MS getting the better of sony in the console war, simply because of price and release date, is inconceivable.

The Wii on the other hand has all the tools necessary to topple sony. DS has proven that the people will accept different, or rather that they want different. If nintendo and third parties deliver on games, the Wii may very well break records.

At this point im only interested in Wii, but id accept a PS3 as a gift :)

You could reasonably argue that all consoles are just the poor mans high end gaming PC.

[Tadhg]

Most people with an eye for home cinema and audio/visual technology know what blu-ray is, and are certianly anticipating it's arrival.

"Most people with an eye for home cinema" is such a small figure as to make no odds. Add to that, the fact that the format war is going to most likely nullify both formats for the forseeable future, relegating them to the pit that SACD and DVD-A currently reside. That and both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players suck pretty hard. From the Playstation side of things, adding Blu-ray is a mistake. It's clear that Sony wants to use the PS3 to move Blu-Ray forward, but it looks like it could very well come at the expense of the PS brand.

[Taltos]

We most certainly do not; nothing exists yet, and nothing shown at E3 would qualify as 'superior'. Besides, there are plenty of people who like the Xbox's games better than Sony's, so 'better games' is entirely subjective.
It was my understanding that it was $200 more superior. It was also my understanding that Sony won the last "war" because of its vast collection of good games. The only exclusive game i ever hear about on xbox is halo.

Poor man's PS3? You could just as easily call the PS3 the Rich Man's 360, because I don't know anyone willing to pony up $600 for it. Considering that the graphics and sound will be virtually identical between the two systems, I don't really think power is an issue in determining which system to buy; it'll more or less boil down to whether you want to play Metal Gear Solid 4 or Halo 3.
Power and brand name are definantly an issue. People want the best. But in the end games always are the biggest factor.

[BlairH]

You could reasonably argue that all consoles are just the poor mans high end gaming PC.
Yeah. I see lots of people complaining about the price point of the PS3. It's a hefty price for sure, but us PC gamers are used to spending more than that on our graphics cards alone. We share your pain (and our lightened wallets).

"Most people with an eye for home cinema" is such a small figure as to make no odds.
I'm not so sure. There's definately a large area of overlap between home cinema enthusiasts and video gamers. Many home cinema enthusiasts see gaming consoles as an essential part of their set up, and an increasing number of gamers are starting to see the benefits of applying home cinema technology (5.1 sound, high defenition resolutions etc) to their video gaming.

Add to that, the fact that the format war is going to most likely nullify both formats for the forseeable future, relegating them to the pit that SACD and DVD-A currently reside.
Either that or we'll see a clear winner (as was with VHS v Beta). Just have to wait and see.

That and both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players suck pretty hard.
Well of course the current generation of players suck. It's the same with all new media. Do you remember your first DVD player?

From the Playstation side of things, adding Blu-ray is a mistake. It's clear that Sony wants to use the PS3 to move Blu-Ray forward, but it looks like it could very well come at the expense of the PS brand.
Again I'm not so sure. The Playstation brand has a history of introducing and furthering new types of media. The PS1 was the first console to really push the CD-ROM as a viable means of storing games. The PS2 was the first DVD based console (and I'm positive that the PS2 was instrumental in the ploriferation of the DVD format). The PS3 will utilise Blu-Ray, and it will be the first console to do so.

Disclaimer: I am by no means a Sony fanboy. Indeed the PS2 was my LEAST favorite "last-gen" console. Everything from the less-than-impressive hardware build quality to the games themselves left me with a bad taste in my mouth. (the only PS2 exclusive titles I truly loved were Shadow of the Colossus, ICO, Ace Combat 4/5, and MGS2/3. Everything else was avaliable with superior graphics and controls on another console) That said, I am confident that Sony will be able to "win me back" with the PS3.

[BlairH]

The only exclusive game i ever hear about on xbox is halo.
What about Gears of War, ESIV: Oblivion, Alan Wake, PREY, etc?

[Tadhg]

Blah, blah, blah. This has all been hashed out so many times, I'm even tired of it. Fact is, that Blu-Ray/HD-DVD are not in the same position as DVD was 5 years ago let alone the position VHS/Betamax were in 25 years ago. Neither format is going to be widely accepted anytime soon except by home theater
enthusiasts who buy setups that cost more than most people make in a year.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

What about Gears of War, ESIV: Oblivion, Alan Wake, PREY, etc?

And there are others too (Like Fable 2 and 99 Nights)! But of course, those great games will probably go over everyone's head (except Gears of War, the most anticipated game from this year's E3).

[Jmacq1]

My post wasn't so much a predictor of who wins in the end, but rather the situation at the end of the year. Look at it this way:

Mary-Jo Soccermom walks into Toys R' Us or Wal-Mart this fall. Little Billy has said he wants a Playstation 3 for Christmas, but doesn't have -any- Next-Gen system yet.

Mary-Jo heads to the electronics department, and what does she find? A "PS3 Bundle" for 700-800 dollars. She looks at the demo screens, and sees that PS3 and 360 have pretty much exactly the same level of graphic quality (if not inferior on the PS3 at first, because 360 developers have had a year to play with the system). She sees that 360 has about 3 or 4 times as many games available, many of which are the same games available for PS3. She sees that X-Box 360 costs about 200 dollars less (particularly if the rumored 50 dollar price-drop kicks in). Wii is there also, but has a funky controller and isn't as sharp graphics-wise. Unless there's strong Nintendo brand loyalty in the family, I don't see her going for it. It's too "different" from Billy's coveted PS3. The 360 on the other hand...doesn't look all that different, and PS3 doesn't at first glance offer anything that 360 doesn't, save for this weird "Blu-Ray" thing that Mary Jo Soccermom knows little to nothing about. (and if she -did-, is she going to be eager to toss out that massive DVD collection she's picked up over the past few years?)

Which do -you- think Mary-Jo Soccermom will buy? Particularly if PS3s are as scarce this coming Christmas as the 360's were this past Christmas?

PS3 has a lot of brand loyalty in the "gamer" market, I won't deny that, though 360 has its' converts (I'll probably -eventually- have both), but it's the "Mary-Jo Soccermoms" that are going to be the bulk of the buying power. And in that arena, I think 360 and Wii are going to have an advantage. PS3 will almost come across as -too- "high-end". Besides, plenty of PS2 devotees that I know have taken one look at the PS3's price tag and gone "Oh -Hell- no! Time to give this 360 a shot!"

Yeah, Sony will rule Japan, but I think the US market may actually get overtaken by 360. Maybe not by a wide margin, but still.

I could be wrong, but honestly, 360 (to my eyes) has most of the advantage coming in this fall. As far as the US is concerned, it's their game to lose. If they can sell as many or more 360s than Sony does PS3s this holiday season, that'll be a tough margin for Sony to come back from without -serious- price drops.

[Urusai Wrangler]

Power and brand name are definantly an issue. People want the best. But in the end games always are the biggest factor.

If power was a major factor, the Xbox should've won the last generation. But the fact of the matter is that next-gen has even less disparity in power than the PS2/Xbox did, so games will truly be the one major mitigating factor.

I think Nintendo is being vastly underestimated here, also. I believe the Wii will reclaim a large portion of the console market for Nintendo, largely because it'll be cheap enough that anyone with a PS3 or 360 will also likely have a Wii as well, and for those that find the other consoles a bit pricey, it'll be a good alternative,

[Kid Kamikaze10]

If power was a major factor, the Xbox should've won the last generation. But the fact of the matter is that next-gen has even less disparity in power than the PS2/Xbox did, so games will truly be the one major mitigating factor.

I think Nintendo is being vastly underestimated here, also. I believe the Wii will reclaim a large portion of the console market for Nintendo, largely because it'll be cheap enough that anyone with a PS3 or 360 will also likely have a Wii as well, and for those that find the other consoles a bit pricey, it'll be a good alternative,

But the 360 is getting a major price drop this holiday season. It will pretty much be the same price as the Wii, if not less.

And, as you see on the poll, the Wii is not being underestimated, but it is in the discussion, I'll admit. This is probably because many people have been jumping on the Nintendo bandwagon recently.

[Citizen V]

Microsoft does have a huge lead on Nintendo or Sony,because the X-Box 360 is already out.When is the Wii or PS3 ment to come out?

I hear Microsoft is going to do a add campain in Japan to help promote the 360.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Microsoft does have a huge lead on Nintendo or Sony,because the X-Box 360 is already out.When is the Wii or PS3 ment to come out?

I hear Microsoft is going to do a add campain in Japan to help promote the 360.

I'm happy they are still attempting to get the attention of the Japanese.....

But it's still not gonna work, unless Lost Planet, 99 Nights, and those other Japanese games do really well. If not, then not even Gears of War will save the 360's sales in Japan.

[Urusai Wrangler]

But the 360 is getting a major price drop this holiday season. It will pretty much be the same price as the Wii, if not less.

There's no way the 360 will be under $249; even so, the Wii is estimated to weigh in at $199 so it's true the price difference (at least for the core 360) probably won't be more than $50-$75.

A lot of the 360's presence in Japan will hinge on one game: Blue Dragon. It's being created by Mistwalker, the software house built by Final Fantasy creator Hironubu Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi is creating the game along with Nobuo Uematsu (music composer for the Final Fantasy series) and Akira Toriyama (Dragonball Z). This game marks the first RPG collboration between these three creators since the original Chrono Trigger.

Gears of War will have little to no impact on the Japanese game market because it's purely a Western style of game.

[Xero Kaiser]

PS3 has a lot of brand loyalty in the "gamer" market, I won't deny that, though 360 has its' converts (I'll probably -eventually- have both), but it's the "Mary-Jo Soccermoms" that are going to be the bulk of the buying power.

...You do know that the average gamer is a grown man, right? Mommy buying little Jimmy a christmas present hardly makes up the bulk of the market

[Kid Kamikaze10]

There's no way the 360 will be under $249; even so, the Wii is estimated to weigh in at $199 so it's true the price difference (at least for the core 360) probably won't be more than $50-$75.

A lot of the 360's presence in Japan will hinge on one game: Blue Dragon. It's being created by Mistwalker, the software house built by Final Fantasy creator Hironubu Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi is creating the game along with Nobuo Uematsu (music composer for the Final Fantasy series) and Akira Toriyama (Dragonball Z). This game marks the first RPG collboration between these three creators since the original Chrono Trigger.

Gears of War will have little to no impact on the Japanese game market because it's purely a Western style of game.

Wait.... Sakaguchi, Uematsu, and Toriyama are collborating for this game? HOLY S**T! That might be the "Halo" Microsoft needs for Japan.

Good Look!

Now back on topic, hopefully, these japanese games will do well in Japan so it can be released in the U.S. I just saw the trailer, and it looks very good.

[BlairH]

...You do know that the average gamer is a grown man, right? Mommy buying little Jimmy a christmas present hardly makes up the bulk of the market

Exactly! This is particularly true of the segment of the market that frequently buys the games themselves. Mary-Joe Soccermom's kid may only buy games when he's saved up enough pocket money, but Randy McHardcore-Gamer buys a bucketload everytime his paycheck comes in.

[Taltos]

My post wasn't so much a predictor of who wins in the end, but rather the situation at the end of the year. Look at it this way:

Mary-Jo Soccermom walks into Toys R' Us or Wal-Mart this fall. Little Billy has said he wants a Playstation 3 for Christmas, but doesn't have -any- Next-Gen system yet.

Mary-Jo heads to the electronics department, and what does she find? A "PS3 Bundle" for 700-800 dollars. She looks at the demo screens, and sees that PS3 and 360 have pretty much exactly the same level of graphic quality (if not inferior on the PS3 at first, because 360 developers have had a year to play with the system). She sees that 360 has about 3 or 4 times as many games available, many of which are the same games available for PS3. She sees that X-Box 360 costs about 200 dollars less (particularly if the rumored 50 dollar price-drop kicks in). Wii is there also, but has a funky controller and isn't as sharp graphics-wise. Unless there's strong Nintendo brand loyalty in the family, I don't see her going for it. It's too "different" from Billy's coveted PS3. The 360 on the other hand...doesn't look all that different, and PS3 doesn't at first glance offer anything that 360 doesn't, save for this weird "Blu-Ray" thing that Mary Jo Soccermom knows little to nothing about. (and if she -did-, is she going to be eager to toss out that massive DVD collection she's picked up over the past few years?)

Which do -you- think Mary-Jo Soccermom will buy? Particularly if PS3s are as scarce this coming Christmas as the 360's were this past Christmas?



Mary-jo soccermom is going to buy what ever the f*** Billy wants, ie his PS3. Because mary-jo soccermom doesnt have enough willpower or Adderal to deal with billy's spoiled ass when she gets home.

Now Susan-jo twobedroom-apt is going to go to her local walmart see the price of the PS3 and make a mental note to beat little henry's ass when she gets home. But before going home she will buy the Wii. One b/c Henry needs something for christmas, two b/c its the only system that costs less than she makes in a week, and three b/c she tried out Wii sports saw that she liked it and decided the world doesnt revolve around darling Henry.

[kel25]

Mary-jo soccermom is going to buy what ever the f*** Billy wants, ie his PS3. Because mary-jo soccermom doesnt have enough willpower or Adderal to deal with billy's spoiled ass when she gets home.

Now Susan-jo twobedroom-apt is going to go to her local walmart see the price of the PS3 and make a mental note to beat little henry's ass when she gets home. But before going home she will buy the Wii. One b/c Henry needs something for christmas, two b/c its the only system that costs less than she makes in a week, and three b/c she tried out Wii sports saw that she liked it and decided the world doesnt revolve around darling Henry.

Lol Yeah unless you had rich parents mommy and daddy would buy the cheaper system for their kids and say this is all you get. Or in the case of my friends buy an expensive system and say it’s a “family gift.” Which means it’s dads and he can play it when he wants and if Jr wants to touch it he better not have a tantrum and toss a controller or he wont he able to even look at it for months.

This is my personal opinion of the systems.
X Box 360: Nice looking graphics but nothing on the system that really gets me excited. All the games I liked on the original X Box were all available as PC games. There were a few PC games that they put on X Box that were pure crap compared to what they were on PC. Example Crimson Skies and Mechwarrior. I can easily pass on this system.

Playstation 3: Ok I’ll admit that at first I was all over this system. Now I’ll just skip it. Too expensive for my taste and even though I love some of their exclusive games I’d rather spend my money on something else. Personally I think it will be a highly capable system that will fade away like other systems that were too far ahead of their time. I can easily pass on this system.

Wii: My god this system makes me laugh. Everything from the name to the controller makes me think WTF?! I used to be a Nintendo fan boy but stopped being any systems fanboy years ago. I dislike of how Nintendo slaps Mario onto just about every goofy game they make to sell it. Also most Nintendo games seem targeted mostly to children which turns me away. I can easily pass on this system.

So for me, the next gen system that I think is the best is NONE. I’ll stick with my PS2 until I see something so mind blowing spectacular that I can not help but buy one of them. So far I cant think of a single game that has ever made me feel that way.

[BlairH]

I disagree with the premise of the thread, as there is no such a thing as a "next generation console". The only next gen gaming system out there is the PC. The PC is as next gen as you like it, and the only thing limiting the performance of a high spec gaming PC is the price you're willing to pay for the components.

Consoles come and go, but the PC is always on the high end.

[Urusai Wrangler]

I suppose you could split semantical hairs all day of you like, but at the end of the day everyone's gonna be looking at you funny.

Wait.... Sakaguchi, Uematsu, and Toriyama are collborating for this game? HOLY S**T! That might be the "Halo" Microsoft needs for Japan.

I was just as amazed when I found out about it a year or so ago...plus, it's being published by Microsoft, making it exclusive to the 360. Mistwalker also has a second RPG in development that allegedly follows the life of a man who lives 1000 years. Supposedly decisions you make in early life could come back to haunt you generations later. Could be interesting if done well. There's a rumored third RPG in development, but I don;t have any real info on that one.

[Jmacq1]

...You do know that the average gamer is a grown man, right? Mommy buying little Jimmy a christmas present hardly makes up the bulk of the market

I think you're underestimating the "family" market for videogame consoles, yourself. The "Twentysomething game fanatic" market are the guys that are lined up three days in advance outside their local Best Buy. They make up the bulk of the initial sales. But over time, the family market makes up a lot more of the longer-term sales. X-Box 360 wasn't one of the hottest items last Christmas because every grown man on the planet wanted one. It was a combination of scarcity -and- enough hype that even the kids were clamoring to get one.

The other aspect is pretty simple: Unless Nintendo and Sony have vastly more manufacturing power than Microsoft, there's no way they're going to make up the "deficit" by the end of the year. Even if 360 sold -no- units this Christmas (which we know will not be the case), Sony and Nintendo aren't going to be able to get out enough units by Christmastime to match the numbers 360 has already sold. Doesn't mean they won't catch up eventually, but as far as this year goes, 360 will almost certainly end up on top.

Now historically, the first "next gen" system to come to market is also usually the first to fold. However with Microsoft's clout behind it, I don't think that's likely to be the fate of the 360. I could, however, see the high-price PS3 going the way of the "Neo-Geo". At least until the price drops 50-100 bucks, if not more.

[Xero Kaiser]

I think you're underestimating the "family" market for videogame consoles, yourself. The "Twentysomething game fanatic" market are the guys that are lined up three days in advance outside their local Best Buy.

Just like all the real star wars fans are the ones that dress up like wookies and camp out for a week before the movie opens? No, those are the insane ones. I'm not talking about the fanatics, I've talking about the average. The average gamer is nearly 30 years old, with another huge chunk probably being around 20. They're the people buying games all year long, whenever they feel like it.

I disagree with the premise of the thread, as there is no such a thing as a "next generation console". The only next gen gaming system out there is the PC. The PC is as next gen as you like it, and the only thing limiting the performance of a high spec gaming PC is the price you're willing to pay for the components.

In theory, I suppose. In reality, most people don't have up-to-the-second upgrades so....ehh.

Besides, we're at the point where the differences between the two are so small that it shouldn't matter anymore. The main thing PCs have over consoles now resolution. And even if 2048x1536 res is sweet as hell, it's really not enough of a difference to say that there's some kind of huge gulf between the two

[metr0man]

lol those are some knowledgable mary-jo soccer-mom parents in that example. She's actually looking at the amount of games, doing graphic comparisons, looking at the controllers and deciding which is funky and which is not??? lmao

Come on now, that's not exactly typical when it comes to the family market of moms buying games for their crying kid. For those kind of parents, it's all a confusing blur to them. controllers, graphics, etc.

That mom will either buy the PS3 or say "f*** it its too expensive" and go home. Then MAYBE if the kid requests an xbox or wii specifically she might get it, just cause he specified it. But kids that age aren't reasonable like that, they don't think rationally "welll the ps3 was too expensive, but the xbox is cheaper and has this game and that game, i guess it makes sense, ok mom get me an xbox".. nah, it's more "waaaahhhhh i want a ps3 waaahhhhh" and then he gets smacked b/c he wont shut up, and it leads to a domestic abuse case, and the marriage breaks up and the kids are taken away and lives are ruined, all for the price of the f***** PS3. sigh.

[Citizen V]

The PlayStation3 is estimated to be 500 US dollars at least,at launch.But i hear that there are 2 versions,one with just the bare system and another with all of the other bonus items.

Essentially consoles are comming near,or might already surpass PC level of quality with gaming.With some of the X-Box 360 and PlayStation3 games able to have online play for free,nearly everything will be done for companies to gain a foothold on the other.

I also heard that the 360 might/does come with a backward compaible feature,but as anyone knows.Halo was the only game worth mentioning for the original X-Box.But so far,Sony is the master of that feature.

[Phrozen]

Essentially consoles are comming near,or might already surpass PC level of quality with gaming.With some of the X-Box 360 and PlayStation3 games able to have online play for free,nearly everything will be done for companies to gain a foothold on the other.


LMAO. Nope, not even close. Halo might be a great shooter on a console but it pales in comparison to the top PC shooters.

PC still owns the market on MMORPGs, RTS, FPS, "God" Sims, etc.

[Taltos]

The PlayStation3 is estimated to be 500 US dollars at least,at launch.But i hear that there are 2 versions,one with just the bare system and another with all of the other bonus items.
There are no estimations, it costs 600, the core costs 500

Essentially consoles are comming near,or might already surpass PC level of quality with gaming.With some of the X-Box 360 and PlayStation3 games able to have online play for free,nearly everything will be done for companies to gain a foothold on the other.
While the gap is closing, it would be hard to find a competant resource to back up the claim that it has been surpassed, i dont that it will ever happen. Its more likely that the two will merge.

I also heard that the 360 might/does come with a backward compaible feature,but as anyone knows.Halo was the only game worth mentioning for the original X-Box.But so far,Sony is the master of that feature.
It has limited backwards compatibility.

im sure the people who actually own a library of Xbox games, my family has well over fifty games, would disagree with you.

Game Boy is the master of backward compatibility.

[BlairH]

Essentially consoles are comming near,or might already surpass PC level of quality with gaming.With some of the X-Box 360 and PlayStation3 games able to have online play for free

This is said at the dawn of every console generation. Within a year or less the technology in top-end gaming rigs surpasses that of the "next gen consoles". This is the way it has always been.

[#1HulkFan]

Nintendo Wii: Love the features, hate the name :evilangry But I can live with a goofy name as long as it delivers good games. Rumors of 20+ launch titles and increased 3rd party support are encouraging. Also, of all the Nintendo consoles I've owned (NES, SNES, N64, GCN, GB, DS) have worked flawlessy.

[1WEBHEAD]

OK so the PS3 is coming out on November 17th,( right after Halo 3) but is that this year or next year?

[Taltos]

OK so the PS3 is coming out on November 17th,( right after Halo 3) but is that this year or next year?
Ps3 is coming out nov 2006, Halo 3 is coming out in 2007.

[1WEBHEAD]

Cool. Thanks! I am getting a PS3 for Christmas so no skin off my back!

[Citizen V]

PlayStation3 Games 59.99?

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151823

People were understandably upset when companies decided next-generation meant charging everyone $10 more for their games -- especially when the price was applied to last-generation ports like GUN and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland. Nonetheless, most have sucked it up at this point, but no one anticipated Sony would actually up the ante when PlayStation 3 dropped in November.
Yet SCEA president Kaz Hirai isn't promising a $59.99 price tag for PS3 games this fall. In an interview with PSM, the Sony leader explained. So, what I can say now is, I think it would be a bit of a stretch to think that we could suddenly turn around and say "PS3 games now $99.99" I don't think the consumers expect the software pricing to suddenly be double," he told the magazine. "So, if it becomes a bit higher than fifty-nine bucks don't ding me, but, again, as I said, I don't expect it to be a hundred bucks."

In other words, consumers should expect PS3 games to cost somewhere between $59.99 and $99.99. He doesn't expect them to be a hundred dollars, but it's only a "stretch" to expect it. Have we moved back to the cartridge ages here? Wasn't disc-based media supposed to make everything cheaper? I don't want to remember how much my parent's paid for several of Square's older SNES releases during Christmas.

Sony's cocky enough to price their hardware above the competition, but we don't seriously expect them to change consumer expectations for software prices. We hope.

[BlairH]

PlayStation3 Games 59.99?

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151823

In the UK, PS3 games will cost £49.99, which is the same price as most XBox360 releases.

[Taltos]

PlayStation3 Games 59.99?

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151823
If sony games are $10 more than the competition I dont hesitate to predict them as coming in last this generation.

[Sanagi]

Here's an article (http://www.playfuls.com/news_03250_Much_ado_fornothing_yet_PS3_is_still_to o_expensive.html) talking about the price of the PS3... The best part, though, is Sony America President Kaz Hirai slagging Microsoft for copying their innovations:

"Every time we go down a path, we look behind and they're right there - we just can't shake these guys. I wish that they would come up with some strategies of their own, but they seem to be going down the path of everything we do. If you look at their strategy in other business areas as well, they tend to do that."

Yeah, innovations like the tilt sensor and force feedback?

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Here's an article (http://www.playfuls.com/news_03250_Much_ado_fornothing_yet_PS3_is_still_to o_expensive.html) talking about the price of the PS3... The best part, though, is Sony America President Kaz Hirai slagging Microsoft for copying their innovations:

"Every time we go down a path, we look behind and they're right there - we just can't shake these guys. I wish that they would come up with some strategies of their own, but they seem to be going down the path of everything we do. If you look at their strategy in other business areas as well, they tend to do that."

Yeah, innovations like the tilt sensor and force feedback?


I'm sorry, but I don't think I want to ever hear that guy again. That was such a lame statement, and quite frankily, I only want to hear this guy if the PS3 bombs, just to hear his excuse.

I hope it doesn't fail, and I hope I don't have to read any of this guy's quotes.

[Xero Kaiser]

What strategies were they copying exactly? If anything, Sony's trying to ride on XBLive's balls with that Playstation HUB thing

[Urusai Wrangler]

What strategies were they copying exactly? If anything, Sony's trying to ride on XBLive's balls with that Playstation HUB thing

Apparently, Hirai must think that the PS3's target market are a bunch of lobotomized morons. No amount of spin in the world can deflect the fact that Sony's been yanking ideas from Nintendo and Sony over this last year. Remember when Sony lambasted MS for the two-tiered price point for the 360, and now they're doing the exact same thing?

[Citizen V]

I heard that the X-Box 360 might be able to have online play for free,if this is indeed true,then this is a major stand up for the 360.Especially for gamers who like to play online.Is this true?

What about the PS3?

What about indiviuality?Its starting to look like all the systems are the same,in features i mean.Is there a feature that one system has,that the others do not?

[Jmacq1]

I heard that the X-Box 360 might be able to have online play for free,if this is indeed true,then this is a major stand up for the 360.Especially for gamers who like to play online.Is this true?

What about the PS3?

What about indiviuality?Its starting to look like all the systems are the same,in features i mean.Is there a feature that one system has,that the others do not?

Blu-Ray DVD capability seems to be about it.

And once again, given the price of Blu-Ray players right now, 600 bucks is an absolute bargain. The trick is convincing people of that instead of having them think "600 bucks for a video game machine that doesn't do anything this 400-450 dollar X-Box 360 can't do? Or god forbid this 250 dollar Wii? Yeah, sorry Sony...."

[BlairH]

I hope it doesn't fail, and I hope I don't have to read any of this guy's quotes.
"Playing PS2 will be like plugging into the matrix!"

[Sorcerer Supreme]

I have always stuck with Sony in the past but, due to the extreme price tag of PS3, I think I will go for the Nintendo Wii.

[Sanagi]

Well what do you know, Sony's been innovating again.

Sony Patents New Gaming Interface (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6154345.html)
"The patented process would allow a game system to view a rodlike controller on a two-dimensional camera image and map its position in 3D space."

[BlairH]

Well what do you know, Sony's been innovating again.

Sony Patents New Gaming Interface (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6154345.html)
"The patented process would allow a game system to view a rodlike controller on a two-dimensional camera image and map its position in 3D space."

How revolutionary! Ha! See what I did there? This pun has convinced me that I am the coolest person ever!

[Urusai Wrangler]

Recently, as I'm sure most of you are aware, industry analysts have gone on record as saying that they expect Sony to lose a good portion of their console marketshare with the PS3; some have even gone on to say that Sony will flat-out lose next-gen to Microsoft and the Xbox 360 (while seemingly ignoring Nintendo's upcoming entry, the Wii). While I think it's WAY premature to even begin to suggest such a thing, I took a look at the current industry landscape and what some of the analysts have been saying, and thought I'd come up with my own theory on where next-gen is headed and why Sony may indeed be looking at a hard road ahead.

At the end of the day, speculation, even by experts, is still just speculation. Analysts just look at market trends and the current domestic financial climate to guess at what might happen, but the message to Sony from gamers, the press, and even developers is clear: drop the price of the PS3, it's just too expensive. It was clear to me that after talking to developers at E3 this year that virtually EVERYONE was shocked and disappointed at the price point of the PS3, but if Sony can pull out some good exclusives, they may still pull a 40% market share in territories outside of Japan by the time next-gen sales are over, with my guess being 30% for both MS and Nintendo.

However, MS has some major titles coming by year's end, with Gears of War (easily the biggest buzz of any game of E3 this year) paving the way for other late 2006/early 2007 titles like Mass Effect, Bioshock, Lost Planet, and the Chrono Trigger team's JRPG Blue Dragon. And of course, nobody can deny that 2007 will be the year of Halo, with (allegedly) both Halo 3 and the film due out, and you can bet that Microsoft will capitalize on this so that you won't be able to close your eyes without seeing the insides of your eyelids reflected off of Master Chief's visor. Add to this the loss of a few crucial titles that were helpful in driving PS2 sales (Grand Theft Auto 4, WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007, and expect Assassin's Creed and Unreal Tournament 2007 to show up about the same time as their PS3 versions), and you're looking at serious competition in the marketplace this time out. It's possible that MS could pull that estimated 40% and end up ahead, especially since they'll likely be selling more Xbox 360s this holiday than either Sony and Nintendo (this is assuming that PS3s and Wii systems are as scarce as analysts suggest).

And what about Nintendo? Nintendo's phoenix is rising with amazing presence this time out. Nintendo's always done well for itself regardless of the industry, but with the Wii, the perception that Nintendo came in 'last' this generation will change that view. What the Wii is doing with its control interface is not only exciting gamers and developers alike, but it's helping Nintendo regain the only real thing its lost over time: mindshare. And to top it all off, the sub-$250 price will let anyone get in on the next-gen fun without breaking the bank, and it'll make the Wii the obvious second console for most gamers, and the first console for Nintendo fans and budget-conscious gamers (and developers) alike. The industry is crying out for inexpensive game development, and gamers are looking for a means to play games that doesn't require trading in every other console and game they own. Nintendo is rising to that request.

Bottom line is that I believe the next-gen landscape is being split pretty evenly this time out, with each console capable of pulling 30% of the market (though the PS3 I suspect will take longer to do this since the price of entry is much higher, and all the major titles like MGS and FF probably won't be available until 2008). What this means is that the console wars are pretty much on hold for next-gen; I believe it'll be a three-way race that will make any one of the consoles a safe bet, but my confidence in PS3 is pretty low in pulling this off. Much of its success will hedge on how soon and how dramatic the PS3 cost cuts will be, but frankly, if they're not matching the 360 dollar for dollar, I think they'll end up trailing MS this time out in territories outside of Japan. I just don't believe that yet-another-sequel lineups like MGS4, FFXIII, and GT5 will have the same kind of pull that new, exclusive franchises like the aforementioned games for the 360, or the creative twists on old favorites that Nintendo will be serving up.

If the PS3 does well at all, I think it'll be due to branding, and Sony execs believe the same thing, stating 'People will buy the PS3 even if there were no games for it'. It's clear that recent statements by Kaz Hirai and Ken Kutaragi show a clear, delusional taint as they clearly have put themsleves on a pied-piper pedestal, believing that no matter what Sony does or where they go, gamers will follow them in a lemminglike fashion regardless of the cost. My belief is that gamers are smarter then that, and are not just money machines that'll throw their money at Sony just because they say so. This time out, there's just too many other good options to be had; there'll be scant few titles on the PS3 that you won't be able to find a reasonable counterpart to on the 360, and plenty of unique and creative titles on the Wii that Sony's got way too much of a gathering storm to guide their zeppilin through. Add to this the VERY slow start the PSP had (and still fighting an uphill battle against the DS), and you can see the sort of future I see for the PS3. Frankly, I believe if the PS3's gonna sink, Blu-Ray is the cement overshoes. As far as I'm concerned, Blu-Ray is the lastest ill-conceived float in Sony's parade of media control failure (Sony's prior attempts include Betamax, Minidisc, Superbit, and more recently, UMD). It surely may be a better format, but by forcing us to get a side-order of spinach with our banana split (and making us pay through the nose for it), Sony's engaged in yet another crapshoot which, if history is any indicator, won't pay off. I dont have much faith that Japanese sales will help the PS3 so much this time out, either... I think the Wii will end up giving it a serious challenge. It'll be interesting to see whether or not the claims of 'the Japanese hate large consoles' still rings true, as the PS3 is marginally larger than the original Xbox.

Still, it's not all doom and gloom for Sony. Although not the best thing for Sony's stockholders, a three-way market split is probably the best thing to happen in awhile, frankly. Three horses running neck-and-neck ends up being better for gamers in the long run rather than having one clear market leader. Still, the cost of next-gen overall leads me to believe that the days of three-console households are over... it's pretty clear to me that the Wii will end up seeing lots of sales due to the price alone; the question that remains is whether more 360s or PS3s end up alongside them. It's that factor that will tip the scales in favor of one or the other, and with anywhere from an 8-10 million unit lead by January, the 360 will be an unquestionable challenger. Microsoft's early launch of the 360 was a carefully planned and constructed trap that Sony stumbled into, and now they're scrambling to figure out how they fell in, and how to get out. But seriously, what could they do? If Sony had waited until next year to launch the PS3 they'd all but hand next-gen to MS, so they were forced to launch this year before the component price was cheap enough, creating a console the price of which hasn't been seen for nearly 15 years and sending a rather negative ripple through the gaming waters. If the PS3 launch lineup is as anemic as the PS2 launch lineup was (and by all accounts, developers are 'scrambling' to get launch titles ready), that water could be mighty choppy for Kutaragi and Co. for the entire journey.

[Xero Kaiser]

It'll be interesting to see whether or not the claims of 'the Japanese hate large consoles' still rings true, as the PS3 is marginally larger than the original Xbox.

They'll buy it. Sony's got a rather firm grip on Japan's balls

Bottom line is that I believe the next-gen landscape is being split pretty evenly this time out, with each console capable of pulling 30% of the market

I'm not sure it'll be quite that even unless Nintendo finds a way to pull in more big name franchises than they have in the past

[Erebus]

I want to get this PS3. But I think I'll get a Wii. In fact, I'll get two. Whenever I'm referring to them, I'll call them my WiiWii :D

[Urusai Wrangler]

I'm not sure it'll be quite that even unless Nintendo finds a way to pull in more big name franchises than they have in the past

Developers are way more excited about Wii development than most trade magazines will have you believe. Not only is it cheaper to develop for, but the control setup is an irrresistable siren song for those looking to take existing genres in new directions.

For Nintendo, success will lie less in what existing franchises they can get on the Wii, and more about what new, compelling content can only be had on their console. Games, just like movies, usually begin to suck after the third installment; what the industry needs is more creativity and less reliance on sequels.

[Xero Kaiser]

Developers are way more excited about Wii development than most trade magazines will have you believe.

Don't pay too much attention to mags, so I don't know how they're hyping it up. You say developers are excited about it, but I'm not seeing much in the way of games.

Not only is it cheaper to develop for, but the control setup is an irrresistable siren song for those looking to take existing genres in new directions.

DS, Eye-Toy, Powerglove etc, etc. These always sound like god's gift on paper...I'd have to see something. Something beyond the controller being a ghetto light-gun

I'm so pessimistic...but I'm still probably buying this day one :P

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Don't pay too much attention to mags, so I don't know how they're hyping it up. You say developers are excited about it, but I'm not seeing much in the way of games.



DS, Eye-Toy, Powerglove etc, etc. These always sound like god's gift on paper...I'd have to see something. Something beyond the controller being a ghetto light-gun

I'm so pessimistic...but I'm still probably buying this day one :P

I feel the same way about all these "innovative" controllers.

And also, I'm a fighting game fan first (I make sure if the controller will be able to handle fighting games). The Wii's controls do not look fighting game friendly, even less so than the Game Cube.

I'll still buy the Wii, but so far, close to none of the games have really impressed me (Metroid Prime 3 being the exception).


One last thing, if the majority of the Wii games look like that sh**ty a$$ Tony Hawk game, then I'm definitely not buying it.

[An Average Madri]

Believe it or not, I used to be a super Sony fanboy. But after learning that the PS3 pricetag would be around 600 bucks, Sony's blueray prophecies wasn't enough for me to wait and spend that much money on it's console.

13 days later, I purchased an X-Box 360 on ebay.

When i was a PS2 player, the one thing that I was terribly envious of when looking at X-Box owners were the online capibilities. The 360 enters the console wars with a very established and highly successful online service. Now that they're releasing classics such as Street Fighter 2 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 in beautiful HDTV and online format, the 360 will have the obvious advantage in online performance.

[Dustin]

Nintendo Wii

[Urusai Wrangler]

Don't pay too much attention to mags, so I don't know how they're hyping it up. You say developers are excited about it, but I'm not seeing much in the way of games.

DS, Eye-Toy, Powerglove etc, etc. These always sound like god's gift on paper...I'd have to see something. Something beyond the controller being a ghetto light-gun

I'm so pessimistic...but I'm still probably buying this day one :P

You just have to play it; I guess that's all I can really tell you...once you've played it, you'll understand.

[Taltos]

You just have to play it; I guess that's all I can really tell you...once you've played it, you'll understand.
have you played it?

[Urusai Wrangler]

For a brief, fleeting few moments, yes.

[Citizen V]

Playstation's Possible Patent

Patent may limit PlayStation fun
Game fans, advocates are furious the technology could spell trouble

By Dawn C. Chmielewski, Los Angeles Times
July 22, 2006

Sony Corp. has patented technology that would prevent its PlayStation consoles from playing used, rented or borrowed video games -- raising questions about whether the electronics and entertainment giant may attempt to redefine what it means to own something in the digital age.

Speculation over Sony's plans for the technology have sparked a furor online as game fans and consumer advocates fret that the company may incorporate it into the upcoming PlayStation 3 console, due to hit stores this fall.





They worry that it would wipe out the $1 billion annual market for used games and could even prevent someone from playing games at a friend's house.

For its part, Sony has decried the "false speculation" surrounding the technology, patented in Japan before the October 2000 introduction of PlayStation 2. Sony has said little else about the technology or how the company might deploy it.

It is not unusual for technology companies to patent innovations and then never incorporate them into products.

Documents filed in April 2000 with the U.S. Patent Office describe a method of copy protection by which the game system would verify a disc as legitimate, register the disc to that game console, then wipe out verification data so the disc would be rendered unreadable to other PlayStations.

"Since only titles for which legitimate software has actually been purchased and which have been initially registered in the machine table can be used, resale (so-called used software purchase) after purchase by an end user becomes practically impossible," according to the patent documents.

Although Sony has been vague about its plans for the technology, "I actually think they're toying with this idea," said Michael Pachter, a game industry analyst for Wedbush Morgan Securities.

Pachter said he doubts Sony will tighten the software locks on PlayStation 3 games, but might employ bolstered copy protection on other forms of entertainment downloaded to the console over the Internet.

"Maybe they'll copy protect movies or music downloads," he said.

Whatever Sony's plans, the tempest illustrates the changing nature of ownership as millions of people accumulate vast collections of digital entertainment. Few people realize that when they buy software or music or movies, they are actually buying a license to use, watch or listen. That's why it violates copyright laws for people to sell copies of their music.

Sony was attacked earlier this year for including software on some of its music CDs that surreptitiously installed itself on computers playing the disc. The software was intended to prevent unauthorized copying. Sony later apologized.

Taking that sort of copy-protection one step further would be, in the words of one analyst, "crazy."

"What does Sony get from that?" said John Taylor of Arcadia Investment Corp. "Sony gets a black eye. It doesn't make sense to me."

Several analysts said the patent appears to principally be aimed at deterring game piracy. Indeed, Sony's patent notes that through the complexity of its copy-protection scheme, "manufacture of counterfeit software becomes extremely difficult."

And it's not unusual for technology companies like Sony to register patents, either in anticipation of one day collecting royalties from someone seeking to license the technology, or to prevent someone else from deploying it.

"These are all things technologically possible to do in any computing device," said one cryptographer. "In the video game business, it would be suicide for someone to do this. It's actually possible Sony filed this because they wanted to keep people from doing that."

[Sanagi]

I believe Sony's already denied the anti-used games thing.

[XPac]

I'm leaning toward XBox 360 right now.

I always get a nintendo and I always end up trading it back in the end because the gaming library is too small and niched for my taste. So regardless of the price, it's out of the running in my book.

It's either XBox of PS3. The PS3 price tag bugs me, but I don't doubt that it's gaming library in the long run won't necessarily make it worth it.

But the XBox 360 is out now... if a game I really want comes out in the next few months I might just cave and go for it. (Smackdown vs RAW 2007 might end up being that game).

[Citizen V]

Its interesting your talking about the X-Box 360...

Biggest X-Box 360 Hater..Japan

What will it take to get you guys to buy this thing? It's awesome! It has a huge library of games after only one year, and some of them were even designed by genuine, respected Japanese developers. We're sorry we pretended that Ninety-Nine Nights didn't suck, but it was only because we want you to like the 360 so badly. Try as Microsoft might, they just weren't able to win over that crucial Asian market, and after a long year of heavy campaigning, they still seem to be looking at a prestige deficit in Japan. Let's face it, Sony has jacked everyone with the unattainable PS3, and before that, they were robbing people of their delightful homebrew software and pirated games on the PSP. Meanwhile, there sit hundreds of thousands of Xbox 360s, just waiting to be loved and to give their Ring-of-Light love in return. Just give it a chance, won't you? Japan, you are worse than the worst Sony or Nintendo fanboys over here in the States, because (unlike the forum trolls here) you actually hold a significant amount of power in how this new generation of consoles will be received. It is your responsibility as a nation (a nation that has always been a source for amazing games that benefit the entire planet) to at least give the 360 a decent spin.

Link (http://goty.gamespy.com/2006/xbox360/index15.html).

[Serik]

My understanding is that Japanese gamers don't hate the X360 itself, but don't care for the mostly Western-themed games that currently dominate the system. I know they released some dragon game by the Final Fantasy creator not too long ago - definite step in the right direction.

[Xero Kaiser]

Blue Dragon.

Looks like garbage, but whatever works

[BlairH]

The PS3 has nothing to fear,im prediciting that this is the system that dominates early.
In retrospect, how wrong were you?

[Karl H]

£415 price tag for the PS3 when released over here in MARCH !!!

Guess I'm just glad I've got my 360 and a stack load of engaging, playable games (some rubbish too but mostly playable, engaging games!)

[BlairH]

£415 price tag for the PS3 when released over here in MARCH !!!
According to several sources it might be as late as September, as it was with the PSP. It's probably going to be £425.

[cactusmaac]

I think the official release date is March 25th.

[jackups]

I love my xbox 360 plus with all the best games being released on it (oncluding all the games on playstation 3 such as metal gear and grand theft)
plus the brillaint online Im reall really gals I got it the 360 and the Wii in my opionen are the best and will stay that way.

[BlairH]

I think the official release date is March 25th.

Indeed, and Sony are still sticking to it, however there was a lot of background chatter recently about a possible slip to September.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=151602&skip=yes

That said, I think Sony probably will make the March 25th date, even if it means mass shortages at retail outlets. They daren't stall any longer.

[BlairH]

I love my xbox 360 plus with all the best games being released on it (oncluding all the games on playstation 3 such as metal gear and grand theft)
plus the brillaint online Im reall really gals I got it the 360 and the Wii in my opionen are the best and will stay that way.

Yup.

When I'm at work, Sony fanboys often tell me that "PS3 will blow the 360 away". I simply tell them that I'm enjoying my 360 now and have been for the past year. My initial £280 (plus games) investment has paid off already in terms of the actual amount of enjoyment delivered, whereas they anticipate paying £425 (plus games) for something that has yet to prove itself. By the time the PS3 comes out, with it's lackluster launch lineup, I'll have played through around twelve 360 titles, and logged countless hours on XBox Live.

Don't get me wrong, I'll probably buy a PS3 at some point because I can't resist the lure of a new games console, plus it's nice and shiny :) The fact that it might have some decent exclusives is a bonus.

[cactusmaac]

I'll probably get a PS3 about the time PS4 comes out.

[AllisterH]

My understanding is that Japanese gamers don't hate the X360 itself, but don't care for the mostly Western-themed games that currently dominate the system. I know they released some dragon game by the Final Fantasy creator not too long ago - definite step in the right direction.

This is the truth. How many FPS does the 360 have right now? Hell, I'd argue that the 360 is known FOR its shooters. True, it does that the best of all the consoles but FPS have NEVER been big in the Asian market (China, Japan and Korea). Frankly, to the Asian market, FPS are the equivalent of Turn based strategy games. A niche market.

The other "big" thing on the 360 is the sports games but EA quite rightly focuses on the N.American professional leagues. Last I heard, both EA soccer and the Firepro Wrestling franchises are big in japan and korea but aren't enough to support a console.

[Xero Kaiser]

The 360 isn't known for it's FPS games. The only FPS games people have really payed attention to on the system were Call of Duty 2 and maybe Prey. And sports games aren't any bigger on the 360 than they have been on any other system.

If the X360 is known for anything, it's Xbox Live

[Jmacq1]

The X-Box brand as a whole almost banks its' reputation on an exclusive FPS, though: The Halo franchise.

Even though it hasn't been released yet, Halo 3 has been a factor in marketing the 360 since before the system even hit shelves.

And while I wouldn't go so far as to say "just FPS" the 360 definitely seems to be building a significant stable of FPS/TPS (Third Person Shooter)/SBS (Squad-Based Shooters) games: Rainbow Six Vegas (Not exclusive, I know), Lost Planet, Gears of War, and the above mentioned games (and the yet-unreleased Halo 3).

And yes, Xbox Live.

[Citizen V]

From what i think so far,this is how it stands...

PlayStation 3

Sony really shot itself in the foot with the high price during the PS3 launch.There were news that consoles flew off the shelfs,similar to how the PS3 was..there was a shortage,some say Sony did this on purpose to once again bring up hype.But there was something that Sony did not expect to happen,once the consoles were back in stores..no one was buying.I now hear of stores with PS3`s on the shelfs,with no one buying.600 US dollars for a single console?Its a hard drive.

X-Box 360

The console to be released first,it got an early lead.But there were quick problems,with their consoles malfunctioning and errors with loading time and such.Like i posted before,its not selling well in Japan.I think this might end up like the first X-Box,only having Halo and a few other games to surive.

Nintendo Wii

I think this is the only console with a strong start.Costing 250 US dollars,its a decent price...with its simple yet fun games,it strikes home.The only problem was the Wiimote,which some reports had it breaking or flying out of the player`s hand during gameplay.Other than that,the Wii is a good choice.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

From what i think so far,this is how it stands...

PlayStation 3

Sony really shot itself in the foot with the high price during the PS3 launch.There were news that consoles flew off the shelfs,similar to how the PS3 was..there was a shortage,some say Sony did this on purpose to once again bring up hype.But there was something that Sony did not expect to happen,once the consoles were back in stores..no one was buying.I now hear of stores with PS3`s on the shelfs,with no one buying.600 US dollars for a single console?Its a hard drive.

X-Box 360

The console to be released first,it got an early lead.But there were quick problems,with their consoles malfunctioning and errors with loading time and such.Like i posted before,its not selling well in Japan.I think this might end up like the first X-Box,only having Halo and a few other games to surive.

Nintendo Wii

I think this is the only console with a strong start.Costing 250 US dollars,its a decent price...with its simple yet fun games,it strikes home.The only problem was the Wiimote,which some reports had it breaking or flying out of the player`s hand during gameplay.Other than that,the Wii is a good choice.


I disagree with what you said about the 360 and somewhat the Wii. Halo 3 hasn't even been released yet, but the 360 already has a very enjoyable library of games.

Also, the Wii is simple and fun, there lies the flaw. None of the games, beside Zelda, have been very deep. I don't get into the games like I do when playing games like Dead Rising and Elder Scrolls. They feel like cheap thrills, IMO.

[BlairH]

From what i think so far,this is how it stands...

PlayStation 3

Sony really shot itself in the foot with the high price during the PS3 launch.There were news that consoles flew off the shelfs,similar to how the PS3 was..there was a shortage,some say Sony did this on purpose to once again bring up hype.But there was something that Sony did not expect to happen,once the consoles were back in stores..no one was buying.I now hear of stores with PS3`s on the shelfs,with no one buying.600 US dollars for a single console?Its a hard drive.
A complete U-turn of your earlier prediction eh?


X-Box 360

The console to be released first,it got an early lead.But there were quick problems,with their consoles malfunctioning and errors with loading time and such.Like i posted before,its not selling well in Japan.I think this might end up like the first X-Box,only having Halo and a few other games to surive.

No problems with my launch-date 360. Many of the problems stem from people mistreating them (changing the orientation of the console whilst there is a disk inn the drive, not allowing enough clearance for cooling, etc) and the remainder are merely the same issues that early-adopters of any console will have to deal with. The % of 360s sold and subsequently returned as faulty to my shop is the same (or islightly better) as the figure for PS2, PSP and DS.

As for not selling well in Japan: The Japanese market is to Microsoft as the European market is to Nintendo. Microsoft does not need the support of Japanese gamers in order to survive. MS and the 360 managed to get off to a bloody good start with XBox Live, and an extensive library of games.

Nintendo Wii

I think this is the only console with a strong start.Costing 250 US dollars,its a decent price...with its simple yet fun games,it strikes home.The only problem was the Wiimote,which some reports had it breaking or flying out of the player`s hand during gameplay.Other than that,the Wii is a good choice.
If your Wiimote "breaks" and flies out of your hand, it sounds like your problem is with yourself rather than the console. It's a good little console, but what should I play on it? The majority of games on it just now are light-hearted party games. That's not me at all, I'm a serious gamer!

:mad: <----My serious gaming face!

[Sparda]

Deleted for profanity - Perry

[Jmacq1]

X-Box 360 seems to have gotten a "boost" from "Blue Dragon" in Japan. Not enough to make it a real "contender" but enough that some Japanese gamers have started to take note. In the US they seem to have adopted a "slow n' steady wins the race" policy. Whether or not it does, in fact, let them win the race is another matter entirely. ;)

PS3 looks like it may well be in trouble. I've already seen plenty of them on shelves (though in truth they don't stick around -too- long from what I've seen), and outside of the holiday season they're just not likely to sell that many consoles outside the hardest of hardcore gamers. Primarily due to price.

Wii has definitely found its' audience and has a crazy "fun factor" to it. The question now becomes whether or not that audience will stick with the system and keep buying games, or fade away, leaving it with a thin supply of game-buyers because many "hardcore" gamers seem to be finding that the games aren't all that deep, and already know that the graphics don't match up to the other systems.

In other words Wii is fighting hard to capture the "casual gamer" market, but it's uncertain whether they can convert "casual gamer" into "hardcore wii gamer." Particularly as the novelty of its' controls wears off.

[AllisterH]

The X-Box brand as a whole almost banks its' reputation on an exclusive FPS, though: The Halo franchise.

Even though it hasn't been released yet, Halo 3 has been a factor in marketing the 360 since before the system even hit shelves.

And while I wouldn't go so far as to say "just FPS" the 360 definitely seems to be building a significant stable of FPS/TPS (Third Person Shooter)/SBS (Squad-Based Shooters) games: Rainbow Six Vegas (Not exclusive, I know), Lost Planet, Gears of War, and the above mentioned games (and the yet-unreleased Halo 3).

And yes, Xbox Live.

Yeah.

This is what the Xbox is famous for. Its various shooters be they squad/first/third person based. Pretty much most N.American gamers are ans of at least one of those viewpoints among the shooters.

Combine this with Xbox Live as ALL of them are multiplayer enabled and the 360 is dominating in America. Remains to be seen how both Nintendo and Sony are going to match Xbox Live as neither company seems to have a solid game plan in that regard.

The Ps3 needs to get a price reduction. IT will be interesting come Xmas 2007 and see where everything stands as by then, I expect Sony to be able to lower the price point substantially.

[Black Atom]

PS3 looks like it may well be in trouble. I've already seen plenty of them on shelves (though in truth they don't stick around -too- long from what I've seen), and outside of the holiday season they're just not likely to sell that many consoles outside the hardest of hardcore gamers. Primarily due to price.

Wii has definitely found its' audience and has a crazy "fun factor" to it. The question now becomes whether or not that audience will stick with the system and keep buying games, or fade away, leaving it with a thin supply of game-buyers because many "hardcore" gamers seem to be finding that the games aren't all that deep, and already know that the graphics don't match up to the other systems.

In other words Wii is fighting hard to capture the "casual gamer" market, but it's uncertain whether they can convert "casual gamer" into "hardcore wii gamer." Particularly as the novelty of its' controls wears off.

The whole "hardcore" vs. casual gamer thing seems like an arbitrary distinction at this point and will become moreso this gen. Sony has tried to say that they are going after "hardcore" gamers while Nintendo continues to strike a chord with kids, hipsters and other casual gamers. This is a strange assessment because A) Kids ARE the most hardcore gamers. With the DS obliterating the PSP, you'd think Sony would learn not to underestimate this audience. B) Wasn't it Sony that got big by roping in "casual" gamers with the PS1? "Hardcore gamer" has sorta become a meaningless buzzword, translated to mean "slavish brand loyalty" the way Sony uses it.

[Citizen V]

A complete U-turn of your earlier prediction eh?

Indeed,this comes after i have read many reports of news relating to the PS3.True,some things may change..but im willing to bet what i said about the X-Box 360 will remain so.The 360 can surive in Europe and the USA,that can happen..but in Japan,it will be a failure,just like the previous system.

If the PS3 does not strengthen itself,then the Wii will dominate..if its not already doing so.Which i can imagine some would say is going on now.

[Citizen V]

I cant help but see some people having a field day with the possibility of Sony`s games going to other consoles.But i cant help but think..if the Wii or the 360 was in the PS3`s situation,things would be different.

Some things,like the Final Fantasy series..should remain.Unless Square goes back to Nintendo,where it first came from.I wonder if the PS3 is really in trouble,ive begun to lean towards the Wii myself.

Or will the PS3 somehow come back with a vengeance and suprise everyone?But as it stands,the 360 as the most consoles sold..with Wii in second,and PS3 dead last with barely over 1 million sold.

[Xero Kaiser]

I cant help but see some people having a field day with the possibility of Sony`s games going to other consoles.

Of course...saves us money

But i cant help but think..if the Wii or the 360 was in the PS3`s situation,things would be different.

What? Losing their exclusives? Wouldn't be the same. Let's say Mario Galaxy went multiplatform. Who got the better deal? The guy with the $250 Wii or the guy with the $5/600 PS3? That's the main thing about the PS3. Why pay more for the same thing? Sony needs all the exclusives they can get to justify the price tag.

Some things,like the Final Fantasy series..should remain.Unless Square goes back to Nintendo,where it first came from

If Square's got any brains they'll put FF on the PS3 and the 360 and have every market covered. PS3 exclusive will hurt them everywhere but Japan and 360 exclusive is good for everywhere but Japan. Just do both and go home happy, Square.

Or will the PS3 somehow come back with a vengeance and suprise everyone?

Not at the rate they're going. I could be wrong, the original Xbox wound up surprising me. But the PS3's Australian launch doesn't fill me with confidence.

[Black Atom]

I cant help but see some people having a field day with the possibility of Sony`s games going to other consoles.But i cant help but think..if the Wii or the 360 was in the PS3`s situation,things would be different.

Admittedly, I'm taking more joy in watching Sony stumble around like a blind, retarded drunk with Parkinson's than I probably should be, but they kinda brought it on themselves. The utter arrogance they've shown this gen with that absurd asking price has earned them a lot of backlash. Maybe they'll show up next gen ready to compete instead of bribing us with extra hardware nobody wants.

Plus, as Xero mentioned, if we can get the same games on a cheaper system, that's only a good thing.

[Sanagi]

Yeah... It's still too soon to tell if Sony has a second wind coming, but the longer it takes, the worse it looks for them. The PS2 wasn't an instant success either, but it had DVD going for it and weaker competition in its early days.

[Thorlief]

as soon as they start pirating games and cutting prices, they MIGHT have a chance to not fail miserably, even tho i wouldnt know how much money they're going to lose with a price cut. Arent they losing what, 125 per console already? But I personally hope they receive a good lesson, never liked the "mass" they created

[Saitou Hajime]

Having read up on the history of the Saturn (whose failure set the course for Sega's eventual fall from grace), and with Sony's recent woes with the PS3, can we say that maybe the time has come for the beginning of the company's own fall from grace, or are they that damn good that they could prevent history from repeating itself with them?

[jesse_custer]

They will likely recover with either a dramatic price drop or another system. I don't see anything else going in their favor at this point. The company lost exclusives, failed to meet demand, went with technology that will not take off any time soon, and still manufactures systems that break and malfunction too easily.

[AllisterH]

Having read up on the history of the Saturn (whose failure set the course for Sega's eventual fall from grace), and with Sony's recent woes with the PS3, can we say that maybe the time has come for the beginning of the company's own fall from grace, or are they that damn good that they could prevent history from repeating itself with them?

Sony is no SEGA. Even though the Ps3 is a bust so far, they are still one of the largest entertainment companies on the planet and will recover.

What Sony has hopefully gained from the past 5 years is that just because they come out with a proprietary technology nobody NEEDs to buy it. Furthermore, there is an issue about price.

[Thorlief]

but..they're already losing money selling PS3s at the current price. Wouldnt a price drop cause even more damage? Sure they'd earn from the games, but how many copies sold will they need to fulfill the gap?

anyway

I wouldnt say the PS3 is a complete failure, it's still too early. But the Japan has been taken over by Nintendo again, and future titles like SSBB will just increase the gap. June sales have seen the Wii outselling the PS3 6 to 1 while the DS has become a unstoppable juggernaut
Sony's hope is to sell in NA as much as they can, but I dont see that happening very soon. They aren't doomed, but they sure dive in some muddy waters

[The Fury]

PS3 is far from dead, It's only a few million behind the Wii and they both are only just under half the 360 which has had a full year of sales on top of them.

What might help the PS3 is some of their major games being released. Tekken 6, MGS4 etc...and the success of Blu-ray. It does seem at the moment in UK stores that Blu-ray is becoming the firm choice of some movies.

If you go by last generation (ignoring the fact Ps2 is still selling in the millions every quater), Sony had near 65% of the market maybe more. I think this time around it will be a lot closer. Instead of such a dominance by Sony the games market will be spread out and maybe the games will be released on all consoles to make money instead on the major seller alone.

[The Fury]

Sony's hope is to sell in NA as much as they can, but I dont see that happening very soon. They aren't doomed, but they sure dive in some muddy waters

Do not count out Europe, Europe is a total 1/3 of the gaming market and here for the last 12 years, Sony has ruled. It sold a million unit here in only a few months while Japan and North America took far longer

[Jmacq1]

The PSP is still selling like gangbusters too, apparently (behind DS, but DS is the best selling system overall).

So no, Sony's nowhere near Sega or Atari-level collapse yet, and isn't likely to reach that point anytime soon, if ever.

[TheLazy]

The PSP is still selling like gangbusters too, apparently (behind DS, but DS is the best selling system overall).

So no, Sony's nowhere near Sega or Atari-level collapse yet, and isn't likely to reach that point anytime soon, if ever.

The reason the PSP is behind is because its not compatible with kids, were as the DS is. I got my sister a PSP and there are hardly any good games for her age.

[Gargus]

Not their time to fall, just their time for everyone to start talking bad about them for no reason.

It always works that way, the public can only love something so long before they want to destroy it. We do it with actors also, brad pitt was americas love for along time and now all they want to show is bad stuff of him and rumors.

Everything people like alot they will eventually turn on and have nothing but negative stuff to say and will condem it with no proof at all. Now its happening to sony, they had a bad system launch like everyother system, they had lackluster launch games just like all the other systems, its more expensive than previous ones like all the other systems yet everyone just want to throw fits and petition them and be all upset over nothing.

When xbox first came out it was under fire for idiotic reasons and everyone complained about it like idiots. I actually heard a salesman in bestbuy that christmas tell a customer xbox will catch on fire and burn down houses, all because a demo unit overheated and smoked during a developer conference like 8 months before the system came out.

Everyone is starting to turn on the wii also. It was inovative and fresh and hip and cool and awesome when it first came out. Now its starting to get bad reviews and people saying the games are just sucky mini games and mediocre ports and the graphics suck and so on.

But people also forget this little fact, and anyone who forgets it is not a real gamer. A system doesnt mean a game will be good or bad, the games do. It doesnt matter who makes the system, if the games on it suck then its a expensive paperweight. Beause while sega cd may have been more powerfull than the 8bit nes, which had the better games?

[SAMAS]

The PSP is still selling like gangbusters too, apparently (behind DS, but DS is the best selling system overall).

The PSP is doing well, but let's face it: Nintendo has apparently sold more DS's in Japan than there are Japanese(Not sure how that works, I really wanna see the numbers on that).

Even if the PS3 goes under, I don't think(or hope) Sony will go under for it.

I do hope, however, that they take enough of a hurting to keep them from pulling the same mistakes again for a long time.

[Thorlief]

The reason the PSP is behind is because its not compatible with kids, were as the DS is. I got my sister a PSP and there are hardly any good games for her age.

so you think the only reeason the DS is selling more is because the kids are buying it?

please man, please. This isn't 2002

[Black Atom]

But people also forget this little fact, and anyone who forgets it is not a real gamer. A system doesnt mean a game will be good or bad, the games do. It doesnt matter who makes the system, if the games on it suck then its a expensive paperweight. Beause while sega cd may have been more powerfull than the 8bit nes, which had the better games?

But the main problem with PS3 is the lack of games. I think everyone understands that.

[BlairH]

A system doesnt mean a game will be good or bad, the games do. It doesnt matter who makes the system, if the games on it suck then its a expensive paperweight. Beause while sega cd may have been more powerfull than the 8bit nes, which had the better games?

Well, so far the PS3 isn't exactly pushing the boundaries in terms of the quality (or indeed the quantity) of the games. All we've had so far are a bunch of decent multi platform titles and some generic but reasonably fun first party titlles.

Hopefully this will change when the likes of Metal Gear Solid comes out

[Tadhg]

The PSP is doing well, but let's face it: Nintendo has apparently sold more DS's in Japan than there are Japanese(Not sure how that works, I really wanna see the numbers on that).


That's incorrect. Japan had close to 130 million people in 2004. DS has sold less than 45 million worldwide. 44+ Million is still record setting though.

[TheLazy]

so you think the only reeason the DS is selling more is because the kids are buying it?

please man, please. This isn't 2002

Yes that isn't the only market, but's its a sizable one.

[Mike Pothier]

While it is indeed too early to count Sony out, there's no denying that things aren't looking good for the PS3. And trends like this rarely turn around.

HOWEVER, I don't understand why people are predicting doom and gloom for Sony as a company. One product won't be taking down a juggernaut the size of Sony, no matter how bad things get. Its getting as ridiculous as all the Nintendo doomsayers.

You can bet, whether or not the PS3 gains steam, Sony is taking notes for the next generation.

[blackdragon6]

HOWEVER, I don't understand why people are predicting doom and gloom for Sony as a company..i hope people mean their gaming division and not the WHOLE sony corporation.

[Saitou Hajime]

i hope people mean their gaming division and not the WHOLE sony corporation.

Thank you, I should have clarified that part.

[The Fury]

i hope people mean their gaming division and not the WHOLE sony corporation.
Even if the PS3 fails (which it won't), Sony Computer Entertainment is not going anywhere. Sega is still around and producing games. SCE own a lot of rights to big game franchises and many developing companies around the world that will just produce games for whatever the biggest selling console is at the time.

[The Fury]

double post....Yo

[Thorlief]

While it is indeed too early to count Sony out, there's no denying that things aren't looking good for the PS3. And trends like this rarely turn around.

HOWEVER, I don't understand why people are predicting doom and gloom for Sony as a company. One product won't be taking down a juggernaut the size of Sony, no matter how bad things get. Its getting as ridiculous as all the Nintendo doomsayers.

You can bet, whether or not the PS3 gains steam, Sony is taking notes for the next generation.


exactly. PS3 sales will sure increase a bit a bit with the release of their best franchises (FFXIII, MGS4), saying they're done after six months is really pessimistic.
I think people is still kind of shocked because, seriously, noone thought PS3 would be doing so bad in this generation..but the errors they made have paid off
It's like those who predicted Nintendo to fail and become a third party developer when it's still the top earning company in the industry

[Alex]

No, sony is going to fall.
Even if the PS3 isn't as big as the 360 or Wii, and i don't think it will be, the company is way too rich to just go away.
Another system will come out after the PS3, and it will end up doing super.

Remeber, nintendo didn't exactly knock it out of the park with the Gamecube, and now they are the videogame industries darling.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

If Sony can lock up some more uber-popular PS3-exclusive games like God of War III, I think they might be able to convince more people to spend the extra cash to buy the thing. Otherwise, I think most people will opt for the cheaper Wii and XBox 360.

[Tadhg]

If Sony can lock up some more uber-popular PS3-exclusive games like God of War III, I think they might be able to convince more people to spend the extra cash to buy the thing. Otherwise, I think most people will opt for the cheaper Wii and XBox 360.

Sony will have a lot of exclusives simply because they own a lot of Developers outright.

[Lester C.]

worst case scenario Sony cuts it's looses from its game division and move on. Like Microsoft they gaming division is only a small part of their portfolio.

[The Fury]

worst case scenario Sony cuts it's looses from its game division and move on. Like Microsoft they gaming division is only a small part of their portfolio.
At the hieght of it's power, PS2 was responsible for 30% of all Sony's takings. That's a lot to give up on.

[marshal99]

With the announcement from microsoft taking 1 BILLION to cover costs of repairing faulty Xbox360 consoles because in their rush to beat out PS3 and Wii , a lot of their consoles were faulty straight from the production line , i dare say that Sony is probably laughing their heads off.
1 BILLION ! That's probably enough to feed a small country for a whole year.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19640605/site/newsweek/?from=rss

[Tadhg]

With the announcement from microsoft taking 1 BILLION to cover costs of repairing faulty Xbox360 consoles because in their rush to beat out PS3 and Wii , a lot of their consoles were faulty straight from the production line , i dare say that Sony is probably laughing their heads off.
1 BILLION ! That's probably enough to feed a small country for a whole year.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19640605/site/newsweek/?from=rss

I think they're putting all the money in this one quarter so they can keep their profitable 2008 like they're predicting. And while 1 billion sounds like a whole, whole lot. Microsoft has already "lost" more than that on their Gaming division. If cost estimates are right, Sony is close to losing a billion dollars just from selling PS3s. This is a big deal, but I'm not sure if the bigger hit is from a PR perspective or actual financials.

[Xero Kaiser]

Sony will have a lot of exclusives simply because they own a lot of Developers outright.

Not really. Most PS2 exclusives were exclusive by choice, not by contract. That's why there's nothing stopping these companies from taking their games to the 360.

[Tadhg]

Not really. Most PS2 exclusives were exclusive by choice, not by contract. That's why there's nothing stopping these companies from taking their games to the 360.

Yes Really. SCE WWS is one of the largest game development companies on the planet currently. I'd have to dig around for employment numbers, but Sony owns a ****load of Studios and development houses and therefore will have no shortage of exclusives.

[Xero Kaiser]

Are you talking about 1st party or 3rd party exclusives?

[Tadhg]

Are you talking about 1st party or 3rd party exclusives?

Well since I mentioned Sony owning developers and SCE WWS specifically. I'd imagine I was talking about 1st party.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd party don't matter to the enduser. Bored doesn't care that Sony owns the studio making God of War III. The fact that it's exclusive to the PS3 is all that matters

[cactusmaac]

How many of their most recognised franchises are first-party though?

MGS, Final Fantasy and GTA aren't.

[Alex]

What exactly is second party?

[The Fury]

What exactly is second party?

I was wondering that myself. I guess it would be not Sony (or an owned developer) or independent developers and publishers but maybe when they employ an independent developer to make a game?

...maybe not.

[Thorlief]

a second party developer is a company not owned by the console manifacturer but tied on a exclusive way via, for example, partial ownership

[Alex]

a second party developer is a company not owned by the console manifacturer but tied on a exclusive way via, for example, partial ownership

So, like Rare was too nintendo during the donkey kong country years?

[Thorlief]

So, like Rare was too nintendo during the donkey kong country years?

exactly. If i remember correctly Nintendo owned the 51% (or 49%) of their stock. Then Nintendo and Rare sold their quotes to Microsoft. Now Rare is a first party developer for Microsoft

[SAMAS]

In Sony's case, SCEA Santa Monica (God of War) is First Party.

Insomniac Games (Ratchet & Clank) is Second Party.

And of course SquareEnix (Final Fantasy) is Third Party.

[Mike Pothier]

Even if the PS3 fails (which it won't)

This one really depends on what defines a failure for the PS3. If Sony fails to recaptures the number 1 spot in sales, then the PS3 could be deemed a failure.

[The Fury]

This one really depends on what defines a failure for the PS3. If Sony fails to recaptures the number 1 spot in sales, then the PS3 could be deemed a failure.
The onyl way it will be a failure is if the sales are that bad that games are no longer produced for it and there isn't a "PS4". GameCube and X-box did fairly well with their 35% of the world wide market while the PS2 was about.

If the recent push if product placement in the UK is anything to go by, Sony are going out of their way to get the PS3 in peoples minds. In the UK at least, while the PS3 is probably the best known, it's the Wii that's enticed people because of it's unique control system. But the PS3 still sold bucket loads, more then the PS2 in it's first month, then again there were serious shortages of the PS2 when it was released. The Playstation has a large hold on Europe and it's not going anywhere.

The 360 has been released for a year more then the Wii and the PS3 yet, I think, still has not grasped the market. I think in this generation, the conoles will be spread more evenly then previous wh