Why do Americans love XBox?

[Ragnorok64]

According to vgchartz.com, the Xbox360 maintains a 6.28million lead over the PS3, which is to be expected considering its been out longer and all. But if you break it down by region you'll see a huge disparity in the lead it has in America compare to "Other," which takes into account Europe and Austraila and that. The PS3 is only .95 Million behind in the "Other" territories despite the release date Lead the 360 had. Japan is stark in the .61million Xbox 360s have been sold there compared to 2.6 million PS3s.

Essentially if you move America from the equation, the PS3 would be leading it in Hardware sales. So that's left me wondering why is the Xbox so incredibly popular in America?

P.S.: I realize that the Wii is slaughtering both systems in hardware moved, but it's like half the price of the other two and I'm not counting it in discussion since it's easy to see why everyone loves it.

[Jmacq1]

According to vgchartz.com, the Xbox360 maintains a 6.28million lead over the PS3, which is to be expected considering its been out longer and all. But if you break it down by region you'll see a huge disparity in the lead it has in America compare to "Other," which takes into account Europe and Austraila and that. The PS3 is only .95 Million behind in the "Other" territories despite the release date Lead the 360 had. Japan is stark in the .61million Xbox 360s have been sold there compared to 2.6 million PS3s.

Essentially if you move America from the equation, the PS3 would be leading it in Hardware sales. So that's left me wondering why is the Xbox so incredibly popular in America?

P.S.: I realize that the Wii is slaughtering both systems in hardware moved, but it's like half the price of the other two and I'm not counting it in discussion since it's easy to see why everyone loves it.

In short? Because Americans seem to love first-person-shooters and sports games, which comprises about 80 percent of the X-Box 360 library. Also because Microsoft has a larger advertising influence in the United States.

[Xero Kaiser]

In short? Because Americans seem to love first-person-shooters and sports games, which comprises about 80 percent of the X-Box 360 library.

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/08/10/17-of-360-titles-are-shooters/

Not even close. Though you are better off with a 360 if you like FPS and Sports games

There's Xbox Live also. Don't forget how popular online gaming is

[Ragnorok64]

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/08/10/17-of-360-titles-are-shooters/

Not even close. Though you are better off with a 360 if you like FPS and Sports games

There's Xbox Live also. Don't forget how popular online gaming is

Is there a chart that takes into account what genre's actually sold the most though?

[Angel of Sorrow]

Easy, I don't.
I despise Xbox.

[StoneGold]

I think the question is less why do Americans love the PS3, as why doesn't the Xbox have as much traction in other countries. The answer to the first question is simple: it's a solid machine with good games. It has an online component that actually works, multiplatform games tend to look a little prettier on the 360, and I don't think there's a must-have console exclusive on the PS3 yet.

As for the FPS/Sports issue, not that it hasn't been disproven, but it's not like the PS3 doesn't have its fair share of those as well. It's just their console exclusive ones tend to not be as good. In fact, I think there are more high-profile Japanese RPGs on the Xbox right now. Being that I can't think of any on the PS3, and the 360 has Blue Dragon.

So like I said, the question needs rephrasing.

[Black Atom]

Easy, I don't.
I despise Xbox.


That's understandable, considering X-Box got away with the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson.

To the issue at hand--if I'm reading correctly, it sounds like the X-Box is leading everywhere but Japan, just by smaller margins (and lots of things could account for that. For one, were you to adjust the margins country by country, the ratio might actually be equal). So Japan is the anomaly, it seems. The more interesting question might be why PS3 is so well, relatively, in those other places.

[Agent Helix]

The "X" makes it sound cool.

[Ragnorok64]

That's understandable, considering X-Box got away with the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson.

To the issue at hand--if I'm reading correctly, it sounds like the X-Box is leading everywhere but Japan, just by smaller margins (and lots of things could account for that. For one, were you to adjust the margins country by country, the ratio might actually be equal). So Japan is the anomaly, it seems. The more interesting question might be why PS3 is so well, relatively, in those other places.

Well a lead is understandable considering it had a year head start. I'm wondering more why the lead is so much greater in American than the rest of the world.

[Mike Pothier]

Its got great games. Hell, half the great games that come out on the PC come out on the Xbox as well.

[BlairH]

"Because it's awesome" would be the simple answer:

-It was released a year ahead of the competition.
-Great online functionality (in terms of both DLC and multiplayer gaming)
-A decent degree of social integration (friends, invitations, communications, etc)
-A large software library
-Lots of exclusives
-Most multiplatform games look better on the 360
-Has a modern, ergonomic controller, and not one that's a throwback to the PS1 days.

That's the longer answer.







I do love my PS3, really!

[Black Atom]

Well a lead is understandable considering it had a year head start. I'm wondering more why the lead is so much greater in American than the rest of the world.

Because Americans are smart?

Seriously, many people have listed numerous reason why the 360 might outsell the PS3. Objectively speaking, it has superior online support, more highly rated and acclaimed exclusives and the games it does share with the PS3 usually play better on it. The PS3's launch was stumbled continously, starting with it's exorbitant launch price which made it a laughing stock. The only thing the PS3 has on the X-Box is they can currently claim they have no hardware issues. As others have said, the reasons to like the X-Box are obvious. The question is why they're less recognized/appreciated in countries aside from the U.S.

[StreetFighterRyu]

Its got great games. Hell, half the great games that come out on the PC come out on the Xbox as well.

Didn't PS2 had a better library of games than Xbox did? Makes me wonder why PS3 fails. (aside the rediculous price thanks to Blue ray) I think a better question would be, what happen? on the PS3 side.

Only reason I got it so far was for MGS4. And DMC4 which was before I knew they were going to make it for the 360 also.

[Mike Pothier]

Didn't PS2 had a better library of games than Xbox did? Makes me wonder why PS3 fails. (aside the rediculous price thanks to Blue ray) I think a better question would be, what happen? on the PS3 side.

I think you answered your own question. The PS2 had a better library, not to mention it was released long before the Xbox, so it already had a sizable library.

Not the case with the PS3 and the 360. Since the 360 was released first, it had time to build a decent library. Plus, it doesn't hurt the way Sony botched the PS3 launch.

Only reason I got it so far was for MGS4. And DMC4 which was before I knew they were going to make it for the 360 also.

The PS3 is finally starting to pick up steam, but its pretty much too late for it to dominate the market like the PS2 did. A lot of developers are starting to shift focus onto the Wii.

[Silliw 2]

PS2 had a BIGGER library, not better.

[Agent Helix]

The PS2 is actually the biggest reason the PS3 hasn't done very well in the US.

[cactusmaac]

Yeah, the number of good games and relatively cheap hardware make it reasonable to upgrade to 360 from XBox. You can't say the same about PS3 unless you really want a Blu-Ray player.

As for Japan, the gaming market there is really fragmented and the 360 doesn't have enough of the niche titles that consumers likes to buy.

[DaeJi]

PS2 had a BIGGER library, not better.

I would say that it had both.

As for the XBox, it just seems like an American system, created by an American company for an American consumer. Maybe that's why. The high ratio of western RPGs on it compared to the other systems help too.

[Captain Trips]

That's understandable, considering X-Box got away with the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson.

To the issue at hand--if I'm reading correctly, it sounds like the X-Box is leading everywhere but Japan, just by smaller margins (and lots of things could account for that. For one, were you to adjust the margins country by country, the ratio might actually be equal). So Japan is the anomaly, it seems. The more interesting question might be why PS3 is so well, relatively, in those other places.

The only region where the 360 outsells the PS3 is North America. The NPD sales numbers are in for April, and the 360 outsold the PS3 by a mere 900 units 188,000 to 187,100.

The PS3 routinely sells much higher in Europe, Japan, and Australia. In fact, the PS3 outsold the 360 by 45% in Australia for the first quarter of 2008.

I won't mention how the Wii crushes both of them in sales. :wink:

[Agent Helix]

It's not like either one is going anywhere. Just buy the overpriced toy you prefer.

[2-4-5_Trioxin]

Ill start by saying no name on a console makes it good, the games make a console and not the otherway around. Thats why the NES is a better console than say the wii, sure its inferior but the games are better quality and good graphics do not equal good game.

Well I have many reasons as to why "I think" can attributed.

1) When xbox first came out they were tired of sony. No the ps2 wasnt a bad system and it has some of the greatest games ever on it but with anything after awhile no matter how much its loved people will start to hate it for no reason, (look at what we do to our movie stars). Once people have seen something for awhile they start to dislike it even if they have no reason. So here comes the xbox, something they can say is better than the other systems and blah blah.

2) The bland, generic storyline and same textured shooter called halo. Halo was pokemon to them in the sense if it wasnt for it they wouldnt be where they are and it saved them. Everyone said how great it was even though it mediocre at best but what they didnt notice was all the others game on the system really sucked, so it was like saying a dirt sandwhich was awesome in a restaraunt of shit sandwhiches. So this big hyped phenomenon supposedly jump started the console.

3) Better graphics, at the time it had the ability to have better graphics and most of the people in the world think because a game looks better it is better, they will sacrifice storyline, characters, controls, playability, replayability, fun and everything else for graphics. All they want is things to be bright and shiny, how else can you explain why a turd like fantastic four 2 movie can make so much money or transformers movie? A real gamer knows good graphics do not equal good game, if that were the case then the xbox 360 and ps3 would be better system than say the sega gensis, but they arent, the genesis has a better library of games than both combined.

4) The xbox has a longer lead in time. People complained forever about the games on the ps3 and saying how crappy they were and used it as a excuse to whine and moan about something, but it was out along time after the 360. The 360 was having its 2nd and 3rd generation games coming out by the time the ps3 hit and everyone knows a console launch has very few good games for awhile till it gets established. Just like when the 360 hit it had no good games for awhile and hell the ps2 was still beating it because it had been out longer and was more mature.

But in the end its not like the old days when you had alot of games on certain systems and the competition made the industry really fun, now you have systems with the same games (cross platform) and exclusive titles becoming less and less which means a dulling of the industry and graphics becoming more important. The wii may not have crap for games but I atleast give them credit for having alot of stuff you can find only on it and the DS also, they are the only ones trying to be unique while everyone else just spends their time complaining about the competition and make cookie cutter games.

The industry needs to die and be reborn again. Competition and exclusive titles are the only thing that will make it exciting again.

[Jmacq1]

The industry needs to die and be reborn again. Competition and exclusive titles are the only thing that will make it exciting again.

The former, maybe, the latter, no way. Some people don't want to have to buy multiple overpriced systems just to get the "good" games. Maybe you've got that kind of disposable income, but not everyone does.

Besides, excitement comes from games, not from consoles or corporations...who the hell cares if a game is multi-platform if it's a good game?

[Mike Pothier]

Ill start by saying no name on a console makes it good, the games make a console and not the otherway around. Thats why the NES is a better console than say the wii, sure its inferior but the games are better quality and good graphics do not equal good game.

You really need to go back and play some of the NES games again. Better quality my ass, they did not age well at all. Aside from a select few, most of the NES games are exercises in avoiding cheap, frustrating deaths.

[BlairH]

The question is why they're less recognized/appreciated in countries aside from the U.S.

Three words: Sony brand loyalty. The Playstation brand is one that everybody in Europe knows and loves, indeed, most European gamers had their first taste of gaming with the PS1. Prior to the release of the PS1, gaming was seen as a niche, "nerdy" hobby.

[Ragnorok64]

Three words: Sony brand loyalty. The Playstation brand is one that everybody in Europe knows and loves, indeed, most European gamers had their first taste of gaming with the PS1. Prior to the release of the PS1, gaming was seen as a niche, "nerdy" hobby.

Interesting, I knew that brand loyalty was huge in Japan, but i was never aware that it was that big of a deal in Europe.

[Ragnorok64]

You really need to go back and play some of the NES games again. Better quality my ass, they did not age well at all. Aside from a select few, most of the NES games are exercises in avoiding cheap, frustrating deaths.

I'm going to have to agree with this. There are some gems in the 8 bit era, but lets not kid ourselves her. No amount of nostalgia tripping can save a lot of the shovelware you find on the NES. Exercise in frustration doesn't even begin to describe some of those games.

If you ask me, the 16 bit era is where you really started to get the top quality gaming experiences. I'm talking stuff like your Starfox, Street Fighter II, Final Fantasy III (VI), and Chrono Trigger. But maybe that's because that when I came in on gaming and I'm caught up in Nostalgia as much as some people are about the 8 bit era.

[Black Atom]

Three words: Sony brand loyalty. The Playstation brand is one that everybody in Europe knows and loves, indeed, most European gamers had their first taste of gaming with the PS1. Prior to the release of the PS1, gaming was seen as a niche, "nerdy" hobby.

That would've been my guess. If nothing else, I would have guessed that Sony is more widely known/trusted name outside the U.S.

[BlairH]

Interesting, I knew that brand loyalty was huge in Japan, but i was never aware that it was that big of a deal in Europe.

Europe is known -somewhat flippantly- as "Sonyland".

[Xero Kaiser]

If you ask me, the 16 bit era is where you really started to get the top quality gaming experiences. I'm talking stuff like your Starfox, Street Fighter II, Final Fantasy III (VI), and Chrono Trigger.

This man is correct


The industry needs to die and be reborn again. Competition and exclusive titles are the only thing that will make it exciting again.

I'd rather have good games

[Black Atom]

That's actually a funny point. Nintendo single-handedly dominated the 8-bit era. There was no competition at all.

[Ragnorok64]

That's actually a funny point. Nintendo single-handedly dominated the 8-bit era. There was no competition at all.

The NES came at a point where I don't think the industry could support much competition, video games had crashed, and if it weren't for the NES the industry might not have survived.

[StreetFighterRyu]

-snip-

You left out the achievements. That's somewhat a majority for the 360.

You really need to go back and play some of the NES games again. Better quality my ass, they did not age well at all. Aside from a select few, most of the NES games are exercises in avoiding cheap, frustrating deaths.

They may not be better quality, but they do last a long while. I mean at first it gets a little difficult to play a certain game, but after a while, you're still playing it. Despite that it's 20+ years old.

[JCAll]

I own an XBox 360 over the PS3 for one reason only, price. It's drastically cheaper than the PS3, and has more good games going for budget price.

But I'm probably not a typical XBox gamer. I don't even do multiplayer (Dial up, no friends), and ignore achievements as often as not. Heck, I only own 1 FPS for my 360, and that's just because I bought Prey out of the sheer novelty of the thing.

[the goddamn batman]

Cheaper.

X-Box live.

Halo 3.

Downloadable content for GTA IV; did they ever say if the ps3 was getting it too?

I won't ruining my game system watching Blu Ray movies.

Cheaper.

[Ragnorok64]

I won't ruining my game system watching Blu Ray movies. Wait, what? :confused:

[Jmacq1]

Wait, what? :confused:


Yeah, that makes two of us. I'm quite certain that if watching Blu-Ray movies on them was "ruining" PS3s with anything remotely approaching regularity, we'd have heard a whole heck of a lot about it by now. It'd be like the PS3s version of "Red Rings of Death" and the 360 fanboys would be trumpeting it to the heavens.

That kind of flaw in what amounts to the defining feature for the console is far too serious not be widely disseminated.

[Chris S.]

Wait, what? :confused:

I'm not entirely sure if this is what he means but I know a lot of my friends who watched DVDs on their PS2 ended up having serious problems with them.

I think XBox caught on with the ease of XBox live. It was the first great online gaming experience and people wanted to continue it with the 360. I own three 360 games (Halo, COD4, NHL 08) and only play two really (Halo, NHL 08) . This is simply for online play. (I do own Gears of War but that was long after its craze had ended, can't wait for two)

I am yet to have even played a PS3. I think that makes it a little hard for me to want one. That I don't know a soul with one makes me think it can't be that great. The price tag is discouraging as well.

[the goddamn batman]

Wait, what? :confused:

I ruined a PS2 by watching DVD's on it. When it came out it and my computer (which was not hooked up to myy tv) were the only DVD players I had.

Game discs spin the disc to load the info, then they stop until more info is needed. DVD's are spun the entire time. It uses the drive more than game discs and thus wears out the drive faster.

My friends girlfriend was sick for a week and watched movies on his XBOX for a week straight. It didn't work after that week.

My other friends have ruined 2... yes, 2 Xbox's watching movies on it.

I assume Blu Ray is the same, and you'd wear the drive out faster watching movies on it than if you didn't. I have a DVD player, I don't need to use my XBOX for that. I would use my PS3 to watch Blu Ray as I have no other Blu Ray player... and realy wasn't planning on getting one very soon.

[Ragnorok64]

I ruined a PS2 by watching DVD's on it. When it came out it and my computer (which was not hooked up to myy tv) were the only DVD players I had.

Game discs spin the disc to load the info, then they stop until more info is needed. DVD's are spun the entire time. It uses the drive more than game discs and thus wears out the drive faster.

My friends girlfriend was sick for a week and watched movies on his XBOX for a week straight. It didn't work after that week.

My other friends have ruined 2... yes, 2 Xbox's watching movies on it.

I assume Blu Ray is the same, and you'd wear the drive out faster watching movies on it than if you didn't. I have a DVD player, I don't need to use my XBOX for that. I would use my PS3 to watch Blu Ray as I have no other Blu Ray player... and realy wasn't planning on getting one very soon.

Do you have anything other than anecdotal evidence?

[the goddamn batman]

Do you have anything other than anecdotal evidence?

I said "ASSUME" which means that no, I can't verify that it will happen. I'm bassing the assumption on previous experience. But show me that Blu Ray's uses the drive differently than DVD.

[Ragnorok64]

I said "ASSUME" which means that no, I can't verify that it will happen. I'm bassing the assumption on previous experience. But show me that Blu Ray's uses the drive differently than DVD.

I'm more concerned with establishing a wide spread problem with playing DVDs on a game system before attempting to extend the assumption that playing blu-rays on a PS3 will ruin the system.

[the goddamn batman]

I'm more concerned with establishing a wide spread problem with playing DVDs on a game system before attempting to extend the assumption that playing blu-rays on a PS3 will ruin the system.

What? Everyone I know (including myself) who watches movies on their system more than occasionally has totally ruined the drive in their system. Both XBOX and PS2. That sounds like a wide spread problem.

And here's the thing: I'm not saying it'll ruin your system right away. Simply that doing so will wear out the drive faster (a lot faster) than if you didn't watch DVD's on it. That's pretty simple math.

Now, how Blu Ray on the PS3 would be any different, I don't know. I've made an assumption based on the previous experiences of myself and my friends. You can take that for whatever it is or isn't worth to you.

[Xero Kaiser]

What? Everyone I know (including myself) who watches movies on their system more than occasionally has totally ruined the drive in their system. Both XBOX and PS2. That sounds like a wide spread problem.

You and two of your friends =/= wide spread problem

[the goddamn batman]

I only listed two specific examples. That doesn't mean that's the end of my experience with the problem.

And again, it's pretty simple math that using a drive more will wear it out faster. I, as in me, myself, personally, would watch a ton of Blu Ray movies on my PS3 if I had one. Therfore, based on my previous personal experience, I assume I would wear out he drive in my PS3 much faster than if I didn't. I'm not going to buy an expensive video game system and use it to watch movies... and as I don't play a lot of games, that's probably what I'd do with it the most.

As always, this comment on the internet is brought to you by my opinion and nothing more.

[Black Atom]

For what it's worth, I've seen that happen pretty commonly as well. As to what the cause was I'm not sure, but I pretty regularly encountered PS2s with worn out drives when I used to repair them. I just chalked it up to Sony's notoriously crappy hardware reliability (used to repair PS1s, too).

[JCAll]

What? Everyone I know (including myself) who watches movies on their system more than occasionally has totally ruined the drive in their system. Both XBOX and PS2. That sounds like a wide spread problem.

And here's the thing: I'm not saying it'll ruin your system right away. Simply that doing so will wear out the drive faster (a lot faster) than if you didn't watch DVD's on it. That's pretty simple math.

Now, how Blu Ray on the PS3 would be any different, I don't know. I've made an assumption based on the previous experiences of myself and my friends. You can take that for whatever it is or isn't worth to you.

I used my PS2 for 2 years as my only DVD player. After the drive crapped out and stopped playing games (It never stopped playing DVDs) I heard DVDs could have caused that. So when I got a second PS2, I also got a computer with a DVD drive about that time, so made sure to never watch movies on my PS2.

And it still crapped out after 2 years causing me to get a THIRD PS2, a thin one this time, which actually works 100% no matter what I really do.

The PS2 hardware is just shit.

[Ragnorok64]

My very first PS2, the one I waited hours for, died within a month. I was able to find one a month after that, and that one plays to this day.

There were some bad optical drives in some of the first PS2s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS2#Disc_read_error), it seems. That said, I've found nothing to suggest the PS2 failure rate even approaches the 360's failure rate.

On issue in the playing blu-rays will have ill effect on the PS3s line of reasoning is that the blu-ray discs only spin at 2x. So it's doubtful that playing them will have any significant wear on the system at that speed. Also there's been no concrete proof brought up to actually support that theory.

[pariah-1972]

I have had a lot of issues with my xbox so i certainly don't plan on buying anymore.

[the goddamn batman]

My very first PS2, the one I waited hours for, died within a month. I was able to find one a month after that, and that one plays to this day.

There were some bad optical drives in some of the first PS2s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS2#Disc_read_error), it seems. That said, I've found nothing to suggest the PS2 failure rate even approaches the 360's failure rate.


I know that the original XBOX had three different drives they used... it would seem at random, of differing quality. So... again, for what it's worth.

On issue in the playing blu-rays will have ill effect on the PS3s line of reasoning is that the blu-ray discs only spin at 2x. So it's doubtful that playing them will have any significant wear on the system at that speed. Also there's been no concrete proof brought up to actually support that theory.

Nope. Not that I've seen. It was an assupmtion.

[Big Red Spider]

Everyone keeps saying that the PS3 is too expensive. When I went this last week to buy a new console walmarts had a 360 arcade $272 w/no hard drive, one with a 20 gb hard drive for $349, and another xbox for $449. PS3 40 gb for $399 and PS3 80 gb for $499.

I bought the 40gb ps3. Spent $127 more than the arcade 360. I got a 40 gb hard drive. It plays music (without connenting to another computer), movie(dvd and blu-ray), pictures, internet browser, and even games. In the future I'm thinking about loading linux yd6 on it so I can play all the old nes and snes games.

True, I don't have xboxlive, but the real reason I spent the extra 127 plus tax is because I don't like the xbox controller. But I think I got a pretty good machine out of the deal.

[the goddamn batman]

The PS3 was more expensive initially. It was what, like $600 before the price drop? And the XBOX Elite wasn't out yet. So there was a susbantial price difference.

I spent $400 on my middle of the road 360, and man, that's already enough money. To even think about spending $200 more and not have XBOX LIVE (which is very important to me) was crazyness.

It's evened out more now.

[Ragnorok64]

Remember you'll likely have to tack on $50 more to the Xbox prices on account of Live. And you have to pay that every year; that adds up after a while. True you don't get all the features of Xbox Live with PSN but free is a good number.

[JCAll]

Everyone keeps saying that the PS3 is too expensive. When I went this last week to buy a new console walmarts had a 360 arcade $272 w/no hard drive, one with a 20 gb hard drive for $349, and another xbox for $449. PS3 40 gb for $399 and PS3 80 gb for $499.

I bought the 40gb ps3. Spent $127 more than the arcade 360. I got a 40 gb hard drive. It plays music (without connenting to another computer), movie(dvd and blu-ray), pictures, internet browser, and even games. In the future I'm thinking about loading linux yd6 on it so I can play all the old nes and snes games.

True, I don't have xboxlive, but the real reason I spent the extra 127 plus tax is because I don't like the xbox controller. But I think I got a pretty good machine out of the deal.

I got an X-Box 360 Arcade for 220 around Christmas time. If I ever start giving a damn and Microsoft fixes the Backwards compatability, hard drives for it are going on eBay for about 40 bucks.

That's 100 dollars less than the PS3, 200 less considering nowhere around here carries the cheaper version.

Still, it's all about getting a good deal. I know there was a sale going on around here about a month ago, just far enough away that the gas money would count out any actual savings, that had the 399 PS3 down to 250 for a weekend.

And there's nothing wrong with the 360 controller...or the Wii controller, or the N64 controller, or the Dreamcast controller. Half the fun it fiddling with the new controller every 5 years. Something Sony @#$%ing REFUSES to learn!

[Astonishing X-Fan]

The dual shock is an archiac design, with an awful, awful placement for the left analog stick. I hated it last gen, let alone this one. Controllers that crappy were fine in the PS1 days where all this 3D stuff was still pretty new...but to keep using that godawful design not just one, but two generations later, kind of pisses me off.

Seriosuly, that left stick just sucks. It's in a stupid, uncomfortable place...and the shape and texture makes my finger slip around on it.

The dual shock is up there with the original XBOX controller(before the redesign) as one of my least favorite controllers of all time.

[Xero Kaiser]

The dual shock is up there with the original XBOX controller(before the redesign) as one of my least favorite controllers of all time.

What? No Dreamcast controller?

[Astonishing X-Fan]

I missed out on the Dreamcast, at that point I was still a diehard nintendo fanboy who's video game budget consisted of whatever money my parents gave me.

So no comment on the controller. I think I used it like once and I can't remember how it felt at all

[the goddamn batman]

Remember you'll likely have to tack on $50 more to the Xbox prices on account of Live. And you have to pay that every year; that adds up after a while. True you don't get all the features of Xbox Live with PSN but free is a good number.

$50 a year isn't that much money. And I'd gladly pay the nominal fee for a GOOD online service.

Granted, I've not used the PS3 online, but I KNOW that I like XBOX LIVE, so why bother?

[Ragnorok64]

$50 a year isn't that much money. And I'd gladly pay the nominal fee for a GOOD online service.

Granted, I've not used the PS3 online, but I KNOW that I like XBOX LIVE, so why bother?

My point was that that cost has to be considered when one contends that the 360 is cheaper than PS3. If you want to game online, it isn't in the long run.

[Chiasm]

Its all about the games.

I bought my PS1 not too long after its launch for two games: Doom and Resident Evil. I bought a PS2 largely out of brand loyalty but for the backwards compatability too. And it came out with lots of great games.

I was torn on buying a 360 or PS3. I wanted a PS3 but realized that was largely because of over ten years of playing nothing but Playstation. In the end I went with the 360 because it had the games I wanted to play. Mass Effect primarily and I loved it. I'm now playing Oblivion. I can't do either of those on the PS3. If the PS3 had come out with the games I wanted to play and they were exclusive to the PS3 I would have gone with it.

[Ragnorok64]

Its all about the games.

I bought my PS1 not too long after its launch for two games: Doom and Resident Evil. I bought a PS2 largely out of brand loyalty but for the backwards compatability too. And it came out with lots of great games.

I was torn on buying a 360 or PS3. I wanted a PS3 but realized that was largely because of over ten years of playing nothing but Playstation. In the end I went with the 360 because it had the games I wanted to play. Mass Effect primarily and I loved it. I'm now playing Oblivion. I can't do either of those on the PS3. If the PS3 had come out with the games I wanted to play and they were exclusive to the PS3 I would have gone with it.
Oblivion is on PS3, Mass Effect isn't yet, though Bioshock was just confirmed.

[the goddamn batman]

My point was that that cost has to be considered when one contends that the 360 is cheaper than PS3. If you want to game online, it isn't in the long run.

And the external Blu Ray drive will cost money as well... but at the onset the PS3 was several hundred dollars more than XBOX just for the basic system.

As I said before, it's evened out now... but it wasn't initially. So asking people why they prefer XBOX is going to get answers about cost that were relaitve to when they purchased their system.

If the systems were to debut with their current cost, who knows how each system would have performed.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Oblivion is on PS3, Mass Effect isn't yet, though Bioshock was just confirmed.

Oblivion was out like, around a year on 360 before it was finally on the PS3. Bioshock has been on 360 since last year and has yet to come out on PS3. These things might not matter to someone just getting into current-gen gaming, but it mattered to me at the time. It seems to be more common to see a good multiplatform game on 360 first then it is to see a good multiplatform game on PS3 first, and IMO that's an advantage for the 360. As for Mass Effect, I would not expect a PS3 version. Ever.

But you're right about the price point. Right now, the difference is pretty negligable. When the PS3 was new, though, it was a pretty sizable gap.

[JCAll]

What? No Dreamcast controller?

Only thing wrong with the Dreamcast controller was that the cord came out the wrong end, cutting about a foot off of a cord that was too short to begin with.

I liked the little screen in the controller...even though nobody used it well.

[Alex]

Kinda shocked there is any debate on this.
1. 360 came out first.
2. 360 was cheaper.
3. 360 has more games.
That's really all it needed, cheaper, out first, more games.
I still think price is the biggest reason, isn't the wii outselling both?

[Ragnorok64]

Kinda shocked there is any debate on this.
1. 360 came out first.
2. 360 was cheaper.
3. 360 has more games.
That's really all it needed, cheaper, out first, more games.
I still think price is the biggest reason, isn't the wii outselling both?

Yet it's only experiencing the extreme run away success in America. This thread was made with intent to find out why it sells so much better in the American territory. Something about it appeals especially to this demographic.

[the goddamn batman]

Something about it appeals especially to this demographic.


5 pages of people saying "the price, the games, and xbox live" hasn't clued you in yet?

Seriously, look at the Halo 3 sales. That's your answer right there. REALLY popular exclusive game. Cheaper. Came out first. Cheaper. Xbox live is awesome. Cheaper. No more Playstation exclusives for GTA. Cheaper.

It's really very simple math. When they debuted, the PS3 was almost twice as much and didn't have Halo 3... or really, anything near it as far as popularity is concerned.

[Ragnorok64]

5 pages of people saying "the price, the games, and xbox live" hasn't clued you in yet?

Seriously, look at the Halo 3 sales. That's your answer right there. REALLY popular exclusive game. Cheaper. Came out first. Cheaper. Xbox live is awesome. Cheaper. No more Playstation exclusives for GTA. Cheaper.

It's really very simple math. When they debuted, the PS3 was almost twice as much and didn't have Halo 3... or really, anything near it as far as popularity is concerned.

*Face palm*

I've been reading my own freakin thread! My last post was to reiterate to the person I quoted what the original intent of the thread was.

[the goddamn batman]

My last post was to reiterate to the person I quoted what the original intent of the thread was.

Why do you need to reiterate the point of the thread? It's pretty clear in the thread title... honestly.

[Ragnorok64]

Why do you need to reiterate the point of the thread? It's pretty clear in the thread title... honestly.

You would think so, but it seemed I needed to clarify for Alex.

[StreetFighterRyu]

I'm more concerned with establishing a wide spread problem with playing DVDs on a game system before attempting to extend the assumption that playing blu-rays on a PS3 will ruin the system.

People (my family) watch DVDs on my PS3. It works fine. Simply put, don't watch too much DVDs at once. Just one at time. Maybe once a week. I don't know. Again, it works fine. So maybe it'll be the same with Blue ray. Just don't play DVDs more often.

It was the same with my PS2. At least the thin one. I think my old one (the original PS2) brokedown 'cause of that. And some blue disk games.

[the goddamn batman]

You would think so, but it seemed I needed to clarify for Alex.

It did? Why?

[Fish Sauce]

It did? Why?

Give the guy a break, he's asking why the X-Box is doing well in America when compared to other countries. It has the same advantages listed in most of the other places as well, so that doesn't answer his question of why it does better in America than elsewhere.

It's not fair reading people listing the same thing then giving him crap when he says it's not what he's looking for when he's explained what he means. It's unnecessary.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Because Japan shuns the XBOX because it's "American" and doesn't cater to them nearly as much as Sony and Nintendo do.

[Black Atom]

Yet it's only experiencing the extreme run away success in America. This thread was made with intent to find out why it sells so much better in the American territory. Something about it appeals especially to this demographic.

That's a foregone conslusion. The question as it's posed now insists that there's "something" about the X-Box that appeals especially to the U.S.
A more objective way to approach the question is to ask why is there a disparity in the success of X-Box in the U.S. compared to other regions. This way, we can approach the question logically instead of inviting unproven generalizations.

I think posters have provided logical factors that could account for the X-Box's success in the U.S. The other half is trying to determine why these factors have been less effective overseas. The issue of brand loyalty has been brought up a few times as well. It seems like you just don't want to accept these as possible answers.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

That's a foregone conslusion. The question as it's posed now insists that there's "something" about the X-Box that appeals especially to the U.S.
A more objective way to approach the question is to ask why is there a disparity in the success of X-Box in the U.S. compared to other regions. This way, we can approach the question logically instead of inviting unproven generalizations.

I think posters have provided logical factors that could account for the X-Box's success in the U.S. The other half is trying to determine why these factors have been less effective overseas. The issue of brand loyalty has been brought up a few times as well. It seems like you just don't want to accept these as possible answers.

Aside from brand loyalty, I think part of it really is that Microsoft is an American company and Nintendo/Sony are Japanese. While American fans don't really care, Japan seems to be hesitant to support the "foriegn" console. Also, MS doesn't really do much to cater to Japanese tastes, while Sony and especially Nintendo do.

[StoneGold]

Also, MS doesn't really do much to cater to Japanese tastes, while Sony and especially Nintendo do.

Actually, they've been trying like crazy. Idolmaster, Ace Combat, Blue Dragon, all of them are very tailored to Japanese tastes.

[Ragnorok64]

That's a foregone conslusion. The question as it's posed now insists that there's "something" about the X-Box that appeals especially to the U.S.
A more objective way to approach the question is to ask why is there a disparity in the success of X-Box in the U.S. compared to other regions. This way, we can approach the question logically instead of inviting unproven generalizations.

I think posters have provided logical factors that could account for the X-Box's success in the U.S. The other half is trying to determine why these factors have been less effective overseas. The issue of brand loyalty has been brought up a few times as well. It seems like you just don't want to accept these as possible answers.

The thing is, that makes America the litmus test. While that represents a lot of buyers, it doesn't necessarily represent a lot of countries. "Other" takes into account Europe, Australia, and a slew of other places.

When it comes to Japan we all know what the deal is with that territory. Xbox has never been big there, they don't seem to like non-Japanese consoles. i'm curious if the reverse is happening with the Xbox in America, or do Americans really like shooters that much, or whatever some of the other factors may be.

With that in mind, listing the capabilities of the system or hen it came out isn't particularly useful. It enjoyed an earlier release date around the world, and has Xbox Live around the world, and it holds the higher marketplace penetration, as would be expected. But, that gap between them is significantly greater in the US then elsewhere. I made this thead here because I figured this is the most neutral place to have this discussion (I'm half temped to post this same topic in PS3 and 360-centric forums just to see the responce :evilsmile:) . This thread has yielded some interesting information. That said responses like
Because Americans are smart?... don't really help.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Actually, they've been trying like crazy. Idolmaster, Ace Combat, Blue Dragon, all of them are very tailored to Japanese tastes.

Still, that's barely anything compared to what you see on the other consoles. And none of them are hyped blockbuster titles either. Sony and Nintendo both have a good chuck of major, hyped titles that appeal to Japan. The 360's first "big" game that really fits that mold is Ninja Gaiden 2, which is just coming out now. And the original XBOX was even less Japan-friendly. The XBOX brand has the "it's American" stigma holding it back.

[Black Atom]

The thing is, that makes America the litmus test. While that represents a lot of buyers, it doesn't necessarily represent a lot of countries. "Other" takes into account Europe, Australia, and a slew of other places.

When it comes to Japan we all know what the deal is with that territory. Xbox has never been big there, they don't seem to like non-Japanese consoles. i'm curious if the reverse is happening with the Xbox in America, or do Americans really like shooters that much, or whatever some of the other factors may be.

But those are just WAGs with no real evidence to suggest that either could be true. The first would be particularly hard to prove, but the second might be proven (or disproven) by analyzing the genre of games players from other regions DO tend to buy to determine if Americans, disproportionately, buy/play shooting games, which should be fairly easy*.

With that in mind, listing the capabilities of the system or hen it came out isn't particularly useful.

Yet you have to accept that these are contributing factors. Another would be that the PS3 launch was bungled in the U.S. and was a running joke and subject of scorn across the web (attack the crab for massive damage?) for the first year of its launch. Maybe Sony learned from their mistakes and were a lot more solid for the European launch.

It enjoyed an earlier release date around the world,
and has Xbox Live around the world, and it holds the higher marketplace penetration, as would be expected. But, that gap between them is significantly greater in the US then elsewhere. I made this thead here because I figured this is the most neutral place to have this discussion
(I'm half temped to post this same topic in PS3 and 360-centric forums just to see the responce :evilsmile:) This thread has yielded some interesting information. That said responses like don't really help.

It wasn't meant to help. It was a joke.

*But here, I'll throw you a bone. Doing a quick wiki search (and taking for granted the numbers are reliable) Both Madden 07 and 08 appear in the top 20 on the list of 360 games that've sold more than a million copies. Despite the latter also being released on the PS3, it doesn't even appear on it's list, meaning it old less than 1 million on that device. Being the console of choice for the Madden games could account for some of the disparity between the sales of the systems in the U.S. and the fact that most other nations don't give rat poo about American football (the games aren't even released anywhere else, are they?) could account for the smaller disparity elsewhere.

[StoneGold]

Still, that's barely anything compared to what you see on the other consoles. And none of them are hyped blockbuster titles either. Sony and Nintendo both have a good chuck of major, hyped titles that appeal to Japan. The 360's first "big" game that really fits that mold is Ninja Gaiden 2, which is just coming out now. And the original XBOX was even less Japan-friendly. The XBOX brand has the "it's American" stigma holding it back.

You mean the game from the creator of Final Fantasy and the creator of Dragonball isn't considered big?

I agree with the rest of it. Except for the not trying to appeal to the Japanese market. Hell, it's not like PS3 has a ton of RPGs or dating sims on it.

[Black Atom]

Aside from brand loyalty, I think part of it really is that Microsoft is an American company and Nintendo/Sony are Japanese. While American fans don't really care, Japan seems to be hesitant to support the "foriegn" console. Also, MS doesn't really do much to cater to Japanese tastes, while Sony and especially Nintendo do.

I'm not sure it's just that the X-box is an American brand, per se, but...well, in Japan there's a ton of homework sims and games about girls going to the bathroom and a ton of other niche titles made by Japanese developers that never make it to the X-Box.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

You mean the game from the creator of Final Fantasy and the creator of Dragonball isn't considered big?



By "big" I'm talking the blockbuster titles here. The stuff that gets the giant hype machines rolling, gets the big scores from the critics, and sells tons of copies. We're talking stuff like Gears of War, Halo, Mario, Zelda, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, and GTA.

While it's true the PS3 hasn't has many big Japan-marketed games(one could argue they just lack big games period), the Sony brand has had a history of catering to the Japanese gamer. The PS1 and PS2 were practically the exclusive homes of any JRPG worth a damn, and the home of Final Fantasy, by far the biggest RPG franchise ever. The Metal Gear Solid series is also a big one for the Japanese crowd.

But the original XBOX was pretty much an American console for American gamers. The few games that targeted the Japan demographic were generally lacking in quality and attention. Aside from Team Ninja's games, it's pretty easy to tell who the XBOX caters to.

In the end, the Playstation brand and the Nintendo brand have years of history and tons of games that have built up brand loyalty in Japan, while the XBOX brand comes off as looking very, very American.

[Kevin M.]

From the sound of things it most likely comes down to brand loyalty to Nintendo, and Sony with in Japan. MS is trying to cater to the Japanese market, just have the misfortune of being an American based company.

[JCAll]

You mean the game from the creator of Final Fantasy and the creator of Dragonball isn't considered big?

I agree with the rest of it. Except for the not trying to appeal to the Japanese market. Hell, it's not like PS3 has a ton of RPGs or dating sims on it.

Blue Dragon was mediocre at best and had desing flaws that would make Suda 51 blush with shame. Plus it was Looooooooooooong, and those design flaws never went away.

Eternal Sonata was twice the RPG Blue Dragon was, and I'm pretty sure you can get in on the PS3 in Japan.

This generation is RPG dry. More RPGs have come out on the PS2 since the PS3/Xbox 360 were released than on the next gen consoles.

[Xero Kaiser]

This generation is RPG dry. More RPGs have come out on the PS2 since the PS3/Xbox 360 were released than on the next gen consoles.

Yeah, but how many of them actually got anyone's attention?

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Blue Dragon was mediocre at best and had desing flaws that would make Suda 51 blush with shame. Plus it was Looooooooooooong, and those design flaws never went away.

Eternal Sonata was twice the RPG Blue Dragon was, and I'm pretty sure you can get in on the PS3 in Japan.

This generation is RPG dry. More RPGs have come out on the PS2 since the PS3/Xbox 360 were released than on the next gen consoles.

I wouldn't say that. Oblivion, Mass Effect, Enchanted Arms, Fire Emblem, Lost Odyssey, Eternal Sonata, Blue Dragon, Marvel Ultimate Alliance...I'm sure there's more. There's been RPGs, there's just not as much focus on them as last gen.

[jka12002]

According to vgchartz.com, the Xbox360 maintains a 6.28million lead over the PS3, which is to be expected considering its been out longer and all. But if you break it down by region you'll see a huge disparity in the lead it has in America compare to "Other," which takes into account Europe and Austraila and that. The PS3 is only .95 Million behind in the "Other" territories despite the release date Lead the 360 had. Japan is stark in the .61million Xbox 360s have been sold there compared to 2.6 million PS3s.

Essentially if you move America from the equation, the PS3 would be leading it in Hardware sales. So that's left me wondering why is the Xbox so incredibly popular in America?

P.S.: I realize that the Wii is slaughtering both systems in hardware moved, but it's like half the price of the other two and I'm not counting it in discussion since it's easy to see why everyone loves it.


Americans like XBOX, whats wrong with that?

[Ragnorok64]

I wouldn't say that. Oblivion, Mass Effect, Enchanted Arms, Fire Emblem, Lost Odyssey, Eternal Sonata, Blue Dragon, Marvel Ultimate Alliance...I'm sure there's more. There's been RPGs, there's just not as much focus on them as last gen. Mass Effect and Oblivion are both American RPG. The JRPG scene has been a bit uneventful as i don't think any of those games got extremely good reviews. I think Rogue Galaxy was the last really well received JRPG that comes to mind.

Here's hoping that White Knight Chronicles is good.

Americans like XBOX, whats wrong with that?I never said anything was wrong with it, I'm just curious. I want to understand the globalized gaming community. But you seem to be banned now so...

[Alex]

Still, that's barely anything compared to what you see on the other consoles. And none of them are hyped blockbuster titles either. Sony and Nintendo both have a good chuck of major, hyped titles that appeal to Japan. The 360's first "big" game that really fits that mold is Ninja Gaiden 2, which is just coming out now. And the original XBOX was even less Japan-friendly. The XBOX brand has the "it's American" stigma holding it back.

And since microsoft finanly turned a profit on the 360, i don't think they are going to do anything to change it, just wash their hands of the japanese market and focus on the bigger american market.