What next-gen system(s) do you think you'll buy?

[Hi There, Am Pam]

Feel free to skip this text. It's just a synopsis of where things are at.

For me, I'm almost positive it's going to be the Wii. Not a huge surprise, since I've loved Nintendo since the NES days.

But things look interesting. First, you have the X-Box 360, which seems to be doing well. The real downside to the 360 is that it doesn't stand out in anyway compared to the Wii & Playstation 3. Obviously, the Wii has the new controller, while the PS3 has the psycho specs & Blu-ray drive. Still, it's sold pretty well so far (as far as I know), and the specs are impressive. Even still, the core system is a bit of a joke, so $400 for a console still seems expensive to me. Then again, I'm fucking broke, so my opinon doesn't count for squat.

The Wii's major downside is the apparent lack of processor power. Supposedly, it's 2-3 times the strength of the Gamecube. Nintendo hasn't really leaked a whole lot of info on the actual specs, so it's still a bit of a mystery. I would be highly, highly surprised if it kept up with the 360 or Playstation 3, but it should still be better than most people probably suspect. Nintendo has been downplaying it to focus on the innovation with the controller, although I'm sure it's also to avoid falling short. The buzz on the Wii seems to be huge, and I think as long as the controller works the way it should, and that there are plenty of games which use it, the Wii should do really well. If the controller is buggy, it could become the next Virtual-Boy. Estimated price range is about $150-250, most likely right inbetween. Release date 9/14 in Japan & US, 15th in Europe.

The Playstation 3 seems to be a huge question mark. There are rumors of faulty manifacturing/short supplies, and most importantly, the price tag is extremely high (and I doubt it's worth it to get the cheaper version). The flip side of this is that you get what you pay for so long as the hardware works. The graphics have to be seen to be believed, and having a Blu-ray player could pay off well (or it could be the next Laser-disc). However, after the inital cost of buying a PS3, the games are supposed to be from $60-100 each. There is no way in hell I could afford that. I could easily see the PS3 becoming the next Neo-Geo. Release date a proected 11/17.



So that's about it. I'm pretty interested in seeing what will happen.

[Herr Lipp]

Playstation 3. albeit not until a good 6 months from teh release date. gives those nerdy americans and japs time to find all the bugs and complain about it. it's the only plus point to living in Europe, computer game wise.

If history has shown us, if the past has told us anything. it is that you should stick with Playstation :D

[Herr Lipp]

New games are £40 (about $65 - $70) as standard here, Hohn. Ha Ha.

(realises the new price will probably be £75 if they are going up in america too :( )

[Chaoseffect]

I hear Wii Will be under $170 so I'm definatly getting that when it comes out.
I already got 360. Waiting for Gears Of War and Halo 3. I got a siva drive 2 so I'm gonna get my friend to flash it for me so I will be getting free games fo sho.
It's easy 2.

[Chaoseffect]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2964751562925463883

[stevenrwolfe]

I may buy a PS3, just to sell it immediately in eBay so I can finance the purchase of a Wii and 360.

[Herr Lipp]

gives those nerdy americans and japs time to find all the bugs...

I got a siva drive 2 so I'm gonna get my friend to flash it for me so I will be getting free games fo sho.
.

you're one of them! :)

[Chaoseffect]

At least I won't be paying 60 bucks a game! :-D

[Herr Lipp]

I might look into burglary to get my games once they're that dear.

[jas1n]

i have a 360, but the games i want are too fucking expensive and why buy those when i can probably preorder a Wii in the next month or so??

the ps3 isn't going to do anything with a fatass price tag. say what you want about blu ray and all of that shit, but it's not going to keep it from sinking like a rock.

[Herr Lipp]

that's a shockingly bold statement considering every playstation so far has shit on the other consoles for quality, choice of games. it's not particularly expensive; i remember when teh playstation 1 came out like over 10 years ago and it was £200. Astronomical back then.

[Herr Lipp]

in fact i find jas1n's audacity quite amusing.

[Chaoseffect]

Oh yea the PS3 is only gonna have 400 000 units in the U.S and I think 100 thousand more for Japan Europe is'nt gonna get any until 2007. Wow thats sucide for sony.

[Fab]

Suicide is certainly overstating it, but there's a general consensus that Sony's going to lose a fair chunk of its market share, even beyond the genreal anti-other console banter that goes on between consumers, so much so that Sony's stock price has gone down because of it. The main reasons are the fact that it really is quite expensive, and no one aside from techies actually cares about blu-ray yet. The relative success of the DS over the PSP has also put executives on edge about it. The delayed European release has put a lot of people off too (66% of 8500 people who were planning on getting one for xmas, according to a poll on the BBC's website). Don't make the mistake of counting chickens before they hatch either, 500,000 units shipped means bugger all if they still don't sell.

[jas1n]

that's a shockingly bold statement considering every playstation so far has shit on the other consoles for quality, choice of games. it's not particularly expensive; i remember when teh playstation 1 came out like over 10 years ago and it was £200. Astronomical back then.

are you referring to the $500 or the $600 ps3 package?

there is definently no denying that Sony usually has the best system to go with as far as wide range of available games- but the price is going to make all the difference this time.

[jas1n]

Suicide is certainly overstating it, but there's a general consensus that Sony's going to lose a fair chunk of its market share, even beyond the genreal anti-other console banter that goes on between consumers, so much so that Sony's stock price has gone down because of it. The main reasons are the fact that it really is quite expensive, and no one aside from techies actually cares about blu-ray yet. The relative success of the DS over the PSP has also put executives on edge about it. The delayed European release has put a lot of people off too (66% of 8500 people who were planning on getting one for xmas, according to a poll on the BBC's website). Don't make the mistake of counting chickens before they hatch either, 500,000 units shipped means bugger all if they still don't sell.

i'm not so much anti-PS3 as i am not rich enough to drop that much money on a fucking console.

the DS fucking owns PSP. it's cheaper and the games are better.

[Hi There, Am Pam]

I agree with our pal Jason. The PS3 is just too expensive. No video game system has survived such a high price tag (like the Neo-Geo). The best Sony could really hope for is a niche market unless the price tag drops. There is always the outside chance that the number of hardcore gamers is high enough that they could carry it, but I doubt it. I'm not saying it's doomed to fail, but it doesn't look good, especially with the number of problems they're having.

[Rael]

I'm definately buying a Wii no doubt about that. I love the games and so does my wife and i have a newborn son who will be playing games in a couple of years. The wii will be great for him especially since i plan on downloading all the games from the past that i loved to play. He will probably play those first.

I can't wait to download some of that stuff: Kid Icarus
Blaster Master
R.C Pro AM
Super Mario games
Zelda games
Mega man 2
Double Dragon
Ikari Warriors
Contra
Super Metroid

Of couse i'll be getting Sega genesis games also:
Stryder
Altered Beast
Sonic games
Wonder boy in Monster land
Toejam & earl
Golden Axe

man i know there are more i can't remember but thats a good start.

Oh yeah some of those Wii games look ok too.( Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid)

I will have to get a Ps3 at some point because of my retarded love of Final Fantasy games. I won't care about a PS3 until the ff games start coming out.

Sony consoles are poorly made the first few years so i don't feel the need to rush out and get one.(I'm on my second ps2) and hopefully the price will have to be dropped in order for Sony To compete with the competition.

I might consider getting an x box 360 in FF games came out on that system.
I generally like rpgs and action games. i'm not big into sports or FPS games. so if Microsoft offered better games in those genres i would consider getting one instead.

Sony needs a great online service to compete as well. i don't like online games but am interested in other services. I hope that digital distribution of games doen't happen( it makes me mad).

[Fab]

http://www.explosm.net/db/files/Comics/Dave/comicfanboy2.png

[jas1n]

http://www.explosm.net/db/files/Comics/Dave/comicfanboy2.png

:lol: :yes: i like this.

[Herr Lipp]

birds are shit at computer games in my experience!

I think the price tag is acceptable considering HD DVD or Blu Ray players (whatever wins) will cost roughly the same as stand alone systems - and you're getting a next level future proof games machine bungled in.

And shit boys, do you REALLY THINK that the cost of the console will GO DOWN??????? That;s a fucking LONG SHOT if I ever heard of one!!!!!!!!!!! I'm being sarcastic. :D

[Herr Lipp]

I revert back to my earlier point that $600 is less than £400 - which doesn't shock me as I remember PS2 being about £250 - £300 if you got packages with 2 controllers, memory cards and some games etc. It's more of a shock for you hamerican folk, as you're used to everyhing being so flippin cheap.

Hell, the PSP was £190 when it came out. That's about $350 (off the top of my head).

[Herr Lipp]

Rael: yeah man like I said only fools and people with rich parents get their machines within 4 - 6 months of the release date. Iron out the bugs etc, I got my playstation 2 quite late and it's still going well after about 3 years regular use.

[Fab]

Hell, the PSP was £190 when it came out. That's about $350 (off the top of my head). Yeah... but... the PSP is sort of bombing and stuff.

[Herr Lipp]

I'm sure they've broken even by now? Wouldn't surprise me if it is faltering but I'd blame that on teh lame UMD discs. MPEG4/AVI/MOV compatible would've been enough, video-playback wise.

[Suede]

The Nintendo Wii will cost £134 when it's released in Nov 24th. Games priced at £39.99.

[Jackal]

We are getting the Wii!

We have:
Super Nintendo
Gamecube
X-Box
X-Box 360.

[Chaoseffect]

Most def getting a wii
I already have:
N64
GameBoy Advance
Gamecube
Xbox(modified for a million games and counting:D )
Xbox 360

[Narcissistic Nihilist]

As per usual, Sony will produce the only machine that matters and will tread the others into the dirt. The PS3 combined with the PSP are going to be a joy to behold.

[Herr Lipp]

have to agree with you.

although right at this moment in time, the 360 played through a HD ready screen does look fantastic.

[Nak Nak]

Sony simply have the best relationship with 3rd party developers and the PS3 will thus have the best games.

[Herr Lipp]

I've always felt their controls since, PlayStation, were the best too though. Simple and ergonomic, yet original for the time. I remember thinking the analog sticks would never take off years and years ago, how wrong I was. I hate XBox controller and never liked teh N64. Though I'd put up with that to play mario Kart and goldeneye

[Nak Nak]

You're right, PS2 controller is the greatest, I use an adapter to play pro evo on the pc with it.

I like the sound of Wii but i think I would wait at least 6 months before getting one, i hear the price from the remote things = £60 or so and I hate buying games, especially at 40 quid!

[Suede]

Fuck...Nintendo Wii is now out on Dec 8th, priced at £179.99. Games are still £39.99. Snes style controllers are £14.99.

Check Amazon

[Nak Nak]

fook.

[Narcissistic Nihilist]

have to agree with you.

although right at this moment in time, the 360 played through a HD ready screen does look fantastic.

Sure does. im not saying the other machines will be shit, but all consoles will be judged by their software, not hardware, and in that case Sony have an edge by a gazilliion, they always have done since their softly, softly approach of buying out Psygnosis and the crafty tactics therein.

[Herr Lipp]

Shit I've just read teh PS3 controller has motion sensors aswell as the analog sticks. Motion sensitivity is the only reason I would've got a Wii, my friend who's pre-ordered a Wii will spit blood no doubt.

[Tago Mago]

I've pre-ordered a Wii with Zelda. I might get a PS3 eventually when the price goes down. 360, no.

[Barbarian Love Elephant]

I have not bought a console in ten years but i really think i'll purchase a wii once i get some cash.

*new zelda
*nintendos inhouse high quality of games
*plays gamecube games
*downloadable back cat. for the other systems
*control pad
*nintendo
*price

i really need about 25-30 5 star games at max for the life of the console to be happy.

ps. it still annoys me nintendo didnt buy rare

[Zen Acolyte]

I have the 360 with XBL. - It's plenty for me. I think the PS3 is just as powerful as a system as the 360 but that hefty price tag, video games (for the most part) are not developed using Blu-Ray tech, and only first party games support Sony's Online Service, so no thanks.

Sony is in MS's shoes like when the PS2 had been out forever then came the Xbox.

[Herr Lipp]

The PS3 is more powerful than the 360, dude. But raw-specs aren't everything and I think the PS3 will show it's worth - I'm creaming about the possiblility of wirelessly connecting to it with a PSP...that's the future right there.

[Herr Lipp]

and the blu-ray thing - it's for the future they're just thinking ahead.

[Fab]

Shit I've just read teh PS3 controller has motion sensors aswell as the analog sticks. Motion sensitivity is the only reason I would've got a Wii, my friend who's pre-ordered a Wii will spit blood no doubt.

It's not remotely (heh) the same though, it sense motion but not location or orientation so can't be used in the same way at all. It can't be used for lightgun type stuff, or pointing at stuff or any of that, just tilting really, like a steering wheel.

[Herr Lipp]

yeah but tilting, 2x analog and 14 push buttons makes for a gangster controller, bitch!

[Hi There, Am Pam]

At the moment, it's been all bad news for the PS3. Low availability, awful backwards compatibility, and they're losing $300 on each unit (about). I think the PS3 might crash & burn, at least considering their direction.

[Narcissistic Nihilist]

At the moment, it's been all bad news for the PS3. Low availability, awful backwards compatibility, and they're losing $300 on each unit (about). I think the PS3 might crash & burn, at least considering their direction.
I find that highly unlikely. The best machine with the best software from the most professional and respected company crashing out? I doubt that very much. Companies lose shed loads on every unit sold ever. PS2's needed to make 500mill sales to break even, yet it still became the most dominant console ever. The money is more than made back on the sale of games. The system isnt even fully out yet, and only fools who are parted from their money easily get a console in the first year.

Low avaliablilty is standard once again, especially for those wanting the best. High demand is never bad for a company, and that again goes back to the last sentence of the last paragraph.

I dont like the remote controllers, but then they all have that. (The Wii being particularly bad, ugh) and I dont know what you mean by "awful backwards compatibility", but it is hardly relevant. No one bothers to play PSX games on PS2, so no one will bother playing PS2 games on PS3 anyway. Even if you want to, you just keep your PS2, or buy one for about £20 if you dont have one. Not a problem.

The fact remains that the 360 games wont be as good, the Wii design is a novelty from a desperate company and will once again only be viable for kids and kids games, so the PS3 will do magnificently by default.

[Herr Lipp]

"Awful backwards compatibility"? I heard it was 5% of the games. That's from the BBC site not american johns book of crap.

lack of availability would lead to frenzied buying, and shit, I read sony are FLYING stock over from Asia into America. So if they're prepared not to ship the games and pay x amount extra on delivery I think that says all that needs to be said about their confidence in demand.

PS3 whoops ass now. I think it's going to be insane what the developers have got it to do in 2 years time.

[Zen Acolyte]

and the blu-ray thing - it's for the future they're just thinking ahead.

while this is true, only one team (Ubisoft Montreal) is using blu-ray tech for games. It's super expensive for this software. I read on ign.com that it will be for the masses but not till about 2011-2012. By then a new wave of consoles will be out.

Ign is right, the PS3 is ahead of it's time.

The X360 has dominated the market with over 1 mil Xbox LIVE subscribers and will continue to do so. With the Video Marketplace launching 11/22/06, Zune, and Halo 3 coming it pwn the rest of the comp. While you have to pay for M$'s LIVE service, Sony Online is free but only to first party developed games. WTF is up with that?

Don't get me wrong, I love the PS2 & prolly am going to buy a PS3 one a price drop comes.

i'm a nerd :/

[Narcissistic Nihilist]

while this is true, only one team (Ubisoft Montreal) is using blu-ray tech for games. It's super expensive for this software. I read on ign.com that it will be for the masses but not till about 2011-2012. By then a new wave of consoles will be out.

Ign is right, the PS3 is ahead of it's time.

I would be surprised if it takes that long. Blu-ray players are already emerging, with blu-ray DVD's. The PS2 was one of the major (if not THE) reasons of getting affordable DVD players in everyones homes. Sony have fingers in many pies of course and could see these turn of events take place.

Granted, the jump from DVD to Blu-ray is tiny in comparison from VHS to DVD, but I'm sure enough R&D was done beforehand in conjuction with developers (Just like how Square had hold of PS2 technology before the machine came out) to see what you can do with it.

The machine will not totally rely on Blu-ray technology, and sure it will be a while before it can be fully mastered and utilised, but this is the same with every console. Take a look at any first issue games with the last ones a few years later, and they will alwys be superior technologically.

[Hi There, Am Pam]

I find that highly unlikely. The best machine with the best software from the most professional and respected company crashing out? I doubt that very much. Companies lose shed loads on every unit sold ever. PS2's needed to make 500mill sales to break even, yet it still became the most dominant console ever. The money is more than made back on the sale of games. The system isnt even fully out yet, and only fools who are parted from their money easily get a console in the first year.


Best machine? We don't even know how well they hold up yet. There have been plenty of rumors that the consoles are very unreliable. Perhaps the most powerful, but if they are, in fact, having hardware issues, it won't mean anything. I think it's too early to say.

Best software? It's way too early to say that. The X-Box 360 has far more titles available, so it's hard to compare. But I'm sure that the PS3 could surpass the 360 within a year in total number of titles. It's kinda hard to say who has the best software when the PS3 has just been released.

The thing with video game consoles is that a company's reputation can rapidly change by the quality of the next generation of consoles. If you look at the history of different consoles which were supposed to be the "next big thing", a large portion of them failed, for different reasons. I'm not saying that the PS3 is going to fail, I just think it's a possibility.

Low avaliablilty is standard once again, especially for those wanting the best. High demand is never bad for a company, and that again goes back to the last sentence of the last paragraph.

This isn't an intentional low availability in order to drive up demand, this is Sony having hardware problems which causes a great number of launch sales to be missed. In the long run, it might not matter, but it's off to a bad start. Having a high demand is great, but if you can't meet that demand, what does it matter? If they can manage to produce enough to meet that demand by early next year, it will probably offset. There's no guarantee of that though.

The fact remains that the 360 games wont be as good, the Wii design is a novelty from a desperate company and will once again only be viable for kids and kids games, so the PS3 will do magnificently by default.

Have you used the Wii's controller? I've played some pretty amazing 360 games, so I don't see how their games will definitely be worse. The PS3 has just been released in the US. There is no way to compare the software at this point. I doubt the Wii will just be for kids. Have you seen some of the titles? Just look at Red Steel, among others. Plenty of adult gamers have expressed heavy interest in the Wii. I think the whole "Nintendo is for kids" thing is old and not even true at this point.

I think the biggest problem Sony has, at the moment, is that the price is so high that they might be limiting their market to hardcore gamers. Most people's A/V equipment no where near the point where there is a big difference between the 360 & the PS3. Now I do think it's possible that they could grab the hardcore gamers, and then lower the price once it becomes cheaper to manufacture. I think that's the route they're going for. It's a question of whether they can pull it off.

"Awful backwards compatibility"? I heard it was 5% of the games. That's from the BBC site not american johns book of crap.

I think it's around 300 titles, from the article I read. They mentioned that most of these were the biggest & most important titles for the PS2. Now if they can fix this with a firmware update, it won't matter. But it's certainly a blow to their claim that all titles that followed the PS2's protocol would work.


lack of availability would lead to frenzied buying, and shit, I read sony are FLYING stock over from Asia into America. So if they're prepared not to ship the games and pay x amount extra on delivery I think that says all that needs to be said about their confidence in demand.

Yeah, people are actually shooting/robbing each other because the demand is so high. But that also means the supply is way too low. They only have a couple hundred thousand for the U.S., and who knows when there will be more. The problem isn't demand, it's supply.


Look guys, I'm not saying that it's going to fail. I'm just stating that their launch has been very flawed. It might not matter if they can fix their problems, but most writers I've heard in the media have said that for the average gamer, it's better to wait and see what happens. All I'm saying is that it could crash & burn if Sony doesn't follow through. Video game console success always comes down to execution, not just specs.

[Narcissistic Nihilist]

Best machine? We don't even know how well they hold up yet. There have been plenty of rumors that the consoles are very unreliable. Perhaps the most powerful, but if they are, in fact, having hardware issues, it won't mean anything. I think it's too early to say.

Best software? It's way too early to say that. The X-Box 360 has far more titles available, so it's hard to compare. But I'm sure that the PS3 could surpass the 360 within a year in total number of titles. It's kinda hard to say who has the best software when the PS3 has just been released.

The thing with video game consoles is that a company's reputation can rapidly change by the quality of the next generation of consoles. If you look at the history of different consoles which were supposed to be the "next big thing", a large portion of them failed, for different reasons. I'm not saying that the PS3 is going to fail, I just think it's a possibility.



This isn't an intentional low availability in order to drive up demand, this is Sony having hardware problems which causes a great number of launch sales to be missed. In the long run, it might not matter, but it's off to a bad start. Having a high demand is great, but if you can't meet that demand, what does it matter? If they can manage to produce enough to meet that demand by early next year, it will probably offset. There's no guarantee of that though.



Have you used the Wii's controller? I've played some pretty amazing 360 games, so I don't see how their games will definitely be worse. The PS3 has just been released in the US. There is no way to compare the software at this point. I doubt the Wii will just be for kids. Have you seen some of the titles? Just look at Red Steel, among others. Plenty of adult gamers have expressed heavy interest in the Wii. I think the whole "Nintendo is for kids" thing is old and not even true at this point.

I think the biggest problem Sony has, at the moment, is that the price is so high that they might be limiting their market to hardcore gamers. Most people's A/V equipment no where near the point where there is a big difference between the 360 & the PS3. Now I do think it's possible that they could grab the hardcore gamers, and then lower the price once it becomes cheaper to manufacture. I think that's the route they're going for. It's a question of whether they can pull it off.
Best machine by default. I agree with pretty much everything you have said, I just debate the importance of certain points.

1. Hardware issues, supply and cost are all temporary, and as most people
won't be buying them for ages yet, it really is not a big deal. I'm looking more long-term.

2. As for titles, there still isn't a GREAT 360 game out and the main reason the Xbox struggled so badly against the PS2 was due to inferior licences and titles. Sony still have the better contacts and the high probability would say that this will continue.

3. To me, the Wii controller is awful. I have seen it action and it looks a pain in the arse. Might be fun for 5 mins but will get quickly annoying. I want to get on with some serious gaming not fanny about like a twat. Nintendo's history has also been for the lower end market (read kids) with cutsie Japanese games, and few "serious" titles. Wii smacks of Sony's atrocious EyeToy (which coincidently was also aimed at kids), but hey, if that more "fun" and "simple" side is what you are looking for then cool. Whatever floats your boat. You just are not going to get GTA or Metal Gear on there.

4. You are right about the need for HDTV, but you can still play it without it, so it isnt like you miss out on the games, just the added quality. We will all have HDTV's before long anyway.

Basically, you're right in that it is too early to say for sure, but I see no evidence to suggest anything will change this generation. Sony already became the first company to dominate two consecutive generations, (even beating off higher spec consoles) and they really are in the driving seat. I just dont think they are dumb enough to screw it up.

[Chaoseffect]

Look do you buy a game system because of all the bells and whistles or because of the games? I hope you all don't pay $600 just to play NFL Madden.

[Zen Acolyte]

there is nothing like arguing over game consoles.

Why are they held so close?

[Herr Lipp]

Look do you buy a game system because of all the bells and whistles or because of the games? I hope you all don't pay $600 just to play NFL Madden.

you're lacking a point. PS3 has all the "bells and whistles" and will have (I would bet a family member on it) all the best games. I'll let you revise your statement.

[Fab]

there is nothing like arguing over game consoles.

Why are they held so close?
Because they cost a bomb, so people want to reassure themselves that they've bought the right one. Then they get used to particular features/games series/etc.

[Herr Lipp]

video games will probably rival sports in the "holding close" aspect in a few years, Scott. once we're all fat and have no desire to kick/throw a ball around, we'll live our dreams through our thumbs.

[Chaoseffect]

video games will probably rival sports in the "holding close" aspect in a few years, Scott. once we're all fat and have no desire to kick/throw a ball around, we'll live our dreams through our thumbs.
Not true, parks and basketball courts are always filled around my area. I don't think sports are going to die any time soon.

[Nak Nak]

From IGN:
"The PS3's strongest prospects, though, lay with its software. In 2007 alone we'll be seeing an armada of promising videogames. Allow me to name drop: Half-Life 2, F.E.A.R., Eye of Judgment, Indiana Jones, Lair, Haze, Stranglehold, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter 5, Def Jam: Icon, Heavenly Sword, MotorStorm, Warhawk, Burnout 5, Formula One, Medal of Honor Airborne, Army of Two, Mercenaries 2, Oblivion, The Darkness, Unreal Tournament 2007, Calling All Cars, Alone in the Dark, Brothers in Arms, Gran Turismo HD, Spider-Man 3, the Naughty Dog Game, NBA Street, Dark Sector, Frontlines, Grand Theft Auto IV, Killzone, Ratchet and Clank, Assassin's Creed, The White Council, and Metal Gear Solid 4 are but a few of the 100+ PlayStation 3 games expected to ship before the end of the year... and that doesn't even include the dozens and dozens we don't even know about yet."

That list doesn't even mention FFXIII.

[Hi There, Am Pam]

Best machine by default. I agree with pretty much everything you have said, I just debate the importance of certain points.

I wouldn't say best machine because there is a lot to making the overall console design other than just specs. I would, however, agree that it has the best specs, but the best specs are never really a guarantee of success. Look at Betamax, Sony's version of the VHS tape, or NeoGeo which only had a cult following. I do want to stress that I'm not really inferring that the PS3 is bad because of this, but rather I'm trying to draw a distinction between specs & the overall platform. I think we do agree on a lot of things, like you said.


1. Hardware issues, supply and cost are all temporary, and as most people
won't be buying them for ages yet, it really is not a big deal. I'm looking more long-term.

Again, I think this will depend on whether Sony can successfully deliver the 7 million units by March (or close to it), and more importantly, that those machines are error free. I'm hearing negative things about the overall design of the console, but a lot of positive about the actual hardware performance. There is the chance that these things won't be temporary if Sony can't fix them before people give up on it. Again, I'm just saying the chance.

2. As for titles, there still isn't a GREAT 360 game out and the main reason the Xbox struggled so badly against the PS2 was due to inferior licences and titles. Sony still have the better contacts and the high probability would say that this will continue.

Check out "Gears of War", which is one of the few games I've played on the 360. It's absolutely sick, especially on a high-def TV. Of course, that's one game, and I agree, the PS3 will probably have the most amount of titles available.

Of course, I think the number of titles is meaningless compared to the quality of titles. The # of titles is relevant though, although it's more dependent on the authors, which Sony obviously has it going for them. Definitely a big plus for Sony.

3. To me, the Wii controller is awful. I have seen it action and it looks a pain in the arse. Might be fun for 5 mins but will get quickly annoying. I want to get on with some serious gaming not fanny about like a twat. Nintendo's history has also been for the lower end market (read kids) with cutsie Japanese games, and few "serious" titles. Wii smacks of Sony's atrocious EyeToy (which coincidently was also aimed at kids), but hey, if that more "fun" and "simple" side is what you are looking for then cool. Whatever floats your boat. You just are not going to get GTA or Metal Gear on there.

This is where I disagree. So far, almost all of the reports on the Wii talk about people playing it for hours on end to the point where people are sore. In fact, the controls are so engrossing that even people who haven't spent more than 5 minutes playing video games are reporting that they're really into it. I've never read anything in the media which would indicate that it's just a simple gimmick. Hell, I'd go as far to say that normal controllers look pretty dated compared to what you can do with the Wiimote.

It's certainly not just "cutsie" games either. Look at Red Steel, Metriod, Call of Duty, Splinter Cell, Zelda (which isn't the bloody type of game, but is dark & complex enough to stand up to anything). And those are all just the launch titles (other than Metriod). Nintendo really has a bad rep for being just for kids, which I think came from the 64. While the Gamecube didn't have GTA, it had plenty of "mature" games (I use the term mature loosely, because usually the games that are labeled mature are anything but, considering their lack of depth in the gameplay area, and reliance on violence).

[Hi There, Am Pam]

4. You are right about the need for HDTV, but you can still play it without it, so it isnt like you miss out on the games, just the added quality. We will all have HDTV's before long anyway.

Consider that someone without a HDTV really has little incentive to spend an extra $200 on the PS3 when the graphics on the 360 are pretty close to the PS3. Sure, more & more people are getting HDTVs, but the PS3 has to last long enough in the mainstream for the market to reach that point. I don't mean to say that the PS3 won't reach that, but it could easily cripple the sales the potential of the PS3.

Basically, you're right in that it is too early to say for sure, but I see no evidence to suggest anything will change this generation. Sony already became the first company to dominate two consecutive generations, (even beating off higher spec consoles) and they really are in the driving seat. I just dont think they are dumb enough to screw it up.

Historically, there have been a few companies which have held two generations of utter domination, only to utterly fail at their new systems. The video game market has been anything but stable in terms of who has the biggest % of consoles. Atari, Sega, Nintendo, Intellivison, Coleco, etc... There have also been systems which have been seen as utterly invincible because of their specs only to fail because the execution was poor. Sony is not really as great of an electronics company as most people think. They're still good compared to most of the electronics you'd buy at Wal-Mart, but their recievers & DVD players don't stand up to many of the lesser known, but higher quality companies (Onkyo, Dennon, Marantz, etc..). Their high end electronics can be among the best, but it always depends more on the individual model, rather than the brand name as a whole. Sony definitely has the potential to screw things up. Sony is known for suing itself because the departments are so disconnected, so their reputation isn't quite as high as it should be. Not to say that they will screw things up, but they certainly could. Very few companies are able to always deliver, and Sony certainly isn't one of them.

Basically, I'm just saying that they're very capable of screwing things up. They're also capable of delivering awesome products, so I think we'll see how the PS3 stands up after a month of two of consumer testing. I've heard mixed things, so it isn't clear how well designed the PS3 is yet.

[Hi There, Am Pam]

there is nothing like arguing over game consoles.

Why are they held so close?

I don't really look at this as arguing. I think Danny & I are just discussing different points about the "console wars". I try not to get caught up in the "fanboys" type of arguments because they're usually just people making statements about the company they prefer without actually backing it up. But I'm a life long video gamer, so I enjoy reading & discussing the future of consoles. As long as the discussion doesn't resort to stupid "I'm right and I'm going to argue with you until you give up" style, I'm willing to read/discuss it.

Most importantly, I think this generation of consoles is really fascinating. There are so many new things, and so much change that anything can happen. I've also never seen as much mainstream media coverage as there is now. Even people who have never played video games are talking about them, which is weird.

[Chaoseffect]

From IGN:
"The PS3's strongest prospects, though, lay with its software. In 2007 alone we'll be seeing an armada of promising videogames. Allow me to name drop: Half-Life 2, F.E.A.R., Eye of Judgment, Indiana Jones, Lair, Haze, Stranglehold, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter 5, Def Jam: Icon, Heavenly Sword, MotorStorm, Warhawk, Burnout 5, Formula One, Medal of Honor Airborne, Army of Two, Mercenaries 2, Oblivion, The Darkness, Unreal Tournament 2007, Calling All Cars, Alone in the Dark, Brothers in Arms, Gran Turismo HD, Spider-Man 3, the Naughty Dog Game, NBA Street, Dark Sector, Frontlines, Grand Theft Auto IV, Killzone, Ratchet and Clank, Assassin's Creed, The White Council, and Metal Gear Solid 4 are but a few of the 100+ PlayStation 3 games expected to ship before the end of the year... and that doesn't even include the dozens and dozens we don't even know about yet."

That list doesn't even mention FFXIII.


Many of these games will also come out for the Wii and xbox 360.

[Nak Nak]

Well true, many will. I think the fact that MGS4 and FFXIII are exclusive would give the console the edge over the 360 at least. I couldn't imagine a lot of those games running properly on a Wii, particularly the PC conversions.