The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
As the PS2 continues to sell consistently, whilst gaining some fantastic titles that finally live up to Sony's early boasting (Gran Turismo 3 being a prime example), and the release of the Gamecube and the X-Box draw ever nearer, it's surely time to ask some serious questions concerning the state of the videogames market. Every few years the same issues are discussed:Which consoles have the biggest chances of success? Which will fail?, but for the first time in possibly the whole history of gaming, (and in a notion supported by the likes of Digitiser), it looks as though the market will be big enough to support ALL these three formats. The facts are all positive:The video games industry is growing on an annual basis, revenue soon to be approaching the $1billion mark (unless of course that's happened already). More people are playing games, and consequently they are gaining more exposure.
Sony's PS2 already has a massive userbase, and the un-equalled 'everyman' image. They've become the image of gaming for the majority of the public, arguably the most important type of consumers, the so-called 'casual gamers'. It's a measure of how far gaming has come that, whereas previously these people considered the likes of Mario and Sonic un-cool, they are now the same people looking forward to Metal Gear Solid 2, or playing Tekken Tag.
Then there's Nintendo. They have a dedicated fanbase, who will purchase any new hardware the company release, and, assuming that this time around the Gamecube's launch is met with an extensive list of software, and sensible pricing (problems which afflicted the N64's launch in 1997), Nintendo, like Sony, should also find themselves in a healthy position within the market.
Microsoft however is the 'dark horse', the underdog with little expertise in this field, but a massive budget. However, they have the proven marketing nous, and the machine to really make a large impact on the market, something I doubt they'll fail to do. More of a threat to the PS2 than a serious alternative, the underlying point is that it's un-likely either of these consoles will lose out, which is only good news for gamers like us.
The videogames market has, in my opinion, reached a stage where more than two formats can be supported, where consequential profits will be sufficent for Sony, Nintendo AND Microsoft to continue producing hardware and creating great games, because of the far larger number of customers. It is arguable, that given a stronger financial status, Sega and their Dreamcast would also have survived it's culling, as it's sales figures were quite impressive considering it's lowly status among 'casuals'.
These are very healthy times for the industry. Let's just hope the major players can realise that, using that knowledge to their advantage.
Sony's PS2 already has a massive userbase, and the un-equalled 'everyman' image. They've become the image of gaming for the majority of the public, arguably the most important type of consumers, the so-called 'casual gamers'. It's a measure of how far gaming has come that, whereas previously these people considered the likes of Mario and Sonic un-cool, they are now the same people looking forward to Metal Gear Solid 2, or playing Tekken Tag.
Then there's Nintendo. They have a dedicated fanbase, who will purchase any new hardware the company release, and, assuming that this time around the Gamecube's launch is met with an extensive list of software, and sensible pricing (problems which afflicted the N64's launch in 1997), Nintendo, like Sony, should also find themselves in a healthy position within the market.
Microsoft however is the 'dark horse', the underdog with little expertise in this field, but a massive budget. However, they have the proven marketing nous, and the machine to really make a large impact on the market, something I doubt they'll fail to do. More of a threat to the PS2 than a serious alternative, the underlying point is that it's un-likely either of these consoles will lose out, which is only good news for gamers like us.
The videogames market has, in my opinion, reached a stage where more than two formats can be supported, where consequential profits will be sufficent for Sony, Nintendo AND Microsoft to continue producing hardware and creating great games, because of the far larger number of customers. It is arguable, that given a stronger financial status, Sega and their Dreamcast would also have survived it's culling, as it's sales figures were quite impressive considering it's lowly status among 'casuals'.
These are very healthy times for the industry. Let's just hope the major players can realise that, using that knowledge to their advantage.
Page:
joe_poly wrote:
> why do people always associate nintendo with younger gamers?
when
> people of all ages enjoy nintendo games
Historically, most Nintendo owners have been youngsters due to the style and appearance of their games.
Rightly or wrongly, they are still viewed that way by many, and it's a difficult tag to shake off.
> why do people always associate nintendo with younger gamers?
when
> people of all ages enjoy nintendo games
Historically, most Nintendo owners have been youngsters due to the style and appearance of their games.
Rightly or wrongly, they are still viewed that way by many, and it's a difficult tag to shake off.
why do people always associate nintendo with younger gamers?
when people of all ages enjoy nintendo games
when people of all ages enjoy nintendo games
Turbonutter wrote:
> The GameCube will cater for *ahem* younger gamers who
> like that sort of Nintendo game.
I'm sure it will, but from what I've seen with some of the games, there's also the potential to attract some of the older gamers. I know I'm certainly interested - though not to the extent that I was with PS2.
I think there'll be a share of each type of gamer on each; probably something like 70/30 older/younger for PS2 and 30/70 on the 'Cube. Of course, there'll also be those who own both... and those who have a PS2 and get a 'Cube might be embarrassed to admit to it. I think I'll start manufacturing 'bumper stickers' for the 'Cube which say "My other console's a PS2" as there may be a booming market... ;-)
At the moment, I don't see what will attract me to Xbox. Okay, it's powerful - but my PC is more powerful, and has most of the same games. No incentive for me personally as yet.
> The GameCube will cater for *ahem* younger gamers who
> like that sort of Nintendo game.
I'm sure it will, but from what I've seen with some of the games, there's also the potential to attract some of the older gamers. I know I'm certainly interested - though not to the extent that I was with PS2.
I think there'll be a share of each type of gamer on each; probably something like 70/30 older/younger for PS2 and 30/70 on the 'Cube. Of course, there'll also be those who own both... and those who have a PS2 and get a 'Cube might be embarrassed to admit to it. I think I'll start manufacturing 'bumper stickers' for the 'Cube which say "My other console's a PS2" as there may be a booming market... ;-)
At the moment, I don't see what will attract me to Xbox. Okay, it's powerful - but my PC is more powerful, and has most of the same games. No incentive for me personally as yet.
I disagree with FM.
Yes, the console industry CAN support 3 consoles but they need unique selling points. The GameCube will cater for *ahem* younger gamers who like that sort of Nintendo game. The casual and more mature gamers will choose the PlayStation 2 because of its higher content of mature games and the unique "PlayStation culture". This leaves the market pretty much wrapped up. Microsoft seem to be muscling in on Sony's territory but that's a VERY bad idea. Of course it will be bought (by FM and no-one else) and might do fairly well but it will never be one of the big players.
Yes, the console industry CAN support 3 consoles but they need unique selling points. The GameCube will cater for *ahem* younger gamers who like that sort of Nintendo game. The casual and more mature gamers will choose the PlayStation 2 because of its higher content of mature games and the unique "PlayStation culture". This leaves the market pretty much wrapped up. Microsoft seem to be muscling in on Sony's territory but that's a VERY bad idea. Of course it will be bought (by FM and no-one else) and might do fairly well but it will never be one of the big players.
Wòókiee Møn§†€R wrote:
I tend to switch off after
> about 3 lines and go read something else, unless there's something
> in the first few lines which is interesting/controversial. I'm sure
> I'm not the only one!
Yes, I know that feeling well. My method is:
Newbies: Read their posts, you never know what you may find.
Regulars: Give it 3 lines tops, if it hasn't grabbed me by then it won't.
Notables: Depends which one it is, but in general if it has the word 'Mac' in the first two lines I'll turn off.
Dan2K1: If he hasn't said in the first line what game he's reviewing this time I'll skip it.
I tend to switch off after
> about 3 lines and go read something else, unless there's something
> in the first few lines which is interesting/controversial. I'm sure
> I'm not the only one!
Yes, I know that feeling well. My method is:
Newbies: Read their posts, you never know what you may find.
Regulars: Give it 3 lines tops, if it hasn't grabbed me by then it won't.
Notables: Depends which one it is, but in general if it has the word 'Mac' in the first two lines I'll turn off.
Dan2K1: If he hasn't said in the first line what game he's reviewing this time I'll skip it.
joe_poly wrote:
> i think that the gamecube will triumph in the console wars. i also
> think that the x-box is not the dark horse the gamecuube is as not
> many people own the excellent N64 compared to the boring greystation
> with its rubbish games. to win the consoe wars i think the console
> should be more games orientated than concentrating on online
> gaming.
Go away.
> i think that the gamecube will triumph in the console wars. i also
> think that the x-box is not the dark horse the gamecuube is as not
> many people own the excellent N64 compared to the boring greystation
> with its rubbish games. to win the consoe wars i think the console
> should be more games orientated than concentrating on online
> gaming.
Go away.
FantasyMeister wrote:
> I thought Creep's post was quite
> interesting as it looked at one of the angles rarely discussed in
> the consoles wars topics, 'console peace'.
Ah, see - that's part of the problem. There are so many mundane console wars posts that it spoils it for those who have something genuinely interesting to say on the subject.
I tend to switch off after about 3 lines and go read something else, unless there's something in the first few lines which is interesting/controversial. I'm sure I'm not the only one!
> I thought Creep's post was quite
> interesting as it looked at one of the angles rarely discussed in
> the consoles wars topics, 'console peace'.
Ah, see - that's part of the problem. There are so many mundane console wars posts that it spoils it for those who have something genuinely interesting to say on the subject.
I tend to switch off after about 3 lines and go read something else, unless there's something in the first few lines which is interesting/controversial. I'm sure I'm not the only one!
Mastersystem 2, clearly.
I thought Creep's post was quite interesting as it looked at one of the angles rarely discussed in the consoles wars topics, 'console peace'.
Plus he discussed the probability of Sega not having to be culled off if they'd had more financial backing, which isn't often mentioned.
I agree with him, I think the gaming market IS big enough for 3 consoles. After all, the gaming industry is nearly on a par with the movie industry now in terms of budgets and revenue, so you could equate game sales with box office takings in a way.
There's certainly more than 3 formats to watch movies on (Cinema, DVD, VHS are the main ones), and the movie industry has coped with supporting all three. Take Cinema, there are hundreds of different chains of them. There's only 3 consoles.
Take DVD, there's lots of different brands, but again there's only 3 consoles out there, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.
If the movie industry with its huge revenue can support hundreds of different makes of equipment to watch movies on, I agree with Creep, the games industry should be able to support the consoles (and PC's) with no problems at all, now that gaming is moving into a more mainstream form of entertainment.
I thought Creep's post was quite interesting as it looked at one of the angles rarely discussed in the consoles wars topics, 'console peace'.
Plus he discussed the probability of Sega not having to be culled off if they'd had more financial backing, which isn't often mentioned.
I agree with him, I think the gaming market IS big enough for 3 consoles. After all, the gaming industry is nearly on a par with the movie industry now in terms of budgets and revenue, so you could equate game sales with box office takings in a way.
There's certainly more than 3 formats to watch movies on (Cinema, DVD, VHS are the main ones), and the movie industry has coped with supporting all three. Take Cinema, there are hundreds of different chains of them. There's only 3 consoles.
Take DVD, there's lots of different brands, but again there's only 3 consoles out there, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.
If the movie industry with its huge revenue can support hundreds of different makes of equipment to watch movies on, I agree with Creep, the games industry should be able to support the consoles (and PC's) with no problems at all, now that gaming is moving into a more mainstream form of entertainment.
Your Honour wrote:
> RBS, I wouldn't do that if I was you. I did it the other day, and FM
> put pins on the desk.
Git.
:-)
Lol
> RBS, I wouldn't do that if I was you. I did it the other day, and FM
> put pins on the desk.
Git.
:-)
Lol
Page: