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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.
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Wookie doesn't get mental.
Dan does, as do I, but not Wooklie.
I like your posts, they remind me of my dog.
Dan does, as do I, but not Wooklie.
I like your posts, they remind me of my dog.
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 crap games. to win the consoe wars i think the console
> should be more games orientated than concentrating on online
> gaming.
Hopefully, if any one console deserves to come on top in the 'war', it's the Gamecube. Nintendo's policy of concentrating on pure gameplay as opposed to online play is inspired and commendable, but really, Nintendo have proven themselves in the industry, whereas this is Microsoft's first venture into consoles, so naturally they'll want to get everything right. Microsoft as a brand name for gaming is still slightly suspect, and this is where Sony and Nintendo have the upper hand.
> 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 crap games. to win the consoe wars i think the console
> should be more games orientated than concentrating on online
> gaming.
Hopefully, if any one console deserves to come on top in the 'war', it's the Gamecube. Nintendo's policy of concentrating on pure gameplay as opposed to online play is inspired and commendable, but really, Nintendo have proven themselves in the industry, whereas this is Microsoft's first venture into consoles, so naturally they'll want to get everything right. Microsoft as a brand name for gaming is still slightly suspect, and this is where Sony and Nintendo have the upper hand.
joe_poly wrote:
> calm down wookie monster
Eh? I wasn't ranting - just explaining the responses.
> calm down wookie monster
Eh? I wasn't ranting - just explaining the responses.
calm down wookie monster
CREEP wrote:
> Um, do you agree, or think I'm a fool? Hopefully it's a bit of both
> lol.
No offence, creep (it's odd calling someone that without it sounding like an insult), but there are just SO many of these conseole wars topics that a lot of the regulars get frustrated, and barely get past the first few lines.
It's probably the worst topic a 'Newbie' can choose to write about, but at the same time we can't shout at you about it because you don't necessarily know how many of these have appeared before.
Just don't be surprised or offended if you don't get too many serious replies!
> Um, do you agree, or think I'm a fool? Hopefully it's a bit of both
> lol.
No offence, creep (it's odd calling someone that without it sounding like an insult), but there are just SO many of these conseole wars topics that a lot of the regulars get frustrated, and barely get past the first few lines.
It's probably the worst topic a 'Newbie' can choose to write about, but at the same time we can't shout at you about it because you don't necessarily know how many of these have appeared before.
Just don't be surprised or offended if you don't get too many serious replies!
Oh dear, he's really done it now.....
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.
Dan2K1 wrote:
> >Dan2K1 adopts er-no's policy of smashing one's head against the wall<
*Wookiee joins Dan2K1*
> >Dan2K1 adopts er-no's policy of smashing one's head against the wall<
*Wookiee joins Dan2K1*
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