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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.
Page:
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: