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How can 3 console companies survive at once?
Well, when Sony first entered the market, Nintendo and Sega were the two kings of the console wars. But, unfortunately, the Sega Saturn was a flop, and the N64 was not due out for a while. Sony found a niche in the market and milked it too its full potential. The gaming world was given a great console, with nothing challenging it. This is also partly the reason of the N64's 'failure'.
So Sony joined the console wars. What was to happen next? Well, with the PSX already popular, and more and more people buying it, the N64 had to be big. But unfortunately, the timing and release games allowed Sony to grab even more would-be-Nintendoids.
Then along came the DC. Though originally a fair success, bad advertising and game supply forced the console down-hill. Then there were two.
Nintendo, still milking the N64 were faced with the mighty PS2. It sold like hot-cakes. Pre-orders were taken by the millions, and soon the PS2 became one of the best selling consoles of all time. We are back to the stage that Sony entered the market in, though the existing console is doing well. The PS2 is thriving, and the GameCube is still some time away. It will be hard for a new contender to enter the market. But sure enough, one appeared, Microsoft.
Now, Microsoft failed to do what Sony did, because they did not have the timing element. Bill gates left it too late, and now the XBox will not be in the market before the GC.
But another aspect that allowed Sony to become what they have is the type of games. Nintendo was still geared mainly towards the children’s games, and Sega also did not have the mature element. So Sony nipped in, and captivated the mature audience. This led to Sega dying out, as Nintendo pushed them out of the children’s game market, and Sony wouldn't let them touch mature gamers.
So now we are left with Nintendo dominating the kids games, and Sony, the mature games. There are no niches in the market for Microsoft to utilise.
This is why I think Microsoft will be forced out of the market. The timing element is not there. The PS2 will be in the 2nd generation of games, and the GameCube will be on the XBox's heels from the word 'go'. However, what Microsoft have decided to do, is not challenge the GameCube, but to go after Sony. I base this on the fact that the XBox is clearly geared for the mature gamer. That is Sony's ground. And Sony will be in their 2nd generation too.
So, the GC has a clear run ahead, the children’s games clearing the path for the mature games on the console.
But the XBox will be in one-on-one battle with the PS2. And this is why the XBox will fail.
So what will happen to the console market after that? It will leave space for another console. If this console is to succeed, it must be planned in advance. The timing must be right, when there are no brand new consoles on the market, and must be geared towards taking on the weaker developer at the time. Otherwise, we will have another failure story, just like the XBox.
Well, when Sony first entered the market, Nintendo and Sega were the two kings of the console wars. But, unfortunately, the Sega Saturn was a flop, and the N64 was not due out for a while. Sony found a niche in the market and milked it too its full potential. The gaming world was given a great console, with nothing challenging it. This is also partly the reason of the N64's 'failure'.
So Sony joined the console wars. What was to happen next? Well, with the PSX already popular, and more and more people buying it, the N64 had to be big. But unfortunately, the timing and release games allowed Sony to grab even more would-be-Nintendoids.
Then along came the DC. Though originally a fair success, bad advertising and game supply forced the console down-hill. Then there were two.
Nintendo, still milking the N64 were faced with the mighty PS2. It sold like hot-cakes. Pre-orders were taken by the millions, and soon the PS2 became one of the best selling consoles of all time. We are back to the stage that Sony entered the market in, though the existing console is doing well. The PS2 is thriving, and the GameCube is still some time away. It will be hard for a new contender to enter the market. But sure enough, one appeared, Microsoft.
Now, Microsoft failed to do what Sony did, because they did not have the timing element. Bill gates left it too late, and now the XBox will not be in the market before the GC.
But another aspect that allowed Sony to become what they have is the type of games. Nintendo was still geared mainly towards the children’s games, and Sega also did not have the mature element. So Sony nipped in, and captivated the mature audience. This led to Sega dying out, as Nintendo pushed them out of the children’s game market, and Sony wouldn't let them touch mature gamers.
So now we are left with Nintendo dominating the kids games, and Sony, the mature games. There are no niches in the market for Microsoft to utilise.
This is why I think Microsoft will be forced out of the market. The timing element is not there. The PS2 will be in the 2nd generation of games, and the GameCube will be on the XBox's heels from the word 'go'. However, what Microsoft have decided to do, is not challenge the GameCube, but to go after Sony. I base this on the fact that the XBox is clearly geared for the mature gamer. That is Sony's ground. And Sony will be in their 2nd generation too.
So, the GC has a clear run ahead, the children’s games clearing the path for the mature games on the console.
But the XBox will be in one-on-one battle with the PS2. And this is why the XBox will fail.
So what will happen to the console market after that? It will leave space for another console. If this console is to succeed, it must be planned in advance. The timing must be right, when there are no brand new consoles on the market, and must be geared towards taking on the weaker developer at the time. Otherwise, we will have another failure story, just like the XBox.
I wasn't saying that the XBox will fail because everyone will buy a GC in the 3 days!
What I said is it didn't have the same advantage that Sony had when they entered the market, being a failing console, and the N64 not being out for quite a while. This COMBINED with the fact that they are going for the mature gaming image is why it *will* fail.
What I said is it didn't have the same advantage that Sony had when they entered the market, being a failing console, and the N64 not being out for quite a while. This COMBINED with the fact that they are going for the mature gaming image is why it *will* fail.
3 days can be the difference between life and death, like Gamecube is to Xbox. Ha!
Okay, where to start, how about the GC time advantage over the X-Box... 3 days! Do you really think that will have any effect on the state of proceedings at all? Do you really think any undecideds will invest a wack of cash in the GC over the X-Box because of three days? Sony has also fumbled their time advantage too. While sales haven't been disastrous do you really think they are jumping for joy?
In short, it is far too early to be predicting anything (remembering the PSX, while always a hit, didn't become a phenomenon until maybe a third of the way through its life cycle). We've seen probably less than 5% of the next gen titles so making judgements on which will be the "adult" console and which the "kiddies" is madness as basically it is impossible to know what's even 6 months down the line.
It also a tad naive to assume that Microsoft won’t be able to whittle themselves a niche in the market (niche is also the wrong word to use really, segment or sector or something is probably better... but I'm being overly attentitive to detail now...). You've seen two bands - mature and kiddie. Now, with the on set of on-line gaming, there's another. Maybe the X-Box will be the console to own if you want to play MMORPGs or online sports titles etc. They are also the only one of the three to have previous experience in this area - they published one the most popular MMORPGs to date - Asheron's Call. Or how about the simulation/ strategy/ RTS genres? Again, they've have experience in this area and have developed some highly commended titles in this genre.
I could go on, but there are that many potential bands and the fact that predicting the console "wars" is notoriously difficult, ultimately pointless. There's also the matter of exclusivity deals being a dying breed, due to the third parties increased power. Sure, there are some time specific ones (i.e. only on PS2 for a year, they it can be ported to GC and X-Box), but console specific ones are almost none existent. This means that all three consoles could be sitting with a very similar third party line up, blurring the currently (well in some peoples opinion) clear-cut lines between adult and kiddie.
With the ever-increasing average age of the gamer (and their higher disposable incomes) more and more people will be picking up more than one console anyway. Who knows if this will be enough to affect the proceedings, but it is an interesting twist. One thing is for sure though, the market can easily support three consoles i.e. all three could make fortunes as there are enough consumers out there to do this. Really, I’m sure none of the companies respective CEOs would turn their noses up at a profit (epically Messers Yamuchi and Gates) and all three will get one – though admittedly it may not be a great return on investment for each participant. However, Sony have the most too lose. They entered the generation with a huge market share, the other two didn’t. Really they are the only one of the companies with anything to loose.
Oh well, here's to the future, whatever it may bring (as long as its truck loads of good games).
In short, it is far too early to be predicting anything (remembering the PSX, while always a hit, didn't become a phenomenon until maybe a third of the way through its life cycle). We've seen probably less than 5% of the next gen titles so making judgements on which will be the "adult" console and which the "kiddies" is madness as basically it is impossible to know what's even 6 months down the line.
It also a tad naive to assume that Microsoft won’t be able to whittle themselves a niche in the market (niche is also the wrong word to use really, segment or sector or something is probably better... but I'm being overly attentitive to detail now...). You've seen two bands - mature and kiddie. Now, with the on set of on-line gaming, there's another. Maybe the X-Box will be the console to own if you want to play MMORPGs or online sports titles etc. They are also the only one of the three to have previous experience in this area - they published one the most popular MMORPGs to date - Asheron's Call. Or how about the simulation/ strategy/ RTS genres? Again, they've have experience in this area and have developed some highly commended titles in this genre.
I could go on, but there are that many potential bands and the fact that predicting the console "wars" is notoriously difficult, ultimately pointless. There's also the matter of exclusivity deals being a dying breed, due to the third parties increased power. Sure, there are some time specific ones (i.e. only on PS2 for a year, they it can be ported to GC and X-Box), but console specific ones are almost none existent. This means that all three consoles could be sitting with a very similar third party line up, blurring the currently (well in some peoples opinion) clear-cut lines between adult and kiddie.
With the ever-increasing average age of the gamer (and their higher disposable incomes) more and more people will be picking up more than one console anyway. Who knows if this will be enough to affect the proceedings, but it is an interesting twist. One thing is for sure though, the market can easily support three consoles i.e. all three could make fortunes as there are enough consumers out there to do this. Really, I’m sure none of the companies respective CEOs would turn their noses up at a profit (epically Messers Yamuchi and Gates) and all three will get one – though admittedly it may not be a great return on investment for each participant. However, Sony have the most too lose. They entered the generation with a huge market share, the other two didn’t. Really they are the only one of the companies with anything to loose.
Oh well, here's to the future, whatever it may bring (as long as its truck loads of good games).
good post man, The PS2 is aimed comletly at the mature audience with a few exceptions down the line but the dreamcast was great and wasn't really for kids but more of an advanced playstation,it was badly advertised and under rated.
The N64 is a good console but the game prices are Ridiculously high and there's not that many good games on it to keep it's head above water, Nintendo will always target the young audience wth pokemon,mario etc and will keep their games simple and entertaining where as Sony has always been the console with the adult games.
The Xbox is really coming out of the blue but £300 for it isn't that appealing and you never know what kind of prices Microsoft will charge for their games and there's only about 3 on their lineup even remotly interesting.
The N64 is a good console but the game prices are Ridiculously high and there's not that many good games on it to keep it's head above water, Nintendo will always target the young audience wth pokemon,mario etc and will keep their games simple and entertaining where as Sony has always been the console with the adult games.
The Xbox is really coming out of the blue but £300 for it isn't that appealing and you never know what kind of prices Microsoft will charge for their games and there's only about 3 on their lineup even remotly interesting.
Good topic, I thought more people would have read it though.
How can 3 console companies survive at once?
Well, when Sony first entered the market, Nintendo and Sega were the two kings of the console wars. But, unfortunately, the Sega Saturn was a flop, and the N64 was not due out for a while. Sony found a niche in the market and milked it too its full potential. The gaming world was given a great console, with nothing challenging it. This is also partly the reason of the N64's 'failure'.
So Sony joined the console wars. What was to happen next? Well, with the PSX already popular, and more and more people buying it, the N64 had to be big. But unfortunately, the timing and release games allowed Sony to grab even more would-be-Nintendoids.
Then along came the DC. Though originally a fair success, bad advertising and game supply forced the console down-hill. Then there were two.
Nintendo, still milking the N64 were faced with the mighty PS2. It sold like hot-cakes. Pre-orders were taken by the millions, and soon the PS2 became one of the best selling consoles of all time. We are back to the stage that Sony entered the market in, though the existing console is doing well. The PS2 is thriving, and the GameCube is still some time away. It will be hard for a new contender to enter the market. But sure enough, one appeared, Microsoft.
Now, Microsoft failed to do what Sony did, because they did not have the timing element. Bill gates left it too late, and now the XBox will not be in the market before the GC.
But another aspect that allowed Sony to become what they have is the type of games. Nintendo was still geared mainly towards the children’s games, and Sega also did not have the mature element. So Sony nipped in, and captivated the mature audience. This led to Sega dying out, as Nintendo pushed them out of the children’s game market, and Sony wouldn't let them touch mature gamers.
So now we are left with Nintendo dominating the kids games, and Sony, the mature games. There are no niches in the market for Microsoft to utilise.
This is why I think Microsoft will be forced out of the market. The timing element is not there. The PS2 will be in the 2nd generation of games, and the GameCube will be on the XBox's heels from the word 'go'. However, what Microsoft have decided to do, is not challenge the GameCube, but to go after Sony. I base this on the fact that the XBox is clearly geared for the mature gamer. That is Sony's ground. And Sony will be in their 2nd generation too.
So, the GC has a clear run ahead, the children’s games clearing the path for the mature games on the console.
But the XBox will be in one-on-one battle with the PS2. And this is why the XBox will fail.
So what will happen to the console market after that? It will leave space for another console. If this console is to succeed, it must be planned in advance. The timing must be right, when there are no brand new consoles on the market, and must be geared towards taking on the weaker developer at the time. Otherwise, we will have another failure story, just like the XBox.
Well, when Sony first entered the market, Nintendo and Sega were the two kings of the console wars. But, unfortunately, the Sega Saturn was a flop, and the N64 was not due out for a while. Sony found a niche in the market and milked it too its full potential. The gaming world was given a great console, with nothing challenging it. This is also partly the reason of the N64's 'failure'.
So Sony joined the console wars. What was to happen next? Well, with the PSX already popular, and more and more people buying it, the N64 had to be big. But unfortunately, the timing and release games allowed Sony to grab even more would-be-Nintendoids.
Then along came the DC. Though originally a fair success, bad advertising and game supply forced the console down-hill. Then there were two.
Nintendo, still milking the N64 were faced with the mighty PS2. It sold like hot-cakes. Pre-orders were taken by the millions, and soon the PS2 became one of the best selling consoles of all time. We are back to the stage that Sony entered the market in, though the existing console is doing well. The PS2 is thriving, and the GameCube is still some time away. It will be hard for a new contender to enter the market. But sure enough, one appeared, Microsoft.
Now, Microsoft failed to do what Sony did, because they did not have the timing element. Bill gates left it too late, and now the XBox will not be in the market before the GC.
But another aspect that allowed Sony to become what they have is the type of games. Nintendo was still geared mainly towards the children’s games, and Sega also did not have the mature element. So Sony nipped in, and captivated the mature audience. This led to Sega dying out, as Nintendo pushed them out of the children’s game market, and Sony wouldn't let them touch mature gamers.
So now we are left with Nintendo dominating the kids games, and Sony, the mature games. There are no niches in the market for Microsoft to utilise.
This is why I think Microsoft will be forced out of the market. The timing element is not there. The PS2 will be in the 2nd generation of games, and the GameCube will be on the XBox's heels from the word 'go'. However, what Microsoft have decided to do, is not challenge the GameCube, but to go after Sony. I base this on the fact that the XBox is clearly geared for the mature gamer. That is Sony's ground. And Sony will be in their 2nd generation too.
So, the GC has a clear run ahead, the children’s games clearing the path for the mature games on the console.
But the XBox will be in one-on-one battle with the PS2. And this is why the XBox will fail.
So what will happen to the console market after that? It will leave space for another console. If this console is to succeed, it must be planned in advance. The timing must be right, when there are no brand new consoles on the market, and must be geared towards taking on the weaker developer at the time. Otherwise, we will have another failure story, just like the XBox.