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So. We are now approaching the end of 2003. The Nintendo Gamecube and the Microsoft Xbox are now both around 2 years old. The Sony Playstation 2 is 3 years old.
The thing that stands out for me in the above paragraph is the names. Sony and Microsoft. 10 years ago it would have been Sega and Atari. But not now. That I believe is proof of just how volatile the console market is.
So where do you see things going over the next few years? The Playstation 3 and Xbox Next as it has been dubbed are both in development and are apparently due for a late 2005 release. The Gamecube 2 is, known interally at Nintendo as N5, expected in 2006 although Nintendo have made it known that they want to be first to the market with the next generation console.
The PS3 is to be more than just a games console though. Using a new ultra powerful processor known as the Cell, it will become a home entertainment center that can play games, music, video and feature online play.
The Xbox Next will likely do all those things too, because the current Xbox already does them.
The Gamecube 2 however is more of a mystery. Nintendo when making the Gamecube pointed out that they were a video games company, and as such they just stuck to games. Will we see any more features next time around?
Of course it isn't features that make a console. Or even great games, otherwise the Dreamcast would have been the most successful console ever. It is all about the advertising, the brand, the hype.
Sony are the masters of branding. Virtually everyone has heard of the Playstation and associates it with video games. Not so with names like Xbox, Nintendo, Sega or EA.
So the PS3 has a minor advantage even before release. Microsoft of course are well known as being able to enter a market and within a few years completely dominate it. But games might be a slightly tougher challenge than web browsers. Nintendo are not idiots however. Sure the Gamecube has had very little advertising, and very little in the way of brand awareness. Nintendo are just simply arrogant and stubborn. If they can swallow their pride and accept that nowadays mature titles and casual gamers are what brings success, rather than bright and cute masterpieces, then they can make a real go of the Gamecube 2. They just have to redirect the old magic.
To date, the PS2 has sold approximately 55 million units in comparison to 10 million Gamecubes and 10 million Xboxes. However I don't think that Sony will have as much of the market share next time round. They still will probably have the largest share, but if the Xbox Next and Gamecube 2 are released close to the PS3, then the big head start built up by Sony over the 18 months in which the PS2 faced no real competition, will not be present.
Games are another factor that affect a consoles performance obviously. Nintendo have some much loved franchises like Mario and Zelda, that are almost guaranteed sales. However an accusation levelled at them is that they look like they are for kids. And kids especially want to play the mature titles. Sony will no doubt have a Gran Turismo and Final Fantasy game or two. MS will probably have another Halo.
The only worry regards those franchises is that eventually people wisen up and eventually want something new. So are we going to see anything truly revolutionary?
Well it depends. It depends on how well harnessed todays hardware in harnessed over the next 2 years. Xbox Live has introduced online gaming for consoles to the masses. But it has yet to become huge. But as of now, there is no MMORPG to match a PC equivalent like Everquest. No strategy games either. Perhaps not a genre that would attract much in the way of sales, but then as it is so neglected who knows.
What I would like to see is some new franchises introduced. I remember when Crash Bandicoot came out. Something new. When Tomb Raider first appeared. But now these are both as old and institutional as Sonic and Mario. Time to freshen up guys. I like stealth, but I'm bored of Metal Gear Solid.
Recently Sony released the Eyetoy. Now that was innovative. But limited. I would like to see the concept extended further. The technology to put yourself in a video game in a full 3d model does now exist. I would like to see it used. That way you can all see me as I kick your ass in Unreal or whatever online.
Another thing I would like to see more of is wireless. The amount of clutter I have because of having so many consoles is ridiculous. How about all wireless controllers and wireless online connectivity (i.e. WiFi).
This next generation of consoles could well be the most important yet. The Sony Cell processor is allegedly as much as a 1000 times more powerful than the current emotion engine (PS2 chip). It is supposedly going to be capable of photo realistic graphics in real time. Now that would be impressive. If that is the case then both MS and Nintendo are going to have to make consoles with the same sort of power. But if it is achieved, where is there to go after that?
Well in 5 years time I'll come back and answer that question hopefully.
Thanks for reading some of the ramblings from my demented mind.
Biggles.
The thing that stands out for me in the above paragraph is the names. Sony and Microsoft. 10 years ago it would have been Sega and Atari. But not now. That I believe is proof of just how volatile the console market is.
So where do you see things going over the next few years? The Playstation 3 and Xbox Next as it has been dubbed are both in development and are apparently due for a late 2005 release. The Gamecube 2 is, known interally at Nintendo as N5, expected in 2006 although Nintendo have made it known that they want to be first to the market with the next generation console.
The PS3 is to be more than just a games console though. Using a new ultra powerful processor known as the Cell, it will become a home entertainment center that can play games, music, video and feature online play.
The Xbox Next will likely do all those things too, because the current Xbox already does them.
The Gamecube 2 however is more of a mystery. Nintendo when making the Gamecube pointed out that they were a video games company, and as such they just stuck to games. Will we see any more features next time around?
Of course it isn't features that make a console. Or even great games, otherwise the Dreamcast would have been the most successful console ever. It is all about the advertising, the brand, the hype.
Sony are the masters of branding. Virtually everyone has heard of the Playstation and associates it with video games. Not so with names like Xbox, Nintendo, Sega or EA.
So the PS3 has a minor advantage even before release. Microsoft of course are well known as being able to enter a market and within a few years completely dominate it. But games might be a slightly tougher challenge than web browsers. Nintendo are not idiots however. Sure the Gamecube has had very little advertising, and very little in the way of brand awareness. Nintendo are just simply arrogant and stubborn. If they can swallow their pride and accept that nowadays mature titles and casual gamers are what brings success, rather than bright and cute masterpieces, then they can make a real go of the Gamecube 2. They just have to redirect the old magic.
To date, the PS2 has sold approximately 55 million units in comparison to 10 million Gamecubes and 10 million Xboxes. However I don't think that Sony will have as much of the market share next time round. They still will probably have the largest share, but if the Xbox Next and Gamecube 2 are released close to the PS3, then the big head start built up by Sony over the 18 months in which the PS2 faced no real competition, will not be present.
Games are another factor that affect a consoles performance obviously. Nintendo have some much loved franchises like Mario and Zelda, that are almost guaranteed sales. However an accusation levelled at them is that they look like they are for kids. And kids especially want to play the mature titles. Sony will no doubt have a Gran Turismo and Final Fantasy game or two. MS will probably have another Halo.
The only worry regards those franchises is that eventually people wisen up and eventually want something new. So are we going to see anything truly revolutionary?
Well it depends. It depends on how well harnessed todays hardware in harnessed over the next 2 years. Xbox Live has introduced online gaming for consoles to the masses. But it has yet to become huge. But as of now, there is no MMORPG to match a PC equivalent like Everquest. No strategy games either. Perhaps not a genre that would attract much in the way of sales, but then as it is so neglected who knows.
What I would like to see is some new franchises introduced. I remember when Crash Bandicoot came out. Something new. When Tomb Raider first appeared. But now these are both as old and institutional as Sonic and Mario. Time to freshen up guys. I like stealth, but I'm bored of Metal Gear Solid.
Recently Sony released the Eyetoy. Now that was innovative. But limited. I would like to see the concept extended further. The technology to put yourself in a video game in a full 3d model does now exist. I would like to see it used. That way you can all see me as I kick your ass in Unreal or whatever online.
Another thing I would like to see more of is wireless. The amount of clutter I have because of having so many consoles is ridiculous. How about all wireless controllers and wireless online connectivity (i.e. WiFi).
This next generation of consoles could well be the most important yet. The Sony Cell processor is allegedly as much as a 1000 times more powerful than the current emotion engine (PS2 chip). It is supposedly going to be capable of photo realistic graphics in real time. Now that would be impressive. If that is the case then both MS and Nintendo are going to have to make consoles with the same sort of power. But if it is achieved, where is there to go after that?
Well in 5 years time I'll come back and answer that question hopefully.
Thanks for reading some of the ramblings from my demented mind.
Biggles.
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Notorious Biggles wrote:
> You said could you repeat the question. There was no question. So you
> DID spam. It was an answer to a non existent question. Now feel free
> to spam the WLT, that's what it is there for. But leave real topics
> alone.
With all these argument posts you keep doing, you are spamming this up as thia is not relevant.In reply to a non existent question:
What is the sound of one hand clapping?
Would a tree falling in the woods make a sound if no one was there to hear it
Answer me these and give reasons and Ill admit to "spamming"
> You said could you repeat the question. There was no question. So you
> DID spam. It was an answer to a non existent question. Now feel free
> to spam the WLT, that's what it is there for. But leave real topics
> alone.
With all these argument posts you keep doing, you are spamming this up as thia is not relevant.In reply to a non existent question:
What is the sound of one hand clapping?
Would a tree falling in the woods make a sound if no one was there to hear it
Answer me these and give reasons and Ill admit to "spamming"
You said could you repeat the question. There was no question. So you DID spam. It was an answer to a non existent question. Now feel free to spam the WLT, that's what it is there for. But leave real topics alone.
Notorious Biggles wrote:
> It had absolutely no relevance to the thread. You didn't answer
> anything and made no worthwhile contribution. It IS spam.
Yes it did,Yes or no is AN answer.
And it is worthwhile, mestyle, as I stated
> It had absolutely no relevance to the thread. You didn't answer
> anything and made no worthwhile contribution. It IS spam.
Yes it did,Yes or no is AN answer.
And it is worthwhile, mestyle, as I stated
It had absolutely no relevance to the thread. You didn't answer anything and made no worthwhile contribution. It IS spam.
Notorious Biggles wrote:
> Please don't spam fog prime threads.
That is not spamming, that is called an answer, mestyle
> Please don't spam fog prime threads.
That is not spamming, that is called an answer, mestyle
Please don't spam fog prime threads.
Yes.No.Maybe.I don't know.Can you repeat the question?
Recognise that anyone?
Recognise that anyone?
If people ever cared about linking the two then maybe, but most people have never bothered getting say the two Metroids and linking them. Or perfect darks. Or Mario Tennis.
But they could run a console at a loss if it boosted people buying the GBA hardware and strengthened the GBA's market position whilst being the only console compatible with the GBA.
ie The console becomes an advantageous peripheral for the GBA. :D
ie The console becomes an advantageous peripheral for the GBA. :D
Shigsy and co can say all they like, but at the end of the day, they too are just employees of the shareholders. If hardware loses them money, then they get out of it. Simple as that in the long run.
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