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Every time I buy into a new console “generation” I always find something new. The 8bit era was the first big leap into mass-market Western gaming, and the mainstream introduction of Japanese games. When the 16bit consoles came out we saw a big leap in the number of genres and the market continued to grow. But when the Playstation launched, it cause a stir in the industry the never has been, and probably never will be matched.
The first massive change was Sony’s emphasis on the structure of games- the console was designed with the intention of 3D games being the future. Sony’s star game to show off at launch and at game shows before this was Tekken- the first polygon based 3D fighter made for a home console. Up till that point, Sega had reserved 3D gaming for the arcade, with 2D gaming continuing to be the basis of the home sector.
Another coup Sony pulled off was to target their console at a different audience than the general teen-and-below age range. Instead the console was aimed also at young adults- a highly lucrative market that had yet to be capitalised upon. By using good advertising and allowing developers to make a new breed of ultra-realistic games (such as Gran Turismo in the racing genre, and Resident Evil in the survival horror genre) Sony were able to making “cool”- no longer was it a hobby for spotty teenage kids!
But if there is one massive change Sony have made, it would have to be the massive increase in the value of the industry. By introducing new leagues of gamers and scores of new development teams, Sony turned the industry from a small time specialist hobby into a mass-market phenomenon that rivals the size of the Movie industry. If it weren’t for them then we may never have had many of the hugely expensive-to-create games of today!
neilc
The first massive change was Sony’s emphasis on the structure of games- the console was designed with the intention of 3D games being the future. Sony’s star game to show off at launch and at game shows before this was Tekken- the first polygon based 3D fighter made for a home console. Up till that point, Sega had reserved 3D gaming for the arcade, with 2D gaming continuing to be the basis of the home sector.
Another coup Sony pulled off was to target their console at a different audience than the general teen-and-below age range. Instead the console was aimed also at young adults- a highly lucrative market that had yet to be capitalised upon. By using good advertising and allowing developers to make a new breed of ultra-realistic games (such as Gran Turismo in the racing genre, and Resident Evil in the survival horror genre) Sony were able to making “cool”- no longer was it a hobby for spotty teenage kids!
But if there is one massive change Sony have made, it would have to be the massive increase in the value of the industry. By introducing new leagues of gamers and scores of new development teams, Sony turned the industry from a small time specialist hobby into a mass-market phenomenon that rivals the size of the Movie industry. If it weren’t for them then we may never have had many of the hugely expensive-to-create games of today!
neilc
To be honest i have only just seen this topic, and like was said its better than most.
I agree with your final paragraph a lot. Really before Sony came into the market, the gaming industry was not all that big, and was quite ignored by a lot of people. With the Sony machine aiming at a new audience it brought a lot more into the industry and the size of things has really shot up compared to 10 years ago.
I agree with your final paragraph a lot. Really before Sony came into the market, the gaming industry was not all that big, and was quite ignored by a lot of people. With the Sony machine aiming at a new audience it brought a lot more into the industry and the size of things has really shot up compared to 10 years ago.
Meka Dragon wrote:
> Hey!!!
I meant the stereotypical Ninty's... not the worthy ones, such as your grand self.
> Hey!!!
I meant the stereotypical Ninty's... not the worthy ones, such as your grand self.
You are right Wookie - Pro Evo made the point a week or so ago - too much of this forum is filled up with pointless chat instead of proper discussion.
Good post neilc - didnt read it earlier as I spent what little free time I had over the weekend actually playing games and watching the Grand Prix.
Good post neilc - didnt read it earlier as I spent what little free time I had over the weekend actually playing games and watching the Grand Prix.
WòókieeMøn§†€® wrote:
Or is
> everyone turning into a bunch of Ninty-esque brain-deads who are frightened by
> proper conversation and big words?
Hey!!!
So neilc, just out of interest, what do you see as being new to this generation of consoles?
Or is
> everyone turning into a bunch of Ninty-esque brain-deads who are frightened by
> proper conversation and big words?
Hey!!!
So neilc, just out of interest, what do you see as being new to this generation of consoles?
Depressing.
One of the best posts this forum has had in a long time, praising the company and console that most people in this forum claim to love, and not one iota of discussion.
Is everyone so concerned with which little gang they're going to be in that they have no time for sensible discussion?
Or is everyone turning into a bunch of Ninty-esque brain-deads who are frightened by proper conversation and big words?
Neilc - if you're reading this, please don't give up - there is intelligent life around this forum somewhere. Or at least there was.
One of the best posts this forum has had in a long time, praising the company and console that most people in this forum claim to love, and not one iota of discussion.
Is everyone so concerned with which little gang they're going to be in that they have no time for sensible discussion?
Or is everyone turning into a bunch of Ninty-esque brain-deads who are frightened by proper conversation and big words?
Neilc - if you're reading this, please don't give up - there is intelligent life around this forum somewhere. Or at least there was.
Wow- another great topic fromn neilc (another is in Prime)! Maybe there's hope for the newbie population after all!
Anyway, good post- Sony have completely changed the gaming scene.
Not everything has been good though. Due to higher game development costs, developers have merged with bigger pubishers, reducing creativity. (see my post in prime on the death of originality in western gaming ;)
It has also made sure that the quality of games will always be maintained though- which can only be a good thing.
Well, that's all I can think of for now!
Sonic
Anyway, good post- Sony have completely changed the gaming scene.
Not everything has been good though. Due to higher game development costs, developers have merged with bigger pubishers, reducing creativity. (see my post in prime on the death of originality in western gaming ;)
It has also made sure that the quality of games will always be maintained though- which can only be a good thing.
Well, that's all I can think of for now!
Sonic
I like this man.
The second excellent post I've read.
All Newbie's are not created equal.
The second excellent post I've read.
All Newbie's are not created equal.
Every time I buy into a new console “generation” I always find something new. The 8bit era was the first big leap into mass-market Western gaming, and the mainstream introduction of Japanese games. When the 16bit consoles came out we saw a big leap in the number of genres and the market continued to grow. But when the Playstation launched, it cause a stir in the industry the never has been, and probably never will be matched.
The first massive change was Sony’s emphasis on the structure of games- the console was designed with the intention of 3D games being the future. Sony’s star game to show off at launch and at game shows before this was Tekken- the first polygon based 3D fighter made for a home console. Up till that point, Sega had reserved 3D gaming for the arcade, with 2D gaming continuing to be the basis of the home sector.
Another coup Sony pulled off was to target their console at a different audience than the general teen-and-below age range. Instead the console was aimed also at young adults- a highly lucrative market that had yet to be capitalised upon. By using good advertising and allowing developers to make a new breed of ultra-realistic games (such as Gran Turismo in the racing genre, and Resident Evil in the survival horror genre) Sony were able to making “cool”- no longer was it a hobby for spotty teenage kids!
But if there is one massive change Sony have made, it would have to be the massive increase in the value of the industry. By introducing new leagues of gamers and scores of new development teams, Sony turned the industry from a small time specialist hobby into a mass-market phenomenon that rivals the size of the Movie industry. If it weren’t for them then we may never have had many of the hugely expensive-to-create games of today!
neilc
The first massive change was Sony’s emphasis on the structure of games- the console was designed with the intention of 3D games being the future. Sony’s star game to show off at launch and at game shows before this was Tekken- the first polygon based 3D fighter made for a home console. Up till that point, Sega had reserved 3D gaming for the arcade, with 2D gaming continuing to be the basis of the home sector.
Another coup Sony pulled off was to target their console at a different audience than the general teen-and-below age range. Instead the console was aimed also at young adults- a highly lucrative market that had yet to be capitalised upon. By using good advertising and allowing developers to make a new breed of ultra-realistic games (such as Gran Turismo in the racing genre, and Resident Evil in the survival horror genre) Sony were able to making “cool”- no longer was it a hobby for spotty teenage kids!
But if there is one massive change Sony have made, it would have to be the massive increase in the value of the industry. By introducing new leagues of gamers and scores of new development teams, Sony turned the industry from a small time specialist hobby into a mass-market phenomenon that rivals the size of the Movie industry. If it weren’t for them then we may never have had many of the hugely expensive-to-create games of today!
neilc