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Nintendos approach was differant and both clever and moronic in equal measure. The dream team of developers was intended to supply people with a constant stream of quality titles but there were a number of factors that lead to the demise of the dream team ethic. Firstly the licensing fees for making games for the N64 was astronomical compared to Sonys so this instantly made it much wiser financially to make games for the playstation. The N64 was very difficult to program for and combined with a somewhat shakey relation with several of the major 3rd party companies(in particular Namco) the writing was on the wall very early on for the N64. This didn't stop the N64 from being a console that, at the time, could provide the very pinacle in video game entertainment (show me a game on the Playstation2 or dreamcast that could match the perfection of titles like Goldeneye, Mario or Zelda).
So why will it be Xbox verses GameCube then? Several reasons. Firstly everything that Sony did right with the Playsatation they seem to be doing wrong with its successor. Horror stories of hardware difficulties and problems with its launch and a distinct lack of triple A titles are making this the most over hyped and totally underwelming launch in console history, Nintendo launched the N64 in a bad way but at least they had Mario 64. The Xbox is doing almost everything right with its launch, they will have a triple A launch title (metal Gear solid X), the console is extremely popular with the industry due to low licensing fees and complete ease of development. The system is extremely powerful (although not as powerful as Microsofts specs claim it is) and very flexible. Microsoft are reallly the only company with the marketing muscle it outdo Sony in the public image stakes as well.
So what are Ninty doing right? actually quite a lot. Everything that was wrong with the N64 is now corrected with the GameCube. Its easy to make games for, its technology has no obvious bootlenecks and its licensing fees have been cut to about the same as Sonys. This ease of development means that the financial side of things is not a worry for developers. Ninty also has the most recognised brands in the entire video game world and is able to sell these titles without the hype that surrounds most Sony titles. Mario Kart 64 has sold well over 12 million copies, far more than any of the final fantasy games. The combination of the GameCube and the Game boy Advance combining together mean that there are more options open to developers than ever before. Nintendo are also trying to court the 3rd party companies more then they ever did with the N64. Nintendo has replaced its N64 arrogance with a realisation that they do need 3rd parties to help them acheive success with the GameCube, Sony humbled Nintendo but in doing so they might have sealed their fate and could play second fiddle to Nintendo and Microsoft.
In the end I believe it will be Microsofts appeal to the mass market and casual gamers which will overturn Sony in eyes of the people. Nintendo will always be reliant on their franchises and these do sell machines, but with their new found appritiation of what 3rd parties bring to the console world, they will be a potent force to be recond with.
Well thats got the ball rolling but what do you all think?
(game of choice is Zelda Majoras Mask on the N64)
Nintendos approach was differant and both clever and moronic in equal measure. The dream team of developers was intended to supply people with a constant stream of quality titles but there were a number of factors that lead to the demise of the dream team ethic. Firstly the licensing fees for making games for the N64 was astronomical compared to Sonys so this instantly made it much wiser financially to make games for the playstation. The N64 was very difficult to program for and combined with a somewhat shakey relation with several of the major 3rd party companies(in particular Namco) the writing was on the wall very early on for the N64. This didn't stop the N64 from being a console that, at the time, could provide the very pinacle in video game entertainment (show me a game on the Playstation2 or dreamcast that could match the perfection of titles like Goldeneye, Mario or Zelda).
So why will it be Xbox verses GameCube then? Several reasons. Firstly everything that Sony did right with the Playsatation they seem to be doing wrong with its successor. Horror stories of hardware difficulties and problems with its launch and a distinct lack of triple A titles are making this the most over hyped and totally underwelming launch in console history, Nintendo launched the N64 in a bad way but at least they had Mario 64. The Xbox is doing almost everything right with its launch, they will have a triple A launch title (metal Gear solid X), the console is extremely popular with the industry due to low licensing fees and complete ease of development. The system is extremely powerful (although not as powerful as Microsofts specs claim it is) and very flexible. Microsoft are reallly the only company with the marketing muscle it outdo Sony in the public image stakes as well.
So what are Ninty doing right? actually quite a lot. Everything that was wrong with the N64 is now corrected with the GameCube. Its easy to make games for, its technology has no obvious bootlenecks and its licensing fees have been cut to about the same as Sonys. This ease of development means that the financial side of things is not a worry for developers. Ninty also has the most recognised brands in the entire video game world and is able to sell these titles without the hype that surrounds most Sony titles. Mario Kart 64 has sold well over 12 million copies, far more than any of the final fantasy games. The combination of the GameCube and the Game boy Advance combining together mean that there are more options open to developers than ever before. Nintendo are also trying to court the 3rd party companies more then they ever did with the N64. Nintendo has replaced its N64 arrogance with a realisation that they do need 3rd parties to help them acheive success with the GameCube, Sony humbled Nintendo but in doing so they might have sealed their fate and could play second fiddle to Nintendo and Microsoft.
In the end I believe it will be Microsofts appeal to the mass market and casual gamers which will overturn Sony in eyes of the people. Nintendo will always be reliant on their franchises and these do sell machines, but with their new found appritiation of what 3rd parties bring to the console world, they will be a potent force to be recond with.
Well thats got the ball rolling but what do you all think?
(game of choice is Zelda Majoras Mask on the N64)
1) X box is not a proven console like nintendo's.
2) Nintendo has a huge catalogue of games including: ISS, Fifa, Star Wing, Donkey Kong, Zelda, Metroid, Mario, Final fantasy (hopefully), Steet Fighter (maybe), Wave RAcer, Excite Bike and more.
3) More people actually like Nintendo rather than Bill Gates' comapany.
4) Nintendo have Miyamoto.
5) GC is a games dedicated console, X box is a PC-Console.
6) One word: RARE.
7) You get to see your favourite characters in movie like 3D.
8) More people are willing to return to Nintendo eg. Square.
(Me? Biased? Never!)
While us Veteran Nintendo gamers know that no one makes games better than Rare, playstation owners will see that the Xbox is that little more powerful, owned by that big PC company and will play DVD's.
So most people will buy the Xbox because (as far as I know) it's going to be great, but I reckon GameCube will have more "special games".
By the way Bigboy, your speech was great until you ruined it with your game of choice!