The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
It's that time of year again when games sales go thorough the roof. But who's gonna be the big winner this year? Last year it was Nintendo's epic adventure Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which kept Nintendo in the picture just as everyone thought it was tumbling under the weight of the mighty Playstation.
This year though, much more is at stake- If Sega don't pull though we may never see them return for another go. At the moment it's looking very good for the company. In America Dreamcast sales shot through the roof as Sega's online network went up, and a $50 reduction in price was announced. Over here, Dreamcasts are going to be sold alone for £50, or as a bundle with a top quality DVD player for £299. As Dan points out, Sega's Christmas line-up is excellent, ranging from MSR and Space Channel 5 to Shenmue and Jet Grind Radio.
But, Sega has one major problem- the PS2. The sucess of the PSX esures it's big brother even more sales, and with all incoming shipments of consoles already pre-ordered, it's going to sell like Pokemon toys! Although not brilliant, the PS2 games line up is solid, containing games from every major genre.
Sega's only salvation may come in the PS2's sucess, whereby PS2's are sold out, and more people may buy Dreamcast's instead. But this can only happen if people are shown the games on offer on the Dreamcast, and this means advertising. Yes, that's right Sega Europe- you may have to SPEND SOME MONEY TO SHOW PEOPLE YOUR PRODUCTS. Kind of obvious really, but based on Sega's recent record, I think they may need some better PR people down there.
Well there you have it- the Xmas debate has begun. It's only a matter of time to see who wins.
Rav
This year though, much more is at stake- If Sega don't pull though we may never see them return for another go. At the moment it's looking very good for the company. In America Dreamcast sales shot through the roof as Sega's online network went up, and a $50 reduction in price was announced. Over here, Dreamcasts are going to be sold alone for £50, or as a bundle with a top quality DVD player for £299. As Dan points out, Sega's Christmas line-up is excellent, ranging from MSR and Space Channel 5 to Shenmue and Jet Grind Radio.
But, Sega has one major problem- the PS2. The sucess of the PSX esures it's big brother even more sales, and with all incoming shipments of consoles already pre-ordered, it's going to sell like Pokemon toys! Although not brilliant, the PS2 games line up is solid, containing games from every major genre.
Sega's only salvation may come in the PS2's sucess, whereby PS2's are sold out, and more people may buy Dreamcast's instead. But this can only happen if people are shown the games on offer on the Dreamcast, and this means advertising. Yes, that's right Sega Europe- you may have to SPEND SOME MONEY TO SHOW PEOPLE YOUR PRODUCTS. Kind of obvious really, but based on Sega's recent record, I think they may need some better PR people down there.
Well there you have it- the Xmas debate has begun. It's only a matter of time to see who wins.
Rav
Page:
OK Rav. You have some fair comments, but I think you're not quite right about some things - please note I'm not having ago, just patching some things up.
You say that the Dreamcast is £50 - I imagine you missed out the £1 from £150 by accident - if not, well, then yeah.. Also, you state that the Playstation 2 has been given assured success - this is by no means the case. As it happens many many developers have converted from Sony's Machine to the XBox - due to the PS2s AWFUL development kits, making the machine very hard to get good results from - that's why there are no great looking games yet until a few years when GT3 and MGS2 come out. Now just because the Playstation was a success, does not mean the PS2 will be as well. In fact it probably worsens the situation, Let me explain.
Because so many people bought the original Playstation and are quite happy with it, not many will be willing to trade their's in for a PS2 - they cannot anyway seeing that the PS2 is not going to be sold in the shops until March. Now, How many PS owners will be able to afford £300?
If they trade in their console and say 10 games they aren't going to get much more than £70 at best - and I doubt any of them will do that - so they'll try to sell them 2nd hand - and how many 2nd hand Playstations will be on the auction and 2nd hand pages!?!! Too many. So what will happen is that they will get a Dreamcast - in all probability - as they are only £150 - and because there are No Readily available PS2s this will be their only choice (unless they get a PSone!!!)
Now, the success of the PS2 will help Dreamcast you say - I think I know what you mean - The PS2 is sold out for Pre orders, so many people will turn to the next best thing DREAMCAST - which they'll soon find out IS the better machine after all.
In regards to your advertising point - yes Sega haven't advertised the right products, although they have been very shrewd in other places - they may not have the financial backing like Sony and Microsoft have - but Have they got style! If you went to the Dreamcast Premier in London, then you'll know what I mean!
Also, cleverly Sega are using the Motorshow at the NEC as a form of showing Thousands of people their latest 2 driving games F355 and MSR - these games will be in exactly the right place - I bet they'll as popular, if not more so than the actual cars on show!
And so, that is my little point.
Fair enough stuff Rav, but I just had to point out a few things.
You say that the Dreamcast is £50 - I imagine you missed out the £1 from £150 by accident - if not, well, then yeah.. Also, you state that the Playstation 2 has been given assured success - this is by no means the case. As it happens many many developers have converted from Sony's Machine to the XBox - due to the PS2s AWFUL development kits, making the machine very hard to get good results from - that's why there are no great looking games yet until a few years when GT3 and MGS2 come out. Now just because the Playstation was a success, does not mean the PS2 will be as well. In fact it probably worsens the situation, Let me explain.
Because so many people bought the original Playstation and are quite happy with it, not many will be willing to trade their's in for a PS2 - they cannot anyway seeing that the PS2 is not going to be sold in the shops until March. Now, How many PS owners will be able to afford £300?
If they trade in their console and say 10 games they aren't going to get much more than £70 at best - and I doubt any of them will do that - so they'll try to sell them 2nd hand - and how many 2nd hand Playstations will be on the auction and 2nd hand pages!?!! Too many. So what will happen is that they will get a Dreamcast - in all probability - as they are only £150 - and because there are No Readily available PS2s this will be their only choice (unless they get a PSone!!!)
Now, the success of the PS2 will help Dreamcast you say - I think I know what you mean - The PS2 is sold out for Pre orders, so many people will turn to the next best thing DREAMCAST - which they'll soon find out IS the better machine after all.
In regards to your advertising point - yes Sega haven't advertised the right products, although they have been very shrewd in other places - they may not have the financial backing like Sony and Microsoft have - but Have they got style! If you went to the Dreamcast Premier in London, then you'll know what I mean!
Also, cleverly Sega are using the Motorshow at the NEC as a form of showing Thousands of people their latest 2 driving games F355 and MSR - these games will be in exactly the right place - I bet they'll as popular, if not more so than the actual cars on show!
And so, that is my little point.
Fair enough stuff Rav, but I just had to point out a few things.
It's that time of year again when games sales go thorough the roof. But who's gonna be the big winner this year? Last year it was Nintendo's epic adventure Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which kept Nintendo in the picture just as everyone thought it was tumbling under the weight of the mighty Playstation.
This year though, much more is at stake- If Sega don't pull though we may never see them return for another go. At the moment it's looking very good for the company. In America Dreamcast sales shot through the roof as Sega's online network went up, and a $50 reduction in price was announced. Over here, Dreamcasts are going to be sold alone for £50, or as a bundle with a top quality DVD player for £299. As Dan points out, Sega's Christmas line-up is excellent, ranging from MSR and Space Channel 5 to Shenmue and Jet Grind Radio.
But, Sega has one major problem- the PS2. The sucess of the PSX esures it's big brother even more sales, and with all incoming shipments of consoles already pre-ordered, it's going to sell like Pokemon toys! Although not brilliant, the PS2 games line up is solid, containing games from every major genre.
Sega's only salvation may come in the PS2's sucess, whereby PS2's are sold out, and more people may buy Dreamcast's instead. But this can only happen if people are shown the games on offer on the Dreamcast, and this means advertising. Yes, that's right Sega Europe- you may have to SPEND SOME MONEY TO SHOW PEOPLE YOUR PRODUCTS. Kind of obvious really, but based on Sega's recent record, I think they may need some better PR people down there.
Well there you have it- the Xmas debate has begun. It's only a matter of time to see who wins.
Rav
This year though, much more is at stake- If Sega don't pull though we may never see them return for another go. At the moment it's looking very good for the company. In America Dreamcast sales shot through the roof as Sega's online network went up, and a $50 reduction in price was announced. Over here, Dreamcasts are going to be sold alone for £50, or as a bundle with a top quality DVD player for £299. As Dan points out, Sega's Christmas line-up is excellent, ranging from MSR and Space Channel 5 to Shenmue and Jet Grind Radio.
But, Sega has one major problem- the PS2. The sucess of the PSX esures it's big brother even more sales, and with all incoming shipments of consoles already pre-ordered, it's going to sell like Pokemon toys! Although not brilliant, the PS2 games line up is solid, containing games from every major genre.
Sega's only salvation may come in the PS2's sucess, whereby PS2's are sold out, and more people may buy Dreamcast's instead. But this can only happen if people are shown the games on offer on the Dreamcast, and this means advertising. Yes, that's right Sega Europe- you may have to SPEND SOME MONEY TO SHOW PEOPLE YOUR PRODUCTS. Kind of obvious really, but based on Sega's recent record, I think they may need some better PR people down there.
Well there you have it- the Xmas debate has begun. It's only a matter of time to see who wins.
Rav
Page: