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Xbox, PS2 or GameCube?
PS2, GameCube or Xbox?
Gamecube, Xbox or PS2?
Its tough being a console buyer in today's world. With three great next-generation consoles on the market, choosing which one to buy can be a very tough decision.
There's the Xbox; It is the most powerful machine and arguably has the best graphics, but will it inevitably fail? Do you take the gamble of purchasing one and risk losing out in the future if it heads in the same direction as the DreamCast?
Then there's the Playstation 2; This established console is the safe bet. It's powerful and already has a wide range of games. However, does it perhaps lack some of the 'sparkle' of the Xbox?
Or should you get the newly-released Nintendo GameCube; It may not be as powerful as the other two and it is without a DVD function. However, so far it seems to be a raging success and some of the games look fantastic. Not to mention the £129.99 price tag which makes it over a third cheaper than its rivals.
When it comes to making our purchases, we'll all make different decisions. In making these decisions we take into account a number of different factors. As i mentioned above, these factors may include console price, games' prices, DVD support, available games and the console's specifications. However, i have failed to mention perhaps the most important reason that many of us make our purchases: COMPANY LOYALTY.
So what is 'company loyalty'? Its simple really. As we purchase games and consoles from a company, we are either impressed or disappointed with what they sell to us. If we are impressed, we begin to believe that this company produces good quality products. We then build up a strong sense of trust and loyalty towards this company. We believe that they will not let us down and that we can be confident that their products will 99% of the time be impressive.
For example, Nintendo's new GameCube has sold veryt well since its launch. I believe that many (but not all) of these new GameCube owners will have also owned some of Nintendo's past consoles, such as the NES, SNES and Nintendo64. After owning these consoles, Nintendo owners feel impressed with the standard of Nintendo's games and machines. Therefore their loyalty towards Nintendo means that when they buy a console today they are far more likely to choose the GameCube over its competitors.
A similar effect occurs with PS2 owners who owned PS1's. This Sony loyalty is cemented by the backwards-compatibility of the PS2.
Gamers may also feel loyalties towards games producers. This is very much true about myself. I am a great fan of football games and have owned many of EA Sports' FIFA games since the original was released on the MegaDrive all those years ago. After purchasing my PS2 last year i faced a dilemma of which soccer game to buy. Despite Pro-Evolution Soccer having better reviews and appraisals, i opted for EA Sports' FIFA 2002. I believe this was due to my loyalty to the FIFA series and the feeling that these games have never disappointed me in the past.
I believe that company loyalty is a good thing. This is because producers are aware of such loyalties in the gaming market and as a result aim to produce better consoles and games in a bid to 'win over' our loyalties and ensure we buy their products for years to come.
Also, with increasing speculation that the Xbox is failing in comparison to the PS2 and GameCube, should we wonder if company loyalty is the reason that Microsoft (a company new to the world of console gaming) is losing out to Sony and Nintendo? (who are both established console manufacturers with loyal fanbases.) An interesting thought...
Thanks for Reading.
PS2, GameCube or Xbox?
Gamecube, Xbox or PS2?
Its tough being a console buyer in today's world. With three great next-generation consoles on the market, choosing which one to buy can be a very tough decision.
There's the Xbox; It is the most powerful machine and arguably has the best graphics, but will it inevitably fail? Do you take the gamble of purchasing one and risk losing out in the future if it heads in the same direction as the DreamCast?
Then there's the Playstation 2; This established console is the safe bet. It's powerful and already has a wide range of games. However, does it perhaps lack some of the 'sparkle' of the Xbox?
Or should you get the newly-released Nintendo GameCube; It may not be as powerful as the other two and it is without a DVD function. However, so far it seems to be a raging success and some of the games look fantastic. Not to mention the £129.99 price tag which makes it over a third cheaper than its rivals.
When it comes to making our purchases, we'll all make different decisions. In making these decisions we take into account a number of different factors. As i mentioned above, these factors may include console price, games' prices, DVD support, available games and the console's specifications. However, i have failed to mention perhaps the most important reason that many of us make our purchases: COMPANY LOYALTY.
So what is 'company loyalty'? Its simple really. As we purchase games and consoles from a company, we are either impressed or disappointed with what they sell to us. If we are impressed, we begin to believe that this company produces good quality products. We then build up a strong sense of trust and loyalty towards this company. We believe that they will not let us down and that we can be confident that their products will 99% of the time be impressive.
For example, Nintendo's new GameCube has sold veryt well since its launch. I believe that many (but not all) of these new GameCube owners will have also owned some of Nintendo's past consoles, such as the NES, SNES and Nintendo64. After owning these consoles, Nintendo owners feel impressed with the standard of Nintendo's games and machines. Therefore their loyalty towards Nintendo means that when they buy a console today they are far more likely to choose the GameCube over its competitors.
A similar effect occurs with PS2 owners who owned PS1's. This Sony loyalty is cemented by the backwards-compatibility of the PS2.
Gamers may also feel loyalties towards games producers. This is very much true about myself. I am a great fan of football games and have owned many of EA Sports' FIFA games since the original was released on the MegaDrive all those years ago. After purchasing my PS2 last year i faced a dilemma of which soccer game to buy. Despite Pro-Evolution Soccer having better reviews and appraisals, i opted for EA Sports' FIFA 2002. I believe this was due to my loyalty to the FIFA series and the feeling that these games have never disappointed me in the past.
I believe that company loyalty is a good thing. This is because producers are aware of such loyalties in the gaming market and as a result aim to produce better consoles and games in a bid to 'win over' our loyalties and ensure we buy their products for years to come.
Also, with increasing speculation that the Xbox is failing in comparison to the PS2 and GameCube, should we wonder if company loyalty is the reason that Microsoft (a company new to the world of console gaming) is losing out to Sony and Nintendo? (who are both established console manufacturers with loyal fanbases.) An interesting thought...
Thanks for Reading.
Page:
doublezero,
Its up in Prime!
Its up in Prime!
Well Franny, i guess in the next few months YOUR loyalties will be tested to the maximum as your beloved Xbox continues its downward spiral in the gaming world.
Will you stay faithful when it becomes 'this years Dreamcast'?
Will you stay faithful when it becomes 'this years Dreamcast'?
I disagree, company loyalty to me is of low priority. Sony's backwards compatibility issue is another matter. There is no 'loyalty' involved here, simply a very nice touch to allow us to play old games we own. Maybe Sony were trying to appeal to PS1 customers, but I believe the customers in general were not buying a PS2 for any loyalty reasons.
I for one buy my console for the games, certainly not to appease a multi-million dollar corporation. However, one point you made was true, if a company continues to provide good games, this is a buying point. However I think 'loyalty' is the wrong word.
I for one buy my console for the games, certainly not to appease a multi-million dollar corporation. However, one point you made was true, if a company continues to provide good games, this is a buying point. However I think 'loyalty' is the wrong word.
I've never really seen the point in loyalty. I haven't really stuck to a developer or system because of its makers; it's the quality of the game/console/whatever. I bought every Fifa from '96 to '00...but I've played more Pro Evo than the lot combined (perhaps)...so I don't think I'll be buying any more Fifas in the near future. Just for an example.
I think Sony did a good job with backwards compatibility: it sorta entices the Nintendo faithful (or whoever), that if you didn't get a PS1 first time around, you can have your new next gen games, AND the PSX classics.
I think Sony did a good job with backwards compatibility: it sorta entices the Nintendo faithful (or whoever), that if you didn't get a PS1 first time around, you can have your new next gen games, AND the PSX classics.
forgive my god-awful spelling in my previous post. my fingers aren't responding properly today.
Jonman wrote:
> True, I spose my main issue here is that I don't understand company
> loyalty. For me, it's all about the games, I couldn't care less which
> machine I play them on.
Ideally it is all about the games, and if you could see a consoles release schedules a year or so in advance, and have knowledge of the game quality at that time, then company loyalty wouldn't be needed as you'd be able to differentiate between the quality of the individual products.
Consumer loyalty exists because the avergae consumer can't afford to gamble too much in the market place, and in order to avoid wasting money (which isn't to say "to maximise value") they will buy from suppliers who have impressed in the past.
In the ideal world we can either a) see the future or b) have unlimited funds. Only then will cinsumer loyalty be a thing of the past.
Thanks for the response.
IB
> True, I spose my main issue here is that I don't understand company
> loyalty. For me, it's all about the games, I couldn't care less which
> machine I play them on.
Ideally it is all about the games, and if you could see a consoles release schedules a year or so in advance, and have knowledge of the game quality at that time, then company loyalty wouldn't be needed as you'd be able to differentiate between the quality of the individual products.
Consumer loyalty exists because the avergae consumer can't afford to gamble too much in the market place, and in order to avoid wasting money (which isn't to say "to maximise value") they will buy from suppliers who have impressed in the past.
In the ideal world we can either a) see the future or b) have unlimited funds. Only then will cinsumer loyalty be a thing of the past.
Thanks for the response.
IB
HálloHowArtThou wrote:
> Nice post there doublezero..
>
> Deserves to be in Prime..
> Do you want me to post it up in Prime under your name for you??
>
> And yes, it's all about company loyalty..
> No wonder MS are not doing to well, they need to build up a consumer
> base then they should be up and running...
You can place it in Prime Topics if you want to Hallo. (under my name of course) :)
> Nice post there doublezero..
>
> Deserves to be in Prime..
> Do you want me to post it up in Prime under your name for you??
>
> And yes, it's all about company loyalty..
> No wonder MS are not doing to well, they need to build up a consumer
> base then they should be up and running...
You can place it in Prime Topics if you want to Hallo. (under my name of course) :)
Insane Bartender wrote:
> Jonman wrote:
> Let's also compare it to music. Having hardware manufacturer loyalty
> is like having label loyalty.
>
> No. Absolutely wrong, because you can listen to the same cd on any cd
> player. You can't play the same game on any brands console.
Ok, I partially take your point, but with the majority of publishers releasing games multi-format, this is becoming less of an issue. Although in the same breath, this means that it's the exclusive releases that become on of the differentiating features.
>
> But I digress. Loyalty to a hardware manufacturer is a far more
> subjective issue, based on the person's perceived value of the
> company. Nintendo probably have the best example of the broadest
> spectrum of feelings, ranging from the avid drooling "x-box
> sux" Ninties through to the mindless hatred of the
> "flippin'
> kids games" mentality, passing somewhere along the way, people
> like Goatboy, who despite the hatred, is a gamer at heart, and feels
> the pull of gaming goodness.
>
> Not only is this irrelevant drivel, it goes against your point that
> console preference isn't outwardly apparent.
Drivel it may be, but it's perfectly relevant to what I was trying to prove. My point was that console preference isn't outwardly apparent to the rest of the world (as dress sense is). However, my point here was to demonstrate the subjectivity of console preference, based on what I've seen on these forums over the last few months. I chose Nintendo to demonstrate the huge range of opinions. It's also worth noting that online, especially in a gaming forum, is one of the only places where console preference IS apparent.
>
>
> Personally, I feel no loyalty to any of the companies.
>
> A lot of people do though, and with good reason.if you bought the NES,
> then the SNES, and thirdly the SEGA Saturn, you'll notice the drop in
> quality when you switched brands. Even if you're not too judgemental,
> and gave SEGA a second chance, you'll find yourself owning a dreamcast
> and fervently wishing you'd stayed with Nintendo, as you found their
> products to be superior.
>
True, I spose my main issue here is that I don't understand company loyalty. For me, it's all about the games, I couldn't care less which machine I play them on.
> >I own (or have
> owned) most of the last 3 generation of consoles from all
> manufacturers and sundry, and to a one, they all had something going
> for them.
>
> That's all very well, but not everyone has the funds to be so
> indiscriminate. People have to make choices, and if you can only have
> one of the three consoles, you'll go with the name you trust.
>
This also is true. It's only the last few years since uni I've been able to afford to truly indulge. In the days before, I had a SNES first off, and the reason wasn't because I thought Nintendo were better than Sega, but becuase I looked at the games available, and chose the SNES on that basis.
Even now, I've not got a 'Box or 'Cube yet, as the games that I want just aren't there. My PS2 on the other hand has had a killer release schedule over the last 6 months, and as a result has been seeing a signficant amount of thumb action.
Thanks for the considered response.
> Jonman wrote:
> Let's also compare it to music. Having hardware manufacturer loyalty
> is like having label loyalty.
>
> No. Absolutely wrong, because you can listen to the same cd on any cd
> player. You can't play the same game on any brands console.
Ok, I partially take your point, but with the majority of publishers releasing games multi-format, this is becoming less of an issue. Although in the same breath, this means that it's the exclusive releases that become on of the differentiating features.
>
> But I digress. Loyalty to a hardware manufacturer is a far more
> subjective issue, based on the person's perceived value of the
> company. Nintendo probably have the best example of the broadest
> spectrum of feelings, ranging from the avid drooling "x-box
> sux" Ninties through to the mindless hatred of the
> "flippin'
> kids games" mentality, passing somewhere along the way, people
> like Goatboy, who despite the hatred, is a gamer at heart, and feels
> the pull of gaming goodness.
>
> Not only is this irrelevant drivel, it goes against your point that
> console preference isn't outwardly apparent.
Drivel it may be, but it's perfectly relevant to what I was trying to prove. My point was that console preference isn't outwardly apparent to the rest of the world (as dress sense is). However, my point here was to demonstrate the subjectivity of console preference, based on what I've seen on these forums over the last few months. I chose Nintendo to demonstrate the huge range of opinions. It's also worth noting that online, especially in a gaming forum, is one of the only places where console preference IS apparent.
>
>
> Personally, I feel no loyalty to any of the companies.
>
> A lot of people do though, and with good reason.if you bought the NES,
> then the SNES, and thirdly the SEGA Saturn, you'll notice the drop in
> quality when you switched brands. Even if you're not too judgemental,
> and gave SEGA a second chance, you'll find yourself owning a dreamcast
> and fervently wishing you'd stayed with Nintendo, as you found their
> products to be superior.
>
True, I spose my main issue here is that I don't understand company loyalty. For me, it's all about the games, I couldn't care less which machine I play them on.
> >I own (or have
> owned) most of the last 3 generation of consoles from all
> manufacturers and sundry, and to a one, they all had something going
> for them.
>
> That's all very well, but not everyone has the funds to be so
> indiscriminate. People have to make choices, and if you can only have
> one of the three consoles, you'll go with the name you trust.
>
This also is true. It's only the last few years since uni I've been able to afford to truly indulge. In the days before, I had a SNES first off, and the reason wasn't because I thought Nintendo were better than Sega, but becuase I looked at the games available, and chose the SNES on that basis.
Even now, I've not got a 'Box or 'Cube yet, as the games that I want just aren't there. My PS2 on the other hand has had a killer release schedule over the last 6 months, and as a result has been seeing a signficant amount of thumb action.
Thanks for the considered response.
Page: