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Its official, PS3 DELAYS Production Cut 50%
According to the Wall Street Journal, (9-7-06)Sony admitted yesterday that there are significant problems in production with the laser that controls the Blu-Ray player. I will provide links when I can get them together.
In a nutshell, the laser production was great in small scale production, but now that it is in full swing, quality cannot be contained in the numbers demanded. Worldwide production is estimated to be at best 50% for the holiday season. US units are estimated to now be about 400,000 units down from over 800,000 units.
This is bound to cause some heartache for PS3 customers, and could cause the XBOX 360 to cut into Sonys marketshare.
Stay tuned.
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Aww man...I was hopin' to get one for BluRay purposes...these guys are in major Panic Mode now, if Xbox releases a few killer games in time for christmas, XBox will steal even more market share. I just hope they don't rush out a faulty product to keep up. That would come back to haunt them.
What's the deal with that cool new Nintendo system with the stupid name?
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What you mean the Wii? As in, "Dude, you gotta come over and see my Wii!"
I don't know. Nintendo is so kid oriented, I would never consider it.
As far as cool games for 360, have you been looking? Dead Rising, Saints Row, Viva Pinata (for kids), Oblivion, Fight Night 3.... the list goes on. If you havn't seen a 360 in HD on plasma/LCD, you are really missing out. PS3 frankly isn't going to have graphics any better. The Blu-Ray is a nice touch, unless it doesn't work...
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Looks like Sony is going to loose another format war.
Imagine that. If it were any other company, they would be out of business by now.
I priced an HD DVD player on the internet at a little less than US$405.00 yesterday.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
According to the Wall Street Journal, (9-7-06)Sony admitted yesterday that there are significant problems in production with the laser that controls the Blu-Ray player. I will provide links when I can get them together.
In a nutshell, the laser production was great in small scale production, but now that it is in full swing, quality cannot be contained in the numbers demanded. Worldwide production is estimated to be at best 50% for the holiday season. US units are estimated to now be about 400,000 units down from over 800,000 units.
This is bound to cause some heartache for PS3 customers, and could cause the XBOX 360 to cut into Sonys marketshare.
Stay tuned.
Not a good development for Sony. I've read a couple of articles opining that Sony might have made a mistake in tying the PS3 to the Blu-ray format, and so far, the Blu-ray launch has not gone well with substandard discs and manufacturers unable to get the dual layer function to work right. We'll see how it plays out. Your subject heading is a bit misleading though because the introduction date has not been pushed back. Only the projected number of units available at launch has changed. I posted an article previously that Sony had started PS3 production back in July. Obviously, they have yet to get volumes up to where they had projected earlier.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kexodusc
What's the deal with that cool new Nintendo system with the stupid name?
The Nintendo Wii will launch around the same time as the PS3, and it has created a buzz because of its two-piece motion controller (the PS3 will have a similar motion control feature, though not with the same wand design as the Nintendo controller). I think Nintendo might be the dark horse here, because they decided not to get into a technological arms race with Sony and Microsoft, and focus more on changing the gaming experience.
The Wii will not go HD, nor will it include digital media center features. It's a basic gaming console with a new controller design and more processing power than the previous gen Xbox and PS2. But, with a projected price of $200, it undercuts both the X360 and the PS3. In addition, the cost of developing games for the Wii will be a lot lower.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Woochifer
Not a good development for Sony. I've read a couple of articles opining that Sony might have made a mistake in tying the PS3 to the Blu-ray format, and so far, the Blu-ray launch has not gone well with substandard discs and manufacturers unable to get the dual layer function to work right. We'll see how it plays out.
Your subject heading is a bit misleading though because the introduction date has not been pushed back. Only the projected number of units available at launch has changed.
I posted an article previously that Sony had started PS3 production back in July. Obviously, they have yet to get volumes up to where they had projected earlier.
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Wasn't trying to mislead. I should have headed it---It's official, PS3 DELAYS; Production Cut 50%.
You are correct in that the distribution date is unchanged. However, a cut of at least 50% of available units would be considered a "Delay" for those who had pre-ordered and now need to wait unitil after the holidays for their unit.
I figured you would be posting Woochifer, this topic is like honey to bees for you. I half posted just to draw you in.
For all of you looking for a PS3 for a cheap Blu-Ray player, doesn't look good for the holidays. If last holiday season is an indicator, (When 360's sold for 8-900 on ebay) the PS3 street price will no doubt be close to $1000 or more. Especially considering the demand for units with only half the stock.
When I say "Street Price" this is AFTER retail purchase. Yes, as shocking as it sounds, people like me snap up retail units and resell on Ebay for schleps who don't want to wait in the cold all night. If you don't think its fair, wait in line and get one for retail.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by westcott
Looks like Sony is going to loose another format war.
Imagine that. If it were any other company, they would be out of business by now.
I priced an HD DVD player on the internet at a little less than US$405.00 yesterday.
Aren't you being a tad premature here, given that Sony hasn't even introduced its Blu-ray player yet? (nor have Pioneer, Panasonic, or other members of the Blu-ray group) Might want to wait until more players and titles are available before sounding the death knell for the format. If you had judged the DVD format after only two months on the market, it too would have been viewed as a failure.
HD-DVD has had its share of issues at launch as well (before the release of the 2.0 firmware a couple of weeks ago, most of Toshiba's HD-DVD players had bugs aplenty and key features disabled), but on the whole has had a better set of titles so far.
Blu-ray has mostly disappointed so far (video quality hasn't been great, no dual layer media, etc.), then again, only that Samsung player introduced in July and a few titles have hit the market so far. Way too early to project what will happen when most of the major manufacturers haven't launched their players yet, and most of the studios on board with Blu-ray haven't rolled out their titles yet.
Besides, by this time next year, it might all be moot, given that LG has already developed a laser capable of reading both HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs, and the Broadcom decoding chip that Toshiba uses on its HD-DVD players can already decode Blu-ray as well.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
I figured you would be posting Woochifer, this topic is like honey to bees for you. I half posted just to draw you in.
I would hope that you have better reasons for posting than trying to goad a response out of me! Given that you're the resident Microsoft fanboy on this board, it would seem that any bad news on the PS3 would be motivation enough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
For all of you looking for a PS3 for a cheap Blu-Ray player, doesn't look good for the holidays. If last holiday season is an indicator, (When 360's sold for 8-900 on ebay) the PS3 street price will no doubt be close to $1000 or more. Especially considering the demand for units with only half the stock.
When I say "Street Price" this is AFTER retail purchase. Yes, as shocking as it sounds, people like me snap up retail units and resell on Ebay for schleps who don't want to wait in the cold all night. If you don't think its fair, wait in line and get one for retail.
Thanks but no thanks. My billing rate is worth more than that, and I'd rather sleep in. :) PS3 and Blu-ray can wait.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Woochifer
I would hope that you have better reasons for posting than trying to goad a response out of me! Given that you're the resident Microsoft fanboy on this board, it would seem that any bad news on the PS3 would be motivation enough.
Ouch....the claws are out today ladies and gents. Thought we had buried the hatchet long ago after you were so bloodied and sent home weeping. I think at one point you called me a "whipper snapper".
Anyway, for your info, I like MS, but am also a fan of Sony, my plasma, upstairs sound system, dvd-video recorder, Tivo unit and various other entertainment devices are all Sony. So I really don't hate Sony.
I do prefer MS gaming machines XBOX v PS2. Sony may have had more games, but XBOX was a better machine. Although you personally are not a big proponent of online gaming, that's where its headed. And XBOX kicks Sony's ass in this arena. And yes, I must admit a problem with the PS3 did sort of make me giddy.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
Ouch....the claws are out today ladies and gents. Thought we had buried the hatchet long ago after you were so bloodied and sent home weeping. I think at one point you called me a "whipper snapper".
Nope, that would not be me.
Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
I do prefer MS gaming machines XBOX v PS2. Sony may have had more games, but XBOX was a better machine. Although you personally are not a big proponent of online gaming, that's where its headed. And XBOX kicks Sony's ass in this arena. And yes, I must admit a problem with the PS3 did sort of make me giddy.
Truer fanboy words have never been spoken! :D
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Woochifer
Truer fanboy words have never been spoken! :D
? Not sure I follow that one. Please explain.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
? Not sure I follow that one. Please explain.
Just messin' with you. No harm, no foul.
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My mistake Woochifer
You are correct again o'master. You didn't refer to me as a whipper snapper. You used the even older term "Teenybob Gamer" back in an earlier post.
BTW did you see the post about Sony not putting a HDMI cable in with the $599 package?
Thats nice of them.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
You are correct again o'master. You didn't refer to me as a whipper snapper. You used the even older term "Teenybob Gamer" back in an earlier post.
Right, and your "noodle head" terminology is oh-so-current. :rolleyes: But, the fanboy references still apply. :cool:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
BTW did you see the post about Sony not putting a HDMI cable in with the $599 package?
Thats nice of them.
Not worth responding to, given that the Xbox 360 doesn't even have HDMI capability to begin with.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Woochifer
Right, and your "noodle head" terminology is oh-so-current. :rolleyes: But, the fanboy references still apply. :cool:
Not worth responding to, given that the Xbox 360 doesn't even have HDMI capability to begin with.
Wow, with this banter, people are going to think that we are an old married couple.
As far as HDMI goes, I don't think that we will ever see eye to eye. I will conceed that 1 cable would be nice for wiring purposes. However, (big caveat) as far as GAMING is concerned it doesn't add a thing for resolution, or gameplay. Sony has let it out that NO current games in development will be in 1080p. It has also stated that games will not use the anti-piracy that is supposed to be with HDMI to work properly. This would lead people to conclude (myself included) that composite cables will work quite nicely.
For HD DVD, the HDMI might be a plus, but for most that use the machine for gaming, it will be a non-issue. In fact it has to be as the $499, and $599 play the same games at the same resolution. At least Sony has not stated that the 2 machines will play games any differently.
Anyway it appears that 50% less people will be getting one under the old tree this year.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
Wow, with this banter, people are going to think that we are an old married couple.
FWIW, my wife and I don't banter like this. :ihih:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
As far as HDMI goes, I don't think that we will ever see eye to eye. I will conceed that 1 cable would be nice for wiring purposes. However, (big caveat) as far as GAMING is concerned it doesn't add a thing for resolution, or gameplay. Sony has let it out that NO current games in development will be in 1080p. It has also stated that games will not use the anti-piracy that is supposed to be with HDMI to work properly. This would lead people to conclude (myself included) that composite cables will work quite nicely.
Well, there's the cost factor to consider as well. You're asserting that Sony's nickeling and diming its customers by not including the HDMI cable. But, at the same time, I don't know anyone who includes a digital audio cable with a DVD player or gaming console. The generic HDMI cables cost about the same as a Toslink cable, but the HDMI cable can carry both audio and video signals through the same connection. If you want DD or DTS audio from your games or your movies, you would need to buy a digital audio cable anyway.
Plus, the PS3 will use the new HDMI 1.3 spec, which can carry more video bandwidth and allow for 48-bit deep color. HDTVs and home theater equipment supporting the new standard will start appearing by the end of this year, just in time for the PS3 introduction. All that, plus HDMI 1.3's native support for lossless 7.1 Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD put more tools into the PS3's box for movie viewing and gaming, and keeping the hardware viable for future home theater upgrades. By this time next year, HDMI 1.3 will be everywhere.
As far as the copy protection goes, it might not be there with video game output, but it does matter with both Blu-ray and HD-DVD. For now, the studios are playing nice with analog component vid, but that can change at anytime since all they have to do is activate the forced downsampling on the analog video outputs for all their new releases.
And then there's the TVs themselves to consider as well. How do you know for sure that HDTVs will include HD component video connections indefinitely? The studios have been pressuring manufacturers (not to mention Congress) to plug the "analog hole" on all new video hardware (including video players, and video switching home theater receivers) and it wouldn't take much for them to comply as the majority of new DVD players, and set top boxes already include digital video outputs. Better hang onto your current TV if you're counting on an analog future for your HD viewing.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Woochifer
Well, there's the cost factor to consider as well. You're asserting that Sony's nickeling and diming its customers by not including the HDMI cable. But, at the same time, I don't know anyone who includes a digital audio cable with a DVD player or gaming console. The generic HDMI cables cost about the same as a Toslink cable, but the HDMI cable can carry both audio and video signals through the same connection. If you want DD or DTS audio from your games or your movies, you would need to buy a digital audio cable anyway.
Plus, the PS3 will use the new HDMI 1.3 spec, which can carry more video bandwidth and allow for 48-bit deep color. HDTVs and home theater equipment supporting the new standard will start appearing by the end of this year, just in time for the PS3 introduction. All that, plus HDMI 1.3's native support for lossless 7.1 Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD put more tools into the PS3's box for movie viewing and gaming, and keeping the hardware viable for future home theater upgrades. By this time next year, HDMI 1.3 will be everywhere.
As far as the copy protection goes, it might not be there with video game output, but it does matter with both Blu-ray and HD-DVD. For now, the studios are playing nice with analog component vid, but that can change at anytime since all they have to do is activate the forced downsampling on the analog video outputs for all their new releases.
And then there's the TVs themselves to consider as well. How do you know for sure that HDTVs will include HD component video connections indefinitely? The studios have been pressuring manufacturers (not to mention Congress) to plug the "analog hole" on all new video hardware (including video players, and video switching home theater receivers) and it wouldn't take much for them to comply as the majority of new DVD players, and set top boxes already include digital video outputs. Better hang onto your current TV if you're counting on an analog future for your HD viewing.
Ok, a couple of points here.
1. The PS3 is primarly to be a Gaming rig. It also happens to have the next gen video playback player installed (Blu-Ray). IMHO if you are selling game machines to promote your kick-a ss video playback system don't you think that perhaps you ought to provide the cable to show it off best? I am not arguing that it is needed. BUT Sony has been hyping this system as offering the best graphics, processing speed etc. Turns out that HDMI is NOT needed for optimal gaming experience. The devil is in the details. They hinted around that resolution would be 1080p. Nothing is being developed that uses that spec yet for games. Nor is it forseen any time soon.
2. My crystal ball is broken. I have no idea when they will stop supporting the use of non-HDMI cable. But I would be willing to bet at least for games, it will not be any time soon.
This is not an arguement about need, its about perception. It is just one more thing that is not included in the system.
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I've been a huge fan of Sony's game systems starting from about a year before they released the original PlayStation. I picked up my prepurchased PS1 on September 9, 1995 - the first day it was released in the US. I couldn't wait to get it home - not just to play the games I'd bought with it (Toshinden, Twisted Metal, and Ridge Racer) , but also to finally be able to SEE the "Hear It Now! Play It Later!" Developers Demo Disc I'd had for months. Going head-to-head with giants Nintendo and Sega was risky enough. Stepping out on a limb to build the first console based on a 3D graphics engine made it a colossal gamble.
But the graphics on Sony's console were absolutely stunning, and the gameplay with that weird (now considered revolutionary) new controller was outstanding. The game content was also decidedly more adult oriented. Sega and Nintendo were caught flat-footed. They eventually responded, but the Dreamcast and Gamecube were no match. Upstart Sony obliterated it's rivals. Sega no longer makes consoles. Were it not the Game Boy and the Pokemon franchise, Nintendo probably would not be in business today.
So then Microsoft decided to take a page out of Sony's playbook and build a Sony-style console (disc based, plays videos, adult oriented game focus, same style controller, etc.) only better. When Microsoft released their Xbox, Sony just laughed. Though the machine was technically superior, Microsoft was unable to come anywhere close to the sheer volume of Sony's library of superior games. Microsoft lost a lot of money.
The PS3 was the machine that should have put Microsoft in its place once and for all. But this time, it was Microsoft that took the big risks with their 360 and Sony who has stumbled in development (and not just once) of their PS3. Whether you like the company or not, Microsoft now has THE gamers platform and they learned enough from the Xbox to make the 360 a exceptional contender in the field. Not since the days of Atari has a US company been able to so successfully compete in this field. Even so, Sony still has a powerhouse machine to release and a strong network of developers to supply it with software.
The two companies are suiting up to meet on the battlefied of living rooms everywhere to duke it with they're vibrating controllers. But as they do, Nintendo (remember them?) has been quietly working on a new game machine. And with little fanfare, they're taking the biggest risk of all. The new machine has no media server. It doesn't play videos. It doesn't do anything except play games. And it has this weird new controller technology that allows intuitive gameplay the likes of which no one's seen before. Nintendo continues to produce kid-oriented games, but the overwhelming majority of titles readying to release for their new Wii console are decidedly adult oriented (such as Splinter Cell). Even vintage titles like Zelda and Metroid have made disconcertingly mature transformations. There's a good chance these games will be good. Though Nintendo has been dismissed by many as a kiddie-company, few have ever dared criticized them for producing games with poor gameplay. The Wii will sell for around half what Sony and Microsoft ask for their systems.
Speaking purely as a gamer and not as an HT enthusiast looking for a transport, guess which system I'm betting on to do well?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lensman
The two companies are suiting up to meet on the battlefied of living rooms everywhere to duke it with they're vibrating controllers. But as they do, Nintendo (remember them?) has been quietly working on a new game machine. And with little fanfare, they're taking the biggest risk of all. The new machine has no media server. It doesn't play videos. It doesn't do anything except play games. And it has this weird new controller technology that allows intuitive gameplay the likes of which no one's seen before. Nintendo continues to produce kid-oriented games, but the overwhelming majority of titles readying to release for their new Wii console are decidedly adult oriented (such as Splinter Cell). Even vintage titles like Zelda and Metroid have made disconcertingly mature transformations. There's a good chance these games will be good. Though Nintendo has been dismissed by many as a kiddie-company, few have ever dared criticized them for producing games with poor gameplay. The Wii will sell for around half what Sony and Microsoft ask for their systems.
Speaking purely as a gamer and not as an HT enthusiast looking for a transport, guess which system I'm betting on to do well?
As a gamer myself I think that you raise an interesting arguement. I would have to agree that the Wii will most likely do well in the market. Indications are that any loss that Nintento will suffer will be small and shouldn't last more than a year if that. (On the hardware side).
Games do make or break a system, and Nintendo has had some solid games over the year. I think that the stable is getting a bit empty though. How many Mario games, or Zelda games, or Pokemon games can you play? I think that after a while games suffer a bit of "Burnout" if the theme is the same every time. A bit of been there, done that.
The lack of HDTV support may make the difference even more striking for gamers as well.
I think that the Wii would make a great backup system, but I am willing to bet sales will not eclipse the PS3 or 360. I am even considering it as a backup system as well.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
As a gamer myself I think that you raise an interesting argument. I would have to agree that the Wii will most likely do well in the market. Indications are that any loss that Nintendo will suffer will be small and shouldn't last more than a year if that. (On the hardware side).
Agreed. It's certainly a better economic model than the ones offered by Sony (heavy-duty hardware = heavy duty price) or Microsoft (let's take a huge loss and hope licensing eventually saves us in a few years).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
Games do make or break a system, and Nintendo has had some solid games over the year. I think that the stable is getting a bit empty though. How many Mario games, or Zelda games, or Pokemon games can you play? I think that after a while games suffer a bit of "Burnout" if the theme is the same every time. A bit of been there, done that.
This is precisely why I think the Wii will do well. Burnout is a prevalent problem everywhere you turn. How many first-person shooter/driving/fighting/RPG/skateboard/sports games have you played on your various console/handheld/PC machines? Have any of them ever offered substantially different features or gameplay mechanics? Halo's gravity gun may be fun, but is it really anything more than a repackaged BFG 9000 from Doom? Was Lara Croft's enticing new freedom-of-motion enabled through controls different from Doom? While I'll grant you the games announced for the Wii are superficially the same, the Wii's controller at least offers the possibility of playing these tired old genres in a whole new way.
Consider a game where the character uses a sword. Currently any system you can think of handles a sword fight via a series of button presses or stick pushes. The Wii's motion-sensing controller allows a different approach. Gamers can hold the controller like a sword and move it around as such to fight.
This opens up many new possibilities for how games can be played: the controller can be held and used as if it were a golf club, or a tennis racket, or a fishing rod, etc. This puts a whole new spin on the tired, old genres. Better still, it gives developers an opening to come up with innovative new games that could not be done with conventional controls.
The potential is difficult to dismiss when you consider things historically. Konami's DDR with it's dance pad is hugely popular, and of all the games available, the undisputed king of revenue generation in the arcade world is the Buck Hunter franchise with it's shotgun. Even light gun games persist in their popularity despite the fact that they, almost without exception, offer poor gameplay. And heck, who can forget Missile Command's trackball?
The innovation is sufficient to encourage hard-core gamers to consider the Wii as a second system. But the intuitive control system's biggest potential is in luring casual gamers to purchase - who are the majority of the market. The Wii is squarely aimed at this audience and the fact Nintendo has a reputation for quality kids games is NOT a handicap to these people, many of whom have families. The feature is also highly marketable. Just think about the coverage the news media's likely to give it this Christmas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
The lack of HDTV support may make the difference even more striking for gamers as well. I think that the Wii would make a great backup system, but I am willing to bet sales will not eclipse the PS3 or 360. I am even considering it as a backup system as well.
The lack of HD resolution is certainly a weakness. But how much of one is debatable when you consider the mindset of the market the Wii is aimed at. When the original PlayStation was released, it's new controller got as much buzz as it's 3D graphics. With 110 million units sold, the PS1 is still the top-selling console ever. Though the PS2 offers superior graphics, speed, and backwards compatibility, it hasn't managed to outsell its predecessor. And the Xbox, with its even better capabilities sold a mere 24 million units. Graphics simply aren't a big hot button to most consumers anymore, and with good reason.
When video games first came out graphics were exceedingly crude, but the capabilities made quantum leaps every few years. There's no contest between the look of 1987's original Super Mario Brothers
http://feeds1.wazap.de/products/imag...io_bros_,1.jpg
and 1998s PS2 release of Metal Gear Solid.
http://www.gameroobie.net/img/art/metal_gear_solid1.jpg
But compare Metal Gear Solid to the Xbox 360's Quake 4.
http://andurilclovis.blog.jeuxvideo....1139304822.jpg
Of course the Xbox 360 is better. But is the difference enough to convince Joe Casual he needs to buy one, much less shell out $600 for a PS3 plus another $2000 for the TV to make that work? (Remember, HDTVs are still only in a small percentage of homes and few consumers will be stopping to consider, much less understand, the limitations of 480p in a gaming console). And will Joe really think the Wii will look that much worse? Especially when he can pick up a Wii for around $200 and it'll look like this:
http://digilander.libero.it/mariomag...-poste3-17.JPG
I'd argue the gameplay will be the more significant factor. Think how many fewer untis the original Xbox would've sold without Halo. So who'll sell more? Only time will tell. But I believe Nintendo's innovative controller puts it on a level playing field with its competitors despite the fact their machine is technically inferior.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by westcott
Looks like Sony is going to loose another format war.
Imagine that. If it were any other company, they would be out of business by now.
I priced an HD DVD player on the internet at a little less than US$405.00 yesterday.
You are waaaaay to early to come to this conclusion. $405 is for a player that is not format complete. Boot times are still too slow, and it still can only produce a 1080i output. From what I have read online, the players still freeze and cannot remember where it last stopped so it could pick the video point up again. This is post firmware updated. This price is also a considerable loss for Toshiba, which cannot be good for the only manufacturer of the player.
I read that Bill Hunt says that the PS3 is going to be the most tested bluray player and game machine to come to the market. I would rather have a delayed well tested product that rolls out than have a player full of bugs that comes to market on the release date.
Why doesn't everyone just wait to see what's going to happen rather than try and lamely predict it?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Terrence the Terrible
I read that Bill Hunt says that the PS3 is going to be the most tested bluray player and game machine to come to the market. I would rather have a delayed well tested product that rolls out than have a player full of bugs that comes to market on the release date.
Why doesn't everyone just wait to see what's going to happen rather than try and lamely predict it?
Well for starters, what fun is there in not speculating? It's always fun to pick sides and predict what may or may not happen. This is not the only topic on this forum where people choose sides on a particular topic. Speaker wire, gold connections, Bose/Non Bose, paper vs plastic, etc. Everyone has a favorite.
As far as PS3 being most tested? Sure you have one person say that it is going to be "most tested" and then you have some other expert say its not going to be all peaches and cream. The PS3 that has been tested no doubt was an initial batch product. Now it seems that they are having trouble with mass-producing the laster required for quality control to pass. Does this mean that some of those initial units may fail? Certainly. Did the 360 have problems? Sure, in fact my initial unit failed and was replaced.
At what point should a company release a product? Ideally it should be done only after through testing is completed. But we do not live in an ideal world. Sony is betting the farm on this product. Remeber, for every 360 sold, most likely a PS3 will not be sold. Sure, we all know someone who has every gadget under the sun, but for MOST people this holiday season, it will be either a 360 or PS3. For us gamers over 18, if we need to wait until Feb-March 07, thats fine. But there are plenty of folks who want to get a system for Christmas (or Hanauka sp) and don't want to dissapoint their child.
Sony is well aware of this issue, and will do everything to release it by Nov 17. If there are some issues with performance, they can be dealt with at a later date.
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ok, as i gamer, i'm going to put in my two cents:
first, about the game war, PS3, its going to bomb, it will be at the bottom of the ladder for this generation, the XboX 360 will hold a nice market share due to the fact that its a pretty decent console (PS, i HATE control pads, they're ok for racing and rpgs and that sort of thing, but garbage for most FPS games...) and in my opinion, nintendo will hold top spot, or stay even with the 360. just take a look at the wii, what is nintendo doing? they're breaking the mold, yet again, shaking off all the other companies that have copied it over the years... oh ya, and i'm in disgust at you people that are still stuck in 1999 with the "nintendo is for kids" attitude, the gamecube has had its fair share of adult oriented games, certainly not as much as the XboX or PS2, but that doesn't matter... have you even looked at the game list for the Wii? yes, there are the usual Mario, Zelda and typical nintendo awesomeness there, but have any of you seen or heard about "Red Steel"? if you haven't check it out, it may just change your opinion of the Wii.
if i want to play an ultra high end graphics games, i'll use my PC, thats what its for, the Wii isn't about cutting edge 3D super graphics, its ALL about the gameplay, sure, graphics make a game look nice, but would you rather have a game that looks spectacular, but plays like a piece of sh it? no? thats what i thought, why do you think the original Super Mario World was, and still is so popular? because it was a GREAT game, the controls were perfect, the game was a perect blend of stategy and action, and just hard enough, it would be challenging without being frustrating. oh ya, and the Wii is still only 200 smackers, and the games are still gonna be 40-55 bucks, nothing compared to the $400 for a 360 PLUS $60-70 bucks on a game!! its ridiculous, and i'm not even going to start on the PS3...
and so ends my rant on these consoles, so check the Wii out, i'm not telling you, not forcing you, just asking, yes, i do have a small bias, but i just don't see the value in one a PS3 (although if i had the money and a wii, i would probably get the 360)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by audio_dude
ok, as i gamer, i'm going to put in my two cents:
first, about the game war, PS3, its going to bomb, it will be at the bottom of the ladder for this generation, the XboX 360 will hold a nice market share due to the fact that its a pretty decent console (PS, i HATE control pads, they're ok for racing and rpgs and that sort of thing, but garbage for most FPS games...) and in my opinion, nintendo will hold top spot, or stay even with the 360. just take a look at the wii, what is nintendo doing? they're breaking the mold, yet again, shaking off all the other companies that have copied it over the years... oh ya, and i'm in disgust at you people that are still stuck in 1999 with the "nintendo is for kids" attitude, the gamecube has had its fair share of adult oriented games, certainly not as much as the XboX or PS2, but that doesn't matter... have you even looked at the game list for the Wii? yes, there are the usual Mario, Zelda and typical nintendo awesomeness there, but have any of you seen or heard about "Red Steel"? if you haven't check it out, it may just change your opinion of the Wii.
if i want to play an ultra high end graphics games, i'll use my PC, thats what its for, the Wii isn't about cutting edge 3D super graphics, its ALL about the gameplay, sure, graphics make a game look nice, but would you rather have a game that looks spectacular, but plays like a piece of sh it? no? thats what i thought, why do you think the original Super Mario World was, and still is so popular? because it was a GREAT game, the controls were perfect, the game was a perect blend of stategy and action, and just hard enough, it would be challenging without being frustrating. oh ya, and the Wii is still only 200 smackers, and the games are still gonna be 40-55 bucks, nothing compared to the $400 for a 360 PLUS $60-70 bucks on a game!! its ridiculous, and i'm not even going to start on the PS3...
and so ends my rant on these consoles, so check the Wii out, i'm not telling you, not forcing you, just asking, yes, i do have a small bias, but i just don't see the value in one a PS3 (although if i had the money and a wii, i would probably get the 360)
Ok, 1st things first. Even a fanboy like myself for MS is not niave enough to think that the PS3 will "Bomb". There's just simply too much pent up demand for it to think it won't sell. Granted there are too many things I think that it has against it to do as well as it could, but it will sell, and sell huge.
2. PC games used to be my forte for games as well. It has a lot going for it as well. Controls are better for FPS and flight games, but I gotta admit my 360 is changing my mind. You cannot get the same graphics that I get on my 360 on a widescreen Plasma, on any computer that costs close to $400. More like $2000 or more. Some alienware go for $5k plus. The continued hardware upgrades and requirements are making PC games less attractive compared to the hardware that a console offers today.
3. The wii may be worth a look, but as a 2nd system. Nintendo is still a kids platform. Always been, always will be. An adult game here or there doesn't make it a playstation or 360.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by audio_dude
ok, as i gamer, i'm going to put in my two cents:
first, about the game war, PS3, its going to bomb, it will be at the bottom of the ladder for this generation, the XboX 360 will hold a nice market share due to the fact that its a pretty decent console ... and in my opinion, nintendo will hold top spot, or stay even with the 360.
If history is a lesson, you may well be correct about the PS3. The next-generation console that gets market share first has traditionally gone on to dominate. The Sega Genesis took the lion's share of the market from Nintendo by going to 16 bits first. The Playstation allowed Sony to take the crown from Sega (though the Saturn actually came out a few weeks earlier, Sega had been caught asleep at the wheel and the rushed console was not at the same next generation level of Sony's machine). The PS2 reached the market ahead of the Xbox or Gamecube. The notable exception was the 3DO - the first disk-based machine and one that was a technological quantum leap over its competition. It sold for $700. It was expensive and had so-so games for the most part. It sold poorly and the company no longer exists.
Quote:
Originally Posted by audio_dude
if i want to play an ultra high end graphics games, i'll use my PC, thats what its for, the Wii isn't about cutting edge 3D super graphics, its ALL about the gameplay, sure, graphics make a game look nice, but would you rather have a game that looks spectacular, but plays like a piece of sh it? no? thats what i thought, why do you think the original Super Mario World was, and still is so popular? because it was a GREAT game, the controls were perfect, the game was a perect blend of stategy and action, and just hard enough, it would be challenging without being frustrating. oh ya, and the Wii is still only 200 smackers, and the games are still gonna be 40-55 bucks, nothing compared to the $400 for a 360 PLUS $60-70 bucks on a game!! its ridiculous, and i'm not even going to start on the PS3...)
Well said. What's the point of having a superior audio system if you're bored with or hate all the music available for it or if there are only a few types of music available for it? One could easily argue the best audio system is the one with the best library. The Wii is likely to have some very solid games on relaes. And though the hardware specs are inferior to the Xbox, the features of the Wii are revolutionary enough that there's a reasonable chance the average public could actually percieve it as a next-generation machine beyond the Xbox2.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
Ok, 1st things first. Even a fanboy like myself for MS is not niave enough to think that the PS3 will "Bomb". There's just simply too much pent up demand for it to think it won't sell. Granted there are too many things I think that it has against it to do as well as it could, but it will sell, and sell huge.
This depends on your definition of failure. Microsoft succeeded in selling 24 million Xboxs. But they lost $4 billion doing it. The economic model for the PS3 is, if anything, worse. The hardware is much more expensive, limiting consumer entry. The production of units will be drastically below needed levels, the machine is over a year behind schedule for release, and the game technology is not sufficiently different from the Xbox 2 for the machine to be considered an advancement over it. Sure the machine will sell in the millions - just as the Xbox did. But will it be profitable for Sony?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
2. PC games used to be my forte for games as well. It has a lot going for it as well. Controls are better for FPS and flight games, but I gotta admit my 360 is changing my mind. You cannot get the same graphics that I get on my 360 on a widescreen Plasma, on any computer that costs close to $400. More like $2000 or more. Some alienware go for $5k plus. The continued hardware upgrades and requirements are making PC games less attractive compared to the hardware that a console offers today.
Yes, games are likely to look best on an Xbox 2. But gameplay is critical and the Xbox 2 has yet to have a "killer app." The Wii could have several on release. See my earlier post on the relative importance people place on gameplay and game control vs. graphics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Groundbeef
3. The wii may be worth a look, but as a 2nd system. Nintendo is still a kids platform. Always been, always will be. An adult game here or there doesn't make it a playstation or 360.
Nintendo has always had a solid reputation as a kids platform and it's nothing to be ashamed of. They could be extinct today were it not for Pokemon. This is a company that knows the importance of catering to this market. But their reputation for NOT being an adult platform (deserved as it is) wasn't part of their master plan. Their insistence on lording over licensing and placing massive burdens on game developers by forcing them to pay for expensive cartridges with the N64, while the PS and Saturn were based on cheap disks forced them into the position. Their ecenomic model didn't win them many friends and they were forced to rely on their in-house developers more than intended who, you guessed it, specialized in kids games. Nintendo tried to lure developers back with the Gamecube. But the machine didn't have enough wow factor to impress anyone. This time things are different. Nintendo has learned from its mistake and the Wii does have some wow. The result is a system that will be released with a respectable range of titles for adults as well as children that makes it hard to argue it's not a platform for adults. Here's a list of games in development:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_games
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