[Deepblue]

Just for Aldo.

Click me!

The conclusion is... inconclusive.

It basically says that each console will have very similar power and that PS3's 1080p capability is an advantage, but the Xbox 360s automatic 4x AA is also a great advantage because Sony has no such requirement.

[aldo_14]

Wooh... i'm honoured.  I think.

Pretty much as I would have expected. The question has always been about, IMO, the 'harnessability' of the PS3s' multi-core structure (which is in principle more powerful - by how much seems to be a/the key debate).  Ultimately it's more likely to be market forces rather than technology which drives that - the PS2 was reportedly a bastard to work with (heavily distributed and reliant upon bus balancing), but developers did so because it was by far the biggest platform.  If[/b] the market analysts are on, we'll probably see the PS3 taking the technological lead simply through dint of that factor (it's been predicted the PS3 will retain about 49% market share; a reduction on the PS2 but still a lead).

The point raised over single core games is an interesting one; particularly if developers are making games for the PC and Xbox360 at the same time into the next 'iteration' of development - IMHO you'll probably see more dual-platform games on the 360 than PS3, and I have to wonder how hard MS is/will be working to ensure exclusivity to prevent that being a problem with regards to joint development.

 There won't be a way to benchmark (in inexact terms of course) the two until not only both are released, but once both have 2nd-generation optimized titles (say 1 1/2 years after their release date?) available.

[Deepblue]

I expect both to have similar graphics all in all. Now, the choice really lies in the games and features.

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Deepblue
I expect both to have similar graphics all in all. Now, the choice really lies in the games and features.

Games primarily.

To be honest, I don't expect either to offer anything significantly new or original; at least not from what I've seen so far.

[Rictor]

I think that the Big Three will be for the most part very similar in features and graphics. They can't afford to be any worse than the others, and now that the feature-sets and hardware are more or less public, none of them are likely to allow themselves to fall behind.

[Deepblue]

Actually it's looking more and more like the big two. Nintendo seems to be going a completely different direction. Good or bad depending on who you talk to.

[phatosealpha]

This doesn't look good for sony, to be honest.  The PS3 is launching after the X-box, most of the numbers I've seen put it at a higher price point too, and the article makes it seem like even if it is the more powerful machine, it will be quite some time before it really shows it.  That's a heck of a head start to give microsoft, and game development follows the installed user base.

I'd expect them to keep a good size lead in japan, cause that was not a market an american company does real well in, but the rest of the world?

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by phatosealpha
This doesn't look good for sony, to be honest.  The PS3 is launching after the X-box, most of the numbers I've seen put it at a higher price point too, and the article makes it seem like even if it is the more powerful machine, it will be quite some time before it really shows it.  That's a heck of a head start to give microsoft, and game development follows the installed user base.

I'd expect them to keep a good size lead in japan, cause that was not a market an american company does real well in, but the rest of the world?

You're forgeting the installed current gen user base; for some reason people (this I think is a western trait) are stupidly & fanatically loyal to they company they buy their consoles from, and thus are less likely to switch brands.

 I think that's a big factor in the reasoning behond those predictions that still expect sony to maintain a lead this time next year.  I've also never been entirely sure how advantageous it is to be first to market with a fairly high-price piece of kit, especially when it's known that the competitors will be around shortly.  On one hand you have the N64 (last to market), on the other the Dreamcast (IIRC first).  I think in the 2nd gen, the SNES was also last to market but cut out a majority share.

It'll be interesting to see, anyways.  There should be a definite advantage for MS in releasing close to the Christmas period, though.  Depends partly on their targeting (demographic) of games, I think.

[Deepblue]

Originally posted by aldo_14


You're forgeting the installed current gen user base; for some reason people (this I think is a western trait) are stupidly & fanatically loyal to they company they buy their consoles from, and thus are less likely to switch brands.

If you want to see fanboyism at its best (worst) visit the Gamespot forums...

Still I think the majority of consumers do not fit into this category, so it is entirely possible that Microsoft may take the lead.

[Deepblue]

Originally posted by aldo_14

It'll be interesting to see, anyways.  There should be a definite advantage for MS in releasing close to the Christmas period, though.  Depends partly on their targeting (demographic) of games, I think.

This brings up a question, why on earth is Sony releasing during the spring season? That does not make any sense at all...

[Scuddie]

Releasing PS3 in the spring season make absolute perfect sense.  They have 8 months for the console to generate a developed image for when xmas comes around.  By then, the titles aren't so-so.  MS made the mistake of releasing it November '05.  The only games available xmas '05 will be launch titles.  I dont see that as a great success.

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Deepblue


If you want to see fanboyism at its best (worst) visit the Gamespot forums...

Still I think the majority of consumers do not fit into this category, so it is entirely possible that Microsoft may take the lead.

Not from what I've seen, where it's brand strength that's the key.

Originally posted by Deepblue


This brings up a question, why on earth is Sony releasing during the spring season? That does not make any sense at all...

Developmental lead-in time; so they have time to get it working properly and have a decent launch line up.  Also to refine manufacturing capacity to supply the consoles; the next worst thing to not selling enough on launch is running out of stock.

Also spring isn't that bad a time to launch; during Christmas time there is a lot of competition for the finances of people and it may be that the $300 (or £350, etc) price tag means it's too expensive for that period when people are spending money on stuff like food, decorations, holidays, etc.

Whereas spring is after that expenditure, after money given as presents, and also possibly when the pockets are refilling after that period.  Or so the theory would go, anyways.  I'm not sure what the economics actually are for this; probably the price tag of these things means that only a select number will be early adopters.

[phatosealpha]

I don't know.  Name preference did a lot for the PS2, no doubt.  Didn't really do the N64 much good though.  Plus, as far as I can tell Sony's name positioning isn't in quite as great shape as it was coming into the PS2 era.  Plenty of good feelings, but also a fair number of people who bought the thing cause it had the games, and ended up having less then pleasant experiences with the hardware.

How's the PSP doing these days, anyway?  Is the general quitness about it a sign that it's not doing well, or am I just not hearing about it?

[Scuddie]

As I understand it, the PSP is not dying, contrary to popular belief.  It just happens to be not getting any bigger.  For now, the PSP is working as it should, and that's why it's quiet.  It does not have an extended fanbase, as you would find with Gameboy brand, but the primary fanbase is rock solid it appears.  I dont see this going the way of the Game Gear any time soon.  It will only go up from here.  Once the usefulness is solidified, then it will get the attention it needs to progress.

[BlackDove]

I just want my Metal Gear's and Final Fantasies.

No delusions when it comes to the hardware itself, after all, I'm not choosing a meal. End user, I can't do **** with the hardware itself.

I just know which games I like to play, and that's why I go with one console or the other.

PS3 for me

[Mongoose]

From what I've heard about the Revolution, that might be the only next-gen system I end up buying.  I could care less how shiny the textures are. If I do get one of these, it'd definitely be the PS3, since I own the previous two versions and have absolutely no desire to own anything X-Box related.

[achtung]

I know I'll end up with a PS3 just because of the large selection of games that usually turn out for sony systems first and the fact that the GTA series usually releases first on it:drevil: .  Revolution is above X-Box on my list because of the feature to download the old games from previous systems MARIO IS BACK!  ahem..... anyway X-Box looks like a last choice but I would only buy it if none of my friends had one and I must play Halo 3.

EDIT: Oh yeah and I forgot to mention Quake 4 for the X-Box

[Deepblue]

Well, you probably all know that I will be getting an Xbox 360. Their just isn't anything I like on the PS2 and I doubt anything I will like on the PS3. I like good FPSs but I don't have the cash flow to keep my comp up to date, therefore Xbox 360 for me. Oh, and I also like online gaming. Nintendo Revolution would be my second choice just for good fun party games.

[aldo_14]

I'm probably most attracted to the PS3, but really only for Pro Evo 5/6/7/whatever.  I might buy a Revolution depending on the games lineup and price, but I don't really want an Xbox360 because I've not seen a single game for it that I actually want (except for Call of Duty 2, and I'd rather play an FPS on PC).

[WeatherOp]

I don't think I'll ever get a X-box 360, just got a X-box, and so far it's disappointed me. But the thing thats disappointed me the most is Halo, the only reason I'll get Halo 2 is if they offer it to me free. The only game that has inpressed me is Fable, but it's easy, got medicore graphics and I can't stand the voice acting.