Console Wars
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Cartoonish caricature of the console wars warms our cockles [update]
Update: The embeddable player gave us some difficulty, so we cut it from the post. Hit up the "read" link below to check out the video.What better for a Monday than a cartoon talking about the console wars, wouldn't you say? Wait, do you smell that? It's fanboy debate, simmering at a nice temperature and waiting to be turned into a full-on boil. We know you're ready to break the doors of our post down and leave your two cents. So, have at it!Oh, and watch if only for the PS3's role as an ottoman for the Wii. It's pretty funny.
Sony's David Reeves says PS3 victory in sight
Apparently Sony has decided to start both hangin' tough and unleashing the fury in the console wars, at least in Europe. According to SCEE president, CEO, and player-hater David Reeves, 2008 will be the year that the PlayStation 3 takes the gloves off and makes a nasty dent in the UK games market, amongst others. While not specifying official sales numbers for the machine, Reeves stated that the company has sold over a million systems in December across PAL territories, and went on to say that in some markets like Switzerland and France, the PS3's installed base outnumbers the Xbox 360's. Of course, it's easy to find small victories like monthly sales figures, but Sony's really going to have to break out the BFGs if it wants to tackle the big boys.[Via Pocket-lint]
SCEE chief: PS3 to overtake Xbox in Europe by summer
Despite the PS3's late start in Europe, SCEE chief David Reeves has confidently predicted to MCV that the system is poised to overtake the Xbox 360 in cumulative European sales by late summer. "In terms of installed base in some of our major markets, such as France, Spain, Germany and Italy ... our current cumulative installed base is now higher than Xbox 360," Reeves said, adding that the PS3 outsold the 360 in all PAL territories 3-to-1 last week.Is such a turnaround possible in the time frame Reeves suggests? A quick look at VGChartz (graph shown above) does show Microsoft's European sales lead on the PS3 recently getting cut in half, from roughly 1.8 million units in July '07 to only 0.9 million units in January '08. The narrowing came almost entirely during the highly competitive holiday season, though -- since then, PS3 and 360 sales have run roughly parallel.Of course, the whole Sony/Microsoft battle might be meaningless, considering the Wii utterly dominated European sales through the 2007 holiday season. Then again, we suppose there's some pride in battling for the silver. Just ask Mitt Romney after the Iowa caucuses.
Wear your NES badge proudly
Gamers spend so much time playing video games that they're often forced to procrastinate work and neglect loved ones, but do they ever get any appreciation for their sacrifices? No -- gaming is a thankless task, indeed. So, what do we want, a medal?Why yes, yes we do.For all the times you bravely played Battle Toads, knowing that you would most likely die and have to start again; for all the times you risked your, er, Mario's life to rescue the princess; for all the times you tried to beat Contra without the Konami code -- consider yourself a hero.This NES medal of honor can be bought at Supermandolini, but the going price for glorification these days is apparently €18 ($27 USD). Hey, we never said that honor came cheap.
Jaffe comes out for a unified game console standard
Vocal support in the industry for a single-console solution continues to gather steam, with roustabout game developer David Jaffe airing the case for an uber-system on his blog. On the surface, his arguments have some merit, but we feel the the case for a "unified" console begins to break down when you really examine it. If you will, let us play a bit of devil's advocate with Jaffe's case:"We have it with DVD, we had it with VHS. We have it with televisions (in the sense that- for the most part- every TV is capable of broadcasting the same signal). So what do we lose by having it for game consoles?"Jaffe seems to be forgetting that VHS only became the monopoly "standard" after a bloody battle with JVC's Sony's competing Betamax format (edit: brain fart). There was no consortium of companies deciding what would be "best" for the market -- competition simply decided that one format was overwhelmingly better for the price. Sony had similar near-monopoly control in the PlayStation 1 and 2 eras, and it was competition, not cooperation, that brought it about. And for every cooperation success story like DVD, there's a flop like Phillips/MCA's LaserDisc format.As for television signals, they require a monopoly of sorts because of the limited broadcast spectrum. When you take that away, you get the channel-building, selection-expanding competition between cable, satellite and FIOS TV services.
Over half of US 360 owners bought Halo 3
Do you live in the United States? Do you own an Xbox 360? If you answered yes to both of these questions, there's about a 1-in-2 chance that you own Halo 3. At least, that's what GameDaily says. How do they know this? Elementary, dear reader. With an Xbox 360 installed base of 7.9 million units in the US and 4.1 million copies of Halo 3 sold in the US, that's an impressive 52% of US 360 owners with a copy of their very own. Furthermore, Halo 3 had a profound effect on console sales. As analyst Anita Frazier noted, "That is why content is so important - a really killer game drives hardware adoption more than any other factor (including price cuts)." So, for the record, if anyone asks you, Halo 3 is the most successful thing ever.[Via Joystiq]
Orange Box PS3 vs. 360 video
We know, we know, these comparison videos are sort of old hat nowadays, but with numerous reviews citing problems with the PS3 version of The Orange Box, this particular 360 vs. PS3 video is pretty interesting. The two videos posted by GameVideos compare Portal and Half-Life 2. For the most part, the games look virtually identical, as we've come to expect from more recent titles. Where the games differ is in the frame rates and loading times. In both instances, the PS3 version loads more slowly, though it takes much longer in Portal. Like, long enough to hike to the kitchen and grab a snack. Also, the PS3 version of Half-Life 2 seems to have some frame rate hitches, especially during autosaves. But enough blather, watch both videos after the break and judge for yourself.
Activision CEO envisions $199 360 and PS3
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has a dream, a dream of $199 Xbox 360s and PS3s. Actually, more to the point, Kotick has stated that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 must fall to $199 within the next two years in order to gain acceptance from the mass market. Driving this opinion is none other than Nintendo's Wii, which is priced at $250 and is, according to Kotick, "setting a standard and an expectation." Kotick acknowledges that the Wii isn't as complex as the 360 or PS3, but notes that that such things don't matter to the average consumer. He concludes that the magical mass market price point is $199 and that console manufacturers will need to reach that price within the next two years, adding that the Wii will likely hit $129 within a few years.We have to agree with Joystiq that a $199 PS3 seems pretty damned far-fetched, but the 360 might be able to accomplish such a feat. Within two years, we're betting on $229 with a drop to $249 preceding that. Come back in two years to see if we're right, assuming we're not all destroyed by the impending Robocalypse by then.[Via Joystiq]
Amazon opens voting for heavily discounted systems
While all three current-gen consoles are selling pretty well at their current prices, their MSRPs apparently aren't low enough for Amazon. The popular retail site is offering the opportunity to get a Wii for $79, an Xbox 360 Arcade for $99, or a 40GB PS3 for $139.Before you go running off to make your order, there is a catch. Only the system that gets the most votes in the first round of Amazon's "Customers Vote" promotion will be offered at the reduced price. What's more, the offer will only be extended to 1,000 randomly-selected voters who picked the most popular choice. This last wrinkle could lead to some interesting strategic votes, as some voters might pick their second-choice system if they don't think their favorite has a chance to win. Is there a game theory expert in the house? (Update: Apparently, those who vote for the losing systems still have a chance to get their choice at a smaller discount. See this page for more details. Thanks Roger).You may remember that last year Amazon offered a $100 Xbox 360 as part of a similar voting promotion, and the system won handily against some admittedly weak competition. Will Microsoft's console reign supreme now that its up against its peers? We'll find out on Nov. 22, when first round voting concludes.[Via WiiFanboy]
Console Wars: One year later, begun they have
What a difference a year makes. As we move into the one year anniversary of the "console wars," Game Daily takes a quick look at the current state of affairs. No huge revelations, just a standard assessment of what's going on written by our own Mr. Orland. The basics are: Wii: The Wii blitzed the last year and is selling at a phenomenal pace. The only thing really holding it back at this point is software. Publishers weren't ready for the Wii's success, which has translated into massive quantities of reheated waggle ports. If third-party publishers start putting more effort behind the console, it won't be a "fad" created by Nintendo supporting Nintendo games. Xbox 360: The console with an extra year under its belt really delivered this past year with BioShock, Halo 3, Gears of War and others. A third-party publisher darling, the Xbox hasn't gotten a hold in Japan and has to continue bringing the solid titles as the Wii and PS3 finish their warm-up year. PS3: It's gettin' there, it's gettin' there. Hype may have gotten the heir-apparent through the end of last year, but '07 was not kind to the console. Things are slowly turning around now with Ratchet & Clank, along with Drake's Fortune and Heavenly Sword, but Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy XIII are expected to get the ball really rolling next year. A year into the console wars and the answer is that it's still anyone's game. A console is defined by its games, and it's still a little early to figure out the path of the two newest consoles. The Wii may pull out the third party support in '08 and publishers may finally get more comfortable designing games for the PS3. The Xbox 360 will continue to hold its own as long as it keeps having superstar type titles like BioShock and Gears of War. Year two of the console wars should begin showing the future much better.
PSP overtakes DS in Japanese hardware sales
Just in case you've been keeping one eye trained on the console wars out there, you might want to take note of the most recent sales figures from Japan. According to the latest stats, the PSP overtook the DS, Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, and PS2 in sales last week, propelled by the newest handheld installment of the Final Fantasy series, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Sure, it's happened before, but with the increasing competitiveness out there, this one seems extra important. The message should be clear to Nintendo -- don't rest on your laurels. Also, don't miss out on really hot Square Enix exclusives. The last thing you want is to go the way of Atari, and just end up as a simulation on a thriving system.
GameStop: 360 returns down since warranty extension
In a recent article in the New York Times (free registration required), GameStop executive Bob McKenzie noted that the Xbox 360's frequently publicized quality problems haven't damaged the console's sales at all. McKenzie, the senior vice president of merchandising, noted, "All I can say is that we have not seen anything negative from that." He went on further to say that Xbox 360 returns have actually gone down since the announcement of the warranty extension in July. "We track our returns," said McKenzie, "and returns have actually gone down since they made that announcement, and we haven't seen any effect on enthusiasm for the 360." NYT notes correctly that there is a lot of buzz around the 360 thanks to the imminent launch of Halo 3. McKenzie said that, "Halo 3 is on track probably to be the largest release that we have had in the history of the company," though he noted that GameStop also expects big sales from games like BioShock (good guess, Bob) and Assassin's Creed.Red Ring of Death or not, it looks like good games are still enough reason for the Xbox 360 to keep on trucking.[Via Evil Avatar]
MS fails to meet 12 million mark
Microsoft announced at the beginning of this year that it had reduced its shipment goal for the fiscal year to 12 million units, down from 13-15 million units. Speaking to gamesindustry.biz about the new 360 warranty, Peter Moore has confirmed that Microsoft has missed the target of 12 million units. The company has sold roughly 11.6 million units, missing its goal by 400,000 units. Despite this, Moore states that Microsoft feels "really good" about the state of the Xbox. In particular, he emphasizes Microsoft's holiday lineup, and notes that it will be featured heavily at E3 next week.
Exclusives: Sony's loss, Microsoft's gain
Chris Kohler of Wired magazine recently took a moment to list exclusives that Sony has lost to Microsoft. Perhaps the most intriguing titles on the list are GTAIV and Assassin's Creed, both of which were offered as exclusives to Sony. Sony didn't pursue the titles as exclusives, and two major titles became simultaneous releases for multiple platforms. Another interesting story is Beautiful Katamari which began as a mutliplatform title and is now slated only for Xbox 360. Finally, according to the article, Metal Gear Solid 4 on 360 is only a matter of time. The article is a decent read and serves as a good conversation starter (without even considering once Sony-only franchises like Ace Combat). It begs the question: are console exclusives as important as they once were?
European 360 sales "have hit a wall"
According to Screen Digest (as reported by gamesindustry.biz) Xbox 360 sales in Europe "have hit a wall." The report notes that the Xbox 360 thus far has failed to reach outside its typical demographic of adult males (surprise!). The report also states that the Xbox 360 brand image does not hold up nearly as well in "non-Anglo Saxon markets." Judging from disappointing sales (and advertising) in markets like Japan, it's hard to disagree with that assessment. Screen Digest concludes that Microsoft must make an effort to break free of the limited number of (notably hardcore) genres associated with the Xbox 360. Still, it's not all bad, as the article does mention that many of the year's most anticipated titles will be on the 360 this holiday season, and Xbox Live remains "a beacon of hope."Would any of our European readers care to comment on the state of the 360 in your area?[Via Evil Avatar]
Haze 360 removed from Ubisoft release list
Hey, remember back when Haze was a timed exclusive for the Playstation 3? Remember that other time when Ubisoft revealed its release schedule for Holiday 07 and Haze 360 was dated only a week after the PS3 version? We hope you do remember, because it looks like Ubisoft is trying to rewrite history. The release list, revealed only yesterday, has since been revised, removing the 360 and PC versions of Haze altogether. Joystiq points out, and so must we, that this series of events has an eerie symmetry to the initial mystery surrounding the 360 version of Assassin's Creed. Again, Ubisoft refuses to directly answer questions regarding PS3 exclusivity, saying only that the PS3 is "the only confirmed platform."Will history repeat itself? Is Haze destined to appear as though it were a PS3 exclusive title? Perhaps more interesting, assuming that the game is coming to 360, is maintaining the illusion of exclusivity really important?
Motley Fool tells MS to get its act together
Adding himself to the ever-growing pool of Xbox 360 failure coverage, Seth Jayson of The Motley Fool is warning investors that the Xbox 360's failure rates could hurt its future growth. After receiving the dreaded Ring of Death himself (and some faulty Zunes), Jayson has some fighting words for Microsoft. Of particular note, is the statement that the actual failure rates aren't as important as the perceived failure rates. In other words, the stories of multiple failed Xbox 360s are much louder than Microsoft's claims that failure rates are within the acceptable standard. Jayson admits that, when functional, the Xbox 360 is a topnotch game player and an excellent media hub to boot, but if the public perceives it as faulty, then Microsoft stands the chance of "alienating potential customers and crimping future growth." In conclusion, Jayson notes that Microsoft must address these basic hardware issues before it can effectively execute its plans for new-gen dominance.What do you think? Do you know anyone who was swayed from getting an Xbox 360 based on failure horror stories?
Microsoft contemplates a 360 price cut
In an interview with Bloomberg, Peter Moore and others discuss the Xbox 360 demographic, how they want to target moms and their kids, and hint at a possible 360 price cut. "If we don't make that move, make it early and expand our demographic, we will wind up in the same place as with Xbox 1" Moore says, and what better way to move more consoles than with a price cut. Director of Xbox product management David Hufford reinforces this thinking by stating that "we (Microsoft) are well aware that the sweet spot of the market is really 199 bucks" and that "when mom walks into the store and sees she can get a console with a game for $250, she sees it as a $300 value". It really sounds like Microsoft gets it.But will we be seeing a Xbox 360 price drop this year or just a game bundle? We can't be sure, but we know Microsoft is cut throat about gaining ground in the console wars this generation and a price drop would help significantly. They just have to make sure their pocketbooks can handle more losses, but we're sure Bill would be willing to co-sign.[Via CVG]
Today's montageist video: Wii60 BFF
Sure, we've covered the Wii60 meme before, but this is too good to pass up; our video pick shows a quirky Wii60 commercial where the consoles -- and their games -- are acted out in a musical montage. Anthony Barrera, Brian Camacho, and Rudolph Rosado, we salute your YouTube prowess.See the video after the break.[Thanks, Ant]
MS responds to Fils-Aime's claim
So, Reggie Fils-Aime voiced his opinion on the 360's sales in Europe, and Microsoft wasn't going to just sit and listen to such statements. They came back to say that they are on track to meet their 12 million shipped worldwide milestone by the end of June 2007, having shipped 10.4 million back in December. They also pointed out that the 6 million Xbox Live users worldwide is nothing to scoff at either. Still, it will be interesting to see how things stack up after the other two consoles have been on the market for a year.
