Let's face it: the console war comes down to exclusive software. Everything else can be categorized as either trivial or gravy; the top-notch, must-have software that can only be played on one particular platform drives hardware sales. When Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots came out, PlayStation 3 sales spiked for two straight months. When Gears of War 2 came out later in the year, Xbox 360 sales left the other two consoles in the dust. It's just the way of the industry.
Therefore, I think Microsoft and Nintendo should probably take note- Sony is coming hard with the exclusives and they're going to continue to push the envelope. We already have MGS4 and Killzone 2 , both of which are arguably – note I said "arguably," naysayers – as good or better than anything on either the 360 or Wii. And we've still got Uncharted 2: Among Thieves , MAG , Heavy Rain , Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time and Gran Turismo 5 in the future. These are games that will not only sell PS3s but will very likely eclipse any exclusive offerings on either of the other two consoles. This is merely speculation, of course, and being a big fan of Gears and the Halo franchise (I own every title in each series), I won't say the 360 isn't capable of competing. But just based on what I see now , it seems that PS3 exclusives not only have the edge…they're destined to dominate. And did everyone see Project Trico ? I mean…does anything look so promising for the competition?
And the further along we get, the more exclusives should continue to excel. Hence, wouldn't it be safe to assume that the more developers get out of the PS3's superior hardware, the larger the gap between Sony and its competition will become…? We've all been saying for quite some time that if a developer simply buckles down and focuses entirely on the PS3, they'll produce something better than what could be done on the 360. The fanboys wanted to laugh at that, but based on the exclusives we've already seen and the ones that are on the way…is there any denying this fact any longer? Look, I just calls 'em as I sees 'em. Show me evidence to the contrary rather than shrieking "biased!" at the top of your lungs, and maybe I'll give a listen. Otherwise, just shut it and accept the current facts of the situation. 😉
The developers of exclusives just seem more enthusiastic about their work. It's got me wanting to avoid multiplatforms altogether.
That's exactly it
They go 'bout it in a more "personal" way when it's only for one console.
When it's multiplat it's like "damn we have to make it for both."
So it's more 'bout the money they want to make than anything…
You wouldn't want to avoid Modern Warfare II though? That is multiplat!
Q!
"i am home"
well
KZ2 alone makes anything on x360 look totally outdated not to even mention Uncharted 2
I really feel bad for x360 cuz the console might meet its death at e3
yeh dunno wanna avoid mw2 lol it mp but one of the best games on any console
Most FPSs make me cringe, Call of Duty is one of them
Im thinking of ignoring multi-platform too. There are just too many exclusive games on PS3, and everyone probably just buy 5-6 games a year anyway. The exclusives covers it all. There's no need to buy multi-platform. I would ignore FFXIII too if it weren't a final fantasy.
Well, I think with regards to the PS3, and Xbox for that matter you're correct. Multi-platform games are simply too 'generalized' across both the PS3/360 hardware to justify the cost. What I strongly recommend however, is, while you're passing on multi-platform games, put that excess into purchasing parts for a gaming PC. At this point, I only purchase exclusives for my PS3. Everything else, I get for my PC, because the hardware scalability is just vastly superior on PC.
But…I can't miss out on the 1st party games from Sony either, so…heheh.
Morne
Ben –
While I agree with your case you made on the PS3's exclusives, the problem persists in that the developers working on games for the PS3 have not taken advantage of what the black machine can do. Until the PS3's games(exclusive and multiplatform alike) actually stand out above the 360's titles, the PS3 will fail to deliver everything it's supporters deserve, and draw the unfair criticism.
For example (and not limited to)–
The PS3/PSN accepting PC mods for games. Example – Unreal Tournament 3
The PS3's ability to directly import Youtube videos. Example – HAWX.
The PS3's being able to "screen capture" during gameplay. Example – ??????
The Blu Ray storage capacity – Several, but limited amount of examples.
Of course there are more to list, but I believe my point has been made. I love my PS3(s), and have talked nearly everyone of my friends that didn't have one into getting one, but we all agree that the PS3's games should be head and shoulders better then anything the 360 has, but when it comes down to it, a vast majority of the games are not.
BTW – I don't have a 360 or a Wii anymore because I see what the PS3 is capable of.
Last edited by maxpontiac on 5/19/2009 10:36:11 PM
There is a screen capture tool in Motorstorm 2, and I think a few others.
I see your point about the games needing to stand out, and I think GOWIII, GT5, and perhaps Heavy Rain will do just that, but I don't really care if it ever takes mods, has youtube imports, or screen cap. Those aren't on my high priority list ya know?
Your examples and criticisms have nothing to do with the quality of the games, and as such that just doesn't address the point that Ben is/was making.
Many games feature picture modes, some have replay modes, some can record replays… But these are not game features these are platform features. For a game to stand out above the competition it has to be a better representation of the genre than the competitor. As such, I would say that Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and LBP are both above the competition in the platforming genre. Uncharted 1 is head and shoulders above it's competition in the action adventure third person game genre. KZ2 is arguably ahead of the competition in the FPS genre. Rather than poke holes in Sony's platform implementation, look at the games and compare them. Ben's point is a solid one. PS3 exclusive games continue to push and push, and the PS3 has a great deal of headroom thanks to it's CPU that the 360 *may* lack. That is really what we are talkig about here, not peripheral features like video capture to You Tube.
My point with the un-used features was to show what the devs for the PS3 are failing to do.
Nearly every multiplatform title on the PS3 and 360 is nearly identical. This should not be the case. Correct? Shouldn't every PS3 game be superior in almost all regards? How many more people would buy a PS3 version of the software if it had extra features that Sony made mandatory?
Uncharted, MGS4, and Killzone 2 have all provided the PS3 with excellent examples of what visual fidelity should be like. But did any of these games re-write the genre? No. Did they need to? No. But what they needed to do was maximize EVERYTHING the PS3 can do.
Staying with Killzone 2, the game failed to include Youtube/HDD uploads and screen captures. Imagine if the game offered that? Would it have not helped the PS3's cause? Last time I checked, Killzone has sold 677,000 copies in the US. Alot of games, for sure, but not nearly what it should have been.
I have no doubt that Uncharted 2, GOW3, GT5, and others will be amazing games. I just want to see these games offer what's entirely available.
Disclaimer (again) – I will be buying every PS3 title that has been discussed (and some cases two copies for the family). I am not by any means attacking the PS3, I am simply pointing out unrealized potential.
Last edited by maxpontiac on 5/20/2009 11:48:52 AM
@Max, I understand, I just think that your points are a different discussion. NO less valid, or interesting, just not the same as the discussion comparing the progress in the quality of exclusive games on PS3 vs those on the 360.
As it happens I will also be buying many of these games, and possibly multiple copies also. My videogames hobby has infected the rest of the family. First my wife, and now my son have fallen prey to the PS3 habit.
Bring on the naysayers because they will be the very very quiet folks as soon as E3 kicks off, especially when shown footage of GOWIII, GT5, and Uncharted 2.
All these titles look amazing!
Couldn't have put it better myself. So why did I post? Cause I's a big whore. I just think that Microsoft won't be without an E3 gameplan to try to show up the competition. As much as I hate to say it, they're good at that. I'm sure that they have to be hiding something more up thier sleeves than ODST and a few exclusive add-ons. It'll just be interesting to see exactly what and how it will be able to stack up. The Wii just kinda makes me want to shake my head in shame. Plus, if Sony want's their system to sell more, they's gonna hafta quit makin them thar Playgamer 2's. Cuz they be selling like mad and makin some coin fo sho. Sorry….schizo. Ah, there's my wittle pills.
Last edited by fatelementality on 5/20/2009 12:20:36 AM
The gap between the ps3 and the 360 is going to be like the current gap between the 360 & the wii in 2 years or so.
I agree that the PS3 has the best exclusives, no question about it. But the idea that "the console war comes down to exclusive software. Everything else can be categorized as either trivial or gravy" is inaccurate to me. The Wii has sold several times more consoles than its rivals (I don't own one) and its primarily because of its hardware. Call it trivial or gravy but it certainly has dictated the outcome of the "console war" thus far; much more than exclusive titles.
That said, the games I'm most looking forward to over the next year are PS3 exclusives. Maybe the "average gamer" will come to feel the same way and hop on board.
The Wii is not in competition with the PS3. It really never was (I only included it in the article to appease the Ninty fans).
It's a gadget and should be found with the iPhones at Best Buy. As far as I'm concerned, it shouldn't even be sold alongside the PS3 and 360.
Edit: woops, as soon as I posted this I saw Ben posted the same thing.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 5/20/2009 12:29:13 AM
at best its last gen to me its a toy and thats all
As Ben says Wii is not a competitor with PS3. Different market, different demographics.
Simply put, Wii users are a decade or two younger than than PS3 users and they have SDTVs not HDTVs. Wii is an SD platform, PS3 is an HD platform. They server completely different markets. Talking about Wii as the winner this generation (as many do) ignores this simple fact.
i agree
wii should not be clasified as a video game console anymore
because if you think about it, every game that comes out is announced for either the ps3, 360, or both
i for one am ashamed that the one company that got me into gaming in the first place has a console that should be sold at a carnival
The wii sold plenty because of wii sports, it and those other 'games', if the wii was launched with mad world and conduit i dont think it would have sold as well.
Software sells hardware my friend.
I see the Wii as mirroring the Atari 2600. It sold to everyone. Most people that bought it for "Party" occasions, they equate to todays casuals. Then they released the 5600…
Most of them said "Why should we upgrade to a more expensive console?" and they didn't. The same will happen with the Wii. The Wii has no fanbase, only people who bought it because it was the hip thing to do.
Yeah Oyashiro, that's how I feel about Wii HD. I didn't even know that about Atari, heh. Thanks for the history lesson.
@NonProphet – I for one don't think console sales numbers is the determining factor of any perceived console war. Wii sold like crazy because everyone wanted to try out this new motion sensing technology and was the least expensive choice. 360 sold great because it was the first high def system to market and had great online capabilities. Throw in some repeat buys because of failed hardware and you have some interesting sales numbers.
However, do these sales numbers tell us who is winning a console war? Wouldn't the winner be the console that not only has steady sales numbers, but has gamers playing games long after they've bought it? IMO if every game was multiplat there wouldn't be much of a war. It would symply be a matter of price. The least expensive system would automatically win.
No, it's the exclusives that make people say either "I love this sytem" or "I don't need that system because all they have is…" The console that is the most loved by gamers, that is winner of your war. Gamers created this industry, and gamers will keep it alive. Don't waste your time looking at the sales numbers of every gadget that comes along.
LOL Ben
I dont think I'd call Nintendo "winners" in the console war, as they have deviated from the console persona, but the fact that they have made a killing (and still are) with the wii and ds, doesn't make them "losers" either. It's great business strategy for what they targeted and accomplished. I have friends & family in their 20s and 30s who have their products, but i also have 3-18 year old cousins who all have DS's. While only a select few have PS3's and 360s. I have or had all 3 consoles and have bought my gf a DS.
I'm sure Nintendo could careless if they were classified as game console or not, they've sold way more than either Sony or MS.
IMO, the wii is still a game console. It's hooked up to my TV just like my other consoles. I have to buy games and use a controller in order to play it. The only thing different is that its not in HD, doesn't have great graphics and doesn't produce games that this demographic here on PSX prefer.
Look, I still have my Sega Genesis hooked up to my entertainment system in my vacation house in Vegas, but I still call it a console even though it may not have HD or superb graphics.
Funny you should write that Oyashiro. I was thinking the same exact thing the other day.
The majority of Wii owners, like Tamagotchi owners, will look at Nintendo's next console and think why should I pay another $250 for a new console with motion controls just because the graphics are better.
They'll be content to play Wii Sports, as will all the nursing homes and schools using the Wii as a form of physcial education (pathetic I know).
Nintendo needs to market the Wii HD at the hardcore crowd because we are the only ones who will upgrade to a new console because of better graphics. Maybe there is hope for Nintendo yet, especially with games like MadWorld, the recently released Punch Out, and upcoming games like The Conduit, Sin & Punishment 2, and No More Heroes 2.
Still, it might be a case of too little too late for most hardcore fans (Not counting the Ninty fanboys who'd buy a turd if it had Nintendo stamped on it!).
So you proved my point. Because the Wii isn't HD and has a crappy ass graphics chip, its not a competitor in the console war: Hardware matters.
i think they should keep the wii around for the audience they attracted this far
but more and more hardcore nintendo fans are converting to sony or microsoft, my solution is……….
make a brand new system and new name that only has the hardcore games and no cheap gimmicks
that way the casual gamer can still have there fun in a box
and the hardcore gamer can stay just as satisfied
Well stated Ben.
They have Nintendo Wiis in some gyms. GYMS! The Wii, although successful, has carved its own niche in the market for a completely different type of audience and age group.
All the people I know who have or want the Wii want them for their kids (or grandkids).
I am surprised the Wii is still doing so well, especially in America. It's not really all that cheap and it hasn't done anything different recently to attract anyone new to buy it. I think it has to do with it's incorporation into mainstream media. It's on TV shows. People say things like, lets play some Wii, rather than lets play some videogames. It has become a household name, much like PS2, PS1, SNES, and NES before it. This is something that can be hard to reverse. I do think though that with people having less money to spend they will be less likely to spend it on Vids. I also think that all those people that have a Wii won't be buying gmes, so game companies will look elsewhere to make money. But we'll see what happens. I do think outside of America PS3 will start doing a lot better than X360. There are a lot of people in America who will continue to buy it because it's American (fuzzy logic), it's made in China and the games are made all over the place. You are not supporting your economy anymore by buying a X360 people. Sony is doing a terrible job marketing too, they are by far in last place in this regard, they have to work harder to bring the PlayStation name back into the mainstream.
Last edited by migabyte on 5/19/2009 11:22:02 PM
The Wii would not be successful if casual gamers did not exist.The people who bought the Wii are not game supporters so the Wii's fanbase is irrelevant when it comes to the dedicated gaming community.Notice that the Wii is only talked about when it comes to sales and not features or software.If the Wii was not successful then it would not even get mentioned along side the PS3 & 360.The poor sales for game like Mad World on the Wii confirm what I am saying.
You can't exclude the casual gamer. Nintendo did good in capturing those sales.
Afterall, they are a For-profit company, and sales > hardware/software to them.
speaking of exclusives Ben, i'll looking forward the PSX review of Infamous. When does the review embargo finish?
There's so much more to come!
……………….so much originality….just so much originality – this is where the developers and being developers and not mindless slaves of money and pop culture of the audience. Thank you Team ICO as always.
I love the PS3! All upcoming exclusives will be kick azz eyecandy. Not that graphics are the only thing important?!
Yep, I agree. I love my PS3. It's one of the best consoles I've ever own. There's so many games that's coming out-taking advantage of the PS3 itself. I cannot wait to see what Team Ico and the rest do.
Last edited by rezenu on 5/20/2009 12:49:39 AM
The PS3 line up this year is gone blow everything not on PS3 away…i think the leap as started to happen now…i saw it when i 1st played Uncharted & MGS4 and then Killzone came out and..well you all seen that lol…andd from what some of the trailers have shown us for the exclusives coming out this year…i think its safe to say..the leap is happening…this will be the year you will a massive jump in games…story…gameplay..audio(background noises/character voices & just sound all together within the game)…and most of all graphics i always thought PS3 exclusives where alot better…Looking forward to a good year for the PS3 & Sony…and us!! lol
P.S my rant about graphics as >SPS3< said its not the most important thing…its gameplay! in my books.
E3 should be a stunner all around… the PS3 exclusives should really hold their own at E3… what will be interesting will be the press reaction to these exclusives. Poor publications like "Edge" will still have a go at Sony I think… anything to diminish what has been achieved by the black beast 🙁
With Trico and the rest of the train of exclusives coming the PS3 way… it should be an exciting next 12 months… looking forward to it… but as always will only be purchasing a very select number of AAA games…
Killzone 2 has kept me so busy that the rest of my collection is gathering dust… will sell a few of them and replace them with the upcoming exclusives 🙂
Q!
Last edited by Qubex on 5/20/2009 1:52:37 AM
i have a friend at school that always said he would never get a ps3
but just a couple days ago he decides to change his mind a get one because he just heard that mag was only on ps3
wonder how many other 360 fanboys will buy a ps3 due to all the new exclusive's coming to the ps3
He heard Mag was only on PS3? Your friend been hanging out at Gamestop up until now or what?
yeah i was thinking the same thing but he hated the ps3 so much that he wanted nothing to do with it and any news of it he would just ignore
I sorta agree, but I don't think Microsoft is gonna lag too far behind. I'm pretty sure they have a few things up their sleeve.
I do think Sony will have the best games from now on until the end of this generation, but I don't think it will blow MS out of the water.
i think microsoft is just saving all there good games for the next xbox
because saying the ps3 is more capable than the 360 is quickly becoming an understatement
Well said Ben (as usual). I had a feeling that Playstation would have more games than the competition back in 2007 when Uncharted dropped and Bungie left M$.
And in 2008,
– M$ got rid of most of their 1st party developers.
– Sony dropped more greatness (MGS4)
– Sony announced a whole boatload of upcoming exclusives doing E3 2008
…then I knew Sony had won the exclusive war.
All that timed exclusive crap M$ pulls, doesn't make ONE PS3 owner go buy a 360. But games like MAG, R2, K2, Uncharted 2, and maybe even RPGs like WKC and Demon's Souls…make 360 owners buy a PS3. And then b4 they know it, that 360 is collecting dust and all they play is PS3 (true story btw).
And do I even have to mention the giant Sony elephants in the room…
-GT5!!
-FF13versus!!
-Twisted Metal!!!
-that "Starhawk" game!
-TRICO!!!
-GOW3!!!!!!
Sony is basically saying to the world (in the words of Em), "I think its time for you hate me again."
Last edited by King James on 5/20/2009 2:55:04 AM