Ben-DutkaAs the world braces for the impact caused by Gran Turismo 5 this week, it's probably safe to assume that PlayStation 3 sales will see a nice little spike. In truth, this franchise has always been one of the top reasons to own a PlayStation console; I still remember how important Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec was to the early career of the PS2.
And of course, fans of both GT and PlayStation have been waiting for GT5 since the start of the generation. But now that we're exactly four years into the PS3's lifespan (from the North American viewpoint, at least), I'm wondering if the game in question is the very last system-seller. In other words, is it the last PS3 exclusive that finally pushes someone over the top and convinces them to buy Sony's console? Think about it- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was a legitimate console pusher and by now, the entire world should be aware of the greatness of the Uncharted franchise. Who the heck needs Uncharted 3 to prove they need a PS3? Then there were people lying in wait for Final Fantasy XIII but as that went to the 360, it wasn't exactly the system-seller one might've expected.
By now, the purchase of a PS3 for any serious gamer has long since been justified. The cost is half the price it was at launch, Blu-Ray is the one and only in the world of high definition, the Network is basically on par with Xbox Live (and surpasses it when it comes to exclusive downloadable games, in my eyes), the reliability has remained quite solid over the years, and the overall exclusive greatness is undeniable. In addition to the games listed above, there's inFamous , LittleBigPlanet , Killzone 2 (sequels for all slated for 2011), several stellar Ratchet & Clank installments, the quality Resistance series, God of War III finally came and rocked our worlds, Demon's Souls was a Godsend for hardcore role-players everywhere, and Heavy Rain was innovation personified and was received extremely well this year. And of course, Gran Turismo 5 hits this week.
Look, if you can't find a reason to own a PS3 now, you're A. not a big gamer, and B. likely won't be swayed by anything else in the future. GT5 might be the last big boost for the PS3; from now on, it will come down to more price reductions in the hardware and the growing library to convince a bunch of late adopters. I'm just not sure there's one single huge title on the horizon that can, this late in the day, be considered a "system seller." Really, if you can't find a reason yet…
Related Game(s): Gran Turismo 5
Hmmm. I wasnt sure about the title at first, but you make a good point, Ben. Its not that GT5 is the last incredible game the ps3 will have, but its the last hurdle this generation. We've seen excellent shooters, RPGs, action/adventure games, etc. A great racing sim is the only thing the ps3 hasnt seen so far (Shift was good, but its no GT replacement by a long shot).
So i agree, if GT5 doesnt make someone want to buy a ps3 there is no game that will.
I believe people who like racing games will buy it, and the hardcore car enthuthiast.
I think the PS3 is just getting started, especially the exclusives.
Last edited by Clamedeus on 11/21/2010 10:03:01 PM
Yea, me too. I think Ps3 has a lot more to do, it's tol much to do in one 'lifetime' lol
We still ne Cross-Game chat & Agent, KILLZONE3, LBP2, inFAMOUS2, SOCOM4, MOVE titles, legendary status, FIRMWARE UPDATES, and more in my eyes… Maybe there working on a ne MGS who knows?
Unless Agent somehow blows the minds of the entire world, none of that will move big numbers.
Nobody is denying that, its jsut that GT5 is the only kind of game the Ps3 has been missing. If someone doesnt want a ps3 for christmas this year they probably never will.
We don't know that for sure World, the future is unpredictable anything could happen.
Killzone 2 and inFamous were the reasons to own a PS3; if they weren't interested the first time around, people probably don't care about the sequels by now.
You guys need to be more positive, I'm sure people are going to buy a PS3 and new games will move some units but we don't know how much we can't predict whats going to happen and yes some people won't buy a PS3 but there will be others who will, that's how things work people like things some will not like it.
@Ben
Indeed, we don't know what is driving them, it could be fanboy intent or it's just not what they like. But people will pick the games up and system.
What i like is if one doesn't like it there is always some one else who will.
Yeah, I hope this gen sits and bakes longer. When I play something like Uncharted 2 and GoW3 (and soon to be GT5). I'm convinced that until the average game can at least approach their level in design and overall quality there's a long ways to go before needing more hardware to further expand the creative capacity of today's game designers.
I think we're in a real crazy console cycle this gen. It's very different from the prior generations. Who knows, if we don't see a PS4 for another 6 years, or so, I'm sure there's gotta be at least one more major game that'll draw in a few more gamers on the PS3 side. ANd perhaps, when more gamers realize that this console gen isn't going anywhere anytime soon, they may just suck it up and buy a PS3… and especially looking at what MS has prepared for the coming months I can't help but think why they wouldn't want to jump over and play some of these great games they've been missing out on.
i think you guys haven't mentioned the new Twisted Metal game.. just saying 😀
Indeed Temjin.
And ya gotta figure that with games like Shadow of the Colossus (spiritual successor to ICO) and GOW2 coming out close to 10 years into the lifetime of the ps2, Sony's always got something under their sleeve, even if it's not a new IP.
Granted, SOC didn't sell in droves, but I'd take one gem like that game over 10 system-selling COD iterations any day.
I think any "sequels" that is jumping from PS2 to PS3 are considered as a system seller. GT5, GoW3, MGS4 and FFXIII are good examples. Gamers anticipate playing the game by buying the new system. Uncharted and Resistance series are not system sellers, because the game got popular on the PS3. The only games I see that are potential system sellers are Last Guardian and Twisted Metal.
No, there are a lot of other stuff out there.
There's still the crowd of people who were saying they'd buy a PS3 for FF13 AND FFV13. Don't forget that if KH3 is PS3 exclusive, that will draw in a huge crowd aswell. Anyone who's played Uncharted but doesn't have a PS3 will want to pick one up when the third one comes out.. Sorry Ben, but this is one article I've gotta disagree with.
People may be getting impatient on the release of the key titles I mentioned, but anyone who truly wants the best system but can't find the right reason (god help them if U2 isn't a good enough reason) will have to just inhale deeply and purge their wallets for the select gems we know are coming. And let's face it, even if FFv13 goes to 360, it will be a port, and vastly inferior. It will probably be more discs than FF13 itself.
My last point, albeit probably a moot one, if the often rumored, hinted, teased and hope-dashing FF7 remake comes to pass and some smart person at SE decides to name it PS3 exclusive, then the sale will do nothing but skyrocket to the edges of the universe. I know that probably won't happen, but if it does then all the better for the PS3.
Edit: When I started typing this, there were no comments on the article XD
Last edited by Riku994 on 11/21/2010 10:13:05 PM
I'm sorry, but Kingdom Hearts III wouldn't move much of anything in regards to PS3 hardware. Sadly, we live in a very different world these days and while I know the series still has fans, this isn't the PS2 generation. KH would not be a system seller, no.
And I seriously doubt Final Fantasy/RPG fans have been holding out on the PS3 until Versus XIII. That's at least a year off, if not more. It's also not Final Fantasy XV; it's a spin-off. No, as much as I want to say such titles are "system sellers" – and they might have been for the PS2 – they really won't be this generation.
Only Versus XIII has an outside shot, really.
I'm aware it's not FFXV, but we don't even know what to expect from that. As far as we know it'll be a shooter and then the days of RPGs will probably truly be dead. Perhaps the peoople saying they'd buy a PS3 for FFV13 have since moved past that phase, or even already got one. But if I didn't have my ps3 yet, I would probably buy one when FFV13 release, then expand my collection further. I do see your point Ben, but I refuse to believe that GT5 is the very last massive system seller for the PS3.
That's fine. Like I said, I really wish this industry was still the same place where a KHIII and a FFv13 would be gigantic. And in all honesty, I hope it still is.
…but it doesn't look or feel like it.
Indeed Ben, I think it's quite sad actually that a game like that won't sell very well in this generation.
It is very sad. I miss the days when RPGs wer ethe king of gaming.
@Ben,
That's because RPGs (and Kingdom Hearts) have been killed by handheld consoles. Specifically the DS. Thanks to the dual-screened monstrosity, RPGs are looked at as simple, dumbed down novelties. DQIX is a perfect example.
When Kingdom Hearts 3 comes out on a REAL console, people aren't going to remember KH2 and go "Ooooh, yeah!" They're going to remember all the stupid handheld KH titles and go "Isn't that the Disney game thing on the DS or PSP or something?"
Blah.
-Arvis
That's a good point, it's kinda the last of the big Sony icons to be released on PS3. I think people underestimate The Last Guardian though. The Shadow of the Colossus was a huge seller in Japan, and did surprisingly well in EUR/US. I reckon with some decent support and advertising LG could do really well, but of course it's a little unrealistic expecting it to reach anywhere near the heights of the other big franchises.
I take this back, Kingdom Hearts III, and sequels to already established franchises are sure to make a huge splash, not to mention further price cuts.
"GT5 might be the last big boost for the PS3; from now on, it will come down to more price reductions in the hardware and the growing library to convince a bunch of late adopters. I'm just not sure there's one single huge title on the horizon that can, this late in the day, be considered a "system seller." Really, if you can't find a reason yet…"
What if you're wrong?
That's…why it's a questioning editorial, and not one where I make a definitive statement.
Pretty sure that's obvious.
To some, Ben. Sense isn't common.
What in the hell are you talking about ben?The lasts ystem seller?There are so may other exclusives coming out.
Exclusives are one thing, system selling exclusives are another.
Well, you could try reading the article for the answer.
A game that causes a significant spike in hardware sales.
It'd be the last big selling franchise to make it's debut on the PS3 though.
I doubt that Twisted Metal would push the PS3 sale.
And no worries, Uncharted 3 would get the job done too.
I may be contributing to the spike, but not because of the game. It seems my old 60 GB model is showing it's age. The disc drive only works when it wants to, and just today, the system turned off suddenly, and wouldn't turn back on. No standby light even. After a couple of minutes, I heard a click and the light came back on, but I have the feeling that problem isn't solved. If both problems trace to the power supply, I'll just buy a refurbished PSU. However, if it's more complicated than that, I'll probably just have to bite the bullet and get a slim.
I know some people who would buy a PS3 for The Last Guardian, but sadly, as great a game as it will be, I'm sure it just doesn't have the mass appeal to be a system seller.
Last edited by 556pineapple on 11/21/2010 10:22:19 PM
I had a similar problem with my 60 GB. The console would slooooow to a crawl and then just shut off or freeze. The guy couldn't fix it. Your console is probably going to get the Yellow Light Of Death soon.
I sold the console to him for parts and used the funds to buy a 160 GB Slim. I hated giving up my 60 GB but it had to be done.
uhmmm FFVII Remake will definately be a system seller…
Yeah, on PS9.
lol ya. According to stats, there are at least 10 million people that would consider it.
I've only got 5 "keepers" in my collection (those games that I would never get rid of for love nor money).
Demons Souls
Uncharted 2
God of War III
Metal Gear Solid 4
Heavy Rain.
GT5 will be welcomed into the "keeper" club with open arms.
GT5 is a massive system seller. Nothing else comes close…
Agree with Wreckless.
Agreed that it's a shame to have to get rid of any game and in an ideal world they would all sit there with pride of place.
Limited gaming time and limited budget however tends to see my "turnover" my games quite quickly.
Some games I can't trade in quick enough whilst others leave me with a twinge of regret!
Money is always a problem, but I'm a collector and I generally keep even the games I didn't like.
Agreed World – I've never sold a game in my life….I just can't bring myself to do it. And I don't really see the point…a few bucks isn't worth it.
I think what Ben mean's is it is potentially the last game that will have a chance to move massive units. I tend to agree. Even though we will still be getting unbelievable exclusives and sequels for some time to come, anybody who finally comes to the Sony side for one particular game that is not yet out will be a member of a rather small club. As such, you wouldn't consider that game a serious "system seller"
Though I am glad to see you no longer believe Twisted Metal is a system seller, it is kind of sad to agree with this article. MAN they really snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by making FFXIII multiplat.
Anyway, yeah I agree, if you haven't found a reason to get a PS3 yet then you don't have a heartbeat or don't like great games.
lol very well put World.
Still I'm optimistic that there may be a few more epic titles capable of making gamers turn their heads in awe. Even so though thats not needed as I agree with you that there is already plentiful amount of arguments of why you need to own one by now.
World,
As a gaming collector too, I'm with the same thinking as you
Except I keep even those games I don't like, but just to fill out my collections.
Hell, I even bought a inferior Zone60 gaming console yesterday, just because it has 60 games included in it(although most of them look & play like 8-bit shovelware) LOL
Last edited by BikerSaint on 11/22/2010 4:07:26 PM
I agree, Gran Turismo 5 is thee system seller of the PS3. If the PS3 doesn't just spike, but blow the heck out of the box then it's doomed.
Sadly, Halo has had three, count them, THREE, next gen system sellers during the 360 life span. That's just envious right there. PS3? Has been playing catch up all the way up to the Gran Turismo 5 release date.
There are, and will continue to be, great exclusives for the PS3. I expect people to no longer miss out on them from here on out.
The problem is that PS3 owners are a discerning type, most won't buy a reskinned game because of the name on the label.
A very important difference World
I have to disagree, Metal Gear Solid put a huge spike in PS3 sales, although yeah not to the extent of the Halo series, despite its immense quality.
Last edited by AntDC on 11/21/2010 11:00:30 PM