Microsoft Finally Admits Nintendo Will Win This Gen's Console War

[The 1 2 P]

We are all thinking the same thing---duh. But this is the first honest/humble thing that Don Mattrick has said since taking over for Peter Moore. Although this story seems redundant(and it is), it's worth checking out if only for the picture of Mario and Master Chief fighting: http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/207027/microsoft-concedes-victory-to-nintendo-will-fight-sony-for-second/

I haven't seen a right cross like that since E3 when Square Enix took away Final Fantasy XIII exclusivity from the PS3(ouch:beaten:). But it's still going to be a very close race for second place. I personally think Microsoft will hang on to their lead. And this holiday season will be a big indicator of who's going to be the top dog....of second place.

[Clownzilla]

Something that I never can understand is what decides a "win" in a console war? Sure, it's hard to argue that Nintendo has the most unique approach to gaming but does that equal a win? They obviously lack VERY important features that Sony & Microsoft do have so that does not constitute a complete system superiority for Nintendo. The Wii is the cheapest of the consoles but does that constitute a win? I'm sure if the PS3 or the XBOX360 were cheaper than the Wii then they would "win". It's just common capitalistic economics. I like & own a Wii & 360 and I really could not say one is a "winner". All of this
"win-loss" BS is just meaningless BS. By the way, this message is not against you "The 1 2 P" but against the gaming media.

[Overbite]

I know Nintendo is in the lead but it kinda sucks. The only reason they got there is because of Wii Sports and Wii Fit. One is a pack-in and the other isnt even a game. The Wii is popular with people who don't play games but what does it have to offer for people who do? I regret buying my Wii. There are zero games out for it I would consider must have.

I go to the game store and all I see for Wii games are shovelware and the Nintendo franchises.

[megasdkirby]

Something that I never can understand is what decides a "win" in a console war? Sure, it's hard to argue that Nintendo has the most unique approach to gaming but does that equal a win? They obviously lack VERY important features that Sony & Microsoft do have so that does not constitute a complete system superiority for Nintendo. The Wii is the cheapest of the consoles but does that constitute a win? I'm sure if the PS3 or the XBOX360 were cheaper than the Wii then they would "win". It's just common capitalistic economics. I like & own a Wii & 360 and I really could not say one is a "winner". All of this
"win-loss" BS is just meaningless BS. By the way, this message is not against you "The 1 2 P" but against the gaming media.

You just answered your question.

The "winner" is that makes makes money. PLENTY of it. The one that sells the most. The most "popular". The console that nets you so much money, it's incredible.

It's all about $$$, not what gamers think is best.

A console can be the best ever, with the greatest games ever made. It might be the "winner" to video game enthusiasts, but in the world we live in, only one factor is important to a business: cold hard cash.

And Nintendo is making loads of it. Whatever sells the most is the most popular.

It's unfortunate, but alas, that is how it works I'm afraid.

[scooterb23]

All of this "win-loss" BS is just meaningless BS.

Agreed. As long as there are fun games being put out, regardless of system...we all win. I have never sat in front of my XBox and said "I am so disappointed in you not selling as many consoles as the PS2, you loser." I just say "Hmm, I need to play Voodoo Vince!"

[The 1 2 P]

See Below.

[ubersaurus]

I know Nintendo is in the lead but it kinda sucks. The only reason they got there is because of Wii Sports and Wii Fit. One is a pack-in and the other isnt even a game. The Wii is popular with people who don't play games but what does it have to offer for people who do? I regret buying my Wii. There are zero games out for it I would consider must have.

I go to the game store and all I see for Wii games are shovelware and the Nintendo franchises.

I don't know, it's offered plenty to me since I've gotten it. I've loved the various Nintendo franchises put out on the machine, Geometry Wars, Shikigami, etc. and the new Wario Land game coming up looks to be pretty much fantastic.

Anyone who complains the Wii doesn't have any games for hardcore players have obviously not been playing the Wii Fire Emblem.

[monkeychemist]

I think Nintendo won this group of consoles' war due to their innovative ideas. They made a video game system that originally only appealed to teenage boys fun for a much broader audience (and a much more affordable price during a bad economy) and for that they won. However, I don't believe that they won the "next-gen" war because in terms specs they were one generation behind. The true "next-gen" war is between PS3 and X360. Unfortunately it is going to be impossible to determine a true winner. Both have very similar qualities with similar flaws. Their differences are very small and only show whether you like MGS4 or Halo 3 better (or other exclusive favorites). Furthermore their (new) game libraries are like 90% the same so there really isn't much difference between the two. So they will battle it out until the NEXT next-gen and we will reap the rewards by having them try to out-compete each other. I chose the PS3 because of MGS4, FFXIII (before E3), GT4 and White Knight Chronicles. I will sure miss Fable 2...but oh well.

[TonyTheTiger]

This seems to be a case of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." As much as I don't understand why, Microsoft's fight with Sony appears to be more personal. Maybe it's because the PS2 handily trounced the Xbox and now MS is out for blood but it seems like MS is happier with it being Wii > 360 > PS3 than they would if it were PS3 > 360 > Wii. It could be because the 360 shares games with the PS3 more often but, nevertheless, I get the impression that MS PR speaks friendlier (or at least less combative) of Nintendo than it does Sony.

[Zing]

I go to the game store and all I see for Wii games are shovelware and the Nintendo franchises.

Barrier of entry.

Publishers need to spend millions of dollars to have an Xbox game even appear on the radar and probably only get a sliver of profit. I don't even want to think about the effort required to make a decent non-port PS3 game. Wii games can be cranked out cheaply and rake in the cash. Without having to worry about stuff like "cinematic experience" or online play to prop up mediocre games, the development costs and time are low.

I don't think having more games to choose from is a bad thing. Consumers and retailers will decide which ones succeed and fail. If you see a lot of shovelware games on the shelf, its because people are buying them.

[The 1 2 P]

I have never sat in front of my XBox and said "I am so disappointed in you not selling as many consoles as the PS2, you loser."


That is one of the funniest post ever...and I'm an Xbox fan, lol.

And Clownzilla, I hear you about being tired of all this console war talk. But what Don Mattrick was basically saying is that the Wii has outsold the 360 to the point where there is simply no catching up during the remainder of this generation, especially since they are still hard to find in some areas. So as a way of saving face, he's making another bold claim/bs statement(whichever way you want to look at it) that his company will outsell the PS3.

Don't know how I messed that quote up the first time.

[TheRedEye]

The "winner" is that makes makes money. PLENTY of it. The one that sells the most. The most "popular". The console that nets you so much money, it's incredible.

We can't measure money made, because by that logic Gamecube might have "won" the last generation.

[swlovinist]

Ahh, it is pretty funny to see fanboys get buthurt when their "favorite" system is not the best. You would think that we were talking about religion or politics due to how sensitive people get when taling about console sales shees. The bottom line is that there is a "winner" for everyone during these times. We should just be happy that there are three successful consoles that make different games. In the end it doenst really matter who is selling better, because in the end, that does not affect whether or not I buy a game.

[s1lence]

Meh, I didn't think it really mattered. That's why I own all the systems (yes I'm hooked on achievements). And what does it mean to "win" the console war? Sell the most systems? Have the most profit? The most users? The best online? The one that can cook an egg?

[megasdkirby]

We can't measure money made, because by that logic Gamecube might have "won" the last generation.

You must count consoles purchased and net profit obtained. Software purchased and net profit obtained. Accesories. As well as other things.

[Raedon]

I have a Wii and a 360. It's only a matter of time before the PS3 WILL BE MINE! HAahahahah-Aahahah!!ha!

[Push Upstairs]

"Winning this gen" is BS and totally redundant, it matters none.

But for shits and giggles I'll play along some.

Does a game system "count" when its intended audience is supposed to be people who have never played/owned a game system before?

Why should I, as a gamer, take the system into consideration (for anything really) when Nintendo has flat out said I'm not the target audience for this system? Everyone who has ever talked about Nintendo's system *in person* with me has been people who don't own multiple game consoles, countless games, or who frequent video game forums.

[gepeto]

You know how you tell who has won. The last man standing. Here is the funny position we find ourselves. Most of us really like all the systems and wants them to succeed but being the elite die hard find if hard to stomach that nintendo has captured the lead with a noncoventional approach to the system. Not catering to the diehard.

What does nintendo do after the family thing wears off? How many Wii's are actually getting played after the wii sports wears off? It has always been proven that the weakest lineup and systems always fall. If they carry this to the end it will be an amazing accomplishement but like the one article said there slip is showing or has been shown they really have nothing in the next season that really speaks buy me.

[Berserker]

You must count consoles purchased and net profit obtained. Software purchased and net profit obtained. Accesories. As well as other things.

I think what TheRedEye was getting at (and keep in mind this is only my interpretation of it -- not intending to put words in his mouth) was that it's not that simple -- Sales do not necessarily equal profits, and it may even be accepted by a company that profits won't be made on a particular generation. Xboxes were sold at a loss, PS3s are being sold at a tremendous loss, etc.

If you're going into a generation knowing that you're going to lose money on a console, like with the first Xbox, profits become a useless metric as the sole determinant of success. And since the Gamecube like the Wii made a profit on every unit sold, by that sole metric the Gamecube could have been considered the most successful.

However no one considers it in those terms, because whenever there's talk of who's "won" a particular generation, it's always based primarily around units sold, in which the Gamecube obviously fell short of winning by a longshot.

[retro junkie]

I see that some have mentioned specs concerning the winner of a console war. Specs, or how powerful a system is, has never been a factor in a console war. It has always been about the games and the people who are attacted to a particular console because of them.

Nintendo makes plenty of profit by taking old technology, using a bit of innovation, and focusing totally on the gaming. They are presently rolling in the dough. Nintendo has found a niche audence and it is paying off for them right now. They have really expanded the world of gamers to include people who where not gamers before.

With the recent revelation of the losses that Sony has suffered in the PS3, I hope they make a comeback with something in the next generation of consoles.

And in the world of console gaming, there are those sweet price points for the consumer that once it hits there, it sells gaming consoles.
edit: There are a lot of gamers, like me, that have not entered this present generation of gaming. People around me, including me, do not have a Wii, PS3, or a 360. We are short on cash, the jingle is not in our pockets to put down on a new system. We are still living in the past with the old systems. I would love to have a PS3, but times are tough for my wallet right now. My gaming is limited to used games.

[Sabz5150]

The one that can cook an egg?

The 360 comes in first with the PS3 very close behind.

[j_factor]

"Winning this gen" is BS and totally redundant, it matters none.

But for shits and giggles I'll play along some.

Does a game system "count" when its intended audience is supposed to be people who have never played/owned a game system before?

Every one of the most successful (in terms of units sold) systems has brought in new gamers. Commodore 64 did it, NES did it, Game Boy did it, Playstation did it, PS2 did it, DS has done it, and now Wii.


Why should I, as a gamer, take the system into consideration (for anything really) when Nintendo has flat out said I'm not the target audience for this system? Everyone who has ever talked about Nintendo's system *in person* with me has been people who don't own multiple game consoles, countless games, or who frequent video game forums.

As a gamer, you should take every system into consideration. Saying you're not the target audience for the Wii because you're a long-time gamer is like saying you're not the target audience for the PS3 because you're not a graphics whore. Their commercials might primarily target a specific group of people but that doesn't mean the overall system and its entire library is only for that one group.

[mezrabad]

The winner of the console wars is determined by popular vote. People vote by buying the console. The votes are in and counted. They don't take into consideration how often the Wii is used, or by whom the Wii is played or whether or not there's a mini-van in the driveway. The war is about "how many were sold? Kthxbye."

This war is over, a winner is Nintendo.

There is, however, more than one war going on here. In addition to the war over selling the most consoles, there's a war over "owning the living room". As a gamer I don't care too much about that other war, but since I have a living room in which my family and I spend time, it does matter to me some.

In terms of my personal console wars:
PS2 is still the most played console in my house in terms of gaming hours. It is followed closely by the 360. Lagging far behind in third is probably the Wii -- playing GameCube games! This third-place ranking is sometimes supplanted by the Original Xbox, depending on whether my six year old daughter is playing Animal Crossing or Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball that month.

The Wii, however, is the only console played by everyone in my family, and the only one my wife can be persuaded to use at all. It's also the only console on which my entire family will semi-regularly play a videogame together (Wii Sports, Play and Ski, of course, not that you couldn't have guessed).

So, Nintendo owns my family gaming, Sony still owns my personal gaming and Microsoft (see below) owns my living room.

Anyway, congrats, Nintendo, welcome back to the top of something.
Don't get cocky this time.

(It should also be mentioned that an Xbox is what is most often on for non-interactive entertainment, i.e. DVDs, TV Shows and soon, Netflix streaming. In this sense, Microsoft has has succeeded in "winning" my living room. If I had to get rid of my videogame consoles, the Original and 360 Xbox consoles would be the last to go because of their multi-fuctionality; including the modded original's ability to play emulated systems.)

[TonyTheTiger]

As a gamer, you should take every system into consideration. Saying you're not the target audience for the Wii because you're a long-time gamer is like saying you're not the target audience for the PS3 because you're not a graphics whore.

Yes and no. I personally don't believe that the Wii is that far removed from the ordinary goings on of video games to warrant it being marketed toward or away from particular persons. But it is possible for something to be far enough removed so that there would be very little reason for most of us here to pay much attention to it. The Sega Pico or Leapster spring to mind.

[Trebuken]

Ummm...yeah. Nintendo wins SO FAR because they seem to be making the most money; let there be no doubt that they are intentionally limiting the release of Wii consoles in the US to drive consumer demand (let them think they are hard to find) and to control costs of producing them. Add to that the pile of shovelware they are throwing at the 'new' gamers and you have profit.

The Xbox 360 is selling more software. 360 owners buy more games than Wii owners. The 360 is clearly the winner to me. I think Mattrick is declare defeat as a start up of the 'gee we need to release a new console' hype. Obviously if they declare defeat they will have to release a new updated system, but hell if they keep going with the price drop on the 360 I think they will catch the Wii. Next gen console sales haven't even hit their stride yet, seriously.

Dividends from the PS3 may not be realized for several years yet...

I do not want Nintendo to win for fear that they may become a model for others and they are completely failing some segments of gamers; many of whom were loyal to them for a decade or two.

[gepeto]

Well last I heard all 3 were still for sale. When 2 bow out then the winner can wave the flag. I still say we all may be in for a suprise when it is all said and done.

[heybtbm]

Nintendo Wii is the best selling console in the US? Hmmm.

Other "#1's"...

Miller Lite is the best selling beer.
American Idol is the most watched TV show.
McDonald's is the most popular restaurant.

Do I really need to point out the common link here?

[gepeto]

Nintendo Wii is the best selling console in the US? Hmmm.

Other "#1's"...

Miller Lite is the best selling beer.
American Idol is the most watched TV show.
McDonald's is the most popular restaurant.

Do I really need to point out the common link here?

Wait a minute miller lite beat coors lite?

[dendawg]

Something that I never can understand is what decides a "win" in a console war?

What's to understand? It's the same three factors that win every generation:

Sales
Profit
Popularity

It's not exactly rocket science.

Also, it's practically a fact that the winner is determined early in the generation, the only exception being the SNES/Genesis war.


"Winning this gen" is BS and totally redundant, it matters none.

http://www.marveloverpower.com/OverPower/DC_OverPower/DCOverPowerPics/DCSpecialCards/BlueBeetle_Bwahahahaha.jpg

[SegaAges]

Nintendo Wii is the best selling console in the US? Hmmm.

Other "#1's"...

Miller Lite is the best selling beer.
American Idol is the most watched TV show.
McDonald's is the most popular restaurant.

Do I really need to point out the common link here?

The common link is that if I sit at home and do nothing but drink Miller Lite while eating my Big Mac when American Idol is on, I won't have much time to work out, so I will just get Wii Fit.

It makes sense.

Also as for price, as somebody else, said, it is not over. The 360 Arcade just went to 199 which is 50 less than the wii. All you really need with the arcade unit is a memory card. If you are going for price, why bother with a hard drive. Besides, 199 and easily available does sound more attractive than 249 and harder than crap to find.

Once you decide on the arcade unit, then they got you for more money, like buying a hard drive, wireless controller, BOOM! M$ makes more money. In the end, it will be more than the price of a wii, but whatever.

I am not hating on the big N, just stating facts.

It will be interesting to see what happens, because now one unit is less in price than the wii.

[Icarus Moonsight]

:bawling::help::deadhorse::bday::argue:

Me: :above me: Silly Earthlings. :D

[Iron Draggon]

well when you consider that fitness centers and senior living centers all over the country are using Wii Sports and Wii Fit as part of their programs now, it's easy to see why Nintendo is truly a winner this time... they've done what Microsoft & Sony never even dreamed of doing... they not only took control of America's living rooms, they took control of our senior citizens, which now includes the Baby Boomers... no one could lose with a strategy like that...

personally, I think they've successfully accomplished the greatest gaming feat of all time... now grandma & grandpa don't just buy games for their grandkids, they buy games for themselves as well... which equates to pure marketing genius on Nintendo's part... senior citizens typically have far more disposable income than the average hardcore gamer, and they also typically have lots of grandkids who love video games... and so this war was won...

meanwhile, MS will most likely retain 2nd place, by catering to all the teens that Nintendo is handing over to them, while grandma & grandpa tell them if the Wii isn't good enough for them, they can get a job and buy one of those ridiculously expensive PS3's for themselves, or settle for an el cheapo 360...

so Sony pulled a Trip Hawkins with the PS3, and the only thing that's even keeping it in the game now is the fact that it serves as an el cheapo Blu-Ray player... however, they're still losing a fortune on every unit sold, and most people aren't buying very many games for it, as they're finding that it's alot more useful as an el cheapo Blu-Ray player than it is as a game system...

and all of this points to one thing... the next new generation of consoles is gonna be even more interesting than the current one is... Sony & Nintendo have both proven that price is more important than any other factor now... one by having the most tecnologically advanced system with the highest price, and the other by having the most technologically unadvanced yet technologically innovative system with the lowest price... and Microsoft has proven that people will buy anything, as long as it comes in a trendy "box"...

my guess is that all 3 players will offer more of the same next time, but Sony will figure out a way to do it cheapest, Microsoft will offer a PC compatible version, and Nintendo will offer medical attachments that are Wii compatible, like blood pressure monitors, diabetes testing kits, and similar devices for the elderly, as well as exercise equipment, and a more relaxed licensing policy that allows for "unofficial" support of 3rd party masturbation attachments...

[The 1 2 P]

and a more relaxed licensing policy that allows for "unofficial" support of 3rd party masturbation attachments...

We should totally go patent that idea right now. We could make a mint;) You actually made several good points young grasshopper....er, I mean Iron Draggon. Although Sony is most likely going to continue pulling up the rear in third place for atleast another 2 years, they have said that they intend to keep that puppy going for a full decade. However, I think we will all have moved on to bigger and better by then....except for me. As soon as that PS3 hits that magic $99 price point in 2016 I'm so going to get oneLOL

[j_factor]

a more relaxed licensing policy that allows for "unofficial" support of 3rd party masturbation attachments...

They had one for PS2, but it only worked with Rez and Space Channel 5 Part 2.

[Spartacus]

All I can say is good for Nintendo!
I never thought 4 face buttons and a couple of shoulder buttons on a controller made games "too complicated" for the average person. Apparently for many people it was and Nintendo capitalized on it.
Nintendo let Sony and Microsoft battle it for the next gen, selling consoles at a loss, while they deftly made a grab for people who never really were gamers in the traditional sense. It was a gamble that is paying off for them. Well done!
The constant shortage of the Wii was/is a psychological ploy that makes anyone who buys one somehow feel lucky. Brilliant!
I'm not a Nintendo 1st party software kind of guy. Playing with Princess Peach, Mario and Starfox McCloud doesn't get me excited. But I respect the fact that Nintendo cares enough about it customers to deliver a rock solid product that works. I respect the fact that they are taking the lead in working with law enforcement to prosecute software pirates. Nintendo cares enough about it's employees and business partners to defend thier livelihoods. Good for them!

[tomaitheous]

Haha. It's great. The Wii being #1. Yay for soccer Moms and 30 something Dads that played a few games in his childhood! Recapture that lost childhood Dad! Burn those calories Mom! You can do it!

Most profitable system hardware sales is great for corporate managers and investors, but does little defined a system as #1. Wii's last place when it comes to the real gamers who drive the video game market. That said, I hope Nintendo actually makes a real system next generation. As it is currently, Nintendo is dead to me for this generation. They joined the ranks of Sega. Of course, their handheld system being their one exception.

That said, I'm getting a wii sometime this year. For one reason - Tales of Symphonia 2. I'm not really buying a new game system, just a really expensive game ;)

[theChad]

A real system? What the hell?

[tomaitheous]

A real system? What the hell?

Yes, the Wii is a joke. It warms me over that I have to shell out another $250 just to buy a repackaged GC (that I already have two of) with a gimmicky remote system, to play the game I want. Nintendo laughing all the way to the bank.

[theChad]

So you're saying the Gamecube wasn't a real system either?

[tomaitheous]

Relative to the other consoles are the time, it was. It was on par. Actually had hand full of good games too. I even bought a Japanese model.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

This thread was even better when it was called "PS3 losing more money than PS2 Made."

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120949

Seriously, is it already time for another one of these threads? It's been less than a month, and that one was a monster. You should know better The12p, because you started that one too.

Fuck it.

[Bojay1997]

We are all thinking the same thing---duh. But this is the first honest/humble thing that Don Mattrick has said since taking over for Peter Moore. Although this story seems redundant(and it is), it's worth checking out if only for the picture of Mario and Master Chief fighting: http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/207027/microsoft-concedes-victory-to-nintendo-will-fight-sony-for-second/

I haven't seen a right cross like that since E3 when Square Enix took away Final Fantasy XIII exclusivity from the PS3(ouch:beaten:). But it's still going to be a very close race for second place. I personally think Microsoft will hang on to their lead. And this holiday season will be a big indicator of who's going to be the top dog....of second place.

I think both the title of your post and the headline of the original story grossly misrepresents Mr. Mattrick's comments. All he said is that the Wii will outsell the Xbox 360. That's not the same as "winning" whatever that means. To me, the "winner" in this generation will be whichever console the public buys the most games for at full retail. By that measure, the 360 is way ahead and the Wii isn't even close. In fact, Wii software sales are well below the 360 and PS3 and each unit of Wii software sold is between 20% and 40% less expensive and therefore less revenue producing than a comparable 360 or PS3 title. While Nintendo may be more profitable, ultimately they chose a business model which is not sustainable a year or two years from now when the people who actually buy most of the games (i.e. teenage boys and men 18-35) get sick of the poor motion control capabilities and gimmickry of most Wii games. I might be alone here, but as someone who owns every American console from the original Odyssey on, the Wii has probably been my most disappointing buy and the system I have played the least. Surprisingly, I currently own 2/3 of the Wii library and I can't think of a game I have played for more than an hour or two. I sure can't say that about the 360 or even the PS3 which have sucked up lots of my gaming time.

[The 1 2 P]

Seriously, is it already time for another one of these threads? It's been less than a month, and that one was a monster. You should know better The12p, because you started that one too.

So you don't like these threads?

[The 1 2 P]

I think both the title of your post and the headline of the original story grossly misrepresents Mr. Mattrick's comments. All he said is that the Wii will outsell the Xbox 360. That's not the same as "winning" whatever that means. To me, the "winner" in this generation will be whichever console the public buys the most games for at full retail.

Well I couldn't copy his verbage word for word. Thats called plagurism and us writers have to have some sort of journalistic integrity(whatever that means).

As for his comment, do you think that by him saying the Wii would outsell the 360 that he "really" meant the Wii would lose the console war? I understand your point of view about selling more software and all that other jazz but the bulk of the primary "console wars" are viewed from the hardware standpoint and thus who ever sells the most systems is declared the winner. That makes the Wii a shoe in. But as long as Sony and Microsoft atleast make a decent amount on their software, peripherals and licensing fees--they will be in a good place financially and thus can come back for the next gen. But ultimately, rather it's hated or not by the hardcore fans--this generation is the Wii's for the taking.

[Famidrive-16]

My viewpoint:

- 10 years ago, Sony uses the "gamers are in their 20s now" tactic. PSs sell.
- 10 years pass, those gamers are probably in their 30s now, possibly with families.
- Sony uses "20-yo gamers" tactic again, doesn't appeal to said gamer anymore.
- Gamer sees Nintendo's family-based approach, gets interested, Miis and WiiSports and Carnival Games and all that, etc

!!!???

[Icarus Moonsight]

With the growth of the market, I believe, "winning" in the traditional sense is no longer valid. Each company has their own set of goals. They are not as simple as they used to be (install the most hardware to sell the most software). Nintendo is not really in competition with MS and Sony anymore, and by their own design. The Gamecube was, and it got trounced. So in a sense they are only winning in so far as no one is opposing them on their chosen front. Irony really starts to kick in when a revamped Gamecube (the lame horse in the last heat) which was successful, but did not dominate is now accomplishing both and more easily, deftly than anyone could have reasonably prescribed.

The gaming industry is much more a living organism now than it was in the 16-bit cutthroat blood and glory days. Evaluation methods of the past simply can not apply today. Why isn't MS or Sony in a panic? Because they are on course with their goals. Their numbers may not be as good as expected but, they are making headway in their chosen fields.

There was a whisper of fear, before this generation launched, that consoles would continue to homogenize and loose their identity as they started to resemble at the then present generation. I don't think we have to worry about that anymore, and thankfully so.

[Press_Start]

Wii's last place when it comes to the real gamers who drive the video game market.

You're mistaken. "Real" gamers do drive the market to a degree. The real force driving in the market is growth, whoever usurps the best wins (in reference to sales numbers). It has been the defining factor in all generations of consoles.

Atari: No console market when first came out. Brought video games to the living room.

Nes: Revived a dying industry attracting new generation of players as well as Atari players to feed their gaming needs.

PS1: Sony's new toy had better graphics, but its success is attributed to clever marketing ads attracting the youths outside of "geekdom".

PS2: With BC and doubling as a DVD player when the format was gaining popularity, it amassed mature audiences as an incentive 2-in-1 machine (3-in-1 for those with PS1 games) with the option of online gameplay. It was useful, entertaining and, most importantly, modern.

Wii: The system proves my point the best as helping Nintendo reap millions in profit from people who never played a video game in their life. Parents, uncles, aunts, grandma, grandpa, cousins, neighbors, distant relatives twice removed, etc. It appealed to everyone! Allow Nintendo to suckerpunch both Sony and MS in a market most thought these two giant held a solid grip in.

[j_factor]

All the comments about how the Wii is a piece of crap, how just because it's the best-selling doesn't mean it has the best games, its library sucks, the graphics are ugly, it's too mainstream, "real" gamers don't like it... I swear people said the same exact shit about PS2 years ago.

Also, it's kind of getting old. Okay, so the Wii isn't to everyone's tastes. Why do people have to bitch about it in every single topic remotely related to the system?

[scooterb23]

j_factor, maybe it's because bitching about Nintendo is actually more fun than the games they have to play on their systems? One to ponder ;)

[LucidDefender]

Nintendo won last generation, in terms of profit. The Xbox was a huge money pit, Sony sold the PS2 hardware at a loss as well, whereas each Gamecube sold was profit, plus the software licensing fees.

Nintendo has been able to be successful without being a loss leader, which is quite impressive. I just wish there were standards on the quality of games Nintendo allows to be published for the Wii.

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[Gapporin]

Microsoft Finally Admits They Need Viagra To Win This Gen's Console War

[SegaAges]

Let's throw spam around for everybody

Dude, wtf!

Oh yeah, I bitch because I don't have a Wii and refuse to wait in line (I did it once and only once, I won't do it again)

*runs and hugs his DreamCast

[Nature Boy]

Something that I never can understand is what decides a "win" in a console war?

I think the answer is easy. It's the total number of consoles sold.

Nothing else matters. Not profit. Not popularity (although arguably popularity drives console sales). Nothing.

It's a term used exclusively by fan-boys who love debating the merits of their favourite publishers and by the mass media which largely ignores the industry until people start lining up for games at midnight.

Fan boys *will* pretend it's something else though if they didn't 'win' a particular battle (see Nintendo last generation for an example of how profit seems to matter with regards to the Gamecube, even as the PS2 continues to sell).

[Bojay1997]

With the growth of the market, I believe, "winning" in the traditional sense is no longer valid. Each company has their own set of goals. They are not as simple as they used to be (install the most hardware to sell the most software). Nintendo is not really in competition with MS and Sony anymore, and by their own design. The Gamecube was, and it got trounced. So in a sense they are only winning in so far as no one is opposing them on their chosen front. Irony really starts to kick in when a revamped Gamecube (the lame horse in the last heat) which was successful, but did not dominate is now accomplishing both and more easily, deftly than anyone could have reasonably prescribed.

The gaming industry is much more a living organism now than it was in the 16-bit cutthroat blood and glory days. Evaluation methods of the past simply can not apply today. Why isn't MS or Sony in a panic? Because they are on course with their goals. Their numbers may not be as good as expected but, they are making headway in their chosen fields.

There was a whisper of fear, before this generation launched, that consoles would continue to homogenize and loose their identity as they started to resemble at the then present generation. I don't think we have to worry about that anymore, and thankfully so.

I strongly agree with this. The video game market has grown significantly in just the last three years and there is more than enough revenue to make each of the big three a winner if they play their segments of the market right. I also can't imagine any of us just having a single console, so in some ways this entire thread has little relevance to the collectors and gamers on this board.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

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[retro junkie]

so Sony pulled a Trip Hawkins with the PS3, and the only thing that's even keeping it in the game now is the fact that it serves as an el cheapo Blu-Ray player...

Really it can't even be a cheapo Blu-Ray Player, because there are many appearing on the market that are now as cheap as $149.00 to $278.00 at your local Walmart, Best Buy, etc.

[nate1749]

Previous Generation Market Share:
1) PS2
2) Xbox
3) Gamecube

Previous Generation Profit:
1) PS2 (Lots of Profit!)
2) Gamecube (Profit!)
3) Xbox (No Profit, all loss)


Current Gen Market Share
1) Wii
2) Xbox360
3) PS3

Current Gen Profit
1) Wii (Profit!)
2/3) PS3 Xbox360 (No Profit, still in red)

From the articles I've read above is how it has broken down, feel free to correct me =)

Nate