Microsoft Taunts Sony: 'Bring it On'

[sabre2922]

In the wake of its XO5 pre-launch hurrah. Microsoft is confident arch-rival Sony must be "upset and concerned". A senior director told Next Generation, "Now they have work to do."
Neil Thompson Xbox's senior regional director for Northern & Eastern Europe said, "It's up to them now. The ball is in their court. If I were Sony I'd be upset and concerned. They know they have to raise the bar."

He added, "They've seen the price, the hardware, the games, Xbox Live and the functionality. They know they've got a lot to do."

Sony's PlayStation 3 is due to launch in the spring, by which time Microsoft hopes to built up a big enough lead to hold off its rival, which has dominated the last two console cycles.

Analysts such as Piper Jaffray are confident that Microsoft has built up sufficient momentum for a successful launch, though many believe it's only a matter of time before Sony catches up. The power of PlayStation's brand and the machine's claimed technical superiority are cited as Sony's trump cards, although the company is hampered by its late arrival in the market, and, perhaps, by internal turmoil.

Teasing campaign

During XO5, Sony has been quiet, with none of the PR and marketing spoiling tactics that have entertained the media in the past. At XO1 in Cannes, for example, Sony bought much of the Croisette's advertising space, with a teasing ad campaign.

There are still some questions over Microsoft's actual launch line-up, with some suggestion that Microsoft does not want too many games available on day one.

Thompson said, "For publishers the launch is going to be a battle over revenues. The sheer quality of games available is going to make it a very tough fight."

On the specifics of the launch, he said, "We've committed to Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero. Electronic Arts has also been vital with its third party support." This "For publishers the launch is going to be a battle over revenues. The sheer quality of games available is going to make it a very tough fight."includes five sports; Madden NFL 06, FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup, NBA Live 06, Need for Speed Most Wanted and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06.

However, he said that a further 7-to-12 games could be available at launch, depending on certification. "There are a lot of games going through that process," he said. "It's important to wait and see which games pass through." He added, "We will be in a position to announce the launch line-up at the beginning of November and I think that's the earliest any hardware company has announced its launch titles prior to release."

Strong pre-orders and largely positive coverage of XO5 have allowed Microsoft to brush away concerns about the two-tier pricing strategy, initially thought to be a confused and risky strategy. Thompson said, "We're offering retail all the help they need in order to give consumers the offer that they want. Retail understand the situation and so I don't see any confusion."

:hmm:

[s1lence]

. Retail understand the situation and so I don't see any confusion."

:hmm:


Yeah sure, they sure understand having two packages avalible :hmm: . I've run into multiple people that think MS is either making two new systems or a new system and a handheld. Yup, the retail market sure understands. O_O

[sabre2922]

. Retail understand the situation and so I don't see any confusion."

:hmm:


Yeah sure, they sure understand having two packages avalible :hmm: . I've run into multiple people that think MS is either making two new systems or a new system and a handheld. Yup, the retail market sure understands. O_O

good point

also I didnt write this its an article from Next-gen

[PS2Hawk]

. Retail understand the situation and so I don't see any confusion."

:hmm:


Yeah sure, they sure understand having two packages avalible :hmm: . I've run into multiple people that think MS is either making two new systems or a new system and a handheld. Yup, the retail market sure understands. O_O


WEll having 2 SKUs is okay, I might get the cheaper one since I know that games do not require the hard drive, however, then again, WHEN the real games start coming up for xbox360, the ones that run at 60 frames persec & the ones that use more than one CORE, a HD might become standard.

so as a gamer I think you should be smart enough to get the HD verison. I think MS could have just made hard drive standard & just made the price 350 US like in JAPAN and taken out all the accessory crap.

and just for the record, the Launch is terrible in my opinion, just shooters and sports...... Morrowind might be the only game worth getting for your money...

[sabre2922]

I think the launch line-up looks good. Project Gotham Racing and Perfect Dark Zero (possibly Ridge Racer 6 also upon release) hell yeah.

I would get a 360 just to play the first incarnation of a next-gen Tiger Woods PGA tour I luv the series on PS2 and a next-gen version would be a gift from the gods for me X_x

[Anthony1]

I really don't care who wins this war..... I mean, we are dealing with Sony, who I definitely would like to see get a serious pimp slapping, but we are also dealing with freaking Microsoft. I mean, do you really want Microsoft controlling the video game market too?


So, it's really hard to root for either one to have total dominance in this next go round.



Having said all of that, you know damn well that Sony has to be very concerned with their current situation. For the longest time, I would have never considered an actual Spring launch in the U.S. a real possibility, but now......


Every sports gamer in the United States is going to want a XBOX 360 very, very bad. There are alot of sports gamers in the US. Whether you have any interest in sports games doesn't matter. There are people that live and die with their sports games. And I can tell you that if you have seen the latest pics of the two basketball games for the 360, you would understand that those pics are like the purest form of crack cocaine to sports game junkies.

Check this out

http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=377809&page=3&pp=15

Madden for the 360 went from looking like total ass, to looking pretty damn incredible in just a few short weeks!

Check this out

http://www.xboxyde.com/news_2067_en.html



So with shit like that being dangled out in front of sports gamers, not to mention stuff like Need For Speed: Most Wanted and Oblvion and Gotham 3 and P.D.Zero and Ghost Recon and all that. I mean, I don't see how people are going to really stay away from the 360. I mean, if you have an interest in video games, and you have any way you can possibly afford it, and if Microsoft spends gobs of advertising dollars to absolute burn in the images of those games, then it's going to really be hard to deny that.



Sony knows this. That's why, for the first time, I actually think that Sony might really "HAVE" to do a Spring Launch in the U.S. Because the 360 is going to get off to a very, very fast start. Sure the PS3 games will look just as good, if not better, but you won't be able to go down to Best Buy on November 22nd and get a PS3.

[Niku-Sama]

none of my money is on either one, i'm going nintendo...

and you know M$ is going to use the mountian dew every 10 minutes thing as a jumpstart on how many units they sold...which is really a dirty trick....just like M$

[Jibbajaba]

I don't normally get involved in thread like this because they turn into system wars, but I found this article pretty interesting. It seems to me like all of the point made in the article, along with some of the follow-up points, could have been made about the Dreamcast back in 1999. I thought the DC had a pretty solid selection of launch titles, and it had a full one year jump on the PS2. We all know what happened there. The 360 launch looks like it will have a decent selection of games, but it looks like there is less variety than with the DC. I think that it is important to note, however, that the DC was coming off the Saturn, which was basiclly a commerical faliure. Microsoft has a large user base with the XBox, and I'm sure that a lot of those users will be looking to upgrade to the 360. Its a complicated situation. The DC wasn't in my opinion weaker than the PS2 hardware-wise, so it wasn't like the PS2 came out and made the DC look like a previous generation. We will just have to see what the PS3 does. I definitely don't think that the games will look any better or worse than the 360, but again, people who own PS2s will be the primary purchaser of PS3s I think. I really don't know what the numbers are as far as how many PS2 owners there are vs how many XBox owners there are. Hopefully Nintendo will be able to at least catch up to MS and Sony. I'm not cheering for any one platform. Ideally I would like to see all three companies have roughly equal market shares, as I think that would produce the best games on all systems.

Just my 2 cents.

Chris

[Bojay1997]

I realize that not everyone has unlimited financial resources, but as a gamer and collector, I personally am pretty platform neutral. Just like in this generation of consoles, there will undoubtedly be exclusive titles on each platform. In this generation, I use my XBOX as sort of a PC replacement (I got tired of having to buy a new computer and graphics card every two years to play the latest titles) for shooters and online titles. I use the PS2 for RPGs and obscure niche games. The Gamecube is used for the cool 1st party Nintendo stuff. I would expect that I will use my 360, PS3 and Revolution for pretty much the same stuff. As such, I really don't care if Sony or Microsoft or Nintendo win the battle. Unfortunately, I realize that if Microsoft or Nintendo do really poorly, the might not make it to the next generation. Still, that's years away and who knows what new players might come onto the scene?

[Sothy]

Dont count out the Jaguar 2!

[s1lence]

Ideally I would like to see all three companies have roughly equal market shares, as I think that would produce the best games on all systems.

Just my 2 cents.

Chris

That would be so sweet, maybe that would reduce some of the crap that is released on the current systems.

[evildead2099]

"BRING IT ON, I'm WAITING!" LOL LOL LOL

I would like to see both companies oblitherate themselves, leaving Nintendo the victor. Ideally, things will go back to a competition between companies whose primary passion lies within gaming: Nintendo and Sega.

[syd]

It's tough to predict what's going to happen in this round of console wars, but I have a feeling that Sony is going to lose a bit of ground this time. My prediction is that the PS3 will lose a bit more sales, while the Revolution and the 360 will gain more ground. In the US the XBox may win the war, but IMO Microsoft will have a hard time breaking into the Japanese gaming industry. That place is going to be PS3/Revolution country!

[Wavelflack]

none of my money is on either one, i'm going nintendo...

and you know M$ is going to use the mountian dew every 10 minutes thing as a jumpstart on how many units they sold...which is really a dirty trick....just like M$

If they ran that campaign for a full year (which they won't), the total systems given away would be 52,560. I don't think anyone, anywhere would find an additional 50,000 units to be a bragging point.

In reality, the contest started August 28th, and will end with roughly 9,000 systems given away.

Sorry!
LOL

[esquire]

Thompson said, "We're offering retail all the help they need in order to give consumers the offer that they want. Retail understand the situation and so I don't see any confusion."

:hmm:

Yeah right. Retail is doing a real good job explaining the difference between the two packages available. :roll: I will be curious to see how many people who buy the Core system will be disappointed when they find out their system is not backwards compatible with their XBOX games due to the fact that it doesn't have a hard drive.

[jdc]

In my eyes, Sony fired the first huge shot this spring, when they released a magnificent little machine known as a PSP. Looks to me like Microsoft has "work to do". (My fave current gen system IS the Xbox, so no Sony fanboy here). LOL

I'm enjoying my PSP so much (12 games in my library thus far and I've owned it less than 2 months) that I don't NEED to run out and buy any next gen system, but can wait and see which one suits me best.

I don't think that Sony gets worried about anything concerning their place in the videogame market. There's no reason to be. They sell successfully.

[kainemaxwell]

Yeah right. Retail is doing a real good job explaining the difference between the two packages available. :roll: I will be curious to see how many people who buy the Core system will be disappointed when they find out their system is not backwards compatible with their XBOX games due to the fact that it doesn't have a hard drive.

So the backwards compatibility is only for the 360 with the hard drive? Ok, been wondering that myself since I've been asked that a couple times at work lately.

[MegaDrive20XX]

. Retail understand the situation and so I don't see any confusion."

:hmm:


Yeah sure, they sure understand having two packages avalible :hmm: . I've run into multiple people that think MS is either making two new systems or a new system and a handheld. Yup, the retail market sure understands. O_O

Exactly what I was thinking.

Mircosoft + Master of Confusion= Marketing Plans for Xbox 360

What trips me out the most is the pricing on their accessories for the 360

Wireless Controller= $49.99
Harddrive= $99.99
DVD Remote $29.99 (still the same price as the original)
Wired controller= $39.99
Xbox Live Head Set= $39.99
128 MB Memory card= $39.99

Being a dumbass for buying the Core System= Priceless

Visa, it's everywhere you wanna be ;)

Yet the bottom line, is alot of consumers are confused why there is a $100 difference between the bundles. They have it in their head that the $299 Core unit will be just fine for them.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Yeah right. Retail is doing a real good job explaining the difference between the two packages available. :roll: I will be curious to see how many people who buy the Core system will be disappointed when they find out their system is not backwards compatible with their XBOX games due to the fact that it doesn't have a hard drive.

So the backwards compatibility is only for the 360 with the hard drive? Ok, been wondering that myself since I've been asked that a couple times at work lately.

Correct, as long as you have the harddrive in the system, the backwards compatibility is fine.

[petewhitley]

In my eyes, Sony fired the first huge shot this spring, when they released a magnificent little machine known as a PSP. Looks to me like Microsoft has "work to do". (My fave current gen system IS the Xbox, so no Sony fanboy here). LOL

I'm enjoying my PSP so much (12 games in my library thus far and I've owned it less than 2 months) that I don't NEED to run out and buy any next gen system, but can wait and see which one suits me best.

I don't think that Sony gets worried about anything concerning their place in the videogame market. There's no reason to be. They sell successfully.

I'm with you man. The PSP has completely changed how I game, in that it offers a depth and quality of gaming previously unheard of in handhelds (please don't anyone bother commenting on this, that's another thread). Were it not for the PSP, I'd undoubtedy be picking up the 360 at launch. As it stands, I've got plenty to do with my gaming dollars (yes, they are releasing new games on the PSP) and I'll just sit back and wait until I have some free time and decide which next-gen system to pick up first.

[le geek]

"I would like to see both companies oblitherate themselves, leaving Nintendo the victor. Ideally, things will go back to a competition between companies whose primary passion lies within gaming: Nintendo and Sega.


Indiana, Let it go...

[swlovinist]

I dont think that Playstation is sweating at all. The PS2 is selling fine. I also think the 360 COULD sell ok, but I do have my concerns. The differences on what each system can do are confusing. The fact that the core unit cannot play older xbox games is going to not be a smart move. I have said this once and I am going to say it again. Backwards compatability is something people are going to expect, and they are going to be upset if it is not an option. Predictions by the business sector are predicting weak holiday sales figures, which is bad for MS. The PS3 is going to have to be an completely worthless POS for Sony to have to worry. The ball is actually in Microsofts corner, for if the 360 does not go well, they would be in a difficult position to move forward.

[sabre2922]

Im really surprised that so many ppl are so freaking certain that Sony is so fucking invincible LOL

SURE the PS2 is still selling well and will for the next 6-9 months but why all this belief that the PS3 will be automatically #1?

This is not Dreamcast vs. PS2 all over again FAAAAR from it this is XBOX2 vs. PS3 no holds barred and its going to be a far more even match and more competition than Sony has ever had to face since the PSX was launched back in '95.

Once again I must incite the wrath of all the Nintendo devotees on this great board of ours ;) but here goes:

The biggest loser in this battle will be Nintendo Unfortunately the Revolution will be their last home console both Sony and Microsoft combined will share AT LEAST 85-90% of the market after the first 2 years into the next-gen Nintendo will be LUCKY to possess 10% hell even they admited that they know the Revolution will be a secondary system to most gamers.

The Playstation WILL HAVE REAL COMPETITION this upcoming generation and yeah I think they ARE nervous (along with all the Sony devotees out there) and are praying that the Xbox360 wont be a big success (wich it will) or they will have to rush the PS3 out much earlier than they originally planned and that will be a position that Sony has never been in since the inception of the playstation one and that is what is going make this upcoming system wars soo much more entertaining than the last 2 generations and in the end we the gamers will benefit most of all.

Im not for or against any company or even console Im all about the games but Im actually looking forward to seeing Sony and the PS3 put to the test and sweating a few bullets instead of just waltzing in and gliding through yet another generation like it was able to do with PS2.

It will be Genesis vs. SNES all over again and that I am hyped about becuase it will be a gamers paradise while it lasts my friends.

[segagamer4life]

Dont count out the Jaguar 2!

Hellz yeah, or the Dreamcast 2.... nice.

[Garry Silljo]

Dreamcast 2? Jaguar 2? You people are wasting your time. Everyone will be playing the new handheld and ignore all else. Long live the greatest console sequal, The Tiger GAME.ORG!!!!

[goatdan]

The Xbox 360 isn't the Dreamcast. Microsoft is going to spend a ton of money promoting it, even if they lose their asses on the system. Sega wasn't willing to do that...



none of my money is on either one, i'm going nintendo...

and you know M$ is going to use the mountian dew every 10 minutes thing as a jumpstart on how many units they sold...which is really a dirty trick....just like M$

If they ran that campaign for a full year (which they won't), the total systems given away would be 52,560. I don't think anyone, anywhere would find an additional 50,000 units to be a bragging point.

In reality, the contest started August 28th, and will end with roughly 9,000 systems given away.

Sorry!
LOL

According to one of the many entry things I have floating around here, the contest started on August 29th at 12:01am and ends on October 31st at 11:59:59pm. Altogether, there will be 9,222 total drawings. And if that is the number that really pumps up the Xbox 360 and makes it look like its selling, boy is Microsoft in for problems. They should sell at least 10 times that in the first DAY.



In my eyes, Sony fired the first huge shot this spring, when they released a magnificent little machine known as a PSP. Looks to me like Microsoft has "work to do". (My fave current gen system IS the Xbox, so no Sony fanboy here). LOL

I'm enjoying my PSP so much (12 games in my library thus far and I've owned it less than 2 months) that I don't NEED to run out and buy any next gen system, but can wait and see which one suits me best.

I don't think that Sony gets worried about anything concerning their place in the videogame market. There's no reason to be. They sell successfully.

I'm with you man. The PSP has completely changed how I game, in that it offers a depth and quality of gaming previously unheard of in handhelds (please don't anyone bother commenting on this, that's another thread). Were it not for the PSP, I'd undoubtedy be picking up the 360 at launch. As it stands, I've got plenty to do with my gaming dollars (yes, they are releasing new games on the PSP) and I'll just sit back and wait until I have some free time and decide which next-gen system to pick up first.

While you two might feel that way, I don't think that the vast majority of gamers feel that way. And I'm not bashing on the PSP, but the release of the DS last year did nothing to make people not purchase PS2s or Xboxes, the Game Boy Advance did nothing to stop the PS2, and so on. Handheld gaming and console gaming seem to be two completely seperate entities, and I doubt that too many people will base their console gaming on their handhelds.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea (as I often say, if I buy a 'next gen' system before it is three years old, it's amazing), but I just don't see this affecting too many people.

[Lord007]

The Xbox 360 isn't the Dreamcast. Microsoft is going to spend a ton of money promoting it, even if they lose their asses on the system. Sega wasn't willing to do that...

I was under the impression that Sega DID promote the hell out of the Dreamcast. I seem to have memories of Bernie Stolar interviews where he always commented on how hard Sega was putting into advertising. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

[Push Upstairs]

I'm not going to pick sides for this because i also am not looking into buying either system.

However, i do like the movie "Bring it On" :)

[stressboy]

Seeing as how I plan on buying all three consoles, I will be in gaming paradise. This competition is going to be sweet, and I am looking forward to it. Neither my wife or my bank account are though :D

[classicb]

While you two might feel that way, I don't think that the vast majority of gamers feel that way. And I'm not bashing on the PSP, but the release of the DS last year did nothing to make people not purchase PS2s or Xboxes, the Game Boy Advance did nothing to stop the PS2, and so on. Handheld gaming and console gaming seem to be two completely seperate entities, and I doubt that too many people will base their console gaming on their handhelds.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea (as I often say, if I buy a 'next gen' system before it is three years old, it's amazing), but I just don't see this affecting too many people.

you can make it 3 that feel that way. For me its the DS and not the PSP but its still the same idea that I'll be passing on system launches in favor of more games for my handheld. Both the DS and PSP have a bunch of games coming up during the time the 360 is launching. I know consoles and handhelds are very different but money is money and if its going into handheld games you're probably not going to plop down $700 at launch for a new console with games.

[Anthony1]

you can make it 3 that feel that way. For me its the DS and not the PSP but its still the same idea that I'll be passing on system launches in favor of more games for my handheld. Both the DS and PSP have a bunch of games coming up during the time the 360 is launching. I know consoles and handhelds are very different but money is money and if its going into handheld games you're probably not going to plop down $700 at launch for a new console with games.



classicb, no worries.. mate. I coordially invite you and jibbajabba and any other Sacramento area DP members to Midnight Maddness on Monday November 21st, in my Garage.



113" + 7.1 + X360 = @_@

[zerohero]

bah what ever,

It all comes down to marketing and GOOD GAMES. Xbox sucked at giving the consumers a huge library of good games. PS2 on the other hand plenty, as well as the classics franchises such as square to give them FF, which = (fanbase X 40+) dollors each installement.

Right now the only thing that XBOX 360 has that intrest me are Gears of War , and Halo 3. They are not even launch titles.

All in all Sony is drinking tea, and celebrating. They know they need to have just two killer appz at launch to begin to bring Microsofts house down.

[goatdan]

The Xbox 360 isn't the Dreamcast. Microsoft is going to spend a ton of money promoting it, even if they lose their asses on the system. Sega wasn't willing to do that...

I was under the impression that Sega DID promote the hell out of the Dreamcast. I seem to have memories of Bernie Stolar interviews where he always commented on how hard Sega was putting into advertising. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Sega promoted the Dreamcast hard, but it was always the plan that if the Dreamcast lost money, the plug would be pulled. When they started losing money (well, that wasn't exactly it...), the plug got pulled.

Microsoft basically has said that they don't care if they are losing money, they are in this thing for the long haul. When they spent years losing money with the Xbox, they said that it was fine, and they would stick around.


bah what ever,

It all comes down to marketing and GOOD GAMES. Xbox sucked at giving the consumers a huge library of good games. PS2 on the other hand plenty, as well as the classics franchises such as square to give them FF, which = (fanbase X 40+) dollors each installement.

Right now the only thing that XBOX 360 has that intrest me are Gears of War , and Halo 3. They are not even launch titles.

All in all Sony is drinking tea, and celebrating. They know they need to have just two killer appz at launch to begin to bring Microsofts house down.

If Sony is "drinking tea, and celebrating" because the launch titles that the Xbox have aren't overwhelming, I'd like to point at the PS2's launch titles and ask "was it that fireworks game, or the fact that you could play the Matrix that made you buy it."

Chances are, neither. But the fact that other games came out for it that were good meant it was worth getting. The same thing will happen with the 360. Generally, great console launches followed by long dry spells perform worse than quiet console releases that have a great game or two come out every month.

And I don't understand why you think that the Xbox's library sucked. I think that it is pretty damn impressive, and I think that anyone that says otherwise is just closed minded or trying to support their "favorites." For the record, I think the PS2 and GameCube's librarys are also impressive, and would never say that they failed to make decent games.

Nintendo failed to market themselves properly, and Microsoft came out too late with an immediate drought of decent games. MS is working on changing that. I don't think anyone really knows what Nintendo is doing yet.

[zerohero]

The Xbox 360 isn't the Dreamcast. Microsoft is going to spend a ton of money promoting it, even if they lose their asses on the system. Sega wasn't willing to do that...

I was under the impression that Sega DID promote the hell out of the Dreamcast. I seem to have memories of Bernie Stolar interviews where he always commented on how hard Sega was putting into advertising. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Sega promoted the Dreamcast hard, but it was always the plan that if the Dreamcast lost money, the plug would be pulled. When they started losing money (well, that wasn't exactly it...), the plug got pulled.

Microsoft basically has said that they don't care if they are losing money, they are in this thing for the long haul. When they spent years losing money with the Xbox, they said that it was fine, and they would stick around.


bah what ever,

It all comes down to marketing and GOOD GAMES. Xbox sucked at giving the consumers a huge library of good games. PS2 on the other hand plenty, as well as the classics franchises such as square to give them FF, which = (fanbase X 40+) dollors each installement.

Right now the only thing that XBOX 360 has that intrest me are Gears of War , and Halo 3. They are not even launch titles.

All in all Sony is drinking tea, and celebrating. They know they need to have just two killer appz at launch to begin to bring Microsofts house down.

If Sony is "drinking tea, and celebrating" because the launch titles that the Xbox have aren't overwhelming, I'd like to point at the PS2's launch titles and ask "was it that fireworks game, or the fact that you could play the Matrix that made you buy it."

Chances are, neither. But the fact that other games came out for it that were good meant it was worth getting. The same thing will happen with the 360. Generally, great console launches followed by long dry spells perform worse than quiet console releases that have a great game or two come out every month.

And I don't understand why you think that the Xbox's library sucked. I think that it is pretty damn impressive, and I think that anyone that says otherwise is just closed minded or trying to support their "favorites." For the record, I think the PS2 and GameCube's librarys are also impressive, and would never say that they failed to make decent games.

Nintendo failed to market themselves properly, and Microsoft came out too late with an immediate drought of decent games. MS is working on changing that. I don't think anyone really knows what Nintendo is doing yet.

I'm no fanboy by far,

They only games for Xbox in my opinion I see worth getting are. Ninja Gaiden, halo, and Fable. Give or take 2 or 3 extra's and thats it.

[petewhitley]

While you two might feel that way, I don't think that the vast majority of gamers feel that way. And I'm not bashing on the PSP, but the release of the DS last year did nothing to make people not purchase PS2s or Xboxes, the Game Boy Advance did nothing to stop the PS2, and so on. Handheld gaming and console gaming seem to be two completely seperate entities, and I doubt that too many people will base their console gaming on their handhelds.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea (as I often say, if I buy a 'next gen' system before it is three years old, it's amazing), but I just don't see this affecting too many people.

You're right, I think the 3 of us are probably in the minority on this. I do see the PSP and the DS influencing next-gen choices somewhat, f either the PS3 or Revolution offer some serious integration between handheld-console. If I could only afford one system, and my PSP linked up with my PS3 in some cool directions, it may sway my decision to Sony's side. Luckily enough I'm an adult who can and will purchase all 3 at some point. ;)

[petewhitley]

And I don't understand why you think that the Xbox's library sucked. I think that it is pretty damn impressive, and I think that anyone that says otherwise is just closed minded or trying to support their "favorites." For the record, I think the PS2 and GameCube's librarys are also impressive, and would never say that they failed to make decent games.

Definitely. All three consoles of this generation had their own impressive line-up of exclusives. Someone may or may not like what the Xbox had to offer for exclusives (some killer FPS and online titles), but it's sheer ignorance and blatant personal bias to claim that the line-up "sucked."

[goatdan]

They only games for Xbox in my opinion I see worth getting are. Ninja Gaiden, halo, and Fable. Give or take 2 or 3 extra's and thats it.

Off the top of my head, games like Star Wars: KOTOR I & II, Jade Empire, Dead or Alive 3 were some pretty strong exclusives to have. Since most game consoles now have all of the games, and the Xbox games were generally the prettiest looking and at least equal to Sony with online support (as well as possible custom soundtracks), I think that it's overall software line-up was extremely solid. And there seems to be a lot of people who have purchased Xboxes who agree with that.


You're right, I think the 3 of us are probably in the minority on this. I do see the PSP and the DS influencing next-gen choices somewhat, f either the PS3 or Revolution offer some serious integration between handheld-console. If I could only afford one system, and my PSP linked up with my PS3 in some cool directions, it may sway my decision to Sony's side. Luckily enough I'm an adult who can and will purchase all 3 at some point. ;)

Just to counter this though, the GBA has always linked up with the GameCube, and it has meant almost nothing in the grand scheme of things. Even with some games that could be 'killer apps' like Pac-Man Vs. and the fact you can connect Metroid to Metroid Prime and so on.

I'm not saying you're wrong, just that so far console -> handheld integration has not worked too well.

[zerohero]

And I don't understand why you think that the Xbox's library sucked. I think that it is pretty damn impressive, and I think that anyone that says otherwise is just closed minded or trying to support their "favorites." For the record, I think the PS2 and GameCube's librarys are also impressive, and would never say that they failed to make decent games.

Definitely. All three consoles of this generation had their own impressive line-up of exclusives. Someone may or may not like what the Xbox had to offer for exclusives (some killer FPS and online titles), but it's sheer ignorance and blatant personal bias to claim that the line-up "sucked."

Alot of those games I could have , and chose to purchase on the PC. Alot of the games that xbox had I just picked up for PC or could either wait for a better installent for it to come it. Ninja Gaiden Black and Fable lost chapters is one of them.

Just because it's my opinon doesn't make me baised. The system didn't really have that vast majority of A quality exclusives.

[davepesc]

Don't know if anyone saw it yet, but the Nov. EGM pretty much took more air out of 360s sails saying the graphics looked like good Xbox 1 games. and that Morrowwind was the only launch game to use the hard drive, and then only to speed load times.

As for the sportos, EGM said Madden for the 360 would have significantly FEWER features than its counterparts. No Create-A-Player, no Superstar Mode, just game, season and franchise. -That's got to hurt.

[evildead2099]

"I would like to see both companies oblitherate themselves, leaving Nintendo the victor. Ideally, things will go back to a competition between companies whose primary passion lies within gaming: Nintendo and Sega.


Indiana, Let it go...

GRR... :angry: But I don't want two faceless corporations who ultimately have no sincere passion for gaming to overtake the industry! I want Sega! I want Nintendo! Hell, give me Atari if it means that I'll see some innovative and inspired games!!!


I'd like to point at the PS2's launch titles and ask "was it that fireworks game, or the fact that you could play the Matrix that made you buy it."

LOL That brings back very awful memories :/


Dreamcast 2? Jaguar 2? You people are wasting your time. Everyone will be playing the new handheld and ignore all else. Long live the greatest console sequal, The Tiger GAME.ORG!!!!

LOL LOL LOL

... And then Nintendo can counter by introducing THE VIRTUAL BOY II (This time, featuring three colours!) ;)

[Jibbajaba]

you can make it 3 that feel that way. For me its the DS and not the PSP but its still the same idea that I'll be passing on system launches in favor of more games for my handheld. Both the DS and PSP have a bunch of games coming up during the time the 360 is launching. I know consoles and handhelds are very different but money is money and if its going into handheld games you're probably not going to plop down $700 at launch for a new console with games.



classicb, no worries.. mate. I coordially invite you and jibbajabba and any other Sacramento area DP members to Midnight Maddness on Monday November 21st, in my Garage.



113" + 7.1 + X360 = @_@

Shoot, count me in.

Also, add me as the fourth dude as far as the PSP is concerned. It was my "Next Gen" purchase as well. Between my SP, PSP, and Apple II, I'm good.

Chris

[classicb]

you can make it 3 that feel that way. For me its the DS and not the PSP but its still the same idea that I'll be passing on system launches in favor of more games for my handheld. Both the DS and PSP have a bunch of games coming up during the time the 360 is launching. I know consoles and handhelds are very different but money is money and if its going into handheld games you're probably not going to plop down $700 at launch for a new console with games.



classicb, no worries.. mate. I coordially invite you and jibbajabba and any other Sacramento area DP members to Midnight Maddness on Monday November 21st, in my Garage.



113" + 7.1 + X360 = @_@

I'm gonna hold you to that. What games are you looking to pick up? Not that it matters I'll probably come no matter what.

Calendar entry: Monday November 21st Anthony1's garage for Xbox 360 fun. :)

[Anthony1]

classicb: The games that I'm most interested in, from the 17 games that are expected to launch with the system are......



1. NBA 2K6 - Ok, I know that most of you guys are more video game purists, and you probably can't stand sports games, but I freaking love sports games so sue me. NBA 2K6 has the most realistic "HUMANS" I have ever seen in any game, and I can't wait to take control of these "humans".


2. Madden '06 - Again, I know that most here will say "Bleh", but I'm a huge sports nut. NFL and NBA. I love both to death, and I love video games to death. I love launches of new systems, because it means that all the sports game makers are forced to actually create a new game engine, and with the 360, Tiburon is actually forced to create a new game engine, and this game originally looked horrible, but has taken a dramatic turn and is now shaping up to be a 360 smash hit.

3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Ok, now this is the puppy that most of you "gamers" will be more interested in. Fuck the jocks, right? Well, this game to me is a very cool game, because from the time of being a little kid I've always been intrigued by Castles and swordplay and stuff like that, so I'm sure this game is going to take all that to the next level. I mean the freaking forests are unbelievable. I just want to camp out in those forests.

4. NBA Live '06 - I know that I have NBA 2K6 as the #1 game, but it's actually possible that NBA Live will even be better! New screenshots have surface from Live '06 and the improvement has been dramatic. The only problem is the players still seem to be "ice skating" on the hardwood. But there have been some ridiculous improvements and the possibility remains that this game might be the best NBA game on the 360, and that is saying something considering the other game it has to deal with.

5. Kameo: Elements of Power - One of my favorite genres of all time is definitely the platformer. I really prefer them to be 2D, but I have played some good 3D platformers before too. One of the those was the N64 game Banjo-Kazooie, which is made by the same folks. I'm expecting the same kind of magic, except on a much more grand scale. Also, this is one of the few games that I can actually play with my kids.

6. Need For Speed: Most Wanted - I know most people rank Gotham 3 as their favorite racer for the 360, but I absolutely feel in love with the original NFS: Underground on the XBOX. I wasn't a big fan of NFS:U2, I liked the first one better. In fact, I think the first one might go down in XBOX 1 lore as being one of the 5 best XBOX 1 games. Anyways, I'm expecting a similar impact when I get to play this game. I must admit that part of it is the fact that I know this game is going to be killer in my special Theater. In fact, this is the kinda game that was made for my theater.

7. Project Gotham Racing 3 - I know that this is another racing game, but I'm thinking that the flavor will be different, and that it will have it's own special blend of next gen flavor.

8. Call of Duty 2 - I didn't think that I would have that much interest in this game to be honest. But I've heard that the sound design of this game is far beyond any other 360 title. I've heard that they want the sound to be a huge factor in the overall experience, and I think that often the sound is overlooked. So I'm excited about this one. I've just set up a 7.1 soundsystem, and I want some developer to actually make it really work. I'm thinking this game is going to have a really good mood to it.

9. Perfect Dark Zero - I know that alot of people are dissapointed with this one. They aren't into the cartoony type graphics, and were hoping for more realism, but I like the artistic look that it has. I'm kinda worried that Rare is being rushed with this game. Well all know that Rare takes longer than most to finish a game, and I think they are being rushed big time, so hopefully there will be some patches over Live that will fix any of the major issues.




Basically, these are the launch games that I'm really interested in seeing. And Quake 4, if it really is a launch title. Top Spin 2 is also looking absolute amazing.



My strategy in this new generation is to go with a "rental" only policy. I'm going to try to rent 360 games from GameFly and Blockbuster Video and maybe Hollywood Video as well. I actually hope to have about 8 360 games for 90 days, and then I will cut it down to 5 360 games at a time.

[FurinkanianFrood]

I was under the impression that Sega DID promote the hell out of the Dreamcast.


Sadly, after the handling of Saturn few in the US would listen.

As far as Japan goes, and also here to some degree, it was a combination of bad taste, goofy DVD lust, and outright Sony worship.

WIthout the DVD lust (I don't think that will fly with Blu-ray in the US just yet), and the horrific mismanagment ala Stolar, it's hard to say what will happen.

I think it depends largely on as of yet undetermined aspects regarding the PS3 launch (costs? game lineup?).

I don't expect either to have a launch lineup any better than last round though....

[Yago]

Bla. While everyone flames each other over which next gen console will be King of the Hill the Phantom will come out of no where and rule the world!