EA Predicts PS3 to Overtake 360
Kevin D.
Read about it here if you at all care. I really don't.
I go where the games are. Now, I like Sony, I really do. The PS1 and PS2 gave me some of my greatest gaming memories. I recall when the PS1 was still new and I was torn between it and the Sega Saturn. I decided that whatever platform the company Working Designs (translators of LUNAR: The Silver Star, Vay, Popful Mail, and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue on the Sega CD - the two LUNAR games probably still being my two favorite games ever) went with, so too I was going.
Then I saw Final Fantasy VII and all bets were off. I went out a purchased a PS1 and FF7 and never looked back. Luckily for me Working Designs left the Saturn and signed up with the PS1 a little later. Don't know how I feel about missing Magic Knight Rayearth for the Saturn. The opening was pretty cool...
And it seems to me more and more gamers care less about the consoles themselves and more about the games. So, when corporations want to impress how much kewler their hardware is over the other guy that gaming community pretty much asks en mass, "Where are the games?"
That's one of the chief complaints I hear (and I have) about the PS3. There are no good games for it. At least none that are console exclusive. Call of Duty 4 is a fantastic game. But it's cross platform. Grand Theft Auto 4 is going to sell a ton of units. Sony was foolish for not doing everything it could to keep it exclusive. Microsoft was very, very wise to sign exclusive XBox LIVE content for GTA4 as well.
I'm not buying a PS3 until Metal Gear Solid 4 comes out. And if it's cross platform I may not be getting one yet still.
So, in my mind, EA saying that the PS3 will outsell the 360 is a bit meaningless. The 360 has been outselling the PS3 for some time now. It's only natural that the PS3 would eventually turn the trend because pretty much everyone that wants a 360 already has it. Not because the PS3 suddenly became more appealing.
Besides, the Nintendo Wii is kicking everyone's butt when it comes to sales. It's my prediction that the Wii will be this cycle's winner because it brought gaming to a wider audience and made entry into gaming much easier for those that may not have otherwise. And, in the end, I think that's the most important. Anyone can have great graphics. But great graphics do not a great game make. Nintendo is focusing on the fundamental gameplay of all their titles and the cost of high-end graphical appeal. I applaud them for doing so. I will play a title that plays great from beginning to end over a game that is better looking but plays like butt.
So, to Nintendo I say: Well played! It's good to see you on top again.
Ryan
It's funny in a way how the enjoyment of these games is not really directly connected to the technology, but to designing games that provide great entertainment utilizing whatever technology is there. But still as the technology advances, the games pursue that technology as far as it will take them as if the games will be "better" just because they are more "realistic."
My hope is that one day there will be a general game operating system instead of these competing systems that simply force us into choosing one or the other. Eventually the technology and the game design and game play will be totally divorced from each other. Or I hope so anyway.
The best system on the market is still the DS as far as I am concerned, and the sales numbers seem to be supporting that.
I was upset to ignore my "follow Working Designs" policy in favor for the PS1 but I couldn't let Final Fantasy VII slip through my fingers. I was elated when Working Designs made the switch. LUNAR 1 &2, as I said, are probably my favorite games of all time. Re-releasing them on the PS1 was a wise move. If only Victor Ireland could get a game out on time! I understand he's a stickler about quality control but you need to keep a business afloat.
Hopefully his new company Gaijinworks will fare better. LUNAR: Dragon Song was an abomination. I couldn't play it for more than 20 minutes the gameplay was so bad. Had Working Designs put out the game I'm sure they would have corrected that.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.