@MikeB

Quote:

Yes, I know. I said from the very beginning Sony has invested incredible amounts of money into the PS3. The years before the PS3 introduction Sony's Gaming division profits already went down significantly due to PS3 R&D.

I wonder if the Wii is going to change Microsoft's or Sony's approach next time? Nintendo apparently is making some $ on each console and they're #1 in the marketplace. Clearly they are the winner this generation.

Microsoft -- I think they'll be hardpressed to break even this generation. Though they didn't set out to. Theirs is a game of growth over last gen and they've succeeded.

Sony -- they might break even if they get the marketshare and can really make the PS3 last 10 years then they'll be alright. The question on this will be when does Microsoft and Nintendo ship next gen. Analysts are saying 2011/2012. That sounds about right. Will the PS3 be able to last 5 more years against the other consoles. Certainly Microsoft's 3rd Xbox will outstrip the power in the PS3. Nintendo it's hard telling. If I were them I'd do another Wii approach because it worked so well this time. The Wii's ~PS2/Xbox in power. So the Wii2 should be at least Xbox 360 in power.

@BrianK

Quote:

Microsoft -- I think they'll be hardpressed to break even this generation. Though they didn't set out to. Theirs is a game of growth over last gen and they've succeeded.

They pushed out sequels to popular XBox games faster trying to capitalize on their 1 year headstart, they also discontinued the original XBox prematurely, if they don't do the same with the 360 of course they will significanlty go beyond a 24 million install base. But I do think this will slow down considerably for them next year, they will need to attract new (non-former XBox) users.

Quote:

I wonder if the Wii is going to change Microsoft's or Sony's approach next time? Nintendo apparently is making some $ on each console and they're #1 in the marketplace. Clearly they are the winner this generation.

It can be made cheaper, the PS3 is technically a huge step forward, the PS4 wouldn't need to make that big of a leap at least depending upon when it's released. I think much later, the 360 will probably see a much shorter lifespan than the PS3.

Nintendo always made their consoles using relatively cheap technology, AFAIK they always generated good profits since the NES.

In numbers (gaming division results, past 10 years):

FY* Sony** Nintendo Microsoft

1998 974,000,000 629,000,000
1999 1,130,000,000 645,000,000
2000 730,000,000 421,000,000
2001 -409,000,000 726,000,000
2002 623,000,000 800,000,000 -750,000,000
2003 939,000,000 560,000,000 -1,191,000,000
2004 650,000,000 316,000,000 -1,215,000,000
2005 404,000,000 777,000,000 -485,000,000
2006 75,000,000 894,000,000 -1,262,000,000
2007 -1,969,000,000 1,489,000,000 -1,892,000,000
2008 -1,265,000,000 2,480,000,000 426,000,000

2009 51,000,000 1,026,000,000

Totals 1,953,000,000 10,762,000,000 -6,369,000,000

Last edited by MikeB on 20-Aug-2008 at 06:24 PM.
Last edited by MikeB on 20-Aug-2008 at 06:19 PM.
Last edited by MikeB on 20-Aug-2008 at 04:22 PM.
Last edited by MikeB on 20-Aug-2008 at 04:18 PM.

@MikeB

Quote:

They pushed out sequels to popular XBox games faster trying to capitalize on their 1 year headstart, they also discontinued the original XBox prematurely, if they don't do the same with the 360 of course they will significanlty go beyond a 24 million install base. But I do think this will slow down considerably for them next year, they will need to attract new (non-former XBox) users

My understanding is when the 360 launched it was planned to lose less money and even make some profits. Clearly companies see profits as good. Microsoft, not a hardware company, failed in their achilles heel, hardware, for the 360. Certainly they will not make this mistake next time.

Also, you make it sound as if the only people who own 360s used to own Xboxes. While the USA isn't Europe and while my area isn't the USA, of the people I know about 1/2 moved from the PS2 to the 360. So they are attracting non-Xbox users. It seems Sony is doing better in Europe and from what I know it seems in Europe Sony has a better reputation. Of course it can be said of the Wii that they're attracting non-Gamecube users, so why would the 360 not be doing the same?

Quote:

I think much later, the 360 will probably see a much shorter lifespan than the PS3.

I think the Wii, will too. I don't see the gaming marketplace as having as long a lifespan as Sony expects. Take DVDs for a good comparision. 1995 brought agreements on standards, players hit the USA in 1997 and by 2007 we see Blu-Ray coming online. So even DVDs barely had a 10 year market and they are much more widely accepted and used.

Quote:

Nintendo always made their consoles using relatively cheap technology, AFAIK they always generated good profits since the NES.

Nintendo's power isn't using cheap techology. Their power is knowing the market well enough to be able to meet demand at a nice price point and be cost effective. Though it seems everything has that da..able Mario. UGH!

Quote:

gaming division results

Interesting. Of course by % of corporate size what Microsoft has spent is but a pittance.

@Lou

Quote:

I'm on vacation in Las Vegas and after 2 days, like the console race..., I am winning. I'm up almost $500 in 2 days.

Welcome to Vegas! if you have some time head down the street to Fry's, a very geeky electronics store and more to visit.

_________________
"The system no longer works " -- Young Anakin Skywalker

@MikeB

take the poll

Sony Osbornes The PlayStation 3?

shameless plug

_________________
"The system no longer works " -- Young Anakin Skywalker

@BrianK

Quote:

. While the USA isn't Europe and while my area isn't the USA, of the people I know about 1/2 moved from the PS2 to the 360.

Data seems to suggest (total amount of console gamers vs amount of sold consoles) that the majority of XB and GC owners eventually bought a PS2 as their secondary or primary console.

Quote:

Nintendo's power isn't using cheap techology.

Relatively cheap technology, AFAIK their hardware sales have always been well profitable or at least break even at the cheapest console entry pricing of the time. They were mainly making less demanding very cartoon like games, mainly targeting kids (a vast majority of the GameCube owners were kids).

To any Killzone fans on here with a PS3 Killzone 2's developers have confirmed the presence of Bots for both Offline and Online multiplayer....YES!

Link: KZ2 Bots confirmed

I can't wait im a big KZ fan and the game looks amazing.

_________________
Live Long and keep Amigaing!

A1200, Power Tower, TF1260 128MB RAM, 68060 Rev 6, OS3.9 BB2, HD-Floppy, Mediator TX+ PCI, Voodoo 3 3000, Soundblaster 4.1, TV Card, Spider USB, 100MBit Ethernet, 16GB CF HD, 52xCDRom.

@Amiboy

Killzone 2 multiplayer in action:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38549.html

Usually multi-player looks a bit less impressive than single player, but Killzone 2's multi-player seems to provide far more a sense of realism than any other single player FPS I've seen before!

Of course we know Killzone 2 still leaves enough of PS3's resources untouched for a Killzone 3 to do even more technical stuff, but IMO really a title to show off what the PS3 is capable of.

P.S. PS3 multi-platform games seem to be improving a lot, even EA seems to finally have done a good Madden port on the PS3. Madden 2007 and 2008 were so so ports of the 360 game, but Madden 2008 is said to have been much improved and in addition the PS3 version is said to be better than the 360 version. Should be an eye opener to some.

@MikeB

Multiplayer does look impressive and the fact that they have been able to keep it visualy as impresive as the campaign mode is a testament to the developers ability.

And the ability to combine badges to creat differnt types of troop with different abilities will be amazing to try out.

After re-reading the article I linked too, there is a possibility that it could also have split screen multiplyer. but no clues as to whether that is on/offline or both.

I cant wait for the public Beta, which is hopefully an open public Beta and not just some expanded invite only Beta as with Home.

Last edited by Amiboy on 22-Aug-2008 at 04:14 PM.

_________________
Live Long and keep Amigaing!

A1200, Power Tower, TF1260 128MB RAM, 68060 Rev 6, OS3.9 BB2, HD-Floppy, Mediator TX+ PCI, Voodoo 3 3000, Soundblaster 4.1, TV Card, Spider USB, 100MBit Ethernet, 16GB CF HD, 52xCDRom.

New Dual Shock 3 / Sixaxis add-on:



The nice thing about this wireless mini-keyboard is that it also doubles as a touchpad for mouse control. Could be handy while surfing the web on you HDTV or from chatting from the XMB or while using Playstation Home or while playing games.

Last edited by MikeB on 23-Aug-2008 at 02:44 PM.

@MikeB

Copy of the 360 messenger kit from Fall 07? Messenger Kit review

I see the Sony kit as not as good from the standpoint that users are used to texting from phones and use their thumbs to do so. The layout on the PS3 doesn't seem to be as usable in that fashion. One either has to peck with fingers or shift their hands if they wish to thumbboard it. It'll be interesting to try but from inital pictures it seems less comfortable and usable.

Last edited by BrianK on 23-Aug-2008 at 04:14 PM.

@BrianK

I think it will be quicker and easier to hold the controller in one hand and type stuff with your index finger (like most people would, the first time would be using a normal keyboard). Obviously you would want to do this anyway for the touch pad functionality, never saw anyone using his laptop touch pad with his thumbs.

Last edited by MikeB on 23-Aug-2008 at 04:41 PM.

Resistance 2 is a very different style FPS, more cartoon like than Killzone 2 but looks good and much fun as well (60 player online multiplayer, 8 player co-op). Here a video showing a part of one of the boss battles, an enemy towering above Chicago's skyscrapers amongst other improvements:

http://www.insidegamer.nl/playstation3/resistance2/videos/8101

Another game I look forward to, Motorstorm 2 (for better quality get this from the PSN on your PS3):

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38840.html

With LittleBigPlanet expected to pave the way for a game audience more geared towards users of all ages, this is also an interesting and very cute use of the Playstation Eye:

EyePet:
http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/08/20/new-playstation-eye-game-announced-eyepet/

For a pet game it feels remarkably fresh and appealing so far.

@MikeB

Quote:

I think it will be quicker and easier to hold the controller in one hand and type stuff with your index finger (like most people would, the first time would be using a normal keyboard). Obviously you would want to do this anyway for the touch pad functionality, never saw anyone using his laptop touch pad with his thumbs.

Here's a review of the MCE keyboard notice the upper right corner is a knub. Like the controllers this keyboard is wireless. This knub works a good for a mouse and best when using your thumb. I'd obviously not recommend gaming with it but it does a good job for semi-frequent use. About right for a HTPC application. When texting most people use their thumbs. It's simply faster on small keyboards. It seems one could use their thumbs with the keypad but it requires a shift in hand position.

New PS3 and PSP announced.

BBC Website

Again though, the European/UK users will be ripped off due to the price differential when converting the currencies. I will not buy another Sony Entertainment product until they sort this crap pricing strategy out.

Rude!

_________________
2017 Camaro 2SS

@Interesting

Quote:

Interesting wrote: @Lou Quote: I'm on vacation in Las Vegas and after 2 days, like the console race..., I am winning. I'm up almost $500 in 2 days. Welcome to Vegas! if you have some time head down the street to Fry's, a very geeky electronics store and more to visit.

Well, I'm back now and only a little poorer. :)
Which street, I didn't get to do much sight-seeing thanks to my friend's inconvenient life-style/gambling addiction...

Another friend wants to check Vegas out, so maybe in 6 months or so I will go back...

Just by co-incidence I got to this newspaper story today. It's written in Dutch, but I'll provide a short summary.

http://www.telegraaf.nl/overgeld/rubriek/consument/1765510/__13-jarige_klaagt_Microsoft_aan__.html?p=27,1

It's basically a story about a 11 year old boy (now 13) who saved his cash to buy a 360. After suffering 3 console deaths, he got his 4th console which scratched discs. The article talks about the professional testing performed by Kassa which demonstrated the 360 untouched can scratch discs even in laboratory conditions (playing sessions were all caught on tape as evidence). Thousands of Dutch consumers have filed their complaints with consumer protection services regarding the disc scratching issues. Microsoft still rejects any responsibility claiming this to be impossible while addressing consumers, despite previously informing Kassa they will take care of the damages.

The boy's 360 got "repaired", but instead of replacing the broken DVD drive they replaced the motherboard (most common issue with the 360 appears to be RRoD). Again in contact with Microsoft (formal letter), they send him another replacement console which also scratches discs. The boy demands a functioning 360 and replacements for 10 games which have been destroyed, Microsoft rejected stating it's impossible 360s scratch discs in normal situations. He gives up hope and now wants his money back. Son and his dad decide to sue Microsoft, Microsoft calls and promises a refund, but this still hasn't happened.

More people have sued companies and threatened to do so with regard to the 360's problems here in the Netherlands, but usually the retailer will come into action and helps out the customer by replacing consoles and destroyed discs. According to Dutch law a retailer is also liable for selling faulty products and has to deal with this internally.

@BrianK

Quote:

BrianK wrote: @MikeB The Wii's ~PS2/Xbox in power. So the Wii2 should be at least Xbox 360 in power.

The Wii's got twice the processing power of the Xbox. Graphically, the Wii can pump out more polygons but the Xbox has the advantage of built-in shaders. The Xbox gpu is also more flexible with resolutions, other than that, the Wii outclasses the Xbox in every way.

I expect the successor to the Wii to have power on par with the 360 but perhaps include a custom HD-DVD drive...or perhaps that other expanded DVD format that allows for 17GB of storage... I also expect SSD instead of flashram for interal storage...

@Lou

Quote:

Well, I'm back now and only a little poorer. :) Which street, I didn't get to do much sight-seeing thanks to my friend's inconvenient life-style/gambling addiction...

google map for ya

looking at the map... upper right is the airport
lower left ( past sunset )is a new shopping complex and linked via the parking lot, further on Fry's

6845 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV - (702) 932-1400‎


Pics of Fry's

_________________
"The system no longer works " -- Young Anakin Skywalker