In the year two thousand... (I naturally roll my 'R's because my accent, so one is enough here)
These are just random thoughts, not serious predictions. It's kinda fun rambling endlessly.
- All three major consoles experience sales below expectations, though they all possess enough market share to be considered important. Sony loses market share to both competitors, but remains industry leader. Expensive hardware and expensive software have hurt console sales, especially among teenagers. Many of the 8-bit gamers leave console gaming.
- The Gamecube overtakes the XBox at the end of this generation. The new Zelda game has a strong advertising campain, which see sales boosted in Europe, Australia and particuarly North America. The media love it and it is compared with Ocarina of Time in terms of quality. It wins GoTY in most major award ceremonies, even ones like TechTV's.
- No successor to the Gameboy is announced as Nintendo realise they cannot simultaniously develop a strong library for three systems.
- Initially Microsoft's market share increases dramatically with the launch of the XBox 2, but it's sales subside as a the generation continues. Microsoft will attempt to cut a deal with EA ensuring exclusivity only to have it overthrown in court. Microsoft continues to suffer from a pathetic market share in Japan, despite the media's obvious bias. the XBox 2 is completely dominant in Australia and New Zealand.
- Halo and GTA games are launched early in the generation. Both are exclusvely on the XBox 2, but seel poorly after bad reviews.
- Microsoft attempts to push its 'Home Entertainment Network.' This connects a Longhorn PC to the XBox 2 which comes bundled with a TVo equivilent. Microsoft's software in theory allows users to download shows from a subscription service and watch them on their TV. The required cabling and Longhorn's tendency to crash hurts initial sales. Huge security flaws emerge and users are submitted to pornographic popups on their TVs. Many subscriptions are cancelled and the service eventually flops.
- Online gaming isn't popular among console gamers, but it still considered the Next Big Thing by the media. The Revolution's built-in online service is more successful becasue it requires nothing more than broadband and an extra cable.
- The PS3 launches well in all areas with a wide variety of third party launch titles. Sales in Japan eclipse those in America and most major third parties offer support for the system. Initial sales in Europe and Australia meet expections but once the hype subsides the PS3 struggles.
- IGN, Gamespy and most of the mainstream media dismiss the Revolution before launch. What is seen as a 'gimmicky' feature is mocked. As more details come through, however, it is praised for a strong library of games at launch: an original game by Retro and a game developed by EAD. Sega also provides a Sonic game that sucks and gets ported to the XBox 2.
- In Japan the Revolution sells very well, but it doesn't reach sales expectation in America. Nintendo blame the XBox 2. A strong advertising campain and a second title from EAD, however, see its sales increase over the next few months. EAD's new game is a disappointment to gamers but advertising once again sees it sell well.
- Games published by Nintendo decline in sales as their franchises lose popularity. A year after launch Nintendo realise this and discontinue development of all franchise games except their current Zelda title.
- Nintendo organizes second and third parties to develop several original franchises for the Revolution. Many sell well. Namco have financial difficulties and Nintendo invests in them, making their relationship even closer.
- Nintendo's marketing becomes successful and Reggie's fame continues to grow. He is featured as a secret character in the Smash Bros. game.
- Nintendo take over Camleot and force them to make a baseball game set in the Metroid universe. It's a suitable theme because Samus can turn into a ball.
- The PSP and DS are battling as the SNES and Genesis did. The DS suffers from poor sales of multiplatform games which are ported to a smaller screen and don't use the touch screen. The DS has several popular third party games that cannot be ported to the PSP, and is popular among adults and children.
- EA continues to absorb smaller companies rapidly. The EU declares them anti-competitive and protects European developers. In America employees flee and many small studios are set up by former employees. Most of them fail financially and EA re-employee them at lower wages.
- The massive media congomerate Penny-Arcade aggressively takes over IGN and Gamespy, only to have them completely obliterated. Gamers rejoice.
- Unexpectidly, South Korea becase a gaming power. Established and talented studios developing games for the PC begin translating their games to English. Many are hired by Sony and Nintendo to develop for their systems, even though they do not retail in Korea.
...in the year two thouSand (my accent mostly takes care of the emphasis as well.)
Topic: In the yearrr two thousand (Read 8518 times)
