This Next Generation of Gaming is Coming Fast...Are We All Ready?
Last Year, Microsoft started the next generation of gaming systems with the Xbox 360. It tried to jump ahead of the competition and release a year ahead of Sony and Nintendo in hopes to recreate Sony's PS2 success with launching early.
It appeared that Microsoft had made a great choice since they definately have a year head start...but numerous missteps and failures have taken that lead and thrown it away.
Hardware issues have put a huge sour taste in consumers mouth about the new system. Too many recalls, not enough production units created, and the Xbox 360 game library is bad at this point. That is not to say it won't get better, but right now E3 is about to start and the gaming community is going to be all eyes on Play Station 3 and Nintendo Wii. If either system can generate excitement then gamers will be waiting for those to launch and not buy the Xbox 360. Microsoft is going to need to work overtime this E3 to pull the excitement away from Sony and Nintendo. They must have AAA titles at the show and playable. If they don't people may walk away from the Sophomore attempt of Microsofts and never look back.
Last generation was a generation of dual ownership. People could afford to own two systems, because the prices weren't that high. This year, except for Nintendo, the price for a new console is going considerably higher. People are going to think twice about owning two systems...and this is going to hurt the industry.
We all know what Sony and Microsoft are offering us. Basic role reversals. Sony will have the more powerful system and Microsoft will be first out of the gate. Their systems are practically the same. The Wildcard is Nintendo. Technically its power is vastly under that of Sony and Microsoft...yet because of their new controller they are garnering more excitement for their little Wii than Microsoft and Sony are for their systems.
The media come next week are going to be all over reporting about the Wii, because of the difference. If you are Fox News, CNN, or Good Morning America, or whatever television talk/news show are you going to spend your 10 minutes of E3 on Sony and Microsoft doing the same old/same old. Or will you spend that time showing something brand new never before seen. Which is the real story? Although the general market knows nothing about the Wii that will change after next week.
However, this doesn't mean instant success. Nintendo must have a strong launch lineup filled not just with first party games, but third party support as well. And this support must be good. Nintendo must prove that its new controller and its new vision is the BETTER way to play games. It must prove that this new experience isn't novelty but actually enhances and adds to the gaming experience. This will take great software in all genres, that play well and most importantly are fun. And honestly, this is a very uphill battle for Nintendo.
The challenge comes from the fact that Microsoft and Sony both have their support pretty much set. Microsoft is going to see all its games promised last year shown and out this year by Nintendo. Microsoft will finally have its great lineup of games for the Xbox 360. Sony being the market leader this year, and promising a very powerful system also has developers lining up to develop games. Sony has commitments from the biggest Japanese developers and American developers. In fact, Sony just has two things to overcome this generation.
Launching late against Microsoft, and their recent failures with the PSP. The PSP is a great portable media device...yet as a gaming device it sucks. There are more movies out for the system then games...and the number of great games can be counted on a single hand...and most of those games could be played better on your PS2. So what is the point? Sony could be falling in the same trap with the PS3. It is being marketed as a Blue-Ray Gaming system. It will play the new Blu-Ray high defination movies and games...but if Sony focuses too much on movies and not enough on games then they could hurt or destory their market. The wildcard variable is the price. It may be listed as too expensive for the general market. If Sony's PS3 is too costly people may choose the Xbox 360 which may be less...or budget themselves more and go Nintendo Wii for over $100.00 less.
The question is what will gamers take to? What will you take to? Do you want the best graphics available, or do you want to try something brand new? Are you willing to take a risk on an experience you can't have anywhere else? This is what Nintendo is gambling on.
I will take the plunge. I hope you will too.
Come this Fall, the next generation of gaming truly begins.
Topic: My Crappy Editorial about the Next Generation (Read 1668 times)
