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Originally posted by: eurai 1. The PSP is hardly "failing." The UMD format isn't at all nearing expectations, yes, but it also is inherently limited by its implementation in a single platform. Sony is attempting to market Blu-Ray as a more universal standard; UMD is nothing more than a facet of a portable entertainment device.
"Not nearing expectations" is a kind way of saying that Wal-Mart and many other retailers are dropping support for UMD movies altogether.
Sony tried to market Betamax and Minidisc as "universal standards" and yet we both know where THOSE wound up. Minidisc might have caught on had mp3s not come along to kill it. As for Betamax, it was higher in quality and storage capacity, but it was killed by VHS because, that's right, VHS was
cheaper.
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2. Doesn't guarantee success of the Wii or failure of the PS3; of course those attending a trade show are more interested in unique or at least buzz-heavy products. The American market has proven repeatedly in its ridiculous buying habits, though, that more of the same is quite capable of selling very well.
I'm not saying that guarantees anything, but when was the last time people broke into an E3 and all simultaneously charged for one specific booth? It's the best reaction Nintendo could have hoped for with their innovation:
morbid curiosity. Now all they have to do is have the system refined and ready to go for launch and they should be golden.
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3. Agreed, at least in principle; a "crappy economy" certainly hasn't slowed sales of the relatively expensive Xbox 360, though (not in the United States, anyway). $600 is 50% increase over $400, yes, but it won't stop early adopters of both the PS3 and of the Blu-Ray format (considering how steep prices of individual Blu-Ray drives are set to be). I do believe that both face a steep uphill battle, though, once that honeymoon period is over. If increased developer anxiety is to surface, it'll probably occur around then.
Actually, according to
Game Sales Charts, the 360 is underperforming. For being the only next-gen system out, it's nowhere near capitalizing on the lead like the PS2 did with its lead.
The GC experienced its most dramatic sales leap when it dropped to $99. At that point, it was flying off shelves for a period of time because it verged into the range of impulse buy for many. Before then, it had only been $149, the difference being the price of one single game. If a mere $50 can make the difference between low sales and
flying off the shelf, imagine what $500 will do for people's desire to buy the console. That's right: slaughter it.