Topic: Last of the exclusives?

[UncleBob]

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSLAU93973120071129?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

An interesting read, if you ignore the fact that Nintendo makes tons of exclusives.

[vudu]

I think it's obvious they're referring to third-party exclusives.

[UncleBob]

I know... hence the smiley.

[Kairon]

Well, I think that the Wii has a TON of potential to generate third party exclusives, just not in traditional fields or from the expected places.

[Sister Mary LeFever]

Yes, the idea of having a major franchise exclusive to one system has gone down the drain. I believe it is only inevitable, what with two systems so similar. Last generation, there was a clear difference between the capabilities of th three systems, but the PS3 and 360 are roughly equal. I saw no difference between PS3 and 360, from the few 3rd-party games of them I've seen.

Except Gabe Newell of Valve said the PS3 is an absolute pain to code for, and all they seem to get done with the Orange Box port for the PS3 is sit around and scream at the Dev Kit.

[Kairon]

The XBox 360 has a bit of an advantage because of it's cross-platformability with the PC. Even if it's published on the PC near-simultaneously, XBox 360 games that don't appear on other consoles could be considered wins for MS.

[Chozo Ghost]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
The XBox 360 has a bit of an advantage because of it's cross-platformability with the PC. Even if it's published on the PC near-simultaneously, XBox 360 games that don't appear on other consoles could be considered wins for MS.

Especially because the PC format is essentially also the property of MS.

[KDR_11k]

Yeah but they don't make money on the sale of PC games.

[Nick DiMola]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
Well, I think that the Wii has a TON of potential to generate third party exclusives, just not in traditional fields or from the expected places.

I agree totally. The Wii is so much different it almost demands exclusive titles. Just like the DS, it's unique interface just makes it hard to flesh out a concept and then port that entire design over to a different console while maintaining the original feel of the game on the Wii.

[vudu]

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Yeah but they don't make money on the sale of PC games.

What about the whole Games for Windows thing?  The definitely get something from consumers paying $50/year for Live.  Doesn't Microsoft get something from publishers to be a part of this?

[Smash_Brother]

They moved live to windows so they could abandon the xbox hardware line at some point in the future.

Why else would they move the primary selling point of the xbox hardware to the PC platform?

[KDR_11k]

Quote
Originally posted by: vudu

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Yeah but they don't make money on the sale of PC games.

What about the whole Games for Windows thing?  The definitely get something from consumers paying $50/year for Live.  Doesn't Microsoft get something from publishers to be a part of this?

Fortunately that idiocy is still a small minority of the PC market.

[Djunknown]

I've heard the quote yesterday about 1 million copies from day one, but doesn't add details. Do they mean just here in north America, or globally? If so, 1 million globally isn't too difficult, but a good marketing campaign would help...

1 million in North America is a more challenging task. A marketing blitz around the level of Halo 3 would be needed, and even then, its dicey.

One of my friends owns a PS3 but could care less about FFXIII, or MGS4. Hell, even Drake's Fortune isn't on the radar. He is eagerly anticipating Haze and Killzone 2 though.

Who knows how much money is being poured into Gran Tourismo 5? That title may be the 'ultimate driving simulator', but it will also be the 'ultimate money pit'.

Without numerous 3rd party exclusives, or compelling 1st party titles, its going to be an uphill battle. Can the concept of HOME change this any? Or is it too little, too late?

[SixthAngel]

I don't like how suddenly places are bringing up first day sales like they are all that matters.  Who cares if MGS 4 doesn't sell a million its first day as long as it continues to sell in the future days and weeks?  Video games are not in theaters for a limited time and there is not much of an incentive to get it the first day.

I don't like the recent outbreak of "midnight launches" and the over hyped Halo launch.  There is no reason that first day sales should be astronomical in a format like video games or things like midnight launches should be anything but laughed at because the stores will not run out of these hyped games, there is no limited supply.  Foolishly paying attention to first day sales and not lifetime sales also hurts companies who want to bring in new IPs.  New IPs will not have the first day sales of sequels but they can easily outsell them in the long run.

[Kairon]

Whenever someone brings up first day sales as something that matters, bring up Brain Age, or even Animal Crossing. On the console side, bring up Wii Play, or Carnival games or RE4 Wii.

[Fred333]

Very good point.