Topic: First signs of the crash

[dus]

The fall of the "Nintendo Era" is definitely coming sooner than, well, at least faster than my projections. Violence and -other stuff- sells much better (more on this at the topic under 'other systems' named 'Should GCN embrace the dark, violent games? Like Xbox and PS2?') . Surveys state that games rated "M" make up over 40% of the profitable gaming industry. And another survey suggests that 66% of gamers are over twenty-one. What does this and other information mean? The 'crash' is coming soon... there will be no more games for the sane public!

"When is the age of Enlightenment?"- It's a famous quote by the very popular philosipher, Hilton "Ice Cold" Hunt

[MysticalMatt517]

Quote
Originally posted by: the_zombie_luke
The only way I can see PC games disappearing is if Windows suddenly ceases to exist.

This would not be a bad thing... If Windows suddenly ceased to exist the world would be a much better place.

[mouse_clicker]

On the contrary, dus, the era of Nintendo has yet to truly begin. When technology gets to the point where the diference between power of consoles is so minute as to be indistinguishable, it will be actual content that will drive software sales, and that's one area Nintendo's had perfect longer than most other developers have been around. Nintendo has yet to truly reach their height.

[KDR_11k]

m_c: But it will be a few years until the hardware and the developers get that far.

manunited: Gah, your sig reminds me of my friends playing 2-player Stepmania (opensource DDR clone) to the music of Pac-Man...

dus: I doubt that. Nintendo's games continue to sell very well. The number of 16+-Titles isn't surprising, anything depicting violence against realistic human beings is rated 16. And few game designers can make a game without violence against humans.

Random observation: Hm, our largest local retailer still hasn't rebuilt its XBox-section. Under PC you find PC games (section severely downsized) and a few PS2 games, while under consoles you find the GBA, GC and PS2. Next to the consoles is a locker where they locked up all Xbox stuff. Either XBox games get stolen more often or just don't sell as much.

[dus]

Well, yeah. Of course their games continue to sell well, but it's not only the games. I believe that after this next console, there will be nothing left to improve on (ie. graphics, sound quality) and all the systems will be at a war for first place, just like today. But when there can be no (major) improvements, how can companies stive for even better software? Nintendo can. But not forever, however. How many Zelda games can one console take? How many more repeats will we have? Give me a Prime anyday, but that still isn't an excuse for losing so much money! By not placing mature games on thier system they're losing the most important crowd, they're hurting their sales, but most importantly they're ruining their reputation. Not their reputation for quality titles, but their reputation for giving the public what they want. Oh, and by the way, great points mouse_clicker. And for KDR: The Xbox is put away because the software is much more expensive, or al least that's why we do at my store.

[Uglydot]

"This would not be a bad thing... If Windows suddenly ceased to exist the world would be a much better place. "

Yes, hunger would end, war would cease, everything would be peachy.


I have trouble believing that computer gaming is dieing.  Most of this thread appears to be based on, "I think developers will do this" and "I think people will buy this".  The video game industry is very unpredictable.  

[mouse_clicker]

Quote
m_c: But it will be a few years until the hardware and the developers get that far.

That depends- to be truly indistinguishable, yes, it will be quite a while. But already now the hardware is all very comparable. The XBox and Gamecube are nearly level in terms of power, and the PS2 isn't THAT far behind. Next generation the gap between consoles will be even shorter, and I think debates over which console is more powerful will be very close.

[Chongman]

well i have a few things to say, most of it irrelevant :-P

first, we're sort of getting off topic,

and second

I believe PC gaming will die out...eventualy. I mean, it will go like a starving malasia child. Somewhere between now and the next two decades, pc gaming will slowling be squeased into non existance. Why? Well, consoles of course. You already see systems like xbox and ps2 trying to resemble PCs as much as possible. But...wait...what am I getting at. I'm confusing myself.

Have you ever noticed that games on consoles just look so much smoother then games on pc? Thats cuz console games are fitted exactly to that system, unlike pcs which have a myriad of different set ups.

another thing to consider is, when technology gets to a certain height, graphics-wise, its consoles will match pcs if not overpower them (dont they do this already? I'm just saying....) when it comes down to it, what are you going to buy? A $300 dollar "game" machine that comes with a standard controller and most likely internet setup, or a $2000 dollar all purpose internet connecting workstation that you just might play games on from time to time with a keyboard and mouse that is harder to work with?

like I said though, it'll probably be awhile.



But to take on the other comment about this "system crash" well, everybody seems to be in trouble.

I think most people would agree with me that a big problem right now is innovation. I mean, what do you do when everything's been done? I'm not saying today's games aren't great, but where's the originality? Thats something sony and microsoft are going to have the hardest time dealing with. Nintendo has always had innovative titles, but what'll hurt them most is the lack of NEW franchises.

Like it was stated earlier by someone probably much smarter then me, how many repeats of the franchise can u have? I mean, the game is still great, and I'm sure we'll ALWAYS have a mario and zelda game out there, and thats not a bad thing, but without new material it gets tedius. I think nintendo realizes this big time. The DID try to bring forth new franchises, pikmin and animal crossing are the big ones I believe. Eternal Darkness also might be a contender. But none of these awesome great titles hit it off as big as they had hoped. Perhaps it was because of the user base....hmmmm...

I'm not sure. But without innovation (and new franchises in nintendo's case) consoles are in big trouble. I mean, who wants to play GTA13, complete with the same old gun blasting and now with realistic "hooker rape" action?

wait a minute....how many of you are 14?? 0_o;;  j/k

[manunited4eva22]

Well if you want to get into that and all, PCs in the form they are now will probablly be gone in 20 years.  As it is the term PC is relative.  Do you mean laptop, desktop, pda, set top box?  In the last decade there have been many new additions to the computer world, and there will be even more soon.  PCs and console will become one in the same sooner or later, as will most computing devices, somewhat specialized, but mostly just different form factors of the same thing, if you don't think so just give it some time, it will happen..

[KDR_11k]

PC here is meant as x86 and derivatives, to a certain extend Macs as well.