Topic: Sony getting hit Hard lately

[Spak-Spang]

Sony I also saying they will have 24 launch games...which I don't believe.  Perhaps launch window games...and still those games could be delayed, and not quite ready for launch.

Of those 24 launch games, they did have a small selection of big name titles.  I think Sony might have a total of 6 titles worth owning around launch.

[couchmonkey]

Yeah, I'd like to know what those 24 games are.  Has anyone got an article?

[JonLeung]

Somehow I doubt they'll have over 20 games, and even if they did, it's unlikely that there would be many big names to hold my interest.

As I said, I'm interested in FF XIII and MGS 4 but those are mostly by franchise alone and therefore I feel I ought to play them just to follow the trends and hype or whatnot so they aren't truly enough to make me go out of my way and spend all the money just to play them.

I haven't yet seen a PS3 game that makes me go "oooh, I have to own that" yet and if the games that do come out just follow the same old genres (oh, look, another racer...another WWII shooter...another wrestler...another futuristic racer...another futuristic shooter...another sports game...etc.) then I don't really care if they have 5, 20, or 100 games.  They can churn out all the "games" they want but unless there are some really, really good ones in there no one (except people with money to burn) should even consider a PS3.

EDIT: Heck, even people with money to burn should avoid the PS3, to show support for platforms more worthy.  Like the Wii.  

[Spak-Spang]

Here is the list of games that will be playable at the Tokyo Game Show for the PS3.  I think this is the original list that I confused as potential launch games.  Perhaps, because Sony wants it represented that way.

Armored Core 4 (From Software)
Blade Storm Hyakunen Sensou (Koei)
Coded Arms Assault (Konami)
Devil May Cry 4 (Capcom)
The Eye of Judgment (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Fatal Inertia (Koei)
Formula One World Championship (working title) (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Genji (working title) (Sony Computer Entertainment)
"Gran Turismo" Series (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Heavenly Sword (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Lair (working title) (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Mahjong Taikai IV (Koei)
Minna no Golf 5 (working title) (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Target in Sight (Namco Bandai Games)
MotorStorm (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Railfan (Ongakukan)
Resistance: Fall of Man (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Ridge Racer 7 (Namco Bandai Games)
Warhawk (Sony Computer Entertainment)

Source: GameSpot

I do not know alot of the games, so I don't know how big the games are.  But, I only see like 2 games I am interested in...and suspiciously absent from that list is Metal Gear Solid 4.  I guess the game isn't going to be ready for launch.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

wow, lots of sony-published junk.

are they trying to pull an amazing 'xbox-launch' by releasing everything under the sun?

WHERE IS AZURIK

FUSION FRENZY

WACKY RACERS

[Arbok]

Quote
Originally posted by: Professional 666
wow, lots of sony-published junk.

That was my first reaction too. This is not good for Sony to see so few third party titles there, considering that's pretty much what they are going to live on.  As Pro. said, their first party stuff is typically junk (aside from a few things like the Gran Turismo series) and there is no way they are going to lead the PS3 to success if they are forced to be the primary developer for it, akin to what Nintendo was for the GCN (although Nintendo actually makes good games).

[Kairon]

Some Sony Stuff is good. Heavenly Sword is supposed to be the next God of War for example, and has a really fluid and impressive combat animation system.

However, yes, it is a shock to see that Sony is publishing SOOO many games on the PS3's list. They're publishing more games than Nintendo does on its systems!

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[BlackNMild2k1]

I thought God of War 2 was supposed to be the next God of War....

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
Some Sony Stuff is good. Heavenly Sword is supposed to be the next God of War for example, and has a really fluid and impressive combat animation system.

However, yes, it is a shock to see that Sony is publishing SOOO many games on the PS3's list. They're publishing more games than Nintendo does on its systems!

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Fluid and impressive combat animation system, definately a guarantee for a great game .

[Kairon]

lol

Oh, and it looked like Microsoft scored a minor upset, they've got [L=exclusivity to next-gen FIFA and PEShttp://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=19281[/L]... uh... what's PES? Anyways, it sounds like the first FIFA soccer game on the PS3 (Or Wii) will be in 2008.

I don't think this should be pooh-poohed. Microsoft has stated that they believe the next-gen battlefield will be Europe, and soccer IS bigger there (and elsewhere in the world) as compared to our American sensibilities.

Interestingly enough, Microsoft has been launching the X360 in minor minor markets over the past few months, from the Middle East to Eastern Europe to South Africa! If anything, Microsoft is really fighting for the world, and trying to become the first videogame many people over the world are actually introduced to.

Fear them. Fear the Microsoft.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com  

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
lol

Oh, and it looked like Microsoft scored a minor upset, they've got [L=exclusivity to next-gen FIFA and PEShttp://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=19281[/L]... uh... what's PES? Anyways, it sounds like the first FIFA soccer game on the PS3 (Or Wii) will be in 2008.

I don't think this should be pooh-poohed. Microsoft has stated that they believe the next-gen battlefield will be Europe, and soccer IS bigger there (and elsewhere in the world) as compared to our American sensibilities.

Interestingly enough, Microsoft has been launching the X360 in minor minor markets over the past few months, from the Middle East to Eastern Europe to South Africa! If anything, Microsoft is really fighting for the world, and trying to become the first videogame many people over the world are actually introduced to.

Fear them. Fear the Microsoft.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

I have to agree with MS, I think it will be won in Europe but mainly the battle between PS3 and Xbox 360. I think Wii should win Japan easily along with the U.S so they can afford to lose a bit in Europe (then again I may be wrong!). I'll be honest I am rooting for MS to beat Sony, I have developed alot of respect for the people working within games department, introduced to me by my mentor at MS. I've even told him I am a MS supporter now due to the great people at MS's game development studios. Not to mention that my mentor is head of franchise development and how franchises should be used, so that makes me hope for the best even more so he can reap the rewards!

[Kairon]

I personally believe that MS WILL beat Sony. They've been doing a better job than Sony, have been hitting key important opportunities, and even before your sterling recommendation VGrevolution I believed that they had actual, passionate, intelligent, hard-working, caring people working in their games division.

The only problem with that is... well... I'm scared because after gaining so much respect for their work, I can't help but think that the games division's earnestness and Bill Gates' black magic mean that MS will eventually, inevitably, control ALL of the gaming industry in about 2 or 3 generations.

And then... and then I don't know what the world will be like.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[KDR_11k]

Genji (working title) (Sony Computer Entertainment)

I hear the final title is going to be "Genji 2: MASSIVE DAMAGE feat. realtime weapon change".

Kairon: PES = Pro Evolution Soccer aka Winning Eleven.

If MS wants Europe they should introduce PC gaming standards to their console like simultaneous releases in all languages, 45€ per game and quick pricedrops.

[Spak-Spang]

I think Nintendo understands the importance of Europe as well, and I think that is why they saved Mario Strikers for them.  It will be a big game in Europe, and I wouldn't be suprised if Wii Sports has some sort of mini Soccer game in it.  Perhaps a Shootout or something.  

As for Microsoft, I believe they will easily win the US.  Microsoft is a name that many people in the US trust for computer related electronics.  They are geared towards making more American focused games, and have pushed to secure the best relationship with EA possible.  And with their headstart Sony is going to be playing massive catchup, and is doing so with a launch with pathetic number of units available for this market.

Japan is easily going to Nintendo.  Nintendo has designed a console that fits all of Japanese sensitivities.  It is small, doubles as an additional player for most of your classic games via download, uses Wifi for online play, is a very cheap new console, and finally: introduces brand new and compelling ways to play games.  I really see Wii vs PS3 being the exact same as the DS and PSP battle  (EDITTED FOR MY STUPIDITY.)

I really don't know about the European market.  How important is price, what type of games do they like, and so forth.  I believe it really could be open to all the companies to win that market.  But I am thinking that Nintendo has done a great job there with the DS Lite, hopefully they will continue that trend for the Wii.

 

[couchmonkey]

While I appreciate that Microsoft's games department is really serious about their work, the games are still so much generic blah.  I mean, how many ways can you knock off Halo?  I wouldn't mind seeing Microsoft beat Sony, but I fear the day that Microsoft has the same kind of dominance that Sony did with PS2.  That being said, I'm convinced that Nintendo isn't going anywhere for a while.

In Europe, it seems like pricing is fairly important.  You don't usually see the most expensive systems winning over there.  Microsoft had to slash the Xbox price very early on for instance.  But that's a pretty simplistic view, I don't know a lot about the European market.

[Spak-Spang]

I don't want any single company to ever have the lead Sony did for PS2 or PS3.  I want about equal marketshare for all companies, and I want the industry to actually start thinking about the games they are creating and their audiences.  

It is really stupid that 3rd parties assumed the Gamecube would never truly support a mature game because Nintendo is marketing towards children.  Nintendo never exclusively marketed towards children...that was a myth that Sega started back in the day and Sony continued.  It is stupid.

If a company makes a great game, and markets it well it should sell great period.  And if the marketshare is split evenly three ways I think we will see more games for all systems, and hopefully more exclusives for all systems.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Spak-Spang
I don't want any single company to ever have the lead Sony did for PS2 or PS3.  I want about equal marketshare for all companies, and I want the industry to actually start thinking about the games they are creating and their audiences.  

It is really stupid that 3rd parties assumed the Gamecube would never truly support a mature game because Nintendo is marketing towards children.  Nintendo never exclusively marketed towards children...that was a myth that Sega started back in the day and Sony continued.  It is stupid.

If a company makes a great game, and markets it well it should sell great period.  And if the marketshare is split evenly three ways I think we will see more games for all systems, and hopefully more exclusives for all systems.

You are right, I to hope the industy is split fairly evenly. That always brings about strong competition and the consumer always wins.

[JonLeung]

I do hope that Nintendo comes out as a clear #1 this upcoming generation.  By doing so with an underpowered machine but with an innovative control scheme, that would force Sony and Microsoft (and whoever else) to be creative the generation after that.

If Nintendo doesn't climb back to #1 soon, then some people may never understand that pure power and the same old games isn't the only way to victory.

[Ceric]

Feel free to refute me or support me on this.

If I were Microsoft I really wouldn't want dominance on the console Market.  That's really a side concern for me.  What I like is for that division to be profittable to the point that it can sustain itself and help the other parts.  Compared to say Office.  A console is more work then the rewards comparing the two.  Office is a lot of work don't get me wrong but, they sell office to a must broader market then a console could ever penetrate, office goes into the Business world.

The XBoxes are their as a good promotional tool and to win people over.  If I controlled the market with an ironfest it would be viewed as another Monopoly and MS will lose a lot of the goodwill it built with these products.  Sure they like to be the top dog but I think in the long run they benefit from being the top dog in a close race.  Especially if they can convince people to buy the more eleborate versions of Windows and to prefer Windows because of their gaming presence.
Also leveraging Live to the point of maybe even allowing other people to use the service.  But I digress

Suffice it to say that I personally beleive that Microsoft has more to lose by being considerred THE Game Console then gain.

[couchmonkey]

I don't know why people have goodwill towards Microsoft, though.  Maybe because Sony is even more powerful in the console market, but seriously, the company is openly buying it's way into the industry.  I don't know if Microsoft intends to actually become an unstoppable force in video games, but the way it's sucking up huge losses just to gain marketshare sure makes it look that way.

[UltimatePartyBear]

I thought it was obvious by now.  Microsoft isn't in the videogame console business to make money.  The company believes that the market for personal computers is going to shift away from the desktop and into the living room.  Right now, Microsoft makes most of its money from operating systems and productivity apps (i.e. Office).  Microsoft is therefore terrified of being left behind in a paradigm shift.  To avoid that fate, it dumped billions of dollars into a crazed scheme to appear like a legitimate player in an industry altogether alien to it.  If Microsoft is right about video game consoles evolving into tomorrow's home computers, thoroughly integrated into people's everyday lives, it now has a much better shot at becoming the de facto standard in that industry, too.  Note that Microsoft is also attempting to invade the living room along the home theater PC route with a specialized version of XP.  Read up on the plans for Vista, too.  It's actually kind of scary how determined Microsoft is.  I think the actual shift is still quite a ways off, but Microsoft needed to get into position sooner rather than later, or else it might have cost them even more.

[Hocotate]

Both Sony and MS have non-gaming intentions and are in the industry for different reasons. That's why someone like Nintendo is critical for keeping gaming alive. I want Nintendo vs Sega again, then everything will be right with the world.

[Spak-Spang]

I want Nintendo and Sega to actually work together and become partners.  Sega could focus on Niche games and older gaming and keep their name on their games, and Nintendo does what it does.  It would be perfect.

I don't think Nintendo is ever leaving this industry.  They are too vital for it, and they understand the business world and how to turn profits.  So they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

You expect Sega to use common sense?

[Arbok]

Quote
Originally posted by: Spak-Spang
I want Nintendo and Sega to actually work together and become partners.  Sega could focus on Niche games and older gaming and keep their name on their games, and Nintendo does what it does.  It would be perfect.

Sega is dead. I might have agreed with you before the Sammy merger, but presently I could care less about them. Their games have been selling horribly anyway, and they are hardly a "system seller calibur" company anymore.

A Nintendo-Namco or Nintendo-Capcom partnership would be a much more suitable mix, although not very plausible on either account.