Author Topic: "Game Boy is for 10-year-olds..." (Read 28124 times)

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #25 on:** June 12, 2003, 05:58:32 PM »

Cube, I agree with much of what you say, but there are some things that still trouble me.

I know a few GBA developers, and the common thought among them is that the GBA is hugely oversaturated with games right now. The system has an ENORMOUS userbase, but the problem lies in that it is very quick and easy to make a game for GBA. There are SO MANY good games on the system, that it's almost impossible to sell your games on it. It wouldn't be a profitable system to develop for if it wasn't so easy to make a game for it.

I agree that Sony's hold on the market is slipping. A quick look around the internet will tell you that much. It's still the favored console by far, but there are a LOT of multi-console owners this time around. However, I think it's a little premature to be doing Sony's eulogy. They are still in the top spot, and they have a lot of support from the everyday consumer. It's going to take something massive to remove them. (Nintendo's new mascots perhaps?)

JoeSmashBro, those are mostly made by Sony's 2nd parties aren't they? I don't keep up with Sony news too much, but I don't think that Sony has any internal development teams, and they outsource, just as Microsoft does. AFAIK, Sega, 3D0, Atari and Nintendo are the only ones who made games themselves.

Cube323 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 12, 2003, 06:44:40 PM »

At the begining of the 32bit/64bit console wars, Nintendo was king of the market place. It only took a few short years for a rival company to upseat them. Now the same thing will happen to $ony, only this time it will be two companies that steal the market leaders user base. $ony just can't compete, reguardless of brand loyalty. Nintendo once had brand loyalty as well.

Your right on about one thing I agree with: there are way too many good games on the GBA:SP right now! Seriously thats not much of a complaint though. I just wish I had more time and money. As for developers, retailers, etc, I can't imagine that anyone would have a problem with a system that's producing buckets full of cash for all those involved.

ok, I'm done now

Bartman3010 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 13, 2003, 04:21:00 AM »

I think that people are actually going to cash in on these duds. There is going to be an idiot or two out there who think buying a Nokia N-Gage will make them look cool and start that Nintendo is kiddy BS thats plagued our fine company.

And the PSP, man, people are going to buy it simply because of the Playstation brand name. I can see it now, "40,000 PSP's under 1 weekend VS. 1,000 GBA's on the same weekend, Nintendo in trouble?" the way the world functions right now is very scary, kids will buy a PS2 like smoking a 'J' to rebel against daddy, and the PSP is no different.

'Playstation you say?'
'3D you say?'

(@*^ the GBA I'm gett--

okay thats enough exaggeration for now...

The Doc · « **Reply #28 on:** June 13, 2003, 11:15:10 AM »

The PSP is not ment to compete directly with the GBA SP. Sony just wants to see if they can steal market share away from Nintendo in the handheld market as well, and I have to say that this time around it will not be as easy as it was in the desktop console market. Yes, the PS did destroy the Nintendo 64 becuase it came down to what system was easier and cheaper for developers to produce software for, and in that generation the answer was the Sony PS becuase of its use of optical media. It really came down to Sony's optical media vs Nintendo's chip-based mask rom media. Sony can try to take market share from Nintendo in the handheld market, but with Nintendo controlling 90% if the handheld market and a 60 Million user fanbase it will be very diffcult for Sony to even make a dent.

The Doc

Ian Sane · « **Reply #29 on:** June 13, 2003, 11:41:09 AM »

"It really came down to Sony's optical media vs Nintendo's chip-based mask rom media. Sony can try to take market share from Nintendo in the handheld market, but with Nintendo controlling 90% if the handheld market and a 60 Million user fanbase it will be very diffcult for Sony to even make a dent."

Last time I checked it's the same thing with GBA vs PSP: optical medium vs cartridges. This time it's even 3D vs 2D! If the PSP provides more freedom for developers then what realistically is going to prevent another PSX/N64 situation? Nintendo's stranglehold of the portable market? Nintendo was the undisputed market leader when the N64 launched and that didn't help them in the longrun. The GBA's marketshare alone isn't going to stop the PSP. Now realistically I don't think it will be as big as the PSX/N64 situation but this "Nintendo is indestructable" attitude is exactly why Nintendo is in third place in consoles now.

Unless it's like $700 or has really crappy hardware the PSP WILL be a success. The Playstation brand name alone is too strong for it to be non-factor. Plus if the PS3 can link with the PSP then Sony will have a feature that can potentially sell PSPs to the likely huge future PS3 userbase. Nintendo should not ignore the PSP. Hopefully (and likely if they've learned from past mistakes) they aren't.

AdvancedGamer · « **Reply #30 on:** June 13, 2003, 01:17:22 PM »

So none of you are even thinking about buying the PSP? Come on. Stop being fanboys. Your bashing the system already and you don't know jack about it. I was about to bash it too when I realized that I don't even know anything about it, it good be really cool, and I have some playstation games I would love to play on the go. If you can play your playstation games on it I would probably get it, then again if it seems bad I won't. Come on. Learn more about the system and then decide whether or not you want it. I also don't want to see Nintendo totally lose control of the portable market and that's what scares me, cuz I really love my game boy and my game boy games.

aoi tsuki · « **Reply #31 on:** June 13, 2003, 03:54:21 PM »

Yet another thread sucked into the gravitational pull of the PSP.

Quote
So none of you are even thinking about buying the PSP?

Actually, i've emailed NCS and had them put me on the call list for it. i didn't put any money down, so there's no commitment. Whether or not i'll go ahead and buy one depends mainly on Sony.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #32 on:** June 13, 2003, 04:03:20 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: AdvancedGamer
So none of you are even thinking about buying the PSP? Come on. Stop being fanboys. Your bashing the system already and you don't know jack about it. I was about to bash it too when I realized that I don't even know anything about it, it good be really cool, and I have some playstation games I would love to play on the go. If you can play your playstation games on it I would probably get it, then again if it seems bad I won't. Come on. Learn more about the system and then decide whether or not you want it. I also don't want to see Nintendo totally lose control of the portable market and that's what scares me, cuz I really love my game boy and my game boy games.

No I am not considering buying a PSP. For one thing I am a fanboy. It's against my rules to buy a non-Nintendo console.

But I am not bashing the system. Just because it's not Nintendo doesn't give me reason to hate it. I just think that the console has some serious problems to overcome before it can compete with GBA's successor. To me it looks like "Game Gear 2", rather than "GBA Killer". Do you remember the Sega handhelds? They were excellent examples of technology. They were in full color, speedy, and they even made one model that would play Genesis games. However, GameBoy took them all on, and kicked butt. Tetris was a big part of that, but GameBoy had endurance, durability, and a much smaller size. GameGear was HUGE, and couldn't be seperated from a power socket for long. The game lineup and better technology did little to help it.

I think I have good reason to be suspicious of the PSP at this point in time considering that no pictures or specs have been released yet, other than Sony's usual heavily inflated claims. (remember "Jurrasic Park" quality graphics on the original Playstation?)

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #33 on:** June 13, 2003, 04:57:23 PM »

Analysts Comment on PSP Also I see no reason at this time to even begin thinking about buying one because Sony has done nothing but made an "Announcement" to bring attention to themselves. No games, what-so-ever have even been announced, just comments from some companies, Sega in general, having stating they are interested in the PSP. Sega is going to support, somewhat, the N-Gage.

And the surveyPSP Info doesn't give out any statistical figures on how many people were questioned about the PSP. For all I know 20 people were asked and those 20 people know represent the entire audience.

Bottom line: The PSP is nice on paper, but until Sony gives us something more that attention-grabbing hype, I see to reason to start worrying about buying one.

cubedcinder128 · « **Reply #34 on:** June 13, 2003, 07:29:33 PM »

Getting back on topic...

So what do I think of Nokia's slam on the GBA? Oh please... didn't Sega say something like that when advertising the ill-fated Game Gear? I sense an episode of Deja Vu approaching...

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #35 on:** June 13, 2003, 11:24:41 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: cubedcinder128
Oh please... didn't Sega say something like that when advertising the ill-fated Game Gear?

I am going to catch holy hell from the Sega fans on this board... but I find Sega's old commercials... "Sega does what Nintendoesn't" to be extremely funny these days, as Sega was forced to quit and is 3rd party, and Nintendo isn't. I guess that statement was very true, but ahead of its time.

ActorJ · « **Reply #36 on:** June 14, 2003, 12:29:19 AM »

i will never, for the life of me, understand why so many people continue to refer to the Game Gear as "just another failure". I just don't get how anyone can see a widely supported console, that was around for six year a failure. No it did not dethrone the Gameboy, but it was a very successful product. The one and ONLY reason that the Gameboy became such an untouchable product is ironically the fact that nintendo left it for dead for several years, letting it cling to life bya thread. Suddenly Pokemon comes out, and Gameboy is revived, meanwhile, the competition decided handheld gaming was dead and are nowhere to be seen.

End rant.

Anyway, point it, you cannot lump GG in with all the other failed handhelds. I question whether you can even consider the Wonderswan or Neo Geo failed, they both had respectable runs.

As for sony PSP, not sure how an n-gage thread got turned into a PSP thread, but while I would bet any money that the n-gage is DOA due to the crappy design of the system, and the poor wuality of the software, I would also bet any money that the PSP will be at the very least a moderate success, and most likely much more. It will have a good design, and it will have good software. That makes all the difference in the world.

Insidently, the same principle works for Nintendo, I love the SP so much, I' buy one is every colour if I could afford such extravegance.

Ms.Pikmin · « **Reply #37 on:** June 14, 2003, 06:26:53 AM »

Okay, so the topic has swayed a bit. I just wanted to say that I am definitely one of the people who is outside the demographic. I am a 33 year old mom who plays her GBA SP in the car while waiting for son to get out of school. As far as the comment about not taking the SP out in public, I will take it out of my purse and play in front of people whenever I am stuck in line or any other situation where I have to wait.

nonjagged · « **Reply #38 on:** June 14, 2003, 09:41:17 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ms.Pikmin
I am a 33 year old mom who plays her GBA SP in the car while waiting for .... As far as the comment about not taking the SP out in public, I will take it out of my purse and play in front of people whenever I am stuck in line or any other situation where I have to wait.

And Im a transvestite, and I cant wait to get my hands on one of those kool N-gage handhelds.

Okay slightly blunt joke there.

In my opinion 3rd party developers will flock to the PSP because $ony will deminish any royalty fees for them as the incentive for them to leave the GB platforms, just as $ony did with psx royalty fees which used a cheap cd based format like the PSP will be using.
However 3rd parties will still develope "kiddie" games and will develope them for GB platforms as I bet $ony pushes the PSP as being the hardcore/rebelious/edgy/etc and will use gimmicky software like GTA3 PSP to sell the handheld.

The other reason why the PSP will sell extremely well is that the special mini-discs are recordable which allows uses to download/update/skins//patch/software or add new levels etc but also in my opinion I can see $ony encouraging uses to rip their favourite mp3's for in-game background music.

However great the PSP will be, the question we must all be asking is how long will Nintendo let the PSP gather marketshare?
My opinion is 6months absolute tops until the GBN64 (that N64 in a GameBoy) will come out featuring Nintendo's newer cart technology which they recently invested 10million into a company.
Also in my opinion the carts will have RAM memory chips that will allow uses to store extra information like new downloadable levels etc.

The only question that should be pondered in this topic is how long Nintendo will allow the PSP sell until it (Nintendo) unleashes the more advanced GBN64? (More advanced than PSP which has been announced will have many PS2 chips in it and the unit will be very cheap as there is already a production line for most of the chips for the PSP)

My speculation is 8weeks, if Nintendo launches their next handheld after the PSP.

Ms.Pikmin · « **Reply #39 on:** June 14, 2003, 11:01:16 AM »

nonjagged, do you think I'm lying? I think it's funny that I would say something about myself to show support of GBA and that it is not just for kids, and you mock me. The person who said his 48 year old boss had one wasn't mocked, or was that because he is a man and you just cannot believe a grown woman would play on one these things? Anyway, I know I'm not the typical user, but that was part of my point. I don't have anything to gain by posting a lie.

mouse_clicker · « **Reply #40 on:** June 14, 2003, 11:22:42 AM »

"So none of you are even thinking about buying the PSP? Come on. Stop being fanboys. Your bashing the system already and you don't know jack about it."

Yes, we're fanboys because we don't feel like laying down $150+ on a system ON TOP of what we already have. I own a Gamecube, PS2, and GBA- that's ALL I can afford right now (in fact, it's more than I can afford). Contrary to popular belief, gamers do not have money coming out the wazoo and another console to support is simply out the question for me. I'm sure the PSP will have some great games that I will love, but financially there's no way I'm getting a PSP- I'm perfectly content with my GBA and that's all that really matters. If you want more reasons I have for not wanting a PSP, read my thread on the matter.

"And the PSP, man, people are going to buy it simply because of the Playstation brand name."

If I've said this once, I've said it a thousand times- *brand recognition is not something you can rely on*. If you want proof about that, look at how Sega took over half the market from Nintendo, then Sony took over half of the rest, and then Microsoft took over half of THAT. If name recognition worked so well, Nintendo would still be #1.

"Last time I checked it's the same thing with GBA vs PSP: optical medium vs cartridges. This time it's even 3D vs 2D! If the PSP provides more freedom for developers then what realistically is going to prevent another PSX/N64 situation?"

Nintendo releasing a new GameBoy with similar technology- seriously, what makes you guys think Nintendo's going to ride out the GBA/SP through the PSP? Yamauchi's not the president anymore- Iwata is, so forget about all the firm as rock stuff we've seen fromthe past. The Big N's going to be flexible now.Nintendo's hard at work tinkering on the next GameBoy and you can bet IT'S going to be the one to compete with the PSP, not the GBA/SP.

NintendoKiD · « **Reply #41 on:** June 14, 2003, 09:05:39 PM »

Despite the popular belief, I am NOT a Playstation fanboy, I just prefer the system over the GameCube even though I do enjoy some GameCube titles, I enjoy more PS2 titles. With that out of the way, Sony is taking its time to develop the best handheld it can make. It will be the GB hardware wise in every aspect, no doubt about it. The PSP will probably have more hardcore games on it such as GTA. The PSP will be able to support higher quality games such as Resident Evil, maybe even Metal Gear Solid. This is no joke, Sony is trying to push Nintendo out of the market once and for all, and it is possible. The GBA SP was just released, meaning there will be 2-4 years until the next GB. The PSP is coming out NOW, which means Sony is going to have everything you wanted in the GB and more.

The price will be a bit high and probably be $149.95. Just wait a few weeks and it may come bundled or a price drop. Nintendo better start putting some awesome GB games out because I have a feeling Sony is going to be some good competition. Even if you still say NO GB PSNZOOORXZZZZ TEH $ONY!!!! Well looks at it this way. Playstation VS N64. Playstation 2 VS GC. Sale wise Sony dominates...now PSP vs GBA.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #42 on:** June 14, 2003, 09:33:56 PM »

What everybody forgot about the PSP: Heat! I've heard of laptops causing severe burns, the PSP almost seems capable of similar.
About battery life: I've got a friend with a laptop. He says the thing will stay up for maybe 8 hours on a full charge if you don't access the CD drive. And laptops surely have larger batteries than your average handheld console.

KiD: Last time I checked GTA 1 and 2 were available for GBA for a long time now. Unless they try to make a GTA3 on PSP (forget it, not even Sony claims it can do that) it's nothing the GBA doesn't have.

The developers will probably stay with GBA. After all, do you know how the PSP will turn out? Are you willing to shell out 10-100 times the money just to develop for a risky platform? Most publishers aren't. Also, if you already have to deal with polygons, skins, etc, why not make it for a desktop machine? That way you have the userbase you need and more power for better shots (marketing loves graphics!). Surely, this won't be a 100-0 situation, some will develop for PSP, but most have experience by now. Didn't Rockstar say that at first the contract seemed nice, later they regretted it?

Ah, er, how does one save games on the PSP? Write to disk? I hope not, RWs have a low limit for overwrites. USB memory sticks? Sounds much better.

Blackfire · « **Reply #43 on:** June 14, 2003, 09:38:56 PM »

KDR you make some good points, the battery life will probably be something like the Game Gear haha, nah I bet Sony will fix that look at all the time they have to release it, hell they dont even have to release it now, that can wait as long as they wont. GTA 1 and 2 are a joke, so is the GTA game on Dreamcast. Why wouldnt publishers want to publish for the PSP? I bet publishers will jump at the idea, they always do. All the factors you have said are probably in consideration, but I'd love to the battery life and how you save. I'd also love to know what this thing is going to look like, with all this hardware it sounds like a big clunky computer.

AgentSeven · « **Reply #44 on:** June 15, 2003, 01:26:20 AM »

All i can say is that the Nokia N-gage is pure junk. I've had first hand experience with the machine. Both the N-gage and all of the games available for it, are terrible!

psp doesn't concern me. First its a $200 handhand held. It probably won't be small. And truthfully I worry about using a handheld that uses an optical disc format. Even with anti-skip technology, there are bound to be problems. I'm suprised no one has mentioned that. Personally, I don't think people will buy it because it is made by sony, in fact I think that may actually drive people away. they dont exactly have the best rep when it comes to reliable, portable electronics. I can't imagine spending over $200 on a system that may start skipping like the psx and ps2 are notorious for doing. plus very few parents are going to pay $200 for a handheld, which will shut many kids out. For that price, you could buy a console.

back to the topic, if GBA is for kids, then the N-gage is for fools looking to waste $300+

Fish · « **Reply #45 on:** June 15, 2003, 05:48:53 AM »

Thats funny when that dude sais that its not smart for 25 year old to play GBA on public place, people must feel mighty proud whipping out screw driver and put the thing to pieces in front of bar of restaurant full of people just to play another game.

I hope that N-gage wont be a total flop because im from Finland and own some Nokia stocks, wouldent want then to get worthless npw

But better sell them before N-gage is released. :/

KDR_11k · « **Reply #46 on:** June 15, 2003, 06:25:04 AM »

Of course it's not smart for a 25-year old to do that. Hell, it's even worse for a 10-year old to do that! After all, how is a 10-year old going to defend himself from all the people who want his GBA as well? Damn, when MS finally releases a portable XBox, you have at least a formidable throwing weapon...

nonjagged · « **Reply #47 on:** June 15, 2003, 06:34:35 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ms.Pikmin
nonjagged, do you think I'm lying? I think it's funny that I would say something about myself to show support of GBA and that it is not just for kids, and you mock me. The person who said his 48 year old boss had one wasn't mocked, or was that because he is a man and you just cannot believe a grown woman would play on one these things? Anyway, I know I'm not the typical user, but that was part of my point. I don't have anything to gain by posting a lie.

Thank you for your concern etc but to put your mind at a little more ease, I was not implying you where lying or anything I was not being sexist, you misinterpreted a joke, a shallow insult directed at Nokia not mothers.
I thought it was fitting that competition (M$, N0kia etc) that wants to enter a new market (this being the gaming industry) should respect the players that are already there and not mock them with ridiculous insults.

I thought it was standard knowledge that GBA can appeal to any markets who have the time to be interact with a handheld while picking up their kiddies, waiting in line in the cinemas, on a train trip, etc and that if newbie competition wants to disrepect its userbase, then intimidated userbase will express its feelings by mocking/dissing the guilty party in return as a gesture of goodwill.

nonjagged · « **Reply #48 on:** June 15, 2003, 06:53:55 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: NintendoKiD
Despite the popular belief, I am NOT a Playstation fanboy,... The PSP is coming out NOW, which means Sony is going to have everything you wanted in the GB and more.

.

Actually 1.5 years is not NOW. Its 1.5 years away.
And since the GCN 2 is coming out in 2005 (while GCN will still be getting reasonable support for a few years after that also) you can bet their will be a newer handheld to compliment the GCN2.

Now if you do the math, the GBN64 will come out just after the late 2004 launch of PSP but the GBN64 will be more powerful and load software practically realtime. Its just a matter of which 3rd parties want to start a war with Nintendo by then only doing kiddies games on GB platforms while doing shallow/violent games for the PSP so $ony can get more hype.

Blackfire · « **Reply #49 on:** June 15, 2003, 08:53:21 AM »

Wow you just have all the release dates and the names for the consoles dont ya? In simple terms its like this: N-Gage is going to suck, a big clunky machine that will gain no support from devolpers when they can publish for Nintendo or Sony. The PSP will give the GB a run for its money, and Nintendo is going to have competition for the first time.

News:

Author Topic: "Game Boy is for 10-year-olds..." (Read 28124 times)