Topic: Xbox 2 in 2006

[Grey Ninja]

So now that Microsoft has officially announced that the Xbox 2 is launching in 2006, do you think it's finally time to breathe a sigh of relief at Microsoft's passing?

If both Playstation 3 and Nintendo's next system launch in early 2005 as planned, then I don't think that Microsoft has a hope in hell next generation.  Launching a year later is going to cause a serious deficit in games in their console once again, and it will give Sony and Nintendo a year's head start.  I seriously think that this could be Microsoft's last mistake in this market.

Time will tell of course, and it's entirely possible that Sony and Nintendo's consoles could be pushed back, but I think it likely that Nintendo means to debut at the same time as the PS3 whether they are ready or not.

[Hostile Creation]

Inchestin'.  I'll like to see how this develops.

[Ian Sane]

Do you have a link for this announcement?

I don't think the Xbox 2 will flop but if both competing consoles launch a year earlier then it's going to be hard for MS to keep up.  The PS2 may have had a head start this time but it didn't really release any great games until the second year.  Sony really didn't even try until the competition launched.  If both Sony and Nintendo launch in 2005 then by the time the Xbox launches the PS3 will have a much more agressive lineup because it will have had to match up with Nintendo in direct competition.  Of course the real variable here is when Nintendo will launch.  They might say they're going to match the competition but let's face it, the only console they ever launched before the competition was the NES.  Everything else came out at least a year later.

Nintendo SHOULD launch at the same time and I think they know that they pretty much have to but that doesn't mean they'll pull it off.  If I was Nintendo though I would launch at the same time as Sony no matter what, even if the launch lineup isn't that large.  As long as they release a system seller at launch they should be okay.  The rest of the lineup can then be filler like the Xbox launch.

[Grey Ninja]

I was a little hesitant to post the link, as the site I got the news from is a little questionable in content.  But I find their news to be fairly accurate for the most part, although they often put their own spin on it in terms of telling the story.  But here's the link anyways.  If a mod finds the site to be inappropriate, please remove the link.

Nintendo is under new leadership now.  Although we all realize that they will be launching half-assed, it's never kept Sony from doing well.  I think that Nintendo means to hold onto their deadline this time around.  It's possible that they could launch with 3rd party games alone if they don't have any 1st party games ready at launch.

[Ian Sane]

"It's possible that they could launch with 3rd party games alone if they don't have any 1st party games ready at launch."

I would assume they would have the exact opposite problem.  Since Nintendo designs the hardware they usually start working on games well before the third parties.

I think the PS2 shows that having a wide variety of decent titles is sufficient for a launch.  But having a huge killer app (Halo, Super Mario 64) can make up for a lack of games.  If Nintendo wants to do well they'll have to do one or the other.  Another launch like the Gamecube's, which had both a lack of games and no killer app, will not work.  I say they should concentrate on having a mega killer app since Sony likely will just have a bunch of okay third party games.

The ideal situation for the next launch is for Nintendo to try to have each of their development teams working on a launch game so that they can have at least five first party titles released within the first few months.  If they can do that and get at least one launch exclusive from Namco, Capcom and Sega (and maybe Square and Konami) they would have a very attractive launch lineup even if the individual games aren't amazing.  Just simple games like a racing game or a fighting game can really help strengthen a launch and can make up for any potential software droughts.

[mouse_clicker]

"The PS2 may have had a head start this time but it didn't really release any great games until the second year."

That's true, but it also had a year's worth of console sales, in the millions, before either the Gamecube or XBox launched, and that translates into a larger user base which would be more enticing to third parties. Launching a year later may not have a huge impact, but it certainly won't help, either.

"I think the PS2 shows that having a wide variety of decent titles is sufficient for a launch. But having a huge killer app (Halo, Super Mario 64) can make up for a lack of games. If Nintendo wants to do well they'll have to do one or the other."

I completely agree, but if Nintendo wants a REALLY good launch, they should not only have a wide variety of games at launch but also a killer app- that would encourage casual gamers to buy more than one game at launch (Halo was and SM64 were pretty much the only launch titls that sold well at all). I would also attract a very large variety of gamers, which in turn attracts a large variety of third parties, etc, etc.

[Fish]

2006 is just the japanese release date. I think theyr gonna release it in EU and US in 2005, it would be stupid to wait when GC 2and PS3 are released 2005.

[mouse_clicker]

Really, though, I don't recall an article about the XBox 2's release date at all. Anyone have a link, because a few of you talk about it like it's common knowledge.

[aoi tsuki]

Funny, i was looking for an article proving the date, and i found info only to the contrary:

http://news.com.com/2100-1043_3-1019181.html?tag=fd_top

The article states other intersting bits, like how PSX is intended to renew the Playstation brand, given that the Cell processor is behind schedule. But wasn't Cell supposedly not planned to be in PS3? Ugh, my head is spinning.

Looking for more sources; at the moment my cable connection is running slower than 56k.

[Termin8Anakin]

XBOx 2 in 2006?

I'm so excited!

Cell not going to be in PS3? Cell is delayed?
Go Nintendo!
Get the head start!

[BrianSLA]

The news is bogus. Xbox 2 , GameCube 2 and PS3 will all DEFINITELY launch near simultaneously. Both Nintendo & Microsoft blame the launch gap for the PS2's dominance and they ALL will not allow that to happen again.  

[mouse_clicker]

Brian: But nobody has any proof, they're just throwing around all sorts of claims!!

The cell processor WAS supposed to be in the PS3 (as stated by a Sony exec), but it was too far behind schedule and the PS3 will use a different processor.

[Grey Ninja]

I posted a link earlier, but here's the same news from a more reputable source.

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/news/news_6030278.html

Copy and paste, as I am too tired to bother with the links.

[Ymeegod]

Cell Processor is still coming and that was a freaking April Fool's Joke about it not being in the PS3.

Duh.  It's already going beta at the end of THIS year which gives it plenty of time to work out quirks, and Sony is building a mega-million (can't recall the number but it's over 100 million) production plant just for the upcoming cell processor & HDTV decoder (the HDTV decoder might be for the PS3 but I think it's going be used for those WEGA tv's).  The plant is going be up and running this winter/spring.


As for GC2--I really doubt it's going be released in TIME (the GC was supposed to be released in 2000 and we all know how that turned out).

In fact I think Nintendo doesn't plan on it even.  Still think they are trying to trick MS or Sony into releasing their console premature.  

If you think releasing one year ahead is going help, it won't.  DC is a perfect example.  Sony has the fans and the vast majority will just wait a year for the PS3.  So releasing the GC2 early would be a huge mistake IMO.  You really have to wait and release at the EXACT same time (or close ) that way sony can't change hardware specs and will have to release A rated games as well.

[Ymeegod]

"April 21, 2003 - At an investor's meeting held today in Japan, Sony unveiled new details on its chip production plans, much of which is centered around the company's next generation Cell processor, scheduled to be used in next generation gaming hardware.
Sony plans to invest 200 billion yen (1.6 billion dollars) over the next three years on cutting-edge processor facilities. Of this, 73 billion (608 million dollars) will be invested this year for the construction of a new microprocessor facility to be located at the company's current microprocessor plant in the Japanese city of Nagasaki. Currently, the plant produces the Graphics Synthesizers used in the PS2.

The new facility will allow for the production of 300 millimeter wafer-based chips utilizing an industry-leading 65-nanometer process technology. Both larger wafer sizes and smaller chip sizes allow for more advanced technology and cost cutting. Mass production at the new facility could begin as early as 2005.

Sony will also be investing in another cutting-edge production plant, this one under operation of Toshiba, one of Sony's partners in gaming hardware crime. This plant is currently being used for the manufacturing of PS2 Emotion Engine Processors. Toshiba itself will initially invest 40 billion yen in the plant to equip it with 300 millimeter wafer production facilities that it expects will be able to produce 12,500 wafers per month starting late Spring/early Summer of 2004. The new facilities are also being developed for the 65 nanometer process, although the company is eyeing a shift to a 45 nanometer process in the future. The entire cost for the upgrade is expected to cost 200 billion yen, with Sony's planned investment currently unknown.

All these investments are centered on the production of the Cell processor, which Sony's press materials once again stipulate is targeted towards next generation computer entertainment systems. Sony made no specific mention of the PS3, though, and when asked about a specific time frame for next generation computer entertainment hardware that makes use of the Cell, Sony reps responded with "No Comment."

The Cell itself seems to be just the starting point for Sony's plans, though, and the new facilities are being designed with broader horizons in view. Sony is eyeing the production of chips for broadband network applications in general, and will also be equipping its new facility with the means of producing general DRAM and CCD and CMOS chips used for imaging technology. As a result, Sony states that these new investments concern not just Sony Computer Entertainment, but the entire Sony Group as a whole.

"

1.6 BILLION-- .

[mouse_clicker]

Ymeeogd: Your article you posted doesn't say anything about the Cell Processor being in the PS3, Do you have an actual quote from Sony saying it WILL in fact be in the PS3?

And who are you to say Nintendo doesn't plan on releasing the Gamecube 2 in time? Iwata (that's the president, just in case you didn't know) has said they fully expect to release their next console in time, so don't go giving me this crap that they're gonna be late. In my opinion, your word on Nintendo's plans is to be trusted below that of a gnat.

[Termin8Anakin]

whatever the case, that was a frightening piece of news (Ymeegod's post).

[Ymeegod]

I love MC.  If it's good Nintendo rumors than he's 100% of it, but if it's negative than he doesn't believe it.

LOOK at the sources.  Each source loops back to this mag, Electronic Design Chain. :0  DUH.

It's called bad journalism.  Can't believe everything you read--sony HAS never stated that the PS3 won't have the Cell Processor--fact.

[mouse_clicker]

Yes, yes, I'm a fanboy, look at the pathetic, drooling fanboy. If it helps your case any, go right ahead, but from what you've shown us in that article, Sony actually declined to say the Cell processor would be in the PS3. And now you're throwing around that the article that stated it WOULDN'T be in the PS3 was an April Fool's Joke? I'm not going to say you're wrong, because it's very well possible that's true, but it seems to be an extremely elaborate joke when most people don't even know what a Cell processor is, does, and what it's being used in. You can call me a fanboy all you want, but I really wish you'd see the distinction between Nintendo actually fowlign up and a little pimply faced high school kid who likes to run around and SAY they've fowled up. If your idea of unbiased is believing everything you say without a second though, then I'm a fanboy.

[manunited4eva22]

That part about Cell not being in PS3 has been cancelled out by about 5 or 6 news posts since that time, expect it to be in PS3.  

[mouse_clicker]

But where are they, manunited? I'm really starting to think I'm wrong about it not being in the PS3, but there's only one thread still in this forum that's about the Cell Processor at all, entitled "What is the cell processor?". No one's giving me any links!

And since Grey Ninja's link finally worked for me (it was down last time I tried it), the XBox 2 is indeed launching in 2006 in Japan- that's still going to have a huge hit on getting into the Japanese market when it's a year behind both of it's competitors there.  

[Ymeegod]

Actually the PS3 isn't stated for 2005.  Sony stated it's 2006 but it might release a few months prior to compete against Xbox 2 (us release).

Like I said, Nintendo's the one screaming 2005 (spring) but they haven't been the best on releasing on time.

And it's really not going pan out if nintendo launches ahead of Sony since the majority of fans will wait a year.  Dreamcast is prime example of why prelaunching doesn't mean jack.  Nintendo will have to have SOMETHING to gain Sony fans which I dont' see happening.  Square-Enix is pretty much still going be exclusive to Sony which gives them the two biggest games series, DQ and FF.  Then you have the sport jocks, race fans, ect to deal with as well.

I really can't see nintendo competing without additional developers which means dipping into the warchest which doesn't seem likely to happen.  Not yet anyhow .

[mouse_clicker]

Tell you one console that did get an advantage by releasing early- the Genesis. Sega got Nintendo with their pants down and took over nearly half of their iron stranglehold on the industry (read: monopoly), and it was probably the best thing that ever happened to 3rd parties, although that has little to do with the subject at hand. The Playstation launched 2 years ahead of the N64 and initially people did wait those long agonizing years for Nintendo to get it's console out the door. However, due to a poor launch and poor selection afterwards, Sony took over nearly the whole market. Don't dismiss launching earlier than your bigger competitor as having no advantage, because often times it DOES. And even if the XBox 2 and PS3 are launched in 2006 stateside, a year after the Gamecube 2, and there are a bunch of people who do indeed wait out, the GC 2's going to have a much better and wider selection. That's one of the huge advantages of the PS2 right now- since it had a year headstart it developed a very nice variety of games by the time the Gamecube and XBox launched (and it's the main reason I bought a PS2), and neither console has made up that lost ground. Eventually people will get tired of the PS3 and XBox 2's poor selection and turn to the Gamecube 2, if all goes well, which I don't doubt it will.

[Ymeegod]

"the GC 2's going to have a much better and wider selection"  LOL--that's the funniest statement yet.

Like I said, Nintendo LACKING in CERTAIN areas and I don't see that changing even though nintendo has the funds to change it.  

As for N64 Vrs PS--it wasn't just because it was released first (namely Sony only had a million fanbase of 3 Million by the time N64 was released).  It's advantage was the N64 lack of titles, price (PS was $50 lower and the games were priced at $40 vrs $60-75 for some N64 titles).  Also nintendo was retarded and had a fallout with Squaresoft.  When Squaresoft left alot of fans left as well, not to mention the other 3rd parties switching like Enix.  Also this began nintendo's whole "RPG's are out" and then canceled their own RPG series like Mother 64 for example.  

What's worse was the whole pokemon craze that went on with the N64.  Nintendo somehow managed to pump out 4 pokemon titles but the mature titles were lacking.  Hell a few mature titles like SIN wasn't even released in the USA.  

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Sony new the importance of 3rd party support.

[Termin8Anakin]

man, if MS AND Sony release in 2006, NIntendo would be able to release in late 2005 or really early 2006
Only a few months ahead of Sony too.
that would give them more time to iron the chinks in the armour.