Topic: Is it money or software thats the the root to success

[OG_OriginalGamer]

It is believed to today that, MS and Sony larger cash reserves some how guarantees them success. When Nintendo released the NES they didn't nearly have as much money as they have now. Their success wasn't based on the fact that they were able to afford to release a console but because the software released was worth the purchase for consumers. Its obvious to anyone that without money no console can be released or software for that matter. But is money the root to success or is it just good old fashion quality content. This relates to hardware also, despite the fact MS and Sony have more money it doesn't mean that Nintendo will have the weaker console technically. Money in itself is just a vehicle, to help game developers, publishers, hardware manufacturers get their product on the market. A good example is Take Two Interactive/Rockstar, neither company is worth as much as Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft but they had the most successful console franchise this generation. It doesn't have the best graphics, the best sound but the gameplay itself was enough to get millions of gamers to purchase the last two games in the series. RE4 just might the game that proves this as fact for Capcom and Nintendo.  

[Termin8Anakin]

Well I can't comment on everything, since i don't know too much about it, but during the NES days, games wasn't a multi-billion dollar industry.
Back then, games were more of a past time, where now they define a whole culture, and the development of the internet has helped this more.

Money is just as important as making great games, but if your game doesn't sell as well as expected, then it's good to have reserves for the hard times. Like NIntendo has.

Thats all i can say for now. I'll let other people do the talking for me.

[The Omen]

Quote
Well I can't comment on everything, since i don't know too much about it, but during the NES days, games wasn't a multi-billion dollar industry.
Back then, games were more of a past time, where now they define a whole culture, and the development of the internet has helped this more.

True enough.  But the pirtfalls of releasing a game machine in the wake of the Atari/Colecovision fiasco was certainly not a sound business decision at the time, though it turned out very well.  I think its the software primarily.
Basically, exclusive software is leverage.  The more leverage you have, the more exclusives you get, which transforms into market share.

[cloudyass]

its definately the software that makes success...not money...but then again, money does have a huge part in the videogame business, just like it does in any other business...but in the end..its just about giving gamers what they want...that gets sales..and eventually even more money to the suppliers...

..grandtheftauto the actual gameplay itself wasnt all that great...just a regular 3d actioner...but the idea of the game...now that is why it is successful...people want to play a game where they commit crimes, steal cars, and beat up cops..helps relieve anger...the majority of people could care less if the control or camera was perfect or not. and now thats the thing...nintendo on the other hand...does not care what the people want...the care about what they think is good for the videogame business, and ultimately for themselves...that is why we see games like pikmin, miyamotopacman, and celshaded zelda...and while that all might be fine and dandy for gamers who love new kinds of gameplay...the majority probably will not buy into it as much...

..so my bottomline...nintendo can become king again even though they dont control the most money...but its not going to happen...because nintendo is nintendo...but then again..thats not all too horrible...

[odifiend]

The problem is the video game industry has shifted... I'm not just talking about Nintendo falling from its glory, but the fact that it has turned into a place to make lots of money with such a huge fan base.  New players such as Microsoft have come into the game market seeking to capitalize on the new industry and many companies are willing to spend a blockbuster movie's worth of expenditure to produce and then hype games.  Software is holding on, but money and flashiness are becoming a large trend in this age of gaming ruled by ADD afflicted casual gamers.  Nintendo seems to always make a profit so thank goodness they're not going anywhere anytime soon, but when crap, such as Enter the Matrix, is on the top ten games list because it cost a movie to make and had a weak association with mediocre sequels, I'm thinking the bulk of gamers are not looking at quality software but gamovies and their advertising.

[KDR_11k]

Money doesn't make success, it IS success. Success is making money from your product, if it fails to make money it's a failure. You cannot be successful while making zero money (or even losing), the market isn't that forgiving. The root of success is whatever is good enough to make people give you money. As a scam the Phantom is a real success, as a console the XBox is a real failure. Remember, the mediocre live the longest.

[Ian Sane]

Games are always key.  You know why the PS2 is number one?  It's not because it's cool or is marketed well.  It's because it has the most exclusive games and the most variety.  If you own a PS2 odds are you can find at least one game you really like.  It's not that way on the Cube or Xbox.

However money can BUY games, so money CAN be an important factor.  MS has been on a buying spree since they started working on the Xbox and as a result Bungie, Oddworld Inhabitants, Rare, etc are all Xbox exclusive.  A whole whack of exclusive Sega games have been made for the Xbox as well likely due to payoffs since none of those titles have sold very well.

In the end games are ultimately what decides the console wars.  How said games are made available on a console is not important to gamers.

[Pinnacle]

Money can cover up for a lack of good software but, ultimately, you have to have both be number 1.