[ConsoleWars] PA Report Writes Sony's Obituary

[Widgetcraft]

I like how, to you, the success of the WiiU is a foregone conclusion. Not just success, but complete domination.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by Widgetcraft

I like how, to you, the success of the WiiU is a foregone conclusion. Not just success, but complete domination.

Consider who you're responding to and just forget about it. It's not worth the energy.

[Widgetcraft]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

Consider who you're responding to and just forget about it. It's not worth the energy.

True, I'll just drop that part of the conversation.

[OldJadedGamer]

Originally Posted by Widgetcraft

I like how, to you, the success of the WiiU is a foregone conclusion. Not just success, but complete domination.

Look at Japan's history this last gen. They are far behind in tech and even their biggest tech games like MGS4 is bogged down by things like multiple mid-game installs and crazy things like the MGO set up. They have been focusing on handhelds and generally have been a nation where one system is dominant. The WiiU is perfect for them, low in tech and powered by Nintendo.

And yes, it is going to be run away success in Japan but not other countries. In the US/EUR it won't do as well as the Wii did. There is no MS to compete with in Japan and the only reason people bought Sony systems this gen is because it was the only system in HD. That changes in November. Nintendo already has Monster Hunter and the WiiU ships with a Dragon Quest X beta in the box.

Sony's biggest assets are their first party games but in Japan no one cares about Sony's first parties like they do the rest of the world.

[muddi900]

Originally Posted by OldJadedGamer

By calendar year, it hasn't been the best-selling console any of the last three years (2009, 2010, 2011). By fiscal year, it was the best-selling for the first time this past year (Apr 2011-Mar-2012). If you want to exclude Wii, then the answer to your question is 'yes' by fiscal year and 'no' by calendar year.

And speaking of sales, Sony makes up a lot of ground worldwide on the 360 by selling in Japan where the 360 is totally dead. Now that the WiiU is out this year, the PS3 will be pretty much dead there as well since there is no way it is going to sell like the PS2 did. So with dead sales in Japan, 13+ behind in the US, the only savior right now is Europe.

I guess you have reading comprehension issues.

[menage]

Originally Posted by OldJadedGamer

Nintendo already has Monster Hunter and the WiiU ships with a Dragon Quest X beta in the box.

Mmm, good point there.

I'm not one to just hand Ninty it's success. But MH and DQ are surefire sales magnets.

[OldJadedGamer]

Originally Posted by menage

Mmm, good point there.

I'm not one to just hand Ninty it's success. But MH and DQ are surefire sales magnets.

All that is left is Final Fantasy but with the big decline of the series both in quality and sales not sure it matters. Also given Square's problems making PS3 games like FFXIII Versus and FFXIV they may end up making games back with Nintendo. Who knows but I can't think of any huge third party Nintendo doesn't have lined up in Japan right now.

[Urizen]

I don't know if the column is an obituary, but this thread largely reads like a Sony eulogy.

[muddi900]

From what I have read, Kaz Hirai has consolidated everything, so the profitable divisions are being dragged down by the non-profitable ones, namely TV, and mobile devices.

[JayVe]

Sony has been out of touch for a while, across all their divisions.

I hope they are focusing all their efforts on a supremely kick-ass and affordable PS4.

[Chris_D]

Originally Posted by Urizen

I don't know if the column is an obituary, but this thread largely reads like a Sony eulogy.

Yup, if Sony went away somehow they would be sorely missed by all even if some don't realise it right at the moment. I'd hate to imagine the shit Nintendo would give us without competition considering what they give us now...

[Urizen]

Meh, Nintendo's always marched to their own beat. I don't think the universe would be that different for them without Sony. They'd have a bigger piece of the pie, but I think they'd be doing the same things. MS would be a hell of a lot lazier, IMO.

[muddi900]

Microsoft already don't give a fuck. They don't sell games anymore, they sell you...after you pay them.

I do expect Sony to shift to a similar business model soon. Easy money.

[Chris_D]

Originally Posted by Urizen

Meh, Nintendo's always marched to their own beat. I don't think the universe would be that different for them without Sony. They'd have a bigger piece of the pie, but I think they'd be doing the same things. MS would be a hell of a lot lazier, IMO.

If Nintendo had their way, the WiiU would have been 2 Wiis duct-taped together. At least we got something that was somewhat innovative and nextgen in the actual WiiU. You're right about MS though.

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Urizen

Meh, Nintendo's always marched to their own beat. I don't think the universe would be that different for them without Sony. They'd have a bigger piece of the pie, but I think they'd be doing the same things. MS would be a hell of a lot lazier, IMO.

This entire time I was assuming that Sony would just go software only allowed MS and possibly Nintendo to have Sony Studios games on their systems.
However if we are saying they would exit completely that is slightly different. However, having lived through a couple 2 system generations I don't see anyone getting lazier but I do see them changing their game a great deal. Or at least shifting focus.

MS, in many gamers eyes, almost can't get lazier and just let 3rd parties take care of 90% of their library. With all the hate that 10% of MS games get and how terrible they seem to be to non fans, maybe that would be for the best anyway.

[Farsight]

Originally Posted by MagGnome

I know Nintendo has always pimped out Mario like a 2-bit hooker, but good grief!

Be fair, Charlie Brown... Mario was NEVER less than an 8-bit hooker.

Originally Posted by Widgetcraft

I like how, to you, the success of the WiiU is a foregone conclusion. Not just success, but complete domination.

In Japan. You left out the context.

I think the WiiU is going to be a flop overall, but even I would expect it to dominate in Japan in the short term. Japan couldn't love Nintendo more if they shipped teenaged girls' used panties in every box.

Originally Posted by Urizen

I don't know if the column is an obituary, but this thread largely reads like a Sony eulogy.

Sony isn't doomed (DOOMED!), but they're in by far the most precarious position of the 3 console makers. They need to pull a rabbit out of the hat. If the PS4 has a standard launch with the standard launch titles (sequels and cross-platform titles), I don't think it will be enough. They need to change the game.

Beyond that, I still think it's a distinct possibility that the "720" will launch at $99 (w/ a Live subscription required). If Sony's not prepared for that, they will go belly up.

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Farsight

Sony isn't doomed (DOOMED!), but they're in by far the most precarious position of the 3 console makers. They need to pull a rabbit out of the hat. If the PS4 has a standard launch with the standard launch titles (sequels and cross-platform titles), I don't think it will be enough. They need to change the game.

Beyond that, I still think it's a distinct possibility that the "720" will launch at $99 (w/ a Live subscription required). If Sony's not prepared for that, they will go belly up.

Pretty much my thoughts as well. Good summary. Especially the special price point of the 720, though I would see 199 and not 99. Either, if the systems are incredibly powerful, would be a pretty serious changer.
I played when Sony was software only and I would have no problem with a massive Sony Games Studios Publisher myself.

[OldJadedGamer]

Originally Posted by Chris_D

Yup, if Sony went away somehow they would be sorely missed by all even if some don't realise it right at the moment. I'd hate to imagine the shit Nintendo would give us without competition considering what they give us now...

Sony would just sell off their game studios to other companies or the studios would go back to being independent like what Bungie did. The companies like Naughty Dog wouldn't be disbanded.

Originally Posted by Chris_D

If Nintendo had their way, the WiiU would have been 2 Wiis duct-taped together. At least we got something that was somewhat innovative and nextgen in the actual WiiU. You're right about MS though.

The WiiU is just an HD Wii. It is the same power jump that the Wii was to the GameCube.

Originally Posted by Urizen

Meh, Nintendo's always marched to their own beat. I don't think the universe would be that different for them without Sony. They'd have a bigger piece of the pie, but I think they'd be doing the same things. MS would be a hell of a lot lazier, IMO.

Every company gets lazy when they do well.

[muddi900]

I would still like to see actual numbers that say that the Playstation is doing worse than it was 5 years ago.

[Chris_D]

Originally Posted by OldJadedGamer

The WiiU is just an HD Wii. It is the same power jump that the Wii was to the GameCube.

The Wii just a GC overclocked (roughly twice as fast). If the same was true of the WiiU then it would barely be able to do 720p, let alone process a second image for the tablet.