Battle of the Game Consoles, article + questions + discussion *crosses fingers* Options

[superstitious]

First off, I'd prefer this to stay here and not moved to News because the real reason I'm posting this is to get a feel for what next gen console would be the best choice for me (um, and Iz, of course).

Hope Fades for PS3 as a Comeback Player
In Battle of the Game Consoles, Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox Widen Leads Over Sony's PlayStation
By DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI

TOKYO -- For most of this year, Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 videogame console seemed finally to be taking off after a slow start. The PS3, trailing Nintendo Co.'s Wii and Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 consoles, was closing in on the No. 2 Xbox 360, with new games and quarterly sales growth at twice the speed of last year.

But early results from this holiday season aren't promising. U.S. sales of the PS3 fell 19% last month from a year earlier, while sales doubled for the Wii console and rose 8% for the Xbox 360, according to research firm NPD. Analysts say they expect PS3 sales for this month to be flat or lower than last year, while sales for its rivals are likely to rise. And Sony may not reach its goal of selling 10 million PS3 consoles in the fiscal year through March, analysts say.

...

more here

Last year (2008, so almost last year) was a very financially straining year, so I decided to wait until I receive my tax returns to get a new console. I had my mind on a Wii for a while, but after visiting a friend who has a 360, I'm sort of conflicted now. Then I had read a few comments on Amazon (I was browsing through some games) and a few reviewers were singing PS3 praises and I became even more conflicted.

I'm sure many of you have one (if not more than one) of these, so I was hoping that people might find a bit of time to give me their take. Also, does a potential financial fallout have much of an impact? I mean, I'd hate to spend so much money on something that will possibly be obsolete in the near future. Maybe "obsolete" isn't the best word to use, but I'm not sure how else to phrase it.

I swear, I'm not always so cautious when it comes to game related purchases. I bought the PS2, Gamecube and Xbox without much thought. It's just that the new equipment seems like more of an investment as a whole.

If you could be specific as to why/if you have a preference, that would be great. :)

[smoke]

Playstation 3, I prefer their exclusive lineup compared to Microsoft. Superior graphics also, as Killzone 2 has proven.

Haha you're so funny man I don't know how you do it. I wish I was as funny as y... wait. Are you serious?

jk.

[SuckDickNSaveLiv...]

Haha you're so funny man I don't know how you do it. I wish I was as funny as y... wait. Are you serious?

jk.

Hahaha, yeah for the most part I'm joking. The graphics are pretty much similar, in some cases 360 better, Ps3 better when dealing with multiplatform games. But from what I'm seeing, there isn't nothing messing with Killzone 2's graphics right now. As for the exclusives, I like both system's lineups, I can't hate there. I also think MS is doing a good job establishing themselves as a top tier console by gaining exclusives Sony once had( [Star Ocean 4, Final Fantasy, etc. ). The biggest one was GTA. Had it not been for that, I think console sales would be pretty close right about now.

When my friend had his 360 hooked up in our office, it was nice. Made me hate my Wii. . I plan on getting a PS3 though. Since its expensive, It show that I'm living a baller lifestyle.

[smoke]

Hahaha, yeah for the most part I'm joking. The graphics are pretty much similar, in some cases 360 better, Ps3 better when dealing with multiplatform games. But from what I'm seeing, there isn't nothing messing with Killzone 2's graphics right now. As for the exclusives, I like both system's lineups, I can't hate there. I also think MS is doing a good job establishing themselves as a top tier console by gaining exclusives Sony once had( [Star Ocean 4, Final Fantasy, etc. ). The biggest one was GTA. Had it not been for that, I think console sales would be pretty close right about now.

When my friend had his 360 hooked up in our office, it was nice. Made me hate my Wii. . I plan on getting a PS3 though. Since its expensive, It show that I'm living a baller lifestyle.

But see the problem I have with KZ2 is it looks like your playing a game in greyscale. About the only color is explosions, enemies eyes, and sights. Everything else looks like they put a grey filter over it with the opacity at 80%. Of COURSE it looks good. When all your textures are as toned down in color as that, I'd hope so. Now it is pleasant to look at, mainly with the great particle effects and smooth edges, but when the color pallet is that limited it just loses realism. And, yes, there is something messing with Killzone 2. It's been out for a couple years now. It's called Crysis. Ever seen it? It's superior to anything on either console. Honestly, I'm excited about Killzone 2. It's the first game for the PS3 that has been a slap in the face to Microsoft. The ball is in Microsoft's court now, and seeing as how they've been dominating this industry since day 1, I can't wait to see what they toss back.

Yeah, Microsoft is brilliant when in comes to business. They predicted that the gaming industry would still flourish even in this economy and invested early on. Now the 360 has skyrocketed and Microsoft is making a ton in profit. There's no way the PS3 will catch up. At least not anytime soon. This whole one decent game a year thing has got to go. If Sony doesn't get their act together this year, it's over. It's make it or break it time.

As a Metal Gear Solid fanatic since the first on PSX, I have to say MGS4 was decent. Mainly because I paid $60 to play a game, not watch a movie made in CGI. Seriously, that game is 10 minutes of gameplay, a 35-45 minute cut scene, rince and repeat. It really got old after about half way through.

I dunno I'm just loving my 360. The online is incredible, especially with the new dashboard and features. Achievements are absolutely BRILLIANT. They're so fun to try and challenge yourself to get and they increase the replay and value of a game 10 times over. PS3 has trophies which, I'm sorry to hate, are lame. Not at all the same thing. Trophies are like the little rewards you get for beating a game last gen like a gold medal. Who the hell wants a gold medal for beating Little Big Planet in THE FASTEST TIME EVERZ! Lame. That's like winning in the special Olympics, and we all know how that joke ends. They are pointless. Literally and figuratively. You don't get points like you do for achievements. The games are more my taste and any great game you can get on PS3 like GTA IV and COD 4 you can get on the 360, with better online and features. Xbox usually has a ton of DLC that's exclusive to the 360 like the GTA IV expansion packs coming out. I'm not real interested in games like Little Big Planet. it's fun, for a few minutes with friends, but I can't sit down and take that game seriously on my own lol. I'd feel like a tool getting the trophies in that game. Just not my type. The only game I'm remotely interested in is Killzone 2, and not even for its prettiness. I liked the first one on PS2. Techies across the internets agree that the 360 is actually a more powerful system with a slight advantage in graphic capabilities, mostly in speed/framerate and draw distance. It's just that all that Sony BS is still in the air and people are still believing it. The only advantage PS3 has is the bluray disk, but that's really not that big of an advantage. All they're using it for is to fill up disk space with CGI that is entirely too long and drawn out. Xbox is shying away from using 2 disks or else they'd have no problem with running Killzone 2 or MGS4 on the 360. I have no idea why 'cause when I was a kid, having a 2 disk game made me feel like I was getting more for my money and it usually meant that was a bad ass game. RE4 anyone? Yup, 2 disks. The perfected Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes? You guessed it. 2 disks.

Sorry for the long post. I love talking about this stuff. After all, I work in the industry. I know virtually no one on cB is interested in all this but I like chatting about it. I've yet to find a good gaming forum or else I'd go there. Unfortunately, every last one is polluted with idiots.

[*BOSS*]

But see the problem I have with KZ2 is it looks like your playing a game in greyscale. About the only color is explosions, enemies eyes, and sights. Everything else looks like they put a grey filter over it with the opacity at 80%. Of COURSE it looks good. When all your textures are as toned down in color as that, I'd hope so. Now it is pleasant to look at, mainly with the great particle effects and smooth edges, but when the color pallet is that limited it just loses realism. And, yes, there is something messing with Killzone 2. It's been out for a couple years now. It's called Crysis. Ever seen it? It's superior to anything on either console. Honestly, I'm excited about Killzone 2. It's the first game for the PS3 that has been a slap in the face to Microsoft. The ball is in Microsoft's court now, and seeing as how they've been dominating this industry since day 1, I can't wait to see what they toss back.

Yeah, Microsoft is brilliant when in comes to business. They predicted that the gaming industry would still flourish even in this economy and invested early on. Now the 360 has skyrocketed and Microsoft is making a ton in profit. There's no way the PS3 will catch up. At least not anytime soon. This whole one decent game a year thing has got to go. If Sony doesn't get their act together this year, it's over. It's make it or break it time.

As a Metal Gear Solid fanatic since the first on PSX, I have to say MGS4 was decent. Mainly because I paid $60 to play a game, not watch a movie made in CGI. Seriously, that game is 10 minutes of gameplay, a 35-45 minute cut scene, rince and repeat. It really got old after about half way through.

I dunno I'm just loving my 360. The online is incredible, especially with the new dashboard and features. Achievements are absolutely BRILLIANT. They're so fun to try and challenge yourself to get and they increase the replay and value of a game 10 times over. PS3 has trophies which, I'm sorry to hate, are lame. Not at all the same thing. Trophies are like the little rewards you get for beating a game last gen like a gold medal. Who the hell wants a gold medal for beating Little Big Planet in THE FASTEST TIME EVERZ! Lame. That's like winning in the special Olympics, and we all know how that joke ends. They are pointless. Literally and figuratively. You don't get points like you do for achievements. The games are more my taste and any great game you can get on PS3 like GTA IV and COD 4 you can get on the 360, with better online and features. Xbox usually has a ton of DLC that's exclusive to the 360 like the GTA IV expansion packs coming out. I'm not real interested in games like Little Big Planet. it's fun, for a few minutes with friends, but I can't sit down and take that game seriously on my own lol. I'd feel like a tool getting the trophies in that game. Just not my type. The only game I'm remotely interested in is Killzone 2, and not even for its prettiness. I liked the first one on PS2. Techies across the internets agree that the 360 is actually a more powerful system with a slight advantage in graphic capabilities, mostly in speed/framerate and draw distance. It's just that all that Sony BS is still in the air and people are still believing it. The only advantage PS3 has is the bluray disk, but that's really not that big of an advantage. All they're using it for is to fill up disk space with CGI that is entirely too long and drawn out. Xbox is shying away from using 2 disks or else they'd have no problem with running Killzone 2 or MGS4 on the 360. I have no idea why 'cause when I was a kid, having a 2 disk game made me feel like I was getting more for my money and it usually meant that was a bad ass game. RE4 anyone? Yup, 2 disks. The perfected Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes? You guessed it. 2 disks.

Sorry for the long post. I love talking about this stuff. After all, I work in the industry. I know virtually no one on cB is interested in all this but I like chatting about it. I've yet to find a good gaming forum or else I'd go there. Unfortunately, every last one is polluted with idiots.

lol this basically says, "Im a xbox360 fanboy"

crysis requires a really good rig to run it, which most people dont have, if you dont like the cutscenes, skip it, dominating the industry? they are no where remotely close to nintendo, all that advertisement is useless if your xbox doesn't work

[smoke]

lol this basically says, "Im a xbox360 fanboy"

crysis requires a really good rig to run it, which most people dont have, if you dont like the cutscenes, skip it, dominating the industry? they are no where remotely close to nintendo, all that advertisement is useless if your xbox doesn't work

Not at all. I'm simply stating why 360 is the better console and why it is my favorite. Seeing as I have both a PS3 and 360, I'm hardly a fanboy.

I'm aware that Crysis requires a good rig. What I said still remains true, so I'm not understanding your point.

You can't skip the cutscenes in MGS4 on your first play through. Even so, skipping them would be stupid. You wouldn't have motivation to play the game.

See, I don't understand the whole problem with the nonworking Xbox. It was only an issue with the first generation and Microsoft provided a free 3 year warranty if the RRoD ever happened. Send your box in, it'll be back in a week or less, you get a free month of Xbox live and a brand new Xbox. Seems like more than enough to me. I've had my 360 since launch and never had a problem. I think half the reason they mess up is because people don't know how to take care of hardware. I'm not denying the issue, I'm simply saying it's blown out of proportion.

And I completely agree with your point about Nintendo. Seeing as the Wii isn't a next generation console, I didn't mention it.

[*BOSS*]

Not at all. I'm simply stating why 360 is the better console and why it is my favorite. Seeing as I have both a PS3 and 360, I'm hardly a fanboy.

I'm aware that Crysis requires a good rig. What I said still remains true, so I'm not understanding your point.

You can't skip the cutscenes in MGS4 on your first play through. Even so, skipping them would be stupid. You wouldn't have motivation to play the game.

See, I don't understand the whole problem with the nonworking Xbox. It was only an issue with the first generation and Microsoft provided a free 3 year warranty if the RRoD ever happened. Send your box in, it'll be back in a week or less, you get a free month of Xbox live and a brand new Xbox. Seems like more than enough to me. I've had my 360 since launch and never had a problem. I think half the reason they mess up is because people don't know how to take care of hardware. I'm not denying the issue, I'm simply saying it's blown out of proportion.

And I completely agree with your point about Nintendo. Seeing as the Wii isn't a next generation console, I didn't mention it.

if your comparing crysis to KZ2, you can only expect a postive connection, therefore boosting Sony yet you argue for MS.
there are people on their 6 and 7th XBox, doesn't exactly build credibility
so? play through the game first time for the movie, then 2nd for gameplay, double your replay value

[smoke]

if your comparing crysis to KZ2, you can only expect a postive connection, therefore boosting Sony yet you argue for MS.
there are people on their 6 and 7th XBox, doesn't exactly build credibility
so? play through the game first time for the movie, then 2nd for gameplay, double your replay value

JC said there's nothing competing with Killzone 2 in the graphics department. I said, yes, there is, it's called Crysis. I don't understand how that's a comparison. I'm not comparing anything. I'm simply stating there's a game out there with better graphics so that he might check it out.

And there are people who are still on their first. What's your point?

That last sentence is irrelevant. For the record, thanks for keeping me entertained. It's rare to find someone with interest enough in gaming to have a discussion.