Execs in Japan dish on upcoming console wars

  • By Walt Wyman, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 6, 2006 1:07 pm PT

Square's Wada, Bandai's Unozawa speak candidly on future of online gaming, upcoming shootout between Nintendo Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3.

The Computer Entertainment Suppliers' Association (CESA), the group that owns and produces the Tokyo Game Show, held a press conference today regarding online gaming and the industry's future. Famitsu.com covered the meeting, which was presided over by top officials from a number of companies, including Square Enix president Youichi Wada and Namco Bandai VP Shin Unozawa.

Wada began the discussion by frankly acknowledging, "in individual interviews, we tend to give opinions in line with our companies' interests, making it difficult to give objective observations." He hoped that the roundtable interview would allow the participants to be more open and provide a fresh perspective to the talks.

Wada then shared his insights into online-gaming payment structures. He proposed a scenario for "volume-controlled charges," in which online games would be divided into chapters. The first chapter could be offered free for evaluation, with subsequent chapters requiring payments to continue playing. He also thinks that with the growth in "always-on" Internet connections, the "huge cost of debugging" to developers will decrease, as regular software updates will become possible. Wada also pointed out that the software updates would make it "easy to insert advertisements into games."

Unozawa then weighed in with his take on the impending battle between Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii. His opinion is that this purported clash of titans will actually be anticlimatic. "There will be no power struggle," he said.

Although praising the Wii's family-friendliness and synergy with the Nintendo DS, he added, "I'm unsure about its appeal to the main users, namely middle- and high-school students."

On the other hand, he was bullish on the PSP and PS3, which in his view fill "the demand for game hardware that can be enjoyed by individuals." Despite concerns that the PS3's price would make it prohibitively expensive, Unozawa has no fears. He asserted "the PlayStation 3 will sell, without question."

Like Wada, he too sees potential in shifting the billing structure of online games. For example, the game itself could be offered free, and users would be charged for items purchased.

169 Comments

  • den4sir

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 6:46 pm PT

    Everyone is arguing as if they have played with the unreleased consoles. Guess what? 99.3% of the people on this site haven't played with a Wii nor a PS3 and probably another 50% haven't played with an X360. Hey, I'm buying a PS3, and I might be one of the jackasses waiting in line to buy one too. Same for the Wii.
    And guess what? I'm going to see the same guy in line who said "PS3 or X360 or Wii, sucks." Everyone who has made over 100 posts on this site WILL own all 3 consoles. So who is everyone kidding?

  • e1viento

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 5:30 am PT

    nappan said:
    Bottom line: You are a fool if you really think you can predict these markets beyond the basic evident fact that none of the surviving big three console makers will ALL sell.

    The Xbox loss billions of dollars, and the X360 has not even made a dent in that deficit. However, you are correct when you say they will ALL sell.

    And all this Japan bashing is senseless. There was an American that tried to sell his ideas to GM and Chevy back in the '70s, but the American companies scoffed and laughed at him. So he went to Japan and taught them empowerment strategies for business... These same japanese businessmen, using an American's ideas... whose country laughed at, have dominated ever since.

    And if you don't know this little tidbit of information, you should never comment about boycotting japanese companies when YOUR OWN AMERICAN COUNTRY turned their back on one of the smartest Americans at the time. Don't get me wrong, I love America, I just don't like how the American ideal has deteriorated over time.

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Jul 8, 2006 11:13 pm PT

    I like how everybody talks like they already know how much the Wii is going to cost. Did I miss a Nintendo press conference where they announced that the price will be between 200 to 250 dollars? Let me know if I did or stop making numbers up.

  • maoonparas

    Posted Jul 8, 2006 5:52 am PT

    i hate console wars!

  • Yaridemus

    Posted Jul 8, 2006 12:14 am PT

    "Like Wada, he too sees potential in shifting the billing structure of online games. For example, the game itself could be offered free, and users would be charged for items purchased."

    Hahaha. BS. Why give away the software when you could plow another 60 bucks out of the unsuspecting consumer?

    And the Wii not selling to Middle and High-school students? Even IF there is a continuance of the demand from the PS2 to the PS3 among that group, most of those poor, poor people are...very very poor. I'm sure at least 60% or so of that market needs mommy and daddy to go out and buy for them, and what are they going to choose? The $600+ POS3 or the $250 Wii. Hmmm...tough choice for any parent...

  • crck

    Posted Jul 8, 2006 12:11 am PT

    "I'M AN AMERICAN, AND I SUPPORT "AMERICAN MADE"!!"

    You are a fool and sadly proud of it. Look at your xbox 360 box and take a peek at where the system is made. I dont even have to ask if you have one..... Calling another country racist living in a country that enslaved a whole race is just too funny.

    BTW the xbox 360 doesn't sell in Japan because their gamers do not enjoy running around a square area shooting at each other 4-5 hours a day. Then yay! the person who kills the most wins. Yes, americans love gunplay, hell they even started a war that is costing billions of tax dollars just so our young could run around and shoot people for real.

  • Devilwillcry

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 11:40 pm PT

    In the end, arent video games about... well, the games? I hate how everyone is saying the PS3 will not have the development support. why they say this is pointless. high development cost cna be both good and bad. EX: some game developers may choose to make a multiplat game exclusive to the PS3 because of the fact that they want to make the mos tout of a gmae and due to its high development cost, they will choose it and only it. things are very different this generation. each of the big three are offering very different experiences. we will be seeing more exclusives and less multiplat games due to the diversity in the consoles. the Wii has a unique controller, Sony has killer hardware and the same great 3rd party developer support they have always had (dont fool yourself, things are no different in that department), and Microsoft has affordable traditional hardware with a few great software franchises (though Sony dominates the software and 3rd party departments, they always have and it seems they always will.) I dont want to sound like a fanboy but anyoen who cant see the PS3 has the same best 3rd party software suppport PS1/2 had, well they are clearly blind. just take a second and look at the PS3's launch window titles and look at the 360's launch window titles. you will notice the PS3 has far more exlcusive and several multiplats. by all means it is better then the 360's launch line up. so my question is: why is everyone saying sony has no 3rd party support? from what I can see, it still has the best 3rd party support.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 5:49 pm PT

    way to go, Namco idiot. I used to be a Namco fan, how stupid do I feel ? yeah ps3 and psp forever. somebody show that moron a DS sales sheet. Wiiiiiiiiii !!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • MatthewNintendo

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 3:42 pm PT

    Isn't it funny how the 360 ain't even mentioned, goes to show that microsoft didn't even get permisson to lift off. But anyway I wouldn't believe most of what it's said, the market it unpredicatble, N64 failed to PS1 even though ninty was more dominenet, and most analysts believed to PSP would triumph over the DS yet it was the opposite, so I really don't care what is said here.

  • XAF1

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 2:31 pm PT

    We would have to consider that the points of views in that discussion are actually one sided and the individuals having said discussion know it. They are only discussing Japan and its online structure. In the U.S. and Europe gamers look at things a little differently. But, in all honesty Nintendo isn't trying to compete with Sony they are trying to fill the missing holes in gaming that both the PS3 and the Xbox360 are missing. So the Wii will probably do better than both the PS3 and the 360 in sells. The reason I say this is that a good number of people in the U.S. and Europe who have the 360 will probably buy the Wii because it is easily affordable and has good games they can only get on it. A number of people in Japan will probably go for the Wii first because of pricing and wait to see how the PS3 does. Sony's biggest selling area this time will be Japan but I don't think Nintendo will be in 2nd place this time in Japan but first just out of Japanese gamers's curiosty about the Wii. The online setup in Japan might have to be revamped a little for gamers there to invest in it more. And before I hear it no I'm not a Nintendo Fanboy. I own the 360 and plan to own the Wii and PS3 eventually in that order. It's all about the games. But for online gaming I will stick with Xbox Live. I have been very pleased with Xbox Live from its beginning on Xbox to its coming of age on Xbox360.

  • schmiede

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 1:44 pm PT

    I'm glad the article provided the link to famitsu.com. I really needed to get caught up on the latest 普段の授業”に参加できない“.

  • zekere

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 12:40 pm PT

    It's all about commerce . In the end, you can fight and wage war on each other , the one who sells most is the winner, plain and simple . And that doesn't have to be the best ( Atari Jaguar, Sega Dreamcast and Neo Geo were the best in their age, but they died a horrible death due to software lack ) . If developpers think the PS3 is too expensive to make games for and 360 games are cheaper, then X-box360 will win the console wars . And unfortunately, there's another factor that has to be taken into account . Technology is so fast these days that if your product fails to arrive in time , you can shut your doors and it's game over .Software is more important than hardware , developpers know this .
    In the end, it will be the system with the most support that wins the console war , and be very careful, because PS1 wasn't the best system available when Sony became leader in the market . The company who sells the most is the console wars winner .

  • Zane182

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 11:53 am PT

    There was a patent to prove Sony had thought of some sort of motion sensing technology in 1997.

    However before the Nintendo fanboys go off on one. ARCADES were the first to use motion sensing, remember the penalty shootout games with the footballs? and the bowling games with the dodgy ball? Motion sensing isn't new tech it's been around for years it's just being brought mainstream by Nintendo and Sony now.

    Finally, people are positively commenting on the PS3. Only 2 things bad are the price and lack of a rumble. But once third-partys start making rumble/motion pads, Sony will twig and I think they'll use Immersion's touchsense and work with Immersion, as Immersion have already stated they do want to work with Sony.

    All 3 consoles will do well. People who are true gamers know to go where their favourite software is, rather than debate over the hardware.

    I'll be buying a PS3 and a Wii, as I'm an FF and a Sonic fan. And FF: CC and Sonic Wild Fire look good on the Wii.

    If something caught my eye on the Xbox 360 I might buy one in the future maybe. Perhaps if Halo 3 and Fable 2 turn out to be good I'll invest. Only games im interested in are Elder Scrolls IV and DOA4 and I have Elder Scrolls on the PC I don't want to rebuy it.

    But I'm sure software that suits me will turn up there soon. The real winner of any console generation is the consumers, and that's not about to change.

  • EMAN2g

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 11:09 am PT

    >_>

  • nappan

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 10:50 am PT

    "SO, if the guys have their way, we'll get unfinished, overpriced, buggy games full of advertising over the internet. Hooray. I hate Japan ever so much."

    If you don't want advertisements, don't play or buy those games. Don't hook it online. Write some letters. Start a campaign. Stop whining and playing with your pizzle while you eat cheetos and rattle on about matters you barely understand. Lets face it, the future of a market is absolutely out of the intellectual reach of MOST of the people here. If it were not, more people would use words like "might, may, probably, possibly" instead of "suxxors, roxxors, smash, etc". Bottom line: You are a fool if you really think you can predict these markets beyond the basic evident fact that none of the surviving big three console makers will ALL sell.

    Winners, Losers... ha. You think they wont' all make money? Oh, and this constant anti-japanese rhetoric is hilarious... the ignorance and racism is just so precious. Sometimes I forget that I live in a country that got us two terms of W. Bush. Sometimes I wish I could forget, that we have a midwest and a south. Can you imagine how vastly improved these boards would be if you took a knife and just sliced the middle of the USA out of the picture and went bi-coastal instead. Ahhh to dream.

  • golden_ashen

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 10:17 am PT

    Lol, there are some haters of the PS3 here aren't there, I bet you wait around for news on it so you can bash it

    To say Japanese are racist is just stupid, they don't want Xbox as they arre loyal consumers, no one told Americans to buy PS3 or Wii, but they did anyway, Japan is just supporting thier race and thier companies, why is that racist? Think before making comments like that, it raises hatred over something silly such as game consoles.

    I can't imagine myself waiting around for Xbox news just so I can go and bash it, how sad.

    A person that pays high price for PS3 is not an iddiot, it is a person who happens to like that console and its games, I should laugh at a majority of you in that case for paying for overpriced things when you could buy cheaper. I'm not going to buy Xbox, I couldn't care less how cheap it is, unless it was $10 of course Simply because it is pointless for me and I don't like the games. Xbox ppl, why pay for overpriced Xbox anyway when you could buy Wii for half the price?

  • osheamo

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 10:01 am PT

    I can see it now, gun still smoking after a gigantic battle, camera swings around so you can see the latest bill boards.

  • hiro18

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 9:44 am PT

    iv'e had a funny history sony's console first the fact that most people had to mail they're ps2's back cause of the F**** up optical laser the question is will they ship us another F**** up one again and if so why pay all this money and take the leap of faith all ihave to say is this if problem happens again alot of consumers are gonna hate sony for this nonquality and dysfunctional hardware at launch and P.s has anyone EVER!! had to complain about NINtendo's hardware no ! My point is this I don't spend 700 Bucks to send it back to the company if anyone was smart WAIT!! And start small with a 360 or the WII (can't WAIT!!!!)and save your Nickels and Dimes for the next shipment of Ps3's(MGS4 Will make you wanna slap your mama!!) Cause one thing the industry is infamous for is rushing the MARKET and for me ps3 is just a pipe dream for now and the only thing on my membrane is the wii it's refreshing to see nintendo take a leap like this cause intentionally the controller scheme sounds intimidating but imagine the wiimote as a c-stick
    cause that's what it is and the other motion sensor as a bonus For a even crazier experience and that's not including the tilt feature which is in both of the controls BUT compared to the ps3 motion controller it's like comparing apples and oranges (SERIOUSLY!!!!!!)

  • Tomtomtom1990

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 9:04 am PT

    SO, if the guys have their way, we'll get unfinished, overpriced, buggy games full of advertising over the internet. Hooray. I hate Japan ever so much.

  • xxneosethxx

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 8:44 am PT

    Why is everyone complaining about the price its really not that much. People spend $400 on cell phones that play mp3's and take pictures like the Motorola Razor when if first came out. What makes you think people wont shell out the $600 for a PS3.

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 8:24 am PT

    Yeah, the PS3 will sell, but only to Sony fanboys and people who want to shell out a hefty amount of cash for a game console. Wii will do a lot better than the PS3.

    mhder said:
    "KhaoZn
    I'M AN AMERICAN, AND I SUPPORT "AMERICAN MADE"!!

    Yeah, made in foreign country with foreign parts. I see they're doing their part to keep manufacturing jobs in the USA."

    rofl, so true.

  • Sonicplys

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 7:55 am PT

    SONY and MICROSOFT got OWNED by NINTENDO....

  • Konfusion

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 7:22 am PT

    PS3 will sell, no question. But reach 100,000,000? ROFFLES.

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 7:08 am PT

    The PS3 may be expensive, but it will sell. No question. I hope to eventually have all three next-gen systems, but the PS3 will be the last one I buy.

  • nappan

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 7:05 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • FFObsessed

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 6:25 am PT

    On the other hand, he was bullish on the PSP and PS3, which in his view fill "the demand for game hardware that can be enjoyed by individuals." Despite concerns that the PS3's price would make it prohibitively expensive, Unozawa has no fears. He asserted "the PlayStation 3 will sell, without question."

    Finally some one has had the sense to say it.

    On a lighter note, looks like the 360 is dead already...

  • Wario_and_Fox

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 4:35 am PT

    To those who say Sony automatically wins because they have been dominating, thats never a sure fact

    Cases in point: Atari, Nintendo

  • mhder

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 3:24 am PT

    grave_rob
    When I 1st heard the price announcement way back when I remember thinking: 'for $600 it better do my laundry AND give back massages'
    I know I'm not alone when I say I'm NOT dropping $600+ on a PS3. I've had some really good times with my PS2, but having loyalty for a company is ridiculous. They need to realize the price must be reasonable or we'll refuse to pay.

    What is your definition of reasonable? It seems that the PS3 is worth the price they are charging. You think a diamond ring is worth $10000? People buy those. If they have the software to back it up, people (besides their fanbase) will buy it.

  • scruffybawls

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 3:21 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • mhder

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 3:17 am PT

    rob3nelson
    The WII will appeal to small children. Adults will buy a system with better graphics. The PS3 will be out of the reach of most consumers. Also, in Japan, they are conditioned to buy Japanese and to think their products are better than everyone else's. The end result will be many Japanese will be disappointed. Microsoft should just forget Japan and focus on gaining market share here and in Europe.

    Conditioned to think they are better? Countless years of reliability has proven that Japanese electronics are always better. And apparently by Toyota leading the US in cars sales, More and more americans are waking up to the fact that Japanese electronics/manufacturing is more reliable.

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 3:04 am PT

    This guys haven't said nothing special. The online stuff is already happening. Hello!?

  • 1SleepyGit

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 2:56 am PT

    Hmm, I really do not like the bit about advertising in games. Why do they speak like its something that is good for us and not just for them? Lets face it, we pay enough for games as it is, and advertisments will not reduce the cost as the companies will just use it to make greater profits, not pass the savings onto us (look at how it happens in other businesses, once consumers get used to paying a certain price for something companies will not lower the price even if they get other methods of revenue from the same product).

  • rynmls

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 1:31 am PT

    who will win ps3 or wii...

  • Cynaru

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 1:15 am PT

    "Newsflash: 360 is already a success, PS3 will almost certainly succeed, and unless everything that's been said about the Wii is a lie, it will succeed as well. The gaming market is growing, and expandng to new international territory. Frankly, many people will probably buy multiple consoles over time, because people buy FOR GAMES, not for idiot fanboyism."

    If you call a success selling less than their predecessor did in a similiar timeframe and losing a lot of money than yes, the 360 was a success, however, you'd be out of a job. :]

  • daqua_99

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 1:05 am PT

    Well, really, I can't wait to see who wins --- the Wii or PS3 or 360 ... personally I don't care what there 'experts' say ...

  • neoand12

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 11:32 pm PT

    everyday I read these comments and I see Fanboys everywhere!, Haters on the PS3 well all system will do well if you like it or not Sony, MS and Nintendo is not going anywhere and if the PS3 is in 3rd SO WHAT the first xbox was in 3rd and came in 2nd but it was a good system and yeah nintendo wii is mostly for kids I not into it at all but what ever you like get it don't bash a system.

  • SUB_0_

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 11:26 pm PT

    Its funny how the DS outsold the PSP n the PSP is more powerful; Dont you think the same thing will happen with the WII vs. PS3?

  • grnidbandit

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 9:35 pm PT

    finally someone that makes sense, hes right ps3 will sell, everyones complaining about price, truth of the matter is people will pay whatever to own a ps3 especially in japan, just look at what people paid for the 360 on eba, yeah ps3 will be sold out on launch, mainly due to shortages even though they are saying to have about 2 million on launch, once prices drop sony will climb high and climb fast

  • stephbm6

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 9:13 pm PT

    why dose everyone complain so much about the systems. Just buy the ones you like it's that simple i'll still buy the ps3 (already have the 360) and maybe the wii but for the war comming i think the 360 will win

  • nappan

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 7:18 pm PT

    Jestarius said: "research prices before you post, at least."

    Ipod. Check the sales numbers. If sony sells that many PS3's while they are still $600 they'd be THRILLED. Your post is simply screaming "it's easier to say 'do research prices' than it is to research sales numbers at given price points". Don't make a post that can be refuted by citing a SINGLE PRODUCT. Sheesh. Or just read zhuojloh's response. Either way...

    rob3nelson said: "The WII will appeal to small children. Adults will buy a system with better graphics. The PS3 will be out of the reach of most consumers."

    You have got to be kidding me. First of all, why would Nintendo go from gamecube targeting younger kids, then working their way into an older market with games like RE4, suddenly go back to square one with their new console? Did you even BOTHER to think that through? As for the PS3 being out of the reach of most consumers... see previous posts. Seriously, just think for a MINUTE before you start making the most absurd generalizations.

    Newsflash: 360 is already a success, PS3 will almost certainly succeed, and unless everything that's been said about the Wii is a lie, it will succeed as well. The gaming market is growing, and expandng to new international territory. Frankly, many people will probably buy multiple consoles over time, because people buy FOR GAMES, not for idiot fanboyism.

  • TheGrandMiG

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 7:13 pm PT

    that stupid "chapter" online payment is not my cup of tea. I for one really hate microtransactions. Its just a cheap way for devs to get a little extra cash. that content should be free

    And would people stop dissing the Wii. No of you (including I) can predict the future, so be hopeful for the darn thing. IF it blows, it blows. Until then, lets just sit back, and watch the battle ensue...

  • rey06

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 7:11 pm PT

    All I can say is..... wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
    -i love my PS2 and gamecube!!/DS too!!

  • Cbot

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 6:50 pm PT

    Man I can't wait for the PS3.The PS3 is the console I always desire.Why?Because it will use the potential of the internet and also do stuff that I do on my PC.Call me fanboy whatsoever.THE PS3 WILL RULES!!!

    PS:I had a PS2 but sold it because I wasn't satisfied with the hardware.

  • SqueekyPants

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 6:47 pm PT

    Let's see the GAMES FIRST!!! no, seriously, I buy consoles only because of the games. I bought my gamecube for smashbros (I actually bought melee before I got the gamecube), I bought my PS for DDR, I bought my PS2 for Final Fantasy X, and I'm buying another ps2 for FFXII (because I tried to mod mine to play it early), So to me, it seriously doesn't matter how good a console is going to be until there's a game worth playing. The biggest reason I haven't hopped on the nextgen 360 boat is because there really isn't anything drastically new that I can do on it (since I can play Oblivion on my pc). The bottom line, if the console big-wigs want my money, they'd better contract quality developers and make some freaqin' awesome games, because that's what sells consoles to me.

  • zash

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 6:38 pm PT

    I know this is Sony territory seeing as how the Topic is about Sony but GOD DMN you guys ride Sony big time. I bet you people dream about Sony and I know some of you do! Man even when I go to the topics about Xbox it NEVER gets this bad. Some of you need to get a life, and stop worshiping Sony because their not sitting so pretty, remember they had to lay off 10,000 employess not too long ago and they need the PS3 to perform extremely well. All I got to say to Sony is Gokouun o inorimasu, because their gonna need it. Nah but seriously I hope Sony does do great because like jackle29 said "competition is a great thing for this industry and we'd be morons to hope for any of the 3 to fail," which is so true and why I will be getting all 3 but the PS3 might have to wait a little while before I buy one, maybe like a month or I might have to wait longer if it gets sold out. Stay strong Wii, Xbox and yes even you Sony!!!

    PS: To all the people who keep bashing America and the XBox while riding Japan because of it's PS3 / ANIMES / MANGAS and VIDEYA GAMES that are anime based mostly. I just got few things to say....AT LEAST WE GOT A SYSTEM!!! BUUYAAH!!!!!!!!!! LOL! Just kiddin though ya great! This topic is already old to me.... well on to another topic!

  • zhuojloh

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 6:19 pm PT

    "research prices before you post, at least.",
    Jestarius, before you ask others to research, you indeed must research.

    "ipods they tend for the nanos and shuffles, also in the $100-$200 range"
    Indeed Ipod have nanos and shuffles, but compare to their competitors, they are still seriously overprice even with 50-100% more. Despite lack of navigating menu and overpriced, Ipod shuffles still sold like hot cakes. The fact that Ipod are already dominating MP3 market even before shuffles and Nano appeared. During that time Ipod were selling at least 300+ per piece.

    "and as for a razr phone...you get it for $25 with a 2 year contract."
    When Razr just came out, new adopter had to fork out $200-$300 dollars and one year agreement to get the deal. However that does not stop it from selling. If you want to compare now, of course new phones came out and price are getting cheaper. Hey what dont you buy a gamecube or GBA now, it's dirt cheap now too.

  • infrared13

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 6:08 pm PT

    I don’t get it. Everyone thinks Wii is new Tech. I remember walking mall and seeing a kiosk selling tennis and baseball games that had motion sensitive controllers, I wasn’t interested then, I’m not interested now. I really don’t want to sit in my house swinging my arms around playing what amounts to mini games. The other part of the Wii is a light gun, big deal. I’m sure Sony copied the idea, somehow got the patents filed and developed it in a week, right. Also Microsoft had a motion sensitive controller years ago called the sidewinder - so I guess the Wii stole from M$, oh and Sony brought the first true 3d rendering system to the home console market so I guess everyone copied them. I hope no one comes out with a camera that’s Sony. Oh yea, putting dual analog sticks on the controller - Sony. M$ and Sony are setting up the online like PC online games have always been, so I guess that’s being copied. Both M$ and Sony have MMORP so I think they know how to set up online communities, and have done it. Sony didn’t do it for PS2 because they didn’t believe enough home users were online with broadband. They are all in the same business, of course there is crossover, like anything you can look at. Oh and Sony first to use CD format on consoles, big N pushing for cartridge (because the great N was looking at the $ and charged developers for each cartridge to which N owned the factory) well guess they all copied Sony on that too.

  • rob3nelson

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 6:04 pm PT

    The WII will appeal to small children. Adults will buy a system with better graphics. The PS3 will be out of the reach of most consumers. Also, in Japan, they are conditioned to buy Japanese and to think their products are better than everyone else's. The end result will be many Japanese will be disappointed. Microsoft should just forget Japan and focus on gaining market share here and in Europe.

  • diesil

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 5:53 pm PT

    im tired of people that are sony fanboys and microsoft fanboys and nintendo fanboys argueing about what consoles are better personally i like them all the same and i have all of them not that im bragging i just buy a game or console because its good not because some company i like made it

  • ifgriffi

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 5:48 pm PT

    I for one am getting a Wii at launch, for a few reasons. Wii is inexpensive and I hate spending a lot of money (PS3 is au$999 here) on hardware that will be obsolete in a few years anyway (and it will, don't even pretend that PS3 is any more "future proof" than any other console ever). Wii also has the benefit of not practically requiring me to buy a brand new TV to really see the difference from the previous generation, which is nice. Also, now that I'm married I want a system that I can enjoy with my wife, who likes playing games but not the testosterone-dripping, brain-splattering, prostitute-shooting sort of game that has for some reason been branded "mature" by this industry (I thought ridiculous over the top violence was good for a chuckle when I was 15, but not so much now). Finally, I'm genuinely interested in the Wii's controller and the new sorts of games that will inevitably be made for it.

    As for Japan, I can actually see Wii doing quite well over there. If anything, gamers in Japan are more willing to try out new different ideas (witness the huge amount of quirky Japan-only software and peripherals that have been released over the years). The DS vs PSP struggle is still reasonably close in the States, but it was an absolute blowout in Japan, so the Nintendo brand has definitely gained quite a bit of credibility. Also, the economy over there isn't nearly as strong as it was, and polls seem to indicate that a lot of Japanese people are not happy with the high price point of PS3.

    I have no doubt that PS3 will sell reasonably well on both sides of the Pacific (and even down here), but I doubt it will be the one "gotta have it" console that PS2 was last generation. But hey, a more balanced competition should keep all 3 companies on their toes and ensure plenty of great games for all.

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