I'm totally mystified by Microsoft's lack of GTA IV 360 marketing. What a way to throw a chunk of the market share away...

There's a typo in the title.

It should read, "Why Sony has won the next-gen race"

Race? Surely MS should be disqualified for a foul start then?

THE TORTOISE WILL WIN THE RACE!!!! Just ask the hare...

Fine, the 360 has DLC coming in the fall, so what? If I didn't have a console and was trying to decide, I would be thinking about GT5P and maybe Haze and MGS4, the game that's just as big as GTA4. I'd take those over extra content any day. It's no contest.

Microsoft has really tried to make GTA not associated with the Sony brand. From buying the episodes, to the infamous GTA IV tattoo on Peter Moore but they have yet to have any success.

GTA IV will be unlike anything we've ever seen before. Halo 3's launch is going to look like a party at your grandma's.

Basically anyone who owned a PS2 so they could play GTA and Football games and who hasn't yet made the jump to next gen is GOING to make the jump for this game. But unless they start shouting soon then none of these people will be jumping to their ship.

I should have mentioned this in my article, but to be honest- it's pretty obvious...

As for stuff like Haze, it's going to flop. Anything released in may isn't going to sell, because GTA is going to absolutely dominate the world until at least the end of june. I wouldn't be surprised if MGS suffers...

After reading your article I only sense one issue. Thing is we all know about DLC but at the end of the day the people who have yet to buy a console look at their choices. Those are GTA4 and soon MGS4 GT5 and GOW3 + Blu Ray. Or put their faith in MS. For the DLC you need a hard drive. That tacs on a little more cash and then if you want to play online thats 5$ a month... Then you have to pay for the DLC and who knows what that will cost.... What is the DLC? Details? Truth is a lot of people just don't trust MS as a company. I don't and when they hear from hardcore gamers things like 30% fail rate and no new games coming out and no HD unless you buy X model and on and on... People look at the PS3 and know the Sony brand for Hardware as opposed to a flawed Software company which MS has always been... That and the fact that GTA is a PS original...

Look fanboys and fan gals I own all consoles PSP DS WII PS3 and 360. I play them all. I spent a good 4 hours playin 360 with my GF last night. I am not a fan boy no matter how many disagrees you throw my way. I am just trying to make sense to people. There are reasons why the PS3 is selling and its not "Current library" or "Online services" it's plain and simple potential. The 360 has had a good run and is far from dead but you can't stay on top forver. Especially without new age options like free to play and HD capabilities and Hard Drives in a new age of gaming...

My guess is MS approached RockStar with the intent of making GTAIV an exclusive with that 50m and RockStar declined (rightfully so). Maybe they offered more than 50m, who knows. In any case, I'll bet they settled for DLC as an alternative to getting it exclusive.

If I had the 50m, I would have at least tried for a timed exclusive release. Maybe 3-4 months on the 360 then release on the PS3. That to me would have been a better message to sell consoles than DLC.

I heard that the commadore 64 is coming out with a new peripheral and is going to kick @ss

Look at the 360 sales falling further and further behind month by month. Look at ps3's game lineup this year and next.

That is all

Is that really how much they paid? That's a staggering amount of money. I could buy so many wine gums with that much cash :)

I have a PS3 but I'm quite neutral about which console will do better as a result of GTA4. Fact is that the PS3 has other great games on the horizon plus the aility to double as a blueray player that should help it edge forward. I'm glad of the competition quite frankly - it's good for us gamers!

I don't think we will see a clear winner anytime soon, sure Sony has started outselling the 360, and will see a good 2008/09, but the real problem is Microsoft will definitely see its current state and will announce a new console in 2009 and release it in 2010. They more money then the budget of many third world countries combined. That will really create a mess, because I don't see Sony ready for a new console. PS2 is still has atleast around 2- 2.5 years of life, while ps3 has just started. So what I see is Microsoft will pullout from this race & start a new race on there on all together. Again this is all speculation based on rumors and some facts that are obvious. 360 wasn't future proof, & i don't think it was meant to be. It has great games and it has great exclusive games this year. But still it hasn't captures the mass market. The articles puts a very valid point. People won't just buy a console just because GTA4 is getting some exclusive content that Microsoft isn't really telling what it is. They are gonna get a PS3 because by the time they will get done with GTA4, they will get MGS4 the mother of all exclusive and then Sony starts bombarding exclusive through out till next year.

I really dont think it matter unless you work for Sony or Microsoft.
all I can say is Microsoft has done better with this 360 from the original xbox. I would also say that the comption between the two is very good for the customers. In the end I guess will have to see how it pans out. Im not sure if I really like that type of games and might not ever buy it, but I will check reviews rent it or borough from a friend. am a xbox owner and love the games that come out for it, there are games that look to be good for the ps3 and ps3 owners have some good stuff coming there way. maybe down the road in a year or two I will own both that best of both worlds.

So I say let the war begin because it good for all of the game players
-Tom

knows the outcome of this generation, when it all started who would have thought the wii would do so well, and everyone were saying the ps3 would have sold more than both the wii and the xbox360 after a year of its release, end of the day it onl really matters to shareholders and fan boys, the rest of us a winners what ever the out come

There's rumour of a wii like controller for the 360 at the end of this year and people are saying MS has given up on it?

My point is not about the wii controller by the way, it's just that people are writing off the 360 when clearly there is still development going on for it.

ps3 has been selling better the past few months, but what about the previous 12-15 months? No doubt the ps3 will catch up to the 360 and maybe the wii but not within the next few years (unless they come up with an amazing price drop)

that something may really be up with this.Microsoft would NEVER let an opportunity pass them by,they're not the company that just sits idly waiting for the market to turn in their favor,THEY turn the market in their favor...

remember Halo 3?You couldn't visit any website without seeing a banner/ad for the game.If you brush this off because it was a first party title,then what about Madden 08?I swear,80% of the ads I saw for that game were for the 360 version.

so with that said ^,why have they been so quiet?My theory:They know GTA4 will be delayed again because of EA.

if it does get delayed because of EA,I won't be buying it. MGS4+MGO will keep me more than entertained until Killzone and Gears of War arrive.

I think this guy has a good point about MS needing to appeal to the casual gamer like two weeks ago. This game is coming out in less then 3 weeks and I haven't seen a commercial, seen an ad in a game magazine, or even a banner on a website even mentioning this exclusive 360 content.

While I'm certain MS will step up their game soon, which they MUST do. They need to start hitting those casual gamers that would just by happenstance saunter up to their local gaming store to find that GTA4 is out. The need to open up a can of "Media Blitz" soon before it expires gets misshelved, and lost behind that can of "Pimp My Ride" for 360 http://xbox360.ign.com/arti...

For the sonyfanboys i really hope all these titles coming out are good, cause if they are not your putting your whole lunch on these titles being good. Then you can buy furniture for home if they are not.

And also anybody that owns a 360 knows GTA is coming out for the console. We will see what the numbers are in the first week of sales.

Will have the best line up of games of all times.

Ok even if the 360 has Speical DLC.. People that havent bought a next gen console yet.. They will weigh their options.. Just because ONE game has special features doesnt mean it will sell consoles.. Consumers that havent bought one yet are prolly PS2 owners that havent upgraded.. Or casual gamers that still havent bought a console period.. They will look at which is best for price.. and With Free online Blu ray and the best 08 Lineup.. Its easy to see that people will buy PS3..but to say PS3 will win because of this one game.. stupid

Wow nice comeback how original......Like he said less talky and more play.

This thread sure was full of level-headed comments =)

<sarcasm />

:)

Wouldn't be surprised if they won the sales race. But saying that my Ps3 isnt used much at the moment. Im into online play and the Ps3's online seems deathly quit compared to the 360's. Its like playing on your own sometimes. Thats why im getting battlefied bad company on 360 rather than ps3. At least my team mates will talk to me.
Im really hoping MGS will be the killer game im waiting for because so far the ps3 is lacking in quality titles compared to xbox.
I had hoped prologue would be it but having played it for a week now i feel a bit let down. Graphics are amazing but the online sucks and its not as playable as Forza.
I really want the PS3 to wow me.
A lot of my friends who have 360's are looking for an excuse to spend cash on a Ps3. Like me there hopes were on GT being great so they could justify the purchase and like me they went back to Forza2. Now its up to MGS.
My friends want the Ps3 but there not going to buy it unless theres something special on it that will wow them away from there 360's.

My sixasis controller isnt going to win this generation it has white powdery residue coming from the 2 stix lol :)

Fellow Sony Soldiers, your all gonna be stunned with excitement when OpenGL MT Evans arrives, the PS3 is going to murder any system out there hahahahaha.

and if you want proof xbots here it is.

"Next Generation OpenGL “Mount Evans” will leverage OpenGL ES 2.0
- Adding significant new functionality to the streamlined OpenGL ES 2.0 core"

On page 6

http://www.khronos.org/deve...

and I'm not sure about "Halti" of what it says on that link above, but I believe that will be even BETTER, but I'm sure that will be due in 2010 (remember, Sony wants to make the ps3 last 10 years). Also, Ever thought that the RSX SUPPORTS OpenGL ES 2.0?

"Support for OpenGL ES 2.0"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Mt Evans is simply a DirectX 10 equivalent. It's a great time for ps3 owners right now. Ever thought why Home was delayed? it was to improve the quality! which could likely mean Mt Evans!!, MGS4 was delayed for the same reason too!!.

EDIT:

@the tard below

LOL, you make me laugh, is your 360 in repairs?, you post here every day hahahahaha.

I still do, but not because of this. MS will advertise the sh1t out of this come 29th don't worry. But that won't change much either.
Fact is, 360 is only hugely popular on it's own soil. To win a global console war, you have to be successful over seas too.

xbox will never see the kinds of sales numbers the Playstation brand has sold...nothing wrong with xbox...i had the first one and will get the 360...i don't even think Nintendo has had a system sell 100 million units...Sony has done it twice back to back...the Playstation brand is a force to be reckoned with

lol... Microsoft do not have to win this gen... why should they? All they need to do is gain more marketshare and be profitable... any person with brain knows that. If one look into microsoft history, they usually don't take over a market on the first or even second version of the product... they are know for being persistant until the competing company drops the ball or is not able to complete do to constant assaults...

Microsoft went from no brand in the gaming industry... to giving Sony a run for their money... regardless of Sony strong brand recognition and selling over a hundred million PS2....

This time the xbox 360 is millions ahead of the PS3 in many regions including the US which is the biggest most important region in terms of sales... (most profitable)... If microsoft can control 40% of all game revenues this generation (including game sells).... gain and stablish a strong brand recognition... they will not have a hard time taking over and controlling everything on the next gen... which will probably be 2-3 years from now..... probably 2 years ahead of Sony next gen console....

By releasing the xbox 360 first...microsoft can always release the next xbox 2-3 years ahead of Sony... now imagine the next xbox with 8-10 cores 3Ghrz, with 2GB of ram, DirectX XI competing against the PS3?

Already stablished xbox live arcade games, and BC... Yeah... Sony may be able to beat the xbox 360 in terms of sales before the next xbox is released... but the next xbox will give Sony a big blow marketshare..

Sorry xbots, but that there is a fair non biased opinion. It also makes sense. lets see you you xbots make sense around this article.

They made every smart move possible. Though rough in the beginning they forsaw the future and really made the ps3 about the future, not just 2007. GTA 4 will change it all. Its 2001 all over again.

Sony is going to win because of several reasons.
1.) Blu-ray: Helps for the perfect movie player, game maker, and makes visuals that can only be found on the PS3.
2.) Built for the long run.- Let's be honest with ourselves everyone knows now that Sony studied hard to make sure the PS3 was built to last with all the best parts and all the best developers.
3.) Developers keep seeing better games as they learn to master the PS3.- Have anyone of you seen what developers have been doing? Just look at all the exclusives and you tell me hell some of those games like GT5, MGS4, KZ2, R2, etc. can only be made on the PS3.
4.) Potential for better programs and accessories.
ex.) Home, Play TV, Linux, Eye Create, New PSN Store, New Video Store, etc.
That's just a sample for you that the PS3 will win.
PS4 and B3YOND will be no different!
Getting better and so advanced that it defines gaming between reality.

PS3 is loosing money hand over foot with the overpriced PS3, they was forced to lower the price on it way before they planned as well. This added to there massive loss in revenue. The 360 is making much more money than sony, and when they lower the 360's price in the USA the 360 will leave the PS3 even further behind. The USA is where the money and profit is, and the 360 is creaming the PS3 in lifetime sales.

When will the gaming media stop asking this stupid question just to get fanboys fired up?!

I initially wanted a ps3 but unfortunately had some issues with sony over the familiar DRE problems and what with the delays and having borrowed an original xbox i decided to go with the 360. I know of the problems with the early 360's and i beleive this should have been sorted much sooner but its at least being sorted now. i heard all the claims of sony for the PS3 befor its launch and who can honestly say they have even come close to what they promised. Its not the machines fault i just feel they hyped it to stupid lengths...4d etc. I do like sony products but after owning previous consoles i am verry happy with the 360 and have 24 games for it that i still play and enjoy. I have a launch console that luckily has never let me down although 2 of my friends havent been so lucky and have needed repairs but bothe were happy with the service they received.
I dont dislike the ps3 as such...im aware of its good points such as having a built in blue ray drive and being much more reliable than the old x box 360's but my big problem with it is the way lots of people (not all) seem to beleive the hype too much with sony. I looked at the screenshots of call of duty 4 and although they were screenshots i could see the detail was better in the 360 version (not by a huge ammount though) yet some people on the ps3 camp would say that there were obvious differences that made the sony version a lot better and that evreyone was smoking something if they didnt see it the same way. I have seen this sort of thing a lot over the last 2 years. I do think the ps3 is good capable machine but i was suckered with the ps2 emotion engine thing (im sure im not the only one who thinks like this) and now im a tad suspicious of sony. But i do beleive we need both consoles to keep things and competive so that good games come out and to keep prices down so i say fairplay to all console manufacturers and i hope neither machine gains too big a lead over the other for this reason.

it really doesn't matter who wins so long as there are still three via competitors in the next next generation to help keep cost down for the consumer.

From all the early reviews I have read the PS3 version is better. The 8 min install time ensures the game runs smoothly. Not to mention several reviews have pointed out their are more cpc's in the PS3 version and the PS3 has splitscreen multiplayer which is not found in the Xbox version. Xbox graphics are shiny, w/ PS3 the system allows you to tweak the graphics.

The only upside to the 360 version is the custom soundtracks. Oh yeah, and the DLC, but lets be honest, thats more of an afterthought. From what I read over 60% of people who buy this game will have to get the DLC before MS makes a profit. This is highly unlikely due to the fact that most sells will come from casual gamers who don't really get online.

"I heard that the commadore 64 is coming out with a new peripheral and is going to kick @ss"

Your facts aren't quite right. It's a gamecube with a new peripheral and it already came out in 2006.

common... the 360 was great, it was a PS2 that could do 720p vs 480p graphic. it was very smart for microsoft to get this thing out ASAP while there were no other systems that could even do HD. but that day is long gone now... not "its commong soon" or "now its finally here" its "LONG GONE" with the 360 very old hardware including DVD drive, non motion controler, and freaking memory cards, not to say the fact it dose not have some "standards" like wifi or an internet browser, the effects of rushing something into production are now showing their ulgy head.

you just need to look at history, like the dreamcast, or Sega CD as examples, they did EXACTLY what microsoft did and intended to do, get a few years of sales then drop the race.

anyway, GTA is for people intrested in criminals. anyone who plays this you can really test their morals. espically on the 360 with added criminal content.

the fanboy that wrote this article is delusional, unless sony retains the same marketshare of 120+ million they had with the ps2, and has it before the next MS, and nintendo's next gen, they lose.

it's just simple math, say in 2011 MS and nintendo release their new consoles(which is quite likely) and at that point the wii has 100 million customers (these are the estimates from thesimexchange)ps3 has 60-70 million and 360 has 55-60 million.

nintendo HUGELY increased their marketshare, MS increased their marketshare, and sony's will have dropped by 40 million.

you can talk to any analyst in the world, and I doubt any of them will say that losing 30-40% of your marketshare is a victory.

cheers!

sony will win.everybody knows that.then what? are games going to play better because they sell more?if ms wins.will they make LIVE free?nintendo has been winning already,and their games do not look or play better. weather sony or ms wins,nobody should celebrate.if u look at the big picture.both these companies help elongate unjust wars with our money,suplying goverments,friendly or not,with logistics,tech,knowhow and even field operatives.they pollute and pillage the earth everywhere or atleast in the caribean.that's what happens in the real world outside videogames.it's good to exchange opinions to get away from it all,but u don't want to get too far away.thats just makes u crazy.