I get the idea MS only green-lighted this after they found out about Sony's new survival horror game. Considering all the rumblings we heard about the first game not selling enough for MS to pay for a sequel.
Really makes me wonder if they held this announcement off to match Sony's TheLastofUs announcement. It could be the other way around too, but It does seem strange two each console getting a survival horror announcement at the same time.
Cost is a big factor, unfortunately that game is actually 'upfront cost' instead of actual cost. Powerful hardware is very important to selling a new console, and the 'most powerful' console will have an advantage next gen. Although we will certainly hear a mixed message from various media outlets and the console makers themselves. This is where the hardware difference becomes less important - because people are easily mislead by clever marketing. Therefore 'perceived c...
About the 'more expensive system' argument: I think that kind of justification is going to be there regardless if one is more expensive than the other. People will defend their own investment regardless of how much it was, because to a lot of people they require significant initial investment. I know some fanboys get hostile defending paying for online access for instance.
I keep reading the reports about Xbox live accounts being hacked and charged. MS tried to pretend like it was some elaborate phishing scam, deflecting the blame from their end - yet the personal reports show otherwise. Where is the evidence that this is some elaborate phishing scam? surely someone would post screenshots of it in action as its pretty widespread? If it's a keylogger, who actually logs in via their pc anyways?
99% chance of this being people caught in a phi...
When I saw "I am Legend" I couldn't help but think it would make such an awesome video game. Maybe we'll get something similar, but hopefully they steer away from zombie cliches. I'd love to walk around in an open world empty city being the only person alive, or one of the few left alive without the apocalyptic wasteland stuff we see in borderlands, rage, fallout ect, ect. It's always fascinating to think what 'you' would do in that scenario, maybe in a ga...
"Strangely, it would appear that the digital sales of Alan Wake weren't counted but the digital sales for Halo Reach were." How fun it is to be a business partner with Microsoft: they shaft you on counting bundled sales so they can get a better deal on the next game - while at the same time count bundled/digital sales for Fable, Halo, and Forza.
The old Socom games on PS2 used to define rank based on how good you were compared to other players, there was very little leveling up. You simply had to win a lot and play well. There was no unlocking anything either, everything was there from the start. If I had the option I'd have it that way in every game.
What a fail article, it states the cost of the PS3 was due to the cell. They bought the factory so they could produce chips at a very low rate, it's good business sense in the long-term. The cell really didn't hurt the cost much, blu-ray was what really caused it to be expensive and delayed and is still true to this day. The chip has excellent thermal properties, hence why the PS3 is much more reliable than the early 360. The cell wasn't all about power, it was also made to beco...
Call of Duty is so much like an MMORPG, yet it doesn't get the stigma of being one. You spend vast amounts of time getting new upgrades, new levels, prestige, ect - gradually becoming more powerful for the time you spend on the game. After that you got your addicts and friend communities, that's when you can really start to bank on them.
@kewlkat007
In my experience I've known quite a few people that bought 360s and PS3s. Most of these people are casual gamers. The most obvious reason in their decision between the two in almost every case was it was the console their friends had, usually one had recommended it to them. The social features of playing with people that move away to different parts of the world are a large force driving sales, particularly around Call of Duty. There's an element of peer ...
That's what I was thinking, or even possibly the guy was thinking it was worth a shot and hoping this would help him get a job at MS/Nintendo. Yes game journalist -> game company PR man happens all the time.
People are buying 360s because their friends have them in North America. That's the key reason why no matter what Sony does at this point, in terms of marketing, they won't get a foothold over MS in the US. They're better off saving their marketing money for next gen.
@gamingdroid
How is Sony 'resources constrained'? Just because they're launching Vita? You do realize Sony owns quite a number of studios that are not working on vita, more than MS has total. By that logic Microsoft could be 'resources constrained' by Kinect or Windows 8. It sounds like you think Sony has already gone the way of Sega. I'm sorry, but I don't see Sony as in such a dire situation as you do.
My thoughts:
If you play videogames a lot you're likely not to get outside or get much done while you're doing that. For that reason, it's seen as lazy. I know this isn't true of all of us, but as much as we don't want to admit it - there's some truth to it and people that do fit this description. That's the main reason 'gamers don't get respect.'
In my opinion I don't think most people outside hardcore gamers are busy loo...
All 4 One is way underrated by the press. The graphics are a step back but, the gameplay is original and surprisingly playing ratchet co op works very well. I like it a lot better than the one-dimensional but pretty Rayman Origins.
MS with the hidden charges.. makes me wonder how many casually interested people are turned off to gaming because they think the way MS does business is standard for gaming.
NPD (North America Only) are usually the most readily available official sales numbers early, and we know Sony doesn't do too well in the states. MS on the other hand likes to try to mislead everyone into thinking NPD sales are for the world.
I would agree, Kinect is too much like the wii, but even worse for only selling during the holidays. Watch MS announce huge sales for black friday, then go quiet about sales till next holiday season.
If kinect is selling consoles it only pollutes the consoles sold number, because those new owners are not likely to buy core games - thus core game publishers aren't necessarily going to invest in xbox more. So, in effect it does make a difference whether it's kinect or gears 3 selling consoles - at least for publishers who make core games and core gamers.