May Console Sales Thread (E3 this week!)

[Big Fo]

Hardware: (last month in parenthesis)

Wii ... .......... ......675.1K (714k)
Nintendo DS . ..... 452.6K (415k)
PlayStation 3 ..........208.7K (187k)
Xbox 360 .............. 186.6K (188k)
PSP. .................... 182.3K (193k)

Software:

360 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV ................. ........... ..........871.3K
WII MARIO KART W/ WHEEL................ ......... ........ .......787.4K
WII FIT W/ BALANCE BOARD............... ........ ... ..........687.7K
PS3 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV................. .......... ..... ..............442.9K
WII PLAY W/ REMOTE......................... ............ ...............294.6K
WII SUPER SMASH BROS: BRAWL................ ..... .............171.1K
PS2 IRON MAN SEGA OF AMERICA APR 2008......... ............ ....130.6K
WII GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK........ ....... ......116.8K
NDS POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: EXPLORERS OF DARKNESS.. ....107K
NDS POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: EXPLORERS OF TIME ... .....102K

Industry Stuff
Dollar Sales...... ... May 2007..... .... May 2008 ... .... CHG
Video Games........ $816.3M........ ..$1.12B .............37%
Video Games Hardware $319.7M....... $428.6M .........34%
Video Games Software $380.8M .... . $536.9M ......... 41%
Video Game Accessories $115.8M .... $150.8M ........ 30%

Overall:

"The U.S. video games industry has generated $6.6B in sales so far this year which exceeds total 1997 annual revenues. The industry is on pace to achieve revenues in the $21-$23B range for 2008."

Hardware:

"Nintendo's Wii and NDS have captured the top two spots in terms of hardware sales for the fourth consecutive month."

"The continued success of GTA IV is not translating into big hardware sales for either the PS3 or the 360 but there may yet to be a lift in June due to gift-giving for Father's Day and Graduations."

Software:

"Coming in at number 12 on the top-sellers list, We Ski from Namco, which utilizes the Wii Fit balance board, was able to captilize on Wii Fit's cross-promotions in circulars and at retail."

"GTA IV has now generated combined sales of 4.2 million units, making it the top-selling title of the year."

"A lot of folks are interested in the battle of the bands. Year-to-date, Guitar Hero III has sold 2.5 million units compared to Rock Band's 1.3 million which lands them both in the top 10 titles for the year so far."
Lifetime sales for the consoles and some of the top 10:

PS3 - 4,450,000
Wii - 10,180,000
X360 - 10,270,000

Wii Play - 5,760,000
Brawl - 3,190,000
Guitar Hero 3 Wii - 2,200,000
Mario Kart - 1,907,000
GTA4 360 - 2,721,000
GTA4 PS3 - 1,442,000



Welcome back to another month of numbers, analysis of said numbers, general gaming news, fanboy baiting, speculation, spin, general gaming discussion, and the occasional inquiry as to what the point of these threads are.

Not much has changed from last month. The Wii sells as many as are available, DS marches on, and the HD twins continue to have decent but unimpessive numbers. The lack of PS2 numbers is a shame, it sold 124k last month so there's no way it died completely.

PS3 beats 360 by 20k. Statistical noise or the dawn of the revolution?

GTA sold another million plus this month, Mario Kart outsells Wii Fit though I've read both were hard to find for some people, and I think Guitar Hero for Wii has been in the top 10 every single month since it came out in October. Pokemon continues to print money.

Looking at the charts, every Wii game should come with a peripheral. I can see a future where Nintendo provides a much-needed USB hard-drive packaged with Animal Crossing, an online StarFox game with a headset, perhaps a new WaveRace game that comes packaged with an actual jet-ski. Rock Band should do well, the average consumer might not realize what they are missing out on compared to the PS360 version.

[Cringer]

Is this just NA numbers? I thought I had seen were the Wii had sold something crazy like 23-26 million consoles world wide. edit: overall I mean, not this month....

[Big Fo]

Not even North America, this is USA only for the month of May.

[Kodos]

I don't think there will be a system seller for the PS3 or 360 until there is a price drop. I think they've kinda tapped out the people who will pay the current price.

[Big Fo]

I know that Metal Gear Solid is not half as big as GTA as far as sales go, but with the 80 GB PS3 being available once more (consumers seem to prefer having backwards compatibility) it might get credited with a sales bump.

Yes, price drops would be better. Microsoft has only dropped the 360's price by $50 in two and a half years, that is unprecedented.

Edited the original post for some more info from NPD, including We Ski coming in at number 12. (Has anyone on here played this?)

:D at the Father's Day/graduation gift hypothsis

[Big Fo]

PR from the Big Three:


Nintendo’s NPD response - NPD Figures Show Strong Consumer Response to Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit

Two Nintendo video games designed to appeal to both novice and expert gamers posted healthy numbers in the May sales charts, according to the independent NPD Group, which tracks sales of video game products in the United States. Mario Kart® Wii and Wii Fit™ finished No. 2 and No. 3 for the month, demonstrating continued consumer response to new controls and experiences.

“The Wii Wheel and Wii Balance Board accessories make game play fun for new gamers while presenting new challenges for those who have been playing a long time,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “The diversity of the seven Nintendo games represented in NPD’s top 10 for May demonstrates how Nintendo has something for everyone.”

Other highlights from NPD’s May U.S. sales report include:

* Wii™ (675,089 sold) and Nintendo DS™ (452,608 sold) again emerged as the two top-selling video game systems.
* Wii represented 63 percent of all current-generation consoles sold in May, while Nintendo DS had a 71 percent share of the portable market.
* Lifetime sales of Wii now stand at nearly 10.2 million.
* Lifetime sales of Nintendo DS are now at more than 20 million.
* Wii Play™ sold more than 295,000 in May, bringing its lifetime sales to more than 5.8 million.
* Of the top 30 best-selling games of May, 19 are made for Nintendo systems, including third-party hits like Guitar Hero™ III: Legends of Rock from Activision, We Ski™ from Namco Bandai, Game Party™ from Midway and Boom Blox™ from Electronic Arts.
* Pokémon® Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokémon® Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness combined to sell more than 208,000 in May, with lifetime sales of more than 613,000.


PlayStation by the Numbers
May 2008

PS3 Eclipses Xbox 360 Hardware Sales; PS3 Hardware Sales Growth Exceeds 155 Percent Year-Over-Year

PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) continued its break-out year, selling 208,709 hardware units in May. 22,106 more units than Microsoft’s Xbox 360 (according to NPD May 2008 sales data).

Spurred by enthusiasm for Grand Theft Auto IV and the exclusive releases of SingStar for PS3 and Haze, 1.26 million software units were sold for PS3 in May, representing an increase of 234 percent from this time last year.

* 442,910 of copies of Grand Theft Auto IV were sold for PS3 in May, with more than 1.4 million of copies of the game sold for PS3 in the U.S. to date. More than 32 percent of U.S. PS3 owners have purchased a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV, a 6 percent higher attach rate than Xbox 360.
* PS3 hardware sales momentum is expected to continue in June, spurred by the highly anticipated launch of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, exclusively for PS3, as well as the introduction of the special edition Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots PS3 bundle.
* Popularity of the PLAYSTATION®Network continues to rise, with more than 20 million pieces of content downloaded from the PlayStation®Store in May (11.6 million for North America), including the monster hit echochrome. There are currently more than 9 million registered PLAYSTATION Network accounts worldwide (nearly 4.2 million in North America) with more than 160 million pieces of content downloaded from the PlayStation®Store to date.



PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) continued to boast solid sales in May with 182,310 PSP hardware units sold. In June, SCEA launched an exclusive God of War: Chains of Olympus PSP bundle including the Superbad UMD and a PSN voucher to download Syphon Filter: Combat Ops, which will further increase sales of the handheld.

PlayStation®2 (PS2) also had another strong month in May with hardware unit sales reaching 132,708 units, up 6.7 percent over the previous month. More than 42.2 million PS2s have been sold to date.

Power of the PlayStation Portfolio

The PlayStation brand continued to generate impressive sales, earning $331.6 million in May.

* Year-to-date (Jan-May), the PlayStation brand generated close to $2.27 billion in revenue, 46 percent higher than Microsoft, and representing an increase of more than 17 percent year-over-year.
* PlayStation total hardware revenue was $133 million in May, 98 percent higher than Microsoft, and representing a year-over-year growth of over 20.4 percent.
* PlayStation total software revenue in May was $159 million, representing a year-over-year growth of 19.2 percent.



“Leading into a pivotal season packed with blockbuster titles and unique online service offerings, consumers have chosen the PS3 as their home entertainment console of choice - showcased by its year-over-year sales growth of 155 percent. With its commanding line up of software titles and enhanced movie playback capabilities, the PS3 has seen phenomenal momentum with a software sales increase of more than 234 percent and additional studio support of delivering content in the Blu-ray format. The dual platform release of the much anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV title reaffirmed its legacy on the PlayStation platform with a 6 percent higher attach rate than Xbox 360, reinforcing consumer choice of PS3. Poised for continued momentum, PS3 is delivering on its breadth and depth of exclusive titles to its gaming fans with today's prized exclusive title launch of Metal Gear Solid 4. The media have hailed 2008 as the year of the PS3, and with solid sales and growth opportunities ahead, we feel consumers are saying the same.”

- Jack Tretton, president and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment America


NPD has released its May retail sales data, and Xbox 360 continues to lead the current generation of gaming consoles. Highlights include:

“Grand Theft Auto IV” continues blistering pace on Xbox 360 platform, beating the other platform version by 2:1

* With 871,000 total unit sales in May, “Grand Theft Auto IV” on Xbox 360 outsold the other platform’s version 2:1. (May NPD data)



Xbox 360 generates more dollars at retail for third party publishers

* With $110 million in third party game sales in May, Xbox 360 continues to move more third party games than any other console. Lifetime-to-date Xbox 360 has generated $3.9 billion dollars at retail for third party publishers, or 59% of the total in this generation. (May NPD data)
* 21 of the 25 top selling third party franchise titles with releases this generation, like “Grand Theft Auto IV,” sell best on Xbox 360. Eighteen of those franchises were previous best-sellers, and two were exclusives, on the PlayStation 2. (May NPD data)
* Only Xbox 360 is providing an improved software attach rate for third party games generation-over-generation. Xbox 360 continues to lead the industry with a record-breaking software attach rate of 7.7. (May NPD data)



Xbox 360 games outsell, outplay the competition

* Xbox 360 games rank higher than the competition with 12 games with a Metacritic score of 90 or higher, more than PS3 and Wii combined.
* Top-ranking games helped drive sales of 187,000 consoles in May contributing a global install base of more than 19 million. (May NPD data and Microsoft internal data)
* Game sales contributed to $214 million in total consumer spending on the Xbox 360 platform in May. Lifetime-to-date spending on Xbox 360 tops $9.9 billion, or 51% of share. (May NPD data)



Among 10-26 year olds, Xbox 360 gets more playing time than the Wii and PS3

* As reported in Nielsen’s Consumer Insight newsletter, a summary of Nielsen Games GamePlay Metrics service (which electronically tracks console usage) from April 2007 to February 2008 shows that among 10-26 year olds, Xbox 360 gets on average over twice the game play as the Wii with younger gamers, likely due to a record software attach and a blockbuster games library. The Xbox 360 gets roughly 75 hours of use per month. Wii users spent just 35 hours per month gaming during the same time period.
* Xbox 360 gamers in this age range also play more than their counterparts on PS3, who spend about 53 hours per month gaming.



Xbox 360: E3 bound

* Last month we showcased an all-star lineup of games including “Gears of War 2,” “Fable 2,” “Banjo and Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts,” “Viva Piñata 2,” and “Too Human.” We still have quite a few aces left up our sleeve; see you at E3 next month!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Your thread title said it all. GTA4 may be the last multiplatform title where we see a console maker lay out big dollars for 'exclusive content'. Not only did it not provide any boost, but the content is now not coming until November at the earliest. It just was a bad business decision by Microsoft. Microsoft's May sales numbers were actually 1,000 units less than their May 2007 sales. Also, Microsoft was outsold in the rest of the world by roughly 150K units in a month where they expected a boost. That's disasterous.

We may now be seeing the early fallout from Microsoft's poor sales. Jeff Bell, VP of Global Marketing at Microsoft, 'resigned' from his post. It certainly appears that he's being placed as the fall guy for the GTA4 mess.

On the positive side for gamers, it would seem that a fall price war, likely initiated by Microsoft, is in store. That's great news for everyone, as a bigger installed base on all the systems is better for industry growth as a whole. But that's likely to bring Microsoft's short run of profitibility to a screeching halt. Sony should see a reduction of chip costs in August, so that would allow them to retaliatory price cut if Microsoft initiates a price war.

June's NPD results are a given. Sony will see a big win in June due to MGS4. Just how big may decide how quickly Microsoft makes a price cut, profits be damned.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Yes, price drops would be better. Microsoft has only dropped the 360's price by $50 in two and a half years, that is unprecedented.

I think they would like to be at a lower price point already. The RROD and other hardware warranty repair costs have really hindered any chance at more price drops.

[wade moore]

June's NPD results are a given. Sony will see a big win in June due to MGS4. Just how big may decide how quickly Microsoft makes a price cut, profits be damned.

As much as I like to mock your fanboyism, I think you're dead-on here.

If MGS4 turns out to be even a moderate system seller (which I think it probably will be) then M$ better react quickly. They're already getting surpassed when a multi-platform game comes out, this could be especially bad for them.

[Cringer]

If MGS4 gets labeled a system seller I think it's half crap at the least. The reason I was close to getting a PS3 was because the 80GB coming back out, getting a $100 gift card when I buy it, and oh I get a free game with it which happens to be MGS and will probably be a cool enough game.

I guess that counts as a MGS sold? That now makes it look like a system that was sold because of that game, which would be false. I think MGS gets a good amount of sales from that. "Oh look, good time to buy a PS3 and you get a new game? Ok, lets do it."

[wade moore]

If MGS4 gets labeled a system seller I think it's half crap at the least. The reason I was close to getting a PS3 was because the 80GB coming back out, getting a $100 gift card when I buy it, and oh I get a free game with it which happens to be MGS and will probably be a cool enough game.

I guess that counts as a MGS sold? That now makes it look like a system that was sold because of that game, which would be false. I think MGS gets a good amount of sales from that. "Oh look, good time to buy a PS3 and you get a new game? Ok, lets do it."

Good point.

I guess I should say if the combo of MGS4 and the 80GB return boost sales...

Essentially if anything causes the PS3 to jump to let's say... 50-60k more in a given month than the 360 (let alone more than that) then M$ needs to react immediately, do not pass go, etc.

[cartman]

Essentially if anything causes the PS3 to jump to let's say... 50-60k more in a given month than the 360 (let alone more than that) then M$ needs to react immediately, do not pass go, etc.

That is a bit of an overreaction. If the PS3 starts to consistently sell 60K more units per month than the 360, it would still take over 8 years (97 months) for the PS3 to catch the 360 in the US based on the NPD numbers listed above.

From my layman's perspective, I think the next 360 price drop will be sometime this fall, once they move the GPU to the 65nm process.

[Cringer]

That is a bit of an overreaction. If the PS3 starts to consistently sell 60K more units per month than the 360, it would still take over 8 years (97 months) for the PS3 to catch the 360 in the US based on the NPD numbers listed above.

From my layman's perspective, I think the next 360 price drop will be sometime this fall, once they move the GPU to the 65nm process.

Anyone able to explain how this has an actual effect on game play? Clearly my first batch system will be playing the same games, so what is the difference?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If MGS4 gets labeled a system seller I think it's half crap at the least. The reason I was close to getting a PS3 was because the 80GB coming back out, getting a $100 gift card when I buy it, and oh I get a free game with it which happens to be MGS and will probably be a cool enough game.

I guess that counts as a MGS sold? That now makes it look like a system that was sold because of that game, which would be false. I think MGS gets a good amount of sales from that. "Oh look, good time to buy a PS3 and you get a new game? Ok, lets do it."

Totally agree. I think the reintroduction of the 80 GB machine in good supply will be just as much of a factor. If anything, there's a whole lot of people who are buying the 80 GB PS3 through the Wal-Mart deal and just see MGS4 being included as icing on the cake.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

That is a bit of an overreaction. If the PS3 starts to consistently sell 60K more units per month than the 360, it would still take over 8 years (97 months) for the PS3 to catch the 360 in the US based on the NPD numbers listed above.

Dear cartman,

Hi! We're 65% of the total gaming market. Europe is the largest gaming region. Still acting like we don't exist?

Sincerely,

The rest of the world.

FYI....using your 60K number plus the 200K the PS3 is outselling the 360 in the rest of the world, means that the PS3 is outselling the 360 at a pace of roughly 250-260K units/month. If that trend were to continue exactly the same over the coming months, the PS3 would surpass the 360 in worldwide sales in 24 months. That assumption also carries the thought that the PS3 will continue to sell 20K/month in Japan. That's a very faulty assumption.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Anyone able to explain how this has an actual effect on game play? Clearly my first batch system will be playing the same games, so what is the difference?

No effect on gameplay, but smaller chip = lower price generally speaking.

[gstelmack]

Anyone able to explain how this has an actual effect on game play? Clearly my first batch system will be playing the same games, so what is the difference?

None. It affects heat and price, not performance.

[cartman]

Dear cartman,

Hi! We're 65% of the total gaming market. Europe is the largest gaming region. Still acting like we don't exist?

Sincerely,

The rest of the world.

Dear MBBF,

Please state where I mentioned European numbers. The discussion in this thread, based on the numbers above as provided by Big Fo via NPD, is about US sales figures.

Sincerely,

People with a clue

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Dear MBBF,

Please state where I mentioned European numbers. The discussion in this thread, based on the numbers above as provided by Big Fo via NPD, is about US sales figures.

Sincerely,

People with a clue

These discussion threads have always been about worldwide numbers. That's always been very clear. The only reason that NPD numbers trigger the new thread is because the NPD numbers are always the last numbers of the three regions to be released. It's impossible to get a full picture until that point. Japan and Europe both release their numbers on a weekly basis.

[cartman]

Anyone able to explain how this has an actual effect on game play? Clearly my first batch system will be playing the same games, so what is the difference?

No affect on the playing of the games. The reason it will allow a price drop is that when you shrink the size of the chip, you can get more chips per silicon wafer. Think of it like this. You have cookie dough that you roll out to a 2 foot circle. You can get more cookies out of it if you make each one 8 inches across instead of 12 inches across. Basically the same concept. The companies that make the silicon wafers all sell them for the same price. It is up to you to figure out how many chips you can create out of the silicon wafer. More chips make from each wafer = lower cost.

[cartman]

These discussion threads have always been about worldwide numbers. That's always been very clear.

Then it should also be very clear that there haven't been any other official numbers outside of USA data posted in this thread.

[Fidatelo]

Dear People Still Arguing About This,

Please realise that at this point, all of these numbers are meaningless. Nintendo is going to be #1, and the other two consoles will remain viable regardless of who finishes the generation in 2nd or 3rd, either worldwide or stateside. There is no Sega Dreamcast scenario this time around. We all won.

Sincerely,

FOFC

[Cringer]

Thanks for the explanation on the newer chips. For some reason I was thinking the 65nm had to do with speed. Now that I think about it I can't possibly think of any speed that would be labeled 'nm'. :crazy:

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Dear People Still Arguing About This,

Please realise that at this point, all of these numbers are meaningless. Nintendo is going to be #1, and the other two consoles will remain viable regardless of who finishes the generation in 2nd or 3rd, either worldwide or stateside. There is no Sega Dreamcast scenario this time around. We all won.

Sincerely,

FOFC

Oh, they're far from meaningless. There's a lot of shifts occuring in the market right now. Nintendo is finally reaching the point where supply actually is catching up with demand, which should provide for an interesting new dynamic for that console. Sony is finally reaching a maturity point as a console (though most agree it should have happened sooner) and is cutting down the 360 worldwide lead with the AAA franchises coming in the next year starting right now. The 360, which looked to be a market monster only 10-12 months ago, is now limping through what should be some of the largest growth months of its life cycle and just had their marketing VP leave the company. There's plenty to discuss.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Now that I think about it I can't possibly think of any speed that would be labeled 'nm'. :crazy:

I believe a snail measures his progress in nm/hour. :)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Interesting development regarding the Madden 20th Anniversary event. It is a PS3-only event. There will be no branding of the Xbox 360 or Wii at the event. I'm guessing Sony laid out some pretty good cash to do that. As everyone knows, I'm not a supporter of the series, but there's no question that the game still carries weight as long as they hold the NFL licence.

[cartman]

Thanks for the explanation on the newer chips. For some reason I was thinking the 65nm had to do with speed. Now that I think about it I can't possibly think of any speed that would be labeled 'nm'. :crazy:

yeah, nm is a measurement of size: nanometers. 1nm = 1 billionth of a meter. It's pretty tiny. :)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Microsoft E3 announcements to be 'spectacular, desparate'.........

http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/06/12/microsoft-to-make-spectacular-desperate-play-in-e3-press-conference/

Too Human nears completion........

http://blogs.ign.com/silicon-knights/2008/06/12/92677/

Shane Kim comments on next-gen Xbox.......

http://www.n4g.com/industrynews/News-156921.aspx

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Analysis of NPD numbers.........

http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2008/06/may-npd-thrill-is-gone.html

Updated article about the FTC investigation into the EA/Take Two merger........

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/levelup/archive/2008/06/12/law-and-short-of-it-on-the-45-day-break-for-ea-and-t2-stonewalling-the-ftc.aspx

[twothree]

Nintendo is finally reaching the point where supply actually is catching up with demand...

What???

I might believe that when I actually see a Wii on a store shelf on more than 3 different days in a given year. So far, I have only seen a Wii on a store shelf once this year (and that was in a bundle where you were forced to buy a bunch of other accessories with it), and at most once in any previous year.

[Big Fo]

fwiw I've seen Wiis available for sale twice since I bought mine in December 2006, both in the last two months. One of these was on Mario Kart launch day. I've never seen any Wii Fit in stores though. That said I don't work in retail or anything and I'm in those kinds of stores maybe once a month or once every few weeks.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

What???

I might believe that when I actually see a Wii on a store shelf on more than 3 different days in a given year. So far, I have only seen a Wii on a store shelf once this year (and that was in a bundle where you were forced to buy a bunch of other accessories with it), and at most once in any previous year.

It's still not reached the point where they'll stay on the shelves for days, but you can go in on retail shipping days and find Wii systems on the shelves during the day. It's just a matter of finding out which days the various retailers receive shipments. There was no chance of that as little as 3-4 months ago. Nintendo's ramp-up of production in recent months has helped quite a bit.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Another article about the recent NPD numbers. Analysts mention that PS3 exclusives tend to be much better at moving consoles than 360 or Wii exclusives. Also, they predict that a 360 price cut needs to happen as soon as E3 next month.

http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/analyst-ps3-will-continue-to-outpace-360-microsoft-price-cut-at-e3/?biz=1

It would be absolutely wonderful if we could get a $50-75 price cut from the 360 that quickly. The Wii would suddenly be outpriced by the 360 and it would also force Sony to make cuts to remain competitive. The previous console sales records would be blown out of the water.

[KWhit]

Another article about the recent NPD numbers. Analysts mention that PS3 exclusives tend to be much better at moving consoles than 360 or Wii exclusives. Also, they predict that a 360 price cut needs to happen as soon as E3 next month.

http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/analyst-ps3-will-continue-to-outpace-360-microsoft-price-cut-at-e3/?biz=1

It would be absolutely wonderful if we could get a $50-75 price cut from the 360 that quickly. The Wii would suddenly be outpriced by the 360 and it would also force Sony to make cuts to remain competitive. The previous console sales records would be blown out of the water.

That would make sense, because far fewer people already have a PS3.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

That would make sense, because far fewer people already have a PS3.

I believe they're measuring it as a percentage of the installed base on that system, which would mean that statistic doesn't favor a console with a smaller installed base (i.e. it's measured in a way where that argument is immaterial).

[BrianD]

Is there a way to measure that in a way that doesn't make current install base an issue? About the only way I can think of is to calculate consoles sold as a result of a particular game and divide by the total amount of people that ever own the console - which can only be done after the console is no longer for sale.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Is there a way to measure that in a way that doesn't make current install base an issue? About the only way I can think of is to calculate consoles sold as a result of a particular game and divide by the total amount of people that ever own the console - which can only be done after the console is no longer for sale.

Very true. It's a liquid situation, so there's never an absolute number.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

More indications that we'll see Wii's in stock on shelves in the next month or two. Nintendo says it was hit with demand on Wii Fit release, but expects that large recent increases in production will allow Wiis to be on the shelves in much better numbers.

http://www.n4g.com/industrynews/News-157190.aspx

[gstelmack]

Maybe they'll actually get some Wii Fits on the shelves to go with them...

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Maybe they'll actually get some Wii Fits on the shelves to go with them...

Are there THAT many obese Americans? :)

[Eaglesfan27]

I believe they're measuring it as a percentage of the installed base on that system, which would mean that statistic doesn't favor a console with a smaller installed base (i.e. it's measured in a way where that argument is immaterial).


Explain that logic. A lower number of installed consoles would still make for a more drastic percentage change when people buy consoles. Kwhit's point is still valid unless they do it like BrianD said, which is impossible during the actual life of the console.

[Cringer]

Another article about the recent NPD numbers. Analysts mention that PS3 exclusives tend to be much better at moving consoles than 360 or Wii exclusives. Also, they predict that a 360 price cut needs to happen as soon as E3 next month.

http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/analyst-ps3-will-continue-to-outpace-360-microsoft-price-cut-at-e3/?biz=1

It would be absolutely wonderful if we could get a $50-75 price cut from the 360 that quickly. The Wii would suddenly be outpriced by the 360 and it would also force Sony to make cuts to remain competitive. The previous console sales records would be blown out of the water.

I can understand this and have a simple take on it. I bought a PS3 last year, had it for a month and returned it having never opened it. There was no point to have it IMO, because the games were all crap. There is probably a group (and maybe a good size one) that has been saying to themselves since the PS3 came out, "I want one of those, but for that much money I will wait until there are more good games." An exclusive, or big franchise name game in general comes along and the time is right to justify the purchase. Again, this is what almost happened for me, but instead went the route to just fix my 360. What actually cost Sony a purchase from me was not having the 80GB for sale when GTA IV came out.

I keep telling you guys, I am the common man with this crap.

Are there THAT many obese Americans? :)

Yes. Take a good look around next time you go to any place that sells food. ;)

[sterlingice]

Are there THAT many obese Americans? :)

Have you been outside lately? :D

SI

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Have you been outside lately? :D

SI

No, I'm not able to fit out my bedroom door. Why do you ask? ;)

[Mota]

fwiw I've seen Wiis available for sale twice since I bought mine in December 2006, both in the last two months. One of these was on Mario Kart launch day. I've never seen any Wii Fit in stores though. That said I don't work in retail or anything and I'm in those kinds of stores maybe once a month or once every few weeks.

I've gone to retail at least 10 times in the last month, and have probably seen it in stock 70% of the time.

Wii Fit is a different story.

[sterlingice]

I must be horribly unlucky or maybe we don't get them in flyover country or something. I've seen a Wii in stock all of twice. Ever. And I'm someone who compulsively goes into game stores to check out sales and over the past year, I've given a quick look to see if there are Wii's in stock.

SI

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

MGS4 Japanese numbers are in. Pretty healthy bump for the PS3 in Japan. MGS4 is the highest selling game for the PS3 in Japan in only 4 days. Here's the sales figures for the MGS4 release week.........

PS3 - 75K
Wii - 46K
360 - 2K


Dark Cloud 3 in development for the PS3........

http://www.psbeyond.com/news/Rumor-Dark-Cloud-3-being-developed-for-PS3-exclusively.657.html

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Interesting sales numbers for Boom Blox. It only sold 60K units in the first month of release. Was the $49 price point too much for consumers to swallow? All indications are that it was a good game, but the sales numbers certainly are cause for concern.

[gstelmack]

$49 for BoomBlox wasn't too much for me, and my kids LOVE it. I just don't think many folks know about it: it was hyped in typical gaming circles, but I never saw a TV ad or anything. I suspect it has a decent chance of slow but sustained sales for a while as word-of-mouth spreads.

[rjolley]

I'd never heard of it and just checked it on on EA's site. Looks like a lot of fun. When we get a Wii, that will be one of the games to get.

[MikeVic]

I haven't play video games much this year yet, but I was figuring Boom Blox was going to be one of those $29 or $39 games. I have seen a bunch of ads in the theaters as well, so they're trying to aim towards other circles too.

[MJ4H]

From what I understand, you won't regret. Supposed to be a fantastic game. It got a perfect score on a review from someone, ign I think. All reviews have been good to outstanding.

[Daimyo]

Lack of time combined with the $50 price is too much for me. The reviews have been great and I'd like to try it, but since I don't really have time to play it now I figure I'll just wait until it hits $20 and re-evaluate. If it was $30 I'd pick it up now assuming I'd eventually have time for it.

[Cringer]

I have never heard of Boom Blox until I just read you guys talking about it. I just watched a trailer for it on YouTube and I have to say that looks like one wacky and fun game.

[Eaglesfan27]

I have never heard of Boom Blox until I just read you guys talking about it. I just watched a trailer for it on YouTube and I have to say that looks like one wacky and fun game.

Same here. This thread just boosted the sale of that game by 1 as I think my wife and I will enjoy playing that together.

[Big Fo]

Interesting sales numbers for Boom Blox. It only sold 60K units in the first month of release. Was the $49 price point too much for consumers to swallow? All indications are that it was a good game, but the sales numbers certainly are cause for concern.

It sold well enough for EA.

Boom Blox Met Sales Expectations (1up.com) (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3168302)

Remember that titles on the Wii and DS, in general, receive a far lower percentage of lifetime sales in their first week/month than stuff on the other consoles.

Top 20 for May:

1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Take 2, Xbox 360)
2. Mario Kart (Nintendo, Wii)
3. Wii Fit (Nintendo, Wii)
4. Grand Theft Auto IV (Take 2, PS3)
5. Wii Play (Nintendo, Wii)
6. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Nintendo, Wii)
7. Iron Man (Sega, PS2)
8. Guitar Hero III (Activision, Wii)
9. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Darkness (Nintendo, DS)
10. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Time (Nintendo, DS)
11. Call of Duty 4 (Activision, 360)
12. Iron Man (Sega, PSP)
13. We Ski (Namco, Wii)
14. Mario Kart (Nintendo, DS)
15. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, DS)
16. God of War 2 (Sony, PS2)
17. Game Party (Midway, Wii)
18. Guitar Hero III (Activision, PS2)
19. Haze (Ubisoft, PS3)
20. Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo, Wii)

Galaxy, Guitar Hero, Mario Kart DS, New Super Mario Bros. have all been out for six months to over a year in some cases.

Great sales for MGS4 in Japan, I can't wait for my new TV to get here so I can enjoy it in all its epicness.

[Calis]

I am surprised it sold so few even considering Wii games along those lines are more of a slow burn.

I thought they'd hype it up a little more because Spielberg's name was attached. They didn't push it at all however.

Fun game.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

It sold well enough for EA.

Boom Blox Met Sales Expectations (1up.com) (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3168302)

Remember that titles on the Wii and DS, in general, receive a far lower percentage of lifetime sales in their first week/month than stuff on the other consoles.


Your second comment could be part of it. 60K for a quality game on the PS3/360 on opening week is pretty disappointing, but it may have more legs on the Wii. Time will tell how it goes. I hope that it does do well because I think the industry as a whole really needs more good third-party new IP's. The number of sequels is getting to be a bit much.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I am surprised it sold so few even considering Wii games along those lines are more of a slow burn.

I thought they'd hype it up a little more because Spielberg's name was attached. They didn't push it at all however.

Fun game.

That was my thought as well. All we heard in the run-up to the game's release was Spielberg-this and Spielberg-that. They pushed it hard in the previews and press releases, but there was nothing in the form of advertising in that regard.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Same here. This thread just boosted the sale of that game by 1 as I think my wife and I will enjoy playing that together.

It's a great game especially for kids. Relatively easy to pick up and play.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

SCEE chief says that PS3 sales pace in Europe has surpassed PS2 sales pace at the same point in the console's lifetime. Will be interesting to see if the PS3 can continue that pace...........

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=191384

[ColtCrazy]

Bought the Wii and love it. The only way I'll buy a PS3 or Xbox 360 is if two things happen. 1) the price drops 2) and NCAA/Madden are unplayable on the Wii. 1 will eventually happen, but I'm hoping 2 doesn't.

Interesting GTA hasn't impacted the sales more. I have a couple of Gamestops locally and a Best Buy and they all either never have a Wii or Mario Kart or both. Says a lot about the popularity of the system.

[Big Fo]

Here's a good article on how vgchartz.com numbers aren't very reliable, especially anything they list for Europe.

gamesetwatch.com article (http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/06/analysis_what_vgchartz_does_and.php)

This has become a bigger issue of late with mainstream publications like the New York Times and Forbes magazine referencing the site's largely made-up numbers as factual.

[Big Fo]

Sony has lost over three billion dollars on the PS3, due to them pricing the console below its production cost. According to them they might not make up their R&D costs during the console's lifetime. I guess the question is was Blu-Ray worth it?

kotaku.com link (http://kotaku.com/5018899/sony-lost-331-billion-to-ps3-cost-pricing-imbalance)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Sony has lost over three billion dollars on the PS3, due to them pricing the console below its production cost. According to them they might not make up their R&D costs during the console's lifetime. I guess the question is was Blu-Ray worth it?

That question may not even be answered until the next generation. Here's an article discussing the "Xbox 720" and what it might entail. If the Xbox 720 does end up with a Blu-ray player built-in as is suggested in this article, the answer would most definitely be that it was worth it.

http://www.gamersworldbd.com/2008/06/xbox-720.html

Certainly some interesting points in this article, though it should be taken with a grain of salt given that it mostly discusses rumors. Sounds like 2012 is the likely release date for MS's next console.

[Cringer]

That question may not even be answered until the next generation. Here's an article discussing the "Xbox 720" and what it might entail. If the Xbox 720 does end up with a Blu-ray player built-in as is suggested in this article, the answer would most definitely be that it was worth it.

Certainly some interesting points in this article, though it should be taken with a grain of salt given that it mostly discusses rumors. Sounds like 2012 is the likely release date for MS's next console.

Where did you hide the article?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Where did you hide the article?

Sorry about that. I added it in the post. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like the online video store from Sony is now just around the corner.......

Distribution on Next-Generation DivX Certified(R) Consumer Electronics Devices

Agreement Will Enable Global Retailers to Offer Sony Pictures
Titles in DivX(R) Format in International Markets


SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 2008
DivX, Inc. (NASDAQIVX), a digital media company, today announced
an agreement with Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) that
will enable online retailers in international markets to offer SPTI's
feature films and television content for secure download in the
high-quality DivX(R) format for playback on DivX Certified(R) consumer
electronics devices powered by the next-generation chipset solution.
This agreement follows an agreement DivX announced with Sony Pictures
Television for domestic format approval in January.

"The extension of our relationship with the Sony family will
enable consumers around the world to easily and securely access and
enjoy high-quality, premium content from the Sony library on a variety
of devices beyond the PC," said Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX, Inc. "We are
pleased that Sony Pictures Television International recognizes the
value of the DivX digital media solution and we look forward to
partnering with international retailers to bring this solution to
market."

"We welcome the opportunity for international retailers to
distribute Sony titles in a secure manner using the DivX format and to
offer international consumers the ability to easily and flexibly enjoy
Sony content across a variety of devices," said Paul Littmann, Senior
Vice President, New Media, Sony Pictures Television International.

[spleen1015]

I am being influenced by the dark side! Count me as one of the folks buying a PS3 in June!

[Cringer]

Sorry about that. I added it in the post. Thanks for the heads-up.

No problem.

The only big thing to me in that article is a rough release date target, and a guess at that. Really I think most of us could have guessed at the rest. Backwards compatible, blu-ray simply because the extra storage space for games will be needed on a disc (unless something else comes along by some chance), taking popular features from the Wii (which both Sony and MS would be idiots not to do next time around). Faster and stronger guts. It is all kind of obvious, but they had to make an article to go with the info on the 2012 date.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

No problem.

The only big thing to me in that article is a rough release date target, and a guess at that. Really I think most of us could have guessed at the rest. Backwards compatible, blu-ray simply because the extra storage space for games will be needed on a disc (unless something else comes along by some chance), taking popular features from the Wii (which both Sony and MS would be idiots not to do next time around). Faster and stronger guts. It is all kind of obvious, but they had to make an article to go with the info on the 2012 date.

While I'm sure we'll see some adoption of Wii features, I think the single most important thing for especially Sony and MS to a lesser degree is controlling console costs. Had the top end PS3 began its lifecycle at $399 instead of $599 with lower production costs, the PS3 would likely be a much more successful console at this point. The 360 would have had much better luck had they not had to deal with the massive RROD costs. Sony and MS can't have those kinds of hiccups in the next generation.

[spleen1015]

Although I haven't been a victim of the RROD, I think I'll wait on the next XBOX to see how well the hardware holds up.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Some interesting rumors in the August EGM magazine..........

-Activision is buidling a new fancy peripheral for the next Tony Hawk Game.
-God of Soul. Kratos to be revealed as next Soulcalibur IV(PS3) character.
-GTA DLC(360) will star a biker character.
- MS is apparently allowing third-party manufacturers to make 360 compatible hardware.
-Q Entertainment seems to be working on a game for the PSN.
-New music visualizer to hit the PSN later this year
-Hefty price cut coming for both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 this fall.

[Big Fo]

Nintendo press release, announcing three new games and a release date for a fourth. Hopefully they have some bigger news for E3 next month.


NINTENDO'S WARIO, KIRBY BRING THE FUN; SLEUTHS GET A NEW MYSTERY CASE FILES GAME

New Experiences on the Way for Wii and Nintendo DS

REDMOND, Wash., June 25, 2008 – While the game world awaits the E3 Media & Business Summit in Los Angeles next month, Nintendo isn't waiting to announce new titles for its mushrooming libraries for the Wii™ console and Nintendo DS™. Classic Nintendo characters like bad-boy Wario™ and pink powerhouse Kirby® will star in their own platform games. A new Mystery Case Files™ game brings the best-selling Big Fish Games franchise to Nintendo DS for the first time. These games join the recently announced Mario™ Super Sluggers baseball game for the Wii console.

"Nintendo's game libraries continue to grow at a rapid pace," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Wario stars in a great new platformer, Kirby enthusiasts get an updated version of a fan favorite, there's a new mystery for Mystery Case Files aficionados and baseball gets a few new Mario-style twists."

Wario Land™: Shake It!, a classic side-scroller for the Wii console launching Sept. 29, stars Wario, the smelly, bad-mannered alter ego of Mario™. With the Wii Remote™ controller turned sideways like an old-school controller, veterans and newcomers alike can run, jump and smash their way through hectic side-scrolling stages. Players shake the Wii Remote to help Wario take down his enemies, empty bags of treasure or cause earthquakes. Best of all, there are numerous stages each offering multiple missions to keep players coming back again and again to unlock everything, collect more coins or just improve their best times.

Kirby Super Star™ Ultra for Nintendo DS, launching Sept. 29, re-imagines one of the most beloved Kirby games of all time. Kirby Super Star Ultra features new graphics and fully rendered animated cut scenes. With so many adventures waiting to be unlocked, there will never be a dull moment as Kirby runs, floats, copies enemies and uses Helpers to fight King Dedede and Meta Knight. New modes like Revenge of the King and Meta Knight Ultra await, along with classics like The Great Cave Offensive and Milky Way Wishes. On top of the main modes, there are also three new touch-screen-controlled mini-games that can be played with up to three friends via DS Download Play. Not only that, but players can go on Kirby adventures with a friend via local wireless as well.

Mystery Case Files™: MillionHeir™, launching Sept. 8, uses the unique Nintendo DS interface to expand upon the seek-and-solve game play of the popular series from Big Fish Games. Players seek out cleverly hidden items in a multitude of painted scenes. Players progress through an interactive detective story investigating a cast of characters and uncovering new evidence to find the rightful heir to a million-dollar fortune. This new portable installment is available only for Nintendo DS. With interactive logic puzzles that use both the touch-screen interface and built-in microphone and include the first ever multiplayer mode for a Mystery Case Files game, Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir presents a new generation of seek-and-solve games for casual gamers and franchise fans.

Mario™ Super Sluggers, launching Aug. 25 for the Wii console, stars the ever-lovable Mario and his crew of friends. It builds on the social-gaming fun and movements people learned in Wii Sports™ and turns them into a full-fledged baseball game that can be played by every member of the household. Players make a throwing motion with the Wii Remote controller to pitch the baseball and make a swinging motion to swing at the pitch. The game boasts more than 30 playable Nintendo characters and all the madness of a Mario sports game. Just like Mario Kart® Wii, it bridges the gap between experienced players and those new to the Wii console, with fun challenges and beautiful graphics.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

Fatal Frame IV, Disaster: Day of Crisis, Wii Music, Kirby Wii, and Animal Crossing are all due out in Japan this fiscal year so US announcements/release dates shouldn't be too far off. A new Kid Icarus game has also been frequently rumored. Hopefully they fit in some game announcements to go alongside all their pie charts and youtube montages at E3.

Personally I want a New Super Mario Bros. 2 (or if Nintendo really wanted to make me happy, New Super Mario World), a new Waverace game for Wii, Wii Motorsports/Pilotwings, Pikmin 3, something cool from Retro Studios, and how about announcing some more DS games already?

[Cringer]

With every Nintendo game announcement I find myself wondering if there is something wrong with me that there is really nothing that comes out on their gaming devices that I give a crap about. Obviously people love them to the Nth degree, yet they do nothing for me at all.

Ok, I take that back a little. That Boom Blox looks kind of cool. That is it though.

[spleen1015]

With every Nintendo game announcement I find myself wondering if there is something wrong with me that there is really nothing that comes out on their gaming devices that I give a crap about. Obviously people love them to the Nth degree, yet they do nothing for me at all.

Ok, I take that back a little. That Boom Blox looks kind of cool. That is it though.

Only the big name franchises matter to me, Mario, Zelda, Metroid.

[KWhit]

MarioKart is great. BoomBlox looks like a blast, but I don't have it yet. And I had a lot of fun with Resident Evil 4, MLB Power Pros, and of course Wii Sports.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Nintendo press release, announcing three new games and a release date for a fourth. Hopefully they have some bigger news for E3 next month.

All the gaming news is relatively slow right now. All the companies are holding back their announcements for E3.

[Fidatelo]

All the gaming news is relatively slow right now. All the companies are holding back their announcements for E3.

Hey! This was a fair and even-handed comment! You're fired!

/Sony Exec

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Hey! This was a fair and even-handed comment! You're fired!

/Sony Exec

If only that was the first time I've been fired.

***sigh***

[Kodos]

With every Nintendo game announcement I find myself wondering if there is something wrong with me that there is really nothing that comes out on their gaming devices that I give a crap about. Obviously people love them to the Nth degree, yet they do nothing for me at all.

Ok, I take that back a little. That Boom Blox looks kind of cool. That is it though.

x2

I think they have a bunch of nostalgia franchises that I never played as a kid (never had a Nintendo, only had a Super Nintendo Chalmers), and thus Nintendo stalwarts have no appeal to me.

[Calis]

I'm in the same boat with Nintendo games. While they went the route of the most innovative hardware-wise this generation I actually think they have been the most stagnant software-wise.

We're in a period were sequels after sequels are the norm, and Nintendo takes it to an extreme. It seems like we're seeing the same games from them, even in the big franchises(apart from Mario Galaxy which was a pretty big change).

Nostalgia could only keep me interested for so long.

[Fidatelo]

Ya I remember getting out the old balance board for my NES and having a good Yoga session back in '88. Fuckin' stagnant Nintendo.

[Daimyo]

Below are the Wii games published by Nintendo that have sold over 1 million copies. While there are several sequels I think this is an incredibly diverse list. While diversity is tough to quantify I doubt either of the other consoles is nearly as diverse in its top selling games let alone in its top selling first party games.

1. Wii Sports (21.56 million)
2. Wii Play (11.51 million)
3 Super Mario Galaxy (6.1 million)
4 Mario Party 8 (4.86 million)
5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl (4.85 million)
6 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (4.52 million)
7 Wii Fit (2.9147 million)
8 Mario Kart Wii (2.564 million)
9 Super Paper Mario (2.28 million)
10 Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (2.26 million)
11 WarioWare: Smooth Moves (1.82 million)
12 Mario Strikers Charged (1.77 million)
13 Link's Crossbow Training (1.71 million)
14 Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (1.31 million)

[Fidatelo]

I have an XBox and a Wii. Here is a list of all my games for each system:

XBox 360
NHL 08
Call of Duty 4
Grand Theft Auto 4
Guitar Hero 2
Guitar Hero 3
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Wii
Madden 07
Zelda: Twilight Princess
Wii Sports
Wii Play
Wii Fit
Super Paper Mario
Zack & Wiki
Super Mario Galaxy
Mario Party 8
Super Smash Bros: Brawl
MLB Power Pros

Neither list is exactly inspiring given the ridiculous amount of sequels nowadays, but EVERY GAME on the XBox list is a sequel. Every game. And believe me, I love them all, but it is what it is.

[Kodos]

Below are the Wii games published by Nintendo that have sold over 1 million copies. While there are several sequels I think this is an incredibly diverse list. While diversity is tough to quantify I doubt either of the other consoles is nearly as diverse in its top selling games let alone in its top selling first party games.

1. Wii Sports (21.56 million)
2. Wii Play (11.51 million)
3 Super Mario Galaxy (6.1 million)
4 Mario Party 8 (4.86 million)
5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl (4.85 million)
6 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (4.52 million)
7 Wii Fit (2.9147 million)
8 Mario Kart Wii (2.564 million)
9 Super Paper Mario (2.28 million)
10 Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (2.26 million)
11 WarioWare: Smooth Moves (1.82 million)
12 Mario Strikers Charged (1.77 million)
13 Link's Crossbow Training (1.71 million)
14 Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (1.31 million)

Yes, nevermind that 5 are Mario variations (6 if you count Wario), the usual Zelda and Metroid entries, and then a Gameboy rehash in Big Brain Academy.

[spleen1015]

What's the problem with sequels?

The 2 games on the PS3 right now that are worth playing are both the 4th game in their series.

[MJ4H]

Having the same characters in a game doesn't make it a "variation" of the same game. Wario Ware and Super Mario Galaxy are nowhere near variations of the same game (nor are any other two could compare).

[Big Fo]

What's the problem with sequels?

The 2 games on the PS3 right now that are worth playing are both the 4th game in their series.

Yeah I have three PS3 (only got the console recently) games, all sequels (Metal Gear, GTA, MLB: the Show)

In the next few months, a lot of the PS3 games I'm interested in will be sequels (NCAA, Madden, NBA2k#) with a few new IPs thrown in (Valkyria Chronicles, LittleBigPlanet)

On the Wii front it's similar. (13 to 6 in favor of sequels)

Sequels:

Mario Galaxy
Super Paper Mario
Tiger 07
Resi 4
Pro Evo 2008 (although it plays way different, still a sequel)
Trauma Center: New Blood (sequel to a Wii game that was an enhanced port of a new IP on the DS)
Smash Bros.
MLB Power Pros (has been around forever in Japan, new to North America)
Zelda: Twilight Princess
Mario Strikers Charged
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
Metriod Prime 3: Corruption
Mario Kart Wii

I do think that the Wii controller does add a lot of new stuff to a lot of these sequels though, like Tiger Woods, Metroid, Resi 4, and Pro Evo.

New IPs:

Wii Sports (pack-in)
No More Heroes
Endless Ocean
Zack and Wiki
Mercury Meltdown Revolution
Super Swing Golf (renamed port of a PC golf game, maybe shouldn't even be counted)

Even most of the PC games I've bought in the last year are sequels. Civ IV: Beyond the Sword, Football Manager, OOTP, Bioshock is the only new one in that bunch. Maybe I'm playing it too safe with my games purchases. I still need to try out Boom Blox but I just bought that PS3 and OOTP9 is like digital crack so far so there isn't a bunch of gaming time free. Plus all those DS games coming out in the next few months, I need more time. Maybe I'll quit my job.

With every Nintendo game announcement I find myself wondering if there is something wrong with me that there is really nothing that comes out on their gaming devices that I give a crap about. Obviously people love them to the Nth degree, yet they do nothing for me at all.

Ok, I take that back a little. That Boom Blox looks kind of cool. That is it though.

Yeah gaming tastes are really subjective. I wonder the same things when people talk about how much they love Gears of War, Call of Duty, Devil May Cry, or World of Warcraft. :D

[MikeVic]

Is Valkyria Chronicles a sequel to Valkyrie Profile, or not?

[Calis]

Is Valkyria Chronicles a sequel to Valkyrie Profile, or not?

Completely unrelated game.

[Daimyo]

Yes, nevermind that 5 are Mario variations (6 if you count Wario), the usual Zelda and Metroid entries, and then a Gameboy rehash in Big Brain Academy.

Variations of what? Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Party 8, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Super Paper Mario, and Mario Strikers Charged have almost nothing in common in terms of game play or experience. They have character overlap, but that's the end of it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

As was expected by the Divx announcement, PS3 movie downloads to be introduced in the U.S. this summer..........

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2008/06/26/3517692.htm

Microsoft disputes European numbers showing that the PS3 has passed the 360........

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/30991/360-hits-five-million-in-Europe

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Upcoming online features on the PS3 have 'Live-like stuff'.............

http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/06/25/source-there-is-live-like-stuff-coming-to-ps3/

[Big Fo]

This one is a bit random. It has been over a decade since Mega Man 8 and over dozens of Mega Man spin-off games since then but the main series is to make its return, which is surprising enough, and they've chosen to make it for WiiWare which is almost as surprising. No word yet on if there will be an XBLA/PSN version.

IGN.com link (http://wii.ign.com/articles/884/884605p1.html)

[Mike1409]

Sony has lost over $3 billion on the PS3


http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/sony-has-lost-over-3-billion-on-the-ps3/1223467

[spleen1015]

I found the MGS4 bundle at Walmart last night. They had to of them. I went to Best Buy to pick up the PS3 HDMI cable and they had 3 MGS4 bundles as well. I was surprised to find it at Walmart, let alone see it at a Best Buy that has a lot of customers.

I looked at Walmart.com to see if there were any in stock at any of the Walmarts close to me. The website said there was LIMITED STOCK at the one I went to, so I headed over there thinking they won't have any. The stores don't update the website often enough. So, I was happy to find one in there.

I also picked up Uncharted. While not the best game, it is a cool adventure/puzzle game from what I have seen so far.

[Icy]

As i'll be on holidays when NCAA is released (will be away the whole July and maybe more but will carry with me the PS3) I'm thinking on picking up a shooter (I have only sports games in the PS3 so far).

Which one do you PS3 owners recommend, COD4, MGS4, or Bad Company? How do they compare in Solo and Multiplayer?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

As i'll be on holidays when NCAA is released (will be away the whole July and maybe more but will carry with me the PS3) I'm thinking on picking up a shooter (I have only sports games in the PS3 so far).

Which one do you PS3 owners recommend, COD4, MGS4, or Bad Company? How do they compare in Solo and Multiplayer?

COD4 is always a good choice. The solo mode is pretty short, but there's a lot of players online for multiplayer. MGS4 has a much better solo game. Not too much feedback on the online play as most are still playing the single player story, but I'm sure that will pick up in a week or two.

Since you mention that you've only played sports games, I'd also give a nod to Warhawk and Resistance as really good games that you can likely pick up used for pretty cheap at this point. Resistance has a good 10-12 hour solo mode. Warhawk is my personal favorite for multiplayer on the PS3. I'm a fan of third person games and there are still plenty of people playing online. They're going to release two new game modes in the upcoming 1.4 enhancements.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like the Xbox Premium will be available for $299 this weekend. No word on whether it's a permanent nationwide cut, but 'new low price' would seem to indicate that it is.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319489

[Eaglesfan27]

Ubisoft with an impressive (at least for consoles) free update to Rainbow Six Vegas 2 including maps, a high stakes realism mode, and some balances to the core game:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6193112.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;2

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Microsoft reiterates that they need to do much better in Europe.

http://kotaku.com/5020135/we-are-going-to-invest-to-win-in-europe

Summary of console sales to end of May is now available........

http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=195568

Wii: 28 million (18 months)
360: 19 million (30 months)
PS3: 14 million (18 months)

Firmware 2.4 for the PS3 has been confirmed for release on July 2nd. Upgrades will include in-game XMB and Trophy system. Friends list has also been bumped to 100 (will be interesting to see if MS does this on the 360 as users have been begging them to do) Info was released on the Playstation Blog (http://blog.us.playstation.com/)......

Hello again, everyone! Very recently, we demonstrated a major new function enabled in PLAYSTATION 3 firmware v2.40: XMB access in-game. But that’s only part of the story, as the next system software update also introduces the Trophy system to the PS3. This video demonstration shows the system in action.

Super Stardust HD, a PLAYSTATION Network-exclusive released in June 2007, will be the first game to leverage Trophies and will offer a variety of trophies. Trophy support in Super Stardust HD will be available for first-time users who purchase the game soon after firmware v2.40 is released, while those who previously purchased and downloaded the title will be prompted to install a free patch.

PS3 users can expect to see additional games bringing Trophies support to their feature sets through 2008 and beyond, providing even greater opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and compete with friends. The following first-party games are also slated to offer Trophy support:

BUZZ! Quiz TV
LittleBigPlanet
MotorStorm Pacific Rift
NBA 09 - PS3
PAIN
PixelJunk Eden
Resistance 2
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation
Warhawk

To further emphasize the community aspects of this system software update, the amount of people you can add to your PSN friends list has been doubled, to 100.

The update also adds a mini-control panel that you can use while playing music and an internet search feature powered by Google that allows you to initiate search directly from the XMB (similar to what we added to the PSP recently). In addition, when you’re using the XMB or accessing the XMB from in-game, the current time and date will be displayed in the upper right hand corner. There are a few more minor enhancements included in this update, once the update is live you’ll be able to read about them here.

Firmware v2.40 will become available for download on July 2nd. We hope you enjoy these much-requested features, and look forward to your feedback.

[spleen1015]

I also picked up Uncharted. While not the best game, it is a cool adventure/puzzle game from what I have seen so far.

I beat this last night. It took me less than 9 hours to finish. I am a little disappointed. While the game was fun to play, the time I put into it isn't worth the $60 I spent. The most challenging part of the whole game is some of the gun fights.

I guess I will use it in trade for part of my Civilization Revolution purchase.

[Calis]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/885/885168p1.html

Rock Band 2 coming out this year. Looks like September for the 360 and a little later in the year for PS3.

A bit quicker than I'd thought or hoped for, but it looks like they're playing it nice at least and saying the DLC will work with it, and the instruments.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/885/885168p1.html

Rock Band 2 coming out this year. Looks like September for the 360 and a little later in the year for PS3.

A bit quicker than I'd thought or hoped for, but it looks like they're playing it nice at least and saying the DLC will work with it, and the instruments.

I like the fact that the instruments have been redesigned to be a bit quieter and more responsive. I'm going to wait to see the feedback on the Guitar Hero instruments as well since I haven't bought Rock Band yet. If one of the sets is compatible with both games, I'll likely lean in that direction.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Some early comments concerning Trophy system from IGN editors who have already had hands-on trial...........

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/885/885177p3.html


What Sony showed us of 2.40 looks awesome. I never really missed custom soundtracks, but the Trophy stuff is fantastic. I'm a big fan of the 360's Achievement system, not for overall points, but rather to show how much I've done in a single game. Sony's version looks to cater to my tastes better than a somewhat random number scheme, which is great.

Also, the Level system is brilliant. My Xbox 360 GamerScore is somewhere close to 17,000 right now. If I get an Achievement worth 10 points, that doesn't mean a whole lot at this point. But on the PS3, if I'm at Level 12, I know that every Bronze Trophy brings me one step closer to Level 13. In the scheme of things, it still doesn't mean anything in the overall betterment of my life (getting to Level 50 won't earn me a pay raise at work or a free dinner), but it is one more little thing for me to obsess over and will start getting me to prefer playing the PS3 version of a game rather than its all-things-equal 360 counterpart.


Once this Trophy thing gets going, I'm done with Achievements.

With one morning meeting, Sony has made me ready to buy every cross-platform title on the PlayStation 3 instead of its Microsoft-bred competitor. Sure, points are nice, but now I'm Leveling up? You mean to tell me that Sony's turned my gaming into an RPG of its own? You mean that everyone's going to be starting from square one and have an equal chance at being king of Trophies?

Sign me up.

Seriously, everything I saw during our eyes-on with 2.40 impressed me. The ability to play custom music looks like it'll be fun, the in-game XMB works just like you think it should, and Sony honestly seems like it's ready to improve the feature as it goes. Sure, it's weird that calling the XMB up doesn't automatically pause the game and I'd like to see the Levels of my friends when I glance at the who's online section, but during our session, Sony was already talking about Phase Two and Phase Three additions and plans.

It's nice to know that it's committed.

Sadly, it's going to suck waiting for developers to get Trophies in their games, but the promise of Stardust and every major first-party, 2008 release being ready to roll with the system is a nice silver lining. Plus, they're working on a Warhawk Trophy patch, so I'll be set once that hits.

I'm excited. Really, really excited. Since the PS3 launched, I've been waiting for Sony to say "This is why you should play games on our system." The independent, original award system 2.40 is implementing is a great first step towards an answer to that question.

The PSN is about to become a community.

[Kodos]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about achievements, gamerscores, or trophies?

[Logan]

I really don't mean to be a dick, and I'm sure it's more that I'm just not the targeted audience...but if this trophy system has anywhere near the draw that the writer and his huge hard-on seem to think it will have, I will really lose faith in humanity.

Edit: Thanks kodos for restoring my belief that even people who hang out on text sim message boards aren't nerds to this degree.

[Calis]

I'm firmly in the camp that doesn't get it. I don't care about achievements on the 360, and the addition of trophies to PS3 games means absolutely nothing to me. I guess it does have that "Pokemon" effect for lots of people though.

The hype on that article did make me a little sick though.

[hukarez]

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/ps3-firmware-2-40-the-good-the-bad-and-the-belated/

Our feelings about this latest PS3 update are mixed. On the one hand, there are handy features such as the ability to communicate with friends without quitting your game and on-the-fly accessory adjustments. On the other, the update still seems decidedly behind the curve in several areas. There's no private voice chat across games, no auto-pause when the XMB is triggered, custom soundtracks are not available in all games. Given the time that Sony has had to study its competition – namely Xbox Live – we'd expected to finally see at least a one-to-one match in terms of basic features.

Sony remains adamant that it will continue to "evolve" the features introduced in the 2.40 update across future firmware revisions. We hope that the key areas we've mentioned get attention sooner rather than later.

...I was really hoping for private voice chat across games. Here's hoping for the update after 2.40, I suppose.

[Logan]

I'm firmly in the camp that doesn't get it. I don't care about achievements on the 360, and the addition of trophies to PS3 games means absolutely nothing to me. I guess it does have that "Pokemon" effect for lots of people though.

The hype on that article did make me a little sick though.

Legitimately nauseous.

And just for the record, it bothers me on the 360 too so it's not a shot at Sony. I know MBBF won't like hearing this, but of all the things that could have made me stop playing Madden last year, that god damn "trophies won" graphic that you would have to sit through after games came closest.

[gstelmack]

I know MBBF won't like hearing this, but of all the things that could have made me stop playing Madden last year, that god damn "trophies won" graphic that you would have to sit through after games came closest.

That was fun. I loved the "nothing but reputation on the line here" speech when my superstar just won the Super Bowl...

Well, that and the e-mail every year telling me I'd been picked in the draft...

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Legitimately nauseous.

And just for the record, it bothers me on the 360 too so it's not a shot at Sony. I know MBBF won't like hearing this, but of all the things that could have made me stop playing Madden last year, that god damn "trophies won" graphic that you would have to sit through after games came closest.

Quite the opposite. Just because I post it doesn't mean I agree with it. I'm in total agreement with Kodos. I don't get the wild excitement over what basically amounts to a geek race to see who can pile up the most nerd points (I hear chicks dig it). It seems moronic to me, but evidently there must be some market for it. Otherwise, they wouldn't do it.

[Logan]

Quite the opposite. Just because I post it doesn't mean I agree with it. I'm in total agreement with Kodos. I don't get the wild excitement over what basically amounts to a geek race to see who can pile up the most nerd points (I hear chicks dig it). It seems moronic to me, but evidently there must be some market for it. Otherwise, they wouldn't do it.

Sorry, I worded that poorly...I meant you wouldn't like that my only reason for not playing Madden was the "trophy" feature :).

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Sorry, I worded that poorly...I meant you wouldn't like that my only reason for not playing Madden was the "trophy" feature :).

Good to see you managed to find one thing wrong with Madden. :)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Walkthrough of preview build of 'Too Human'..........

http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/06/preview-too-hum.html#more

[sabotai]

Legitimately nauseous.

And just for the record, it bothers me on the 360 too so it's not a shot at Sony. I know MBBF won't like hearing this, but of all the things that could have made me stop playing Madden last year, that god damn "trophies won" graphic that you would have to sit through after games came closest.

The trophies thing was #3 on my list of things I didn't like about Madden last year. #2 was that they showed Profile Records before games in franchise mode instead of the records of the teams.

#1 was that the game pretty sucked. :)

Edit: And while I'll find myself sometimes going after achievements in games, I don't care at all about my Gamerscore or online ranking or anything like that.

[MJ4H]

Trophies and acheivements and that stuff has always baffled me as well.

[Eaglesfan27]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about achievements, gamerscores, or trophies?


Nope. I couldn't care less about them.

[Kodos]

They might matter if you could turn it into currency toward purchasing games or something -- otherwise, it just makes no sense to me. People actually play games they don't like just to get achievements. WTF?

[Karlifornia]

I found a screenshot of the final trophy..the "ultimate achievement" or whatever:

Image Removed

[Logan]

Prediction: This won't end well.

[Kodos]

I would've expected a bigger trophy.

[SackAttack]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about achievements, gamerscores, or trophies?

I don't mind the idea of achievements in the sense of 'recognition of difficult or time-consuming tasks." If you want to call those achievements, trophies, gold stars, whatever. Fine.

It still comes down to Pavlovian reflex. Do the task, get the treat, and there are plenty of people who like that sort of a system. It's instant gratification on the way to the larger goal of completing the game, and lets people feel like they're making progress and/or doing well.

But the important thing is not to make more of it than it is. For PlayStation 3 owners, it's important not because of what it actually does, but for more symbolic reasons - a slight narrowing of the platform feature gap, and one fewer thing their system "doesn't do."

Go back to your childhood, those of you who are young enough to have started playing home consoles when you WERE eight years old. That was a pretty big damn deal then, whose system was better, and there's a sizeable contingent of people for whom the discussion is still life and death.

(Some of us have graduated from arguing over console merits to arguing over corporate decision-making, but it grows from the same seed).

Microsoft, Sony, etc., are in the business of making people want to buy their game system, because then those people have a vested interest in buying their games. For some of those people, the way you get there is quality hardware and versatility. For some of those people, a killer library is the hook.

For some of those people, it's about what the system will or won't do, whether or not that actually means a damn in the larger scheme of things. Those people tend also to be the greatest evangelists of their platform of choice. They're the early adopters and the die-hards. They're the ones who never miss a chance to tell friends and family how great the system they bought is, and word of mouth is the most powerful motivator there is in this industry.

That's who the trophies are aimed at, Kodos. Not you.

[Big Fo]

Every time I read about achievements I think of this picture:

http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/4/4a/Xbawks.jpg

As others have said, these are some positive steps for Sony but cross-game voice chat would have been nice. The gushing preview from IGN's PS3 department was embarrassing IMO.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

As others have said, these are some positive steps for Sony but cross-game voice chat would have been nice.

The developers have already hinted that feature is already being developed in an article I read. I believe their focus was to get the main features implemented ASAP and then tack on additional stuff when it's ready. Voice chat was one of those likely upcoming features.

[Kodos]

Every time I read about achievements I think of this picture:

http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/4/4a/Xbawks.jpg



Wow, is that sad.

[Cringer]

It looks like Rusty from European Vacation.

[Kodos]

"Look Dad! Bedpans!"

[Anthony]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about achievements, gamerscores, or trophies?

hi,

i don't either.


all they do is serve to show how much of a loserish nerd you are, spending all that time on a game. i play video games to have fun, not brag about my pixelated trophies or gamerscore.

ok bye.

[spleen1015]

Does anyone know when games will start using this Trophy feature?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Does anyone know when games will start using this Trophy feature?

Some will start using them tomorrow. There's a list of those games on the Playstation Blog. A portion of the old games will receive patches in the upcoming months. Sony has mentioned that the use of trophies in the games will be mandatory for PS3 games later this year. Even though it's not mandatory, I think you'll see a lot of developers putting in patches on their games to get it done. It provides a new reason for people to buy the old games and also gives people that own the games a reason to play them again, which could generate added revenue if they decide to buy any add-ons.

[Big Fo]

Man these HD consoles could have used another year in the incubator to make them slightly more powerful for around the same cost. Soul Calibur IV will require the a hard-drive on the 360 version. For the PS3 version it takes a 6.7 GB install plus another 2.0 GB for the save file, which is absolutely ridiculous. Maybe Namco just sucks at optimizing their games or something, but all these mandatory installs make me glad I have a 80 GB PS3.

games listing on xbox.com (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/s/soulcalibur4/)

yesasia.com page for SC4 (you can see the 6700 MB in a sea of Japanese characters) (http://global.yesasia.com/b5/PrdDept.aspx/code-j/section-index/pid-1011073438/)

[Calis]

http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ctds/

Teaser site for what is obviously Chrono Trigger DS. That's pretty exciting news to me as that stands as one of my favorite console RPGs.

I hope they don't upgrade it to 3d like the Final Fantasy one. I don't understand the need for that. I think 3d on the DS just looks horrible, and the graphics from the SNES games would hold up just fine.

[Neon_Chaos]

http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ctds/

Teaser site for what is obviously Chrono Trigger DS. That's pretty exciting news to me as that stands as one of my favorite console RPGs.

I hope they don't upgrade it to 3d like the Final Fantasy one. I don't understand the need for that. I think 3d on the DS just looks horrible, and the graphics from the SNES games would hold up just fine.

Is it going to be a port to the DS, or a completely new game?

I hope it's a port, as they have a tendency to dumb down their old franchises in order to pander to the < 12 year old demographic ala Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced. (Still bitter about the fact that everything that made FFT great was gone in that game)

[Calis]

Is it going to be a port to the DS, or a completely new game?

I hope it's a port, as they have a tendency to dumb down their old franchises in order to pander to the < 12 year old demographic ala Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced. (Still bitter about the fact that everything that made FFT great was gone in that game)


Not much info out about it yet, but I found this on 1up that seems to think it's going to be a port.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3168511

I'd love just a straight port to DS. Nothing fancy added, just put it on there.

[Neon_Chaos]

Not much info out about it yet, but I found this on 1up that seems to think it's going to be a port.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3168511

I'd love just a straight port to DS. Nothing fancy added, just put it on there.

Agreed.

A straight port would be wicked.

[sterlingice]

CT hasn't gotten the facelift a lot of the FF games have over the years so a direct port would be neat. I'd be ok with a 3D version, ala the new FF's, as well.

I love comments like this on 1up: " I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS BETTER THAN FIVE NEW ZELDA GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I mean, I love the game, too, but, c'mon- I'm pretty sure 5 new games of a premiere series are better than a 10 year old port but whatever.

SI

[Big Fo]

Yay for Chrono Trigger. There will be some added stuff apparently, hopefully they add some cool things while keeping the graphics 2D.

[Neon_Chaos]

We're all screwed if they change it into some kiddified version of CT. Similar to FFTA, like I said earlier.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like the 20 GB Xbox 360 will soon be gone. Price cut is expected on the machine and it will be discontinued once stock is depleted. Rumor states that it will be replaced with a 60 GB unit.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2008/06/30/mole-microsoft-to-drop-price-on-20gb-360-makes-room-for-60gb?bub

[Cringer]

Looks like the 20 GB Xbox 360 will soon be gone. Price cut is expected on the machine and it will be discontinued once stock is depleted. Rumor states that it will be replaced with a 60 GB unit.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2008/06/30/mole-microsoft-to-drop-price-on-20gb-360-makes-room-for-60gb?bub

I love reading through the comments from the different fanboys of systems. It seems the MS haters are trying to pile on about no changeable HDs on the 360, and how they gouge the buyer for their HDs and on and on. Then you see actual 360 users post saying 'Hey, I don't really need my HD that much, it's only half full after two years.'

That was what I was thinking, especially after someone's comment here the other day about the PS3 loading. 360 doesn't load 5+ GBs of crap onto my HD just so I can play a game, so I don't really need an HD as much as PS3 owners. I have my 20 GB HD from launch, and I don't think I have more then a couple GB filled up. (I know, I don't go online so that is a big part of that).

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I love reading through the comments from the different fanboys of systems. It seems the MS haters are trying to pile on about no changeable HDs on the 360, and how they gouge the buyer for their HDs and on and on. Then you see actual 360 users post saying 'Hey, I don't really need my HD that much, it's only half full after two years.'

That was what I was thinking, especially after someone's comment here the other day about the PS3 loading. 360 doesn't load 5+ GBs of crap onto my HD just so I can play a game, so I don't really need an HD as much as PS3 owners. I have my 20 GB HD from launch, and I don't think I have more then a couple GB filled up. (I know, I don't go online so that is a big part of that).

While there are some users like you who don't go online and don't use a lot of your HDD, there are other user who do use downloadable content and rental services who need adequate HDD space. MS has to cater to all 360 users, not just certain segments.

[MJ4H]

Hooray for CT DS! This is better than 5 new metal gear solids.
:D

Seriously though Chrono Trigger is one of the only RPGs I've ever liked. That and Skies of Arcadia.

[Daimyo]

I'd take CT DS over five new GTA games!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Evidently, the Bioshock simultaneous release rumors were correct after all. Bioshock was never supposed to be a 360 exclusive. The plan was to have Venom Games create the PS3 version and release it on the same date as the 360 version, but the developers couldn't get it done. Also lends a lot of credibility to the rumor that Bioshock 2 will be released on both platforms on the same date.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=192136

From the article.......

Interestingly, we've also learnt that Venom Games was originally asked to handle the PS3 version of BioShock (to be released at the same time as the 360 version) but its coders said it wasn't possible. The PS3 version is now in development at 2K's Marin studio.

[Izulde]

We're all screwed if they change it into some kiddified version of CT. Similar to FFTA, like I said earlier.

FWIW, the classic ports tend not to be kiddied up, though they did murder the original Final Fantasy's difficulty level on the port.

Heh, don't even talk to me about FFTA or FFTA2. My esophogus still burns with bilous rage at the thought of them and I long for the day when we'll get a -true- new FFT.

[Big Fo]

FWIW, the classic ports tend not to be kiddied up, though they did murder the original Final Fantasy's difficulty level on the port.

Heh, don't even talk to me about FFTA or FFTA2. My esophogus still burns with bilous rage at the thought of them and I long for the day when we'll get a -true- new FFT.

Reviewers have said that the FF4 DS port coming this month is quite difficult FWIW. I've never played a game in the main Final Fantasy series and will be picking that one up, it seems like a good as time as any to see what all the fuss is about.

edit: Just read that CT DS will indeed be 2D with the same graphics as the SNES game, so that should ease some fears.

[sterlingice]

We're all screwed if they change it into some kiddified version of CT. Similar to FFTA, like I said earlier.

Seriously? Really? It *is* a kiddified game. It's lighthearted, especially for an end of the world plot, not super complicated, and not all that difficult. How do you make it more kiddie? FFTA was definitely "kiddified" but, really, is that even a criticism you can level at CT?

SI

[cartman]

Sounds like the new PS3 firmware is bricking some systems, and Sony has pulled the update.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208802265&subSection=Cybercrime

Sony Confirms Pulling PS3 Firmware Update

Sony (NYSE: SNE) on Wednesday confirmed that it has pulled the latest firmware update for PlayStation 3, because of reports from customers that it has caused their systems to stop working.

Sony released firmware 2.40 Tuesday, and reports of problems started flowing in soon after on the official PS3 message board.

"I downloaded version 2.40, put in Metal Gear Solid 4 [video game] and I get a black screen forever," one customer wrote. "I can't even get demos to start."

A Sony spokesman confirmed that the company pulled the firmware off its servers while it investigates the problem, which he said was experienced by a "limited number of consumers."

"In order to further assess the issue, we have temporarily taken the firmware offline for further testing," the spokesman said in an e-mail to InformationWeek following a request for comment. "We are working diligently to isolate the problem for those few consumers and to identify a solution before we put the firmware back up."

The problem was first reported by the video game site Joystiq.

[Izulde]

Reviewers have said that the FF4 DS port coming this month is quite difficult FWIW. I've never played a game in the main Final Fantasy series and will be picking that one up, it seems like a good as time as any to see what all the fuss is about.

edit: Just read that CT DS will indeed be 2D with the same graphics as the SNES game, so that should ease some fears.

That's ironic because FF4 was incredibly easy on the SNES, probably the single easiest of the series. :D

4's got a nice story and characters, though I like 6's characters the best (including two in particular).

[Daimyo]

In Japan there was a normal and easy version of FF4. The easy one was what was released in the US. The DS version will probably just be the original Japanese one. FF4 was always my favorite... Ninja Edge!

[Big Fo]

Guitar Hero: On Tour hits 300k in the US

Activision has announced that its DS music game Guitar Hero: On Tour has sold more than 300,000 units in North America during its first week on sale.

The company claims this makes it the publisher's largest North American launch for a DS title by a factor of eight, and one of Activision's top 5 best-selling launches ever.

"Guitar Hero is one of the most successful entertainment properties and continues to push the boundaries of innovation with Guitar Hero: On Tour," said Mike Griffith, president and CEO, Activision Publishing.

"The game's breakthrough peripheral brings the Guitar Hero experience to the 41 million DS users in North America and Europe, where they can play anywhere, anytime."

Two Activision bosses were recently paid over USD 6 million in bonuses as the company's merger with Vivendi - the parent company of Blizzard - is expected to be complete on or around July 9.


Haha, I had no idea people would actually want this game. Shows what I know I guess. Guitar Hero is unstoppable.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Haha, I had no idea people would actually want this game. Shows what I know I guess. Guitar Hero is unstoppable.

Proof that marketing will trump game quality in the gaming industry. Shouldn't be a shock.

[MJ4H]

eh? Reviews are mixed, but some people actually think it is a good game (IGN 9/10, for instance). I've never really understood the whole Guitar Hero thing anyway, so I'm not one to comment, but it's not as if it is unanimous that this game isn't good. The worst review scores are just mediocre, anyway. It's a game from a very popular series released on the most popular game console by far in the world.

[Calis]

I love Guitar Hero, although that's been supplanted by Rock Band, but I have absolutely no interest in a DS version and would never consider buying it. I can't imagine playing that thing in public without being horribly embarassed and if I'm at home I don't see why I wouldn't be playing a console version.

That said I don't see how anyone can be surprised that it's doing well. It's Guitar Hero for starters, and it's a great way for parents to let their kids play Guitar Hero without hogging the TV or bothering them. It's win-win.


From what I've heard it's pretty good though. The biggest complain I've heard is the setlist is crap, but people say the sound is surprisingly good and it works pretty well.

[MJ4H]

It is rare that I play my DS in "public" (ie someplace where it would be embarrassing to play Guitar Hero). The advantage is portability. You can take it to any room, any place, any time. It isn't just grand central station or living room.

That said I understand your concerns. I use that argument about the blowing the microphone game mechanic that sadly became popular for game-makers for awhile. Really, though it is just that the game mechanic sucks ass and I want more reasons to degrade it. I really don't fear blowing in a microphone on a game console in public. It would almost never happen anyway.

[Dekanth]

Hey guys, can somebody give me their opinion on which game I should buy between Gears of War and Rainbow 6 Vegas? I am still new to the 360 and trying to pick up some older games that have great reviews. I am a total novice with shooters, so I want something that will not frustrate me with millions of deaths, but not be a cakewalk either. These both sound pretty fun. Gears sounds better suited for a beginner, but anything in Vegas gets bonus points, doesn't it?

[BrianD]

Hey guys, can somebody give me their opinion on which game I should buy between Gears of War and Rainbow 6 Vegas? I am still new to the 360 and trying to pick up some older games that have great reviews. I am a total novice with shooters, so I want something that will not frustrate me with millions of deaths, but not be a cakewalk either. These both sound pretty fun. Gears sounds better suited for a beginner, but anything in Vegas gets bonus points, doesn't it?

Rainbow 6 Vegas 2 takes place off of the Strip in Vegas, so you won't see any of the landmarks in the game. It is also a game which has been annoying me like crazy due to tons of deaths. I'd suggest GoW as a better beginner game.

[Neon_Chaos]

Seriously? Really? It *is* a kiddified game. It's lighthearted, especially for an end of the world plot, not super complicated, and not all that difficult. How do you make it more kiddie? FFTA was definitely "kiddified" but, really, is that even a criticism you can level at CT?

SI

By kiddified, I meant changed the plot completely to not relate at all with the original CT, use lovable cute characters without any sense of death, using the CT images and brand it as merely a ways to market to a younger audience... like they did with FFTA.

FFTA basically just took the framwork of FFT's engine, and threw out the original game.

[Big Fo]

Proof that marketing will trump game quality in the gaming industry. Shouldn't be a shock.

But it even had the worst gaming commercial/trailer/video since Super Mario Sunshine and sold that well.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/34579.html :D :D

I mean you can't even say that is "so bad that it's good."

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like PS3 firmware 2.41 is on the way this week to patch the 2.40 release.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=192333

[Anthony]

My esophogus still burns with bilous rage...

you mean "bilious". tisk tisk English Lit Man.

[MJ4H]

But it even had the worst gaming commercial/trailer/video since Super Mario Sunshine and sold that well.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/34579.html :D :D

I mean you can't even say that is "so bad that it's good."

wow :confused::confused:

i cant decide if that was hilarious or tragic. i think both?

[Eaglesfan27]

Looks like PS3 firmware 2.41 is on the way this week to patch the 2.40 release.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=192333

I'm surprised you never mentioned the 2.40 release was yanked because it was bricking consoles. Actually, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'm surprised you never mentioned the 2.40 release was yanked because it was bricking consoles. Actually, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

I believe someone already posted it in this thread, did they not? Don't see much reason for reposting it. I do know that Sony said that the number of issues were blown out of proportion, but that rings hollow IMO. One console is too many. No company should justify their screw-ups in that manner.

[spleen1015]

I missed 2.40. I hope they get 2.41 out in a hurry. I can't wait for my larger penis after collecting trophies!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I missed 2.40. I hope they get 2.41 out in a hurry. I can't wait for my larger penis after collecting trophies!

I missed it as well. I'll likely delay all future update installs for a few hours going forward just in case.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

There's been a terpkristen sighting on the web! She just won a $100 gift card on the CAGcast this week. For those that feel the need to hear terpkristen's voice, start listening around the 35 minute mark.........

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cagcast/~3/328559226/cagcast125.mp3

[AZSpeechCoach]

wow :confused::confused:

i cant decide if that was hilarious or tragic. i think both?

Wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle...

[Eaglesfan27]

Some impressive new footage from Gears of War 2:

http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/07/08/amazing-unedited-gears-2-multiplayer-footage-released/

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like Microsoft's plans for the console and pricing have been leaked. 60 GB machine coming this month and 20 GB machine will be phased out. No 60 GB HDD until October or November. The assertion by the e-mail author that the HDD's that MS sells are a 'great value' are pretty amusing.

http://xboxfamily.com/us/index.php/Latest/Leaked-Info-on-60gb-Starter-Kit-and-20gb-s-Death.html

Leaked Info on 60gb Starter Kit and 20gb's Death
Written by Chris Turner
Tuesday, 08 July 2008

There has been a lot of speculation as to how the rumored 60gb hard drive would impact the established hardware in the Xbox 360 lineup. Thanks to some leaked info, we have the complete details. ... Below is a portion of an email being sent out to GameStop and Blockbuster buyers (logistical people handling what the store actually stocks). The email has the complete details on the 60gb hard drive and what will happen to the 20gb and 120gb hard drives. Email follows:

With the introduction of the 60GB Pro console in July, we have research that suggests it is very important to have a 60GB stand alone Hard Drive to go along with it to allow the consumer a full range of choices and values. In late October/early November (exact date TBD but most likely last week in October or 1st week in November), we will ship the Xbox 360 60GB Hard Drive, tentatively called the “Xbox 360 60GB LIVE Starter Pack”. This will be an excellent value price at and ERP of $99.99 with an 18% retail margin that contains:


· 60GB Hard Drive

· 3 Months of Xbox Live

· Xbox 360 Wired Headset

· Xbox 360 Ethernet Cable (same one that is included with Pro and Elite)

Positioning: For Xbox 360 Arcade and Core console owners, the Xbox 360 60GB Live Starter Pack offers all of the components to get onto Xbox LIVE and jump in to on line multiplayer gaming and Marketplace content downloads at an incredible value.

With the end of life of the 20GB Hard Drive and the price drop of the 120GB Hard Drive to $149.99 in September, this new 60GB hard drive will fit very well into our “Choice and Value” pillar and will fit nicely into our accessory line up. Exact SKU/UPC/Set up info will come soon and once we nail down the exact MSD, I will let you all know immediately.

<END>

The XBF Take: How is 150 bucks a good deal for 120 gigs of storage? But at least this 60gb will give new comers a decent setup and enough space to enjoy XBL. But then again, XBLA games keep getting bigger. When will we get a large HDD at a low price? We'll relay more information as soon as we have it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

More info on MS console plans. Gamestop leak shows that 20 GB 360 will drop to $299 price point so they can clear stock to make room for the 60 GB machine mentioned in previous post.

http://kotaku.com/5022926/gamestops-leaked-xbox-360-price-drop-info

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Sony discusses the issue on the 2.40 firmware update. Looks like replacement PS3's will be available for those who had issues with the 2.40 install.

http://threespeech.com/blog/2008/07/firmware-241-announcement/

[gstelmack]

Yeah, the 120 remains overpriced, but that bundle for the 60GB (3 months live, ethernet cable, microphone) means the drive itself is only something like $50.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Yeah, the 120 remains overpriced, but that bundle for the 60GB (3 months live, ethernet cable, microphone) means the drive itself is only something like $50.

Good point. I should have clarified.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

File this one under the 'another stupid comment by an executive' file. This coming from a MS exec...........

I think that there’s a difference in the type of customer that is buying the Wii. When you think about it, there’s a difference between trying to be the number one console with nine year old gamers, and being the console that offers the most experiences from 13 to 33.

You see they’re not buying games on it, right? They’re buying it, it’s like something they break out when people come over, and it’s maybe a fun thing, but it’s almost like the same people that buy a karaoke machine, you know? They’re not really buying it for games, they’re just buying it as a novelty.

This just in..........that novelty is making ridiculous money.

[Ksyrup]

I think the problem with that comment is that there are far more people interested in and willing to spend money on a novelty gaming system than there are people willing to spend money on a hardcore gaming system and all of its games.

[MJ4H]

I like that the 9 year old target audience is buying the novelty console.

um, yeah

[Big Fo]

IIRC the average American Wii owner is 29 years old, from some article I read months ago.

The 'not buying games' part is the biggest falsehood. The Wii has sold more software than any other console in history over the first eighteen months after release...

Par for the course for video game company PR really though.

[sterlingice]

Novelty is actually a good model for a game system if you can get it big enough. Lifespan is only expected to last 5 to 7 years so if you can get people trying in for the first 1~2 years, boom for 2~3, and then taper off- you have a winning console model as long as the boom is big enough.

SI

[Big Fo]

Today Merriam-Webster announced that it has added over 100 new words into the newest edition of their dictionary, and one of them is loosely related to gaming.

Fanboy (1919): boy who is an enthusiastic devotee, such as of comics or movies.

I'd like to think it was threads like this one across the Internet that have seen "fanboy" used often enough to merit inclusion in the new dictionary. If all goes well perhaps we'll see "Ntard" or "Xbot" in there within a decade.

AP via Google (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_PeP6nlDFC5XsSVjMv3fkVkgMjQD91P6AFG0)

[sabotai]

I'd like to know what publication was using the term "fanboy" in 1919 and the context it was used in.

[cartman]

I'd like to know what publication was using the term "fanboy" in 1919 and the context it was used in.

I think it originated over which kind of onion to wear on your belt, Vidalia or red.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like we may see a new console model for the PS3 announced at E3. A Wal-Mart employee has leaked a memo detailing that that the 40 GB PS3 will be replaced with a new mode in August. No word whether it will be a 40 GB bundle or a different system.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/rumor-wal-mart-memo-says-40gb-ps3-to-be-replaced-in-august/

[Big Fo]

Maybe a 40 GB with a DualShock3?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Maybe a 40 GB with a DualShock3?

Could be. I wouldn't be surprised to see a game tossed in there as well.

[General Mike]

Could be. I wouldn't be surprised to see a game tossed in there as well.

I would. Absolutely shocked if they had a pack-in game for the 40. That's never been Sony's M.O.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I would. Absolutely shocked if they had a pack-in game for the 40. That's never been Sony's M.O.

They've already done it twice this generation with a 40 GB PS3. They had a GTA4 bundle and also had the Motorstorm bundle.

[Kodos]

And they've had PSP bundles with Jaxter and GOW.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

And they've had PSP bundles with Jaxter and GOW.

A Star Wars PSP bundle was also offered. Also, I've only mentioned the 40 GB PS3 bundles. Metal Gear Solid 4 was offered with the 80 GB PS3, which was honestly a better value than either of the 40 GB PS3 bundles that they offered.

[SackAttack]

They've already done it twice this generation with a 40 GB PS3. They had a GTA4 bundle and also had the Motorstorm bundle.

Domestically, though? Nope! That might be more SCEE's gig.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Domestically, though? Nope! That might be more SCEE's gig.

Well, technically, they're all individually making their own decisions at this point. If we want to split hairs, the 40 GB hasn't had a bundle in the U.S., but as I mentioned, the MGS4 was easily the best value bundle anyway, and the U.S. got that one.

Certainly, Sony has offered plenty of bundles lately, contrary to General Mike's assertion.

[SackAttack]

Well, technically, they're all individually making their own decisions at this point. If we want to split hairs, the 40 GB hasn't had a bundle in the U.S., but as I mentioned, the MGS4 was easily the best value bundle anyway, and the U.S. got that one.

Certainly, Sony has offered plenty of bundles lately, contrary to General Mike's assertion.

Uh. I don't think that's splitting hairs. I think that's a pretty goddamned cogent point when we're talking about the possibility of Sony introducing a new version of the 40 GB SKU domestically, don't you?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Uh. I don't think that's splitting hairs. I think that's a pretty goddamned cogent point when we're talking about the possibility of Sony introducing a new version of the 40 GB SKU domestically, don't you?

Not all that much. The 40 GB machine hasn't even been available for a year. The only reason that the 40 GB machine had a game included right away in Europe was because it needed a boost in Europe.

It sold well domestically as a stand-alone console initially, but has lagged of late (80 GB machines are hard to find in stock, while 40 GB machines are plentiful). The release of the 80 GB MGS4 bundle decreased the need to add a game in the spring timeframe. Had the MGS4 bundle not been introduced, the 40 GB machine would likely have already had a game bundled. With the holiday season approaching, it would appear that the lack of sales and upcoming sales season would make this the first good opportunity to have a 40 GB bundle in the States.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

More info being leaked about console introductions/pricing changes. A video game magazine/website in Finland is reporting that the 80 GB machines will soon be released in Europe, which is something that gamers in PAL territories have been wanting for some time. In addition, they mention a price cut on the PS3 in Europe. Since the 40 GB machine is currently the only one available in Europe, it's assumed that the price cut is for the 40 GB machine.

Here's the link for those that can read Finnish...........

http://pelaajalehti.com/2008/07/09/xbox-360-ja-playstation-3-ps3-uudet-mallit-markkinoille-tana-syksyna-huhuja-konsolisota/

[General Mike]

Certainly, Sony has offered plenty of bundles lately, contrary to General Mike's assertion.

Not in the US for consoles they haven't, which I guess I should have clarified by stating SCEA. For PlayStation One, I can't remember any, and for PS2, Singstar and maybe one other?

Do I think having a game bundled with a system is a good idea? Yeah, but I think if you only have one game choice for a bundle, you really pigeonhole people. I am planning on purchasing an 80 GB PS3, but ideally MGS4 would not be the game I would want. I'm sure its great and all, but for me its more of a game I'll get from GameFly and keep for 2 weeks or however long it takes me to beat. Now give me an MLB 08 bundle or a GTA4 bundle, and I would have bought it already.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Not in the US for consoles they haven't, which I guess I should have clarified by stating SCEA. For PlayStation One, I can't remember any, and for PS2, Singstar and maybe one other?

Do I think having a game bundled with a system is a good idea? Yeah, but I think if you only have one game choice for a bundle, you really pigeonhole people. I am planning on purchasing an 80 GB PS3, but ideally MGS4 would not be the game I would want. I'm sure its great and all, but for me its more of a game I'll get from GameFly and keep for 2 weeks or however long it takes me to beat. Now give me an MLB 08 bundle or a GTA4 bundle, and I would have bought it already.

My guess is that the likely candidates for the next PS3 game bundle would be Gran Turismo, God of War 3 and FF13.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like the talk of Star Ocean 4 being a Xbox 360 exclusive were extremely premature. Below is text from the Square Enix press release for E3. You'll note that while Infinite Undiscovery is listed as a Xbox 360 exclusive, no similar text is listed in the Star Ocean 4 portion of the release. All it says is that it will be coming to the 360, which means it might be a timed exclusive or they may just be waiting to see if the PS3 version will be ready in time for a similar release date. It's certainly a good thing for 360 fans to have the game on their console, but it doesn't appear to be a 360 exclusive as was previously posted.

INFINITE UNDISCOVERY (Xbox 360 Exclusive)
Genre: RPG
PAL Release Date: September 5, 2008
Infinite Undiscovery is the newest fantasy role-playing console game from Square Enix, drawing gamers into a real-time world woven of countless threads where player choices spin untold discoveries. Players will be confronted with a variety of dramatic situational battles such as executing a daring escape while a gigantic ogre follows in hot pursuit, or waging battle amidst towering tidal waves. Dynamic environments change and respond in real time, creating an entirely new experience never before seen in the genre. The title is scheduled to release exclusively on Xbox 360 in September 2008.

STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE
Genre: RPG
Release Date: 2009
Star Ocean: The Last Hope is the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy RPG series. Slated for release on Xbox 360 in 2009 and published by Square Enix, this prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines sci-fi and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the Star Ocean universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise’s famous real-time battle system, introducing the amazing graphics and visual effects only possible on Xbox 360.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Whoops! Looks like someone inadvertantly may have leaked that the Microsoft motion controller exists. The person in the video around the 4:00 mark mentions that you just 'twist the controller' to manipulate the wrench...........

http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/15334/banjo-kazooie-nuts--bolts/videos/banjo_commentary_p1.html

Edit: Microsoft is denying that it was in reference to a motion controller.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Ubisoft will be announcing a new game called 'I Am Alive' due for 2009 release..........

http://www.gamekyo.com/news28224_jade-raymond-working-on-i-am-alive.html

Video of a 3rd party motion controller for the 360 apparantly has hit the Net. MS issues a 'no comment on rumors' response. It appears that a PS3 version of the controller may also be displayed on the site..........

Possible 360 controller:
http://www.motusgames.com/page_controllerdetail.html

Posible PS3 controller:
http://www.motusgames.com/index.html

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Too Human demo will be released during E3. It'll be interesting to see what kind of reaction the game gets after the demo goes public. The early feedback on the game has been mixed for the most part.

[Big Fo]

If there's one of the new controllers for the PS3 then I can start caring about Resident Evil 5 again. After playing RE4 Wii Edition there's no going back to dual analog (for games that require a lot of shooting) for me.

[sterlingice]

Too Human demo will be released during E3. It'll be interesting to see what kind of reaction the game gets after the demo goes public. The early feedback on the game has been mixed for the most part.

It would have been one hell of a game... back on the N64.

SI

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Another executive putting his foot in his mouth. This time it was EA's COO and he got called out for it. He claimed that the reviewers outside of the major publications bring down EA's review scores on Metacritic. Some good work here details just how wrong his assertion really was.........

http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2008/07/great-horn-of-bullshit.html

[Big Fo]

According to NGamer (Nintendo magazine in the UK) Animal Crossing, Punch-Out Wii and a mystery game developed by Capcom will be shown off at next week's E3 conference.

The latest issue of NGamer reveals information from a secretive source about Animal Crossing Wii and a new installment of Punch-Out!!

Those who purchased last month's issue of NGamer will remember that the British publication teased at the revelation of a new project from Nintendo's internal development teams. We received the latest issue of NGamer this morning, and it offers up some very juicy information indeed. Here's a snippet from their feature about E3 2008...

"And if all goes to plan (and our sources haven't played a mean trick on us), that hands-on coverage will be of Animal Crossing and Punch-Out!! Wii, aka Nintendo's great hopes for 2008."

The article goes on to say that Animal Crossing Wii has been finished for a while, and though it isn't an MMO as suggested by rumours earlier this year, it features heavy use of Wi-Fi sharing (and presumably multiplayer, as in Wild World).

As for Punch-Out!! Wii, NGamer claim that Balance Board implementation is on the cards for dodging and weaving, in addition to Wii Remote and Nunchuk controlled punching (which goes without saying) in the style of Wii Sports Boxing and Rhythm Boxing, which was included as a minigame in Wii Fit.

Stick with N-Europe for E3 next week for quality news and coverage from Nintendo's highly anticipated conference.

Back in June, we reported that the rather trustworthy British magazine NGamer had teased readers with a short preview of an "ultra top secret Wii title" which was said to be a surprising take on a next-gen classic. Here's a quote from Issue #26 of NGamer, where we receive a similar teaser:

"Sadly, we still can't name the mystery game that has us more excited than any of the others on this page. Capcom promise to maul us into our graves should we spill the beans, despite the fact that by the time you're reading this the game could well be announced. Needless to say, it's worlds away from the fluffiness of Zack & Wiki..."

Capcom revealed their E3 line-up yesterday, and whilst their Wii list was rather lacking, the appearance of mystery title Flock (which Capcom refuse to talk about) had fans speculating like there was no tomorrow (which is today). We think it's safe to conclude that Flock and Capcom's mystery Wii project are in fact one and the same.

Expect to hear full confirmation at E3 next week...

Link 1 (http://www.n-europe.com/news.php?nid=12024)

Link 2 (http://www.n-europe.com/news.php?nid=12025)

I've never played Animal Crossing before so it's not a big deal to me but a Punch-Out will get me to buy Wii Fit for the balance board.

There has been rumors of Capcom making an F-Zero game for Wii, so maybe that's the mystery game. Pikmin 3 and Kid Icarus are unannounced but also heavily rumored. Add in the games we do know about (Wii Music, Mario Super Sluggers, Fatal Frame IV, Disaster: Day of Crisis) and maybe that's what we'll see next week, plus Nintendo has nothing scheduled for the DS so expect a lot on that front as well. Only four more days...

[MJ4H]

My wife is already bouncing off the walls about the Animal Crossing announcement a few days ago. I was more interested in the Capcom thing since Animal Crossing does nothing for me.

[wade moore]

My wife is already bouncing off the walls about the Animal Crossing announcement a few days ago. I was more interested in the Capcom thing since Animal Crossing does nothing for me.

Whenever Animal Crossing is released I might as well pretend my wife went on a 1 month vacation.

[Eaglesfan27]

Whenever Animal Crossing is released I might as well pretend my wife went on a 1 month vacation.

Same here.

[MJ4H]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

[sterlingice]

We'll do the same only my wife will pretend that I'm the one on the 1 month vacation :D

That said, they need to redo some things on AC for the Wii that were a big step back on the DS. Stuff like making the holidays real rather than made- which just brought the realism down- and bringing back collectable NES games. But I doubt that will happen with the virtual console out there :(

SI

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like another E3 announcement has been leaked early. Greatest Hits line for the PS3 is going to finally be launched. Below is a link to a picture that a K-Mart rep took of the boxes.

http://flickr.com/photos/352/2659554826/in/set-72157606118243938/

[JonInMiddleGA]

So ... what better, 360 or PS3?

Sorry, couldn't resist ;)

Actually, I think I just figured out what will make the decision for my son's gaming needs: wait until the final features list for the TNA Impact game is available for both systems, see what the differences in the two are (if any) and then pick from there.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like another 'surprise' E3 announcement may have been leaked. Video of a new Jax & Daxter game has appeared on the internet.........

http://talkplaystation.com/jak-daxter-5-the-lost-frontier-videos/

Sony's Stringer decides to join the 'stupid comments by an exec' parade.........

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aClqhxdVor6g&refer=home

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Interesting rumor being mentioned over at VideoBusiness.com. Warner Home Video is expected to initiate a Blu-ray media price cutting war in the 4th quarter this year to help spark the format and player sales. New retail pricing for Warner catalog movies will range from $13-20. Agressive Blu-ray marketing is also expected.

As I've mentioned in previous threads, DVD sales didn't really take off until the 3rd holiday season after release. With early Blu-ray sales already outpacing early DVD sales, it would appear that the 3rd holiday season will again be the key year for a new media technology.

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6577564.html

[gstelmack]

If Blu-Ray movies dip below $20, then I'll start considering a Blu-Ray player. Especially if the movies come with a digital option I can burn to a regular DVD so I can take them in the car.

[BrianD]

Looks like another 'surprise' E3 announcement may have been leaked. Video of a new Jax & Daxter game has appeared on the internet.........

http://talkplaystation.com/jak-daxter-5-the-lost-frontier-videos/

Sony's Stringer decides to join the 'stupid comments by an exec' parade.........

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aClqhxdVor6g&refer=home

For those that don't want to read the whole article. Speaking of the Wii...
"I don't see it as a competitor. It's more of an expensive niche game device. We're selling a lot of PlayStation 3s now and it's still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player."

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

For those that aren't aware, the E3 conference begins today. The big companies presenting today include Microsoft, Square Enix, and EA. Should see a ton of news coming over the next 3 days.

Also, the June sales numbers for North America will be available July 17th.

Edit: Here's a link to watch/listen to the various news conferences.

http://livewire.ign.com/2008/e3/index.html#

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Preview of July NPD numbers now available.

http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/07/14/pachter-ps3-battered-360-in-the-us-last-month/

[MJ4H]

COOL

Introducing Wii MotionPlus, accessory for the Wii Remote (http://wiinintendo.net/2008/07/14/introducing-wii-motionplus-accessory-for-the-wii-remote/) July 14, 2008

Filed under: First Look (http://wiinintendo.net/category/first-look/) — hey_suburbia @ 11:00 am
<!-- end META --> http://wiinintendo.net/wp-content/wiimotionplus.jpg
Nintendo’s upcoming Wii MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote controller again redefines game control, by more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space. The Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player’s arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion. Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo’s commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone. Nintendo will reveal more details about the Wii MotionPlus accessory and other topics Tuesday

[Big Fo]

Oh shit, I bet that will be used to control a sword in a new Zelda game announced tomorrow. I wonder if third-parties have been working with it for the Star Wars games, Tiger 09, etc.

edit: And with how almost nothing ever leaks from Nintendo you gotta love the timing of the announcement, just before MS kicks off E3.

[hukarez]

Slick!

[Fidatelo]

I wonder if that will allow for the best-boxing-game-ever-made to come out? I've been dying for that ever since I played the Wii Sports Boxing. I assumed the problems in that game were because of poor development (pack-in means get it out the door on time or else), but I wouldn't be surprised if the standalone Wiimotes can't properly handle the motion right now.

Go Wii!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Live feed on the previously linked IGN site is now up. Microsoft press conference should begin anytime.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

-Fallout 3 director promises some exclusive 360 downloadable content.

-Resident Evil 5 worldwide release date set: 3/13/2009.

-Fable II due out in October 2008.

-Gears of War 2 due out November 7th.

-NBC and Universal content to be available for download.

-Avatars now available with the new online interface on Xbox Live. Very similar to the Mii's.

-Portal: Still Alive coming to XBLA this fall.

-South Park game coming to XBLA in 2009.

-Netflix agreement is announced for 360. No additional cost for non-HD movies if you are a member.

-New Scene It game coming soon.

-New game titled 'You're in the Movies' coming to 360. The executives played it and it looked TERRIBLE! Somewhat similar to the games on the PS Eye on the PS2.

-3 REM songs will be timed exclusives for the 360. Also, Metallica songs will be downloadable for GH3 owners day and date of new album release.

-'Lips' announced for the 360. Very similar to Singstar. Microphones also light up and are motion sensitive.

-Rock Band 2. 84 songs, all master recordings. Includes a new Axel Rose debut, Bob Dylan song, and AC/DC song. 20 additional songs will be available for free on release.

-Infinite Undiscovery releases on September 2nd.

-Star Ocean 4 release set for Spring 2009.

-The Last Remnant will be a timed exclusive this fall for the 360. Will be released November 20th.

-Now here's a BOMB. Final Fantasy XIII coming to Xbox 360. So much for the exclusive. Will be released day and date with PS3 version.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Couple things to watch for regarding FFXIII.....

1. How much did Microsoft spend to land FFXIII on their system? Had to be a pretty penny.

2. Will the release be similar to the GTAIV release? Sells software (which is great for the developer), but fails to move many consoles as the installed base is already somewhat set. Japan is where this will be very important for them. They could do some damage to Sony if they can get a foothold over there.

[Cringer]

Couple things to watch for regarding FFXIII.....

1. How much did Microsoft spend to land FFXIII on their system? Had to be a pretty penny.

2. Will the release be similar to the GTAIV release? Sells software (which is great for the developer), but fails to move many consoles as the installed base is already somewhat set. Japan is where this will be very important for them. They could do some damage to Sony if they can get a foothold over there.

We'll see if it's a system seller in my house, I know that. We have alway sbeen close to getting one but nothing major has pushed us over the line yet. The wife loves FF games, and she has been closer to getting one then I have because she has been interested in getting a blu-ray player. I will watch her on this one with interest.

[wade moore]

Couple things to watch for regarding FFXIII.....

1. How much did Microsoft spend to land FFXIII on their system? Had to be a pretty penny.

2. Will the release be similar to the GTAIV release? Sells software (which is great for the developer), but fails to move many consoles as the installed base is already somewhat set. Japan is where this will be very important for them. They could do some damage to Sony if they can get a foothold over there.

From the MS side I have to think this is trying to AVOID it being a system seller (for Sony). There is absolutely no way to quantify that though.

[Cringer]

I totally overlooked point number 1 until I came back in here from seeing in the other thread about the 360 getting FFXIII. Cool beans. I guess it won't be a system seller in my house.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

From the MS side I have to think this is trying to AVOID it being a system seller (for Sony). There is absolutely no way to quantify that though.

Yep, very true. I do think that this continues the trend of third party exclusives continuing to be less and less attractive. It's really good and bad for Microsoft if that's true. It's good because they will land a few of the third party games that Sony has used as a choke-hold over the past several years. It's bad in that first party exclusives will play a much greater role on the systems, and Microsoft's weakness compared to its competitors is first party games.

[Eaglesfan27]

Couple things to watch for regarding FFXIII.....

1. How much did Microsoft spend to land FFXIII on their system? Had to be a pretty penny.

2. Will the release be similar to the GTAIV release? Sells software (which is great for the developer), but fails to move many consoles as the installed base is already somewhat set. Japan is where this will be very important for them. They could do some damage to Sony if they can get a foothold over there.

You always admitted this will be a huge blow for the PS3, if it became a non-exclusive. Are you going to try to back out of that now? Anyway, there went my reason for asking for a PS3 this Christmas and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It may not move a bunch of 360's, but this move certainly dampened (probably nearly eliminated) the impact it will have on the PS3's sales.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

You always admitted this will be a huge blow for the PS3, if it became a non-exclusive. Are you going to try to back out of that now? Anyway, there went my reason for asking for a PS3 this Christmas and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It may not move a bunch of 360's, but this move certainly dampened (probably nearly eliminated) the impact it will have on the PS3's sales.

As mentioned above by wade, that's definitely the impact that MS wanted. It shows just how the third-party exclusives are quickly disappearing. You implied in another head that 'my head would explode'. Not sure why that would happen as it doesn't affect me personally. I still get to play FFXIII either way on my PS3. It certainly will spur debate in this thread, that's for sure. Microsoft still has to find a way to sell consoles. That's their main problem right now. The main sales that were lost by this announcement were the cross-over sales by 360 owners to the PS3. Sony now has to find other ways to make cross-over sales. I do think your comment that it will eliminate the impact on PS3 sales is highly exaggerated. It will definitely still provide a boost.

I would note that Sony's press conference is scheduled for tomorrow. MS has laid down their claim. We'll have to see what Sony has in store to counter this move. I have no doubt that they're not just going to roll over. It's definitely great to see these kinds of things take place because it really spurs interest in the consoles, which is great for the industry over the long haul.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If Microsoft manages to get more big games like this, they may well put themselves out of business.

Love to hear the reasoning behind that unless you just set up a strawman for your own self-fulfillment.

[Eaglesfan27]

I can't believe how many times you said it would be terrible for Sony if FF XIII went to the 360, and how many times you protested it would never happen because Sony wouldn't let it happen, yet now you try to play if off like it is a bad move by MS and doesn't hurt Sony at all.

[SirFozzie]

New Feature coming for X360 in the Fall: You'll be able to copy your games to your XBox HD and play them off the HD for faster load times... (probably will need your disc in there to play, still, mind you)

This will be good for sports games ;)

edit:Guess this is their way of pushing more $$$$ in Hard Drives..

[Calis]

Isn't Sony one of the larger shareholders in Square/Enix?

I mean I know they're not a majority holder but I thought they were one of the larger ones, so that's a bit awkward for them.

I guess if it booms on the 360 they'll get something out of the deal on the brightside. :)

[Daimyo]

Couple things to watch for regarding FFXIII.....

1. How much did Microsoft spend to land FFXIII on their system? Had to be a pretty penny.

2. Will the release be similar to the GTAIV release? Sells software (which is great for the developer), but fails to move many consoles as the installed base is already somewhat set. Japan is where this will be very important for them. They could do some damage to Sony if they can get a foothold over there.
Why would Microsoft have to pay Square to release FFXIII on a second console that more than doubles their potential sales? Perhaps the correct comment is "How much had Square been demanding from Sony to keep it exclusive?" This isn't really surprising at all. i think you're about the only one the thread shocked by this.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I can't believe how many times you said it would be terrible for Sony if FF XIII went to the 360, and how many times you protested it would never happen because Sony wouldn't let it happen, yet now you try to play if off like it is a bad move by MS and doesn't hurt Sony at all.

You into strawman arguments today as well? I certainly never said it was a bad move by Microsoft in any way. Feel free to point out where I said that this move hurt Microsoft. My only comment that even remotely came close to even being negative was my point that if 3rd party exclusives continue to go the way of the do-do bird, then they will have to up their game in regard to first party exclusives, as Sony and Nintendo both currently are stronger in that regard.

There's no question that this hurts Sony. I do think calling the war when only one side has fired a shot is certainly a premature move at this point.

[Cringer]

New Feature coming for X360 in the Fall: You'll be able to copy your games to your XBox HD and play them off the HD for faster load times... (probably will need your disc in there to play, still, mind you)

This will be good for sports games ;)

edit:Guess this is their way of pushing more $$$$ in Hard Drives..

Cool. I will rarely use it though if at all. I am not upgrading from my mega giant 20GB HD. I am guessing you are correct on the disk part too, or else everyone(ie blockbuster) would stop renting games. ;)

[Big Fo]

FF13 on 360?

That's "the nail in the coffin" for any PS3 comeback hope [/NBA Jam announcer voice]

Gotta love Microsoft's strategy this generation, it's more about them making sure Sony fails than making sure MS succeeds. All those JRPGs they've moneyhatted probably won't push them over 1m in Japan by the end of the generation but they will keep people from buying PS3s worldwide. It also has the side benefit of expanding their game library beyond the guns, guitars, cars, and sports crowd.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Why would Microsoft have to pay Sony to release FFXIII on a second console that more than doubles their potential sales? Perhaps the correct comment is "How much had Square been demanding from Sony to keep it exclusive?" This isn't really surprising at all. i think you're about the only one the thread shocked by this.

Yeah, absolutely no one but me was shocked.

:confused:

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Some interesting clarifications regarding the FFXIII exclusive announcement.

1. FFXIII is still a PS3 exclusive in Japan. The MS announcement only applies in English-speaking territories.

2. FFXIII Versus is still a PS3 exclusive.

http://kotaku.com/5025033/liveblogging-square-enix-press-conference

[Daimyo]

Yeah, absolutely no one but me was shocked.

:confused:

In this thread? How many times have people in these threads commented that they expected FFXIII to be multi-platform? Just about everyone...

[Daimyo]

Some interesting clarifications regarding the FFXIII exclusive announcement.

1. FFXIII is still a PS3 exclusive in Japan. The MS announcement only applies in English-speaking territories.

2. FFXIII is still a PS3 exclusive.

http://kotaku.com/5025033/liveblogging-square-enix-press-conference

I think you meant "FF Versus 13" is still a PS3 exclusive in #2.

[Eaglesfan27]

I think you meant "FF Versus 13" is still a PS3 exclusive in #2.


Yep. Of course, the original post is probably his wishful thinking. :D

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

In this thread? How many times have people in these threads commented that they expected FFXIII to be multi-platform? Just about everyone...

Well, 'just about everyone' thought that MGS4 was going to the 360 as well. It's stupid to make that kind of assertion. Everyone has been wrong in their opinion in one way or another. As most have said, jabbing MBBF is more of a sport than anything else. It doesn't really matter all that much what it's about.

I corrected my other post about FFXIII Versus. Thanks for the catch.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Yep. Of course, the original post is probably his wishful thinking. :D

I noticed that you didn't post the information clarifying the exclusive announcement about FFXIII. I can't say that I'm all that surprised.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm at work. OS and FOFC are the only sites related to gaming I view at work and I didn't know about it until you posted it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Interesting point by Bill Harris regarding the FFXIII announcement. He voices a similar point I made that the announcement still doesn't help MS's current pricing/sales issues. Also, he makes a good point that we honestly don't know when FFXIII will come at this point. It's been promised for some time, but we still don't have a playable game being shown anywhere. It's not going to help any console in the near future, which bodes well for Nintendo in the meanwhile.

http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2008/07/e3-console-post-3-microsoft-press.html

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'm at work. OS and FOFC are the only sites related to gaming I view at work and I didn't know about it until you posted it.

Seems kind of stupid to make a comment like that, doesn't it?

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1770821&postcount=164

[BrianD]

Seems kind of stupid to make a comment like that, doesn't it?

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1770821&postcount=164

:popcorn: