Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

[VanCitySportsGuy]

http://ncroal.talk.newsweek.com/default.asp?item=283457

Interesting answers from some of the top execs in the gaming industry.

[Rodster]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

It's been answered before and it's based on commonsense. The 360 costs more than any other system out there before the PS3 launched. You can buy a cheaper system for less money with better games, i.e. PS2.

More gamers were focused on the launch of the next two systems so sales naturally will slow down some. Also the 360 as of yet doesn't have the library of the PS2.

Once everyone sees what the PS3 will and can do. More gamers might go the 360 route, but poll most gamers at any store and they probably want a PS3. Also once the first price drop hits expect a surge in 360 sales.

360 defects haven't helped their cause either.

[Erv]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

Price, the core strategy hasn't worked too well. The games for the most part are very expensive.

Reliability, don't think this is a mainstream factor but it kept me from getting one personally.

Games - Too many last-gen ports, some still trickling through(Winning Eleven, Smackdown) which can have a negative impression on the uninformed gamer. With the first xbox MS was a lot more strict with developers. The XBL Arcade has been unimpressive to me, looking from the outside. Most of the most anticipated titles ended up in disappointment, and some of the games are really ancient. Why the hell port the original Contra, how about have Konami make a sequel to Shattered Soilder? The games selections have gotten really suspect lately for that service. For the traditional games, they need more Viva Pinatas less shooters/racers that the system already has plenty of. Other than the mentioned VP there is very little reason for a parent to buy their child a 360. That has got to turn around.

[jgo777]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

360 defects haven't helped their cause either.

Yeah, I'm surprised those articles didn't mention this as an issue. I'm sure this cut in to sales.

Now that all three consoles are out I think some people who were on the fence will make a decision between PS3/360/Wii in the next few months. If i knew I was only get going to get one console this generation I'd wait to see what all 3 have to offer before making a decision.

I don't think there will really be a clear leader this generation until at least a year from now when we see how well the PS3 sells at that price-point and until we can really see what developers can do with the PS3 hardware. Convincing 10 million people to pay $600 for a console will be easy for Sony, it's the next 90 million that will be tough. I think the PS3 first year sales will beat the 360 first year sales (probably by a lot). But if MS cuts the 360 price next year and the PS3 games aren't noticeably better than the 360 games, MS could make up a lot of ground (especially if BluRay doesn't take off). Should be interesting.

[Hooe]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

I sorta feel like the next-gen systems have been forced upon us; I'm still perfectly content with my PS2 and XBOX tandem. Not to mention that few games on either the 360 or PS3 have impressed me yet, and thus I haven't seen a need for a new console.

That said, more impressive games are beginning to arrive, and I'll probably end up with a 360 or PS3 sooner versus later.

[jfsolo]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

I sorta feel like the next-gen systems have been forced upon us; I'm still perfectly content with my PS2 and XBOX tandem. Not to mention that few games on either the 360 or PS3 have impressed me yet, and thus I haven't seen a need for a new console.

That said, more impressive games are beginning to arrive, and I'll probably end up with a 360 or PS3 sooner versus later.

I won't say forced, but I understand what you mean. I actually always felt that the next gen consoles should have all come out in 2007. Polished lauched titles such as Oblivion, Gears of Wars, Assassins Creed, maybe a MLB 2007 and the like, may have created a greater buzz, showing a much greater initial separation between this new gen and the old gen. Especially in terms of gameplay and other non graphics related improvements.

[Cebby]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

The bigger thing is it just isn't that big of an upgrade.

The PS1/N64 were the first mainstreem systems to really have quality 3D capabilities.

The PS2/Xbox/GC looked 10X better than the best PS1/N64 games.

The PS3 and 360 just don't. Hell, on an SDTV, which probably are owned by 80% of people or so, they don't even look that much better at all. That said, when GTA4 comes out, there'll be a huge boost in sales.

[HMcCoy]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

The bigger thing is it just isn't that big of an upgrade.

The PS1/N64 were the first mainstreem systems to really have quality 3D capabilities.

The PS2/Xbox/GC looked 10X better than the best PS1/N64 games.

The PS3 and 360 just don't. Hell, on an SDTV, which probably are owned by 80% of people or so, they don't even look that much better at all. That said, when GTA4 comes out, there'll be a huge boost in sales.

Exactly. Alot of folks just don't see the need for an upgrade right now. PSX to DC was a huge jump. I remember being blown away that the eyes moved independently in their sockets on "Ready 2 Rumble". Everyone was impressed. This time around, its more of the same if you arent in the vast minority of HD owners. Alot of guys I know have seen next-gen and been like...meh, I can wait.

It's also important to note that great games are still coming out for the PS2.

[Rodster]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

The PS3 and 360 just don't. Hell, on an SDTV, which probably are owned by 80% of people or so, they don't even look that much better at all.

Not a good example if you have a SDTV. If you use an HDTV then the gap between between a PS3/360 and PS2/Xbox is incredible.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

The bigger thing is it just isn't that big of an upgrade.

The PS1/N64 were the first mainstreem systems to really have quality 3D capabilities.

The PS2/Xbox/GC looked 10X better than the best PS1/N64 games.

The PS3 and 360 just don't. Hell, on an SDTV, which probably are owned by 80% of people or so, they don't even look that much better at all. That said, when GTA4 comes out, there'll be a huge boost in sales.

Exactly. Alot of folks just don't see the need for an upgrade right now. PSX to DC was a huge jump. I remember being blown away that the eyes moved independently in their sockets. Everyone was impressed. This time around, its more of the same if you arent in the vast minority of HD owners. Alot of guys I know have seen next-gen and been like...meh, I can wait.

It's also important to note that great games are still coming out for the PS2.

I can agree with both of your statements here. I just think that going from the GC & XBOX to the 360 and PS3, the graphical leap is not that huge. Now going from the PS2 to the 360 and PS3, yes there is a difference to a degree with a graphical leap.

Also I think that there are many that were waiting for all 3 consoles to release before making a decision. The wa that I look at it right now, it doesn't make sense to own both the PS3 and 360 together in 2006 or for the first half of 2007 since almost all titles releasing are going to be on both systems, except for a few exclusives here and there. Now if you own the PS3 or 360, I highly recommend owning the Wii. The Wii will compliment both systems very well.

Some might complain that the Wii's graphics are 4 times better than the Gamecube, but only 2x better than the XBOX. How can this be a leap of any sorts with such graphics work horses like 360 & PS3 will come to mind with some people. There are going to be people that will underestimate the Wii due to graphics, but once they play with the new controllers, they will be hooked. I wasn't sold on the controller until last month when we saw more videos as to how it works, but it cemented how important this new control style will be to the Wii's success.

Why hasn't the 360 lived up to success? As I mentioned above, people were waiting for all 3 consoles to release as one reason.

Another reason is the endless amounts of pretty ports that we saw in the consoles early life. Why spend $60 on a game when I can buy the PS2/XBX version at $30-$40 instead is some of the gamers thinking. I think come in 2007 as developers start to cut back on PS2 development, then more and more titles will start to be built first on the next gen systems then downscaled to the smaller systems, if that.

Plus already games with this next wave of 360 titles are starting to finally look next gen graphically and feel a bit different than most of their current gen counterparts with some added features.

[roadman]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

Price, the core strategy hasn't worked too well. The games for the most part are very expensive.

Reliability, don't think this is a mainstream factor but it kept me from getting one personally.

Games - Too many last-gen ports, some still trickling through(Winning Eleven, Smackdown) which can have a negative impression on the uninformed gamer. With the first xbox MS was a lot more strict with developers. The XBL Arcade has been unimpressive to me, looking from the outside. Most of the most anticipated titles ended up in disappointment, and some of the games are really ancient. Why the hell port the original Contra, how about have Konami make a sequel to Shattered Soilder? The games selections have gotten really suspect lately for that service. For the traditional games, they need more Viva Pinatas less shooters/racers that the system already has plenty of. Other than the mentioned VP there is very little reason for a parent to buy their child a 360. That has got to turn around.

I'll agree with most here, but my kids have loved the 360. Kameo was a good game and my son enjoys some of the sports games. Right now, they are engrossed in Sonic. My daughter plays a lot of Uno on XBL and the kids have enjoyed some of the arcade games.

MS might not be Nintendo, but there is some enjoyment for kids with the 360.

[jgo777]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

Now if you own the PS3 or 360, I highly recommend owning the Wii. The Wii will compliment both systems very well.

I think this is what I'll be doing. I love the 360, but I think the Wii will add a different dimension. The 360 is really hitting its stride with some of the new games (GoW, VP, NBA2k, TigerWoods, etc.), so I'll hold off on the PS3 for a while.

[DXZeke]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

I'll agree with most here, but my kids have loved the 360. Kameo was a good game and my son enjoys some of the sports games. Right now, they are engrossed in Sonic. My daughter plays a lot of Uno on XBL and the kids have enjoyed some of the arcade games.

MS might not be Nintendo, but there is some enjoyment for kids with the 360.

You need to Rent Viva Pinata or buy it for the kids.
I'm primarily a Sports and Blood and Guts kind of guy for gaming at age 28, but Vivia Pinata has been the oddest, yet one of more enjoyable expierences I've had with my 360 thus far. It's such a different kind of game. It's reallly a nice change of pace. It reminds me of a game Nintendo would have made.

[Crimsontide27]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

Here is my perspective on things.... and I own all 3 systems.

The 360 launched without an impressive lineup of launch titles. There were a few good ones in there, but most werent that impressive.

This fostered a wait and see approach to see what the other consoles would do.
I remember watching the "target video" for Madden 06 and being blown away. It was said the game was better than even the video. However, when Madden 06 was released, it was pure **** period. I now realized that it would be better off to take a wait and see approach, before buying a product due to marketing.

So now we have the 360 released with alot of hype, and not much to back it up.

Fast forward a few months and boards are filled with topics about 360s breaking down. Many considered this a troll topic, but eventually people realized these werent bogus topics and 360s were breaking down at an unusually high rate. Never before had a console been this defective when launched.

Xbox live arcade has really taken off and doing well. I know more people that pay and download arcade games, as opposed to buying the $60 games in stores.

Another main issue is ports.... I dont mind ports if they are upgraded, significantly better etc....but once again we can look to EA sports and their games. They released newer games that have LESS features than their current gen counterparts. The older gen plays better and has more features, next gen plays like crap and they charge you for extras. Its a no brainer...lack of quality titles has hurt this system.

Fast forward to today. I think there are a good number of great titles for the 360, but that wasnt always the case. The longer it took the 360 to become more " next gen", the closer the launch of the ps3 and Wii became.

With the release of the Wii and PS3 looming right over the horizion, I would be leery on purchasing a console until I could see what the others brought to the table.

This weekend we have seen the release of the last 2 consoles for this console war. Many gamers were holding out for the ps3 like the coming of Jesus. Sony has a great fanbase and marketing to boot. All the videos from e3, all the technical jargon that no one really understands...looked impressive.

However with the ps3 controller in hand in front of my TV, I have to ask myself why I paid $690 for a black dust magnet. The launch lineup is horrible.
Resistance is the only game that could be considered a good game that isnt already on the 360. Each game that is already on the 360 not only looks better, but plays better too. The days of many multiple exclusives are drawing to a close, many of the same games that will be on 360 will be on the ps3...now that we see the ports are actually worse than the 360, the ps3 just becomes an expensive paperweight. The much hyped blu ray Dvd is nothing to be happy about. You can run a blu ray and a regular dvd side by side on the same TV and not notice a difference. If dont believe me, go to Best buy where there is a display of Blu ray vs standard DVD and look at the TV settings. One TV will have contrast and brightness up, one will be down.
This solidifies the fact that only through deceptive marketing, does the Blu ray or HD-DVD really make much of a visual difference.

This brings me to the Wii. I never expected much from the system at all. However, I have been proven wrong. While I dont think some of the games are that great, I never anticipated my room being filled with friends for hours just on Wii sports. With their downloadable games from NES+, their new remote system etc...I see Wii doing extremely well.

Before this weekend I would have predicted the console wars to go PS3 > 360 > Wii. However after the results of this weekend, coupled with impressions of the PS3 and Wii...., I think it will be Wii > 360 > PS3.

Actually I dont think the Wii is really competing with either system. It appeals to a complete different demographic. So the true next gen war is between 360 and ps3.

Unless the ps3 has a drastic price drop, improves their game title selection, redoes their entire online experience...I just dont see it winning anything.

Look at current prices of the ps3 on ebay now. Yesterday they were selling for 2500, now you can put them on their for 1000 buyout and they wont sell.
This is huge if you think about it. There is still the limited supply, its just people dont want it anymore. They have seen what it has to offer, and its nothing that hasnt been offered for over a year already.

Now that all 3 systems are out, I believe we will see where the war will end up. The ps3 and 360 have to compete against each other, the Wii doesnt.
With the abysmal launch of the ps3, people have seen through the smoke screen.

360 sales will pick up, dont worry.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Why hasn't the 360 been a big success?

Not sure how the 360 hasn't been a success, when they've sold over 7 million consoles worldwide in it's 1st year. Accessories have been flying of shelves. The 360 will be available this holiday season, while the PS3 basically will be non-existent. Leaving only the Wii as it's major competitor.

The 360 has seen the BEST titles ever in a 1 year Launch Period of any console. In a couple of days Microsoft will be launching that Entertainment Download Service. I personally think Microsoft has a gr-8 job year-1. Not to mention the addition of some gr-8 features via the Fall Update.

Have enjoyed my experience with the 360 & still have my Launch System which was born on 10/27/05