What do you think console gaming will be like in a year?

I'd say that videogames are at an all time high, with more and more companies developing bigger and better games. Now is a good time be a gamer. With 3 next-gen consoles improving as time goes on, whether it be through patches, new accessories or just having games that take advantage of the hardware better, gaming overall is reaching higher standards and quality.

This post is to address the console war that is going on between Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. What do you think will come of it? Do you think one company will 'win' and dominate the market?

It is my opinion that Sony's Playstation 3 will be the #1 console of the generation, must like the ps2 was last generation. The PS3 seems to have the best graphics of the three. Scott Rohde, the new VP of Product Development at SCEA, was asked by Playstation Magazine about multi-platform games looking better on the ps3. He replied, "Your perception is correct. It's a technically superior machine." I heard the cell processor is being used to do scientific calculations or something like that. The PS3 has blu-ray, so games can be larger in size as oppose to the last-gen dvd formats xbox360 and wii use, and of course being the only system to play HD-movies(that's with disregard of xbox360's dead HD-DVD format, which the player is/was purchased seperately). I also believe that ps3 comes with the biggest HDD (160g I think), and there is no monthly fee for online access (same as Wii).

The Wii and Xbox360 do have some advantages over the ps3 though. The Wii has a broader appeal to consumers, is the cheapest, and the motion sensing is superior than Sony's dualshock3, especially with the new wii motion plus attachment. The Xbox360 has more exclusive games, since Microsoft has the money to throw at publishers/devolopers for the rights, and is also cheaper than the ps3 (although I think the new downgraded ps3's are the same price now). Other than that, i think the PS3 is better.

I think the Wii and Xbox360 are more on par with the playstation 2, since they use the same dvd format, and only feature some of the next-gen features (i.e. Wii has last-gen graphics/Xbox360 has no motion sensing).

In a year, I think the PS3 will have more exclusives than xbox360 does, as it becomes more clearer to the developers/publishers that the PS3 is superior. I think Microsoft is currently just using its financial clout as desperate move to try and stay on top of the market. The Wii on the other hand, despite being the least powerful system, seems to almost be in a different market all together, since it caters to the casual crowd, so I think it will be a close 3rd. Only time will tell.

What do you think?

Good thread.

I think what makes this round of console wars more interesting is that all the consoles have something different to offer all types of gamers.

What put the PS3 behind is the delays and the fact that when it was released, there wasn't much to offer in terms of the PSN and quality of games. However, it is coming good now and its gaining alot of momentum and, in my opinion, will dominate, but not just yet, perhaps in 12-18 months time.

I've never owned an XBox, I usually take great delight in hammering this console. BUT, you cannot deny that they have injected something different to the gaming industry. It has a dedicated following and for a good reason. What I think will hurt the 360, is the fact that it seems to have been rushed out of the door. Lack of testing and forethought will be their downfall. The reputation has been hurt by all the RROD issues. That being said, I'm currently without my PS3 due to the system not reading the discs and I had to send it away for repair, so the PS3 isn't bullet-proof.

I think we all realise the appeal of the Wii, anyone can play. Whether this system is for the hard-core gamer is irrelivant, what it has done for the industry as a whole is something that neither the XBox and PS2 & 3 could do in the years they've been creating consoles, they've brought a whole new generation to gaming, and I'm not talking about the younger generation either, its the older generation that has become hooked on this console. A 50 year old wouldn't have thought about playing games 5 years ago, because when they pick up a joypad, there's 20-odd buttons to press.

It has also tapped into the whole retro gaming niche by releasing all of the old games on their VC. This has became a big selling point of this console. I personally think, the games library is very weak and cannot compete with the likes of the PS3 and 360. I bought a Wii to tide me over until the PS3 was released. I bought one game for it, that was Mario Kart. Eventually, I gave it to my brother and my 2 year old nephew loves playing Wii fit, the footbal mini game.

This is the first time where there are 3 consoles in the actual race, not 2 and one just there to make up the numbers. Which can only be a good thing as a consumer.

I would say gaming is reaching lower standards of quality. Wii has provided an outlet for a flood of shovelware, with no quality control by Nintendo, and casual crap. While 360 & PS3 allow for unfinished games to be released, requiring patches, and reliance on DLC with often ridiculous prices. 360 is much worse in that respect. Unfortunately, while PS3 provides the most bang for your buck and the best reliability, people are still jumping on the MS bandwagon and supporting them with headstrong loyalty. Meanwhile people who have never picked up a videogame are buying the Wii in droves by buying barely any software for it.

I see the Wii continuing to sell well but eventually being overpassed on an annual basis by PS3 by mid to late 2010. 360 will become the worst selling permanently starting sometime in 2009. Overall the Wii and PS3 will fight for the most consoles sold by the time each current gen console is no longer available on the market, this will happen because PS3 will be on the market for many years after Wii has been abandoned by Nintendo in favor of its successor. Microsoft will again release the next gen console first, with Sony not far behind, and Nintendo last.

Are u serious!?!?! have u seen the selection of games on the ps3. I could hardly fill my toilet with every title on the ps3. It may be better when it comes to free online gaming, and graphics, but please i need some games. NOT JUST ANY GAMES...

GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would say gaming is reaching lower standards of quality. Wii has provided an outlet for a flood of shovelware, with no quality control by Nintendo, and casual crap. While 360 & PS3 allow for unfinished games to be released, requiring patches

Meta-Gnostic

I would agree with you in regards to the patches. The online aspect has become a reason to churn out unfinished games because the developers know that they can fix any errors at a later date.

In regards to the comment about the Wii, I have read many reviews on many games and most have been sub-par scores. However, I also know people that have gone out and bought the games and enjoyed every minute of playing it. So I guess its whatever you like. I personally think the games don't scratch my itch, the graphics and the animated aspect inwhich they want you to complete these games, aren't for me.

1. Sony will have the clear lead in current gen consoles. The games will be comparable to the 360 and the online service will finally straighten out. Of course the reliability versus the 360 will be indisputable.

2. Microsoft will have hinted at thier next console at E3. Bungie will conveniently chime in with a Halo 4 announcement.

3. The Wii fad finally starts to die off. Dreadful online, sub-par graphics, and a fraction of the quality games of the other systems make so called casual gamers pick a side by either grabbing a real gaming system or finding something else to occupy thier free time.

As much as I would like to believe that the PS3 will eventually overtake the Wii, I strongly doubt that will ever be possible, especially at the rate that its been selling coupled with the fact that it has yet to see a single price drop. I forgot the exact numbers but someone once explained that in order for the PS3 to catch up, it will have to move around 700,000 units of hardware per month for 2 +(?) years, and that is hypothetically speaking if the Wii's momentum comes to a complete stop.

It is important to look at life cycles as well. PS3 will simply dominate with its life cycle. Sony, from what we have seen, are very generous with having their consoles lasting a lot longer than their competitors. The PS1 was in production and sold for 8 or 9 years. The PS2 has been alive and is still going strong since 2000. And I expect PS3 to last at least 8 to 12 years before Sony decide to cease production.

But, your question says what console gaming will be like in a year. I don't think it will be much different apart from the following: Consoles MAY be cheaper (slightly) depending on the company behind the console. A LOT more exclusives will be coming/released, I think exlusives are things that contribute greatly to the sales of a console. And, of course, better games. Developers still have yet to harness to potential of the PS3, the 360s limits are starting to be approached and lets be honest, the Wii had no real 'potential' in terms of graphics and processing.

and lets be honest, the Wii had no real 'potential' in terms of graphics and processing.

TheMazaku

QFT, especially considering that the Wii is relatively much easier to develop in comparison to the other 2, so for anyone to think that the Wii's graphical output to improve considerably is living in a fantasy world.

[QUOTE="Meta-Gnostic"]

I would say gaming is reaching lower standards of quality. Wii has provided an outlet for a flood of shovelware, with no quality control by Nintendo, and casual crap. While 360 & PS3 allow for unfinished games to be released, requiring patches

Dollar75

I would agree with you in regards to the patches. The online aspect has become a reason to churn out unfinished games because the developers know that they can fix any errors at a later date.

In regards to the comment about the Wii, I have read many reviews on many games and most have been sub-par scores. However, I also know people that have gone out and bought the games and enjoyed every minute of playing it. So I guess its whatever you like. I personally think the games don't scratch my itch, the graphics and the animated aspect inwhich they want you to complete these games, aren't for me.

Even if there are some airheads out there that enjoy the worst of the worst, everyone deserves better than companies throwing out shovelware to make a quick buck. And Nintendo could easily fix that by doing quality control, which is what they did to save the industry when they released the NES. But now that they are making a lot of money they have become just as bad as the people who killed the industry in 1983... I hope Nintendo learns a lesson for being such bigots.

There is so much delusion in this thread. I don't know whether to die laughing or shed a tear.Shame-usBlackley

What comments?

I. While 360 & PS3 allow for unfinished games to be released, requiring patches

Meta-Gnostic

what? because consoles have the ability to patch games = terrible quality? im pretty sure if that ability was capable on PS2/xbox/gamecube, there would be patches then

[QUOTE="Meta-Gnostic"]

I. While 360 & PS3 allow for unfinished games to be released, requiring patches

KGB32

what? because consoles have the ability to patch games = terrible quality? im pretty sure if that ability was capable on PS2/xbox/gamecube, there would be patches then

Yes, the quality of gaming has gone down hill because games are shipped either unfinished, with bugs, without all their features, etc. Requiring you to be online and download patches to fix the games. You also cut off the end of that quote, where I stated: ", and reliance on DLC with often ridiculous prices. 360 is much worse in that respect." You buy a game and then encounter this crap, and then if you want the actual whole game they want you to pay $50-$30 in DLC. Not to mention that those who pay extra get exclusive access to some cars for ex or get a weapon to use in online that takes you a full games length worth of play to obtain. Ya, if it was capable on last gen it would be used then (I think xbox may have done it) and it would've sucked then too.

[QUOTE="Meta-Gnostic"]

I. While 360 & PS3 allow for unfinished games to be released, requiring patches

KGB32

what? because consoles have the ability to patch games = terrible quality? im pretty sure if that ability was capable on PS2/xbox/gamecube, there would be patches then

The ability of game makers to patch games would be fine if it were used only in emergencies, but many publishers/developers have just gotten lazy (Molyneux recently announced Fable 2 would be shipped unfinished but patched later, and Fable 2 is far from the first game to suffer from such an attitude).

To move onto the main topic, I expect things to be roughly the same next year that they are this year, with the X360 and the PS3 fighting for distant second (though it should be noted that due to the fact casuals are the new majority, being the bestselling system doesn't mean what it did in the old days).

Honestly, so long as people's hardware continue to work to their satisfaction and the level of game quality is where they want it to be (some people have differ definitions of satisfactory than others), I expect that like 2008, 2009 will produce a lot of happy gamers.