2008 Will Be the Year of the Playsation 3

Even though Sony's Playstation 3 was slow out of the gates, it has found its stride lately and performed extremely well over the past few months. And as the latest NPD numbers show, more good times are in store. But in the end, it's what's coming that matters and if you ask me, Sony has everything in place to have the best year of any console maker.

Now I know what you're thinking -- aren't I the same guy who said the chances of the PS3 winning the console war are slim? Yep. And I still believe that. But what I also said is the PS3 will probably end up in second place when this whole generation is said and done and the main reason why that's true is because of what might happen this year

Unlike the Wii and the Xbox 360, the Playstation 3 is poised to grow at a rapid rate and finally become a major player in this generation. And although some would say that it's because of Blu-ray (and that may be part of it), the real reason is that Sony has finally woken up and realized that it needs to change its strategy, refocus its efforts and make an impact now before it's too late.

It has.

According to its most recent sales figures, NPD claims Sony shipped 280,800 units of its Playstation 3, compared to 254,600 Xbox 360 units shipped and 432,000 shipped Wii units. And although the difference in sales figures is far more noticeable when the PS3 is compared to the Wii, these numbers suggest a shift is occurring in the market.

Is the Wii doing well? Sure. And so far, there is no indication that it will slow down anytime soon. And considering Super Smash Bros Brawl is a great title that deserves the accolades it's receiving, I don't expect any slow down in Wii sales for at least the next three months. Because of that, the Wii will definitely sit atop this generation by the end of the year, but I'm not sold on the fact that it will hold that title forever.

But I digress. The fact of the matter is 2008 will be the year of the Playstation 3 and it'll be Microsoft that has the hardest time making ends meet. And though that may be hard for some Microsoft zealots to handle, the proof is in the titles and offerings that simply cannot be found on the Xbox 360.

Reason 1: Blu-ray

Alright, so maybe Blu-ray isn't exactly the most important element of the PS3 on people's minds, but rest assured that it does matter to some. After all, when a person runs to the store looking for their next video game console, their ability to play high-definition movies should come into play, right?

As I've said before, Microsoft has made a mistake by not forming a deal with Sony to develop a Blu-ray player for its Xbox 360. The company is under the impression that most consumers couldn't care less about Blu-ray, but considering the cost of owning either console is quite close if we match specs to specs, and a 40GB PS3 is actually $50 cheaper than an Xbox 360 Elite, why wouldn't someone buy the better-equipped device?

Reason 2: Games

More than likely, your first response to that question was games. Sure, the Xbox 360 currently has a more solid library of games and I simply don't think there's any debating the fact that Microsoft has done much better than Sony at luring developers to its side. But if we look at the upcoming release calendar, I would certainly give the nod to Sony.

And although many titles overlap like, GTA IV, the major headline of the Playstation 3's upcoming release calendar is Metal Gear Solid 4. The Metal Gear series has always been the cornerstone of Sony's video game library and has sold almost 20 million copies worldwide. Knowing this, there's no reason to suggest MGS4 can't be another big hit and one that should sell a considerable number of consoles for Sony. And when that happens, this race will become even more interesting.

Games sell hardware -- they always have and they always will. And it's that golden rule that will win out this year.

Reason 3: Sony has finally woken up

More than anything else, Sony has finally realized that it can't rest on its laurels expecting the world to stop and wait for it to catch up. In fact, Sony may have finally realized that the original PS3 SKU was detrimental to the company's entire business strategy.

But for once, Sony admitted its mistakes and took it upon itself to right the ship. By working closer with developers and creating more compelling reasons to buy the PS3 with significant price drops and more robust offerings, Sony looks like it's finally doing all the right things to turn the tide.

And it's for that reason that 2008 will be the year of the Playstation 3 and one that should be exciting to watch.

Source

Yeah this will be a great year for sony. I cant wait for all the great games to start crashing in for us. For me it will all start with GTA4..But as of now Im playing my PC

I also cant wait to see the yearly sales for the consoles.

This has been said for 2007 and look how that turned out.Wasdie

2008 has many of the same problems - what comes out, comes too late - what's most important goes multiplat, what's hyped and unknown becomes a disappointment, what's hyped and known gets delayed. I'm all for the PS3, but I want it to prove itself. I waited two years to get a 360, because I wanted to see that it could offer a variety of games sustainably, the PS3 has yet to do that.

This has been said for 2007 and look how that turned out.Wasdie

yeah thats because it was going to be a good year since we THOUGHT gta4, mgs4, killzone2 were coming out..

I'll believe it when I see it.

Right now I don't think anybody can beat the Wii three month combo of SSBB, Wii Fit and Mario Kart for the spring/early summer... not even MGS. And Nintendo has to have something huge planned since they've been keeping it so secret (that and they've been so successful they don't have to announce their plans a year in advance)

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]This has been said for 2007 and look how that turned out.Arsenal325

yeah thats because it was going to be a good year since we THOUGHT gta4, mgs4, killzone2 were coming out..

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]This has been said for 2007 and look how that turned out.Arsenal325

yeah thats because it was going to be a good year since we THOUGHT gta4, mgs4, killzone2 were coming out..

To play devil's advocate, GTA IV isn't exclusive, MGS4 is only one game, and KZ 2 is overhyped, certainly not something that goes beyond what CoD4 (a multiplat) is offering in terms of online addictiveness or single-player impressiveness.

The idea of hyping the PS3 right now is an act of pure fanboyism - it took the 360 two years to really prove itself to me, in its one year the PS3 has only proven to me that it need more time - one year isn't enough, the PS3 won't be a proven system until early 2009, and even then (much like the 360) it will only really have begun its climb...

I like how one reason is games, yet the Wii is outclassing both systems with two AAAE's this year in only 3 months.....rocktimusprime

That's wonderful, however review scores don't allow cross-platform comparisson except in the case of multiplats, where the review itself will state the differences. Calling a platform "having a great year" based on review scores is rather meaningless. the Wii is having a great year because Brawl is a good game, not because it reviewed well.

However the 360 is having a great year because Lost Odyssey is *fantastic*, something that the review score does not take away from (outside of SW mentality).

-

Or to put it another way - Brawl could have gotten a 7.5 and nothing would be different, other than SW mentality.

I beg to differ. If it wasn't for Blu Ray the PS3 would have died.-Ninja_Dog-

[QUOTE="-Ninja_Dog-"]I beg to differ. If it wasn't for Blu Ray the PS3 would have died.xgraderx

Nah.

I loved the PS1, but that didn't make me want a PS2.

But the appeal of a cheap Blu Ray player probably contributed to about a 3rd all PS3 sales.

isn't that what cows said about 2007?

[QUOTE="rocktimusprime"]I like how one reason is games, yet the Wii is outclassing both systems with two AAAE's this year in only 3 months.....subrosian

That's wonderful, however review scores don't allow cross-platform comparisson except in the case of multiplats, where the review itself will state the differences. Calling a platform "having a great year" based on review scores is rather meaningless. the Wii is having a great year because Brawl is a good game, not because it reviewed well.

However the 360 is having a great year because Lost Odyssey is *fantastic*, something that the review score does not take away from (outside of SW mentality).

-

Or to put it another way - Brawl could have gotten a 7.5 and nothing would be different, other than SW mentality.

How do you know brawl is a good game? Review scores!!!!!! of course any gamer would know that but we all know Brawl was going to rock. But thats what johnny casual is seeing, so it is valid in saying who is having a good year. Lost Odyssey may have gotten a 7.5, but it will rely on word of mouth reviews to the majority of gamers who don't visit forums because it was only fairly reviewed. Having games get great reviews, promotes awareness, with in turn will help sales and the overall image of your console, so I think review scores do have merit is determining success.

So anyway

One of the reasons is games, yet MGS4 is still months away. So half a year before the biggest game of the year for Sony comes out. It has GTA4 but so does the 360, so in what is supposed to be Sony's year, we have to wait through HALF of it to get to the good stuff.

Wii has 2 great games that are exclusive to that console. they are already availible.Wii still outsells PS3 and 360.Wii still has a heavy hitter in April, then WiiFit, and god knows what Nintendo will pull out this summer.

So maybe I should rephrase. The Wii is outclassing the Ps3 and 360 by having two of the best games of 2008 already availble to consumers while everybody else plays the waiting game.

Wii owns 2008 ATM.

Where are the games?Relys

Most of the PS3 big hit titles come during Mid Spring to Winter

This has been said for 2007 and look how that turned out.Wasdie

I do not see anything miles close to Fable 2 or Alan Wake VAST, next gen lit, and uber detailed free roaming worlds, sorry, PS3 will need years to reach what 360 game will look like in 2008, so no, 2008 is not PS3 year, it is 360 year

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]This has been said for 2007 and look how that turned out.Anti-Gamer

true, but i think they expected more

To play devil's advocate, GTA IV isn't exclusive, MGS4 is only one game, and KZ 2 is overhyped, certainly not something that goes beyond what CoD4 (a multiplat) is offering in terms of online addictiveness or single-player impressiveness.

The idea of hyping the PS3 right now is an act of pure fanboyism - it took the 360 two years to really prove itself to me, in its one year the PS3 has only proven to me that it need more time - one year isn't enough, the PS3 won't be a proven system until early 2009, and even then (much like the 360) it will only really have begun its climb...

subrosian

Exactly.

I like how one reason is games, yet the Wii is outclassing both systems with two AAAE's this year in only 3 months.....rocktimusprime

Wii was always going to have better Q1 with smash bros being released. 360 will still have the best year in terms of exclusive AAA's(NG, Gears 2, fable etc..)

isn't that what cows said about 2007?

shoeman12

Did Killzone 2 , MGS4, GT5, FF13 etc come out in 2007? .... No

2008 is the year of the PS3 , because Sony "Big Guns" got pushed back to 2008.

2007 was more of a making good future franchises (Uncharted, Warhawk, Motorstorm, Resistance etc.) .

[QUOTE="rocktimusprime"]I like how one reason is games, yet the Wii is outclassing both systems with two AAAE's this year in only 3 months.....Kratos_OMEGA

Wii was always going to have better Q1 with smash bros being released. 360 will still have the best year in terms of exclusive AAA's(NG, Gears 2, fable etc..)

Gears 2, Fable, NG2 are probably going to be the only AAA titles on the 360 this year.But you never know.

And thats if Gears 2 makes it this year.

[QUOTE="shoeman12"]

isn't that what cows said about 2007?

Sony_92

Did Killzone 2 , MGS4, GT5, FF13 etc come out in 2007? .... No

2008 is the year of the PS3 , because Sony "Big Guns" got pushed back to 2008.

2007 was more of a making good future franchises (Uncharted, Warhawk, Motorstorm, Resistance etc.) .

except that Resistance came out in 2006

[QUOTE="Anti-Gamer"][QUOTE="Wasdie"]This has been said for 2007 and look how that turned out.ogvampire

true, but i think they expected more

[QUOTE="shoeman12"]

isn't that what cows said about 2007?

Sony_92

Did Killzone 2 , MGS4, GT5, FF13 etc come out in 2007? .... No

2008 is the year of the PS3 , because Sony "Big Guns" got pushed back to 2008.

2007 was more of a making good future franchises (Uncharted, Warhawk, Motorstorm, Resistance etc.) .

weren't r&c, lair, warhawk, uncharted, and heavenly sword supposed to be sony's "big guns" last? and didn't they all flop?

For ps3 to claim ownage in 2008 is short sighted,the 360's fall lineup will shame the ps3 2oo8 linup.
xgraderx

what with 1 good game that IS going to be delayied for 2009? The next big title for the 360 is NG and i can bet you that MGS4 will overshadow it. With MGS4 bundled with PS3's .... it will sell like crazy.Not to mention the DS3.

[QUOTE="xgraderx"]For ps3 to claim ownage in 2008 is short sighted,the 360's fall lineup will shame the ps3 2oo8 linup.
Sony_92

what with 1 good game that IS going to be delayied for 2009? The next big title for the 360 is NG and i can bet you that MGS4 will overshadow it. With MGS4 bundled with PS3's .... it will sell like crazy.Not to mention the DS3.

check out the sales of previous MGS series and compare that to the userbase at the time

now, check the userbase of the ps3, now add about 1 million to that. how many copies do you think it will sell?

now, try to remember if there was ever ANY console that was sold at $499 that "sold like crazy"

[QUOTE="xgraderx"]For ps3 to claim ownage in 2008 is short sighted,the 360's fall lineup will shame the ps3 2oo8 linup.
Sony_92

what with 1 good game that IS going to be delayied for 2009? The next big title for the 360 is NG and i can bet you that MGS4 will overshadow it. With MGS4 bundled with PS3's .... it will sell like crazy.Not to mention the DS3.

[QUOTE="xgraderx"]For ps3 to claim ownage in 2008 is short sighted,the 360's fall lineup will shame the ps3 2oo8 linup.
Sony_92

what with 1 good game that IS going to be delayied for 2009? The next big title for the 360 is NG and i can bet you that MGS4 will overshadow it. With MGS4 bundled with PS3's .... it will sell like crazy.Not to mention the DS3.

Fable 2 will be a better game to have in 2008, than ANY PS3 game by miles, it is a vast world to explore, not some gimmick stealth and shooter or racer titles

Same goes for Too Human, Ninja Gaiden 2, Alan Wake etc to a lesser extend

[QUOTE="Sony_92"]

[QUOTE="xgraderx"]For ps3 to claim ownage in 2008 is short sighted,the 360's fall lineup will shame the ps3 2oo8 linup.
ogvampire

what with 1 good game that IS going to be delayied for 2009? The next big title for the 360 is NG and i can bet you that MGS4 will overshadow it. With MGS4 bundled with PS3's .... it will sell like crazy.Not to mention the DS3.

check out the sales of previous MGS series and compare that to the userbase at the time

now, check the userbase of the ps3, now add about 1 million to that. how many copies do you think it will sell?

now, try to remember if there was ever ANY console that was sold at $499 that "sold like crazy"

Then, to be honest, no PS2 game ever sold well if you think about it that way. Highest selling was 15 million.. :| 120 Million Userbase?

[QUOTE="Sony_92"]

[QUOTE="xgraderx"]For ps3 to claim ownage in 2008 is short sighted,the 360's fall lineup will shame the ps3 2oo8 linup.
saolin323

what with 1 good game that IS going to be delayied for 2009? The next big title for the 360 is NG and i can bet you that MGS4 will overshadow it. With MGS4 bundled with PS3's .... it will sell like crazy.Not to mention the DS3.

Fable 2 will be a better game to have in 2008, than ANY PS3 game by miles, it is a vast world to explore, not some gimmick stealth and shooter or racer titles

Same goes for Too Human, Ninja Gaiden 2, Alan Wake etc to a lesser extend

Christ, I HONESTLY hope you're being paid for this. Because this is just... ******* otherwise.

[QUOTE="ogvampire"][QUOTE="Sony_92"]

[QUOTE="xgraderx"]For ps3 to claim ownage in 2008 is short sighted,the 360's fall lineup will shame the ps3 2oo8 linup.
thrones

what with 1 good game that IS going to be delayied for 2009? The next big title for the 360 is NG and i can bet you that MGS4 will overshadow it. With MGS4 bundled with PS3's .... it will sell like crazy.Not to mention the DS3.

check out the sales of previous MGS series and compare that to the userbase at the time

now, check the userbase of the ps3, now add about 1 million to that. how many copies do you think it will sell?

now, try to remember if there was ever ANY console that was sold at $499 that "sold like crazy"

Then, to be honest, no PS2 game ever sold well if you think about it that way. Highest selling was 15 million.. :| 120 Million Userbase?

the userbase at the time.

most games sell the most that they will sell in the first few months. so looking at the current userbase doesnt really make sense. you have to look at the userbase at the time