lolWHat are you babling on about?
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Hey all. I'd put this in system wars but i'd get flamed for some good reading material. enjoy. i don't agree with all of it, but the majority.
By The Uffie, on 03-12-2008 22:33 
Views : 759 
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Published in : The News, Latest News
Its easy to pretend that 2008 started when Gears 2 came out, but unfortunately reality is here, and well, it didn't. 2008 For Microsoft has been full of under performing games, and borrowing or buying ideas. Games like Ninja Gaiden 2, Banjo Kazooie, Every single bad JRPG that scored lower than 70%, Too Human, Guilty Gear, Infinite Undiscovery, Operation Darkness, Spectral Forces, Warhammer, Lips, You're In The Movies, the list goes on and on as far as terrible titles that hit in 08. The only good 360 exclusive titles in 2008 were Gears 2, Fable2, Viva Pinata, Tales of Vesperia, and Lost Odyssey. Sony had its share of stinker as well with Haze, but even the lowest scoring 360 exclusive out lairs Haze with a 46% for Zoids Assault. Both Sony and Microsoft shared success with multiplatform titles. Microsoft, with multiplatform titles like Left4Dead(available on PC and the Xbox360), and Sony with titles like Grand Theft Auto 4(available on PS3, Xbox360, and PC; thanks to member BobLobLaw for suggesting clarification), but the exclusives are the meat and potatoes of a game system, and Sony has the meaty upper hand in 08.
I am here, standing up and asking how can anyone come to the conclusion that Microsoft had any victory in the eyes of gamers in 08? If the media uses such standards as Metacritic.com to decide which games are worthy, and which aren't when it comes to Microsoft's press releases using the website, why isn't it being used now? If 2007 was deemed the 360's year due to the failure and low scoring games of the PS3, why can't it be used now? Why isn't the media even bothering to cover it? I've read about 10 different articles saying that the 360 has some how "won" 2008. And I have to definitely agree. It has "Won." Every dollar spent, has ensured Microsoft's victory over 2008. But the dollars most definitely weren't spent by gamers. But just plain advertising and influence dollars. Microsoft wins hands down! Is that what people mean by MS has won?
Today, we are going to assume you know a few things. Starting with knowing what the hoopla about 2008 was. Knowing that it was the year that Sony launched its arsenal of games, as well as hardware updates.Now we are in the last month of December, the big releases have hit, and the dust is clearing for 2009. Looking back on this year, gamers took home the gold. We've had some of our best games yet come out this year, as well as some of the best hardware updates yet. One problem concerns me though, its the problem with the media not giving credit where credit is due. Microsoft and Sony have both delivered on promises for 08, but one company should be commended more so than the other. This year, its without a doubt Sony. With more games, better hardware, and free online, its easy to see why. What criteria should you use to decide who really took 08? Any factor you use, is in Sony's favor in 08, and this includes sales.
The PS3 has started this generation as the most expensive console, and remains the most expensive console.The PS3 enjoyed the largest boost in sales compared to this period in 2007. NPD numbers have the PS3 and the significantly reduced 360 neck and neck, with the 360 gaining a slight edge in October. You've heard that right, October. Through the entire year the PS3 has enjoyed sales of its more expensive console, being right there with the 360's trends. Before, and after the 360 shortage. The PS3 has continued to sell well. That is just the picture in North America. The Picture all over the world is the same story, regions where the 360 is dead like Japan, the ps3 is enjoying a 2 million console lead. Only recently has the 360 enjoyed any newsworthy sales spikes, and this isn't due to games, or software. No, its due to a company doing the only thing it can do in the face of the PS3. Drop the price. I would say that most people looking for bargain gaming, are going to find it where the lowest price is. That is obvious. But the success of the PS3 is only highlighted with every price drop that Microsoft attempts. Every PS3 sale in the face of a 150 dollar 360 is definitely a victory for Sony, and seeing as how the 360's strongest market, North America, can barely see any significant lead over the more expensive PS3 it shows the reality. People want games, people want good hardware, and people want Bluray.
Sony has enjoyed the being the sole owner of the highest rated exclusive game between the 360 and the PS3. Little Big Planet, to where even Sony's harshest critics had to admit its goodness. Not only does Sony come in number one with the highest number of quality exclusives, it also comes into number one with gamers that seek variety in those quality exclusives. When pundits decide to take on the issue of PS3 vs 360 there seems to be some sort of time machine that is locked in the past. To where mantras of "no games" and other things like "4d" has stuck to the face of the PS3. Unfortunately for those sites, Kotkau. Numbers are numbers, and made up "facts" used to uphold the 360's gaming supremacy are also its number one enemy. Websites like Metacritic.com which is often cited by Microsoft themselves, tally up review scores and runs averages. Its the form of a digital penis for the my-game-is-better-than-your-game-crowd. This time, the mighty one is swinging, and it is swinging in Sony's favor.
All one has to do is compare the top exclusives from the 360 to the PS3 to see this outcome. Lets keep in mind that Fable II isn't even rated at a 90%+ score, close. But no cigar. Games like Metal Gear Solid 4 have literally broken molds that many in the media question if they can ever be reached again. Now some people may be asking why I'm going by Metacritic. Some also might be saying that scores don't matter. I agree with that statement wholeheartedly. But the buzzing media loves to use the site, and as I've mentioned before other industry leaders use it as well. Again, I am just merely trying to point out the double standard here.
Sony has broken down every single naysayers wall regarding the PS3 minus one. Pricing. And it still manages to compete, and defeat the less expensive 360 in regions all around the world. Sony has eaten its well deserved humble pie with its terrible PS3 launch, and has run into 2008 shooting. There was a constant flow of good titles throughout the entire year, and not only were these good titles, but EXCLUSIVE content that you cant find anywhere except on a PlayStation 3 gaming console. I've watched this generation of game systems go at it, and its become ugly. But I can't stand by and watch this happen and not say anything. Its rounds in a fight, sometimes you win, and some you lose. But the whole not covering a positive thing Sony does, is getting quite old. At this point, I even question if there is any point to pointing it out. Are people just blind?
The biggest 360 news, let me say that again. The BIGGEST Microsoft Xbox360 news of 08 is that Microsoft is buying PlayStation associated brands. Does anyone else pause at that? Does anyone think why doesn't Microsoft concentrate on bringing its own amazing franchises out like Splinter Cell? No. Some how the media saw this as a knock against Sony, and signs that Sony's gaming division, second to only Nintendo, needs to get out of the business due to Microsoft's deep pockets and lack of creative ability. Those same deep pockets which laced the silky pants of Rockstar Games. Lets not forget how megaton huge of a deal it was for Microsoft to land exclusive DLC for GTA4. Lets not forget that it was going to be a system seller. Now, lets remember how Metal Gear Solid 4, a 2008 PlayStation exclusive, moved more hardware units than GTA4 Ever did.
Is Sony kicking Microsoft's ass in 2008? Hell no. But Microsoft isn't killing off the PS3 either. Microsoft has taken 3 years to reach the discontinued XBOX customer base. With the more expensive PS3 only 5 million units behind the less expensive 360, without a year head start. Its safe to say that both consoles are going to be around for a while, but unless Microsoft starts seriously investing in its own gaming, it is at risk of becoming a Wii without a gimmick. It will be cheap, and it will play the same games the Ps3 plays, but at the same time. The PS3 has second to none titles coming out, and that are already out. As well as a myriad of included hardware features with the purchase of a PS3. Those things, Bluray, titles like Uncharted & Metal Gear Solid, are what the PlayStation Brand stands for. Microsoft buys up exclusive content, or Sony associated brands, Sony releases the worlds most creative highest praised title known to either consoles, or just second to none games that bring good gameplay and amazing imagery.
There is clearly a point to where if you want the games, and the games that are in fact, bigger, better, and more badass, you are going to have to own a PS3. Personality and brand is something that Microsoft can't buy, but will they ever realize that? Who knows, but with Gears 2 looking remarkably like Gears 1 isn't going to cut it in 2009 when Killzone2 airs. It cant even stand up to the PS3's heavy hitters now. How is Microsoft going to convince people that their game system isn't maxed out when the only title to answer the questions of the Playstation's power, is a multiplatform engine title that also is illustrated running on the PS3? You don't see any games the caliber of Uncharted or Metal Gear Solid 4 roaming the streets of Xbox360 avenue.
Graphics aren't everything, but they are the thing that people can see with their own eyes, and draw defining lines with. There is a value behind the price tag for the PS3. That value does include graphical power, hardware quality, and Sony's gaming heritage. Sony has never been about graphics first, but good games. Which also happened to house amazing graphics. What happens when the person asks why isn't there anything like Killzone2 or Uncharted on the 360? Or, has the 360 & Wii changed the industry so much to where graphics and the latest technology no longer matters? Just who can spend more on advertising the pet rock?
As a gamer, I go where the games are. The games weren't with the 360 in 2008. The Hype was, the Media was, but as far as me rushing home to play Too Human, Lost Odyssey, NG2? No. I like all 360 gamers had to wait until now to really fire up the 360 for Gears 2, Fable 2 and NXE. Neither dwarf the contributions to gaming and diversity that Sony has pulled off in 2008.And if Sony manages to get HOME out of the door in 2008, I see no reason anyone else shouldn't feel the same way. I have no problem with saying that, because people should have views like this. It will only push Microsoft even further, and maybe they will release some amazing games next year as I can't play financial PDF's! None of this is the typical doom and gloom which always leads to the author suggesting one company is about to go out of business, no. But to promote a healthy game industry, you have to pat the right people on the back for doing the right thing. Spamming out terrible games just to say you have more, isn't helping any gamers with better gaming experiences. Its just helping fat cats get fatter.
2008 was a great year for gaming. It should definitely be left at that, but pundits want to declare winners or losers. It should come as no shock, or surprise that the 360 sells more software. Its actually only had competition for 2 years out of the 3 its been released. Sony won this year by bringing the games, and holding its own around the world with its ridiculous price. Microsoft won this year by dropping its price to a record low, and selling more units than the PS3. The same way in which it won its first year sales over the PS3. Without the PS3 competing in pricing.
2008 Sony PlayStation 3:
1. Higher rated exclusive games
2. Higher rated multiplatform games
2008 Microsoft Xbox360:
1. Lower rated exclusive games
2. Lower rated multiplatform games
2008 NPD YTD( As Of October )
Xbox 360 2,459,400
PlayStation 3 2,440,900
Xbox360:
1. Gears Of War 2 93%
2. Fable 2 89%
3. Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise 82%
4. Tales of Vesperia 81%
5. Ninja Gaiden 2 81%
6. Naruto: The Broken Bond 81%
7. Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts 79%
8. Lost Odyssey 78%
9. Scene It? Box Office Smash 75%
10. Culdcept Saga 75%
PS3:
1. LittleBigPlanet 95%
2. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 94%
3. Resistance 2 86%
4. Valkyria Chronicles 86%
5. MLB 08: The Show 85%
6. SingStar 82%
7. Buzz! Quiz TV 81%
8. Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds 81%
9. MotorStorm: Pacific Rift 81%
10. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue 80%
**As Per Metacritic.com
Lets not forget, everyone is losing compared to the Wii because the Wii owns ALL! If that's all this generation is about, just sales. The 360 and ps3 camps need to close down, because if greater sales mean a console is going to go out of business, the 360 is doomed, as is the PS3. I'll be where the games are.
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