**looks at the sales of PS2 last gen and Wii this gen**

Yup. I see where that nationalism is rearing it's ugly head. :|

TenaciousD29

Oh but the argument has been made that other products from foreign nations doing well do not count. It could simply be proposed that the Xbox console line is a failed line (commercially) that is being kept alive by American nationalism (and Microsofts' big pockets). If you'd like to start considering that there are other factors involved, be my guest.

no because how would you explain the original xbox sales?

smerlus

The majority of Xbox sales were made in America as well.

If we're going to go off of a product's sales for the base of accusations of nationalism or racism, couldn't it then be posited that the reason America is buying the majority of all 360 consoles sold (around 2/3 is it?) is because it's an American product and Americans are highly nationalistic? Or would people in that case be more willing to consider that there might be more factors involved than that?

If 'hardcore' gamers are just people who make gaming a significant part of their lifestyle, and part of their identity, then how does that somehow extend to marking certain genres of games or games of certain lengths (or whatever) as for 'hardcore' or 'casual'? I would think if someone were playing games for some great extent of their time that they'd be more inclusive in their selection rather than less as they search for things to satiate their desire for entertainment, and wouldn't start limiting themselves by labelling certain games as for 'them' and others as not (beyond the simple differences in preference unique to each person).

Take a look at the games that are out, as well as the ones currently in production for the system(s) you're considering -possibly by making use of those handy system tags at the top of the page or the recent trailers and information made available during E3. See what draws your attention, if anything. If your interest is drawn by one or more games, consider your level of interest in those and then proceed toward a decision on whether to purchase that system and game(s).

If you have interest in a particular genre or genres, you can maybe ask here for a somewhat quick response on the status of those on the respective system. However, last I checked there was no genre labelled 'hardcore'.

Yes I am speaking my opinion, and I don't think people are waiting for Mario to get a Wii the same way people are waiting for Halo to get an X360. Especially when considering the price disparity between the 2 systems. Even the people that are waiting for Mario, I doubt they will equal even a quarter of what Halo 3 is bound to sell.

As for GTA4 giving the X360 a chance to "branch off", I don't really see where that comes from. I'd say Microsoft is more known for GTA and Halo-like games than anything else. The X360 is so crowded with mature action/adventure games, that at the moment the only way to "branch off" would be to get more platformers or Mario-styled games that are child-friendly. More than just Viva Pinata andthe handfull of others that is.

The_Duke_Lives

Then I doubt there is anything I can say that would change your viewpoint at all. Nintendo's biggest games are well-anticipated, as are Microsofts'. Any actual numbers in relation to how much they boost their respective console's sales will have to wait, and even then will be distorted by the upcoming holiday season (and for the 360, GTA4's subsequent release). I'm not quite sure why some people seem to have whipped themselves into such a frenzy over Halo 3, as I see no indication that it should somehow be momentously more popular than the previous installments.

The argument that Mario Galaxy (for instance) will sell just to Mario fans I find about as valid as the argument that Halo 3 will only sell to Halo fans. Such a view I would hope most people find silly, as it fails to take into account that with most any installment of a game (or a company's console) there will be people who bought the previous one(s), people new to the series, people who owned a previous installment but declined to get the next, etc. etc.

GTA4 I see as Microsoft's big chance to moveout of its current negative image and towards a more mainstream acceptance. Unless GTAis suddenly not considered a mainstream title that gets alot of attention, both on forums and in media, it gives the potential to draw attention to the 360 from people who might otherwisenot give it a look, allowing them to then see that therearesomewhat morevaried offerings than they might have previously believed (as I've seen argued by 360 fans on this forum). I believe that if GTA4 does not trigger such a move, then the 360 will not be able to break out of thatimage within the span of this console generation and Microsoft will have to try again next time.