TheEnforcer
05-02-2006, 03:06 PM
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=420030
Game on
Big 3 up the ante with new systems, titles
By STANLEY A. MILLER II
Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3
Sony PlayStation 3
What we are waiting for: How much it will cost and exactly when it will come out
Buzz: It will cost $400 to $900 and go on sale within the first two weeks of November.
The big game: "Metal Gear Solid 4 . . . is really going to show what the PS3 can do. Keep an eye on that game," said Chris Slate of PSM: 100% Independent PlayStation 2 Magazine.
It's so special: because it will be the most powerful of the new systems
Nintendo Wii
What we are waiting for: An exact release date and price
Buzz: It could be as cheap as $149.
The big game: "People are talking about Red Steel, but it's too early to tell if that game is good or not," said Dan Hsu of Electronic Gaming Monthly.
It's so special: because its controller is unlike any other
Microsoft Xbox 360
What we are waiting for: New games and online services
The big game: "I think Microsoft needs to at least acknowledge they are working on Halo 3. . . . The #1 game that will draw a lot of attention for the Xbox 360 is Gears of War," said Rob Smith of the Official Xbox magazine.
It's so special: because you can buy one now
The video game "console wars" continue the competition between Sony and Microsoft, which started selling its next-generation system last year, as well as Nintendo, which is a bit of a wild card, experts say.
Most eyes will be on Sony, which likely will unveil plans for unleashing its PlayStation 3 on the public in time for the holiday shopping season.
Sony says the new PlayStation will have cutting-edge graphics, wireless networking and a next-generation Blu-ray DVD drive, among other features, to make it the most powerful gaming and home entertainment system on the market.
The company delayed releasing it this spring, and experts say there are still many questions that will be answered just before and during the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the industry's major trade show in Los Angeles May 10 to 12.
"I think they kind of need to reveal the major facts, like an official price and more details on this worldwide launch they've been talking about," said Chris Slate, editor-in-chief of PSM: 100% Independent PlayStation 2 Magazine. "And a specific release date would be nice."
Slate said there are concerns over how much the PlayStation 3 will cost and how many will be available when they first go on sale. Typical estimates range from $400 to $900 - prices that "hard-core" enthusiast players will accept but will break the average player's bank.
Will demand be met?
Slate and others also worry there won't be enough new PlayStations when they go on sale, spawning severe shortages similar to those when Microsoft's Xbox 360 first went on sale last fall. The system's scarcity generated long lines, frustrated customers, and opportunists selling the rare systems online.
"Microsoft's head start helped them, but the hardware shortages were just crippling," Slate said.
Sony's PlayStation 2 has soundly outsold Microsoft's Xbox since they went on sale in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Sony has sold more than 100 million systems as of November 2005, Microsoft has shipped 22 million original Xboxes, and Nintendo has sold more than 20 million GameCube systems.
Still, Slate said: "Everybody agrees Sony has a much bigger fight on its hands this time."
Nintendo, which announced last week it changed the name of its next-generation system from the Revolution to the Wii (pronounced "we"), should also shake things up at the show. Nintendo executives have said their system won't be the most powerful of the new breed, but it will change the way people play games.
For example, Wii games will be played using a movement-sensing controller that can translate a player's physical actions into a virtual game environment.
So, for example, the controller could act as the hilt for a virtual sword wielded by a character in a game. Swing the controller in a slashing motion in real life, and the character would replicate the movement.
"On paper, the Revolution controller is extremely innovative and very friendly to a causal audience," Dan Hsu, editor-in-chief of Electronic Gaming Monthly, said before the name change was announced. "Instead of a complicated 10-button controller that requires a lot of coordination, now you have a simple point-and-use device. My grandmother can't play Xbox or PlayStation, but she can use that controller."
Favorable pricing
The Wii could be as cheap as $149, and Hsu said he thinks Nintendo will announce a price next week. Combined with Nintendo's reputation of children-friendly titles, such as its series of Mario and Donkey Kong games, and the Wii could be a serious contender.
"Nintendo is doing the right thing by taking a different path," Hsu said. "Nintendo has figured out they can't keep going head-to-head with Microsoft and Sony because they are too strong. . . . So they are instead going with new features that will put them on the radar."
And then there is Microsoft. While Sony and Nintendo will be likely be talking about their new hardware and how they plan to sell it, Microsoft will be showing off new games and possibly developments to its online gaming service, Xbox Live.
"The main thing is going to be the next slew of games," said Rob Smith, editor-in-chief of the Official Xbox Magazine. "We should expect a whole bunch of stuff showcasing what the machine can do, including further extensions of Xbox Live."
Xbox Live first went online with the original Xbox, allowing players to compete over the Internet. The service was upgraded when the Xbox 360 hit stores and now lets players download free game demos and movie trailers, buy retro games and download enhancements to titles they've bought in stores.
Online is the future
Online features are going to play a key role in the next generation race, Smith said. The Wii will let players download classic Nintendo titles that originally were released for systems like the Nintendo 64 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
Sony is developing an online game service similar to Microsoft's popular network, which has millions of subscribers each paying $50 a year. Industry insiders like Hsu and Slate characterize Sony's online gaming system as aping what Xbox Live already offers.
"Sony does not have an online position," Smith said. "Microsoft has had four years of practice, and Sony is coming from an absolutely standing start."
Slate, from the PlayStation 2 magazine, said Sony's PlayStation 3 network will compensate by offering "unique features" such as allowing the device to host its owners Web log page and post videos and photos. Players also will be able to play games online without having to pay a subscription fee, he said.
"They have a couple of tricks up their sleeve until they can get their online experience as robust as Microsoft," he said.
Game on
Big 3 up the ante with new systems, titles
By STANLEY A. MILLER II
Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3
Sony PlayStation 3
What we are waiting for: How much it will cost and exactly when it will come out
Buzz: It will cost $400 to $900 and go on sale within the first two weeks of November.
The big game: "Metal Gear Solid 4 . . . is really going to show what the PS3 can do. Keep an eye on that game," said Chris Slate of PSM: 100% Independent PlayStation 2 Magazine.
It's so special: because it will be the most powerful of the new systems
Nintendo Wii
What we are waiting for: An exact release date and price
Buzz: It could be as cheap as $149.
The big game: "People are talking about Red Steel, but it's too early to tell if that game is good or not," said Dan Hsu of Electronic Gaming Monthly.
It's so special: because its controller is unlike any other
Microsoft Xbox 360
What we are waiting for: New games and online services
The big game: "I think Microsoft needs to at least acknowledge they are working on Halo 3. . . . The #1 game that will draw a lot of attention for the Xbox 360 is Gears of War," said Rob Smith of the Official Xbox magazine.
It's so special: because you can buy one now
The video game "console wars" continue the competition between Sony and Microsoft, which started selling its next-generation system last year, as well as Nintendo, which is a bit of a wild card, experts say.
Most eyes will be on Sony, which likely will unveil plans for unleashing its PlayStation 3 on the public in time for the holiday shopping season.
Sony says the new PlayStation will have cutting-edge graphics, wireless networking and a next-generation Blu-ray DVD drive, among other features, to make it the most powerful gaming and home entertainment system on the market.
The company delayed releasing it this spring, and experts say there are still many questions that will be answered just before and during the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the industry's major trade show in Los Angeles May 10 to 12.
"I think they kind of need to reveal the major facts, like an official price and more details on this worldwide launch they've been talking about," said Chris Slate, editor-in-chief of PSM: 100% Independent PlayStation 2 Magazine. "And a specific release date would be nice."
Slate said there are concerns over how much the PlayStation 3 will cost and how many will be available when they first go on sale. Typical estimates range from $400 to $900 - prices that "hard-core" enthusiast players will accept but will break the average player's bank.
Will demand be met?
Slate and others also worry there won't be enough new PlayStations when they go on sale, spawning severe shortages similar to those when Microsoft's Xbox 360 first went on sale last fall. The system's scarcity generated long lines, frustrated customers, and opportunists selling the rare systems online.
"Microsoft's head start helped them, but the hardware shortages were just crippling," Slate said.
Sony's PlayStation 2 has soundly outsold Microsoft's Xbox since they went on sale in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Sony has sold more than 100 million systems as of November 2005, Microsoft has shipped 22 million original Xboxes, and Nintendo has sold more than 20 million GameCube systems.
Still, Slate said: "Everybody agrees Sony has a much bigger fight on its hands this time."
Nintendo, which announced last week it changed the name of its next-generation system from the Revolution to the Wii (pronounced "we"), should also shake things up at the show. Nintendo executives have said their system won't be the most powerful of the new breed, but it will change the way people play games.
For example, Wii games will be played using a movement-sensing controller that can translate a player's physical actions into a virtual game environment.
So, for example, the controller could act as the hilt for a virtual sword wielded by a character in a game. Swing the controller in a slashing motion in real life, and the character would replicate the movement.
"On paper, the Revolution controller is extremely innovative and very friendly to a causal audience," Dan Hsu, editor-in-chief of Electronic Gaming Monthly, said before the name change was announced. "Instead of a complicated 10-button controller that requires a lot of coordination, now you have a simple point-and-use device. My grandmother can't play Xbox or PlayStation, but she can use that controller."
Favorable pricing
The Wii could be as cheap as $149, and Hsu said he thinks Nintendo will announce a price next week. Combined with Nintendo's reputation of children-friendly titles, such as its series of Mario and Donkey Kong games, and the Wii could be a serious contender.
"Nintendo is doing the right thing by taking a different path," Hsu said. "Nintendo has figured out they can't keep going head-to-head with Microsoft and Sony because they are too strong. . . . So they are instead going with new features that will put them on the radar."
And then there is Microsoft. While Sony and Nintendo will be likely be talking about their new hardware and how they plan to sell it, Microsoft will be showing off new games and possibly developments to its online gaming service, Xbox Live.
"The main thing is going to be the next slew of games," said Rob Smith, editor-in-chief of the Official Xbox Magazine. "We should expect a whole bunch of stuff showcasing what the machine can do, including further extensions of Xbox Live."
Xbox Live first went online with the original Xbox, allowing players to compete over the Internet. The service was upgraded when the Xbox 360 hit stores and now lets players download free game demos and movie trailers, buy retro games and download enhancements to titles they've bought in stores.
Online is the future
Online features are going to play a key role in the next generation race, Smith said. The Wii will let players download classic Nintendo titles that originally were released for systems like the Nintendo 64 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
Sony is developing an online game service similar to Microsoft's popular network, which has millions of subscribers each paying $50 a year. Industry insiders like Hsu and Slate characterize Sony's online gaming system as aping what Xbox Live already offers.
"Sony does not have an online position," Smith said. "Microsoft has had four years of practice, and Sony is coming from an absolutely standing start."
Slate, from the PlayStation 2 magazine, said Sony's PlayStation 3 network will compensate by offering "unique features" such as allowing the device to host its owners Web log page and post videos and photos. Players also will be able to play games online without having to pay a subscription fee, he said.
"They have a couple of tricks up their sleeve until they can get their online experience as robust as Microsoft," he said.