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CES Summit Brings Together 'GameBoy Killers'
Thanks to GameSpy for their article covering a panel at CES in Las Vegas discussing the future of the handheld gaming market. Representatives for the Sony PSP, Tapwave Zodiac, Nokia N-Gage, and for Intel's 'standard portable platform' XScale technology were in attendance, and it was noted that: "Intel, Nokia, and Tapwave are attempting to expand the market by offering powerful platforms that also offer other productivity and entertainment features." However, Sony are staying out of allowing other kinds of software on the PSP, suggesting: "We feel very strongly that what the consumer wants is a dedicated gaming device." A retail representative also voiced concerns with the new diversity of portables: "I don't know if there's room for tons of other devices. You've got to sell to the core gamers and expand from that."
The only way they will actually compete head to head with the GBA is if they are under 100 bucks. Even if they can cook you dinner, clean the house and walk your dog.
Is it just me, or does this conjure up images of them all sitting around a big table with one speaking: "Gentlemen, our first task is to find a way to kill superma... er... Nintendo."
It's sad when choosing an installation directory on your own qualifies you as an "advanced user."
With the GBA riding as the top product for this market, it's a sure target for a challenger. However I really don't think any of the devices here hold any sort of challenge for it, sadly enough.
The PalmOS devices, while supporting a vast library of PalmOS games, don't have nearly the quality that the average gamer would be interested in. The typical PalmOS games are not very exciting to say the least, and will ultimately fail to really draw in a crowd.
The NGage needs no introduction, and it's reasons for failure are already pretty apparent.
The Sony PSP is really the next best contender, but if they launch at the rumored price level reported in the last few days, it's not going to go very far until a major drop in retail. Who knows...
Funny enough, the two devices that probably could have done quite well against the GBA were never brought over here; the Wonderswan color and the GP32. The Wonderswan probably would have sold for the Final Fantasy ports alone, and the GP32 really entices me as an older gamer, simply because of it's open development.
We feel very strongly that what the consumer wants is a dedicated gaming device.
They say that for the portable system, but not the home console. Honestly, I could care less about DVD playing, CD playing, and the other new stuff in the PSX, since I have devices for those purposes already that outproform the PS2/PSX. But when it comes to portable machines, I would rather carry around one device rather than several. Don't get me wrong, I don't want cell phone abilities on the system, but PDA software would be quite useful (and if not integrated into the system, then at least in software form). Of course, all-in-one devices tend to not be as good as individual ones, but if it is done decently it will at least be an added reason to shell out the high price that this thing seems to be heading towards.
However, Sony are staying out of allowing other kinds of software on the PSP, suggesting: "We feel very strongly that what the consumer wants is a dedicated gaming device."
Translation: Unlike Intel, Tapwave, and Nokia, we're not fucking stupid.
Read the reviews of the N-Gage. What do most people complain about beyond the ridiculous price? The thousands of buttons out of which only a few have any real gaming function. But thousands of buttons, as much as they make gaming next to impossible, are almost certainly required in any portable that wants to do much more than play games. The only other solution is selling optional accessories (a mini-keyboard, for instance), and that has almost as many problems.
Actually, there is one other possibility: Make the screen touch-sensitive a la PDAs. I'm not sure how practical this is for these types of portables, though.
Of course, even if Sony did make a portable that could do everything, it would probably still sell. This is Sony we're talking about here.
Rob
However, Sony are staying out of allowing other kinds of software on the PSP, suggesting: "We feel very strongly that what the consumer wants is a dedicated gaming device."
I can recall interviews with Nintendo personel that they didn't put a DVD player, etc., in the Gamecube because they think the people are interested in dedicated gaming devices, which I agree with. Is Sony saying Nintendo is right?
I don't believe any of this. Simply because when the Sony PSP does come out in the States it will be around $200-400, compared to a GBA or GBA SP which is MUCH cheaper and has a *HUGE* software library spanning the original Gameboy, Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advance titles.
Nokia N-Gage is a joke, no serious gamer buys this unless they like wasting money. Intel's standard portable platform isn't going to mean much of anything to a gamer at any rate.
No, Nintendo will still dominate the handheld market, especially once the NEXT generation of their handheld comes out with equal to or slightly better N64 quality graphics and gameplay.
You must master your joystick like a fisherman masters bait! - Gimpy
I think what everyone's forgetting is that people will buy more than one gaming platform. Ignoring all my retro stuff, I have a PS2 and a GC. I have a GBA and an N-Gage. Once I've bought one platform there's nothing stopping me from buying another. Indeed, I may specifically reqquire a mobile phone AND a PDA (I don't, but that's not the point) -- If I'm an avid gamer with few requirements beyond basic functionality and I want just a portable gaming device I'll buy a GBA, if I want a mobile phone I'll buy an N-Gage, if I want a PDA I'll buy a Zodiac even if I already have one of the other devices. Why doesn't this ever appear to be factored into any of the discussions?
I'll plead ignorance to matters of videogame business- I don't know how much nintendo themselves has to do with who does or doesn't make software for their platform or it's quality, but methinks it *can't* be a coincidence that the GBA software library is stellar. I have a GBA for one reason, it had more than 5 games I wanted to play and when I'm having a blast playing Warioware or Defender of the Crown I don't wish it was a cellphone or an MP3 player or could play XXX divx (ok, well maybe I'm lying about that last part).
The N-gage or whatever else, besides looking really akward and silly, just doesn't have the lineup. I think it should be a law that anyone attempting to make a new gaming platform should have "Make Good Software" tattooed backwards on their forehead. It will take one hell of an effort to dethrone Nintendo in this area.
'if I want a mobile phone I'll buy an N-Gage,'
So do you or do you NOT a N-Gage?
As much as every weekend warrior, constantly on the go businessman/traveler, and wilderness survivor would like a 100% all purpose item, you can't compare electronics with swiss army knives. First you'll want a gaming system. Then a mobile phone. Then a PDA. Then wireless internet. Then automated e-mail notifications. Then a GPS tracker. Then any of the previous with a touch screen. Then you'll want a hidden taser inside. Then the ability turn on your computerized car with it. Then you'll want it to shoot lasers, clean your teeth, and burn DVDs all at the same time.
All those companies apparetly don't understand why the GBA is so cool: it's an oldskool device. It's only a slightly better SNES, with all that good ol' stuff like tile rendering and scrolling. Those so-called "GBA killers" all sport fancy-pants mobile 3D GPUs and other silly stuff that only makes them bland, shitty versions of living room consoles. I bet 90% of the games we'll see on these handhelds will be washed-out versions of current console games. Who the hell wants to play that?
Some of are unemployed, y'know. I don't think most people can afford 4 handhelds. Anyways, consoles usually only survive with good games. N-Gage and Zodiac have jack shit.
TO: Nokia
CC: Anybody else making a system to compete with the GBA
FROM: Captain Obvious
SUBJECT: Portable gaming systems
You all have it entirely wrong, but even getting it right won't save you at this point.
A set-top-box console will cost you $100-200 right now. Even the X-box has a relatively reasonable pricetag right now. They all have huge libraries of games, especially the PS2.
The successful portable systems (GBA, and the Wonderswan at least could move units in Japan) are under $100 bucks, and have huge libraries.
These new portables cost $300-500, and have a handful of games available. You lose. It's almost forgone conclusion. You're following almost the exact same business model that Nokia did with the N-Gage, and like a herd of lemmings you're all running out to sea.
They're too expensive, and have too few games to buy as a set-top-box, but as a portable, they're worthless. A portable should be cheap because it's at the most risk, and it's a lot more likely to need replacing than a set-top console.
My GBA gets bounced around a lot. It's taken trips down stairs, it's been dropped in puddles, stepped on, kicked, thrown in frustration, and it still works (although I did break the contact edge on my Golden Sun cart). If I do manage to break it, it's cheap enough to replace - $80 isn't peanuts, but it won't mean skipping meals.
I have a friend who has an N-Gage. Or should say HAD an N-Gage. Let's say it broke well. He dropped it once onto a carpeted floor, and it doesn't work anymore. And at $300 to replace, he's not getting a new one. Instead, he bought a GBA and SIX games, and still had enough money left to pay off the bet I made him that he'd buy a GBA before the year was out.
I tried to imagine how much money I'd be out if my GBA was as fragile as an N-Gage. It gave me a headache. I'd probably have had to sell my car by now.