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CES Summit Brings Together 'GameBoy Killers'

Posted by simoniker on from the shoot-you-down dept.

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."

6 of 41 comments (clear)

  1. Right.. by swat_r2 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.

    1. Re:Right.. by FlipmodePlaya · · Score: 4, Insightful

      That worked for Sony back when Sega provided them an oppurtunity to pry into the console market. Nintendo wasn't overly dominant (still dominant), and Sony had room to squeze in and expand. Remember that at first, the N64 was killing the PS.

      This is a different market. 'Gameboy' is a household name, more so than 'Nintendo' ever was. It's been in countless TV shows, movies, and the like. Every parent knows what it is. The Playstation isn't quite as well known as it, I would argue. Not only that, but there is no ailing company for Sony to steal the business of (Sega's Game Gear won't help them).

      Forgetting the obvious design problems of making a handheld console do what they say it will (they will surely scale it back, PSX style), they need to make it at a reasonable price. I've yet to see an estimate pricing it at under $200, most hover across the $300 line (USD). That's more than any home console sells for, right now.

      So the Gameboy has the advantage of an absurdly large user base and library of games, brand name recognition, and most likely price. Sony will have to compete with Nokia...

  2. Comics... by Terminal+Saint · · Score: 5, Funny

    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."
  3. Handheld market situation by neostorm · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.

  4. Excuse me if I don't buy it by Slashdot+Insider · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Sony, on the other hand, is sticking to its gaming guns with the PSP. "We feel very strongly that what the consumer wants is a dedicated gaming device,"
    MPEG4 video (w/ a format large enough to hold a movie), ATRAC3 (as used in MD players), MP3, 7.1 sound, USB 2.0, memory stick slot, and a 16:9 widescreen. Does anyone seriously believe the line that they want a dedicated gaming machine?
  5. Nintendo is right?! by RyoShin · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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?