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Next-Gen Updates From Leipzig
The Leipzig Game Convention continues in Germany. Folks looking forward to the Wii should be happy to hear Nintendo has announced some new games. They announced the new titles at their press conference, an event which both Kotaku and 1up were on-hand for. Sony hasn't had a lot to say in the last few days. As promised, there are no playable PS3 games available; just the same, gamers can look forward to 27 playable PS3 titles at the Tokyo Game Show. Microsoft, meanwhile, spent time at the convention talking about Xbox Live, and showing off their new peripherals. 1up up was there for the Microsoft press conference as well.
I don't think there's any way Sony will be ready for TGS at this rate. I mean, they haven't even started manufacturing consoles and the launch is supposed to be what, 3 months away? At this point, we should've seen playable demos at E3 from Sony, and more demos in Leipzig. I mean, sure, we don't have a launch date for the Wii. But we have a ton of almost-ready-to-market games (thanks to the dev kit similarity between the Cube and the Wii) and we know what the gameplay looks like. Even with the hazy launch date, I think Nintendo's in much better shape right now than Sony is.
Nintendo and Sony showed next to nothing at the conference... The two games Nintendo showed were already rumored (and in the case of Strikers had been announced the week before, albeit only semi-officialy). Sony delayed their conference (although that wasn't mentioned in the summary) and then apparently showed next to nothing (unless their conference STILL hasn't happened)... Microsoft had the most announcements, but they don't exactly have any reason for secrecy as they aren't currently riding on a wave of hype--they're trying to create one (without much success...) Microsoft jumped the gun when they launched the 360, but in doing so they put pressure on Sony and that's showing as Sony's armor currently seems to be crumbly fairly quickly, partially due to their own ego but also because they're trying to meet a launch window that appears to early. Nintendo seems to have the only console that's ready--with a large number of quality launch titles (and other quality titles to come in the first year), a growing 3rd party developer group, and a system that they've been manufacturing for at least a month and recently increased production of (and without the hardware worries of their competitors since they're using fairly standard/very stable tech--as opposed to bleeding edge).
That's not to count Sony out, they have the mindshare still and they more than likely have either at least one more "surprise" or they'll have some lie they'll tell to convince the stupid people (at least 75% of the population) that nothing can beat the PS3. Microsoft has a decent foothold in the North American market, but they just haven't done enough to win over the other markets--although they're trying (the exclusive rights to FIFA for a year and the Japanese RPGs are steps forward... but it, sadly, probably won't be enough...)
Read my blog posts on usability.
Because it's too close to launch, and they know the graphics aren't nearly what they thought they should be by now (See Killzone 2 trailer). The MGS4 trailer is nice, but it's a CG trailer with no Hud or actual gameplay. My PS1 can play a comparable quality CG trailer.
I'm Still waiting on those 'Real time Toy Story level graphics' on my PS2 Ken...
I pretty much agree.
I think of it this way:
With the Playstation/Saturn/N64 generation, we were introduced to "3D games". But they didn't look that great. Well, the N64 looked pretty good, but it was hampered by using cartridges instead of CDs.
With the PS2/Xbox/Gamecube generation, we didn't get any new *types* of games, but we got *good-looking* versions of the games we had on the previous generation. And they really did/do look good.
Now with this generation, we get *better looking* versions of the games we have been playing. But they're the same types of games, and they don't look all that much better. It feels like we're getting a relatively minor cosmetic upgrade, though the online features are nice. And the price! The 360 and PS3 are ridiculously expensive.
The Wii, of course, *will* have new types of games, and still will look great, and is likely to be the cheapest. Which is why I think it will sell pretty well.
I have been confused about why Sony has been so quiet. True, the annoying PSP marketing campain never seems to end, and there are still some good titles coming to the PS2 (Scarface, GoW 2), but when it comes to the PS3 and it's launch, Sony has been way too quiet.
Isn't this about time where they should be ramping things up? I mean, MS just launched the first true next gen titles for the 360 (Dead Rising, Saints Row), shouldn't Sony be flaunting their great next gen exclusives (Assassin, MGS)?
The problem is that Sony has 27 titles that are close to playable, and none of them are killer apps. Devil May Cry 4 looks like the only decent title that will be available at launch, and the other titles that look good also look like they're a long way off. So what does that leave Sony left to talk about? Yep, they will launch in time for Christmas!
Personally, I think that they're still reeling from the 3-fingered-shocker that is XNA. I think that Microsoft's XNA software package is the straw that broke the camel's back. Everything that Microsoft had done to try and gain an edge just didn't seem like it was enough until XNA was announced.
burrocrisy
and that would be what? Ruling by jackasses? Never has a slashdot misspelling been more apropos
What? Have you even seen "Dead Rising?" Definitely not the same old XBox,,,
Political correctness is the newest form of slavery.
Or maybe he's a cellphone developer?
Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.