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SCEE: Wii Owners Will Upgrade To PS3
Newly appointed SCEE president Andrew House has suggested that, over time, Wii owners will upgrade to PS3 as they seek out a console with a more advanced feature set.
“If you look back at previous lifecycles, like PS2 versus N64 [sic], we have lots of data that suggests that lots of people bought into N64 as their entry level gaming device, and were happy to upgrade to a more powerful machine later in the lifecycle when the price point was right for them,” the executive told Official PlayStation Magazine in an interview published today.
“I think we’re going to see this later on PS3, and the fact that it’s a Blu-ray player as well and that there’s a [greater] wealth of network based experiences than are perhaps available on the device they already have will add to the proposition. I think that will definitely be a factor in the marketplace.” Interestingly, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said recently that the company had found no “significant reason” to release an HD-compatible Wii.
House also said that the PS3’s lifecycle could “significantly” exceed ten years.
“There are a few things that drive this to a significantly longer than ten-year lifecycle for me. One is the traditional market dynamic that as prices come down you build down and out through the pyramid to a new type of consumer, and the motion controller we showed yesterday – and gave a firm release date on – changes the experience and allows us to bring in a new audience. And then over that there’s the network offering and a different way – and PSP Go is another aspect of that – for consumers to consume content. All three of those give us a tremendously strong opportunity to really build that platform lifecycle up over the long term.”
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Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court 30 Monmouth Street Bath, UK BA1 2BW
England and Wales company registration number 2008885
Sorry - I'll get my coat....
which has been dying since 1985 from a lack of interest, funding & general psychotic delusions
EDGE missed a trick there by missing "Nintendo owners Wiill upgrade to PS3"
Sony can't even get PS2 owners to "ungrade" to a PS3. Me thinks they need to get workin' on that before they worry about Wii...
Lol, ouch!
Wii Owners Will Upgrade To PS3? I don't think so, the console is too expensive for a start, plus to get a Wii experience on the PS3 the consumer needs to buy a camera and motion controllers! How much is that going to cost? £80/100?
Like Natal, Sony need to have the right titles for the peripherals. Also, Sony's motion controllers and Microsoft's Natal need to be bundled with their hardware, if not, then i can see both Sony's and microsoft's peripherals being flops.
I wonder how many more questionable add-ons Sony and Ms will have to pull out of their asses to make it past 10 years.
Project Natal, my ass.
"Project Natal, my ass."
Nah, you're ok - cheers anyway!!
I find Project Natal interesting. It could be amazing...........but and a big BUT.......They will need to launch it with a truly revolutionary game or it will just fade away like so many add-ons before it.
Can you name me a single scenario or concept where full body control could be 'amazing' or in fact 'revolutionary'?
IGN have done a feature about how Natal can be used. I know they're not the cleverest of chaps but the list they came up with was dire. Have a look. Natal is just a lame counter to Wii's success - do not expect any games to use it well. In fact, expect a shitload of shovel-ware, just like the Wii.
"Can you name me a single scenario or concept where full body control could be 'amazing' or in fact 'revolutionary'?"
Sex?
I can't, but that's why I'm not a game designer.
I wonder if people a long time ago had as closed a mind as some of the people on this site would they have thought that machines that could fly people around were impossible? Oh wait, they did.
I have no clue what kind of games will come out, or how Sony's or MS' new motion stuff will pan out but I know I'm not going to sit back and scoff at people's attempts at innovation. At some point in time in the not too distant future things in gaming are going to change significantly and we can't just expect to be playing prettier versions of games we've been playing for 20 years.
I welcome these changes with open arms and am excited to what developers come up with.
of course not. There is what I meant by "Big but".......but it doesn't mean I think it cant be done. Time will tell on this. Are the cards stacked against them? probably.......but maybe, just maybe we will all be surprised. Ya never know
And I agree they are all trying to suck on the Wii's success......not surprising there. All companies do that.
and I can't agree more about the HIGH amount Cra# ware on the Wii
I didn't read IGN's piece on how they think it might be used, but I actually think Natal being integrated WITH the standard pad will be the way we hardcore gamers will truly be able to take advantage of it. I personally think the voice and face recognition tech will be the area where we see the most innovation. The motion stuff can only do so much in traditional gaming experiences (lock-pick mini-games, opening doors perhaps, kick-offs in football games).
I'm sure devs will be able to come up with some stuff that we just can't wrap our minds around since we haven't really had full-body 3D scanning tech before. I think we're still thinking inside the box as far as what to expect. We think, "I can't play FPSs or platformers with it." but that's the problem, we're thinking of ways we can play games we're already playing with a different input device. The games themselves are going to have to change. Among the sea of crap we'll probably see, they'll be a few gems here and there I'm sure.
Yeah I agree that motion control(at least within the curren game genre's) doesn't work well for everything. Sports games seem to do well with it and I enjoy it. A very recent example of where it doesn't work very well is Punch Out!. I like the game a lot, but much easier using classic control versus the motion control.
That is very true, we are imagining games we already play using that control, so of course cant see how that is possible. I truly hope they define a whole new experience with it. And you are probably right it will probably be a bunch of cra##y games(like the Wii) and a few fantastic ones that make it worth it.
I've heard many complaints about Natal, but its very hard to criticize something that isn't even out yet. I too have my doubts, but will save my criticism until I experience it and know what I talking about.
Whether it turns out great or bad I'm still glad they are trying something. We need the companies to keep trying new things....otherwise it will always be the same old song and dance.
"A very recent example of where it doesn't work very well is Punch Out!. "
Couldn't disagree more. Both my brother and myself have played through the game using the motion controls (i'm going through it again in title defence mode with them, can't speak for my bro to that point) and have had nothing but success and fun doing so. Granted, there are only 4 different punches Mac can throw (like the original), but they have been working quite well for both of us through the game, with the limited range of motions required. We tried adding the balance board to it for dodging a few days ago and, again, it worked quite well in addition to the motion controls.....and made it a heck of a lot more challenging.
If anything this is a game where turning the wiimote sideways and playing it traditional style is even MORE detremental, for me personally anyways, as the game then becomes basically identical to the original, in the controls AND the characters "patterns." For me personally, the only reason I bought the game was to play it using the "punching and dodging motion controls." Otherwise, it's the same game as 20+ years ago.
Just out of curiosity, what issues were you having with the motion controls that didn't "work very well" with the game?
Ozzman,
I know you didn't direct your question to me, but after reading your post I wanted to comment. Turning the Wiimote sideways and using the dpad and buttons somehow was more difficult than the motion stuff? To me it seems as though using motion controls and the scale though perhaps not as accurate as using say, I don't know the original NES controller it makes it more fun. I have no problem with it being more fun, but at the cost of accuracy? And if turning the wiimote sideways netted less accuracy than it seems Nintendo has traded accuracy for "fun".
I played the hell out of Mike Tyson's Punch Out when I was a kid, and getting to Mike Tyson (and losing horribly) was a significant challenge and from what you say this game is identical, "Otherwise, it's the same game as 20+ years ago." to the old game sans an accurate standard controller it would seem the game would verge on impossible. I couldn't imagine doing the pixel-perfect timed-dodges the game's characters require with a scale and motion punching. If the game was (sorry, no better way to say it) dumbed-down to be able to be used in conjunction with motion controls that's fine, but if the same impeccable timing is required in this game as was in the original, it seems it'd be near-impossible to pull off with motion controls and a scale.
I personally wouldn't change the input device to one that's more fun at the expense of being less able. Maybe that's a bit ironic, but if I was able to play Halo with Natal it might be more fun pretending to run, shoot, punch, throw grenade, etc. but I'd be far less able to compete with someone using a standard pad. New device inputs shouldn't hinder abilities that have been possible for 20+ years. They should only be used to create gameplay otherwise impossible with a standard pad, not just replace a more able functioning controller because it's fun to pretend to punch stuff, or put more weight on your right leg to dodge to the right.
Just my opinion of course.
A few points:
" Turning the Wiimote sideways and using the dpad and buttons somehow was more difficult than the motion stuff? "
I never said it any more or less diffcult. Quite the contrary, I assume it's much easier using the sideways Wiimote because, then, you're basically playing with a NES controller, which, i assume most people are far more adept with then motion controls. My point was that using it sideways, instead of as part of motion control, bascially re-created the experience of Punch-Out!! 20 years ago, in which case, I would just play the original.
"To me it seems as though using motion controls and the scale though perhaps not as accurate as using say, I don't know the original NES controller it makes it more fun."
Again, i never said anything about a lack of accuracy in the motion controls. Again, quite the contrary, i said my brother and I both played it using motion controls and had nothing but fun and success. Nowhere did I mention a lack of accuracy, because as far as I can tell, there is none.
"I couldn't imagine doing the pixel-perfect timed-dodges the game's characters require with a scale and motion punching."
That's ok, I can't imagine doing a pixel-pefect headshot in a FPS with a split-second reaction time, yet I see my friends do it countless times, just like I eventually learn the timing required for Punch-Out!! Practise makes perfect. Just depends what game you want to invest your practise time in.
"it seems it'd be near-impossible to pull off with motion controls and a scale. "
Well it isn't, as a "?Medium-core?" gamer like myself can pull it off. Remember, this is Nintendo we're talking about, they have to make their games appeal to a variety of different gaming levels and skills. Like any other game, if you practise it, you can get it done, but it's doable for just about any gaming level.
"I personally wouldn't change the input device to one that's more fun at the expense of being less able."
That would be really quite boring then, as you'd only be playing using only 1 of the 3 possible ways of playing the game, with some being more challenging others for different people. You wouldn't be experencing all the game would have to offer, and you'd only be experiencing it at the level you're most comfortable with. Challenge yourself and try something different, even if you're not as good at it. Winning isn't everything.
"They should only be used to create gameplay otherwise impossible with a standard pad, not just replace a more able functioning controller because it's fun to pretend to punch stuff, or put more weight on your right leg to dodge to the right."
That very sentence summarizes why the 360 is for you and the Wii is not for you, and vice versa for me.
Fair enough.
"If anything this is a game where turning the wiimote sideways and playing it traditional style is even MORE detremental"
It sounded as though it was harder for you to use the wiimote this way than it was using the motion stuff. I must've misread it then.
The only other part I would like to comment on is when you mentioned the 360 is for me and the Wii is for you. When I said, "They should only be used to create gameplay otherwise impossible with a standard pad" my point was is that I don't want to play the same games I've been playing for 20 years with motion controls. I want gameplay experiences that can only be had with motion controls, not just play the same games with limited motion control support. Isn't that the whole idea?
"It sounded as though it was harder for you to use the wiimote this way than it was using the motion stuff. I must've misread it then."
Seems like you stopped reading after the word detremental, as i mentionned nothing about difficulty, rather it's similarity to the original......"as the game then becomes basically identical to the original, in the controls AND the characters "patterns."
"my point was is that I don't want to play the same games I've been playing for 20 years with motion controls. I want gameplay experiences that can only be had with motion controls, not just play the same games with limited motion control support."
And that is your personal choice. Personally, I want both, as both provide a different experience then what i am used to.
Na, I read the whole thing. I just was being short for the sake of simplicity and post size.
So by detrimental you meant too similar to the original when using the wiimote sideways. But detrimental to what, your experience?
I'm aware it's my choice, but don't you want Nintendo to do more with motion controls than just pre-selected player actions (left punch high/low, right punch high/low, side-step right/left). These games aren't truly recognizing player movement, they recognize high/low, left/right. You're just replacing the dpad and the A and B buttons.
Yes, detrimental to my experience. When i hold the wiimote sideways, I'm basically recreating the original game, only with slightly better graphics. I've played the original hundreds of times and slightly better graphics isn't enough reason to invest the time and money in playing this new version. That is detrimental to how I could be further enjoying the game.
However, by making me use my arms to punch, and shift my weight to dodge, it's taking my original experience with the game 20 years and making it almost completely different. It's not just a button press when character A steps on spot 1 on the screen anymore, I now have to time it different based on my slower reaction time with motion controls and the additional time it takes to extend my arm. Same thing goes with dodging on the balance board, it changes the timing I'm used to on that to avoid punches. It takes all that I know about the game, and kinda throws it out the window. I have to re-learn all the timings all over again, which is almost like playing a new game. I can't just pick up a controller and breeze through the game in 20 minutes anymore, like I can on the NES version, I have a whole new challenge in front of me, with the addition of speech and better graphics this time being icing on the cake. Plus, with the additional mode (title defense mode), I have a second run through the game with totally new animations, speech, and patterns. It's basically a new game at that point. And, with the 3 different control schemes, it's more like 3 different new games now, to learn the timing with the different control methods.
As for your second point, I'm happy with motion controls either way. New and exciting ways to interact with games would be cool, and I'm sure people are working on them, but so is replacing button presses with motions. That's why I abandoned gaming near the end of the SNES cycle. I had been holding a controller in my hand and pressing buttons on it for over 10 years at that point. It got old and boring. It was the same thing game after game after game And that's why I got back into gaming with the Wii, because it was a different interface. Was it vastly different? No. But it WAS SOMETHING different besides pushing buttons on a controller, which the other 2 systems were STILL doing, 20+ years later. I know for a fact that motion controls on the Wii aren't where they could be. But I'm also realistic and don't expect perfect results on launch day.
When I read that the N64 was going to release 3D graphics, I didn't expect it to look like a movie right away, I knew that would take time and work to get the look and mechanics to improve. Just like improving on motion controls will take time and work before it's the truly all-encompassing interface people have been unrealistically expecting from the start. I'm sure the Wii Motion+ will provide an improvement on it. And I'm sure, in another 3 years, they'll be able to refine it again...then again.....then again...just like they improved 3D graphics and mechanics again and again and again, to the level we see today. Same goes with online play. Did we start with MAG-style 256 online multiplayer shooters? No, we started with 1-on-1 deathmatches that were choppy and clunky. As time went on, they improved that again and again and again, to the level we see today. It didn't happen overnight, nor will a perfect motion sensing control scheme happen overnight either.
In the meantime, I am more then happy "waggling" my wiimote instead of just pushing buttons on a controller. If they don't improve on it or change the control scheme in the next bunch of years, then I'll probably leave gaming again, just like I did before when holding a controller and pushing buttons got boring. If they continue to refine it and change it and progress with it, i see no reason to walk away from video games again. But I'm willing to give it time and wait for better experiences then replacing button touches with waggle motions to come. One just needs to be patient.
I hate to give such a short reply to a well-written and apparently well thought-out response, but...well said!
Don't worry. I won't take it personally.
Now this is one of those "out of his ass" comments.
N64 and the PS2 weren't even in the same generation... this is like saying that PS1 Owners bought a Dreamcast, or that PS2 owners bought a Xbox360. It's the way the market goes...
I think Indrema said it all... :)
Don't forget, people, he is PAID to say things like that. :P
Ok, ten years: Yes. Ten+ years: No.
Sony really is messed up; all Nintendo has to do is release a Wii HD--if they don't, people will just buy a 360.
Sony needs to crush the holidays with a slim, price-dropped PS3 and epic marketing campaign or pack it in. And, by pack it in, I mean just enjoy the profits to be had as the third place finisher.
If Sony ends up 3rd this go around I'm ok with it. I just want them to be making a profit. If they are profitable the will continue to spend the money needed to duke it out with Microsoft which is good for us all. I have all 3 consoles and like the competition!
Wow, and I thought I was rough on Sony.
Things do seem dire and PS3 sales have dropped year over year for 7-8 months now (in the US anyway, not sure about worldwide) but the PS3 and 360 are pretty neck-and-neck in worldwide sales (and that's costing a significant amount more other than the elite model). Last I checked both the 360 and PS3 were around 780k a month worldwide. I do think though since the 360 has (debatably) been slightly outselling the PS3 worldwide now since December that Sony can't sit on their hands for too long.
I hope it is a close as you say. Competition is a great thing and I don't want either company being too far ahead of the other. This way they are forced to keep innovating(or at least trying) and trying to crush the other and we all reap the benefits.
I have all 3 consoles, but favor my 360. But that doesnt stop me for one moment of jumping on the latest and greatest from Sony or Nintendo. Until Punch Out my Wii was gathering a bit of dust.
I think the PS3 would fare very will with a price cut. It is a REALLY nice piece of hardware and the game library had improved quite a bit. Will be interesting to see if Microsoft responds to such a price cut.
Well, the last worldwide numbers released from Sony and MS from December compared to the numbers that were released just a couple months ago showed that MS had only slight monthly lead worldwide so that's why I'm going by.
I envy your ability to own all 3 (and the time to play it!). I had a Wii...twice, but couldn't get into it at all. I tried. The PS3 does have some games that I'm interested and a large price cut would definitely make it more appealing, but I don't got the extra $400 laying around...
I agree, a price cut would probably have their sales jump ahead of MS' monthly sales right away. I wonder too if MS would consider another drop if Sony pulls ahead in monthly sales for too long. MS needs to get rid of the HDD-less 360, slash the prices of their HDDs, introduce a 500gig HDD, then lower the 60gig 360 to $199. After that, I think they couldn't afford another price cut for at least a year to a year and a half.
Sounds like a pretty close race then...........
Well when you have all 3 you go in cycles. When Killzone 2 came out(Yes, I like the game) I mostly played the PS3 and then I got Tiger Woods '09, and NCAA '09 also so I was in PS3 Land for awhile. But it isn't too long before I'm back to my 360. I really enjoy the system a lot, and I've been lucky too as My original 360 Elite has never failed(Knock on plastic) so I haven't had to experience any of that(Thank God!)
I hear ya on the Wii......it's a great get together system with a lot of people/family. But single user great games are few and far between. This year might be the best for that. We will see
I agree with you on ALL your Microsoft ideas. The hard drive less 360 was a stupid idea. Never fracture your user base. Yep, the prices of the hard drives are beyond stupid. I would like to have another 360(for system link games like GOW2) so a price cut would probably be enough incentive. Especially if we re talking $199 for a system WITH a hard drive.
The is one area the PS3 really shines. Change out the hard drives all you want, variety of sizes readily available, and normal hard drive prices.
well it should be an interesting year to see how all this plays out.....
Hmm, I think I can handle going back and forth between the PS3/360 unless we have another holiday like last year's where I had about 8 games and not nearly enough time to play them all.
I would love to throw a fat HDD into my 360, especially considering how you can get a much larger HDD for much cheaper. I download a ton of stuff and now with the ability to rip any game you want to the 360's HDD and the recent announcement of games-on-demand my poor little 120gig is getting stretched pretty thin. I've already had to delete a bunch of shows I purchased cause I ran out of room.
Anyway, next tax season maybe lol.
If you really want a PS3, know that it's always under MSRP somewhere. It's like the retailers know that there should be a price cut. Right now there's this:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226231
$340 with Killzone 2. K2 wasn't half as good as it should've been, though, so I'd wait for a better deal. Maybe next week. Anyway, cheapassgamer is my best friend, I've found so many good deals there. I can afford to be current in video games thanks to this site.
Hmm, thanks for the info Jack.
Good Point.
I hadn't even thought about how, after nearly 5 years of owning an N64, people seemed to be very drawn purchasing a next generation system. This is very telling. It seems people eventually get tired of toys & purchase more.
This changes my whole outlook on life.
more like a 7 billion red numbers getting bigger each year.