industry news
Xbox 360 To Be Europe's "Biggest Loser" Say Analysts
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 11:20 AM on May 1, 2008
The analysts at DFC Intelligence have gazed into the crystal ball to receive word from the future of the European console war and the news is somewhat of a downer for Sony. But it's far worse for Microsoft. A new report calls for "strong" sales of the PlayStation 3 but that Sony should expect to lose a "big chunk" of the PS2 install base. Wii is expected to dominate, but won't move software like the PS3 may.
The analysing wizards at DFC see an Xbox future filled with doom and gloom, with the 360 "continuing to struggle" in Europe, despite UK acceptance. They have better news for the Euro industry as a whole, with 2008 expected "to break all kinds of sales records." And they all lived happily ever after. The end.
DFC: 360 Likely "Biggest Loser" in Europe [Next-Gen]

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
nick
Posted May 1, 2008 1:21 PM
I am so sick of these analysts... ever since they messed up on the wii predictions- I've just been taking all these kinds of articles with a grain of salt.
otakugamergt
Posted May 1, 2008 1:31 PM
LOL... I liked the sarcasm...
Analyst and their nonsense.
nonstopdeath
Posted May 5, 2008 7:52 AM
its all about the online service for me. i would buy 15 360's if i had to. but i dont since im still playing one from the launch. microsoft has way better customer service than sony or nintendo. if your 360 breaks they fix quickly free of charge, when ps2 had the read disk error problems sony didn't do a damn thing. its trendy to hate americans.
Replica23
Posted 12:21 PM 1/5/08
That imagine is fucking awesome.
I know part of my decision to get a PS3 over a 360 was build quality, and that was before RROD became a buzzword. I rented a console the first week it was available and wasn't impressed with the hardware at all. It's loud and feels/looks cheap. And with no killer games available I could patiently wait and see how the system would shape. A couple years later that assessment would prove true. Not to mention their DRM and save game data methods are terrible.
I don't write this to rag on the console, for if my concerns were adequately dealt with I'd be an owner. And I hear and read similar things far too often. For a company (Microsoft) who really wants to push units I'm surprised they haven't acted in a more desperate manner.
Replica23
Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice
Posted 12:17 PM 1/5/08
@Pretty Much Everyone:
I can't believe you don't think "Dark Messiah of Justice" is an awesome name. Because it totally is.
I'm right, you're wrong, Europe sucks, kick rocks.
Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice
Grey Gecko
Posted 12:17 PM 1/5/08
im not european, but to me the only reason why i dont have a 360 is because of the RROD, almost all of the people i know that own one got RROD'd in less than 6 months after the purchase :/
if MS is kind enough (ha!) to fix that i will get one right away
Grey Gecko
okenny :)
Posted 12:17 PM 1/5/08
@okenny :): Just before I get flamed for my sepllign... I mhent to rtpe *U'ARE
okenny :)
DoubleV
Posted 12:17 PM 1/5/08
Another note, it could also be the game selection. Don't get me wrong. The 360 has some of the great games, but these games tend to be driven for the hardcore audience [excluding Viva Pinata. Guitar Hero & Rock band doesn't count since they are multi platform] PS3 tends to go out and create some different that no one has seen like Eye of Judgement or Echochrome. The Wii pretty much sales everything thanks to it's controller. Yes Too Human will sale, but which one will sale more? Too Human or SingStar?
DoubleV
okenny :)
Posted 12:15 PM 1/5/08
@Captain Impulse: The French pay my rent and bought me GTA4... I have nothing but love for them :D and I have Canadian versions of them in my family tree :) They are good people... generally :\
okenny :)
okenny :)
Posted 12:13 PM 1/5/08
@LittleBigPlaneteer: OH YOY'RE SO FULL OF SHIT ;) You know you wanna see that shit on the triple! You know it's tight!!
*nudge, nudge*... right?? *nudge, nudge*... RIGHT?
.
.
.
I've got noth'in :(
okenny :)
Doshu
Posted 12:13 PM 1/5/08
@pylon_trooper: The Old Worlders love a bit of Sony, don't they!
I suspect it's more a case of "hating a lot of Microsoft". It's certainly the #1 reason why I'll never walk into a game shop and buy a 360. RROD is #2.
Doshu
LittleBigPlaneteer
Posted 12:12 PM 1/5/08
@Captain Impulse:
"With the 3 year warranty as well, you don't really have anything to worry about anymore."
Are disc read errors covered in the 3 year warranty? I heard they were not and that still seems to be a prob, albeit a smaller one now
LittleBigPlaneteer
Captain Impulse
Posted 12:10 PM 1/5/08
@okenny :): Hey, let's not be rude to the French. Sarkozy rules.
Captain Impulse
Captain Impulse
Posted 12:09 PM 1/5/08
@otarumx: The newer systems don't have nearly as high of a fail rate. I have two 360s, one from 6 months after launch, and another from 6 months ago. The older one used to freeze up on me once in a while, so I gave Microsoft hell and got them to work on it, and it runs like a dream now - quiet and cool. And let me tell you, I play the shit out of the older one. Haven't had any issues with the newer one. It's pretty much my wife's, since we can't seem to share. ;) She has Rock Band parties all the time and it gets pretty heavy use, too.
With the 3 year warranty as well, you don't really have anything to worry about anymore. I understand your skepticism 'cause it sucks to invest $350 or whatever and have it bite you in the ass, but you're pretty safe these days.
Captain Impulse
okenny :)
Posted 12:09 PM 1/5/08
@Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice: In all fairness, they may be Europeans but at least they're not French O_o
I keed, I keed... I love my French overlords (Love you Thales <3).
I'm not sure if you want to trust analysts so openly. Combine this with European sensibilities and their amazing talent for hyperbole and you have a case where MS ending the European console wars trailing Sony by 2% being declared a utter thrashing. Knickers!!!
okenny :)
LittleBigPlaneteer
Posted 12:08 PM 1/5/08
@Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice:
Yes a 360 with a Euro dollar sign sure is "pimp"
*rollseyes*
LittleBigPlaneteer
spargo_1
Posted 12:08 PM 1/5/08
@Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice:
Oh the irony Mr "Dark Messiah of Justice"
spargo_1
DoubleV
Posted 12:06 PM 1/5/08
I think it has to do with the hardware problem. While American consumers don't mind the problems the 360 has been given, European are leaning towards Japan where they don't want to shed out X amount of money for a system that works half the time. Another way to put this is 'some' consumers wouldn't want to spend $1000 for a cheap [but high quality] 52" Plasma screen because he/she heard there are problems with them.
DoubleV
otarumx
Posted 12:05 PM 1/5/08
I've been wary of getting a 360 because of the rampant RROD problem hoping that MS would fix it but it seems that won't happen anytime soon. True, the 360 has a wider selection of games but I've finally decided to get a 40GB PS3 that has a 3% chance of crapping out on me rather than a 360 with a 35% chance.
otarumx
okenny :)
Posted 12:04 PM 1/5/08
This coming from the part of the world that bought you the tabloid and paparazzi. Yeah... I believe you! O_O
okenny :)
logicaldefense
Posted 12:03 PM 1/5/08
@Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice: I find it comical, someone named "Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice" calling anyone a loser.
logicaldefense
Lixie
Posted 11:59 AM 1/5/08
I just got GTA IV today. My 360 just RROD today just when I put the game in the system. Good work Microsoft. Maybe a more reliable product would lead to better sales. I know, it's crazy talk.
Lixie
Captain Impulse
Posted 11:58 AM 1/5/08
@man_in_gauze: Microsoft has made some "enemies" worldwide with some clumsy strategies that have burned their customers. Of course, you could say that about all three companies, but Microsoft is bigger and has fingers in a lot of pies simultaneously, so they have the most face to lose.
Captain Impulse
pylon_trooper
Posted 11:58 AM 1/5/08
The Old Worlders love a bit of Sony, don't they!
pylon_trooper
TxKARATEDUDE
Posted 11:58 AM 1/5/08
Are these the same analyst that predicted the Wii would be in third place this gen?
Analysts and Meteorologists... (:| )
TxKARATEDUDE
dsmx
Posted 11:56 AM 1/5/08
Ahh analysts the only job in the world where you can be wrong more that 50% of the time and still keep your job.
dsmx
man_in_gauze
Posted 11:56 AM 1/5/08
A big chunk of the PS2 install base...it still blows my mind that the PS2 is competing with all the next-gen consoles and even outstripping them in many places.
And yeah, there's something about the 360 being more popular in the US than anywhere else, isn't there? I wonder why that is.
man_in_gauze
Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice
Posted 11:52 AM 1/5/08
Well, To be fair, European's are pretty big losers themselves, so it all evens out.
P.S. THat 360 is pimp.
Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice
mcool93
Posted 1:02 PM 1/5/08
I'll predict myself: 360 will not win Europe this generation and Wii will be first place, not only in Europe but worldwide when it's all said and done this generation
mcool93
Shindokie
Posted 1:01 PM 1/5/08
@okenny :): Refer to your sexual ness :D
Shindokie
lionkitten
Posted 1:01 PM 1/5/08
@Abriael: I'd buy MS's next console at launch still, unless Sony vastly improves the whole online vibe.
The day I give up my gamertag will be like losing a part of my soul. I'm so heavily invested in my Live friends and community built up over the past five plus years that I'd buy the console just for that.
(Plus I can't imagine they'd launch without the prospect of Halo 4 or Halo Zero or whatever they can bribe Bungie into, and I'm a total unabashed Halo-head.)
lionkitten
Shindokie
Posted 1:01 PM 1/5/08
Well it's to early to predict but with this months release of GTA we shall see because you can't forget about the ps3 bundle that came with the ps3 sadly DS3-less
Shindokie
Killer7
Posted 12:57 PM 1/5/08
I think 360's appeal is the most limited which will result in it having the least amount of hardware units sold. On the bright side, it will surpass the original Xbox's lifetime sales and its software selection and sales are good. Although, 360 is lacking in first-party games beyond Halo. Without stronger support for the console in Europe and Japan, I can easily see the 360 ending up in the third rank.
Wii's advantage is with hardware and first-party sales. Then there's the expanded audience to which both 360 and PS3 lack and it has proven to be a critical of Wii's success. I also think that Wiiware will end up being a good platform for indie developers.
PS3 is in a bit of a pickle. The PS3 has to battle against the 360 and share the same multi-platform games and the 360 gains franchises like GTA and DMC. Then there's the Wii which has taken away some of the PlayStation's former franchises including Monster Hunter and Fatal Frame. Still, I think the PS3 has more to offer than the 360 in term's of first-party games/exclusive third-party games and its hardware sales will be better than the 360's in the long run... and let's not forget about Blu-ray.
Killer7
jambe
Posted 12:56 PM 1/5/08
@LowNemesis:
Let me tell you how this works in the real world. I'm no fucking tool, and I make all my purchases now based on console popularity. Boy, it would be great if even the unpopular consoles got all the games, but that's not how it works. And a sign of being a fanboy is calling someone else a fanboy, even if that person said nothing to indicate that he was. Most developers would agree with him, and I don't think they are all fanboys.
jambe
Captain Impulse
Posted 12:55 PM 1/5/08
@jambe: You're right, we shouldn't have to. But to be honest, I've never had an over-the-phone customer service experience, with Microsoft or anyone else, that I didn't have to verbally wrestle with them to get something done. I had to raise hell with Sony over the PS2's faulty optical drive issue a few years ago, too, and a lemon GBA with Nintendo around the same time. These companies hate to admit they're in the wrong and are trained to put up resistance to see how much ground the customer will give.
I can't fault Microsoft any more for this behavior than I do Sony or Nintendo, even if it sucks. Although I have to say, I had less trouble with Microsoft's CS department, mostly because I pulled the "irate white guy" card against the poor CS agent who's first language was most definitely not English. Mean? Yeah, but effective.
Captain Impulse
PaulHunter
Posted 12:54 PM 1/5/08
The analysts are wrong, the Xbox 360 will be the Biggest Winner in Europe!
(Note: I live in denial)
PaulHunter
Treecubed
Posted 12:53 PM 1/5/08
@Captain Impulse: I had disk read errors myself. When I called microsoft and told them of my issues they responded that my warranty had expired. Problem was, it had not. I had all the proper sheets of paper they send you when you get a warranty. So I had to spend around 5 hours on the phone just to get them to allow me to fax my info to them. And, finally when I did send it, they said they didn't get it. Fortuanatly for me some customer support lady was nice enough to just trust me when I said I had the warrenty. This was also my second console and was only a year old so the disc read error still affects newer consoles.
Treecubed
dead_red_eyes
Posted 12:52 PM 1/5/08
@Captain Impulse:
Yeah, things have been disappearing on me too.
dead_red_eyes
jambe
Posted 12:52 PM 1/5/08
@Captain Impulse:
For the last couple months? Yeah.
jambe
LowNemesis
Posted 12:51 PM 1/5/08
It doesn't matter to me as long as good games still get created for both systems. Really what does it matter which system sold more units? If you made your choice based on a consoles popularity then you are a tool. Right now I have a wii60 and will be purchasing a PS3 once DS3 is incorporated in the buldle plus mabey a price drop.
@Abriael: Really?, when was it decided that the PS3 was "Definitely" more powerful than the 360. So far as I can tell they are on an equal footing. One has a stronger processor ant the other a better graphics chip, so they balance out. Fanboy Much?
LowNemesis
jambe
Posted 12:50 PM 1/5/08
At least MS stands a chance there. They should really just pull all resources out of Japan and focus on staying alive in Europe.
@Captain Impulse:
Thing is, you shouldn't have to give them shit about it. I really do hate the 360's hardware, and I am scared of mine breaking, but yeah, I don't doubt that I could get a new one for free. I do think the threat of RRoD, which isn't insanely high with newer models, is a dumb reason to pick a PS3 over a 360. There a lot of good reasons to do so, but people seem to be doing it for this stupid reason in particular.
jambe
Captain Impulse
Posted 12:50 PM 1/5/08
Okay, WTF is with Kotaku's instability today? Every time I refresh the page, it's like I've gone back in time 30 minutes or more. Articles and posts disappearing and then reappearing. Anyone else experiencing this?
Captain Impulse
Aflack: Likes slushies
Posted 12:50 PM 1/5/08
@Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice: Well, I thought it was funny. >_>
Aflack: Likes slushies
Captain Impulse
Posted 12:48 PM 1/5/08
@Abriael: Probably, but I bet their QC department is going to be under intense scrutiny next time around. I don't think Microsoft wants another unforeseen $1 billion(?) extended warranty scenario. They should have got it right the first time, but a costly mistake is often the best motivator.
@okenny :): I see that uber-machine you described being unlikely, regardless of how sweet it would be (yeah, I know you're probably joking anyway). I get the feeling we'll start hearing about Microsoft's next console pretty soon anyway, which will probably put those specs you mentioned to shame. Pray for backwards compatibility. :)
Captain Impulse
Jest
Posted 12:48 PM 1/5/08
People are buying into a farce of a silver lining when they keep talking about how the Xbox 360 is only looking into biting a part of the Sony marketshare.
That, or they are meteorologists. :D
Jest
Grimmjow Jeagerjaques
Posted 12:48 PM 1/5/08
@Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice: You need to get Hammered. quit insulting people.
Grimmjow Jeagerjaques
Abriael
Posted 12:42 PM 1/5/08
@robinandtami: Yes they will. But the problem is next generation. Microsoft moves to gain an early start and a temporary edge against Sony made them loose the trust of their early adopters. I'm not sure if, seeing how Microsoft treated their early generation consoles, how many will actually trust Microsoft enough to be early adopters in then next. Next microsoft console will most probably have a very rough start.
Abriael
Captain Impulse
Posted 12:41 PM 1/5/08
@LittleBigPlaneteer: EVERYTHING's in the warranty if you give them enough shit about it. I've never experienced a disk-read error so I can't comment whether or not they'll give you grief for it. I've heard some people having difficulties getting non-RROD issues fixed promptly, though. However, the issue I had with my box freezing wasn't a RROD and I had a pre-paid shipping box on my doorstep within 24 hours of my call.
I think the disc-read error is also related to older systems, but I can't confirm that.
Captain Impulse
henri1kk
Posted 12:38 PM 1/5/08
meh.. these guys end up being wrong 95% of the time!
henri1kk
robinandtami
Posted 12:38 PM 1/5/08
This should not be news to anyone. I don't think that even Microsoft thought they would outright "win" this generation. The realistic goal was to gain ground on Sony's 80% marketshare they had last gen. I'm fairly certain they will do that.
robinandtami
Knight
Posted 12:38 PM 1/5/08
I wouldn't doubt it. Europe loves them some Playstation, and with the Wii destroying everyone in sight, it only makes sense that the 360 would be last in line.
Knight
Abriael
Posted 12:37 PM 1/5/08
I tend to agree with the analysis, the xbox 360, while still being a very good machine, definately is the weakest, if compared with the PS3. Actually the weakest of the trio is the wii, but it appeals to a completely different audience, that tends to have lots more number than the core gamers.
Abriael
okenny :)
Posted 12:29 PM 1/5/08
@Grey Gecko: I have mine sitting on a 40 LBS magnet but it just won't die... it's a launch too. It must be all those babies I hate... that karma, I tell you... it'sa spicy meata-boll!
I know it's going to die a day after the warranty ends so I've been saving an irony fund to put towards my Bluray equipped 360 with a 200GB HD come this fall ;)
okenny :)
leimeisei
Posted 12:26 PM 1/5/08
@Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice: You sir are a complete asshole. With your name, I wouldn't be insulting anyone. Europe actually has their act together unlike we do in the US.
Besides for the fact that they spell "color" like "colour", i have no problem with the europeans, and neither should you, since you are probably european as well, if you aren't native american. Or asian. or russian. or middle eastern. or african.
leimeisei
pylon_trooper
Posted 12:26 PM 1/5/08
@Doshu: Well, I'm a colonial offshoot of ol' Britannia, so maybe that's why my convict Australian blood makes me warm to Sony.
And yeah, the RROD issue is a big factor.
pylon_trooper
Captain Impulse
Posted 1:41 PM 1/5/08
@LowNemesis: I'm also stumped by Microsoft's refusal to allow HDD installs. Okay, I get it, not everyone has a HDD with their 360 (thanks, Arcade and Core! /sarcasm), so I see why they don't want to make it mandatory and exclude people.
But what is it with Microsoft (AND Capcom, on the other side of the pond) not getting the "optional" idea.
Benefits: Improved load times, less texture pop-in, and some other technical nonsense.
Drawbacks: Uhh, none? Running out of space? But hey, it's OPTIONAL, so you're not forcing people to make sacrifices if they're running low on space.
Captain Impulse
subnet6
Posted 1:39 PM 1/5/08
"Europe actually has their act together unlike we do in the US."
Heheh, good one.
subnet6
justhesh
Posted 1:38 PM 1/5/08
@Verge: How can you be Irish and European? I question your credibility, good sir!
justhesh
LowNemesis
Posted 1:36 PM 1/5/08
@Abriael: You know what, I do agree with you on one thing, Microsoft should allow HDD installations on some games such as mass effect and GTA. And I have to give you credit you gave me a calm calculated reply, unlike jambe who seems to be frothing at the mouth. I'll take back the fanboy thing since you're calm reply just through that out of the question. But, I think were just going to have to agree to disagree on the potential of the ps3. While the Cell's potential possibility are intriguing, I think the PS3's Video card has it's limits with only having the 256mb dedicated video. As for blueray, I could care less just print a second disc or create better compression techniques.
LowNemesis
Captain Impulse
Posted 1:33 PM 1/5/08
@Abriael: I agree about the lack of trust in Microsoft. It's something that's hard to shake, as has been proven in Europe and Japan. Still, one would hope that fanboyism will die out and the next gen systems will be weighed on their merits and not past history.
And before anyone asks what fantasy world I'm picturing where this utopian gamer fantasy will come to light, I don't know either.
Captain Impulse
Verge
Posted 1:31 PM 1/5/08
I think the problem is under education of the capabilities of the 360 to the general public, allot of my friends went straight for the PS3, and never considered the 360. But they were impressed when I showed them all it had to offer after they had spent some time with there PS3's. I own both a PS3 and a 360 and enjoy both, but still feel I get a better overall experience on 360. (This being my European point of view, I'm Irish)
Verge
justhesh
Posted 1:26 PM 1/5/08
I think I'll give this analyst prediction business a shot:
Things will continue in much the same way that they have since time began, with some minor and intermittent changes.
How'd I do?
justhesh
LowNemesis
Posted 1:19 PM 1/5/08
@jambe: When exactly did I call you a fanboy? All I said is that people shouldn't choose a console based on popular trend. IF it has many major exclusives then that is a justifiable reason. What I meant is don't be one of those people who like "pop" music just because its "pop." It seems like you're taking this personally for some reason. Get over yourself, Now you're just being petty. Personally I like all 3 consoles and will have all of them by the years end, so it does not matter to me. Getting all worked up and defensive like you just did is further proof that you have little to back up you're claims. Don't tell me if you think this version or that version runs like 2 FPS faster than the other, that is irrelevant. Let me know when the PS3 can actually significantly outperform the 360. They are both great machines, and so far they seem to be on par with one another. If I see otherwise in the future I will be more than happy to retract my statement.
LowNemesis
Abriael
Posted 1:15 PM 1/5/08
@Captain Impulse: This won't change the impression they made this generation, and as such, the probable lack of trust that will extend to the next
@LowNemesis: Lol, isn't it fun when someone disagrees with someone else with the sole justification of calling him "fanboy"?
Sorry mate, but I have ALL current consoles, and yeah, I love and play them all. But it isn't difficult for someone that hasn't his eyes clouded by fanboyism that the PS3 has still a lot of untapped potential (having been out for just little more than a year), while the 360 is now entering maturity, with it's potential pretty much used up completely by the most advanced games, with the lack of hard disk use and small starage space on it's disks being it's biggest limit. And it's a serious limit indeed.
Abriael
Travezy
Posted 1:14 PM 1/5/08
- Launch Day Euro 360 Premium console still going strong. Used every day.
- Launch Day Euro PS3 60GB console still going strong. MGO is the only reason it's been on in months.
- Launch Day Euro Wii console still going strong. Currently playing Mario Kart, classic controller FTW.
You may claim I'm an exception to the rule but with a well ventilated area, keeping it dust free, your gear should be fine. Also I never have either Xbox360/PS3 upright, move or touch the things while they're on. Better safe than sorry. Wii is upright due to having much more faith in Nintendo hardware, never had a Nintendo console go wrong to date, unlike my (4 times repaired) PS2. Take care of your stuff and it'll generally take care of you. The link is a picture for you to nosey at. Happy gaming all.
[img186.imageshack.us]
Travezy
lordofsword
Posted 2:21 PM 1/5/08
Besides the lack of games (there isn't a single game on the 360 I would ever consider buying), RROD is a reason I don't see myself ever buying one. It might be unlikely, but even if I'm buying £5 headphones, if I read reviews on Amazon and see a few people having problems with the wires coming loose or whatever, I'll look for something else. It might be fixable and covered under warranty but I don't want to buy a product that gives me such a high chance of having to use that warranty.
lordofsword
JamesR87
Posted 2:54 PM 1/5/08
I'm confused ... Everyone is saying this is the year of the PS3.
And yet they still have few to no decent games and almost none of my friends have one.
Yeah. Good luck with that O.o
JamesR87
Captain Impulse
Posted 2:33 PM 1/5/08
@lordofsword: Not a single game? What kind of games do you play?
Captain Impulse
Captain Impulse
Posted 3:14 PM 1/5/08
@JamesR87: I hope you have a helmet and a flame-retardant suit.
Captain Impulse
astrixzero
Posted 4:05 PM 1/5/08
Well the Europeans seem to be a much more anti-American than the British.
astrixzero
LittleBigPlaneteer
Posted 4:05 PM 1/5/08
@JamesR87:
Some exclusives being released in 2008:
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
LittleBigPlanet
Metal Gear Solid 4
Resistance 2
Motorstorm 2
SOCOM: Confrontation
Killzone 2
MLB The Show (if you like baseball)
Naruto (looks amazing)
Tekken 6
Disgaea 3
Haze
Yakuza 3
Echochrome
PS3's are selling better than ever so it's hard to deny that this is Sony's breakout year for the console. We're 5 months into the year, there's 7 more to go and from the short list above I'd say there's plenty of great titles to look foward to.
I'm looking forward to 2009 even more so myself:
Final Fantasy XIII
God of War III
Twisted Metal
GT5
La Noire (may not be an exclusive)
White Knight Chronicles
Red Dead Revolver 2
Team Ico game?
It seems like people are going to keep doubting the PS3 gaining ground until it definitively passes the 360 in sales. It'll have in PAL regions in less than a year, and probably 2 years or less globally.
LittleBigPlaneteer
JamesR87
Posted 3:47 PM 1/5/08
@Captain Impulse: It seems you don't get very far on the internet these days without one.
JamesR87
Captain Impulse
Posted 3:42 PM 1/5/08
@justhesh: Yeah, his comment sounded kinda fanboy-ish. Lack of games on the 360...I think that's the first time I've heard that. A lot of people (not me) argue the reverse. I think it's fair to say each system has its exclusives that cater to a large section of the gaming community. But other than a few exclusives on either platform, what's the difference between the 360 and the PS3's lineup? Not much.
Captain Impulse
Passa
Posted 3:41 PM 1/5/08
@lordofsword: You send it back and (at least here in Australia) you get it back in around 4 working days. It isn't that difficult.
Passa
justhesh
Posted 3:38 PM 1/5/08
@Captain Impulse: Point & Clicks? Text-Based? Cause that's about all that doesn't exist on the 360.
justhesh
JamesR87
Posted 4:35 PM 1/5/08
@LittleBigPlaneteer: Well of COURSE its going to surpass the 360 in sales. The 360 has already passed the peak of the sales curve because they released considerably before the PS3.
But if that list really blows you away ... Then gratz but I honestly don't see anything on that list that would actually sell me a PS3.
Rather, its more for the people who bought a PS3 and then sat on their hands for 12 months.
JamesR87
ryanfrost
Posted 4:33 PM 1/5/08
the thing that i wonder is by how much the ps3 is outselling the 360. We see the ps3 outselling the 360 in japan every month, but the sales numebrs are so low that they are rounding errors compared to the 360's installed userbase and continuing sales in the us, so until we see by what real numbers, and not just proportions of an unknown quantity, its a bit premature to call for microsoft's third party finish worldwide.
ryanfrost
ReyDEEEEZY
Posted 4:16 PM 1/5/08
The death of HD-DVD didn't really launch sales of BlueRay.
[www.msnbc.msn.com]
ReyDEEEEZY
LittleBigPlaneteer
Posted 5:00 PM 1/5/08
@ReyDEEEEZY:
Keep in mind that this was the exact period that we saw HD-DVD players having firesales. I mean at that time you could get an HD-DVD with like 7 movies for $99. I imagine a good percentage of people who wanted to go "HD" went the cheaper route during that period. Even if they knew it was a dying format (mind you it wasn't officially dead yet), the value was too good to pass up.
All the big box retailers pushed those HD-DVD players like they were the best thing during that time as well simply to sucker people in.
LittleBigPlaneteer
flukielukie
Posted 4:56 PM 1/5/08
360 is popular in the UK. Maybe rest of Europe no buts its strong where it counts ;).
flukielukie
LittleBigPlaneteer
Posted 4:51 PM 1/5/08
@JamesR87:
The 360 was released just a year before the PS3. Why should it be obvious that the PS3 would outsell it? I don't see it as an inevitable thing at all, but it seems to be doing so right now. Things of course can change with price drops, etc...
I didn't say everything on the list blows me away, I simply listed what the PS3 has that is exclusive. As my name would imply, I'm looking forward to LBP the most as I wm really taken by the simple yet engaging gameplay.
I think GTA IV will be the game to move the most PS3's to be honest, but no doubt many of the titles listed will appeal to PS2 owners who are finally ready to upgrade. That PS2 install base is going to be a huge huge factor when the pricing of the PS3 comes down some more. Sony has some strong franchises and just about all of them are showing up on the PS3.
I often feel that it's the accumulation of games that truly will get the masses to buy a PS3, not just a single title.
LittleBigPlaneteer
Captain Impulse
Posted 4:38 PM 1/5/08
@ryanfrost: It's a tug-of-war for "supremacy" between the two. The PS3's rate of sales may be higher here and there but it doesn't seem consistent enough to overtake the 360's lead. I anticipate Sony will close the gap but at the end of the "generation" (whatever that means) we'll see the PS3 and 360 with close to identical install bases. That will make the next "generation" rather interesting.
Captain Impulse
TheSpiller
Posted 5:40 PM 1/5/08
Not suprised by this really, sony has always had strong brand power in europe and youll have people upgrading from ps2s to ps3s with the likes of gta4 and mgs4 coming out(2 of my friends just bought ps3s for those 2 games).
TheSpiller
mcderek3000
Posted 5:23 PM 1/5/08
@LittleBigPlaneteer: The fanboys have landed.
mcderek3000
e_iceberg
Posted 6:58 PM 1/5/08
@ANALYST "Wii is expected to dominate, but won't move software like the PS3 may."
Hmmm... According to Nintendo fiscal year report:
Total Wii sold worldwide: 24.45 million
Total Wii games sold worldwide: 148.44 millions
Japan: 3.57 games/Wii
USA: 7.48 games/Wii
Europe and rest of the World: 6.05 games/Wii
Average worldwide: 6.07 games/Wii in 1 year and 1 month
[en.wikipedia.org]
[www.meristation.com] (in Spanish)
e_iceberg
justhesh
Posted 6:42 PM 1/5/08
@LittleBigPlaneteer: You forgot to include the fact that the backers of Blu-Ray got greedy, and the prices for their products went UP.
And let us all recall that neither freaking one of them was moving before, because still no one gives a damn about either format.
justhesh
Garo
Posted 6:37 PM 1/5/08
@Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice:
Does this analyzis hurt your ego (or better said your choice of console) so much that you bash a whole continent (where maybe your ancestors came from) populated by normal people not just gamers?
If there is any justice on this blog you should get banned for your comment! Justice?... oh irony.
Garo
IronsUK
Posted 6:28 PM 1/5/08
In the UK, Xbox is king. The rest of Europe is letting us down and giving Microsoft a reason to shaft us for the next generation. Boooooooo!
IronsUK
thinred
Posted 7:37 PM 1/5/08
360 is ALREADY Europe's biggest loser, if you take Europe as a whole.
thinred
amponymouse
Posted 7:51 PM 1/5/08
It seems to me that the analyst quoted is talking out of both sides of his mouth and want it both ways. He predicts doom for MS, lower sales for Sony and low software sales for Nintendo...yet he says that the industry will grow in 2008???
Am I the only one that has a problem with this contradiction???
amponymouse
justhesh
Posted 8:45 PM 1/5/08
@Al87: How about you're both wrong and we move past it.
justhesh
Al87
Posted 8:25 PM 1/5/08
@Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice:
You are an typical american asshole(probably redneck).
Im sorry for decent americans, but I think that americans can't call today europeans as losers.
Those should look into the mirror first.
Al87
StartRunning
Posted 10:12 PM 1/5/08
Ah, the soothsayers..
Well, at least THESE fortunetellers aka analysts aren't high on sulphuric fumes.
Right?
A great empire will fall, indeed...
StartRunning
LobsterBreeder
Posted 12:52 PM 1/5/08
I can never listen to this "Experts anymore"
LobsterBreeder
hyperhyper2099
Posted 11:31 PM 1/5/08
I think that Europe is different from America is that they do not support defective products. In the US, people think that Ford and GM are quality cars. Americans cry racism when Japan doesn't buy the 360 but the Americans are just as loyal to their brands as the Japanese are.
I also agree that a 2 year old could do better than Microsoft in terms of Marketing. The original name for the xbox was "Project Midway" - when that was leaked to Japan, that was the nail in the coffin for them. Being rude and ignorant will not win you customers and neither will defective and neither will backtracking on your press statements (HDMI is not important, people don't need hard drives, HD-DVD is the winning brand, there are no RROD problems).
Personally, I think the smartest thing that MS can do know is suck up another 1 billion dollar loss and extend their warranty for 3 more years because they will in hit with one big class action lawsuit when the current one expires. (RROD FTL)
hyperhyper2099
fuchikoma
Posted 11:45 PM 1/5/08
@hyperhyper2099:
If anyone backtracks it's Sony. Rumble is last-gen, PS2 BC... never mind Poly-phony Digital (Sony) and their PSP rear view mirrors, PSP GT, Bikes in GT5, etc...
But with that, I think you about wrapped it up. We can all go home now; meeting adjourned. ;)
@Captain Impulse:
Yeah, for months. Even worse if you view by tags - you may miss stories by an hour or so.
fuchikoma
psychobaka
Posted 1:27 AM 2/5/08
Personally I think the 360 mod is sick (in a good way!), but otherwise Redface, The Dark Messiah of Justice is a total douche. I apologize on behalf of America for his insults. -_-
psychobaka
maniacmayhem
Posted 4:13 AM 2/5/08
Can they predict the end of the world. Jim Carry's comeback or the coming of Jesus?
maniacmayhem
robinandtami
Posted 7:13 AM 2/5/08
@fuchikoma:
I think you left out the dual HDMI outputs so that a second player could have their own display, and the dual cell chips. I wonder how much the PS3 would have cost had it made good on all those promises.
robinandtami
justhesh
Posted 1:36 PM 2/5/08
@hyperhyper2099: "HDMI is not important, people don't need hard drives, HD-DVD is the winning brand, there are no RROD problems"
Of course...you realize they never said any of those things, right?
justhesh
neojam
Posted 10:11 PM 4/5/08
The most people i know didn't wanted to go with all that RRoD crap, so they've decided to get PS3's instead :/
So i guess MS customer support and RRoD issues were (and still) the main factors here.
neojam