New Consoles, Different Focus – Why the “Big Three” Will be Just Fine
by Deejay Knight: at December 6th, 2006, 2:19 am
PlayStation 3
As Sony would say it, “Welcome to Next-Gen”, but I’m pretty sure that not that many outside Sony agree completely with that sentiment. Of course, there’s a lot about the PS3 that screams power, but Sony’s focus isn’t as clear as the rest. Based on the hardware and pricing alone, it’s apparent to me that Sony’s focus is aimed at hardcore gamers, hardcore PC users – and technophiles as well. Technophile may not be the best word for the type of person i’m talking about, but for the sake of this argument, let’s assume that it is.
Once you look at it, it makes sense. What market will buy the biggest, best, and most expensive hardware on the block simply because of the potential output? Hardcore gamers, for one. Technophiles, for two.
Hardcore PC gamers are known to buy video cards priced $300 and up to ensure that their PCs are compatible with the latest games and technophiles are focused on having the latest and greatest hardware there is, so $500 – $600 isn’t that much of a stretch when considering what they could theoretically get out of the PS3 if what Sony says is true. Hardcore gamers get keyboard/mouse support and a gaming machine on par or slightly more powerful in the long run than the Xbox 360. Hardcore PC users get the capability of installing Linux, giving them the chance to test the limits of what the Cell processor is capable of. Technophiles get a low-cost Blu-Ray player.
Although small in comparison to the entire gaming market, these markets combined could mean the world to Sony if Blu-Ray starts to take foothold as the standard in the current format wars. For these reasons, the PlayStation 3’s place in the current console war is solidified.
DK: Like the article a lot. Gives a good overview of everything. I’d say the PS3 comment about how you can install Linux and test out the cell processor may be a difficult comment. Difficult in that in order to take advantage of it,you really need to know what the heck you are doing, especially when it comes to threading, and it’s my assumption that most hardcore gamers don’t code to that degree in their daily lives. Anyway, like I said before, I love the article, very good
Thanks a lot, Xanth!
The Linux-testing is more liable to happen via hardcore PC users due to there not being any serious support for gaming in Linux, but in order to keep the article from stretching on too long I paired them in with hardcore gamers.
like the article DK. And yea for me there is something on every console I like some more then others but there is something there which is why i guess id be grouped as a hardcore gamer and i will own all 3 systems sooner or later.
I can’t say I’m going to buy all three, but only because I no longer play enough games to justify the spending the money. I agree with the sentiment here that each console has something to offer.
In the end I’ll end up with all 3 next gen consoles. Last gen I started with a GameCube because I always had people over to play Mario Kart, Mario Party and Smash Brothers. Once I realized I was missing out on some good RPGs I got a PS2. When I moved and none of my friends were close by I ended up getting a Xbox for online play. I still enjoy my Xbox 360 but I’ve been playing the Nintendo Wii because of Zelda.
I’m interested in the PS3 because of some of the games (FFXIII and MGS4) that are coming out on it and Linux. Anyways it’s going to be interesting to see how Nintendo do this time around, after all the Nintendo DS is beating out the PSP and the PSP is a more powerful device. I guess it comes down to the user base and games.
I like this piece DJ.
Thank You
This site is a walk-through for all the data you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Look here, and you will definitely find it.
Dear admin, thnx for sharing this blog post. I discovered it wonderful. Finest regards, Victoria…
I was looking for some thing & got your blog. I just loved it. Keep up the good work.
You wouldn’t consider it but I’ve wasted all day digging for some posts about this. You will be a lifesaver, it was an good read and has helped me out to no end. Cheers!
Hello I only wanted to let you know, I really love the written material on your website. But I am using Chromium on a device running version 9.04 of Ubuntu and the look and feel are not quite satisfying. Not a strong deal, I can still essentially look over the articles and look for data, but just wanted to inform you about that. The navigation bar is kind of difficult to use with the config I am running. Keep up the superb work!