Jul
So I gave myself a day to think about this one before the rant begun. When I first heard the news that Microsoft managed to get their hands on FF XIII, I didn’t have the enjoyable sweet taste in my mouth that so many others had during that moment.
Now I want to make one thing clear, I don’t want to call myself a PS3 fanboy. I love my Playstation, and I chose to go with Playstation for a few strong reasons. I didn’t go the way of the 360 because, well I don’t like the idea of shelling out a few hundred bucks to buy a console, some more money for a video game, and on top of that have to shell out more money just to be able to play games online. I kept away from the Wii, because… well I have a personal grudge against Nintendo that I think only Mike K. knows about. I decided to get a Next-Gen console for the sole purpose of Online Gaming, since Online PC games have been… lacking lately unless you play MMO’s live inside of WoW.
Back on track, I am happy to see the 360 getting FF XIII. The only thing that really pisses me off, if you step back and take a look at the industry. It seems the entire system is revolving around the 360. Where the only thing Playstation has going for them is their Blu-Ray player. I don’t mind the idea of non-first party exclusives. It just seems that Playstation 3 can’t get any from Microsoft. Yes, I’m ready for those of you that are fanboys of 360, or just have their dire hatred of Sony saying various remarks about how the PS3 is shit and that’s why they can’t get any games. I’m not trying to say the industry should revolve around the PS3, and I am not trying to sound like the fanboy crying.
Instead I’m coming to you as a fellow gamer. Another person that has the love and passion for video games, no matter what system. If I am at a buddies house and they suggest we play PC/360/Wii/hell even board games. I am all for it and ready to throw down. I have never shown up at Ronin’s or Visceran’s house with a clove of garlic and my trusty wooden cross prepared to ward off the evil demons of their 360/Wii.
I just want the developers to start thinking about both (all three parties) when making games for multi-platform. I mean… some of the companies make the games for more than one system, but then only make extra content for one of those systems? What was the point of selling your soul and going non-exclusive for the extra money, if you’re not going to fully comment to the lack of a soul and continue to draw money from all the platforms? Just boggles me how some of these guys think.
-Ranting terminated
I for one would never call the PS3 shit… on the contrary, it’s hardware is superior in reliability (can you say 33% failure rate?) and power. Blu-ray discs are a clear advantage, especially if you have a setup that gets the HD boost. The problem is developers that work on cross-console games work at the same level for 360 and PS3. I saw no reason to be upset with GTA4 on the 360 when there was a PS3 version. and I *should* have.
Microsoft really picked up on the strength of the PS2 – of why to choose one format over the other. With the xBox360, we get Mass Effect, Bioshock (for the time being), Gears of War (I and II). We get the first release of Rockband, earlier releases of RB DLC, exclusive GTA4 DLC. We miss out of Resistance and Motorstorm. (and Warhawk… I know Dub will crucify me for that!)
I’ve been pining to get a PS3 for a while now… and FF was one of those factors. For Blu-ray, nothing has come out I really REALLY wanted to own in HD. Now, we have Hulk and Iron Man which start calling my name at night. Not to mention Dark Knight and Hellboy will be right behind. Little Big Planet remains, however, the only GAME which I find compelling to buy yet another console. I need justification to invest the money! If they had a lower SKU that didnt sacrifice wireless or backwards compatibility, I would own one. I understand the desire to sell the high end model, but they can’t act like its a value add. They purposefully withhold key functions from lower end PS3 models. From a business standpoint, I understand… they just aren’t selling me right now.
I feel like more exclusives come when more people own the system. XBox had a head start, and booming sales from other exclusives (Halo 3). Playstation needs to change their game a bit IMO. Final Fantasy has a fanbase that WILL purchase a console for this game. They might still if Sony kept exclusivity over FF XIII VS (an additional title set in same world with different plot line). Just feels like someone in Sony camp is dropping the ball alot.
Word!
And I agree on the first part where we know developers can make games for both platforms and have them on equal playing grounds. Which is fantastic! Then it allows the gamers to decide which one they want. Kind of like ordering a pizza, everyone loves pizza (the video game) but some have their personal favorite flavors (gaming system).
Speaking of which… gotta find some pizza!
Well, one thing I really hope to see is the PS3 just being pushed a bit more. The problem is the hardware is more powerful, but you just dont see the difference. I own xbox360 and a wii… guess which system I am going to buy the force unleashed? If PS3 could differentiate more on this level, I would find further justification to own both consoles, but right now I just dont. Owning both consoles, for me, would be giving me the choice of which box I would rather have my game stored in. It would expand my library choice a bit (MGS4, Warhawk, Resistance), but none of the exclusive titles have really made me WANT to spend the money. LBP looks to be the first one that makes me ache for a PS3.
I’ve got to make a devil’s advocate comment here….
One might respond to your statement that “It seems the entire system is revolving around the 360 ” is that Sony is receiving their comeuppance after the PS2 dominated the last generation. The Xbox and GameCube only got occasional scraps thrown their way, but for the most part every huge game was a PS2 exclusive or hit that system first.
Fortunately I am not some raving fanboy (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=k-uTnqYHZ-I)* and completely agree that I want to see what is best for all gamers regardless of their system preference. That means NO MORE FUCKING SHOVEL-WARE ON THE WII. I get it, especially after E3, the Big N is focused on the causal market. That is fine with me because I find it easy and enjoyable to shift from causal to core games. On top of that Nintendo is expanding and evolving the industry like crazy right now. Only catering to core gamers can only take things so far.
I think that if Sony is committed to the ten year lifespan of the PS3, the PS3 is truly as powerful as everyone says, and provided MS doesn’t release a new system in the next couple of years; then the shoe will be on the other foot in a year or two. The PS3 will have games that the 360 simply can not run. On top of that the price of the PS3 should be affordable to most people, and as people upgrade to HDTVs they will have further incentive to buy a BR player (as I have told Aaron, the PS3 does not work well on a SDTV, while the 360 does). The industry will focus on the PS3 for a couple of years.
However, I really don’t think that MS and Nintendo will sit back and let that happen. I think that they will release a new system to try and get the jump on Sony again. Alright, I’m done speculating/ranting.
*not sure if I can do html in the comments.
/agreed
I think we’ve seen the PS2′s dominance… and the PS3 will expand its library enough to be well worth the investment. I think even now, if someone was making the jump into next-gen, I would suggest the PS3 over the 360 easily. Blu-ray won the format war… Little Big Planet, God of War 3. All the non-exclusive games fit either console well. Hell, if you have a decent PC, you can pick up Mass Effect and Gears on there.
I guess my perspective is why should I buy both? Is it worth it? I already bit the bullet and got a 360… have had it for a long while. The ‘next-gen’ games get released for both consoles, so I loose alot of value in purchasing a PS3. I think if Playstation had played its cards differently, they could have easily gotten a cool $500 from my wallet already.
I do foresee a purchase of one, however. If that means a PS3 system worth buying (wireless, backwards compatable) drops in price or the value of said system increased by exclusives and features I really want. ‘Home’ is not good enough. I have a PC, and I could isntall Second Life – I dont for a reason.
Mike K.
You can now use hyperlinks. Still working the full abilities of this plug-in, but that works now.