Why the PS3 might share the same fate as the PSP
Will the Wii beat the PS3 like the DS Lite trumped the PSP?
Opinion Especially with the recent indicators that the Wii is outselling the PS3, I'm beginning to think I'm seeing the PSP vs the DS again, but writ large.
On the one hand you've got the Wii, a game console with a unique control system. Its graphically superior Sony competitor, the PS3, is more expensive, pumps out better graphics and is sold as a high-end media device. Sound familiar? The problem is that a lot of the same mistakes made on the PSP are being made on the PS3.
It comes down to the games. The design of the DS actually forced developers to be more imaginative. Developers who tried to release downgraded ports met with utter failure, on the whole. The PSP, on the other hand, had a lot of games that were pretty, but lacking in imagination and often unsuited to portable play. The PS3 so far hasn't really had games that are that imaginative.
Almost all of the stuff released so far could have been accomplished on the last generation of consoles. The graphical upgrade's the only difference that's been made. Whether you love or hate the Wii, that's not a criticism you can make of the Nintendo console. The design of the Wii means that developers are forced to come up with a more unique gaming experience. Sometimes it doesn't work that well, but on the whole it's more likely to attract innovation, especially when combined with lower development cost for the Wii.
The PS3 has a lot of potential: the vast power of the cell chip could provide developers with the means to create mind-bendingly brilliant, different games. Unfortunately, there just aren't that many games which seem to be intent on using it yet.
Copyright © 2007, Shiny Media
COMMENTS
Advanced Audio
Scott Mckenzie asked: 'And out of interest what ground breaking graphics/sound features does the PS3 have?? Dolby 5.1 and DTS aren't even modern, i have a 5 year old AV amp that does those.... as for the graphics, again not exactly revolutionary!'
Sony have added support for Dolby's lossless TrueHD codec which is so new (apparently) that most AV kit doesn't support it yet! Like you I have an older amp and I'm finding the DTS sound to be more than enough at the moment.
The issue with the graphics is more one of developer familiarity with the hardware rather than anything else, I think. My original comparisson with DirectX was to illustrate that a change in the infrastructure (hardware/API) is followed by a delay in the software developers getting the most out of it and that the PC is as affected by this as anything else.
Having said that, the PS3 can output a new colour gamut (I'm going from memory now) to improve the picture quality so in some respects the graphics are cutting edge.
Primarily at younger gamers? I think not...
I think the appeal of the Wii is much broader than the PS3 - my Mum (for example) has no interest in playing Virtua Tennis 3 but would happily flail around the room with Wii Sports; and the same goes for many of my friends, avid gamers or not.
That's why the Wii will succeed - the gameplay appeals to so many people and gets away from the 'console geek' image associated with lots of games machines while there's still titles like Zelda for the more commited.
Graphics are impressive but I think it's the gameplay that would make people return to a game (and console) again and again.
the difference
Would just like to point out that the 360 is based on 3 Power PC cores and the cell is a completely new design with IBM. Having said that, if Sony, who have their own development sources, and have the ability to provide development tools, can't support developers enough to show that their console can kick arse, then thats up to them. Whilst 360 and Wii are proven sellers, I did see WHSmiths still advertising £399 PS3's this morning. Just makes you wonder exactly how many Sony are actually selling....
And therein lies the difference.....
The wii is (primarily) aimed at younger gamers, not bothered about the graphical capabilities but who want to experience fun and innvovative new games via the wiimote controllers.
The PS3 on the other hand is aimed at gaming and multimedia - lets not forget it actually supports HDTV resolutions up to 1080p - TV's that are still way too pricey to take advantage of.
And yes, the Wii and the PS3 were released at the same time - there's been more development for the wii because its a damn side easier!!!! The cell chip (based around PowerPC Architecture) is a new concept that most developers are having to learn on the fly - we're talking about moving from (seemingly) multithreaded environment to a (seemingly) parallel computing environment - not easy!!
Both the same age!
As pointed out above in reference to Mr Hale, the Wii and PS3 were launched in a similar time, admittedly in Japan... sure we're behind in the UK but that won't have stopped many developers, i'm sure there will be fewer crazy japanese games of interest over here, but the whole "PS3 is new" thing doesn't really cut it...
And out of interest what ground breaking graphics/sound features does the PS3 have?? Dolby 5.1 and DTS aren't even modern, i have a 5 year old AV amp that does those.... as for the graphics, again not exactly revolutionary!
Sure it's a good and impressive unit, but i wouldn't replace my Xbox 360 with one, whereas i'd happily add a Wii to my game portfolio! If i could find one :(
