The Gaming Lounge: Beyond - Part 3

[Spidey-Bat]

I couldn't care less about whether Nintendo survives or falls. I haven't played Nintendo games in years. I doubt it will fall, though.

You should. Every industry needs competition.

 

[Benstamania]

Anyone play the Dragons Dogma demo? I quite liked it.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

You should. Every industry needs competition.

Microsoft and Sony represent more than enough competition for my money. It's not like there'd suddenly be a monopoly if Nintendo went belly-up--which, again, is not really even a possibility at this point.

 

[Soapy]

Nexon (very successful Korean F2P MMO developer/publisher) to buy EA?

EA's stocks have been in a steady decline over the past several years, but with TORtanic their decline has hastened quite a bit. As a result I was sure that something drastic was going to happen with EA soon, but nothing potentially this dramatic.

Also, it's probably not going to happen, but I'll laugh my ass off if THQ outlasts EA.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

So does that mean EA's gonna start pumping out really simplistic MMOs that only the Korean masses play?

 

[Soapy]

I think you're misinformed on the breadth of Nexon's popularity. Maple Story is one of the biggest MMOs worldwide, and that's just one of their games.

Anyway, if true and if it happens, it would probably be the exact opposite of what you suggest. They would probably utilize EA to gain more exposure and better access to the western market.

 

[Wolfwood]

Biowares next big RPG will be the console version of Maple Story lulz. No, but really. If Nexon were able to acquire EA, I doubt the company would drastically change. I'm not familiar with Nexon as a company, but given their financial success it might not be the worse thing to happen to EA.

 

[Master Chief]

Made me wanna dust off my Genesis.

 

[Iceman]

Nexon (very successful Korean F2P MMO developer/publisher) to buy EA?

EA's stocks have been in a steady decline over the past several years, but with TORtanic their decline has hastened quite a bit. As a result I was sure that something drastic was going to happen with EA soon, but nothing potentially this dramatic.

Also, it's probably not going to happen, but I'll laugh my ass off if THQ outlasts EA.

Well EA deserve it

I don't know anything about this company but I hope someone takes them over and brings their business principles into line.

 

[Soapy]

Made me wanna dust off my Genesis.

Nice. Sort of reminds me of that "The Most Powerful Person in the World" video someone made a few years back.

 

[Iceman]

Microsoft and Sony represent more than enough competition for my money. It's not like there'd suddenly be a monopoly if Nintendo went belly-up--which, again, is not really even a possibility at this point.

I don't think there is much room to push up the prices of brand new AAA games or games console launch prices for a while. Most people just won't be able to afford either. That being the case competition between console manufacturers is not as useful to the consumer as it might be. It's not making games cheaper for us. Most games are multiplatform anyway so the quality comes from competition between different games rather than anything else. What it does mean is that you need 3 or 4 systems to play all the best games and even worse 3 or 4 copies of any one multiplayer game to be able to play with all your friends (but still not at the same time). Lovely!

 

[Fading]

Microsoft and Sony represent more than enough competition for my money. It's not like there'd suddenly be a monopoly if Nintendo went belly-up--which, again, is not really even a possibility at this point.

Yeah, only way I see Nintendo going away is if Apple joins the console war. A lot of ppl might think Apple would go for Sony's throat, and we'd see a repeat of Apple vs Microsoft. I think Apple would end up going for that same casual vein that Nintendo has been going after hardcore at since the Wii. If Apple could get that, Nintendo 'could' die a slow death like Sega, but it would take a few generations longer.

Sony will just keep being Sony, and go for every audience. If anything they're more likely to do themselves in than someone knocking them out. Microsoft's in it until it's no longer profitable, or until they make a new branch of MS that ****s all over the makes Xbox brand, and requiring more funding.

Atleast that's how I see it. Then again I was a Genesis over SNES fan. If someone told me it would be followed by Sega CD, Saturn, and Dreamcast, I wouldn't have believed them. Or that after the awesome PS2 that Sony would fall to 3rd place, and it'd take 5+ years for them to finally start consistently outselling their rivals...wouldn't have believed that either.

 

[KALEL114]

A sign of things to come for future consoles?

Microsoft is planning to launch a $99 Xbox console package with a monthly subscription as early as next week, according to our sources. The software giant will offer the 4GB console with a Kinect sensor at its range of Microsoft Stores in the US, subsidized with a monthly cost of $15. We're told that the two-year subscription will provide access to the Xbox Live Gold service and possibly some additional streaming content from cable providers or sports package providers. Customers who sign-up for the deal will also be covered under a two-year warranty.
There will be an early termination fee for those wishing to break the contract ahead of its two-year duration, and we understand that Microsoft will position the package as a competitor to Apple TV, Roku, and PlayStation 3. For those buying the bundle now and getting the cheapest two-year Xbox Live Gold option, that's about $299.00 + $120 = $420 vs. $459 over a duration of two years. With E3 2012 on the horizon, and Microsoft working on a "Woodstock" music service — it's clear that the company wants to ensure as many people as possible have an Xbox in their living rooms.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/2/2993600/99-xbox-360-kinect-subsidized-bundle

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Pretty much reinforces my belief that next generation will be more about turning the video game console into a full-blown media device instead of just an increase in performance and power.

 

[Benstamania]

I seen that.. Gross. I believe it's a "test market" for it. Microsoft, as much as I enjoy the Xbox 360 is all about that kind of crap I believe.

 

[Benstamania]

Pretty much reinforces my belief that next generation will be more about turning the video game console into a full-blown media device instead of just an increase in performance and power.

Which in turn, will over complicate video game consoles and we'll hit another video game recession like the 80's and Nintendo will build it all back up again.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Which in turn, will over complicate video game consoles and we'll hit another video game recession like the 80's and Nintendo will build it all back up again.

I think thats very possible.

We are clearly headed that way. I feel the next consoles will be advertised more on what they bring to the living room rather than what games they actually play. It'll be like 'it does this and this and this and oh yea it also plays those video game things'.


Im not sure what ill do next gen. Iv owned and loved my PS and Xbox for the last 2 generations, but its no longer a given ill get either one of those platforms. Altho i really, really dont see me passing on the next gen Uncharted.

 

[Soapy]

Yep. I'm going to wait and see, but for a while now I've been thinking my plan for next gen is to get a gaming PC and hook it up to my TV.

 

[Iceman]

I don't mind if console manufaturers want to make money in other ways as long as the consoles themselves have good specs and are easy to develop for. The multiplat developers can provide the groundbreaking games.

 

[Paroxysm]

I don't think the addition of multimedia will hinder the next gens graphics capabilities or the quality of games released my developers.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Yep. I'm going to wait and see, but for a while now I've been thinking my plan for next gen is to get a gaming PC and hook it up to my TV.

Yep. Im leaning that way as well, hell i almost bit the bullet a month or 2 back. I still have all the parts needed in my Newegg basket. Just didn't quite want to spend the money at the time.

 

[Benstamania]

I just want something that plays games and maybe blurays. Hell, I already don't even use over HALF the features the PS3 and it's "media" stuff gives me.

Just give me a bare bones system that does that.. Games, Movies and that's it. I don't need my game system to turn on the lights and TV for me when I walk into the room. I don't need it to turn my shower on when it knows I'm ready for a shower... I don't need it to make my chicken soup when I need some lunch.

Over complication (even if it's not for us) may not "hinder" developers but I can see a lot of people not really caring about that. I'll probably always have an Xbox, mostly for Halo but the next Playstation is reeeeally up in the air for me. Out of all of them I'm more interested in the WiiU at this point and I'm not entirely sure why.

I fully believe another video game crash is unavoidable though. What with online passes and rumors of systems not playing used games... Maybe not.. but if it happens I won't be shocked.

 

[KALEL114]

I'm just the opposite. Uncharted is the reason why Sony gets my money next Gen and MS is the toss up. Have zero interest in the Wii U, unless it is super cheap.

Console makers need to tread lightly. The up coming gen is very pivotal. I think that's why the rumors change on a daily basis. Hope they don't screw it up.

 

[Benstamania]

Yeah, I'm fairly sure I read a quote from one of the guys from Naughty Dog and they said something along the lines of "Next Gen" not being much more than this gen in terms of graphics and whatnot.

When consumers think "next gen" they thing giant graphical leap. Maybe not all.. but most and why not? Each generation of video game consoles have been a huge step above what they were prior... If a developer like Naughty Dog says they don't see a graphical leap, more like maybe a skip then what's the point?

I fear the only reason "next gen" is even in the cards right now is so Sony and Microsoft can show us their new motion control setup.

Seriously.

Kinect II and Move Plus! WOOO!

 

[Iceman]

I bought every system this gen and I'm not doing it again. Wires all over the place and I always end up favouring one massively. I'm confident of not getting the wii U at least. PS4 I might just play the top exclusives at my neighbour's house.