Microsoft...Losing the Edge?
Last Updated (Monday, September 21 2009)
We did a focus on Nintendo here and Sony here... so it is only fair we talk about the Xbox 360 and what it represents for gamers right now.
Released in 2005, the Xbox 360 system started the next gen machine that we are currently in. It had some hit and miss release titles, some up and downs throughout the first year, and the infamous start to the dreaded Red Ring of Death. Microsoft learned a lot from their previous system release. They had the most powerful console on the market in the previous cycle with the original Xbox and still couldn't put a dent in what Sony had to offer. Great price and Great games.
So they adapted and changed strategies to grab an early lead this round. As it stands right now they are in second place again. The difference this time is that Sony and Nintendo have flipped spots. Another difference is that the Wii is not the PS2. So hardcore gamers who need their fix for the most part were gravitating towards to the Xbox 360. Developers were going to the 360 system with timed exclusives, and the PS3 even lost some titles that where traditionally on the Sony platform.( Devil May Cry 4) Despite the Wii dominating sales and surpassing the 360 in the number of systems sold...the hardcore gamer still had their 360.
When the PS3 first released they offered a system at 499.99 and 599.99 respectfully.
Calm down Kratos...people can play your next game on a 299.99 system now!
That seems like a lot of money right! Especially, when I could get a Wii for $250.00 and a Xbox 360 for $399.99 at the time. So gamers couldn't look at each system equally...their wallets held the decision on which platform to play games on. That and the fact that most multi-platform games looked and ran better on the Xbox 360. (2006-2007-2008)
The Wii seemed like the only system that as ready to launch this current generation. The 360 had (still has) major hardware problems. From the infamous RROD to the E72 error, to disc drive failures...Microsoft battled losing a Billion on repairs and still made a profit in the gaming department. Sony battled themselves for poor choices in marketing and building a non affordable gaming machine. Blah...Blah Blah...players want games simple as that. We want to know what killer games are coming out, when they are coming out, and on what system.
Is the RROD finally phasing out?
This is a brief year by year since 2005 on highlight titles and what system it was for. This is not every major game...but ones that held some time in the media's eye.
2005
Call of Duty 2 (Xbox 360) 2.43 million copies sold
(yes those use to next-gen graphics! )
God of War 2 (PS2) 2.50 million copies sold
Final Fantasy XII (PS2) 5.11 million copies sold (woot!)
(yes, those are PS2 era CG not bad eh?) Who
2006
Gears of War ( Xbox 360) 5.90 million copies sold
( Who here doesn't remember emergence day?)
Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess (Wii/ Cube) 5.32 million on Wii and 1.56 million on the cube
Not bad...The Wii needs more titles like this
Resistnace: Fall of Man (PS3) 3.61 million copies sold
The only game worth buying during during the release of the PS3
2007
Heavenly Sword (PS3) 1.37 million copies sold
Halo 3 (360) 10.06 million copies sold (WOW!)
Let's see how many copies of ODST will sell
Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare (360) 7.69 million copies sold (PS3) 4.48 million copies sold
Other dev engines...man up! That soldier is in-game engine!
Mario Galaxy (Wii) 8.08 million copies sold (whoa that's a lotta Mario!)
2008
Fable 2 (360) 3.06 million copies sold
Yeah BABY!
Metal Gear Solid IV (PS3) 4.16 million copies sold
Grand Theft Auto IV (360) 7.18 million copies sold (PS3) 5.79 million copies sold
Gears of War 2 (360) 5.13 million copies sold
Resistance (2 PS3) 1.64 million copies sold
2009
Killzone 2 (PS3) 1.83 million copies sold
Halo Wars (360) 1.42m
Resident Evil 5 (360) 2.29 million copies sold (PS3) 2.41 million copies sold
Even look at the newly released Arkham Asylum. (360)423,156 copies sold vs PS3-470,659 copies sold. The PS3 version is beating the 360 version by nearly 50,000 copies sold. That is with a lowered installed base!
All numbers were from VGChartz.com
Sony struggled to keep pace with the 360 at first and now in recent years (2009 to be exactly many third party developers have games selling better on PS3 than the 360 counterparts. What is surprising about these numbers are the fact that the 360 has a larger install base, but Sony is bridging that gap in units sold.
As the years go by we are seeing Microsoft lose some steam. Sure Halo ODST will be Huge...but the 360 had the advantage of a lower price and superior versions of games on their console to build their lead in the console race. Right now there is an even playing field developing for gamers in terms of price for each system and quality of games. When a game had an exclusivity element to it we all assumed 360 was the beneficiary of this term. Batman has started a trend and the gamers have spoken. "Give me exra!!!
All the social networking features will be nice additions..but Microsoft give us the games!
Well gamers do choose who wins the wars the console war this generation. Companies who listen are companies that will succeed.
Sony is giving players a chance to play God of War 1 and 2 on Blu-ray. A new slick lowered price PS3 Slim. Nice. Microsoft has been pushing hard on Sony from day 1 and it continues with new hits like Project Natal and price cuts...but Sony is finally starting to push back with games people actually want to play. Now we begin the TRUE System wars!
Guys and Gals duck and cover and grab all the games that are flying the the debris in this battle because mark my words it's about to ugly between these two!
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