Do Multiplatform Games Affect Console Sales?
View Large ImageAs we all know, great exclusives push hardware sales for a very obvious reason: if you can only play a game on one particular platform and you don't own it, you're gonna need it. That's it. But as we've found in this new generation, third-party multiplatform titles are the norm, and we certainly can't blame developers or publishers. It has become awfully expensive to produce a game for the current consoles and in order to insure a better return on investment, a company really needs to reach as many people as possible. Therefore, most games come to both the PS3 and Xbox 360. But does this encourage one-console ownership?
First of all, we're going to eliminate the Wii from this discussion, just because it doesn't actually have next-gen games and many titles in its library are exclusive. The Wii is in no way comparable to either the PS3 or 360 so if you want Wii software, you need a Wii. However, that being said, this can also factor into the argument as the Wii has sold about a gajillion units worldwide...doesn't this prove the aforementioned point? Now, say you either own the PS3 or 360. Just about every time a game comes out that you want to play, it's available for the machine you have at home. Hence, what's prompting you to drop the significant sum of money for the other console? Any true avid gamer will say you need both systems to get the most out of this generation - and that remains true - but exclusive titles, especially for the 360, are few and far between.
At this point, I've found it difficult to convince friends of mine to own a 360. They already have the PS3 and because most everything is multiplatform and the current state of exclusives certainly fall in favor of the PS3, my argument falters. The same can be said of convincing 360 owners to buy a PS3, although it's easier to point to the exclusive list and find a game they're definitely going to want. But the bottom line is that we're a good two and a half years into this generation, and I have a sneaking suspicion that there are many single-console owners out there because of the huge amount of multiplatform titles. In fact, if you ask people outside the industry, who really have no idea about video games, they'll often ask, "why would you have both? Aren't almost all the games on both machines?" It's hard to answer that even if you can turn to exclusives. Then again, we could always cite other options and features on the console, but software is always a top priority.
I just think that if there were more exclusive games for each system, it's perfectly logical to assume that console sales would rise. Single-console owners who love games simply wouldn't be able to resist any longer. It may be a strange way to look at things, but, well...sometimes I do that. ;)
5/4/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (80 posts)
Scarecrow
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 10:29:11 PM
Reply
Playstation VS NIntendo 64
<3
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Gregory Freeman
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 9:43:58 PM
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Gone
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 10:37:17 PM
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twenty8nine
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 11:47:48 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 10:42:20 PM
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Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 5/4/2009 10:43:18 PM
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www
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 6:12:38 AM
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migabyte
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 10:50:56 PM
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Esco_san
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 11:05:58 PM
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Highlander
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 11:17:33 PM
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Multi-platform games do re-enforce single console ownership because they remove most of the penalty of owning once console or the other. This allows a choice to be made based on the console exclusives - an easy choice these days.
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twenty8nine
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 11:45:02 PM
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Highlander
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 2:13:13 AM
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sunspider13
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 11:42:33 PM
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b3mike
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 12:01:35 AM
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Cpt_Geez
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 12:15:29 AM
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Banky A
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 12:36:52 AM
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But like.. certain games sold more on PS3 because it was the series started on it.
*Kinda' off-topc* I'll put this on the forums too
Here's some deep PS3 bashing of recent times, OMG. I cried :S
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10231585-17.html
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Esco_san
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 1:14:31 AM
this article is stupid and full of opinion, cnet should be ashamed. who says that ps3 will be outdated when microsoft and nintendo are forced to make new consoles to compete. articles like this show such fear of sony potential and should be ignored
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Highlander
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 2:10:12 AM
This is the perfect example of the kind of parochial claptrap that the US tech/gaming media is so very prone to in this day and age of instant publication and virtually free access to the Internet. The Eye of Moron is strong, and Cnet has long fallen to it's influence.
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kreate
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 1:03:40 PM
the promise wasnt really even a promise, it was just a 'plan' that got changed.
his article is more of a fanboy article than a news article. to people like Don, there's nothing sony can do to satisfy him. u just have to move on.
sorry to say this but when i saw that Don's picture on the bottom of the article, he just looks like a xbox fanboy.
Last edited by kreate on 5/5/2009 1:04:52 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 12:46:51 AM
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So multiplats are a big issue as long as bits and pieces of great games are held hostage. And I don't like that much, in fact I don't think it helps any one company in the long run. Farks up the whole industry and feeds fanboyism.
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b3mike
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 1:36:58 AM
(rolls eyes)
*xbot fanboy*
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Highlander
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 2:11:31 AM
OK, but what have integrated circuits (chips) and dual in-line package switches (dips) have to do with halo?
</retro geek humor mode>
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Turbey
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 3:18:21 AM
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migabyte
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 3:54:05 AM
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kreate
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 1:08:25 PM
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Ultimadream
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 4:45:21 AM
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3 up, 1 down
migabyte
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 5:41:14 AM
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Alienange
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 5:19:08 AM
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www
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 6:21:04 AM
I realized owning a single console makes you NATURALLY biased no matter what....lol.So having both i stay neutral and point out merits & demerits of both.
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Alienange
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 6:49:57 AM
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Ultimadream
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 10:45:34 AM
I really didnt like it, but then i dislike Strategy games.
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BikerSaint
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 1:11:29 PM
I guess I'll be one of them.
Just got my PS3 first, & am going get a 360 later on too.
Just saying, cause because I want the 360 for my collection
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PSNclaw18
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 6:51:39 AM
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Now if a game is single player only, I would consider buying it for the 360, but only if there is true evidence that the game "looks" better. And don't give me multi-plat games look the same on either console. There was a stark difference in "looks" of Assassin's Creed on the 360 > ps3.
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rell
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 7:34:18 AM
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Last edited by rell on 5/5/2009 7:35:33 AM
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Dr_Frodo
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 7:35:25 AM
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If a multi platform games comes out, and it's on the PC too, over 90% of the time that is THE version to purchase. There are exceptions to this (GTA4 for example).
The controls will have a factor, not just the hardware. Keyboard & mouse is excellent for some games, yet makes some unplayable. A controller is a must have for any system really with the best one I have used (including the retro pads) is the DualShock3 by a long shot. I just don't like the analog placement of the 360 controller, the huge battery pack and the odd feel of the shoulder buttons.
There are factors such as hardware inside the box and whatnot, but it's up to devs to fully take advantage of that. Although benefits like HDDs, optical disk type (this is a HUGE seller of consoles), network fees, free content, other features (usually released in console updates) will all help a buyer choose a preferred console, with multi platform games usually being bought for that.
DLC tends to sway a decision by a tiny amount, it's usually there and brought up in petty fanboy arguments, regardless if the fanboy has the DLC or even the game it's for.
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Alienange
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 8:10:51 AM
Where did you get that stat?
"There are exceptions to this (GTA4 for example)."
That's a big example... Sorry, but PC gaming is overrated and overpriced. I gave up on buying $200 grapics cards every year and a half just keep up with games that a PS2 did just as well for 8 years.
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 10:21:31 AM
I don't include PC because I don't consider it a viable gaming platform, anymore. Everything about it has been stale for a decade and most gamers today aren't looking at a game like God of War III or MGS4 saying, "gee, I wish I could play that on PC."
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MadKatBebop
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 10:50:10 AM
I don't include PC because I don't consider it a viable gaming platform, anymore."
Words hurt Ben.
Last edited by MadKatBebop on 5/5/2009 10:50:41 AM
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Highlander
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 11:25:51 AM
So does the truth..... ;-)
Ben's right though. PC gaming has been on the wane for years now. Piracy has been responsible for a lot of that, as has the very high cost of staying current in PC gaming. A few years ago you had people buying SLI setups where each video card cost in excess of $300, and the motherboard was another $200. The cost of entry into the 'gaming rig' fraternity was well over $1000. Sure less powerful systems could 'play' the games, but to hit the high framerates with all the bells and whistles you were really going to have to spend a miniumum of $1000 on basic hardware, and that's at the outset. But to stay current in PC gaming is an open ended financial commitment.
At least on a game console the hardware is a closed platform, so the commitment is the initial purchase, and after that it's just buy games and enjoy them.
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migabyte
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 11:40:14 AM
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Dr_Frodo
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 3:25:56 PM
You have to be Joshing me, right?
First: Yes, I stand to my made up statistic that most PC multiplats are of better quality, problems arise when people fart around with their systems then blame developers, crying for them o release a patch. Usually the folk who will install any crap onto a system or will insist that they know what 'tweaks' do.
Second: The price of PC games itself is minimal compared to console games, with addition to open source alternatives, MASSES upon masses of mods, user-generated content and so forth, the kind of thing that consoles call DLC.
Third: The assumption about 'uber required specs' is just daft, you can knock together a home PC with specs well beyond those of a current console for the same price as one. (the cheaper two especially)
Forth: Certain genres are simply bastardised on consoles, whether you like it or not, it DID happen to shooters, it is happening to RTS, as you said (albeit slowly). Evidence? UT3 had to be slowed down by ~20% on consoles, the CoD series was huge on the PC, as soon as it was made in consoles in mind, it ruined the series. You may think it improved it, but if the original players left due to the downgrade they thought they had, then how is that better?
Piracy is hurting PC gaming, but it hurt consoles of past, especially over here in the UK. It was ridiculously common for kids to swap lists of games between them of what they could get copies of (by lists it was more of a catalogue), it happens less now because of on-line bans and pricey optical disks.
Of the games I have for my PC available for the consoles also, I would not dream of having the console versions.Example:
Half-life series, UT series, Civilisation series, C&C series, Jedi outcast series, Bioshock, Fallout series.
True, there are killer games for the consoles such as Killzone 2 & LBP, both of which would go fantastically well on a PC, maybe even better. Though console gamers would probably love some of the PC exclusives too.
People who say they dislike/aren't interested in console gaming probably said that same thing about alcohol until they tried it. ;)
(*awaits the I don't drink brigade* :p)
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chaosrunner
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 4:07:23 PM
If it's made up, then you don't really have anything to stand on. Making up numbers to attempt to support an opinion with 'fact' tends to invalidate the arguement. If you don't have actual facts to back it up, just say, "in my opinion, most PC versions are better" and leave out the false data.
If you have facts to back up what you're saying, great. But if it's just an opinion that you're stating, then there's no need to validate it with numbers. Don't make up numbers that sound impressive in an attempt to feel validated. I can respect an opinion, even if I disagree with it. But making up statistics is just lying.
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Highlander
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 4:30:51 PM
That's just plain wrong. The cost of a PS3 is $399, and it includes everything you need to game so long as you have a TV.
The average cost of a decent gaming rig is between $800 and $1000 depending on how much you want to throw at the GPU.
Games cost $59 on that PS3 and $49 on that PC. Over the course of 5 years I might buy 20 games. However over the course of 5 years Iwill have to upgrade my PC at least once, figure in $200 for new GPU and another $200 for CPU/mobo/RAM upgrades. Over 5 years I could spend $399 + 20x$59 = $1579 on my PS3 habit and $800 + 20x$49 + $400 = $2180 on the PC habit.
The only way that PC gaming habit is cheaper is if you don't pay for your games. That's theft, and not a viable option. If no one pays for their games, no one will develop them. Therefore PC gaming is not viable.
PC gaming is demonstrably expensive when the average cost of a gaming video card sits in the $150-$250 range. Sure you can cobble together an el-cheapo system that plays games at lower resolutions with fewer bells and whistles, but as yet the PS3 exists as an 8 code system running at 3.2GHz, there is nothing from Intel or AMD to touch that. Even the 360 with it's tri-core at 3GHz is nothing to sneeze at.
That cheapo system might run PC games, but unlike the consoles it will not be optimized for gaming, and PC games will not run at their best on it. So it's a pretty invalid comparison to make, it's like saying that you can scrape together a car from pieces obtained at a scrap merchants and claiming it's as good as a new BMW on a dealer forecourt. Clearly it's not, even though both cars may actually work, and the one you've built from pieces might be a solid car, it's not going to compare to the brand new one, is it?
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chaosrunner
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 7:46:33 AM
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While the third-party exclusive is no longer the major factor that it was in the days of the NES/Genesis 'wars,' it certainly isn't dead. Square-Enix's bizarre (in my opinion) switch to heavy 360 support is one example. How many 360 exclusive titles have they published now? I mean, even assuming that Last Remenant ever makes it to the PS3, there's still the latest Star Ocean. And what about FF Versus XIII? Outside of SE, one of my favorite PS3 games to date is a third-party exclusive: Valkyria Chronicles (which I'm so pleased to see is getting a major sales boost from the DLC).
I think it's safe to say that third-party exclusives are not the major motivator that they were in previous generations of consoles, but calling them dead is a little on the sensationalist side.
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pavlovic
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 8:35:02 AM
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The reasons: lack of great exclusives ahead, the controller and the XBL fee. For me I have more to get on my PS3 than in the 360.
And I'm not about to rebuy the 360 anytime soon. I don't see any exclusive game that appeals to my gaming taste
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Deleted User
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 9:30:23 AM
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MadKatBebop
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 10:44:44 AM
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Highlander
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 11:29:03 AM
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MadKatBebop
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 11:36:44 AM
Your right(sigh)it dose cost a lot to keep my computer up to date but I love playing games on the PC so much, I don't think I can let go.
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Highlander
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 11:46:41 AM
Personally, I built my own system - as a hobby I tinker with it. So I will no doubt spend an unfortunately large amount of money to make my Internet browser faster in the future. The last PC game I purchased was Civ IV, and I don't see that changing.
Of course I do use my PC for ripping CDs and DVDs for portable playback, and the video transcoding performance could be better, so I do at least have something other than email and browsing for my PC to do.
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kreate
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 1:24:22 PM
when i go to gamestop. they have half a shelf of pc games while the rest of the store is console games.
when i went to circuit city, there was 1 miniature shelf of pc games while console games took up 4 whole isles.
pc games are fun and addicting, but there is a lack of software. im a big blizzard fan.
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MadKatBebop
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 3:45:01 PM
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Robochic
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 10:55:25 AM
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PC gaming is in it's own league just like the Wii.
My bro has the 360 and a PS3 he got the 360 first but he's had some unfortante issues he got fed up and got a PS3 now he sees info on MAG and say's he'll never go back to Halo or Gears.
I do worry on multi-platform on performance and look on games. EX: RE5 my friend has on his 360 and i have it for the PS3 and i do believe they could of pushed the visuals on the PS3 farther if it was an exclusive title.
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migabyte
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 11:43:24 AM
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Skatejimmy5
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 11:16:59 AM
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PS3 is a must-have for me.
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Andysw
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 11:48:28 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 2:13:12 PM
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Alienange
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 6:52:16 PM
Love the avatar but it just can't hold a candle to your karate kicks. lol
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GHill4Life
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 2:15:39 PM
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Alienange
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 6:58:55 PM
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Jawknee
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 2:41:37 PM
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dreamhunk
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 5:03:15 PM
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Here is a link list of just some of the tittles on the pc.
http://adrianwerner.wordpress.com/games-of-2009/
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Alienange
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 7:01:03 PM
You two run along now.
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 7:26:03 PM
NONE of those genres are "exclusive" to the PC anymore.
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Alienange
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 9:16:44 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 9:18:59 PM
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Deadman
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 5:51:03 PM
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Although Dead Rising and Left 4 Dead are 2 very posible reasons for me to pick up a 360 I dont think I ever will.
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Gone
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 6:57:57 PM
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BikerSaint
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 6:09:31 PM
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"Trying to reboot computer gaming"........
What ails the world's biggest gaming platform?
It is the most powerful gaming platform in the world, and with more than 300 million users, the most widely owned as well, so why does computer gaming seem to be suffering from an inferiority complex?
With retail chains increasingly limiting their shelf space for PC games, and most mainstream media coverage of gaming directed at the splashier Play-station 3 and Xbox 360 multimedia consoles and family-centric Wii, PC gaming finds itself in a fight for the hearts and minds of gamers.
(In order not to take credit away from the site, you'll have to read the "whole" article here yourselves)........
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/life/article_40f35d34-51e8-555b-bb1c-7e8267e43b96.html
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dreamhunk
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 7:38:48 PM
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"
During a quarterly earnings call, Electronic Arts executives expressed their optimism for the digital download market on reports of strong financial progress in the sector.
EA CEO John Riccitiello reported that the company had seen its digital direct revenue grow to $400 million in the last fiscal year, while CFO Eric Brown noted that digital game distribution alone nearly doubled in revenue year-over-year to $80 million.
"This is a big year for us," said Brown. "The online part of our business is growing as much as 60% year over year."
"In terms of distribution, the way we look at a lot what's happening in the future is, we've got probably a billion PCs out there in the world," he continued. "Very rapidly the PC is becoming the largest gaming platform in the world, just not in a packaged-good product."
"As you look at what that means in terms of distribution of product, we think that's incredibly exciting because it's going to open the market to new demographics, new countries and new types of gameplay," he added. '
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58497
wow has about 11 million players
guildwars has about 6 million players
sims as well over 16 million players
empire total war old sold and beat killzone 2 for top spot.
By the way TBS,RTS,MMOs, space sims,sims oceasns, musrder mistery, either don't work well on consoles or they don't sell well on consoles.
I have not even got in to retail or dd of alot of the games. Also pc games last alot longer than console games.
2 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 9:19:47 PM
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Alienange
Wednesday, May 06, 2009 @ 12:10:12 PM
By the way dreamhunk, ocean sims don't work on PC either.
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MadKatBebop
Wednesday, May 06, 2009 @ 2:41:02 PM
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crawdaddy
Wednesday, May 06, 2009 @ 1:32:35 PM
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crawdaddy
Wednesday, May 06, 2009 @ 1:40:41 PM
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Morals
Reply
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 10:28:58 PM