Delays & Shortages
In the midst of all the discussion throughout the Xbox community about the recent European PS3 release being delayed and the scaled down North American shipment numbers, I thought I’d shine some light on what delays and shortages mean for the developers out there.
Most people seem to limit the backlash of a shortage or shipment delay to the consumer or the company itself. However, developers and publishers are also faced with a tough decision when a shortage or delay in shipment happens. A previously announced launch title could very well see its release date pulled or adjusted to allow for a larger install base so that the title has a reasonable chance to sell.
It’s not uncommon. Remember reports of developers citing lackluster sales due to a low install base when the Xbox 360 released? While everyone is concentrating on Sony ultimately and what it does to the PS3, ask yourself what it does to the list of launch games so far. What does EA do in response to seeing its titles potentially unable to make any real noise due to shipment slashes? What does Activision and the other companies behind launch titles for the PS3 do?
That’s the bigger question that PS3 fans need to ask or do they? The PS3 afterall, will be bought even if it doesn’t come with any games. You remember this line from the boys at Sony don’t you? How close are they to finding out?
September 7th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
[quote comment="3467"]Look at our controllers (2 triggers, 2 bumpers, 4 colored buttons, a d-pad, and two joysticks (with click) plus the guide, start and select buttons) and compared with the original NES (4 buttons, select, start and a d-pad) and you can start to understand why.[/quote]
The original NES controller had 2 buttons. A and B. The SNES had 4 face buttons and two shoulder buttons (along with the D-pad, select and start buttons). Honestly, my favorite games of all time are on the SNES. I still haven’t played a game on a system since that I’ve liked as much as some of my old-school Nintendo and SNES games. All praise to the emulator people for making it possible. And when I get my Wii, the first thing I’m going to do is download my favorite games from their version of the Marketplace. Maybe they’ll even give special deals to those of us who still have 3 shoeboxes full of NES and SNES games.
September 7th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
As far as pricing goes, most gamers are of age where they have their own jobs and can afford the $600 + they will be spending on the PS3. Those who are younger well, their out of luck because I don’t think I would buy my daughter a $600 system unless it would benefit me also. As more advanced technology comes out, the more we as consumers have to pay for it.
I don’t really see what the big deal is; everyone should have know there would be a shortage anyway.
September 7th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
just make sure you pick one up for me too GameSkillz
September 7th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
Only if you let me borrow your Black Card
September 7th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
[quote comment="3466"]It’s not the fact that PS3 will have a shortage that has all the Sony fanboys mad, it’s the fact that Sony has continously lied and bragged non-stop all year, going so far as to make GameSpot edit their interview with Kax Hirai to say they were shipping 4 million this year just 2 weeks ago. They were busted in two lies at once:
Worldwide launch was a lie
4 million consoles by the end of the year was a lie.
Add that on top of a huge pile of lies in the past 5 years, and you have a console that will most likely be third place.[/quote]
Links?
3rd place?!?! LMFAO!
If I thought you had enough integrity to actually live up to a bet on that fact I would gladly bet you my (2) 360′s for yours. Whoever loses sends their console and agrees to be done with 360 forever. The way I see it either way whoever ends up being full of shit is gone from the community and the community would be better off for it. Of course mine is the much safer bet thus the 2-1 deal.
September 7th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
[quote comment="3481"]As far as pricing goes, most gamers are of age where they have their own jobs and can afford the $600 + they will be spending on the PS3. Those who are younger well, their out of luck because I don’t think I would buy my daughter a $600 system unless it would benefit me also. As more advanced technology comes out, the more we as consumers have to pay for it.
I don’t really see what the big deal is; everyone should have know there would be a shortage anyway.[/quote]
You’re exactly right!
There is not much of a price difference. Anybody that could afford a 360 could afford a PS3, Find me a 360 owner that hasn’t spent at least the amount of the price difference on Marketplace Points or Live accounts, not to mention the cost of adding the HD-DVD drive (still not HDMI connector).
September 7th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
I think that they are really hurting themselves by thinking that holding back is going to be a advantage. I mean I think they had people tipping on the edge with the price but now holding off those people I feel alot of them will turn elsewhere. Just my thought and to tell you the truth I am not going to dump $600 into a gaming system when I am plenty happy with the Xbox. I have a playstation 2 but you wanna know what I use if for a doorstop no kidding and it’s sooo covered in dust it’s not funny. I would rather take that $600 and buy myself another 360 and some games and stuff.
September 8th, 2006 at 7:10 am
I don’t disagree that the money spent on a PS3 is that much different than for the 360. Both systems are expensive but compared with the pricing of the last generation consoles I think there will be fewer parents willing to buy systems for their kids. In the long run I think this will really hurt the industry.
September 8th, 2006 at 9:16 am
[quote comment="3526"]Both systems are expensive but compared with the pricing of the last generation consoles I think there will be fewer parents willing to buy systems for their kids. In the long run I think this will really hurt the industry.[/quote]
The age of the average gamer is 31. The demographic that drives the most sales for video game consoles is between 20 and 30. Making a console appealing and affordable to people in that age bracket will drive big numbers. Parents buying games for their children are an extremely vocal minority of game sales. M rated games aren’t among the best selling because of lax laws, it is because most of the people who play video games are over the age of 17.
However, insane prices are a detriment to any console. For every person like the above who says, “It’s technology, it’s going to cost alot!” there are 3 or 4 people who take a look and say, “Six hundred bucks? For a toy? Get real.”. That’s the main problem with the state of things. Many people look at a gaming console and think of it as nothing more than a really expensive children’s toy. If Sony’s goal is to defeat that notion, they’re going about it all wrong.
September 8th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Were you really surprised that they pushed back the release date? Furthermore, would you be surprised if they pushed back the whole release untill March? I know I wouldn’t. It doesn’t look like Sony has their stuff together. Although, I do want to play God of War…
September 8th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
People said 360 was too expensive also when it launched.
September 8th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
As a European I think its only fair I give some insight on all this.
I think its a great strategy by Sony to delay the European launch.
ARGH! Who am I kiddin’. It sucks. I wasn’t going to get a PS3 anyway so its not directly affecting me but it does mean that the 360 titles aren’t likely to have a price drop anytime soon.