| From: | NESL |
| Date: | 18 Sep 2000 at 10:26:38 |
| Subject: | RE: AMIOPEN: OT: Console Market (was: Sega) |
The X-Box may never see the light of day, the DOJ splitting M$ makes me
think an M$ internet/games console would never happen.
-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Roberts [mailto:artix@pacbell.net]
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2000 6:15 AM
To: open@amiga.com
Subject: Re: AMIOPEN: OT: Console Market (was: Sega)
Jesse McClusky wrote:
>
> Actually, the price currently being bandied about for the PSx2
> is $299 for the US. Plus, there's another *huge* drawing factor
> in favor of the PSx2: It's also a DVD player. And if that weren't
> enough, it supports all current PSx games as well, giving it an
> instant installed software base of over 1200 games. And the
> graphics *are* noticeably better. I've seen them demoed
> side-by-side.
>
What did you see that was impressive? Everything I saw at
E3 this year with the exception of the OddWorld title was
really disappointing... especially that cowboy title- I
can't believe they actually showed it in the state it was
in.
> On the other hand, the DC has been Sega's biggest seller since
> its original system...
>
It'll be interesting to see if the DVD player aspect helps sales.
I've already got a DVD player, so it's not for me- plus its DVD
output is only fair quality. I'll be interested to see how many
people are in the same boat as me.
I wonder what Bleemcast will do for Sega... with both the DC
and PSX2 able to play PSX games. I personally feel that the
ability to play PSX games on the PSX2 isn't really that big
of a deal. Most people will alreay have a PSX for old games
and will want to buy games that take advantage of the PSX2
hardware.
(I did see there's already a mod for the PSX2 to let it
play PSX CDRs.)
> > I know developers prefer the DC to the PSX2.
>
> Only those currently in the PC market, because the transition
> is easier. Those currently in the console market almost unanimously
> dislike it.
>
I don't know any PC developers but the console developers I
know say the PSX2 is a nightmare to program compared to the
PSX or DC. That was one of the problems the Saturn had- it
was a bitch to code for compared to the PSX.
>
> Um, am I the only one who heard Bill say the X-Box would launch
> next spring? That's only about 6 months away...
>
It's supposed to be released September 2001. That is if it isn't
delayed like many other M$ products. I can't wait to see how many
bugs "X-Box: Service Pack 1" fixes :p
> > The other thing that
> > remains to be seen is if M$ can pull it off. All the specs I've
> > read about the X-Box so far make me think they don't understand the
> > console market at all.
>
> *shrug* They don't understand the PC market either, but
> that hasn't stopped their marketing engine.
>
True :)
> > > Their problem is, unlike Nintendo, they don't have anything to fall
> > > back on except making games. 3DO managed the transition, but
> > > almost didn't and lost most of their staff several times during the
> > > process.
> >
> > What else does Nintendo have to fall back on if they dropped out
> > of the hardware market?
>
> A very large portion of Nintendo's profits come from Pokemon -
> games, trading/playing cards, stuffed animals and action figures,
> stickers, t-shirts, movies (in the theatre), cartoons (in prime time),
> etc. Additionally, they are essentially unchallenged in the hand-held
> game market, which (for them) is currently thriving. The three top-
> selling games last year were three different colors of Pokemon for
> the GameBoy. They *each* outsold every other game on the market.
> On top of this, Nintendo's President has announced that they intend
> to make the Pokemon bigger than Mickey Mouse, and have started
> in on plans to build a theme park similar to Disneyland.
>
That's very interesting. The Pikachu fad has started to fade
away. He is a great character, it'll be interesting to see if
Nintendo can turn him into an icon. They may have over-exposed
him too much already to do it though- the secret is to keep
the public wanting more... last Christmas you could buy Pikachu
everything. It's nice to see that they want to go in that
direction though. One problem is that the Japanese have been
very successful at marketing fads in the west, but not very
successful at building a lasting franchise. Remember Sanrio
(Hello Kitty)? Nintendo certianly has some great characters
though like Pikachu and Mario.
:)
Pat
Subscribe/Unsubscribe: open-request@amiga.com
Amiga FAQ: http://www.amiga.com/faq.html
********************************************************************************************
E Mail Disclaimer
You agree that you have read and understood this disclaimer and you agree to be bound by its terms.
The information contained in this e-mail and any files transmitted with it is confidential and intended for the addressee only. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the originator or telephone 0191 2102000. This e-mail and any attachments have been scanned for certain viruses prior to sending, but neither Northern Electric plc nor any of the companies in the Northern Electric group of companies from whom this e-mail originates shall be liable for any losses as a result of any viruses being passed on.
Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this e-mail is correct, no warranty is given and you should be aware it may be incomplete, out of date or incorrect. It is therefore essential that you verify all such information with us before taking any action in reliance upon it.
Northern Electric plc,
Market Street,
Newcastle Upon Tyne,
NE1 6NE.
Registered in England and Wales: Number 2772271.
********************************************************************************************
Subscribe/Unsubscribe: open-request@amiga.com
Amiga FAQ: http://www.amiga.com/faq.html