Current and former PS2 owners; determining trends

[Carl B]

EDIT: Option #5 is actually supposed to read: "You bought it mid/late into the gen, but it's left you dissapointed." - so vote accordingly with that in mind. In addition, option #4 *is* supposed to imply that you started out on another console; otherwise vote #1

Similar to my recent Dreamcast poll, this poll here isn't trying to be grand or sweeping in nature, but to hone in on one facet of the console picture in particular. For whatever reason today I was thinking about this, so here it is as a poll. And what was I thinking about?

Well, basically PS2 has the highest number of units sold, but that sometimes doesn't tell the whole story. Now, it stands to reason that PS2 has the most number of 'loyalists' among the consoles as well, but I *know* that at least some percentage of the Sony owner base has abandoned the system for whatever reasons. Getting a sense of how many indeed have abandoned it to go elsewhere can help paint a picture a little more accurate than the indomitable '100 million consoles sold' sometimes does. Because truthfully, some of those owners have since gone elsewhere.

And of course on the flip, in fact I've read in several posts of formerly anti-Sony individuals as recently as in the last month or so getting the console and falling in love with it's selection of games and content. So both trends could factor in and it works both ways.

To the multi-console'ists who gave me hassle in the Dreamcast poll because they felt the criteria was too strict; hey I own multiple consoles too! But really I'm just trying to focus in on an industry trend here with regard to Sony and nothing else, which is why you won't see 10 different poll questions asking which other consoles, etc etc... ;)

Polls tend to work very well on B3D because it is inherently a multi-console forum and it tends to be fairly civil as well (comparatively), so as always I'd ask that non-PS2 owners not skew the poll results, and that all posts be opinion-oriented and non-flaming.

(PC/PS2 gamers, for purposes of this poll I would say that PC's do not count as a console, in case there's any confusion)

[Carl B]

edit

[Npl]

bought a GC and gave it to my little sister a few months later. Picked #1

[drpepper]

I never intended to get a PS2, but Metal Gear Solid 2 and Gran Turismo 3 was too much to pass up. Got it for christmas a year later. Never wanted a gamecube cause, well, no games really appealed to me. Xbox, well, it was just as expensive as a PS2 but had no games I was really interested in either. And that includes Halo. I was hoping for halo on the Mac as Bungie promised but that took forever...

The built in DVD capability and backwards compatibilty also clinched it for me.

Really, I never looked back and never regret not getting another console.

[AlphaWolf]

I really don't know why people need to insert such biased responses into their polls. You don't have to love it, and it doesn't have to suck.

[Deepak]

I bought DC on 14 Dec.2001 (still have it in working condition but do not play now), then bought PS2 in 2003.

[Carl B]

I really don't know why people need to insert such biased responses into their polls. You don't have to love it, and it doesn't have to suck.

Yes that's true, but I just figured it adds more flavor. Using the word 'biased' doesn't make much sense if you're granting it's in both directions. Flavor text I prefer. It by no means that the responder feels to that extreme; I think we can all filter out the core meaning of the responses. I just put some extremism in the poll answers to try and soak it up lest it come out in extreme forum posts instead. Like I said though, the intent of the various answers is clear, and I think varied enough answers are provided that anyone can feel comfortable putting themselves in one or another withut feeling they've overly misconstrued themselves.

Or, if not they can certainly post to clarify.

[AlphaWolf]

Yes that's true, but I just figured it adds more flavor. Using the word 'biased' doesn't make much sense if you're granting it's in both directions. Extreme flavor text I prefer. It by no means that the responder feels to that extreme; I think we can all filter out the core meaning of the responses. I just put some extremism in the poll questions to try and soak it up lest it come out in extreme forum posts instead. Still like I said, the intent of the various answers is clear, and I think answers are provided that anyone can feel comfortable putting themselves in one or another.

No. I don't feel comfortable putting myself in one or another as I neither hate (weak piece of trash) nor love my ps2. If you only want answers from people with extreme views your poll is perfect.

<edit> I admit I could have worded it better than using bias, I didn't mean you were biased I meant each poll response individually, but even then it really isn't the right word.

[Sis]

I bought the DC during launch and watched it whither away. Then I picked up the PS2 during the NA launch (came across a unit at Best Buy and even though I wasn't lookng to buy one, I figured that I should buy one anyway given the shortage). I was honestly very disappointed in it for the first year or two. It's only been in the past couple of years that I've really started to enjoy it, specifically for games like Ratchet and Clank, Ico, KD, Dark Cloud 2, God of War, etc. Actually, and add GTA3--that games been a killer app for PS2. Ironic that a system I wasn't interested turned out to have some of my favorite games of all time...

.Sis

[Sis]

I really don't know why people need to insert such biased responses into their polls. You don't have to love it, and it doesn't have to suck.
Because it makes the poll more fun and regardless it's not scientific?

.Sis

[macabre]

I took nr.2 . I started with a imported US PS2, then I got an Xbox and finally a GC when RE4 came out. But my PS2 voltage converter burned someday and took the console with it :(

At the time I only play PC games, because my TV also died lately...so I try to save money for a PS3 and a good HDTV - but I also feel the need to upgrade my PC...argh the pain !

[AlphaWolf]

Because it makes the poll more fun and regardless it's not scientific?

How does it make the poll more fun?

[Sis]

How does it make the poll more fun?
By engaging in emotional discourse. Using bland wording, though it might be more "fair", does not make for engaging reading. Using bland scenarios ("they are all good") does not make for interesting reading.

.Sis

[Carl B]

Well anyway AlphaWolf I understand where you're coming from, but Sis is right, I was just trying to spice things up a little in wording. Definitely if you don't feel comfortable voting in it, that's all good - either way though feel free to post your experience.

[Edge]

I was a huge Dreamcast fan, and hated Sony. I even vowed to never buy a PS2, cause I thought it was technically inferior. Funny how a few years can change one's view. Had the GCN for a year, and decided to get the PSTwo, and it's an awesome machine. It was Shadow of the Colossus that made me buy the PSTwo, but also picked up Rachet and Clank 3 (awesome game!), Metal Gear Solid 2, and Jak 3. Too many great games to resist, and developers have gotten really good at pushing the hardware. So many RPG's to choose from!!! Dragon Quest VIII to be picked up on Nov 22nd!

Now bring on the PS3!!!

[Serenity Painted Death]

Going Commando is a much better game than Up Your Arsenal.

UYA technically has gameplay that is a bit better (some better gun options, etc, nothing major), but the story mode is about a third as long and the game just feels rushed and incomplete (thanks half-ass online). Not to mention the arena in Going Commando completely DEMOLISHES the pathetic excuse that is in UYA.

[seismologist]

My only console and DVD player is the PS2.

[Edge]

Thanks SPD. I will look into picking up the second of that series also.

[vazel]

love the ps2 for it's first and second party games like ico, mark of kri, etc.. also all the rpg games sony consoles are known for.

[rendezvous]

I bought mine this spring and it is my first console ever. I've always been a computer user but I bought the PSTwo because my computer was too old for gaming and the ease of gaming on a console. I've got five games so far and I am looking into buying some more in the near future. I will not buy another consoles from this gen and I will probably stay loyal to Sony in the upcoming gen too.

[nismo123]

I have all 3 consoles but love the PS2 the most as it has the best games out of all 3 consoles. GoW, SOTC, MGS3 are my fav games so far. PS2 was the best console of this gen, not due to it's power but the games it had. I hope the trensd continues with PS3 as well.

[wco81]

Bought my PS2 a couple of months after launch but didn't really use it heavily until they rolled out the Network Adapter in 2002. Through that point, mostly played PC games online.

Tempted to pick up and Xbox and GC a couple of times but really didn't have time for more than one console.

[Carl B]

Some interesting stats so far. It'd be cool though if any of the voters who abandoned the system posted their take on it all though, just to have that complete 'collage' thing going here, but no pressure! :cool:

[Powderkeg]

Where is the option for "I started with a PS2, bought other consoles which I like better, but I haven't abandoned my PS2"?

I don't have to "love" the PS2 to still enjoy some of it's exclusives, do I?

[Carl B]

Where is the option for "I started with a PS2, bought other consoles which I like better, but I haven't abandoned my PS2"?

I don't have to "love" the PS2 to still enjoy some of it's exclusives, do I?

No you don't have to 'love' PS2, but regardless option #2 is for you. Posts #5-#14 explain the phrasing of the questions. ;)

I highly doubt there is someone on the board that will actually pigeonhole you into the actual literal words used; it's just flavor text really.

[Shifty Geezer]

As another example, if you only own PS2 and hate it, but play a game on it once in a while, #1 is still the option for you.

I'll add that surely there ought to be comparative Polls for GC and XB ownership, if this is claiming to be a follow-up to the Dreamcast poll. I wanna see 'Opinion Poll 3 - Revenge of the Opinion Poll' and 'Opinion Poll 4 - Son of Opinion Poll' followed by a naffy EA tie-in game and run of fan-written novels.

[Carl B]

As another example, if you only own PS2 and hate it, but play a game on it once in a while, #1 is still the option for you.

Exactly. :cool:


I'll add that surely there ought to be comparative Polls for GC and XB ownership, if this is claiming to be a follow-up to the Dreamcast poll. I wanna see 'Opinion Poll 3 - Revenge of the Opinion Poll' and 'Opinion Poll 4 - Son of Opinion Poll' followed by a naffy EA tie-in game and run of fan-written novels.

Well, it's not the follow-up to the Dreamcast poll per se, it's just the 'next' question that intrigued me. Basically what is the 'turn-off' factor some people have experienced with PS2. So that next time people are tossing around the strength of the PS2 install base, we can maybe say something like... "But remember, that x% of PS2 owners seem actually to have abandoned it to go elsewhere..."

Honestly as it stands now Sony's user base seems pretty satisfied with the console, which is good for Sony/PS2. But it's definitely the case here that a large percentage of Sony owners own other consoles as well, though not as many as maybe I would have thought.

That might be the basis for another poll - how many GC, XBox, PS2 owners own *only* that console. But to isolate the answers to certain questions there might require too many poll options.

I mean we could do some fairly extensive polling here, and come up with all sorts of data, but for now I'm just sticking to questions that answer personal interest questions of mine. :)

(which is why the topics might seem so divergent)

EDIT: Might as well do a mid-way assessment right now as well.

Of 91 current and former PS2 owners:

~43% are enjoying the PS2 as their exclusive current gen console

~33% started off on PS2 and now enjoy it as one of multiple consoles they own

~13% of original PS2 owners found it lacking and have since moved on to different platforms/options

Between ~2% and ~11% of individuals who thought they would not purchase a PS2 at the beginning of the gen have since given it a shot and are enjoying it*

Between ~0% and ~9% of individuals who decided they'd give the PS2 a shot later in the gen have found that it fell short of their expectations when buying it*

* Since question #5 was mistyped, I have to account for the fact that some voters may not have read my clarifying edit in the first post of this thread, which is why I've been forced to include a data range. By default however, I would assume 2%/9% to be the case - for lack of indication to the contrary.

[Phil]

Well, I voted #1.

I'm a Sony PS2 owner, and before that a PSone. Before that, I've owned a SNES and a PC, but converted to the PSone in 1997. Since then, I have been exclusive to the PlayStation brand simply because they've supplied me with my gaming needs and gave me more than I could ask for. I've come to love PlayStation franchises like Naughty Dog games (Crash Bandicoot, later Jak series), the Final Fantasy games and Gran Turismo. I've also always loved many games by Capcom (Resident Evil back on the Psone), Metal Gear Solid and Tekken.

Never once did I consider switching over to Dreamcast when it launched in 1999. At the time, I wouldn't consider myself a hardcore gamer but a casual that gradually became a loyal supporter. When I saw Dreamcast in the shops, I was impressed by the graphics, but deep down, I told myself that PS2 would deliver the same, if not better, wich is why I waited.

With all the franchises that I have come to enjoy as a PlayStation owner, I see no reason to support xbox360 at this point. Maybe if I would go for a second console maybe then, but even then, at this point, a Nintendo console looks like the safer bet to me.

[Mefisutoferesu]

Considering how I wouldn't shut in the DC thread I should say something here too, right? ;)

Well, let's see after my 16bit days I went N64>PS>DC>PS2>GC.

I originally bought the N64 out of hearing things about how it was more power and there wasn't the load problems the disc formats had (I was young, sue me) and, of course, playing Mario64. I enjoyed it and had plenty of fun but the games were rather sparse... you're standard 1st party Nintendo titles and some Rare games. Some time passed with large gaps between games and I bought a PS. The 1st game I owned was none other than Metal Gear Solid, nice introduction, eh? Followed by FF7. A great start that only got better, I end up buying more games for my PS than I owned for everything else combined. A year or 2 later I recieved a Dreamcast for christmas, which made me sad (I always feel terrible when I recieve something nice), but the real sad thing was that I purchased even fewer games than I did for the N64... Soinc, Skies, Grandia, and a few others, but I loved each and everyone of those games. I have certain... obsessions, about skies, but I won't go into that...ahem. Wonderful games, but there just weren't that many. Thankfully I still had PS to keep the games rolling in. Though after the DC died my collection of game octupled or so. It's easy to buy games when they only cost a dollar. :) At this point, I had pretty much played through all the games I wanted to for that generation (still missing a few to this day though... rare ones like Klonoa) and decided to move on. So I bought a PS2 and the very first game I played was Metal Gear Solid 2! Apparently lightening does strike twice!! Hilariously enough, the 2nd game? ICO. Apparently Sony's a lightening rod! And I was off. I'm having a great time with my PS2, game after game after game, and at this rate I won't be done till 2008. Of course, the story doesn't end there a year or so back Nintendo started bundling games with it's console and when I saw the Metroid Prime bundle I just couldn't resist. To this day Metroid Prime is the only FPS I've EVER finished. 'Course, it doesn't stop there I've bought a good number of games for my GC, and I quite like the little cuboidal guy. I've bought a fair share more games than I did for my N64, and I'm always saddened that it faired worse than the N64. As to the future? Well, frankly as interested as I am in nextgen, I really have no plans to buy anything for a good while. There's simply too much for me to play now to move on.

If you've reach this far, then +1 to you for being able to read through that gobbly-gook!! :) As you can guess, for me, while I've pretty muched loved every console I've owned, Sony was the one that always had the a seemingly never-ending supply of incredible games.

Well, there you go!!

[drpepper]

If you've reach this far, then +1 to you for being able to read through that gobbly-gook!! :) As you can guess, for me, while I've pretty muched loved every console I've owned, Sony was the one that always had the a seemingly never-ending supply of incredible games.


And this is why, IMHO, Sony will be very succesful with the PS3 no matter what Microsoft or Nintendo throw at them. There never seems to be a shortage of good games, and I don't have to list the games to prove the point, many people are playing an incredible game right now in Shadow of the Colossus. This is what Xbox needs, not a mandatory 720p resolution at 4xAA...